“the books were opened” [Revelation 20:12]

“the books were opened”. God keeps a record and we can be sure that His record is accurate and complete. His judgment will be final, for He is Sovereign.
That we get so far into the book of the Revelation before the books were opened could mean that there were those who thought they would never be opened – as many do today. Yet this verse shows us that it is not just a record to be used if needed.
John saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. They were judged according to what they had done. The book specially featured in his vision is the book of life – the volume Jesus talked about, telling us that to have our names written there is the greatest cause for rejoicing. To those who receive Him there is no condemnation.