The Destiny of Mankind
“He who OVERCOMES will thus be clothed in white garments; and I WILL NOT erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
It seems to me that everyone must initially be listed in the “book of life” or they could not be “erased”. So who and how many are the OVERCOMERS who will not be erased?
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5)
Those born of God and everyone who has faith are overcomers. Paul tells the Athenians that we are ALL the children of God…
“...hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation…we are the offspring of God…” (Acts 17:26-29)
So how many of mankind have faith…
“…God has allotted to each a measure of faith…” (Romans 12:13)
All have faith. So the question seems to be WHEN all will exercise this allotted faith to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
“…at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
The only time this could happen is before the Great White Throne of Revelation 20 where the book of life is seen opened...
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life.” (Revelation 20:11-12)
And I cannot imagine anything more glorious than every knee bowing, and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord at that time. So I do not believe anyone is erased from the book of life. For salvation, not condemnation, is the destiny of mankind…which will bring Glory to God our Father!
It seems to me that everyone must initially be listed in the “book of life” or they could not be “erased”. So who and how many are the OVERCOMERS who will not be erased?
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5)
Those born of God and everyone who has faith are overcomers. Paul tells the Athenians that we are ALL the children of God…
“...hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation…we are the offspring of God…” (Acts 17:26-29)
So how many of mankind have faith…
“…God has allotted to each a measure of faith…” (Romans 12:13)
All have faith. So the question seems to be WHEN all will exercise this allotted faith to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
“…at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
The only time this could happen is before the Great White Throne of Revelation 20 where the book of life is seen opened...
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life.” (Revelation 20:11-12)
And I cannot imagine anything more glorious than every knee bowing, and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord at that time. So I do not believe anyone is erased from the book of life. For salvation, not condemnation, is the destiny of mankind…which will bring Glory to God our Father!