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Predestinate

Concise Bible Dictionary:

“To mark out beforehand, predetermine.” In Romans 8:29-30²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29‑30), it forms a link in the chain that connects the foreknowledge of God in the past with the glory in the future. Election is God’s choice of individuals; predestination is to a blessing, as in Ephesians 1:5, 11⁵Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Ephesians 1:5)
¹¹In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11), believers are predestinated to the adoption of sons, according to the purpose of God. Predestination does not, as insisted on by some, imply reprobation of some to wrath. God “will have [or desires] all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4⁴Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)); but to ensure some being saved, He predestinated, called, justified, and glorified them in His sovereign purpose.

From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:

This has to do with God’s sovereignty in pre-arranging the destiny of those whom He has chosen for blessing (Rom. 8:29²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29); Eph. 1:5⁵Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Ephesians 1:5) – “marked us out beforehand”). Election is closely connected with predestination, but they are not the same thing. The difference is:

• “Election” has to do with persons being selected (Romans 11:5, 7, 28⁵Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)
⁷What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (Romans 11:7)
²⁸As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. (Romans 11:28); 1 Thess. 1:4⁴Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:4); 2 Peter 1:10¹⁰Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:10)).

• “Predestinated” has to do with the place (the destiny) which has been selected for those persons (Rom. 8:29-30²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29‑30); Eph. 1:5, 11⁵Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Ephesians 1:5)
¹¹In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11)).

The Bible teaches that God has predestinated the righteous to blessing, but there is no Scripture that states that He has predestinated people to a lost eternity. God loves all men, and He is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9⁹The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9); 1 Tim. 2:4⁴Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)). Romans 9:22²²What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (Romans 9:22) speaks of men being “vessels of wrath fitted to destruction,” but God does not fit them as such; they fit themselves by their own unbelief.

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