Podcast Summary: Grace in Focus

Episode Title: How Do I Get My Name in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Bob Wilkin (B), with co-host Ken Yates (C)
Podcast Description: Bob Wilkin and guests discuss issues central to justification and sanctification, distinguishing them carefully. Key themes include assurance of salvation, evangelism, perseverance, Free Grace theology, and interpretation of Scripture.

Episode Overview

This concise episode explores a foundational question: How does a person get their name in the Lamb's Book of Life? Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates clarify what the Book of Life represents biblically, dispel common misunderstandings about assurance of salvation, and stress the Free Grace view that salvation is received by believing in Jesus for the gift of everlasting life—apart from works or perseverance. The conversation draws from various New Testament and Old Testament passages, with an emphasis on clarity, biblical evidence, and encouragement for listeners seeking assurance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is the Book of Life?

[00:57 – 02:50]

• The Book of Life or Lamb’s Book of Life in the New Testament refers to the registry of all who have received eternal life and will participate in Christ’s kingdom.
• The terms “Book of Life” and “Lamb’s Book of Life” are used interchangeably (Philippians 4:3, Revelation).
• Example: Paul refers to actual people—Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, and his fellow workers—as having their names in the Book of Life, supporting the idea that certainty and assurance are biblical.

“Your name's in the Book of Life. People say, well, you can't know you have eternal life. That’s wrong. Clement sure knew it. Euodia and Syntyche sure knew it. Paul knew it. You know, everybody who believes the promise of John 3:16 knows it, right?” – Ken Yates (02:27)

2. Assurance of Salvation & Common Misunderstandings

[02:50 – 04:18]

• Some traditions (especially Calvinist “lordship” perspectives) claim you can’t know if you’re among the elect, even if you believe.
• Bob and Ken argue this idea is bizarre and unbiblical, as New Testament figures had direct assurance, and assurances are made to all who believe.
• Memorably, Ken recounts a debate with someone who felt he couldn’t be sure since his name wasn’t literally in the Bible.

“I just found that so bizarre... Paul says your name is in the Book of Life. But Bob, you can't know if your name’s in the Book of Life. And I can't know.” – Bob Wilkin (03:31)
“It's not enough to say whosoever surely meaneth me... I don't need to see my Social Security number in the New Testament to tell me I'm born again.” – Ken Yates (04:09)

3. The Decisive Passage: Revelation 20:15

[04:19 – 05:29]

• At the Great White Throne judgment, “anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
• This passage is about the destiny of unbelievers; believers are not present at this judgment (John 5:24).
• The big question: How does one get their name recorded there?

4. Getting Into the Book of Life: Belief in Christ

[05:29 – 08:22]

• The Bible consistently teaches that one’s name is written in the Book of Life by believing in Jesus for eternal life (John 3:16, John 4, John 6:35, Revelation 22:17).
• Eternal life is described as a free, unearned gift.
• Revelation 22:17 and John 4 (the woman at the well) illustrate Jesus offering “living water”—eternal life—as a gift, received through faith alone.
• The hosts clarify that “drinking” or “coming” to Christ in these metaphors simply means believing.

“We need to believe in Jesus for eternal life.” – Bob Wilkin (05:47)
“The word freely is without cost or as a gift. And this is clearly an allusion… back to the woman at the well in John 4.” – Ken Yates (06:13)

5. Old Testament Context: The Book of the Living

[08:22 – 10:13]

• Some are confused by Exodus 32, where Moses asks God to blot him out of “the book you have written.”
• The hosts clarify this is not the Book of Life but a book of the physically living; Moses is not asking for spiritual condemnation, but for God to spare Israel at his own expense.
• Not all references to a “book” in Scripture refer to salvation or eternal life.

"This could easily... be a separate book. And it is a separate book. It's the book of those who are living, physically living, not the book of life." – Ken Yates (10:00)

6. “Blotting Out” and Assurance

[10:13 – 12:29]

• Revelation 3:5 (“I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life”) is misunderstood as suggesting loss of salvation.
• This is an example of litotes (an understatement): the real point is not loss, but positive confirmation—Jesus will “confess” the faithful believer’s name.
• All passages point to security and assurance for those who have believed in Christ for eternal life.

“Not only am I not going to blot your name out of the book, I'm going to exalt your name. Jesus said, he who confesses me before men, him will I confess before my Father.” – Ken Yates (11:00)

7. Final Assurance: The Free Grace Message

[12:29 – 12:47]

• Getting into the Book of Life is identical to receiving eternal life: by believing in Jesus Christ, trusting in his promise of everlasting life.
• Eternal security flows from the promise, not from works or perseverance.
• Classic passages affirm this: John 3:16, John 11:25-27, 1 Timothy 1:16.

"How to get in the book of life is how to get life. That's the question... you have to believe in Jesus for what he promises, which is everlasting life.” – Ken Yates (11:15)
“So keep your focus on Christ and his promise and you'll never doubt your eternal destiny.” – Ken Yates (12:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Clement sure knew it. Euodia and Syntyche sure knew it. Paul knew it. You know, everybody who believes the promise of John 3:16 knows it, right?” – Ken Yates [02:27]
• “You can't know if you’re of the elect. You can't know if your name is in the book of life, even if you believe you may be deceived... I just found that so bizarre.” – Bob Wilkin [03:01]
• “I don't need to see my Social Security number in the New Testament to tell me I'm born again.” – Ken Yates [04:09]
• “Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” – Revelation 22:17, discussed by Bob & Ken [05:59]
• “Not only am I not going to blot your name out of the book, I’m going to exalt your name.” – Ken Yates [11:00]
• “Keep your focus on Christ and his promise and you'll never doubt your eternal destiny.” – Ken Yates [12:41]

Important Timestamps

• 00:57 – Intro to the Book of Life topic, biblical usage overview
• 02:50 – Assurance of salvation & common objections
• 04:19 – The Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:15)
• 05:47 – Belief in Christ as the way into the Book of Life
• 06:13 – “Freely,” living water (re: woman at the well; John 4, John 6:35)
• 08:22 – Old Testament references: Moses and the “book”
• 10:13 – Revelation 3:5, blotting out, and assurance
• 11:15 – How assurance flows from believing Christ’s promise
• 12:41 – Final encouragement: “Keep your focus on Christ…”

Episode Takeaways

• The Lamb’s Book of Life contains all who have believed in Jesus for eternal life; this assurance is promised and knowable.
• Salvation is a free gift, received by faith alone, not by works, perseverance, or law-keeping.
• Misunderstandings from other traditions or from confusing Old and New Testament “books” should be avoided by staying clear and biblical.
• The Free Grace message offers confidence and security: Trust the promise of Jesus and rest assured.