The Book of Life
In Revelations 3: 5, we read about a Book of Life. A book was written of those who feared the Lord. (Mal.3: 16) Paul also mentions this Book of Life (Phil.4: 3) King David, in Psalms.40: 7, says,’ in the scroll of the Book it is written of me’. This book is also prophesied in Dan.12: 1.

What is this book and whose names are going to be mentioned in it?

Rev.20: 12. On the great judgment day the ‘books will be opened.’  What books? The books of God's knowledge of everything, who is greater than our consciences, and knows all things (there is a book of remembrance with Him both for good and bad); and the book of the sinner's conscience, which, though formerly secret, will now be opened (Eccl.12: 14) And another book shall be opened--the book of the scriptures, the book containing the laws and commandments, the rules of life. This book is opened as it contains the law, the measure by which the hearts and lives of men are to be tried. This book determines matter of right; the other books give evidence of matters of fact. Some, by the other book, called the book of life, understand the book of God's eternal counsels.

This book is not something that will be written now, but God (Yah) has been writing our names in this book right from the beginning of time. In Ex.32: 32, Moses asks the Lord to forgive the people or else blot out his name from the book that God (Yah) has written. From the time Adam and Eve were created, God (Yah) has been writing this book. This book contains the names of persons who have overcome the world, (Rev.3: 5) who have lived pure and holy lives. Malachi 3: 16, says, a book of remembrance was written for those who feared the Lord and meditated on His name.

The people who fear the Lord will do His will and imitate Jesus (Yahshua) in their lives. Prov.9: 10 says, ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’. Once we have that fear of the Lord, everything else automatically falls into place. We start a new relationship with God (Yah) and our fellow man. God (Yah) becomes our Father and our Judge. In our new relationship with man hate becomes love, selfishness becomes service, bitterness becomes forgiveness. Our weakness turns to strength and tension becomes peace. These people have the mind of Jesus (Yahshua). The book contains the names of those who overcome the world and are called His sons.

We should listen to His word because His word is life. When we listen to His word we accept that He is love. We should accept His way of life, a life of obedience to the Fathers’ will. We should accept Jesus’ (Yahshua’s) help through the Holy Spirit.

This book is a list of people who obey the commandments of God (Yah) and lead a sinless life. Sin is disobedience of the law. (I John.3: 4) In order to be free from sin a person must accept the shed blood of Jesus (Yahshua) as his atonement and live in submission to His laws and will.
This book of life is a register of all who shall inherit eternal life, the book of remembrance of all who live in God (Yah), and keep up the life and power of godliness in evil times. Christ (Messiah) will bring forward this book of life, and show the names of the faithful, before God, and all the angels, at the great day. We cannot search into that book, or know whose names are written there; but we may, in a judgment of charity, conclude that those who labour in the gospel, and are faithful to the interest of Christ (Messiah) and souls, have their names in the book of life.

Who are the people whose names will not be in the Book? They are people who take away from the Book (Rev.22: 19) and those who sin against God (Yah) (Ex.32: 32). They are people who teach
people wrong truths and doctrines, and turn people away from worshipping the true God (Yah) (IIPet.2).1 Cor.6: 9-10, says that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Yah). In Rev.21: 8 it is written that the cowards, unbelievers, murderers, sorcerers, idolaters will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
 
So how should we live? How should our behavior be?
In Lev.11: 44-45, God (Yah) tells us to sanctify ourselves and be holy even as He is. Our conversation should be holy, (I Pet.1: 15). Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (Yah), (2 Cor.7: 1) Without holiness we will not see God (Yah). Resist the devil and he will flee from you. When we say no to sin, we will be numbered with the chosen whose names will be in the book of life. We should therefore examine and clean ourselves before the Lord, returns or we may miss our chance in heaven. Stop doing works of the devil (Isa.1: 16). Do not let evil thoughts remain in your mind. (Jer.4: 14). Wash away every sin through repentance and prayer and by studying and staying in the word of God (Yah). 

In these days when people are busy pursuing their worldly ambitions, the word of the Lord may seem strange to many. We try to let our own wisdom lead us rather than relying on God (Yah). Prov.14: 12 says there is a way which seems right to a man but the end is the way of death.

Are our names in the Book of life? Do our lives and conduct reflect the mind of Christ (Messiah)? Are we laboring for the gospel even as Clement did with Paul? (Phil.4: 3). His name is in the book of life. Can we say as Paul did, ‘I have fought the good fight…’(2 Tim.4: 7)?
Let us therefore, cast away all works of darkness, and follow the path that the Lord has set for us, always looking for the blessed hope of seeing and being with Jesus (Yahshua) when He returns to judge the world.

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