Book of Life

Many years.

Long enough that some of the stings of arrows, darts, sword slashes, and spears wounds are but a long distant memory, and to see that the faithfulness of my Father is to be praised for even when I was unfaithful, He remained diligently faithful.

Long enough that my desire to be home is far greater than the pleasures of this world.

Long enough that most of those I held as acquaintances and brothers are long dead.

I miss them. I thank my Father that some of their voices are still heard in the media. And although we didn't always agree on all matters, there was that sweet fellowship of believers, and any disagreement with me has now been settled in heaven.

In my youthful impatience, I didn't often stop and listen to the relics of my day, for I had mountains to climb and giants to slay. So as the relics of the day would listen to me more than I listened to them, I was often fond of discord and finding faults.

But, now I am a relic. The clangs of youth long past and the clashes in armor bearing but a frail memory, and the times of fellowship far dearer.

I live for purpose that if in dotage I can inspire others to greater service and more fervent dedication, then perhaps they will not fail to listen.

Although some may find fault, and be impatient as I was, yet, perhaps, as I do as the relics of my day did in attempting to impart, then, when each of today's youthfulness also becomes a relic, the tradition of encouragement to greater service and fervent dedication will be carried on to others perhaps full of youthful impatience.

 

I found this in an article online which affirms what I believe of Revelation 3:5:
"Revelation 3:5 is another verse that impacts this issue. “He who overcomes . . . I will never blot out his name from the book of life.” The “overcomer” mentioned in this letter to Sardis is the Christian. Compare this with 1 John 5:4: “Everyone who is born of God overcomes the world.” And verse 5: “Who is he that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (See also 1 John 2:13.) All believers are “overcomers” in that they have been granted victory over the sin and unbelief of the world.

Some people see in Revelation 3:5 the picture of God’s pen poised, ready to strike out the name of any Christian who sins. They read into it something like this: “If you mess up and don’t win the victory, then you’re going to lose your salvation! In fact, I will erase your name from the Book of Life!” But this is NOT what the verse says. Jesus is giving a promise here, not a warning.

Never does Scripture say that God erases a believer’s name from the Lamb's Book of Life—there is never even a warning that He is contemplating it! The wonderful promise of Revelation 3:5 is that Jesus will NOT erase one’s name. Speaking to the “overcomers”—all those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb—Jesus gives His word that He will not delete their names. He affirms that, once a name is there, it is there forever. This is based on the faithfulness of God."