Question

Neither, for Christians were placed in the Book of Life before the universe was created! The verse that gives us evidence of this is:

"...............The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come." [Revelation 17:8, NIV]

Note the reference to the book of life having names written in them of the redeemed (implied) before creation. This truth fits very well with the "election" and "predestination" that the Bible speaks so often of, especially in:

"....For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will...." [Ephesians 1:4-5, NIV]

Again note the reference to our "election" (being chosen from the world of sinners...being elected for salvation), and this occurred before creation, so our names were written down at that time....before there was a universe!

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "Tony Capoccia's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 119
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986