It is conspicuously silent about any who might be found in the book of life at that time, probably because they were already resurrected during the first resurrection.
That is the reason for the books, if no one was going to be judged righteous by their works they would have all ready been judged.
I know a few men ( and thank God only a few )who help people for two reasons, one is that they want to be talked about as a good guy, and the other is because they want every one to owe them.
In this case god would owe them.
The pure hearted person will help some one with out thought of a reward of some kind or another.
Matthew 25:31-46
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
The ones on the right hand are the ones who,s names will be in the book of life
And if we keep on reading we can see that Jesus does expect us to do the works as he outlined them.
“There would be no need for any of the books or at least the book of life if there were not going to be any names in it.”
I did not say there were no names in it. Obviously there are names in it, because all who are saved by Christ have their names written in the book of life. What I’m saying is: the verses about the book of life which are included in the description of the second resurrection are conspicuously silent about anyone (of those who are part of the second resurrection) being found in the book of life. The verses tell us that those who are not found in the book of life are thrown into the lake of fire, but the verses do not tell us that anyone who is part of that resurrection will be found in the book of life.
This isn’t surprising to me, because if you are in the book of life, you are saved by grace, not judged by works. If you are part of the second resurrection, you are judged by works, which seems to me would preclude you being covered by the saving grace of Christ.
“That is the reason for the books, if no one was going to be judged righteous by their works they would have all ready been judged.”
I’m not sure I am following you. You think that is possible to make yourself righteous through your works?!?
“In this case god would owe them.”
How can God owe anyone anything? God is the ultimate owner of all things, so how is it impossible for Him to incur a debt?
“The ones on the right hand are the ones who,s names will be in the book of life”
Yes, this I agree with. However, both the first and second resurrections happen after Christ’s return, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume that passage is describing both events, the first and second resurrection together. The passage clearly uses allegorical language, so it might not be the best idea to read it as absolutely literal, especially as the most literal interpretation conflicts with the other verses that describe separate resurrections for the righteous and unrighteous.
That is the reason for the books, if no one was going to be judged righteous by their works they would have all ready been judged.<<<
Amen to that. Jesus said in may ways that he would judge us according to our works, both in the Gospels, and in most, if not all, of his epistles to the seven churches of Asia. He also mentioned it in the last chapter of the Revelation:
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Rev 22:12 KJV)
>>>The pure hearted person will help some one with out thought of a reward of some kind or another.<<<
And the pure in heart will see God.
Philip