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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | All names still in the book of life? | Rev 17:8 | kalos | 5441 | ||
Revelation 17:8 "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come. Sam: First, before anything else, I want to make it clear that I respect you and look forward to your postings. Nothing in my answer is intended to be taken as argumentative, or a personal criticism, or a putdown. I merely answer your questions as best I can. Rev 17:8 *is* true. What Rev 17:8 SAYS is without question or doubt. What is questionable and doubtful are some *interpretations* of the verse. As I understand it, Rev 17:8 does not SAY that all humans were written into the book of life. 1) a) All humans are born under the condemnation of sin (Rom 3:10, 23). b) Where does the Bible SAY that *any* or *all* are "*predestined* to the lake of fire?" 2) Nowhere in the Bible, including Rev 17:8, does it SAY that all humans were written into the book of life. If anyone can present a clear verse of Scripture to challenge the above, please give us the Book, Chapter and Verse where that passage is found. |
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2 | All names still in the book of life? | Rev 17:8 | camainc | 5461 | ||
I think the logic behind the question is this: Since (1) mankind is born in sin (Rom 3:10, 23) and (2) those that do not believe in and accept the free gift of salvation offered by the Father through the Son are destined to perish in the lake of fire, and (3) believers’ names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation (I assume this means the creation) of the world, then one could presume that (4) unbelievers are destined for the Lake of Fire from the foundation of the world (Rev 20:15). There is no verse that I know of that *explicitly* says that, but there are also no verses that *explicitly* say that God is triune. If one accepts the doctrine of predestination (and I don't know how you couldn't, with all of the verses that are very clear-cut on that), then you have to accept predestination to hell as well as to heaven. How we reconcile predestination with John 3:16 is a mystery, and I don't think any of us will know how God in His infinite wisdom and grace works out the details of free-will vs. predestination (at least until we get into His Presence in our glorified state). Love in Yeshua |
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3 | All names still in the book of life? | Rev 17:8 | kalos | 5493 | ||
camainc: Thank you for your reply. I am writing this merely to clarify where I stand and present what I believe the Bible plainly teaches on the subject. (To whom it may concern: Before you read the rest of this Note, I would like to say: By this posting, I am NOT inviting debate. I merely state what I believe. Without posting 40 questions, you can read the details by clicking on Search and then typing in the word "election". ) The following is what I believe: "Election is the act of God whereby in eternity past He chose those who will be saved. Election is unconditional, because it does not depend on anything outside of God, such as good works or foreseen faith (Romans 9:16). This doctrine is repeatedly taught in the Bible, and is also demanded by our knowledge of God. "No sinner can ever make the first move in the salvation process. This is what Jesus meant in John 6:44, when He said, "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him." "Ephesians 1:4-5,11 reads, "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will . . . also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. . . . "In summary, we can say that God has had a special love relationship with the elect from all eternity, and on the basis of that love relationship chosen them for salvation. The ultimate question of why God chose some for salvation and left others in their sinful state is one that we, with our finite knowledge, cannot answer. We do know that God's attributes always are in perfect harmony with each other, so that God's sovereignty will always operate in perfect harmony with His goodness, love, wisdom, and justice." For further study: John MacArthur, The Love of God (Dallas: Word, 1996). J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1961). © 2000 Grace to You (article by John MacArthur at www.gty.org - listed in Issues and Answers archives) |
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