Predestination is such a misunderstood word, unfortunately, because people misinterpreted the word out of context, they look at the tree and miss the forest.
In biblical context, predestination means that:
Even before the foundation of the earth, God foreknew that He would predestine or pre-planned to offer redemption to the Jews and then the Gentiles, in order that both Jews and Gentiles can be redeemed in Christ Jesus [if they repented, in context of the Scripture]
This is explained in Ephemera 1,2,3. I will just highlight the key words:
Chapter 1:1-10: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.
To the Saints at Ephesus …
< Who are the Saints? This is revealed in 2:11: “.you who are Gentiles”, Paul was writing to Gentile Christians at Ephesus,. He called them “saints” because after repentance, they were no more unclean - now Gentiles too were holy in God's eyes. which the Jews used to think they were. Note that NIV version said “holy people” instead of Saints (ESV, NASB used “saints”).
[1:4-11] just as
He [God] chose us in Him before the foundation of the world .. He
predestined us ….. [11] In him we were also chosen, having been
predestined according to the plan of him …. (
12) in order that
we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, ...(1
3) And
you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth ….<<
who are the “us” and “we” ?
"We, who are first to hope in Christ" refer to Jews. Paul used the word "We" because he is a Jew writing to gentiles. Weren’t the Jews the first to be chosen by God as a nation or people? As the apostle referred to Gentiles, he said "you"
[2:1-3:16]: Therefore, remember that formerly
you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” ….. separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel. … (13) But now
you… have been brought near by the blood of Christ..... (21) For
he ...has made the two groups one...… His purpose was
to create ... one new humanity out of the two, … (3:1 6) and
in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross … (18) For through him
we both have access to the Father by one Spirit… This mystery is that through the gospel
the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel,
members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus …
Paul was trying to explain, that after Christ’s atonement, both Jews and Gentiles havd access to God if they repent and turn to Him. Notice the emphasis of two people become one to God, means no more segregation in Him.
Why did Paul said "before the foundation of the earth" (1:11) ? It was to answer the Jews who claimed that God suddenly decided to offer redemption to the Gentiles after Israel rejected Jesus; they were implying that the Gentiles were second class or less important in God's eyes. However, Paul emphasized that way back, as early you can think of -- even before the foundation of the earth -- God had planned to reach out to the Gentiles; that is how early God had predestined or pre-planned this. It did not mean that He decided whether to save Jack or Jane before the earth was made.
Paul went to great length to say that the Gentiles are receiving a great eternal inheritance and Holy Spirit from God. If one do not appreciate context, then Paul appeared to be saying something we already know. But his intent was really to emphasize that the Gentiles' redemption are no less than the Jews, hence he elaborated on the richness of their inheritance.
Interpret in context and we can explain everything.
