The Book of Life
The book of life is the register of God's elect, those who were chosen and redeemed to life through Christ Jesus, and their salvation is sure and certain.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the significance of the Book of Life, asserting that the names of the elect are eternally inscribed within it, signifying their predestined salvation and God's unwavering grace. He explains that this book is a record of those chosen by God for eternal life, highlighting the certainty of their salvation and the glorification of God's mercy. Brooks warns that on the day of judgment, the Book of Life will reveal the true believers and the reprobates, showcasing the stark contrast between those who have genuinely followed Christ and those who have not. He concludes with a sobering reminder that those whose names are absent from this book face eternal separation from God.
Text
"And another book was opened, which is
the book of life." Revelation 20:12
The names of the elect are written in the book of life.
They do not obtain salvation by chance, but were
elected of God to eternal life and happiness before
the foundation of the world. Now their names being
once written in the book of life, they shall never,
never be blotted out of that book! In the book of
predestination there is not one blot to be found;
the salvation of the elect is most sure and certain!
"I will never blot out his name from the
book of life." Revelation 3:5
The book of life is the book of all those who were
elected and redeemed to life through Christ Jesus.
This book of life contains a register of such particular
persons in whose salvation, God from all eternity
determined to have His mercy glorified; and for whom
Christ merited faith, repentance, and perseverance--
that they should repent, believe, and be finally saved.
"The book of life shall be opened;" that is to say, the
decrees of God will be then published and made known,
which now are sealed up in His bosom and locked up
in His archives. Then it will be seen whom are appointed
to eternal life, for the glorifying of God's free, rich, and
sovereign grace; and whom He purposed to leave in
their sins, and to perish forever, for the exaltation of
His justice.
"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."
Revelation 21:27
The book of life shall be opened in the great day,
because then it shall be shown . . .
who were elect--and who were reprobates;
who truly believed in Christ--and who did not;
who worshiped God in spirit and in truth--and who did not;
who walked with God as Noah did--and who did not;
who truly reverenced God--and who did not;
who followed the Lamb wherever He went--and who did not;
who were sincere--and who were not;
who are sheep--and who are goats;
who are sons of God--and who are slaves of Satan;
who have mourned for their sins--and who have made a sport of sin;
who preferred Christ above ten thousand worlds--and who did not;
who preferred their farms, and their oxen, and their swine,
yes, their very lusts--before a Savior, a Redeemer!
"If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life,
he was thrown into the lake of fire!" Revelation 20:15
Sermon Outline
- I. The Book of Life
- A. The book of life is the register of God's elect
- B. Their names are written in the book of life before the foundation of the world
- C. Their salvation is sure and certain
- II. The Purpose of the Book of Life
- A. To glorify God's free, rich, and sovereign grace
- B. To show who are appointed to eternal life and who are reprobates
- III. The Consequences of Being in the Book of Life
- A. Eternal life and happiness
- B. Salvation from sin and its consequences
- IV. The Consequences of Not Being in the Book of Life
- A. Thrown into the lake of fire
- B. Eternal separation from God
Key Quotes
“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.” — Thomas Brooks
“I will never blot out his name from the book of life.” — Thomas Brooks
“If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize that your salvation is not by chance, but by God's sovereign election.
- Understand that your name is written in the book of life, and that your salvation is sure and certain.
- Live a life that is pleasing to God, and avoid sin and its consequences.