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QUESTION 37:
If God does not predestinate some to be saved and some to be lost how do you explain Jude 1:4 where, "certain men were ordained to this condemnation?

ANSWER:
The book of Jude is written about certain men who had light, but not life. They knew all about the "common salvation" (Jude 1:3), but they had never experienced it. The verse in question reads, "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness (licentiousness), and denying the only Lord God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." (Jude 1:4). Now the word "ordained" is translated in Romans 15:4, as "written aforetime (in the past). God knew beforehand that certain men would deny Him and His Saviour, so He wrote about this awful judgment that would befall them. This was revealed to Enoch and he prophesied about these ungodly men. (Jude 1:14-16). The verses do not say God fore-arranged their condemnation, but that He foretold it. He knew "mockers and scoffers" would come (Jude 1:18), but He didn't make them do it. It was their own choice and unbelief that made them so. Since He is all wise, knowing the end from the beginning, He has no problem telling us beforehand all that will happen, however that doesn't mean He arranges it that way.

Notice the three things about these men in (Jude 1:4).

• 1. Ungodly, (lacking reverence for God).
  
• 2. Perverting the grace of God in a license to sin.
  
• 3. Denying God and Christ.
  

They are called antichrists in (1 John 2:22). Their doom is fixed. (Jude 1:13). what about your Dear Reader, Have you trusted Him yet? Trust the Saviour today; don't be among the deniers of His blood sacrifice and salvation. (Acts 16:31).

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen