Quote:
Originally Posted by donfriesen1
God, either does not write their name in the Lamb's Book of Life before the foundation of the world in his foreknowledge Mt 25.34 * Rev 17.8* (If in foreknowledge the names aren't written, the place must be in Heaven, because the earth is 'not yet', nor has the sinner's heart yet been created); or instead, their written names are blotted. |
Here is another example where a Scriptural doctrine is being misinterpreted. I don't really fault you, because this error is rampant within the religion calling itself "Christianity", although it is not taught by the apostles and thus is not part of the real apostolic faith.
It concerns the use of the term "foreknowledge". You are basically saying God has foreknowledge in eternity past, before the creation of anything, as to who is and who is not in the Book of Life. But notice the following:
1.
Matthew 25:34 does not say this nor imply this. It says that the kingdom is from the foundation of the world, that the righteous are to enter the kingdom prepared for them "from the foundation of the world". This simply means that from the foundation of the world God had a kingdom prepared for the righteous, NOT that God foreknew who exactly and specifically the righteous would be, nor that any of them would specifically and individually make it to that kingdom.
2. Foreknowledge, as used by Scripture, specifically the apostle Paul, does not have regard to "God knowing in eternity past who
specifically and
individually would be saved and who not." Rather, it has regard to
God's prior ordained destiny for Israel, that
they would enter the new covenant:
Romans 8:28-30 KJV
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. [29] 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.
Here, those who are foreknown, are predestinated to be saved Christians. Who then are those whom God foreknew?
Romans 11:1-4 KJV
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am
an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God hath not cast away
his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, [3] Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. [4] But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
It is Israel which was
foreknown of God. It is therefore Israel which is
predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ. These are they whom are said to be not only predestinated but
called and
glorified. As here:
Romans 9:1-5 KJV
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, [2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. [3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for
my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: [4] Who are Israelites;
to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the
glory, and the
covenants, and the
giving of the law, and the
service of God, and the
promises; [5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
The adoption to God through Christ pertains to Israelites. The glorification through Christ pertains to Israelites. The covenants - PLURAL, both old and new - pertain to Israelites. the service of God and the promises pertain to Israelites. Why? Because Israel is the people "foreknown" of God, who are predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ. NONE of this has to do with any particular person's personal, individual, destiny "predetermined in advance by God before the creation of anything".
God's foreknowledge (in this context), and the doctrine of predestination, has to do with the NATIONAL STATUS and POSITION of the descendants of Jacob, that they are the people foreknown of God, they are the people predestinated as a people to become Christians, to enter the new covenant under Christ, to be glorified with Christ, to be adopted as children of God through Christ, etc. The new covenant was made with "the House of Judah and the House of Israel". Christ said "I am not come but for the lost sheep of the House of Israel".
Predestination and foreknowledge are not about individual personal destinies, but the corporate destiny of Israel.
God has always had a Book of Life. In every age, in every generation, people are either in that Book (they are faithful to God) or not. Abraham's children are written in the Book by virtue of being children of Abraham, because they are part of the Covenant God made with Abraham. BUT they are "blotted out" if they are not faithful. One cannot be "blotted out" of a book they are not previously written in. Christians who are in the Book can be blotted out of the Book if they are not faithful. Why? Because the Book of Life is the record of those in
covenant with God, which means Israel and those joined to Israel via the New Covenant.