Have you ever been surprised? GOD has never been surprised. HE never has to rethink anything since the LORD has always known everything that would ever happen HE never learns anything new.
“Now are we sure that YOU (JESUS) know all things…” (John 16:30)
“JESUS said to him… Simon, son of Jonas, do you love ME? Peter replied LORD, YOU know all things; YOU know that I love thee…” (John 21:17)
“… GOD is greater than our heart, and HE knows everything.” (1 John 3:20)
“… Does HE who teaches mankind lack knowledge?” (Psalm 94:10).
If we think about it most believers in JESUS who read and believe their Bibles will agree that the LORD knows all things. But have you considered that GOD never had to learn anything because before anything happened HE knew all that would happen. Not because HE forces it to happen but because of HIS AWESOME quality called FOREKNOWLEDGE (Acts 2:23, 1 Peter 1:2) along with HIS pre-creation choice to preset the times and places setting the stage for people to choose from (Acts 17:26-27).
But we must not think that by setting the stage GOD is forcing the characters act a certain way. Each person has been given the gift of choice>>>that is each one determines what he/she will do in any given situation and thereby is responsible for the action taken.
GOD is LORD of all, but HE is not a puppeteer.
“JESUS therefore, knowing all things that should come upon HIM (before they happened), went forth,…” (John 18:4).
“Known unto GOD are all HIS works FROM the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18 KJ). Through HIS amazingFOREKNOWLEDGE GOD knew how HE would answer every prayer before HE created the world.
“… the LAMB (JESUS) slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8 KJ). JESUS was crucified in the eternal plan of GOD before HE (JESUS Hebrews 1:1-3) created the world. Therefore, HE had to know people would sin and would need a Savior and volunteered for the job.
In Psalm 139 it says GOD (the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT) knows what we will say before we form the words in our minds. The LORD knows what we will say before we do. Amazing isn’t it?
In this way, our eternal Creator knew what choices individual people would make before HE even made them. Yet the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY chose to make people in HIS image and give them the ability to choose. They could choose right or wrong. They could choose to believe and follow GOD or suppress the truth and turn away from GOD to the things of the world (Romans 1:18-21).
GOD’s amazing FOREKNOWLEDGE (definition = to know/to see before it happens) is the basis on which GOD could give mankind the ability to choose and yet remain completely Sovereign= in control.
“HIM (JESUS), being delivered by the determinate will and FOREKNOWLEDGE of GOD, you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” Acts 2:23
There we see GOD’s purposes and Sovereignty played out by man’s choice. Remember GOD sets the stage with purpose in FOREKNOWLEDGE of man’s heart and what he will do, but it is man who decides what to do. (Acts 17:26-27). I can’t say I understand how it all works but know from GOD’s word that it does.
“Remember the former things of old for I AM GOD and there is none else. I AM GOD and there is none like ME declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying MY counsel shall stand and I will do all MY pleasure. …I have spoken it, and I will do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)
“Elect (chosen/ called) according to the FOREKNOWLEDGE of GOD the FATHER” (1 Peter 1:4 KJ). We see that FORKNOWLEDGE comes 1st and is foundational.
What did GOD FOREKNOW for some to be elected (called and chosen)? I would say HE knew who would believe and who would refuse to believe even though given light to believe (Romans 1:18-21).
“…In CHRIST JESUS called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD, both theirs and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2 KJ). So those who call on the name of the LORD are the called. And what happens when one chooses to call upon the name of the LORD? “For whoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13 KJ).
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them that are the called according to HIS purpose. For whom HE did FOREKNOW, HE did predestinate to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, that HE (JESUS) might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:28-29).
Yes, those GOD foreknew would call upon the name of the LORD HE planned for/ predestinated that they would be conformed to the image of CHRIST JESUS. Each believer is GOD’s workmanship in CHRIST JESUS for GOD preset times and places for everything that occurs in their lives to work together to conform them to their LORD and Savior JESUS.
“For you are GOD’s workmanship created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works that GOD prepared in advance that you should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
The infinity/ limitlessness of the ALMIGHTY’s wisdom, power and love blows my mind! Yet at the same time makes me feel so secure for HE has promised me eternal life (John 3:16).
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 