PREDESTINATION by N. W. Kauble

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 17, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 24.

PREDESTINATION.

By N. W. Kauble

BY ELDER N. W. KAUBLE.

By the term "predestination" is meant the purpose of God from eternity respecting the salvation of mankind, or, in other words, "the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." Eph. 1:4, 5.

This purpose which in the good pleasure of his will he purposed, will be accomplished; for it is decreed by him "who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will," and who admonishes us, "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." Isa. 46:9, 10.

The salvation revealed in this purpose is not, therefore, a thing of doubt but an absolute certainty; so certain indeed is it that if John Smith were named as one of the class embraced, there is not power enough in the universe to prevent his being saved.

But no one is thus specified, for God's purpose is not to give this priceless treasure to name, rank, or family, but to character; and so the blessing remains just as much a fact to those receiving the character as though named.

Our Lord, "who changeth not," from eternity saw and approved of the character in Christ, and ordained that all who would take it in Christ should be saved.

"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:4-9.

Those who are chosen as a royal priesthood and peculiar people are those who are called out of darkness into light.

Only those are thus called who will come (Rev. 22:17) and take the water of salvation as a free gift through Jesus Christ (John 7:37).

From eternity God foresaw who would willingly accept of this light and salvation, and "appointed them" "to obtain" it by our Lord Jesus Christ.

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called." Rom. 8:29, 30.

Since only those are predestinated who are called, and those called who "will come," and those who "will come" are conformed to the image of Christ, it therefore follows that only those are predestinated who are "found in him not having" their "own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through faith of Jesus, the righteousness which is of God by faith," these are they who are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life, which hope is in Christ Jesus.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Eph. 2:8.

"For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

Those who trust in works for salvation are as utterly incapable of salvation as it is impossible for those to be lost who trust in Christ. The Jews as a people claimed to be the called and chosen of God, but when many of them were cast off by trusting in their works, the apostle inquires:—

"Hath God cast away his people?" But in the next breath declares: "God forbid." "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew [would trust in Christ]. Wot ye not what the Scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." Rom. 11:1-5.

If the elect of God, foreknown of him, of which there was a remnant at this time, was the people who trusted only in his grace for salvation, and if those were cast off who trusted in works, how important that we who would be saved separate ourselves fully from every idea of salvation except that which is in Christ, and so know of a certainty that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

"For if God spared not the natural branches [who trusted in their works], take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Rom. 11:21, 22.