Written by Paul J Bucknell on December, 09, 2021
The Book of Life with Study Questions
The Bible’s usages of “Book of Life”
The Holy Scripture uses the term “book of life” eight times, once in the Old Testament, seven in the New Testament. Paul and John pick up the term from the Old Testament and further refine its meaning in the New Testament. John uses the term an impressive six times in the Book of Revelation.
Before reviewing each of the eight verses, we should note the inconsistency of the translators when they translated the same Greek word for book or scroll. The Greek word, biblion, (βιβλιον; root word for Bible) first conveyed the meaning of scroll rather than the contemporary understanding of ‘book.’ Both translations come from the same Greek word in all these uses; our understanding of book came into existence only much later in history.
Technically, the “book of life” should be translated the “scroll of life” in both Old and New Testaments, but it is not. The NASB, for example, will translate “book of life” instead of “scroll of life.” Revelation 5 provides an interesting exception where scroll is used. Because the scroll is “written on the front and back,” the translators are forced to use scroll in its seven uses in Revelation 5—but it’s the same Greek word used in the phrase ‘book of life.’ However, there is no essential theological or applicable differences from using one or the other.
Non-Revelation Usages of “Book of Life”
The “book of life” is used twice outside the book of Revelation.
Psalm 69:28
“May they be blotted out of the book of life and may they not be recorded with the righteous” (Ps 69:28 NASB).
Some suggest that the book of life records those living, which would link them with a database of the living. But because John connects the book of life with “the righteous,” he presents the book of life as a list of all of God’s people throughout time—not just living human beings. John will further develop this later as he speaks about the other group.
Philippians 4:3
“Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil 4:3 NASB).
Although Paul speaks of the coworkers listed in the book of life, we should not conclude the listing is specific to co-laborers in Christ. Paul encourages them by reminding them that God will remember their labors and appropriately reward them. After all, their names are in the book of life. Though not mentioned here, the book of life records the names of all genuine believers.
Other Relevant Verses of “Book”
There are many uses of “book” or “books” in the scriptures, but only a few are pertinent to our study of the Book of Life. Many of these references refer to the Old Covenant books and other historical records.
We can dismiss Daniel 9:2’s relevance because the word “books” states specifically that it refers to the other scripture books, namely Jeremiah. “Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah.”
There are three other verses by Daniel that point us to the further development of the concept of Book of Life in the New Testament.
Daniel 7:10
“A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, And the books were opened.” (Dan 7:10)
The “books” are opened and inspected by God at the end of time and indicate that nothing occurring in time will be hidden. Revelation 20:12, later described, will reuse this term, “books,” precisely in the same context as Daniel 7:10: “at the end of the age.” They could be called the Books of Judgment.
Daniel 12:1-4
“1And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” (Daniel 12:1-4)
Every good student of Revelation must first master the book of Daniel. Our first question, which we probably do not have a definite answer to, is whether the “book” in Daniel 12:1 is the same as verse 4. Verse 1’s book had a list of names more comparable to the Book of Life, probably the source of the term.
Verse 4 could refer to the book in verse 1; this would be the most normal interpretation due to its context. However, verse 1’s book is not mentioned as being open for viewing, like in verse 4. Because of this, I view verse 4 more like one of the books recording the times, different from verse 1.
The Book of Revelation’s Uses of ‘Book of Life’
The Book of Revelation often uses the term ‘book of life.’ There are technically only six verses that use this phrase, but I explain the bogus seventh time below, also.
1. Revelation 3:5
“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Rev 3:5 NASB).
The book of life includes all those who overcome the world’s trials and faithfully follow Christ. The two phrases: “white garments” and Jesus’ words, “I will confess his name before My Father,” prove that the book of life lists all genuine believers. By saying, “not erase,” the Lord brings assurance to the imperfect but persevering believers. They are included in His book of life, being perfected in Christ’s righteousness—“clothed in white garments.”
2. Revelation 13:8
“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain” (Rev 13:8 NASB).book of life of the Lamb who has been slain” (Rev 13:8 NASB).
Twice the Lamb’s book of life is mentioned in the Scriptures, both in Revelation (Rev 13:8, 21:27). Is this Lamb’s book of life different from the book of life, or does it further expand its meaning? I believe the latter is true; they are the same book.
As we progress through Revelation, we increasingly find God, the Father and Christ, collaborating as one on the redemptive work—even to the point that we cannot distinguish between them. This appears to be happening here.
The mention of the Lamb makes sense since He has “released us from our sins by His blood” (Rev 1:5), and it’s He who can open the scroll (Rev 5:6-9). In God’s eternal purpose, He has mysteriously chosen the elect in Christ “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4). These verses starkly state in black and white categories that all those not written in the book of life will worship the beast from the sea, the Antichrist (Rev 13:1). The Lamb, of course, is the slain one who sacrificed His life that we who believe in Jesus might have eternal life, escaping the evil one’s snare.
3. Revelation 17:8
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come” (Rev 17:8 NASB).
The book of life again mentions the ascribed names are “from the foundation of the world.” God included our names before the creation of the earth, just as those chosen in Christ from its foundation (Eph 1:4). Like in Revelation 13:8, John makes a distinction between the worshippers of the beast and those who belong to the Lamb. This verse helps us see the broader context of God’s grace and election. The book of life lists the redeemed names in the book; they are the same as the elect. He presents two categories: those belonging to the beast and those who belong to the Lamb, the latter names written in the book of life. The lure and wonder of the beast will ensnare those whose names are not written in the book of life (cf. 2 Thes 2:10-12).
4. Revelation 20:12
“And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds” (Rev 20:12 NASB).
The books refer to the listing of people’s deeds throughout time, both great and small, rich and poor, saved and non-saved. “The dead were judged from things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.” Though some consider the book of life to refer to all those who have lived, it only records the names of those saved in Christ. These books include all the names and deeds of everyone across time, including Christians. This declaration should scare any religious or moralistic person who depends on their works; our deeds will lead to our conviction and judgment. We need to put our trust in Christ, the lamb.
What captures our attention is “another book” which was opened, the book of life. Verses 13-14 pointedly proclaim that those who are judged by their deeds will end up cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:13-14) along with the beast and false prophet (second beast, Rev 20:10). John doesn’t further describe the book of life other than stating that it’s open, which means that God also refers to that book when judging and determining our end. After seeing our inadequate deeds, He will glance to see if our names are in the book of life. Having discovered this, He forgives and saves us. From other verses, we find that if our names are written in the book of life, we come under the protection and righteousness of Jesus Christ. This open book is the same as the Lamb’s book of life.
5. Revelation 20:15
“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15 NASB).
The book of life lists the names of those who have found salvation in Christ. It does not state this here, but instead exposes the insufficiency of other religions, confessions, and works. Only those whose names are written in the book of life are saved; others will be cast into the lake of fire. Note there is no in-between purgatory, temporary or not.
6. Revelation 21:27
“And nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev 21:27 NASB).
This last mention of the book of life again links it to the Lamb—“the Lamb’s book of life.” We are granted a view of eternity’s peace and find that only those whose names are written in the book of life will enter the New Jerusalem. The inclusion of the Lamb reminds us that our privilege is wholly due to the Lamb’s willingness to die for us and “release us from our sins,” thus representing us before God the Father in His bright (i.e., white) righteousness (1 John 2:1-2).
Revelation 22:19 — An anomaly
As you read the two following translations, note how they differ.
“And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev 22:19 KJV, NKJV, AKJV, GNV, JUB, NMB, RGT, WYC).
“And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Rev 22:19 NASB).
Interestingly, only the King James Bible and a few versions that follow the KJV and its select Greek manuscript (TR), use the “book of life.” Almost all Greek manuscripts use “the tree of life” as in 22:14, not “the book of life.” When translating the New Testament, Erasmus had no Greek manuscripts for the last six verses of Revelation so he translated it back from the Latin Vulgate’s wrong translation “book of life.”
The many Greek manuscripts testify to the proper translation: “tree of life,” not “book of life,” leaving the phrase ‘book of life’ used only six times in Revelation, not seven.
Summary
This book (scroll) of life, hidden with God from the beginning of time, includes all the names of those who trust in the Lamb and faithfully follow the Lord. The Lamb’s book of life is not a separate book but the same as the book of life with the same entries. The redeemed, those saved by grace and faith in Christ, and indeed the elect all describe this group having their names in this book of life. This book of life is not a list of all those who lived; that is reserved for the ‘books’ (Rev 20:12). One’s name in the book of life, however, promises salvation and escape from the horrifying judgment of God. He identifies Jesus Christ’s essential part in providing salvation through the sacrifice of His life, “a Lamb standing as if slain” (Rev 5:6).
Study Questions on the Book of Life
- What comes first to your mind when hearing the term ‘book of life?’
- What is intriguing about the phrase ‘book of life?’
- How is a book the same or different from a scroll?
- Which translation seems best from your perspective: book or scroll?
- Why do many versions use scroll in Revelation 5 while using book in other places?
- What makes the author conclude that the book of life only includes those saved, rather than everyone that has or had physical life? Do you agree? Explain.
- Give one or two reasons why the ‘Lamb’s book of life’ is not a different book from the ‘book of life.’
- Is your name written in the book of life? How do you know?
- What difference does it make if a person’s name is written in the book of life?
- As a bonus, explain why Revelation’s 22:19 should not be translated book of life.
Other “Book of Life” References by Paul J. Bucknell
1 John 3:1-10: The Pathways to Death and Life
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelations 20:13-15).
Biblical Integration - of Revelation in the Bible
…world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he.
Philippians 4:1-7: The Peace of God | The Bible Teaching ...
... in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:3).
…are written in the Lamb’s book of life. • “No temple in it” (22) for the whole Jerusalem, people of God, constantly thrives in God’s presence.
Church Versus Christ’s Self Designation Good Problem(s) and ...
Will be clothed in white garments; name never blotted out of the Book of Life; name confessed before God and angels. Philadelphia (Faithful Church)
Antichrist Revealed in Revelation 13 | Biblical Foundations for ...
The “Book of Life” reminds us that believers will not be saved because of their cleverness but through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb, who ...
Stepping into God’s Peace - Slide #07_11
How can we have peace when we are not actively participating in God’s Gospel program?
The books are opened and another book, the book of life, is opened (20:12). Sea, death and Hades all give up their dead, signifying general resurrection.
(2) Believers who are recorded in the book of life (3:5 ; 13:8 ; 17:8 ; 20:12,15 ; 21:27),. (3) Believers belonging to the Lamb that was slain (5:6,12), ...
Not Ashamed (Mark 8:38) | Biblical Foundations for Freedom
“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life…” (Rev 3:5).
The Promised Land—An Everlasting Possession? Genesis 17:7-8 ...
Who are the nations mentioned in Revelation 21:24 since those whose name is not written in the Book of Life were “thrown into the lake of ...
foundation of the world in the book of life of the. Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: 10. If anyone is to be taken captive,.
