The Lamb’s Book Of Life

I have to admit, it would have been amazing to be able to perform miraculous deeds in the first century.  In particular, what a great feeling it would have been to be able to take a sick individual and heal him of his sickness.  That is exactly what seventy individuals were allowed to do.  Luke records that “…the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come” (Luke 10:1).  Those seventy were charged, “And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:  And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” (Luke 10:8-9).  Just imagine the joy that they were able to bring to so many people.  If not careful, such an ability can quickly go to one’s heard.  Once they returned to Jesus, the seventy said, “…Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke 10:17).  It seems that the seventy are somewhat in awe of what their newfound ability could do.  It was then that Jesus taught them, and for that matter, us, a very important lesson.  Jesus told them, “…I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy:  and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:18-20).  You see friend, being able to perform a miracle was a tremendous blessing, but it cannot begin to compare with the blessing of having one’s name in God’s book of life!

            One might wonder, what does it mean to have one’s name written in Heaven?  Maybe we can better understand it this way.  Have you ever known someone to keep a registry?  Maybe years ago you had to sign a book in order to stay a night in a hotel room.  Until your stay was over, your name was in that book.  It verified that you were temporarily staying in that hotel.  In Heaven, God has His own form of a registry book.  Those who are privileged to have their names written in Heaven are those who are registered to one day be in Heaven.  In other words, the names written in Heaven are the names of the saved.  Peter put it this way, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:3-5).  You see, the saved have a reservation awaiting them in Heaven.  Their names are on God’s registry.

            In the book of Revelation, John was able to see many wonderful things.  In particular, John wrote, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:2-4).  This wonderful segment of Scripture has given much hope and encouragement over the years.  However, one needs to continue to read the rest of the chapter to make sure that he can enjoy such blessings.  At the end of the chapter, John also wrote, “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” (Rev. 21:27).  If my name is not in “the Lamb’s book of life”, then I am not allowed to enter.  Only those with a reservation, the saved, get this privilege.

            I must also be careful to make sure that my name stays on the registry.  Contrary to many, a saved individual can live in such a way as to lose his salvation.  Jesus told the church at Sardis, “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” (Rev. 3:5).  If a man does not stay faithful to the Lord, his name will be removed from the Lamb’s book of life. What then will happen to a person when his name is not written in Heaven?  There is a dire warning given to all whose name is not on God’s registry.  “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).

            So, while being able to perform miracles would have been fantastic, having my name in the Lamb’s book of life is far greater.  Friend, is your name written in heaven?  If not, obey the Gospel before it is too late (Rom. 1:16).  Let Jesus add you to His church (Acts 2:47).  Stay faithful to Him, and your reservation will be waiting for you when this life is over (Rev. 2:10).
~ Corey Barnette