Question:How Does A Person Ensure Their Name Is Written In The Book Of Life Which Is Mentioned In (Revelation 20:15)
Donald Bohanon: Good question. A person can ensure their name is written in the book of life simply by living righteously or in accordance with God and Christ instruction which is to follow the commandments and the word of God as a whole in conjunction with faith and doing good works.
Notice Psalms 69:27-28. Here King David moved by the spirit of God to write it…equates being written in the book of life/the living, with righteousness or living righteously. And conversely outlines that iniquity/sin or living contrary to the Bible and it’s commandments, can ensure you are blotted out of the book of life.
I know and have heard some false unlearned ministers equate being written in the book of life with a simple verbal acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s savior. And as the only qualification for being written in the book of life.
While providing no biblical proof, in its proper context, to validate that claim. When you understand that true acceptance of Jesus Christ is determined by obedience to the instruction and guidelines Christ outlines and commands us to follow Psalms 69:28 becomes just another example of the Bible interpreting, validating, and confirming itself.
Psalm 69:27-28
King James Version (KJV)
27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
As opposed to unlearned individuals applying their own personal interpretation to scripture, while providing not an ounce of biblical proof to substantiate those claims.
And in so doing leading many astray. You will be recorded in the book of life based on your obedience to God’s commandments and word in conjunction with faith and by doing good works /showing love and mercy.
Revelation 20:11-15 also emphasizes a person’s works/behavior, will determine whether they are written in the book of life or not. Which is also supported by Psalms 69:28.
Again.. just another clear example of the Bible interpreting itself. You will be judged by the books in the Bible and your obedience to what’s commanded by God and Christ in those books will determine if your name is written in the book of the living/the book of life.
Revelation 20:11-15
King James Version (KJV)
11 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.
12 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.
13 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.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The wicked/hater of God/ungodly will be resurrected to destruction which is emphasized in Revelation 20:11-15. Also notice Psalms1:5-6. Where it states here the wicked shall not stand in the judgment and or survive the judgment. Not to mention Romans 1:32 where it emphasizes the judgment of these individuals is in the context of the death or destruction of them.
In Revelation 20:11-15 ..the statement “and there was found no place for them” as well as the ensuing punishment in verse fifteen clearly shows this is a resurrection to judgment and destruction, for the evil actions and behavior of the individuals being judged at that time.
Destruction (which is also supported by numerous other verses in scripture)as opposed to a resurrection to live under the rulership of Christ, while being judged at that particular time.Which some of the Churches of God teach.For more information listen to Judgment Day: The Day Of Wrath-Redone.
We are in agreement on everything else with the exception of God’s punishment of the wicked. It’s also important to note that being written in the book of life doesn’t necessarily mean all those written in the book of life will be born into the spiritual family of God.
But simply involves some being spared damnation when they are judged and allowed to live under Christ rulership. After which that person will be required to develop perfect righteous character, by producing the behavior and fruits outlined in God’s word, then be filled with the Holy Spirit, and then ultimately be born into the spiritual family themselves. Revelation 21:7-27.
The predestined, called, elect of God, are obviously written in the book of life as well but they will be Kings and Priests under God and Christ’s authority and will participate in the first resurrection. These have submitted their lives to Christ fully in that they follow his commandments and his word while following the behavioral and doctrinal requirements outlined in God’s word while being filled with the Holy Spirit and producing fruit
A chosen few to be born into the spiritual family of God and rule over mankind with Christ when he returns. This is why they are referred to as the first fruits of salvation. The rest of mankind will eventually be born into God’s family in time sequence. After submitting to God’s way of life.
Revelation 21:7-27
King James Version (KJV)
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 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.
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