Of these, six appear in the book of revelation and one in philippians. Besides the holy scriptures, this is by far the most important book. God in heaven owns a book which consists of two parts. The following is an excerpt from the macarthur new testament commentary on revelation 3. The lambs book of life is different from the book of life and only has those who will be saved, but the names are unsaved in the lambs book of life until they become born again as well. So rather than inventing the lambs book of life, we find it identified in revelations.
The great white throne judgment described in revelation 20. The book of life and the blotting out of backsliders. The following is an excerpt from the macarthur new testament commentary on revelation 21. Book of life vs lambs book of life baptist christian forums. These things, save those of gods will and purpose, are nothing more than wood, hay and stubble.
If a person committed crimes, or otherwise defiled his standing in the city, he could be called before a tribunal and his name removed from the city registry, literally blotted out. Sep 9, 2015 gives a nice explanation regarding the books. If a person experiences physical death, never having trusted christ for forgiveness, his name is erased from the book of life. The other book the lambs book of life contains the names of the redeemed alone.
To have ones name written in the book of life implied the privilege of participation in the temporal blessings of the theocracy, while to be erased or blotted out of this book meant exclusion from those blessings. Those in the lambs book of life get into heaven, and avoid judgement. Incredibly, although the text says just the opposite, some people assume that this verse teaches that a christians name can be erased from the book of life. This would imply the lambs book of life and the book of life are two names for the same thing. In other words, they lose their salvation on that reading of the verse. This verse is usually involved in the debate concerning. There does seem to be a difference between these two very important books. How can you know that your name has been written in the lambs book of life. Please give scriptural references that substantiate your viewpoint. Speaking to the overcomersall those redeemed by the blood of the lambjesus gives his word that he. Can your name be blotted out of the lambs book of life. John does not say, if you worship the beast, your name is erased. He says, if your name is written, you will not worship the beast. They are the servants of jesus, working in the spirit of jesus to minister more abundant life to the world.
Some say that god has several books, and not just one i. What would it mean to have ones name erased from the lamb. It simply says to the one who is in the book and who conquers in faith. In other words, being erased is a fearful prospect, which i will not allow to happen to those who persevere. This would imply the lamb s book of life and the book of life are two names for the same thing. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Once your name is written in the book of life, it is never erased revelation 3. Scholars believe john refers to it as the lamb s book of life in revelation because it is full of names of those who have life because of the lamb who was slain. Once written in the book of life, can your name ever be erased from this book. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the book of life of the lamb slain from the foundation of the world revelation. Can the regenerate be erased from the book of life. How do i get my name written in the lambs book of life. Because the father knows everything omniscient, he wrote a complete history of sins drama this includes everyones thoughts, words, and actions.
Book of life the book of life mentioned in revelation contains several exciting stories and one story reveals that the father wrote a book before angels and human beings were created. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and i will never blot his name out of the book of life. This book would include all those who have ever lived. The book of life written in the heart and i stood upon the sand of the sea, and i saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns. The concept of the book of life seems to less be like this. In other words, the book of life is the names of the redeemedthose who will live with god forever in heaven. The book of life also called the lambs book of life is a record containing the names of those who have overcome sin through accepting jesus as christ having a spiritual rebirth. It simply says, to the one who is in the book, and who conquers in faith. Never does scripture say that god erases a believers name from the lambs book of lifethere is never even a warning that he is contemplating it. Jan 02, 2020 never does scripture say that god erases a believers name from the lambs book of life there is never even a warning that he is contemplating it. Are the names of all people originally written in the book. God is the author of life and life is a sacred thing to god.
The book of life contains the names of every person who ever lived. And if your name is in this book, that means you have repented of your sins and accepted jesus christ as your personal savior and you are spiritually born again from above. The book of life and the lambs book of life are two different books the book of life is a book recording the names of all who ever lived. Having said that, there are three passages in scripture that refer to names being blotted out or erased from the book of life the first from exodus. The overlooked eschatological element in revelation 20 we read of a period of time when the books plural are opened as well as the passover lambs book of life. Is it possible for a persons name to be erased from the.
This man who is now being laid into the ground may have known tremendous success in life but now it is moot. Since the book of life is that which records all who have eternal life through the lamb, its clear that the book of life and the lambs book of life are one and the same. Furthermore, the passages that indicate one can be blotted out of the book of. A book of life is mentioned specifically on seven different occasions in the new testament. According to scripture, your name is written in this book of life when you accept jesus as your savior.
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. There is only one book of life, and names can be removed. It becomes actual only when appropriated by each person. Like other servants of god, moses understood that his name was already written in the book of life exodus 32. Only those who overcome the sins of this world will be clothed in white raiment, and they will not risk getting their names blotted out of the book of life. I will not erase his name from the book of life does not necessarily imply that some do have their names erased. There is one book of life, and that is the book of the lamb book is a translation from the greek word biblio, strongs 976.
Since only john uses the expression the lambs book of life and the expression book of life here is what can be surmized. If you accept jesus as your saviour, your name already is written in the lambs book of life. No true believer should doubt his eternal security in christ john 10. The promise i will not erase his name from the book of life, does not necessarily imply that some do have their names erased. We have the first mention of this book in exodus 32. Is it possible for a persons name to be erased from the book. This view goes on to state that while unbelievers can be blotted out of the book. Cities in johns day had a city register which listed the names of every citizen. James smith, new park street church, london, 1849 the lord jesus christ is often represented in sacred scripture by the figure of a lamb, either to set forth the mildness, patience, and loveliness of his nature. The lambs book of life records the names of those who have placed their trust in the lord jesus christ. To get your name written in the book of life or the lambs book of life, you have to be. Furthermore, if you are not in the lambs book of life then you are under the wrath of god subject to receive all his plagues and woes to be poured out upon an unrepentant world. However, the bible also talks about not blotting peoples names out of the book of life. One book the book of life contains all of mankinds names in it.
Is there a difference between the book of life and the. Your name must be written in the lambs book of life for the following reasons. To have your name written in the lamb s book of life from the foundation of the world guarantees that you will not worship or marvel at the beast. Can a persons name be erased from the book of life. The saints who have had their names written in the lambs book of life, those who are truly saved, are delivered from his wrath to come. Which shows that you are one of gods heavenly children or citizens which was.
In revelation it talks about the lambs book of life that will be opened on the day of judgement. This provision for eternal life for everyone is only potential, however. The names written in the lambs book of life were written before the foundation of the world, and no name can ever be blotted out of it the book of life is on going in which names are. If youre name isnt in the book, you cant get into heaven. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments. In other words, this book had reference to the rights of citizenship for the jewish people cf. Cooper has prepared the following explanation, giving the difference between the book of life and the lambs book of life. The lambs book of life and the book of life are not the same book. Can your name be removed from the lambs book of life. Those who believe have their names retained in the book rev. Life and death come down to one fundamental and profound question, is your name written in the lambs book of life. Those whose names are in the book of life are lifegivers. The book of life is the book in which appears the name of every person who is born.
The very phrase the lambs book of life is a declaration of this, and distinguishes it from every other list of names that was ever written. The book of life contains the names of those who have been spiritually converted and who have dedicated their lives to the service of god. The lamb who has been slain from the creation of the world has a book in which are written all those who have been redeemed by his sacrifice. Some believe they are different books, some believe they are the. Follow along online with bible verses from the message, a place to see dr. Is it possible for a persons name to be erased from the book of life. Lets look first at what the scriptures say about the book of life, or the book of the living.
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