The “book of life” is a register containing the names of all who would inherit eternal life (Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; Isaiah 4:3; Daniel 12:1; Malachi 3:16; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8). It had been “opened” in Revelation 20:12, but no further significance of the book was related at that point. In the present context, this book is vital since the judgment each person receives based on “what they had done” would have to be the same as the devil and the beast and the false prophet received. For though God had created people righteous, we listened to the great deceiver (Genesis 3:6; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:8), so that “none is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10; see also Genesis 6:5; Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 130:3). The only way to escape the Judge’s just condemnation is through a divine act of gracious pardon as implied by the inclusion of your name in God’s book of life.
15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.