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That is a
great question. Let me first give you the answer and then the supporting
reasons from scripture and logic.
The answer is that God did not
and does not predestine "WHO" will go to Heaven or hell. He does predestine
"HOW" and the "WAY" people go to Heaven. .
Let
me first give you a scenario to consider..
In Nashville, Tennessee; Southwest Airlines flt. # 199 Leave
every day at 9:00am for Orlando, Florida. This schedule has been predetermined,
(predestined if you will) by the Airlines and Airport Authority. But
neither the Airlines or the Airport Authority has determined "WHO" will be on
that flight.
Look at Romans 8:29-30
" For those God foreknew he
also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be
the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called;
those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."
(NIV)
Because of God's omnipotence (all knowing) God could predestine.
God DID NOT make or choose a group of select people to go to Heaven or hell.
But because of His FOREKNOWLEDGE He could tell who would go.
Another
example:
If you go to a movie or watch a TV program, 'say for example' you
watch a re-run of your favorite show. You KNOW what is going to happen, but you
DID NOT make that happen. It is only because you had already seen the program.
Does that make any sense?
Anyway that is how the Bible can make
the statement you referred to in Ephesians 1:4-5
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