Foreknowledge and Prophesy

Preordaining, Pre-election, and Predestination

Article aY 1998

INDEX

Chapter 1, Considers how God blesses and enlightens those of a pure heart and considers how God hardens and blinds those who are obstinate.

V Chapter 2, Considers numerous aspects of predestination and foreordaining and pre-election.

Chapter 3, Considers Romans 9:7-13

Chapter 4, Considers prophesies, and considers God's knowledge of the future.

Chapter 1

Considers How God Blesses, Enlightens, and Enriches Those Who Are of a Sincere Heart, and Considers How God Hardens, Blinds, and Impoverishes Those Who are Obstinate. aY-1:1

Following are several verses wherein Jesus clearly reveals that those who do not hear or listen to Christ with a sincere heart and ear and who did not love the truth, will be stripped even from that little they might have had, while those who listen to Christ with an open ear and who love the truth will receive in abundance!; aY-1:2

(Luke 8:18) "Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have." aY-1:3

(Mark 4:24-25) "And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. {25} For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath." aY-1:4

Numerous other statements of Christ's, besides the above two, also speak of God taking away the little that the unrighteous have, while giving more, to the righteous who already have much. Following are three other such Scriptures; aY-1:5

(Luke 19:26) "For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him." aY-1:6

(Mat 13:12) "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." aY-1:7

(Mat 25:29) "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." aY-1:8

Note the verses given in this chapter are by no means given merely to indicate that the reader must listen to what the writer has to say. These verses rather are given to reveal how God has preplanned or preordained that those who love and want the truth should have in abundance, and has preordained that those who dislike and resist the truth should experience great poverty. The writer has not given the verses in this chapter merely to threaten the reader and make him feel he must except what the writer has to say, but rather has given these verses to reveal, that concerning the those who desire and love the truth and concerning those who dislike and resist the truth, God has preordained that such differing individuals should receive quite opposite treatment. Thus may all desire and be open to receive the truth, what ever it may be, (but yet be very careful to not accept untruth.). aY-1:8.5

It appears when one does not listen with an sincere, open, and yearning heart, but rather listens with a biased or critical ear, that God further takes away his ability to see and perceive Spiritual and eternal truths and gives him over to a great blindness. The following Scriptures pertain to such; aY-1:9

(2 Th 2:10-12) "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. {11} And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: {12} That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." aY-1:10

(Rom 11:8) "(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day." aY-1:11

(Isa 29:10) "For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered." aY-1:12

(Mat 13:14-15) "And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: {15} For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." aY-1:13

(John 12:39-40) "Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, {40} He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." aY-1:14

Considering all the above Scriptures it is clear that God takes away the little the obstinate might have while giving more to righteous who already have much, such as Jesus repeatedly said! aY-1:15

Mat 11:25-26 reads "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight." Note how this Scripture not only teaches that God reveals His secrets to babes but also teaches that God intentionally hides these things from the wise and prudent. One should consider the wise are prudent likely would be those who too much think they already know it all and are not truly hungering and thirsting for righteousness. It appears Jesus was also speaking of these things when He said; "...For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. ...If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." (John 9:39&41). Those individuals who recognized their own blindness in the respect of realizing they were very far from knowing it all and who thus were open and yearning to see further were privileged to perceive and see Christ's secrets, but those individuals who were wise in their own eyes and thought they were already seeing it all, were blinded from seeing Christ's secrets and were condemned! It appears when one learns in a proper way although he finds many good answers, yet he also becomes aware of many new things that he knows very little about, and is open and yearning to see clearer and further. aY-1:16

In Exodus chapters 7-14, ten verses speak of God hardening Pharaoh's heart, three verses speak of Pharaoh hardening his own heart, and five speak of Pharaoh's heart being hardened. Four other verses in the Bible speak of God hardening man's heart. It appears when an individual chooses to close his eyes and harden his heart God amplifies what he already has done and blinds and hardens him further. aY-1:17

Jesus further reveals those to whom God will reveal His secrets and enrich with His blessings in the following Scripture; aY-1:18

(Mat 5:3-10) "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {4} Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. {5} Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. {6} Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. {7} Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. {8} Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. {9} Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. {10} Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." May we all earnestly endeavor to have these vital attributes whereupon God can bestow His blessings! aY-1:19

V Chapter 2

Considers Numerous Aspects of Predestination and Foreordaining and Pre-election. aY-2:1

Following are Scriptures that reveal that Jesus was foreordained to be fallen man's source of salvation from before the foundation of the world!; aY-2:2

(1 Pet 1:20) "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you," aY-2:3

(Eph 1:4) "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:" aY-2:4

(2 Tim 1:9) "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," aY-2:5

Following are Scriptures that reveal man was foreordained to be saved through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and belief of the truth, as well as the death of Christ; aY-2:6

(2 Th 2:13) "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" aY-2:7

(1 Pet 1:2) "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." aY-2:8

Following are several Scriptures that pertain to particular one's being predestinated or preordained to salvation; aY-2:9

(Rom 8:29-30) "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. {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." aY-2:10

(Eph 1:4) "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:" aY-2:11

(Eph 1:11) "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:" aY-2:12

(Eph 1:5) "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," aY-2:13

V Considering all Scriptures it is quite clear that God before the foundation of the world, firstly had preordained the entire plan of salvation whereby He redeemed man, secondly preordained that Jesus would fulfill that plan, and thirdly preordained or predestinated who (or what type of persons) would be eligible to be saved by that plan. Following is a parable concerning God's foreknowledge, and concerning who those are whom God predestinated to be saved through the death of His son; aY-2:14

V There once was a king named Abraham, who was king over the Mede and Persian empire. This Abraham was not a good man like the Abraham of the Bible. This Abraham was a very cruel and foolish king. Yet this King Abraham had a son named Isaac was both very wise and very merciful. This Isaac knew he would in due time would receive his fathers kingdom. Isaac also knew his father had many individuals in prison camps with the death penalty due them. These prisoners all had to die, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which could not be altered. Many of these prisoners were very angry at cruel King Abraham, and numerous of them were now very bitter and vile. Yet Isaac being a very wise and merciful person, earnestly desired to save these prisoners and carefully searched the laws and bylaws for some way through which these prisoners could be saved from death when he received the kingdom. Isaac then discovered and devised a plan to save these prisoners before he ever was King! Yet this plan of deliverance for the prisoners, would and could only save those prisoners who would be willing to give full allegiance to their new king and all other prisoners would yet have to be put to death. This plan which could satisfy the unalterable law of the Medes and Persians and save the penitent prisoners, yet required a tremendous sacrifice on Isaac's part and his son Jacob's part. To satisfy this law and save the penitent prisoners, Isaac's only son Jacob being Abraham's grandson would have to die in the place of these prisoners! Isaac and Jacob being unlike their cruel father and grandfather Abraham, the present king, then in love for these lowly and helpless prisoners fully decided to save the prisoners when Isaac received the kingdom even at this terrible cost. Although King Abraham was not a good man like the Abraham of the Bible, yet Isaac and Jacob were good people like the Isaac and Jacob of the Bible. The great love and kindness of Jacob who was willing to die to save the prisoners was a very outstanding and emphasized issue in this plan, as was also the love and unselfishness of his father Isaac. Isaac who would be the future King, not only had preplanned that those prisoners who chose to give him all allegiance should be saved from death, but that he would also adopt them as his own sons! After Isaac took the kingdom his son Jacob then died as a ransom, and all those prisoners who chose to give full allegiance to the king were saved from death and adopted as being the King's sons! These prisoners just could scarcely believe what Isaac their new King had done for them and excitedly exclaimed, "King Isaac had predestinated or preordained us to salvation and life through the death of his son before his kingdom even began!" Other prisoners assuredly knowing that they, by their own works, could never have delivered themselves from death, speaking of their wonderful deliverance fervently said, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us"! (Titus 3:5). Yet other prisoners speaking of their wondrous deliverance and their acceptance as children of the King and feeling very unworthy earnestly said, "we were, predestinated, appointed, and elected unto the adoption of children through the death of his son while we were yet helpless and vile prisoners!" aY-2:16

V King Isaac had a very unusual ability which allowed him to actually see into the future and know the future! King Isaac in his foreknowledge actually knew before he received the kingdom which prisoners would choose to give him all allegiance and thus foreknew which prisoners would be saved and become his adopted sons! Thus one of the Kings servants in speaking of wonderful King Isaac exclaimed, "those whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to the adoption of children by Jacob to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will" (similar to Rom 8:29 & Eph 1:5). Although King Isaac had foreordained or predestinated that these prisoners would be saved through the death of his son, and foreknew those who would be saved, these prisoners all yet clearly knew that if they had not chosen to give their new king all allegiance they could not have been saved, and clearly knew that had a choice and responsibility in the matter. Yet now many years later some people who read how these doomed prisoners were saved by grace rather than by their own power and works, and read how they even before the beginning of Isaac's kingdom were preordained (predestinated) to be saved by the death of Isaac's son, foolishly think that these prisoners were preordained to be saved without them having any choice or responsibility in the matter! Such foolish individuals did not seem to understand that it was only a particular class of prisoners, which class were those who would give the King all allegiance, that were predestinated to be saved through the death of his son. These poor confused people in hearing of how King Isaac predestinated particular prisoners to be saved through the death of his son, concluded it was particular prisoners chosen at random to be saved and without them having any choice in the matter, rather than understanding it was those prisoners who chose to give the king all allegiance that were predestinated to be saved! aY-2:17

V King Isaac who was a very rich and wise man also had made numerous plans for his kingdom before he received it. King Isaac had the very unusual ability to control the heart and sight of his citizens. He thus before receiving the Kingdom had preplanned that concerning those of his kingdom who did not want to do his commands and were obstinate in their heart, that he would harden their heart even farther and take away what little sight they yet had and employ them as ditch diggers. Yet concerning those sincere citizens of his kingdom who were seeking his will and were open hearted, King Isaac before receiving the kingdom had preordained that he would give such contrite citizens, additional grace in their hearts, wisdom and sight and give them great riches and honor! Thus the citizens of Isaac's kingdom were preordained or predestinated aforetime to either be citizens of great honor and wisdom, or citizens of great poverty and blindness. King Isaac in telling the citizens of his kingdom about his plans for his great kingdom said, "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. {21} If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." (2 Tim 2:20-21). King Isaac told the citizens of his kingdom such, so that they would endeavor to please their new King and thus be a vessel of honor rather than a blind ditch digger! Thus these citizens very well knew that their situation of honor and riches or being a blind ditch digger would be according to their own choosing. Yet for some reason, now years latter some people who read how King Isaac's citizens were preordained (predestinated) to be, either rich and honored, or blind ditch diggers, foolishly think that the citizens of Isaac's kingdom had no choice or responsibility in the matter. aY-2:18

V King Isaac had rightful authority to make the contrite and willing citizens of his kingdom, vessels of great honor and the hard hearted and obstinate citizens of his kingdom vessels of great dishonor. King Isaac by preordaining that the good and bad citizens of his kingdom receive such opposite treatment and by predestining them as such, could thereby reveal his glory and his power to all of his citizens. It appears that possibly King Isaac preordained that the obstinate and hard hearted citizens of his kingdom should be blinded and employed as blind ditch diggers, to thereby reveal to those whom he foreknew would obedient and honored citizens, his great wrath on disrespect and stubbornness. Yet even those citizens of Isaac's kingdom that were obstinate and hard hearted, Isaac was longsuffering with such, and pleaded with them to change their attitude, before he then blinded them and sent off as blind ditch diggers! Paul one of the King's main servants in speaking of these things said, aY-2:19

V (Rom 9:21-23) "Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? {22} What if [Isaac] God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: {23} And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory," aY-2:20

V Another of King Isaac's servants speaking of these things said, King Isaac, "...hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." (Proverbs 16:4). aY-2:20.5

V King Isaac did not want those doomed prisoners he had saved and adopted, and those citizens of his that he had given so great riches and honor, to think it was because of their own abilities and own greatness that they had attained to such blessing and greatness, so he in writing to them repeatedly and often stressed that it was not of their works that they were privileged to be where they were but rather that it was of King Isaac's mercy and grace! King Isaac very clearly did not want those whom he had so graciously delivered and abundantly blessed, to think they had attained to their honored position by their own worthiness or own doings. Clearly King Isaac did not want those people to whom he had given sight, mellow hearts, wisdom, and riches, to think themselves to be heroes or famous, worthy of the position where to he had promoted them. The King's servant Paul thus earnestly emphasizing how that the rich and honored citizens of Isaac's kingdom were what they were because of Isaac's mercy and compassion upon them, and not because of their own powers and works said, aY-2:21

V "...Isaac will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and he will have compassion on whom he will have compassion. {16} So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of Isaac that showeth mercy. {17} For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. {18} Therefore hath Isaac mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." Those citizens that king Isaac had hardened, were those obstinate citizens who Isaac had thus blinded and sent away to be blind ditch diggers. Note the Scripture in this paragraph is Rom 9:15-18 with no change except God is referred to as King Isaac. aY-2:22

V This Paul also speaking of how the citizens of Isaac's kingdom were an elect remnant of people, who were elected to their very rich and honorable position absolutely by grace rather than by their own works further said, aY-2:23

V (Rom 11:5-7) "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. {6} And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. {7} What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded". aY-2:24

V King Isaac was a very powerful and trustworthy king. Those who gave him all allegiance had no reason whatsoever to fear that he would be untrue to them, and had no reason to fear any harm from any other power, for as far as King Isaac's promises and care for them was concerned, it was impossible for him to lie and their was no power as great as his! The King revealing the wonderful and great security those can have, who give him all allegiance said the following; aY-2:25

V (Psa 91:9-11) "Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; {10} There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. {11} For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." aY-2:26

V (Rom 5:8-10) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. {9} Much more than, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. {10} For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." aY-2:27

V (John 10:28) "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." aY-2:28

V (Rom 8:28) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." aY-2:29

(Rom 8:38-39) "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." aY-2:30

V Concerning these very comforting and assuring promises as given above, some citizens of Isaac's kingdom took comfort therefrom insomuch that they thus believed that if they once were favored and blest by the king, they were eternally secure insomuch that it is impossible for them to fall from that blest position and become rejected as are those obstinate one's who were never favored by the king! Such mistaken citizens should have been more careful to listen to all of King Isaac's teachings. aY-2:31

V Although King Isaac and his servant Paul had given the King's citizens such comfort and assurance, and had taught them much about being saved by grace rather than works and had told them they were preordained to these riches from before the beginning of Isaac's kingdom, King Isaac yet did not want these citizens to think they were predestinated to these riches and honor in respect to having no choice or responsibility in the matter, nor did he want them to think that their rich and honorable position was a position that could not be lost. King Isaac wanted them to be aware that if they did not continue to give their king full allegiance, that they would fall from their blest position, become blinded and be driven off to be blind ditch diggers as were many others. Thus King Isaac through his servant Paul warned them saying; aY-2:32

V (1 Cor 16:13) "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." aY-2:33

V (Gal 5:1) "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." aY-2:34

V This Paul even speaking of himself said; "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: {27} But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (1 Cor 9:26-27). aY-2:35

V King Isaac also gave many other such warning as here follow; (note the first four warnings given below were even given by the King's own son, who soon after giving these warnings died so that the prisoners could be saved) aY-2:36

V (Mark 13:35-37) "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: {36} Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. {37} And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." aY-2:37

V (Mat 26:41) "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." aY-2:38

V (Mat 10:22) "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." aY-2:39

V (Mat 13:20-22) "But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; {21} Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. {22} He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." aY-2:40

V (2 Pet 3:17) "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness." aY-2:41

V (Ezek 18:26) "When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die." Note Ezek 18:24, Ezek 33:12-13 &18, and Ezek 3:20 all speak of righteous individuals turning from their righteousness to iniquity, and then being condemned and rejected as sinners and evil doers. aY-2:42

V This Paul further indicates the fallibility of the contrite and blest citizens of the King's kingdom in his warning wherein he says, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. {29} For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. {30} Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. {31} Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." (Acts 20:28-31). aY-2:43

V Numerous ancient records about King Isaac's kingdom, reveal that in times past, some who had escaped the pollution's of prison and ditch digging and who were rich and honored citizens, actually after all such yet turned against King Isaac and his holy commandments. To such unthankful and disloyal citizens, King Isaac said, “For if after they have escaped the pollution's of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. {21} For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” (2 Pet 2:20-21). Yet even after hearing all such things from King Isaac's own mouth, many individuals still foolishly believe that King Isaac's kingdom is a kingdom wherein the citizens are innocently predestinated to their situation without them having any choice in the matter, and believe that those individuals who were once favored and blest by the king can never fall from that position and become rejected as are those obstinate one's who were never favored by the king! AY-2:44

End of parable

One should honestly and soberly consider, if man would be predestinated to eternal life or eternal death without having and choice or responsibility in the matter, and if one after being an adopted son of the king could in no way fall from that blessed position, the following inconsistencies would exist; aY-2:45

firstly mission work and revival meetings largely would of no value because all were preordained to eternal life or eternal death anyway. Note all Scriptures that encourage evangelizing for the saving of souls would be somewhat of a fraud or a false pretense. aY-2:46

secondly exhorting brethren to be faithful to God, and praying for one another, would largely also be useless, because all the brethren would be predestinated to saved or lost anyway, and if saved they could not fall away insomuch that they would ever be lost any way. Note all Scriptures pertaining to exhorting one another and praying for one another would largely be a fraud. aY-2:47

thirdly being careful and watchful in our personal lives would largely be useless and all Scriptures that pertain to such would largely also be a false pretense. aY-2:48

V If a King Isaac would have ordained that all of his citizens who are upright and faithful to his orders would be given a billion dollars while he would also have ordained that those of his citizens who lack integrity and are slothful in serving him must be only given bread and water, one would say all the citizens of this kingdom were predestinated to be either extremely rich or miserably poor. Yet even though all citizens of Isaac's kingdom would be predestinated to either be billionaires or miserably poor yet the choice of being extremely rich or miserably poor obviously would yet be up to each citizen's choices. So it is with the Christian, God has preordained or predestinated that the Christian should be extremely rich! Those who chose to allow God to cleanse and sanctify them and chose to do the will of God are God's elect, which elect were preordained or predestinated to be extremely rich through the grace of Christ even before the world began! While those who resist God and His will and His workings, are those who were foreordained to made blind and poor, thus being vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction. May all thus take heed to the many warnings concerning being faithful as given above, and remember Jesus said "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Rev 3:21). "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Mat 13:43). aY-2:49

Dear reader you are predestinated to either be saved or to be lost, one or the other, their is no in between. Throughout eternity you either will be unspeakably rich or unspeakably miserable, their is no in between. Yet, you absolutely are not predestinated to be one or the other without you having a choice in the matter. Therefore as Moses said, "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:" (Deu 30:19). aY-2:50

Note the writer in speaking of the punishment of the obstinate citizens of Isaac's kingdom as being blind ditch diggers by no means thereby was endeavoring to give any indication of what God's final punishment for the wicked is. The writer has included this clarification because the object of the above parable was to shed light on the subject of predestination, and in totally and earnestly focusing this parable on such subject, other parts of this parable were not intended to accurately simulate other subjects. aY-2:51

Chapter 3

Considers Romans 9:7-13

Within Romans chapters 9-11 there are numerous Scriptures concerning how God preordains or predestinates individuals or nations to a particular calling or purpose. Numerous Scriptures from these three chapters were already given above within the parable concerning King Isaac. It appears Apostle Paul in these three chapters of Romans was speaking of God's great ways of doing things. God who above was simulated as being like to King Isaac, truly has great and vast ways of doing things. Paul ends these three chapters saying, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! {34} For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? {35} Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? {36} For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Rom 11:33-36). aY-3:1

V Rom 9:7-13 being the Scripture which this chapter focuses on reads, "Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. {8} That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. {9} For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. {10} And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; {11} (For the children 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 that calleth;) {12} It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. {13} As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. aY-3:2

In understanding what Paul was speaking of in the above Scripture, it is important that one is aware that Abraham had numerous sons besides that of Isaac, such sons being Ishmael and numerous others (Gen 16:16, 25:1-6). In understanding the above Scripture it also is important that one understands the situation and context inwhich Paul said the above. Paul begins Romans chapter 9 speaking of his people according to the flesh (physical relation) being the Jewish nation, and speaks of how earnestly he wishes that they could be saved. Paul then in verses 4-5 vividly emphasizes the special place his beloved nation (the Jews), had in God's plan. Paul then in verses 7-9 speaks of how God in His great plan had ordained that not all the descendants of Abraham should be included in this particular nation and plan. Paul in these verses advocated how God, from among all the sons of Abraham had only called Isaac, the son who was particularly promised to be born of Sarah, to be the one who would propagated the Jewish nation. Starting with verse 10 Paul then further advocates how God not only particularly picked out Isaac from among the sons of Abraham as such, but that God then also only picked out Jacob, from Isaac's sons, to propagate the Jewish nation and left Esau out of such nation and plan. Paul then in verses 11-12 advocates that concerning Isaac's twin sons, it was not Jacob or Esau's particular works or worthiness which instigated God's choice of Jacob rather the Esau, but that rather God simply called Jacob rather than Esau because of God's own purpose and right to elect whom He will. Paul then in verse 13 further emphasizes his point, concerning how God does things according to His own purpose and choosing and not necessarily according to man's particular worthiness or good works, by referring to Malachi's statement which reads, "...yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau..." (Mal 1:2-3). It appears Paul in above Romans 9:7-13 simply is revealing that God in His ways of doing things did not choose Jacob rather than his twin brother Esau, nor choose Isaac rather than another son of Abraham, because Jacob and Isaac's works were so much better than their brothers works, but rather God chose as such because of His own purpose and His right to elect whom He will. aY-3:3

Now concerning Prophet Malachi's statement to which Paul had referred to, Malachi in speaking of God loving Jacob and hating Esau was speaking of how God had preordained the descendants of Jacob (the Jews) to a favored position and special plan, while by the time of Prophet Malachi years after Esau lived, God had preordained the wicked descendants of Esau (Edom) to a place of special disfavor. Jacob and Esau's personal situation as individuals, is spoken of below in paragraph 3:7. Malachi speaking of Esau's (Edom's) cursed position as a nation reads, "And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. {4} 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." (Mal 1:3-4). Numerous nations such as the Amalekites, Moabites, and Ammonites, because of their wickedness, God seemingly from that point on had predestinated or preordained them to trouble and cursing. Concerning the Ammonites and Moabites who had misused the Israelites, God permanently predestinated them to evil insomuch that He commanded His people saying, "Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever." (Deu 23:6)! Yet it should be considered that God likely allowed individuals within these cursed nations to separate from them, and sojourn elsewhere. Concerning seven particular wicked nations of Canaan, because of their wickedness, Israel was commanded to utterly destroy them. aY-3:4

The descendants of Esau or nation of Edom, quite soon after the time of Esau their father, had become quite unreasonable and cruel. In one instance Esau descendants would not even allow the Israelites to pass through their country when they were going from Egypt to the promised land (Num 20:19-21). Many years later when Israel (Jacob's descendants) experienced the destruction of Jerusalem and being overthrown and taken into captivity, the Edomites (Esau's descendants) they rather than helping their brother Jacob were violent toward them. Obadiah 1:10&12 reads "For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever. ...thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress." aY-3:5

Although Edom (Esau) and other wicked nations were cursed as this, yet concerning the nation of Israel (Jacob) they largely were preordained to be blessed. Yet they too because of being untrue to God, at times were largely destroyed. Yet God did not destroy Jacob or Israel utterly but rather chastised them with the intent to revive at lest a remnant of them, upon whom He could bestow His blessings and through whom He could fulfill the plan He had preordained for them. Although God foreordained Jacob's descendants to a special blessing, one should consider that even the descendants of Jacob, went through much difficulty, and latter became two kingdoms which often warred against one another. aY-3:6

Now concerning Jacob and Esau as individuals, they both experienced great blessings. When Jacob returned from his 20 year stay with Laban, he feared Esau his brother whom he had earlier cheated. Yet Jacob in meeting Esau, after he had seen Esau and had bowed himself and come nigh to Esau, Esau then ran to meet him and embraced Jacob and kissed him, and they both wept! Jacob then offered Esau many gifts but Esau said, "...I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself." (Gen 33:9). What a wonderful attitude Esau had! Yes Esau had made some serious mistakes, yet it appears God was working with him and Esau as an individual, was not just a object of God's hate and a curse. Although God's greater plan or long term blessing was to be with the descendants of Jacob, God yet blest both brothers. They both later became so rich that they had to separate. Gen 36:7 reads "For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle." It is true that Apostle Paul speaks of Esau as a fornicator and a profane person, yet does that mean he always was as such. Concerning the nations which evolved from Jacob and Esau, it appears God seen fit to bless them both at their beginning. The whole chapter of Genesis 36 is devoted to recording the descendants and Dukes of Esau! Even at the time when Israel was leaving Egypt to go to Canaan God yet was keenly mindful of the descendent of Esau as is revealed in Deu 2:4-5 which reads, "...Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: {5} Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession." aY-3:7

V It appears that Paul in above Romans 9:7-13 simply was revealing that God chose both Isaac and Jacob, rather than their brothers as propagators of His special and Holy nation, because of His own purpose and right to choose whom He will, rather than because Isaac and Jacob's works were so much better than their brother's works. It appears Paul then in emphasizing and finalizing this point (concerning how God without regards to works elected or pre elected Isaac and Jacob rather than their brothers), then connected such to how God had also foreordained or pre-elected the nations proceeding from Jacob and Esau to opposite situations, through referring to Malachi's statement which reads, "...yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau...". Again note this statement of Malachi's pertained to Esau many years after Esau himself lived and after Esau's descendants (Edom) had become ordained and destined to evil and cursing because of having become wicked. aY-3:8

The writer would here like to mention that God did very much consider the type of person Abraham was before he chose to use Abraham to propagate that favored nation which He foreordained to be used in such a very special way. Gen 18:18-19 concerning such reads "Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? {19} For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." Gen 26:4-5 also speaks of Abraham being blessed and being a blessing to all nations, because of his faithfulness and uprightness reading, "And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; {5} Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Clearly God did not choose Abraham rather than others because of God's right to chose whom He will, and without any consideration of Abraham's faithfulness and obedience. aY-3:9

Although God called Isaac and Jacob according to His own purpose, and did not necessarily call them because they were better than their brothers, and although God predestinated the Nations proceeding from Jacob and Esau to opposite fates such as He did, yet it is quite obvious that man is not merely a creature of fate, helplessly predestinated to either receive blessing and life or cursing and death, or whatever might happen to him! Believing that God would innocently predestinate some of His created creatures to blessing and life, and innocently predestinate others to cursing and death, (insomuch that they had no other opportunity or choice in the matter), quite obviously is not in agreement with the tenor or spirit of the Bible. Following are Several Scriptures pertaining to God's dealing with man, starting from most ancient times.. aY-3:10

(Gen 4:6-7) "And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? {7} If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." aY-3:11

(Exo 32:33) "And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." Note this was God's answer to Moses, after that Moses in pleading for God to forgive Israel's sin, had actually told God if He could not forgive Israel's sin, that God should blot out Moses' name out of His book. God firmly told Moses that him that sinned would be blotted out of His book, not Moses who hadn't sinned. aY-3:12

(Exo 33:19) "And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." Note this was God's further response to Moses when Moses continued to plead God to forgive Israel and to go before them to the promise land. aY-3:13

(Exo 34:6-7) "...The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty..." aY-3:14

(2 Sam 22:26-27) "With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright. {27} With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavoury." Note David says almost exactly the same words in Psalms 18:25-26. aY-3:15

V If a particular King whom we will call King Jared, would have passed a law that concerning those children born on odd numbered days they should be predestinated to being slaves who would need to work under dreadful conditions and who would have no rights insomuch that their masters were given the right to freely beat them when ever they wished to and even to death, while concerning those children born on even numbered days King Jared would have predestinated or preordained such children to being men of authority having great riches and having slaves to do all their work, one would say how unfair could King Jared get. Should one think that our righteous God would be unfair as King Jared? Abraham knowing the justice and truth of God in speaking to God said, "That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen 18:25). aY-3:16

The above Scripture in Romans pertaining to the predestination of Jacob and Esau was written by Apostle Paul. Should one think that Paul in such Scriptures was advocating that God is a King who would innocently predestinate His created creatures to blessing and riches or cursing and poverty, so unfairly as did the above King Jared. In considering Paul's above teaching concerning Jacob and Esau, one should consider that even Apostle Peter thought some of Paul's writings were hard to be understood. Apostle Peter even warned against wresting such hard to understand teachings of Paul's to our own destruction saying, "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Pet 3:16). Yet even this more difficult to understand teaching of Paul's when understood according to it's very meaning, clearly is not advocating that God would be like the above unjust King Jared. Yet the writer fully admits this teaching of Paul's could easily be wrongly understood to teach that God would be like to the above unjust King Jared. Note this Scripture reads, "(For the children 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 that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." aY-3:17

Following is a Scripture concerning God predestinating King Jehu's family to a special blessing because of King Jehu being pleasing to God; aY-3:18

(2 Ki 10:30) "And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.". According to this promise Jehu's son, grandson, great grandson, and great great grandson yet maintained the throne, after which then another family took it. aY-3:19

King David was a man after God's own heart. Following is a Scripture concerning God predestining King David's family to a special blessing; aY-3:20

(Psa 89:28-37) "My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. {29} His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. {30} If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; {31} If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; {32} Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. {33} Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. {34} My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. {35} Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. {36} His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. {37} It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah." (Note 2 Sam 7:13-16, 1 Chron 17:12-14, Psa 132:11-12, Jer 33:17-22, all 4 also speak much the same of David's family being predestinated as this. aY-3:21

Although Abraham's and David's descendants were predestinated to good, one must yet soberly consider that many of their descendants yet chose evil and were condemned by God. aY-3:22

Concerning the wicked and their descendants God said the following;

(Exo 34:7) "Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation." (Note Ex 20:5, Num 14:18, Deu 5:9, also all speak of God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and forth generation using almost exactly the same words). aY-3:23

Although the children of the wicked are predestinated as such, one must soberly consider that often the children of the wicked yet chose to do right and were very blessed of God. Many good kings had evil sons and many evil kings had good sons! God's predestination of nations and families clearly does not take away man's personal responsibility before God. aY-3:24

Through the intercessory prayers of concerned Christians one is predestinated to be saved to a greater degree. Through proper training one also is predestinated to be saved to a greater degree. Yet God calls all men to salvation and life, and some who seemed to have little opportunity to be saved turn to God and are saved and some who appear to have had much opportunity to be saved turn away from God and are not saved. aY-3:24.1

God had ordained Aaron and his grandson Phinehas to a particular eternal and everlasting Priesthood (Ex 27:21, Ex 40:13-15, Num 25:10-13). Yet God after seeing the sins of Eli the Priest's sons said, "Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." (1 Sam 2:30). aY-3:24.2

For numerous generations after King David's time, even after Israel had grievously sinned, God especially blessed and preserved Israel because of David, 2 Ki 8:19 reveals such reading "Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children." Yet after numerous more years because of another very evil King named Manasseh, God's special keeping of Jerusalem was expired, as is revealed in the following Scripture; aY-3:25

(2 Ki 21:11-15) "Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols: {12} Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. {13} And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. {14} And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies; {15} Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day." aY-3:26

Because of wicked King Manesseh, even after a good King named Josiah had greatly cleansed and revived Jerusalem, God's wrath was yet kindled against Jerusalem as is revealed in the following Scripture; aY-3:26.5

(2 Ki 23:25-27) "And like unto him [Josiah] was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. {26} Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocation's that Manasseh had provoked him withal. {27} And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there." aY-3:27

It is clear that God greatly preserved Jerusalem for David's sake and clear that after Manasseh's wicked reign and the wicked reign of numerous kings that God's special protection and preservation of Jerusalem was expired. Yet God still protected Jerusalem through every good King's reign and allowed it to be destroyed during the time of a quite unfaithful King. Man must recognize that although some families and nations were preordained to a blessed office and calling, yet all individuals therein were judged according to their own works and own choices! Likely the final fulfillment of God's promise to David and his descendants, pertains to Christ who was of the seed of David and is King forever more!! aY-3:28

V Apostle Paul speaking both of the effect of Adam's sin upon man, and the affect of Christ's redemption upon man said, "Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {19} For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Rom 5:18-19). Note how verse 18 speaks of all men and verse 19 speaks of many men. Through Christ's redemption God's mercies are made available to all men, who all were made prisoners through Adam's sin. Their is hope for all! Psa 102:22 reads, "To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; (Psa 102:20). One could quite properly say that all men because of Adam's sin are predestinated to destruction, and quite properly say that all men because of Christ's work of redemption are predestinated to be saved. Yet the final choice is up to each individual! aY-3:29

Chapter 4

Considers Prophesies

Considers God's Knowledge of the Future

If God only could know the future in respect to Him planning the future and then in His limitless power causing those things to happen which He had planned should happen, God would in one respect would not know the future differently than man does. Such is true because man also can know the future in respect to those future events which he has preplanned and has power to cause to happen. If God could only know the future because He has planned things to happen and then will make them happen, the only reason God knows the future better than us is because he has more power to make things happen than we do! If God only knew the future because of having full power to make His future plans come to pass, God's attribute of knowing the future would not be based on having a special sense of foreknowledge but would be based merely on God causing things to happen that He has planned should happen. aY-4:1

If the only reason those things that God has said will happen then happen is because God requires and forces them to happen, such would infringe upon man's free will and power of choice. Yet if the actual reason those things that God has said will happen then happen, is because God has a miraculous power to know the future and therefore assuredly could foresee what was going to happen, such does not infringe upon man's free will and power of choice. aY-4:2

Yet it is quite clear that God's complete foreknowledge of the future does not only pertain to God's special sense which can miraculously foresee the future, but also pertains to God having made plans for the future which God assuredly knows He will carry out. aY-4:3

When God reveals to His children what will happen in the future, those events assuredly will happen! Concerning the prophesies in the Scriptures, is so certain that they will happen that in one respect it can be said that those events must happen or are required to happen. aY-4:4

Numerous Scriptures as follow, speak of particular events happening or being required to happen so that prophesies of the Scriptures would be fulfilled. aY-4:5

(Mark 14:48-49) "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled." aY-4:6

(John 13:18) "I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me." aY-4:7

(John 17:12) "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." aY-4:8

(John 19:24) "They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did." aY-4:9

(John 19:28) "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." aY-4:10

(John 19:36) "For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken." aY-4:11

(Acts 1:16) "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." aY-4:12

Note how the above Scriptures speak of Jesus having to suffer what He did, that the prophesies of the Scriptures would be fulfilled. When Jesus was being taken to be crucified Peter endeavored to stop the mob by fighting, but Jesus told Peter; "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? ...But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled." (Mat 26:53-54&56). aY-4:13

V It is clear and certain to anyone who is knowledgeable of history and the Bible, that the Scriptures prophesied of Christ's sufferings long before they then actually and assuredly did happen. Yes, those things which the Bible prophesied to happen to Christ, assuredly had to happen and then did happen. Considering that God did not spare His own Son from terrible suffering and death since the Scriptures prophesied that it would be so, one should consider how much less God would spare the unrighteous and sinner from hell, since it is also the prophecies of the Scriptures that foretell of such punishment for the wicked! This fact should be soberly considered and remembered!! aY-4:13.5

Apostle Peter in speaking of solid truths, spoke of prophesies of the Scriptures as something very solid. Apostle Peter after speaking of how he was an eyewitness of Christ's transfiguration and majesty on the holy mount, then spoke of the prophesies of the Scriptures as yet being a more solid witness or evidence, than such a wonderful experience! Apostle Peter, after speaking of how he was an eye witness of Christ's transfiguration and glory on the Holy mount then said, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: {20} Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [Bible writers personal interpretation] {21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.". (2 Pet 1:19-21). aY-4:14

The prophesied events spoken of above, simply had to happen either because God who cannot error had foreseen that they would happen or because God had planned they would happen and then caused His plan to be carried out. It is very possible that God just foreknew the soldiers would part Christ's garments and knew that Judas would betray Christ and thus God in no way had to motivate the soldiers and Judas to do those things. Yet possibly in the above situations God did particularly motivate the soldiers to part Christ's garment or to some extent motivate Judas to betray Christ. After Satan had put it in Judas heart to betray Jesus, and Jesus had revealed to His disciples that Judas would do so, Jesus then told Judas, "...That thou doest, do quickly." (John 13:26-27). Yet Jesus may have told Judas such because He was anxious to get this difficult time all over with. It must be considered and remembered that God will never harden or blind one unless one has firstly chosen to love untruth and evil. aY-4:15

Jesus in John 6:64-65 speaking of betrayer Judas, and of other unbelieving individuals, spoke of such individuals not coming to God because of God not giving it to them to come to Him. Such Scripture reads "But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. {65} And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." (John 6:64-65). This Scripture could be understood to teach that God innocently predestinates some to acceptance and salvation and others to unbelief and damnation without them having any choice in the matter. Yet this Scripture if understood properly clearly does not need to be understood to teach such. Jesus in His miraculous knowledge knew that Judas would betray Him and knew that particular other one's among Him did not believe. Jesus in thinking of such unbelieving ones was moved to speak of how one cannot come to Christ unless God particularly draws him. Concerning these alienated and unbelieving individuals, God likely was hardening and blinding them, rather than drawing them, because of them initially having been obstinate and not having a love for the truth. Even Judas being one of Christ's twelve disciples who had directly seen Christ's miracles, could not accept and believe in Christ without it being given to him of the Father. The above Scripture reveals that even in the wonderful situation of having such evidence and opportunity to believe as did Judas, if one does not have a sincere love for the truth but rather hardens his heart, God may further harden him further rather than drawing him to Himself. May we all thus fear, for no matter how much wondrous evidence we might see or how good our opportunity to believe and be saved may appear, God may harden us rather than draw us to Himself, if do not earnestly love the truth but rather resist the truth. May we all remember that Jesus said "no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father". Possibly God ordained that Jesus should call one disciple that God knew or foreknew as one who was not upright in heart, that the Scripture could be fulfilled, yet possibly all prophesies about Judas were based on God's miraculous foreknowledge and none of these things based on God planning them and making them come out as such. It is clear that Judas ended up in his evil situation because of him initially being obstinate and not loving the truth, not because of him innocently being predestinated as such and having no choice in the matter. aY-4:16

Concerning John the Baptist, the Scriptures speak of him being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb reading, "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (Luke 1:15). One might think John the Baptist thus to be innocently predestinated to be saved without any of his choosing. Yet even John the Baptist appears to have been very fallible. Such is revealed in that he began to doubt that Jesus was the real Messiah. John the Baptist being in prison and likely being grieved and significantly discouraged sent messengers to Jesus saying "...Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" (Luke 7:19). Jesus then did many miracles in the sight of these messengers and then answered them saying "...Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. {23} And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (Luke 7:22-23). Note Jesus did not say blessed is he that is filled with the Holy Ghost from his mothers womb but rather stressed the importance of John the Baptist as well as all men not being offended in Christ. Jesus in Matt 13:20-21 spoke of some who had received Christ's word with joy but later because of persecutions were offended. aY-4:17

Acts 10:40-41 speaking of Christ after that He had resurrected from the dead, speaks of God not showing Christ to all men, but only to particular ones chosen before of God reading. "Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead." This Scripture also could possibly be understood to indicate that God innocently predestinates man to good or evil without them having any choice in the matter. Yet this Scripture if understood properly, does not need to be understood as such. One should firstly consider that God's greatest revelations are only given to those who are of a pure and open heart not given to those who are obstinate. Christ could not do many mighty works in His own country of Nazareth because of the peoples unbelief (Matt 13:58). This verse could possibly be explained in different ways. Peter here in speaking of witnesses chosen before of God, possibly is speaking of how God in His miraculous foreknowledge, before the foundation of the world clearly seen Peter and these other particular individuals just as if they were already alive, and thus in His great planning chose them aforetime just like He then actually did when the actual time came. Rom 4:17 quite obviously speaking of God choosing things before they existed, as if they already existed reads, "...even God, who calleth those things which be not as though they were." Note this Scripture was given with regard to how God told Abraham that he would be a father of many nations long before it actually happened. aY-4:18

Following are two other Scriptures which also could be understood to teach that man is innocently predestinated to either good or evil without him having any choice in the matter, together with some comments;

(1 Pet 2:8) "And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." Peter in this verse is speaking of how many Jews stumbled and were offended at Jesus and His teachings. Jesus at times said hard to understand things at which those who were not sincerely and earnestly seeking the truth stumbled at and were offended at. While yet the very same hard to understand things became inspirational to those sincere seeking one's who in due time understood them. Those that initially resist God and who do not love the truth like this Scriptures states, are appointed to be hardened and blinded and thus appointed to be disobedient. Clearly it is a Jesus five times said, that God takes away from those who have not and gives to those who already have! Such five Scriptures were given in paragraphs 1:3-8. aY-4:19

(Acts 2:23) "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:" This verse likely firstly is speaking of God's firm preordained plan that His sinless Son must die in man's place, if man is to be saved, secondly speaking of God's infallible foreknowledge concerning such happening, and thirdly speaking of how the Jews were those blind and hard ones who with wicked hands fulfilled this plan which God had foreordained and foreseen. aY-4:20

Isa 55:8-9 speaks of God's ways being much higher them man's ways reading, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. {9} For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Numerous Scriptures can quite easily be misunderstood, and some Scriptures on the surface can appear to contradict. Concerning the two following verses the one verse says that God moved David to do the error of numbering Israel, and the other verse says Satan moved David to do so! aY-4:21

(2 Sam 24:1) "And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah." aY-4:22

(1 Chr 21:1) "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." aY-4:23

It appears God can even use Satan to perform His plan. Thus although in one respect God may be doing something, yet in another respect Satan is doing it. As Satan is part of God's universe and thus is under God's domain, in one respect even that which comes forth from Satan comes forth from God. aY-4:24

Following are several Scriptures which speak of a lying spirit going forth from the Lord and speak of and evil spirit from the Lord. aY-4:25

(1 Ki 22:22-23) "And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. {23} Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee." Note 2 Chr 18:21-22 reads almost exactly the same. aY-4:26

(1 Sam 16:14) "But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him." aY-4:27

(1 Sam 16:16) "...when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well." aY-4:28

(1 Sam 19:9) "And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand." aY-4:29

Following are two Scriptures which are very similar to the above 4 Scriptures;

(Ezek 14:9) "And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel." aY-4:30

(2 Th 2:10-12) "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. {11} And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: {12} That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." aY-4:31

In the following New Testament Scriptures Apostle Paul speaks of himself and God's people delivering one to Satan in a particular way, for a good cause;

(1 Cor 5:5) "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." aY-4:32

(1 Tim 1:20) "Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme." aY-4:33

In this particular delivering to Satan, likely both God's people, and God Himself, withdrew from the unfaithful one in a particular way, so that the unfaithful one in experiencing a greater darkness and rejection might be moved to call on the Lord in a new way and thus be saved. aY-4:34

It appears to the writer that when God hardens and blinds one, He simply removes the graces and vision which He had previously granted to the individual. It appears the aspect of God sending one a strong delusion that they should believe a lie, could largely be one with God removing His endowed vision from the obstinate, after which such obstinate ones will fall prey to the deceiving of Satan and thus will believe lies. Technically speaking do lying spirits come from God Himself, and does God Himself deceive individuals? Paul twice speaks of it being impossible for God to lie (Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18). Concerning those verses which speak of God deceiving one, and speak of a lying spirit from God, it appears to the writer that such verses might be speaking of the attributes of Satan and Satan's workings upon obstinate individuals after God has withdrawn His graces and enlightment from them. One should again consider how the two above verses speaking of the same thing, speak of God moving David to number Israel, and speak of Satan moving David to number Israel. The writer in a much earlier writing wrote that "God does not lie nor deceive, He simply removes the light of faith from them that reject it. In this darkness of unbelief the devil greatly deceives man." The writer yet largely feels such is correct, although since writing such he has wondered if it really is correct. The technical answers to all of these things possibly cannot be known. aY-4:35

V It is clear that God's ways are as much higher than man's ways, as the heaven is higher than the earth. Yet it is clear that God is a just God who rewards all men according to their own works and choices, and not a God who innocently predestinates man to good or evil without them having any choice in the matter. The writer in concluding this article would yet like to add the following Scripture which further reveals that man is not innocently predestinated to his rewards; "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. {8} For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. {9} And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Gal 6:7-9). May the reader as well as the writer faithfully endure unto the end, rather than faint by the way, and then in the end reap everlasting life in those heavenly realms! Farewell. aY-4:36

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