It is inferred, or concluded, in the fact that some were the Elect, predestined for salvation. What becomes of the rest? Those who weren't the Elect, those who weren't predestined. They were predestined for something else, but what?
Countless billions that had never heard of Christ, those who were never presented with a decision. Did they have a choice?
Saint Steven said:
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You are an Annihilationist then?
Do you believe that the vast majority are predestined to be incinerated?
God looks at the heart ... only He knows it.
The elect ...
Read Romans 8:28-29. What does God call us to? What does He choose us for?
In God’s Time
This passage specifically states that
God predestined humans to be conformed to the image of His Son. It is not saying that God predestines us either to be saved or to be condemned, and that we have no choice in the matter.
In other words, the election is for the purpose of our transformation. We are to be changed to reflect the Son of God. This transformation is then promised in the following verse (
Rom. 8:30), in which Paul, the author, states that those whom God calls He also justifies (makes us righteous) and glorifies (sanctifies). Thus we are not left to transform ourselves, but rather, God promises to accomplish this transformation by His power.
this has been the case since the beginning ... after the fall .... faith in God ... God in the bible throughout is Jesus .... Jesus IS God.
Do you believe that the vast majority are predestined to be incinerated?
His word says the lost will be like the sands of the sea
Do you believe that the vast majority are predestined to be incinerated?[/QUOTE]
His word says the lost will be like the sands of the sea ... also says there will be a remnant (rev 12)
(a small remaining quantity of something)
Do you believe that the vast majority are predestined to be incinerated?
Nobody is Predestined to be lost ... those who are lost will be incinerated.
Predestined ...
Romans 8:28 and continuing to Romans 8:29 brings God’s foreknowledge into the discussion. Here is where many stumble. People read “foreknowledge” as God’s predetermined will. But this is not the case. Paul introduces God’s “foreknowledge” using the conjunction “for” or “because”, implying that the phrase, “whom he did foreknow” is an explanatory remark related to the previous phrase, “those who are called according to His purpose”.
God foreknows those who are “called according to His purpose”. Paul then says of those ones that God “foreknew”, He “
also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son”.
Foreknowledge = Predestined ->To be Conformed to the Image of the Son
The reason for this predestination is “that he [Jesus] might be the firstborn among many brethren” (verse 29), by the many being conformed to His image. To conform them, they first must be “born again” in Christ. Those who are “born again” have been called in accord with this purpose.
Now we know that the calling of God includes the invitation: “Whosever will, let Him take of the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). This is an invitation to “whosoever will”. Anyone that wants to, let him or her drink. This is a universal invitation.
Paul then says, those whom He called are also justified (Romans 8:30). Does that mean that everyone called is automatically justified? No. Jesus has said that He will “draw all men” unto Himself through the power of the Cross (John 12:32). However, in accordance with Romans 3:26, God “is the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus”. Those whom God justifies are only those that exercise belief in Jesus. That the drawing of God is universal, is further supported by the fact that that drawing includes an unwillingness on God’s part “that any should perish”. God is willing rather “that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
God’s purpose then includes a willingness for all to be conformed to the image of His Son. But in between the willingness for all to come and the conforming, is the harmonic:
Only the “whosoevers” that will come and “believe” on Jesus are permitted to take “freely” of the water of life and thus be ultimately conformed to the image of His Son. This freedom to believe or not to believe is the harmonic undergirding all that God does within those whom He calls. In the word picture below, this Harmonic sits between Calling and Conforming:
Calling<=>Harmonic (
freely believe)<=>Conforming
The Calling of God does not compromise this harmonic at any step in the process, else it becomes discordant with God’s Purpose.
Purpose = Calling =>Harmonic (
freely believe ) =>Conforming If those called do not continue to drink “freely” of the “water of life” by “believing” on the Son, they will not be conformed to His image.
Understanding this harmonic within God’s Purpose, divine foreknowledge then is God foreseeing those who will respond willingly to the call to believe and drink. They will be “born again” in Christ. And those that God did foreknow, Paul goes on to say, He also did “predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son”.
Predestination then is God’s predetermination that all those whom
He foresees responding willingly to the invitation to come and believe, will be permitted to drink. They will be justified by faith in Jesus.
And those whom He has justified, according to Paul, He will also glorify. They are the ones that God will ultimately conform to the image of His Son. As they drink from the water of life freely, God works together all things, in order that they may go on to full conformity to the image of His Son and thus constitute the many brethren. That is the work of the Holy Spirit within each one who believes. The Spirit that regenerates those who believe is the Spirit that also transforms them day by day into the same image, “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
What this means for one who is yet to believe is that God’s invitation, “whosever will, let him drink”, is an invitation to freely receive the gift of salvation. “Let him drink”. If you are one of those souls, this is an
invitation open to all.
“The same divine mind that is working upon the things of nature is speaking to the hearts of men and creating an inexpressible craving for something they have not. The things of the world cannot satisfy their longing. The Spirit of God is pleading with them to seek for those things that alone can give peace and rest—the grace of Christ, the joy of holiness.”
But God will not force one to accept Him nor will He deny you if you are willing to believe in Jesus and accept His forgiveness for your sin. He will pardon you, and justify you freely “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
What this means for those who do believe in Jesus (who is God) is that God will accomplish His purpose in you. He will conform you to the image of Jesus. All He asks is that you freely exercise your faith in Him constantly. Don’t let the present difficulties discourage you in the Christian life. Take up the battle in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Remember, Paul recognised that the sufferings of the present are to be expected by those who are children of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:1717). If Christ suffered, then so shall we. But note, Paul’s attitude to sufferings in view of God’s ultimate purpose:
“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” (verse 18).
So no matter what happens to you, no matter what trials or tribulations come your way, no matter what sufferings you may be called to endure, you can have confidence, founded in God’s determined purpose, that He is working ALL things together for your ultimate good—His predetermined purpose—that your life will be conformed to the image of Jesus (who is God).
Countless billions that had never heard of Christ, those who were never presented with a decision. Did they have a choice?
Eleoheim (OT) the 3 are one. One God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Countless billions that had never heard of Christ, those who were never presented with a decision. Did they have a choice?
All have had choice and have choice ... until Jesus returns.
Romans 1:20
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power
and divine nature, have been clearly perceived,
ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
