God’s Foreknowledge and Predestination:
Predestinate, as a verb, meaning to predetermine or foreordain; to appoint or ordain beforehand for an unchangeable purpose.
Predestination, as a Noun, the act of decreeing or foreordaining events; the decree of God by which He has, from the beginning, unchangeably appointed or determined whatever comes to pass. It is used particularly in theology to denote the preordination of men to everlasting happiness or destruction.
Predestination is a part of the unchangeable plan of the Divine government; or, the unchangeable purpose of an unchangeable God.
Foreknowledge, in the Greek it is, “Proginosko, and prognosis.” When speaking of God alone, that He has knowledge of things before they happen, or, He has previous knowledge of something. In the N.T. it implies, to fore-determine, to fore-ordain, this concerning God’s eternal purpose, and His counsels.
To Foreknow, speaking of God alone, means to know before, to know already, to foresee, those who God has fore-determined, of old. Some render it, whom He hath fore-approved, or loved of old. Example follows.
1 Peter 1:19-20, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, Who verily was foreordained = (known already and loved) before the foundation of the world.”
The foreknowledge, and/or, predestination of God has become somewhat controversial. And because it is controversial, we should make every attempt to come to a correct understanding.
Without question, we are to make every attempt to fully understand the meaning of each word, this by the use of good dictionaries and lexicons. Secondly, we must pull, analyze, and study the Scriptural verses in their full context. We must understand their root, or historical meaning. Also, in what way did the Hebrews and early church understood this subject. Therefore, with good Scriptural research, dialog with others, and prayer, we should be able to avoid the rock’s of presumption on which many people have been shipwrecked.
The foreknowledge of God is never spoken of in reference to Himself, but, rather, in reference to us. Why? Because God is Omniscient, and omnipotent, that is, He has the power to know all things, and the power to do all things. The Father will do whatsoever He wills, and whatever He wills is Just. Nothing happens, or can happen that is a surprise, or is unforeseen by Him, all this is within His sovereignty. So, within the boundaries of predestination, can we still exercise our free will?
Because God can do all things, does He do all things? God will do that which is only peculiar = (unique) to Him. A few of the peculiarities Of our God are: He is Holy, Just, forgiving, can not lie, patient, loving, etc. His infinite judgments direct the working of His power: so that, though He can; yet, He does not, or chooses not to do all things, but, only those things which are unique, or peculiar to Him.
Is God the reason for sin and evil in this world? God has ordained some things as absolutely certain; therefore He knows these as absolutely certain. Example: The earth rotating around the sun, the moon pulling on the oceans of the earth, gravity, certain laws of physic, life, death, etc. These things God has ordained, these absolute certainties must be. They being fixed in that order of time, place, and form, in which Divine Wisdom has ordained them to be, if not, then God’s infinite counsel would be denied.
God has ordained other things to be contingent.
Contingent means, something happening by chance, without design or expectation, or something accidental. Example: The parable of the sower instructs us, that a man can hear and read the good news, and either be drawn to Him, walk away by choice, be drawn away by vices, or flat out reject the doctrines; law, ordinations set down by God. Example follows.
Genesis 1, we read that God created man in His own image and likeness, blessed them, and said to them, be fruitful and multiply. Yet in,
Genesis 6: 5-6, we read, “God saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth,” and in verse 6 we read,
“It repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at His heart.”
Evil was not a part of God’s creation, it’s the devil who is the Father of evil; and evil men follow after him. He having reached a sorry state, only because men had determined by his own free will to disobey God.
God knew Adam and Eve would fall, (foreknowledge); yet He knew that they would not have necessarily fallen; for it was possible for them not to have fallen = (Their free will). Example: God had placed in the middle of His garden, a “tree of knowledge,” which He also called the tree of “good and evil.” Good or evil, this was their choice. This contingency preserved their free will to choose. So in God’s infinite wisdom, He has thought it essential to put in the balance, the possibility of things being or not being, leaving it to the will of man to tip the scales. Why is this important?
If contingencies did not exist, then everything would be fixed and determined, by the unalterable decrees, and purposes of God. Not only would all free will be destroyed, but all agencies of every kind, except those of God. On this idea, God would be the only one to produces an effect, in both time now, and eternity later.
Thus all living beings would only be instruments, and would, or could, do nothing; mankind being driven, and acted upon by the Almighty, He being the sole agent. Therefore, every act would be His = (God’s) own. Again, if man were not a free agent, this would make God the author of all the evil and sin in the world. This is ridiculous, and would be considered blasphemy.
Sin would no longer be sin if God had decreed it, and by his foreknowledge and will, drove man to it. On this ground there could be no punishment for sin. Man must be accountable for his own choices, and for his own works. Now if by allowing for contingency of human will and action, men would then be accountable for his or her thoughts and deeds. Therefore God does not see as absolute, or as inevitably certain things which He has made contingent, and because man’s will has been designed to be continent, God frees events to be uncertain. All this is under God’s sovereignty, and larger plan of salvation.
The following verse is misused, this in order to prove that God has pre-determined that some shall be saved, and others not.
John 6:44, Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Scripture puts this verse into a definite time frame. It was predetermined that the Son of God, would also become the Son of man. He was to be born in the flesh, at a predetermined time in history, and His flesh had to be from a natural birth, of a natural woman.
From the time of Jesus birth to now, no man can come to the Saviour, except that person is drawn by the Father. Before the birth of Christ, men were justified by the law, the law being only temporal, as also were the positions of the king, and high priest, etc. The forgiveness of sins, animal sacrifices were all temporary, having to be continually repeated. Jesus coming was now a permanent solution to these temporary conditions.
So to be drawn by the Father to this permanent condition of salvation, means what? The word draw is the Greek word, helkuo. In the case of John 6:44, and John 12:32, it means to induce to come.
The idea, “to draw,” in John 12:32, is the same as in,
John 6:44. Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
Jesus is saying, After I have been lifted up on the cross, by the preaching of my word, and with the influence of my Holy Spirit, I shall draw and enlighten both the Jew and the Gentile to me.
The above had been predetermined by God. We read the following in both,
Genesis 49:10, “And unto Him = (meaning Jesus) shall the gathering of the people be.”—
Isaiah 11:10, “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign = (banner) of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek:”
John 6 states no person can come to Jesus unless they are draw by the Father. John 12 states the Jesus will draw all men to Him. This is proof positive of the oneness, the total unity of both the Father and Son.
In other verses such as, John 21:6-11, John 18:10, Psalms 10:9, Jeremiah 38:13, 2 Samuel 22:17, the word draw, means to drag. Example: When a reluctant child is told to follow their mother, and refuses, the mother takes the child by the hand, and makes the child follow.
It is also spoken of persons, to drag, to force away, as before magistrates, as in the case of arresting a criminal. Also to leave, or come out of a place as in Acts 21:30.
Let’s get back to John 6:44. How does the Father draw men to His Son Jesus? We know that people are drawn to the things they enjoy, or have pleasure in. Example, if a parent shows a child a candy bar, or ice cream cone, they will be drawn to that person holding these things out for them. They will be obedient, polite, respectful, and in most cases do what they are asked in order to get the goodies. Of course you always have the very stubborn ones. So also is the case of those who reject Christ.
So how does the Father Draw men? First of all, by and thought the offices and blessings of the Holy Spirit. Through the power and guidance of the Holy Ghost, Christian disciples, missionaries, teachers, evangelists, etc. will be sent to teach, to preach, to help in the caring of the sick, to feed the hungry, and some to hand out Bibles, and speak of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
By these gifts and the workers sent, the Father induces men to come to His Son. Sinners are first shown their needs, and then the saving work of the Son. Again, this is done through the work of the Holy Spirit, the faithful men of God, and their loyalty for the Savior.
James 2:26, “faith without works is dead.” Of course, many decide not to follow the Lord, but all men do have the opportunity to receive His salvation.
If anyone is first convicted of sin, and fully understands that they are lost, then repent, then will their whole body, soul, and spirit be moved to action through the emotions they feel. This conviction and inner emotion upheaval should be followed by decisive action, this proving that Jesus is truly the object of their belief. They will be drawn by the Light, being moved by fear first. That fear concerns the knowledge and understanding of God’s coming judgements.
Their love for Christ Jesus will go through various stages of growth, until they are mature in the Lord, they having the knowledge of having been justified by Christ’s death, and by the shedding of His blood. So after a person has heard or read the Good News of the Gospel message, they will either receive or reject the Lord Jesus.
Question: Has God not ordained some things as absolute, and some things as contingent? Answer, Yes.
The horror which many witnessed on September 11, 2001, is an example of what God has made contingent. These terrorists had chosen, by their own free will to do this evil deed. This was not the determined will of God, the work of Jesus Christ, or the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If this event had been for-ordered = (ordered) by God, then no sin could be attached to it.
Yes, God knew before hand what these men were going to do, but the act itself was by their own determined will. They worshiped a false god, are taught a false doctrine, therefore do Satan’s work, this by their own free will. The Muslim religion has the Old Testament attached to its teaching. Muslims know the verses concerning the coming of a Messiah, yet chose to worship another god.
Romans 1:28 through 32, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding covenant breakers, without natural affections, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgement of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
In order to retain something, you must first have had to have knowledge of it. Therefore, a reprobate mind, means, to abandon to sin, and/or, are lost to virtue and grace, having rejected the thing they know are true. Because they have forsaken God, God forsakes them, therefore abandoning them to their own ways. Scripture teaches that these evil men, who perpetrated the events of 9/11 are guilty of the following:
A. “Unrighteousness.” “Being filled with all unrighteousness = (injustice.)”
B. “Fornication.” They believed 70 virgins waited for them in heaven.
C. “Wickedness.” They have departed from the God’s law and have become a law unto themselves.
D. “Covetousness.” They sought to destroy America, its way of life, and dismantle its faith.
E “Maliciousness.” They harbored ill will, without provocation.
E. “Full of envy” These men felt uneasiness, and a discontent at the sight of superior excellence, reputation, and the happiness enjoyed by others.
F. “Murder.” The unlawful killing of innocent, with premeditated malice!
G. “Debate.” They cause strife in argument, or reasoning between persons of different opinions.
H. “Deceit” This is to lead others to believe that which is a lie.
I. “Malignity.” This is an extreme evil disposition of the heart, toward others.
J. “Whisperers.” They slander American, and its people.
K. “Backbiters.” These are people who slander, or speak ill of those who are not present.
L. “Haters of God:” They deny the true God, denying the power of Jesus Christ.
M. “Proud;” these are conceited, proud, arrogant men. They have an unreasonable excellence concerning their own body and mind.
N. “Boasters.” They magnify themselves, are full of pride, vanity, and have a view to self-commendation.
O. “Inventors of evil things:” This being the worst case of terrorism in the history of the world, it’s the slaughter of the innocent.
Those who died in this tragedy are now in the hands of God. The second death is waiting for all those who’s choice is to go the way of the world, so be warned,
Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” There will be no second chances.
I Cor.10, speaks of the Jews who were led out of Egypt, and drank of that spiritual Rock which was Christ. Being the children of God, they were not pleasing to God. These were and are, lessons for us today; we are not to deny Jesus as our Savior, therefore falling back into sin.
1 Corinthians 10:11, “Now all these things happened unto them (the Jews) for example: and they are written for our admonition = (instruction,) upon whom the ends of the world are come.” The ends of the world!” This last dispensation, made up of “times,” is marked by great changes, but still retains a general unity with the past, stretching from Christ’s ascension, to His coming in judgment.
Romans 8:29, “For whom He = (God) did foreknow, = (knew already) He (God) also did predestinate (decreed) to be conformed = (Christians) to the image of his Son.”
Romans 11:2, “God hath not cast away his people = (the Jew) which He foreknew = (fore-determined or approved of old.)” Those who say the church has taken the place of Israel or it people are calling God a liar.
Foreordination, means, previous ordination, or appointment; predetermination; predestination. This is the act of appointing. See how the word is used in the following verses.
Acts 11:29, “The disciples, ever man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea.” The disciples had determined this.
Acts 17:26. God that made the world, “Hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation:” God had determined this.
Hebrews 4:7, “Again He = (God) limited = (appointed) a certain day.” God appointed this.
Acts 2:23, “Him = (Jesus) being delivered by the determinate = (constituted) counsel and foreknowledge of God = (the Father)” This is the Father’s foreknowledge.
Luke 22:22, Jesus said, “And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined (appointed by the Father,)” foreordained by the Father.
“Predestinate:” As a verb, as seen above, means to predetermine or foreordain; to appoint or ordain beforehand by an unchangeable purpose.
Predestination, as a noun, is the act of decreeing or foreordaining events; the decree of God by which He has from eternity, unchangeably appointed or determined whatever comes to pass. It is used particularly in theology to point to the preordination of men to everlasting happiness and/or misery.
Predestination is conditional, as far as it relates to the ultimate salvation, or destruction of a person professing, or denying the Gospel of Christ. These predetermined conditional decrees by God, having been made in eternity past, concern one person, or any group’s moral character. Because we are all are born in sin, and walk in the flesh, this being the character of a natural man, we would all die in our sins without Christ. But, if we are drawn by the Father, to His Son, and receive by opening up our hearts, the Holy Spirit, our character and condition change. So the predestination of a person, or group of people, is based on their moral character.
The idea of a person’s moral character is the idea of a mark, impression, a stamping, or qualities distinguishing a person, or a group of people from others. These special, stable and distinctive qualities, represent who they are, or are not, in Christ Jesus. We read in the following verses:
A. Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them = (the children of God) which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the (Holy) Spirit.”
B. Galatians 5:16, “Walk in the (Holy) Spirit, and ye (the Bride, the children of God) shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
C. Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the (Holy) Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
The above three verses concern only the saved in Christ Jesus.
D. Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:” (This concerns the unsaved.)
So a person is to walk “after,” and “in” the Holy Spirit.
The word, “after” is to imitate, to model ourselves, to be like, to consider the things of, to be influenced by, and to be directed by the Holy Spirit who was sent by Christ Jesus.
The word “in,” means, present, enclosed, surrounded by, a state of being mixed, as sugar and water, or combined, as heat in air. So when we say, “In the name of Jesus” it is the invoking, swearing, declaring, praying etc. on the person and the character of Jesus. In prayer it means by virtue of, or for the sake of. It can signify the idea of both, “by” and “through.”
With Romans 8:13 in mind, read the following;
Rommans 9:20-24, “O man who art thou that replies against God? Shall the thing formed (man) say to Him (God) that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter = (God) power over the clay (man,) of the same lump (all of mankind) to make one vessel = (one man, or one group of people) unto honor, (respect, reverence, value) and another unto dishonor (shame, vile, mean?)”
“What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore = (beforehand) prepared (to predestine, to appoint before) unto glory. Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”
A sinner’s objections are founded on ignorance, an objection concerning their relationship with God. The wicked Jews were objecting to the idea, of being condemned by that which brings so much glory to God. They ask, if God’s faithfulness is glorified by our wickedness, why are we judged as sinners?
Question, is God under obligation to anyone? Answer, Of course not. “Hath not the potter power over the clay.” God’s answer is, “Reflect on yourselves.” Meaning, after you abuse my graces, and transgress my laws, will you now raise objections against my dispersing of justice. The nation of Israel has been created and formed by God, now that which is formed after it has corrupted itself, pretends to object to it’s maker by asking, “Why have you made us this way?” There is no unjustness in God’s sovereignty.
The parable of the potter, Jeremiah 18:1 through 10. Here the LORD shows that He may dispose of any nation and of the Jews in particular, according to His infinite wisdom; laying the blame game, not taking responsibility for his own corruptions, mankind in his infinite foolishness and sinful ways challenging the Creator, concerning His judgments against them. Jeremiah’s parable shows that it is NOT speaking of men individually but of a nation as a whole. The Jewish nation stood before the God in sin, and corruption.
Jeremiah 4:23, God said of this nation and people, “I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void: and the heavens, and they had no light.”
1 Peter 1:20 states, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained = (known already by the Father) before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”
The Father’s Divine will, purpose, and predetermined counsel, was to send His Son Jesus, as a redeeming sacrifice, in order to complete the works of salvation in these last times: this was a predetermined counsel from God. The redemption of mankind was no afterthought, or neither was it a remedy for an unforeseen evil. God, foreseeing the fall and ruin of man, appointed the remedy that was to cure the disease.
1 Timothy 3:16, K.J.V. “God was manifest in the flesh.” From Adam, to Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, came the vail, the flesh of the Lord Jesus. God’s curse in the garden to Satan,
Genesis 3:15, “I (God) will put enmity = (hatred and malice) between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; It (He, meaning Christ) shall bruise thy (Satan’s) head (Satan’s dominion or kingdom), and thou = (Satan) shall bruise His = (Jesus) heel = (take away Jesus physical life.)”
Satan was placed between man, and God. He was an antagonist and adversary. The Lord Jesus was set, anointed of God, fixed, and prepared for the final battle.
To bruise in Hebrew is the word (shoop) meaning to crush, and/or brake, figuratively to overwhelm, conquer, subdue, utterly destroy.
The Word of God = (Jesus,) took on the flesh of man, this in order to become the Christ, the Lamb of God. He was to suffer, shed his precious blood, die, and be raised from the dead. This opened the door for those who believe in Christ’s work of redemption, the door to eternal life. If a person chooses (free will) to reject this work of salvation, this persons end will be eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire.
2. Acts 2:23, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,” The determined counsel of The Father, which defines the time, place, and circumstances, according to his foreknowledge, for both the,
A. Manifestation (Jesus birth) and,
B. The crucifixion (Jesus death.)
The virgin birth, His 33 years of life, His death and resurrection, were not casual (unforeseen, or unknown) events. It’s coming to pass was by design and by the will and pre-determined counsel of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Father having determined that the salvation of a lost world should be brought about in this way; and neither the Jews, the Romans, or Satan himself, had any power over these events.
It has been shown that it was not Christ’s weakness or inability to defend himself that he was taken for trial. When Jesus was about to be taken by His captors, He said to Peter who desired to fight them off with sword and dagger.
Matthew 26:53, “Thinkest thou = (Peter) that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” These Old Testament prophesies must be, and shall be fulfilled. At that time, a legion of Roman soldiers consisted of from between 4200 to 6000 men. Twelve legions would be about 70,000 angels.
Neither was it through their malice that He was slain. John 10:18, Jesus said, “No man taketh it = (His life) from me, but I lay it down of myself, I have power to lay it down = (forfeit it) and I have power to take it again = (rise from the dead.)
This plan, these truths had been determined long before the foundation of the world was laid. This plan was for the salvation of mankind, and the destruction of Satan and his demon angels.
Revelation 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, = (Jesus) whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, and the prediction of a potter’s field, these events were foretold between 520 and 518 B.C., by the prophet Zechariah.
Zechariah 11:12-13, “They weighed for my (Jesus) price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized (valued) at of them.”
The Jew’s hatred of Jesus, the brutality of the Romans, were only the incidental means = (not necessary for God’s chief purpose), by which the counsel of the Father would be fulfilled. The sacrifice of Jesus was intended (decreed,) but the hatred, and brutality, of both the Jew’s and Romans was never ordered by God, yet, it was permitted.
Therefore, we see the predetermined counsel of the Father, this greater plan for salvation came to pass. Also we also see the will of men preserved. The will of the Jewish people, and the Roman’s was to deceive, to betray, hate wholly and completely the Savior, the Son of God, this concluding in the murder of their own Messiah and King.
3. Romans 8:29, “For whom He = (the Father) did foreknow, He = (the Father) also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He = (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren = (the Christian body of believers, the church.)”
The apostle Paul shows how man’s calling, is an argument that all things work together for his = (man’s) eternal happiness, and how the Father guides us by His Holy Spirit, into the ways which have been decreed, in order to complete our salvation. Our Father has given to us, the foundation (the law,) and finishing scheme of redemption, which is in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He has bestowed on His children first, His kindness and law, and secondly, His grace and mercy.
A. Romans 11:1-2, we read, “Hath God cast away his people = (the Jew’s)? God forbid.” —Verse 2, “God hath not cast away his people which He foreknew.”
The apostle asked, “Has God cast away = (to drive away) His people?” the reply is, “God forbid.” Again, this because of the covenant He had made with Abraham. Our Lord intended, and will fulfill his promise to Abraham and his seed, to the Jew first, and then the Gentile. To those who obey, He will favor, bless, and bring into His kingdom.
B. Psalms 1:6, we read, “For the LORD knows (foreknowledge) the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
The LORD said in,
Psalms 101:6-7-8, “He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.”—–verse 7, “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry = (be established) in my sight. I = (God) will destroy all the wicked of the land:” God’s will and purpose = (salvation,) vs. man’s will = (destruction).
2 Timothy 1:9, gives us the first step, or foundation, this being the purpose and grace of the Father. “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
Because the Father knew us before the world began, He allowed, granted, and purposed through His grace, that we (believers, the faithful) should be favored. This is the first step, the end or finishing of it is our conformity to the Jesus Christ in eternal glory. We read in,
Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Romans 9:11-12, we read this concerning Isaac and Rebecca’s two children, Esau the eldest, and Jacob the younger.
“For the children (Esau and Jacob) being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him (God) that calls; It was said unto her (Rebecca,) the elder (Esau), shall serve the younger (Jacob).”
This being decreed before the children had been born. In Jewish law, the youngest always served the eldest, the eldest having been given the father’s blessing, two thirds of the inheritance, and made patriarch of the family and its affairs. In this case, God chose to reverse this privilege in order to fulfill His purpose.
Because Esau and Jacob had not yet been born, and had not done any good or evil; Neither did not deserve to be left out of their father’s covenant, and blessings. So that the purpose of God according to election might stand, God making this distinction between the two, appear to depend on nothing but His sovereign counsel.
Malachi 1:1-2, The LORD said, “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? (They were twins, Esau came out first, so he was considered the eldest) yet I loved Jacob, And I (God) hated = (to love less) Esau, and laid his (Esau’s) mountains (His exalted or holy places) and his heritage (inheritance) to waste for the dragons (jackals) of the wilderness.”
It was Esau’s choice to sell his inheritance, and in that choice, God’s purpose was fulfilled concerning to whom the inheritance would be determined. Therefore God deposited with Jacob His blessings, distinguishing His chosen from Esau, through their father Isaac.
4. Romans 8:30, “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.”
Who did God predestinate to be called? It was to be both the Jew first, and the Gentile nations after, they being invited by the preaching of the Gospel, to believe on the Son Jesus Christ. All that has been spoken of here in Romans 8 refers to what has already taken place, this being the calling, justifying, and glorifying.
The word “called” is never in the N. T. applied to those who have only the outward invitation of the Gospel, as in,
Matthew 20:16, “For many be called, but few chosen.” It always means internally, effectually, savingly called. It is applied to the first step in personal salvation, and answers to the idea of conversion.
The word conversion, expresses the idea of a change of character which takes place in a person. Where the calling, expresses the authorship of God, and the sovereign power by which we are drawn. Like Matthew and Zaccheus, they were called out of their old wicked, perishing condition, into a new, and blessed life, they were show the Lord Jesus, therefore having been drawn by the Father.
Whom God has “Justified;” meaning that He has pardoned the sins of all those who with sincere repentance, and true faith, turned to Jesus, for their salvation.
“And whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Those who are called, are brought to final glory.
Romans 8:17-18, “If so be that we suffer with him = (Jesus), that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
All this is viewed as past. Starting from the past decree of predestination, to being conformed to the image of God’s Son, of which all the other steps are but successive unfolding. All this is beheld as one entire, eternally completed salvation. From this we learn that none will be glorified who have not been sanctified and justified, that the justified are those who have been called, or invited, by the Gospel, understanding the Christ.
So for those who have heard, or read the good news of Christ, and believe, are they to whom the Father has determined to grant this privilege. We do not chose the salvation of God first Jesus Christ), but the Father sent Him to us first, this when we knew Him not. Therefore, the salvation of both Jew and Gentile come through the gracious mercy of the Father Himself, this being the result of His infinite designs. Christians are then brought to final glory.
5. Ephesians 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”
6. Ephesians 1:11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will.”
Phillip Laspino www.seekfirstwisdom.com