Revelation 20:12
 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

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This scripture speaks of at least two books. Deductive reasoning allows us to understand the illusive reference to a book of Works. 

The Greek word for works is ergon
 (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: - deed, doing, labor, work.

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Salvation is a gift from God. We cannot earn it. However, what we do and the choices we make during this physical life does effect God's decision for our destiny. 

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The Book of Life is obviously a different record of our lives. It is referenced in other scriptures.

Luke 10:20
(20)  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Jesus refers to the disciples' names being written in heaven. This is an indication of a book of record kept by God.

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Here are four references from the Old Testament to a book of records about the physical existence of a person.

Psalms_40:7  Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
Psalms_56:8  Thou tell my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
Psalms_69:28  Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
Psalms_139:16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

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Here we see at least 3 references to a "book of works" and 1 to a "book of Life". 

 

Let me explain: these are probably not actual physical books. When we apply the knowledge about how our intellect and consciousness as a person is maintained, we can logically reason that it is a "spiritual" record of each individual life. Think about computers for a minute; they collect and store information with a process of zeros and ones. That information can be saved to a "hard drive" or a "USB" thumb drive, or a "disk". The information is stored and can only be accessed by inserting it into a computer to activate the information.

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With this analogy in mind, look at other scriptures that support the process of death and what happens to the person and their record of life lived.

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Revelation 20:13-15
(13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
(14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
(15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

Three things to consider: 1. The dead are judged by their works.

                                              2. There is a "second death".

                                              3. If you are not in the book of life you will be                                                    burned up. 

Malachi  4:1-3
(1)  For, behold, the day comes, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
(2)  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
(3)  And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Note: It will be at an appointed time after death. The "second Death" is permanent. 

 

 Revelation 20:4-6
(4)  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
(5)  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
(6)  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

 

There are two resurrections: The resurrection of the "first fruits" or "first respondents" to the savior Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:39-40
(39)  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
(40)  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
 

This is what some religions call the rapture. The second resurrection is for all who lived before Christ for redemption.

 

The second resurrection is for all who did not have the opportunity to accept Christ as their savior.

Hebrews 10:4
(4)  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
 

You must accept Christ to have your name in the "book of Life".

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Only Christ can save you! Not your church! It is a personal relationship between you and Jesus. Church is a side benefit when it is edification of what Jesus teaches.

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Revelation 5:1-10
(1)  And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
(2)  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
(3)  And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
(4)  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
(5)  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
(6)  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
(7)  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
(8)  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
(9)  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
(10)  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
 

This passage is all inclusive of books and records of mankind.

Revelation 3:5-6
(5)  He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
(6)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
 

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