NAME TAKEN OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Rev 22:18 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:
Rev 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.
There’s much that could be said about the book of life, especially in God’s program with Israel. In fact, in my own personal studies I am reconsidering some matters about Israel’s program in which the book of life is involved, along with some other registrations of names. So, since I am reconsidering some issues germane to the overall doctrine of the book of life and other similar records God keeps, I wouldn’t feel too comfortable right now trying to say too much. Therefore, as I said, I’m going to give you the short form answer. First of all, based upon my understanding of God preserving His word, I reject the textual variation of “tree” for “book” that exists in this verse among some manuscripts. Therefore, I hold to the KJV reading of “book of life.” With respect to what the verse is talking about, if one’s name is taken out of the book of life, then the person is identified as having no part in eternal life. And this is something that God says He will do to anyone who takes away from the words of the prophecy set forth in the book of The Revelation. In essence, therefore, God is identifying anyone who does this as someone who isn’t saved.
Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Now, this is something that is very important for the members of the saved remnant of Israel (to whom this book is written) to understand and appreciate. For they are going to be besieged by a great number of people who say they are saved, but who in truth are not. As the 7 letters recorded in chapters 2 and 3 make clear, the churches of the remnant of Israel in the Lord’s day are going to be infiltrated by false brethren; by wolves in sheep’s clothing; by false apostles and prophets; false Jews; and the like. And it is going to be impossible for them to tell who is who on the basis of personal testimony, personal appearance, etc. Instead, one of the only ways the remnant will be able to detect the presence of these false persons is by certain things that these characters do when confronted with the testimony God has given to the remnant to operate upon. One of the things these false apostles, false prophets, false teachers, and the like will do is either add to or take away from “the words of the book of this prophecy.” But the remnant doesn’t have to be deceived by these characters, for in view of what the Lord says to them in Rev. 22:14–19 about such actions, along with what He says to them in other places about other identifying actions, such actions as this identify these characters as not being saved at all. The issue of the remnant of Israel being able to identify false brethren for who they are, is a big issue in the final installment of God’s program with Israel. It’s an issue the prophets talked about, the Lord dealt with when He was here, and it comes up repeatedly in Hebrews through The Revelation. Revelation 22:14–19 is one of their identifiers.
Rev 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Keith Blades
Enjoy The Bible Ministries