1. Biblical passages about the Book of Life 

Revelation 21:27

New International Version "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life."

Emphasis and Interpretation

• The Lamb’s Book of Life: The "Lamb’s Book of Life" mentioned here is not merely a metaphor but a real, existing record. This book contains the names of those whom Jesus Christ, the Lamb, has redeemed with His blood. Those whose names are written in this book are eligible to enter the eternal kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem.

• The Reality of the Book of Life: The "Lamb’s Book of Life" is not just a figurative concept but a significant part of God's plan and salvation history. It genuinely exists and serves as a means for God to remember those who are saved and secure their eternal destiny. This is evidenced by various parts of the Bible where the book is mentioned, showing that God uses it to guarantee salvation and eternal life for His people.

Mentions of the Book of Life in the Old Testament

• Exodus 32:32-33: "But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written." The LORD replied to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book."

  • Context: This passage occurs after the incident of the golden calf, where Moses intercedes for the people. He asks God to forgive their sin or, if not, to remove his own name from the book.

  • Interpretation: The "book" mentioned here refers to the Book of Life, representing God’s record of those He has redeemed. Being blotted out of this book signifies exclusion from God's salvation.

• Psalm 69:28: "May they be blotted out of the book of life and may they not be listed with the righteous."

  • Context: In this psalm, the psalmist is asking God to remove his enemies from the Book of Life.

  • Interpretation: This verse reinforces the concept of the Book of Life as a record of the saved, indicating that exclusion from this book means a lack of God's salvation.

• Daniel 12:1: "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered."

  • Context: This passage is a prophecy about the end times and the deliverance of those whose names are written in the book.

  • Interpretation: The "book" here is the Book of Life, and those whose names are written in it will be saved from the coming distress.

• Malachi 3:16: "Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name."

  • Context: This verse refers to a scroll where God records those who fear and honor Him.

  • Interpretation: This "scroll" can be understood as similar to the Book of Life, highlighting God's remembrance of those who revere Him.

Mentions of the Book of Life in the New Testament

• Philippians 4:3: "Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women, since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life."

• Revelation 20:12: "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."

Conclusion

Revelation 21:27 emphasizes that the "Lamb’s Book of Life" is a real and significant record, where only those whose names are written in it are allowed to enter the New Jerusalem. This book symbolizes God's method of remembering and ensuring the eternal destiny of the saved. The concept of the Book of Life is also present in the Old Testament, where it represents God’s record of those who receive His salvation and grace. Being written in the "Lamb’s Book of Life" signifies the ultimate assurance of faith and salvation, making it a profound blessing for believers.