The Lamb's Book of Life.
By Uriah Smith
"AND there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Rev. xxi, 27. 1. It is the LAMB'S book of life. There is significance in that. But why is it called the Lamb's book of life? Has not man from his very nature a principle within him which will live for ever whether or not his name is written in that book of life? and how is he dependent, as far as his existence only is concerned, on that Lamb of God which was offered for the sin of the world? Grant that popular theology is true, and he is not; but grant that he is, which is here more than intimated, and popular theology is not true. A great fact is here incidentally presented. We have no claim on life except through the Son of God, and all who at last enter immortality, will possess the precious boon through his merits alone. Hence there is a peculiar propriety in calling that book the Lamb's book of life in which are recorded the names of those who shall finally take their station with the redeemed upon Mount Zion. Christ will be the center and sun of the ransomed hosts. He is the only door by which man can regain the life he has forfeited; and he himself proclaims to us in our fallen and helpless state, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep." "By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." It is then his book, because without him no man will find his name recorded therein. It is his, because all who shall be written there will be those who shall be ransomed by his sacrifice. 2. It is the Lamb's book of LIFE. There is significance in this also. It does not read a book of happiness, and declare that an existence in misery will be the portion of those whose names are not written therein. But it is the book of life. Whoever would live in the future state must have his name written in that book. It is life to these: it is death to all besides; for "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." "This is the second death." U. S.