THE BOOK OF LIFE
Psalms 69:28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.
It is amazing to me all that was revealed to very early man by God about spiritual things. Often humanity tends to think of ourselves as being superior in all areas of life compared to even recent generations just preceding our own. Granted technology is certainly expanding at incredible rates just as the Bible tells us it will in the last days, but our parents seemed to get along pretty well without all the stuff we have today that we can’t seem to live without. And I think in some ways they were better off because of it.
The first mention of the Book of Life in the Bible was in Exodus 32:31-33. There it says, “So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin - but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.”
We don’t know how many generations knew of this before Moses, but I can only assume that it was God that told Moses about it while he was up on the mountain talking to the Lord. Anyway we look at it Moses was aware of the great significance of the Book of Life, and not having your name in it. I find it amazing that Moses volunteered to have his name removed to save the very people that seemed to cause him so much trouble. Moses was willing to go to hell for them. Many people have very graciously given their life to save the life of another, but to go to hell for all eternity and suffer with weeping and gnashing of teeth where the worm never dies is certainly another thing. Just for Moses to offer this I think was incredible. The thing was only God could make such a substitution, and Jesus did it! Jesus didn’t go to hell for us, but he atoned for our sins through his righteousness.
The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Rom 3:23) Everyone is deserving of punishment in hell for all eternity. But because of Jesus taking our sinfulness on himself and us receiving his righteousness, we are declared holy in Gods sight. For God it is as though we have never sinned at all. Now all that trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they have their name written in the Book of Life. God will never mention their sinfulness again.
In Revelation 20:11-15 we can read all about the Great White Throne Judgment. There the Book of Life will opened. I Peter 4:17 tells us that the church will be the first to be judged. But because Jesus will have atoned for our sins, we will be declared righteous and receive eternal life with God in heaven. Then the book will be opened. These contain all the names of people that are not in the Book of Life. They will be judged according to what they have done, and sad to say much will lead to condemnation because of sin in their life.
Moses knew and David knew about the Book of LIfe, and now you do too. The question is what will you do about it? Will you continue to live without Jesus, or to give your heart and life to him so he can put your name into his book? No decision is still a decision. As Joshua said, “Choose life.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for warning us about judgment day. Thank you Lord Jesus for providing grace in your salvation, so we can have your mercy. Thank you for saving us Jesus. Please help multitudes all over the earth and certainly our descendants to become Christians too. Thank you Lord. We ask this in your holy name.
