What is the Lamb's book of life? Is it different from the book of life?
A "book of life" is mentioned specifically on seven different occasions in the New Testament. Of these, six appear in the book of Revelation and one in Philippians.
In Philippians 4:3 we read, "Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life." This reference specifically mentions people who are believers in Christ as those whose names are written in the book of life.
In Revelation 3:5 the church in Sardis is told, "The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life." These conquerors refer to all Christians, meaning every person who has genuine faith in Christ will never be removed from the book of life.
Revelation 13:8 speaks of the Beast of the end times, saying, "all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain." In this case, those whose names are written in the book of life have had their names there before the world was created. This verse emphasizes God's sovereignty and foreknowledge. He knew and chose before He created the earth the name of every person who would spend eternity with Him.
Revelation 17:8 also shares, "And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come." Again, unbelievers will worship the Beast and are contrasted with believers whose names are in the book of life.
Revelation 20:12 speaks of the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the millennium and defeat of Satan. We are told, "Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done." Revelation 20:15 adds, "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
Revelation 21:27 then adds that the book of life belongs to the Lamb, Jesus Christ. There we read, "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life." Every person who enters the new heavens, new earth, and new city of God will be those whose names are written in the book of life that belongs to the Lamb. This is the same book of life mentioned in previous verses.
This book of life was written before the foundation of the earth, includes every believer, includes those who refuse to worship the Beast, will have white garments, and will reign with Christ forever in eternity.
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