Topical Encyclopedia The "Book of Life" is a significant biblical concept that appears in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing God's record of those who belong to Him and are granted eternal life. This concept is deeply rooted in the themes of divine judgment, salvation, and eternal destiny.Old Testament References The earliest mention of a divine record appears in the Old Testament. In Exodus 32:32-33, after the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses intercedes for them, saying, "Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin. But if not, please blot me out of the book You have written." The LORD responds, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book." This passage suggests a divine ledger where the names of the righteous are inscribed, and from which the unrepentant can be removed. Psalm 69:28 also alludes to this concept: "May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous." Here, the psalmist prays for the removal of the wicked from God's record, reinforcing the idea that the Book of Life contains the names of those who are righteous before God. New Testament References The New Testament expands on the concept of the Book of Life, particularly in the context of eternal salvation and judgment. In Philippians 4:3, Paul refers to his fellow workers whose "names are in the Book of Life," indicating their assured place in God's eternal kingdom. The Book of Revelation provides the most detailed references to the Book of Life. Revelation 3:5 promises, "He who overcomes will be clothed in white garments, and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels." This verse emphasizes the security and eternal nature of salvation for those who remain faithful to Christ. Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 describe those whose names are not written in the Book of Life as worshipers of the beast, highlighting the distinction between the redeemed and the condemned. Revelation 20:12-15 presents a vivid picture of the final judgment: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books... And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." This passage underscores the Book of Life as the definitive record determining one's eternal fate. Finally, Revelation 21:27 describes the New Jerusalem, stating, "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life." This verse affirms that entry into the eternal city is reserved for those inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life, signifying their redemption through Christ. Theological Significance The Book of Life is a profound symbol of God's sovereign knowledge and the assurance of salvation for believers. It represents the divine record of those who have received grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The concept serves as both a comfort and a warning, assuring believers of their secure place in God's kingdom while urging all to live in faithfulness and obedience to the Lord. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 32:32,33Yet now, if you will forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray you, out of your book which you have written. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 69:28 Psalm 87:6 Daniel 12:1 Luke 10:20 Philippians 4:3 Revelation 3:5 Revelation 13:8 Revelation 17:8 Revelation 20:12,15 Revelation 21:27 Revelation 22:19 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Book of LifeBOOK OF LIFE (cepher chayyim; he biblos tes zoes, "book of life"): The phrase is derived from the custom of the ancients of keeping genealogical records (Nehemiah 7:5, 64; Nehemiah 12:22, 23) and of enrolling citizens for various purposes (Jeremiah 22:30 Ezekiel 13:9). So, God is represented as having a record of all who are under His special care and guardianship. To be blotted out of the Book of Life is to be cut off from God's favor, to suffer an untimely death, as when Moses pleads that he be blotted out of God's book-that he might die, rather than that Israel should be destroyed (Exodus 32:32 Psalm 69:28). In the New Testament it is the record of the righteous who are to inherit eternal life (Philippians 4:3 Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8; 21:27). In the apocalyptic writings there is the conception of a book or of books, that are in God's keeping, and upon which the final judgment is to be based (Daniel 7:10; Daniel 12:1 Revelation 20:12, 15; compare Book Jubilees 39:6; 19:9). Library Whether the Book of Life is the Same as Predestination? Whether the Book of Life Regards Only the Life of Glory of the ... The Book of Life (Three Articles) The Book of Life Whether Anyone May be Blotted Out of the Book of Life? On the Trinity. Book i. When I was Seeking an Employment Adequate ... Book ii. The Mental Culture of Jesus. His Life to the Time of his ... Book iii. On the Rise, Progress, Changes, and Comforts of the ... The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the ... Resources What is the Book of the Wars of the Lord? | GotQuestions.orgIs it possible for a person's name to be erased from the Book of Life? | GotQuestions.org Who was John Foxe? What is Foxe's Book of Martyrs? | GotQuestions.org Book: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |