Your Eternal Destiny

    First, there is a common misconception, that one must be a Christian in order to have one's name written in the Book of Life in Heaven. However, the seventy disciples of Jesus had their names there before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, even before they had the rebirth experience. Jesus told his disciples, "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). The Book of Life is seen in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. Moses said, "Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written" (Exodus 32:32).   In fact, the book was written before the foundation of the world.   "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).

    Second, we see that Jesus (in one sense) was crucified before the earth was created. John records, "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). His death paved the way for people's name to be written in the book.

    Third, we can note that Jesus died for everyone. John records, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Again, note Jesus died for the whole world, not just a few select people. The Word says concerning Jesus, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2). Therefore, potentially every person could have his name recorded there.

    Fourth, it is also God's will that everyone be saved. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). Paul expresses this truth when he said, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:4). The fact that God desires all to be saved may also indicate the every name was recorded in the Book of Life.

    Fifth, the problem is that we find that some names will not be there at the end. God's Word says, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15). Again, John says, "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).

    Sixth, we can conclude that some names will be blotted out of the Book of Life. "And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book" (Exodus 32:33).    David words were, "Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous" (Psalm 69:28). God's Word warns us, "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" (Revelation 22:19).

    Seventh, we need to understand how one's name may be removed from the book. Jesus said, "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men" (Matthew 12:31). Here we must understand what the work of the Holy Spirit is in the world. Jesus said, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:   Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged" (John 16:8-11). This is the work of the Holy Spirit through the body of Christ to the world. Jesus said, "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). Here Jesus is declaring that he is the I AM. Note that "he" is not in the original text. Therefore, if someone does not accept Jesus as the "I AM" his name will be blotted out.

    The Bible also calls this the sin unto death. "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.   All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death" (I John 5:16-17). If someone hears the gospel but rejects it, his name will be blotted out.   "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries" (Hebrews 10:26-27).

    Eight, the ultimate consequence for having one's name blotted out is to be eternally separated from the love of God in Heaven. "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). Furthermore, he will experience the wrath of God in the lake of fire. God's Word says, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15).

    Ninth, there is GOOD NEWS for the Believers. Their names will NOT be blotted out. Again the Word of God says, "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).   Who then are the overcomers?   "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).    But don't we have to live up to a certain standard to keep our name there? NO! NO! NO! Jesus already did that for us.

    What one must do is to make a faith commitment to Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Paul wrote, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). When an individual does this, God initiates the rebirth in him. See: Find Life, Purpose, Joy! When one does this, his fate is sealed because he is given an earnest of the Holy Spirit.   Paul said it was God, "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (II Corinthians 1:22).   "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).    Again, Paul writes, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). This seal is a stamp of approval! Furthermore, we are made to be righteous in Christ. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (II Corinthians 5:21).

1. I understand that you are a perfectly righteous God and that you demand perfection.

2. I confess to you that I have not and can not, myself, live up to your standards (in actions, words, attitudes, and thoughts).

3. I am convicted that the consequence for my wrong (sin) is spiritual death that leads to the second death (the lake of fire).

4. However, I believe that Jesus, your Son, came and lived a perfect life, but died for my sinful imperfection on the cross and was raised from the dead on the third day.

5. Therefore, by faith, I commit my life to Jesus, allowing Him to become my Lord and Savior. Amen.