Additionally, this angelic declaration affirms: “And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book” (Daniel 12:1). However, God also responds to this election: “If anyone sins against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” This divine warning clearly affirms that those who are chosen and predestined for eternal life may indeed be removed from the book, but only through a natural tendency to sin that could lead to transgression. Such a claim cannot be validated, as it contradicts the merciful promise of our Savior, who declares: “No one can snatch them out of My hand or My Father's hand” (John 10:28-29).
To elucidate these challenging sayings, it is essential to examine the following observations. One must grasp this common expression found in Holy Scripture, where negation is articulated through a confirmatory statement, adhering to this principle: when affirming verbs and confirming names are presented in the place of negative terms. Thus, it is affirmed that God despises only those whom He does not love; He hardens hearts where He does not soften; He blinds when He does not illuminate. In line with this principle, we must love Christ above all, even above our closest relatives (Luke 14:26), implying that we should not hold creation in greater affection than the Creator (Matthew 10:37). Keeping with this understanding, we can interpret Moses’ plea to the Lord: “But if not, blot me out of Your book, which You have written.” In this context, the negative verb regarding expulsion must be interpreted through the opposing negative verb of not inscribing, allowing us to deduce this meaning: “Lord! If You will not overlook the offenses of my brethren and countrymen, let me bear their punishment, and do not include me among your chosen, written from eternity.”
The Lord responded to Moses similarly: “I will blot out the one who sins,” meaning that He will not count among His chosen those who sin and by their unwavering unrepentance render themselves unworthy of everlasting life. Psalm 68:29 further clarifies that the terms “to blot out” and “not inscribe” convey similar meanings.
Some church writers, interpreting Moses’ words conditionally, argue that Moses did not seek exclusion from the book of life universally, but under certain conditions—should it please God, align with His justice, or be deemed possible by Him. This conditional understanding relates to all of God’s works regarding love, which our Savior crudely illustrated in Matthew 26:39: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” This notion is reaffirmed in Matthew 24:24, where false Christs and prophets may arise to lead the elect astray, if possible. Blessed Augustine notes that Moses interceded fervently, valuing the fate of his people so much that he preferred to be removed from the book of life rather than see them condemned, trusting in the mercy of God, who would not exclude him but forgive them for his sake alone.
In Psalm 105, it is reiterated that Moses had found favor with God, who would not forsake him but would indeed pardon the sins of the others. This implies a similar conditional understanding in God’s answer, reflecting the sentiment with which Moses asked. The Lord declared, “I will blot out the sinner,” indicating that if there were to be a possibility of utterly removing those inscribed in the book of life—God's chosen servants—then it would surely be those who persist in sin and end their lives unrepentant, not someone whose life could be compared with Moses’ purity.
Such interpretations are grounded in sound reasoning and align with the core tenets of the Holy Faith. Those who diligently study Holy Scripture may find these insights beneficial. It is vital to remember: in ambiguous statements, one should not become overly attached to the precise wording; from unclear declarations, one should not infer the challenges of the posed questions; and one must approach with certainty that neither Moses nor the Apostle Paul sought anything incompatible with the perfections of God, nor did they request anything contrary to the Creator’s will, authority, or the virtues of a blameless conscience.
THEOSIS