09 Jul '18 11:59>1 edit
Whose names are written in that book?
Does anyone know for sure? My answer to that is nobody knows for sure. That is Gods secret. However there are some indications stated in the Bible and here is what I found
- The Sheep of Christ [also called the elect]
- People predestined from the foundation of the world
- Most of the disciples
- All of the old patriarchs and prophets
- All people who have followed the commandments of God
- All people who have followed the commandments of Christ
- All people who have at some point in time pleased God with their good works
Can names, once written in, be removed from the Book of Life
Jesus said Yes it can be.
Are only names of Christians written in the book of life
There is no indication that only the names of Christians are written in the book of life.
Are there names of nonChristians written in the book of life
Yes. Cyrus King of Persia would be one example. If he pleased God then certainly he would have had his subjects live according to the commandments of God as well. The names of the three Kings who visited Jesus at his birth would be examples. Jesus also indicated that he had sheep other than from the Jews. Some think that these were the Gentiles but none of the Apostles had gone out the Gentiles at that time.
Where is faith in all of this. Does faith count for anything?
Faith alone counts for nothing. Faith is simply a promise a believer makes to live a life that is pleasing to God. Failure to live this life means that the faith was worthless. The faithful who succeed in living according to the commandments of Christ with good works and righteousness are the elect who will reign with Christ.
What is the fate of those people whose names are not found in the book of life
They are cast into the lake of fire and are destroyed.
What is the fate of the Devil and his angels
They are cast into the lake of fire and are tormented
There are some other interesting questions which can emerge from this topic, and this can make for interesting discussion. Obviously these are opinions. I would be interested in hearing opinions of other interested parties. Also there are some misconceptions / false doctrines about all this which is open to discussion:
- man has an immortal soul which cannot be destroyed, hence eternal torment rather than annihilation. Jesus said clearly that God can and will destroy both body and soul
- that the lake of fire is a place of torment. The bible says no such thing. The lake of fire is a lake of fire. It can be a place of torment. it can also destroy.
Please keep the discussion civil. Just kidding, civil discussion is for the ladies. Insult away, I can take it.
Does anyone know for sure? My answer to that is nobody knows for sure. That is Gods secret. However there are some indications stated in the Bible and here is what I found
- The Sheep of Christ [also called the elect]
- People predestined from the foundation of the world
- Most of the disciples
- All of the old patriarchs and prophets
- All people who have followed the commandments of God
- All people who have followed the commandments of Christ
- All people who have at some point in time pleased God with their good works
Can names, once written in, be removed from the Book of Life
Jesus said Yes it can be.
Are only names of Christians written in the book of life
There is no indication that only the names of Christians are written in the book of life.
Are there names of nonChristians written in the book of life
Yes. Cyrus King of Persia would be one example. If he pleased God then certainly he would have had his subjects live according to the commandments of God as well. The names of the three Kings who visited Jesus at his birth would be examples. Jesus also indicated that he had sheep other than from the Jews. Some think that these were the Gentiles but none of the Apostles had gone out the Gentiles at that time.
Where is faith in all of this. Does faith count for anything?
Faith alone counts for nothing. Faith is simply a promise a believer makes to live a life that is pleasing to God. Failure to live this life means that the faith was worthless. The faithful who succeed in living according to the commandments of Christ with good works and righteousness are the elect who will reign with Christ.
What is the fate of those people whose names are not found in the book of life
They are cast into the lake of fire and are destroyed.
What is the fate of the Devil and his angels
They are cast into the lake of fire and are tormented
There are some other interesting questions which can emerge from this topic, and this can make for interesting discussion. Obviously these are opinions. I would be interested in hearing opinions of other interested parties. Also there are some misconceptions / false doctrines about all this which is open to discussion:
- man has an immortal soul which cannot be destroyed, hence eternal torment rather than annihilation. Jesus said clearly that God can and will destroy both body and soul
- that the lake of fire is a place of torment. The bible says no such thing. The lake of fire is a lake of fire. It can be a place of torment. it can also destroy.
Please keep the discussion civil. Just kidding, civil discussion is for the ladies. Insult away, I can take it.