 From 1974 and until he passed away in June of 2005, Frank Caw devoted a considerable amount of time to research and study in Bible prophecy and related philosophical and theological issues. This website is dedicated by his family to his memory and work and is as he presented it at the time of his death. The family of Frank Caw, Jr. would like to thank Tim McHyde of EscapeAllTheseThings.com for hosting his website.
While always insisting on a plain, literal and sensible approach to scriptural exegesis,
he has pieced together many new scriptural insights on a number of extraordinary
prophetic developments that are poised to be fulfilled in our immediate
future!
Thus, it is safe to say that things are not going to happen the way many people think
they will happen.
But, this book will give you the scriptural keys for truly understanding what God has
preordained will happen, and how you can survive the incredible scenario of prophetic
events about to unfold! |
This ministry is dedicated to the loving memory of my
late wife, Debbie, who went to be in the presence of God on October 23, 1997, and who was
so instrumental in helping me to prepare for my ministry during those many long, difficult
years.
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A Time Of Testing And
Apostasy
A Time Of
Testing
An Ipsos poll in 2006 found that 25% of adults believed it was at least "somewhat likely" that "Jesus Christ will return to Earth" in the coming year. Among white evangelical Christian adults, a whopping 46% believed this. Yet four years later Jesus still has not returned. Want to know why Jesus did not come in 2007, or any year since then and still won't come in 2011 (or anytime soon)? »» Read Featured Article
As dramatic biblical prophecies unfold before our eyes, it will be a time of tremendous excitement and keen anticipation on the part of Bible-believing Christians. But at the same time, fear and terror may very well escalate sharply as the world begins to slide into war and chaos and perhaps even the apparent threat of imminent destruction. Not surprisingly, many people may expect the Return of Christ momentarily. Some preachers and commentators may even try to interpret prophetic passages from the Bible to “prove” that (erroneous) prophetic scenarios are taking place. Likewise, self-proclaimed “prophets” may pronounce apocalyptic messages of impending judgment and destruction to “prove” that it is time for the Lord’s Return. If so, that will add a whole new dimension to our understanding of the prophecy Jesus gave us when he warned that wars and rumors of wars will intensify to the point of apparent destruction, and then added that people will come in His name, saying: “The time draweth near!” (Luke 21:8). Thus, in one way or another, I anticipate that Satan will deceive and confuse Christians regarding any possible connections between current events and biblical prophecy.
But what if the Lord does not Return during the period of time that the Antichrist miraculously appears upon the world scene to forge his new empire into existence? What if years go by, and the world increasingly is enveloped by a sense of peace and security and prosperity as the Antichrist becomes more convincing and popular with each passing day? Please remember that Daniel 8:25 predicts the policies of Antichrist will cause fraud and guile and treachery and deceit to prosper, and that he will destroy people, spiritually, through peace and prosperity and security and abundance. Therefore, Satan will find it easy to deceive people, even many Christians, if they are confused and misinformed or even uninformed about what is really happening. Moreover, II Timothy 3:13 makes it quite clear that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Likewise, the apostle Paul warned that there will be a final “falling away” from the Truth when “some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy...” But, as Jesus said: “In such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44). So, perhaps the prophetic scenario we have depicted above helps to explain the following biblical scripture:
II Peter 3:3-4
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (KJV)
Of course, there have always been a few people who scoffed at the biblical doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ, but historically, modern churches and denominations generally have tended either to ignore it or to “spiritualize” it metaphorically. However, if the prophetic scenario we have just described materializes, then perhaps many people will become deeply disillusioned and disappointed as time goes by and “nothing” happens. That is why “the just shall live by their faith” during a period of time when the Antichrist will be performing miracles and wonders as he inspires world peace and prosperity. But, since the Bible teaches it is very important for God to test us, that could explain why the Return of Jesus will be delayed for a while. Accordingly, the following scriptural passages expound on the issue of why God needs to test us in our Christian faith:
James 1:2-4, 12-15
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing...
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (KJV)
I Peter 1:2, 6-7
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied...
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (KJV)
II Corinthians 11:23-28
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. (KJV)
II Corinthians 12:5-10
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (KJV)
Contextually, the apostle Paul is speaking of himself in the two passages quoted above from II Corinthians. The word “infirmities” is translated from the Greek word ASTHENEIA, which means “feebleness” (of mind or body), and by implication “malady” and “frailty.” It is translated throughout the Bible as “disease,” or “infirmity,” or “sickness,” or “weakness.” Moreover, this dictionary definition is confirmed by the apostle Paul in II Corinthians 12:10 when he declares: “For when I am weak, then am I strong (through complete dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ).”
Likewise, the word “distresses” is translated from the Greek word STENOCHORIA, and it is defined as meaning, “narrowness of room,” i.e., (figuratively) “calamity,” and it is translated as either “anguish” or “distress” throughout the Bible. Also, the word “temptations” comes from the Greek word PEIRASMOS, and it means a putting to “proof” (by a good experiment or an evil experience), which by implication means “adversity.” Finally, we should note that James 1:13-14 correctly translates the word “tempted” as “tempted” because, in that scriptural passage, the issue under discussion is completely unrelated to the subject of “testing” and “trial.”
Therefore, these passages teach that the “testing” and “proving” of our faith through “disease, sickness, weakness, calamity, anguish, difficulties, adversity, and trials” is a very important part of God’s plan for humanity. It is important because God wants to make sure of our commitment to Him, and to test our trustworthiness to be “kings” and “priests” and “joint-heirs with Christ” over all of the universe someday. (Dan. 7:27) (Rev. 2:26) (Rev. 21:7-10) (Rev. 22:5) (Isa. 32:1) (Isa. 56:5) (Isa. 60:8) (Romans 8:16-19). James 1:2-5 also explains that God wants to teach us important lessons in life, and help us to develop our personal Christian faith to maturity. Accordingly, these scriptural considerations often take priority over the biblical promises of prosperity and healing, typifying the dilemma that sometimes can develop in an unavoidable conflict between moral principles. That is why the advocates of “health and wealth” are wrong in saying it is always God’s Will for Christians to be healthy and prosperous, and generally living “the good life.” Thus, the need for “testing” and “maturing” our Christian faith and character and wisdom also explains why God may “delay” the Return of Christ for a short while.
Unfortunately, modern Christian culture has popularized the notion that it is proper, and even quite desirable, to focus on asking God to make us very wealthy and rich, even when there is little or no concern expressed for many other important matters in life. That is why James 4:3 says: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” So, often our prayers are not answered because we ask “amiss” by emphasizing the gratification of our lust (for money and wealth or whatever). Therefore, it is permissible to ask God for prosperity in the affairs of our lives, including financial prosperity, but not to the extreme where it becomes our primary obsession to the exclusion of other important concerns. Instead, there should always be a proper balance and perspective in every aspect of our lives. (Philippians 4:5-7) (I Corinthians 9:25) (Titus 1:8) (Titus 2:2).
Sometimes it is implied by some people that there is a magical prayer or a “Christianized” incantation that guarantees monetary wealth if we repeat it word-for-word, every day, for a certain period of time. Thus, even God’s Sovereignty is superseded if we get smart and figure out the exact formula or proper method for praying. But, as we discussed above, many times God will decide we need to learn important lessons in our lives through all kinds of adversities so that our faith and character and wisdom can develop to the highest level of maturity possible for each of us individually. (James 1:2-5). That is why it is incorrect to say that if a believer is in a proper relationship with Christ, then it is always God’s Will for them to be healthy and rich. Because we should always leave room for God to exercise His Divine Wisdom and Sovereignty in our lives by sometimes answering our prayer with a “No” or a “Wait.” Besides, our theology should be able to accommodate the historical fact that most of the apostles and countless numbers of Christian believers have suffered poverty, famine, pestilence, wars, persecutions, mass exterminations, executions, and unspeakable forms of torture for their faith in Christ. So, not only does God want to test and develop our Christian faith and character and wisdom to maturity, but sometimes we are victimized by the free will actions of evil people in a world not yet governed by God, or we are caught up in God’s plan for some higher purpose.
Thus, we should flee from the notion that if a person will just repeat verbatim, everyday, a set of key prayer words — magic faith words, essentially — that sooner or later God will almost be forced to bless that person. Because this vain repetitious style of prayer is condemned by Scripture — not because such prayers offer a solid structural format for us to follow or emulate in our own prayers — but because of the endless, mindless, constant repetition of the prayer. The problem arises because the basic repetitive technique mimics the essence of witchcraft and sorcery and shamanism which teach people that repetitive recitations of certain magic words — especially in the context of religious ritual or meditation — will force the “gods” to do their bidding. Accordingly, this new easy “Christian” way to untold riches and blessings introduces unsuspecting people to elementary forms of ancient pagan beliefs long held by shamans and witches and wizards of yesteryear. But, God wants us to love Him with all of our heart, and soul, and MIND. (Matthew 22:37). That is one reason why Jesus so strongly condemned repetitive prayers:
Matthew 6:7-8
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (KJV)
The above scripture — among others — assures us that God knows what we have need of even before we ask Him. So, we do not have to engage in vain repetitious prayers that are focused primarily on the instant gratification of our own lusts. Nor do we have to indulge in frantic efforts to build up our faith in faith so that our prayers can be answered. Instead, we are admonished to be anxious or worried “for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving” we should make our requests made known to God (Phil. 4:6) because the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16). Accordingly, “all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matt. 21:22), so long as we do not “ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3). Nevertheless, as we observed previously, all of these biblical promises must be balanced against other scriptures which say that often it is God’s Will to test and develop our faith and character and wisdom to the highest level of maturity possible. Or alternatively, perhaps God will say “No” or “Wait” in answer to our prayer so that He can fulfill some higher purpose unknown to us. Obviously these things can become a matter of great complexity; there are no easy answers guaranteed every time. But, as II Timothy 4:3-4 warns us:
II Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (KJV)
Foreknowledge And
Prophecy
I Peter 1:2
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (KJV)
Ephesians 1:4-5
4 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:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (KJV)
The English word “foreknowledge” is translated from the Greek word PROGNOSIS, which means “forethought.” Whenever the Bible addresses the issue of Divine foreknowledge or predestination, it is making reference to the predestination or predetermination of God’s plan of salvation which is intended for all of humanity. The theological concept does not include the meaning that God predetermines, or decides beforehand, what the eternal destiny for each individual will be before they are even born. The scriptural evidence for this contention is quite impressive:
1.) Numerous scriptures promise that “whosoever will” believe can be saved:
John 3:15-17
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (KJV)
Compare the following scriptural passages with the above scripture: John 12:44-46; Matt. 7:24; Matt. 12:50; Matt. 18:3-6; Luke 12:8-9; Luke 14:27; John 4:14; Heb. 2:9; John 6:44-69; Rom. 3:25; Rev. 1:5; Heb. 9:22; I Peter 1:18-19; John 12:44-46; John 4:14; Acts 2:21; Acts 10:43; Rom. 9:30-10:1; Rom. 10:9-13; I John 4:13-15; I John 5:1-5.
2.) It is God’s desire for everyone to be saved, if possible:
I Timothy 2:4
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (KJV)
II Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV)
3.) God is not a respecter of persons, so He does NOT arbitrarily pick and choose who will go to Heaven and who will go to Hell:
Acts 10:34-35
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (KJV)
Compare: Galatians 3:27-28; Colossians 3:11; Romans 1:16-17.
4.) The following scriptural passages state that man is evil, and that no one comes to Christ for salvation unless the Father draws him first. A problem arises, however, when people try to infer that because the Father must draw people before they can come to Christ, that necessarily implies He only draws some people to Christ, not everyone as the Bible actually teaches.
John 6:35-40, 44
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (KJV)
John 6:65
65 No one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father. (KJV) (Compare: Romans 3:10-12).
However, John 16:8-9 states that the Holy Spirit is come to “reprove” (not just some people, but all of) the “world.” The Greek word for “reprove” is ELEGCHO, and it is defined as meaning to “confute” or “admonish.” The dictionary definition of the word “confute” is “prove (a person) to be in the wrong.” The Greek word ELEGCHO is sometimes even translated as “convict.” Therefore, although it is true that no one can be saved unless God draws him, it is also true that the Holy Spirit draws or convicts everyone in the world. It is up to each individual to either accept or reject God:
John 16:7-9
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; (KJV)
Jesus also said, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” (John 17:9). Sometimes people ask why would Jesus not pray for the whole world if He came to save the world? However, nowhere in Scripture does it say Jesus can not pray for whomever He wishes. After all, God also has free Will. If Jesus wanted to say a special prayer for believers, then why not?
Please bear in mind that it is always important to harmonize, without contradiction, all relevant scriptures with each other on any given issue. Accordingly, the above biblical scripture must be interpreted in such a manner that it harmonizes with the dozens of scriptures which clearly state, in each instance, that “whosoever will” choose Christ Jesus as their Saviour will be saved. The above scriptural passage must also harmonize with several scriptures that state an individual can be a true believer in Christ, but still backslide or apostatize. Finally, the interpretation must agree with the biblical scriptures that teach freedom is a God-given gift to people. Therefore, it is wrong to say the above scriptural passage proves that Jesus did not come to save the world, but only a select few who are arbitrarily chosen by God.
John 6:35-40
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (KJV)
The above scriptural passage also is cited as proof that only some people are elected or predestinated to salvation because it implies that not everyone is allowed an opportunity to accept or reject Christ, i.e., “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me...” However, please note verse 40, where it clearly states that whosoever believes in Christ Jesus will have eternal life. Obviously the meaning of that scriptural passage is quite evident, thereby proving the validity of human freewill and the falseness of predestination. Therefore, verse 39 can not be allowed to contradict the clear and obvious meaning of verse 40. Moreover, the scriptural verses preceding verse 39 teach that people who are saved (actually, “being saved,” according to the Greek) do so by accepting Christ Jesus of their own free will. Accordingly, God will give to Jesus all of those individuals who will freely accept Him as Saviour, and Jesus will not lose any of them because we are given the assurance that every single one of them will be resurrected at the last day. Not even one single believer will fail to be resurrected to eternal life with God; that is His promise.
5.) Previously, we proved from biblical scriptures that an important part of God’s plan involves the testing of people’s personal faith. But this would be a silly and unnecessary endeavor if God truly predetermines who is saved — and who is not.
6.) If the reality we live in was truly predestinated, then why would God not create everyone to be morally good so that everyone could go to Heaven? Why would God be so cruel and malicious that He would create some people to be morally evil? If people did not have the gift of freedom and freewill, then quite obviously they would be blameless moral agents without responsibility for their thoughts and actions, so why would God not wish to “draw” every single one of them to Him? Why would God lie by proclaiming He is not a “respecter of persons,” when clearly He would be if we lived in a universe He had created to be predestinated?
Without doubt, these questions drive home the point that the alleged predestination of individuals is an absurdity. This is why it is so important that we always harmonize, without contradiction, all relevant scriptures with each other on any given issue. Apparently, theologians in the past sometimes fell for this doctrine because they failed to weigh and balance all relevant scriptures against each other, carefully and honestly, while finding a way to interpret difficult passages without creating any contradictions with other biblical scriptures. In other words, their moral duty to Truth obligated them to interpret their “proof” scriptures in such a manner that they did not contradict other scriptures which clearly and unequivocally state that people have freedom and freewill. If they would have followed that simple, logical and moral procedure, then predestinationism would never have achieved any degree of acceptance.
7.) Sometimes God elects or predetermines an individual for a mission or purpose even before he or she is born. (Mal. 1:2) (Rom. 9:11-13). As the Bible teaches, that is His privilege to do so. (Rom. 9:19-24). But, when God makes this freewill choice, i.e., when He “loves” (prefers) one choice while “hating” (not preferring) the alternative, it has nothing to do with whether or not that person will choose to serve God; that decision is a matter which is always left to the free will of the individual involved.
Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (KJV)
The scriptural phrase above, “I knew thee,” is translated from the Hebrew word “yada.” According to Strong’s Hebrew-Greek Dictionary, the Hebrew word YADA can mean “to know,” but it can also be defined as “appoint” or “declare,” meaning that Jeremiah 1:5 could just as easily read: “Before I formed thee in the belly I appointed thee;” or “Before I formed thee in the belly I declared thee.”
8.) Biblical prophecy is not necessarily proof that everything in the future is predetermined, thus allowing God to “see” into the future in order to “see” what will happen. Instead, Bible prophecies are merely prophetic predictions made by an infinite God who has the infinite power and the infinite knowledge to ensure their prophetic fulfillment by manipulating circumstances in one way or another. Accordingly, God can not see into the future to ascertain what freewill individuals will do because that would be a violation of the logic law of non-contradiction, a Divine attribute since God is ultimate rationality. The logic violation would exist if we tried to maintain the fiction that both free will and predestination can coexist even though they are logical contradictions. Therefore, we either have individual freedom and free will, or our reality is predetermined by God so that everything must happen according to the way they have happened already in the future; we can not have it both ways.
For God to look into the future to see what decisions people will make in the future, logic would necessitate a predestinated, preprogrammed reality where people would be preprogrammed biological robots following a very detailed, preprogrammed script. Free choices would not be an option for people to exercise. The biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden would be a cruel hoax and a fairy tale because Adam and Eve would not have had the choice to obey or disobey God as the Bible portrays. Moreover, the Bible would contain many other deceptions as well. Some of those deceptions would include the stories narrated in Genesis 11:1-9 and Genesis 18:1-21 which indicate that God heard (from His angels) disturbing reports about situations on earth that prompted Him to make a special Personal visit to see for Himself. If predestination truly reflected the reality in which we live, then those Bible stories, by logical necessity, would be false and deceptive. They would be false because if reality truly is predestinated, God would not have had to make visits to see for Himself if the reports were accurate (Gen. 18:21); He simply would have known already, or He could have looked into the future to see for Himself.
Yet another deception in the Bible, if predestination represented our true reality, would be the numerous scriptures that claim people have the freedom either to choose or reject Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. (Hebrews 2:9; John 6:44-69; John 3:1-18; Romans 3:25; Revelation 1:5; Hebrews 9:22; I Peter 1:18-19; John 12:44-46; Matt. 7:24-27; Matt. 11:6; Matt. 12:50; Matt. 16:25-27; Matt. 18:3-6; Luke 12:8-9; Luke 14:27; John 3:15-21; John 4:14; Acts 2:21; Acts 10:43; Rom. 9:30-10:1; Rom. 10:9-13; I John 4:13-15; I John 5:1-5; Rev. 22:16-17; I Tim. 2:4; II Peter 3:9; Acts 10:34-35; Gal. 3:27-28; Col. 3:11; Rom. 1:16-17.) Obviously we must either have the freedom to choose or (if predestination is our true reality) not have the freedom to choose; we can not have it both ways.
Likewise, yet another such biblical deception would involve those scriptures that teach people can backslide and lose their promise of eternal life with God if they fail to “abide in Christ.” (I Cor. 9:24-27; Rev. 3:5-6; John 15:1-6; Romans 11:16-24; Hebrews 6:4-6; II Thess. 2:3; I Timothy 4:1.) In a predestinated reality, people would not have to worry about failing to “abide in Christ,” or having their “name blotted out of the Book of Life,” because everything in life would be preprogrammed. Thus, the affairs of life would be nothing more than a fatalistic “what will be, will be.”
The logic law of non-contradiction is one of the very few realities in life that can be viewed as an absolute certainty; virtually everything else in life must be viewed as true or false on the basis of its degree of probability following an assessment of all relevant evidence. Moreover, any attack against the validity of the logic law of non-contradiction presupposes its validity. Otherwise, you would be forced to affirm and deny its validity simultaneously since you would be adopting the position that anything could be both true and false at the very same time and in the same sense. Obviously the law of non-contradiction really is an absolute certainty.
But, even though we, as human beings, are very frail and finite in both our abilities and understanding, it is true also that the personal, infinite, triune God of the Christian Bible has given us a rational capability to comprehend reality to a limited degree. Thus, He has revealed Himself to us in His Holy Word so that we might study His Word, and thereby gain a small, finite level of understanding concerning His infinite, rational thoughts and actions and attributes. That is why Jesus said:
Matthew 22:37-38
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment. (KJV)
Please note, in this scriptural passage, that the mind was emphasized equally with the heart and soul. That is because God wants us to love and appreciate Him with all of our God-given abilities to the fullest extent possible. Therefore, finite rational mind can meet with the infinite rational Mind and gain a finite, limited appreciation of the infinite rational Mind, God. Accordingly, the logic law of non-contradiction is not an absolute principle that is independent of God, but instead, it is an attribute of God, the infinite Intelligence. So, rationality (i.e., the law of non-contradiction) is an attribute of God, and it is reflected in the nature of His creation. Therefore, because we are rational beings who live in a rational universe created by a rational God, we are free to employ logic by logically concluding that any attack against rationality presupposes rationality, i.e., any attack against the validity of the law of non-contradiction presupposes its validity. That is the very nature of a rational God as reflected in His rational creation, the universe in which we live.
Likewise, people would not truly have freewill if it were possible for God to “see” into the future to “see” our “freewill” decisions. Obviously people would not have freewill, under such hypothetical circumstances, because predestination would require every single thought and action throughout all of eternity to be preprogrammed in its entirety at the outset of creation. In fact, this would deny even God, Himself, the capacity for making freewill decisions of any kind because everything in the universe would be predetermined (unless God completely abstained from any type of interaction with His universe, including everything and everyone in it). Accordingly, God would be a prisoner of predestination, forced to think and act as predestined in advance. Fortunately, a predestinated reality is not taught in God’s Holy Word.
In conclusion, therefore, biblical prophecy is simply a matter of God making prophetic predictions, then ensuring their fulfillment through His infinite Knowledge and Power by manipulating circumstances or directly intervening in the affairs of people. This theological belief is confirmed in the following scriptural passages. Please note that in each passage, it says God “declares” the future, and it happens; nothing is ever said about God “seeing” the future because it has already happened. That explains why the following biblical scriptures talk about “things that are not yet done,” obviously meaning that everything has not already happened even from God’s unique perspective in time:
Isaiah 46:9-10
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, (KJV)
Isaiah 48:3
I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. (KJV)
Isaiah 48:5
I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee... (KJV) (Compare: Micah 5:2; Ps. 41:13; Ps. 90:2).
Sometimes it might be questioned how people could have freewill if God intervenes in the affairs of people, especially when it is necessary to ensure fulfillment of biblical prophecies. But, as we observed in the previous chapter, no moral principle, including freedom, is autonomous to itself. Accordingly, the relationship between Divine interventionism and human freewill becomes a matter of complexity, not logical contradiction. In such instances, our moral duty is to employ the principle of Objective Moral Relativism by balancing competing moral concerns against each other, and then choosing the highest level of good possible under the circumstances. So, whenever moral laws and principles come into direct and unavoidable conflict with each other, and due to circumstances, it is impossible to comply with all of them, it is our moral duty and obligation to comply with the higher objective moral law while violating the lower objective moral law. Thus, if telling a lie was the only reasonable way possible to save an innocent life from death, then obviously you should do so because the higher law (preservation of innocent life) should take precedence over the lower law (truth). Obviously the dynamic interplay between human freewill and Divine interventionism can become quite complex, and sometimes human freewill must even be compromised to one degree or another so that the eternal plan of the Divine Free Will can be accomplished.
However, there are self-imposed Divine rules governing this dynamic tension which can be determined by our knowledge of God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture. For instance, God always respects an individual’s right freely to decide for himself whether or not he will accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. Nor will He ever force someone, against their will, to commit sin or immorality of any kind. Nor will He force someone to do something they would not do anyway of their own volition. Nevertheless, Divine intervention into the affairs of people is the means by which God ensures the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.
9.) Sometimes it is said that biblical scriptures such as the following passages prove that the names of “saved” individuals were written in the “Book of Life” before the world was even created, thus proving the predestination of individuals:
Ephesians 1:3-6
3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:
4 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:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (KJV)
Revelation 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)
First of all, Revelation 13:8 could reasonably be interpreted in several different ways. It could be read as, “Names are not written... from the foundation of the world,” thereby meaning that names were either written or not written into the Book of Life at the foundation of the world. But, it could just as easily be read as, “The book of life of the Lamb slain,” and “The book of life... from the foundation of the world,” meaning that the Book of Life was created by Christ, and also that the Book of Life was created at the foundation of the world. Thus, the scriptural phrase, “The book of life,” would be used to modify two different scriptural phrases adjoining it. We might even interpret it in a third way as, “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,” meaning Christ was slain before the foundation of the world. However, in order to maintain full scriptural harmony and consistency, I believe that the second interpretive option is correct.
Therefore, these passages teach that God knew before the world was created that Jesus would die on the cross for our sins because He was certain that freewill man, tempted by Satan, would fall into sin due to the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of a finite, freewill human nature. That Divine conviction and certainty also explains why God created a “Book of Life” — so that people who chose to obey Him could have their names recorded in it. Obviously if people truly did not have freewill, then it would have been pointless and deceptive of Jesus to warn Christians to remain faithful-and-true or risk having their names blotted out of the Book of Life:
Revelation 3:5
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (KJV)
Revelation 22:19
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (KJV)
10.) One last issue centers on whether or not believers in Christ Jesus have unconditional eternal security or conditional eternal security. However, there are several biblical scriptures which state very clearly that true believers can, indeed, backslide or “fall away” or apostatize from their belief and faith in Christ due to habitual, unrepentant sin:
John 15:1-6, 8-10
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (KJV)
Romans 11:16-24
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 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.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? (KJV)
An honest reading and assessment of the above two symbolic biblical passages clearly demonstrates the truth that any person may be added or grafted into the family of God through Christ Jesus, but that they also can be cut out or taken away after having been grafted in. Furthermore, verse 23 in the second scriptural passage above even continues by saying that “God is able to graff them in again” even after someone has been grafted out previously! Therefore, God can graft someone in, then cut them out later, and then graft them back in again. So, obviously it is possible, then, for someone to backslide from their faith in Christ, but it is also possible for them to become saved once again if they repent of their sins and renew their faith in Christ Jesus. In like manner, the collective implication gleaned from the following scriptural passages is that names may or may not be entered into the Book Of Life, but that if they are entered, they also can be deleted or blotted out later:
Philippians 4:3
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. (KJV)
Revelation 17:8
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life... (KJV)
Revelation 21:27
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (KJV)
Revelation 20:15
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV)
Revelation 22:19
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (KJV)
Revelation 3:5
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (KJV)
The key focus in the scriptural passages above involves our spiritual attitude towards God. Accordingly, we must be completely honest and sincere and repentant about any sins we may commit in the flesh because true Christians should not persist in habitual, unrepentant sin or in an obvious depraved and sinful lifestyle. Instead, there should be evident in our lives a constant, continual attempt to become more “Christ-like” every day, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, because Jesus said that if we love Him, we will obey His commandments. Therefore, if we sin, we should appropriate forgiveness through Christ Jesus Who always stands ready to forgive us so long as we repent sincerely. Moreover, we should resolve in our minds every day that we are absolutely determined to obey God’s commandments to the best of our abilities. Theologians define this ongoing progress towards moral perfection as Progressive Sanctification. So, if we truly believe in Christ Jesus, we will obey His commandments as we strive to be in His Will at all times:
Romans 8:12-14
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (KJV)
I John 1:6-10
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (KJV)
James 2:26
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (KJV)
Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV)
Luke 6:45-46
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (KJV)
But, sooner or later there can come a point in time — after God has chastised us in an attempt to dissuade us from our persistent, unrepentant sin — where God will expunge our name from the Book of Life. Even after a believer’s name has been written into the Book of Life, it can be expunged or blotted out if the believer has sinned, and refuses to repent and appropriate forgiveness through Christ Jesus. Therefore, even though “overcomers” have their names recorded in the Book of Life, it is possible for them to have their names blotted out later. That is why, for instance, God said in one of the symbolic scriptural passages above that “toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” The scriptural definition of an “overcomer” is as follows:
I John 5:1-5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (KJV)
I John 2:1-3, 12-17
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (KJV)
Hebrews 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV)
So, it is possible for a Christian believer to “fall away” from the faith. In Hebrews 6:4-6, we are warned that a believer who has been enlightened by the Holy Spirit to salvation in Christ, and has understood the Word of God comprehensively, and has experienced the power of God in their life, and has even received the gift of the Holy Spirit Baptism, will find it impossible to fall away or apostatize, then later find repentance again through Christ Jesus. That scriptural passage is corroborated in Matthew 12:31, where Jesus stated: “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” (KJV) Therefore, a total denunciation of God by a believer with full knowledge and understanding of biblical and spiritual things, including blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, leaves that person in a most precarious position, indeed.
Luke 8:13
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (KJV)
Luke 15:24
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (KJV)
II Thessalonians 2:3
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed. (KJV)
I Timothy 4:1
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (KJV)
The preceding scriptural passages obviously teach that an individual can “backslide” or “fall away” or apostatize, thereby losing his salvation in Christ Jesus. Therefore, these biblical scriptures completely invalidate both the “predestination” and the “once saved, always saved” theological theories. Here is what the apostle Paul added regarding this issue:
I Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (KJV)
Strong’s Hebrew-Greek Dictionary defines the word “castaway,” in verse 27 above, as meaning “unapproved, i.e., rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally).” Therefore, Paul is saying that he fights against evil desires, temptations and inappropriate appetites of the flesh so that, after helping others find salvation through Christ Jesus, he does not fall into habitual, unrepentant sin, himself, and then lose his own personal salvation by becoming a castaway or reject or reprobate. Please note that Paul is not (correctly) saying here that his earthly deeds might possibly run the risk of rejection at the Judgment Seat of Christ due to wrong motives on his part (II Cor. 5:10), but that he himself might be rejected because of habitual or unrepentant sin in his life. On that basis, then, it is possible for a person to fall into habitual or unrepentant sin, and thereby risk becoming a moral castaway. That is why it will be possible for many Christians to backslide or apostatize during the Final Great Apostasy which will occur immediately before the Rapture when the Bible predicts that Antichrist will destroy people, spiritually, through world peace and prosperity.
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