Revelation watch: Day 10

Revelation watch: Day 10

The Book of Life

The Book of Revelation contains several references to a certain book - the Book of Life. The fact that the Lord mentioned at least four times in Revelation means it is important and we should take note. These End Times scriptures also suggest we better make sure we make it into that book.

In Rev. 3:5, Jesus said that He will announce - to the Father and in front of the angels - anyone whose name is found in the Book of Life as His own. Anyone that Jesus saves will be in that book and He will testify to that in Heaven.

Rev. 3:5 (NLT) - "All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine."

A sobering observation is found in Rev. 13:8, about those whose names are not included in the book. These people, we are told, will be inclined to worship the Antichrist.We know from other passages that anyone who takes the name and number of Antichrist and or worships his image is destined for hell.

Rev. 13:8 -  All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

We see another warning in Rev. 20:15 about anyone who is not in the book will end up in the lake of fire. The same fate awaits the Antichrist and his false prophet.

Rev. 20:15 NLT) - "And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire."

We know that Jesus is the Lamb of God. John the Baptist proclaimed it publicly when Jesus began His ministry on earth (John 1:29). We learn in Rev. 21:27 that Jesus has a book, and it has the names of all the people who trusted Him for their salvation.

Rev. 21:27 (NIV) - "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life."

The Book of Daniel in the Old Testament refers to a book with people's names in it. The prophet Daniel received prophetic messages about the End Times. In Daniel 12:1, the prophet also mentions Michael, the archangel who appears again in Revelation and who is considered to be an angelic guardian of Israel.

Daniel 12:1 (NIV) - "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered."

There is another interesting reference to the "Book of Life" in Psalm 69. It is apparent that the concept of heaven keeping a record of people was well known in Old Testament days.

Psalm 69:28 (NLT) - "Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous." 

Summary: Heaven has a book with the names of everyone who will be admitted there. The book is associated with the "Lamb." Jesus is the Lamb of God. His sacrificial death obtained forgiveness for anyone who calls upon Him. You don't have to be a "VIP" to make it into this book. You don't have to be rich or important. You cannot buy your way into heaven. You can never be good enough. We matter to Jesus. His righteousness makes us good enough before the Father. I can picture Jesus walking around heaven with a big book under His arms, the Book of Life (Actually, it's probably volumes by now). Jesus has left it up to you and me to decide whether we want to be included in His book.

The invitation to God's free gift of salvation is available to everyone:

Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."

Acts 16:30-31 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Shalom

Diana Washington-Valdez/Faith Today Christian Ministries

Exalting the Name of Jesus!

Facebook.com/faithtodaypage1

YouTube: dwvaldez (Diana shares)