Predestinate

The Greek word (proorizo) used to translate the different words is found in the following verses. It you will, notice where it is that he predestinated them unto (Eph 1:5). not to eternal glory but unto adoption. We also find in 1 Pt 2:8 that some stumbled at the word, being disobedient where unto they were appointed. This is not saying that God was the cause of their disobedience, only that as Adam, when left to their own wisdom they were disobedient.

Acts 4:26 "The rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders (Nu 14:22, Jh 14:11) may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus." Herein we have the Jewish rulers who were not only gathered against his Christ (The Anointed) but the Lord God himself (2 Cor 5:19). Yes it was the LORD himself (Gen 22:8), their Husband, (Jer 31:32) that they were rebelling against. Peter tells us in 1:2:8 that they stumbled at the word, being disobedient, whereunto they were appointed. Paul tells us in 1 Cor 2:4 below, this was a hidden mystery, for only those called unto the truth could understand (Mt 13:8). After much long-suffering God simply cut off his protection from them, and allowed them to follow after their own depraved nature. This should stand as a warning for us who are given this mystery, for we too can be cut off (Rm 11:21) from his protecting hand.

Rom 8:28 "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." This lesson is unto those God purposed to call. The question is called unto what? We find in Matthew 22:14 that there are many called but few chosen as it speaks of the wedding feast. It then goes on to tell us the purpose, for the ‘we’ under consideration is to be conformed to his image. We are told (Hos 2:3) that the children of Israel will be stripped naked as in the day they were born, and shall abide without this image (Hos 3:4). In Malachi 3:3 we are told that there will come a time (new covenant age 2:4-6) wherein he will refine Levi as the priest spoken of in 1 Peter 2:9. Rom 1:17 ‘For therein (gospel) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.’ Yes it is only those who have been justified (gospelly - 2 Cor 2:13) that are enabled to receive the gospel, and thereby shall live by the faith generated through the dealt faith. When one prepares themselves by seeking the oil and trimming their lamps, are they perhaps bid unto the wedding feast, there to be glorified with their blessed Husband, Jesus. It is therein that Jesus is called the firstborn among the brethren (Rm 8:29). In this glorified position we are freely given the ‘all things’. In this blessed position no one can bring a charge against us, the elect. Looking at this conformity to his image further we find in (2 Cor 3:15-18) which reads, ‘when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it (Heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.’

1 Cor 2:4 "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." What was it that God ordained (purposed to bring about) before the world unto our glory? Is it not that which was shut up unto them (Ga 3:23)? That is the law of faith (Rm 3:27), which reveals the mystery that Job wondered about (Job 9:1)? The work systems of the world are still unsure how they are, or must be just before God (Hb 2:15). They have devised many means whereby they conclude they can be just, but all are after the flesh just as the law was (Ga 4:24). Therefore they fail in their efforts.

Eph 1:3 "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." Where is it that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings? Does it not say ‘in heavenly places’? Are not these heavenly places in the upper room, or kingdom, wherein we are permitted to sup, dine with our blessed Husband? It is my understanding that the Father purposed to betroth (Hos 2:19) unto his son, Jesus, a bride before the world begun, that the truth would be manifested by her here in this time world. He chose unto himself a wife, and this by design before the world began to be the witness (Is 43:10) of the true ‘I AM’. How is it that we can stand holy and without blame before him in love? Is it not because he hath spread his wedding garment (Mt 22:11) over us as Jehovah did His firstborn (Ex 12:7,17, Nu 3:13). These became the redemptive price to cover the Levites (Nu 3:41) which are typed as the bride of Jesus in Malachi 3:3 wherein they are purified as silver. It was The Father’s good pleasure to chose out remnants and purge her from the dead works of the law to serve the living God, Jesus (Hb 9:14), while they sojourned here in this time world. This all was accomplished that we should be to the praise of his glory (Jh 17:22,24), having so glorified us that we now are able to trust in him after we have heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation. Having thus manifested this belief we are then sealed (Eph 1:13, 4:30) with the Holy Spirit of promise (Jh 16:13), and can not be deceived (Mt 24:24). This sealing is the earnest of our eternal inheritance. O’ what a blessing we have been given as the beloved of our husband Jesus. Praise his Holy Name!!!!