The Lamb’s Book of Life

Introduction    The bible makes several references to books that are kept regarding the activities and state of mankind.  It is important to know about these books, because our eternal destiny depends on them.  To begin with, we go to the book of John.  In the first chapter, we read about the nature and character of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  Notice the following:

      That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  John 1:9

The true Light here is Jesus Christ, and the Word says that He lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  It is Jesus Christ that has created each and every one of us, and when we are conceived, Jesus provides the spark of life that gives us physical life. Thus, the Lamb’s Book of Life initially contains the name of every person that has ever been conceived on this earth.  We know that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, that is, for the sins of everyone whom He created. We also know that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  Therefore, God will grant salvation to whomsoever will acknowledge that what Jesus has done on the cross was done on their behalf and accepts Him as their personal Lord and Savior.  However, we also know that some would reject Jesus’ work on the cross, for

 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.   John 1:11

For people who have reached the age of accountability and have died in their sins, the bible says that their names are blotted out of the Book of Life, which is the Lamb’s Book of Life:

 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.    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.   And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:  and they were judged every man according to their works.      And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.     This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.   Revelation 20:11-15

We see that at the Great White Throne Judgment, all those whose names have been blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire.  While they were yet alive, there was hope for them, in that their sins had already been paid for by Jesus, but at this judgment, they will be judged as to the degree of punishment which they will receive throughout all eternity, and this judgment is based according to their works, which are written in the books [verse 13 above].  But God has provided a way of salvation from this condemnation:

 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  John 1:12

Jesus sent seventy disciples out to proclaim the gospel.  When they returned,

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.     And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.    Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy:     and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.   Luke 10:17-20

This is a direct reference to their names being written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, which gives them a home in Heaven, in the New Jerusalem:

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie:  but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.   Revelation 21:27

So then, the saved get to go to Heaven and live with God forever.  Remember that I said that all your works are being written down in the books, whether they be good or bad?  Thus, all the good things and the bad things, according to the Law, are being recorded, even right now.  Now, it is good for us that the good things are being recorded, but what about the bad things?  These are considered to be sin, and the judgment for sin is death in the Lake of Fire.  But the Apostle Paul says:             

 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;  And he shall send  Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:  Acts 3:19 -20

The saved will have their sins blotted out which their works have earned by Jesus Christ, the Righteous in the Books.  Therefore, there is now no condemnation (Romans 8:1) to be found in the Other Books to condemn the saved.  And since the saved have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life - and those names have not been blotted out - they have the assurance of living with Jesus throughout all eternity.

Right now, all of our works are being written in the Books, whether we are saved or lost.  At this Great White Throne Judgment, will your name be among those who are judged “according to their works?”  and then cast into the Lake of Fire to burn forever?  Or will you let Jesus pay for your sins as a saved person?  Why don’t you let Jesus take care of your sin debt today?  Now, consider what salvation is:

 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.   John 1:13

You can see that this is not referring to your physical birth, but to that of your spiritual birth.  If God is speaking to your heart right now about salvation, please don’t refuse Him, for He may never call you again.  You have no guarantee that God will ever speak to your heart again.  Today is the day of salvation.  No one is ever saved tomorrow - everyone that is saved is always saved today.   You may want to revisit Ticket to Heaven,  Salvation I and  Salvation II.

From the age of accountability on a person chooses either Heaven or Hell:  If a person chooses Heaven by accepting Jesus as their personal Savior, this person’s name stays in the Lamb’s Book of Life and all of his/her sins are blotted out of the Other Books.   That is, all the bad deeds are blotted out by the Blood of Christ, leaving only the good deeds of the saved for rewards in Heaven.  Revelation 20:12

If a person rejects Jesus as his/her personal Savior, that person’s name is blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of Life [Revelation 3:5].  This person is then judged for his/her sins, and the degree of punishment in the Lake of Fire is determined according to his/her deeds which are written in the Other Books.  Regardless of the relative weight of the good deeds versus the bad deeds, this person will be cast into the Lake of Fire, there to remain forever, without any hope of ever leaving that place of terrifying torment. Therefore, the Great White Throne Judgment will be conducted by Jesus, not to judge the saved, but to formally sentence the lost souls and to determine the severity of their eternal punishment.

                                                                               Questions/Comments?   Email:  comment@thechristianlight.org