THE BOOK OF LIFE (PART 1)
TEXT:
"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." (Exodus chapter 32 verses 31 to 33, King James Version)
The Book of Life is a Book written by God containing the names of men. In another place, it is referred to as "the Book of the living" (Psalms 69 stanza 28). Again, in Revelation chapter 21 verse 27, it is called "the Lamb's Book of Life." Ezekiel chapter 13 verse 9 refers to it as the "writing of the house of Israel,"
Exodus chapter 32 verse 32 is perhaps the first place in the Holy Bible where mention is made of the Book of Life.
Here, Moses was speaking to God after the Israelites had sinned by making and worshiping a golden calf. Moses says, "But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written." This verse does not specify when God wrote people's names in His Book of Life. But in Revelation chapter 17 verse 8, mention is made that it was written by God before the foundation of the world, and that it contains the names of those who by virtue of God's foreknowledge are faithful and obedient to Him (Revelation chapter 21 verse 27).
The concept of God's Book of Life is mentioned in various parts of the Bible, but the exact timing and details of when names are written in it are not specified. What we do know is that this Book exists and it contains the names of certain people. We also know that some people's names are not written in it or rather, are blotted out of it (Exodus chapter 32 verses 32 and 33; Revelation chapter 3 verse 5). We know also that the consequence of not having one's name written in the Book of Life is disastrous. Such people will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation chapter 20 verse 15); which is what the Bible calls the second death (Revelation chapter 20 verse 14)
For today, let me show you some Scripture references aside Exodus chapter 32 verses 31 to 33, where mention is made of the Book of Life.
Psalms 69 stanza 28:
"Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous."
Ezekiel chapter 13 verse 9:
"And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD."
Daniel chapter 12 verse 1:
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."
Philippians chapter 4 verse 3:
"And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life."
Revelation chapter 3 verse 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."
See also Revelation chapter 17 verse 8; Revelation chapter 20 verses 12 to 15; Revelation chapter 21 verse 27 and Revelation chapter 22 verse 19.
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, I'm grateful to You for putting me in Christ Jesus. Thank You also for writing my name in the Lamb's Book of Life, in Jesus name.