But, you may ask, in the Bible aren't the Book of Remembrance and The Book of Life the same thing? Apparently not, according to some commentators. Both books, however, play an important part at the Judgement Day. But first let us examine the Scriptures where these books are mentioned.
"Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: And the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him, for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name." - Malachi 3:16
Read all of Malachi or at least all of chapter 3. The book of Malachi was written at a time when Israel was disobedient to God and thought that He did not see or that He didn't even care what they did. They were offering lame and unhealthy sacrifices and were unfaithful to their wives, to mention a couple of things besides the fact that they just complained a lot and wondered if it was even a good idea to serve the LORD. But there was a faithful group during that time period that met and spoke with favor concerning God, and God heard them and put their names in the Book of Remembrance. God knows the intent and motive and desire of every heart. Not one pious loyal word for Him and His glory escapes Him.
Some scholars do not believe there are actual books in heaven, that that is a metaphor to help us humans to understand that God keeps a record of our deeds, and the intentions and motivations of our hearts. In ancient times the kings usually kept books of remembrances that their servants might be rewarded in due time. For an excellent example of this, read Esther 6:1-3.
The good Lord, as we already know, does not forget our good deeds and our true devotion to Him; He does not need to be reminded of all that as if He would forget. God sees all and knows all and remembers all. So perhaps these "books" in heaven may be just a metaphor to help us to understand that He remembers us and our deeds. And that we will be rewarded accordingly. But do not rule out the possibility of literal books, because the Bible should be taken literally.
"Thou tellest my wanderings; put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?" - Psalm 56:8
The above Scripture has a special meaning for me, as I "wandered" for a few years, all the while searching for the Lord although at first I did not realize that that was what I was looking for. But God in His love and mercy settled me down.....in Him. Psalm 56:8 is no doubt referring to the Book of Remembrance.
Other references to God's Book are found at Daniel 7:10 and Daniel 12:1; Exodus 32:32.
What about the Book of Life? Rest assured that if you are a true believer in Jesus and have faith in Him as your Savior, that your name is written in the Book of Life or, as it is sometimes called, The Lamb's Book of Life.
"And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life." - Philippians 4:3
"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." - Jesus at Revelation 3:5
This Book of Life contains the names of all those who will live in heaven and worship God forever there. In others words, all those who are saved will be written in the Book of Life.
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." - Revelation 20:12
"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:15
Believers and faithful followers of Jesus, Rejoice ! Your eternity with Him is secure !
Believers and faithful followers of Jesus, Rejoice ! Your eternity with Him is secure !
Unbelievers, if you do not want to spend eternity in hell, you need to repent of your sins, pray with sincerity for forgiveness, and surrender your life to the Lord; believe with all your heart that Jesus is your Lord and Savior, and put Him first in your life.
In the Bible there are many instances where a hardened and wicked sinner finds mercy and love and forgiveness from a tender-hearted and patient God . Manneseh, a wicked king of Judah (Israel) repented after God caused him to be taken into captivity in Babylon and the LORD heard his petition and restored his kingdom to him. (2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33; read especially 2 Chronicles 33:11-13). Remember the apostle Paul in the New Testament who persecuted and put in prison the Christians, until he became a believer in Jesus himself and was used mightily by the good Lord. Read Acts 9 about his conversion and the rest of Acts about his zeal and effective ministry.
So our heavenly Father can use former ungodly persons to do mighty works for Him once they repent and have faith in Jesus. He loves us and will forgive us if we confess our sins and turn away from them. Only God can make us pure and righteous and He does it by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross, which washes us white as snow. He wipes the slate clean!
So our heavenly Father can use former ungodly persons to do mighty works for Him once they repent and have faith in Jesus. He loves us and will forgive us if we confess our sins and turn away from them. Only God can make us pure and righteous and He does it by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross, which washes us white as snow. He wipes the slate clean!
Turn to Him now before it is too late.
Jesus will return soon to take all who are His to heaven with Him.
You will thereby avoid the horrendous times of God's wrath against the wicked during the seven-year tribulation period.
You will also avoid the torment of Hell.
You will have a clean conscious once you are saved by faith, and you will know the joy of the Lord and what true love is....the love God has for you, and the love you have for Him and Jesus.
"And behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 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."
Jesus at Revelation 22:12-14
"And behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 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."
Jesus at Revelation 22:12-14
