What actions might lead to being "blotted out" from God's book, according to Scripture? The picture: God’s record of the living and the redeemed • Scripture speaks of a literal “book” (Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:28; Revelation 20:12). • To be written there is to stand in covenant fellowship; to be removed is to forfeit that standing. Key passages that warn of being blotted out • Exodus 32:31-33 – the golden-calf incident • Deuteronomy 29:18-20 – covenant defiance in the wilderness • Psalm 69:27-28 – hostility toward God’s anointed king • Revelation 3:1-5 – spiritual deadness in Sardis • Revelation 20:15 – final judgment • Revelation 22:18-19 – tampering with God’s Word Actions Scripture links to the danger of removal Idolatry and open rebellion • “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book.” (Exodus 32:33) • The sin in view was the molding and worship of a golden calf (v. 4, 8). • Persistent idol worship equates to rejecting God’s exclusive sovereignty. Presuming upon grace while pursuing sin • “When such a person hears the words of this oath and invokes a blessing on himself, thinking, ‘I will have peace even though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart’ … the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.” (Deuteronomy 29:19-20) • Deliberate, self-willed continuation in sin nullifies covenant promises. Persecuting the righteous and God’s Messiah • “May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.” (Psalm 69:28) • David prays against enemies who hate the Lord’s anointed—an attitude ultimately fulfilled in rejection of Christ (Acts 1:20). Living in spiritual deadness, refusing to overcome • “He who overcomes … I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life.” (Revelation 3:5) • Failure to “wake up” (v. 2) and “strengthen what remains” leaves a name subject to erasure. Altering or diminishing God’s revealed Word • “If anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city.” (Revelation 22:19) • Tampering with Scripture demonstrates contempt for God’s authority and invites expulsion from His register. Dying without genuine faith • “If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15) • Unbelief and impenitence at death expose that the name was never secured, and the final verdict stands. Summary checklist Actions that place a person in danger of being blotted out: • Persistent idolatry • Covenant defiance while presuming on forgiveness • Active hostility toward the Lord and His people • Ongoing spiritual lethargy with no repentance • Tampering with or subtracting from God’s Word • Continuing unbelief to life’s end The consistent call is clear: turn from sin, cling to the Lord in obedient faith, and your name remains secure (John 10:27-29; Revelation 3:5). |
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