RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-02-23	Can A Believer's Name Be Removed From the Book of Life? (Re.22:19)
		Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. What is the Book of Life? Scripture names three books of God. We should point out that God does not need literal books to remember information. These books in Scripture are used as a metaphor for God's memory. The idea is that God will have a detailed account of your life. It will all come from His memory, not a literal book. First the “Book of Remembrance” (Ml.3:16; Re.20:11-15). God records the motives and “works” of men, whether good or bad. All mankind will give an account to their Creator concerning their life. This book will be at the Great White Throne judgment which only deals with unbelievers (Re.20:11-15). Second there is the “Book of the Living” (Ps.69:28) David said, “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living” (Ps.69:28). David is referring to physical and earthly life. This is the book of all who are currently and physically alive (Ex.32:32-33). To be blotted out of this book is to experience physical death (Ex.17:14; Du.29:20; Ps.9:5-6). Third there is the “Book of Life”, which is also called the Lamb's Book of Life (Re.13:8; 21:27; 22:19). There are several other references to this book in Scripture (Da.12:1; Lk.10:20; Ph.4:3; He.12:23; Re.3:5; 17:8). The metaphor here is that God remembers those who have placed their faith in Him. Those who trust Him, He will remember them but will “forget” their sins (Ps.103:11-13; Is.1:18; 38:17; 43:25; 44:22; Mi.7:19). So these are the redeemed of God. This Book of Life is what the apostle John spoke about in Revelation 22. Since the Book of Life concerns the redeemed believers, what does it mean, “God shall take away his part from the Book of Life” (Re.22:19). After a person's name has been written in the Book of Life, can it be erased? The question some have concerning this verse is can a Christian lose his salvation? What is clear from Scripture is that a true believer is kept secure by the power of God, sealed for the day of redemption (Ep.4:30). All those whom the Father has given to the Son, He will lose none of them (Jn.6:39). Jesus proclaimed that He is the one who has given life, and no one can snatch believers out of His hand (Jn.10:28-29). Joh 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Joh 10:29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. Salvation is God's work, not ours (Ti.3:5), and it is His power that keeps us (1Pe.1:5). Who are the “anyone” referred to in Revelation 22:19? Clearly they are unbelievers. Who is most likely to either add to or take away from the words of the Bible? Tampering with God's Word would not be done by true believers, but by “make-believers” who suppose their names are written in the Book of Life. Historically there have been two groups who would tamper with God's revelation. (1) Pseudo-Christian cults and (2) Theological liberals. They both claim the name of Christ, but have not been born again (Jn.3). Jesus promised in Revelation 3 that God does not erase believer's name from the Book of Life (Re.3:5). Rev 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. The overcomer is always a true believer in Scripture. And Jesus promises He will never remove from His memory (pictured as the Book of Life) those who trust in Him. It is doubtful that those who have repented of their sin and been born again would willingly tamper with God’s Word. Purposefully corrupting God’s Word reveals a lack of faith. Would a person of faith need to “fix” God's Word by adding to or substracting from it? Certainly not! The promise of Jesus holds true, all who place their faith in Him will not be forgotten. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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