Eight
times in the Bible, the title phrase pronounces that there does indeed exist a
book that holds the names of people who possess life. Seven of those times are
found in the book of Revelation, which enhances the reality because of the
association in the last things. If you were to trace the word, "blot" in the
Bible, you would be struck with the understanding that a book of life is an
authority of the existence. In other words, if your name is not in the book then
you don't exist.
I do not find it strange that such a book would
exist. It is true that God's mind has the capacity to retain everything
and that he would need no volume to retain records of people's existence.
But, obviously there are other beings who would need such recorded documentation
for reasons that are there but not apparent. One thing for sure, everyone who is
conceived into this life has their name recorded in that marvelous book. Another
thing for sure, God has the supreme authority to blot someone out of that book
if He so desire. "Depart from me, I never knew you!" It is not clear that a
person who physically dies from this life has his name altered or blotted out of
the book of life. Some of the O.T. references indicate this to be the case, but
in Revelation 20, a persons name must be thus recorded to avoid being cast into
the Lake of Fire.
It could be proven that each of us has a record, not
only of our name, but of everything we have done good or bad. (Ro. 14:12; 2 Cor.
5:10) A book would be the natural way of recording such to allow the perusal of
judges, witnesses or jury. Books will be opened on judgment day. No one will be
able to cook those books and no one will be able to add to or remove from those
books. The book of life will record and validate our having been here and what
we have done with what we have. Can you imagine what it will be like to have
your record read by some magnificent angel? Could you imagine what it would be
like to have that same magnificent angel search for your name and not find it
written? This brings me to another verse. As I said earlier, the Bible uses the
phrase, "book of life" eight times. In Revelation 21:27 there is another term
added to that phrase. That verse refers to the, "Lamb's Book of Life."
Revelation earlier establishes that Jesus Christ is the Lamb. This means that
Jesus has an entirely different book of life. Even though it is only
mentioned one time, that is enough for us to fully grasp what it is. It is
a book that contains the names of each person who has been made alive in Christ
Jesus. One who has actually partaken in the very eternal life of Jesus Christ.
One who has been born again. This is not just someone who believes in Jesus.
This is not just someone who has been baptized. This is not just someone
who was a member of a Church. This is a possessor of eternal life. One within
whom dwells the Spirit of Jesus Christ himself. Eternal life is not a
continuation of natural life, it is the reception of the life of God. It does
not come naturally. It does not come automatically. God does it and He does it
at that special time, when one has heard the Gospel and believed in their heart
enough to confess with their mouth. This life causes the possessor to hate sin
like God hates sin. This life returns the love of God to God and to his
neighbor. This life loves the things of God. The name is written down the moment
a person passes from death to life.
The only people who will ever
enter that Heavenly City are those whose names were written in the Lamb's Book
of Life. A person whose name is written down is totally aware of when it
happened and why it happened. Nobody's name is written in that book except they
know it. (1 John 5:12)
My friend, if you do not know whether or not
your name is now written in the Lamb's Book of Life, then now is the time to
take care of the matter. Just ask God to forgive your sin, and ask Jesus to
please write your name in His Book! He will. Ro.10:13