Christ Jesus says that He does. But there are plenty of believers that are full of unbelief towards the words of the God of Gods.
So now, we seek to defend the words of God by answering all objections to what Jesus clearly taught so that believers will come to the realisation that God is absolutely trustworthy and He will keep us as He has said.
Last time, we responded to two questions sent in to us.
Today, we'll be looking at 4 places in the bible that people use to try and contradict the Lord.
The first one is found in the book of Exodus.
Exodus 32:32-33Those who reject the security of God's salvation say that the book mentioned in these two verses is the Lamb's Book of Life.
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".
The Lamb's Book of Life has in it all the names of those who are saved.
So they interpret these verses to be saying that God will blot out the names of people out of the Lamb's Book of Life. After all, their name has to be in it to be blotted out of it, right?
What's the problem with their reasoning?
The problem is that it's based on eisegesis. In other words, they've given these verses a meaning that it never intended to have.
The Lamb's Book of Life is only mentioned, by name, in the book of Revelation.
Up until this point in the bible, Exodus, a book of life... much less the book of life, had never been mentioned before.
So, for someone to say that is automatically the Lamb's Book of Life is very bad interpreting.
This line of reasoning also poses a problem.
Look at what the Lord says to Moses. Whoever sins against Him, He will blot that person out of His book.
Do we not find Moses sinning against God? But we're told in the new testament that he is saved.
If God will blot out people who sin against him, then, even those people who are making this claim are blotted out because they sin against God as well.
So what does these verses mean? Both God and Moses are talking about the book of the living.
The book of the living is a register of all those who are currently alive. When someone dies, their name is blotted out of the book of the living.
Governments around the world still use this system. When someone is born, their birth is registered. They are entered in the register (book) of the living.
When someone dies, their death is registered. This removes them from amongst the living in the register.
But wait a minute... how do we know that it's this book being discussed instead of the Lamb's book of life?
At this point, this "book of the living" hasn't been mentioned before either. So how do we know that this is correct?
To know which book we're dealing with, we have to know what was going on that cause this book to be mentioned. To find this out, we need to look to the previous verse.
Exodus 32:31From this, we see that the situation is about when Moses was receiving the 10 Commandments from God, and the children if Israel decided to make the golden calf to worship as their god.
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
When we turn to the exact instance in scripture we read this...
Exodus 32:7-10When we read this, do you get the impression that this is a removal of salvation or physical life?
And the LORD said unto Moses, "Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, 'These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt'."
And the LORD said unto Moses, "I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiff necked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation."
Obviously it's talking about physical life.
This, however, isn't necessarily proof of which book is being discussed though.
For that, we should turn to the book of Deuteronomy. It's here where we're given another account of this exact instance.
Deuteronomy 9:12-14Here we clearly see the term "blot out" being used. This is the same term that was used in regards to the book.
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".
Seeing as how we know God was talking about their the removal of their life, it makes perfect sense that this book is the book of the living.
A good tip for understanding scripture is that if there are multiple accounts of the same instance, we should look at all accounts and put them together and then form a conclusion.
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The second place that people like to use to contradict the Lord is found in the book of Psalms.
Psalms 69:28Because we've just finished looking at what the "book of the living" is from Exodus, this verse shouldn't cause us any problems as it clearly identifies which book us being discussed.
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
The problem is, though, that some people believe that this book is the Lamb's book of Life.
This thought clearly gives a different meaning to the text.
When you look at the context of this verse, the verses surrounding it, you can clearly see that the people being spoken about are enemies of God.
They aren't His people.
But what makes this even worse is that this psalm is prophetic.
It's actually describing what Jesus was going through during the crucifixion.
Psalms 69:21With that it mind, it seems like verse 28 is actually talking about those who crucified Christ.
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Regardless of how you want to look at it, David's enemies or those who crucified Christ, it's quite clear that these aren't people who are saved and David is asking God to blot them out the Lamb's book of life.
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The third place that people like to go to in order to contradict the Lord is found in the book of the Revelation.
Revelation 3:5Those who deny the security of God look at this verse like this - Jesus is speaking to believers. Only the ones who overcome, out of those believers will He not blot out their names out of the Lamb's book of life. Those who don't overcome will have their names blotted out of the Lamb's book of life.
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.
Before we start to decipher what Jesus was saying, we should be careful to note the next verse.
Revelation 3:6In the gospels, anytime you read Jesus say, "he that has ears to hear, let him hear", it's always after something that He wants us to pay attention to because people can miss what He's saying.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
So from that alone, we should be wary of how we understand this verse, because it's one of those verses where He says that only those who are able to hear (understand), will be able to understand.
I believe that those people who deny God's secure salvation, and use this verse, actually do understand it, but because of their preconceived notions of salvation, or in this case the nature of the Lamb's book of life, they must disregard the actual meaning in order to hold to their incorrect belief system
This verse, however, does seem to be pointing to the Lamb's book of life.
So with that distinction in mind, we must bring to remembrance the words of the Lord. The will of the Father is that He will be given sheep. He will give these sheep eternal life. These sheep will never perish. He will not lose any of them.
As always, we should look at the context of this verse.
Within the context, we are told that there are two groups that will wear white. Those who have not defiled their garments (v. 4), and those that overcome (v. 5).
The bible tells us that those who wear white, spiritually speaking, are those who are of heaven. All the angels in the New Testament wore white. When Jesus was transfigured, His clothes became white. We're also told that all those who are saved will be wearing white robes when they enter heaven.
So the white robes/raiment is a symbol of salvation (or heavenly identification seeing as how angels don't receive salvation).
Since it's the verse regarding the over-comers which is presented, that's what we will look at. Who is it that overcomes?
This is actually an important question, because we are also told...
Revelation 21:7We are told in no uncertain terms, that only those who overcome, will have God as their God. So who are these people then? Are we not taught that if you believe, repent, and call on the name of the Lord, that you shall be saved? Doesn't that make God our God? Or is it all dependent on overcoming? And overcoming what exactly? Revelation 3:5 doesn't identify what is being overcome at all.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Revelation 13:7Here we're told that the beast will actually be given the power or ability to over the saints. So are they no longer saints because they've been overcome? Or are we talking about two different types of overcoming?
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Well, it sure seems that way... because in regards to the two witnesses we are also told...
Revelation 11:7These two prophets, who are of God, will be overcome. But, we are told that after they are killed, they will be brought back to life (Rev. 11:11).
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
So, there are two distinctly different overcoming. One is physical in which people die, as per the two witnesses, and they are clearly saved.
So we can rule out that Revelation 3:5 is talking about being physically overcome (i.e. someone killing them).
Therefore, Jesus must be talking about overcoming in the spiritual sense.
This seems to be clearly the case, because we are told...
Revelation 12:11This verse is talking about those who overcame Satan, but were killed. So even though Satan physically overcame them, they overcame Him spiritually.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
So let's piece this together.
- Jesus says that those who overcome will not be blotted out of His book (Rev 3:5).
- Jesus says that only those who overcome, have God as their Father (Rev 21:7)
- We identified that there are two different types of overcoming, physical and spiritual.
- We identified that Jesus is talking about spiritually overcoming.
- The example we are given of overcoming is by the blood of the Lamb, and word of their testimony (Rev 12:11)
Revelation 3:21Here, Jesus tells us that those who overcome, do so like Jesus overcame. So these people who overcome are identified with Jesus because He too overcame.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
What did Jesus overcome?
John 16:33Jesus tells us that He overcame the world. So if this is the thing that Jesus overcame, and He says these people who overcome do as He did, does the bible tells of other people who overcome the world?
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1 John 4:4So who are those who overcome the world? It is those who are saved.
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.
1 John 5:4-5
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
And why do they overcome? Because God dwells in them, seeing as who they are born of God (born again).
So we've come full circle.
Remember, we are told that Jesus' sheep will never perish, have eternal life, and that He will lose none of them. Jesus says that those who overcome will not have their names blotted out of the book. Jesus says that only those who overcome have God as their Father. And we are told that all those who are saved, will overcome.
So what does that mean for the interpretation of Revelation 3:5? It means that Jesus is making a promise. Those who are saved will not have their names blotted out.
Notice that He stops there. He doesn't talk about those who don't overcome, because there aren't any believers who won't overcome. To extend it further than what He says is to make Him say what He never said, which is why it's not written there.
All those who are saved have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. And it's because of this, why they will overcome.
Can you see how simply adding to a finished thought can cause us to start questioning, even something as important as our salvation?
Of course, we could've just rested on the fact that Jesus said He wouldn't lose any of His sheep, but that wouldn't explain the verse. It would just push it to the side and help no one to have an understanding as to its meaning.
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The fourth place that people turn to in order to contradict the Lord, is also found in Revelation.
Revelation 22:19For those who don't believe that God keeps us, when they read this verse, they see... if a believer takes anything out this book, that God will take away their salvation.
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.
First, we must remind ourselves of what Jesus says about His sheep.
Second, we must read the verse in context, which starts in the previous verse.
Revelation 22:18The first question we need to deal with is this... does "the prophecy of this book", mean just Revelation or the entire bible?
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
A lot of people apply these verses to the entire bible, but it's not referring to the entire bible, but this specific book (or scroll) - Revelation.
We know this is the case because it specifically points to the plagues written in this book. The New Testament hadn't yet been put together when John wrote this. And this book (scroll), clearly isn't part of the Old Testament, so we can be sure that it's speaking about itself.
We can make the case that we shouldn't add or take away from any part of scripture, and use these verses as part of it, because the bible does say not to add or take away from God's word a number of times, but the punishment is specific to this book.
Now that we've answered that question, the next one would be, 'what does it mean to add to these things'?
We usually attribute the adding to inserting words, and possibly meanings, to the scripture. Now, I have no problem with that, but there is a problem.
We've just seen how people who deny the security of God's salvation, add to the Revelation by inserting words and meanings, yet they point to this warning and don't apply it to themselves.
They aren't expecting to have the plagues mentioned added to them.
There is something else we must consider as well. Most of us read Revelation in a language different from the original. Because of that, there will be some words added, shown in italics if you're reading the kjv or nkjv, in order to match our language's grammatical structure. But we don't expect these people to have these plagues added to them. There is no record of these plagues being added to them in the history books.
So the real meaning seems to be... adding to Revelation in words and meaning with malicious intent.
With that understanding, when we read this verse, it seems to be pointing to those who are not of God.
After all, why would a believer, intentionally alter the scripture, with malicious intent? It doesn't make sense.
Although I believe that those who deny that God keeps us save, are in error, I don't believe they are maliciously twisting scripture... well, not the great majority of them anyway.
We must also note that this verse doesn't simply speak of believers, but any one who does it.
The next verse, however, is framed in the same way. Whoever takes anything from this book, will have his part taken out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and the things which are written in this book... which we assume are the blessings.
It's this phrase that has people thinking that this is talking about believers losing their salvation, but there's a problem.
Just like the previous verse, this verse also doesn't discriminate. Everybody who takes away from this book, and we assume that it is also with malicious intent, that these things will be taken away from them.
What if it's an atheist? If an atheist decides to go about removing various things from Revelation in order to attack and mess with believers, and this seems very plausible with the things that they are doing in this day and age, how can their part be taken out of the book of life, and out of the holy city?
They already have no part in it to be taken out.
Let's say that a believer maliciously removes something from Revelation. They're salvation is removed. Let's say they do it again after a period of time. Nothing more will happen to them right?
After all, they've already been removed from salvation right? So there is no more penalty for them continuing to do it according to scripture, right?
So, we have two scenarios where that line of thought doesn't make sense.
How do we interpret these then?
Is it possible we are not looking at the big picture?
Verse 18 & 19 are not two separate thoughts, but one thought.
We know that the adding and removal relates to malicious intent, but the punishment for removal seems to speak towards believers where as the punishment for adding seems to speak towards non-believers. After all, who were the plagues directed at? Unbelievers.
But, once again, we must remember that Jesus will lose none of His sheep.
Since in this is the case, verse 19 can not mean that a believer will lose their salvation, as this contradicts Jesus' declaration.
Therefore, It must mean either one of two things.
The first thing this could mean is that for believers who do remove things, they will lose some of their heavenly rewards.
This makes sense if the believer does it multiple times, then the word must stand that the believer will continue to lose their part out of the book of life, the holy city, and the things written in the book.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15The removal of things could be looked on as something that the believer would suffer loss for... perhaps. This is what the bible declares regarding all of our work as believers. We will be judged by our works, whether they are good or bad, and receive rewards or suffer loss.
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.
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
To have your part taken out of the book of life, etc. sounds like suffering loss. And since we know that Jesus won't lose any of His sheep, those people would suffer loss yet be saved, as Paul clearly states.
The second thing that this verse could mean, is that it's simply an impossibility but is stated anyway.
Matthew 5:48Jesus tells us to be perfect, but we still aren't, and struggle to be so. We are actually told that it's Jesus who will make us perfect, but He tells us to be perfect before hand.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
So that's an impossibility, is it not. It is something for us to strive for, but something that we will not be able to attain as Jesus has to make us perfect.
Likewise, these verses (Rev 22:18, 19), could be a way to cover everyone, believer & non-believer, and yet the believer won't be apart of it anyway, because they wouldn't do that.
Is this not similar to only those who overcome being the ones who will have God as their Father, and yet all those who have God as their Father will overcome?
It seems to be that way. After all, if a believer was to maliciously remove things from scripture, the should expect a great punishment. If the punishment is to lose their salvation, then that's what it is. Yet, we know that a believer wouldn't maliciously remove things from scripture. So a believer would never receive this punishment.
Another application of this same thing is the warning that we shouldn't blaspheme the Holy Spirit, as that is the unforgiveable sin. Can believers commit the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? No. Yet the warning still stands for all people.
In conclusion, we can clearly see how people can make genuinely make mistakes between the book of the living, and the Lamb's book of life. Although we didn't really talk about the Lamb's book of life (another day perhaps) which is spiritual in nature, the book of the living only deals with those who are physically alive. Many people confuse the two books... heck, many people don't even realise that there are two books to begin with.
No where are we told that people can or will be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life, but people are blotted out from the book of the living because they are dead. To be blotted out from the Lamb's book of life would mean that someone was once spiritually alive (born again), and then someone became spiritually dead.
Seeing as how Jesus gives His word that His sheep will never perish, and He will lose none of them, we can be absolutely sure that those who are in the Lamb's book of life, will never be blotted out of it.
And it's only when we stand on that truth, and believe that what God says will come to pass... will indeed come to pass, that all other scriptures must fall in line, as I hope I've shown you today.
Join us next time as we continue to look at the awesomeness of God's secure salvation and how His word, rightly divided, confirms this over and over again.
Amen
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