How Are People Blotted Out of the Book of Life

Frequently Asked Questions About Christianity, Answered Honestly!

How Are People Blotted Out of the Book of Life?
-by Tony Warren

ne of the more perplexing questions that is frequently asked among Christians is, "How are names blotted out of the Book of Life, if the doctrine of Perseverance of the saints is correct." In other words, if salvation is eternal, and the Book represents Christians, then how are Christians blotted out of the book of life? A friend of mine recently put it this way:

I have a question that is very puzzling to me. If Predestination is true (which I believe that it is), and the book of life has those written in it who are saved from the foundation of the world. How does the scriptures say that there will be those whose names are blotted out of this book. For those of us who believe in eternal security, how is this idea possible?

Depending upon what tradition one comes from, there are usually two ways this question is generally answered in Biblical circles.

1. In this scenario, the Book of Life is seen from the perspective of everyone having their names written there from the beginning of creation. It is theorized that because the plan of God was for eternal life to be for all people, that when the wicked rebell in life they ultimately have their names blotted out. If a person never calls upon the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, the theory is that this person's name will be blotted out of the book of life. This first scenario is probably the majority view. Another version of this view is that the Lamb's Book of Life differs from The Book of Life.

2. In scenario number two, the book of life is spoken of from the perspective of it being a representation of God's Covenant Church. That is to say, from the standpoint that it is a symbolic listing or register of the whole Covenant congregation. It is all inclusive, meaning all who are of the visible Covenant Church. Just as all Old Covenant Israel were not the true Israel (Romans 9:6) of God, but were the representation. The visible or corporate Israel was "merely" a symbolic representation of indivisible eternal Israel of God. I hold to this second view of the book.

The first question to answer is, "what is the nature of the Book of Life?" The Biblical answer is that it is merely a symbolic illustration of God's covenant people. Much in the same way as guests might be registered as dwellers in a hotel. It is not an actual physical book that one might sit at a desk and write in. Rather it is a signification of inclusion. We have to first understand that the Book of Life is not a literal scroll (obviously), but a symbolic list of all those "representing" the covenant children of God. Thus all those who profess to be joined together in this covenant are included in the book. In the same way God called the nation of Israel the children of God (corporately,) and yet they were not all true children of God in the redeemed or saved sense, the external or visible new covenant congregations today are not all true children of God. Nevertheless, they are all part of the covenant house of God, just as Israel was.

2nd Timothy 2:19-20

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour."

In other words, all of the building blocks of the house of God are not true believers. And yet they are still part of the building of that house. There are those who are but wood and earth and will have their true nature revealed at the appropriate time, but they are still part of the house. We may not be able to know for sure, but the Lord knows those who are truly his. Likewise, all those that are written in the book (representing the children of life) are not truly children of life. But they are all covenantally set apart for the service of God by being part of the Church representing Christ on earth. Nevertheless, they are no more eternally part of the Book of Life than the wood and earth construction of the Lord's house (2nd Timothy 2:19-20) was eternally part of His body. It is the same analogy that God uses in the Old Testament in declaring that some of Israel will be "cut off" from their God. That didn't mean that they were once saved, and then were cut off from salvation. It illustrated the very same spiritual picture of Covenant breaking as names being taken from the book. In other words, that they were covenantally part of the visible register of Israel, but will be removed because they were never "eternally" redeemed as the true Israel of God. They will be blotted out or cut off from being covenant children. A practical example of this can be seen in how God warned those sanctified or set apart for the service of God in the Old Testament.

Numbers 9:13

"Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him."

The same principle of being blotted out of the book for transgressions, because one was not washed in the spiritual water of separation. This symbolizes they weren't truly Spiritually cleansed. When someone is blotted out of the book, it is the same principle as saying he would be cut off from Israel. For the people of Israel were the official register of God's people in the external covenanted sense. Thus blotting out their name is the same as removing them from that body, or their being cut off from the congregation (exodus 12:19). It is a symbolic severing of the wicked from among the true children of God, because they didn't belong.

This symbolizes they Genesis 17:14

"And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant."

To be cut off from the children of God and be separated from the Covenant of God, is the same principle as being blotted out from the Book of Life. For the Book of Life is a metaphor for God's external Covenant registry. In other words, just as the register of the nation Israel was, it is a symbolic public record of individual members of the covenant community of God. Thus, whosoever is part of the covenant community (congregation), has their name symbolically written in the Book of Life.

Many Christians erroneously believe that everyone who was ever written in the Book of Life is saved. That is not the case. Since from God's word we know that names obviously can be blotted out of the Book of Life. And that some names were never in the Book of life. And since God clearly delineates the truth that salvation cannot be lost, we should realize that the book cannot be exclusive to God's Elect. That being the case, the only other Biblical, rational and logical conclusion, is that it is a list of all the congregation that represents the Kingdom. And the Bible plainly teaches that every person that is brought into the covenant kingdom, is not truly saved.

1st Corinthians 3:11-13

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is."

The external covenant congregation has those professed Christians in it representing life that will be removed at the last day. And the reason is because they were not truly the building of Christ, thus they shall fail. And this is the fundamental rule that is illustrated in the blotting out. It is symbolic of someone in the Covenant community, that doesn't belong there.

I have discussed this view with many christians, and some claim that it makes more sense that the names of all mankind were in the book from creation. i.e., every man woman and child ever born into life was in the Book of Life. And then those who loved darkness more than light, were then blotted out and don't become Christians. But a careful study of this view reveals it doesn't make sense at all. Because God's word tells us very clearly that there are those that have never had their names written in the Book of Life. Therefore, all of mankind could not have had their names written there.

Revelation 13:8

"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

Many are not written there. All the multitudes of people that dwell upon the earth, the unbelievers who are outside of the true Covenant Church, these are the names that are not written in the Book of Life. And why is that? Because they were never part of the true Covenant body or congregation of God. Thus, they were not listed in this true "Covenant Registration" from the beginning. Predestination is something that was decreed before the foundation of the world, and so this decree must take place. If we were written in the Book from the foundation of the world, we are washed clean in the blood of Christ and cannot be removed because of sin. If we were not written from the foundation of the world, then obviously we can, and we will fall. We will be blotted out if we are professing Christians without that Root.

And really, I do not understand why this principle would be so hard for some to understand. Because, that people can pervert God's Covenant relationship and be cut off from Him corporately, is well documented in the Bible, and vividly illustrated in the Old Testament.

Exodus 32:32--33

"Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book."

i.e., it is not the elect who can be blotted out of the book, it is the disobedient of the congregation who have broken God's covenant with them. The people of Old Covenant Israel (the old testament church) could have their names blotted out, because they were the external Covenant congregation of God. Like the local Church today, they were corporate "representatives" officially registered as children of God.

Deuteronomy 9:12-14

"And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.
Furthermore the LORD spake unto me, saying, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they."

While God doesn't use the word book here, it is clear that this blotting out is the removal of the names of the Children of Israel from the Kingdom of Heaven representation. Blotting their names out from under heaven symbolizes they will be removed from the Kingdom register. In other words, they would be cut off from among God's people. And God gave example after example of just this cutting off throughout scripture. The Children of Israel having their names written in heaven signified their covenant position with God. And God blotting out their name from under heaven signified their removal. The heathen around Israel had never had their names written in that book of Kingdom registry. It was reserved for the congregation of God. And it is the same with those outside of God's Covenant congregation today. They are not Covenant children, and so their names were not ever written in the Book. For the Book "symbolizes" registration as part of the covenant body. i.e., listing those belonging to God's congregation.

Revelation 17:8

"The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."

Here again, God is showing us the juxtaposition of the "true believers" who were chosen and written in the Book from the foundation of the world, and the rest of the world. Note these particular people who wonder are not those in the book, but all whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. These are not just those written corporately by Church membership, but the election only. Those written or decreed by the hand of God from before the world was created, they are those who don't wonder after the Beast! And that is a very important distinguishing characteristic between them and those who are registered afterward and "can" have their names blotted out. These Elect written from the foundation of the world cannot have their names blotted out. It's like God choosing our names in His pre-determination, versus man on his own choosing to add his name to the registry. God's work of Predestination and inclusion, which is by Grace alone, versus man's own efforts to become children of God.

So there are really three groups. Those who are not called (the non-churched world), those called (the visible church), and those both called and chosen (the indivisible Church). Only the latter has the promise of never being blotted out of God's Covenant registry. The fact that those who truly overcome in Christ cannot be blotted out, and were written in the Book from the foundation of the world, is in itself a testimony to eternal security.

Revelation 3:5

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

The fact that God says He will not blot out of the book the names of those who overcome, implies He will blot out the names of those who do not overcome in Christ. The verb overcome is the Greek word [nikao], and means to prevail over, or to conquer. And the only way to prevail or be victorious over the wicked one is to do so in Christ. It is only in our Saviour that we are more than conquerors. This is actually declaring that those who are truly saved (the eternal decree of divine election) cannot have their names blotted out, while those who have not truly overcome or gotten the victory in Christ, will be blotted out. Which again proves the point of the external Covenant congregation relationship, versus the eternally written relationship.

Revelation 22:19

"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Obviously those adding to God's word were never saved, since they wrest scripture and try to put words in God's mouth. But they corporately had their part in the Book of Life by confessing Christ,while distorting His inspired words. The external Covenant is conditional and no one can keep it. The Eternal Covenant is in Christ's blood and is built upon better promises. When God says be obedient and I will reward you, it is the very same promise or Covenant that must be kept in Christ. When God says obey or else I will judge you, it's the very same conditional warnings that God told the Old Covenant Church. God is the same today, yesterday and forever. There is no change in the process of salvation by Grace, nor of exhorting to obedience. There is the external body, and there is the eternal body. Just as there is blind faith, and then there is the saving faith of Christ, the latter evidenced by the saint's obedience. The fact is, nothing has changed from Exodus to 1st Peter.

Exodus 19:5-6

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."

1st Peter 2:9

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"

This is the continual Covenanted relationship of God illustrated in Biblical Theology. As was illustrated with Old Covenant Israel, this is reiterated in the New Covenant scriptures. In the covenants we see a spiritual picture of the doctrines of works versus Grace. The reason that the Elect can never be blotted out of the Book of Life, is because they are not there of their own merit (or continuing merit), or their own free will. They are there by the finished work of Christ, which is why they were written from the foundation of the world. How then could they logically or biblically be blotted out if God put them there from eternity, except the Lord not be omniscient? The fact is, our Lord is "both" the author and finisher of our faith. Thus we cannot rationally fall, because we were chosen in Christ long ago to conform to His image.

Ephesians 1:4-5

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"

We were predestinated unto the adoption, that we are sons or children of God that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. So we should know from the scriptures the following three things without ambiguity.

There are Covenant children, written from the foundation of the world, in the Book of Life.
There are Covenant children who were written in the Book of Life, but not from the foundation of the world, and who have no eternal security, because they can be blotted out.
There are people outside the Covenant who were never written in the Book of Life at all.

If one can be blotted out of the Book of Life because of their sins, then "obviously" that person never was saved from all their sins in the first place. For God is omniscient and immutable, and he doesn't save someone from the foundation of the world from their sins, only to lose them because of sin. He doesn't pay for someone's sins in vain, where He has to then un-pay for them. If that were possible. No, that simply cannot be.

The book is symbolic and represents the covenant children, and goes hand in hand with Covenant Theology. And yet many Christians (even those claiming to understand Covenant Theology) do not really comprehend the principle of the visible or corporate congregation. And this is what is really at the heart of the controversy. If we don't really understand that there are Biblically two groups within any Church (true believers and professing believers), and yet tthat group still Biblically represents the Covenant congregation, then we can't really understand how one group can be blotted out of the list. But if we profess being part of the body of Christ, we profess inclusion in His Book of Life. And if wew are not truly renewed in Spirit, we shall be blotted out of that Book.

Matthew 22:14

"For many are called, but few are chosen."

Many Christians have a very hard time grasping the external or corporate "Covenant People" concept. And I am in no way minimizing or saying that it is not difficult to understand (blotting out from the Book of Life), but once we claim to understand the Covenant principle, we should be able to grasp how there are external children of God, sons of God, covenant people, but they are not truly saved people. Which is the principle in blotting out names from the Book.

Matthew 21:42-43

"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."

How could the Kingdom of God be taken from the nation Israel (representing the Children of God), and then that representation given to the New Covenant Church? If no children of God can lose their salvation, then how is it possible God's people Israel could be cut off? It is possible simply because Israel was the external Covenant representation, not the true Israel, which were a remnant of spiritual people within that covenant body. Israel in part was cut off, but not the true Israel.

Romans 9:6-8

"Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."

For though the corporate body was the "representation" of the kingdom of God, the true kingdom was a remnant spiritual people that dwelled within that body. Thus the Kingdom representation could be taken from the Covenant children, and they could be cut off from God. They could be blotted out of the Book of the Living. Not because eternal security failed and they lost their salvation, but because most never were the "true" Israel of God in the first place. Even though they were prescribed as God's Covenant people, most were never truly eternally Covenant children. As an analogy, it's like saying someone is a "false Christian." When in reality we know that all Christians are God's eternal people elect from the foundation of the world. But God also makes that distinction between professing, but false Christians, whom He will allow to remain in His congregation until the time of judgment.

2nd Timothy 2:20

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour."

1st Corinthians 3:11-13

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is."

Ergo, when God says all those of Israel are not Israel, it may seem like a contradiction, until we "recognize" the two (external and eternal) relationships of God's people, the Covenant congregation. Only then can we understand how there is one Israel that is not God's Elect from the foundation of the world, and one Israel that is. Two Israelis, yet truly only one true "Israel of God." Some in that great House are an lasting building of Gold, Silver and Precious stones, and some of the building of that house are wood, hay and stubble. Both corporately part of that house but only one of the true building of the Lord. Thus one will be removed, or blotted out from God's Covenant registry.

Psalms 69:25-28

"Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous."

This is a Messianic Psalm speaking of the registry of God's people, and the notation is that their habitation would be made desolate and they are blotted out of the book of the living (Book of Life), and not be written with the righteous. In other words, that they be cut off from among God's Covenant people registry, because they are found to be rebellious and do not belong written with those made righteous in Christ. Some people hold that this psalm proves that people�s salvation may be lost. However, in order for this idea to be a real proof that salvation may be lost, it has to first be shown that these people were saved in the first place. And that cannot be done. Moreover, the very idea that this Book of Life has only the names of the righteous written, "and yet some unrighteous are blotted out," is nonsensical. For if only the righteous (saved) are written, how then could the unrighteous be there to be blotted out? It makes no sense! On the contrary, it is actually more a proof from scripture that the symbolism of the Book as the Covenant body registry is true. That this book represents a list including both saved and unsaved people, who are visibly connected with the body of Christ. And that fact can only be because they are part of His assembly or congregation. Indeed, look at what Christ says to His congregational body at Sardis.

Revelation 3:3-5

"Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

To overcome is to gain the victory, to prevail, and this can only be done in Christ Jesus (John 16:33; 1Jo 2:12-14). He that overcomes in Christ will never have his name blotted out, because he is truly born of God, and not merely a visible part of God's professing Covenant Church. Thus some in this Church at Sardis could have their names blooted out, but not those who have overcome.

1st John 4:4

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

Christ is that Greater in us! It is the difference between being of God and having Christ in you, and merely taking His name in having a form of Godliness, but without the power of His Spirit. Then we are like a whited wall that covers over filthiness, rather than abolishes it. A representation that isn't worthy of what it represents. A name that will be blotted out as a CHRIST-ian.

Another good example to help us understand this principle of Covenant people representation is found right in the context of Matthew chapter 22. There we find a perfect example of the corporate Covenant people of God being cut off or removed from that status. It's the very same visible Covenant principle that we see symbolized by the Book. Those "written" in heaven (symbolically, a part of the kingdom covenant) being blotted out, are synonymous with the Covenant children having the Kingdom of God taken from them. Matthew 22 illustrates this same picture of an Israel "represented" by the invited names on a guest list, yet being removed from it because they were unworthy to be there. i.e., they were called, but they were not chosen. They were corporately invited, but they never were truly predestinated unto being the New Covenant creation.

Matthew 22:2-14

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few are chosen."

Many of the kingdom were called or bidden to the wedding, but what happened? They lacked the commitment, reverence and fear of God that characterizes true Spirit filled believers. As a result, few of Old Covenant Israel were actually saved. Clearly, though they were part of the external Covenant people representation, they were cut off from that Covenant because they weren't chosen eternally from the foundation of the world. And even after, we see those who came to the wedding without a wedding garment (without being clothed in the righteousness of Christ where they were truly saved) were cast out because of it. That again is the external Covenant congregation principle. It is the congregational relationship where they were called, but were not truly chosen or saved. They were children of the Covenant, but external or visible children only.

Romans 9:3-4

"For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;"

The Covenant pertained to them. This is another example of the corporate Covenant relationship of the children Israel. The Jews were the Covenant people of God, and yet God judged them (in part), so that many died in unbelief because they were not truly children, or the blessed seed, through Christ. In other words, it is only through Christ that anyone is the true Israel of God.

One might argue or protest, "but how can one be in the Book of Life and not be saved?" I would reply, the very same way that the word of God says one can be part of the Covenant, be Israel, be the children of God, be the sons of God, etc., and yet never be saved at all. Because they were only sons or children of Israel corporately, but were not the family through Christ. They represented Christ, the true Israel of God, but they were no more true children than their animal sacrifices were true atonements. It was merely a outward representation of the true.

Exodus 32:32-33

"Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book."

Moses couldn't be blotted out of the Book because his name was inked there in Christ's blood from the foundation of the world. In God's eyes, he is free of sin. God will blot out those children who are written there corporately, but who are in rebellion against Him and not truly saved. There is a difference. Again, the Book of Life represents all those in that Covenant relationship with God, both the truly saved and the unsaved who are also part of the group. The question is not the Book, but when those in the Book had their names written. Was it from the foundation of the world in the blood of Christ, or was it merely by being corporate covenant people set aside or sanctified for the service of God? The ones that will be blotted out are those names that were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, and thus their names are there unworthily or illegitimately. In other words, Christ didn't establish them as Christians, they established themselves without the work of Christ on their behalf.

There are some Theologians who object to this view, claiming that the "Book of Life," and the "Lamb's Book of Life" are two different books. But there is no Biblical evidence to support such a distinction. Is the Lamb's Book of Life not the Book of Life? Adding the possessional word "Lamb" to the phrase "Book of Life" simply further identifies it's owner, it doesn't change the Book. The fact that a Book is of Life, "itself" implies the Lamb! For He is the Resurrection and the Life. In other words, who does the Lamb's Book of Life belong to, and how does one remain written therein? It belong's to the Lamb, symbolically illustrating that it is a book pertaining to salvation. And there is salvation through none other. Likewise, who owns the Book of Life? It is owned by Christ also. And by the qualifier "of Life," it also would represent the names of those to whom salvation pertains. There is no legitimate distinction to be made concerning the two. Blotting out of the Book of Life, or the Lamb's Book of Life simply represents those in a congregational covenant relationship with God, being cut off or judged. By contrast, those with their names written from the foundation of the world represent the truly saved of that Covenant registry. These are those saints under the eternal covenant, which reaches from Abel to those saved today. In the Old Covenant side, they lived looking forward to the work of Christ. And in the New Covenant side, we live looking backward to the work of Christ. All Children of the eternal Covenant, while the rebellious are those to whom the corporate Covenant pertains only. Even as illustrated in such passages as Acts 3.

Acts 3:24-26

"Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities."

The same with our Covenant children today receiving the sign of that Covenant relationship through Baptism, they are clearly brought corporately into this Covenant congregation. But are only under the redemptive blood of Christ "if" they are among those elect from the foundation of the world.

1st Peter 3:21

"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

There is one Baptism, and yet the God also speaks of water baptism, which merely represents that one true Baptism. So what is the Book of Life? We can look at this Book as a figure of speech symbolizing a "Family Record" within the context of the covenant relationship that God has with His people. i.e. everyone who claims to be part of the family of God are symbolically recorded as family. As such, they are partaking of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:4-6) among the elect in the congregations. Yes, they may be somewhat enlightened and tasted this heavenly gift, but they have not truly eaten of Christ to truly become a new creation. So as part of the congregation they receive many benefits of being in the Church, but not the inheritance. In other words, they are definitely part of this external covenant relationship with the body, but only in a superficial way. We can see this principle in the example illustrated in God's explanation of unbelievers being made holy or sanctified (set apart for the service of God) just by being "part of the Covenant family." In other words, just by being the unbelieving husband of a believing wife, you are externally sanctified for the service of God (under the Covenant relationship). e.g.:

1st Corinthians 7:13-14

"And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
For the unbelieving husband is Sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy."

In this passage the external Covenant Church relationship is illustrated clearly, where simply because an unbelieving husband (or wife) is married to a believing spouse, they are sanctified. They are part of that holy Covenant family of God relationship and set apart or sanctified in the eyes of God for the sake of the Children. And yet they are still not saved. So when one asks, what does Blotted out of the Book of Life mean? The answer is that it means that, like Israel, branches can be broken off the Covenant tree. For the visible Covenant relationship with God does not equal salvation, anymore than being circumcized or baptized does. Clearly this passage of Corinthians confirms that some people may be included among the sanctified ranks of the congregation, even though they ultimately perish (e.g. Hebrews 10:26-31). That is how people are included visually but can be blotted out of the Book of Christ family registry.

Indeed, since the external covenants with Israel always included both saved and unsaved, it stands to reason that all who are included in today's visible Covenant congregation would also be included in the Book. There are many examples in scripture that illustrate the external Covenant Church principle. We saw 1st Corinthians 7:14 of the Covenant sanctification of the unsaved, we read of Covenant baptism of children whether saved or not (Baptist doctrine notwithstanding), and also as God warns the Church against pride, because they too can be branches cut off of the Olive tree "representing" Covenant Israel.

Romans 11:20-21

"Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee."

This truth of wild Olive Branches also being able to be cut off from Covenant Israel (Symbolized by the Olive tree) can only be because (as with the original branches) all those in the Covenant tree are "not" truly redeemed or saved. And yet they are all instituted by God as part of God's external covenant people. We can find many such examples of the visible representation, not being the true.

Romans 2:28-29

"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."

In other words, there is the corporate or external Jew (of Judaea), and then there is the "true" Jew who is born of the Lion of the tribe of Judaea. When God spoke to Israel, He spoke to them all corporately, even though only a "remnant" were true Israel. So there are children of God, and then there are eternal children of God through the Seed. There is Israel, and then there is the everlasting Israel of God. There are Jews, and then there are the true Jews through the Spirit. Likewise, there are those written in the book, and then there are those indelibly written in the Book.

Of course, one might logically ask, "how can you agree that the Book of Life refers to the eternal decree of divine election, and yet believe some can be blotted out of it?" I do so because of the way the Holy scriptures are written. It is written with a view to the true, but also with a view to those merely representing the true. And it always has been written that way. The Book of Life refers to the eternal decree of divine election, but so does the title "Israel of God." Yet there is an eternal Israel, and then there is also an external Israel that represents the true. That is why God said, "For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel - Romans 9:6." Did that mean that Israel does not refer to the people of eternal decree of divine election? Absolutely not. What it means is that from the Biblical perspective, there is the covenant body or congregation "representing" true Israel, and then there is the eternal decree of divine election, the actual true Israel of God. And there is no contradiction there. From God's word, there is only one Israel of His eternal decree of divine election, but there is another Israel that was covenantally "representing" that one true Israel. Just as there is one Baptism (Ephesians 4:5), but there is also Water Baptism "representing" that one true baptism. Or that there is one Church which is the true body of Christ, but there is also the visible or external Covenant Church representing the true body of Christ. It's all the very same principle. There are those written in the Book of Life from an eternal redemptive Church relationship position, and those written in the Book of Life from a visible external covenant Church relationship position. God's eternal decrees of election are immutable, so blotting out of the Book is not symbolizing a loss of life, but rather a removal of all those who were unworthy to be representing Christ.

In conclusion, from the scriptural view of a covenanted perspective, the Book of Life symbolizes the registry of the names of all Covenanted members of God's congregation. That means both those who claim new birth, and those truly born from above. Thus some can be blotted out because the Book does not represent only the truly saved. It represents God's covenanted people collectively, the visible or corporate sanctified body. And that is why God declares that many are called, but few are chosen. The called are all the Covenant body, but the chosen are only the elect of that body.

How can names be blotted out of the Book of Life? By this Book symbolizing the Covenant register. It is not a register of only those who are truly saved, nor a register of all mankind. These should be facts that leave no doubt as to what the Book of Life truly symbolizes or represents, and how names can consequently be blotted out of it. Just as Israel was a family of God representing the true Covenant family, or as the visible Church is representing the indivisible Covenant Church. So as Old Covenant Israel could have those not truly saved within its ranks, so the Covenant Church today can have those in it who are not truly saved. It is these who can (and will) be blotted out of God's registry, except they repent. Even as God warned the messenger of the Church in Sardis that it had a name that it livest, but was dead. That name was Christ, and except they would overcome death in that Life, wherein they would be clothed in His righteousness, they would be removed from the Lamb's registry.

Revelation 3:5

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

As Sardis was warned, so the Covenant Church today is warned. Let us take note and take heed, because those who don't learn from the lessons of biblical history are destined to repeat it. Therefore, "brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure. For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall."

May the gracious Lord, who is rich in compassion and mercy, grant us wisdom and understanding, and guide us into truth through the circumspect study and exegesis of His most Holy word.

Amen!

Peace,

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Created 2/01/07 / Last Modified 5/04/08
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