Can names be removed from the Book of Life?
Question:
Hi!
Google directed me to your website, and I noticed an error. In "What are the books opened in Revelation 20:12?" you said, "Names written in the book of life can be removed (Revelation 3:5)." It should say names cannot be removed.
Just thought I’d bring it to your attention so others who don’t know will not be misled.
Answer:
Thank you for writing. I'm sure there numerous mistakes on the website (especially in the realm of grammar problems), but in this case the statement is true, as you would have known by looking at the cited verse. "He who overcomes will 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" (Revelation 3:5).
When Moses came down from the mountain with the stone tablets, he found the people committing idolatry and other sins. He was so upset that he broke the stone tablets and punished the people. Still, he approached God to ask Him to forgive them, but if He would not, Moses asked that he not be saved either. "Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, 'Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if You will, forgive their sin--and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!'" (Exodus 32:31-32). God told Moses, "no." "The LORD said to Moses, 'Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book'" ( Exodus 32:33).
It is important not to overlook this point. Even if a person is written in the book, his name can be removed if he sins.
In Revelation, the church in Sardis received a warning.
"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 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. He who overcomes will 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" (Revelation 3:1-6).
Some in Sardis were not living as they ought. If they did not repent of their sins, their names would be removed from the Book of Life.
This should not be surprising. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). It brings about death (Romans 6:23). You cannot be in the Book of Life and be dead in your sins at the same time.
Those not in the Book of Life will suffer the second death (Revelation 20:14-15). They are not destined for eternal life. Thus, we must remain on guard against sin (I Peter 5:8-9). "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).
