FOREORDINATION/PREDESTINATION

Many use these two words interchangeably. Predestination comes from the Greek word  (pro-or-id'-zo) . The prefix pro rendered before. The root word horizo means to mark out or bound ("horizon"), to appoint, decree, specify, therefore proorizo means to set the boundaries beforehand.  Many believe that predestination merely means that only their final destiny is determined. However the true essence of the word is to limit in advance, or  to pre-set the boundaries. A boundary not simply being the beginning and ending point, but everything in between.

The complete work of salvation occurred before the creation of time and is recorded in  Romans. Chapter 8: 28-30 gives us insight into what God accomplished for us in eternity.  Foreknowledge>Predestination>Called >Justification>Glorification, this is. often referred to as the golden chain of salvation.  See the article God's Sovereign Eternal Plan of Salvation.   Many Christians erroneously believe that salvation and even the course of their lives are directed by decisions they make, limiting God to merely being a fortune teller.  They do not believe that God has orchestrated all things, working everything ultimately towards fulfilling His will and purpose.  He has foreordained/predestinated everything “After the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11).

Careful grammatical examination of Romans 8:28-29, gives clarity to the fact that all of the aforementioned actions occurred in eternity, performed by God in the past and has absolutely nothing to do with the choice of mankind. The elect were not only known by God in eternity, but were also predetermined.

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