The Books Of God

Intro: God has at least 3 record books. These 3 books have detailed files of people’s names (from Adam to the last baby ever born) as well as their earthly works. These books are –

1. THE BOOK OF LIFE (Rev. 3:5; Phil. 4:3)

Twice this book is also called the “Lamb’s Book of life” (Rev. 13:8; 21:27). In the OT this book is known as the “Book of the Living” (Psa. 69:28; Exo. 32:32).

As with the record of births at the Local Civil Registrar, the Book of Life is a registry of ALL living humans whether righteous or wicked (Psa. 69:28). The Book of Life was prepared from the foundation of the world (Rev. 17:8).

A man’s name enters into the Book of Life at conception (Psa. 139:13, 16). An unborn baby is considered a human being by God. That is why abortion is murder and sin (Exo. 21:22-23). A man’s name is blotted out from this book if he dies in his sins (Exo. 32:33; Rev. 20:15 cf. Psa. 9:5).

The saved, born-again child of God will NEVER have his name blotted out of the Book of Life (Rev. 2:11; 3:5; cf. I John 4:4; 5:4). So, at the Last Judgment, if the Lord does not see somebody’s name in the Book of Life, it is because that person was never saved and his name was blotted out! The only exception of names of living people being blotted out is during the Great Tribulation Period. At that future time, all who get involved with the mark, name, number and image of the Beast (antichrist) will have their names blotted out instantly from the Book of Life (Rev. 17:8 cf. 15:2).

2. THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE (Mal. 3:16)

This is a record of both GOOD and BAD works (Rev. 20:12-13). This “book of works” indicates that there will be separate books each for our good and bad works. Everything that was thought, said, and done is recorded (Luke 8:17; Matt. 12:36; I Cor. 4:5). Even our tears resulting from the trials and tribulations of our faith are kept in the Book of remembrance (Psa. 56:8). The Christian’s works like – honoring the Lord Jesus Christ, being a blessing to the brethren, witnessing and winning the lost to Christ – are all recorded in the Book of Remembrance. Even the believer’s motives and purposes in doing good things are also recorded and verified therein (II Cor. 5:10).

Question – What about the sins of the Christian in the past? What happened to them? Answer – They have been covered and blotted out by the precious blood of Christ (Col.1:14; Rom. 4:8; Isa. 43:25). My dear friend, are you washed by the powerful and amazing blood of Christ?

Question – What about those Christians who after getting saved, backslide and go back to the love of the world and its lust? Answer – a backslidden NT believer can lose his joy, testimony, boldness, health, blessing, reward, and even his physical life but NOT his salvation (I Cor. 3:15). See Lot, a righteous man (II Pet 2:7), who lost everything when God judged Sodom and Gomorrah but still got saved.

NT salvation and eternal life depends on the finished work of Christ not on our own good works (John 5:24; 10:28; II Tim. 4:18; I Pet. 1:5). NT salvation was not acquired by the believer through good works, how then can it be lost by bad works? (cf. Zech. 3:1-4). For a more detailed study, you can request our free recorded MP3 Bible study titled “Eternal Salvation and Assurance.”

3. THE BOOK OF BOOKS – THE BIBLE (Heb. 4:12-13)

Not only is the Bible a critic and judge of men’s hearts, it is also a catalog of ALL sins committed by men. Not one sin is ever omitted! At the Last Judgment, the Holy Bible is also opened and the unsaved make their final defense! As Jesus the Word of God is Judge and so is His word (John 12:48). No one will escape the day of judgment! (II Cor. 6:2).

Conclusion: Yes my friend, God keeps a record of right and wrong, of good and evil deeds. Praise God, the Christian’s sins have been washed by the blood of Christ and his name is written in the Book of Life. Unsaved friend, don’t ever let your name be blotted out from God’s Book. Trust Jesus now!