The following is an excerpt from the macarthur new testament commentary on revelation 3. He says that if you are backslidden and don repent you will not go to. The promise i will not erase his name from the book of life, does not necessarily imply that some do have their names erased. And i think it is not quite precise to say, as charles does, in quite a few of the scriptures it mentions you can be blotted out of the book of life. Are names written in the book of life, or blotted out of. The threat, then, is not eternal damnation, but physical death. The lambs book of life records the names of those who have placed their trust in the lord jesus christ. Better, and there shall never enter into her anything unclean, and he that worketh abomination and falsehood, but only or, except they that have been written in the book of life of the lamb. There is only one book of life, and names can be removed. Because no communication made by means of the global internet can. Bible verses about lambs book of life king james bible. Revelation 22 is very clear with how a person can get their name taken out of the book of life. In revelation it talks about the lambs book of life that will be opened on the day of judgement.
Does this mean that everybodys name is in the book of life and only the saved are in the lambs book of life. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments. 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. Your name must be written in the lambs book of life for the following reasons. There is only one way to know your name is written in the lambs book of life.
Book of life vs lambs book of life theology worthy. Those who believe have their names retained in the book rev. The lambs book of life vs the book of life the herald of hope. It is our view that attempting to explain the various passages by using two or three different books is overly complicated and imposes distinctions. On most occasions where the lamb s book of life is mentioned it refers to the register of those who have been chosen for salvation from eternity past. By contrast, those with their names written from the foundation of the world represent the truly saved of. I dont think it ever says you can be blotted out, at least not in the sense that sometimes god does it. 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. The lamb s book of life seems to have those written in it who have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb of godjesus christ. How to know your name is written in the lambs book of. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my father and his angels revelation 3. None of the names written in this book is ever blotted out rev.
Those who are unsaved are blotted out of the book ps. Blotting out of the book of life, or the lambs book of life simply represents those in a congregational covenant relationship with god, being cut off from god. Instead, it refers to the book of the living, the record of those who are alive cf. Is there a difference between the book of life and the. Upon death, the unbelievers names are blotted out of this book. Id always thought our names were added to the lamb. All names are written by the omniscient god in the book of life before the foundation of the world. The gates stand open always, but no evil thing may find a home there. Those not found in the book of life are thrown into.
Of these, six appear in the book of revelation and one in philippians. My frame was not hidden from you, when i was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in. This lesson will cover what the book is and how to. However, recently, a man a work who belongs to assembly of god church tells me that we can lose our salvation and have our names blotted out of the lambs book of life. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. If you read through revelation 23, jesus is pronouncing warnings and blessings to the various churches of asia minor, and all the blessings are for those people who overcome. I will not erase his name from the book of life does not necessarily imply that some do have their names erased. I have been reading some conflicting opinions concerning the book of life and the lambs book of life. Lets begin with an understanding of what the lambs book of life is.
So it seems that the book of life belongs to the lamb and that both are therefore the same book. Are we saved as long as our name is written in the book. Generally speaking, the church, which bears the marks of the true church belgic confession 29, is composed of elect. Others say the book of life has the names of everyone living and that names can be blotted out, and that the lambs book of life contains the names of born again believers and those names are eternally secure. A book of life is mentioned specifically on seven different occasions in the new testament. This is logical since the book of life falls under the category of last things. While some of the aforementioned teachings are intriguing, when held up to the light of gods word they are categorically proven to be false. The book is mentioned in several places in the new. 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.
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. Since only john uses the expression the lambs book of life and the expression book of life here is what can be surmized. This verse is usually involved in the debate concerning eternal security. It also may be that the lambs book of life is distinct from the book of life described above. We read of the lambs book of life and the book of life. And the bible shows that our loving god has a plan that involves giving everyone a full chance to repent and be saved 2 peter 3. In other words, being erased is a fearful prospect, which i will not allow to happen to those who persevere. Can a believers name be blotted out of the book of life. According to scripture, your name is written in this book of life when you accept jesus as your savior. Each soul born into this world is a new creation of god and he has already determined the number of souls that he will create to the end of time. There is no mention of being blotted out of this book. Another solution holds that the lambs book of life differs from the book of life. This verse also makes it clear that once a name is written in the book of life, jesus promises that he will never blot it out, proving once more the. Those whose names are written in the book of life are those who receive salvation.
The book of life, in this context, is the set of names of those who will live with god forever in heaven. In essence, the book of life serves as a testament to those saved who. The references to god blotting people out of his book of life look at the term from the point of view of the church here in the world. In other words, being erased is a fearful prospect which i will not allow to happen. Furthermore, the passages that indicate one can be blotted out of the book of life do not stipulate that they were saved or unsaved. 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 your name be blotted out of the lambs book of life. But now, if you will forgive their sin but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written. The book of revelation contains the most references to the subject of the book of life. Taking these as two different books when their titles are so similar. If any ones name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Therefore, the way to avoid being blotted from the book of life is to get your name written in the lamb s book of life. A detailed study indicates that this divine book contains written names which are of a permanent nature, with one exception seen in rev 22. Is there a difference between the book of life and the lambs book of. Can a persons name be removed from lambs book of life. Im reading a book that says names are not added to the book of life, they are blotted out. 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. Like other servants of god, moses understood that his name was already written in the book of life exodus 32.
Everyone whose name appears in this book on the last day will be saved. In general, all those who are living have their names in the book of life, or the book of the living. Can the regenerate be erased from the book of life. The book of life contains the names of every person who ever lived. 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. The book of life is called the book of the life of the lamb. It is not temporal or earthly blessings that are in view, but participation in the eternal kingdom of god as recipients of eternal life. It simply says, to the one who is in the book, and who conquers in faith.
Book of life in the scriptures the following bible references speak of the book of life. It simply says to the one who is in the book and who conquers in faith. The book of life and the lambs book of life are one and the same. We had an email question from a reader which asked about whether or not our names can be blotted out of the lamb s book of life. Where in the bible does it say that names will be blotted. Killed like an animal attempting to kill specific people lambs. Jesus said that abraham, isaac, jacob and the prophets will be in the kingdom of god, so their names are certainly in the book. 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. Several passages in scripture mention being blotted out of the book of. Overcoming is the great charge the risen lord gave to the jewish congregations in asia minor revelation 2.
It says we will be blotted out if we fail to meet certain conditions. The book refers to the place in exodus where moses prays, but now please forgive their sin, but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written, and god replies, everyone who has sinned against me i will blot out of my book. In touch ministries makes reasonable and customary efforts, in accordance with the highest ministry and communications industry standards, to preserve your privacy, and the security of any information you may choose to transmit to us. We have to look at the context of the book and verse in which this speaks. We will show from scripture that only those who reject gods mercy have their names blotted out of the book of life and partake of the second death when they. Book of life vs lambs book of life baptist christian forums. Is it possible for a persons name to be erased from the book of life.
And if anyones name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Blotting out of names the book of life learn the bible. Predestination and book of life with scripture study. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and i will never blot his name out of the book of life. The book of life and the blotting out of backsliders.
If i were to give you a book entitled the book of the life of george washington, you would understand at once that it is a biography or an autobiography of the life of the first president of. Lambs book of life scripture tells us hwhy yahuah maintained books of records for many things about man and there are at least four books of record we need to know. Is it possible for a persons name to be erased from the. There is the book of life for which god records who is alive, and then there is the book of life of the lamb cant remember the exact name which shows the names of those who shall live eternally in heaven instead of. No sin will get your name removed from the book of life besides this one. Cooper has prepared the following explanation, giving the difference between the book of life and the lambs book of life. Book of life of the lamb a book which records only those individuals who are predestined to salvation. In scripture it is referred to as the book of life, and your friend is correct. I used to believe as you that once saved always saved. Those who have trusted in the lord jesus christ as their lord and savior have their names written in the lambs book of life. Once written in the book of life, can your name ever be erased from this book.