What kind of records does God keep? (Psalm 56:8)
What kind of records does God keep? (Psalm 56:8)
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Record my misery;
list my tears on your scroll—
are they not in your record?
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Asked January 15 2019
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
As difficult as it may be to grasp or comprehend, I would say that God, being omniscient, is aware of (or, as expressed in the question, has a record of) everything that every individual who has ever lived has ever done, said, thought, or felt. He can have "selective amnesia" (as in the case of forgiven sin that He "puts away" with respect to an individual's salvation (2 Samuel 12:13; Jeremiah 31:34)), but I would say that that is by His choice, rather than His nature.
Aurel Gheorghe
The Bible mentions several heavenly books in which humans’ deeds are being recorded. It was common for Israelites to keep genealogical records (Neh 7:5; 12:23; Ezra 2:62). Genealogies were important to determine property or legal rights, and religious functions. The deletion of criminals and false prophets from the records was not unusual and was a form of legal punishment (Ezek 13:9). In heaven there is also a book (the book of life) which contains the names of those who belong to the Lord (Luke 10:20; Ex 32:32; Ps 69:28). The NT indicates that the book of life contains only the names of those who are citizens of the New Jerusalem (Heb 12:23; Rev 21:27). Satan’s followers, however, do not have their name written in this book (Rev 17:8). God’s people are told to rejoice as their names are listed in such book (Luke 10:20; Phil 4:3). But more importantly, the inclusion of names in the book of life is based only on Christ’s merits (Rev 13:8) and appears to take place when a person surrenders his/her life to the Lord. The removing of a name from the book of life is quite possible (Ex 32:32; 32:33), but only as a result of rebellious sin and associated with a divine judgment. Daniel 7:9-10 tells about a judgment during which heavenly books were opened and in the end the names listed in the book will enjoy everlasting life - the others, whose names are missing from the book will not have everlasting life (Daniel 12:1, 2). It can be argued that the heavenly records are patterned after earthly practices, although it’s unclear if the earthly practices are being used only as metaphors to help us understand concepts and ideas. Would Moses, Daniel and other Bible writers grasp the concept of computer files and wireless electronic data storage? Probably not. Most likely God revealed to them His truths in a form they could relate to and understand it, using human terms like scrolls and books.
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