128. Everyone knows from the Word that the life allotted to each after death is according to his deeds. If you open the Word and read it you will see this clearly; but while doing so take the thoughts away from faith and justification by faith alone. The few passages that follow testify that the Lord teaches this everywhere in His Word:
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matt. vii 19, 20. Many will say to me in that day, Lord ... have we not prophesied in thy name ... and in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matt. vii. 22, 23. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. ... And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house 'upon the earth without a foundation.' Matt. vii. 24, 26; Luke vi. 46-49. [2] For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father... and then He shall reward every man according to his works. Matt. xv. 27. The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Matt. xxi. 43. Jesus said: My mother and my brethren are those which hear the Word of God, and do it. Luke viii. 21. Then shall ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord ... open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are ... depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. Luke xiii. 25-27. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment (A.V. damnation). John v. 29. [3] We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth. [John] ix. 31. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John xiii. 17. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me ... and I (A.V. my Father) will love him, and I (A.V. we) will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John xiv. 15, 21-24. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you... I have chosen you ... that ye should bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. John xv. 14, 16. [4] The Lord said to John: Unto the angel of the Church of Ephesus write ... I know thy works I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first charity (A.V. love) repent, and do the first works ... else I will remove thy candlestick out of his place. Rev. ii. 1, 2, 4, 5. Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write I know thy works. Rev. ii. 8 [9]. To the angel of the Church in Pergamos write ... I know thy works. ... Repent. Rev. ii. [12], 13, 16. Unto the angel of the Church in Thyatira write ... I know thy works, and charity ... and thy last works to be more than the first. Rev. ii. [18, 19]. (O.E. 26.) Unto the angel of the Church in Sardis write ... I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. I have not found thy works perfect before God repent. Rev. iii. I, 2, 3. To the angel of the Church in Philadelphia write I know thy works. Rev. iii. 7, 8. Unto the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write I know thy works repent. Rev. iii. 14, 15, 19. I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth their works do follow them. Rev. v. (A.V. xiv.) 13. A book was opened, which IS the book of life: and the dead were judged all according to their works. Rev. xx. 12, 13. Behold, I come quickly; and my reward IS with me, to give every man according to his work (A.V. as his work shall be). Rev. xxii. 12. These are passages in the New Testament. [5] There are still more in the Old Testament, from which I quote only this:
Stand in the gate of JEHOVAH* (A.V. of the Lord's house) and proclaim there this word.... Thus saith JEHOVAH ZEBAOTH, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings.... Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of JEHOVAH, the temple of JEHOVAH, the temple of JEHOVAH are these.... Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered, while ye do (A.V. to do all) these abominations? Is this house become a den of robbers? Behold, I, even I have seen it, saith JEHOVAH. Jer. vii. 1, [2], 3, 4, 9, 10, 11. * Where Jehovah is in all capitals in the text, the A.V. has LORD; where Zebaoth is in all capitals in the text, the A.V. has "of hosts".