What happens when a lost person's name is not in the Book of Life?
When a lost person's name is absent from the Book of Life, Christ turns to the books recording their earthly deeds, and they are judged according to their works. Because they did not believe the Gospel, they cannot claim the blood of the cross and must face their sins as unbelievers at the Great White Throne.
Les explains that the books were opened, and the singular book is the Book of Life. When it is evident that the lost person’s name is not in the Book of Life, Christ turns to the books—plural—that record their life and deeds on earth. The dead are judged out of those things written in the books according to their works. They can no longer claim they were paid for by the blood of the cross; it is too late. Their sins now come up to plague them. Les clarifies that although all the sins of the world are forgiven, if a person does not cash in by believing the Gospel, they must face their sins as an unbeliever at the Great White Throne. He illustrates this with Congress appropriating money set aside in the Treasury: it sits there until someone draws on it. Likewise, the work of the cross is fully paid and ready for anyone to draw on by believing.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.