Ezekiel 36:23 (God's Name among the Nations)

Ezekiel 36:23

I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth," (Isaiah 40:28). He is in control of all things (Daniel 4:35), and is before all things (Isaiah 43:10). When He makes a promise, He seals that promise by Himself, "since there is no one greater for Him to swear by," (Hebrews 6:13). There is no power or person on earth who can match up to God, for "before Him all the nations are as nothing," (Isaiah 40:17). God is the greatest, and He is zealous for this reputation (Exodus 34:14). He will not let His name or likeness be tarnished, even though people attempt to do this everyday. They try to demean God, saying, "God is not good," or mock Him, saying, "God is a joke." They may also try to defame Him, saying, "God is not worthy of worship, but I am. I am above God." In response to this, God promises, "I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations," and "the nations will know that I am the Lord," (Ezekiel 36:23).

When God is equated to something or someone that
is lesser than Him, it makes a mockery of God.
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows," (Galatians 6:7).

People should be careful what they show or say about God. The Scriptures teach, "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few," (Ecclesiastes 5:2). One day, God will rightfully repay everyone who tried to discredit or defame Him (Deuteronomy 32:35). God will be just towards His profaners, but He also wants to show them grace (Luke 23:34). It is written, "the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice," (Isaiah 30:18). Right now, God is holding back His righteous anger, so He can forgive everyone who apologizes for their flippant words (1 John 1:9). This is one reason why He says in Isaiah chapter 48 from verses 9 to 11:

For My own name’s sake I delay My wrath;

    for the sake of My praise I hold it back from you,

    so as not to destroy you completely.

See, I have refined you, though not as silver;

    I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

For My own sake, for My own sake, I do this.

    How can I let Myself be defamed?

    I will not yield My glory to another.

God is above all creation, and "in Him all things hold
together," (Colossians 1:17). "Who is like the LORD
our God, the One who sits enthroned
on high,"(Psalm 113:5).

It not only matters how people respond to God, but it especially matters how the world's leaders respond to Him. This was shown during the time of the prophets, written in the books of Isaiah through Malachi. 

At this time, God had His prophets write down His words. One of these prophets gave a scroll of God's words to Jehoiakim the king of Judah. When Jehoiakim read this scroll, he burned it up. To this, God responded, "I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness," (Jeremiah 36:31). God even sent His prophets to the rulers of ungodly nations. The Lord sent the prophet Jeremiah to the kings of the middle east, asking them if they would obey God (Jeremiah 25:15-26). When these kings refused, the Lord said, "You will not go unpunished," (Jeremiah 25:29).

Stone etching of king Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon

God rebukes the rulers who attempt to defame Him, but just as with everyone else God also longs to show them grace. To king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who worshiped his own might and glory (Daniel 4:30), God made him "live with the wild animals," and "eat grass like an ox" for seven years (Daniel 4:32). After this time passed, Nebuchadnezzar "raised his eyes toward heaven, and his sanity was restored. Then he praised the Most High," (Daniel 4:34). Afterwards, God restored Nebuchadnezzar "to his throne and he became even greater than before," (Daniel 4:36). Because of this, Nebuchadnezzar "praised and exalted and glorified the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble," (Daniel 4:37).

God is still concerned with how the world's rulers speak of Him, and today's rulers appear to say an awful lot about God. Consider how in recent news two of the United States' leaders addressed God concerning their current situations.

When presidential nominee Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt on his life, he made some comments on this event. Speaking at the Republican National Convention, Trump said, "I’m not supposed to be here tonight," and "I’ll tell you. I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God." The Bible says, "all the days ordained for me were written in God's book before one of them came to be," (Psalm 139:16) and not even a sparrow "falls to the ground outside your Father’s care," (Matthew 10:29). It is also true that all men deserve to die for their sins (Romans 1:32, 3:23). No one should be spared, but God in His grace is able to save anyone (Ephesians 2:4-5). Based on its context and taken at its word, Trump's statement on God's grace is an overall accurate one.

In other news, former presidential nominee Joe Biden was asked if he was planning on stepping down from reelection. Biden responded to ABC news, "If the Lord almighty came out to say 'Joe get out of the race' I'll get out of the race. The Lord almighty's not coming down." The Bible says, "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign" (Matthew 16:4), so Biden's demand for a sign is something God denounces. Biden's comment also positions God in a place where He has to come down and answer to Biden. It portrays God telling Biden what to do, rather than Biden seeking the wisdom of the "wonderful counselor," (Isaiah 9:6). Furthermore, Biden did step down, but in his official statement he made no mention of receiving God's word or praying about his decision.

While these news stories may only be two brief instances in world history, they juxtapose how world leaders can address God. They can choose to yield glory to Him or they can try to steal some of God's glory for themselves.

George Washington, the first leader of the United
States, reportedly prayed to God everyday, and
requested that the nation, "most humbly offer
prayers and supplications to the great Lord
and Ruler of nations and beseech Him to
pardon our national and other transgressions,"
as well as "render unto Him our sincere and
humble thanks—for His kind care and
protection of the people of
this country."

What the nations' rulers say of God is just as important as what anyone says about God. This is because everyone who lived will at some point have to "give an account of themselves to God," (Romans 14:12). They will have to justify all their words, or fall on the mercy of the name "above every name," (Philippians 2:9). The angels say of God, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory," (Isaiah 6:3). Right now, God is keeping the fullness of His glory hidden, but one day all the earth will see Him as He truly is. On that day "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father," (Philippians 2:10-11).

Remember, God has said of all the nations,
"By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all
integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before Me
every knee will bow; by Me every tongue
will swear," (Isaiah 45:23).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Living Waters: Biden causes Blasphemy (inspired by)
• George Washington: Thanksgiving Proclamation and Prayer

Does God Like Me?

"I know God loves me, but does God like me?" It seems the answer to this question should be obvious. Yet, sometimes it is not clear if God really does like someone. It is, however, clear that God loves everyone. In good old John 3:16 it is written that God loves the world, but loving and liking do not always go together. For example, Jesus says His followers should "love their enemies," (Matthew 5:44). Jesus also says His followers' enemies will hate them (Matthew 10:22) and want to arrest them (Mark 13:11). Now, who in their right mind would like someone who hates them and puts them in chains? It is more than possible that God could love someone without liking them, which is why the question remains, "Does God like me?" Well, what's the answer?

Liking someone and loving them is not the same thing. While love looks past an individual to cross over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), liking directly focuses on an individual. Whether someone likes someone else, is a matter of similarity and preferences. Liking someone usually involves having shared interests or similar traits. People who enjoy watching the same sports, movies or TV-shows will probably want to hang around each other. Additionally, people who admire the same things or think in similar fashion will enjoy each other's company. How much people have in common helps determine whether they will like each other.

People often like each other, because they are like
each other. In other words, liking someone
often relates to how similar someone is
to someone else.

This is also true of God. He likes people who admire what He admires, think how He thinks or act as He acts. This is written all throughout Scripture, but sometimes it is a bit hard to tell. One reason for this is that most Bible verses do not use the word "like" but use a more Biblical term, "delight." When someone sees that God's "delight" in someone is the Bible's way of saying "God likes them," suddenly the picture of God's preferences becomes clear.

God's delight in His people is abundant in the book of Psalms. Take Psalm 18, for instance. In it the author calls on God to save him, and then writes, "God rescued me because He delighted in me," (18:6,19). Why did God delight in the author? Because the author acknowledged God as his savior. Similarly, God thinks of Himself as the great savior, so the author and God share a common belief. Later on in Psalm 149, another author writes, "The Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. Let His faithful people rejoice in this honor," (4-5). The Psalmist notes that God's people are faithful. God delights in faithful people, because He too is faithful (Psalm 36:5). Even in Psalm 36 it is written that God's people "feast on the abundance of His house; He gives them drink from His river of delights," (8). God delights in those who want to be in His house, because He too likes where He lives (John 14:2). Yes, God delights in others who want to be like Him.

God likes those who are like Him, but He dislikes

those who are not like Him. This is why the

Bible says of a truthful God, "The Lord detests 

lying lips, but He delights in people who are

trustworthy," (Proverbs 12:22).

Well, in light of God's delight, why do a lot of believers still question whether God likes them? It might be because they are thinking, "If God really liked me, He would give me this thing, but He hasn't given me it, so He must not like me." God, however, does not want to give us everything we want. Instead, Jesus says, "your Father in heaven [gives] good gifts to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11). This does not mean God will give His people anything, but He will give them the best things they could have. Sometimes, this includes hardships and struggles, because God knows that these things can produce great faith, which is "of greater worth than gold," (1 Peter 1:7). What God wants for us is better than what we could ask of God.

"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you 

the desires of your heart," (Psalm 37:4).

So, the answer to our question appears undeniable. God loves everyone, but He likes those who want to be like Him. This is one reason why God says of such people, "He is not ashamed to be called their God," (Hebrews 11:16). Think about it. When God introduced Himself to Moses as "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob," (Exodus 3:6) God was making Himself to literally be the object of these people. He is gladly connecting Himself to Abraham, an impatient man who often took matters into his own foolish hands. The Almighty is saying He is the one who helped out Isaac, a man who became blind and weak in his old age. God is even relating Himself to Jacob, the same guy who deceived his own brother and father. God is associating Himself with these people who are far lower than Him. By doing this, essentially, God is saying He likes them. This is what it means for God to gladly say someone's name, which is exactly what He will do when He acknowledges the names of everyone who follows Him, (Revelation 3:5). Just imagine how it would be for God to say of you, "I am their God." It would be one of the many ways for God to say He likes you.

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• OpenBibleInfo: God Delights in You
• John Piper: Desiring God Interview (Inspired by)
• Bible Time With Melonie Mac (Inspired by Psalm readings

Psalm 2:1-3 (War Against God)

Psalm 2:1-3

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together

against the Lord and against His anointed, saying,

“Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”

It is a period of civil unrest. Creation rebels against Creator. Even though people see that their Creator is real, they "suppress the truth by their wickedness," (Romans 1:18-19). They "neither glorify Him as God nor give thanks to Him," letting their hearts turn to the side of darkness (Romans 1:21). In opposition, they raise their own name (Genesis 11:1-9), promote hand-made idols (Exodus 32:1-8), and challenge the Almighty (1 Kings 18:21-24). Their efforts are futile, yet the nations continue to conspire and rage (Psalm 2:1). The world's most powerful leaders band together with one unattainable goal: To "break God's chains and throw off His shackles,” (Psalm 2:3). They do not understand that God's "cords of human kindness," are "ties of love," (Hosea 11:4). God does not want any of His creation to perish (2 Peter 3:9). He continues to speak a saving message to them (Matthew 28:16-20, Revelation 14:6-7), so that He may restore peace and freedom to His galaxy.

"Stop," one of my readers could say. "Let's enhance this argument, and see what it really is. It comes from a culture of Christianity. It is raising false accusations against billions of intelligent human beings, and it will not phase or stun any of them. Its reasoning comes from only one book, but the words of the many outweigh the words of the few. It sees the heavens as a place where an angry and jealous deity lives. But to an enlightened and scientific age, the skies above are much more. They are space, a vast frontier. This is the real enterprise of humanity: To explore strange and unfamiliar ideas. To seek out new ways of improving civilization. To boldly go where no religion has taken us before!"

As a believer, the world may try to take your life

and your land (Revelation 13:5-7), and want to

destroy you for where you stand (1 Peter 4:4).

But do not despair, because in God you

are free (John 8:36), and no one can take you

away from Him (Deuteronomy 31:6).

While this counter-statement is hypothetically written (and in some ways hyperbolically written), it is based on claims from atheism and similar beliefs. These groups would respond to the question, "Why do you reject God?" with the easy answer, "There is no God to reject." They can say belief in God only appears in a few cultural perspectives, so it is a primitive notion. Some people bring up the logical claim that if such a powerful creator does exist, then they would not tolerate any opposition. They would make their existence obvious. How can there be an all powerful God who is so easy to ignore?

Now, these questions are answered in Scripture, but people could ignore this. This is because these answers come from the Bible (a book about a God in whom they do not believe). Based on this, it may be beneficial to examine this scenario outside of Scripture. In looking at the claim, "No obvious creator could possibly be rejected," the implication is that such an event could not occur in real life. The claim states that there could never be an obvious creator who was reasoned away from their creation. If such an event did occur, though, then it could make the earth's war against God appear much more plausible. So, in this instance, let us look at a historical example where a well-known creator was rejected.

George Lucas on the set of his most famous film.

In the year 1973 in Mill Valley, California, George Lucas wrote "The Journal of the Whills part I." This story went through several changes, until in 1976 it became the shooting script for, "The Star Wars." Lucas says in an interview that the reason he created the film is because he thought the world needed "something more positive." Lucas says in a further interview, "Rather than do some angry, socially relevant film…I realized there was another relevance that is even more important — dreams and fantasies, getting children to believe there is more to life than garbage and killing." Lucas' film, officially titled Star Wars, released in theaters on May 25th 1977. It received critical acclaim and audiences' adoration. Few people expected it to be a success, including those who helped make the film. Actor Harrison Ford, who plays Han Solo, originally thought Lucas' story was poorly written. Ford remarks, "I told George: 'You can't say that stuff. You can only type it.' But I was wrong. [The film] worked." So, Lucas' Star Wars was a hit, resulting in the creation of two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and The Return of the Jedi (1983). At that time George Lucas was known as the visionary behind Star Wars.

People gather to see George Lucas' creation.

After creating these successful films, George Lucas received a fanbase. One of these fans refers to Lucas as a "god, the great creator." In 1994, this creator began to write another film trilogy. Around this time, Lucas also experimented with new digital effects to "restore, enhance and add" to his previous Star Wars films to create the "Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition" (1997). The majority of fans did not like Lucas' "Special Edition". One fan remarks, "The changes [to the original films] are dramatic. I'm trying to think of something where the changes are that dramatic and caused some debate. Oh yeah! The Bible." Moving on from the "Special Edition," Lucas continued working on his new trilogy and its first film, Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace (1999). The film's previews were well admired, with one fan stating, "I think god must be ashamed as a creator, once he saw this and realized he hasn't made something this good." On May 19, 1999, the film was released to mixed reviews and fan backlash. Many people claimed Lucas' latest film lost sight of what was great about Star Wars. Based on Lucas' words, though, his new trilogy had maintained his original goal of creating fun "adventures in far-off lands." Still, his fans no longer saw him as the worthy creator of what they loved. George Lucas was now seens as a foolish destroyer.

There is a similarity to how people discredit 

George Lucas as Star Wars' creator, and how 

they discredit God as their creator.

By this time, many people (who either liked or did not like Star Wars) questioned if George Lucas was Star Wars' true creator. One group argued that Lucas did not make a great film in 1977, and that "Star Wars was saved in the edit," no thanks to Lucas. Others have pretended that Lucas did not create any movies after his original trilogy, claiming there are only three films in Lucas' Star Wars saga. Some fans have fantasized that Lucas "died on the Van Wyck expressway in a fiery car crash in 1989," before he could release his next trilogy. On and on, the world has come up with ways to not have to acknowledge Lucas as Star Wars' rightful creator. One fan says this is because, "People want the authors of their texts to be dead, and to have complete control over [the author's creation], and [the author] not to tell the people what to do with it anymore." So, George Lucas was widely rejected as Star Wars' creator, even though his authorship can be clearly seen in the movies' credits.

Eventually, George Lucas gave away Star Wars
to people who did not create it, and they made
films nowhere near as successful as Lucas'.
In light of this, perhaps the world should
be more thankful that God has
not relinquished control
of His creation.

People are capable of rejecting an obvious creator. Someone with enough determination and disgust could reason away any individual. It took a couple decades for George Lucas' fans to turn against him. It could certainly take a couple centuries for people to turn against God. That is a similarity in how these two were treated, but the comparison must stop there. If this analogy were stretched any further, George Lucas and his films would snap when placed before God's majesty and His awesome works.

Indescribable, uncontainable

You placed the stars in the sky

And You know them by name

You are amazing, God

- Chris Tomlin

God exists, but many still believe they are able to disprove Him. This is one way that the nations war against Him. No matter how hard they work, though, no one will be able to remove God. He will always be the world's creator and sustainer (Colossians 1:17). He will always be the earth's only hope (Psalm 33:20-22). He will always be the one "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty," (Revelation 1:8). The world might think they can take Him down. They can claim He is dead, and say He didn't make the earth or them. They can continue their war, but God will not be impressed. It is written, "the One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at" those who dare to fight Him (Psalm 2:4). To the rulers of the nations, God "terrifies them in His wrath, saying, 'I have installed My King on Zion, My holy mountain,” (Psalm 2:5-6). This King is Jesus Christ (Luke 9:35), and God says His annointed King will break His opposition "with a rod of iron; He will dash them to pieces like pottery,” (Psalm 2:9). This is how their battle will end. Yet, God is merciful, "forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin," (Exodus 34:7). He offers everyone a peace treaty, so they can avoid destruction. He says to those who will hear Him, as it is written in Psalm 2 from verses 10 to 12:

Therefore, you kings, be wise;

    be warned, you rulers of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear

    and celebrate His rule with trembling.

Kiss His Son, or He will be angry

    and your way will lead to your destruction,

for His wrath can flare up in a moment.

    Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

God is real. He is speaking through His creation (Psalm 19:1-4). He is calling everyone to lay down their arms or be annihilated, so "see to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks," (Hebrews 12:25). Come to God, because under His command no one needs to "train for war anymore," (Isaiah 2:4). Those who follow Jesus are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). They have nothing to fear while their Creator is with them (Isaiah 41:10), and the Lord will be with them, always (Joshua 1:9).

For a long time, since creation began, the earth
has engaged in war against God (James 4:4).
Do not take part in the earth's war. Join the
winning side, and become more than a
conqueror through Him who
loves you, (Romans 8:37).

Source

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Brian Jay Jones: George Lucas A Life
• J.W. Rinzler: The Making of Star Wars
• The People vs. George Lucas (Star Wars fan quotes) 
• Chris Tomlin: Indescribable

Do I Have Free Will or Fate?

Have you ever looked up and wondered, "Does mankind have free will or is it just fate?" What is being asked is, "Do I get to make my own choices, or is my life in someone else's control?" Oftentimes, this question is posed with regards to God and eternity. People want to know if they can choose to go to heaven or if God just sends people to hell. Which is it? Could it be both? Neither?

People have looked into these questions but they can get surrounded by them, disoriented and then completely lost. If we are going to travel down these same unfamiliar paths, we will need a guide. The best one anyone could get is the Bible. There is no better way to find answers. The Bible is "completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place," (2 Peter 1:19). It is a firm foundation on which people can orient themselves (Matthew 7:28-29). So, with Scripture as our guide, let us explore and find out what God's Word says about free will and fate.

Starting this journey, without pause, the Bible shows humans have free will. Consistently, Scripture teaches that people can make choices. Joshua spoke for the Lord and told the people to "choose for yourselves this day" whether they will follow God or not (Joshua 24:14-15). It was their choice, as it is ours. Jesus says anyone who believes in Him "will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Him will never die," and He then asks, "Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). People have a choice to trust or reject. If anyone rejects, then God will respect their choice. He says, "Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them," (Luke 9:26). Conversely, God will respect the choice of anyone who chooses to believe in Him, for "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved," (Joel 2:32). Everyone has a choice.

When God created you, He gave to you an ability 

that He did not give to any of his other creatures. 

He gave you the ability to choose. You can 

live any kind of life you want to. 

And I say this reverently, there is nothing 

God can do about it, because you 

have a will of your own.

- Billy Graham

Further along, again without pause, the Bible shows humans have a fate. God has said this, from the beginning of Scripture. When the Lord called on Abraham, God promised He would shape Abraham's future, (Genesis 12:1-3). He said, "I swear by Myself," meaning nothing Abraham could do would change it (Genesis 22:16). God made a promise that Abraham's descendant and His children would bless the whole world (Genesis 22:18). Further Scripture makes it clear that this promise about Jesus (Galatians 3:16) still holds true and is "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure," (Hebrews 6:17-19). Jesus, Himself, says that those whom God blesses receive it as an "inheritance," (Matthew 25:34). For anyone to receive an inheritance, they must be a member of the family. No human, though, has been directly born into God's family (Psalm 51:5), so God's children must all be adopted. When does God decide to adopt someone? Scripture says that before the creation of the world, before anyone could make a choice, "God predestined us for adoption," and this was done "in accordance with His pleasure and will," (Ephesians 1:4-5). Everyone has a fate.

This is common truth in the early church. He will 

sustain you to the end guiltless in the day of our Lord 

Jesus Christ. God is faithful by whom you were 

called, meaning if He called you, it's done! 

You will be kept. This is what it means to 

have a faithful God.

- John Piper

"WHOAH!" Some of you might say. "Did we go down a wrong turn? Is Scripture contradicting itself?" No, Scripture can never contradict itself. When someone contradicts themself, one or both of the things they have said must be a lie, but God "cannot lie" (Titus 1:2). God's Word will lead people to the truth (John 17:17). "So, which is it?" Some could ask. "Is it free will or is it fate?" Simply put, Scripture guides us to both, so both must be true.

Human beings are incapable of fully grasping a concept such as this. Yes, God is absolutely sovereign and knows all. Yes, human beings are called to make a genuine decision to place faith in Christ unto salvation. These two facts seem contradictory to us, but in the mind of God they make perfect sense.

- GotQuestions

Usually at this juncture, people can throw themselves off-balance: They can seek help from things distant from God's Word. They can trust in their knowledge of how the world is supposed to work. This would be a mistake. People should not trust in their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) and should focus on heavenly standards over earthly ones (Matthew 6:33). So, let's see how Scripture can clear up some common misconceptions about Biblical free will and Biblical fate:

The Bible can be difficult to understand, but a
misconceived view of it will lead to destruction
(2 Peter 3:16), so people should put effort and time
into seeking out the Bible's wisdom. "Though it cost
all you have, get understanding," (Proverbs 4:7).

• Misconception - "When I chose to follow Christ, I was good enough to make that choice."
• Truth - "No one is good—except God alone," (Mark 10:18). Everyone desires to turn away from God, because "we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way," (Isaiah 53:6). Anyone who is crooked cannot make themselves straight (Ecclesiastes 1:15), but God can make things crooked or straight (Ecclesiastes 7:13). No one is good enough or wise enough to follow God, without God coming to them first (Romans 5:10). He makes people good, for "every good and perfect gift," including the gift of salvation, comes "down from the Father of the heavenly lights," (James 1:17).

• Misconception - "God is a bad man, because the Bible says He predestines people to hell."
• Truth - "This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all," meaning everyone apart from God will "join the dead" and be "in the realm of the dead," (Ecclesiastes 9:3,10). This destiny is in accordance with everyone's choice to continue in sin (Genesis 3:19). However, Jesus can overwrite this destiny. He did this for Jonah. While he was inside the fish, he proclaimed "the earth beneath barred me in forever," but "God brought my life up from the pit," (Jonah 2:6). God can place a new destiny in front of (or preceding) our natural one. It's similar to how He writes someone's days before they are alive, (Psalm 139:16). This is why believers can be predestined by God (Romans 8:29), but those without God are destined by their sin (Ephesians 2:1).

The fullness of eternal life in heaven is a
marvelous mystery, but God sees it as one of
the multiple beautiful trees He created for us
to enjoy (Genesis 2:15-16, Revelation 22:1-2).

• Misconception - "You have to choose whether you believe in free will or predestination."
• Truth - "Everyone who believes in God will not perish but have eternal life," (John 3:16) and "Jesus gives them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of His hand," (John 10:28). Since Scripture affirms that God's children have free will to choose and are predestined to receive, then no one should be ashamed of this Gospel, "because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes," and in it "the righteousness of God is revealed," (Romans 1:16-17). One day the children of God will be described as those who have "triumphed over the devil, by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony," (Revelation 12:11). They will be honored because of Jesus' fated sacrifice (Ephesians 1:11) and for their free will to testify to this sacrifice (1 Corinthians 15:2).

Sometimes, Christians who believe in free will call 

themselves Arminians (promote Arminius' teachings) 

and those who believe in predestination say they 

are Calvinist (promote Calvin's teachings). The 

assumption is that Arminians and Calvinist have 

to oppose each other, however these schools of 

theology are not opponents but are different 

focuses on the same salvation.

• Misconception - "Someone can only preach on free will or predestination."
• Truth - "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus...I give you this charge: Preach the word," (2 Timothy 4:1-2). The Bible teaches about decisions and destinies, so anyone who preaches Scripture must be willing to preach from all of it (2 Timothy 3:16). Along with this, Jesus' followers need to teach what their audience needs to hear "so that by all possible means they might save some," (1 Corinthians 9:20-22). They could preach to a western culture that believes in freedom and "every man for himself," or to an eastern culture that believes in fate and "the whims of the spirits." In both cases, Jesus' children are to "preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block" that trips up everyone (1 Corinthians 1:23). When people let Jesus' teachings shake up their common understandings, then that stumbling block can become "precious" to them, and they can see that what they originally rejected is "the cornerstone," (1 Peter 2:7).

After seeing what Scripture shows about fate and free will, it could be hard for someone to have peace with it. There may be a part of it that they want to change, but what human being could "talk back to God?" (Romans 9:20). They may want to stay longer and wrestle out their thoughts, until they are just right, but no one should try to become "overwise—why destroy yourself?" (Ecclesiastes 7:16). At this point, it is considerably best to take what has been gained and return back to what is familiar. Except now, some familiar things might appear different.

It may have been confusing, earlier, to hear that the seeming opposites of fate and free will could be conjoined. Yet, a quick look at many common things Christians say and do shows that this truth has been present all along. Look at how a believer prays. They ask God for things from their own desires and then say, "In Jesus' name," submitting their request to the Lord's preordained approval (James 4:2-3). Check out what people say when they quote Psalm 23. They state that God leads them and prepares a reward for them (verses 1-3,5). In the same Psalm, they also say they walk through dark valleys and they choose to accept God's offer to live in His house (verse 4,6). Even in worship music, decisions and destiny continually go hand-in-hand. Believers can sing about their choice to follow Christ as well as their need for God to carry them. This is rarely questioned as a puzzle, but is shown as something wonderful and powerful.

When You call to me, I will run to You.

When You reach for me, I lift my hands to You.

When I'm tired and weary, You lift me up.

You place me on the wings like eagles.

That's where I'll find my freedom.

I'll find my freedom in You.

- Martin Kolb

Humans have a fate, as well as a free will. Both are necessary to fulfill God's plan for salvation. When this salvation comes, people will see that the Children of God "follow the Lamb [Jesus] wherever He goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb," (Revelation 14:4). God will give them a crown of victory (Revelation 2:10), and they will hold onto it throughout their life (Revelation 3:11). But, when they get to heaven, then "they lay their crowns before the throne," (Revelation 4:10) and say, "Salvation belongs to our God," (Revelation 5:10). We will not be able to make perfect sense of this now, but one day everything will clear up (1 Corinthians 13:12). For now, though, the nature of this is an unknown environment. But not so for God. It is His garden.

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Billy Graham: Ability to Choose
• John Piper: Called and Kept
• GotQuestions: Calvinism vs Arminianism
• Martin Kolb: You Are My Hope

John 1:29 (The Lamb Who Takes Away Sin)

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Before Mary gave birth to Jesus, Mary's relative Elizabeth gave birth to a boy named John. He was the son of a priest named Zechariah. As a priest, one of Zechariah's jobs was to serve in the offering of sacrifices. Without question, the most regarded of all sacrifices was the Passover lamb. It was offered once a year by every household as a payment for sins. There were rigorous requirements a sacrificial lamb had to meet, as well as laws concerning how it was to be offered. John, being a priest's son, was well acquainted with these laws. He knew what was a worthy sacrifice, and one day, John saw his cousin Jesus and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me,'" (John 1:29-30). Even Though Jesus' birth was after John's, John said Jesus was before him, and he also said Jesus would be a perfect sacrifice.

To see what it would mean for Jesus to be a sacrifice, here is a brief look at the law written concerning sacrificial lambs: At the time of the first Passover, God told His people this is what they must do so none of them would die. Every household was to take a young male lamb (Exodus 12:3-5), and they were to care for it, until the time came to slaughter it (Exodus 12:6). Every lamb was to have its blood put on the wooden frames of the family's door (Exodus 12:7), and the family was to cook and eat the rest of the lamb inside the house (Exodus 12:8-9). None of the lamb was to be left till morning (Exodus 12:10). God said the Passover was to be commemorated and celebrated for generations, (Exodus 12:14). Concerning lambs offered for Passover as well as other times, the chosen lamb could not be lame (unable to walk) or blind (unable to see) and had to be without disease, (Deuteronomy 15:21). Its blood was not to be eaten, but had to be poured out on the ground like water (Deuteronomy 15:23). Lambs had to be presented to the priests to make sure they were sufficient to pay for one's guilt, (Leviticus 14:12) and they had to be disposed of outside the camp where people lived (Leviticus 16:27). It was important that all presented lambs be "without defect," (Leviticus 1:10,22:19).

Why animals? What did they do wrong? 

That is the point. Since the animals did 

no wrong, they died in place of 

the one performing the sacrifice.

- GotQuestions

Jesus says, He came into the world to fulfill this sacrificial law (Matthew 5:17). He says it is through Him that none of God's people will have to die (John 5:24). He came as a young male (Luke 3:23), and people cared for Him by giving Him food (John 12:1-2), loaning Him animals (Mark 11:1-6), and giving Him a place to stay (Luke 22:10-13). The world tolerated Jesus, until the time came for Him to be slaughtered (Luke 22:53). On the night of the Passover celebration (John 13:1), Jesus was presented before the priests (Matthew 26:57). They examined Him and declared He was worthy of death (Matthew 26:65-66). Jesus was then handed over to the governor Pilate, where His whole body was tortured and none of it was left unscathed into the morning (Mark 15:15, John 19:1-2). Jesus was then sentenced to be crucified at a place called Golgotha, which was outside of the city (John 19:16-17). He was able to walk to that place (Mark 15:22), and able to see the people around Him (John 19:25-26). At Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to a cross (John 20:25), and His blood ran along its wooden frame (Colossians 1:20). Then, He died (Luke 23:46). After this, His side was pierced, and out of it came blood and water which poured out onto the ground (John 19:34). In the days before His death, Jesus lived a perfect life and was without defect (1 John 3:5). He was a perfect sacrificial lamb.

The depth of His grace flowed with every sin erased. 

He knew that this was why He came.

Would you take the place of this man? 

Would you take the nails from His hands?

- Jeremy Camp

In order for God's people to be forgiven, blood must be shed, "for the life of a creature is in the blood, and [God gave this] to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life," (Leviticus 17:11). Jesus shed His blood "on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness," (1 Peter 2:24). Because of His sacrificial death, "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins," (Ephesians 1:7). This is Jesus' power as a slain sacrifice.

And it gets Better,

Because Jesus is NOT Dead!

Jesus is God (John 10:30-33), and so He cannot die forever. Yet, He came to earth "to give His life as a ransom for many," (Mark 10:45). If He gives up His life, then He has "authority to take it up again," (John 10:18). So Jesus died, and then rose again (Mark 16:6).

God's sacrificial law was fulfilled through Jesus' death. Even though He rose again, Jesus' resurrection does not undo His death, in that He was never afflicted or it never happened (John 20:27). If His death were undone in this way, then God's people would still be under the sacrificial law. As long as the sacrificial law is not being fulfilled, it remains and awaits another sacrifice. Jesus could not simply unwrite this law (Matthew 5:18), however, He found a loophole, which is this: The law does not specify that the sacrifice must stay dead. This is why on the night of the Passover Jesus tells His followers He gives them His body (Luke 22:19) to be a sacrifice, and Jesus also gives them His blood for a "new covenant," (Luke 22:20). There cannot be a new covenant, without the fulfillment of the old one. In light of this, Jesus died and fulfilled the old sacrificial law, and then He rose from death as a living sacrifice; perpetually fulfilling both laws (Romans 8:2). By Jesus' one sacrifice "He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy," "and where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary," (Hebrews 10:14,18).

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ
Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set
you free from the law of sin and death,"
(Romans 8:1-2).

Jesus is the lamb of God (Revelation 5:6), and He has taken away the sins of the world (John 3:16). See, Jesus was dead, and now He is alive (Isaiah 53:11). Anyone who wants to be free from sin, must hear Him say, "Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other," (Isaiah 45:22). Yes, the same God who made the sacrificial law has fulfilled it, and He is alive!

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain

Holy, Holy, is He

Sing a new song, to Him who sits on

Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Who was, and is, and is to come

With all creation I sing

Praise to the King of Kings

You are my everything

And I will adore You

- Jennie Lee Riddle

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• The Passion of the Christ (Inspired by)
• GotQuestions: Passover
• Open Bible Info: Sacrificial Lamb
• GotQuestions: Animal Sacrifices
• Jeremy Camp: This Man
• Jennie Lee Riddle/Don Moen: Revelation Song
• MacArthur Study Bible (Background Research)