Scripture Reading: Psalm 68:28
This is a subject upon which there has indeed been much discussion, disagreement, and traditional ignorance. Many zealously sing, "There's a new name written down in Glory, and it's mine." They truly believe that their names were written in the Lord's Book of Life the moment they trusted Christ as their Saviour. Yet does this old tradition really stand up to the test of Scripture? The pastors here at the Berean Church do not believe so. The Apostle Paul only uses this term once in his Epistles (Phil. 4:3), and even then it is not in reference to initial salvation. Whose names then are written in the Book of Life, and when are they recorded therein?
Psalm 68:27,28 sets forth the prayer of David concerning his enemies and is also a prophetic reference to the prayer of the believing remnant of Israel in the Great Tribulation. Here we find the statement that both the just and the unjust are recorded in the Book of the Living (Life). For how could they be blotted out if they were not already written therein?
The second half of our question now needs to be posed.
When are these names written in God's Book of Life?
We believe that Psalm 139:15,16 clearly gives us the answer. "Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them." Verse 16 re-affirms Psalm 68 by telling us that, "in thy Book all men (proper rendering) were written." Yes, but when does this take place? The context clearly points to the conception and pre-natal state of all men. Our conclusion then is that all men are written in the "Book of Life" the moment they are physically conceived.
Scripture Reading: Revelation 20: 11-15
The Scriptures also clearly state that men are blotted or taken out of the Book of Life. Paul and Moses both prayed that their names be blotted out of this great book (Ex. 32:32; Rom. 9: 1-3) for the sake of Israel. Although we know the Lord could not grant these requests, the fact still remains that names are, and will be, blotted out of God's Book.
When, then is a man's name blotted out of the Book of Life? Let us answer this question by first of all citing a Scripture reference that reveals to us how a man may remain in the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5). Of course this portion is here referring to the Dispensation of Judgment, and the overcomers here recorded, will be the elect, the Tribulation Saints (1 John 2:13,14: 5:4, 5). Yet the principle cited here is trans-dispensational. Any saved person from any dispensation will and does remain in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Now, upon this premise, let us answer our question. All men have a chance to be saved up until the moment they die, but after death (physical) there is no second chance (Heb. 9:27). Thus, their names must then be blotted out of the Book of Life for Rev. 20: 11-15 clearly shows that all who have died in their sins are not found in this eternal book. Consequently, if a man dies in his sins (in any dispensation), he is then blotted out of God's Book of Life.
There is however, one exception to this rule, and it is found in Rev. 13:8, and 17:8 (read proper rendering of this verse). Here we find the followers of the Anti-Christ as being blotted out of the Book of Life before their physical death. Why? The Lord, under the regulations of this dispensation (Tribulation), hears Israel's prayer (Ps. 68:27, 28) and answers it (I John 3:22) by blotting out these names before their decease. May the Lord help us to better comprehend these precious truths!
How God Saves
Men
Believing
Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read
Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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