Hi Doug, I had written something about it after researching about the book of life here is what I found;
The
Book of Life is a record of those who belong to God and will inherit eternal life. Throughout the Bible, it is presented as a divine register that determines the fate of individuals in relation to God’s kingdom. The question of how one’s name is written in or removed from this book is crucial in understanding salvation, judgment, and God’s justice.
The Book of Life in the Old Testament
The first mention of a divine book appears in the time of Moses. After Israel sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses pleaded with God for their forgiveness:
“Yet now, if You will forgive their sin, but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.’” (
Exodus 32:32-33)
This passage reveals that God has a book in which names are recorded, and those who sin against Him may be removed. Moses, as an intercessor, understood that inclusion in this book was vital, and he was willing to sacrifice his place for the sake of the people. However, God made it clear that individuals are accountable for their own sins.
The idea of the Book of Life continues in the Psalms, where David, speaking against the wicked, prays:
“Add iniquity to their iniquity, and let them not come into Your righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.” (
Psalm 69:27-28)
This confirms that there is a separation between the righteous and the wicked based on this book. The wicked may be removed, while the righteous remain.
Later, the prophet Daniel speaks of the Book of Life in connection with the end times and the resurrection:
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.” (
Daniel 12:1)
This prophecy shows that those whose names are in the book will be delivered, meaning they are the ones who will be saved in the final judgment. This aligns with the idea that the Book of Life contains the names of those who belong to God and will be spared from destruction.
The Book of Life in the New Testament
The concept of the Book of Life is deepened in the teachings of Jesus and the book of Revelation. Jesus tells His disciples that their joy should not come from power over demons, but from their names being recorded in heaven:
“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (
Luke 10:20)
This shows that being written in God’s book is the greatest assurance of belonging to Him.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus speaks to the church in Sardis and gives a clear promise regarding those who remain faithful:
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (
Revelation 3:5)
This verse reveals an important truth: names can be blotted out of the Book of Life, meaning it is possible to fall away from God’s grace through disobedience. However, those who overcome and remain faithful will have their names permanently secured.
At the final judgment, the Book of Life is opened, and only those whose names are found in it will be saved:
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” (
Revelation 20:12)
“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (
Revelation 20:15)
This passage confirms that being written in the Book of Life determines one’s eternal destiny. Those whose names are not found will face eternal separation from God.
How Is One’s Name Written in the Book of Life?
The Bible does not say explicitly whether all names start in the Book of Life from birth. However, the fact that names can be removed suggests that one must remain faithful to God to stay in the book. Jesus’ words in Revelation emphasize overcoming and obedience as key factors.
To have one’s name in the Book of Life:
- Believe in Jesus and follow His words – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
- Repent from sin and live righteously – “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)
- Remain faithful to the end – “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
To Conclude, the Book of Life is God’s record of those who belong to Him and will receive eternal life. While some names may be blotted out due to sin and unfaithfulness, those who follow God, repent, and remain faithful will have their names secure in His book. The final judgment will confirm the destiny of all people based on this divine record. Jesus’ warning is clear: to rejoice not in worldly achievements, but in the assurance that our names are written in heaven.
Blessings.
