Book of Life

I believe the "book of the living" is different from the "book of Life." The book of the living is the one that determines the number of our days on the earth. So if I die tomorrow, my name would be removed from that book. On the other hand, the book of Life is the book of all who belong to God (the elect) who were written in this book before the world was created.

 

Are you referring Revelation 3:5? "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angel."
The statement "I will not blot out his name" does not mean that God actually erases people's names out of the Book of Life. The point is assurance, meaning that those who belong to Him will permanently be in this book. To say that people's names can be erased from the book of life would be a contradiction to his foreknowledge and to Revelation 13:8.

 

So if God knows who will and who will not be saved then why would they be written to later be erased out of the Book of the Life?

 

There is no Scripture of a name having been blotted out of the book of life. One is written or not.

The book of living, is that which records all of that which the living did as seen in the Revelations (“...books were opened...”).

 

Just a note of caution:

There are times implications may be produced, however notices are such used for doctrine or even strong speculative thinking and teaching.

When presented, such (as exampled by Paul in a letter) must be stated as not from the Lord (of doctrinal standing) but is given as a personal opinion and to be taken as such.

 

Do not extend such thinking to my view of Scriptures. Opinion is not Scriptures, and one's thoughts applied as implications Scripture makes is not Scriptures.

As such, I was responding to your statement, "but to some are not blotted out is to imply they could be blotted out"

Like I stated:

"There are times implications may be produced, however notices are such used for doctrine or even strong speculative thinking and teaching.

When presented, such (as exampled by Paul in a letter) must be stated as not from the Lord (of doctrinal standing) but is given as a personal opinion and to be taken as such"
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So, if one speculates (as you do in the quote of your post) that the mention of blotting out implies that blotting out occurs, that is an opinion and not a statement of fact.

Speculation about Scripture is not Scripture.

Implications one may assume from reading the Scriptures is not Scripture.

Thoughts one may think as pertaining to Scripture is not Scripture.

Only Scripture is Scripture.

Trust that clears up any misconception.

 

Did I not stress enough for your liking that Scripture is Scripture?

Do you actually place your own speculation about Scripture as Scripture?

Even Paul did not do this, although we take ALL that he wrote as Scripture.

1 Corinthians 7:

25Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.
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In other words, the opinion Paul gave is why we now take it as Scripture because Paul, himself, was trustworthy in delivering factually and accurately what God presented.

Now, it would be best if I withdraw unless you have a more specific question.

 

What is the clear statement of Scripture without any extrapolations.

1) Rev. 3:5

There is is a difference indicated between those that overcome, and those that do not. Those who overcome are clothed in White. no mention of the others being clothed. Those who also overcome are also recognized before the Father. No mention of what happens when the others approach. Those who overcome do not have names blotted, no mention of what happens to those who do not overcome.

Ultimately, there is no reason to suspend reason and suggest that there are those present who have their name blotted out and are not overcomes.

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2) Rev. 17:8

The account of the beast coming out of the bottomless pit. The wonder of all those on earth who have not been saved (no name in the book of life) wonder when they look upon the beast.
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Now, the "book of life" is seen in the final judgment as a record of all and ONLY those that are redeemed.

Therefore, because such get white robes (Rev. 3) and are noted as overcomes (Rev. 3) then it follows that no redeemed have their name blotted out, for all redeemed are saved and overcome and are recognized by the Father.

Important questions beg to be ask:

1). IoDebar, are you in deed an overcomer, not by your own strength, but by the work of the Holy Spirit?

2). Are you progressing along the stair steps of what Peter states the believer should add to the Faith God implants? (1 Peter 1:5-8)

3). As a result of that "adding to your faith" have you evidence of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, ...) found in Galatians 5:22-23?

For Peter and Paul both desired that believers not be conformed to this world, but transformed, their minds renewed not by self helps and self effort, but by growth in wisdom and knowledge of the Scriptures, fellowship with the Spirit, and enduring in His grace.

I am not doubting your salvation, but from what you are posting I just wanted to be affirmed of you being an overcomer. For only the overcomer will bear the true fruit of the Spirit and can truly progress to exampling God's love.

 

I placed in bold a problem in the post that you might need to review. For if one’s name isn’t written then it cannot be blotted out.

There are not names added to the book, for all names were placed before the world established.

There is no Scripture statement that shows a name ever being blotted out.

All who have names written in the book are redeemed and they are also overcomers.


Lastly, heritage does not answer the questions I put to you, but they are not, but their influence continues. And the memories of listening to them is sweet.

In fact, each would have probably ask similar questions.

 

Thank you for giving a glimpse into you background. I enjoy reading how young men have been brought along in the way of the Lord.