There are volumes of "books of lists" that have been published that list names of people for a variety of reasons (i.e Who's Who).  There are also magazines and newspapers that are "society" driven and many love to have their names and pictures printed in them for the world to see.  Yet, the Bible teaches there's a book that everyone should want to have their name in but the vast majority won't.  The importance of this book is so significant everything else pales in comparison.  What is this most important book and why should we want to be listed in it more than any other?

1)  The Best List Of All - The Book Of Life! -A Reason To Rejoice - Jesus said this - Luke 10: 20
      a. Numerous other passages refer to a special Book that's kept
          1.  Exodus 32: 32,33; Psalm 69: 28; Daniel 12: 1; Philippians 4: 3; Revelation 3: 5; 13: 8; 17: 8; 
               20: 12, 15;  21: 27;  22: 19  
      b. The Book is in heaven

2)  "Why This Book And Who Adds To It?"
      a.  The righteous are listed - Psalm 69: 28;  Philippians 4: 3
      b.  As we noted earlier, Jesus said this is a cause for rejoicing - Luke 10: 20
      c.  Jesus, the Lamb, is associated with the book - Revelation 13: 8; 17: 8
      d. Deliverance is experienced by those in this book - Daniel 12: 1 
      e  God is the one who adds - Exodus 32: 32 - 33
      f   If God adds to it and Jesus said it's a cause for rejoicing who wouldn't want to be in it?

3)  "So If You're In It, It's Like 'Once Saved Always Saved' "?
      a.  In the first place, let's clarify something. The Bible simply does not teach the doctrine of the 
           "impossibility of apostasy".  One can be in a covenant relationship with the Lord, fall away, and
           be lost. 
           1.  What would be the point of the Bible having warnings (i.e. Hebrews 3: 12 - 14) if you didn't need
                to be warned of anything because you couldn't be lost? 
      b.  Distorting the Word can have serious consequences regarding one's place in the book - 
           Revelation 22: 19
      c.  As we saw earlier, God adds to that list and He can take away from it - Exodus 32: 33;  Revelation 3: 5
      d.   The book is part of the eternal plan of God - Revelation 13: 8

4)  There's A Future Day When Everyone Will Know There Is A Book
     a.  Revelation 20: 12 - at the Judgment Day it will be opened
     b.  Revelation 20: 15; 21: 27 - Notice what happens if your not in the book at the Judgment!
     c.  Matthew 25 - sheep and goats

In many schools students try out for plays, choruses, sports teams, etc.  When the final choices are made a list is usually posted for all to see who made the final cut.  Some are happy and many are not.  Why are their unhappy ones?  Because they don't see their names.  They didn't make it.  But, life goes on and the disappointed will move on to something else.  Not so at the Judgment. There will be rejoicing for some and extreme sadness for many. Why? The majority will be lost because they aren't on the list.  They simply won't be able to move on to something else.

Are You in the Lamb's Book of Life?