How can believers ensure their names are in the "book of life"? The Reality of the Book of Life • Revelation 13:8: “And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast —all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.” • Scripture speaks of a literal register kept by God (Exodus 32:32–33; Psalm 69:28; Revelation 20:12, 15; 21:27). • Having a name recorded there is the decisive difference between eternal life and eternal judgment. Entrance: Faith in the Lamb Slain • Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16). • John 5:24: “Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life.” • The moment a sinner trusts Christ, the name is written in the Lamb’s book (Philippians 4:3; Luke 10:20). • Key response: believe that Jesus is the Lamb who bore your sin (1 Peter 2:24). Repentance and New Birth • Acts 3:19: “Repent therefore, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.” • True faith turns from sin to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). • Evidence of new birth includes love for God, obedience, and a transformed heart (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 2:3-6). Living Evidence: Ongoing Faithfulness • Revelation 3:5: “The one who overcomes will be clothed in white garments, and I will never blot his name from the book of life.” • Overcoming = persevering trust in Christ, not flawless performance (Hebrews 10:35-39). • Fruit that accompanies genuine faith: – Growing holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16) – Love for fellow believers (John 13:35) – Desire for God’s Word (1 Peter 2:2) – Endurance under trial (James 1:12) Guarding Against Deception • Revelation 13 shows global pressure to worship the beast. Believers are marked by refusal. • Stay alert: – Test every spirit (1 John 4:1) – Hold fast to sound doctrine (2 Timothy 1:13-14) – Gather with faithful believers (Hebrews 10:24-25) Confidence through the Spirit and the Word • 1 John 5:11-13: “These things I have written … so that you may know that you have eternal life.” • The Spirit bears witness with our spirit (Romans 8:16). • Assurance grows as you: – Meditate on God’s promises (Psalm 119:11) – Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9) – Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25) Encouragement to Persevere • Hebrews 3:12-14 warns against an unbelieving heart; holding original confidence firm to the end confirms we share in Christ. • Revelation 14:12: “Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” • Keep looking to Christ, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Remaining in Him ensures your name stays where His grace has placed it—from the foundation of the world, safely in the Lamb’s book of life. |
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