The scriptures talk over and over again about a “Book of Life”:
“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.” Revelation 3:5
“… and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” Philippians 4:3
Moses and Paul were both willing to be blotted out of this book:
“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin…and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” Exodus 32:32
“For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh ” Romans 9:3
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Romans 10:1
Those who have their names in this book will gain immortality. They will gain life forever at the Resurrection; the rest of humanity will be destroyed and not live forever. The Book of Life is a book that contains the names of those whom God has ordained to have immortality (2 Timothy 1:10, Romans 2:7), the rest are destroyed in body and soul as Jesus said they would be (Matthew 10:28).
Moses and Paul were willing to give up their immortality, their “living forever,” for Israel to be saved. Paul states:
“For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ (Messiah) for my brethren…” (Romans 9:3).
Something that was accursed (Gk: Anathema) was killed and cremated in the Old Testament. (Joshua 7:15). It was never tortured forever.
Therefore, Moses and Paul made a statement of profound love for the people they loved. They were not saying they would be willing to undergo eternal torment. They were willing to be dead forever. They were willing to be killed and cremated (i.e. they would give up their immortality) if it would save Jewish people and enable them to live forever. It really is that simple.
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Alison Horne
2 Questions/Thoughts:
1. Is the Book of Life the same as the Lamb’s Book of Life?
2. Is it possible that all people’s names are written in the Book of Life upon conception and only blotted out if they reject Christ as Saviour? And once you accept Jesus as Saviour, you get immortality and get to stay in the Book of Life?
3. Does the fact that there is a Book of Life indicate that God wants all people to have eternal life, but they must choose it, or else be blotted out of his perfect will?
Dirk Waren
Hi Alison.
1. It appears so if you compare Revelation 21:27 with Revelation 3:5. Here are 15 passages that address the book of life for your studies. And here are a hundred passages that relate to the topic more loosely.
2. It’s an interesting theory.
3. First Timothy 2:4 says that the LORD “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” and 2 Peter 3:9 says God doesn’t want “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Yes, reconciling with the Creator and receiving the LORD’s gracious gift of eternal life are depended upon the individual’s God-given volition, which you can read more about here.
Damien
Ohhhh…I have a question. Can “The Book of Life” also refers to Jesus?
Just asking…
Dirk Waren
Revelation 20:15 says: “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” This shows that the Book of Life is the determined names of those who have eternal life in Christ. You could call it the roll call of the redeemed. This particular book is also noted in Revelation 3:5 & 20:12 and Philippians 4:3. It is also known as the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 13:8 & 21:27).