A Book Not Found Here On Earth
(Ensuring your name in the book)
FROM GENESIS down to Revelation, 66 books constitute the Holy Scriptures or the Bible. It is divided into two parts: the Old Testament, which is composed of 39 books, and the New Testament, which is composed of 27 books.
The Bible, where God’s words are written: “is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live. Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work,” and the “Scriptures are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation” (II Tim. 3:16-17, 15 Easy-to-Read Version).
And the word of the Lord God, according to the Lord Jesus Christ, is truth (John 17:17).
As such, the Bible should be the sole basis of one’s faith and service to God. But according to the Bible itself, there is another book that has something to do with the ones who are certain of being saved on Judgment Day. That book is not found here on Earth. How then is it relevant to man’s salvation? What does it tell or contain as to who will be saved? And how can one know what it tells or contains?
THE BOOK IN HEAVEN
There is a book where the names of those who will be saved are recorded:
“Daniel, at that time the great prince Michael will stand up. Michael is in charge of your people. There will be a time of much trouble, the worst time since nations have been on earth. But Daniel, at that time every one of your people whose name is found written in the book of life will be saved.”
(Reference: Dan. 12:1 ETRV, Emphasis Mine)
The Book of Life that contains the names of those who will be saved is found not here on earth, but in heaven (Luke 10:20). Sadly, if one’s name is not found in the Book of Life, he will be cast into the lake of fire and not be saved:
“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
(Reference: Rev. 20:15 New King James Version, Emphasis Mine)
Hence, in order to be saved on Judgment Day, one should not only want but also be certain that his name is recorded in the Book of Life.
REGISTERED IN HEAVEN
But how can one be certain that his name is found written in the Book of Life when that book is not found here on earth? The Bible identifies the Church whose members are registered in heaven:
“To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.”
(Reference: Heb. 12:23 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
The Church to which the firstborn belonged is registered in heaven. So, if anyone wants to be sure that the church he belongs to is the one written or registered in heaven and will be saved, he should first determine if it is the same Church to which the firstborn belonged.
The firstborn or the first members of the Church (James 1:18) were of the Jewish race (James 1:1). As to which Church they are members of, the apostles stated:
“The churches of Christ in Judea did not know me personally.” Emphasis Mine)
(Reference: Gal. 1:22 Christian Community Bible, Emphasis Mine)
The Jews referred to as the first fruits or firstborn were members of the Church Of Christ. This is the one registered or written in heaven and the one that will be saved. Thus, very fortunate are members of the Church Of Christ, for they will be saved. This is the Church that one must join so that his name will be included in the Book of Life in heaven.
THOSE WHOSE NAMES WILL BE ERASED
However, there is a danger that even though one has joined the Church Of Christ, if one continues to live in sin, his name will not remain in the Book of Life:
“Pile their sins up high, and don’t let them go free. Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous.”
(Reference: Psa. 69:27-28 New Living Translation, Emphasis Mine)
The names of those who live in sin or the unrighteous will be erased from the Book of Life. That is because they are to be expelled from the Church (I Cor. 5:12-13). Such will no longer have a share in the promised salvation. Hence, a Church Of Christ member should always live righteously in order for his name to remain in the Book of Life.
So as not to fall into wickedness and be blotted out from the Book of Life, a Church Of Christ member must “overcome the world” (Rev. 3:5; I John 5:4 NKJV), that is, the sins of the world:
“Everything that belongs to the world — what the sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of — none of this comes from the Father; it all comes from the world. The world and every passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.”
(Reference: I John 2:16-17 Good News Bible, Emphasis Mine)
The world and all its sinful desires will pass away. Thus, for a member of the Church Of Christ to be saved and attain eternal life, he should fulfill the will of God.
ENSURING ONE'S NAME IS IN THE BOOK
One of the works which, when fulfilled by Church Of Christ members, all the more prove that their names are in the Book of Life was pointed out by Apostle Paul, thus:
“And, my true partner, I ask you to help them. These women have worked together with me and with Clement and with the others in spreading the good news. Their names are now written in the book of life.”
(Reference: Phil. 4:3 Contemporary English Version, Emphasis Mine)
Active participation in the Church’s endeavors in spreading the Good News or gospel further ensures that a member’s name is indeed in the Book of Life.
Other commandments that Church Of Christ members should observe to strengthen their hope for salvation and eternal life were also stated by the apostles:
“Tell them to use their wealth for good things; be rich in good works! If they are willing to give generously and share everything, then they will send ahead a great treasure for themselves and build their futures on a solid foundation. As a result, they will surely take hold of eternal life.”
(Reference: I Tim. 6:18-19 The Voice, Emphasis Mine)
Church Of Christ members should never get tired of doing good works and also be “willing to give generously” or voluntarily their offerings to God. In doing so, they are building for themselves a solid foundation to take hold of eternal life in heaven.
And so, while the Book of Life is in heaven, one can ensure that his name is written in it — by becoming a member of the Church Of Christ and striving to remain one by living righteously and departing from all kinds of evil. He must continue doing good works such as sharing the pure gospel and giving voluntary offerings that come from the heart so as to edify his hope for the promised salvation.
IN CONCLUSION
1
The Church of Christ is indispensable for man’s salvation. When someone becomes a member of the Church Of Christ, their name is recorded and bound in heaven in the Book of Life. Those who are expelled or removed are erased from the Book of Life as if they were never part of the church. Therefore, a member must always strive to obey and follow God’s commandments to ensure that their name is not blotted out. It’s important because on the appointed Day of Judgment, “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelations 20: 15). Thus, those not included in the Book of Life are separated from God and and they will face eternal damnation.
2
WE KINDLY EXTEND our visitors an invitation to explore the pristine, unadulterated teachings of Christ and His apostles as they were taught in the first-century Church Of Christ. These teachings present the path that leads to eternal life for all people on the appointed day:
The Truth About Salvation
CHRISTIANITY IS A RELIGION with over 2.4 billion followers worldwide. It is composed of diverse faiths with thousands of denominations, such as Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Adventist—the list goes on. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimates that there are over 45,000 denominations globally, with more than 200 in the United States alone. Each denomination has its own unique set of beliefs and doctrines, especially when it comes to how one can achieve salvation. Do any of these religions truly teach the proper way of salvation?
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(Eph. 4:29, Amplified Bible)
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(1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Amplified Bible)