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who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its
bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of
God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of
childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who
have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our
adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were
saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he
already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it
patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not
know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us
with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts
knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in
accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for
the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose. For those God foreknew he also
pr ede s t i ned t o be c on f o rmed t o
t he l ikene s s o f h i s Son
, that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers. And those he predestined, he also called;
t ho s e he c a l l ed , he a l s o
j us t i f i ed
; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in
response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not
spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all
−
how will he not also, along
with him, graciously give us all things
?
Who wi l l br i ng any char g e aga i ns t
t ho s e whom God has cho s en? I t i s God
who justifies. Who is he that
condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to
life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
(Romans 8:20-
34)
Predestination in this context states that mankind is predestined to defeat
Satan. No individual man is predestined; however, by the will of God one is
spiritually more sufficient, chosen because he has chosen, and knows the
mind of the Father. A mere man is spiritually graced with a Holy Spirit;
meaning specifically more empowered than others. Many are called but few
are chosen because only a few respond, held bound by incorrect thinking,
and inaccurate doctrines. Not even the angelic know who is chosen before
the time, so creation waits for the precise time and the choice to be made.
The Father calls all men to Himself; the choice is made as mere man aligns
to the Divine Will. Once sufficiently tested and thus prepared, the Father
fulfills and appoints (anoints), and only then are the angels aware of the
choice. The angelic, those of God, and those of Satan are aware of what
was held secret, and the stage is set for the final battle. Jesus was not chosen
from among men He was sent—and now, from His Divine seat, Jesus
reveals His choice. Those who respond to this call must make a choice, and