If there is a symbolic-methphorical- and non-literal book in the New Testament, it has to be the book of Revelation. It rivals the book of Daniel in the Old Testament for symbolism and those two books are the fundamentalist and end times folks favorite book- bar none! However, I simply want to address one minor point- the so-called Lamb’s book of life.
>Revelation 21:27 says only those whose names are in the BOOK OF LIFE can enter into heaven.
>Revelation 20:12 reads, “I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
>Revelation 20:15 says, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Of course this is a metaphor or hyperbole. How BIG would such a book be anyway? What language would it be written in? Obviously this is just another of those DUALITY principles that tells us who is IN and who is OUT. If it existed it should be called the “Book of Meritocracy”: but it does not exist- literally.
If is so good to know that there’s no need for such a book because we are ALL in it. God is unconditional love and we were ALL sent into the world with a two way ticket. We’re going back home and our Creator knows ALL who were sent. After all we were created by the Creator- whatever you choose to call God.
God is LOVE! And I Cor. 13 reminds us all that “LOVE DOES NOT KEEP A RECORD“. So, what’s the need for a book? 
Ernie I am seeing it is the heart that see the love of God and the mind that is renewed to the truth I have been living the life of the mind trying to change the heart.
Love Dan
Always seems the Fundies want it both ways when it suits their needs. Don’t understand that. Of course, I was one for 59 years…Don’t understand that either! Oh well, guess we’ll have to listen to Lahaye, and Hagee for some time to come. At least sometimes they are entertaining.
Loved the post, Ernie!
In response to Don’s comment on LaHaye, I’ve read all of the “Left Behind” books and companion study guides and even used to lead the small groups on that whole topic. Wow, I was really into it! Nowadays, after having been set free of all that eschatological stuff for a few years now, I’ve found myself in conversations with fundies about the rapture and pre-trib stuff. Many times (I’d say about 2 dozen specifically) when I’ve brought up the fact that you can literally find all of the LaHaye/Jenkins’ books located in the “Christian Fiction” section of the either the Christian Bible Bookstore or the secular Barnes and Noble, I always seem to get a very offended, conversation stopper type of response from the fundie. They just can’t believe that anyone would classify “Left Behind” as Christian Fiction!! They are blown away that the authors wrote a novel with very well-developed, fictionalized characters. Of course, I used to be in that camp of thought, but it’s still funny, nonetheless, now that I see it from a different perspective.