Among the various ways in which God expresses himself in communicating with mankind, on our terms, the analogy of a book is one. Erasure or other means of removing names is not something we accent or fully understand in reference to names in God’s, Book of Life. Whose names are written and whose are removed from the writing? Is every person’s name registered? A case can be made that all have prospects. The point, from Christ, is that opportunity is not denied.
There must be a parable of meaning in which the following is an interpretation. At a child’s conception the name is recorded, or has been, or will be, at the county seat of the New Jerusalem, the address for all who will, by redemption, count their home town for immortality. That name remains, unless by rejection or omission of the guidelines for citizenship, which is heavenly membership, the name is removed – erased or blotted out. Rejection may take several forms, the most common being neglect of the need to qualify. Neglect to qualify becomes a decision not to qualify. It is a sin of omission. It is effective for this purpose, as a deliberate rejection of even tentative entry. Acceptance favoring God is a human act in a natural setting so to inaugurate faith.
Many will protest. Is not the name written down on the acceptance of the redemption of the King of that New Jerusalem, Jesus Christ? No, say some, the name is already there in the book. This procedure is common practice in daily human life. I seek to have my name removed from more lists than I seek to have it included. I am on many mailing lists, included without my initiation or agreement. I much appreciate having my named blotted out, erased, canceled from these lists. However it may be done is just fine with me. Removed, it often finds its way back on the same list a couple of years later. It will be dropped eventually, after my death. Even that may require effort. After many years since my wife’s death, I continue to receive mailings in her name for matters related to her – if she were alive. She does not now qualify for earth. Erase her name.
There is a special bit of information about this Book of Life, and the names in it that make all the difference. In this life I have two names, one is a family name and the other is a given name. The Book of Life follows the principle. The name appearing first is the given name, and is specifically personal. In determining heaven’s citizenship there is a family name that qualifies to take up residence on the property that we call heaven. That family name is Christ. Without the name of the family of God, which is the primary name, there is no affirming qualification. The overcomer is the one who is identified for citizenship, therefore qualifies, so the promise is given: I will give him ….a white stone, and in the stone a new name written…. (Revelation 2:17)
We begin life with names given by our parents, and they are important to us. But I need more in world culture for legal force. This last applies in redemption by the name of Christ. Finally, an entirely new name will be given, shared between the redeemed individual and God – forever. There is sublimity in God identifying me by a loving name no one else knows except God – and me. It may ultimately be known by heaven’s citizens, but I will be the first to hear it and see it on a magnificent medallion, a stone. One’s family name is Christ, the family with God, but there is a promised personal name for those who relate in faith to Christ. Scripture affirms it. It affirms me, the whole name, so to be personal and included in God’s family. The given name is to be for self (private) the family name for family (social) – single in unity with God. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020