The Lamb's Book of Life

Two times in the book of Revelation there is this comment on those whose names have not been written in the Book of Life. There are, of course, more references to this book, but these two references include an interesting phrase.

All who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. (Rev 13:8)

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. (Rev 17:8)

When? From the foundation of the world?

The Book of Life appears multiple times. Paul wrote about those "whose names are in the book of life" (Php 4:3). There are other books (e.g., Dan 7:10; Rev 20:12), but this one is specifically for the elect (Rev 13:7-8).

This is the book that "gets you in," so to speak (Rev 20:15). If your name is in this book, you will avoid the second death (Rev 20:14; 21:8). This book is for the elect and, therefore, the saved. This is why it's so amazing when your name gets written in that book -- "from the foundation of the world." You don't get penciled in when you believe. It's in there.

Can you be erased? Is it possible that all names are in there and He just erases those who end up not believing? That seems like a possibility. In Jesus's letter to Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) He says, "The one who overcomes will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life" (Rev 3:5). But we need to consider who overcomes. John (the same guy who wrote Revelation) wrote, "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him" (1 John 5:1). Three verses later he says, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5) Apparently, then, "the one who overcomes" is the one who believes, the one who is born of God. "But, what about perseverance?" someone might ask. Yes, perseverance is necessary. It is also certain, because "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:9). So those who are born of God overcome and will persevere, and their names will not be erased from the book.

The Lamb's Book of Life is one of several books that God keeps. It is, for us, the most critical. In it are all the names of all the saved for all time. This book was written from the foundation of the world. If your name is in that book, you will avoid eternal torment. Is your name written in that book? Those born of God can answer, "Yes." So I would urge you to "be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election" (2 Peter 1:5-12).