Part 1

The Book Of Life And The Blotting Out Of Backsliders

by Pastor Joe Schimmel

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When all is said and done, and humanity in its entirety stands before the judge of all the
earth, only
one thing will matter. Everything that the world now esteems highly will pale into utter
insignificance
as every individual who ever lived braces to receive their final sentence and ultimate
destiny; guilty or
not guilty, the Lake of Fire or the Heavenly New Jerusalem. At the future judgement it will
not matter
whether or not one's name was listed in some worldly "Who's Who"; or whether or not one
had
received a Nobel Prize. Nor will it matter that one has had a star on Hollywood's walk of
fame or had
his or her face printed on the cover of the Rolling Stone. Here all humanity will discover the
meaning
of Christ's words, "God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is
detestable in the sight of God" (Lk. 16:15b).

All that will matter is that one's name will be found in the "book of life" and that his or her
name is
confessed by Jesus Christ before the father in heaven and His holy angels (Matt. 10:32-33,
Rev. 3:5).
In a parenthesis between the dissolution of the old creation and the inception of the new
creation
(Rev. 21:1) the final judgement will take place. Standing between time and eternity at the
Great White
Throne Judgement the small and the great will receive their final sentence, "every one of
them
according to their deeds" (Rev. 20:13b). The bottom line though will ultimately be whether
or not
one's name is found in the book of life:

And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and
heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the
small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened,
which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in
the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and
death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every one of
them according to their deeds. And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.
This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in
the book of life he was thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15).

At this, the judgement of all judgements, no "dream-team" of sophisticated lawyers will

plead the
cases of the guilty. No appeals will be made in their defense. It is here that the "righteous
judge" will
"judge righteously." It is here that those sins done in secret "shall be proclaimed upon the
housetops"
(Lk. 12:2-3), and "God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus" (Rom. 2:16b). It
is here
that "every mouth will be closed, and all the world" will "become accountable to God" (Rom.
3:19b).

Those who presently inhabit hell still await an even more grave punishment, wherein they
will face
their creator and receive their final sentence. Those in hell occupy now that which is only a
temporary
holding facility which can be likened to a county jail wherein criminals await their final
sentencing to
the state penitentiary. It is here at the Great White Throne Judgement that all those who
stubbornly
refused to repent of their sins and receive Christ and His sacrifice for their sins will be
eternally
condemned "according to their deeds." Conversely, those who have repented of their sins,
and
continued to place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ share an entirely different destiny,
having had
their names recorded in the book of life. Their eternal abode will be the heavenly city, "New
Jerusalem" (Rev. 21:2):

And the city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has
illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb .... and nothing unclean and no one who practices
abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in
the Lamb's book of life (Rev. 21:23, 27).

In ancient times when Jesus gave the book of Revelation to the church, city registers
contained the
names of its citizens. One's name could be erased from the register for three different
reasons: if one
were to forsake his native kingdom and move to another kingdom, if one died, or if one
committed
capitol offenses. Likewise the Lamb's "book of life" contains the names of those who have
become
partakers of spiritual life and have their citizenship in the heavenly city "New Jerusalem"
(Philippians
3:20-4:3, Heb. 12:22-24, Rev. 21:23-27). As we shall soon see, one's name can be
removed from the
Lamb's book of life for spiritual reasons, which parallel the historical lessons.

The Bigger Question

Evangelicals are in agreement that one's name must be found in the book of life at the
Great White
Throne Judgement if one is to escape the sentence of eternal fire. The greater question for
believers
though, and the question we will seek to answer in this chapter is, "once one has been
saved and his
or her name has been recorded in the book of life, is it possible for his or her name to be
erased,'
blotted out,' or removed' from the heavenly record?"

The overwhelming biblical evidence is that such a possibility does indeed exist, in spite of
the opinions
of many popular theologians. We must seek to be true to God's word no matter the opinions
of men
(1 Thes. 2:13). We are to let God be true and every man a liar (Rom. 3:4).

A God-fearing man will not seek to be politically correct but biblically correct (Gal. 1:10)! To
enhance
our biblical perspective on this subject it will be wise to scrutinize the popular opinions of
men
regarding the book of life in the awesome light of the totality of the scriptural teaching
itself. The one
scripture that bears the most considerable weight on this subject, and has therefore been
hotly
debated, is the Lord Jesus' words to the church of Sardis:

He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name
from the book of life, and I will confess his name before my father, and before his angels
(Rev. 3:5).

The Lord's promise here is clearly conditional. If one is to avoid being "erased" from the
"book of
life," Jesus taught that it is imperative that he or she "overcomes." Scripture teaches that
overcoming
is synonymous with true and living faith (1 John 5:4-5). Furthermore, overcoming faith is
described as
that which perseveres unto death (Rev. 12:11). The context of Jesus' words to the church of
Sardis as
well as a host of other passages prove the fact that all believers do not automatically and
inevitably
overcome. The church of Sardis was filled with many compromisers (Rev. 3:1-3), but only a
few
overcomers (Rev. 3:4). The Lord's beautiful promise not to erase the overcomers' names
from the
book of life to those in Sardis, also served as a severe warning to the compromisers in
Sardis. Jesus
warned the backsliders in Sardis who had at one time "received and heard," that they had
better
"repent" or else he would come upon them "like a thief" and it would be too late:

Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not
found your deeds complete in the sight of My God. Remember therefore what you have
received and heard; and keep it and repent. If therefore you will not wake up, I will come
like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you (Rev. 3:2-3).

Here we see that Jesus does not promise the compromisers in Sardis that He will not erase
their
names, rather He warns them that if they refuse to wake up He will return to them as a
thief. Jesus
often warned His elect apostles to be ready for His return, for He would come back as a
thief to all
who were not prepared to meet Him, and such would be condemned to hell (Matt. 24:42-
51, Lk.
12:35-48, 1 Thes. 5:1-5, Rev. 3:3, 16:15). Jesus, after reproving the compromisers in the
church at
Sardis, encourages the overcomers in the church of Sardis "But you have a few people in
Sardis who
have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with me in white; for they are worthy"
(Rev. 3:4).
The compromisers however must "wake up" or Jesus will return unexpectedly like a thief
(Rev.
3:2-3).

When one surveys the scripture in an effort to understand what Jesus means when He
speaks of
returning, "as a thief," one quickly finds out that it means sudden destruction and
damnation (see
scriptures cited above). Overcomers must remain loyal, "stay awake," and "keep" their
"garments,"
lest Christ return to them as a thief: "Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one
who stays
awake and keeps his garments, lest he walk about naked and men see his shame" (Rev.
16:15). Many
in the church of Sardis had backslidden and rather than "staying awake" were dozing off
into spiritual
death; rather than keeping their garments, they were soiling them in the filth of the world
(Rev. 3:1-3).
One cannot "stay awake" unless he has first been made awake! One cannot begin to "keep"
his
garments unless he has first been given garments to keep! This proves that these warnings
are to
genuine believers who were in danger of spiritual death and not to mere professors as some
would
vainly imagine.

It is on the heels of these warnings that Jesus promises that he will not erase the names of
the
overcomers from the book of life (Rev. 3:5). The obvious condition to remaining in the book
of life
according to the Lord Jesus Christ then is overcoming faith. Obviously those in Sardis who
had soiled
their garments and were "about to die," could not consider themselves overcomers who
would not be
erased from the book of life. On the contrary, Jesus' intent was that they would recognize
their near
death condition in His church and their tenuous status in the book of life and repent! Alan
Johnson, in
The Expositor's Bible Commentary correctly assesses the nature of this promise/warning:
"A person enrolled in the book of life by faith remains in it by faithfulness and can be
erased only by disloyalty. There is some evidence that someone's name could be removed
from the city register before death if he were convicted of a crime. In the first century,
Christians who were loyal to Christ were under constant threat of being branded political
and social rebels and then stripped of their citizenship. But Christ offers them an eternal,
safe citizenship in His everlasting Kingdom if they only remain loyal to Him" (Alan
Johnson, The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand
Rapids, Michigan, 1981, pp. 449-450).

Nineteenth century scholar, John Peter Lange, in his once popular commentary on the book
of
Revelation maintained:

"His name was entered in the book of life simultaneously with his calling and conversion.
Such names may, however, be wiped out -- a destiny awaiting many in Sardis. But the
names of the conquerors shall never be wiped out" (John Peter Lange, The Revelation of
John, Scribner, Armstrong & Co., 1874, p. 127).

The prolific and outstanding scholar, I. Howard Marshall, concurs with the views expressed
by the
biblical scholars quoted above. Marshall states in reference to the warnings in the book of
Revelation:

"The possibility of failure to endure is mentioned. Christians who fail to endure will come
under judgement (Revelation 2:22f), and their names will be blotted out of the book of life
(Rev. 3:5; 22:19). There is no reason to suppose that these warnings are purely
hypothetical, directed against non-existent dangers; the reverse is the case (Revelation
2:22f). Moreover, the reference to the book of life indicates that John is addressing
believers" (I. Howard Marshall, Kept By The Power of God, Bethany Fellowship, Inc.,
1969, p. 175.)

Revelation 3:5 -- A Hot Potato

One can easily see why Calvinists in the interest of holding to the doctrine of the inevitable
perseverance of the saints or the "once saved, always saved" belief have had to toss
Revelation 3:5
around like a hot potato for four hundred years. This scripture along with well over a
hundred others
clearly contradicts their rigid system of the unquestionable perseverance of the saints! In
Revelation
3:5, Jesus states clearly that the eternal security of the believer is not unconditional but
conditional --
that condition being overcoming faith!

Nevertheless, those of the Calvinistic persuasion rather than altering their theology that it
might be true
to all the scripture have sought to twist Revelation 3:5 into their own theological construct.
John
Walvoord, admits that: "This verse has troubled expositors ..." (John Walvoord, The
Revelation of
Jesus Christ, Moody Press, p. 82, 1966). What Walvoord means though, is that this verse
has
troubled those expositors that hold to the non-biblical teaching of once saved always saved.

Those who deny the teaching, however, have no such problem with Rev. 3:5, but believe it
as it
stands with all of its contextual implications. One can only begin to imagine all of the
ingenious ways
Rev. 3:5 has been twisted and softened through the years to divest it of the force Christ
intended it to
have in the vain hope of harmonizing it with the doctrine of unconditional security.

Alexander Maclaren, the outstanding Baptist scholar of the nineteenth century known as the
"Prince
of expositors," gave a warning along these lines which warrants repeating:

" I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.' That is a solemn and tremendous
claim, that Christ's finger can write, and Christ's finger can erase, a name from the register
.... But what I especially note here is, not so much this reiteration of the fundamental and
all embracing promise which has met us in the preceding letters, the promise of a secure,
eternal life, as that plain and solemn implication that a name may be struck out of that
book."

Theological exigencies compelled our fathers to deny that, but surely the words of our text
are too plain to be neglected or misunderstood. It is possible that a name, like the name of
a dishonest attorney, shall be struck off the rolls. Do not let any desire for theological
symmetry blind you, brother to that fact. Take it into account into your daily lives. It is
possible for a man to "cast away his confidence" [Heb. 10:35]. It is possible for him to
make shipwreck of the faith [1 Tim. 1:19].

Some of you will remember that pathetic story of Cromwell's deathbed, when he asked
one of his ghostly counselors whether it was true that "once in the covenant, always in the
covenant?" He got the answer, yes'; and then he said, I know I once was,' and so died.
Brethren, it is the victors whose names are kept upon the roll. These people at Sardis had a
name to live, and they thought their names were in the book of life. And when it was
opened, "lo! A blot" (Alexander Maclaren, Expositions of The Holy Scripture, Baker
House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Vol. 17, pp. 255-256).

What a shock it will be for perhaps millions of professing Christians at the Great White
Throne
Judgement who were taught that they need not be overly concerned about Jesus' words in
regard to
overcoming as they could never really be blotted out of the book of life. What a shock it will
be for
multitudes, that have been lulled into a false sense of security believing that no matter how
much they
soiled their spiritual garments their names would remain in the book of life. What a shock it
will be as
the fatal illusion to which they had succumbed is shattered as they hear Christ's words echo
throughout the judgement hall, "Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which
has been
prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41b).
It is to the "theological exigencies" that Maclaren warned his congregation about that we
now turn.
How is it that Calvinists and other "once saved always saved" proponents explain away the
severity of
the text? To be sure there are two basic ways in which Rev. 3:5 is interpreted in attempts to
make it
harmonize with unconditional eternal security. These two views are contradictory yet
deemed
plausible explanations of Jesus' words by those who adhere to either the one or the other of
them. As
we examine these views along with several other variations of the first two major views we
will find
them to be fraught with problems and utterly indefensible in light of the "whole counsel of
God."

A Mutiplicity of Explanations

In an attempt to extricate Rev. 3:5 from its application to believers, a multiplicity of views
have
emerged. The reason so many misinterpretations have been brought to the fore is the fact
that many
interpreters refuse to accept Christ's words at face value. Secondly, explanations are riddled
with
problems and this has forced die-hard defendants of unconditional security to produce a
plethora of
views. We will expound upon and examine the following interpretations in the pages that
follow:

The first explanation affirms that only the redeemed are recorded in the book of life but
simply denies
categorically that anyone's name could ever be blotted out of it.

The second view recognizes that the scripture does indeed teach that names can be blotted
out of the
book of life, thus admitting the weakness of the first view and opts for a very different
explanation.
This view teaches that everyone who ever lived is recorded in the book of life and that those
who are
blotted out are those who refused to receive the gift of salvation and were never saved.

A third view claims that unbeliever's names were written in the book of life in eternity past
and were
then blotted out prior to the creation of the world while believer's names will remain in the
book
unconditionally.

A fourth view is similar to the second with an even more ingenious twist. This view posits
that the
"book of life" and the "Lamb's book of life" are two different books. One book (the book of
life)
contains all of mankind's names in it. The other book (the Lamb's book of life) contains the
names of
the redeemed alone. This view goes on to state that while unbelievers can be blotted out of
the book
of life those who at any point in history were redeemed could never be blotted out of the
Lamb's
book of life.

The fifth view is similar to the fourth yet with an even more far-reaching and biblically
unwarranted
stretch of the imagination. This view states "the book of life" mentioned in Rev. 3:5 contains
the
names of "professing" believers, while the "book of life" mentioned in Rev. 13:8 contains
the names
of genuine believers. It further states that while professing believers' names will be blotted
out of the
book of life, no one's name will ever be blotted out of the book of life in Rev. 13:8.

While some of the aforementioned teachings are intriguing, when held up to the light of
God's word
they are categorically proven to be false. So hot a potato has this scripture been that some
teachers
have maintained contradictory explanations on even the same pages of their commentaries.

For example, popular radio teacher J. Vernon McGee first correctly states that the book of
life
exclusively contains the names of believers, "I believe you get in that book by faith in
Christ" (J.
Vernon McGee, Revelation, Vol. 1, Thru The Bible Books, p. 97). Yet when facing the
problem of
believers' names being blotted out, McGee retreats to the second view, contradicting his
affirmation of
the first! McGee quotes a bible scholar's statement that the book of life actually contains the
names of
"all humanity" whose names are "blotted out if they fail to receive Jesus Christ as Savior."
McGee
then declares, "I think that that is a good, sound interpretation" (Ibid., p. 97).

The problem is that McGee can't have his cake and eat it too. Either you "believe you get in
that book
by faith in Christ," or "all humanity" is recorded in it, for all do not have faith! Both ideas
are mutually
exclusive and cannot be equally true. This goes to show the difficulties faced by those who
espouse
the teaching of "once saved, always saved" and at the same time seek to harmonize their
theology
with the Word of God which states otherwise.

Let us consider the first and most common explanation, which is the view that the "book of
life"
contains only the names of believers and that God would never erase a name from the
heavenly
register. If this view were proven to be false, the consequences of such false teaching would
inevitably
contribute to the damnation of souls. Furthermore, if this view is shown to be false, it
should be
vigorously repudiated, by all those who love truth and care about the eternal destiny of
human souls.
Representative of this view would be popular radio preacher John MacArthur. MacArthur,
while
ignoring the context of the passage and the import of the condition of the verse (i.e. "He
who
overcomes"), states erroneously in his book The Church in Prophetic Perspective, that:

"Christ says, Some petty king might blot your name out of their books, but I will never
blot your name out of My book.' He is not saying that you can lose your salvation; He is
saying the opposite" (John MacArthur, The Church In Prophetic Perspective, Word of
Grace Communications, 1985, p. 91).

Many of those who have been indoctrinated by various teachers into the "once saved,
always saved"
teaching, when reading the scripture on their own find that the scripture teaches that the
security of
the believer is conditional upon faith. John MacArthur, in the same vein as in the quote
above, seeks
to explain the significance of Rev. 3:5 by making the bold and unbiblical claim that God
never blots
names out of the book of life:

"I need to explain this because people ask this all the time. He says I will not erase his
name from the book of life,' people say to me Does this mean that God might erase my
name from the book of life?' I can't believe people ask that question, because the verse
says, I will not erase his name from the book of life.' What would make someone think
that he might when he just said he won't? How can you turn a promise into a threat? This
doesn't imply that God puts names in and takes them out at random" (John MacArthur,
Sardis: The Dead Church, Revelation 3:1-6, 1992, Tape GC 66-1).

First of all, this author after extensive study on this subject is not aware of anyone who
teaches or
believes that God takes names "out at random," as MacArthur alleges. He has resorted to
using a
straw man argument.

Secondly, please notice that MacArthur, when denying that Rev. 3:5, implies that names
can be
blotted out of the book of life, thrice, in the two quotes above, states only part of the
promise, "I will
not erase his name from the book of life." MacArthur three times leaves out the operative
condition
upon which the promise hinges, "He who overcomes." By deleting the conditional aspect of
the verse,
he removes the clear implication that one must, according to Jesus, be an overcomer to
avoid being
blotted out of the book of life. When MacArthur tells his audience that this is what "the
verse says,"
but omits those three important and decisive words "he who overcomes," he isn't telling
them what
the verse really says, but what he really wants the verse to say.

MacArthur acknowledges that the message to Sardis was given not only to encourage the
faithful
Christians, but to warn those who MacArthur refers to as "sleepy, indifferent Christians." He
goes on
to state, though, that these so-called "sleepy indifferent" Christians would never be blotted
out of the
book of life (Ibid.). But as we have seen, Jesus' promise of not being blotted out of the book
of life is
to the overcomer, not the compromiser!

Part 2

The Book Of Life And The Blotting Out Of Backsliders (continued)

by Pastor Joe Schimmel

Furthermore, while Jesus promises those who overcome, that He will not blot out their
names, He
also warns the believers who have become sleepy in Sardis. He severely warns them that if
they
refuse to wake up and repent, He will come upon them as a thief at a time when they
were not
expecting His return (Rev. 3:2-3). We have already seen at the beginning of this chapter
that the
reference to Christ coming upon someone as a thief speaks of judgement and damnation,
not security
and salvation. And what are the consequences if one falls away into a backslidden state and
does not
overcome? Notice that in the following quotation MacArthur teaches that if one fails to
overcome,
God may take his physical life from him due to his sin, but under no circumstances will he
ever
erase those names:

No, God put the names in before the foundation of the world and He put them in there
because he was going to bring about eternal salvation and under no circumstances will he
ever erase those names. Your salvation was sealed before the world began. God may take
your life for sin, but he will never take your salvation (Ibid.).

This small quotation is based on false assumptions. First, the scripture nowhere states that
your
salvation was sealed before the world began. Rather, the scripture states that, In Him,
you also,
after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation -- having also believed,
you were
sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:13).
Thirdly, and most seriously, MacArthur teaches contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ that
under
no circumstances will he ever erase those names ... God may take your life for sin but he
will never
take your salvation (Ibid.). This is a license to sin, and as we shall see, a spiritually fatal
illusion. For
the scriptures, contrary to MacArthur, could not be clearer in stating that God does indeed
erase
names from the book of life!

Even more seriously, MacArthur not only omits the conditional aspect for not being blotted
out of the
book of life, but he also adds to the book of Revelation by putting words into Christs mouth
that he
never said! MacArthur claims that Jesus was saying, ... There is nothing that could ever
make me
take your name out of my book ... Ill never erase you out of my book. Thats security
(Ibid.). No,
thats license! A license Christ never gave! Christ never made any such unconditional
promise that
opens the door to presumption upon grace, flagrant rebellion and apostasy. Jesus promised
security to
the sheep that hear and follow Him (John 10:27-29). Jesus warned His eleven elect
apostles
that they needed to abide in Him, otherwise they like so many withered branches would
be cast
into the fire and burned (John 15:1-6)!

Contrary to MacArthurs teaching above, Jesus did not say you can get away with anything
and Ill
never erase you out of my book. Christ taught that the one who overcomes ... I will not
erase his
name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His
angels
(Rev. 3:5). How surprised many will be at the Great White Throne Judgement to find that
contrary to
MacArthurs words, Jesus words will prevail. How shocked so many will be when they learn
too late
the truth about the consequences of their rebellion. How shocked they will be when they
learn that,
contrary to the popular licentious lie that nothing they could possibly do, and under no
circumstances could they forfeit their place in the book of life, they discover to their own
eternal loss
and dismay, that they have been totally deceived, and stricken from the book! What
weeping and
gnashing of the teeth will abound when such learn the horrible news that they were totally
deceived
when they bought into the lie that they at worst would simply lose their physical lives as all
do, and
find out that they have lost their very souls!
Edward Dennett, much like John MacArthur, informs us that, In Gods book of life ... there
will be
no erasures; ... (Edward Dennett, The Vision of John in Patmos, Wilson Foundation, p. 76).
Popular radio and television teacher Charles Stanley also teaches that The good news is,
Gods
pencil has no eraser (Charles Stanley, Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure?, Oliver Nelson,
1990, p.
182). This is good news for those who would seek to twist Gods wonderful grace into a
license (Jude
4, Gal. 5:13), but this is hardly the good news of the gospel! Stanley believes It doesnt
make any
difference how wicked and how vile you act (Eternal Security You Can be Sure, Part 2,
Tape #4,
RH190).

Stanley promises that one may sin like the devil ... [and] you wont lose your salvation, ...
(Ibid.)
Stanley states that, no one needs to live with the fear that his or her name will be erased
from the
book of life sometime in the future. But if that is the case Revelation 3:5 is no longer a
problem
(Ibid.). However, if Stanleys view can be proven to be false, all of those who have been
deceived by
his teaching into believing that they can sin like the Devil, and live, wicked and vile
lives, and
remain in the book of life are in for a horrible surprise. And Rev. 3:5 becomes a problem
with eternal
consequences. Contrary to Stanleys position, Rev. 3:5 remains a massive problem for him,
MacArthur and all those who would adopt their view.

Let us remember that the Lords promise is not static but conditional! It is the one who
overcomes
who can rest assured that his name will not be erased from the book of life. Stanley even
goes so far
as to teach that if one becomes an antichrist and turns against Christ as a false messiah he
will remain
saved and have nothing to fear (op. cit. Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure, pp. 168-169).

To teach that such apostates will remain saved and never be erased from the book of life is
contrary
to the biblical definition of an overcomer (Rev. 12:11).

Is it as MacArthur claims that no amount of sin and under no circumstances will God erase
names
from the book of life? Is it true that one can become a murderer, a rapist, and a bank
robber and
remain confident that his name is still in the book of life and that at worst, God will only
take him
early to heaven? Is it true as Stanley states, that one is free to deny Christ and live like the
devil and
still enjoy eternal security? At this juncture we must examine the validity of such
statements such as
Gods pencil has no eraser. Is it true that God never erases names from the book of life?

Does God Have An Eraser?

The fatal flaw of the first and most popular argument is not only the fact that it has no
biblical
support, but that it is clearly contradicted by scripture. As we shall see, the thrice holy God
most
certainly does erase names from the book of life! In Exodus Ch. 32 we see that after Moses
had
ascended the Mount to receive the ten commandments he returned to find the children of
Israel in a
grave state of apostasy as they danced and worshiped the golden calf so soon after the Lord
had
delivered them from Egypt. This was a great sin (Ex. 32:30-31) and for starters three
thousand
people were immediately put to death (Ex. 32:28). Subsequent to three thousand people
being wiped
out Moses began to make intercession for the people, praying:

"Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for
themselves. But now, if thou wilt forgive their sinand if not, please blot me out from thy
book which thou hast written! (Ex. 32:31a-32).

First of all let it be noted that Moses was very un-Calvinistic in his theology. He evidently did
believe
that names could and would be blotted out of the book of life and offered the blotting of his
name on
behalf of his people. Now notice that the Lord does not tell Moses that his theology is
messed up and
that Moses should know that His pencil has no eraser. On the contrary, The Lord
emphatically
states just the opposite:

"AND THE LORD SAID TO MOSES, WHOEVER HAS SINNED AGAINST ME, I
WILL BLOT HIM OUT OF MY BOOK but go now, lead the people where I told you.
Behold, my angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish
them for their sin (Ex. 32:33,34).

To hold to the idea that Gods pencil has no eraser in the face of Gods very own
declarations
affirming the opposite is deadly wishful thinking at best, and to teach such a doctrine to
others is
unconscionable. So serious was their idolatry that God promised to blot their names from
His book. In
the N.T., Christians are warned to not be deceived about the fact that idolaters would not
inherit the
kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Rather the scriptures state clearly that idolaters will go to
the lake of
fire (Rev. 21:8). No wonder the beloved apostle John closes his first epistle warning
believers, Little
children, guard yourselves from idols" (1 Jn. 5:21). Let us guard ourselves from the idols of
this age.
Let us keep in mind that such O.T. judgements were recorded in the scripture as
examples to warn
us as new covenant believers of the judgement we will face if we turn away from the living
God to
idols (1 Cor. 10:1-13).

In spite of the clear words of Moses and of Yahweh Himself Stanley seeks to put a spin on
these
verses and concludes, Nowhere is it even hinted that those men and women were sent to
hell
(Charles Stanley, Eternal Security, p. 190). Woe unto those who would diminish the
warnings of God
to preserve a favorite doctrine, It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God
.... for
our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 10:31, 12:29). While there are absolutely no scriptures
that state
that God does not ever erase or blot names from the book of life there are those that state
unequivocally that he does. David, while seeking the Lord concerning certain apostates in
Israel,
prays:

"Do thou add iniquity to their iniquity, and may they not come into thy righteousness. May
they be blotted out of the book of life, and may they not be recorded with the righteous"
(Ps. 69:27-28).

What could be clearer than the fact that David here prays that certain names will be blotted
out of the
book of life which contains the name of the righteous. When are we going to stop
pretending that
certain verses are not in the bible? Or when are we going to stop trying to explain them
away in view
of preserving certain pet doctrines? Stanley submits that one possible explanation of this
prayer of
Davids is that David was simply mistaken in his request; maybe he didnt know God was
not in the
habit of blotting peoples names out of His book (Ibid.). This view is easily refuted when we
simply
admit that as we have already seen God does blot names from His book (Ex. 32:32-33).
This view
also casts confusion on the inspiration of the scripture as Stanley himself admits and
therefore rightly
rejects it. Charles Stanley, while admitting the inspiration of Davids words here,
reinterprets their
clear meaning:

David is not asking God to send his enemies to hell. He simply wants their lives shortened
.... it would be rather disconcerting to think that a man after Gods own heart would pray
for the removal of someones name from the lambs book of life. If you think about it, that
doesnt really make sense (Ibid., pp. 189-190).
Let's Think About It

Stanleys reinterpretation of this verse suffers from at least two fallacies. First of all we are
told that
the destiny of all those whose names are not written in the book of life at the Great White
Throne
Judgement will not simply have their lives shortened, but be thrown into the lake of fire
(Rev.
20:15)! While David does not pray send them to hell, he does clearly pray May they be
blotted out
of the book of life, and may they not be recorded with the righteous (Ps. 69:28), eternal
Hell then
being the lot of all such who are not recorded in the book of life of the righteous.

The second fatal flaw to Stanleys reasoning is the fact that one of the applications of
Davids prayer
concerning the destiny of apostates was directly fulfilled in the apostle Judas Iscariot who
betrayed the
Lord Jesus Christ. Few would be so bold to venture into saying that Judas did not go to Hell!
Judas is
called the son of perdition. Furthermore, Jesus stated that it would have been better if he
was never
born. Peter speaks of the apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own
place (Acts
1:25). Jesus in His high priestly prayer for His disciples mentions that at that point in his
ministry only
one who was given to him, ended up lost. That of course was Judas Iscariot who sadly,
became Judas
the apostate:

"Even as thou gavest him authority over all mankind, that to all whom thou hast given him,
he may give eternal life ... while I was with them I was keeping them in thy name which
thou hast given me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of
perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled (John 17:2,12).

What scripture was to be fulfilled concerning Judas? Many people would of course point to
Zechariah,
and the 30 pieces of silver (Matt. 27:3-10). We could also look to the typological fulfillment
of
Ahithophel, Davids trusted friend, who like Judas ate bread with him and later lifted up his
heal
against him and who like Judas also, committed suicide (John 13:18-19). But the scripture
which
shines light on the subject at hand is Acts 1:16, 20. Herein we are told, Brethren, the
scripture had to
be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who
became a
guide to those who arrested Jesus ... For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let His
homestead be
made desolate, And let no man dwell in it; and, His office let another man take (Acts
1:16, 20).
Peter quoted two of Davids Psalms, which found fulfillment in Judas. The significance is that
the
first one was from Davids prayer in Psalm 69 (specifically quoting v. 25), where David
prays for
apostates to be blotted out from the book of the righteous. Here we must note that Peter
points out
that this prayer in which David prayed that names would be blotted out of the book of life,
was
inspired by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:16), and that this prayer was in reference to Judas. Thus
not only
is the Psalm proven to be inspired by God but, contrary to Stanleys interpretation, being
blotted out
of the book of life of the righteous also entailed going to hell, as this was the lot of
Judas, the son
of perdition.

Another note of warning is the fact that Davids prayer included more than Judas as he
prayed that
they [plural] may be blotted out of the book of life, not that he would be blotted out.
Therefore
this Psalm will find its sad fulfillment in more than one apostate who fails to overcome in
the faith
(Rev. 3:5).

So we have seen that God most certainly does have an eraser. Evidence for this fact is
found in both
the Old (Ex. 32:32-33, Psalms 69:28) and the New Testament (Rev. 3:5). Stanley in his
book on
eternal security relies heavily on the teachings of Zane Hodges. Stanley appeals to Hodges
belief that
Rev. 3:5, 2:11 and Hebrews 6:10 are merely figures of speech, called litotes. Stanley
explains, A
LITOTES IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT IN WHICH AN AFFIRMATIVE IS EXPRESSED BY
THE NEGATIVE OF THE CONTRARY (Ibid., p. 183, footnote).

To reduce such a severe warning from the mouth of Christ to a mere figure of speech is not
only
unwise but fails to do justice to the text. One wonders how the beautiful promise to the
overcomer
of not being blotted out of the book of life could even be considered a promise at all if being
blotted
out was an impossibility. To begin with, the promise is conditional and applies to the
overcomer as
stated by Christ Himself. Furthermore, the figure of speech, explanation not only reduces
Christs
words to nonsense, but cant even begin to do justice to Ex. 32:33 and Psalms 69:28. So
we have
seen from the testimony of Gods Word, and from the direct teaching of Jesus Christ to the
churches
that God will not be mocked and does indeed blot out the names of backsliders from the
book of life.
To deny this truth is to deny the scripture!
Many who hold to the once saved, always saved doctrine have conceded the fact that the
scriptures
do indeed clearly teach that ones name may be blotted out of the book of life. This being
the case,
they recognize the doom this truth spells to their doctrine and therefore rather than
relinquishing their
doctrine they often seek to reinterpret the meaning of being blotted out of the book of life.
To those
novel views we now turn.

Are All Names Recorded In the Book of Life?

John Walvoord along with many other contemporary scholars admits that Revelation 3:5
clearly
teaches that it is possible for ones name to be blotted out of the book of life. Walvoord
states:

"Some have indicated that there is no explicit statement here that anybody will have his
name blotted out, but rather the promise that his name will not be blotted out because of
his faith in Christ. The implication, however, is that such is a possibility (op. cit.
Walvoord, p. 82).

Walvoord recognizes the dilemma this truth poses for those who would hold to the doctrine
of the
inevitable perseverance of the saints and therefore posits an alternative way out to preserve
the
teaching of once saved, always saved. Walvoord states:

On the basis of this (the fact that Rev. 3:5 teaches names can be blotted out) some have
considered the book of life not as the roll of those who are saved but rather a list of those
for whom Christ died, that is, all humanity who have possessed physical life. As they come
to maturity and are faced with the responsibility of accepting or rejecting Christ, their
names are blotted out if they fail to receive Jesus Christ as savior; whereas those who do
accept Christ as savior are confirmed in their position in the book of life, and their names
are confessed before the Father and the heavenly angels (Ibid.).

While this novel view, if it were true, would seem to account for the warnings concerning
being
blotted out of the book of life, the truth of the matter is that this view is fraught with the
same
insurmountable problems as the first view we examined. In short, it is totally unbiblical and
therefore
false as we shall see. Like the view that God does not blot out names, this view also lacks
any
scriptural support. Just as there is no scripture declaring that God does not erase names,
there are
absolutely no scriptures affirming that everybodys name is written in the book of life.
Furthermore,
just as the scriptures clearly state that one can be erased from the book of life, likewise we
shall see
that the scriptures state clearly that not everybodys names have been recorded in the book
of life.
Before we examine this interpretation from scripture, it should be noted that this view has
become
very popular. Representative of this view is Robert L. Thomas. Thomas like Walvoord admits
that
the scripture does indeed teach that the names of the unfaithful will be blotted out and
therefore is
also forced into the second position to preserve the once saved, always saved doctrine.
Thomas
first admits the weakness of the first view then opts for the second:

It [the first view] fails to deal with one important factor: the promise to the overcomer is an
empty one unless the possibility exists that such blotting out could occur. What incentive is
furnished by being promised deliverance from something that could not happen .... the
not blotting referred to in this verse must be more than a figure of speech .... so the
possibility of having ones name erased from the book is real and needs to be accounted for
in connection with the promise in Rev. 3:5 (Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 1-7: An
Exegetical Commentary, Moody Press, pp. 261-263).

How does Thomas account for the warnings in Rev. 3:5 and elsewhere and still maintain his
belief in
unconditional security? Like Walvoord he believes that at the beginning the names of all
men were in
the book of life (Ibid., p. 263), further stating:

"If a person experiences physical death, never having trusted Christ for forgiveness, his
name is erased from the book of life. It is only those who receive Christ by faith that have
their place in the book confirmed (Ibid.).

Henry M. Morris, President of Institute of Creation Research, is also representative of this

view.
Morris, who has done much good in the battle against the satanic lie of evolution, stumbles
greatly, I
believe, at this point. Morris states regarding Rev. 3:5, that This is a controversial passage,
but a
possible harmonization can be made by noting the special circumstances of infants who die
before the
age of accountability. Morris then states the view that everyones name is initially entered
into the
book of life and only finally blotted out if he or she never receives Christ as savior:

"The book of life, as its very name implies, probably contains the names of all those for
whom Christ diedin other words, all who have ever been conceived in the womb, and
thus have received Gods created spirit of life . . . . when a child does become a conscious
sinner, however, he thenceforth is lost and needs to be saved; he needs to be born again.
His name is still inscribed in the book of life, because he is still living and may, before he
dies, trust Christ to save him and give him everlasting life. If he continues in his sin and his
unrepentant, unforgiven state until death, however, then his name will finally and
irrevocably be blotted out of the book of life, and he will experience a second death
(Revelation 20:14) as well as physical death (Henry M. Morris, The Revelation Record,
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1983, p. 69).
Notice that Morris somewhat elaborate explanation is based on the presupposition that,
the book of
life, . . . probably contains the names of all those for whom Christ died. Notice that the
presupposition is based upon sheer speculation as Morris says probably. The reason Morris
has to
say probably is that there is not one iota of scriptural evidence that states that all names
are initially
recorded in the book of life. Other commentators are not so careful as to even use the word
probably and write as though it were a settled fact, yet offer no biblical evidence. For
example,
popular author and bible teacher Tim LaHaye declares matter of factly, The book of life is
that book
which contains the names of all living individuals and concludes concerning those who
never receive
salvation, God has his name out of the book of life when he dies (Tim LaHaye, Revelation,
Zondervan Publishing House, 1975, p. 53). Hal Lindsey in his book Theres a New World
Coming,
likewise states this position as though it were a biblical fact:

"This book contains the names of all the individuals ever born. If a person does not receive
Jesus Christ as savior by the time he dies, his name is blotted out of the book of life .... in
this book are written the names of every person who ever lived on the face of the earth.
When a person rejects Jesus Christ as savior, and God knows that he will never change his
mind, that mans name is blotted out of the book of life (Hal Lindsey, Theres a New
World Coming, Harvest House Publishers, 1984, pp. 48, 179).

Please note that Lindsey does not give any scripture to support his dogmatic conclusion. All
such
interpretations are designed, of course, to empty such warnings of their force when applied
to
believers. We shall now see that Gods holy truth proves these novel and ingenious
interpretations to
be patently false! Both the Old and the New Testament bear considerable light on this
subject. Both
Testaments teach that the book of life is the book of the redeemed, containing the names of
the
righteous, as opposed to the names of the wicked. In Isaiah we see that those who are
recorded for
life are the holy:

"And it will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem we will be
called holy -- everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem (Isa. 4:3).

In the book of Daniel we see a distinction made between those who are delivered at the end
of the
tribulation and those who are not. The focal point of this distinction is based upon whether
or not
ones name is to be found written in the book of life, for everyone who is found written in
the book,
will be rescued (Daniel 12:1b). In the book of Malachi we see that it is only those who fear
the
Lord and who esteem His name who are recorded. The expressed purpose of the book is to
make a
distinction between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him:

"Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention
and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for those who fear the
LORD and who esteem his name. And they will be mine, says the Lord of Host, on the
day that I prepare my own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son
who serves him. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked,
between the one who serves God and one who does not serve him (Mal. 3:16-18).

It is so important to note again that the whole purpose of the book was to distinguish
between the
righteous and the wicked. So we see that the book of life does not contain the names of all
humanity
but the names of the righteous. This is further substantiated by the fact that David, under
the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as we have seen, prayed concerning the apostates:

"May they be blotted out of the book of life, and may they not be recorded with the
righteous (Ps. 69:28).

Not only does this verse, along with Exodus 32:33, make it quite clear that names can be
blotted out
of the book of life, as we have seen, but it also proves that the book of life contains the
names of
the righteous. Davids prayer is that those who utterly apostatize from righteousness on
earth would
no longer be registered with the righteous in heaven. Who could deny the fact that the bible
teaches
that the book of life contains the names of the righteous? When we turn to the New
Testament even
stronger evidence of this truth is presented. So strong is the evidence that it becomes
irrefutable!

Part 3

The Book Of Life And The Blotting Out Of Backsliders (continued)

by Pastor Joe Schimmel

The New Testament Evidence

In Lk. Ch. 10 we see that the ministry of the gospel was not limited to the twelve apostles
alone, but
that Jesus commissioned seventy to evangelize for the harvest is plentiful, but the
laborers are
few (Lk. 10:1-2). Upon their return, the seventy evangelists rejoiced that even the
demons were
subject to us in your name (Lk. 10:17b). Jesus concurred with the fact that they had
indeed
exercised his authority over the demonic realm, stating: I was watching Satan fall from
heaven like
lightning. Behold I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over
all the
power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you (Lk. 10:18b-19). Jesus, though, could
not concur
with the fact that this truth had become their source of joy over and above their very
salvation, and
declared:

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your
names are recorded in heaven (Lk. 10:20).

In contrast to Satan who had been expelled from heaven they should rejoice that their
names are
recorded in the heavenly register. Rather than rejoicing in Satans downfall they are to
rejoice in their
heavenly destination. Jesus Himself goes on to rejoice greatly in that the Father had
revealed
Himself to babes and goes on to tell them that they are blessed (Lk. 10:21-24). In
contradistinction to these truths Jesus never tells non-believers that they should rejoice,
for their
names are written in heaven, but on the contrary he warns them that they are from
below (Jn.
8:23) and that they are of their father the devil (Jn. 8:44), and in need to repentance or
they will
perish (Lk. 13:3, 5).

The apostle Paul writes to the Philippians of the joy he has for them, in view of your
participation
in the gospel from the first day until now (Phil. 1:4-5). The apostle Paul likewise exhorts
his brethren
in Philippi to Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Phil. 4:4). Why does
Paul
encourage the believers in Philippi to rejoice? For the same reason Jesus encouraged the
seventy to
rejoice, due to the wonderful truth that their names are in the book of life (Phil.4:3b). In
contrast to
the enemies of the cross of Christ who brought Paul to the point of weeping, and whose
end is
destruction, ... who set their minds on earthly things (Phil. 3:18-19), Paul can rejoice and
exhort his
fellow workers to rejoice for their citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly
wait for a
savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20b). Even as Jesus encouraged the seventy to rejoice
because
their names were written in heaven, so the beloved apostle Paul can exult over the rest of
my fellow
workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say,
rejoice!
(Phil. 4:3b-4).
If everybodys name was recorded in the book of life as some would have us believe, then
the
Christians in Philippi would have no special reason to rejoice for even the enemies of the
cross of
Christ would have had their names recorded in the book of life and yet their end is
destruction. This
though was not Pauls point. Pauls point was that they had been saved by the glorious
gospel of
Jesus Christ, their citizenship is in heaven, and their names are in the book of life. Such
was great
cause for rejoicing, for rather than sharing their deserved end destruction like the enemies
of the
cross, they eagerly wait for a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Such is powerful evidence that
the book
of life is a book of the redeemed and does not contain the names of the wicked.

In one of the most beautiful passages in all of scripture we read of the church of the first-
born who
are enrolled in heaven:

"But you have come to mount Zion the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and the church of the first-born who are
enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made
perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which
speaks better than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Here according to the book of Hebrews the church, literally the called out ones (Gk.
ekklesia),
are enrolled in heaven. This is stated as special privilege bestowed by the grace of God, for
the church
exists because of ... Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood,
which speaks
better than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:24). Here again we see the correlation between
ancient
cities who registered their citizens and the names of those belonging to the church having
their names
enrolled in the heavenly kingdom. Here we see the scriptural teaching that those who have
their
citizenship in heaven and belong to the heavenly city, New Jerusalem, have their names
written within
the register of that city (Rev. 21: 23-27, Phil. 3:20-4:3). One can at this point in our study
see that the
N.T. does indeed state clearly that it is the names of the saints which have been recorded in
heaven
and or the book of life in contrast to the names of the lost. Rev. 21:27 tells us that only the
redeemed
who are recorded in the Lambs book of life in contrast to the wicked will enter into the
heavenly city.

And nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come
into, but only those whose names are written in the Lambs book of life (Rev. 21:27).
We note further that since it is only the redeemed according to Heb. 12:22-24 who are
enrolled in
heaven, the warning in Rev. 22:18,19 becomes very significant and especially pertinent.

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to
them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes
away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the
tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book (Rev. 22:18,19).

Note that this warning was written to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of
this book.
The book of Revelation was specifically addressed to Christians who were released from
their sins by
Christs blood (Rev. 1:4,5; 22:16) and states that he or she who subtracts from this book
God shall
take away his part fromthe tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book
(Rev.
22:19b). Thus believers who have their names written in the holy city (Heb. 12:22-24)
should beware.
Furthermore, those who would subtract from warnings like Rev. 3:5 and so teach others
should be
severely warned as well.

Irrefutable Truth

Hal Lindsey, as we have seen, teaches that all of humanitys names were originally recorded
in the
book of life. Lindsey must maintain this to be true because he recognizes that names have
been
blotted out of the book of life and he still seeks to hold to the teaching of once saved,
always saved.
He claims that those who worship the Antichrist will be those who never believed and
subsequently
had their names blotted out of the book of life. Lindsey declares: Those whose names are
no longer
in Gods book will be the ones who will worship Antichrist (Lindsey op. cit., p. 179).
Walvoord
concurs, stating of those who worship the Antichrist, their names were written in the book
of life
(Walvoord, op. cit., p. 203). Now how do Lindseys and Walvoords views, that those who
worship
the Antichrist, will be those unbelievers whose names were originally recorded in the book
of life
stack up against the word of God?

And all who dwell on the earth will worship him [the Antichrist], everyone whose name
has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the lamb who
has been slain (Rev. 13:8).

Walvoord admits, This verse presents a number of problems (Walvoord, op. cit., p. 202).
We
would say so! A number of problems, that is, for those who hold that all names are in the
book of life.
This scripture makes it abundantly clear and states quite emphatically that unbelievers
names have
not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the lamb who has
been slain
... The phrase from the foundation of the world (Gk. cosmos), is translated in the NIV,
from the
creation of the world. Thus from the creation of the cosmos, prior to human history, names
of
non-believers never appeared in the book of life! Thus the names of those spoken of as
being
blotted out (Ex. 32:33, Ps. 69:28, Rev. 3:5) could only be in reference to once saved
individuals who
were given life. Some have claimed the phrase from the foundation of the world, may be
in
reference to Christs death mentioned in the same verse (so the KJV). Yet, Revelation 17:8
makes the
same statement as Revelation 13:8 and is decisive. In Revelation 17:8 Christs death is not
mentioned,
the only grammatical possibility is that from the foundation of the world is in reference to
the book
of life (so the KJV, and all other translations). The phrase from the foundation of the world
is
reminiscent of the apostle Pauls terminology referring to when believers were chosen in
Christ:

"Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
blameless before him (Eph. 1:4).

Here in Ephesians we see the believers election before time. While both Paul and Peter
inform us
that Gods election is in accordance with His foreknowledge (Rom. 8:29-30, 1 Pet. 1:1-2),
Peter
warns those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of
our God
and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:1b) not to become nearsighted and blind forgetting
that one was
once, cleansed from his past sins (2 Pet. 1:9b). Peter warns his brothers to confirm their
election
to the end through living faith:

"Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For
if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the
eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:10, NIV).

While Peter, here tells us a brother who has been cleansed from his past sins can fall
and nullify
Gods original choice of him, so Jesus in the book of Revelation tells us that overcomers are
the ones
who will not be blotted out of the book of life (Rev. 3:5). 2 Peter is clear along with a host
of other
passages that the perseverance of the saints is not absolutely inevitable but an imperative
and
conditional! Rev 13:8 poses a major problem for those who would contend that all names
have been
recorded in the book of life. John Walvoord recognizes the inconsistency of claiming that:

A. All humanity has been recorded in the book of life;

B. Only unbelievers can be blotted out of the book of life; and
C. Unbelievers names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the book
of life of
the Lamb who has been slain (Rev. 13:8b).

How is it that Walvoord seeks to rescue his position and keep it from toppling? In a
desperate attempt
to salvage his view from utter ruin he posits a rather novel suggestion. When it seems that
his position
is impossible to hold to in light of the scriptural evidence, Walvoord seeks to move his king
out of
check-mate and keep the second interpretation alive by a move backwards. Backwards into
eternity
that is. If the scripture states that unbelievers names were not written in the book of life
from the
creation of the world and Walvoords belief necessitates that they once were in the book of
life prior
to being blotted out, the question is, when? Walvoords answer? Eternity past:

"This verse presents a number of problems. Some references to the book of life seem to
indicate it is the book of the living, namely, of all born in the world, and that those who do
not trust in Christ are blotted from it leaving only those who are saved (cf. Rev. 3:5; 22:19)
.... the simplest explanation here seems the best, namely, that their names were written in
the book of life from eternity past (Ibid., pp. 202-203).

While this modification of the second view would at first glance seem plausible, if far
fetched, it will
not suffice and in actuality it reintroduces the very problem it pretends to resolve! First of
all there is
no scripture to support it. Walvoord in one last ditch effort to rescue the second view has
basically
said if unbelievers were not recorded in the book of life from the creation of the cosmos
(Rev. 13:8,
17:8), then they must have been recorded there before the creation of the world in eternity
past and
erased sometime prior to the creation of the world. At best this view lacks the slightest bit
of scriptural
support. At worst this explanation is still unbiblical as it collides with a number of scriptures
which do
not state that names are blotted out of the book of life in eternity past, but in time,
subsequent to the
creation of the world, that is within human history (Ex. 32:32-33, Ps. 69:28, Rev. 3:5).
Thus we are
back to the original problem with the second explanation; unbelievers names have not been
recorded
in the book of life from the beginning of creation, yet names have been blotted out since
that time.
Whether unbelievers names were there or not in eternity past is a mute point and becomes
irrelevant,
since only believers names are in the book of life since the foundation of the world and
therefore
only former believers names could be blotted out. Check mate!

Thomas like Walvoord finds himself reaching as he seeks to hurdle over Rev. 13:8 and 17:8
and still
maintain that all names were originally in the book of life. Thomas though tries a different
approach
and appeals to the Gk. perfect tense (completed action with present consequences), found
in both
Rev. 13:8 and 17:8, claiming:

"The current non-appearance of their names in the book of life could be because they have
never been there or because they were there at one time, but have been removed because
of disbelief and consequent disobedience (Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22: An
Exegetical Commentary, Moody, pp. 164-165).

Thomas' appeal to the perfect tense though if anything proves too much. The perfect tense
in the
context of Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 may even be emphasizing the fact that their names
had never
been written in the book of life and could be so translated, Their names were not written
and
continued to not be written from the foundation of the world in the book of life .... The vast
majority
of biblical scholars understand these texts to be saying that names had never been entered
into the
book of life.

Scholars are in general agreement that the meaning of Rev. 13:8 and 17:8 is as Thomas
states in his
first alternative, namely, that their names have never been there from the creation of the
world.
This would be the normal meaning of the statements and is the sense in which the verses
are so
translated in every bible translation I am aware of. This would also be in accord with the
facts we
proved earlier, that the book of life is the book of the righteous (Ps. 69:28) and that God
makes a
distinction between the righteous and the wicked and only enters the names of those who
fear Him
into His book (Mal. 3:16-18).

Thomas himself in seeming contradiction to his own view admits that to be in the book of
life speaks
of Gods blessing and to be erased from the book of life in both Testaments speaks of
relegation to
spiritual death (Ibid., 162). He appeals to Rev. 3:5 in an attempt to support his argument.
Rev. 3:5,
as we have seen, is a conditional promise to overcomers as well as an implicit warning to
the
backsliders in Sardis. Rev. 3:5 would then be a promise as well as a warning to believers
who had
been entered into the book of life and face the possibility of being blotted out in contrast to
those who
had never been entered into the book of life at all. However, we must concede that the
perfect tense
may possibly imply that some of the names of the worshipers of Antichrist were once upon
a time
entered into the book of life and then subsequently blotted out. If this is the case, the
question would
be, whose names? We found our answer at the beginning of the chapter, namely, those of
former
believers who subsequently apostatized and forfeited their place in the book of life and thus
forfeited
their salvation (Ex. 32:33, Ps. 69: 28, Rev. 3:5).

This would accord nicely with Thomas second alternative: they were there at one time but
have
been removed because of disbelief and consequent disobedience (Ibid., pp. 164-165),
which if true
could only apply to apostates who once enjoyed spiritual life for as we have seen the book
of life is
the book of the righteous (Ps. 69:28). Believers are given strong warnings to endure in their
faith on
the heels of a warning concerning martyrdom at the hands of Antichrist for not taking his
mark (Rev.
13:10). See also Matt. 24:10-13. Also on the heels of the warning of eternal damnation
regarding
those who take the mark of the beast, believers are again warned to persevere in their faith
in Christ.
Nevertheless while Rev. 13:8 and 17:8 taken normally state that all those whose names
were not
written from the foundation of the world will worship the beast, it does not say that none of
those
whose names were written will not worship the beast! Thus the importance of the warnings
that
believers must endure at that time.

Is the Book of Life Different From

the Book of Life of the Lamb?

When one considers all of the different and contradictory explanations the proponents of the
once
saved, always saved, doctrine have come up with in an attempt to overcome the
significance of Rev.
3:5 and other scriptures concerning the book of life, the one that seems to deal most justly
with all the
scripture in question is the fourth view. The fourth explanation readily admits that Rev. 13:8
precludes
the possibility of unbelievers names ever having been recorded in the book of life of the
Lamb. Yet
those who hold to the fourth view also rightfully acknowledge that Rev. 3:5 and other
scriptures teach
that names can be blotted out of the book of life.

One wonders how one could affirm that only believers names are written in the book of life
of the
Lamb, and at the same time believe that names can and are blotted out of the book of
life and still
hold on to the dogma of unconditional eternal security. The position states however, that
there is a
technical difference between the book of life (Rev. 3:5), and the book of life of the Lamb
(Rev.
13:8). It is assumed that the book of life of the Lamb mentioned in Rev. 13:8 contains
only the
names of those redeemed by the Lamb, hence, the name of the book, the book of life of
the Lamb.
It is stated that the redeemed appear in this book and could never be blotted out. This view
hinges on
the fact that it is expressly said that unsaved people were not entered into this book since
the creation
of the world. This view goes on to say that since this is not said of the book of life, in Rev.
3:5, it is
therefore possible that all of humanities names were recorded in the book of life and thus
this
would explain how names could be blotted out.

This view, while admittedly based on assumption, at first seems at least possible, but like
the
aforementioned positions comes tumbling down when compared to other relevant scripture.
Suffice it
to say that if it can be proven from scripture that the book of life of the Lamb and the
book of
life are one and the same book, then it follows that a believers name can be blotted out of
the book
of the life of the Lamb. That they are one and the same book is easily demonstrated. First
of all,
advocates of this view who lay stress on the slight difference between the names of the
books do not
necessarily prove a difference in books. Take for example the fact that the book we refer to
as our
Holy Bible is given several different names throughout the scripture itself. For example, it
is called
the Word of God (Mk. 7:13, Rom. 10:17; 2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Thes. 2:13; Heb. 4:12), the
oracles of
God (Rom. 3:2), the scripture (Mk. 12:10; 15:28; Lk. 4:21; Jn. 2:22; 7:38; 10:35; Rom.
4:3; Gal.
4:30; 2 Pet. 1:20), The Scriptures (Mt. 22:29; Mk. 12:24; Lk. 24:27; Jn. 5:39; Acts
17:11; 1 Cor.
15:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:15) the holy scriptures (Rom. 1:2), the sacred writings (2 Tim. 3:15),
the word
of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), the utterances of God (1 Pet. 4:11) the sword of the Spirit (Eph.
6:17),
etc.

Secondly and most decisively, the book of life and the book of life of the Lamb are easily
proven
to be the same book by simply comparing two scriptures. It is falsely reasoned that while
Rev. 13:8
states that everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in
the book
of life of the lamb will worship the beast, all of humanity is supposedly recorded in the
book of
life. This is refuted by Rev. 17:8 which is the closest cognate to Rev. 13:8. Rev. 17:8 also
states that
those whose names have not been recorded in the heavenly register from the foundation of
the world
will worship or wonder after the Beast. But please notice that in Rev. 17:8 the book is
referred to as
the book of life, not the book of life of the Lamb, while clearly referring to the same
book!

"The beast that you saw was and is not, and is about to come out of the abyss and to go to
destruction. And those who dwell on the earth will wonder, whose name has not been
written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast, that
he was and is not and will come (Rev. 17:8).

Thus we see that the names are used interchangeably in reference to one and the same
book. Rev.
17:8 proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that all of humanitys names were not originally
recorded
in the book of life as those who espouse the fourth view maintain. Therefore those who
are blotted
out of the book of life (Rev. 3:5, Ps. 69:28, and Ex. 32:33) are not unbelievers who were
never
entered into it but backsliders who apostatized from the true and living God! The fact that
the
scriptures prove that the book of life and the book of life of the Lamb are the same book
also
destroys the fifth view held by Walter Scott and several others, who have maintained that:

"In chapter 3:5 the book of life is the record of Christian profession; in chapter 13:8 the
book of life is the record of reality. In the former the true and false are found; in the latter
the true only (Walter Scott, Exposition of The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Kregal
Publications, 1982, p. 97).

Not only does Revelation 17:8 prove that this statement is arbitrary and unbiblical, but even
Thomas
who follows Scott often in his commentary on Revelation (referencing Scott well over one
hundred
times), states: This view fails to indicate why a person with an empty profession had his or
her name
written in the book of life in the first place (op. cit. Thomas, Vol. 1, p. 262). To this we
would
heartily agree and we would pose the same question to Thomas as well, his view also
encompasses
mere professors. We have seen that all five views are unbiblical as they all fail to harmonize
the
scriptural data on the subject matter of the book of life. We have seen that the only possible
interpretation of all the evidence is to simply accept the scripture for what it says rather
than
explaining certain scriptures away which all views are forced to do if they seek to hold their
theology
above Gods Word. The evidence is clear.

In Conclusion

#1. The book of life contains the names of the righteous redeemed alone in
contradistinction to
those of the wicked (Ps. 69:28, Mal. 3:16-18, Isa. 4:3, Dan. 12:1-2, Lk. 10:20, Phil. 4:3,
Heb.
11:22-24, etc.).

#2. The names of the wicked were not recorded in the book of life from the foundation of
the world
(Rev. 13:8, 17:8).

#3. Jesus states that those believers who overcome (Rev. 3:5), as opposed to those who do
not, Rev.
3:1-4, will not be erased from the book of life!

#4. All believers do not inevitably overcome (Rev. 2:20-23). Believers are to humbly take
heed when
they stand lest they fall (1 Cor. 10:11). Believers are not to be conceited or arrogant
about their
security as though it were unconditional, presuming upon Gods grace, but to fear lest
they be cut
off from Gods covenant tree (Rom. 11:17-22). The scriptures clearly teach that
brethren, who
have been cleansed from their former sins, can fall away, failing to make their calling
and
election sure, forfeiting their place in the heavenly kingdom (2 Pet. 1:1-11).

#5. The scriptures clearly state that the names of those who turn from the faith will be
blotted out of
the book of life which contains the names of the righteous (Ps. 69:28, Ex. 32:33. Rev. 3:1-
6).

You will remember that at the outset of this study we observed that in biblical times ones
name could
be erased from the citys register for three different reasons:

#1. If one were to forsake his native kingdom and move to another kingdom.

#2. If one died.

#3. If one committed capital offenses.

It is significant that throughout the word of God that we find from a spiritual standpoint that
the
forfeiture of ones standing in the heavenly kingdom takes place for the same three reasons.

#1. Warnings against forsaking Gods kingdom for the kingdom of the world are found
throughout
scripture. Scripture teaches that if we love the world, we shall perish along with the world
(1 Jn.
2:15-17)! Paul tells us that Demas who was one of his fellow workers in the Lord (Phm
24, Col.
4:14) forsook him having loved this present world (2 Tim. 4:10). God further warns us that
believers
who forsake their first love for the world become spiritual adulteresses and makes
himself an
enemy of God (James 4:4). The scriptures make it abundantly clear that one cannot serve
Satan, the
god of this world, and the true and living God at the same time (Matt. 6:24, 12:30, 1 Cor.
10:21).

#2. The second reason one was blotted out of a citys register was because of death. Even
so the
scriptures warn the backslider of spiritual death. Jesus promised Truly, truly, I say to you,
if anyone
keeps My word he shall never see death . . . If anyone keeps My word, he shall never taste
of
death(John 8:51, 52b). Note that this promise is only for the one who keeps His word,
not for
the backslider or apostate. The scriptures are clear that backsliders and apostates
experience spiritual
death (Lk. 15:24, 32, Rom. 8:12-13, 1 Tim. 5:6, 11-12, 15, Heb. 12:9, James 5:19-20, 1
John 5:16).
This truth is especially significant to our study, as those who were failing to overcome in the
church of
Sardis, and thus were in danger of having their names blotted out of the book of life, are
described
by Jesus as those who are dead (Rev. 3:1), and about to die (Rev. 3:2). Thus the book
of life
contains the names of those who have been given life in Christ by Gods grace and have
their
citizenship in heaven. Those forsaking Christ, His word, His grace and His kingdom will
experience
spiritual death and have their names blotted out of the book of life.

#3. The third reason a king would erase names from the kingdom registers was as a direct
result of
capital offenses against the state. The scriptures are clear that backsliders who practice sin
and refuse
to repent and have their sins cleansed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ will not
inherit
the kingdom of God but be excluded from the heavenly kingdom (1 Cor. 6:9-10, Eph. 5:1-8,
Gal.
5:16-21, 6:7-9, Rev. 21:7-8). Those who were failing to overcome in Sardis are described
by Christ as
those who had soiled their garments (Rev. 3:4). The few overcomers in Sardis who were
not soiling
their garments would walk with Christ in white for they are worthy (3:4). These would
remain
in the book of life (Rev. 3:5).

Let us remain faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 2:9-11)! Let us not seek to gain the
world at the
expense of our very souls (Lk. 9:23-27). Let us see to it that no one comes short of the
grace of
God in exchanging our heavenly birthright for the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 12:14-16,
3:6,
12-14). Let us count the cost and finish the race set before us (Heb. 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 9:24-
27, 2 Tim.
4:7-8, Acts 20:24, Phil. 3:12 and Gal. 5:7)! Let us keep our garments white as snow
through living
faith in the cleansing blood of the Lamb (Rev. 3:4, 16:15, 22:14-15). May we be
overcomers in the
faith and not compromisers with the world, that we may rejoice in Christs promise now and
at the
final judgement.

He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his
name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before my father, and before
his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches
(Rev. 3:5-6).

Mike Peralta

The Lord seems to be reserving the final judgment at a time that everyone can see a wicked
persons life and see exactly why each wicked person must justly be condemned to an
eternal lake of fire. Remember when all the saints are in heaven they possess a perfected
and acutely clear mind to truly understand the level of wickedness in an unredeemed soul.

Currently in our fallen carnal bodies, and not completely perfected minds we see as in a
cloud and not very clearly. When we go to be with the Lord, and with no evil influence or
distractions or veils, we will be able to see to a much higher level of clarity the real
wickedness of sin. I believe this is why God is postponing the final judgment until that time
referred to in Rev 20:11-15. At the final judgment everyone in existence will see all the
details and reasons and justice of Gods final decree on each unredeemed soul. It is going to
be a very dreadful time for the lost. (This is why we all need to work so intensely to spread
the gospel to all lost souls.)

The Different Regions Of Hell And Judgment

It is important to comment on the two regions of Hell and judgment where unrepentant
sinners will suffer their eternal torments -- these are "Hades" (also called Sheol) and the
"Lake of Fire." (I also realize that "Sheol" could also refer to the grave in many Old
Testament passages.)

Hades or Sheol.

According to Jesus, (Luke 16:19-31) this is the place for unrepentant sinners after death.
When the unrepentant sinner dies, his spirit and soul go immediately to this place of
torment. The term "Hades" is the Greek form of the word "Hell." The term "Sheol" is the
Hebrew word for Hell.

In Luke 16:19-31 in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Hades or Sheol was the place
that the ungodly rich man went to immediately upon his death.

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every
day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat
what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.The time came
when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died
and was buried. In Hell [Hades or Sheol], where he was in torment, he looked up and saw
Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, `Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of
his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
"But Abraham replied, `Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things,
while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And
besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want
to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
"He answered, `Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five
brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
"Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
"`No, father Abraham,' he said, `but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will
repent.'
"He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced
even if someone rises from the dead.'" (Luke 16:19-31)

As already described, Hades is a place of fiery torment. Notice the verse. "Father Abraham,
have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
because I am in agony in this fire.' "

The Bible, in 2 Peter 2:4-9 and in Revelation 20:10-15, also mentions that Hades is a
temporary location whose occupants will eventually be cast into the "Lake of Fire" after the
Great White Throne Judgment. In 2 Peter 2:4-9 Peter makes mention (verse 9) of a place of
punishment [Hades] for the ungodly where the Lord "holds the unrighteous for the day of
judgment, while continuing their punishment."

"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to Hell, putting them into
gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; if He did not spare the ancient world when He
brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness,
and seven others; if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to
ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; ... if this is
so, then the Lord knows how to ... hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while
continuing their punishment. " (2 Peter 2:4-9)
The Lake Of Fire.

The "Lake of Fire" is the eternal home of all sin and rebellion. Another name for this place is
called "Gehenna." At the close of the White Throne Judgement of God, this will be the home
of all the wicked (Revelation 20:11-15). The Lake of Fire will be the home of those who
disobeyed and chose to rebel against God. Here unrepentant man will be, for all eternity, to
suffer the pains of an eternal Hell. Satan will also be cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity
to suffer. According to Scripture, satan will be tormented day and night forever and ever,
having no rest. Also Hades will be cast into the eternal Lake of Fire. Those who inhabit
Hades will be resurrected to face God's Judgment, then cast into the Lake of Fire. In the
very end of God's judgments, unrepentant sinners, evil spirits, fallen angels, and satan will
all be in eternal torment in the Lake of Fire.

"And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the
beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever
and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled
from His presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small,
standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the
book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the
books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead
that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death
and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's
name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
(Revelation 20:10-15)

Of course, some people think I am nave (like a little child) for taking the above Scriptures
literally. But I see no good reason for rejecting the above Scriptures or to think that they
dont mean what they say. I believe the above Scriptures truly do literally mean what they
say.