every wrong word , every selfish act , every unfulfilled duty , and every secret sin , with every artful dissembling . Heaven-sent warnings or reproofs neglected , wasted moments , unimproved opportunities , the influence exerted for good or for evil , with its far-reaching results , all are chronicled by the recording angel . The law of God is the standard by which the characters and the lives of men will be tested in the judgment . Says the wise man : " Fear God , and keep His commandments : for this is the whole duty of man . For God shall bring every work into judgment ." Ecclesiastes 12:13 , 14 . The apostle James admonishes his brethren : " So speak ye , and so do , as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty ." James 2:12
Those who in the judgment are " accounted worthy " will have a part in the resurrection of the just . Jesus said : " They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world , and the resurrection from the dead , . . . are equal unto the angels ; and are the children of God , being the children of the resurrection ." Luke 20:35 , 36 . And again He declares that " they that have done good " shall come forth " unto the resurrection of life ." John 5:29 . The righteous dead will not be raised until after the judgment at which they are accounted worthy of " the resurrection of life ." Hence they will not be present in person at the tribunal when their records are examined and their cases decided .
Jesus will appear as their advocate , to plead in their behalf before God . " If any man sin , we have an advocate with the Father , Jesus Christ the righteous ." I John 2:1 . " For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands , which are the figures of the true ; but into heaven itself , now to appear in the presence of God for us ." " Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him , seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them ." Hebrews 9:24 ; 7:25 . As the books of record are opened in the judgment , the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God .
Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth , our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation , and closes with the living . Every name is mentioned , every case closely investigated . Names are accepted , names rejected . When any have sins remaining upon the books of record , unrepented of and unforgiven , their names will be blotted out of the book of life , and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God ' s remembrance . The Lord declared to Moses : " Whosoever hath sinned against Me , him will I blot out of My book ." Exodus 32:33 . And says the prophet Ezekiel : " When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness , and committeth iniquity , . . . all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned ." Ezekiel 18:24 .
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