Subject: Is God subject to change? |
Bible Note: Dear John God's eternal plan will prevail. He has no alternative plans. I'm sorry you misunderstood me concerning that. As I read Scripture I notice that God is able to predict future events accurately and with certaintity. God alone is able to speak from an eternal perspective. God knows the beginning and end of all things. Nothing can catch Him off guard or by surprise. Before creation, God knew the outcome of all things. In Scripture God often speaks from this eternal perspective. Often He says: "I will" meaning God decress whatever He wills, will come about, regardless of any action or inaction of his created beings. These "I wills" are called Unconditional Covenants. Other times God says; "if my people will do such and such, then I will do the following" (see 2 Chr. 7:14 for example) Such instances are called conditional covenants, because the people can expect a favorable outcome on God's part if the people hear and obey by following the demands laid out by God. But if they choose to disobey, the outcome will be unfavorable. Nevertheless, God from eternity knew what choice the people would make regarding the conditional covenants, even before they made their choice. God was never surprised by the choices the people made using their God given freedom. Also, none of the choices anyone has ever made, have in any way altered God's eternal plan. Somethings in Scripture are just spoken in the present tense of the timing or occurence of the event. Or in real time. As we read Scripture we are reading about past choices people made, and not in real time as they were presented to the people by God's spokesman (i.e. Jeremiah) who lived during the actual time of the events mentioned. However in God's mind these events had already occured before creation. His plan always prevails. His plan willnot and cannot be thwarted. Let me be clear on that. It is because God is Sovereign and in control that He is able to give His creatures such freedom in the areas of conditional covenants. Blessings friend New Creature |