Predestined
Pastor Jerry Wilhite,
author
This study will once and for all answer the question of predestination.
2 Timothy 2
20. 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.
What was the last thing in verse 20 dishonor and what happens based on verse 21 if anyone purge themselves of dishonor they are then a vessel of honor. In so many words we make ourselves into vessels of honor or dishonor by the words of our mouth that start as thoughts in our mind.
What is sad is some use the above to prove their point of predestination, that some of us are predestined for honor and others for dishonor. What is a shame as in most cases like this if they read on they would discover that it was not God that predestined some to honor and some to dishonor. But we ourselves do it to ourselves and can blame no one but ourselves.
How it reads in the Literal:
21.
|1437| If,
|3767| therefore,
|5100| any
|1571| cleanses
|1438| himself
|0575| from
|5130| these,
|2071| he will
|4632| be a container
|1519| to
|5092| honor,
|0037| having been sanctified,
|2532| and
|2173| useful
|3588| to the
|1203| master,
|1519| to
|3956| every
|2041| work
|0018| good
|2090| having been prepared.
Romans 8
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.
There is no one that God did not foreknow and for anyone to think that some were and some were not is the same as saying that there is no free will. All He foreknew He also predestined to salvation.
John 3
16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God so Loved the world, not just those He had predestined or some whom He foreknew and wanted saved, but all.
Romans 8
30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called
He has called us all to accept Jesus and be saved by the Blood of Jesus.
30. and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
John 3
17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We are all called and all that accept the call are saved. Regarding those who do not - who can really know what happens in that last twinkling of an eye between life and death? Some have said they saw their life flash before their eyes in a life-threatening situation. Is it not possible for God to stop time for those in that twinkling of an eye to give them a chance to repent and be saved by accepting Jesus as Lord before they leave here? I am not saying all are saved but I believe more are than are not. We might be shocked when we find how many (and WHO) were saved in that last microsecond.
As God stopped the sun from setting for almost 24 hours so Joshua could win the battle and backed the sun up to show Nebucadnezzar there is a God. How much harder would it be to slow or stop time for each and every person at the moment of death to give them one last chance at salvation.
Remember God allowed His own Son to be beaten, tortured, mocked, whipped and crucified for all of us to be saved. Then would it not stand to reason God would also give every possible chance to all before they leave here to make the right choice.
Look at tribulation it is one large last shot at salvation for the stubiorn then the more stoborn and then the most stoburn.
God will in the last 7 years allow mankind to rule mankind for 3.5 years without God to show mankind this is not the answer.
Then for the last 3.5 years He will allow evil (Satan) to rule mankind without God to give them a small taste of Hell verses life with God.
And those who fall in line the first 3.5 years with the anti-Christ and/or the last 3.5 years with Satan then they will feel the wrath of God at the end of the 7 years. Where for one hour He will pour out His wrath on all who have received and worshipped the number of the beast 666. Which is also the number of man without God.
Now for those who read Romans 9:20-23 about how the potter creates one vessel for honor and another for dishonor.
Do you really believe God can create evil?
God creates good and from good evil perverts good to evil. A child in the womb and for the first few years of life is pure and innocent even though they are born of sin they have not sinned yet. But once they are old enough the flesh and the world start perverting the innocence and purity of the child. This is done via all forms of technology from television to the net, music and school and even in the home. As a parent allows prejudice to flourish in their life it is reflected onto the child same is done with hate, etc.
The only way a child can remain pure and innocent is if the child is removed from the home and society and raised alone on a mountain top free of the world. Since this is not possible a child will become a reflection of the parent.
Some will say I am a good person I do no wrong but my teenager is into drugs, even crime of sorts how is that a reflection of me? The problem is no one is good but God.
Mark 10
18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
The ideal way of raising a child would be by one that has had a one on one relationship with God and can raise a child guided of God and God alone.
Even then that does not mean outside sources would not pollute the child, even the best of television is not worth watching even the Christian television still has judgementalness and to a degree unforgiveness as well as teachings more of man than God. So a child would have to be raised free of all outside sources and the parents would have to teach all and keep the child happy with the life the parent is imposing.
Since in all likely hood this is not possible the best thing is to be sure one is one with God before having children.
In the US alone divorce has hit highs never before imagined over 50% rate and that leaves children raised by a single parent. Most likely a mother and though this may not be so bad for a daughter it can be devastating for a son.
If you consider the abortion rate which for the most part is a way of allowing people to have sex with no regard for the responsibility of what comes from sex. Sex is not something that should be free and open it is something for procreation only. The reason we believe it is more is due to our connection to the world via the flesh. And we have bought the lie hook, line and sinker.
Some will think me prude and even old fashion and out of date to make the above statement but I would rather be out of date with this world than in step with it and sin.
To many consider the question of predestination, and other areas of misunderstanding than to seek the knowledge and understanding available from God.
The only reason that some teach we can not hear from God or that the Bible is the end all is because this scares Satan and he uses who he can to keep us from the truth.
The truth being all who profess Jesus are saved as long as it is in their heart and is not a lie to seem to be something they are not.
Instead of being concerned about predestination, tribulation, etc you need to be concerned about hearing, hearing every word that comes from the Father and not just His word (Bible).
Romans 10
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Matthew 4
4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
How can you live by what proceedeth out of the mouth of God if you do not listen and hear what He says?
Matthew 12
36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Matthew 15
18. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20. These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Luke 6
37. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
If you read Malachi 3:10-12 and then Mark 4:12-18 you will see where the tithe can and will increase your knowledge of the word and of God. The tithe is more than just giving 10% to a church, it is a way for God to have authority in your life over all that matters, your income, your growth, even relationships. Out of about 20 people I have known for the past 10+ years only 5 tithed. The 5 of the 20 that tithed have increased in every area of their life. Where the other 15 have increased some, they are still light years behind the 5 who tithed in all areas. It is your choice, but do not tithe until you understand the tithe and what it does for you and do it from the heart and not the head.