Predestination questions
What difference does it make as to how long it is before Christ returns if we are predestined by God to be saved or not be saved? I have read many times that God's efforts to save as many souls as possible before his return is of utmost importance to him. That does not jibe in my (little) mind. Is it that some predestined souls may not even be born yet or have not had the time or opportunity to repent ? Maybe my understanding of predestination is all wrong. To be honest, I have a problem with the whole predestined plan. Why would my neighbor be going to heaven and not me? What would make her any better in God's eyes than me (considering we share the same beliefs)? I always think of Job and how he lost everything in the contest between God and the devil. God may have given him back everything he lost and more, but what about his family members? I understand his wife was against God but were they all non-fearing of God? Strike down my child today but give me another and all should be good again? I am totally confused. Also are WELS churches the only church predestined to live with God in heaven or are others included? I mean no disrespect. Please help me to understand.
We are not predestined by God to be saved or not be saved. The doctrine of predestination or election is God’s gracious election to faith and salvation. That election took place in eternity (Ephesians 1:4-6; Romans 8:29-30). There is no election to damnation. People are to blame for their damnation (Jeremiah 15:6; Matthew 23:37).
The doctrine of election underscores the grace of God. There was nothing in people that moved him to elect them to faith and salvation. All people are naturally sinful and enemies of God (Psalm 51:5; Romans 8:7). God’s grace alone is the reason for his election of people to faith and salvation.
While the doctrine of election challenges our minds, it is intended to comfort our hearts. If any part of our salvation were up to us, there would be reason for uncertainty. More than that, we would be doomed. The Bible teaches that our salvation is God’s work—from beginning to end. That beginning took place in eternity. After our lives on earth began, God saw to it that we came into contact with his gospel so the Holy Spirit could create saving faith. The doctrine of election means that our lives on this earth will end with saving faith in our hearts. Election, conversion, justification, preservation in the faith—all that is God’s work, and God’s work makes our salvation certain and sure.
When it comes to Job’s children, the Bible does not specifically speak of their relationship to God. Job chapter one describes Job as a devout and conscientious parent who cared deeply for his children. It would be easy to picture Job teaching his children the one true faith, but of course Job could not believe for his children; faith is a personal matter. Since we do not know the outcome of Job’s children, we leave them in the hands of God.
Regarding your last question, WELS does not maintain that it alone is the kingdom of God. Recall what you confess in the Apostles’ Creed. You believe in “the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints.” That Church consists of people throughout the world who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and trust only in him for their salvation. We state in This We Believe: “All people who believe that Jesus is their Savior from sin are members of the holy Christian church, regardless of the nation, race, or church body to which they belong.”
You might benefit from “Predestination,” a book from Northwestern Publishing House. Your church library may also have a copy.
I cannot unravel a mystery like election/predestination for you, but I hope things are a little bit clearer.