What does Revelation 13:8 mean?

The Antichrist will become so powerful and arrogant that he will accept worship from the people of earth (Revelation 13:4). This "beast" (Revelation 13:1) receives almost universal worship. This praise is not entirely universal because believers will not revere him. Their names are written in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. The Lamb, of course, is Jesus Christ, who freely offered Himself on the cross for our sins. Galatians 1:4 says he "gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." The truth of this verse is seen in the fact that believers refuse to be part of the evil age over which the beast reigns.

The Lamb's book of life will be opened at the great white throne judgment, and those whose names are not found written there will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12,15). Believers' names were written in the Lamb's book of life "before the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:4 that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. We cannot understand all that was involved in this divine selection, but we can marvel at the grace God has showered upon us.