Is Your Name Written in the Book of Life?

Is Your Name Written In The Book of Life

The Book of Life...The most important book there is....the only list you'll ever be on that really
matters whether or not your name is found therein. Shouldn't we know how to be placed on
this list....and if there are any ways to be removed from this all important book?
This journal entry is a result of a study on the Book of Life...and what I learned may shock you.
So, reader, read on.

One of the first things I discovered in my study about the Book of Life is the fact that only the
names of those who have had a personal salvational experience can even get their names in
this Holy Book.

Phillipians 4:3 And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with
me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in
the book of life.

Here Paul is speaking to fellow laborers...as he calls them...true yokefellows....we all know
Paul's criteria of faithful service...not just anybody could or would get labeled a fellow laborer
with him.

We also find a passage in Luke which must refer to the book of life by reason of it is the only
book in heaven recorded in scripture as having names written in it.

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather
rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

In light of the passages we have just read a question naturally comes to mind.....If only the
saved are written in the book of life...can the saved names be blotted (or taken out) of the
book of life through sin?

Exodus 32: 31-33 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned
a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. 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 of my book.

By this passage, we see that the righteous because of personal sin can have their names blotted
(or taken) out of the book in heaven.

Psalm 69:27-28 Add iniquity unto their iniquity, and let them not come into thy righteousness.
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

So, we see here, only the righteous have their names written in the book of life and through
iniquity it can be taked out.
It is interesting to note: the Hebrew word for blot in these passages is Machah....which means
to erase, abolish, blot out, destroy, put out, utterly wipe away or wipe out.

With all this in mind, and the fact Revelation was written to the seven churches....a book
we can surmise was written to Christians....this warning found in Revelation about having one's
part taken away out of the book of life and the holy city is particularly interesting...

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of prophecy of
this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that
are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city and from
the things which are written in this book.

Even a child would understand this passage to mean one must have first had a part in the
book of life and the holy city to have it taken away. Also, if this person being warned were
never saved God could not take away something that a lost man or woman never
had a right to in the first place.

You may be asking....What happens to those whose names are not in the book of life?
The Bible says they are thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire.

Seeing the names of formerly saved persons can be blotted out of the book of life it must
therefore be impossible for the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved to be true!!!!
It is interesting to note that the Greek for the words fearful and unbelieving in the next cited
passage can mean the faithless and disobedient. Also it is interesting to note that the list of
people who are in hell does not just end with unbelievers!

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable, and the murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake
which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Obviously, these people's names are not written in the book of life because they are thrown
into the lake of fire. We can gather from this the ones whose names ARE in the book of life
ARE NOT the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters,
or liars.
To not go to the holy city because your part is taken away (as stated in Rev 22:18-19) is to
be left outside that holy city.

Revelation 22:14-15 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to
the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For WITHOUT are dogs and
sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and
maketh a lie.

The Book of Life truly is the most important book there is. Why do you think what is required
to be included in this book isn't more taught and talked about? If it were, I am sure, all those
passages on faith and faithfulness going hand in hand would mean more. All those passages,
on enduring to the end and finishing the race set before us, would ring a little truer. We would
walk daily with Christ...just a little closer...and we would deny ourselves more and take up
our cross and follow Christ. I know we would repent a lot more and strive to be more obedient.

This truth concerning the book of life and the saved being blotted out has been there all along.
Isn't it sad when what has been right in front of our eyes....startles and surprises us?

I ask the question again...in light of what you have read....Is your name written in the book of
life? Pray about it!!!!!

Truth

Truth. Everyone is searching for it...but very few want to see it, hear it, or experience it. We live in a world trying to escape the truth...with creams that promise less wrinkles....clothes which promise to conceal pounds, and a multi-million dollar plastic surgery industry.

What is truth? Our culture today says truth is relative. Those newly “enlightened” claim "Truth is whatever you decide for yourself." This theory proves its own self to be false....for instance...if I weigh 999 pounds and I decide that my version of the truth will be that I am not fat... even though I may deceive myself into thinking I am thin… the real truth will smack me in the face whenever I sit down and break a chair not properly constructed for my massive size, or anytime I go clothes shopping only to realize I cannot even fit my little toe into a size six dress. My “thin” version of the truth will only survive as long as I choose to blind myself to reality.

Truth exists. There is a truth apart from what we decided for ourselves …it is called God’s Word. The Bible, in its uncut version, is extremely unpopular. It has the audacity to label everyone sinners! For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12

It says we are incapable of doing any good on our own. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

The Bible also lets us know; no sin will enter into heaven and then goes on to tell us where unrepentant sinners go….HELL. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 The Bible states the only way to avoid this condemnation is to hear God’s Word, which is true, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father, who sent Christ, as our Savior. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24

Now many sinners will immediately proclaim “THIS CAN’T BE TRUTH…IT IS TOO HARSH….AND IT DOESN’T LEAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS…THEREFORE IT MUST BE WRONG.” These same people will go on pretending they’ll never die and ignoring the lash from their conscience. These are the same people who are devastated by their 99 year old Grandmother dying…because it doesn’t fit into their version of the truth….that they will live forever. Whenever they briefly face the fact of their own mortality and their conscience begins to bother them; they see a shrink or take a pill….anything to avoid reality…but sad to say…for some …DEATH…will be the only thing that wakes them up to the Truth. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke 16:24



Truth separates friends and families. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:32-37 When a Christian lives and speaks the truth they should not be surprised to find themselves at odds with the world around them. The Christian is motivated by a completely different reasoning such as: …shortness of time…certainty of death…keeping a clear conscience before God…etc. The Bible refers to a Christian as a stranger and a pilgrim. When a Christian accepts the Bible as the final authority in his life; he is certain to appear as a stranger, living in a foreign land, whenever he finds himself amongst the world. The Bible does not say he MAY be reviled and persecuted…it says he SHALL be.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:11

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:12-13

Truth sets us free. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32 God cannot tell a lie …God, that cannot lie…Titus 1:2

…therefore He is truth. Whenever we embrace this truth…that the Bible is the truth… we will be set free from the world’s philosophy that says “Truth is whatever you decide for yourself…whatever makes you happy…whatever makes you feel good.” We will understand the fact that a Christian marches to the beat of a different drum. We are not on this earth to win a popularity contest. We are here to shine our lights in a dark world. 14 Ye are the light of the world. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14&16 Even though the truth, we embrace as Christians, may cause us to receive persecution on earth that same truth if we hold fast our faith will protect us in the world to come.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

Faith

Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

PASSIVE faith accepts the Word as true - But never moves….ACTIVE faith begins the work to do - and thereby proves.

PASSIVE faith says, “ I believe it! Every word of God is true. Well, I know He hath not spoken what He cannot, will not, do. He hath bidden me, “ Go forward!” but a closed up way I see, When the waters are divided soon in Canaan’s land I’ll be. Lo! I hear His voice commanding “Rise and walk: take up thy bed and stretch forth thy withered member! Which for so long hath been dead.” When I am a little stronger, then, I know I’ll surely stand. When there comes a thrill of healing, I will use with ease my other hand. Yes, I know that God is able! And full willing all to do: I believe that every promise, sometime, will to me come true.”

ACTIVE faith says “I believe it! And the promise now I take. Knowing well, as I receive it, God, each promise real will make. So I step into the waters, finding there an open way; Onward press, the land possessing; nothing can my progress stay. Yea, I rise at His commanding, walk straightway and joyfully. This, my hand, so sadly shriveled, as I reach, restored shall be. What beyond His faithful promise, would I wish or do I need? Looking not for “signs or wonders” I’ll no contradiction heed. Well, I know that “God is able,” and full willing all to do: I believe that every promise, at this moment can come true.”

PASSIVE faith but praises in the light, When sun doth shine….ACTIVE faith will praise in darkest night - Which faith is thine?

- Selected -

This is a selection which inspired me many years ago. I do not know who the author is or I would give him or her due credit.

1.And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. Mark 6:1-6

I believe a passive faith is what many Christian’s possess. I have struggled with this malady in my own life and I am sure you have as well. It is something we should STRUGGLE to be free from. We should constantly pray that the Lord would give us active faith.

There are “Christians,” however, who do not struggle to be free from this form of disbelief, they fully surrender to it. Their faith is one which believes God is capable of doing boundless miracles….just not in their lives. They spread their infectious disease of doubt…endlessly stating all the factors which make their situation hopeless and render them virtual victims of their circumstances. They may even go so far as to claim those having an active faith suffer from false hope. They pride themselves in being realists, justifying their doubt, and making it into a thing of virtue. The Bible says we can prevent God from doing a mighty work in our life because of our disbelief....Doubt is never a virtue even when cloaked in the vesture of realism. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 Not only is unbelief not a virtue it is a sin! But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

May every Christian pray to be counted amongst the few who have enough faith and confidence in Christ Jesus to witness and experience His saving power and healing touch. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. Mark 6:5

Knowing how doubt displeases God, how it is labeled as sin, and how it ties (for lack of a better word...though God's hands are never bound if He chooses to work) God's hands in our lives, let us anytime we feel doubt in our hearts; pray this prayer, with the father, who received healing for his demonic boy, at the feet of Christ. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:24

Let us remember, God's people are the FAITHFUL few....not the FAITHLESS many.