“… 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…” (Revelation 17:8 ESV).
The apostle John wrote Revelation to the persecuted churches in Asia Minor who were pressured to compromise with the idolatrous powers of the world. In this vision, John described a beast empowered by Satan whose apparent revival caused the unbelieving world to marvel and follow him. John explained that this deception did not affect everyone. Those whose names had been written in the “book of life” from the foundation of the world were not deceived. John showed that belonging to this book did not originate in human effort, but in God’s sovereign grace. Those not written in the book were easily deceived, while those written in the book were preserved.
Do you know whether your name is in the “Book of Life?” We have many books and records in this world. We keep records of births, graduations, marriage, and even death. But there is no “Book of Life” in this world. This “book” is kept in heaven. It is a timeless book and therefore the names therein were written before time started ticking. Those whose names are in the Book have believed in Christ as the Lamb of God and therefore reject all false world religions. Yet, those “whose names are not written” in the Book are easily deceived by the false religions of the world. They will reject the truth and believe the lie (Rom. 1:25, 2 Thess. 2:11). In the last days, a great worldwide religious delusion will encompass the nations and only those whose name is in the Book will see it for the lie that it is.
Can you “know” whether your name is in the Book of Life? Oh yes! The apostle John explained how you can “know” with confidence in his first epistle: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:12-13).
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that we can know our name is in Your book of life by believing in Your Son as Lord and Savior. Strengthen us to take this message to all the world as Your Son has commissioned us. In Jesus’ name, amen.