the book of life and who is in it?

RandyPNW · May 12, 2025

I'm not sure?? I've asked myself this question for a long time, and don't have 100% assurance I'm right.

My current thought is that only those in covenant relationship with God have their names written in the book of life. For example, under the Law of Moses, all Israel was in covenant with God under that system, and as such, obedience to God under that system brought about the blessings of life in God. They were all initially written up as belonging in covenant with God, and written in the "book of life."

This is not to be confused with "Salvation," however, since being in covenant with God is not a secure position until one actually receives eternal life. When that point is achieved is a matter known by God.

Even those under the Christian covenant are not secure unless they've really and truly received eternal life. Can one be a "Christian" and not yet be saved? Of course.

Paul regularly encouraged "Christians" to ensure they really and truly belong to the "Saved." There is such a thing as "Nominal Christianity." We should treat all those who subscribe to Christianity as genuine Christians, whether or not they are truly "Saved" yet or not.

2 Cor 13.5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Just my view of it...

Clare73 · May 12, 2025

RandyPNW said:
I'm not sure?? I've asked myself this question for a long time, and don't have 100% assurance I'm right.
My current thought is that only those in covenant relationship with God have their names written in the book of life. For example, under the Law of Moses, all Israel was in covenant with God under that system, and as such, obedience to God under that system brought about the blessings of life in God. They were all initially written up as belonging in covenant with God, and written in the "book of life."
This is not to be confused with "Salvation," however, since being in covenant with God is not a secure position until one actually receives eternal life. When that point is achieved is a matter known by God.

Even those under the Christian covenant are not secure unless they've really and truly received eternal life. Can one be a "Christian" and not yet be saved? Of course.

Paul regularly encouraged "Christians" to ensure they really and truly belong to the "Saved." There is such a thing as "Nominal Christianity." We should treat all those who subscribe to Christianity as genuine Christians, whether or not they are truly "Saved" yet or not.

2 Cor 13.5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Just my view of it...

Probably all professing Christians, as are in the Kingdom and the Vine, which includes tares and fruitless branches, are in the book of life.

timothyu · May 12, 2025

Which should we be more concerned about? God's Will being done or worrying about ourselves, dust that we are.

Hoping2 · May 12, 2025

RandyPNW said:
I'm not sure?? I've asked myself this question for a long time, and don't have 100% assurance I'm right.

My current thought is that only those in covenant relationship with God have their names written in the book of life. For example, under the Law of Moses, all Israel was in covenant with God under that system, and as such, obedience to God under that system brought about the blessings of life in God. They were all initially written up as belonging in covenant with God, and written in the "book of life."

This is not to be confused with "Salvation," however, since being in covenant with God is not a secure position until one actually receives eternal life. When that point is achieved is a matter known by God.

Even those under the Christian covenant are not secure unless they've really and truly received eternal life. Can one be a "Christian" and not yet be saved? Of course.

Paul regularly encouraged "Christians" to ensure they really and truly belong to the "Saved." There is such a thing as "Nominal Christianity." We should treat all those who subscribe to Christianity as genuine Christians, whether or not they are truly "Saved" yet or not.

2 Cor 13.5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Just my view of it...

Thanks for the exhortations.
Many self-professing Christians are in for a rude awakening on the last day.
Jesus says..."21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matt 7:21-23)

Wansvic · May 12, 2025

Hoping2 said:
Thanks for the exhortations.
Many self-professing Christians are in for a rude awakening on the last day.
Jesus says..."21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matt 7:21-23)

Also, Jesus revealed why the individuals heard the dreaded words, I never knew you. They built on sand rather than laying a proper foundation. (verses 26-27)

Hebrews 6 confirms what the foundation consists of: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again (an indication it need only be laid once) the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2)

Note the parallel in the gospel message initially presented in Jerusalem and later carried into all nations. (Acts 2:2-42, 8:12-18, 10:43-48, 19:1-7)

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (they believed Jesus was Lord and Christ and wanted to know what was expected of them.)

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
(their obedience revealed their faith toward God)

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine... (Acts 2:36-42)

timothyu · May 12, 2025

Wansvic said:
Also, Jesus revealed why the individuals heard the dreaded words, I never knew you. They built on sand rather than laying a proper foundation. (verses 26-27)

Yes, they followed their own will instead of God's and built this world, including religion, in their own image. Shaky footing indeed.

Hoping2 · May 12, 2025

Wansvic said:
Also, Jesus revealed why the individuals heard the dreaded words, I never knew you. They built on sand rather than laying a proper foundation. (verses 26-27)

More to the point, Jesus said thy were still committing sin.

Wansvic said:
Hebrews 6 confirms what the foundation consists of: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again (an indication it need only be laid once) the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2)
Note the parallel in the gospel message initially presented in Jerusalem and later carried into all nations. (Acts 2:2-42, 8:12-18, 10:43-48, 19:1-7)
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (they believed Jesus was Lord and Christ and wanted to know what was expected of them.)

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
(their obedience revealed their faith toward God)
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine... (Acts 2:36-42)

Aaaaamen !

Carl Emerson · May 27, 2025

Any good news on this topic ???

Can I remind folks we are not talking about the Book of Death...

FutureAndAHope · May 27, 2025

I believe people are inscribed into the book as time goes by. When they make a commitment to follow and obey God. The following is taken from my free book "The Way and Free Will" The Way and Free Will , which is a book on Free Will vs Calvinism.

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (NKJV, Revelation 17:8)

It appears at first glance that these scriptures support predestination by saying the names of the damned we not in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. This would suggest that those in the Book of Life were entered in by God “before” creation, thus supporting Calvinism.

However, the actual meaning of the word apo, Strong’s number G575 (Strong 1890), the word “from” can have the connotation of referring to a period leading out from that place over time. As we see in the following two scriptures which use identical Greek grammar, and phrases to the scripture in the book of Revelation:

That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; (NKJV, Luke 11:50)

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.(NKJV, Heb 9:26)

What this shows is that Revelation 17:8 need not mean the names were in the book at the beginning, but rather were entered in from the point of creation on, they were inscribed as time went by, or in the case of the damned (e.g. those who have rejected Christ) were not entered as time passed.

Carl Emerson · May 27, 2025

When does a Christian receive eternal life ?

FutureAndAHope · May 28, 2025

Carl Emerson said:
When does a Christian receive eternal life ?

When they put their trust in Jesus to forgive their sins. This does not mean however, that they "will preserve". We daily need to respect and follow God.

I will show from scripture that people can lose their salvation after receiving it.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. (NKJV, Hebrews 6:4-6)

The first passage shows us clearly, that people who were “once enlightened” - given sight by God, “have tasted the heavenly gift” and have even “become partakers of the Holy Spirit”, can fall away from God, and if they die in sin, will be crucifying Christ again.

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A DOG RETURNS TO HIS OWN VOMIT,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” (NKJV, 2 Peter 2:20-22)

Peter also shows this same fact, that people who have escaped the pollution of the world can again be entangled in them and lost.

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (Heb 10:26-29)

Hebrews states that there is a worse punishment for those who fell away knowing Christ.

Even Jesus Himself spoke of casting away people who draw away from Him.

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (Rev 3:16)

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. (Rev 2:5)

Lampstands in scripture refer to the Holy Spirit; so Revelation 2:5 is a very severe warning, if as a Christian we go back to sin, and don't repent, God will remove the Spirit from us.

Although the general story of life may be what the following is talking about, it could equally be speaking of the book of life. So regarding the book of life, a person can be removed from it.

Exo 32:32-33 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.

The fact is that God's stories are flexible based upon our actions is shown in the following scripture:

Ecc 7:17 Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?

Wansvic · May 28, 2025

FutureAndAHope said:
I believe people are inscribed into the book as time goes by. When they make a commitment to follow and obey God. The following is taken from my free book "The Way and Free Will" The Way and Free Will , which is a book on Free Will vs Calvinism.

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (NKJV, Revelation 17:8)

It appears at first glance that these scriptures support predestination by saying the names of the damned we not in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. This would suggest that those in the Book of Life were entered in by God “before” creation, thus supporting Calvinism.

However, the actual meaning of the word apo, Strong’s number G575 (Strong 1890), the word “from” can have the connotation of referring to a period leading out from that place over time. As we see in the following two scriptures which use identical Greek grammar, and phrases to the scripture in the book of Revelation:

That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; (NKJV, Luke 11:50)

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.(NKJV, Heb 9:26)

What this shows is that Revelation 17:8 need not mean the names were in the book at the beginning, but rather were entered in from the point of creation on, they were inscribed as time went by, or in the case of the damned (e.g. those who have rejected Christ) were not entered as time passed.

It's possible as well that our all-knowing God saw those who would reject Jesus and His life saving message as He looked down through the corridors of time. As we know nothing surprises God.

Carl Emerson · May 28, 2025

So those who lose it didn't have it.

Eternal life is never ending.

RandyPNW · May 28, 2025

Carl Emerson said:
When does a Christian receive eternal life ?

Good question Carl! My own view is that sometimes it is clear who has received Eternal Life, and sometimees it is not so clear, and maybe seemingly unknowable.

We are told the signs that normally accompany those who have received Eternal Life. They live like Jesus, and are drawn to him like sheep to a shepherd. And they love God's children.

But we know, as in the story of Israel, that believers can backslide, and backslide pretty badly. They can look the opposite of those who've received Eternal Life. They will be disciplinied but not thrown into Outer Darkness. They are weak, or perhaps unduly influenced. Who knows how they grew up, and the duress some have put them under?

So Jesus implied that tares look just like the good wheat. This has to do with the community of faith, among whom are those who look like they have faith for Eternal Life, but really only look like it. In the process of maturing, it is not always easy to see who has really received Eternal Life, and those who only speak the language and appear at unity with the Christian culture.

Among those who have not yet received the Gospel, it may be ever more difficult to tell who is likely to receive the good news. When we are in the Kingdom of Darkness nothing is clear. But deep inside a sinner's heart there may be lurking a curiosity about the Gospel and a softness towards the voice of the Christian.

Even then sometimes it can be seen who is heading in the direction of obtaining Eternal Life, and who is not likely, even though it is offered to them. In cases where we don't know, we are to leave the judgment to God. We are not to judge by appearances alone, but only with the mind of Christ.

Carl Emerson · May 28, 2025

RandyPNW said:
Good question Carl! My own view is that sometimes it is clear who has received Eternal Life, and sometimees it is not so clear, and maybe seemingly unknowable.

We are told the signs that normally accompany those who have received Eternal Life. They live like Jesus, and are drawn to him like sheep to a shepherd. And they love God's children.

But we know, as in the story of Israel, that believers can backslide, and backslide pretty badly. They can look the opposite of those who've received Eternal Life. They will be disciplinied but not thrown into Outer Darkness. They are weak, or perhaps unduly influenced. Who knows how they grew up, and the duress some have put them under?

So Jesus implied that tares look just like the good wheat. This has to do with the community of faith, among whom are those who look like they have faith for Eternal Life, but really only look like it. In the process of maturing, it is not always easy to see who has really received Eternal Life, and those who only speak the language and appear at unity with the Christian culture.

Among those who have not yet received the Gospel, it may be ever more difficult to tell who is likely to receive the good news. When we are in the Kingdom of Darkness nothing is clear. But deep inside a sinner's heart there may be lurking a curiosity about the Gospel and a softness towards the voice of the Christian.

Even then sometimes it can be seen who is heading in the direction of obtaining Eternal Life, and who is not likely, even though it is offered to them. In cases where we don't know, we are to leave the judgment to God. We are not to judge by appearances alone, but only with the mind of Christ.

Yes well put - I was born again at 13 but slid away in my late teens for 11 years, went from bad to worse. Christians didnt think I had any hope. Those with the theology above immediately considered me a lost cause because that was what their theology demanded.

But God...

He calls us back from a shipwrecked life - the prodigal returns by His Grace alone.

Seven years of prayer and ministry to be restored and 40 years before I could speak out about my journey.

Now He confirms His presence in my life - all His work not mine.

When did I receive Eternal life ?

When I was born again at 13.

When we are faithless He is faithful because He cannot deny Himself.

RandyPNW · May 28, 2025

Carl Emerson said:
Yes well put - I was born again at 13 but slid away in my late teens for 11 years, went from bad to worse. Christians didnt think I had any hope. Those with the theology above immediately considered me a lost cause because that was what their theology demanded.

But God...

He calls us back from a shipwrecked life - the prodigal returns by His Grace alone.

Seven years of prayer and ministry to be restored and 40 years before I could speak out about my journey.

Now He confirms His presence in my life - all His work not mine.

When did I receive Eternal life ?

When I was born again at 13.

When we are faithless He is faithful because He cannot deny Himself.

I love your honesty! The best way to face failure is to be courageous about it. Such honesty will help those who are hiding in the shadows with their own personal guilt, wanting to know there is a way out. You showed that there is!

I was raised in the church and prayed every day. I knew the Lord, but didn't know all that I should've known about Him. I wandered for 3 or 4 years in my teen years, and really dirtied my life. I've paid a nasty price for those few years of rebellion where I lied to myself about how innocuous it was. I knew I was fooling myself.

I'm trying to be honest now too. Those who've come through this trial of backsliding have a job to do, helping those who likewise found reason to "slide back." There's always reason--not an excuse but a reason. Thanks again brother!

Carl Emerson · May 28, 2025

RandyPNW said:
I love your honesty! The best way to face failure is to be courageous about it. Such honesty will help those who are hiding in the shadows with their own personal guilt, wanting to know there is a way out. You showed that there is!

I was raised in the church and prayed every day. I knew the Lord, but didn't know all that I should've known about Him. I wandered for 3 or 4 years in my teen years, and really dirtied my life. I've paid a nasty price for those few years of rebellion where I lied to myself about how innocuous it was. I knew I was fooling myself.

I'm trying to be honest now too. Those who've come through this trial of backsliding have a job to do, helping those who likewise found reason to "slide back." There's always reason--not an excuse but a reason. Thanks again brother!

My main reason was a lack of identity and therefore being susceptible to peer pressure.

This was coupled with a fear of total surrender to Jesus.

There was little good bible teaching and biblical council in those days.

Heb 6 used to scare the living daylights out of me until I realised the audience was a mix of the saved, and the unsaved who were enjoying Christian blessings but not born again.

The Gospel is Good News and He saves to the uttermost.

He seals the salvation of the truely saved as he promised in Jer 32:40

The indwelling Spirit of the Fear of the Lord keeps us from straying to the point of our salvation being threatened.

This is great news and combined with a passionate Love for Jesus and His purposes leads to an exciting life punctuated by the miraculous.

This is why I am on the forum - so many miss the walk of celebration and joy He intended.

I don't see the Apostles preaching a gospel of Hell, but rather by pointing to the Cross and the Resurrection they shared the Good News of the Kingdom with confirming signs in the public domain.

rockytopva · May 28, 2025

The "7 church ages" Prophecy... Please know that this is only a guess of mine. As I am not worthy to look into the Book of Life and explore it's contents I can only take a stab at it. The purpose of Revelation was to reveal what was going to come to pass....

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.... - Revelation 1:1

Which all of this was to heavy for just ordinary churches in Asia that did not amount to anything....

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; - Revelation 1:20 - Revelation 2:1

Ephesus - Messianic - Beginning with the Apostle to the Circumcision, Peter
Smyrna - Martyr - Beginning with the Apostle to the Un-Circumcision, Paul
Pergamos - Orthodoxy formed in this time... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholicism formed in this time - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestantism formed in this time- A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism formed in this time - To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Charismatic movement formed in this time - Beginning with DL Moody, the first to make money off of ministry

Candlesticks - Seven church congregations
Stars - Individuals within the congregations, all held in the right hand of Christ
Seals - The seven seals sealed each congregation within the lambs book of life
Angels - The current preacher to the congregation.

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. - Revelation 5:4

If this is not the Lamb's Book of Life then why all the ado? And we do not have the permission to see who is in it and where.

timothyu · May 29, 2025

Impossible to receive eternal life before we die.... or we wouldn’t

Tom8907 · May 29, 2025

In today's time, all those who trust in Christ's shed blood on the cross for their sin.

the book of life and who is in it?

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