Is the book of life closed or still open

[Walk together]

It is said that the book of life contains the names of the ones that will inherit everlasting life. So my question is can God see all the way into the future and close the book of life or does God update the names that are found in this book. I can see it closed as I believe that God can see our destiny and judge us even before we are born.

 

[sandman]

It is said that the book of life contains the names of the ones that will inherit everlasting life. So my question is can God see all the way into the future and close the book of life or does God update the names that are found in this book. I can see it closed as I believe that God can see our destiny and judge us even before we are born.

I don’t know …

If we have free will then we have the ability to choose …which would dictate that God doesn’t know who will choose to join the eternity club…. Or who will choose the barbecue.

 

[Walk together]

which would dictate that God doesn’t know who will choose to join the eternity club

But the Bible indicates that God knows all things ahead of time so wouldn't that mean the book has all the names from the past present and the future.

 

[Blade]

There are many books.. yes the book of life but there is the lambs book where are names are written in. "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".

 

[pdudgeon]

But the Bible indicates that God knows all things ahead of time so wouldn't that mean the book has all the names from the past present and the future.

I would say yes, He can see all things. And some of them must please, while others must disappoint Him immensely.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

It is said that the book of life contains the names of the ones that will inherit everlasting life. So my question is can God see all the way into the future and close the book of life or does God update the names that are found in this book. I can see it closed as I believe that God can see our destiny and judge us even before we are born.

The bible shows us that there can indeed be subtractions from the book of life.

Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.​

God may (and I stress may) well have planned out certain parts of people's lives, and have their names written in the book. But as we see above they can be removed from the book.

Rev 3:5 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.​

Also, I can't see any reason why Jesus would even mention blotting out names if they could not be changed.

My opinion on the matter is if the book was created with people's names in it, all of us were planned for life, so written therein. But we can be blotted out for our sins.

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.​

We also see in Genisis that not every part of creation was planned, for God regretted making man.

Gen 6:5-7 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."​

 

[SkyWriting]

It is said that the book of life contains the names of the ones that will inherit everlasting life. So my question is can God see all the way into the future and close the book of life or does God update the names that are found in this book. I can see it closed as I believe that God can see our destiny and judge us even before we are born.

It's not possible for a human to explain All-knowing.
We have no way to relate to it.

 

[Walk together]

The bible shows us that there can indeed be subtractions from the book of life.

Hi FutureAndHope thanks for your reply I have learnt something new as I have come to understand God's ways It sounds to me like God is showing us that there is always hope and being as how we are all sinners that would make the book of life empty of names but yet it isn't empty so it must be still open.

 

[Belinda Cooper]

I don't think we will ever fully know that here on earth.
I choose to focus on my relationship with Jesus and share to who I can.

 

[Belinda Cooper]

I don’t know …

If we have free will then we have the ability to choose …which would dictate that God doesn’t know who will choose to join the eternity club…. Or who will choose the barbecue.

I don't believe we have the free will that you believe we have. God is all knowing so to say God does not know is blasphemy in my opinion.

Scripture tells us that "My Father, who has given them to ME, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand." John 10:29

Over and over, we read that Jesus already knew what the people would do, say and think. God is either all-knowing or not all- knowing. I believe He is all-knowing.

 

[sandman]

I don't believe we have the free will that you believe we have. God is all knowing so to say God does not know is blasphemy in my opinion.

Scripture tells us that "My Father, who has given them to ME, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand." John 10:29

Over and over, we read that Jesus already knew what the people would do, say and think. God is either all-knowing or not all- knowing. I believe He is all-knowing.

I think the first thing to note is:
What we attribute to God, such as “He knows everything” is not proclaimed in any scripture in the Bible…. we conclude this by reading into what is written…. What God says He knows …He knows

But certainly, there are attributes attributed to God that we can conclude from scripture without reading into it.

No place in the bible does it say that man has free will …Yet from the garden we can see that both the man and woman made a choice that was catastrophic and detrimental to the human race. And throughout the Word of God, we clearly see the cause and effect of choice…. Which results in consequence or blessing, initiated by “Free Will”.

Consider the story of Abraham and Isaac Gen 22:2-ff

Gen 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Abraham had free will to follow through …and either God lied when He said “for now I know that thou fearest God”… or he told the truth (God does not lie)

God knows human nature and He knows more than I could ever elaborate on. And for the most part He knows how we are going to do things, what we are going to do, and when. And BTW… satan also knows how we react to things, which is how we can be manipulated through various ways.

In the end run …it is our choices by our free will that determines what we do. And with the spirit of God within… God can speak to us Just as He did to Jesus Christ to let Him know what to do… the difference being Jesus Always did the Father will…….I strive for that but many times I mess up.


Predestination which people use all the time…. is more accurately predetermination.

I could elaborate on this more …but I will spare you. God predetermines (predestines) something by speaking it …in essence, God uses believing (faith) (obviously on a different scale than us) to bring His words to pass… (Heb 11:1-3)…He operates that same thing that we operate. When God speaks it…it’s going to come to pass….when it aligns with His directives.

 

[Belinda Cooper]

Sandman, I believe the Bible does say God know everything.
What About:

“…God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything.” 1 John 3:20

Before we even say a word in prayer, God knows what we need. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He explained, “…your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8

Plus, Adam could not find from God, God knew what Crain did, counts every hair on my head before I was even born, The Father knew what would happen with man that He send His son at the right time, over and over scripture tells us that He knew before it ever happened.

 

[sandman]

Sandman, I believe the Bible does say God know everything.
What About:

“…God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything.” 1 John 3:20

Before we even say a word in prayer, God knows what we need. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He explained, “…your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8

Plus, Adam could not find from God, God knew what Crain did, counts every hair on my head before I was even born, The Father knew what would happen with man that He send His son at the right time, over and over scripture tells us that He knew before it ever happened.

I am not sure what version you are using NIV or ESV…but, I see what you are referring to, and I might draw the same conclusion…. I have the KJV and that is deceptive also…

(KJV) 1Jo 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

The Word things in the KJV… and everything at the end of your version…. is not in the Greek…. the scripture should end with all.

All in the Greek… is used the same way as in English. It can be understood two ways. All “with distinction” …. and all “without exception” ….Context will determine the usage.


(If I said all the people at the concert were screaming ….that would be all “with distinction” …not everybody was screaming …some were talking, some were passed out. If I say all born again believer have the spirit of God within… that would be all “without exception”.}


The context here is referring to condemnation of our heart (inner most part of the minds). Because the word heart employs the article in the Greek (KJV substitutes the word our) it is used to draw our attention to this with emphasis on the heart….not everything, or all things. And of coarse God can know what is on our heart… we have the spirit of God within.

It just occurred to me …it doesn’t matter what I say …you are going to hold on to what you believe ….so I am not going into the word knoweth (ginōskō) which has to deal with learning….. something an all-knowing God would not need to do.

None of what I say diminishes God in any way.... God is wise, intelligent, smart,…. beyond anything I could comprehend…And like I said previously …God knows…. what He tells us He knows….But HE gave us free will to choose …lets just choose to follow and serve Him to the best of our ability.

 

[Sheila Davis]

It is said that the book of life contains the names of the ones that will inherit everlasting life. So my question is can God see all the way into the future and close the book of life or does God update the names that are found in this book. I can see it closed as I believe that God can see our destiny and judge us even before we are born.

Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 69:28 - King James Version

REVELATION 3:5 KJV "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out..."

Exodus 32:32-33 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out | King James Version (KJV) | Download The Bible App Now

According to those three scriptures names can be removed from The Book of Life.

When they are removed no one knows.

One would have to ask themselves that question as you have, since God knows our beginning as well as our end - has he already erased all the unsaved names or why allow us to go through all of this, already knowing our end.
It's like he's giving us every possible chance to repent. Sometimes it seems like he's has almost begged us to repent, to do good, to accept him. He tells us he doesn't want to lose anyone he wants us all to be saved.
With that under consideration I believe that he would not erase anyone's name or have it erased until they die or they are reprehensible or our Father says time is out - giving every opportunity for anyone to repent.

 

[Belinda Cooper]

I am not sure what version you are using NIV or ESV…but, I see what you are referring to, and I might draw the same conclusion…. I have the KJV and that is deceptive also…

(KJV) 1Jo 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

The Word things in the KJV… and everything at the end of your version…. is not in the Greek…. the scripture should end with all.

All in the Greek… is used the same way as in English. It can be understood two ways. All “with distinction” …. and all “without exception” ….Context will determine the usage.


(If I said all the people at the concert were screaming ….that would be all “with distinction” …not everybody was screaming …some were talking, some were passed out. If I say all born again believer have the spirit of God within… that would be all “without exception”.}


The context here is referring to condemnation of our heart (inner most part of the minds). Because the word heart employs the article in the Greek (KJV substitutes the word our) it is used to draw our attention to this with emphasis on the heart….not everything, or all things. And of coarse God can know what is on our heart… we have the spirit of God within.

It just occurred to me …it doesn’t matter what I say …you are going to hold on to what you believe ….so I am not going into the word knoweth (ginōskō) which has to deal with learning….. something an all-knowing God would not need to do.

None of what I say diminishes God in any way.... God is wise, intelligent, smart,…. beyond anything I could comprehend…And like I said previously …God knows…. what He tells us He knows….But HE gave us free will to choose …lets just choose to follow and serve Him to the best of our ability.

well the Pharisee's thought they knew the Word too and misapplied quite often.

I am sensing you are looking down at any translation other than the KJV is concerning. If I could read the original languages of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic I would love too but the fact is God's Word does not change and I actually study the scriptures in several translations. It is not always the words that are used but the heart of the matter and I am looking at the entire story as told in scripture. God is all knowing. He may not get involved with every decision -what I wear, what I eat, what car I drive- but it doesn't mean He does not know.

I am not the more intelligent and don't use big words or even have a great vocabulary, BUT God has been giving me understanding as it is not my own doing but what He chooses to reveal to me.

 

[sandman]

well the Pharisee's thought they knew the Word too and misapplied quite often.

I am sensing you are looking down at any translation other than the KJV is concerning. If I could read the original languages of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic I would love too but the fact is God's Word does not change and I actually study the scriptures in several translations. It is not always the words that are used but the heart of the matter and I am looking at the entire story as told in scripture. God is all knowing. He may not get involved with every decision -what I wear, what I eat, what car I drive- but it doesn't mean He does not know.

I am not the more intelligent and don't use big words or even have a great vocabulary, BUT God has been giving me understanding as it is not my own doing but what He chooses to reveal to me.

Sorry if I gave that impression regarding KJV.

I use KJV for a few reasons …It’s the version I started with ..and I am so used to it… I have a tough time audibly understanding the English versions of like scripture….

Another reason is….. many of the added words by translators are in italic (some are well supplied, some are not) and for me …. it is somewhat helpful in the research I do. And the final reason I use KJV is …It is the only version that is not copyrighted (per se)... Not that I have ever heard of anyone be prosecuted for copywrite infringement of the Bible…. But in these times …who knows.

That’s it! ….. I am not a King James only person, not by a long shot…. there are many errors throughout the KJ Bible. I also use several versions for reference, and many times the NIV offers a more understandable version of a scripture than the KJ.

While you are looking at the heart of the matter, I am searching for the accuracy of the words. Because it’s words that God uses to communicate His heart to us.

I don’t know what God knows…. other than what He tells us in His Word…that is the only thing I can go by.
Many things are ascribed to God by people that are not in the Bible. The Pharisees as you mentioned had that problem (actually they had an unredeemable problem) and we can’t go by what people say… our source has to be the Bible…which, despite what I may post …. 90% of the Bible interprets itself in the verse or in the context…

 

[Sheila Davis]

I don't believe we have the free will that you believe we have. God is all knowing so to say God does not know is blasphemy in my opinion.

Scripture tells us that "My Father, who has given them to ME, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand." John 10:29

Over and over, we read that Jesus already knew what the people would do, say and think. God is either all-knowing or not all- knowing. I believe He is all-knowing.

Well stated
God knows our thoughts - he is a mind reader and communicates with mental telepathy.

 

[Belinda Cooper]

Well stated
God knows our thoughts - he is a mind reader and communicates with mental telepathy.

thank you

 

[Belinda Cooper]

Sorry if I gave that impression regarding KJV.

I use KJV for a few reasons …It’s the version I started with ..and I am so used to it… I have a tough time audibly understanding the English versions of like scripture….

Another reason is….. many of the added words by translators are in italic (some are well supplied, some are not) and for me …. it is somewhat helpful in the research I do. And the final reason I use KJV is …It is the only version that is not copyrighted (per se)... Not that I have ever heard of anyone be prosecuted for copywrite infringement of the Bible…. But in these times …who knows.

That’s it! ….. I am not a King James only person, not by a long shot…. there are many errors throughout the KJ Bible. I also use several versions for reference, and many times the NIV offers a more understandable version of a scripture than the KJ.

While you are looking at the heart of the matter, I am searching for the accuracy of the words. Because it’s words that God uses to communicate His heart to us.

I don’t know what God knows…. other than what He tells us in His Word…that is the only thing I can go by.
Many things are ascribed to God by people that are not in the Bible. The Pharisees as you mentioned had that problem (actually they had an unredeemable problem) and we can’t go by what people say… our source has to be the Bible…which, despite what I may post …. 90% of the Bible interprets itself in the verse or in the context…

thank you for clarifying .

Yes I agree, many people will hear something and believe it without reading scripture and of course that is very dangerous.

We have to look to see what God stated and how Jesus lived it out as He is the Word itself in the flesh. Jesus healed on the Sabbath because Sabbath was a gift for man to rest (heal) from the week's work and worship/spend time with Him. But it did not mean to let people die or not help someone in need.

God Bless