The term “Predestination” is understood by many in to be the divine foreordaining of all that will happen, especially with regard to the salvation of some and not others. John Calvin interpreted biblical predestination to mean that God willed eternal damnation for some people and salvation for others.
“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ” Ephesians 1:11
Predestinated in Hebrew means- proorizō “predetermine: – determine before, ordain”
What are we predestinated to?
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ” Ephesians 1:5 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ” Ephesians 1:4
Answer: Thus far we see that Christ has predestinated us to be his children before the foundation of the world. And by doing this he expected us to be holy and without blame. Many have a wrong conception of predestination but we see by biblical definition we were all made that we may be “holy and without blame before him in love.”
What else are we predestined to?
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ” Romans 8:29
How are those who are predestinated described?
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. ” Romans 8:30
If those who are predestinated are called, who is called?
” By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:” Romans 1:5-6
“But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. ” 1 Corinthians 7:17
Answer: We are all called by God, and by biblical definition of predestination, Christ wants us all to be conformed to his image, holy and without blame. “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7. Though he Called us to holiness, we will see as we continue to study that we have a choice to accept or reject this calling.
But what about Esau didn’t it say that God “Hated” Esau?
“As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. ” Romans 9:13-16
Note: This text was quoting from the old testament because it said “It is written” Going to where it was quoting from will give us a better understanding.
“The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. ” Malachi 1:1-4
Answer: The prophet shows in Malachi 1:1-4 how much Jacob and the Israelites were favored by Jehovah, more than Esau and the Edomites. Edom were there descendants of Esau , this text Is not referring to Jacob or Esau individually but the nations that came out of them. Christ has chosen Israel at that time as his special people “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. ” Deuteronomy 7:6 But we see here that God had chosen Israel because of the choices of their fathers. Jacob we know took the spiritual blessings and Esau sold his blessing/inheritance for a bowl of soup!
Well, what about when it was said “God hardened Pharaohs heart” does that mean God had chosen for his heart to be hardened?
“…but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. ” Exodus 4:21
Note: This text is telling us that Pharaohs heart was hardened by God, how then is this explained?
“And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.” Exodus 8:32 ” Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed? ” 1 Samuel 6:6
Answer: Plague after plague was sent, but Pharaoh did not let the Israelites go, he hardened his own heart after the opportunity was presented to him ample times to make a choice. When it is said God hardened his heart, It was hardened not because God chose to but because of the decisions that Pharaoh made.
What is God’s desire for everyone?
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ” 2 peter 3:9
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” 1 timothy 2:3-4
Answer: God desires us all that we may be saved and have eternal life. ” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ” John 3:16. God is no respecter of persons( he shows no partiality), he said “whosoever believeth” meaning anyone, not just specific people.
Has God given man free will?
” I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: ” Deuteronomy 30:19
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. ” Joshua 24:15
Answer: Clearly we all have a choice to serve God or not, this God gave to man because he Loves us and wants us to love him out of our own freewill also. God is not forceful and demanding love or programming someone like a robot to love him back. This would not be true love; even the angels in heaven had a choice to follow God or to be cast out with the devil.
Who only is hell prepared for?
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: ” Matthew 25:41
Answer: Hell was made for only the devil and his angels, God is saying ” I am not willing that ANY should perish” 2 peter 3:9. Our destination predicated on our choices that we make it this life.
Christ all wants us to receive eternal life, which is accessible to all, He has not chosen who will be saved or lost, but day by day, we are in the choices we make. What choices are we making in our lives today? Are we doing those things which we know is a sin against God? Christ is coming back for a people “without fault” Revelation 14:5. Give your whole heart to God today and he will help you to be an overcomer!