Articles
The Book of Life
The Book of Life
“ 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. 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 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15.
John was privileged to see and record for our generation the final judgment of God. Judgment comes to the small and great alike as they stand before God. Please note in verse fifteen that John records that “.. whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” This reflects obvious importance on our names being written in the book of life. Let’s notice some other passages that reference this book of life.
“Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Malachi 3:16-17. Those who feared the Lord, in contrast to those rebuked by Malachi for their profane service and worship, had their names written in a book of remembrance and God says “And they shall be mine”.
The apostles return rejoicing that the demons had been subjected to them. “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” Luke 10:17. Jesus responds in verse 20, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Jesus emphasizes the significance again of one’s name being written in the book of life.
Paul writes to the church at Philippi and commends his fellow laborers whose names were in the book of life. “And I entreat 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.” Philippians 4:3.
“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. After John reproves the church at Sardis as a dead church, he commends those who had maintained their purity and faithfulness and assures them that their names would not be removed from the book of life.
John writes in Revelation 21:27 about those who would and would not enter into the joys of heaven. “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”
Let us serve God faithfully and keep our garments white as snow; that are names will continually be written in the book of life.
