There was a time in history where the value of a life was partial. Depending on your background, you could be a full-fledge citizen or counted as 3/5th of a vote. During that time, there were many people who were not recorded in government and/or, there were mistakes or omissions of the record.
Thankfully, GOD has a different view of life. According to scripture, GOD has the names of every child of HIS in a book called the “Book of Life.”This is somewhat unsurprising since this is the same GOD who knows every hair on our head. He knows every tear that we shed “You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” (Ps 56:8)
There are references of the Book of Life in both Old and New Testament.
In Rev 20:15 it states… “15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
· In Dan 12:1 it states “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.”
· In Mal 3:16 it states: “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name.”
· Luke 10:20 it states: “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
· Phil 4:3 it states: “Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”
B. What does this all mean? So, what are these righteous individuals referring to?
1. Since the beginning, GOD has been teaching HIS people about the Book.
2. All the references except Revelations state the existence of the Book and the names written in them. However, Revelations speaks of the use of the Book as a reference for finality for judgement based upon the deeds.
C. What does this so called “Book” have to do with me?
1. It lists names of individuals faithful to GOD.
2. Also, the great GOD of humanity…of all creation has my name written in a book. Your name is remembered by the only GOD of creation.
3. Just think that our name could be next to the written greats such as Sarah, Moses, David, and Rahab.
D. What about those whose names are missing from this book?
1. Rev 20:15: “And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast in the Lake of Fire.”
· Rev 21:27 “ Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
We are not pure so it is only by GOD's grace that we are saved not by works.
E. Can anyone names by erased? Yes
1. Psalm 69:27-28: “Add iniquity to their iniquity, and may they not come into Your righteousness. May they be blotted out of the book of life and may they not be recorded with the righteous.”
2. Exodus 32:31-33: “Then Moses returned to the Lord, and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if You will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” The Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”
So, is your name written in pencil or ink?
3. Contrary to the theory of “Once saved always saved,” this action speaks to the contrary that we need to maintain our loyalty and not to abandon Christ. Doing so, ensures our names are written in ink and not erased. But when we turn our backs on GOD by blaspheming the Holy Spirit and/or forsake Christ; then, our names are erased or blotted out.
F. There is a responsibility associated with our name being written in the Book.
1. We need to show:
o Our commitment to serve GOD
o Our willingness to grow in grace and knowledge
o Our determination to demonstrate our faith in GOD through Christ
o Our strong support of those who aspire to follow GOD
o Our hunger to feed others by teaching or helping teach those who do not know the way through Christ
o Our deep love of GOD and HIS creations
Started with asking a couple of questions…What is the Book and Life and what does it have to do with me. I have a third and the most important question for you:
· Is your name written in the Book of Life?
· If it is, you know it. Only GOD’s select has their name in this special book. It is only written in the Book if you are a child of GOD and that you believe in Jesus as the Son of GOD and One who is the source of eternal hope.
The Book is there to remind us of our fate. The Book is a beautiful reminder that GOD shall remember us now and, in the time, to come.
Thanks be to the great and merciful GO
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