But before we answer the first question, let us lay the foundation by answering the question, "What is the Lamb's Book of Life"?

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15

So we now know that it is a book that contains for one thing, names of people. And if one's name is not found written in the book of life, one is cast into the lake of fire.

Not a pretty picture.

So let's now tackle the first question.

When Was Your Name Written in the Lamb's Book of Life?

Do you wonder if it was when you first became a Christian? When was it that you first repented and turned away from your sins? When did you first ask in the name of Jesus Christ to have your sins forgiven? When did you first believe that Jesus Christ had the power to forgiven your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness? Was it then that your name was written in the Lamb's Book of Life? What does the Bible say?

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. Revelation 13:8

So names were written in the book of life of the Lamb slain, from the very foundation or creation of the world. No names could have been written after the foundation because only the names that were written from the foundation of the world did not worship the beast.

That also means that the people that the Lamb of God was slain for, you and I, and everyone from creation to the end of the world, were already written down and accounted for legally from the beginning. Satan can never say that Jesus Christ didn't die for you because Jesus didn't know at the time that He died, that you would exist. He did. The Lamb of God not only died for you, but knew you would exist, and your name, because He wrote your name down beforehand, at the foundation of the world. Since even your hairs are numbered, can this be such a large task for God?

For those trying to interpret this verse any differently, say by pausing before the word slain instead of after, this would make the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world. But this makes no sense. The Lamb was not slain from the foundation of the world. The Lamb was not slain until just under 2000 years ago, and at the hands of man.

Perhaps the following Bible verse will remove any doubt as to the interpretation.

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Revelation 17:8

There is a division of beliefs among the faiths concerning exactly how to interpret this in regard to how does one define predestination and foreknowing, Did God merely foreknow who would become His, which He wrote down in the Book of Life at the foundation of the earth? Or does God, through irresistable force, cause all those that are written down in the Book of Life, to become His? This second option, I'll be blunt, causes heartburn among many who try to reconcile this with "free will" and Jesus standing at the door and knocking for anyone who hears His voice. But leaving this and going on.

The interesting point is that all these three verses so far have focused on the negative consequences for those whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. A positive consequence verse, those whose names are in the Book of Life, and the only verse not in Revelation is:

And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4:3

And another positive consequence verse from Revelation:

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. Revelation 21:27

The conclusions so far are that there are names that were written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. One could argue that it was for "legal" reasons to establish for whom the Lamb of God would later be slain. That would also explain why no names could later be added. And there were other names, "not written" since the foundation of the world.

Not all names were in the Book of Life to begin with, and no names can be added after the foundation of the world. But can names be taken away? The answer can be found in the following Scripture verse:

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 angels. Revelation 3:5

Only those who "overcome" will Jesus Christ "not blot out his name out of the book of life". The correct understanding of this must be vitally important. But what does this mean? Letting Scripture interpret Scripture, the following verses are all remaining verses found which deal with those who have "overcome" or are "overcome".

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Romans 3:3-4

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. II Peter 2:19

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. II Peter 2:20

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. I John 2:13-14

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. I John 4:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? I John 5:4-5

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 2:11

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Revelation 2:17

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: Revelation 2:26

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Revelation 3:12

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation 3:21

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7

Shalom,

Ted Porter

For reference, below are all 8 verses containing the phrase "Book of Life" found in the Bible: