The Book of Life in the Bible

The book of life is one of the most reassuring images Scripture uses to describe those who belong to God and share in eternal life. Far from being a mere metaphor, this book represents the faithful record in which the Lord knows and keeps his own, whose names have been written in it from before the foundation of the world. Jesus himself draws his disciples' attention to this supreme reality. In Luke 10:20, while they were rejoicing over their spiritual authority, he tells them: "Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." The believer's greatest cause for joy is therefore not what he accomplishes, but the fact that his name is known and inscribed in heaven. Revelation speaks of this book several times, calling it "the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:27 teaches that only "those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life" will enter the new Jerusalem. Revelation 3:5 offers a precious promise to the one who overcomes: "I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life." This word assures the believer that his belonging to Christ is firm and lasting. How is one's name written in it? Through faith in Jesus Christ, who gives eternal life to all who believe. John 3:16 proclaims it: "Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Salvation is a gift of grace, and those who are in Christ possess the assurance of belonging to God and of sharing a hope that will never be disappointed.