Category: Ezra

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Esther 4, for such a time as this!

Est 4:1, When Mordecai learned all that had happened, HE TORE HIS CLOTHES AND PUT ON SACKCLOTH AND ASHES … HE CRIED OUT WITH A LOUD AND BITTER CRY. 

Mordecai knew it was because of him that the decree to kill all the Jews went out in the first place! But once written it cannot be changed!

Est 1:19, … and let it be recorded in the laws of the PERSIANS AND THE MEDES, SO THAT IT WILL NOT BE ALTERED

We should always be in communion with the LORD thru prayer Especially in times of trouble! HE IS OUR FATHER WHO LOVES US AND IS WILLING TO HELP US IF WE ASK!

Est 4:11, “… know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, WHO HAS NOT BEEN CALLED, HE HAS BUT ONE LAW: PUT ALL TO DEATH, EXCEPT THE ONE TO WHOM THE KING HOLDS OUT THE GOLDEN SCEPTER, that he may live. …

WHAT HAS THE LORD CALLED YOU TO DO? ESTHER WAS NOW IN A POSITION TO HELP HER PEOPLE, YET SHE WAS PLACED THERE BY THE LIVING GOD FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!

Psa 75:7, BUT GOD IS THE JUDGE: HE PUTS DOWN ONE, AND EXALTS ANOTHER. 

Est 4:14, FOR IF YOU REMAIN COMPLETELY SILENT AT THIS TIME, RELIEF AND DELIVERANCE WILL ARISE FOR THE JEWS FROM ANOTHER PLACE, but you and your father’s house will perish. YET WHO KNOWS WHETHER YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?” 

Mordecai trust was in the faithfulness of GOD, not in Esther. Man is easily pushed from side to side, BUT THE LORD IS OUR STEADFAST ROCK AND HIS PROMISES ARE FAITHFUL!

2Ti 2:13, IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE REMAINS FAITHFUL; HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF. 

HE HAS A PLAN FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF US, TRUST IN HIM! THERE IS A REASON HE HAS YOU WHERE YOUR AT NOW!

Jer 29:11, FOR I KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT I THINK TOWARD YOU, SAYS THE LORD, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE.

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Ezra 10, Sin destroys families!

Ezr 10:1, Now while Ezra was praying, and while HE WAS CONFESSING, WEEPING, AND BOWING DOWN BEFORE THE HOUSE OF GOD, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; FOR THE PEOPLE WEPT VERY BITTERLY.

The work of the HOLY SPIRIT is clearly seen when men are convicted of their sin and confess before the LORD!

1Jn 1:9, IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. 

Ezr 10:2, And Shechaniah … said to Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have TAKEN PAGAN WIVES from the peoples of the land; YET NOW THERE IS HOPE IN ISRAEL IN SPITE OF THIS.

Someone said that our GOD is the GOD of second chances? YET, I’M THANKFUL THAT HE IS THE GOD OF 10TH AND 11TH CHANCES!

Ezr 10:11, Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, AND DO HIS WILL; SEPARATE YOURSELVES FROM THE PEOPLES OF THE LAND, AND FROM THE PAGAN WIVES.”

Mal 2:16, “FOR THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL SAYS THAT HE HATES DIVORCE ,” …

Rth 1:15-16, And she said, “LOOK, YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW HAS GONE BACK TO HER PEOPLE AND TO HER GODS; … BUT RUTH SAID: … For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; YOUR PEOPLE SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND YOUR GOD, MY GOD.

As Ruth left her gods/idols and made the LORD her GOD, these families had the same choice!

YET, SOME WERE NOT WILLING TO DO SO AND THEY WERE SET APART!

Ezr 10:44, …SOME OF THEM HAD WIVES BY WHOM THEY HAD CHILDREN.

SIN HURTS A LOT OF PEOPLE AND MAINLY CHILDREN, BUT HE IS SEEKING GODLY OFFSPRING NOT A DIVIDED HOME! FOR WHAT FELLOWSHIP HAS RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH LAWLESSNESS? AND WHAT COMMUNION HAS LIGHT WITH DARKNESS? 2Cor 6:14

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Ezra 9, knowledge of GOD!

Ezr 9:1-2,  … the leaders came to me, saying, “THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND THE PRIESTS AND THE LEVITES HAVE NOT SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM THE PEOPLES OF THE LANDS, with respect to the abominations… For they have taken SOME OF THEIR DAUGHTERS AS WIVES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR SONS, SO THAT THE HOLY SEED IS MIXED with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, THE HAND OF THE LEADERS AND RULERS HAS BEEN FOREMOST IN THIS TRESPASS.” 

Israel just came back from captivity only to find out that the people as well as the leaders have taken foreign wives! This is clearly an offense to the LORD in Deu 7:3-4

2Co 6:14, Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 

This is why Solomon’s heart turned from following the LORD! THE LORD SEEKS A GODLY OFFSPRING NOT A DIVIDED HOME!

Mal 2:15, BUT DID HE NOT MAKE THEM ONE, HAVING A REMNANT OF THE SPIRIT? AND WHY ONE? HE SEEKS GODLY OFFSPRING.

Ezr 9:3-4, So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and SAT DOWN ASTONISHED. THEN EVERYONE WHO TREMBLED AT THE WORDS OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL ASSEMBLED TO ME, …

The people trembled! This is a good sign for the FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF UNDERSTANDING & WISDOM, Pro 1:7, 9:10

MOST PEOPLE CALL THEMSELVES GOOD SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T BOTHER TO READ THE BIBLE! THEY USE THEIR STANDARD TO DEFINE GOOD, BUT THIS LEADS TO DESTRUCTIONS!

Hos 4:6, MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. BECAUSE YOU HAVE REJECTED KNOWLEDGE, I ALSO WILL REJECT YOU from being priest for Me; BECAUSE YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN THE LAW OF YOUR GOD, I ALSO WILL FORGET YOUR CHILDREN. 

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Ezra 8, embarrassed because of fear!

Ezr 8:21, THEN I PROCLAIMED A FAST THERE AT THE RIVER OF AHAVA, THAT WE MIGHT HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE OUR GOD, TO SEEK FROM HIM THE RIGHT WAY FOR US AND OUR LITTLE ONES AND ALL OUR POSSESSIONS. 

Ezra, was about to leave Babylon on their way to Jerusalem, and they humbled themselves before the LORD.  They had their children they had gold and silver for the temple, but the way back home was dangerous!

Ezr 8:22  FOR I WAS ASHAMED TO REQUEST OF THE KING AN ESCORT OF SOLDIERS AND HORSEMEN TO HELP US AGAINST THE ENEMY ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE WE HAD SPOKEN TO THE KING, SAYING, “THE HAND OF OUR GOD IS UPON ALL THOSE FOR GOOD WHO SEEK HIM, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 

With great confidence Ezra told the king “OUR GOD WILL PROTECT US”, YET ASKING FOR AN ESCORT WOULD CONTRADICT HIS WORDS!

TODAY, AS WE COME BACK TO THE HOUSE OF GOD; HOW CAN WE FEAR THE VIRUS AND AT THE SAME TIME PROCLAIM THE STRENGTH OF OUR GOD? THIS IS A CONTRADICTION OF OUR FAITH IN THE LIVING GOD! HE SAYS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, DO NOT BE AFRAID!

Isa 41:10, DON’T BE AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU. DON’T BE DISCOURAGED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU. I WILL HOLD YOU UP WITH MY VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND. 

BEING AFRAID IS NORMAL, BUT STILL ILLOGICAL IF YOU KNOW WHO IS WITH YOU!

Psa 56:3, BUT WHEN I AM AFRAID, I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN YOU. 

Ezr 8:23, SO WE FASTED AND EARNESTLY PRAYED THAT OUR GOD WOULD TAKE CARE OF US, AND HE HEARD OUR PRAYER. 

EZRA WITH THE PEOPLE SOUGHT THE LORD IN PRAYER ASKING FOR HELP AND HE HEARD THEIR CRY!

Mar 9:23-24, Jesus said to him, “IF YOU CAN BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM WHO BELIEVES.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “LORD, I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF!”

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Ezra 7, living the word of GOD!

Ezr 7:1,5, Now after these things, IN THE REIGN OF ARTAXERXES KING OF PERSIA, EZRA THE SON OF SERAIAH… THE SON OF AARON..

Ezra came to Jerusalem in the second wave of people returning to their homeland!

Ezr 7:6, this Ezra came up from Babylon; and HE WAS A SKILLED SCRIBE IN THE LAW OF MOSES, WHICH THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL HAD GIVEN. THE KING GRANTED HIM ALL HIS REQUEST, ACCORDING TO THE HAND OF THE LORD HIS GOD UPON HIM. 

This king Artaxerxes Longimanus was the son Artaxerxes found in Ezra 4:7. Whereas the father stopped the work of GOD; his son blessed and funded the work of GOD!

Ezr 7:10, FOR EZRA HAD PREPARED HIS HEART TO SEEK THE LAW OF THE LORD, AND TO DO IT, AND TO TEACH STATUTES AND ORDINANCES IN ISRAEL.

Ezra was a blessed man, not just because he knew the word of the LORD, but because he lived it! KNOWING HIS WORD AND DOING IT ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS! JESUS SAID…

Mat 7:24, “THEREFORE WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOES THEM, I WILL LIKEN HIM TO A WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK:

Eph 5:15-17, SEE THEN THAT YOU WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, NOT AS FOOLS BUT AS WISE, REDEEMING THE TIME, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL. THEREFORE DO NOT BE UNWISE, BUT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS.

IF WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT OUR BLESSED HOPE IS AT THE DOOR AND READY TO RETURN THEN WE MUST BE ABOUT OUR FATHERS BUSINESS, REDEEMING THE TIME! JESUS SAID THE FOLLOWING!

Mat 24:46, BLESSED IS THAT SERVANT WHOM HIS MASTER, WHEN HE COMES, WILL FIND SO DOING. 

NOT JUST KNOWING HIS WORD BUT DOING IT!

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Ezra 6, HIS guiding hand!

Ezr 6:1-2, THEN KING DARIUS ISSUED A DECREE, AND A SEARCH WAS MADE IN THE ARCHIVES, … A SCROLL WAS FOUND, AND IN IT A RECORD WAS WRITTEN THUS:

After a letter sent to king Darius from the governor who was trying to get the work of GOD stopped; Darius found the scroll of Cyrus!

Ezr 6:3, In the first year of King Cyrus, KING CYRUS ISSUED A DECREE CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF GOD AT JERUSALEM: “LET THE HOUSE BE REBUILT,

Darius could have found the scroll of Artaxerxes, where he told them to stop the work, BUT HE FOUND THE SCROLL OF CYRUS!

Rom 8:31, …IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? 

Ezr 6:6-7, Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai…, KEEP YOURSELVES FAR FROM THERE. LET THE WORK OF THIS HOUSE OF GOD ALONE; LET THE GOVERNOR OF THE JEWS AND THE ELDERS OF THE JEWS BUILD THIS HOUSE OF GOD ON ITS SITE.

GOD has the power to frustrate the work of evil men and to prosper the work done for HIM! HIS WORD WILL NOT COME BACK VOID!

Job 5:12-13, He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.

Ezr 6:11, Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this.

Jer 1:19, They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. FOR I AM WITH YOU,” SAYS THE LORD, “TO DELIVER YOU.

IT’S AMAZING WHAT GOD CAN DO EVEN WITH NON-BELIEVERS! THE WORK OF THE TEMPLE WAS FINALLY COMPLETED, BECAUSE THE LORD NEVER LEFT THEIR SIDE! HE IS ALWAYS THERE WORKING ON OUR BE-HALF!

Job 11:7-8, “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

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Ezra 5, who do you work for?

Ezr 5:1-2, At that time THE PROPHETS HAGGAI AND ZECHARIAH SON OF IDDO PROPHESIED TO THE JEWS IN JUDAH AND JERUSALEM. … Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak RESPONDED BY STARTING AGAIN TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE OF GOD IN JERUSALEM.

The foundation was laid, yet they were forced to stop! The people had grown comfortable leaving the work of GOD to the side!

Hag 1:4-5, “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? … LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU!

The Jews were working for themselves, BUT NOT FOR GOD! THEY BUILT HOMES, PLANTED GRAIN, YET DIDN’T PROSPER AT ALL!

Hag 1:6-8, You have planted much BUT HARVEST LITTLE. You eat BUT ARE NOT SATISFIED. You drink BUT ARE STILL THIRSTY. You put on clothes BUT CANNOT KEEP WARM. YOUR WAGES DISAPPEAR AS THOUGH YOU WERE PUTTING THEM IN POCKETS FILLED WITH HOLES! “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! NOW GO UP INTO THE HILLS, BRING DOWN TIMBER, AND REBUILD MY HOUSE. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, SAYS THE LORD.

Zec 1:3, Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: RETURN TO ME, AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU, SAYS THE LORD OF HEAVEN’S ARMIES.’ 

The work on the temple re-started and both Haggai and Zechariah helped!

Ezr 5:3,5, But Tattenai, governor of the province …, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues soon arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO REBUILD THIS TEMPLE AND RESTORE THIS STRUCTURE?” …BUT BECAUSE THEIR GOD WAS WATCHING OVER THEM, the leaders of the JEWS WERE NOT PREVENTED FROM BUILDING until a report was sent to Darius and he returned his decision.

INSTANTLY HOSTILITY TO THE WORK CAME BACK, YET THEY DIDN’T STOP! WE KNOW THAT GOD WATCHES OVER US; WE DON’T WORK FOR THE GOVERNOR, BUT FOR GOD! IT’S TIME WE GET TO WORK AGAIN FOR THE TIME IS SHORT AND MANY SOULS ARE IN NEED OF HIM!

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Ezra 4, the lies of the enemy!

Ezr 4:1, NOW WHEN THE ADVERSARIES OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN HEARD THAT THE descendants of the captivity WERE BUILDING THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, 

When there is great work for the LORD, there will always be great opposition to that work!

1Co 16:9, FOR A GREAT AND EFFECTIVE DOOR HAS OPENED TO ME, AND THERE ARE MANY ADVERSARIES. 

Ezr 4:2, they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “LET US BUILD WITH YOU, FOR WE SEEK YOUR GOD AS YOU DO; AND WE HAVE SACRIFICED TO HIM…

2Ti 3:5, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people TURN AWAY! 

They are adversaries, yet want to help build? Be careful who you allow in the ministry!

Tit 1:16, THEY PROFESS TO KNOW GOD, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. 

Ezr 4:3, But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “YOU MAY DO NOTHING WITH US TO BUILD A HOUSE FOR OUR GOD; BUT WE ALONE WILL BUILD TO THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

For years through the reigns of Cyrus, Ahasuerus, Artaxerxes up to Darius, they wrote letters ACCUSING THEM OF SEDITION to their reign! King Artaxerxes finally stopped the work because of their letter against them!

Pro 26:22-26 NLT, Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. SMOOTH WORDS MAY HIDE A WICKED HEART, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot. People may COVER THEIR HATRED WITH PLEASANT WORDS, BUT THEY’RE DECEIVING YOU. THEY PRETEND TO BE KIND, but don’t believe them. THEIR HEARTS ARE FULL OF MANY EVILS. WHILE THEIR HATRED MAY BE CONCEALED BY TRICKERY, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

BE CAUTIOUS WHO YOU ALLOW IN THE MINISTRY FOR EVEN SATAN DRESSES HIMSELF AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT!

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Ezra 3, the glory of the Temple!

Ezr 3:2-3, Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel …, AROSE AND BUILT THE ALTAR OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL, TO OFFER BURNT OFFERINGS ON IT, AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES THE MAN OF GOD. … THEY SET THE ALTAR ON ITS BASES; AND THEY OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS ON IT TO THE LORD, …

Perfect place to start building the temple of GOD, the alter!  OUR ALTER IS THE CROSS OF CALVARY.  YOU CAN’T BE A CHRISTIAN OR HAVE A CHURCH WITHOUT THE CROSS, BUT THAT ALTER IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT THE CHURCH; FOR HE MEETS US WHERE WERE AT!

Ezr 3:10-11, WHEN THE BUILDERS LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD, the priests stood in their apparel with TRUMPETS, … WITH CYMBALS, TO PRAISE THE LORD, …. And THEY SANG RESPONSIVELY, PRAISING AND GIVING THANKS TO THE LORD: “FOR HE IS GOOD, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER TOWARD ISRAEL.” THEN ALL THE PEOPLE SHOUTED WITH A GREAT SHOUT, WHEN THEY PRAISED THE LORD, BECAUSE THE FOUNDATION OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD WAS LAID.

GREAT JOY CAME FROM JUST LAYING THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE! YET NOT ALL WERE CELEBRATING!

Ezr 3:12, … OLD MEN WHO HAD SEEN THE FIRST TEMPLE, WEPT WITH A LOUD VOICE WHEN THE FOUNDATION OF THIS TEMPLE WAS LAID BEFORE THEIR EYES. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, 

It’s estimated that the first Temple cost 5 billion dollars to build, Yet the foundation of this temple didn’t compare in their eyes!

Hag 2:3,7,9, ‘WHO IS LEFT AMONG YOU WHO SAW THIS TEMPLE IN ITS FORMER GLORY? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? … AND I WILL FILL THIS TEMPLE WITH GLORY,’ SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS…. ‘THE GLORY OF THIS LATTER TEMPLE SHALL BE GREATER THAN THE FORMER,’ … 

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE GOLD AND THE RICHES THAT THE FIRST TEMPLE HAD; IT’S ABOUT GOD! FOR THE SECOND TEMPLE WAS VISITED BY GOD JESUS HIMSELF. WITHOUT HIM IT’S JUST A BUILDING, BUT IN HIS PRESENCE, WE FIND GLORY! 

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Ezra 2, the book of LIFE!

Ezr 2:1-2, Now these are the people of the province WHO CAME BACK FROM THE CAPTIVITY, OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN CARRIED AWAY, WHOM NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING OF BABYLON HAD CARRIED AWAY TO BABYLON, AND WHO RETURNED TO JERUSALEM AND JUDAH, everyone to his own city. THOSE WHO CAME WITH ZERUBBABEL…

For 70 years they were in the land of Babylon, and with the command of Cyrus, the king,

Jer 29:10-11, FOR THUS SAYS THE LORD: AFTER SEVENTY YEARS ARE COMPLETED AT BABYLON, I will visit you and perform MY GOOD WORD TOWARD YOU, AND CAUSE YOU TO RETURN TO THIS PLACE. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE.

It’s time to come back home, come back to HIS fellowship, come back and be HIS people again! It’s amazing to know that the LORD is thinking of us, HIS people; knowing how flawed we are YET STILL LOVES US!

Ezr 2:59, 62, And these were the ones who came up… BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THEIR FATHER’S HOUSE OR THEIR GENEALOGY, WHETHER THEY WERE OF ISRAEL: …THESE SOUGHT THEIR LISTING AMONG THOSE WHO WERE REGISTERED BY GENEALOGY, BUT THEY WERE NOT FOUND; THEREFORE THEY WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE PRIESTHOOD AS DEFILED. 

The Jewish nation kept good records of their genealogy, yet some couldn’t find their names written in the book and were counted as defiled meaning they couldn’t serve GOD!

Rev 20:15, AND ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. 

Luke 10:20b, BUT RATHER REJOICE BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN.” 

THE LORD IS A GOD OF LOVE AND IT’S UP TO EVERYONE TO EITHER EXCEPT HIM OR REJECT HIM!  THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND, AND HE WILL NEVER FORCE HIS WILL ON YOU! IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN HIS BOOK?