Various places in the Old Testament make reference to a heavenly register containing the names of all those through the ages who would inherit eternal life (Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; Isaiah 4:3; Daniel 12:1; Malachi 3:16). The New Testament also makes mention of such a list (Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5). Those whose names are not in this register will not inherit eternal life.
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 dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.