In a previous blog I wrote about “Predestination and Free Will”. I believe that Christians who don’t accept the Bible’s teaching on predestination are forfeiting the great assurance and comfort that this doctrine affords. On the one hand, I think they may misunderstand God’s sovereignty, and on the other hand, human free will. If God is sovereign, surely salvation is 100% all of God. If we are utterly sinful, surely we will not use our free will to turn to God.
In our current series on Revelation there is a fascinating verse that speaks to this topic. Revelation 13:8 speaks about non-Christians, those who worship the beast, as those “whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain”.
I hope you’ll excuse some technical discussion, but the verse has some complications in translation regarding the Greek. A perusal of different English translations will illustrate this. I’ll try and give a literal Greek translation: “it has not been written the name of him in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world”. One can see from the ESV translation above that it has connected the final words “from the foundation of the world” with almost the start of the sentence, with the word “written”. This clearly teaches predestination.
Some would argue however that this translation is incorrect and that the phrase “from the foundation of the world” describes “the Lamb who was slain”, which comes immediately before. That is, the Lamb was slain from the beginning of the world. God’s plan for Jesus to die on the cross and pay the penalty for our sins was ordained before creation. This is indeed true (1 Peter 1:18-20). And it would be unusual for the phrase “from the foundation of the world” to be separated so far in the Greek from “it has not been written”. So those who argue that against the ESV translation could be correct.
However, Revelation 17:8 speaks of “the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world”. There is no issue here with the order of the words, as in chapter 13. This verse clearly teaches predestination. So it is likely that the ESV translation of Revelation 13:8 is quite correct. Even if it isn’t, the point it makes still stands anyway in Revelation 17:8.
That is, here is a verse, most likely two verses, that clearly teach predestination, as do many other verses in the New Testament. Those who refuse to repent, who refuse the gospel, do not have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life from the foundation of the world. Christians however do have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life before creation. God predestined you and me to accept the good news of Jesus and be saved before creation! What a great comfort this teaching is.
6 Comments
Candle in the Darkness
Surely this just says that the book of life was created at the foundation of the world.
It’s not so clear that the names were written at that time.
Perhaps the names were/will be witten later?
This seems to suggest predestination is not so clear.
Martin Pakula (Author)
Hi there. Thanks for your comment. Actually the ESV says: “everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world”. That makes it clear that we are talking about before creation, and we are talking about the names being written then. Quite clear don’t you think? I’m not trying to be narky – it’s just there plainly in black and white.
Candle in the Darkness
But you said in the first part “Some would argue however that this translation is incorrect and that the phrase “from the foundation of the world” describes “the Lamb who was slain”, which comes immediately before.” and “So those who argue that against the ESV translation could be correct.”
Martin Pakula (Author)
Yes, that is true. So the ESV translation here may not be right. I think it is correct myself. But my point was that even if it isn’t, you get the same point in Revelation 17:8.
Brian Solomon
You just háve to believe , many who were and are non christians to a greater extent believed .as someone said you don,t have to be a christian to call on gods name, all have no distinguishment.Belief is is the major requirement, believe in gods name and you shall be saved nothing there, about denomination, caste ,race or religion. P.s those to be saved will be like the sands on the seashore uncheckable,saul was saved
Craig Baxter
Hello Brian, I appreciate your comment. It is important to understand what god you believe in. Belief by itself does not save, but belief in Christ to save you from you sins is the way of salvation. We need to understand who I am (a sinner), who God is (holy and just), and what He has provided to reconcile me to Himself (Christ).