The Book of Life

One of the topics for discussion that comes up from time to time is...when are believers written into the Book of Life?

I will just say that I take the view that we are written into the Book of Life at birth, and take this view primarily because we see unbelievers blotted from the Book of Life in Scripture:


Revelation 22:18-19

King James Version (KJV)

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the 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:

19 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.


This is not the only place we see unbelievers removed from the Book of life, but, if I posted every relevant verse, how many would take the time to read it before presenting their own view?

So how about it folks, when do you think men are written into the Book of Life?


God bless.

 

Great question. I think it is best answered when we answer the first. I will just say no, generally, it isn't. The "Lamb's Book of Life" is, in my view, the final Register known only to God at this point. While I would affirm that there are those who are in the Book of Life who will ultimately not be found in that Book (at the Great White Throne Judgment), there are no unbeliever's in the Lamb's Book of Life, because all who are in that Book are in there due to what the name "Lamb" represents: the offering of Christ.


God bless.

 

Wouldn't this mean that unbelievers are in the "Lamb's Book of Life?"

Consider:


Revelation 13:8

King James Version (KJV)

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.


Also consider:


Revelation 3:5

King James Version (KJV)

5 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.


Who are these who are blotted out? Believers, or unbelievers?


God bless.

 

This is what I was always taught when I was first saved, that we are written in the Book of Life when we are saved. But as I studied the issue I found a number of passages that suggest unbelievers being blotted out.

Now depending on one's theology, it is for them possible that we are written in when saved, and if we lose our salvation, then blotted out. That expands the discussion to the Security of the Believer. Those who take the view that salvation can be lost, or walked away from, will have to be addressed on that level.

I think both issues are covered here...


Revelation 3:5

King James Version (KJV)

5 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.


Because the Epistles of Revelation 2-3 are written to Churches (that is not in dispute), it is assumed that believers are called to overcome. I take the view that rather, what is in view is an address to the churches with an exhortation to make certain their calling and election, and a warning to overcome, which is synonymous with salvation itself. If one does overcome, here Christ states "I will never blot his name out of the Book of Life."

We also see that some will be blotted out.

So I take the position that the Book of Life is a general reference to living itself, and the "Lamb's Book of Life" is a distinct reference to those saved. While all men might be in the Book of Life, not all men are in the Lamb's Book, which is specific to His death, thus I would think that would have application only to those for whom the death is beneficial.

Thanks for the response.

God bless.

 

Now what exactly is it that you are disagreeing with me about...this time?

Actually, God determines, and this is based on whether their names are found in the Book:

Revelation 20:15

King James Version (KJV)

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

Note-Scripture indented in hopes it helps maintain the flow of the post.

Agreed.

Which makes it curious that you go on to say...

...which almost sounds as though you are making the books and the Book of Life a singular book.


Revelation 20:12

King James Version (KJV)

12 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: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.


They are not.

Had you simply posted the Scripture with your opinion you would have been forced to come to another conclusion.

Present your Scripture and let's discuss it.

Which is why the question is such a great question.

The foreknowledge of God in regards to the Elect does not mean that men are written in the Book of Life prior to their conception. If we are going to say dogmatically that all men were written in their before the world was formed, (which we cannot), or, that all of the Elect were, then we need to do more than just express opinions...let's see the Scripture.

From a eternal perspective I think we can say the Elect have been known to God in that registry, but I would not be dogmatic to place the time of their writing into that Book from a temporal perspective as before the world was formed, but at the same time all men are...at conception/birth.

It is a contrived argument, at least in regards to myself, as I have never said men were added to the Lamb's Book of Life.

Seriously.


God bless.