Predestination Revisited


Introduction
When studying these passages of God's word please bear in mind that God is not in time as we know it.
God made time.
He is above time. He does not live according to time, time serves Him, His purpose and His good pleasure.
As a simple illustration of what is meant:
A person sitting on the roof of a high building looking down on a street parade sees the place where the parade assembled, where it is taking place now and where it is going; all at one time. Of others situated in the street: some will see the tail end of the parade (they've already seen it), some are seeing it and some are seeing it coming towards them.
: Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.; (Acts 18:9-11)

Before starting this teaching please study the one called "His People which He Foreknew" on this web site¹.
Also, the major part of the following teaching was written in 1997 and 98 and "forgotten" in that the time was not ripe then.
It is apparent that the time is now.
God knows how much time I have left, just how much time you have left and how much time this world has.
Hallelujah.


This first part of the dissertation was revealed at the present time and in such a way that a search was made for the unused writing, and which is added on at the end.

Please note that this passage is a story of progression. In other words, one statement follows on, building on top of the foundation laid by the previous one.: But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 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. 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. 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. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.; (Romans 8:25-33)

There are verses in this passage of Scripture that are very well known as they are one or more of the "promises" of God and shall surely come to pass; however, taken alone or out of context they can be ill-used.
Romans chapter eight is one of the most favoured chapters in the Bible to professing Christians because it shows man's possible outcome in the hereafter. Many believe that they are "born again" and therefore the warnings that are contained in this part of God's word no longer apply to them.
If you are one of them my friend, may I ask you to read the first verse of this chapter out of your own Bible.
Does it read as follows:: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.; (Romans 8:1 AV)
Or are the words "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" omitted?
If they are omitted you can be sure that you are reading one of the popular versions that "have been simplified" or are "easy reading", and are not the word of God.
Satan, through various wolves in sheep's clothing has had a good go at deceiving you.
And possibly, your Pastor or shepherd also uses such a version?
Expect a lukewarm Christianity which our Lord shall spue out of His mouth.

So, with that behind us, and if you have the faith that the heading verses above apply to you, let us study the words and what they mean:: 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.; 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.; 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
God cares for each one of us which He has made and wants to place each name in the book of life; the Spiritual book made before time was.
The Holy Spirit who lives in reborn Christians knows us intimately, helps us in our Spiritual walk and work and speaks to the Heavenly Authority on our behalf.
: 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.
We see that the passage deals with those that love God. What a privilege!
Jesus said:: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.; (John 14:21-26)
This means then, that the promises are for those who walk after the Spirit and are obedient, in love. Only those.
Further, what does "all things" mean? For us, or for God also? Surely it means that it is for God's Kingdom mainly, because we have placed God's will above our own?
: 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.
Remembering that God is above time:
Here we come to the crux of the message of the whole Bible.
This says in effect that God foreknew those who will joyfully choose to accept the conditions of the New Covenant, who are obedient in love and walk after the Spirit.
These are the elect; no-one else.
: 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.
Predestinate: God's action as a result of His foreknowledge of our actions of the heart. A predetermined destiny.
Justified: to be acquitted of guilt.
This verse shows a progression.
Those whom God predestinated way back when are called and when they answer His call in love they are acquitted of guilt and given honour as they continue in His will.
Is this honour given for use on earth now, or for use in the Kingdom shortly to come?
: 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
We do not fully understand the mysteries of God, but we believe He is who He says He is.
: 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Many of us do not properly appreciate that the Creator of the universe loves us so much that He planned how to redeem us from our Adamic sin, showed us from His word sent to His prophets that this would happen and how it would happen, sent His Son to die in fulfilment of the only Righteous way that this plan could be accomplished, and then showed us from His word how to use this Sacrifice to get out of the clutches of the enemy.
Further, our Heavenly Father is even happy to reward us.
Part of the honour which we receive as a result of accepting the Lordship of Jesus Christ will be Spiritual, such as Spiritual gifts used for the furtherance of the Kingdom, and some perhaps worldly.
: 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who are the elect?: Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.; (Revelation 3:10-12)
It seems that we shall live in the New Jerusalem, not outside the gates as many others.


Now we come to that which was originally written in 1997.
This is a series of notes made over a period of months and has not been edited or placed in chronological order. Please read them in context after asking God to reveal His purpose to you.
Will you be prepared to do what He asks of you?
: And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.; (Mark 4:11-12)
: I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.; (Ecclesiastes 3:14-15)
: Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.; (Ecclesiastes 8:17)
: As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.; (Ecclesiastes 11:5)
: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.; (Jeremiah 1:5)
: And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:; (Ephesians 3:9)

How do we explain omnipotence; how do we explain predestination?
: But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.; (Psalms 4:3)
: And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.; (Genesis 25:21-34)
: The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. 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. And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.; (Malachi 1:1-8)
: And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (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. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.; (Romans 9:10-15)
(see Ex 33:19)
: Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.; (Hebrews 12:12-17)
: And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.; (Revelation 3:1-6)
: And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.; (Revelation 10:5-7)
: And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.; (Revelation 13:8)
: The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.; (Revelation 17:8)
: Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.; (Exodus 32:32-33)
Some were never in the book of life; and some have their names removed therefrom
: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.; (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
There can't be any predestination except that God has been to the end and has looked in the book of life.
: Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.; (2 Timothy 2:8-10)
: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.; (2 Timothy 2:13)
: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.; (2 Timothy 2:19)
: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.; (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
: No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.; (John 6:44)
: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.; (John 15:16)
: If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.; (John 15:19)
: 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: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.; (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)
: 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.; (1 Peter 1:2)
: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.; (1 Peter 2:1-8)
These are willingly disobedient, therefore they will stumble at the word. Has this verse anything to do with predestination?

If it's all predestined beforehand, why bother with a white throne judgement?

Many are called but few are chosen (when are they chosen?). By their own actions. Read the two parables given before the following scripture references.: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.; (Matthew 20:16); For many are called, but few are chosen.; (Matthew 22:14)

18 April 1998
In the Gospel of Luke, Mary was told that her son would be called Jesus and that He would save His people. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Old woman and man in the temple prophesying. --- God knew that Jesus would not die in a motor accident, or by a robber's knife. He was predestined to die on a cross. However, in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had the choice. Does this mean that His destiny was planned from the beginning, but He could have changed it by His will? The same for us? Jesus was one (in Covenant) with His Father. This is the key - see later.

22 April 1998
With Esau and Jacob, God knew that the elder would serve the younger, because He foreknew the soul of Esau. Selling the birthright was merely an illumination of the man's personality. He would never fit in heaven. When he tried to repent he could not.
Jacob was a rascal, he stole the birthright and with his mother's help obtained the elder's blessing from his father. Yet he was blessed by God. The birthright was important to Jacob and not to Esau. What was a birthright? This must have meant that God knew Jacob from the inside? After all he was the father of the children of Israel; He was Israel.
What about David?: Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.; (Psalms 139:12-16)

20 June 1998: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 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: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. ¶ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.; (Ephesians 1:3-23)
This is cold turkey; having not reread the previous writings. Read this passage of scripture carefully.
Does this mean that God predestined us because we are obedient to his will? He set the standard of entrance into heaven. All those that choose to obey are predestinated. We were not predestinated personally by God. What this passage means is that God decided that these were the standards beforehand. We are only chosen later, when it is found that we have met the standards. It cannot mean anything else, or Adam died spiritually for nothing and the Bible is unnecessary. When we choose correctly, then the door that is open is found. Daniel and Gabriel is a good example:: Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.; (Daniel 10:12)

Here is an example that illuminates the meaning of the idea that is contained in Ephesians:
There is a fictitious valley, beautiful, with a stream of crystal clear running water flowing down to the sea. Into this valley of gently sloping vales of rich green grass comes man. He comes initially to investigate the column of light that shines day and night on a hill overlooking the valley. On investigation he finds that the light, although it is beautiful to look upon, has no practical value because there is no heat with the light and he cannot use it for cooking his food; moreover the animals and crops that he eats occupy the valley.
In time a village is formed here because many come from far and near to view the light. Eventually modern civilisation arrives, the village has become a city and the streets are full of the fruits of any city, mostly at night. But the light is still there on the hilltop, unchanging through the centuries, perhaps seeming dimmer because of the city smog and brighter lights.
Every now and then a stranger appears, walking up and down the streets bearing a placard, telling the people about the light on the hill. Very few listen to him and most that do, return to the action that is going on in the city below. A handful remain in the light because they feel the comfort and peace that it brings, that is lacking down below, something that is not tangible. Moreover, they find, after a while, that they no longer need the food that is only available in the valley, they somehow receive enough where they are; also, although the light does not produce heat to cook food, somehow it seems to keep them warm. Every now and then, one by one, they return to the city, tell their family and friends about the comfort of the light, walk up and down the streets bearing a placard and return with a few persons who profess interest.
One day, Mount St Helens, which is on the other side of the valley, erupts and the resulting mud slide completely buries the city and its inhabitants. Only those who decided to stay by the light are saved. By their own choice are they saved from the catastrophe that happened on that day. The catastrophe was going to happen anyway, no matter where they were.

In the times of the past, God predetermined (decreed) that those who follow after Him according to His will, shall, at a predetermined time in the future, that day, be chosen to be with Him in the New Jerusalem (our inheritance). Time is involved, past, present and future.

God chooses us because on that day all others have failed His test and have ended up in the lake of fire; we are all that remain.

There are two arms to predestination:

What is the key? The Blood Covenant!
Abraham believed God and was declared righteous; the friend of God. Because of Abraham's willingness to believe, God was able to make a Covenant with him. God could then, because of the terms of the Covenant cause Isaac to pray as he did. If the Holy Spirit can use the Bible to cause me, through the Covenant that I have with God through Jesus Christ, to write what He wishes written, He can cause Isaac (because of the Covenant of his father) to ask for Rebekah to conceive.

The following verses were given by Darryl after reading the above in June 1998.: Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.; (Psalms 69:28); Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:; (Matthew 25:34); That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;; (Luke 11:50); For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.; (Hebrews 4:3); For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.; (Hebrews 9:26); And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.; (Revelation 13:8); The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.; (Revelation 17:8); And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.; (Philippians 4:3); And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.; (Revelation 20:12); And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.; (Revelation 20:15); And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.; (Revelation 21:27); And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.; Revelation 22:19); And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:; (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Foreknowledge. 10 January 1999. There might be duplication.: Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.; (Matthew 23:34-35)
: Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.; (John 15:14-21)
: I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.; (John 17:9-10)
: And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.; (Acts 13:48)
: 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: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,; (Ephesians 1:4-5)
: 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:; (Ephesians 1:11)
: For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.; (Matthew 27:18)
: 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.; (John 6:64)
: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.; (John 16:27)
: These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.; (John 17:1-2)

After studying all the above: Jesus of Nazareth explained it in a nutshell in Matthew 7:13-24. We each have to see the strait gate and somehow get through it before we can get on the narrow road that leads to the Celestial City. The narrow road is there for us but we have to find it.
: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,; (Hebrews 12:1); But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.; (Hebrews 12:22-29)
: Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.; (Hebrews 13:20-21)

¹ www.hosanna.org.za