Revelation 17:8
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.
(a) Whose name has not been written; unbelievers. One day the whole world will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and bow in worship (Is. 45:23, Rom. 14:11, Php. 2:10, Rev. 13:8). This does not mean everyone will be saved, because not everyone’s names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. This act of vindication will bring glory to God the Father (Php. 2:11)
(b) The Book of Life is the heavenly register of those who inherit eternal life. It is a register of the citizens of the kingdom of God. See entry for Rev. 3:5.
(c) Foundation of the world. Nothing surprises God. From the very beginning God knew who would come to him to receive the gift of life.
Revelation 17:14
“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
(a) The Lamb is Jesus; see entry for Rev. 5:6.
(b) The chosen. Those who respond to the call of God are known as the chosen. See entry for 1 Pet. 1:1.
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