The Investigative Judgment — The Books

The court was seated, And the books were opened. *1

And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. *2

In heaven there are two books. The Book of Life which contains names and the book of remembrance which contains thoughts and deeds. These are the books that were opened and the Judge, our Lord, is using in the investigative judgment.

The Book Of Life

The book of life contains the names of all who have ever entered the service of God.*3

The Lord Jesus tells his disciples,

rejoice because your names are written in heaven.* 4

Paul speaks of his faithful co-workers,

whose names are in the book of life .* 5

Daniel, seeing the "time of trouble such as never was," tells us that they shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book.* 6

Finally, the apostle John tells us that only those whose names,

are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter through the gates of heaven. * 7

The Book of Memories

Before God there is written "a book of memory," in which are recorded the good deeds of " who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name…" Malachi 3:16.* 3

Their words of faith, their acts of love are recorded in heaven...In the “book of memory” of God; every act of righteousness is immortalized. Every temptation resisted, every overcome sin, every word of tender compassion expressed, is faithfully, and pointed dictated, along with every act of sacrifice, every suffering and sorrow endured for Christ's sake. The psalmist says: "You number my wanderings;
 Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? Psalm 56:8. * 3

There is also a register in which appear the sins of men. For God shall bring every work into view with every secret thing, whether good or bad. Ecclesiastes 12:14. Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall report on the day of the trial. The Savior says: For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:36, 37. The secret purposes and motives appear in the unerring register, for God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts. 1 Corinthians 4:5. Behold, this is written before me:. . . your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together says the Lord." Isaiah 65:6, 7. *3

In front of each name in the books of heaven is entered with such terrible exactness every wrong word, every selfish act, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin, with every artful disguise. The admonitions or neglected reproofs, the lost moments, squandered opportunities, the exerted influence whether for good or ill, with its far-reaching results, all was recorded by the scribe angel. * 3

But while this should worry us we should not fear. If we look at Jesus with a sincere heart we will forgive.

To all who have truly repented of sin, and have accepted by faith the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, they have now received pardoned beside their names in the books of heaven, as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ and their character is in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be judged worthy of eternal life. *3

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more* 8

But what will happen to the records of those who have not repented?

Each name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Some names are accepted, and other names are rejected. In the case of someone who has in the books of memory sins of which they have not repented of and have not been forgiven for, their name shall be erased from the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the books of God . The Lord said to Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of my book. Exodus 32:33. And the prophet Ezekiel says: But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die…Ezekiel 18:24. *3

We must remember every day the times we are living in. Our case may be examined at any time by the Lord. The pen of inspiration tells us,

How solemn is the thought! Day after day, passing into eternity, bears its burden of records for the books of heaven. Words once spoken, deeds once done, can never be recalled. Angels have registered both the good and the evil. The mightiest conqueror upon the earth cannot call back the record of even a single day. Our acts, our words, even our most secret motives, all have their weight in deciding our destiny for weal or woe. Though they may be forgotten by us, they will bear their testimony to justify or condemn. * 3

JESUS IS COMING, AMEN, YES, COME LORD JESUS!

1 * Daniel 7:9, 10
2 * Revelation 20:12
3 * The Great Controversy, "Facing Life’s Record” Ellen White
4 * Luke 10:20
5 * Philippians 4:3
6 * Daniel 12:1
7 * Revelation 21:27
8 * Isaiah 43:25