PREDESTINATION

Predestination

What does predestination mean? Has the course of your life already been decided? Has God determined the fate of all men in advance? What about free moral agency? Why were you born? Does God have a plan? If so, what is it? Many are confused and worry needlessly about those who have died in ignorance. Yet, the Bible teaching is plain—easy to understand. Here is the amazing truth about God’s plan and predestination!

Did God actually pre-plan every sin, every act of immorality and every crime that has ever been committed? Is God the author of every war—every act of civil disobedience—every divorce—every suicide—every murder? Did God pre-plan every rape—every act of child abuse—every lie ever told—every time one chooses to cheat on his income taxes? Understand. 

If God has already charted the course, in advance of everything that will ever happen, all acts of sin and unrighteousness cannot be excluded.

What is the plan of God? What exactly is God doing with mankind? Is He trying to save all men now? Are all men in the category of either “lost” or “saved”? 

On the matter of predestination, people have made two common assumptions—that every human being who has ever lived is predetermined to be either “lost” or “saved”. Most have also been led to believe that God and the devil are in a great wrestling match over the fate of the world. It is as though God is desperately trying to save people from the clutches of the devil, and the devil is, just as desperately, striving to thwart God’s plan of salvation at every turn. 

Jesus loves everyone died for everyone and wants everyone to be saved

Of course, the devil certainly is striving to deceive the whole world (Rev. 12:9). He is now the god of this world, seeking to blind people to the wonderful truth of the plan of God and the true gospel (II Cor. 4:4). However, this does not mean that God’s plan is, on the one hand, out of His control—being lost to the devil—or, on the other hand, that His control means predetermining the fate of every human being. 

The subject of predestination and God’s plan would not be complete without some considerable explanation of why God is only calling a few now into His truth. We must ask, why—for what purpose—is God calling a few at this time? Most professing Christians believe that when they die, they will “go to heaven.” While this has been a nice thought for millions, it is not biblical—and it has never been God’s plan! God’s purpose for mankind is far greater, infinitely more glorious. It involves reigning—rulership—with Christ. 

The Christian is in training to become a teacher in the world tomorrow. He or she is one who will guide, direct, rule and teach, starting with all those who are alive at Christ’s Return. Only at that time will all Israel and, soon after, the rest of the world, begin to be saved. 

In the meantime, Christians are themselves training to be those who will train others. They are being taught to be teachers. They are learning to receive direction from God in His Word and through His Church, so that they are later qualified to give direction. They are learning to be ruled by God now so that they can reign and rule with Christ later. 

He chosen us to be holy and blameless

God cannot give power to those who have not learned how to use it. He has to first insure that the power will not be abused. A true Christian studies God’s word on a regular basis to understand all of the ways and laws of God. He also prays daily, on his knees, pouring out his needs and concerns in a fervent way (James 5:16), in full confidence that God is hearing, guiding and answering him in his everyday life. 

A Christian “seeks first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33), knowing that all of his daily cares and concerns will be taken care of. He must remember to grow and overcome because he is qualifying to one day lead great numbers of people. 

It is through God’s mercy, working in the few who are qualifying to rule and teach as kings and priests (Rev. 5:10), that others will eventually have an opportunity to learn the same precious truth. This is because those who receive mercy now will extend mercy to the masses of Israel and the rest of the world later. What an amazing opportunity for those God is calling to His truth now! 

 — with Daniel Naveen Bethapudi and Heidi Carico.Image addition by: Sreedhar Jeshurun

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