Matthew Poole and continuators on Revelation 20:12

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before Gods ; and the books were opened . and another book was opened, which is the boo[illegible: 1 letter] of life : and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books m ▪ according to their works.

To shew the Justice [illegible: 1 word] Righteousness according [illegible: 1 word] which this Judg would proceed, Books are said to be opened; what Books? The Book of God's Law; the Book of God's Omniscience; the Book of Men's Consciences. In the former is contained what all Men should have done; the two latter will discover what they have thought, spake, or done in the Flesh.

The Book of Life, mentioned ch. 3.5. by which is to be understood the Book of God's Election, wherein are the Names of all those who being from Eternity chosen to Life, were redeemed with the Blood of Christ, and afterwards effectually called, justified, and sanctified. According to these Books shall the last Judgment be, Rom. 2.16. with respect had unto every ones work.

The former Verses gave us an account of Christ the great Judg of the quick and the dead in the Last Day; the Lord Jesus Christ sa[illegible: 1 letter]e upon a Throne of Glory, about to execute his last Holy and Righteous J[illegible: 1 letter]dgment. Now he describes the persons to be Judged, vi[illegible: 1 letter]. all, both small and great.

Marginal references: Dan. 7.10.; Chap. 3.5. and 13.8. and 21.27.; Jer. 17.10. and 32.19. Matth. 16.27. Rom. 2.6. Chap. 2.23.