INTRODUCTION
The more understanding of the Word of God there is the more difficulty
I find in obeying Him perfectly. The more God reveals Himself
the more depths of sin I see everywhere. I'm compelled to turn
to Him ever more. That ever-present experience, the struggle against
sin, Galatians 5:17 describes:
The overpowering call to holiness—Be holy as God is holy—demanded
in 1Pet 3:16 and Lev 11:45 is a searching and seeking by each
of us and is a gift from God. The sanctification and perfection
process is for becoming a holy people, a holy priesthood, a holy
nation, and Kingdom of God and His Christ. It is foreordained
for the elect, as 1Pet 2:4-5,9-10, Ex 19:5-6 and many other Scriptures
say. May I explain some of the mystery of this foreordination
and predestination of the precious saints.
FATE AND DETERMINISM
The Bible says much of choosing and doing righteousness, of wrongly
choosing and doing unrighteousness (Gen 2:16-17; Rev 22:11-12).
God urges us to choose righteousness and to consider our latter
end, which are the consequence of our motives, thoughts and deeds.
Moses, in the last month or so of his life, spoke God's Will to
Israel and to us (Dt 1:3; Josh 1:1):
Such directives to consider, as in Deuteronomy from the Almighty
God, are commands each of us should choose. If we fail to choose
the Way of God we are determining our own end—it's the result
and consequence of our choice. If we wholeheartedly and enduringly
choose to obey His Will, seek His grace, His willing help and
interventions, then we know our end (Ps 119:2; Jer 17:5-10). Paul
expresses this confidence in his last epistle:
Responsibility and reward according to works are biblical. Fatalism,
which is the attitude that it makes no difference what we might
do because the future is unaffected by our present actions, is
an anti-biblical way of thinking. Determinism is the idea that
future events are as fixed and unalterable as the past is fixed
and unalterable. Determinism says that all our choices, decisions,
intentions, motives, and actions are no more than effects of other
equally fateful events. But we are not part of an ancient Greek
tragedy or demonic comedy (see Fatalism, Determinism
in The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy, 1997; The Oxford
Dictionary of Philosophy, [1995]; Fernandez-Armesto &
Wilson, Reformation, [Bantam, 1996], pp 87-90; Ferguson,
Wright, Packer, editors, New Dictionary of Theology [IVP,
1993], Predestination).
Fatalism or determinism is biblically misinformed, illogical,
philosophically indefensible. It is not in God's nature to be
capricious, whimsical, mutable, selfish, unfair, self-serving.
Such concepts are alien to the gracious nature of the Almighty
God! I am certain, on the basis of Scripture, also philosophically
and logically, that God, who never lies and who promised eternal
life before time began (Tit 1:2), who is perfect in every way
(Mt 5:48), who is completely fair, excellently equitable, lovingly
merciful, gives each person free moral agency and free
choice. And this free choice each of us should exercise according
to His Laws and Principles. That is biblical teaching even before
the Garden of Eden—for Lucifer knew that (see Satan and History).
Adam and Eve chose wrongly, although they had been instructed
in righteousness (Gen 2:8,15-25). Their self-deception was the
product of their own failures which God foresaw. It is absurd
to suggest that GOD should have created an Edenic couple so that
they would not sin. This would mean that they were automatons
and puppets. Adam and Eve knew their choices were wrong. Those
wrongs were the result of weaknesses, failures to heed what they
knew was right, and refusal to repent, refusal to admit to their
weakness (e.g., see Mk 9:24; Lk 17:5). Why do we refuse to immediately
turn to righteousness rather than persist in error? Why are we
sometimes unable to do righteousness? Why do we reject obedience
to every Word of God for our own self-deceiving comfort?
Whatever psychological or pseudo-logical reasons we might give,
we know we are responsible and we know we are free to choose!
Compulsion to error is the product of our own lusts and
illusions, which overcome the will to righteousness. James 1:12-18
verifies this: Every person is tempted by his own lust
(v 14). The human problem is that all too often the deceitful
mind refuses to see its lusts and deceitful desires (Jer 17:5,9;
Rom 8:7).
Habitual denial of problems and the refusal to make the emotional
and intellectual effort to overcome evil with good produce spiritual
neurosis. To choose otherwise results in overcoming, improving
emotional health, increasing intellectual and spiritual strength,
and the rewards and joys of victory (Gal 5:22-25; Phil 1:9-11;
Col 1:11-14). The alternative to the latter brings persistent
spiritual and moral weaknesses, anxiety problems, intellectual
weakness, and all kinds of fears (Rom 8:15-17; 2Tim 1:7; 1Jn 4:18).
Judas, despite Jesus' appeals, chose the path of betrayal. God
foreknew that he would, of his own will, choose an evil path.
Psalms 41:7-9, 55:12-21, 69:6-12,22-28, 109:1-20,29 speak of Judas
and those who choose like him. The appeals to Cain in Genesis
4, and the appeals to religious leaders during Christ's apostleship
are examples of the fact that people who choose to live in error
are foreknown as those who will refuse righteousness. Nowhere
does the Bible suggest that people are doomed by God's choice—for
it is His will that all should be saved, but many choose otherwise.
We cannot choose to obey most of the Law most of the time and
expect to inherit eternal Life. Likewise, we cannot choose just
a little of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
and expect Life (contra Mt 5:48).
FOREKNOWLEDGE AND PROPHECY
Prophecy (e.g., as in Gen 49, Num 24, in most of Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation) is probably the most readily understood
proof of God's foreknowledge. Prophecy is not prediction by God
of things He will manipulate to come to pass. Divine prophecy
foresees how history will develop and eventuate. Satan may try
to make God a liar, but God has foreseen his attempts. God has
not lied and will not lie. Disbelief in the Divine qualities is
a product of denial and deceit (Ps 14:1-4).
How are we affected by the thoughts that consider the implications
of the Lamb of God having been chosen before the creation of the
universe?
1Pet 1:10-12, like Eph 3:9-10, speaks of the prophets and
angelic host in these terms:
God is perfectly righteous, unsurpassed in love and wisdom, perfect
in knowledge and character. The God I presently know, as described
in the Scriptures, is not the God most speculative theology attempts
to impose upon us.
Ps 33:11 confirms God's omniscient power:
It is these kinds of teachings that influence my considerations
about the nature of God and the nature of the foreordained Christian
calling. With the Lamb of God and the Plan of Salvation foreknown,
it logically follows that those who follow the Lamb are foreknown.
PREDESTINATION OF THE SAINTS
Since the OT and NT are consistent in Christian doctrines, we
would expect teaching on predestination and foreknowledge in both
to be mutually confirming. Let's consider the biblical concept
of name in the Book of Life.
The apostle Paul says to the Church in Philippi that certain women,
Clement, and other fellow workers have their names in the Book
of Life (Phil 4:3; and also see Ex 32:32-33; Is 4:3; Dan 12:1;
Lk 10:20; Heb 12:23; Rev 3:5; 20:12,15; 21:27; 22:19).
Those who will ultimately be in the City of God have their names
in the Book of Life (Rev 21:27). Those whose names are not in
the Book of Life are cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:15; 22:19;
Ps 69:27-28). And those whose names are not in the Book of Life
will be deceived by the Beast that ascends from the bottomless
Pit (Rev 13:8; 17:8). God foreknows—for reasons illustrated by
Cain, Ishmael, Esau, Judas—that such people predictably refuse
and will refuse to believe and love the truth. Such people choose
differently to Abel, Isaac, Jacob, Peter. Those who overcome to
the end and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ will
receive a new name which includes the Name of God and the City
of God (Rev 2:12; 14:1; 22:4). 2Thess 2:9-12, Dan 11:30-32 and
12:10—in the context of tribulation—speak of those who self-determine
to turn away from the Way God graciously offers. They adamantly
prefer their own ways (see 2Pet 2:12-17; Jude 8-16; Gal 4:22-31;
Heb 12:16; Mal 1:2-3).
Since God knows our hearts, He knows those who want to know what
He sees in their hearts. Prov 20:27, 1Cor 2:10-16, Ps 19:12-14,
and Ps 51:1-2,7-17 verify this. Those who always seek to please
God, like the man after God's heart, David, identify with Ps 139.
Surely, we cannot fail to see how consistent this is with what
has already been said and with what follows.
A simple example and analogy of human foreknowledge is
reflected in a parent's discerning of his child's behaviour. A
parent may accurately or moderately accurately predict what the
child will do and say in new foreseen and unforeseen situations.
I have frequently predicted what my two daughters would do in
all kinds of situations. God is perfectly omniscient and predicts
everything each of us will do, say, think. God knows how
we shall decide and what we shall do with the consequences
of each decision, and when. The Eternal, in His omniscience,
knows that in a future resurrection to human life those who are
intractable and self-willed like Cain and Judas will still not
repent despite a far more favourable environment for right decision-making.
This merciful Almighty Father will raise those who have not had
opportunity to hear the Gospel (Rev 20:5a)
GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE OF OT SAINTS
Abraham, beginning in Gen 12, was given eternal promises
that had a limited application to OT Israel, but the fullness
of that Covenant continues to come through those whose names are
in the Book of Life and who will be in the Holy City—Jews and
Gentiles—peoples of all nations. The context tells us that Abraham
was in Haran in northern Mesopotamia and that he had already left
Ur, which at that time was a coastal city on the Persian Gulf.
Gen 18:17-19 also records the words of the pre-incarnate
Jesus Christ expressing the Father's words to the friend of God:
The Messenger of God was sent to tell the barren wife of Manoah,
the father-to-be of Samson, that she would become pregnant
and give birth to a son.
Jeremiah was known to God before his birth. And although
he went through many tribulations, even the desire to die prematurely,
which he despairingly expressed in powerful poetry in 20:14-18,
Jeremiah chose good rather than evil. He overcame because he struggled
to always accept the grace and will of God.
There are other OT examples similar to Abraham, Samson, David,
Jeremiah. That being true, we should not be surprised that God
gives a specific number of firstfruits in the first resurrection
(see Rev 14). Though the number may be symbolic, 144,000, it is
nevertheless specific; i.e., it seems that there will be a specific
number of firstfruits.
John the Baptist was foreknown before his birth. Luke 1
speaks of Elizabeth being barren and the archangel Gabriel visiting
her husband, Zechariah.
The apostle Paul speaks of his calling. Yes, his calling
was exceptional, unusual, and powerful, as was John the Baptist's,
but aren't we also called and given gifts and responsibilities
(see 1Cor 12:4-11)?
There is plenty of biblical evidence that God calls people in
various ways to serve His purposes other than calling them to
the Gospel of Salvation during their own historical time. Cyrus,
king of Medo-Persia, named about 150 years before he was born,
is an amazing example whose life is given more detail in Herodotus'
The Histories. Isaiah 45:1-4 speaks of this Gentile king
called to serve God in a grand way in history, as was Nebuchadnezzar
(Dan 2:37-45), and as would apply to many men and women who have
shaped world history. Judas is another example who shaped history
as will be the men—two prophets of God and two vile antagonists
of God—described in Rev 11 and 13. All of them are specifically
foreknown.
As I've said many times, if what we perceive of some Scripture
is correct, that perception and understanding will remain coherent,
consistent, and will increase as we search further. Our understanding
becomes greater if we understand correctly. There is enough for
a large book, if not books, on Divine foreknowledge. All I can
do is attempt to offer a taste of the subject.
PREDESTINATION OF CHRISTIANS
Foreknowledge, knowing in advance, is from the Greek, prognosis.
Gnosis means knowledge and know is derived
from gnosis. The verb is proginosko. The prefix
pro means before. A skilled doctor's prognosis
is his assessment of what will happen to the patient's future
health on the basis of accurate discernment of what the doctor
presently sees in his diagnosis. God's prognosis of our
spiritual health is on the diagnosis of our entire spiritual health
which He foresees before we are born.
The NKJ has foreordained for proginosko, i.e., foreknown,
in 1Pet 1:20—
How wonderful it is to realize we are not alone. We have many
beloved brothers and sisters in the past, in the present, and
more in the future. May God hasten the gathering of all His family—all
the elect—all the saints foreknown as His faithful children (Rev
17:14). And may the Almighty, through the Good Shepherd of His
Flock, give more grace, peace, strength and help draw us ever
closer to the Father of us all—all who choose to love the
Truth with all their heart, with all their strength, with all
their being (Rev 22:21).
This subject matter is so vast, so meaningful, so controversial
among scholars and philosophers that it might seem futile to speak
about it so briefly. Though I seem to be saying that of almost
every subject, necessity drives me to make the attempt—on the
basis of Scripture and not from presumptions (Ps 19:13). However,
one might say my assumptions are that the Scriptures speak the
truth by the Spirit of truth to those who have ears to hear (1Cor
2:10-16). Many Christian groups and scholars agree that the Scriptures
speak the truth, but personal interpretations make for numerous
differences. Incoherency in the varied interpretations, biblical
inconsistency and contradiction are problematic (Jn 10:35). Though
there are hundreds of verses about truth, the following examples
are guidelines used here (Pss 25:5; 43:3; Is 25:1; 43:9; Jer 4:2;
Jn 17:17; Rom 1:18; 1Cor 2:10-16; 2Th 2:13; 1Jn 4:6; Rev 22:18-19).
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against
the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you
do not do the things that you wish.
This is characteristic of Christians who endure in overcoming.
It is painfully described by the apostle Paul in Romans 7 and
by the king and prophet David in Psalms 19, 51 and 139. This mystery
of godliness, as 1Tim 3:16 calls it, integral to the mystery of
God (Rev 10:7), continues to pre-occupy my thoughts. Therefore,
suffer me longer still as I try to reveal more of some finer points
of what I'm being taught.
Whenever people, particularly scholars and philosophers, talk
about foreknowledge and predestination the supposed problem of
loss of free choice arises. Scripture nowhere speaks of one's
fate being predetermined against one's righteous will-will as
defined by God. Scripture does speak of one's fate because of
one's persistent unrighteous will and as is revealed in case studies
such as that of Cain and Judas. The wages of sin is death (Rom
6:23; Ezk 18:4; Gen 2:17). The Will of God is that none should
perish, but people will perish; and the Will of God is that all
should be saved, but not all people will be saved. Scriptures
such as 1Tim 2:4, 2Pet 3:9, Rev 20:15, 21:8 say so. The devilish
self-deception, falsehood, excuse for hidden personal sin and
rejection of perfect overcoming—called universal salvation—I've
addressed in the recent message, What Can Each of Us Give?—Faith
and Works.
Dt 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against
you, that I have set before you Life and Death, blessing and cursing;
therefore choose Life, that both you and your descendants
may live.
We are asked to choose to live as God would have us live—choose
to follow the Way of Life Christ reveals. Too often people choose
as their self-willed and deceiving desires drive them and not
as the Holy Spirit urges.
Dt 31:12 applies the principle of free choice universally:
Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and
the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and
that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully
observe all the words of this Law.
Each of us must ask ourselves these kinds of questions, "What
am I choosing to do? Where am I going? How am I going? Why am
I going there?" The minds of man, however, are driven by
the god of this world who rejects knowledge of pure answers to
these questions (2Cor 4:3-4; Eph 2:2-3; 6:12; 1Jn 5:19; Rev 12:9).
Dt 32:29 pleads with us: Oh, that they were wise, that
they understood this, that they would consider their latter
end!
2Tim 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out as a drink
offering (and that's an interesting perspective of an aspect of
the OT sacrificial system), and the time of my departure is at
hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the Faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who
have loved His appearing.
This apostle came to the end of his life having knowingly chosen
the Life of God, having carefully observed the spiritual Law,
having fully considered his latter end—Paul knew where he was
going and he knew why he was going there. Paul chose the perfection
God demands and provides (Gal 2:20; Col 1:27-29).
The contemplation of the glory of God is awesome and very satisfying.
It is satisfying and logical to think of God as being without
beginning and without end. Any other consideration becomes illogical
and leads to absurdity. It is gratifying to accept from Scripture
that:
I find these Scriptures beautiful, magnificent, wondrous. Does
this mean that I know the dynamics of how the Almighty
God understands all things, how He knows all things, how He has
infinite foreknowledge? No. I readily admit I do not have perfect
answers for such questions. But it makes good sense that the God
who is the Almighty is almighty! If there were any weakness or
any caprice in God then there could be no certainty, nor consistency,
nor coherence. We could not be confident in Him nor in His prophecies.
GOD the Father is not and cannot be less than almighty! He
is omnipotent. Omniscience, prescience, and foreknowledge are
necessary aspects of His being all-powerful.
1Pet 1:19-20 tells us that we should know that we are redeemed
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish
and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the
creation of the world/universe, but was manifest in these
last times for us all (Jn 17:24; Acts 4:24-28; Eph 1:4; see NIV;
NJB; The Interpreter's Bible (Abingdon Press, 1957); TDNT,
III, katabole pp 620-1; kosmos pp 883-895; IV, eklektos
pp 186-192).
1Pet 1:20 is prophecy expressing the Father's omniscience before
the creation that the redemptive sacrifice of the Lamb of GOD
would be necessary and at a particular time (also see Heb 1:2-3).
It cannot be a surprise then that the fruits-to-be of that self-denying
divine sacrifice are expressed in similar language by the apostle
Paul.
1Cor 2:7 says to us: We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for
our glory.
Before time began, before the creation, the Plan of God was there
waiting to be manifested.
Col 1:26-27 speaks of the apostolic stewardship of the
mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations,
but now has been revealed to God's saints of the OT and NT.
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the Glory
of this Mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the
hope of Glory.
The angelic host pays close attention to what is happening to
the saints. Eph 3:9-10 offers an explanation for this.
In Eph 3:9-10 Paul says that apostolic teaching is given
to make all see what is the fellowship of the Mystery, which
from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created
all things through Jesus Christ; (Why?) 10 to the intent that
now the manifold Wisdom of God might be made known by the Church
to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (i.e.,
to the angelic hosts [and perhaps not excluding the demonic world]
which are probably organized in nine or so categories of powers
which I am yet to expound. These are 24 elders [Rev 4:4], cherubim
[Ps 80:1; Ezk 10], seraphim [Is 6:2], archangels [Jude 9; Dan
10:13], principalities [archai; Eph 6:12]; powers [dunameis;
1Pet 3:22], thrones [thronoi; Col 1:16], authorities [exousiai;
Eph 6:12], dominions [kyriotetes; Col 1:16; Eph 1:21]).
The purpose of God, the Gospel of Salvation, is known to the angelic
hosts of Heaven. Satan and his demons likewise knew the
Gospel but continue to proclaim counterfeit gospels which vast
numbers accept as forms of Christianity (see Mt 24:11,24;
Jn 8:44-45; 2Cor 4:4; Gal 1:6-9; 2Th 2:8-12; 2Tim 3:1-5,13; 2Pet
2:1-3; 1Jn 4:1,6; 5:19; Rev 12:9). The Gospel of God was known
by the true disciples of the ancient past—such as Abraham (Gal
3:8; Heb 11). However, there is further revelation in seeing it
all progressively unfold, for the prophets inquired and searched
diligently just how and when the promises of salvation would occur
and the angelic realm wants to know the manner and time-scale
that will still unfold. We still don't know many of the details.
False prophets continue to impress their blind followers.
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully,
who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching
what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ which was in
them was indicating when it testified beforehand the sufferings
of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was
revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering
the things which now have been reported to you through those who
have preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven;
things which angels desire to look into.
Revelation is progressive, just as the number of the saints keeps
building until the full number is reached (Rev 14:1-4; 7:4-8).
Hence the angels and demons watch the saints closely, for then
they see more of the details of God's foreknowledge in the processes
of history.
2Tim 1:9 tells us that God has saved us and called us with
a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His
own purpose and grace which were given to us in
Christ Jesus before time began.
God expresses His purposes in those He foresees as choosing to
accept His work in them (Jn 6:29). Many who are called come to
reject and fail to continue to choose all of God's righteousness.
Christ's longest parable, the parable of the sower, illustrates
this so graphically in Mt 13:1-23, in Mk 4:1-20 and Lk 8:1-15.
Tit 1:2 also speaks of the hope of eternal life
which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
El Shaddai or Shaddai, God the Almighty, occurs
about 48 times in the OT. The LXX uses the Greek, pantokrator,
all-powerful; the Latin uses omnipotens. God cannot
be even slightly less than omnipotent. God cannot, likewise, be
less than omniscient, i.e., He does know everything. If He doesn't
know everything, what doesn't He know? How do we decide what He
doesn't know? Perhaps we could tell Him what He shouldn't know?
And how would He decide what He shouldn't know? Some maintain
that God chooses not to know some things. Does He pretend
not to know or does He reject not knowing? How would He then know
that He should urgently know that He has chosen not to know? Do
you know what you have chosen to not know? We could make more
sarcastic comment. Since stupid assumptions invite folly, let's
avoid self-deceiving presumptions and unreasonable declarations.
But the plan of Yahweh
Paul in Rom 11:33-36 says:
has stood fixed from eternity,
The design of his mind
are for generation upon generation (Mitchell Dahood, S.J., Psalms).
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of
God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding
out! For who has known the mind of the LORD? Who has become His
counsellor? (Who can teach God anything?) Or who has first given
to Him and it shall be repaid to him? (Who can contribute anything
to God? If we possibly could He would repay us most generously,
for that is His nature. All we can give God is the totality of
our lives!) For of Him and through Him and to Him
are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
There is no searching of His understanding, Isaiah 40:28 states
(see also vv. 13-18; 42:9; 44:7; 45:21; 66:18).
Scholars who comment on God's foreknowledge and predestination
of the saints generally make a point of saying that the Scriptures
about God's foreknowledge and election of the saints speak corporately,
that is, there is a Body of saints, the elect, and specific individuals
are not meant as Rom 8:28-30 and Eph 1:3-10 reveal (e.g., Alan
Richardson, An Introduction to the Theology of the New Testament
[London: SCM Press, 1958], pp 271-81; Brendan Byrne, S.J., Romans
[Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1996], pp 304-307).
Ps 139:1-4 O LORD, You have searched me and known me (David
always knew he was learning more and more of God's Way; more and
more David was finding the uncleanness in his heart). 2 You know
my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar
off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted
with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but
behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
Those who identify with OT and NT saints experience these words
and know them to be true, for these words express like-minded
biblical identifications shared by all the saints.
Ps 139:7 asks: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where
can I flee from Your presence?
None of us can run away from God nor from His Way and suppose
we'll be safe. If we choose to reject His Way He will reject us.
That's our perverse choice should we make it. In His omniscience
God knows how, when, where and why each of us will turn to or
away from Him. There is no contradiction between Divine foreknowledge
and human freedom to choose. God knows how we shall use our free
moral agency. God knows when and what will be the best circumstances
to encourage us to accept His offer of salvation. But as with
Cain, He also knows that no matter how favourable the environmental,
cultural, social, and psychological circumstances, some will nevertheless
reject His sovereignty over them, will refuse His complete Will
over them, will not accept His Way as their way. Lucifer did this,
as Is 14:13-14, Ezk 28:17-19 and Jn 8:44 show; Adam and Eve did
this; Cain did this despite the appeals to him from the LORD (Gen
4:5-10; Jude 11); the Beast and False Prophet of the end-time
will do this (see Dan 7:25; 11:36-39; Rev 13:1-18). And the two
prophets of Rev 11, who will be God's witnesses to the whole
world (v 4), will choose to endure successfully to the end.
Ps 139:13-18 continues: For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for
I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works,
and that my soul knows very well.
The Christian experience of life, despite its trials and tribulations,
is constantly filled with personal evidence that God is perfectly
good and gracious. The merciful God exposes weaknesses, builds
strengths, gives gifts and intervenes to protect us from the Evil
One who hatefully sees the evidence of the saints' godly choices.
(David continues to explain) 15 My frame (bones,
power) was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret
(i.e., sheltered by God), and skillfully wrought in the
lowest parts of the earth (for all of us are but dirt). 16 Your
eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed (i.e., foetus)
and in Your Book (i.e., in the Book of Life(?), as suggested
by TDOT, IV, p 340) they all were written, the days fashioned
for me (i.e., the length of my life), when as yet there were none
of them (before I had been born and started to live). 17 How precious
also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the
sand; when I awake, I am still with You.
David perceived that God's wisdom was infinite and he was over-awed
by God's grace.
Let's consider God's foreknowledge of OT saints whose understanding
and experience were like David's.
Gen 12:1-3 Now the LORD (i.e., the pre-incarnate Jesus
Christ speaking the words of His Father) had said to Abram: "Get
out of your country, from your family and from your father's house,
to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a
blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse
him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall
be blessed (by the Gospel of Jesus Christ)."
Those who bless the children of Abraham are blessed. Those who
curse those blessed by God are cursed by God (see Gen 27:29; Num
24:9; Mt 10:40-42; 18:5-6; Mk 9:41-42).
17 The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation,
and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?"
Gal 3:8-9,14,29, 5:16, 1Pet 2:9-10, Rev 7:1-8 and 14:1-5 show
that the foreknown nation is the Israel of God, which is the assembly
of the firstborn (Heb 12:22-23), and each has his/her name in
the Book of Life. The nation is made up from those who
are the spiritual descendants of Abraham.
19 "For I have known him, in order that he may command his
children and his household after him, that they keep the Way of
the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring
to Abraham what He has spoken to him."
The NT makes it clear that the children (and household) of Abraham,
as living stones of the spiritual temple, build and increase the
House of God (1Pet 2:5,9-10; Eph 2:19-22).
Jdg 13:5 For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son.
No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite
to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out
of the hand of the Philistines.
Samson did deliver Israel from the debauched Philistines, but
it was in many difficulties, with much complication, working through
numerous errors, that he overcame (Heb 11:32-40).
Jer 1:4-8 The word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5 "Before
I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified
you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." 6 Then I said:
"Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth (i.e.,
young and immature, inexperienced)." 7 But the LORD said
to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all
to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver
you," says the LORD.
And if we are called, chosen, and faithful, then each of us will
be delivered to the end of our lives of overcoming, until we have
finished the race we must run and have won the crown of glory
promised to all the saints throughout history. There is no greater
calling, no greater goal and purpose to be offered and to strive
for. God knows if we will believe when offered the Faith, if we
truly believe now, if we will not give up on believing Him! We
can know if our belief is genuine and enduring—for God knows!
v 19 repeats this promise: "They will fight against
you (for we do not wrestle against mortals but wicked spirits
occupying high positions in this present evil world; see Eph 6:12;
1Jn 5:19; Rev 12:9), but they shall not prevail against you. I
am with you to deliver you," says the LORD.
Lk 1:13-17 The angel said to him, "Do not be afraid,
Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will
bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 You will
have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink
neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the
Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb (on the basis that God
foreknew that John would choose not to quench nor grieve the
work of the Spirit in him. The first three types of people in
the parable of the sower give up on the work of the Spirit). 16
He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their
God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of
Elijah (see Mt 11:12-14; 17:10-13; Mk 9:11-13; Lk 1:15-17 for
Christ's understanding of who fulfilled this prophecy), 'to turn
the hearts of the fathers to the children,' (from Mal 4:5-6; and
see Is 40:3; also Acts 1:15-22) and the disobedient to the wisdom
of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord"
(which the apostles, fathers to the faithful, fulfilled in that
they turned with all their hearts to prepare the children of God
for the Kingdom).
Each of us is called to give honour and glory to the Name of God,
to give excellent answer to our calling, to shut the mouths of
the ignorant, to reveal to ourselves and others that God is working
His purposes in our lives, in the lives of other scattered saints,
in man's history.
Gal 1:13-17 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life
in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the Church of God and
was trying to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many
contemporaries of my race, for I was far more zealous for the
traditions of my ancestors. 15 But when God, who had set me apart
before I was born (the NT Greek has, from my mother's womb;
cp. Is 49:1 The LORD has called Me from the womb) and called
me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son to me,
so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles, I did not confer
with any human being, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those
who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into
Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.
Each of us has an individual and special calling which no other
person can take from us—unless we let them bring our godliness
to ruin. Each of us is our brother's keeper and must also show
respect to what God is doing in all of the elect, wherever they
might be. I listen to what any person says to me by inspiration
of the Holy Spirit (Prov 1:20-27; 8:1-5). The Spirit is the Spirit
of truth and inspires alertness, receptivity, and the spiritual
means to hear the revelation of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
The sheep know His Voice and the sheep recognize the
real Shepherd even if they are temporarily lost (Jn 10:4-18).
That voice could be through a mere babe in Christ or a non-Christian,
as is illustrated in Josiah not heeding Pharaoh Necho (2Chr 35:20-23).
Do we have ears that hear (Ps 8:2; Mt 11:25-29; 13:9; 21:15-16;
Lk 10:21; Rev 3:22)?
The apostle Peter speaks about God's foreknowledge of those called
as elect to sanctified life and who live by the power of God.
1Pet 1:1-5 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims
(i.e., strangers, resident aliens, sojourners; Heb 11:13-16) of
the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia,
2 elect (eklektois=those chosen, selected, appointed
[for salvation]) according to the foreknowledge (prognosis)
of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience
and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and
peace be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten
us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled
and that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, 5 who
are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready
to be revealed in the last time.
Eklektos is the Greek for elect, or elect one.
It is related to lego, to speak; logos, word; eklegomai,
to make a choice; ekloge, chosen (TDNT, IV, pp 69-192).
The Lamb of God was foreknown/foreordained before the foundation
of the world.
Two of Paul's epistles have profound sections about predestination.
Rom 8:28-30 speaks about it in the context of baptism (in Rom
6), the struggle against sin (in Rom 7), and then the works of
God by the power of God, the Holy Spirit, in each of the saints.
We're told that those who are led by the Spirit of God are His
children (Rom 8:14,16). Those who do not have the Spirit of God
are not His (v 9).
Rom 8:28-30 then says: We know (i.e., those who have the
Spirit of God) that in all things God works for the good of those
who love Him (who have responded to His offer of love and grace),
who have been called according to His purpose (and who forever
love His purpose). 29 For those God foreknew (proginosko)
He also predestined (prohorizo; from horizo,
appoint, determine, ordain [see Acts 2:23; 17:26,31; Rom 1:4])
to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the
firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined
(prohorizo, i.e., appointed in advance; TDNT, V,
pp 452-456), He also called; those He called, He also justified;
those He justified, He also glorified (which God can say because
He foresees the end from the beginning. That is the basis of all
true prophecy).
The epistle to the church in Ephesus speaks similarly.
Eph 1:3-12 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenlies in Christ (ep'houraniois; offices and
gifted responsibilities within the church, in the Kingdom of God
on earth, within the Holy City and perhaps likened to the distribution
of gifts and responsibilities in the angelic realm; see pp 3-4
above), 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before
Him in love.
Just as Christ was appointed and chosen to be the Lamb of God
before the creation, so likewise those who will be Christ's and
His Father's are appointed and chosen before the creation—before
the universe came into existence, which was and is a manifestation
of the omniscient power of God, which is His Spirit working.
5 God predestined (prohorizo—appointed) us to adoption
as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure
of His will (for there is no caprice nor partiality in His will),
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made
us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of sins (for we recognize our sinfulness
and always seek forgiveness), according to the riches of His grace
8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9 having made known to us the Mystery of His Will, according to
His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the
Dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven
and which are on earth—in Him.
Dispensation, a common translation, is from oikonomia,
which is derived from oikos, family, house, and nomos,
which means, law. Oikonomia means management and administration
of the House of God by God Almighty through Jesus Christ throughout
history (see TDNT, V, pp 119-59). We could interpret verse
10 as: In the time process of the management of the House
of God in the Law of God and in God's appointed time-scale, all
things in heaven and earth, the whole creation, will come together
(see Rom 8:19-22).
11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined
(prohorizo—appointed) according to the purpose of
Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise
of His Glory.
CONCLUSION
Scripture reveals that the Almighty Father of us all defines predestination
as a product of His foreknowledge. GOD in His omniscience has
foreseen how all individuals will respond to His gracious and
perfectly-timed offer of the Gospel. He has appointed to Eternal
Life all those whom He has foreseen responding in pure faith and
wholehearted obedience to His Son and to all His Word and Will.
With that knowledge we are further assured that He will finish
His work (Jn 4:34; 6:29; Rom 9:28-29).