Book of Life

[Gerr]

When is one's name written in the Book of Life?

[Gibs]

Just make sure I would say to not have it blotted out,

Re 3:5 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.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ 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.

[Gerr]

Just make sure I would say to not have it blotted out,

Re 3:5 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.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ 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.

If you don't know when your name is registered in the book, how do you know there's even a name to blot out?

[LifeHiscost]

When is one's name written in the Book of Life?

I'm aware of no place in the Word where a person's name was added to the Book of Life. Only blotted out or were not written in the Book.

Since God knows the end from the beginning, I'm suggesting we all have our names there from the beginning but are removed should we make choices incompatible for an eternal living destiny.

God cares!/Jesus saves!

[ClubV12]

Directly from the SOP and the BIBLE, this IS truth.

The IJ involves ONLY those who have professed to be followers of the great "I am" or in very special cases those who have lived up the light they had even though they did not or ever hear of God.

Now ALL these people have their names recorded in the book of life AT THE TIME of their accountability. An unknown age, perhaps younger than even six. Jews, I think, took this to be "officially" age 12. It will vary for each individual, only God knows. I leave open the possibility that infants born to righteouss parents will be accorded special favor. I also leave open the possibility that infants born to unrighteouss parents will not even be considered for salvation. What we DO know, from the spirit of prophecy, is that infants under the age of accountability are considered based on the merits of their parents.

From the spirit of prophecy wel also know that in SOME cases there is no judgment of any kind for certain individuals. It will be as if they never existed. They lived a life here, they died, thats it. This is for those who have never had the opportunity of making a free will choice. We know in some cases that included SLAVES who were so brutalized by their masters they were in no better condition to exercise "free will" than the beasts of the field. Personally, I believe this group will also include people who are so mentally handicapped they also have no freewill.

So, IF you are a professed follower of God, your name is there. ALONG WITH every sin you ever committed, God being no respector of persons. Again this is from the spirit of prophecy, WHEN you have confessed AND repented AND been forgiven for your sin(s) the word "PARDON" is written next to that forgiven recorded sin. All your sins AND all your goods are recorded, every thought, every action, every deed. A perfect record of your life in exacting detail. On this record your reward is based, be it a good or bad reward. When YOUR judgment is complete all those sins with "pardon" written next to them are "blotted out". If even ONE sin is left, your name AND your record of "good" is blotted out. The only remaining record is one of all the sins you have ever comitted in your entire life. You alone will pay the penalty for these individual sins, that will be your "reward".

This is well documented in the BIBLE and Ellen White expands on the details. If you don't accept her gift of prophecy the fundamentals of this investigation can be established by the bible alone. The SOP only fills in some details.

Bear in mind the "book of life" is only ONE of several books involved in the judgment. These books will be "cross referenced" as necessary to determine the fate, the reward, of all who have professed to follow God. The wicked are judged a 1,000 years after Christ returns. THAT judgment is only to determine the "sentence" as the guilt has already been established.

[ClubV12]

More on this can be found in the Great Controversy, chapter 28, "Facing Lifes Record".

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

Directly from the SOP and the BIBLE, this IS truth.

Having studied the SoP for many years, as well as the Scriptures, I'd like to be as the Bereans. You've made some flat out statements I possibly never read or do not remember and I'm wondering if you could give the references to those statements, either from the SoP or the Word? I'd be much obliged.

"The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men."Acts 17:10-12 NASB

God cares!/Jesus saves!

[ClubV12]

Great Controversy "Facing Lifes Record" is a good start.

I don't know what specific questions you have, let me address a few you might.

That the IJ involves ONLY those who have professed to know God is a well understood concept within Adventist doctrine.

Various books in heaven. The book of life, the book of deeds, Gods book, the book of remembrance. Obviously in the process of judgment of guilt or innocence as well as "sentencing", good or bad rewards, some cross referrencing would be required.

"But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die." Ezekiel 18:24

NONE of his righteouss deeds will be remembered. They were, at some point, recorded in a book. But the record was purged (blotted or erased). ONLY the record of sin remains. The word "pardon" is removed.

The word "pardon":

"All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven;..."

Facing Lifes Record, G.C. pg 483

There are several referrences to the word pardon written next to our INDIVIDUAL sins. Here in the G.C. a rather broad referrence is made.

Here is another, though still not specific to individual sin, I will leave you to search for yourself that aspect of this concept.

"Oh! that many may seek to have the sins of the past year blotted out, and pardon written against their names in the heavenly record." RH, December 26, 1882 par. 7

SOME slaves never resurrected:

This is mentioned in some detail in the Testimonies in the Civil War section.

"But he does the best thing for him that a compassionate GOD can do. He lets him be as though he had not been.” See also Early Writings pg 276 Logic says this principle would apply to ALL those who lack the ability to make a free choice, for whatever reason.

Also in the Testimonies Sister White makes several comments about "babies" being accounted worthy based on the parents righteousness. Again, logic would say some babies would be as the slaves, with no defined ability to make a free choice and no righteouss parents, then no resurrection. I trust God to make the right decision in these matters on an individual basis. The greater principle here is that heaven will NOT be placed at "risk" of sin EVER entering again.

In a small group bible study a couple of years ago, when I was still a "newbie" the group (associate PASTOR and ELDERS) believed our forgiven sins were forever forgiven. EVEN if we later were found among the wicked. I recognized this concept as incorrect immediately and said so. That group really took me to task and noted that since I was a "newbie" in the faith, I couldn't possibly understand the IJ as well as they did. THAT was a real eye opener for me, I kept my thoughts to myself for a long time afterward. I realized that growing up Adventist did not gaurentee a correct view of doctrine.

[ClubV12]

“As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God's remembrance. . . ." FLB 212.2

[Gibs]

The book of life is the book sealed with seven seals, it is shown to be a scroll written on the outside and the inside.

Now none of what is inside cannot be read or changed or anything else written within until that Seventh seal is taken off!

When that Seventh seal is taken off there is silence in Heaven the space of half an hour!

Re 8:1 ¶ And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

An interesting note here is the next verse denotes the seven trumpets are about to begin which are in reality the first seven plagues,

Re 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

Take that as you will!

Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Re 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Re 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Re 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Re 5:6 ¶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Re 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Re 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Therefore from what these scripture reveals is the fact that names are written in the book of life, and that many are blotted out. Well when can we conclude this was done?

This next verse may well answer that,

Re 17:8 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.

The ones blotted out can be said not to be written there.

The great foresight of God is revealed here, He who knows all eternity future as clearly as the past and present!

Is the silence in Heaven because of great AWE? Very possible.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ 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.

[ClubV12]

The book sealed with seven seals is...

"There in His open hand lay the book, the roll of the history of God’s providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein was contained the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. In symbolic language was contained in that roll the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth’s history to its close." 9MR 7.2

This book is not the book of life, nor is it the book of remembrance, nor the book of records. It is yet another book, of which there are many in heaven. This book, sealed with seven seals, contains the detailed history of this planet since it's creation. As each seal is removed so a section of the history of this planet is revealed. We are now living in the time of the sixth seal. I believe there is some overlap in the times of history as the record progresses from one seal, one section of history, to the next section of history.

The book sealed with seven seals is not as complicated as some would make it out to be. It's a history book.

[Gibs]

Well, Jackson, Rev 20:12 makes it very clear so take it as you like,

Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

The recording angels were writing all the others and this one only the Lamb is found worthy to open it, it is His Book or scroll.

Re 21:27 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.

Re 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The information of who would all ultimately be saved is chroniceled in it so for sure it is sealed up until it is time to open it.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ 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.

[ClubV12]

Rev 20:12 does not say or point to in any way that the book of life is the book sealed with seven seals. The books, plural, were opened and another book was opened, the book of life. In the case of THESE books in Rev 20 we are not told who is and who isn't worthy to open them. Unlike the book in Rev 5 where no man is found worthy to open it.

[Gibs]

Believe what you want to is fine with me, all will and one day we will soon see who had it right.

I will tell you all this, we are not far from the starting of the first trumpet which cannot start until Jesus gives the signal,

Read,

Re 8:1 ¶ And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

Re 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

Re 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Re 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

Re 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

Re 8:6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

Re 8:7 ¶ The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Prove to me that that there ever was a time when a third of the trees were burnt up and ALL the green grass!

No you cannot as there never was such a time and we soon are going to see the seven trumpets happen before the seven last plagues, these are the first.

After the sixth trumpet we read this,

Re 9:20 And the rest of the men which WERE NOT KILLED BY THESE PLAGUES yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

To read and understand of Christians must be done of the Word and forget the preconceived ideas.

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ 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.

[ClubV12]

This is where many err. Seals, trumpets, trumps, bowls, woes and plagues, hard to keep them all straight. And yet, it isn't that difficult because we have the sure word of prophecy in Ellen White to help guide us.

The seven trumpets, along with the seven bowls are NOT the seven seals. The seven trumpets are the seven last plagues that begin AFTER the close of probation. The seven bowls are what are poured out as each trumpet/plague is announced. Thats pretty straight forward and well detailed in the spirit of prophecy. No one need be confused on these seven.

The seven seals, as we have already seen from the spirit of prophecy quotes are seven segments of the times of earths history. Starting with Adam. Our pioneers not only understood this well, they preached it as solid evidence that there was only ONE seal left, the seventh. Then Jesus would come. We are now living in the time of the sixth seal, the seventh will usher in the times of the seven last plagues.

Which in the opinion of Uriah Smith would last about a year. About two months per plague. But that what strictly his personal opinion and I tend to agree.

Right now, while we await the beginning of the seventh seal time in history, we must sound "trump after trump". That is, "warning after warning" must be given, get ready, get ready, almost time.

Three woes, two have passed, one remains. The first two woes were Islamic Jihads were 100's of thousands were slain, one woe is left. The final fulfillment of Daniel 11:45 will usher in the final "woe". When you see Daniel 11:45 it is as the same sign the Jews had when Jerusalem was surrounded and doom was about to fall. Then the army pulled back and the Christians escaped the city. Daniel 11:45, when you see it fulfilled, get out, get out, the cities are about to burn, the end is very close. No time left, escape while you can. The next verse, Daniel 12:1 is probation for the world has closed! The summer has passed, the harvest is ended, will you be there with Jesus on your side? Oh I hope so!

We have the sure word of prophecy, none need be confused by false doctrine on these very important last day events.

[ClubV12]

“As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living."

Faith I live by, 212.2

If it were true, what you state degrimm, then EVERY person who ever lived would be investigated. And yet we are told in this quote from the prophetess that ONLY those who professed to follow God are investigated.

Obviously there are a HUGE number of people who never professed to follow God. IF their names are also in the book of life, why aren't they also investigated? IF their names WERE in the book of life the moment when they were born, or even aborted, at what point was their name removed from the book of life and why? Inquiring minds want to know, the unfallen worlds want to know, the fallen as well as unfallen angels want to know! I want to know!

The whole purpose of the investigation is to show that God is fair and just. IF names were removed without an investigation how do we know He is fair and just? Where is the evidence, the cause for removal of ones name without investigation?

This investigation is not for Him, it is for us, so that there can be no question by anybody, ever, over the details of who was and who wasn't saved and why and just where they made that fateful decision to follow, leave or ignore God.

[12tribes]

On the day of atonement only those who were part of the daily service could be part of the day of atonement. On the daily the blood was taken into the sanctuary so in type the sin is recorded, so those cases come up. that would be why Ellen White said this as shown in the post above.

Quote:

“As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living." Faith I live by, 212.2

[ClubV12]

Thats a good analysis 12Tribes, only those who took part in the daily service took part in the day of atonement. Which rules out anyone who did not profess to follow Jesus (God)!

Jackson, I believe you have acurately described Gibs position on this. Perhaps he will weigh in.

[ClubV12]

Good point degrimm! I do believe the "heathen" can find salvation. As to Sister Whites quote concerning Jesus I see that as a referrence to "God". Jesus was after all, the God of the Old Testament. Twas He in the burning bush, He wrote the ten commandments, etc.

Living up to all the light we have. That heathen? He learned about God through the second book, the book of nature. He never stole his neighbors arrows. He recognized the value of life. He helped his fellow villagers. He was a kind man/woman in the spirit of Jesus.

God knows His sheep and He allows for the special circumstances we cannot possibly see. Like the slave so under the control of his master the slaves free will taken from him. Never to be resurrected, never to be judged, thats a special circumstance.

It is clear however, that the judgment began in 1844 includes ONLY those who have followed God. I know a fellow who KNOWS of God and I have studied with him, prayed with him. But he has never shown any interest in following God. Never professed to be a follower. Simply doesn't care one way or the other.

[Gibs]

Re 17:8 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.

That verse is straight out and tells us " whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world,"

Yes before the world and no doubt far more is written there and it will show the Great fore seeing of Our God and Saviour. When it is finally opened all will see and know of His Perfect foreknowledge of all that is to transpire even into all eternity.

Then will not a one ever doubt Him in anything no more and it will be seen He sees into all Eternity future as clear as the Present and Past and no ones case was predetermined by Him but that all have chosen their fate. This includes Satan and all the lost angels and man.

You bet, when that seventh seal is taken off there will be silence in Heaven as all behold the contents which will be flashed at a rate beyond the finite of us now, but taken in full stride by all then made to take it in.

The "half an hour" will actually be a short time for all that is written inside!

Believe it or not, is up to you, I am not arguing this but make my presentation of it only!

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ 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.

[ClubV12]

Whether the names in the book of life were written before creation or were added as history moved along, really doesn't matter. The main point is, we all have free choice and we must choose to trust in God.

The prophetess is clear that as each person is judged out of the books, some names remain, others are blotted out.

As to the half hour, different people with different views, it's not a critical component of the salvation message.

[Gibs]

We must note, He only, Jesus Christ is found worthy to open His Book.

Until it is opened by Him nothing is being done in it. The doing and writings were before the foundation of the world. It is actually locked up to all and He Himself can't open it until found worthy! Not even to look thereon!

Re 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

Re 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Re 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Re 17:8 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.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ 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.

[ClubV12]

I have no problem with the scroll, which contains a detailed history of earth since the time of Adam AS WELL as a detailed account of the FUTURE yet to come being written "before the foundations of the earth". It doesn't really matter WHEN it was written. What matters is when it was revealed, who opened it and why.

Nothing was being done in the Holy Place, where the Fathers throne was and where He dwelt because there was NO HIGH PRIEST to serve before the Father. Jesus had not yet attained the right to plead His blood, His sacrafice, His atonement on our behalf as a High Priest. He had to come to earth first and earn that right. Once He did, He met with the Father for assurance that His sacrafice was acceptable and then entered upon His work in the Holy Place. Intercedding before the Father on our behalf, offering our prayers as a sweet incense to the Father.

[Gibs]

When on earth do you think He was found worthy Club to open it, it had to be before this time,

You see it was not opened until the judgment,

Re 20:11 ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Re 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Like, I stated before receive of this testimony what you want, it matters little what any of us think, it is a matter of discerning what He is telling us in a way that most do not want to receive.

The same goes for most of the scripture with all His Word to us.

I too allow you the freedom.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ 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.

[ClubV12]

Gibs, you missed my point on the time frame, I believe Jesus opened the scroll revealing this earths history and future events at the time of ascension. His SECOND ascension, not His first. First one was Sunday morning, returning Sunday evening. He went to the Father immediately to verify His sacrafice was acceptable, so He could return to earth and continue His work.

On His second ascension, forty days later, He enters the Holy Place, where the Father held the scroll, takes it and breaks the first of seven seals.