'blotted out of God's book'

[Stinker]

"But now, if you will, forgive their sin- and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!"
The Lord said to Moses; "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot them out of My book." (Ex.32:32:33)


At what point is a person's 'name' entered into God's book?

Is it at first entered at conception?

Is it later 'blotted out' when a person reaches the 'age of accountability' ?

Is it then re-entered when a person is born-again?

Is it then 'blotted out' & 're-entered hundreds of times during the course of a person's life?

[Matthan]

In the Old Testament every Jew was entered into the same Covenant with God from the moment of birth (or conception, I'm not sure). They were then (appaently) blotted out when they committed some grave sin against God, such as violating any of the laws of Moses that resulted in death upon being found guilty (not based on any specific Scripture verse(s), but on verses that seem to say this is generally what happens).

With the New Testament, an entirely new order of things became God's New Covenant with man. The name of anyone who believed in Jesus as the Christ of God was written into the book of Life, and will not be blotted out. Now, some might argue about Revelation 3:4-5, which states:
"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5. 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."
That warning is just that, a warning. No one has been blotted out of the Book of Life, but Jesus warns us that He can blot out names if circumstances warrant. Furthermore, this particular verse serves as strong assurance of the eternal security of all believers (while primarily aimed at the believers in Sardis).

Matthan <J><

[Ginny]

I think this could easily turn into a "can salvation be lost" thread.

Just a warning. ;)

I'm all for babies/young children and people with mental retardation, etc. being "safe" in the arms of God. I do not believe salvation can be lost; however, if you are truly saved in the first place and did not have what some people call "a religious experience" the fruits will show.

John 15:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=15&verse=4&version=31&context=verse)
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Matthew 7:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=7&verse=16&version=31&context=verse)
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Matthew 7:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=7&verse=17&version=31&context=verse)
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=54&chapter=5&verse=17&version=31&context=verse)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

As far as your name being off, on, off, on some list..I question that. To me if it is on b/c you have truly accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and have a relationship with Him...it is permanent marker!

Was this a sincere question or a debate starter? :)

[GoldenStorm]

I believe that everyone who will ever be born or has been born had their name written in the book. It is only blotted out at that person's death if he was able to understand and rejected the love of God.

[Stinker]

In the Old Testament every Jew was entered into the same Covenant with God from the moment of birth (or conception, I'm not sure). They were then (appaently) blotted out when they committed some grave sin against God, such as violating any of the laws of Moses that resulted in death upon being found guilty (not based on any specific Scripture verse(s), but on verses that seem to say this is generally what happens).

With the New Testament, an entirely new order of things became God's New Covenant with man. The name of anyone who believed in Jesus as the Christ of God was written into the book of Life, and will not be blotted out. Now, some might argue about Revelation 3:4-5, which states:

That warning is just that, a warning. No one has been blotted out of the Book of Life, but Jesus warns us that He can blot out names if circumstances warrant. Furthermore, this particular verse serves as strong assurance of the eternal security of all believers (while primarily aimed at the believers in Sardis).

Matthan <J><


If a Jew was first written into the 'book of life' at birth because of his/her being in covenant with God.....what about the Gentile newborn?

"For when the Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these not having the Law, are a law unto themselves....." (Rom.2:14)


It looks to me that all infants on up to the age of accountability, were written in the book of life. Whether they were in covenant with God or not. It also looks as if the the Gentiles did by instinct the things of the law, that they were also written in the book of life.