Book of Life

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God plainly tells us in Revelation chapter one, verse one, that an angel "signified" this whole "Revelation of Jesus Christ" contained in this book. 

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [G4591 - semaino, to give a sign] it by his angel unto his servant John: 

He "SYMBOLIZED" it, for that is what "signifies" means - to make known by signs, and signs are symbols. 

Here are some of the words that are used symbolically throughout The Revelation:


candlesticks
book of life
hails
horses
tree of life
songs
locusts
water of life
winepresses
beasts
hours
grapes
birds
days
wine
animals
months
balances
dragons
seasons
wheat
heads
rod of iron
barley
horns
sickle
oil
teeth
bow
eye salve
tails
blades
pebbles
eyes
swords
manna
mouths
reap
wreaths
wings
harvest
palm fronds
hair
grass
whores
feet
trees
harlots
hands
thrones
fornications
foreheads
garments
keys
odours
robes
doors
books
signs
temples
gold
images
synagogues
seals
wonders
pillars
crowns
marks
rich
names
numbers
poor
cities
vials
blind
nations
trumpets
naked
kings
winds
hot
tongues
rivers
cold
Nicolaitans
lakes
lukewarm
Antipas
seas
blood
Armageddon
waters
deaths
Balaam
clouds
fire
Balak
floods
sulfur
Abaddon
islands
smoke
Babylon
lightnings
sun
Sodom
voices
moon
Egypt
thunders
stars
Jezebel
earthquakes



Even "Heaven and Earth" are used symbolically.

What does it mean to "signify"?

This prophecy of The Revelation (or, Unveiling of Christ) was written down (Rev 1:19), but there is a deeper meaning than literal written words.

To "signify" has to do with signs and symbols.

From Webster's Twentieth Century Dictionary p. 1541, first definition of signify:

"to make known by signs or words"

First definition of sign:

"any symbol ...that represents an idea"

That which, being external, represents or signifies something internal or Spiritual.

The synonym for sign is: symbol.

The book of Revelation is written in SYMBOLS!  So what is written externally, on paper, in symbols, has a SPIRITUAL meaning and application for us to uncover.

I've covered this before (in part) in my blog entitled "My Words are Spirit".

I don't want to spend a lot of time on this right now, but I'll give you one example and then we'll move on.

Beginning in Rev 1:12 John starts to tell us what he saw and heard,

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me ... His eyes were as a flame of fire, and His feet like unto fine brass ... And He had in his right hand seven stars and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword...

NONE of what I underlined above is literal.

Have you ever "seen a voice"?  All these things are symbols that represent other things. And God immediately gives us proof positive of this in Rev 1:20:

The mystery [this is not literal - it was a mystery until God tells us that one thing really means or represents another and DIFFERENT THING] of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars ARE THE ANGELS OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest ARE THE SEVEN CHURCHES.

The stars are not literal and the candlesticks are not literal.

In the first 20 verses of Revelation we can find eleven statements that are not literal, but rather symbolic.

They represent Spiritual Truths that are presented to us symbolically.

The literal language is not the literal truth being presented. The statements themselves do not teach us the truth OF the statements.

We must look elsewhere in the Scriptures for the interpretation.
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The Book of Life

The symbol "Book of Life" is found 8 times in the New Testament (KJV).  Once in Philippians, and seven times in The Revelation.

Php 4:3; Rev 3:5; Rev 13:8; Rev 17:8; Rev 20:12; Rev 20:15; Rev 21:27; and Rev 22:19.

In general, there are two types of people found in reference to The Book of Life.

[1] Those who "live" for God...

Rev 3:5  He that overcomes, 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 angels.

[2] ... and those who are Spiritually "dead" to God and find themselves at The Great White Throne Judgment:

Rev 20:12  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 [Spiritually dead] were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

I'm not much of a Spurgeon fan, but I'm reminded of this quote:

Spurgeon, when speaking of the Book of Life, used to say something along these lines:

“I am so glad my name was written in the Lamb’s book of life before I got here, because if God had waited until I got here, He never would have chosen me.”.

Our names, "overcomers", "believers" were written in the "Book of Life" before the foundation of the world as compared to those whose names were NOT written:

Rev 17:8  ... whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world.

While no names have been "recently written" into the Book, some names can be "blotted out" of The Book of Life...

Rev 3:5  He that overcomes, 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 angels.

If your name is not found in The Book of Life?

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in The Book of Life was cast into The Lake of Fire.

There's also one more group of people specifically mentioned:

Rev 22:19  And if ANY man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of The Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book.

Above are the basics... let's start with:

Overcomers

There are those who "overcome" now in this life and there will be those who "overcome" during the Millennial reign but had not done so before the Return of Christ (Grace by Faith).

Overcoming is a good picture for all believers.

Rev 3:5  He that overcomes [G3528 - nikao]...

From G3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively): - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

What does Scripture tell us about "overcomers"?

Rev 2:7  ...To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the TREE OF LIFE [immortality]...

Rev 2:11  ... He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the Second Death [which is The Lake of Fire]...

Rev 2:26-28  And he that overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations [believers will rule and reign with Christ]: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.  And I will give him the morning star.

Rev 3:5  He that overcomes, 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 angels.

Rev 3:12  Him that overcomes will I make a pillar [a main and vital support role in the Government of God in His Kingdom] in the temple of My God...

Rev 3:21  To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame [see Joh 16:33], and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a CROWN OF LIFE.

These are the promises made to overcomers... those that "overcome".  Any true believer is called to repentance [to think differently, reconsider with abhorrence to sin, to change one's mind].

We're to strive to become perfect (Christ-like), we're to overcome this world, even as Jesus "also overcame the world".

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Let US therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

We have obstacles (sin), and persecution, and trials that we are called to "overcome"... not ignore!  I've mentioned this in another blog... alcohol is an obstacle for me.  I must overcome it!  I can't ignore it... it's not always easy.

Do I love alcohol more than Christ?  No... I must never put another drop to my lips.  That first drop is what ensnares me.  I must daily "overcome" that sin in my life and I will likely have to do so for the rest of my life... "unto the end", "unto death".

God has bigger plans for us than just simply "saving" us.

God could have chosen to "save" Black Labradors if He wanted to... He doesn't want Black Labradors for sons and daughters!  He wants us to become perfect as He is perfect... that is going to require some action on our part... we need to strive to "overcome".

That requires a lot more than just singing Gospel music from the pews at church once a week.

Perfection requires allowing God to work in our lives in order to make changes.

Having all of our works tried in the fire of His Holy Spirit is no small part in becoming perfect, in "overcoming".

1 Cor 3:12-13  Now if any man build upon this [Spiritual] foundation [Christ] gold, silver, precious stones [Godly character traits], wood, hay, stubble [carnal character traits]; Every man’s work [thoughts, words, and deeds] shall be made manifest [become known, come to light]: for the day shall declare it [make it evident], because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

This "fire" is no more literal than anything else we've been talking about so far.  It's no more literal than the "gold" and "stubble" mentioned.  This is figurative and symbolic language used to instruct us into much higher Spiritual development.

We have works that are like gold and silver in certain ways - we have thoughts, words, and deeds of good and lasting value.  Fire purifies precious metals... it burns all of the contaminates out creating a more pure form of gold and silver.

We also have works that are like wood, hay, and stubble - carnal and evil works—bad thoughts, crass words, and evil deeds that are of no lasting value and are only fit for destruction.  Fire completely consumes these works... there's nothing of value to purify.

Only God’s SPIRITUAL FIRE can burn away spiritual wickedness and evils of the heart.

That Spiritual fire is reason for us to rejoice!

1 Cor 3:14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward [G3408 - misthos, dues (wages) paid for work].

1 Cor 3:15  If any man's work shall be burned [G2618 - katakaio, consumed], he shall suffer loss: BUT he himself SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire.

Every single human being that ever was, is, or will be, will go through God's fire!  God saves people through His Judgments (fire) and it is a means of His Grace.
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Blotted out?

Exo 32:30-33  And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, You have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.  Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.

CLV  Psa 9:5 You rebuke the nations; You destroy the wicked; You wipe out their name for the eon and further.

Psa 69:28  Let them be blotted out of the book of the living [Book of Life], and not be written with the righteous.

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are NOT written in The Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

A very important key to understanding this Book of Life is found in paying attention to the details.

When is this Book of Life opened?

Answer:  At the Great White Throne Judgment.

Are there any believers at The Great White Throne Judgment?  

Answer:  No.

Names were written before the foundation of the world, but apparently, they can be erased (blotted out).  See the passage from Exodus above.  Apparently, all of those who came out of Egypt were once written in the Book and then blotted out for their idolatry.

In Revelation, those whose names are not written are liable to worship the beast.  The names of conquerors, overcomers, will not be erased.

Some of the "dead" (symbolically dead) who stand before The Great White Throne once had their names in the Book, but they were erased.

Game Changer

There's an important distinction to be realized once His Church has been taken (harpazo) to Himself.  The game will change as the age of Grace by Faith also ends.

No longer will anyone be "saved" by Grace through Faith... they ALL will be judged according to their "works".

This is exactly what Jesus is talking about when He speaks of the separation of the "sheep" and "goats" (nations).

First, notice when this occurs:

Mat 25:31  When the Son of Man shall come in His Glory, and all the holy angels [messengers] with Him, then shall He sit upon the Throne of His Glory: 

This occurs when He comes to setup His Millennial Kingdom and will be the Judgment, on earth, of those who (those who are still left on the earth at this time) are allowed entrance into His Kingdom and those who are not.

This has nothing to do with redemption or the ultimate fate of the disobedient.  

That is settled at The Great White Throne at the conclusion of the Millennial Reign.  This "sheep and goats" passage is constantly misapplied to the final Judgment... it has nothing to do with that.  It is Christ judging the nations at the beginning of His Millennial Reign - nothing more, nothing less.

Believers have already been gathered to Him.  We will be reigning and ruling with Christ.  The unbelieving dead are still in their graves awaiting their resurrection to The Great White Throne Judgment at the conclusion of the Millennial Reign.

Our names, as believers - His Church, are not in question at this Judgment (on earth) or when it comes to The Book of Life at The Great White Throne either.

Mat 25:32  And before Him shall be gathered all NATIONS: and He shall separate them [nations] one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 

Again, not literal sheep and goats - symbolic of all nations.

How does He determine which nations go to His right, and which to His left?

It will be based on how those nations treated His brethren during the previous great conflict (Great Tribulation) in their time of distress, based on their works... read the rest of Matthew 25.

There are three classes of people left on this earth when He returns.  [1] Sheep, [2] goats, and [3] brethren.  All three groups represent nations.  Sheep are one class of nations, goats another, and brethren represent the Jewish people (see Joel 3:1-21).
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Back to The Great White Throne Judgment...

At The Great White Throne there will also be those who were once written but have since apostatized (renounced their belief) and they have been erased from The Book of Life.

Our God in His Fairness has The Book of Life opened, among the other books, at The Great White Throne to be consulted before anyone is cast into The Lake of Fire, the second death.

Just to be clear... it's not as if God is opening the Book of Life to make sure that someone present at The Great White Throne was somehow missed and is present at this Judgment by accident.

If you find yourself at The Great White Throne Judgment... your name is NOT in the Book and you will have your part in The Lake of Fire which is the second death.

By now, you should be realizing that all of these symbols are used to paint a picture of God's future plans.  He is spelling it out for us in order that we can understand His intent.

It won't be a literal book - Jesus IS The Book of Life... 
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More later... 









Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors.  Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied... 

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