When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
During this time of pandemic and the great toilet paper shortage of 2020, I've heard many jokes about the phrase "when the roll is called up yonder." Interestingly enough, during this same time, I was reading through the book of Nehemiah and came upon just such an occasion—a roll call, that is, not a toilet paper shortage.
In Nehemiah 7, the wall had been completed, and it was time to clear up some of the other mess that had been made in Jerusalem, namely figuring out who was who. So, there was a roll call of sorts. Somehow, amid the rubble, Nehemiah found a register of genealogy, allowing him to determine which of the people were legitimate Jews and which ones were foreigners. This also would tell him which tribe the people belonged to and how they could serve. But notice what happens beginning in verse 61.
“ And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel. The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two. And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name. These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.”
These groups of people were not on the roll. They had no ties to Israel and no evidence of their lineage. Therefore, they were not qualified to serve as priests. The priesthood was reserved for the Levites, but these people couldn't even prove they were Jews, let alone to which tribe they belonged. So, Nehemiah did what was right according to God's law and cast them out of the "running" for the priesthood. He could have thrown them out of Jerusalem altogether, but he showed compassion. After all, these people had helped build the wall.
This account got me thinking about another roll call that will take place sooner rather than later. When we get to Heaven, there will be a similar situation. People of all sizes, shapes, and colors will stand before the Lord as He opens up the books, including The Lamb's Book of Life, and searches for the names of those who have trusted Him as their Lord and Savior. One by one, we will pass before the Lord as He runs His finger down the page of that book.
For those who are saved—those who have believed in the One and Only Son of God—we will hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter in." And just like the many, many names in the first part of Nehemiah 7, we'll take our place among the Heavenly throng—the rightful heirs of the Kingdom of God. (Did anyone else get glory bumps?)
However, there will be those who—like the latter list in Nehemiah 7—cannot prove their heritage, their seed, their holy lineage. Their names aren't on the roll because they never chose to surrender their hearts and lives to Jesus. For whatever reason, they refused to accept Him as their Savior and Lord. Maybe they felt they didn't need Him. Perhaps they didn't want to change their behavior or habits. Maybe they believed they had more time to make a choice. Whatever the reason, they never followed through, and their names are not found.
To these lost souls, Jesus will lift His head from the roll, and with tears in His eyes say, "Depart from me, for I never knew you." And at that moment, they will face a consequence far more severe than being put out from the priesthood. They will be cast out from Heaven into an eternal hell. A place where there is excruciating pain that never ends. They will burn but never burn up. They will cry, but there will be no one to answer them, for everyone there will be caught up in their own agony. They will wish they had made the choice, but it will be too late. And there they will remain for all eternity because their names weren't on the roll.
My friend, if you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today, I beg of you, ask Him to save you today. Don't allow yourself to be among those whose names are not found on the roll. Believe in Jesus today! Don't wait. We don't know when the Lord will return, but it could be today, and I want your name on that roll. Jesus wants your name on that roll! He doesn't want anyone to perish (II Peter 3:9). If you need help, I would be thrilled to show you how you can know you're on your way to Heaven.
For those of you who are saved, I challenge you to spread the gospel to people far and wide. Tell your neighbors, the postman, the grocery store clerk. Care enough about their souls to warn them of their fate if they don't get things right with the Lord. Be a witness. Shine your light in this dark world. You could be the difference between someone having their name on the roll or not. So, make a difference in someone's life today!
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”