What Do The Sovereignty And Foreknowledge Of God Mean?

God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge are not easy to understand (as God Himself is not -- and we will not fully understand until we are with Him in Heaven). In Ephesians 1:4, 5 talks of "predestination." Revelation 22:17 shows that "...whosoever WILL, let him take the water of life freely." In Matthew 23:27, as Jesus wept over Jerusalem he said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often would I have gathered thy children together... and ye would not!" In Foundations of Pentecostal Theology by Dr. N.M. Van Cleave and Dr. Guy P. Duffield (two well respected scholars and former professors at LIFE Bible College) it says on this subject:

"God is Sovereign, but not arbitrary; man has freedom of choice and will, with certain limitations... Dr. R.A. Torrey...writes:

‘The actions of Judas and the rest were taken into God’s plan, and thus made a part of it. But it does not mean that these men were not perfectly free in their choice. They did not do as they did because God knew that they would do so, but the fact that they would do so was the basis upon which God knew it. Foreknowledge no more determines a man’s actions than afterknowledge. Knowledge is determined by the fact, not the fact by the knowledge...God knows from all eternity what each man will do, whether he will yield to the Spirit and accept Christ, or whether he will resist the Spirit and refuse Christ. Those who will receive Him are ordained to eternal life. If any are lost it is simply because they will not come to Christ and thus obtain life (John 5:40). Whosoever will may come (Rev. 22:17), and all who come will be received (John 6:37).’"

Our Heavenly Father truly is one that is so full of compassion and mercy, and I believe it is part of the deceitful devices of the enemy of our soul to try to make us doubt this. Jeremiah 29:11 says:

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Resources:
1.) "The Will of God"

2.) "Seeing Through God’s Mercy"

3.) The Spirit-Filled Life Bible

4.) Foundations of Pentecostal Theology by Dr. N.M. Van Cleave and Dr. Guy P. Duffield
     (Not Available From Living Way)

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