Philosophy View of Roll Call
Roll call is the process of calling out a list of names to establish who is present.
Biblical View of Roll Call
On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:25-27 NIV
For some of us who have attended school and is still attending, it is customary for us to form a queue to enter a classroom and our names have to be called before we go in. It is not unusual for a student’s name to be left out after the teacher is done with roll call, that is to say, their name was not on the list. There could be several reasons, a few of which might have been they may have ended up in the wrong class or perhaps their name just never got added to the list, at any rate consider their reaction when the teacher didn’t call their name or their name was not on the roll.
It is the same way with our Christian journey with God, if we are not living a sanctified life, at Christ’s return we will hear you did not run the race well so you have missed roll call.
“You didn’t call my name! My name was not on the roll.” The spiritual application is, In a similar but more serious way consider GOD’S roll call. Twice in the book of Revelation, reference is made to “anyone whose names have not been written in the Book of Life.” (Rev 13:8, 20:15) GOD’S roll call at the end of time will be the ultimate roll call.
The book of Matthew is one of the four Synoptic Gospels; in Matthew 7 he highlights that many people will miss heaven because they were never committed to Christ or they were luke warm. Many will eternally be lost and separated from God because they never entered into a righteous relationship with him, Jesus said it in His words.
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Matthew 7:13 NKJV
I think one of the main reasons why many people will miss heaven is pride. It was pride that kept many in the nation of Israel from responding to the Gospel and it is pride which keeps many from responding today. In their pride, people are unwilling to admit their need for a Savior, they are also unwilling to admit their inability to save themselves. Pride was certainly the reason Israel rejected the Good News of Jesus Christ.
It is possible to find ourselves in situations where our names are not on the roll call or we have been forgotten, and it was because of pride that we miss the opportunity. In our pride we do not want to admit when we need help. This pride is exemplified in many aspects of our lives. For example, it is pride which keeps some people from asking for directions when we get lost, we don’t want to admit that we need help. It is sometimes pride which keeps families from accepting financial assistance when they are truly in need. Pride can be damaging to our various relationships, thats why God hates it so much. People often refuses God’s free offer of salvation and miss the roll call (heaven) for the same reason. Many will insist on trying to work their way to heaven instead of admitting that they are hopeless sinners in desperate need of a Savior
Conclusion
If we really expect to be there when the roll is called up yonder, we must completely yield to the Saviour. According to Mt 10:22 Faithful soldiers obeys orders, endure the training, and endure the battles.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Matthew 10:22KJV
As Paul encourages all Christians, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Tim 6:12 KJV
And if we fight, let us fight to win our incorruptible crown, that we all may be judged faithful by the One who was faithful even to the death on the cross.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 1ST Cor 9:26 KJV
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1ST Thes 5:24 KJV
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:” James 1:13 KJV
My final words are let us not focus on the trials and tribulations we are going through but let us press towards the higher calling which is in Christ Jesus so our names can be on the ROLL when it is called on that great day.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
Comments