THE BOOK OF LIFE

The Revelation 3:5

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels.

HIM THAT OVERCOMES

This phrase would lead us to believe that we have to do a lot of work to keep our name written in the Book of Life. I have heard this used as a justification for "works oriented Theology", working our way into the kingdom; righteousness through works. That is not what this indicates if you look at this verse through the lens of the Redemption by the Blood of JESUS.

He that overcometh is he that has put his life in the hands of JESUS. JESUS paid it all for us, and we are free in Him. JESUS is our Redeemer and Savior, we are His own Beloved children, who believe in Him. JESUS will confess us before the Father and the angels, declaring us to be found in Him. Our work is to believe in the LORD JESUS Christ and be saved.

I use as the best example of this, the Passover. The LORD GOD told the children of Israel in bondage in Egypt, to put the blood of a lamb on the door posts and the lintel of their house and stay inside. When He passed over that night, all who were in the house with the blood on the door, were saved from death. Read Exodus 12 for the account and the words of the LORD. The Blood of JESUS, the Lamb of GOD, saves us from death; when we are found in JESUS, we are covered with Him and are declared "not guilty".

What is our work? Having been set free from the oppression of the enemy, we are to be the witnesses of the Good News that JESUS Christ saves and we work to set other captives to sin free from their bondage. Our work is to be the Hands and feet of JESUS in this world.