    Do you want to know the real truth about PREDESTINATION?
PREDESTINATION
In order to convey a very important message about destiny we will begin by highlighting a few songs. While these songs did very well on the charts, as it pertains to the true God, the messages which they convey are totally inaccurate.
First a note: This is not an assault against any persons involved in any way, past, present, or future, whether revised or other, with the following pieces of work. However, it is meant to shed light on the prevailing thought which permeates much of society, and to point out the error of people’s thinking. It is also meant to show how to make corrections. As Christians, even if people should declare themselves to be our enemies, we do not harbor anything against them in our hearts. We do not seek to harm them in any way. In fact, whether friend or foe, we are to help them if they are truly in need. Our focus is on the things in the spiritual realm. We are compelled by the Holy Spirit to help people by pointing them to the truth and, “Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV) As mature Christians we fully realize that, “we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms(Fallen angels/Satan and the demons under his control.) Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
1. In the 1969 there was a very popular song titled, “From a Distance,” where the artist sang, “God is watching from a distance.”
* Biblical Facts: The True God, who is the God of the Bible, by contrast is very near to those who call on Him. As Isaiah states, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) God says further, “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) My friend, this is not a distant God. And He is not just a God who is willing to hold our hands when things are going well in our lives but He is also a, “Refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 59:16 (NIV)
2. Another song which was very big in 1969 was titled, “My Way, “where the singer sang, “I did it my way.”
* In contrast, God, also says in His Word, “:There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
3. In 1953 another big hit was, “Que Sera Sera,” where the vocalist sang, “Whatever will be, will be.”
* While so many people give their consent to this perspective on life it is totally inaccurate as it pertains to the truth. For while Christ has died and fully provided for all people to be saved from the coming destruction and to actually have brand new lives, He has also given freedom for each person to either accept or reject God’s offer of salvation. This greatest of gifts, which for us is free, but cost Him everything. There is clearly a battle for the souls of men, women, and children. Satan, this craftiest of foes, does everything he can to keep people from accepting salvation. The scriptures say of him, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy,”: John 10:10a (NIV) ” Satan’s massive efforts to keep people ignorant about the truths of God’s Word is shown even more clearly in Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth. “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NIV) Satan is the god of this world. The Word of God accurately declares that he is, ” the mighty prince of the power of the air,” Ephesians 2:2 (NLT) who blinds people spiritually, so they can’t see the truth, and he makes constant appeals to their flesh.
EMERGENCY:
Please note that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not a distant God but he even takes hold of the right hand of each of His children and helps us along the way.
Please know that things don’t just happen but there is a very purposeful plan behind everything. There are invisible forces which are constantly at work in the affairs of people. Some for good, God the Creator, and His mighty angels. Also some for bad, satan (the chief demon) and the fallen angels (demons). God’s greater power compared to satan’s is inestimable. However, in terms of who has the greater influence, remember that God gives people the freedom to choose who they will serve. It would not be true love otherwise. God wants people to come to Him because we choose to not because He forces us.
And please know that we are not to do it our own way because if we do, in the end we will not only experience the first death, “But also the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (NIV)
NOW, AS IT PERTAINS TO PREDESTINATION PLEASE PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION.
God has made each person unique and He has specific things in store for each of us. As the psalmist says in His Word, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14. Also the scriptures declare that, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart”; Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) and again, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11(NIV) From these scriptures we clearly see that God has made each of us unique and that He has special plans for each of us. But we must understand that while a personal God has special plans for each us, that there is a personal devil who not only has plans to keep us from receiving God’s best but he also has plans to destroy us. God’s Word says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10 (NIV) Here are a few examples of how satan attempts to keep what God has predestined for each of us from coming to pass. God intended for Adam and Eve to live in heavenly bliss but satan came with great intention destroy God’s purposes for them. This devil tempted Eve to the point that she, “saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6 (NIV) Because satan’s scheme worked Adam and Eve aborted the perfect plan which God had for them. Another example of the devil’s schemes is shown when Daniel set his heart to pray. Three weeks had gone by since Daniel had begun to pray when finally an angel appeared to him and said, “Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come.” Daniel 10:12-14 This account shows that satan had assigned one of his chief demons to stop Daniel’s prayer from being answered but because Daniel persisted in his intercession God sent one of His chief angels to make sure that he prevailed in prayer. Another example of satan’s evil plans versus what God has planned or predestined is shown when His disciples could not help a man’s troubled son who was possessed by a demon. The boy’s father said to Jesus, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” Mark 9:17,18 (NIV) While in his son’s dilemma the disciples efforts proved useless Jesus, on the other hand, showed that He had great power. “He rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again. The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out.” Mark 9:25-26 (NIV) When Jesus’ disciples were with Him alone they asked, “”Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer. “Mark 9:28-29 (NIV) These very real examples are given to show you how although God has a special purpose or purposes for each person that there are very real enemies at work to keep his plans for you and me from coming to pass. Man has a very real part to play in God’s program being fulfilled. Unlike any of these cults operating in the world today where those who are the underlings are not allowed to think for themselves. So, while God has destined certain things to happen it is only by God’s people partnering in prayer that His will can be accomplished in the world. That’s just the way God designed it. So you had better know that satan is shaking in his boots because of his concern that God’s people might read and get a hold of this great truth when which acted upon will do his (satan’s) kingdom great harm. Yes, when we (God’s people) learn and act on this truth (corporate and individual prayer like never before) we help to fulfill Jesus’ mission, “To destroy the devil’s work.” 1John 3:8 (NIV)
Please take time to read the following scriptures as they talk about things which God has predestined. Again, we must keep in mind that although God has predestined certain things it does not mean that they happen automatically. By His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead, Jesus clearly defeated satan Yet there is still a battle going on for the souls of men and it will continue until the appointed time. So first, we must be born again. This happens only by receiving Jesus Christ as our Personal Lord and Savior. And once we are in proper relationship with God we must begin to read His Word and pray daily. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 (NIV).
Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIV)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment -to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory.”
Romans 8:29-30 (NIV)
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
Ephesians 1:4-6 (NIV)
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
Ephesians 1:11 (NIV)
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
God has planned each person’s life but that does not mean that everything happens according to His plans. He desires the absolute best for every person but people too often choose their own paths to follow and when something bad happens they say things like, “Oh God, why me?” As if it is God’s fault, when the fact of the matter is that by their own volition they chose not to heed His voice.
The wonderful news is that God doesn’t change his mind about those whom He lovingly created. As a Father to a prodigal He waits patiently for people to come to their senses, for them to come home to a loving Father who grieves for them. ******* “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11(NIV) *******”The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
Jesus loves you.