Predestination Study

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. (Romans 8:29-30)

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)

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)

For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14) (The greek word used for chosen

represents the act of electing somone.)

Colossians 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of

mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave

you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of

perfectness. (Note that word perfectness has been replaced in usage by the word perfection)

What do the above verses remind you of? And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood

with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before

him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering,

and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and

transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the

fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the

fourth generation. (Exodus 34:5-7) (Vital here to note that the Hebrew word used for name can

also be translated character) now this clearly reveals that the elect are supposed to have God’s

character.

Of course this putting on would lead us to “the best robe” (Luke 15:22) “put ye on the Lord

Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14) among others. There is one we cannot miss though Revelation

3:18 “white Raiment”. These of course represent the wedding garment also mentioned in

Revelation 19:8 which is the imparted righteousness of Christ.

Note: Clearly we have just tapped into the Laodicean message

Key word here; what is used as the bond of perfection? Charity. It is vital to take note of the

importance of charity in the doctrine of Paul and the other apostles) 1 Corinthians 13 reveals that

Charity (agape love – this is really the love that comes from God and flows through us to others)

is the foundation for everything that is done.

2 Peter 1:5-7 reveals that Charity is the highest quality that the Christian can attain.

This clearly reveals that God’s love is to be the only motivation of all Godly action. It also

reveals that the highest ideal is God’s love expressed in our Character. Thus we find Jesus

showing that love is the foundation of Obedience when He says:

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John writing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit reveals that love is what is expressed in ideal

behavior when he says:

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his

commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his

commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:2-3)

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect,

and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;( Titus 1:1) (The Faith of God’s

elect must be the Faith of Christ, because Christ is God’s elect) Behold my servant, whom I

uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall

bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (Isaiah 42:1)

This of course identifies the concept of the elect directly with the Third Angel’s Message: Here

is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the

faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Half-way through our study we have thus recognized that the “Third

Angel’s message” and the “Laodicean message” are one and the same message as proved by

the clear links both messages have to predestination.

Of course when we hit the concept of “Faith of Jesus” or “Faith of Christ” we know that we are

talking of justification by Faith.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus

Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of

Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be

justified. (Galatians 2:16)

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that

which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

(Philippians 3:9)

Let us look again at verse Romans 8:30

Look closely at the steps:

1. Predestinate

2. Called

3. Justified

4. Glorified

Now we know none is glorified when sin is in them. Now the question is when does God desire

to glorify us:

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and

praise of God. (Philippians 1:11)

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and

longsuffering with joyfulness; (Colossians 1:11)

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all

the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)

“Why is this so important?” one may ask.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the

Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man,

and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ

Jesus: (Colossians 1:27-28)

“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.” (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Of course this is necessarily the message of the gospel. By far the greatest gospel preacher was

Christ so let us look at His two first sermons:

1. The first sermon recorded as given by the Saviour was a private talk he had with

Nicodemus:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be

born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can

a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb,

and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born

of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is

born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:3-6)

Thus we have here the fact that we need to be born again, born of the spirit in order to

have access to the kingdom of God. Why do we need to be born again? Cause we have

the wrong Father: “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever

committeth sin is the servant of sin.” “Ye are of your father the devil”. (John 8:34,

44)

We remain with the apostle John to reveal: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for

the devil sinneth from the beginning (1 John 3:8). If we read up to verse 10 we realize

as well that love only occurs when we are born of God.

Jesus then reveals that it is Him that men are to look to in order to be saved and no other

as it is He who is sent to take the sins of the world. And she shall bring forth a son, and

thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins

(Matthew 1:21). Note also John the Baptist: The next day John seeth Jesus coming

unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the

world. (John 1:29) Paul then clearly reveals the work of Christ for fallen man: For what

the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the

righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but

after the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4

2. The other sermon is recorded as a direct quote of scripture from Isaiah 61 so let us go to

the source document to see what the full sermon says:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to

preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are

bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of

our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to

give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise

for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the

planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3 (There comes that

word glorified again)

Of course the sermon doesn’t finish there; the response of the people of God is interesting

in the light of what we are studying:

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath

clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of

righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). (Note the words: garments, robe of righteousness)

Jesus is of course our prime example. Speaking of the his life Peter reveals that the point of

highest interest in His life is: For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when

there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I

am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him

in the holy mount (2 Peter 1:17-18). (see that word glory again).

What happened in the mount? And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as

the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (Matthew 17:2)

Did this happen to any other human being? And he was there with the LORD forty days and

forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the

words of the covenant, the ten commandments. And it came to pass, when Moses came

down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came

down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked

with him. (Exodus 34:28)

So Jesus is not only our sacrifice but also our example:

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an

example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John

2:6)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and

the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the

way of life: (Proverbs 6:23)

It was because Jesus walking in the light that his garments were made white as snow. Christ “did

no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22); hence, he was worthy to exhibit

the glory of God. Jesus even requested the same: “Father, glorify thy name. Then came there

a voice from heaven, [saying], I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again.” (John

12:28) What was the reason to be glorified? “Jesus, … lifted up his eyes to heaven, and

said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:” (John

17:1)

Moses was a man like us he had sinned and through repentance was allowed in the presence of

God. The first time Moses came off the mount after communing with God his face did not shine

(see Exodus 32) however when Moses comes down the second time His face shone to the extent

where He had to hide his face.

We find that the difference between both occasions is revealed as the request that Moses made

on the second occasion. Listen to the request of Moses:

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. (Exodus 33:18)

Are we desirous of seeing God’s glory? Do we desire that God will glorify us so we can glorify

him?

Remember that text from 1 Peter 2:22 “neither was guile found in his mouth” “And in their

mouth was found no guile” Revelation 14:5.

The 144, 000 will be glorified so that they can glorify God.

Of course it is very important to note that after Moses and Jesus the next person who is

prominently spoken of as having that experience of glorification is Stephen. Note:

For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place , and shall

change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking

stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. (Acts 6:14-15)

Moses was a type of Christ: The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the

midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; (Deuteronomy

18:15)

And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven

must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the

mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers,

A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him

shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that

every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken,

have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the

covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all

the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus,

sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:20-26)

Of interest we note what John in his gospel reveals about the relationship between Moses and

Jesus: For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John

1:17)

Moses was sent to take the literal children of Israel out of darkness and bring light to them

through the sanctuary system. This system of things revealed clearly the coming Messiah and the

work that would be performed when He came on earth. Moses gave to Israel the sanctuary

system. Jesus was the substance of that system fulfilling the type in its order and showing

Himself to be the perfect fulfillment of the types.

Here we find that Moses was the one who gave the system that begun the literal nation of Israel

while Jesus personally presented the principles that were to be the foundation of the Christian

church. Here we find interest in the fact that Moses was, to literal Israel, the foundation prophet;

while Jesus was revealed as the more perfect prophet. Moses the type was glorified on the Mount

and Jesus was also glorified on the mount.

In Matthew 24 we see revealed a mixture of signs that reveal not merely the closing events of

earth’s history but also the events leading to Jerusalem’s destruction. This then reveals to us that

in the events that lead to the close of probation for the Jews will be revealed what will happen in

the close of probation for the world. Of course the question that comes to us is; “What really led

to the close of Jewish probation?”

Jewish probation was closed in 34 AD at the stoning of Stephen. It was after this event that Paul

was called ‘an apostle to the gentiles’ it was also after this event that Peter was shown I vision

that it was time to take the message to the centurion. What happened though?

Let us note two things that occurred: And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him,

saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. (Acts 6:15)

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of

God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens

opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55-56)

Here we recognize that the close of probation for the Jews was marked by the fact that they

rejected the message of one who was obviously in communion with heaven. This is clearly the

greatest act of rebellion when one attributes to satan the work of God even to the point of

carrying out the very sentence that was to be given to those who were leading Israel into

idolatrous worship.

If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom,

or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve

other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; Namely, of the gods of the

people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of

the earth even unto the other end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor

hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt

thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put

him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with

stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God,

which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. (Deuteronomy

13:6-10)

A nation in rebellion having accepted falsehood refused to be corrected even when there was an

obvious manifestation of the fact that the message being delivered was of God. This of course

reveals the same thing that will afflict the people at the close of earth’s history. The 144, 000

after being sealed and glorified will take the message of Revelation 18 to the world however men

who have submitted themselves to the mark of the beast will refuse the correction that can bring

them into a saving relationship with God. This indeed marks the close of earth’s probation; the

rejection of the message from those who have experienced the transfiguration on account of

being cleansed by the gospel.

By God’s grace let us pray fervently that God will reveal His will in our lives and strengthen us.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For,

behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD

shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to

thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3 KJV)

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and

the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying,

Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.

Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem,

and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to

pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of

the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is

with you. (Zechariah 8:20-23 KJV)

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power;

and the earth was lightened with his glory. (Revelation 18:1)