The Book of Life

The Old Testament is replete with promises about wickedness being kept out from the City of Peace. “Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD” (Psalm 101:8); “Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you” (Isaiah 52:1); “Also your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified” (Isaiah 60:21).

Here in Revelation 21, we have seen this theme repeated in every detail of the city. The distinction between righteousness and unrighteousness is brought forcefully to the mind as we contemplate what God has in store for humanity. Again and again, the Scriptures emphasize this lesson: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

The Lamb’s Book of Life contains the names of all who are saved. The Bible reveals that some have never had their name written in the book (Revelation 13:8); some will have their names blotted out of it (Revelation 3:5). Paul writes that those who have “labored … in the gospel” have their names written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3).

This reminds us of Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast: All are invited to come to the wedding feast (Matthew 22:8). Those who accept the invitation become the guests; their names are written in the guest registry, so to speak. However, before the feast can take place, there is a judgment of those who have accepted the invitation. Only those who are wearing the wedding garments provided by the king could remain as guests (Matthew 22:11–13).

This wedding garment represents to us the righteousness of Christ, offered to all, without price. If we choose to accept the invitation and put on the garment, we shall be ushered in to partake of the feast and eat from the tree of life.

Lord, I claim Your blood and the promise of eternal life, my only hope.

For Further Study: Revelation 3:12; Philippians 4:3; Isaiah 53:6

Key Bible Texts

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27 KJV)