This Sunday (21st March) is Census day. I am sure you will have seen the adverts on TV and you may have already completed yours online. Every 10 years each household fills out the questionnaire, considered a snapshot in time to help shape future transport, education and health services. This year’s census sounds pretty important and will impact our lives and those of our children and grandchildren.
The Bible talks of an even greater and more important census – the census of Heaven, the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Revelation 21 v 27
Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
By our very nature of sin – the dishonestly, idolatry and shameful lusts – have shut us out from God’s presence and our heavenly home.
Romans 3 v 23 – 24
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
There is only one way to become a citizen of Heaven – through Jesus.
One of the most famous and notable censuses of ancient times was when Jesus Christ came to earth, when Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem to be counted for the Roman census; something that was as foretold in the Bible (Micah 5v2). Jesus was born, had to grow up just like you and I, but He lived a sinless life (he made no mistakes). He lived that perfect life so He could die in our place. It is only through Jesus that Heaven’s gates are open to us when we become God’s children – if we believe in Him and He becomes our Lord and Saviour.
John 3 v 16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Something to think about…
Is your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and been forgiven for your sins?
Want to know more? Please join us this Sunday either at church or online. You would be most welcome.
[Bible References from NLT]