The Revelation verse does not support this flawed notion of an arbitrary God who capriciously decides eternal suffering for some. What it does support is exactly what we saw in the Romans verse. Those He foreknew, He pre-destined. Sometimes it seems like we are having the classic conversation about the chicken and the egg. You only get to pre-destination through foreknowledge. One of the attributes of God which no theologian would ever disagree with is justice. We serve a just God. There is absolutely nothing just about consigning people to eternal damnation just "because." I view those who believe in pre-destination so callously as the same who cheer the false teaching of a pre-tribulation rapture. It is such a convenient doctrine that protects those who hold the belief at the expense of everyone who might not. So yes, the names of those who are saved are written in the book of life before the foundation of the world but after He had already foreknew. It is really not that complicated. Only when we try to trap God within our own limited understanding of time can we create such poor doctrine. The Bible says He is above our notion of time. The Ephesians verse present more of a challenge hermeneutically until you step back and take in the entire context.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. - Ephesians 1: 11-14 (ESV)
The five point teachings of Calvinism insists that we have no part to play whatsoever in salvation. That God pre-decided our fate. I understand the genesis for wanting such theology. Far too many liberal denominations make it all about man. The modern altar call theology teaches that we choose God. That we invite God to come into our hearts. That we allow God to be Lord of our lives. This is of course narcissistic at best and utter nonsense. It is God that offers the free gift of salvation to all mankind. That is what the Bible clearly teaches. While few find the narrow path, God's will is that all would come. The Bible teaches that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. It is the preached Gospel that is the power of God unto the salvation of men. What happens supernaturally when the reprobate mind hears the Gospel is the Holy Spirit draws the person. It is entirely a work of God - on that we can agree with the Calvinist. The reaction to that draw however is a work of man. Look at the expanded context of the very verses MacArthur thinks proves his point. There are two things we had to do. We had to hope in Christ and believe in Him! Look at the progression offered in these verses for salvation. We hear the Word of Truth, the Gospel of our salvation. It doesn't say then that if we were predestined we are saved. No, the next step is simple. We must believe in Him! Notice the third step is the sealing of the Holy Spirit. You do not get there without first believing. You do not get the inheritance until you believe. That belief is not forced upon us. It is not pre-decided from the foundations of the earth. It is a result of the preached Gospel. If it is all just pre-chosen from long ago, why is the seal the third step and only contingent upon belief? In order to believe in true Calvinism, as MacArthur does, you must believe God has created an earth filled with robots who have no choice but to believe if He pre-decided they would or go to hell if He pre-decided that. It strips God of His just nature and kindness. The Calvinist would argue back that I do not believe in His sovereignty but that is a silly argument. I do not doubt that God COULD decide to do things the way Calvinists believe. He is after all God. I trust that He will not because He will not contradict His Word.
The Bible is a story of a loving God who sacrificed His only Son so that His fallen creature could once again be reconciled unto Him. All of that is out the window with five point Calvinism. Instead we get a whimsical God who pre-decides eternal suffering for the majority of His creation for no reason whatsoever. Without justice. Without mercy. Without love. A God who sacrificed His Son for only a select few. I do not know how someone reads the Bible and sees that kind of God. Maybe it is easier when you fancy yourself on the approved list already. So Joel Osteen's doctrine of temporal favor is certainly in error. How much more so though is a doctrine of eternal favor?
Reverend Anthony Wade - October 12, 2015
