Predetermined?

[Tab777]

Does God predetermine our deaths? I know we have free will but, what about our birth and death?

[Michael37]

4 hours ago, Tab777 said:

Does God predetermine our deaths? I know we have free will but, what about our birth and death?

Some people think that because God knows everything, being infinite and eternal, this means He predetermines everything. Admittedly everything that happens fits into the framework of existence past, present, and future, but the full extent of that framework is not within our capacity to fully comprehend in this life.

I've had numerous near death experiences which have led me to conclude these two things:

1. God's Plan includes nature being allowed to take its course.

2. God's Plan includes His being ready to intervene in the course of nature.

There's an interesting passage in Ephesians 5 that speaks of Christ loving the ekklesia (aka church) and giving His life for it. That means the ekklesia is something really special to God. Regardless of our circumstances, from our birth to our death, the end result is what matters, for which we are being prepared according to God's Plan. It isn't FATE that determines what happens to us, but FAITH.

Eph 5:25-29  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it,  (26)  that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,  (27)  that He might present it to Himself as the glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that it should be holy and without blemish.  (28)  So men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  (29)  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord loves the church.
 

[Orion]

God knew us before He formed us in our mothers womb. (Jeremiah 1:5).  

And it is appointed unto men once to die.  (Hebrews 9:27).  The Greek word for "appointed",  apokeimai: means to be reserved, to be laid up, to be stored away. 

So, God knows us before we are conceived, and He knows when we will die because He has reserved that appointed time just for us - you, and me, and every other Dick and Jane that has ever lived. 

[ayin jade]

Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father.

[enoob57]

Death by suicide is a good example of a thing God has nothing to do with... 

[enoob57]

42 minutes ago, Orion said:

God knew us before He formed us in our mothers womb. (Jeremiah 1:5).  

And it is appointed unto men once to die.  (Hebrews 9:27).  The Greek word for "appointed",  apokeimai: means to be reserved, to be laid up, to be stored away. 

So, God knows us before we are conceived, and He knows when we will die because He has reserved that appointed time just for us - you, and me, and every other Dick and Jane that has ever lived. 

This is of course references all men not of specific time but will indeed experience death... that is why you have Elijah and Enoch as the two that will come back and witness to the world then die...

[Orion]

1 minute ago, enoob57 said:

This is of course references all men not of specific time but will indeed experience death... that is why you have Elijah and Enoch as the two that will come back and witness to the world then die...

I have often wondered about that issue of Enoch and Elijah not dying.  If flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom, and our corrupt flesh cannot inherit incorruptible (1 Cor. 15:50), then it reasons that Enoch and Elijah must have been changed from flesh and blood, from mortal to immortality, before they entered the kingdom of God. 

[enoob57]

3 minutes ago, Orion said:

I have often wondered about that issue of Enoch and Elijah not dying.  If flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom, and our corrupt flesh cannot inherit incorruptible (1 Cor. 15:50), then it reasons that Enoch and Elijah must have been changed from flesh and blood, from mortal to immortality, before they entered the kingdom of God. 

There is in God's Word, as to His Nature, 'all things are possible' ... we just don't know! When the witness of these men happen it will be as was in the OT ... 
2 Thessalonians 2:7 (NKJV)

[7] For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

 

[Who me]

A basic question for you all.

 

     What do you mean by God?

Is this the supreme being who with a word created time, energy,  space, matter and organised it with a word into stars, planets etc

Or do you mean some petty deity squabbling with other deities for control?

 

Think about it, for the post above imply you belief in the second option..

 

Psalm139 :16,Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

God grants us life, he also determines when it ends.

 

He is God and there is no others who can compete  or compare with him.

That means He is Lord.

[timf]

The bible says that we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought.

I cannot see myself as so important that God has to schedule my birth and death.