REVELATION 3:4-6
Read Revelation 3:4-6.
By the looks of it, there were only a few people in all the city and church of Sardis that were worthy of Christ. They would be the few that would walk with Christ in white garments (symbolizing purity and holiness, others see righteousness and victory) in eternity. These would be the ones whose names were written in the book of Life. These would be the ones who did not defile nor drag Christ through the mud with their life’s testimony. These would inherit eternal life. The beauty of these words is that they are for everyone who overcomes (v. 5). And for all those in this category, Jesus will confess no doubt with pride and praise their names before God and His heavenly host of angels. On that day, all the suffering and perseverance of this life will come to a glorious end as the graduation ceremony of eternity calls out one’s name by none other than Jesus Christ Himself in the presence of God and a sea of heavenly hosts. What a day that will be!
But what of those who did not repent, who did not heed the warning of Christ? Would their names be erased from the book of Life? Certainly the possibility seems to exist in v. 5 since Jesus uses this “eraser” as a means of affirming the faithful. While He does not explicitly state that the unfaithful will be erased from the book of life, if this is not true, then Christ’s affirmation to the faithful carries little weight[1]. For those who see this as support for the ability to lose one’s salvation, one must grapple with passages in Revelation that state that the book of Life contains all the names of the redeemed from the foundation of the world (cf. Rev. 13:8; 17:8), and that these names are always used in the context of the faithful. What would it mean to be erased from the book of life? To be honest, this is a difficult matter. Commentators are mixed on this as well. What is certain, however, is that those whose names are written in the book of life will be saved. Ours is to make our salvation sure through perseverance.
[1] Some see the affirmation as synonymous with the permanence of one’s relationship with Christ. The one who overcomes is promised to never be separated from Christ not only on the day of judgment but not ever after.
