The Books of Life and Remembrance.

[phipps]

Summary: God has a book, called the Book of Remembrance, in which He records our deeds.

In Psalm 56:8, David referenced a book belonging to God:
 "Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?"

What is this book, and what does it mean for us? It is called the Book of Remembrance and everyone who has ever believed in Jesus has one. Malachi also referenced this book:

"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels" (Malachi 3:16-17).

This Book of Remembrance holds every act of faithful service done for the Lord. Every encouraging word, every unselfish deed, every sacrifice made, the Lord has carefully placed there as a witness to the universe that you are indeed His child.

This book is directly connected with another very important book called the Book of Life. If a name is removed from the Book of Life, that person’s good deeds will also be removed from the Book of Remembrance.

Both of these books play a vital role during the time of the judgment, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Satan will stand to accuse us before God that we are not worthy of eternal life. He will point to all of our sins and lay our faults in the worst possible light, declaring that we don’t deserve any more than he does to be saved.

Revelation 12:10 calls Satan the “accuser of the brethren…which accused them before our God day and night.” Jesus does not excuse our sins, but rather points to the immortalized record of our lives and shows Satan that every one of those sins have been confessed and forgiven by Him, that His blood covers them and only our good deeds remain. This is very good news for us!

"Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20).

But as we rejoice, we must also remember not to take the mercy of God and His grace lightly by trying to cover up or ignore our sins. They must be confessed and forsaken:

"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment" (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation 21:27).

Sins that have not been repented of and forsaken will not be pardoned and blotted out of the record, but will stand as a witness against us in the judgment. May we search our hearts sincerely and make things right with God so that our life’s story may be shared throughout the endless ages.

amazingdiscoveries.org

 

[Thunderian]

God doesn't remember our sins. He's hardly going to point them out to Satan, especially if they've been confessed and covered by his blood.

 

[phipps]

God doesn't remember our sins. He's hardly going to point them out to Satan, especially if they've been confessed and covered by his blood.

Nothing in my post above suggests God remembers our confessed sins. He certainly will not be pointing out those sins to Satan. You've misunderstood again.

 

[Thunderian]

Nothing in my post above suggests God remembers our sins. He certainly will not be pointing out our sins to Satan. You've misunderstood again.

I guess I have.

"Jesus does not excuse our sins, but rather points to the immortalized record of our lives and shows Satan that every one of those sins have been confessed and forgiven by Him, that His blood covers them and only our good deeds remain."

How is Jesus even discussing any one of our sins, let alone every one, if he doesn't remember them?

 

[phipps]

Malachi 3:16–18 says, “Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. ‘They will be Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.’”

The book of Malachi is a detailed account from the Lord to Israel about their disobedience. His charges against them includes offering defective sacrifices (1:8), teaching error (2:8), being unfaithful to their wives (2:13–14), and complaining that it was futile to serve the Lord (3:13–14). God pronounces strict judgments upon those guilty of such offences (Malachi 2:2, 9). He then makes it clear that He hears and knows the intent of every heart and desires to honour those who honour Him. He knows those who refuse to murmur against Him (Numbers 14:27, 36; Deuteronomy 1:27; Psalm 106:25).

Several places in Scripture refer to God’s “book” (Exodus 32:32; Psalm 56:8; 69:28; Daniel 7:10; 12:1; Revelation 13:8; 20:15). In His infinite knowledge, God does not need a written record in order to keep track of human deeds. However, when He speaks to us, He often uses metaphor or parable to help us understand (Mark 4:33). As Malachi presented God’s words to the people, they would have understood what a book of remembrance represented. The kings of Persia kept such books, records of those who had rendered service to the king, that those servants might be rewarded. The book of Esther contains a good example of this (Esther 6:1–3).

It is also important to note that the reward was often delayed. That’s why books were needed, so that no worthy deed for the king went unrewarded. In Malachi 3:17 the Lord says, “‘On the day when I act . . . .” He is indicating that faithful service may go on for years with no apparent reward, but He is taking note. There is coming a day when He will act. One reason the Israelites had grown lax in their obedience and were becoming jealous of evildoers was that they thought the Lord did not see or care (Malachi 3:14–15; cf. Psalm 94:7; Ezekiel 8:12).

However, Scripture is clear that loyalty to God does not go unnoticed or unrewarded. Jesus spoke of this many times (Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41; Luke 6:23; Revelation 22:12). He spoke of storing up treasure in heaven, as though making deposits into a bank account (Matthew 6:20). The implication is that what is done on earth is forever recorded in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10). The book of remembrance is simply a concept God used to encourage His faithful ones that their love and service for Him was appreciated. It is His promise that, when His judgment comes against those who reject Him, He knows His own and will preserve them. The account of righteous Noah is a good illustration of God’s preserving those who honour Him (Genesis 6:9).

Jesus encouraged His followers to “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Even as He said it, Jesus knew that their faithfulness to Him would result in earthy trouble, heartache, and even death (Matthew 24:9; Acts 9:16; 12:2). But knowing that their names were written in God’s book helped the disciples persevere to the end (Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13). Galatians 6:9 continues the theme of future reward: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Those who continue to honour the Lord when many around them fall away can rest in the confidence that their names are written in God’s book of remembrance.

https://www.gotquestions.org/book-of-remembrance.html

 

[Thunderian]

https://www.gotquestions.org/book-of-remembrance.html

Are you sure you want to post from there? They aren't really friendly to your point of view on almost anything.

 

[phipps]

I guess I have.

"Jesus does not excuse our sins, but rather points to the immortalized record of our lives and shows Satan that every one of those sins have been confessed and forgiven by Him, that His blood covers them and only our good deeds remain."

How is Jesus even discussing any one of our sins, let alone every one, if he doesn't remember them?

Its because of Satan's accusations. So Jesus will have to point out that we are clean and those sins Satan is accusing us of are confessed and do not count. You posted that bit out of context. If posted in context it reads, "Revelation 12:10 calls Satan the “accuser of the brethren…which accused them before our God day and night.” Jesus does not excuse our sins, but rather points to the immortalized record of our lives and shows Satan that every one of those sins have been confessed and forgiven by Him, that His blood covers them and only our good deeds remain. This is very good news for us!"

 

[phipps]

Are you sure you want to post from there? They aren't really friendly to your point of view on almost anything.

I agree with this particular point on the book of Remembrance. Just like I agree on some points with you but not most.

 

[Thunderian]

Its because of Satan's accusations. So Jesus will have to point out that we are clean and those sins Satan is accusing us of are confessed and do not count.

None of our sins count.

 

[phipps]

None of our sins count.

They do if not confessed.

 

[Thunderian]

They do if not confessed.

So if you die with unconfessed sin, what happens?

 

[phipps]

So if you die with unconfessed sin, what happens?

You will pay for your own sins in hell. Jesus died and paid the price for confessed sins. When we accept His gift of Salvation and confess our sins, that is what Jesus the lamb died for, because the wages of sin is death. He died in our stead so we would not die eternally but have eternal life. If we don't accept the gift of Salvation and confess our sins, we will pay for our own sins in hell and die eternally.

 

[Thunderian]

You will pay for your own sins in hell. Jesus died and paid the price for confessed sins. When we accept His gift of Salvation and confess our sins, that is what Jesus the lamb died for, because the wages of sin is death. He died in our stead so we would not die eternally but have eternal life. If we don't accept the gift of Salvation and confess our sins, we will pay for our own sins in hell and die eternally.

Maybe you misunderstood the question.

If someone who has accepted Jesus Christ dies with unconfessed sin, what happens to them?

 

[phipps]

Maybe you misunderstood the question.

If someone who has accepted Jesus Christ dies with unconfessed sin, what happens to them?

Its the same answer. No one who sins wilfully is going to heaven, saved or unsaved. This is something that is discussed at large in the forum "once saved always saved?"

"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation 21:27).

Sins that have not been repented of and forsaken will not be pardoned and blotted out of the record, but will stand as a witness against us in the judgment.

 

[Thunderian]

Its the same answer. No one who sins wilfully is going to heaven, saved or unsaved. This is something that is discussed at large in the forum "once saved always saved?"

You didn't listen there, either, so I won't pursue it here.

Just so no one is deceived, once a person trusts Jesus Christ to save them from their sins, they are saved from all their sin -- past, present, and future -- including such sins as backsliding and outright apostasy.

 

[phipps]

You didn't listen there, either, so I won't pursue it here.

Just so no one is deceived, once a person trusts Jesus Christ to save them from their sins, they are saved from all their sin -- past, present, and future -- including such sins as backsliding and outright apostasy.

You are wrong and I say that because you really are. Did you know our names can be removed from the book of life? Here is scripture that proves that.

"Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God" (Nehemiah 13:14).

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Revelation 3:5).

"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:19).

Jesus did not die for past, present and future sins. This is a satanic doctrine that gives licence to Christians to continue in sin thinking they are secure in their salvation. When we come to God and confess our sins He forgives us, then we start our walk with Christ being sanctified. We sin less and less but when we sin we confess our sins always. Jesus died for only confessed sin because that is the sign that we have accepted His gift of Salvation. If one continues to sin without confessing and forsaking their sins, its a sign they are no longer saved and if they die, they will pay for their own unconfessed and not forsaken sins.

 

[phipps]

The Book of Life

Summary: The Book of Life is a record of all God's people.

The Bible tells us that the Book of Life is the record of all those who will make up the Kingdom of God when He comes. If our name is found there we have nothing to fear of the judgment because Jesus has forgiven all of our sins and we are covered by His righteousness.

There are however, numerous warnings to us about keeping our names in this book. It is possible for our names to be removed from the Lamb’s Book of Life:

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Revelation 3:5).

"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:19).

"Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God" (Nehemiah 13:14).

If a name is removed from the Book of Life, that person’s good deeds will also be removed from the Book of Remembrance.

 

[Thunderian]

We are sealed by the Holy Spirit, something that is unique to this age. Any verse that suggests we have to work for our salvation or that we can lose it needs to be read and understood in that context.

Titus 3:5​

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;​

 

[phipps]

We are sealed by the Holy Spirit, something that is unique to this age. Any verse that suggests we have to work for our salvation or that we can lose it needs to be read and understood in that context.

Titus 3:5​

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;​

We are sealed by the Holy Spirit as long we continue to let the Holy Spirit guide us. If we stop and change our minds (which we can because we have free will) we are no longer sealed. Then we are taken out of the Book of life. The Bible does not contradict itself. Here is more Scripture on the Holy Spirit.

The Unpardonable Sin
""Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come." Matthew 12:31-32.

"Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going." John 12:35.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." Romans 8:14.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:22-26.

As usual you've taken a verse out of context. Titus 3:1-7 says, "Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

 

[Thunderian]

We are sealed by the Holy Spirit as long we continue to let the Holy Spirit guide us.

No. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption.

As usual you've taken a verse out of context.

Tell me how the context changes the verse I quoted?

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.

Tell me how the context changes that verse from, "It's not our own righteousness that saves us, but Jesus Christ's mercy", to, "I'm saved as long as I'm good." Actually, don't bother. I know you've been told these things, and I said I wouldn't pursue this here.