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NASB | Matthew 24:14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 24:14 "This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come. |
Subject: Every NATION or every PERSON? |
Bible Note: Hi Jeff, I understand your struggle with the doctrines mentioned. If it is God's will that all men should be saved why are so many lost? Specifically, you wrote: "If God desires that all be saved, then why is it that all were not elected/predestined to salvation?" Let's look at this concept in light of scripture. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. NAS Does not God hope that all men would be saved? What keeps that from happening? Is it God or ourselves? Are not the choices we make either pleasing or displeasing to God? Ezekiel 18:22-23 23 "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord GOD, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? NAS Ezekiel 18:32 32 "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live." NAS Ezekiel 33:11 11 "Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?' NAS 1 Peter 3:11-12 11 "And let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." NAS Throughout scripture God declares we must turn back to Him if we desire to live. Why would He create people who could not turn back and then instruct them as He did above? Is God a God of confusion? No, but His plan of salvation is hidden from those who do not seek Him in accordance with knowledge. Why is God's Master Plan with regard to predestination always assumed to mean that only a "select few" were predestined for salvation? Romans 8:28-30 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. NAS Has God not foreknown every soul of mankind and could He not have desired that each one would become like Christ? It is no different for those of us who are parents. Do we not desire the best for each of our children? Are they not brought into the world with a hope that they will be "predestined" for success? I do not know any parent who has conceived a child so that they would fail. Obviously not all kids grow into successful adults. Is that by chance or by choices that have been made? Now the world will lean towards "chance" because they do not believe in the design of a creator. Those seeking God, however, know that nothing happens to them by chance. Only those that seek to be successful will actually reach their goal. Furthermore, salvation is for all men, not just for a select few. Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. NAS 2 Peter 3:9-10 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. NAS I also recognize that not only a "considerable number" of bible scholars and theologians would disagree with me, but probably the majority of them. I hope that in time they might be persuaded to change their mind! :-) AO |