“These sought their register [among] those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.” (Ezr 2:62 AV)
A great picture of the Lamb’s Book of Life! Upon returning to Jerusalem, one of the first things Ezra did was to repair the genealogical record. This was particularly important concerning the Levites. The other eleven tribes would need to know to whom they belonged that land and inheritance might be rightfully assigned. With the Levites, their genealogy pertained to their station in the nation of Israel. Only those who were a decedent of Levi could claim the right of temple service. Only those from the lineage of Aaron could claim the right of the priesthood. When Israel and Judah unfortunately lost their liberty, diligence failed in the keeping of genealogical records. Israel was in Assyria and Babylon for almost three-hundred years. Judah and Benjamin were in captivity for seventy years. For Israel, that was almost eight generations. For Judah and Benjamin, it was two generations. The Levites would be affected the most. There was no temple in Babylon. There was no ministry to speak of. For the foreseeable future, there was no need to keep records. But there was! When they returned, their word did not automatically afford them the privilege of the priesthood. When they returned, an oral tradition would not suffice. When they returned, familiarity with the things of God did not mean they were Levitical. They needed a written record of their lineage, or there was no place for them in the service of God.
The Lamb’s book of life is much the same way. It is the written record of our trust in the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of all sins. Our names were written in the book of life upon conception in our mother’s belly. It was transferred to the Lamb's Book of Life upon our second birth. I imagine the excuses to circumvent the written record will be much the same. “My parents told me I got saved” might be one refrain. “I grew up in church and I know a lot of Bible truth” might still be another. “Brother So-and-so baptized me” was one I often heard. “I’m a good person” is very common. “I’ve always believed in Jesus since the day of my birth” is another that we hear. None of these defenses will gain access to heaven. Only a written record of the day we repented of our sins and trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior will matter. “I sure hope so” or “no one can know for sure” are also statements made by those who expect heaven, but have no real assurance.
The story is told of a young man who tried to gain access to a gala in celebration of a great event. He did his homework. He read the requirements to gain access. A tuxedo was ordered, fitted, and paid for. He rented a limousine. He secured a date for the evening who was well known. Somehow, this man got a copy of the invitation. The night came. He picked up his date and arrived at the gate. With invitation in hand, he met security at the front door. Handing him his engraved invitation, the official looked at the guest list. Asking for ID to double-check his list, the security officer announced that his name was not on the list. Insisting that he was invited, hence the engraved invitation, the officer consulted with the host, and the host verified that the list was completely accurate. There were no late additions to the list. This young man was denied admittance because he was not on the guest list. This is how the Lamb’s Book of Life works. If we are not written in the book, there is no place in heaven for us. The best thing to do is assure one’s name is written there by repenting of sin and trusting the finished work of Jesus Christ.
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