Revelation 20:12

small and great Read the great and the small. The sense, as in Revelation 19:5, is probably to indicate the nothingness of human distinctions before God. Those who are "great in the Kingdom of Heaven" have been raised already, Revelation 20:4.

before God Read, before the throne. This verse therefore does not absolutely prove Who it is that sits on the throne, but shews how it was understood by the Church, in which the common text grew up and was received.

the books were opened Rather, simply books: see Daniel 7:13, where also the article (or equivalent form) is wanting.

and another book was opened The salvation of those who are saved is not due to their own works, but to God's electing love, which (however we punctuate Revelation 13:8) preceded any work of theirs. Yet reference to their works is not ignored, but the "books would be as it were vouchers for the book of life." (Alford); shewing that those written in that book had lived as became the grace given to them.

the book of life See Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 21:27: also note on Revelation 5:1. The image is used exactly in this sense in Daniel 12:1, though the phrase "Book of Life " is not used. We have a near approach to that in Psalms 69:28, but there and in Exodus 32:32-33 it is not equally certain that eternallife is meant. Words and meaning are exactly the same in this book as in Philippians 4:3.

the dead were judged&c. We see then that "the books" contained the record of "their works." Thus this passage justifies, in some measure, the modern popular myth of "the recording Angel."

according to their works St Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6.