Post by Admin on Dec 15, 2014 12:28:27 GMT -5
While I have included the subject of the Book of Life in many discussions, I could not find an actual thread on it, so thought I would go ahead and place one here.
There are a number of questions we could ask on this topic, but the central question would be...when are men written into the Book of Life? Some say at birth, some say at salvation, and some say only the Elect are in the Book.
Which is it?
So we will look at the passages that are concerned with the Book of Life, and hopefully, come to a conclusion which will help settle our hearts on the issue that we might incorporate that into out personal Theologies and progress to other studies.
The first passage I would start with is...
Revelation 20:12-15
King James Version (KJV)
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
In v. 12 we see "books" opened, and then it says "another book" is opened. I'm sure we could find a Greek Scholar who could be used to support whatever view we want to take about the word "another," to further support the view we each take, but, I don't see that this is necessary. Clearly the Book of Life is established as a singular Book, and it is distinguished from the "books that were opened."
I would first call your attention to it's presence at the Great White Throne. Why is it presented? Seems fairly clear that the purpose is to verify that the "dead" are not written in it. At this point in history, while there is some debate as to the resurrection of the Old Testament Saints, we can safely say, I think, that the dead are those that have rebelled against God and remain separated from Him. My view sees, at this time, the dead in Christ, the Tribulation Martyrs, and the just from both the Old Testament as well as the Millennial Kingdom as being in glorified form. One reason would be that I believe the universe has passed away at this point:
Revelation 20:11
King James Version (KJV)
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
So the primary point I would make here is that despite the fact that believers have been glorified and the "dead" are at this time being raised (and this is a bodily resurrection in which they are raised in bodies similar to the Saints which are suited for eternal existence in Hell), the "books" (which I believe are the Books of the Word of God as well as books of remembrance) and the Book of Life are brought forth for this judgment.
The Book of Life is consulted to verify whether the names of the dead are in there. I would suggest at this point that this can be reasonably viewed in two ways: (1) this is simply to verify that they are not in there, for the benefit of the "dead," and (2) that it is at this time that their names are blotted out. Either view does not change our primary discussion. I think that either way, point one is true regardless of when the names are written in the Book of Life, or whether their names are not in there at all.
From here we go to the Old Testament:
Exodus 32:32-33
King James Version (KJV)
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Moses, despondent over the sin of his brethren, asks to be blotted from the "book" if God will not forgive their sin. I think it is here that we pick up the Biblical meaning for the Book of Life. Simply put, the Book of Life refers to those that are living. Here, I believe all that is in view is Moses asks to die if his brethren perish. It is similar to Paul's love for his brethren, and that he would accept being accursed if that would ensure the salvation of his brethren.
I do not view this as Moses asking directly to be blotted out of the Book of Life, but, indirectly, I believe it is an identical premise. Physical death is in view, but, that physical death represents the New Testament concept of life from God being removed.
And we see a basic principle in Scripture that sin brings death. Not just in the general sense that man is born separated from God (death is basically separation, and Scripture speaks about both separation of spirit from the body, as well as separation from God). Here, the Lord states those that sin He will blot out of His Book.
The question here is...is this the Book of Life referred to in the New Testament? I see no reason not to think so. While I do believe the "blotting out" in the Old Testament refers to physical death, we keep in mind the temporal base of the Old Testament, and the fact that clarity does not come until revealed by the Spirit of God following Pentecost...on a number of issues.
David combines the physical and the eternal, I believe, here:
Psalm 69:27-28
King James Version (KJV)
27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
Here, few would argue that the unrighteous enemies of David (and by extension, the enemies of Christ) are not in the Book mentioned here. It is just not possible that they could be blotted out if they were not.
Here we see that those that are in the Book who are not included in this imprecation are deemed "righteous." No conclusion can be drawn except that the unrighteous are in the Book mentioned here, and David asks God to blot them out.
Again, I see a more physical application concerning David, but I think we can recognize the eternal implication of the Messianic Psalms, and that they, being revealed to us in this Age, carry the picture of judgment which extends into eternity.
Psalm 139:13-16
King James Version (KJV)
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Again, a physical nature is foremost concerning the "book" David refers to. Knowing that the Old Testament in large part centers on a temporal view, I think we can again see that physical life is central to David's statement. I don't think we go to the extreme and make it entirely physical, just as we would not ignore application of many Psalms to Christ. Now if we couple what David states here with his desire that God blot out his (Christ's) enemies from the "book," we can see God's Omniscience as central to this discussion. We do not go to one extreme or the other, but recognize Scripture's reference to both the physical life of men, as well as the eternal registry known as the Book of Life.
But we still ask...when were men written in the Book, or, are all men written in there at birth, or at salvation, or are only the Elect written in there?
From a temporal sense (and again the Old Testament centers on a temporal view) I see no reason to deny that all men that are born are in the Book, and this...before they are born. We do not question that God knew this registry before even creating the world, but we have a focus on what that means in relation to the Book of Life being opened when the "dead" are judged. David has a focus on his physical being here, and before he is physically born he acknowledges God's knowledge of him in totality.
Now let's go back to the New Testament:
Luke 10:20
King James Version (KJV)
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
This verse poses little mystery to me, as I take the view that here we see that the disciples' names are written in Heaven despite the fact that they are not born again yet. The Lord has not returned to Heaven, Comforter has not come, and Paul makes it clear that in the New Covenant standard men that have not the Spirit of Christ and God do not belong to Him. That does not mean they were not saved in the Old Testament sense, but...I do not think we can conclude that these are in the Book of Life because "they are saved," but because the registry of Heaven is a finished list from before the world was formed. That is not up for debate.
So here is a reference to God's omniscience, rather than a statement we can define when men are written in the Book of Life.
Philippians 4:3
King James Version (KJV)
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Here we see that the reference is to Christians who are indisputably in the Book of Life. I think many view this as support for the view that only Christians are in there, and it may give rise to the belief, as our previous verse may also, that men are written in at salvation.
From this, I think we can only be dogmatic that Christians are without controversy in the Book of Life. Is this the same Book as spoken of by Moses and David? I think so. The former had reference to physical life, but the latter includes the eternal sense which is revealed to us in the New Testament.
Hebrews 12:22-23
King James Version (KJV)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
In comparing the First Covenant (Covenant of Law) and the New Covenant, the Writer speaks of the Church of the Firstborn (Christ), which are written in Heaven. Now we look back to Luke to see that before the Church was established, the Lord speaks of those written in Heaven. We can answer how Old Testament Saints and New Testament Saints are placed together in the statement of the Writer...and to the spirits of just men made perfect. God justified the Old Testament Saints based on grace through faith, however, the Writer of Hebrews makes it clear in this Epistle that the Old Testament Saints were not made perfect. Here, we see that they have been, and just as the Writer establishes throughout the book, this is due to the Sacrifice of Christ. It was at that time that the Old Testament Saints, who were declared just, were made perfect, or complete...through the one offering of Christ our Lord.
So being "written in Heaven" is again seen to be according to the Omniscience of God, and all that His Omniscience contains, such as foreknowledge and predestination.
Here the Old Testament Saints are clearly distinguished from the Church.
Revelation 3:5
King James Version (KJV)
5 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.
"Overcoming" is synonymous with salvation itself. Here, the Lord makes it clear that those that overcome will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. While I see this as implying the corollary, those that do not overcome will be blotted out of the Book of Life, I will cede to those that prefer to say no such implication is there. We would wonder why the Lord would make such a statement, though. It makes more sense to see that the guarantee of the Lord here is that the believer is secure, he will never be blotted out.
Revelation 13:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 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.
It is the Sacrifice of Christ which is in view concerning "from the foundation of the world."
To be fair, I would point out those that worship the beast are clearly physically alive and dwelling on the earth, so this verse could support a view that (1) they have been blotted out if they are in there, or (2) they were never in there to begin with. As we seek to balance the relevant passages, we will all conclude on this on way or another, and how we conclude will affect how we interpret other issues.
Myself, I see this as, again, a reference to the Lord's omniscience, and speaks of the ultimate fate of the "dead," who do not have life because they did not overcome.
Revelation 17:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Here we see another indication of some who were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. This is the strongest verse that supports the view that the "dead" were never written into it.
And if that is all the Bible had to say about this issue, it would be settled.
Here is the second to last reference to the Book of Life that I am aware of (in sequence of Scripture):
Revelation 21:27
King James Version (KJV)
27 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.
It is a given that only those in the Book of Life will enter into the Eternal State. This verse does not speak to our subject, how and when men are written into the Book of Life, and whether they are blotted out.
Here we see that it is "the Lamb's Book of Life" in view. I view that to refer to the completed registry of Heaven, known to God before the world was formed. It can be distinguished from the Book of Life in this sense: while it is the same book, this refers to the Book in it's edited form, containing only those names of those that have overcome through salvation in Christ.
But let's look at the last word on the subject, given to us in statement by the Lord Himself, and I think we have to really ignore the Word of the Lord not to see that He makes a conclusive statement that would be senseless to resist:
Revelation 22:18-19
King James Version (KJV)
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
It is going to be hard to present a case for these views: (1) that men are written into the Book at salvation; (2) that only the Elect are in the Book of Life.
Just as is implied here...
Exodus 32:32-33
King James Version (KJV)
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
...and here...
Psalm 69:27-28
King James Version (KJV)
27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
...the Lord makes it clear that those that "take away from the words of the book of this prophecy," God shall take away his part out of the book of life.
Can't do that if they are not in there.
One of the things that we see in this is the same thing we see in the Epistles to the Seven Churches...the opportunity to overcome. It is not a settled issue in the temporal, though it is in the eternal. God knows the completed registry of those that will dwell with Him in Eternity, but because of His longsuffering and His desire not to see anyone perish, He gives opportunity to all men to be saved...if they will just believe on the name of Jesus Christ.
Does that change the fact that registry was completed before the world was formed? No. Will the non-elect escape their fate and go to Heaven? No.
But, we distinguish between the temporal and eternal, and while the registry, the Lamb's Book of Life is in eternity a settled issue, there is still the matter of the temporal with which we have to do with. Just as the Elect are not saved until they are made perfect through salvation in Christ, born again and indwelt of God, even so one is not blotted out of the Book of Life until they sin against God in that final blasphemy which God will not forgive, which is...rejecting the Ministry of the Spirit of God, which is...rejecting Christ.
Those that add or take away from the Word of God show that they have not overcome. God gave warning in the Old Testament as well:
Deuteronomy 12:32
King James Version (KJV)
32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ gives us much clarification on a number of key doctrines which help us to form a balanced view of Scripture. On this issue, concerning the Book of Life, I think we can understand that the warning here makes it clear that there are those in danger of losing their part in the Book of Life. This speaks of eternal separation, as well as the longsuffering of God.
So in order for us to seek to avoid committing that which is warned against, we have to balance all that is relevant to issues such as the Book of Life.
Clearly there is danger of being blotted out, and the only way to reconcile the views that men are written into the Book of Life at salvation, or that only the Elect are in there, is to either add or diminish from what is spoken about the Book of Life, or, embrace the belief that the Elect can be, contrary to what the Lord states, blotted from the Book of Life.
And some teach that, contrary to all that Scripture has to say concerning the Security of the believer in Christ.
God bless.
There are a number of questions we could ask on this topic, but the central question would be...when are men written into the Book of Life? Some say at birth, some say at salvation, and some say only the Elect are in the Book.
Which is it?
So we will look at the passages that are concerned with the Book of Life, and hopefully, come to a conclusion which will help settle our hearts on the issue that we might incorporate that into out personal Theologies and progress to other studies.
The first passage I would start with is...
Revelation 20:12-15
King James Version (KJV)
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
In v. 12 we see "books" opened, and then it says "another book" is opened. I'm sure we could find a Greek Scholar who could be used to support whatever view we want to take about the word "another," to further support the view we each take, but, I don't see that this is necessary. Clearly the Book of Life is established as a singular Book, and it is distinguished from the "books that were opened."
I would first call your attention to it's presence at the Great White Throne. Why is it presented? Seems fairly clear that the purpose is to verify that the "dead" are not written in it. At this point in history, while there is some debate as to the resurrection of the Old Testament Saints, we can safely say, I think, that the dead are those that have rebelled against God and remain separated from Him. My view sees, at this time, the dead in Christ, the Tribulation Martyrs, and the just from both the Old Testament as well as the Millennial Kingdom as being in glorified form. One reason would be that I believe the universe has passed away at this point:
Revelation 20:11
King James Version (KJV)
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
So the primary point I would make here is that despite the fact that believers have been glorified and the "dead" are at this time being raised (and this is a bodily resurrection in which they are raised in bodies similar to the Saints which are suited for eternal existence in Hell), the "books" (which I believe are the Books of the Word of God as well as books of remembrance) and the Book of Life are brought forth for this judgment.
The Book of Life is consulted to verify whether the names of the dead are in there. I would suggest at this point that this can be reasonably viewed in two ways: (1) this is simply to verify that they are not in there, for the benefit of the "dead," and (2) that it is at this time that their names are blotted out. Either view does not change our primary discussion. I think that either way, point one is true regardless of when the names are written in the Book of Life, or whether their names are not in there at all.
From here we go to the Old Testament:
Exodus 32:32-33
King James Version (KJV)
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Moses, despondent over the sin of his brethren, asks to be blotted from the "book" if God will not forgive their sin. I think it is here that we pick up the Biblical meaning for the Book of Life. Simply put, the Book of Life refers to those that are living. Here, I believe all that is in view is Moses asks to die if his brethren perish. It is similar to Paul's love for his brethren, and that he would accept being accursed if that would ensure the salvation of his brethren.
I do not view this as Moses asking directly to be blotted out of the Book of Life, but, indirectly, I believe it is an identical premise. Physical death is in view, but, that physical death represents the New Testament concept of life from God being removed.
And we see a basic principle in Scripture that sin brings death. Not just in the general sense that man is born separated from God (death is basically separation, and Scripture speaks about both separation of spirit from the body, as well as separation from God). Here, the Lord states those that sin He will blot out of His Book.
The question here is...is this the Book of Life referred to in the New Testament? I see no reason not to think so. While I do believe the "blotting out" in the Old Testament refers to physical death, we keep in mind the temporal base of the Old Testament, and the fact that clarity does not come until revealed by the Spirit of God following Pentecost...on a number of issues.
David combines the physical and the eternal, I believe, here:
Psalm 69:27-28
King James Version (KJV)
27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
Here, few would argue that the unrighteous enemies of David (and by extension, the enemies of Christ) are not in the Book mentioned here. It is just not possible that they could be blotted out if they were not.
Here we see that those that are in the Book who are not included in this imprecation are deemed "righteous." No conclusion can be drawn except that the unrighteous are in the Book mentioned here, and David asks God to blot them out.
Again, I see a more physical application concerning David, but I think we can recognize the eternal implication of the Messianic Psalms, and that they, being revealed to us in this Age, carry the picture of judgment which extends into eternity.
Psalm 139:13-16
King James Version (KJV)
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Again, a physical nature is foremost concerning the "book" David refers to. Knowing that the Old Testament in large part centers on a temporal view, I think we can again see that physical life is central to David's statement. I don't think we go to the extreme and make it entirely physical, just as we would not ignore application of many Psalms to Christ. Now if we couple what David states here with his desire that God blot out his (Christ's) enemies from the "book," we can see God's Omniscience as central to this discussion. We do not go to one extreme or the other, but recognize Scripture's reference to both the physical life of men, as well as the eternal registry known as the Book of Life.
But we still ask...when were men written in the Book, or, are all men written in there at birth, or at salvation, or are only the Elect written in there?
From a temporal sense (and again the Old Testament centers on a temporal view) I see no reason to deny that all men that are born are in the Book, and this...before they are born. We do not question that God knew this registry before even creating the world, but we have a focus on what that means in relation to the Book of Life being opened when the "dead" are judged. David has a focus on his physical being here, and before he is physically born he acknowledges God's knowledge of him in totality.
Now let's go back to the New Testament:
Luke 10:20
King James Version (KJV)
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
This verse poses little mystery to me, as I take the view that here we see that the disciples' names are written in Heaven despite the fact that they are not born again yet. The Lord has not returned to Heaven, Comforter has not come, and Paul makes it clear that in the New Covenant standard men that have not the Spirit of Christ and God do not belong to Him. That does not mean they were not saved in the Old Testament sense, but...I do not think we can conclude that these are in the Book of Life because "they are saved," but because the registry of Heaven is a finished list from before the world was formed. That is not up for debate.
So here is a reference to God's omniscience, rather than a statement we can define when men are written in the Book of Life.
Philippians 4:3
King James Version (KJV)
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Here we see that the reference is to Christians who are indisputably in the Book of Life. I think many view this as support for the view that only Christians are in there, and it may give rise to the belief, as our previous verse may also, that men are written in at salvation.
From this, I think we can only be dogmatic that Christians are without controversy in the Book of Life. Is this the same Book as spoken of by Moses and David? I think so. The former had reference to physical life, but the latter includes the eternal sense which is revealed to us in the New Testament.
Hebrews 12:22-23
King James Version (KJV)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
In comparing the First Covenant (Covenant of Law) and the New Covenant, the Writer speaks of the Church of the Firstborn (Christ), which are written in Heaven. Now we look back to Luke to see that before the Church was established, the Lord speaks of those written in Heaven. We can answer how Old Testament Saints and New Testament Saints are placed together in the statement of the Writer...and to the spirits of just men made perfect. God justified the Old Testament Saints based on grace through faith, however, the Writer of Hebrews makes it clear in this Epistle that the Old Testament Saints were not made perfect. Here, we see that they have been, and just as the Writer establishes throughout the book, this is due to the Sacrifice of Christ. It was at that time that the Old Testament Saints, who were declared just, were made perfect, or complete...through the one offering of Christ our Lord.
So being "written in Heaven" is again seen to be according to the Omniscience of God, and all that His Omniscience contains, such as foreknowledge and predestination.
Here the Old Testament Saints are clearly distinguished from the Church.
Revelation 3:5
King James Version (KJV)
5 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.
"Overcoming" is synonymous with salvation itself. Here, the Lord makes it clear that those that overcome will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. While I see this as implying the corollary, those that do not overcome will be blotted out of the Book of Life, I will cede to those that prefer to say no such implication is there. We would wonder why the Lord would make such a statement, though. It makes more sense to see that the guarantee of the Lord here is that the believer is secure, he will never be blotted out.
Revelation 13:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 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.
It is the Sacrifice of Christ which is in view concerning "from the foundation of the world."
To be fair, I would point out those that worship the beast are clearly physically alive and dwelling on the earth, so this verse could support a view that (1) they have been blotted out if they are in there, or (2) they were never in there to begin with. As we seek to balance the relevant passages, we will all conclude on this on way or another, and how we conclude will affect how we interpret other issues.
Myself, I see this as, again, a reference to the Lord's omniscience, and speaks of the ultimate fate of the "dead," who do not have life because they did not overcome.
Revelation 17:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Here we see another indication of some who were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. This is the strongest verse that supports the view that the "dead" were never written into it.
And if that is all the Bible had to say about this issue, it would be settled.
Here is the second to last reference to the Book of Life that I am aware of (in sequence of Scripture):
Revelation 21:27
King James Version (KJV)
27 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.
It is a given that only those in the Book of Life will enter into the Eternal State. This verse does not speak to our subject, how and when men are written into the Book of Life, and whether they are blotted out.
Here we see that it is "the Lamb's Book of Life" in view. I view that to refer to the completed registry of Heaven, known to God before the world was formed. It can be distinguished from the Book of Life in this sense: while it is the same book, this refers to the Book in it's edited form, containing only those names of those that have overcome through salvation in Christ.
But let's look at the last word on the subject, given to us in statement by the Lord Himself, and I think we have to really ignore the Word of the Lord not to see that He makes a conclusive statement that would be senseless to resist:
Revelation 22:18-19
King James Version (KJV)
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
It is going to be hard to present a case for these views: (1) that men are written into the Book at salvation; (2) that only the Elect are in the Book of Life.
Just as is implied here...
Exodus 32:32-33
King James Version (KJV)
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
...and here...
Psalm 69:27-28
King James Version (KJV)
27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
...the Lord makes it clear that those that "take away from the words of the book of this prophecy," God shall take away his part out of the book of life.
Can't do that if they are not in there.
One of the things that we see in this is the same thing we see in the Epistles to the Seven Churches...the opportunity to overcome. It is not a settled issue in the temporal, though it is in the eternal. God knows the completed registry of those that will dwell with Him in Eternity, but because of His longsuffering and His desire not to see anyone perish, He gives opportunity to all men to be saved...if they will just believe on the name of Jesus Christ.
Does that change the fact that registry was completed before the world was formed? No. Will the non-elect escape their fate and go to Heaven? No.
But, we distinguish between the temporal and eternal, and while the registry, the Lamb's Book of Life is in eternity a settled issue, there is still the matter of the temporal with which we have to do with. Just as the Elect are not saved until they are made perfect through salvation in Christ, born again and indwelt of God, even so one is not blotted out of the Book of Life until they sin against God in that final blasphemy which God will not forgive, which is...rejecting the Ministry of the Spirit of God, which is...rejecting Christ.
Those that add or take away from the Word of God show that they have not overcome. God gave warning in the Old Testament as well:
Deuteronomy 12:32
King James Version (KJV)
32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ gives us much clarification on a number of key doctrines which help us to form a balanced view of Scripture. On this issue, concerning the Book of Life, I think we can understand that the warning here makes it clear that there are those in danger of losing their part in the Book of Life. This speaks of eternal separation, as well as the longsuffering of God.
So in order for us to seek to avoid committing that which is warned against, we have to balance all that is relevant to issues such as the Book of Life.
Clearly there is danger of being blotted out, and the only way to reconcile the views that men are written into the Book of Life at salvation, or that only the Elect are in there, is to either add or diminish from what is spoken about the Book of Life, or, embrace the belief that the Elect can be, contrary to what the Lord states, blotted from the Book of Life.
And some teach that, contrary to all that Scripture has to say concerning the Security of the believer in Christ.
God bless.
