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Answer
In Revelation 13:8, the apostle John writes, “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (NKJV). Here, there is a contrast between those who worship the beast (see Revelation 13:1-7) and those who are in the book of life. Before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals to be redeemed by the blood of Christ. These individuals will not worship the beast because their names have been written “in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
The term book of life occurs several times in the New Testament (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 20:12,15; 21:27; 22:19). In each instance, the book of life is a list of names of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Life, in this context, refers to eternal life in heaven. This is the reward for those who persevere to the end: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12; ESV; cf: Revelation 2:10). Believers will persevere to the end because God will preserve them «being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: », (Philippians 1:6).
The phrase from the foundation of the world «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» is a powerful reminder of God’s eternal plan for redemption.Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8) refers to either those recorded in the Book of Life or to the Lamb who was slain. The former perspective is supported by Revelation 17:8: “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the inhabitants of the earth whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be amazed to see the beast, because it was, is not, and is to come” (ESV). Before God created the world, He already knew the names of all those in the Book of Life. How could He not? After all, He is omniscient, “declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:10).
On the other hand, for the latter perspective, 1 Peter 1:18–20 is sometimes referenced. Peter explains, “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in the last times for your sake” (ESV). Before God created the world, the Father and Son established an eternal covenant of redemption. This indicates that the sacrificial death of the Lamb was not an afterthought but an integral part of God’s perfect plan of redemption: “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given because you loved me before the foundation of the world” “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24).
atodo.com/en/bible/king-james-version/john-17-24″>(John 17:24, ESV).
Whether we adopt the former or latter view, we can be certain of God’s everlasting love. We need not fear the tyrannical reign of the beast. Believers in this age as well as the tribulation saints have this assurance: “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39; ESV).
