Category: BIBLE/SCRIPTURE

“This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him.” (Genesis 5:1)

The Bible (literally “the book”) contains over 200 references to books. This implies, among other things, God’s approval of communication by books. Our text, containing the first mention of the word “book” in the Bible, indicates that the very first man wrote a book! “Give attendance to reading,” Paul recommends (1 Timothy 4:13), especially the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

The pattern of first and last mentions of “book” in the Bible is noteworthy, for all refer to divinely written or divinely inspired books. The first use in the New Testament is in the very first verse-“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ” (Matthew 1:1). The book of Adam’s “generations” is, in a special sense, the Old Testament; the book of the generation of Jesus Christ—the last Adam—is, in a similar sense, the New Testament.

The final mention of “book” in the Old Testament is in Malachi 3:16: “A book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

The third-from-last verse of the New Testament contains no less than three references to God’s books: “If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, . . . and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:19).

According to Revelation 20:12-13 these books will be used by God to judge mankind and his works. (see Daniel 7:10, 1 Cor 3:13-15)

Note the significant modifiers attached to these six key references: “the book of the generations of Adam,” “a book of remembrance,” “the book of the generation of Jesus Christ,” “the book of this prophecy,” “the book of life,” and finally, simply “this book”!
Books were not always books as we know them today, they were scrolls. 

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Exodus 32:32-33 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Psalm 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life. 

Revelation 3:5 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.
Revelation 5:1-9 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Revelation 10:2-10  And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

⇛ continue reading Books of Heaven Part 2
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2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

When Paul penned these words, the New Testament had not yet been written. So, the Scripture he was referring were the books of the Old Testament (Genesis thru Malachi). Paul penned 14 epistles as he traveled on his missionary journeys and when he was imprisoned in Rome. What’s interesting is the order these letters were later put into the New Testament. The Gospels were placed first as they told about the earthly ministry of The Lord Jesus. And then the book of Acts which explains the transition of the gospel from the Jews to the Gentiles. The order of Paul’s epistles in the New Testament is interesting as his letters became Scripture. Look what he told Timothy scripture was for: Doctrine, Reproof, Correction and Instruction. While Paul was traveling on his missionary journeys he wrote:
ROMANS – DOCTRINE written around 56-57 AD
CORINTHIANS – REPROOF written around 55-56 AD (2 letters)
GALATIANS – CORRECTION written around 49-50 AD
THESSALONIANS – INSTRUCTION written around 51-52 AD (2 letters)
Then while being imprisoned Paul penned what we call his CHURCH Epistles (all around 62 AD):
EPHESIANS – DOCTRINE written around 60-6262 AD
PHILIPPIANS – REPROOF written around 61-62 AD
COLOSSIANS – CORRECTION written around 61-62 AD
TIMOTHY(2), TITUS – INSTRUCTION written around 62-63 AD Paul also penned a personal epistle to PHILEMON (61-61 AD) on behalf of a young man, ONESINUS (verse 10), asking that he be forgiven and accepted as a brother (verse 16).
Paul also penned the Epistle of HEBREWS (66-67 AD) (13:22-24) to explain to the Jews, That Christ Jesus was the Messiah, God in Flesh.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

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There are many, many reasons to memorize scripture and perhaps one of the best is listed in Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”.

Another thought, since all sin will be erased from our memory before we enter into heaven, perhaps all we will have is what we know about the Word of God!
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Now here are some reasons to memorize God’s Word. Scripture will help us:

• Remember our Salvation: Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
• Know we are Free from Sin: Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin,…
• Keep from Temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
• Have Peace: Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace …
• Always Rejoice: Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again …
• With Prayer: Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
• Know our Hope: Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie…
• Grow: Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him …
• Grow in Wisdom: Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns …
• With our Thinking: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
• Please God: 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
• Know that we are the Temple of God: 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, …
• Know that we are Transformed: Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, …
• To be a living Sacrifice: Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, …
• That we should be Holy: Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without …
• Know the will of GOD: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
• Be thankful: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
• Serve one another: Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; …, but by love serve one another.
• To forgive others: 2 Corinthians 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps …
• Know we have Eternal Life: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
• Live in Victory: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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And the list goes on (ambassadors, blameless, justification, faithful, perfect, sanctification, sober, success, temperate, truthful, wise, vigilant) and on…

Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 

Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Revelation 22:7-18 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Notice in the above there is BOOK, BOOKS and BOOK OF LIFE and references to other Books.
The reason for the books are in Revelation 20:12 listed above: Judgement.

There are other references to Books but they refer to the Books in the Bible: 
Genesis 5:1, Exodus 17:14, Exodus 24:7, Numbers 5:23, Numbers 21:14, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 28:58 to name a some of them.

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The Apostle John writing about future events in Heaven concerning the Book of Life.
Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
The references to the LAMB’s Book of Life.
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The Book of Life is used in judgement of the World!
The Lamb’s Book of Life is used for the Believer’s Justification!

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And the reasons for all the gifts are found in Ephesians 4:12-14

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Even Peter writing to Jews about the coming tribulation reminded them of God’s Gifts: 1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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