Predestination - No One Left Behind
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with the shout of the chief messenger, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
So, how does one get “in Christ”?
“…He chose us in him before the creation of the world...In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace...having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will…" (Ephesians 1:4-11)
OK, predestined, we are all in.
“...because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God...” (Ephesians 2:4-8)
It is the predetermined will of God that all die, but no one will be left behind.
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive, each in its own order, Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at his coming..." (1 Corinthians 15:22-23)
So, how does one get “in Christ”?
“…He chose us in him before the creation of the world...In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace...having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will…" (Ephesians 1:4-11)
OK, predestined, we are all in.
So what does hearing about it and believing do for me?
It makes me aware of my inclusion in Christ, the good news of my salvation. And the Holy Spirit (the power of God) within me guarantees my inclusion and salvation.
“…you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
So all are included "in Christ" as the choice of God "before the creation of the world". When He gifts us the faith to believe the good news (gospel) we receive the seal of assurance. It is God's gift of faith that allows us to realize this truth. A few gain knowledge of God's "grace" and "kindness" to mankind in this age. It comes by hearing this good news from others...
"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!...So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10:12-17)
Few there are who share the real good news in this age, or were ever aware of it. Therefore most will not become believers until the age to come, when, after their resurrection, they hear it from Christ Jesus himself.
“…you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
So all are included "in Christ" as the choice of God "before the creation of the world". When He gifts us the faith to believe the good news (gospel) we receive the seal of assurance. It is God's gift of faith that allows us to realize this truth. A few gain knowledge of God's "grace" and "kindness" to mankind in this age. It comes by hearing this good news from others...
"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!...So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10:12-17)
Few there are who share the real good news in this age, or were ever aware of it. Therefore most will not become believers until the age to come, when, after their resurrection, they hear it from Christ Jesus himself.
“...because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God...” (Ephesians 2:4-8)
It is the predetermined will of God that all die, but no one will be left behind.
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive, each in its own order, Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at his coming..." (1 Corinthians 15:22-23)