Unveiling of God no 87

Two Vines - Definitions of Twins, Election and Predestination

March 31, 2019

Brian Kocourek, Pastor

In order to better understand the subject of Twins or what brother Branham called the two vines, we brought out the definitions of several words including foreknowledge, el3ection and predestination.

We pointed out that brother Branham himself avoided the use of the word predestination out among mixed audiences which are mostly audiences untrained in the Word.

He said in his sermon Questions and answers COD 59-1223 P:67 103 ...let's just start reading here at Ephesians the 1st chapter. Now, the first thing, I want to say this, that "predestination" is a bad word for a minister to use before an untrained congregation. See? It is. I don't use it. Sometimes here at the church... But out in the audiences, out in the big... Where everything's piled in from everything, I watch that word. I always use the word foreknowledge, because predestination is only the foreknowledge of God. God being infinite, by foreknowledge He knew everything, or He isn't infinite. See, see? He knew what would happen. So by foreknowledge He could predestinate.

But to make the words as simple to understand as possible let's just look at what each means.

The word "Foreknowledge" is made up of two words. The prefix "Fore" which means "before hand", and the word "gnosis" which simply means "knowledge".

So you see it is having a knowledge before-hand.

Now, the doctrine of Foreknowledge does not simply state that God has a knowledge before-hand. Some try to say that God being omniscient knows the end from the beginning. But God does not deal haphazardly.

Ensign an 62-0119 P:25 And you just can't take a haphazard something and have faith in it, because it's not proven. So the most proven thing that we could take a base upon for faith would be the Word of God. For faith cometh by hearing, and hearing of the word of God, because it's God's Word.

God's covenant with Abraham 56-0223 P:15 Now, Jesus didn't come to Calvary just for a haphazard thought, "Well, I'll die up there; perhaps maybe somebody will feel sorry for me and come down and get saved." No, no, God don't run His office like that.

Supernatural the 56-0129 P:34 God never come for just any haphazard way. Prayer is not a perhaps. Prayer is a sincere thing. Prayer is talking to God. Prayer is not get down, shut your eyes, and thinking about your washing or your work you're doing, say, "Lord, help me and John, and heal Miss Jones and so forth." That's not prayer. That's repeating some words. But prayer is to come into an atmosphere where you realize that you're in the Presence of God and you're moving to then in the deepest of sincerity. First you say a little worship, "O Jehovah, how I love You." You see it? Then after the worship of prayer, then you come with a sincere heart asking."If ye abide in Me," not go out from behind the curtains in the world today and run around and try to get back in the curtains tonight. "If ye abide in Me, My words abide in you..." Otherwise, if you're like Aaron's rod that's pulled up to the Shekinah Glory by the golden pot of manna where you can eat it any time... And your soul is refreshed and blooming and yielding. Abiding. "If ye abide in Me, My words abide in you, then ask what you will, it'll be given to you."

Br. Branham is quoting Jesus in John 15:7 here, and there's nothing haphazard about that. To abide as Jesus tells us here means there are parameters and boundaries and constraints that you live within. The Greek word for abide is the Greek word "meno"and it is a primary verb which means: to stay (in a given place, a certain state, or a certain relation or expectancy):--abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), So we are talking about a fixed condition, a fixed surrounding, a fixed atmosphere, a fixed presence. And in each of these definitions, we see fixed limits. As a place has a fixed conditions, walls, roof etc, and a relationship has a fixed set of standards, or as we see the Doxa of God are his opinions, values, and judgments. So if you are fixed in His opinions, values and judgments, then you are fixed in a relationship with God and His Word.

And we read in 2 John 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought or worked for, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, (or goes beyond the limits) and abideth not (or is not remaining) in the (boundaries and limits of the) doctrine of Christ, hath not God. (That word hath is the Greek word echo, which means the same as the English Word Echo. And in order to echo you must have or receive it first and then give back what you have received back.) He that abideth (dwells in or remains) in the doctrine of Christ, he hath (echoes) both the Father and the Son.

So what brother Branham in quoting Jesus in John 15:7 he is letting us know there is nothing haphazard about abiding in Christ. It is your full time dwelling in his presence, your complete 100% commitment to that relationship, and then your fulfilling that, God will give you what you ask for.

Brother Branham said from his sermon Inter veil 56-0121 P:22 And Jesus said, "No man can come to Me except the Father draws Him first." It's nothing you can do about it. And Jesus didn't come to the Calvary to die for a haphazard purpose. He didn't come there and say, "Well, maybe, I'll die; it'll be so pathetic to some people will see that I died, and maybe they'll come and serve the Lord. Jesus come for a specific purpose to redeem those who God by foreknowledge elected to come to Him. That's correct.

So foreknowledge is not a haphazard thing with God. It is not just a knowledge before hand as we see in a couple of Scriptures. where this word "foreknowledge" is used.

1 Peter 1:2 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. Notice they are elect but there is a process they must go through. and God uses predestination to make sure all things work together for the good of those who are the called, the elected.

Romans 8: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Now, this is really beautiful because it shows that those whom he foreknew, or proginosko, which means he not only knew before hand but watched over with an active participation are the ones he predestines or equips by the following means.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: (so the calling comes before the predestinating) and whom he called, them he also justified: (so then only the called ones which are the ones he knows before hand with an experiential knowing, these are the ones he calls then justifies) and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

And what does that mean? glorified is "endoxazo' which means he places His doxa IN your Zoe. His Doxa, His opinions, Values, and judgments, the very mind of Christ, He places IN your zoe. En = In, doxa = opinions, values, and judgments, and Zo or ZOE which is your life.

That is how God can know your end before you ever came to the world. He placed His Seed in you. But others He ordained before hand to this condemnation,

Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now James uses the word prographo to describe this fore ordination that takes place, not the word proginosko which is only used of God's elect Seed. Because ginosko means to know with an intimate experiential knowing, whereas the word prographo to write previously; figuratively, to announce, prescribe:--before ordain, evidently set forth, write (afore, aforetime).

So these are written into the plan but not as over-comers, but rather as those fit to be destroyed.

And then Paul puts it all in perspective when he ads, 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Notice therefore, it is not foreknowledge alone, because foreknowledge with no action is passive. But once you add the word Elect in the same thought structure you are no longer looking at a passive thing here, but an active participation on the part of God, and that is the thing I want you to understand. He promised to never leave you nor forsake you. and that promise is only for them that have received it and believe it.

Too many people think, ok, so God knows the end from the beginning, and because he knows that you will make the right choice then he can elect. And to think that takes the purpose and plan of God out of the story altogether and makes your choice greater than God's election.

Then all that God would be doing would be a haphazard plan at best as though he is just reading the end of the book and then makes his decision based upon the outcome which he had nothing to do with. That would be a very haphazard thing to do. Because then God has no input into the storyline and finish at all.

But we read in the Book of Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

The Greek word for "determinate counsel" that was used in this Scripture is the word "horizo", and it means "to mark out" to appoint, decree, or specify, to declare, determine, limit, ordain. So there is nothing passive or haphazard about this at all. each of these definitions shows God setting boundaries, limitations, decrees, appointing and ordaining.

None of these words would suggest that God only looked at the end of the book, and said based upon how well you ran the race I will choose you as the winner.

Good grief brothers and sisters, what kind of God would He be if He was not only the author but never the finisher of the race.

In Hebrews 12: 2 we are told he is both "the author and the finisher of our Faith".

And the Apostle Paul tells us this is where we can have confidence we will make it to the end.

Because if you had to do it yourself how you ever going to make it when we backslide daily. Look at Paul's Words in Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, (what thing Paul?) that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

So who will perform the work in you? The same one who began it.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Now, Paul, how in the world can we work out our own salvation? And then he says, 13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. So therefore, If it is truly God who is working in you to will and then to do, then he adds, 14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: In other words, give God the glory and just shut up.

Look, God doesn't change, He is the same yesterday today and forever. He said the same thing to Jeremiah the prophet thousands of years ago as we see in Jeremiah 1:12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Now getting back to the word foreknowledge which we are studying today, we know the Greek word is "prognosis" and it simply means "fore-thought". To know before-hand. It is made up of two words: the prefix "pro" which means in front of, prior, or before-hand, and gnosis which means to know.

But there is also another word that is used in Scripture to teach us the same thing and this is a much better word, for it is "Proginosko" and again it is made up of two words the first being the same prefix "pro" meaning before hand, and then the word "ginosko" which does not means to know as if my mental cognition, but it actually means to know experientially.

Mary used this word when she said to the angel Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

This word is "ginosko", and what she is saying here is not that she never knew any men mentally or to know them by having seen them, but she uses this specific word because she is saying, How can I have a child having never known a man experientially.

We see this word pro-ginosko used in the next few verses, showing that this knowing is not just a passive thing, but an experiential thing with God.

Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed (see, there are your parameters that he set up, to be conformed) to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Notice that the word foreknow without the process of election and predestination would totally be passive with God having no active participation involved at all. But that is the not way the Scripture speaks in terms of God foreknowing. The Scripture places the foreknowing together with an electing or foreordaining and then predestinating the path and outcome.

We see this in 1 Peter 1:20 where the same Greek word "proginosko" is translated as the word foreordained. "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

And in the same way peter tells us that seeing we know these things before hand there should also be an active participation on our part as well. 2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Now, the best example I know of that speaks of God having an active participation in the lives of His Elect Seed beside what Paul has said in Philippians 2 where "it is God who is working in us both to will and to do", we can find in Psalm 1.

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way (derek, the course of life) of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Notice, the man that is blessed does not abide with the unbeliever, he abides with Christ. Then we read on in verse 2 that He delights in the Word of the Lord.

2 But his delight (the man that is blessed,) his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Now, this word that was translated as the word law is not what we usually perceive as law. In fact it was translated from the Hebrew word torah,

From a website called Ancient Hebrew Research Center we read, "A hebraic definition of Torah is "a set of Instructions, from a father to his children, violation of these instructions are disciplined in order to foster obedience and train his children". Notice how the word Torah is translated in the New International Version translation in the following passages.

"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching [Torah]." (Proverbs 1:8)

"My son, do not forget my teaching [Torah], but keep my commands in your heart".(Proverbs 3:1)

"The purpose of a parents Torah is to teach and bring the children to maturity."

I hope you can see here that we are actually looking at the law of adoption.

The article goes on: "If the Torah is violated out of disrespect or defiant disobedience, the child is punished. If the child desires to follow the instructions out of a loving obedience but falls short of the expectations, the child is commended for the effort and counseled on how to perform the instructions better the next time. 

I would like to add here that if you notice that the motives and objectives of the child is more important to the parent than the mere application of the instructions given to the child. So the instructions, (the Torah) is more about molding and shaping the motives and objectives of the child.

The article continues: "Unlike Torah, law is a set of rules from a government and binding on a community. Violation of the rules require punishment. With this type of law, there is no room for teaching, either the law was broken with the penalty of punishment or it was not broken. God, as our heavenly Father, gives his children his Torah in the same manner as parents give their Torah to their children, not in the manner as a government does to its citizens.

"Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your Torah" (Psalms 94:12)

Ok, so let's see how this applies to the man that is blessed that David speaks about in Psalm 1:

Psalm 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way (derek, the course of life) of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2  But his delight (the man that is blessed,) his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Notice hi delight is in the fathers instructions,... His motive and objectives is to do the will of His Heavenly Father.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Then David contrasts the man that is blessed by God with the man who is ungodly.

4  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Now to this point we see how one man who is blessed has his attitude right. His motives, and objectives is to study the instructions of Hi Father and because he does he is blessed in all he does. But notice the ungodly which are those who according to the Hebrew definition of the word "rasha", are those without God, those who would make trouble, those who would violate and do wickedness, those who would disturb and do wrong.

Notice their motives and objectives is not peace and obedience but it is to make havoc with all that is not to their liking. But what makes these two so different? We find our answer in the very next verse.

6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Now the word "knoweth" here is translated from the Hebrew word "yada" and is much like the Greek word "proginosko", and it means "to watch over with an active participation." to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing, teaching etc.

Another word we want to understand is the definition of the word "TWINS" which speaks of the two vines. The definition of Twins as an adjective which is a word we use to describe things is "being two persons or things closely related to or closely  resembling each other. Two Children  both having the same mother but not necessarily of the same father. And remember woman always represents the church.

The Bible doctrine of Twins shows many illustrations throughout scripture where we see two opposing forces who often fought against one another or opposed one another. One was a carnal believer and the other a spiritual believer.

In the Bible we see examples of Twins in "Cain and Abel", "Jacob and Esau", "Balaam and Moses", "Jesus and Judas", "Simon Peter and Simon the sorcerer", etc.

From his sermon Hearing, Receiving and Acting  60-0607  E-16   We hear brother Branham tells us of the doctrine of Twins.  "So we find out, that in every revival that's ever been born in the world, it produces twins. That's right. Every revival has twins. They have a bunch in there that's carnal believers and a bunch of spiritual believers. Every revival produces that: an Esau and Jacob. And as they go along, first thing you know, the carnal begins to think, "Well, these guys are getting off of the deep end. I better separate myself from them." They go back to the intellectual part. They want a pastor that'll speak to them of pleasant things. They don't want that Spirit-filled pastor, that'll obey the Holy Spirit from the platform, just preach the Word just like It is. As John said, "Lay the axe to the root of the tree and let the chips fall where it will." Most of the churches today will vote that out of their pulpit. That's right. It'll come a separation, always does that. It did it in the Methodist age; it did it in the Baptist age; it did it in the Pentecostal age; it'll do it in every age.

From his sermon Ephesian Church Age 60-1205  90 brother Branham said, "Now, we find out that they wanted to start and get into a form of godliness. Now, I could stop right here and say something: believe I will, Did you notice that every revival... Now, minister brethren, you check this. Every revival produces twins, just as Jacob and Rebekah produced twins: Esau and Jacob. I mean Isaac and Rebekah, instead of Jacob. Isaac and Rebekah produced twins. Their father was holy; the mother was holy; but they had two boys born: Esau and Jacob. Now, both of them was religious. But Esau, when it come to works and deeds, as a good legalist, he was probably a better boy all the way around than Jacob was. Did you know that?

From his sermon Ephesian Church Age 60-1205 113  brother Branham said,  "Now, as I said to begin, 'fore we start off on this again, every revival produces a pair of twins. One is a spiritual man; the other one is a natural man of the earth, "I joined the church; I'm just as good as anybody." And that's what this revival produced. That's what, every revival. That's what Luther's produced; that's what Irenaeus' produced; that's what Saint Martin's produced; that's what Columba's produced; that's what Wesley's produced; and that's what Pentecost produced. Just exactly. You see how they've gone to seed,

Now, listen to what he just said, "every revival produces Twins" and then he says, "And that's what this revival produced. That's what, every revival."

So the Message he preached is no different. And then when br. Vayle came and began to teach the Parousia-Presence of the Lord, which was the Appearing before the Coming that brother Branham talked so much about, that produced Twins as well. And then when brother Vayle began to delineate upon the Godhead, that produced Twins again as well again. You can't get around it brothers and sisters. We have had to deal with that. And every time God turns a corner with his people, and a revival fire begins to burn within the church of the living God, you will see Twins as well for brother Branham mentioned... And that's what this revival produced. That's what, every revival. That's what Luther's produced; that's what Irenaeus' produced; that's what Saint Martin's produced; that's what Columba's produced; that's what Wesley's produced; and that's what Pentecost produced. Just exactly. You see how they've gone to seed,

And then from his sermon Mark of the Beast 61-0217  E-31 Now, therefore the great church making itself ready. We find out that Esau and Jacob, before either child was born, God said He loved one and hated the other. And remember, they were twins: same mother, same father. Get it? Twins. Every revival produces twins. Certainly does. There's twins born in natural man and the spiritual man. It was back in the garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, the same thing. Started from there, just keeps coming on down. And look at the church, Jesus the Pastor, Judas the treasurer, brothers, out of the same tribe, so forth, right in the same group, same church. One the Pastor, and the other one the treasurer. One a devil and one God. That's the way it goes. Jesus said, "In the last days the two spirits would be so close it would deceive the very elected if it was possible." Amen. If it was possible, but it isn't. And They'll never do it. All right.

Questions and Answers 59-1223  496-123 Before there was a world you were in God's thoughts to give you the Holy Ghost, because He knew that you'd be wanting It; and He chose you Himself because you desired... He chose you in Christ before you or Jesus, any of you, was on the earth. And He sent Jesus to die to prepare the way to send the Holy Ghost, to bring you to Himself. Oh, that's just... I know I may... This is the church, so I'm at home now. See? Oh, that is so rich to me. To think it's not what I wanted; it wasn't my desires; it wasn't my will; it wasn't my choosing; I had not one thing to do with it. But before the world ever started, God saw us and put our name on the Lamb's Book of Life before there even was a world. Talk about God. Whew.

497-127    Which is it? A Angel's a servant. We're sons and daughters. Which is the most thought of, your servant or your son or daughter? Oh, my. Prayer from a saint will go a million times higher than an Angel (Yes, sir.), because he's a son. Oh, whew, that's right, my brother, sister.  You don't... The church, I don't believe this side of eternity how we'll ever realize that what you are, the position that you are, that God has placed you, you Spirit-filled people. You're sons of God. Why, Angel's a servant. You're a son. An Angel can only bring you a message, but you have to act. Amen. You're the actor on the scene. You're the son. The Angels are servants to bring you the message. Said here, "I brought you this message for you to do so-and-so. This is from Father. I bring it to you." Yes. That's all it is. Amen. You're sons and daughters of God. Predestinated us... Now, watch just a minute.  According as he hath chosen us... (Now, we didn't choose... How could I choose Him? Four hundred billion, million, billion, trillion years ago, how could I have chose Him? But He chose me. Amen. Oh, Brother Wood, that's it. See?)... chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy... (Now, don't try to make it yourself, 'cause you can't.)... and without blame before him in love: Oh, brother, that will answer a question I seen in here just a few minutes ago. Somewhere I seen it just... Oh, yes. You said, "How could a man live above, live so close to God he would be without sin." Listen to this:  ... holy... from the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  498-129    His love did it. His love paid for my sins. His love taken it away. Love is the most powerful force there is.

Why Cry Speak 63-0714M  7-4 Many times when we look at the Scriptures in our own way of looking, it seems very hard, but if we study a little while, we find out that the all-wise God knows just what He's doing. And He knows how to do these things and how to deal with men. He knows what's in man. He knows him. We don't. We only know from the intellectual side. He knows what's really in the man. Moses was born in this world as a gifted boy; He was born to be a prophet, a deliverer. He was born with the equipment born in him, as every man that comes into the world is born with this equipment. As I firmly believe in the foreknowledge of God, the predestination, not that God is willing that any would perish, but all might come to repentance; but being God, He had to know, and does know the end from the beginning. See? If He doesn't, then He isn't infinite; and if He is not infinite, He isn't God. So He wasn't willing, certainly, that any should perish, but He, knowing who would perish and who would not perish...

Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Ok, so far we have looked at the definitions of Foreknowledge and Twins, but we need to look at Election and Predestination as well. For as I said before Foreknowledge by itself is passive, but God's plan is not passive, God's plan is filled with an active participation, even to the point of Him stepping in on the scene to make sure things get done.

Therefore, After he thought about us for an eternity in the past be began to formulate his plan and in order to get us to the end he had to elect us and then predestinate our path.

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Psalms 37:23 The steps of the righteous are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Now, let's examine what the words Elect or the ELECTION mean: To Select out, to choose, to appoint, hence to make a choice, To choose involves as process of  previewing or showing forth, then an assessment, opinion or judgment is expressed and then the selection is made based upon the assessment, opinion or judgment which is what the Greek Word  DOXA means which is translated to us as the Glory of God.

Isaiah 42:1 ¶  Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 45:4  For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

Isaiah 65:9  And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

Isaiah 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat:  for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

Psalms 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 ¶  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Look at the language of twins that Jesus speaks to the Pharisees in John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

And again the language and the tension between the two Vines as we skip down to verse. 37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:   13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. so if it was not our will, nor our blood, nor our choosing, then how can you say God knowing the end from the beginning knew who would and who would not. Election is based on one thing and one thing alone, God. For either God chose you in Him before the foundations of the world or He did not. And if He chose you to be a son, then he prepared you to be a son, and the greatest and most simple way to explain predestination is to look at a seed. And we know the son of Man went forth sowing and the seeds that he sowed were the children of the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Romans 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Every seed has in it every attribute and characteristics for it to manifest itself as whatever seed its life has come from. For Genesis 1:11 tells us the law of life is that every seed will bring forth after its kind.

Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Job 38:4 ¶  Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.  5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?  6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;  7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Matthew 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

I Peter 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

I Thessalonians 1:2 ¶  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

II Thessalonians 2:13 ¶  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

I John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Lamentations 3:37 ¶  Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

Psalms 65:4  Blessed [is the man whom] thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee, that] he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, [even] of thy holy temple.

Now, in closing let's examine the word PREDESTINATE.. Greek Proorizo  to predetermine, to determine before, to ordain, predestinate, to limit in advance.

Romans 8:29 For those whom He has known beforehand He has also pre-destined to bear the likeness of His Son, that He might be the Eldest in a vast family of brothers; 8:30 and those whom He has pre-destined He also has called; and those whom He has called He has also declared free from guilt; and those whom He has declared free from guilt He has alsocrowned with glory.

Ephesians 1:3 ¶  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. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Matthew 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Marl 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.

Colossians 3:12 ¶  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14    And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Titus 1:1 ¶ Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;  2    In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

I Peter 1:2 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.

I Peter 2:6 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.

II John 1:1 ¶ The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

haireomai {hahee-reh'-om-ahee} AV  -- choose (3)  1) to take for oneself, to prefer, choose  2) to choose by vote, elect to office

PRE-DESTINATE :  pre meaning before, and destine meaning destiny. To Pre-determine. To determine beforehand. Pre-destiny. Again we see that to predetermine means to mark out and determine beforehand. Therefore, chance is negated altogether. Design becomes supreme. Choosing beforehand is essential and indispensable.  The word determine not only implies influence but the power necessary to control or enforce the outcome desired.

We can see by all these words that a Design, and thus a Designer is evident. Nothing is left to chance, which is chaos theory. Nothing is left to coincidence, nothing is left to will, nothing is left to the strength of the pre-destined, nothing is left up to the abilities of the predestined ones, but all by a great design is planned out and back by a power to ensure it through its final outcome. Hence all is under a continual enforcement and control  of the One doing the predestinating. Therefore, a plan is involved, and a destiny is set in stone.

Isaiah 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:   28    And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

I Corinthians 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Romans 9:9  For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10  And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 ¶  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Then knowing we have a God Who is Sovereign, One Who changes not, and Who chooses right, and does right, (Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?) One Whose Word is Eternal and immutable, One whose first choice is His best choice, then it is This One Who has Chosen. It is this One Who has planned out the destiny of all man. It is This One Who has predetermined our destiny, even before we had a chance to do good or evil as Paul speaks of in Romans 9.

Let us pray...