The Book of Life is referenced multiple times in Scripture as the divine record of those who belong to God. It is a register of names, and being found in it is associated with eternal life and salvation.
In Exodus 32:32–33, Moses pleaded with God on behalf of Israel, saying, “Yet now, if You will forgive their sin, but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” The Lord responded, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” This passage reveals that names can be blotted out, indicating conditional inclusion based on obedience or disobedience.
Psalm 69:28 speaks of the wicked: “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous,” further affirming that names can be removed.
In Philippians 4:3, Paul refers to fellow laborers in the gospel “whose names are in the Book of Life,” confirming that the faithful are recorded therein.
Revelation gives the most detailed emphasis on the Book of Life. In Revelation 3:5, Jesus promises, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life.” This clearly implies that names can be blotted out if one does not overcome.
Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 describe those whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world as those who follow the beast, distinguishing between the saved and the lost. Revelation 20:12, 15 declares that during the final judgment, the dead will be judged, and “anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 21:27 states that only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter the New Jerusalem.
From these passages, it is evident that every name is written in the Book of Life initially, as seen in Exodus and Psalms, but those who persist in sin or reject Christ are blotted out. The condition for remaining in the Book of Life is faith in Christ and continued faithfulness. The Book of Life thus reveals both the mercy and justice of God, urging all to trust in the Savior and persevere in obedience.
