Is Your Name in the Book of Life?

I firmly believe that our Lords return is imminent. And as you will see, this theme "the book of life" penetrates to the heart of the true faith and the destiny of those who know the truth. And now more than ever before, if we want to have any influence on whether our names appear in "the book of life, then now is our day of opportunity to do so.

So with that in mind, my objective is to ascertain where we all stand with God in the event that our Lord Jesus Christ returns this very day.

And it's helpful for us to consider the assessment process that Jesus will follow at the judgement seat in his analysis of our lives.

Now this phrase "The book of life" only appears in the New Testament, but the principles and foundations are clearly seen in the old testament also and embellishments are added in the new.

Beginning our consideration in the book of Revelation 20 verse 15 - "And whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire".

Malachi 3: verse16. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the LORD harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

As you can see from these two passages that this concept of the book of life is very important to this hope of life eternal, and If we want to be in the coming kingdom of God, then each of us must make it our mission to ensure that our own individual names are found in the Lambs book of life.

Revelation 20 verse 12: 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.

The context of Revelation chapter 20 is in regard to the final judgement at the end of the kingdom age but it is also relevant to the judgement that we will attend.

Now you will have noticed that in verse 12 that there were in fact reference to two different types of books. It says, and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life. From verse 12 we can see that one of these types of books are in fact a record of works or behaviour. Sometimes called day book. This book is a record of the daily events of the saints. In it is recorded everything we do, day by day. The other book is a list of names, a list of the faithful, and it is called the book of life.

Looking closer at the day book. We can see that it's purpose is to keep a daily record of events so that things can be remembered. In fact in Malachi chapter 3 verse 16...... we read.. "Then they that feared The LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

Verse: 17: 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 serve him."

This word remeberance in Malachi is the Hebrew word Zik-rone, and it literally means memorial. It comes from the root word Zaw-kar... 'to remember' or to recall.

And these books of records can be found throughout the scriptures, as it was in fact the habit of kings to keep chronicles of the daily events that occurred within their kingdom. These books were records of faithful subjects. And there is in fact a good example of this found in the book of Esther in the life of Mordecai.

Esther chapter 6... and you might remember the story where Mordecai overheard a plot to assassinate the king, and he made the matter known and consequently the conspirators were arrested, executed and the kings life was spared. And these events were written down in the kings chronicles. It was then some time later that king Ahasuerus on one particular evening had too much to eat for supper and subsequently could not sleep. He lay there in bed and thought how he might pass away the hours of the night and he decided that he would go through the book of records.

Esther 6: 1. On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. This phrase the book of the chronicles is the same words as the book of remembrance found in Malachi chapter 3.

Verse 2. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the kings Chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus

Having then learned what had happened regarding the assassination plot and that Mordecai had not yet received any reward for his faithfulness the King of course ordered that Mordecai be rewarded. And so this story is an excellent example of how these books were used to record events and behaviour and in turn used to reward faithful servants.

In fact this concept of recording behaviour in Esther 6, Malachi 3 and that of Revelation 20 verse 12 makes it clear that the day book is a record of works :and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

There is therefore a lesson here that all the events of our lives are being observed. Our thoughts, words and actions are being recorded day by day for the day when we will be judge according to our works. There is a faithful record being kept of what we have done today, what we did yesterday, the week before, last month and last year. The events of our entire lives are being recorded in the day book against the book of life for our day of judgement. God is assessing our lives day by day. In fact in Malachi is says : and a book of remembrance was written before him that feared him. The words before him is the Hebrew word panim or paneh (in front of his face) and this means that a book is being written under the watchful eyes of God himself.

"Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." Ecclesiastes 11:9

So, how happy are we with what's been recorded against our name in the book so far this year, the events that make up our lives. If Christ were to return today how would that book read as far as you and I are concerned? Life in God's truth is not that hard. Our attendance of meetings, teaching our children the truth, our moral integrity and preaching the word. Have we converted our thoughts into practical deeds? How do we treat each other, or when we go through difficult times as many of us have over the last 6 months or so. Have we learned to trust God, to be confident that he will actually see us through the process. Or as we have gone through difficult times, have we raged whilst riding on an emotional rollercoaster trying to cope using our own strength. What do we look forward to in life. Where are our hearts and thoughts actually bound up? What sort of things do we think about the last thing at night when we lay in our bed before going off to sleep.

Think about it because all these little things combined paint a large and revealing picture about us. What a sobering thought. It makes you think what has been recorded against our names to date. This year is more than half way through and could very well be the last year of our life before the return of christ. Today may be the last day for us to affect those things that are written in that book. If we want some influence over what is written about us when it is opened then today may be our last opportunity to resolve in our hearts what it says about us.

Let's just make it clear that the purpose of the day book is not to condemn. It is not a record of mistakes. It is in fact an objective record of our lives. It records the good things as well as the bad. It is a book of hopes and aspirations. It records our thoughts, our fears and our tears. Consider the words of Malachi once again, Rotherham renders chapter 3 verse 17 as :and I will deal tenderly with them as a man deals tenderly with his own son.

This is the character of the one who is recording the book. In fact if we consider psalm 56, we can see the love and tenderness that our father bestows upon us during our lives.

Psalm 56 and verse 8 - You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

Rotherham renders this My wandering, hast, thou, recorded,—Put thou my tears in thy bottle, Are they not in thy record?

What the psalmist is saying is that, as we go about our life and the enormous pressures of life push us about from side to side the father sees, and when we cry our fathers hears and sees our tears and he puts out his hand and he puts each tear in a container and he keeps a record of it. Isn't that a wonderful record that describes the type of closeness that we have with our heavenly father.

And, as we read those words we realise that we never walk alone and as the father observes our wanderings and daily lives, he sees and records everything. We do not walk alone. And at the end of our days when judgement is set the day book is analysed and the events recorded are set against the book of life.

Now Let's take a closer look at the book of life. This book that contains a list of all the faithful. I want to consider just 4 main principles that are related to this book.

Firstly let's look at what scripture say about the blotting out of names from the book of life. In Exodus chapter 32, there is a very explicit event that talks about names being blotted out of the book of life. It occurs after the terrible incident of the golden calf.

Reading from verse 9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.

In fact Deuteronomy 9 verse 14 is the full text. "Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they."

Moses of course pleaded with God and begged for mercy on behalf of Israel and in verse 31 of Exodus 32 we read that Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” 33 The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.

In this passage we are given a definition of what causes a name to be blotted out of the book of life. Those whose sins are not covered will be blotted out of the book life. A direct contrast is given in Revelation 3 verse 5. 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.

So we can see that names will be blotted out according to an individual's personal status before God. And whose name in all of scripture would you expect to see blotted out of the book of life? The answer is Judas. And the most dreadful example of the blotting out of Name from the book of life is that of Judas. It is a disturbing example as you will see. You may recall the words of Peter in Acts chapter 1 when they came to the work of selecting another apostle to replace Judas. And Peter said in verse 16, "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." And, in verse 20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take."

Peter was quoting from an explicit prophecy in psalm 69. As you will see, these were not the only words spoken of Judas. Psalm 69 is a Messianic prophecy about the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is about the life and his ministry and the events that transpired.

Verse 9, the zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. And verse 19, You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Verse 20, Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. Verse 21, They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Then we come down to verse 22 where he is talking about Judas and those who were putting him to death.

22 May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and trap. Verse 25 ,regarding Judas, 25 May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. 27 Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation, and finally in Verse 28. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

Now the chilling thing about this prophecy is that this is the Lord Jesus Christ speaking to his father about those who opposed him. For us, the Lord Jesus Christ is the definition of love and grace. It is him who gave his life so the world could be saved. He's the intercessor who pleads to God on the behalf of the saints. There can be no greater example of love than that displayed in the life and words of the lord Jesus Christ. He is the great redeemer. Dreadful indeed is the plight of a man if the redeemer himself pleads for their destruction. And, this is not just the fate of Judas, but this is the shared fate of all those whose names will be blotted out of the book of life.

Matthew 10 32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 “ But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven."

In the words of Daniel chapter 7 verse 10 "and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened."

It's at this time that decisions will be made regarding the names in the book. Will they remain in the book, or be blotted out? And those whose names are not found will be cast out. There is a type recorded of this scene in the book of Nehemiah when a remnant of the people returned to the land from captivity to re-establish Jerusalem.

And in Nehemiah chapter 7 they were taking records of the people returning and in particular those families of the priesthood to ensure that they were sanctified to serve in the tabernacle. And amongst the families of the priests: the children of the family of Habaiah came to be registered. However, as Nehemiah went through the list, their names could not be found amongst the priesthood. And so it says in verse 64. "These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood." Now if any of us want to be part of the holy priesthood to come, then we have to ensure that our names are found in the register.

So far, we have looked at how our names may be blotted out of the books but, when are our names written in the book of life? Here's a clue in Mathew chapter 25 verse 31 where we have the parable of the sheep and the goats. It foretells the fate of the righteous and unrighteous at the judgement seat.

Verse 31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

So here we have a kingdom prepared since creation and in Ephesians, Paul says Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

This implies that the book of life was written before creation. And coupled with Revelation 17 we are shown that those who support the great harlot system will not be found in the book of life. Revelation 17 verse 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

The point being made here is that our names are already written in the book of life. It is only through our behaviour that they can be blotted out. And our names are in the book soley because God wants us to be saved.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. - Luke 12:32

With our human perspective of things, we sometimes forget that it is by his grace that we will be saved, and we may at times look at eternal life as something that we have to earn. We think that we have to improve our behaviour to a point where we finally qualify for eternal life. But it's not like that. In god's perspective we are already saved and our names are already in the Lambs book of life. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't strive to do good works. It just means that by gods good grace we are already there. What the father asks us to do is render complete faithfulness so that he can complete the work of salvation. By his mercy alone we can be saved but if we do not render faithful obedience now, then our names can be blotted out of the lambs book.

Now, this is not a literal book. It's a symbol. It is a principle that God has conveyed to us so we can better understand his ways and the process of change that must take place on the road to eternal life. This all leads us to ask. Whose book is this? Is this a book of our lives because it contains our names? No it's not.

This book actually belongs to someone but it's not us. In revelation 20 where it is written in verse 12 "and another book was opened, which is the book of life." The literal translation is the book of the life. This reference to the book of the life appears 7 times in revelation and it goes hand in hand with the 7 blessing.

So whose life does this book refer to? Revelation 21 and the last verse, verse 27.

27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, (that is New Jerusalem) nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 13 adds to this and calls it the book of the life of the slain lamb. This is the book of his life, not ours. And to be found written in the book of the life of the slain lamb will only occur if we are part of his life. Then our names will be in the book of his life. The names are of those who have become associated with the lamb through covenant via baptism. Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

That is why this is his book, and through his sacrifice, and anyone who enters into a covenant with him through baptism will have their sins blotted out from the day book so they won't be blotted out of the book of life.

How poetic that is. The names of the saints are in that book because he purchased the redemption of the faithful with his blood. That's why it's the book of the slain lamb. He is now the high priest and he bears the names on his heart and in his lips. Just like the high priest of old he bears the names of the faithful on his shoulders and on his breastplate of judgement before the LORD as a continual memorial. The names are upon his shoulders, upon his lips and are bound upon his heart and these names will be found in his book of life.

And these names are only found in that book because of the glorious work that has been accomplished by the high priest. So, in the short time that is left before the high priest returns, make sure that you take care to ensure that your name remains in the slain lambs book of life.