Hi John,
I was reading in Luke this morning regarding the time Jesus sent 70 disciples out to preach the gospel. Upon their return they were rejoicing that they had authority over demons, etc. Jesus told them not to rejoice because the demons were subject to them but rather they should rejoice because their names were written in heaven. This event took place before Pentecost.
I began looking for similar scriptures that made reference to one’s name written in heaven. Hebrews 12:23 mentions the Great Assembly, the first born written in heaven. This is the only one I could find.
The book of Revelation mentions the Book of Life several times which I assume is different than what Jesus was referring to regarding names being written in heaven.
My question is this. I always assumed that one’s name is written in the Book of Life when one is born again, but I cannot find a scripture reference to support this assumption. Is this correct?
As far as one’s name written in heaven, it sounds like one’s name is written in heaven before they are born again. True?
Thanks,
Tom
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Hi, Tom!
First, the Book of Life is what Jesus (and the author of Hebrews) was talking about when he mentioned names written in heaven.
Secondly, no new names have been written in that Book since the foundation of the world. If your name is in there, you will be called into the kingdom of God. If not, you will not be called.
So, yes, your name must have been written in the Book of Life before the world was created, or you will never be born again. If it is in there, it has been there since before the world was created, and you will, at some point in your life, feel God’s call to come.
Pastor John