Question about the book of life

BNR32FAN

He’s a Way of life
Supporter
Aug 11, 2017
22,119
7,243
Dallas
✟873,902.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I’ve recently seen another aspect of Revelation 13:8 and Revelation 17:8 that I think is interesting and I’m curious about the EO’s view on this. A person explained to me that the names written in the book of life before creation could be referring to an elect group that was chosen by God who are predestined to serve Him. These people are not the same as those who repent and come to God of their own free will later in life who would be written in the book of life after creation. So he said some are written in the book of life before creation chosen for a specific purpose and some are written in after creation who were not necessarily chosen for a specific purpose by God. I think a few examples of someone being written in the BOL before creation might be John the Baptist, Elijah, Enoch, perhaps the apostles, as well as others. What does the EO say about this idea?
 

Lukaris

Orthodox Christian
Supporter
Aug 3, 2007
7,838
2,533
Pennsylvania, USA
✟745,293.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
I believe we just understand the Book of Life as the ongoing judgment of souls until the 2nd coming. We believe in a general judgment of our soul after death awaiting the resurrection ( to everlasting life or condemnation per John 5:24-30).

The notes in our study Bible (near Revelation 3:5) refer to Psalms 69:28, Daniel 12:1 as our early references. Patriarch John X of our Antiochian Church compares the book of the census of our Lord’s Nativity ( Luke 2) as the beginning of our New Testament understanding of the book of Life The 2016 Nativity Letter of His Beatitude Patriarch John X | Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.
 
Upvote 0

Yeshua HaDerekh

Men dream of truth, find it then cant live with it
May 9, 2013
11,444
3,769
Eretz
✟317,023.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Private
I’ve recently seen another aspect of Revelation 13:8 and Revelation 17:8 that I think is interesting and I’m curious about the EO’s view on this. A person explained to me that the names written in the book of life before creation could be referring to an elect group that was chosen by God who are predestined to serve Him. These people are not the same as those who repent and come to God of their own free will later in life who would be written in the book of life after creation. So he said some are written in the book of life before creation chosen for a specific purpose and some are written in after creation who were not necessarily chosen for a specific purpose by God. I think a few examples of someone being written in the BOL before creation might be John the Baptist, Elijah, Enoch, perhaps the apostles, as well as others. What does the EO say about this idea?

The "Book of life" is a Judaic term (Sefer haChaim). It is related to Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShanah) and Yom Kippur when it is said "may your name be inscribed in the book of life". It is related to Yom HaDin (The Day of Judgement) at that time. The Shofar is blown (ram's horn or trumpet) to awaken everyone to the coming judgement and as a call to repent.
 
Upvote 0

BNR32FAN

He’s a Way of life
Supporter
Aug 11, 2017
22,119
7,243
Dallas
✟873,902.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
everyone is has a specific purpose in God's plan. I don't think we'd read it that way.

Yes I would agree with that given God’s sovereignty working all things together according to His plan. His very intricate plan.
 
Upvote 0

BNR32FAN

He’s a Way of life
Supporter
Aug 11, 2017
22,119
7,243
Dallas
✟873,902.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
The "Book of life" is a Judaic term (Sefer haChaim). It is related to Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShanah) and Yom Kippur when it is said "may your name be inscribed in the book of life". It is related to Yom HaDin (The Day of Judgement) at that time. The Shofar is blown (ram's horn or trumpet) to awaken everyone to the coming judgement and as a call to repent.

I often think to myself “Ughh!! Where is that last Gentile that hasn’t come to faith yet? BELIEVE ALREADY!! Lol
 
Upvote 0