Jesus was giving us the reason for rejoicing

JESUS WAS GIVING US THE REASON FOR REJOICING
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Luke 10:20 20However,do not rejoicethat the spirits
submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written
in heaven."
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
BetterThings
Luke 10:20
W. Clarkson
When Jesus said, "Rejoice not,... but rather rejoice," he did not mean to
condemn the satisfactionwhichthe seventy were expressing in their triumph
ever the evil spirits. There was nothing wrong in such gratification. To
exercise power, especiallya newly acquired power, and more especiallya
powerthat is possessedby few, - this is simply natural; and to rejoice in the
exercise ofbeneficent poweris not only not wrong, but is distinctly and
positively right and worthy. But there are other sources ofjoy that are more
excellent;it is a question of the relatively rather than the absolutelygood. We
conclude from our Master's words -
I. THAT IT IS BETTER TO BUILD ON CHARACTER THAN ON
CIRCUMSTANCE.This was a very pleasing incident in the life of the
seventy; they would always look back to it with pleasure, and speak ofit with
interest to themselves and others. But it was only an incident. It was decisive

of nothing. It did not determine their future course, their final destiny. They
might, have done what they did and yet have gone downward and reachedan
evil end. To have "their names written in heaven" meant to be right at heart,
to be reconciledto God, to be loyal citizens of the spiritual and heavenly
kingdom, to be sound and true within. It is this which is to be desired and to
be sought and to be built upon. Life may have a large number of interesting
episodes, ofgratifying circumstances, and may yet be a miserable failure, may
have to be lookedback upon with pain and shame. To be right with God, to
have "truth in the inward parts," to be such a one on earth as that those who
live in heaven will recognize us as their kindred, - that is the thing to be
concernedabout, that is the goalto be gainedat all costs, the true source of
human joy.
II. THAT IT IS BETTER TO ENJOYTHE ABIDING FAVOUR OF GOD
THAN THE SHORT-LIVED THANKS OF MAN. Doubtless one part of the
satisfactionwhichthe seventy enjoyed was the gratitude they receivedfrom
those whom they relieved; but better than human gratitude is the favor of the
living God. The thankfulness of a sensitive and responsive human soulis by no
means to be despisedor disregarded, but it is a very precarious basis of
human happiness. It is sometimes denied where it is most due; it is sometimes
very slight and transient when it should be deep and lasting. But God's favor
abides. "Having loved his own, he loves them to the end;" "In his favor is
life." If we are upheld in our integrity, and God sets us before his face for ever
(Psalm 41:12), we can afford to part with other things.
"Betterto walk the realm unseen
Than to watch the hour's event
Betterthe smile of God always
Than the voice of man's consent."
III. THAT IT IS BETTER TO EXERT A LASTING INFLUENCE FOR
GOOD UPON THE SOUL THAN TO CONFER A TEMPORARYGOOD
UPON THE BODY. The bodily service rendered by the seventy was greatas
far as it went and so long as it lasted. But the eyes then and by their means

opened, and the ears then unstopped, were soonclosedagainin death; and the
feet then made to walk were soonmotionless in the grave. But to have their
names written in heaven, and to be thus prepared to enlighten the minds and
to quicken the souls of men, was to be in a position to render lasting, even
everlasting good;that was to conferimmeasurable benefit on those whom they
sought to bless.
1. Are our names written in that book of life?
2. Are we appreciating its inestimable value?
3. Are we making use of the qualifications it implies to serve our fellow-menin
the highestways? - C.
Biblical Illustrator
The harvest truly is great.
Luke 10:2
The gospelharvest

J. H. James.
I. THE STATE OF THINGS WHICH OUR LORD DESCRIBES.
1. A plenteous harvest.
(1)A greatnumber of souls.
(2)Greatdiversity in souls.
2. This vastand varied crop is ready for the sickle. This is proved —(1) By the
moral and spiritual necessitiesofthe world. A genuine philanthropist wants
no other demand upon his efforts than the misery of His fellow men; and a
genuine Christian requires no other proof that men are ready for the gospel
than the factthat they need it. Here lay one of the greatmistakes ofthe
Church of a former age. She did not think of sending the gospel, becausemen
did not clamour for it.(2) But if our duty be plain in the presence of silent and
uncomplaining woe, how much more when misery is suppliant and clamorous
at our feet I The world is now consciousofits maladies;and knows full well
what can heal them.
3. The labourers are few. They toil on, willing rather to die than to abandon
their work. One and anotherdrops and dies, exclaiming, as did the immortal
Waterhouse, "more missionaries!more missionaries!" and the very heathen
repeatand prolong the cry!
II. THE INJUNCTION FOUNDEDON THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION.
1. To whom are our prayers to be addressed? To " the Lord of the
harvest."(1)He is the ownerand proprietor of the harvest. They are bought
with a price. The enemy had usurped possessionofthe great Creator's
claim.(2) And must He not, therefore, take a deep, an unspeakable interest in
them? Think you that He can be indifferent whether this harvest is reaped or
not?(3) And it is God's absolute and inalienable right to choose and employ
His labourers.
2. We are called, then, to pray that God would graciouslyexert His
prerogative in the appointment of His own labourers to reap His own fields.
What does this prayer imply?(1) He exerts this prerogative, in part, by the

inward operationof His Holy Spirit.(2) We are to pray, not only that God
would call and qualify, but also send out labourers into His harvest. And here
we must bare regardto His mode of administration. He does for man what
man cannot do for himself, but requires him to do all that is in his power. We
cannot give the piety; and the intellectual and spiritual gifts; but it is our duty
and privilege to furnish the means for sending the men whom God has raised
up.
3. Does anyone ask, Why, if God is the Lord of the harvest, having such
exclusive prerogatives, and so deeply interestedin the matter, He should be
entreatedto do that which it so nearly concerns His honour not to leave
undone? We answer, Suchscepticalinquiries become not the position of finite
and mortal creatures. The objectionwould apply to all prayer for any
blessing;and call in question the whole administration of heaven.
(J. H. James.)
The abundance of the harvest, and the scarcityof the labourers
R. Knill.
I. Let us first look at THE HARVEST. It is too vast to be takenwithin the
verge of one short sermon. China, India, Burmah, and Japan, Africa, the
WestIndies, South America, RussianTartary, Persia, and the islands of the
South Sea — all this is too vast for our considerationat the present
opportunity.
II. THE LABOURERS. "The labourers are few." Let us consider —
III. THE SAVIOUR'S PLAN FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF THE
LABOURERS.
1. We observe in the first place, that where persons offer this prayer in
sincerity, they make a solemn acknowledgment that God must do all the work.
2. In the secondplace, whena minister and a congregationoffer up this
prayer and solemnly enter into its spirit, they mean that, when God raises up

such men, they will furnish the means to convey them to the heathen, and
support them when they get there.
3. In the third place, when young men utter this prayer, they mean that, if it is
the will of God, they are ready to become labourers.
4. Observe, in the last place, that when Christian parents offer up this prayer,
they express their willingness that their children should go.
(R. Knill.)
Harvest ripeness
J. Irons.
It is just to go and gather in Christ's sheepthat are scatteredabroadall over
the world. In the notion of a harvest we cannot rid ourselves ofthe idea of
ripeness — and I shall take a twofold view of this. There are some of the
Lord's family, and it falls to my lot not unfrequently to meet with such in
whom we cannot fail to discern the presence oflife; their knowledge of
themselves as sinners is manifest, their view of Christ as a Saviour is
encouraging, and even their reliance upon Him — but there is a want of
ripeness, there is a rawness, a greenness, a defectiveness,a youthfulness. The
harvest is craning on, beloved; let us look to our ripeness, the ripeness of all
our faculties, as exercisedin the things of God, the ripeness of all the graces
calledinto full exercise, so thatfaith shall no longerbe like a grain of mustard
seed, but like the ripe ear, waving and bending with its weight — so that love
shall no longer be faint and glimmering, as if it were but a spark, but fanned
to a flame, rising high, and soaring to its native source;so that humility shall
no longer be a piece of mockery, something openly expressedbut never felt,
but that which debases the soul in its own esteem, and keeps it in the dust at
the feetof Jesus;so that hope shall not be merely the hope of the hypocrite,
but a sure and steadfastthing as the ripeness we speak of — "Entering into
that within the veil." Moreover, there is a ripeness in grace, and there is a
ripeness in sin. The sickle is coming, beloved, and therefore examine which
state of ripeness you are in. When God was about to destroy the sevennations

of Canaan, and told Moses ofHis deferring it for a time, while the children of
Israeltravelled forty years in the wilderness, He gave this as the reason, that
the iniquity of the Amorites was not quite full — their sin was not yet
completely ripe. Moreover, I saw in some fields some fine heavy corn, which
was sadly "laid," as they call it, bent down to the ground, and not exposedto
the sun, so that it will be a long time before it gets ripe. What a picture of a
greatnumber of real Christians! They are so earthbound, so fond of this
world, so laid low in their grovelling desires afterit, that they cannotbe
expectedto get ripe very fast. That corn gets ripe the fastestthat lifts its head
the highest, and gets awayfrom the ground and the weeds. Beloved, if you
would be ripe Christians, I tell you that you must getit by being lifted above
the world and its vanities, enjoying intimacy with God, fellowship with the
MostHigh, aspiring to heaven, and enjoying communications from above.
(J. Irons.)
The labourers and the field
W. Burkitt.
Note here —
1. That God's Church is a harvest field.
2. That the ministers of God are labourers in His harvest, under God, the
Lord of the harvest.
3. That to God alone doth it belong to send forth labourers into His harvest,
and none must thrust themselves in till God sends them forth.
4. That the number of faithful labourers is comparatively small and few.
5. That it is the Church's duty to pray, and that earnestly and incessantly, to
God the Lord of the harvest, to increase the number of faithful labourers, and
to send forth more labourers into His harvest.
(W. Burkitt.)

The husbandry of God
Van Oosterzee.
1. Greatis the harvest.
2. Few are the labourers.
3. God alone canrestore the just relation betweenharvest and labourers.
(Van Oosterzee.)
God the Lord of the harvest
Van Oosterzee.
1. God determines the time of the harvest.
2. God appoints the labourers for the harvest.
3. God guards the successofthe harvest.
4. God deserves the thank-offering of the harvest.
(Van Oosterzee.)
The need of immediate workers
J. C. Fullerton.
Captain Allen Gardiner, on the inhospitable coastof South America, where he
slowlyperished with hunger, in the hope of attracting the notice of some
passing vessel, wrote on the cliff in large letters "DELAY NOT, WE ARE
STARVING." Years after, the words were seen;but it was too late, the
bleachedbones of the brave hero of the cross strewedthe beach. Help had
been delayed, and he had perished. The like cry of a dying world for the
Breadof Life, ringing in the ears of the people of God who have enough and to

spare, will surely not be much longer unheeded. A few have responded
already, but what are these among so many? Oh that we would eachone arise
and do our utmost daily, expecting to see mighty results now!
(J. C. Fullerton.)
A prayer for more labourers
J. H. M. D'Aubigne.
Leonard Keyser, a friend and disciple of Luther, having been condemned by
the bishop, had his head shaved, and being dressedin a smock-frock, was
placed on horseback. As the executioners were cursing and swearing because
they could not disentangle the ropes with which his limbs were to be tied, he
said to them mildly, "Dearfriends, your bonds are not necessary;my Lord
Christ has already bound me." When he drew near the stake, Keyserlooked
at the crowdand exclaimed, "Beholdthe harvest! O Master, sendforth Thy
labourers!" And then ascending the scaffold, he cried, "O Jesus, save me!"
These were his last words. "Whatam I, a wordy preacher," saidLuther, when
he receivedthe news of his death, "in comparisonwith this greatdoer of the
Word?"
(J. H. M. D'Aubigne.)
Christ's harvest and Christ's reapers
J. McDougall.
I. CHRIST MEANT HIS SEVENTYDISCIPLES TO GO FORTH AND
GATHER THAT WHICH HAD ALREADY GROWN AND RIPENED.
1. He saw a harvest of piety, for instance, waiting for Himself, and the proofs
of His Messiahship.

2. I think He saw also another sort of harvest, or anotherelement in that
harvest — the moral element. There were many highly moral people living in
the world who had become disgustedwith religion and its priests.
II. THE CHARACTER OF THE HARVEST-MEN HE EMPLOYED. It is at
once painful and disheartening to perceive that He did not select, eitheras
individuals or as a class, the professedteachers ofreligion, He employed no
class ofmen as such. He dealt only with persons and their individual
consciences, andso acting, it is easyto discoverthe sort of people He could call
and use as His harvest-men.
III. AS THESE WERE PEOPLE MORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY LIKE
HIMSELF (TO SOME REAL EXTENT AT LEAST), HE WAS
RESTRICTEDGREATLYIN THE NUMBER OF GATHERERS, AS HE
WAS RESTRICTED IN THE METHOD OF INGATHERING TO BE
EMPLOYED.
IV. I REMARK UPON THE MODE IN WHICH THE HARVEST WAS TO
BE GATHERED. HOW were the pious and the moral to be brought in? I
might properly answer, ona principle of natural selection. Theywere to
preach the gospelof Christ, and illustrate, enforce, and commend that gospel
by the beauty and perfectness oftheir own holy lives. They would thus become
witnesses forGod, as He was a witness for God.
V. TAKE NOW THE PRACTICAL LESSON. Pietyin you and me, who
profess to be Christ's real friends, is to attractwhatever piety we come in
contactwith. There is plenty of unattachedpiety waiting to be attractedby
you and me. The Lord sentout twelve, then seventy. That greatworld-
clasping system we call Christianity had once so few supporters and
missionaries. Do you ask how many it wants now? I will tell you. It wants
every man, woman, and child, into whose soulthe grace of God has come, that
every other life found in the vast field of human activity may be brought with
a throb of love and a song of joy, s gatheredearall ripe and golden to the
greatLord of the harvest of souls.
(J. McDougall.)

commentaries
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not.—Above all exercise ofpower was the
consciousnessofthe divine life, the feeling that they had a Fatherin heaven
who had, to speak afterthe manner of men, registeredtheir names as citizens
of His kingdom. That was the greatblessing for them, and for all believing
souls after them. The words leave open the question whether that registration
conferreda title which they could not forfeit, and the current language ofthe
Old Testament—the prayer of Moses,“Blotme out of Thy book” (Exodus
32:32), the warnings of Exodus 32:33, Deuteronomy 9:14; Deuteronomy
29:20—wouldsuggestthe thought that even here the joy was to be tempered
with fear and trembling. The reappearanceofa like promise in Revelation3:5
as the reward of obedience, and therefore conditioned by it, no less than the
generaltenor of the teaching of the Epistles (1Corinthians 9:27; Galatians
2:21; 2Peter1:10), confirms this interpretation. It may be noted (1) that the
better MSS. omit the word “rather,” and introduce the secondclause
abruptly—“Rejoice that your names are written . . .;” and (2), as implied
above, that the root-thought of the image is that of a king taking the census of
those who are citizens of his kingdom, as distinguished from aliens and
foreigners. In Psalm87:4-5, we have a memorable instance at once of the
literal fact and of its spiritual application.
MacLaren's Expositions
Jeremiah- Luke
CHRIST’S MESSENGERS:THEIR EQUIPMENT AND WORK

TWO LISTS OF NAMES
Jeremiah17:13. - Luke 10:20.
A name written on earth implies that the bearerof the name belongs to earth,
and it also secondarilysuggeststhat the inscription lasts but for a little while.
Contrariwise, a name written in heaven implies that its bearer belongs to
heaven, and that the inscription will abide.
We find running throughout Scripture the metaphor of books in which men’s
names are written. Mosesthought of a book which God has written, and in
which his name was enrolled. A psalmist speaks ofthe ‘book of the living,’
and Isaiahof those who are ‘written among the living in Jerusalem.’Ezekiel
threatens the prophets who speak lies in Jehovah’s name that they ‘shall not
be written in the writing of the house of Israel.’The Apocalypse has many
references to the book which is designatedas ‘the Lamb’s book of life,’ and
which is openedat the final judgment along with the books in which each
man’s life-history is written, and only ‘they who are written in the Lamb’s
book of life’ enter into the city that comes down out of heaven.
I. The principle on which the two lists are made up.
It is commonly supposedthat the idea of unconditional predestinationis
implied in the writing of the names in the book of life. There is nothing in the
figure itself to lead to that, and the text from Jeremiah suggests, onthe
contrary, that the voluntary attitude of men to God determines their being or
not being inscribed in the book of heaven, since it is ‘they who depart from
God’ whose ‘names are written on earth.’

Then, since in the New Testamentthe book of life is called‘the Lamb’s,’ we
are led to think of Christ as writing in it, and hence of our faith in Him as
being the condition of enrolling our names.
II. The significance ofthe lists.
They are lists of the living and of the dead.
True life is in fellowship with God. The other is the registerof the burials in a
graveyard.
They are lists of the citizens of two cities.
The idea is that the one class have relations and affinities with the celestial,
are ‘fellow-citizens with the saints,’and have heaven as their metropolis, their
mother city. Therefore they are but as aliens here, and should not wish to be
naturalised. The other class are citizens of the earthly, belonging to the
present, with all their thoughts and desires bounded by this visible diurnal
sphere.
They are lists of those who shall be forgotten, and their works annihilated,
and of those who shall be remembered and their work crowned.
The names written on earth are swiftly obliterated, like a child’s scrawlon the
sand which is washedawayby the next tide, or coveredup by the next storm

that blows about the sand-hills. What a contrastis that of the names written
on the heavens, high up above all earthly mutations!
In one sense oblivion soonseizes on us all. In anothernone of us is ever
forgottenby God, but goodand bad alike live in His thought. Still this idea of
a specialremembrance has place, as suggesting that, howeverunnoticed or
forgottenon earth, God’s children live in the true ‘Golden Book.’Their
names are in the book of life. ‘Of so much fame, in heavenexpect the meed.’
Ay, and as, too, suggesting how brief after all is the honour that comes from
men.
Also, there will be annihilation or perpetuation of their life’s work. Nothing
lasts but the will of God. Men who live godless lives are engagedin true
Sisyphean labour. They are running counter to the whole streamof things,
and what can be left at the end but frustrated endeavours coveredwith a
gloomy pall?
Is your life to be wasted?
They are lists of those who are acceptedin judgment, and of those who are
not.
Revelation20:12, Revelation20:15;Revelation21:27.
The books ofmen’s lives are to be opened, and also the book of life. What is
written in the former can only bring condemnation. If our names are written
in the latter, then He will ‘confess ournames before His Father and the holy
angels.’And He will joyfully inscribe them there if we say to Him, like the

man in Pilgrim’s Progress, ‘Setdownmy name.’ He will write them not only
there, but on the palms of His hands and the tablets of His heart.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
10:17-24 All our victories over Satan, are obtained by powerderived from
Jesus Christ, and he must have all the praise. But let us beware of spiritual
pride, which has been the destructionof many. Our Lord rejoicedat the
prospectof the salvationof many souls. It was fit that particular notice should
be taken of that hour of joy; there were few such, for He was a man of
sorrows:in that hour in which he saw Satanfall, and heard of the good
successofhis ministers, in that hour he rejoiced. He has ever resistedthe
proud, and given grace to the humble. The more simply dependent we are on
the teaching, help, and blessing of the Son of God, the more we shall know
both of the Fatherand of the Son; the more blessedwe shall be in seeing the
glory, and hearing the words of the Divine Saviour; and the more useful we
shall be made in promoting his cause.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
Rather rejoice ... - Though it was an honor to work miracles, though it is an
honor to be endowedwith talents, and influence, and learning, yet it is a
subject of "chief" joy that we are numbered among the people of God, and
have a title to everlasting life.
Names are written in heaven - The names of citizens of a city or state were
accustomedto be written in a book or register, from which they were blotted
out when they became unworthy, or forfeited the favor of their country.
Compare Psalm 69:28;Exodus 32:32; Deuteronomy9:14; Revelation3:5.
That their "names were written in heaven," means that they were "citizens"
of heaven; that they were friends of God and "approved" by him, and would
be permitted to dwell with him. This was of far more value than all "earthly"
honor, power, or wealth, and "in" this people should rejoice more than in
eminent endowments of influence, learning, talents, or possessions.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary

20. rejoice not, &c.—thatis, not so much. So far from forbidding it, He takes
occasionfrom it to tell them what had been passing in His own mind. But as
powerover demons was after all intoxicating, He gives them a higher joy to
balance it, the joy of having their names in Heaven's register(Php 4:3).
Matthew Poole's Commentary
It is a usual thing in holy writ, to have prohibitions delivered in generalterms,
which must be understood in a restrained sense. Thatit is so here, appeareth
plainly by the word
rather, prefixed to rejoice, in the latter part of the sentence. Forit was
doubtless a just cause of joy and rejoicing to them that Christ had honoured
them with such an extraordinary gift and power, but not of so much joy as to
know that their names were written in the book of life; for as the goodwas
infinitely greater, so a proportionable joy was requisite upon the assurance of
it.
The expressionwritten in heaven, is equivalent to the being written in the
book of life, whereby is signified, either the certaindesignationof some to
eternal life, or effectualcalling. We read of this book of life, Revelation3:5
20:12,15 21:27 22:19. It is calledthe Lamb’s book, Revelation13:8, and it is
said it was written from the foundation of the world; which will justify those
divines who understand it of a particular electionfrom eternity; whereas it is
objectedthat when amongstthe twelve there was a Song of Solomonof
perdition, it is unreasonable to think that all the seventy were electvessels.It
is easilyanswered, that our Saviour’s words were true according to the usual
phrase of speaking, if the generality of them only were such. Nor need our
Saviour be understood as asserting alltheir names were so written, but only
asserting the greatestcauseofjoy to be, if men can by their calling find that
their electionis sure. From our Saviour’s words we may infer,

1. That there is a book of life, an electionof grace.
2. That there are names written in this book;it is an electionof persons.
3. That men may know that their names are written in that book, otherwise
they could not rejoice;no man rejoicethbut in a goodwith which he hath
some degree of union.
4. That this is a greatercause ofjoy, than for a man to know that he hath a
powerto castout devils.
Men may be made use of to castout devils in Christ’s name, who yet may go
to the devil at last, Matthew 7:22,23;so cannot those whose names are written
in the book of life. But I cannot understand that our Saviour in these words
asserts thatall the names of the seventywere written in that book. The
tendency of his discourse is rather to quicken them to give all diligence to
make sure of this cause of joy and rejoicing.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not,.... That their power was enlarged, orthat
they had, the same as before:
that the spirits, evil spirits, devils, are subject unto you; and come out of men
at your command; rejoice not so much in this, or chiefly and principally; not
but that it was matter of joy both with respectto the gift bestowedupon them,
and the benefits men receivedby it, and the glory that was brought to Christ
through it;
but rather rejoice, because yournames are written in heaven; in the book of
life, called the Lamb's book of life, written from the foundation of the world:
in divine predestination to everlasting glory and happiness:which shows that

God's electionto eternal life is of particular persons, ofpersons by name; that
it is sure, and certain, and immutable, being in oppositionto what is written in
earth, Jeremiah17:13, that the knowledge ofthis may be attained to, through
the grace ofGod, the revelation of Christ, and the witnessings of his Spirit;
and that this is matter of the greatestjob, since it is the foundation and
security of all the blessings of grace and glory.
Geneva Study Bible
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but
rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Expositor's Greek Testament
Luke 10:20. πλὴν has adversative force here = yet, nevertheless. The joy of the
Seventy was in danger of becoming overjoy, running into self-importance;
hence the warning word, which is best understood in the light of St. Paul’s
doctrine of the Holy Spirit, which laid much more stress onthe ethicalthan on
the charismaticalresults of His influence = rejoice not so much in possessing
remarkable spiritual gifts as in being spiritual men. This text may be put
beside Matthew 7:21-23 as bearing on the separability of gifts and graces
(χαρίσματα and χάρις).
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
20. are written in heaven] Rather, have been recordedin the heavens (reading
ἐγγέγραπται). On this ‘Book ofGod,’ or ‘Book of Life,’ see Exodus 32:32;
Psalm69:28; Daniel12:1; Php 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation13:8;
Revelation20:12;Revelation21:27. It is the opposite to being “written in the
earth,” Jeremiah 17:13.
Bengel's Gnomen
Luke 10:20. Μὴ χαίρετε, rejoice not) An admonition salutary at the time of
their first experience, intended to moderate in a due degree their joy. Their
joy is not forbidden, but is reduced to proper bounds. They who rejoice in
excess throughself-love, are liable to become like Satan.[98]—ὑμῶν)the

names of you, who are Mine.—ἐγράφη,have been written) Although Satan
hath exclaimed againstit [accusing you, Revelation12:10]in heaven:(your
names are written in heaven) even though on earth you have no celebrity.—ἐν
τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, in the heavens)in the book which is in the heavens, the
kingdom of which ye are announcing: in these heavens moreover from which
Satanhath fallen down. The contrary is declaredconcerning apostates
(prævaricatoribus, those who do not steadily follow the Lord: shufflers;
crookedwalkers), Jeremiah17:13, they shall be written in the earth.
[98] Overweening pride was his greatsin.—ED. and TRANSL.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 20. - But rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
"After all," went on the wise and loving Master, "though you have made the
glad discoveryof the power you possess, if, as my servants, you use aright my
Name, after all, your real reasonfor joy is, not the possessionofa new, mighty
power, but the fact of your name having been written in the book of life as one
of my servants commissionedto do my work." Manycommentators here
cautiously point out that even this legitimate joy should be tempered with fear
and trembling, for even this true title to honour might be blotted nut of that
golden book of heaven (see Exodus 32:33; Jeremiah17:13;Psalm 69:28;
Revelation22:19). In this deep legitimate joy men and womenof all callings,
who try to follow the Master, in every age, may share.
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES

Why May I Rejoice? BY SPURGEON
“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto
you; but rather rejoice, because yournames are written in Heaven.”
Luke 10:20
You will remember that last Lord’s-Day we saw our Lord correcting a very
natural grief and supplying its place by a more necessarysorrow, as He said
to the women, “Weepnot for Me, but weepfor yourselves, and for your
children.” [See No. 1320–“WhyShould I Weep?”]Now, this morning we shall
see Him correcting a very natural joy and directing its gladness into a more
elevatedchannel. “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are
subject unto you; but rather rejoice, becauseyour names are written in
Heaven.” If we commit ourselves to Him, He will guide us aright in all things
and teachus to sanctify, alike, our grief and our gladness.
We shall commence our discourse by saying that our Lord did not blame or
upbraid the 70 for rejoicing that the devils were subject to them. It would
have been a very strange thing if they were not joyous on the occasionofso
greata success. Theyhad been sent forth upon their Lord’s errand. They had
gone forward unhesitatingly in His name, girded with His strength. And His
powerhad been revealedso that His name had been glorified–should they not
rejoice? It was the Kingdom of God which they had proclaimed–shouldthey
not be joyful? It was their Lord’s enemy, as well as their own, who had “fallen
like lightning from Heaven”–shouldthey not exult? It was not likely,
therefore, that the Lord Jesus was angry at their joy when they returned,
saying, “Lord, even the spirits are subject unto us through Your name.”
We must read our Lord’s words according to the manner of Oriental speech.
The peculiar idiom of our Savior’s speechoften makes Him appear to be
actually forbidding what He only places in a secondaryplace. He did not
mean, in the present instance, to censure their joy in their success, but only to
make it subordinate to another rejoicing and to prevent its growing to excess.
Some have thought that they detectedin the 70 too much personalexultation,
if not an almost childish triumph in the success whichthey had achieved. I
must confess I see smalltraces of such a feeling in their report to their Master.
Our Lord Himself evidently coincided with the truth of their report, for He,
also, said, “I beheld Satanas lightning fall from Heaven.”
I can hardly think that He could have seenthat sight without joy and,
therefore, in some measure, He sharedin the feelings of His servants. Had He
observedin these Brothers that excessofchildish exultation and vainglory

which is supposed, I think He would hardly have gone on to invest such
novices with yet more power–but yet, He did so, for we read in the 19 th
verse–“BeholdI give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and
over all the powerof the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Had they been intoxicated with a sortof childish glee, the wisdom of our Lord,
as Commander in that Crusade, would have led Him to sayto them, “I had
many things to have given unto you, but you cannot bear them now. I see
already that you are intoxicated with your present victories and, therefore, I
must withhold from you the extraordinary gifts of My kingdom till you are
better prepared to receive them with humility and to use them with wisdom.”
Such prudent conduct would have been in accordancewith the usual
proceedings ofour wise Teacher. ButHe saw no such excessive exultation.
WhateverHe might fear as likely to occur, by-and-by, He saw nothing, as yet,
to blame in them and so He went on to say, “therefore I give you powerover
all the powerof the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” We
cannot understand Him to be condemning their rejoicing over the fall of
devils, for He says, “Rejoicerather,” and this almostimplies that you may
rejoice in the first subject of joy in some degree. “Notwithstanding,” He says,
“in this rejoice not; but rather rejoice, becauseyour names are written in
Heaven.” The one is forbidden only in comparisonwith the other. We may
rejoice that God blesses our labors, but still, it must be a far less prominent
joy than that which springs out of our personalinterest in the salvationof
God! Church members may be glad when they see a greatrevival and their
numbers largely increased. But, at such times it is doubly necessaryto look to
vital godliness and personalreligion or the joy may be turned into mourning.
Now, my Brothers, taking the incident as it will apply to ourselves, there may
be some of you, here present, to whom God has given many gifts for use in the
kingdom of Heaven. He may also have given you influence in His Church and
poweramong men of the world. And, moreover, your gifts and your power
have not been used in vain, they have been made useful in many ways so that
your course has been one of honor and success. The kingdom of God has come
near to many through you and the greatenemy’s kingdom has suffered injury
by your means. Becauseofall this, you are greatly cheered. Is this wrong?
Ought you not to be full of joy? I say yes, assuredly, you are bound to be glad!
We should all be grateful for gifts, grateful for influence, grateful for success–
but a gratitude which is not attended with joy can scarcelybe calledgratitude
at all!
Would you have gratitude lament the possessionofthe blessing for which she
is grateful? There must be joy in the thing receivedor else one can hardly be

imagined to be thankful! If gratitude for these things is a duty, then surely a
measure of joy concerning them must also be a duty! You may rejoice that to
you is this Grace given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches
of Christ. And you may be glad that from you the Word of God has sounded
forth throughout all the region in which you dwell. Thus far we go, but we
must not exceeddue bounds lestwe become transgressors–this joymust be
held within its own lines and never suffered to run riot. Let us pause and see
how our Lord Jesus puts a restraining, “notwithstanding,” and a repressing
negative upon this joy when He judges that it is in danger of passing due
bounds.
And let us also note how He supplies the place of this joy by something higher
and better when He says–“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits
are subjectunto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in
Heaven.” We shall dwell upon three things this morning. First, the joy which
needs moderating–“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not.” Secondly, the joy
which needs exciting–“Ratherrejoice.”And then, thirdly, the joy of the Lord
in sympathy with this last joy. Just read the first line of the 21 st verse–“In
that hour Jesus rejoicedinspirit.” Our Lord could unite in this joy under
certain aspects ofit.
1. First, then, THE JOY WHICH NEEDS MODERATING. It is the joy of
triumph over evil spirits, the joy of having preachedthe Gospeland
workedwonders–ina word, the joy of gifts, powerand success. This
needs moderating, first, because it is so apt to degenerate into pride.
The 70 were not proud, for they said, “Lord, even the devils are subject
unto us through Your name.” This was a very proper way of reporting
results. They did not arrogate anymeasure of the successto themselves,
but they ascribedit to the matchless, all-conquering name which they
had used. So far, all was well.
But, my Brothers, the tendency of human nature is towards self-exaltation
and so, by degrees, we come to emphasize the, “to us,” and we allow the,
“through Your name” to be uttered softly, and yet more softly until it is only
used as a matter of form–and we, in our hearts, ascribe the whole successto
ourselves. If God shall bless any man with longcontinued success in soul-
winning, even though that is a higher achievementthan the casting out of
devils, there is an evil tendency in our corrupt nature which will tempt such a
man to dream that in him there is some peculiar excellence orspecialvirtue.
He will say in his heart, “Lord, even greatsinners and proud infidels have
been turned to You by my preaching,” and he may, at the same time, forget

that it was not his preaching, but the name of Jesus, whichaccomplishedthe
notable deed.
We are nothing, howevermuch God may have workedby us! All the glory is
due unto the name of Jesus Christour Lord, yet we are so base as to take
credit to ourselves!Who among us can claim to have been perfectly free from
this temptation? True, the Lord keeps His servants humble when He uses
them, and if they abound in Grace they may safelyabound in gifts, also. Saints
may be safely trusted with abundant influence if they are abundantly under
the influence of the Holy Spirit. But to be preservedwhen thus eminently
honored is an exceedinglygreatfavor! When we see a successfulworker
walking very humbly, we may say, “This is the finger of God.” Leave corrupt
nature to itself and as a warm atmosphere sooncauses deadflesh to become
putrid, so will the ease andcomfort of self-congratulationandprosperity
speedily breed corruption in human nature! Therefore it is necessarythat joy
in gifts and successshouldbe kept under due controland, if it is toleratedin a
measure, as it may be, it must, nevertheless, notbe indulged to any great
extent lest evil consequences come to us. To here may it come, but no further,
lest the Lord behold us waxing exceedinglyproud and put us aside from His
work, altogether, and take unto Himself other instruments which will not
attempt to rob Him of His Glory.
Again, this joy which needs to be moderatedshould be restrained by the
reflectionthat it is no evidence of Grace in the heart that we possessgifts, or
that we are successful. Talents are possessedevenby wickedand slothful
servants. Grace without talent will save, but talent without Grace will only
increase our condemnation! “ThoughI speak with the tongues of men and of
angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling
cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge;and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” The highest conceivable gifts
for Church work and the greatestinfluence in the Church are worthless apart
from Divine Grace!
The possessionof such powers may be accompaniedby hypocrisy and
falsehood–itwas so in our Lord’s day. Judas workedmiracles. Judas
preachedthe Gospel. Judas was not only a member of the Church, but a
trusted officerin it. Yet Judas went unto his own place, for he was a son of
perdition. Our Lord tells us to expect many cases ofgracelessworkers, forHe
says, “Manywill say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesiedin
Your name? And in Your name have castout devils? And in Your name done

many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from Me, you that work iniquity.”
Observe that this warning speaks notof a few, but of many! We shall not only
see a Judas once in 18 centuries, but many of whom this shall be the case. Men
have gone forth making use of the name of Jesus and God has honored the
name though He has not acceptedthe men who used it. They have preached
and the message has beentrue, and God has acknowledgedthe Truth–but the
men have not been true and, consequently, they have been abhorred of the
Lord. Goodseedwill grow even though it was scatteredby a leprous hand.
Let us beware, however, ofspeaking the Truth of God with lying lips. Let us
beware, lestwe be like Balaam, who had his eyes opened to see marvelous
visions of the future and his tongue inspired to utter deep things, and yet he
fell among the accursedbecause he ran greedily after a reward.
Do not rejoice, then, dear Brothers, because Godblesses youin what you are
doing, so that you see souls savedand yourself honored, for this might happen
to one for whom the Lord has no regard. But rather rejoice in being really
and truly one of the Lord’s own people, written in Heaven. Let us keepunder
our body and watchunto prayer, lest haply, after having preachedto others,
we, ourselves, should become castaways. It will be a dreadful thing to keepthe
door of the King’s great banquet hall and open it to others–andyet to perish
with hunger!
Moreover, it is very unsafe to rejoice unduly in the work which we have done
because the work, after all, may not turn out to be all that it appears. I do not
know how much of realgood the 70 had worked. There can scarcelyhave
been very many converts, for otherwise the number of the names would have
been greaterwhen the disciples assembledin the upper room at Pentecost. We
will not, however, judge the work of the seventy. But we do know this, that it
is very easyfor us to go forth and, for a time, to succeedso that it seems as if
even the devils were subject to us. And yet there may be no true Word of God.
Crowds may gatherto listen. There may be manifestations of deep emotion.
The number of the conversions put down on paper may be very great and yet
there may be little or nothing in the whole matter worthy of real joy.
So it may be in other forms of service–inthe Sunday schoolorin any other
place, we may think we have succeededand yet we may have only been
building a baselessstructure on sand which the next tide will carry away. We
ought to remember that every man’s work must be tested before long, “for the
fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” It is too early to begin to
rejoice until the fire has passedover our lifework. The edifice is very lofty and
apparently very fair, but what if those walls should turn out to be composedof

straw, the foundations of stubble and the rafters of dry wood? How soonwill
they yield to the fire and how rapidly will the fabric disappear!
He who has built the tiniest cell of sparkling gems, or the smallestcottage of
gold, has done more than he who has heaped aloft into the air a pyramid of
hay! It is not the quantity of work done, it is not the space occupiedin Church
history, it is not the noise of our greatworks–the questionis, what is really
and truly done? The quality is far more important than the quantity. The
enduring characterof the work is far more to be consideredthan the flash
and the glare of it. Therefore rejoice not, O young man, in all the brilliant
successwhichhas, for the present, attended you. And rejoice not even you, old
man, though you have had half a century of prosperity! Rejoice notso much
in this as to exalt yourself because ofit. But rather rejoice in something safer
and more gracious–rejoice thatyour name is written in Heaven, if so it is!
This joy, again, howevergoodour work may be, is to be moderated because it
does not prove that we are anymore gracious than others of far less gift and
usefulness. Did you notice in the chapter which precedes my text, that nine of
the Apostles attempted to castout a devil from a lunatic child, but were
unable to accomplishit, so that they saidto the Master, “Why could not we
casthim out?” The majority of the sacredconclave ofApostles failed to cast
out a devil and yet 70 inferior persons all return with joy, and say, “Lord,
even the spirits are subjectunto us.” Do you draw the inference, therefore,
that the 70 were superior to the Apostles? If you do, you have made a very
grand mistake, for they were by no means so!And it would be a very great
pity for any person who has been made useful in the kingdom of God to infer
that he is, therefore, better than those whose earnestlabors are crownedby no
such apparent results.
An obscure child of God whose name has never been mentioned in the Church
may yet be more worthy than we are! Of all estimates ofourselves, that which
is founded upon our apparent usefulness is likely to be most deceptive! Be
very careful, Sir, if you consideryourself to be something because youhave
workedwonders!I will show you the choicestofmy Master’s children on sick
beds! I will show you the richest and rarestpiety connectedwith illiterate
poverty! I will show you a man who cannot speak a sentence, grammatically,
who lives in the very bosomof Christ! And you will blush for the depth and
powerof his vital godliness!
I will find you one who shines as a precious jewelin Jehovah’s sight,
compared with whom you are a poor dull pebble–and yet you are highly
esteemed–andhe has little honor. His prayers have been of a thousand times
more use to the Church than your preaching! Yes, it may be that your

preaching has owedits successto his prayers! We cannot judge characterby
gifts! He who has one talent, and uses it well, shall have better acceptance at
the lastthan he who has five talents and uses them ill. And he who fills his
circle, though that circle is small, shall have far more comfort, therein, than
he who, with a vast field, has, nevertheless, leftthe major part of it altogether
unfilled. Greatimportance in the public mind is no argument of greatGrace!
A man is none the worthier for being successful!The best may not be the most
prosperous. Boastnotyourself, O fisherman, because your net is filled, for as
goodmen as you are have toiled all night and taken nothing!
Again, this joy in success needs to be kept under tight rein because it is not an
abiding joy. If you, O man, rejoice today because ofsubject devils, what will
you do tomorrow when the devils break loose again? If you return from your
labor full of successand rejoice, whatwill you do when, another time, you will
have to plow the thankless rock and break the plowshare? Whatif your
Mastershould send you where there will be no response to your invitations?
What if He should send you among Samaritans who will not even hear you
and you shall have to go from city to city and wipe off the dust of your feet
againstthem? What if you should meet a child possessedof a devil and find
that you cannotcastout the evil spirit because this kind goes notout except
with prayer and fasting? Why, Man, you will be sorelydepressed, then, and
your courage will fail!
If you have fed your soul upon such light bread as apparent success, it will
enfeeble you and what will you do when your prosperity wanes? You will not
have steadfastnessenoughto go on under discouragementand you will shun
your Lord’s service. This will be evil, indeed! O for a faith that is nourished
on something better than appearances–a faithwhich does not live on gifts or
influence, or present success, but sustains itself upon the unfailing promise of
the everblessedGod. This is what we need!
Once again, this joy, if we were to be filled with it to overflowing, would be
found unable to bear the strain of trial, trouble, temptation and especiallyof
death. Take the last–willany man, when he lies dying, be able to console
himself with the reflection, “I have testified of Christ to others”? Will he not
need some other confidence? Will he not require something far more
personal? Will this be the sweetmorselthat shall stay the hunger of his soul?
What if he had power over devils? May not devils yet obtain power over him?
Will he be able to cheerhimself amidst death’s chilly waves with this boast–“I
was a loud talkerand a mighty professor, andthe cause ofChrist grew under
my leadership”? No, in such times as that we shall need surer consolations
and more Divine stays than these.

Unhappy will he be who has accustomedhimself to live upon the excitementof
crowdedmeetings, or upon the laudatory criticisms of friends. Gifts,
attainments, labors, successes allheapedtogethercannot support a soul on the
verge of eternity! There is ever present the fact that such things are no sure
sign of regeneration. Did not the sons of the Phariseescastoutdevils? Did not
the people say of Simon Magus, “This man is the greatpowerof God”? Yet
these were graceless deceivers!We must have sure evidence of the new birth.
We must know that our citizenship is in Heaven! We must know that we
belong to Jesus!In one word, we must know that our names are written in
Heaven or else we shall find ourselves utterly undone in our dying hours!
For all these reasons, then, be not too elatedbecause ofdevils conquered,
crowds gathered, or souls saved. But hearkento your Lord’s voice while He
points you to other reasons forrejoicing.
II. So now we come, secondly, to consider THE JOY WHICH NEEDS
EXCITING. “Ratherrejoice because yournames are written in Heaven.” I
am glad, my Brothers and Sisters, that this is the joy in which we indulge to
the full, because it is one in which all the saints may unite and take their
share. If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, my dear Brother, though you
can do but little for Him, you may rejoice that your name is written in
Heaven! Here the bedridden Sister may rejoice!Here the incurably diseased
may exult! The child of God, whose tongue is silencedby infirmity, and whose
conflicts with devils are confined to his closetand his chamber, may come in
and say, “I, too, can rejoice that my name is written in Heaven.”
Have you ever remarkedhow our agedfriends always delight to sing–
“When I canread my title clear
To mansions in the skies,
I bid farewellto every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes”?
They do so because experience has led them to dwell much on the joy of
having their names written in Heaven! The joy which our Lord commends is
one which springs from faith, while the other joy arises alone from sight. A
man can see that he has gifts. He can see that he has power and influence. He
can see that he has success. Butrest assuredthat every joy which comes to
Believers through the sight of the eyes is a doubtful joy! It is a dainty of which
we must eatin scanty measure. Have you found such honey as this? Do not eat
too much of it lest it sickenyou.
But the joy causedby our names being written in Heaven comes of faith, for
eye has not seenthe record, neither has any angelread it to us–and only

because we believe in Jesus are we assuredof it–for this reasonthe joy grows
in goodsoil and is, in itself, safe. All the joys of faith are safe as the water
which flowed from the smitten Rock. No poisonous streams canever issue
from that source!This joy is a heavenly manna of which a man may eat
according to his eating and let his soul be satiated. This is healthy meat which
breeds no plague in the camp as the eating of the quails did, for the quails
were sent in wrath to satisfytheir fierce desires.
We never hear of men dying of eating the manna which came down from
Heaven, but they did die through eating the quail–which was food for their
lusts. Be it yours to getas much as ever you canof the joys of faith and
especiallyof this–“Ratherrejoice thatyour names are written in Heaven.”
This joy consists in knowing our election–“knowing, dearlyBeloved, your
electionof God”–knowing thatyour names were written in Heavenfrom
before the foundation of the world! Oh, what an inconceivable delight is this!
To be God’s choice is the choicestof delights! The joy of having your name
written in Heaven includes the joy of knowing that you are precious to the
Lord, for it is written, “a book of remembrance was kept for them that feared
the Lord and that thought upon His name, and they shall be Mine, said the
Lord, in the day when I make up My jewels.”
To be written in Heaven means that we are precious in the sight of the Lord,
that He has noted us down in the list of His crown jewels and will preserve us
for Himself till the day in which all His sacredregalia shallbe complete.
Blessedare those who stand recordedin the inventory of Heaven’s jewel
house! To be written in Heaven means that you claim the right of citizenship
in the New Jerusalem, “the Church of the First-Born, whose names are
written in Heaven.” Just as there is a roll kept by greatcities in which they
inscribe the names of citizens, so do we rejoice that our names are written in
the roll of the City above, and that, from now on, our citizenship is in Heaven,
from where we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus!
This is a broad subjectfor rejoicing, for it includes priceless privileges and
honors more than royal. We also rejoice that our names are written, that is,
known and published in Heaven. Paul mentioned certain of his fellow servants
of whom he said, “whose names are written in Heaven.” As much as to say
though they have neither fame nor honor here, they have a perpetual record
where honor is worth receiving, namely, before the Throne of God! The
heavenly writing signifies that we are part and parcelof Christ’s new
kingdom! We are inscribed among His soldiers, we are commissionedto bear
hardness for His sake. We are written in Heaven among the friends of Jesus,
we are accountedas of the sacredshallbe regardedand treatedas belonging

to the one family in Heaven and in earth. This is the matter concerning which
we are calledto rejoice. “Rejoicethat your names are written in Heaven.”
I see in this fact abundant cause forjoy, but I cannot stay, this morning, to
bring it out in detail. I would have you joy in the greatGrace which first
inscribed your name in God’s eternal book. Oh, bless the sovereign,
distinguishing, discriminating Grace which wrote down your unworthy name
where there might have stoodthe name of a king, or of an emperor, or the
name of a person of greatrepute, of superior talent, or of great eloquence and
learning! Instead of those which men esteemto be greatnames, there stands
your common name! Therefore give the Grace ofGod all the glory evermore!
And then rejoice in the Grace which has kept your name inscribed in that
heavenly roll, so that over you that ancient threat of the Law has had no
power–“Whoeverhas sinned againstMe, him will I blot out of my Book.”
(Exo. 32:33).
But up to now you have stoodamong those of whom the Spirit speaks
expresslyin the Book of the Revelation–“He thatovercomes, 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.”
There stands your name, still recordedin the Lamb’s Book of Life, though
many a tear of yours might well fall upon it to think what Grace it is which
keeps it there and will keepit there forever! A name among God’s sons and
daughters is better for you than if your name were in Debrett’s Peerage, orin
the RoyalAlmanac de Gotha. Being in the Book ofLife guarantees you peace,
joy, security, blessednessnow–andsecuresyou a place hereafteramong the
blood-washedhost in the “many mansions,” which Christ has gone to prepare
for those whom His Fatherhas given Him!
Sit down now, Beloved, and let your soul triumph to the lastdegree of joy in
this–your names are written in Heaven! Forgetthe falling devils for awhile,
forgetyour abilities, forgetyour successes. Castthese all at your Redeemer’s
feet, where they ought to be, and then take this to yourself as your joy, your
portion, your Heavenbelow–thatyour name is written in the family register
of the Eternal! May the Holy Spirit inspire you with this sublime delight.
Brothers and Sisters, this is a joy which can be cultivated. How are we to
cultivate it? If we desire to have much of this joy, we must make the factsure.
We must be certain that our names are written in Heaven, or else we cannot
rejoice in it. Let your faith grow until it reaches the full assuranceoffaith and
then shall you rejoice that your names are written in Heaven!
“How am I to know it?” one asks. Well, Friend, one thing is sure, if God has
written you down among those who are saved, you cansoonknow it because

you are saved! If you are forgiven, your name is written among the forgiven.
If you are, indeed, quickened and made alive, your name is written among the
living in Zion. I will not invite you to go further and peer into that which is
unrevealed, for if I did so I should be as much out of my sphere as those are
who pretend to bring men messagesfrom the spirit world! The Lord gives not
to any soul, dead in sin, the leastright to believe that it is written among the
living. Neither gives He to any ungodly man the liberty to hope that he is
written among the electof God.
We must have evidence, not dreams and airy suppositions!And the evidence
of our name being written in Heaven is that we have been calledby Grace out
of the world to follow Jesus. We see our electionby our calling, and nothing
else. We may know what is written about us in Heaven by that which is
written within us on earth. If Grace has written upon your heart till you are
“an Epistle of Christ, knownand read of all men,” your name is in His secret
book!If you are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are His, and the Lord
knows them that are His. He has written them down in His ownprivate tablets
which He carries in His bosom. If your name is among true Believers onearth,
it is among the redeemed in Heaven–youneed not question that, for the
declarations ofScripture put it beyond a doubt.
If you would rejoice in your name’s being written in Heaven, not only be
assuredof the fact, but meditate much upon it. Let this be frequently on your
mind, “My name is written in Heaven. Beneaththe name of my Lord, the
Lamb, it is inscribed. I am one of His redeemed and He writes me down
among His dearly purchasedproperty. He knows me, looks upon me and
regards me as His treasure. I am not my own, I am bought with a price, I
belong to Him.” Go, Brothers and Sisters, and exult in this and let the sweet
influence of it be daily seenupon your life–for this joy, dear Friends, will
make all else on earth pale, in comparison, with the fact your names are
written in Heaven!
What if you are rich? Rejoice notin this, for riches take to themselves wings
and fly away, but rather rejoice because your name is written in Heaven! If
you are a man of learning, thank God for your knowledge and use it for His
Glory, but, nevertheless, rejoice notin this, for what is earthly knowledge
often but learned ignorance? “Ratherrejoicebecauseyour name is written in
Heaven.” If you are a person of position in the Church, thank God if you may
glorify Him thereby! But rather rejoice because yourname is written in
Heaven. Are you strong and in goodhealth? Be grateful for the privilege, but
rather rejoice because your name is written in Heaven!

Turn this Inspired text round another way and if you have any sorrow, or if
you mourn the absence ofany earthly good, do not lament too bitterly–but
rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven! You are poor. Well,
be not despondent, for your name is written in Heaven! You are despisedand
your name is castout as evil–but rejoice, none the less, for it is written in
Heaven! You have but few gifts and abilities, but your name is written in
Heaven! You could not stand up and edify a multitude, but your name is
written in Heaven! When you die your departure will make but a small gap in
the Church’s ranks, but your name is written in Heaven! Whatever you lack
or whatever you suffer, let this console you and, at the same time, let it
strengthen you for service.
The joy of the Lord is your strength, you will feelable to go forward in God’s
work when you can boldly say, “My name is written in Heaven. I may well
serve Him who has so graciouslyredeemedme! He has put me down among
His people, why should I not, therefore, expectHim to be with me when I go
upon His errands and attempt to win Him honor? My name is written in
Heaven and, therefore, I will live for Him to the utmost of my strength and
spend and be spent for His name.” There seems to me to be such a wonderful
moral and spiritual power about this joy in having one’s name written in
Heaven that it does not require me to explain why the Savior encouragesyou
to indulge in it!
It is a corrective to the other joy, but it has about it, also, independently of
that, so many admirable uses that we need not add a word by way of guarding
it, or restraining it, but may, on the contrary, earnestlyinvite you to partake
of it without stint! Eat the fat and drink the sweet!Rejoice, yes, rejoice
abundantly! Rejoice and yet again rejoice, becauseyour names are written in
Heaven!
III. Now, lastly, into this joy the Savior enters and we have to look in the third
place to THE JOY OF THE LORD IN SYMPATHY with it. And so we add to
our text the first sentence ofthe 21 st verse–“Inthat hour Jesus rejoicedin
theSpirit.” Why did He rejoice? I think it was with a very same joy that He
bids us cultivate as far as it related to Himself, for you see, He rejoiced
because Grace wasgiven. He said, “I thank You, O Father, Lord of Heaven
and earth, that You have hid these things from the wise and prudent and have
revealedthem unto babes.” It makes Christ’s heart glad to think that God has
been gracious to the sons of men–to think that He has plucked some of the
race out of the horrible pit and lifted them up from the miry clay–and
brought them out of darkness into His marvelous light.

It makes His soul glad to see that sin has been overcome in many men and
that many have been renewedin the spirit of their minds by Divine Grace.
Jesus was also gladat the Father’s choice. He said, “I thank You, O Father.”
He looks at these 70 babes out of whose mouth He has ordained strength, and
He says, “I thank you, O Father, for having chosenthese.” Theylookeda
wretchedregiment to conquer the world with, did they not? A company of
fishermen and peasants, men of the lowerorder! If a man had to shake the
world, he might naturally wish for choice spirits, the elite, the aristocracyof
thought, at any rate, if not the aristocracyofgold and silver! He might wish to
selectthe refined, the noble, the educated, for his greatenterprise.
But Jesus Christis perfectly satisfiedwith His Father’s choice. It has given me
intense joy, sometimes, to think that our dear Savior is perfectly satisfiedto
think that His Fathershould have chosenme. He is not like Hiram, who, when
King Solomongave him certain cities, was discontentedwith them. But our
Lord has never spokena word againstany of the sheep His Father gave Him,
nor has He despisedany of the electones whom the Father has put into His
hands. He is perfectly content with you, Beloved, perfectly satisfiedthat you
should be chosen, though you are not one of the wise and prudent, that you
should be chosen, though you are like one of the “base things of this world.”
Jesus rejoicedand thanked the Fatherbecause ofthe choice which His
SovereignGrace made.
Notice the spirit in which Jesus puts His thanksgiving–He is satisfiedwith the
choice because itis God’s choice. “Evenso, Father,” He said, “for so it seemed
goodin Your sight.” That is the true spirit of Christ, to be content with what
God wills because Godwills it–He has no questions, no judging, but shows an
entire submission, no, an intense delight, in the august will of God! Let us,
also, delight ourselves, this morning, in the fact that our names are written in
Heaven because Godwilled them to be there! How well satisfiedwe ought to
be with that will, but how much more joyous may we be because Christ, also,
is content with that will, by which we are given to Him that we may be His
people.
Then our Saviorwent on to rejoice because the Grace of God given to us has
revealedto us Christ, and revealedto us the Father, for He says, “no man
knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Fatheris, but the Son, and
he to whom the Sonwill revealHim.” Now, the Grace ofGod has manifested
itself to you and to me, Belovedin Christ, by revealing the Father, whom we
now inwardly and truly know. We cansay in our very souls, “Our Father
which are in Heaven.” And we also know the Son. We cannot tell others all we
know of Him, all the secretfellowships we have had and into what deep

communion we have entered, but we know Christ and are known of Him–and
this is our life’s work to go on to know Him yet more and more–andto know
the Fatherin Him.
Jesus exulted because there was a fellowshipabout all this, for He speaksof
His knowing the Father and the Father knowing Him–and then of our
knowing the Fatherbecause the Son has revealedHim to us–allof which
implies a wondrous communication and communion with the Fatherand with
the Son. Now, this, I take it, is the cream of joy, a joy in which Christ partakes
as He has fellowship with the Fatherand with us, and of which we partake as
we have fellowship with Him and with the Father. Now, mark, there is
nothing of this in, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us.” There is
nothing of this when we merely have successin soul-winning. A man may
work marvels and yet have no fellowshipwith the Father and with the Son
and, therefore, he may lack that which is the essence,the center point, the
focus of all true joy!
But he who has his name written in Heaven has had the Father revealedto
him through the Son and in this he may exceedinglyrejoice, for the very news
of this is what kings and Prophets waited for and found not. This is that which
even angels desire to look into! Therefore, Brothers and Sisters, rejoice in the
Lord always, and again, I say rejoice!My last word is for those who know
nothing about their names being written in Heaven. I would like to turn the
text upon you for a secondor so, for it has a dark side to you, and I pray God
that as you see it, you may tremble and fly to Christ!
Whateveryou have in this world, Sinner, you have nothing worth rejoicing in
because you cannotsay your name is written in Heaven! Rejoice neither in
your wealth, your health, your children, your prosperity, your position, your
success–forif your name is not written in Heaven, Ichabod is written over all
your choicestpossessions!As you look on all that you have gained, remember
that God canmake your souls to hunger and faint even in the midst of all
these things! Listen to the thunder of that dreadful sentence, “Iwill curse
your blessings.” “The curse ofthe Lord is in the house of the wicked, but He
blesses the habitation of the righteous.”
Oh that your names may be written in Heaven for His mercy’s sake. Amen.
PORTION OF SCRIPTUREREAD BEFORESERMON–Luke 9:51-62;10:1-
24.HYMNS FROM “OUR OWN HYMN BOOK”–219,239, 719.
BRUCE HURT MD

Luke 10:20 "Neverthelessdo not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to
you, but rejoice that your names are recordedin heaven."
Lk 10:23 10:1 26:24 27:5 1Co 13:2,3 in this (KJV): Mt 7:22,
rejoice that your names are recordedin heaven." : Ex 32:32 Ps 69:28 Isa 4:3
Da 12:1 Php 4:3 Heb 12:23 Rev 3:5 Rev 13:8 20:12,15 21:27
Multiple ResourcesonLuke 10 (includes the sermons below)
Luke 10:17-20 The Joys of a True Disciple - John MacArthur
Luke 10:17-24 What Makes Jesus Rejoice -Steven Cole
Luke 10:20 Why May I Rejoice? -C H Spurgeon
THE MIRACLE THAT
TRULY CAUSES US TO REJOICE!
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you - This
command from Jesus is a goodreminder for all of us. If we are truly engaged
in the Lord's missionary work, we will from time to time see and/or
experience remarkable supernatural works. It would be easyto focus on those
things (and fall prey to a dangerous, deceptive sense ofspiritual pride or
superiority! Memorize and live in the truth of 2 Cor 3:5-6-note!). In so doing
we might forgetthe most incredible miracle of all, that our "names are
recordedin heaven!" (cf. Phil. 4:3-note; Rev. 3:5-note; Rev 20:15-note).
Spurgeon- The 70 disciples returned from their preaching tour flushed with
the joy of success, and our Savior, to refine that joy and prevent its
degenerating into pride, bids them rather rejoice that their names were
written in heaven. He conductedtheir contemplations to the glorious doctrine
of election, so that grateful thoughts might sober them after successfulwork;
He bids them considerthemselves as debtors to divine grace, whichreveals
unto babes the mysteries of God; for He would not allow their new position as
workers to make them forgetthat they were the chosenof God, and therefore
debtors (Sermon)
Criswellon do not rejoice - The conclusionof the Lord's instructions is a
caution to the disciples not to become enamoredwith sensationalspiritual
events, howeversignificant. Rather, attention should be focusedon salvation,
the centraltheme of all prophecy and Scripture as well as the chief concernof
Christ's life. The presence ofone's name in heaven is of greatersignificance
than any individual spiritual prowess about which one might boast.

Steven Cole - They were excited about how God had used them in defeating
Satan’s forces through their ministry. Jesus is not telling them not to rejoice
at all in such victories. Rather, He is putting it in perspective. Our greatestjoy
should not be in seeing how God uses us to serve Him, but rather in the simple
fact that our names are recorded in heaven. Service has its ups and downs;
but salvationthrough God’s grace and the assurance thatwhom He saves, He
keeps, should fill us with steady joy. God’s sovereigngrace in saving us should
bring greaterjoy to us than all other joys, because it is eternal. Every joy that
the personoutside of Christ enjoys is temporal. Did he just win a million
dollars in the lottery? Did he just get a promotion in his career? Did he just
marry a beautiful young woman? Did he just get electedto a high public
office? Don’t envy him for a second. Why envy a man who in a short time will
be castinto the lake of fire? If he could only see as God sees, thatsuccessful
man would gladly and quickly trade places with the personwhose name is
written in the book of life, even if that saint were suffering from terminal
cancer!Our joy is eternal and will only grow greaterwhenwe pass into the
presence ofour Savior!
Rejoice (5463)(chairo)means to be "cheer" full, calmly happy or well-off.
Chairo implies and imparts joy. Chairo is used in a whole range of situations
in which the emotion of joy is evoked. To be in a state of happiness and well
being independent of what is happening when the Source is the Spirit!
Henry Morris - The miraculous signs accompanying the seventy on this
mission, as well as the apostles and others in the early church, were a special
and temporary privilege, given for a specialpurpose (1 Corinthians 13:8), not
to be comparedat all to the far greaterand everlasting gift of salvation.
But rejoice that your names are recordedin heaven - (see Phil. 4:3+) God's
sent ones were to rejoice more that they had receivedHis mercy and
forgiveness than in their power over evil spirits. Rejoice becausethey have
personally experiencedthe greatestmiracle of all, the salvationof their
otherwise previously lost soul. Dearreader, have you experiencedthis miracle
of miracles?
Rejoice is in the presentimperative calling for this to be the habitual practice
of the seventy (and also for us beloved!). This joy canand should be continual
because our salvationis eternally secure. When the world, people,
circumstances orour adversarystealor attempt to stealour joy, we can,
enabled by the Spirit (giving us the desire and the power) make the volitional
choice to rejoice in the immutable, incredible truth that our names are
recordedin heaven! Indeed all other miracles were ultimately meant to be but

signposts pointing men to the Gospelof our salvation, the greatestmiracle of
all!
Luke records rejoicing of those who had heard the goodnews of the
availability of the forgiveness ofsins and justification by faith (context = Acts
13:38, 39)...
When the Gentiles heard this, they beganrejoicing and glorifying the word of
the Lord (THE GOSPEL);and as many as had been appointed (tasso)to
eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48+)
Recorded(1449)(engrapho from en = in or on + grapho = to write) means
literally (as used here in Lk 10:20) to write in, to enroll, to enter into a
register, to record. Engrapho figuratively speaks ofa spiritual impression
made on the heart ("You are our letter, written in our hearts, knownand read
by all men." 2 Cor 3:2). Engrapho means to inscribe formally and solemnly.
It was used for the signing of a will, a marriage document, or a peace treaty,
and also for the enrolling of a citizen.
BDAG - to recordinformation, esp. names in official documents (inscribed on
pillars - Herodotus).... Like the Gk. term engrapho, which can be used of
handwriting as wellas engraving, the Eng. rendering ‘inscribe’ does double
duty for Paul’s imagery and is in harmony with the official flavor (numerous
official letters were inscribed on stone)of his prose in 2 Cor 3:2.
TDNT on engrapho -
1. Lk 10:20 The references ofengraphein are to a. “writing in a letter or
petition,” b. “entering in a document,” c. “inscribing on a list,” d. “inscribing
the divine words in the Bible,” and e. “entering in the book of life” (Da 12:1
LXX). The Lord's saying in Lk. 10:20 carries the thought that those who
belong to Christ are enrolled as citizens of the eternalpoliteia.
2. 2 Cor. 3:2-3. What Paul is saying here is that the Corinthians are letters
“inscribed” on his heart. The idea of inscribing on the heart or soul is a
common one in antiquity, but Paul is probably influenced more by Jer. 31:33 ;
Prov. 3:3; also Ex. 24:12; 31:18;34:1; Ezek. 11:19; 36:26.
The only uses of engrapho in the Septuagint are found in Ex 39:14 and Da
12:1. The use in Daniel is powerful and parallels Jesus'words here in Luke
10:20 in the sense that both passages speak ofpermanence as explained below.
Daniel 12:1-note "Now atthat time Michael, the great prince who stands
guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of
distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at

that time your people, everyone who is found written (Lxx = engrapho in the
perfect tense)in the book (Lxx = biblos- book, scroll), will be rescued.
When God records our name in heaven, it is final and forever! Why canwe
say that? Look at the verb Engrapho which is in the perfecttense (in both Lk
10:20 and Da 12:1). You still may be unimpressed and say "So what?" The
answeris that the perfect tense speaks ofa past completedaction with ongoing
results or effect. In a word, the perfect tense speaks ofpermanence of this
record in Daniel12:1 and Lk 10:20!It STANDS WRITTEN!This is another
one of those pieces of truth which serve to underscore the fact that a genuine
believer cannot lose his or her salvation!Dearbeliever in Jesus Christ, your
name stands written in God's record in heaven where it will forever remain
written! Believe it or not!
RelatedResource:
How can I have assurance ofmy salvation?
What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith?
If you doubt your salvation, does that mean you are not truly saved?
What if I don't feel saved?
Can a person believe in some sense but not be saved?
How can I avoid being a doubting Thomas?
Eternal security - is it biblical?
Is eternal security a "license"to sin?
Perseveranceofthe Saints - is it biblical?
What is the relationship of faith, works, and security in salvation?
What does John 3:16 mean?
Can a Christian lose salvation?
Is there a difference betweenthe book of life and the Lamb's book of life?
If our salvationis eternally secure, why does the Bible warn so strongly
againstapostasy?
What is the Book ofLife?
This record of course refers to believers but Jeremiahdescribes a record of
unbelievers -
O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake Youwill be put to shame. Those
who turn awayon earth will be written down, Because theyhave forsakenthe

fountain of living water(Jer 2:13, 17, Jn 7:37-38), eventhe LORD. (Jer
17:13)
The psalmist writes
May they be blotted out of the book of life and may they not be recordedwith
the righteous. (Ps 69:28)
John speaks ofnames recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not
been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb
who has been slain. (Rev 13:8-note)
For an in depth analysis of the topic Book ofLife click the following links
Is there a difference betweenthe book of life and the Lamb's book of life?
What is the Book ofLife?
Tony Garland's summary - Book ofLife - - Its Ultimate Purpose When are
Names Written? Names BlottedOut
Is it possible for a person's name to be erasedfrom the Book ofLife?
Is eternal security biblical?
Brian Bell - Jesus sharedin their joy, but reminded them to rejoice primarily
not in being empoweredfor service, but in having been saved by grace. After
all, their work might not always be successful…buttheir salvation would
never change!
Plummer on our names written in heaven - As citizens possessing the full
privileges of the commonwealth!(Ed: Our salvation brings protection and
privilege).
William Barclay- It will always remain true that a man's greatestgloryis not
what he has done but what God has done for him. It might well be claimed
that the discovery of the use of chloroform saved the world more pain than
any other single medical discovery. Once someone askedSirJames Simpson,
who pioneeredits use, "What do you regardas your greatestdiscovery?"
expecting the answer, "Chloroform." But Simpson answered, "Mygreatest
discoverywas that Jesus Christ is my Saviour." Even the greatestman can
say in the presence of God only,
"Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to thy Cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress;

Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Washme, Saviour, or I die."
Pride bars from heaven; humility is the passportto the presence ofGod.
(Daily Study Bible)
Spurgeon- To be electis better than to be endowedwith the greatestgifts.
When we are likely to become too elated by what the Lord does by us, it will
be well to remember that what he has done for us is a far greaterand safer
reasonfor joy.
Bid, Lord, thy heralds publish loud
The peacefulblessings ofthy reign;
And when they speak of sprinkled blood,
The mystery to the heart explain.
Chase the usurper from his throne,
Oh! chase him to his destined hell;
Stout-hearted sinners overcome,
And glorious in thy temple dwell.
James Smith - SENT ONES. Luke 10:1-20.
Man hath his daily work of body or mind
Appointed, which declares his dignity,
And the regard of Heaven on all his ways,
While other animals inactive range,
And of their doings God takes no account. —Milton.
These seventywere appointed by the Lord, and sent forth, two and two, and
surely it was a greatcomfort for them to know that they were going "before
His face," andinto the very places "whitherHe Himself would come" (v. 1).
May not every sent one now rest in this same assurance, thatwhereverthey
go, at His will and in His Name, there shall He manifest His presence. But
there is to be no selfish monopolising of this work on the part of the sent ones,
for it was to them the Lord said, "Prayye the Lord of the harvest, that He
may send forth labourers" (v. 2). In this spirit of prayer, begotten by real love

for the Lord and His work, we do become "co-workers togetherwith Him."
There are precious lessons here for all who seek to do the will of God.
I. A GreatCommission. "Go your ways;behold, I send you forth" (Lk 10:3).
They went as—
1. LAMBS. "Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves" (Lk 10:3).
They were not sent as rams to fight their way by the power of their heads, but
as lambs, entirely under the protection of the ever-watchfulShepherd, and as
such they representheart life more than head life. The influence of love is
always more powerful than that of reason. The wolves representthose who
live the grosslyselfishlife—men of the world.
2. FORERUNNERS. "Theywentwhither He Himself would come" (Lk 10:1).
As such they were to "salute no man by the way." Their coming into any city
or place was a testimony that the King Himself was coming. Have we, as sent
ones (Lk 20:17, 18), been animated by a like faith in the promise and powerof
Christ? Do we expectHim to follow up our word and work in His Name with
His own convincing presence?
3. HERALDS. Saying, "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you" (Lk
10:9). From that time Jesus beganto preachand to say, "Repent, for the
kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:19). The kingdom itself was brought
near by the very presence ofthe heralds of it. If the kingdom of God is within
you (Luke 17:21; Rom. 14:17), then when you come into contactwith those
who know not God, nor His Christ, does not the kingdom come near to them
in you?
4. AMBASSADORS. Jesus saidof them, "He that heareth you hearethMe,
and he that despisethyou despisethMe" (v. 16). "Now then, we are
ambassadors forChrist, as though God did beseechyou by us; we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciledto God" (2 Cor. 5:20).
II. A Joyful Testimony.
"They returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us
through Thy Name" (Lk 10:17).
Those who go at His bidding and in His Name will always have a joyful
testimony to bear. They will be more than conquerors. "We wrestle not
againstflesh and blood, but againstprincipalities, againstpowers, againstthe
rulers of the darkness of this world, againstspiritual wickedness inhigh
places" (Eph. 6:12). Our foe is not in the form of "fleshand blood" (human),
but in the characterof wickedspirits which rule the kingdom of darkness—
invisible demons—that possessthe hearts of men, and that can only be cast

out through the power of the Name of Jesus (Eph. 2:2). The works of the devil
are still being destroyedin those to whom the Sonof God is being manifested
(1 John 3:8). Thus, the lifting up of the Son of God is still the power to bring
the devils of doubt and uncleanness into subjection (John 12:13).
III. A Suggestive Comment.
"Jesus saidunto them, I beheld Satanas lightning fall from Heaven" (Lk
10:18). What a strange and startling statement, coming as a reply to their
exultant accountof "devils being subject to them." It appears that Satan shot
down from the heavenlies with lightning speedwhen he saw that his angel
demons were being routed and overcome by those seventy messengers ofthe
Son of God. The more we triumph in the Name of Jesus, the more intensely
will we be tried and opposedby the powers of darkness. The wrestling
mentioned in Ephesians 6:12 implies a real and desperate struggle in very
close quarters—wrestlers gripeachother.
IV. An Assuring Promise.
"Behold, I give you power to tread on... all the power of the enemy" (Lk
10:19). Although Satanhath come down like lightning in all his power to
oppose the mission of Christ through you, I give you powerto tread all his
powerbeneath your feet. The sphere of Satan's work is now on the earth. Let
us treat all "criticisms" and "teachings"that are opposedto the mind and
purposes of Jesus Christas the "doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1). Take
courage from His promise, "I give unto you power" (Acts 1:8). The time has
come when the God of peace canbruise Satan under your feet (Rom. 16:20).
One of the signs of faith in His Name is the casting out of devils (Mark 16:17).
V. A Source of Joy.
"Rejoicenot that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice because
your names are written in Heaven" (v. 20). To have our names written there is
a guarantee of deliverance (Dan. 12:1). Overcoming devils is, in the mind of
Christ, a comparatively small matter, but to have our names written in the
Lamb's Book ofLife (Rev. 21:27), and to belong to the GeneralAssembly and
Church of the Firstborn, which are written in Heaven, is something to rejoice
over, as it is a privilege that will be fruitful of joy and honour through all
eternity, for a man may castout devils and yet himself be a castaway(Matt.
7:22, 23).
Precious Names—Luke10:20 Rejoicebecauseyour names are written in
heaven.

No one expectedthe secondanniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to be as
emotionally chargedas the first. But that changedat Ground Zero in New
York City when a group of 200 young people beganreading the names of
those who had died at the World Trade Center. The readers were the sons,
daughters, brothers, sisters, nieces, andnephews of the victims. The 2,792
names, precious to those who read them, brought a fresh reminder of those
they had loved and lost.
A person’s name represents his identity, accomplishments, and relationships.
Somedayour name may appear on a memorial plaque or gravestone as a
mark of remembrance and honor.
But there is a heavenly ledger that is the most important of all. When Jesus’
followers reportedtheir successfulservice to Him, He replied: “Do not rejoice
in this, . . . but rather rejoice because yournames are written in heaven”
(Luke 10:20). Then He thanked the Fatherfor making the way to Him simple
enough for even a child to understand (v.21).
A child values a loving relationship. In that spirit, we should rejoice that
through faith in Christ we belong to God and are secure in His love for all
eternity. Our names are precious to Him.By David C. McCasland
Our names are recordedin heaven,
Christ's death this high honor secured;
Believers have now a new standing
That nothing can change—we're assured. —D. De Haan
When you trust Jesus here on earth He writes your name in heaven.
ALAN CARR
Luke 10:17-20
YOU’VE GOT A LICENSE TO PRAISE THE LORD
Intro: Ill. We live in difficult days. It seems that there is trouble on every
hand and that the Lord’s people are suffering under unnecessaryburdens.
Sometimes, it is easyto forgetthat Romans 8:28 means just what it says!
Sometimes, it is easyto getdefeated, discouragedand dejected. Often, it is
easyto lose one’s shout. Why is that? I think the reasonwe lose our shout in

the midst of our trials is that we lose sight of the real reasonfor our joy in the
first place. Is it feeling goodthat brings joy into our lives? We all like to feel
good, but it would appear, from the text, that feelings aren’t where it is at. Is
it circumstances that bring about rejoicing? From our text, it would appear
not! Is it getting our way that brings joy? Again, from the text, I would say
no! What is the real root of joy then? According to Jesus, the real root of joy
is not feelings, circumstancesorgetting our waythat brings joy, rather, it is
the simple, blessedassurancethat we have been saved by grace that should
produce “joy unspeakable and full of glory” in our hearts and lives.
Look at the text. The Disciples had been out preaching and ministering in
the name of the Lord. They had seenpowerful things take place. Why, even
demonic spirits were helpless againstthe powerof Godin their lives and were
castout by them. They are overjoyedby this and come to Jesus rejoicing in
their greatspiritual power. Jesus, however, showsthem the true reasonfor
rejoicing. He tells them that salvationis the best and greatestcatalystfor joy
in the life if the believer.
You know, I’m gladHe said that! I have never castout a demon, and I
probably never will. Most, if not all of you are in the same boat. We haven’t,
and aren’t like to experience anything like that, and if it took something of
that magnitude to give a reasonto rejoice, then I suppose we would never be
able to rejoice in the Name of the Lord. However, Jesus put rejoicing within
the reachof every child of God!
The only item necessaryfor there to be rejoicing in your life is just the fact
that you name is written in Heaven. If we could ever geta hold of that truth,
we would tear this building down tonight! I am here this evening to tell you
that if you are saved, then you have a reasonto rejoice. Youhave cause to
shout. You have everything that is needed to praise the name of the Lord as
long, as loud and as often as you wish.
I want every born again personin this room to know that you can rejoice,
that there is nothing stopping you. You can, you should, you must learn to
praise the Lord Jesus and I want to tell you why. Allow me to give you three
reasons why You’ve Got A License To Praise The Lord.
I. ETERNALSALVATION IS YOUR LICENSE FOR PRAISE
(Ill. Salvation is more than a “getout of Hell free card.” Salvationbrings with
it many wonderful gifts that the believers tend to forgetabout as they fight the
battles of life. I would just like to refreshyour memory about what is yours
through your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If your name is written

in Heaven, then you are savedand all the benefits of salvationbelong to you!
Notice with me some of those benefits.)
A. There Is A Relationship - At the very instant of conversion, a new
relationship is formed. The new born child of God instantly becomes a child
of God - 1 John 3:1-2. God in Heaven becomes ourFather and we enter into a
specialrelationship with Him. I want to touch on 2 aspects ofthat
relationship this evening.
1. There Is An Adoption - Gal. 4:4-6; 2 Cor. 6:17-18 When we are saved, we
are adopted into the family of God. He takes us as His children with all the
rights and privileges thereof.
2. There Is An Access - As children, we have unlimited and unhindered access
to the Fatherin Heaven, Heb. 4:14-16. Therefore,we cantake our burdens to
Him and find help. We can take our problems to Him and find solutions. We
can take our hurts to Him and find healing. Because we are the children of
God, we can and should go to the Father and allow Him to minister to our
needs.
B. There Is A Renewal - When a personcomes to Jesus for salvation, some
things are made new. Sometimes are done awaywith and that is reasonfor
rejoicing!
1. We Are CleansedByHim - Col. 2:13; Eph. 4:32 - Everything that was
dirty, filthy and evil about us has been forevertaken away! That alone, is a
reasonto praise His Name!
2. We Are ChangedBy Him - Not only does He take awaythe past, but He
changes the future as well! 2 Cor. 5:17 tells us in no uncertain terms that
when a person becomes a child of God, they are changed! They are no longer
what they used to be, but not they have been redeemed and they are free to
live for the Lord. (Ill. Eph. 2:10) Everything changes whenyou come to Jesus!
C. There Is A Reward- As hard as it may be to imagine, the Lord is going to
reward His children, both now and when they gethome. According to Rom.
8:16-17;Titus 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3-4, every child of God is an heir of God. Thatis,
we literally share in ownership of everything that belongs to the Father. How
much is that? Psalm 24:1; Psalm50:10. Simply stated, it is enough for you
and for me to enjoy the best of the best! All that is my Father’s is mine! And,
that is enough! In fact, we haven’t even begun to grasp all that is ours in
Jesus Christ. A verse that is typically used to tell of the glories of Heaven is
better applied to this life - 1 Cor. 2:9. We can’t even imagine what the Lord
can do in and for those who are His!

(Ill. He died for me, He calledme, and He savedme! He did it all! He placed
me in His body. He gave me a place of service. He equipped me to serve. He
gave me gifts that would enable me to do His will. He blessed. He worked.
He controlled the harvest. Then, when this life is over, He will still reward me
for the works I perform for Him, 1 Cor3. No wonder we will toss our crowns
at His feet and praise His Name - Rev. 4!)
D. There Is A Rescue - Daniel12:1 tells of a time when those whose names are
written in the book of life will be takenout of this world. We believers know
that event by the name of the rapture, 1 Cor. 15:51-52;1 Thes. 4:16-17.
Simply because ournames are written down in Heaven, we will get to go and
be with Jesus when He returns to receive His Bride. We will be takenalive to
be with Him in Heaven and we will miss the GreatTribulation that is to come
upon the earth. We will leave in an instant and spend eternity with our
glorious Lord in His heavenly Home!
E. There Is A Reality – John 5:24 – When we came to Jesus for salvation, we
“passedfrom death unto life,” and we “shallnot come into condemnation.”
We have been delivered from all the vile effects ofsin! We have been
delivered from the horrible price that was attachedto sin, Rom. 6:23. And,
we have been delivered from the certain judgment of a living God, Rom. 8:1;
Rom. 5:9.
(Ill. If you took these five truths and had no others; that would be enoughto
praise the Lord for forever! However, there are 2 more reasons that I would
like to give that tell us Why Don’t NeedPermissionTo Praise The Lord.)
II. ETERNALSECURITYIS YOUR LECENSE FOR PRAISE
A. Ill. Not only are we savedand can shout about that, but we are saved
forever! Notice the words “are written”. This verb is in the PerfectPassive
Indicative. May not mean much to you, but this surely will. The literal sense
of this verb is this, “your name is written and shall be written.” It means that
“it stands written”. The PerfectTense refers to an action completedin the
past that has ongoing results into the future. The Passive Voice reminds us
that the subject is being actedupon by another. The Indicative Moodis
merely a statementof fact. If you put all of this together, you realize that at
some point in the past, God put your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and

that actioncarries on into the future. Simply stated, Jesus saidthis, “your
names stand written in heaven.”
B. The Lord Jesus gave a promise along these lines in Rev. 3:5. He promises
there that our names will not be blotted out of the book of life! I am grateful
to the Lord that when you getin, you are in forever! There is no way for any
child of God to lose his salvation, John 10:28;John 6:37-40;John 17:12!
After all, we are not kept by what we do, but by the power of God, 1 Pet. 1:5.
If I can lose my salvation, then God isn’t greatenough to keepme saved!
C. If it ever dawned on us that we have been savedby grace and are kept by
that same grace, we would come unglued! I have no doubt that many
Christians harbor a secretfear in the back of their minds that someday, some
way, they just might lose their salvation and go to Hell. Nothing could be
father from the truth! If you are saved, you are savedforever and that is a
reasonto rejoice!
III. ETERNALSATISFACTION IS YOUR LICENSE FOR PRAISE
A. Ill. If being savedand being eternally secure isn’t enough to bring us to the
point of praise, then perhaps the thought of Heaven will do it for us. Why?
Becausehaving your name written in the Book of Life spells the difference
betweenHeaven and Hell, Rev. 20:15;Rev. 21:27. If your name is in the
book, then you are going to Heaven!
B. The word “written” means to “enrollas a citizen.” When you received
Christ as your Savior, and your name was written in Heaven, you were
enrolled as a citizen of that country - Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:19. As a result,
Heaven, all that it is and all that it contains, belongs to the redeemed!
C. Justthink of what that means! It means that Heavenis ours and that one
day, we will enjoy all the glories of that Heavenly city! Let me remind you of
some of them.
1. No tears - Rev. 21:4 2. No death - Rev. 21:4
3. No sorrow - Rev. 21:4 4. No pain - Rev. 21:4
5. No sin - Rev. 21:8 6. No sinners - Rev. 21:8
7. No Temple - Rev. 21:22 8. No sun - Rev. 21:23
9. No night - Rev. 21:25 10. No curse - Rev. 22:3
Ill. But that’s all negative! Look now at what will be there!

1. God with His people - Rev. 21:3
2. The Lamb with His people - Rev. 21:22-23;22:4
3. Jasperwalls - Rev. 21:11-12
4. PearlyGates - Rev. 21:21
5. GoldenStreets - Rev. 21:21
6. The redeemed- Rev. 21:24
7. The glory of God - Rev. 21:23
8. Home - John 14:1-3
Ill. There’s more that could be said about Heaven, 1 Cor. 2:9, but these things
are sufficient to make me rejoice in the fact that they are mine and that I will
partake of them some glorious day. What about you?
Conc:As we bring these thoughts to a close this evening, I hope you can see
that we who are savedhave many reasons for rejoicing. The question that
comes to mind now is this, “Have we been giving the Lord the praise He
deserves and is worthy of, or have we been guilty of holding back?” Let’s
decide that, if we are saved, we will act like we are saved and we will rejoice
simply because we can! Isn’t the Lord goodto give us so many reasons for
praising His name? Let’s not take them for granted, but let’s give Him glory
and honor this evening. (Ill. The words of the Psalmistin Psalm145:1-21.)
STEVEN COLE
What Makes JesusRejoice(Luke 10:17-24)
RelatedMedia

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“Congratulations!You have just wonthe Reader’s DigestFive Million Dollar
Sweepstakes!” Wouldthat make you rejoice? “Congratulations!You have
just been used of God to move a soul from eternal darkness to eternal light
and life!” Now that should make the believer rejoice like nothing else!But all
too often, when we hear of a soul being saved, we respond with, “That’s nice.
Hey, who do you think will win the Super Bowl?”
Whatevermakes us the happiest reveals our true values. Do we get more
excited about temporal blessings or eternalones? Do we getmore excited

Jesus was giving us the reason for rejoicing

Jesus was giving us the reason for rejoicing

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