Will God Blot You Out of the Book of Life? Revelation 3:5 Explained
Perhaps you’ve heard the legalist message that Christians better read Revelation 3:5 and watch their step, because God just might blot them out of the book of life.
It does seem that EVERYONE who teaches on Revelation 3:5 uses language that I believe twists the scripture by suggesting that God makes the threat that you better be careful, because if you send too much, especially that willful kind of sin, then God might blot your name out of the book of life.
But today I want to challenge you to unlearn what you’ve been taught and ask yourself “is that really what the bible says”? Or is it yet another case of legalists using scripture that should encourage us as a weapon to scare us?
I submit to you that this verse found in Revelation 3:5 should encourage you, not put you in fear of losing your salvation.
I want you to pay very close attention to how the verse reads and notice that it makes absolutely no mention of blotting someone’s name out of the book of life. Instead, it says the exact opposite. It encourages us and says I will NOT blot your name out of the book of life.
[Revelation 3:5]
NIV – The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.
NASB – The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, 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.
KJV – 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.
So what we see here is God telling us that those who have faith do not need to be concerned, because we will never be blotted out of the book of life. The author doesn’t come within 1000 miles of talking about gliding someone’s name out. Meaning, once you’re in the book, your secure. And there’s not a single verse, in all of scripture that actually uses the language of blotting someone out.
Let this be a reminder to be very cautious of getting your gospel from people who teach this false non-biblical idea that you can lose your salvation. Sure, they may look like believers, but I believe the majority of them inwardly are ravenous wolves. Our hope is in Jesus, Christ, not our ability to stop sinning. The false doctrine of someone being able to lose their salvation, is not founded on faith, it is not founded on grace, it is not founded on fully trusting Jesus as your savior, but rather it is founded on a lie from the evil one.
If you enjoyed this message, please be sure to comment below. God bless each and everyone of you.
Author: Mike Cynar
Mike Cynar was raised in a church setting where he frequently noticed that many attendees would eventually drift away. The church labeled these individuals as ‘back sliders’ or ‘fake Christians’ just looking for ‘fire insurance’. However, Mike realized the issue was rarely with these individuals but instead with the church’s message itself. The teachings heavily emphasized behavior improvement and one’s flaws, with only a fleeting mention of one’s identity in Christ. It felt as though every sermon was tailored to the church of Corinth, who as we know or committing sins that even unbelievers don’t partake in. This trend was noticeable not just in one denomination, but across Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, and many other churches. Upon understanding the true essence of the gospel – that our righteousness comes from Jesus’ actions, not our own – Mike was inspired to liberate believers from lifeless sermons and reconnect them with the genuine teachings of Jesus. He believes that one can nurture a vibrant and growing bond with Jesus, unhindered by rigid religious practices. And thus, “Jesus Without Religion” was born.
It turns out that it is grace that leads to repentance. And if our heart is to get others to walk in the Spirit and live a godly life, then the best approach is not a beat down sermon, but rather to remind other that it is only when we understand our true identity in Christ that we will live it out. Yes, it’s true, if you’re convinced that God thinks you’re a dirty sinner, you will ultimately continue a lifestyle that mirrors that view, but if you truly believe that even on your worst day, you are called holy, sanctified, justified, and will be presented blameless in the end, well, it turns out this is the secret to living out on the outside what has been worked in to the inside.
