Differing Destinies

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God… And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire… And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband… And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth… but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life” (Revelation 20:12,15, 21:2,27).

Now come and ascend to the place where John saw

Those differing destinies in Revelation.

Draw near to these vistas with reverent awe,

And ponder the contrast of each destination.

Come and behold there the small and the great

Who stand before God to be judged for their sins.

O what a fearful, lamentable state

Portrayed in the destiny here that begins!

The Judge on that throne is the Lamb who was smitten;

He left heaven’s splendor to be sacrificed!

The souls who refuse Him won’t have their names written

With those who are saved by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now come and approach a much different scene,

Beholding that city prepared as a bride,

Where all who will enter are blamelessly clean
Because that have trusted in Christ crucified. 

Now clothed in salvation, we see the Lamb’s wife

Adorned in the righteousness Jesus Christ gives,

His people inscribed in the Lamb’s book of life  

Rejoice that forever and ever He lives!

O Lord, in the light of these destinies shown,

In view of the souls You are longing to save,

We pray for the boldness to make Your love known

That You have displayed by Your life that You gave.