DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday September 4, 2024, A book was written before him to remember those who fear Jehovah (Mal. 3:16).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

A book was written before him to remember those who fear Jehovah (Mal. 3:16).

For thousands of years, Jehovah has been writing a special book containing a list of names. The list begins with Abel, the first faithful witness. (Luke 11:50, 51) Throughout history, Jehovah has added names to this book, and it now contains millions. In the Bible, this book is called by various names: “a book of remembrance,” “the book of life,” and “the scroll of life.” (Mal. 3:16; Rev. 3:5; 17:8) This special book contains the names of all who worship Jehovah with fear or deep respect and who love his name. They have the hope of receiving everlasting life, either in heaven or on earth. Our names can be written in this book if we develop a close, personal relationship with Jehovah based on the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, 36) Wouldn’t we all want our names written there? w22.09 14 §1, 2.

If our name is now written in the book of life, does that mean we will live forever? And what will we see in this article and the next one?

Does having your name written in the book of life guarantee eternal life? We find the answer in Exodus 32:33, where Jehovah told Moses: “I will blot out of my book anyone who has sinned against me.” This means that the names written in that book can be erased, as if Jehovah had written them in pencil for now (Rev. 3:5). We need to make sure that our name remains in the book until Jehovah writes it permanently, as if in ink.

We may have some questions. For example, what does the Bible say about those whose names are written in the book of life and those who are not? When will those whose names are written there receive eternal life? What about those who died without having the opportunity to know Jehovah? Is it possible that their names are written in this book? We will see the answer in this article and the next one.

According to Philippians 4:3, who has their names written in the book of life? And when will their names be written permanently?

Whose names are written in this symbolic book? To answer this question, we will discuss five groups of people. Some of these groups are written in the book of life, and some are not. The first group is made up of those who have been selected to reign with Christ in heaven. Are their names already written in the book of life? Yes. According to what the apostle Paul told his co-workers in Philippi, the names of anointed Christians—those who have been invited to rule with Christ—are already in the book of life (see Philippians 4:3). But in order for their names not to be blotted out of this symbolic book, they must remain faithful. And when they receive the final seal, either before their death or before the Great Tribulation breaks out, their names will be permanently written in the book (Rev. 7:3).

How does Revelation 7:16, 17 help us know when the great multitude of other sheep will have their names permanently written in the book of life?

The second group is made up of the great multitude of other sheep. Are their names now written in the book of life? Yes. Will they still be there after they survive Armageddon? Yes. (Rev. 7:14) Jesus said that these sheeplike people “will go on to everlasting life.” (Matt. 25:46) But those who survive Armageddon will not immediately receive eternal life. Their names will be written in the book of life in pencil, so to speak. During the Thousand Year Reign, Jesus will “shepherd them and lead them to springs of living waters.” Those who follow Christ’s lead and are ultimately counted faithful to Jehovah will have their names permanently written in the book of life. (Read Rev. 7:16, 17.)

Who does not have their names written in the book of life, and what will happen to them?

The third group is the goats, who will be destroyed at Armageddon. Their names are not in the book of life. Jesus said they “will go away into everlasting destruction” (Matt. 25:46). And Paul was inspired to say that these people “will suffer the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction” (2 Thess. 1:9; 2 Pet. 2:9). The same can be said of people throughout history who have deliberately sinned against the Holy Spirit. They too receive eternal destruction, not eternal life. They clearly will not be resurrected (Matt. 12:32; Mark 3:28, 29; Heb. 6:4-6). Next, we will look in detail at two groups who will be resurrected on Earth.

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