Is Your Name Written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

There is only one question each person must hear and answer in this life: Is my name written in the Lamb’s book of life? We must consider this most serious question with all sobriety. If it is true that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, when you hear the gospel, you will believe in Jesus Christ. You will call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. If it is not true of you, you will never bow your knees before God and confess his name. You will die in your sins, only to go to hell, as Jesus said. That is why we must heed Paul’s words: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12).

This sermon is a complement to the one I preached previously on 2 Peter 1:8–11: “Are You Saved?”[1] Peter told us to make certain that we are saved. This is the one thing needful in this life. So he said, “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:10–11).

The book of life was written by God himself in eternity before time and creation. It contains the names of those whom God foreknew (foreloved), those whom God chose to receive eternal life. They are not many, but few. Only eight people were saved when the flood destroyed the people of the world. Make sure that you belong to the few. Why? Soon you must die; it may be today or it may be tomorrow.  Let us, then, examine a number of scriptures about God’s book of life.

Exodus 32:32–33

Moses knew about the book of life. As we said, this book was written by God in eternity, before time and creation. It contains the names of those whom God chose to receive eternal life. Everyone listed in the book will be saved.

God’s book of life contains the names of every elect. When the people of Israel sinned, Moses said to God, “‘But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” What did the Lord say? No. Why? It is the non-elect sinners who must die. So we read, “The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book’” (Exod. 32:32–33). So Paul says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). He also says, “For those God foreknew,” that is, foreloved in eternity before creation, “he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Rom. 8:29–30).

This is eternal security. If a person’s name is written in the book of life, he will be saved. When the gospel is preached, he will repent of his sins and be saved. Otherwise, he will remain an enemy of Jesus Christ; he will hate Jesus. But of those whose names are written in the book of life, Paul says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

Daniel 12:1

In Daniel 12:1 we read, “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 [of life]—will be delivered,” meaning, they will be saved. That is why it is important to find out. How do you find out? If you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, your name is written in the book of life.

In Malachi 3:16 we read, “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.” If you do not believe in the Lord, you are not honoring his name. He will deal with you severely in this life and in the life to come, because he is Lord. He has received all authority in heaven and on earth. So we read, “‘They will be mine,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not’” (Mal. 3:17–18).

Money cannot save us. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19–21). Paul writes, “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1).

God is our inheritance. This is true of me. I do not trust in money, and no one can buy me with money. God is my inheritance, my portion, and I trust in Jesus Christ alone. I pray this will be true of you also. And not only is God our inheritance, but we also are God’s treasure, his precious jewels. 

Philippians 4:3

Paul writes, “Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3). He also declares, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight” (Eph. 1:4). Elsewhere Paul writes, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim. 1:15).

Whom did God choose? He chose sinners—the chief of sinners, the worst sinners. Jesus saves sinners; he does not save anyone else. If a person thinks he is not a sinner, he is on his way to hell. And he will go there, unless he repents. Jesus himself said so.

Rahab was the prostitute in the city of Jericho. But her name was written in the Lamb’s book of life. So the two spies visited her and saved her, and her household, as we read in the book of Joshua. In the New Testament, we read about the legion-demon man. There were two thousand demons in one person. Yet Jesus came and searched for him in the land of the Gadarenes because this man’s name was written in the Lamb’s book of life. Jesus saved him, and when the people of the town came out, they saw him sitting down, clothed, and in his right mind. This man wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus said, “No, go back home and tell them what God has done for you. Tell them, ‘Jesus saved me, and he will save you too.’” Thus, he became the first missionary appointed by Christ to the people of the Gadarenes (Luke 8:26–39).

God said to Moses, “Your name is written in my book; it will not be blotted out.” Paul said, “For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race” (Rom. 9:3). Again, God’s answer was no; what is written, is written. My name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. I am asking you to humble yourself and pray the sinner’s prayer: “Have mercy upon me, a sinner.” Then, like the publican, you can go home saved and justified.

Hebrews 12:23

In Hebrews 12:23, the writer says we have come “to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.” Who are these firstborn people? They are the elect of God, those whom God foreknew, foreloved. Paul writes, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). That is the purpose of Christ’s incarnation. What about you? Have you repented of your sins and trusted in Christ alone for your eternal salvation? I plead with you to do that today, and you will go home saved, justified.

Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28–29). I am held by Christ and the Father. This is the eternal security of a true believer whose name is found written in the book of life. The name of every chosen person is written by God in heaven.

We are the firstborn. That means we are privileged; we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. And who is Christ? He is the privileged one, our older brother. In Jesus Christ, then, we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. We are rich, because God himself is our treasure, our inheritance.

Revelation 3:4–5

John writes, “Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels” (Rev. 3:4–5). Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matt. 5:8). Those who practice sin, who have soiled clothes, will never enter heaven, because it is a holy place. The Hebrews writer says, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). In Matthew 1:21 we read that his name is Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins.”

Christ will have a holy bride, not one dressed in soiled clothes. John speaks about this: “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.’” Did she make herself ready with soiled clothes? No. “‘Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)” (Rev. 19:6–8).

Paul says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to do his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12–13). The fine linen is a gift from God to us; at the same time, it also stands for our good works. Thus, a person who continues to sin without any repentance is not born again. His name is not written in the book of life.

Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven” (Matt. 10:32–33). These words are a threat and, at the same time, a comfort for those who acknowledge him.

If the Lord has saved you, you will not be dressed in soiled clothes. Fine linen, bright and clean, has been given to us to wear. A person who is continually disobedient to his parents, his pastors, and other authorities is not saved. If this is true of you, cry out to God and he will save you. Then prove your repentance by your deeds of obedience (Acts 26:20).

Revelation 13:8

In Revelation 13:8 we read, “All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.” When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

The book of life belongs to Jesus, the Lamb of God who was slain for our sins. Paul says, “[Christ] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). Peter writes, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God” (1 Pet. 1:18–21).

The wicked follow the devil, but the elect follow Jesus. (PGM) Devil worshipers are those whose names are not written in the book of life. But everyone whose name is written in the book of life will confess Christ and follow him all of life.

Revelation 17:8

In Revelation 17:8 we read, “The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.” The elect will not be amazed at the beast, the devil, who is the antichrist. The antichrist imitates Christ, but he is a fake, like many false Christians of today. They pretend they are saved but they have no fruit of holy lives. They trust in their own self-declaration.

But truly saved people are like light compared to darkness, life compared to death. When we observe such people, we can say, “He is saved. He is on his way to heaven.” Why? He clearly is following Jesus Christ in the straight and narrow way.

Revelation 20:12

In Revelation 20:12 we read, “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.”

Every sin the wicked committed is written in God’s books. We may have forgotten, but God knows. And when the books are opened, our mouths will be shut. We will not be asked to defend our case in the eternal assize.

But there is another book, which is called the book of life. Rahab’s name is in the book of life. Though she was a great sinner, God forgave her sins. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Christ died in Rahab’s place for her sins, as he also did for the legion-demon man. Jesus sought him and saved him, for his name was also written in God’s book of life. And if our names are in the book of life, we also can sing, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!”

We were all sinners. We were all nothings. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 who we were. He begins, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.”

Why did God choose the lowly things to nullify the things that are? He did so to shame the arrogant. The Pharisee in Luke 18 came and prayed, telling God that he was not a sinner. But the publican stood far off. He would not even look up to heaven. He beat his breast and cried out, “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.” Yet he, not the Pharisee, went home justified.

God hates arrogance—the arrogance that results from beauty, brilliance, money, pedigree, or power. But none of these can save us. So Paul continues, “So that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’”

The repenting thief confessed Jesus Christ on the cross. Then he prayed to him, “Please remember me when you come in your glory.” Jesus told him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus died first and went to paradise, where he waited for the thief to join him in his spirit.

Revelation 20:15

We read in Revelation 20:15: “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” This is what will happen to those who are outside of Christ, whose names are not found written in the book of life: They will be thrown into the lake of fire and remain there forever. This is called the second death, and it is true because it is in the Bible. I believe that Scripture alone is truth because it is the very word of God. That is why the first chapter in the Westminster Confession of Faith speaks about the authority of Scripture. I believe everything the Bible teaches. Yes, I am an educated man, but I am also a saved man whose name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The Scripture says there is eternal destruction and eternal glory. Paul writes, “What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?” This is speaking of eternal destruction. Then he says, “What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory” (Rom. 9:22–23). My destiny is glory; may that be your destiny also. Our destiny is eternal glory, where we will live in the presence of God, elect angels, and all God’s people in the new heaven and earth.

In Matthew 25, Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” What is the difference between sheep and goats? To put it simply, sheep are law-abiding, while goats are autonomous and antinomian. They will not listen to anyone. May God help all of us to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved and destined for glory.

Jesus continued, “He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right [those who confess Christ as Lord], ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’” Then we read, “He will say to those on his left [those who refuse to trust in Christ], ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Finally, we read, “Then [the wicked] will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matt. 25:31–34, 41, 46). There are only two destinies: never-ending heaven and never-ending hell.

John writes, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). But suppose you do not want to believe in Christ. Consider is the alternative:  “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36).

In Luke 16, Jesus spoke about a rich man who died. He was in hell forever, in fire forever, in torment forever, in agony forever. In hell, the rich man became a believer and an evangelist. But it was too late; he would be in hell forever. Yet he had five unsaved brothers who trusted in their money. Now he, the oldest brother, was concerned about them. He said, “I have five brothers. They are rich; they party every day. Send someone to warn them.” But Jesus said, in effect, “They have Moses and the prophets.” In other words, these brothers had the Bible as well as someone who would preach it to them. Jesus was saying that they should hear the gospel and believe and be saved by him, as poor Lazarus had done, who went to live in heaven forever.

Revelation 21:27

We read in Revelation 21:27: “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.” Every wicked man, every sinner, every soiled-clothes-wearing person is barred from heaven, from paradise, from the new Jerusalem.

Do you want to go to heaven? Only those whose names are written in the book of life will be admitted to heaven. Paul writes, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). Only citizens will be admitted; thus, we must become citizens of heaven. How do we become citizens of heaven? We confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Those regenerated by the Holy Spirit will see and enter the kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. They alone will live by repentance and saving faith. Only the holy ones shall enter the city of God. Paul writes, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. . . . What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 5:1; 8:1, 31).

Luke 10:20

After they had gone out preaching and teaching the gospel, the disciples returned to Jesus, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17). But Jesus told them, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written[2] in heaven” (Luke 10:20). This is the singular thing that can give us eternal joy, even when we are facing our own death. Yes, we may go to the doctor and he will tell us that we do not have long to live. But do not be afraid. If your name has been written in the book of life, you have been given eternal life.

There are some who cast out demons but whose names were not written in the book of life. For example, Judas cast out devils but went to hell as a son of perdition. In Matthew 7:21–23 Jesus spoke about those who performed mighty signs yet were not saved. They were fake, unregenerate, self-declared Christians. He said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I ever knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

We recently heard about a large church in which the pastors were living in immorality while in the church. We must prove our salvation by producing the fruit of obedience. If there is no fruit, Jesus himself will cut off the branches and throw them out. They will be dried up, collected, and thrown into the fire (John 15). We are to hear and obey the word of God (Matt. 7:24–27).

Jesus saves all who are given to him by the Father, all who are listed in the book of life. Jesus himself prayed, “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him” (John 17:2). The Father gave certain people to Christ to save. He did so in eternity. He also said, “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word” (John 17:6). And consider these gracious words of our Lord: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. . . . All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will [save them; I will] never drive away” (John 6:35, 37).

Make sure that your name is written in the book of life. How do I know your name is written? When you hear me speak, you will repent and believe. 

Luke 13: 23–24

In Luke 13:23–24 we read, “Someone asked him, ‘Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.’” What must we do to be saved and know that our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life? We must make every effort to make our calling and election sure. Paul writes, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Now is the time to repent and believe. Consider the following:

• Acts 2:37–39: “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”
• Acts 13:48: “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”
• Acts 16:30-31: “He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’”
• Romans 10:9: “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
• 1 Corinthians 12:3: “Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus be cursed,’ and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.”
• Acts 17:30: “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
• 1 John 3:23: “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”
• 2 Timothy 2:19: “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’”
• Romans 8:14: “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
• Romans 8:16: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

How can we be saved? The Christ-sent man with the word and the Spirit speaks the gospel. The elect will hear, believe, confess, pray, and be saved. They will be baptized and join God’s holy church. They will persevere, bearing good fruit, proving their calling and election, and that their names are written in the book of life. The basis of our salvation is God’s election before the creation of the world. The proof of our salvation is obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ because of regeneration, repentance, and saving faith, not because of our own self-declaration.

May God enable those whose names are written in the book of life to confess Jesus Christ is Lord. May he enable us to repent of our sins and pray the sinner’s prayer: “Have mercy upon me, a sinner.” And may he enable us to have faith in Jesus Christ, that we may persevere forever. Amen.

[1] https://gracevalley.org/sermon/are-you-saved/

[2] The Greek word for “are written” is eggegraptai, a perfect passive indicative.