The Book of Life

 

  Do you ever wonder if you are written in the book of life? The Book of Life is the set of names of those who will live with God forever in heaven. It is the roll of those who are saved. This Book of Life is mentioned in many places of the bible. The same book is also called the Lamb’s Book of Life because it contains the names of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, how can you be sure your name is written in the Book of Life? Let's go to the scriptures and see what qualifications our Lord has set for us to be in His eternal life book.

  Many may ask, is there proof of the book? Yes... We will begin our study in the old testament book of Psalms. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? (Psalms 56:8). David is saying here that God is keeping track of all his sorrows and deeds, and that they are recorded in God's book. (The book of life). This Psalm was written when David fled to the safety of the Philistines for refuge because Saul was trying to kill him. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. (Psalms 69:28). Erase their names from the "Book of Life;" don't let them be counted among the righteous. David is calling out to God for judgment to fall upon his enemies. The prayer for judgment is so strong and so grime that David even asks, "let them be erased from the book of life and not be recorded with the righteous." A passionate plea for God’s wrath to be vented against the enemies and that they fall into their own trap. In the book of (Isaiah 34:16 & Malachi 3:16), we will also see evidence of the book of life in the old testament.

  Now lets go to the new testament book of Luke. When Jesus appointed the "mission of the seventy," that were sent forth into the cities to carry His message, they returned with joy. They told the Lord that even the devils were subject to them through His name. Jesus told them that it is better for them to rejoice because their names are written in heaven. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20). "Written in the book of life." The apostle Paul would say the same thing in (Philippians 4:3), so there should be no doubt that the "book of life" exists.

  So, now that we know that there is a "book of life," what can we expect if we are written in the book? Lets go to the book of Revelation and see what it says. He that overcometh, 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. (Revelation 3:5). Everyone who overcomes with the help of the Holy Spirit will be clothed in white robes. The white linen garments that are woven by your works here on earth. They will not be blotted out of the book of life. When your blotted out you do not exist.

  What happens when you are not in the book? In the book of Revelation, it refers back to the beginning and what will happen to those not written in the book. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8). The foundation of the world in the first earth age when the overthrow of Satan took place. (Read our newsletter study topic titled "Three Earth Ages," for a better understanding of the foundation of the world). 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. (Revelation 20:12). Talking again of the spiritual dead. Those who were never taught the truth. They will be judged according to their works (good deeds), not by their faith. This only applies to those in the second resurrection. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:13). Again; the sea or waters represents the people who give up the spiritually dead. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14). The second death is the death of the soul. (Matthew 10:28). Blotted out forever! And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15). All who are not in the book of life will be blotted out for ever and death will be swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58). And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27). Nothing evil, anyone immoral, or dishonest will not be permitted in. Nothing left to defile! Only those written in the "Lamb's Book of Life" will be allowed to enter into the city.

  Can we be taken out of the book? According to what God told Moses, Yes! What were the people doing at this time that displeased the Lord? They were making god's out of gold to worship. (Exodus 32:31-33), Idol worship still takes place today. Worship false god's and you pay the price! How many will worship Satan when he returns in the end times pretending to be Christ? Do not be deceived! So, who knows if we are in the book? Jesus knows from the beginning who is with Him and who is not! (John 6:63-65, 15:27). God keeps good records. He knows His own, and He has set the names of His children permanently in His book. IS YOUR NAME IN THE BOOK?

Keep The Faith,
Barton