James H. Cagle
“Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10: 20). “And there shall in no wise enter into it (Heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21: 27). (Dan. 12: 1; Phil. 4: 3; Heb. 12: 23).
According to the Bible there is a book in Heaven that belongs to God in which He writes all the names of those who have been saved and washed in the blood of the Lamb and have been given new life in Christ. This book is called The Lamb’s Book of Life. The book has the names of all those who are saved and are therefore children of God. This book is the city register of Heaven and list all those who will spend eternity with God in Heaven, who have a place prepared for them there. When this book is full, and the Bride of Christ is complete, then the Rapture will take place.
The church membership roll is not the same or synonymous with the Lamb’s Book of Life. A person is required to be saved or born-again before they can join a local church, but many join a church because they think and have been taught to believe that church membership is the same as getting saved and getting your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. There will be many church members left behind at the Rapture because they did not get saved and get their name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Somewhere in Heaven this book is opened and names are being written in it by an angel possibly, whose job it has been through the ages to pen down the names of the redeemed.
The Lamb’s Book of Life will be brought out when the lost are judged at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20: 12). This book is brought out as the final proof that those there in judgment are lost. “Other books” like maybe the Book of Conscience (Rom.2:15), the Book of Words (Mt.12: 36,37), the Book of Secrets (Ecc.12: 14; Rom.2:16), and the Book of Public Works (2 Cor.11: 15; Mt.16:27), are opened and used to determine their degree of suffering in Hell.
People do almost anything to get their name in lights, on monuments, in the mind and on the lips of people, but will not have their name written in Heaven. No work, labor, or effort is necessary to get our name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. All we have to do is realize we’re a lost sinner and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved and our name is then entered in.
Somewhere past the most-distant star on a Wednesday night, on May 16, 1962, my name, in love and with great rejoicing in the heart of God was entered in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and it will be there throughout eternity. Is your name written there in those pages bright and fair?
You are a great teacher Mr. Cagle. I was unaware of the books you spoke on. Thank you for opening my eyes to more than just those books. I also thank God for people like you in the world! I hope to make Him as proud of me as He is you! I will do my best to read your lesson daily.