"9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will."
What Does This Passage Say About Predestination?
This passage speaks about God's sovereign plan, which was established before time, to unite all things in Christ. Verse 11 mentions "predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will," which indicates that God has a predetermined plan for salvation. However, the focus is on God’s plan to bring people into His inheritance through Christ rather than predetermining the eternal fate of each individual.
Are Some People Predestined to Be Saved and Others to Be Lost?
The passage does not explicitly say that some are chosen for salvation while others are chosen for condemnation. Instead, it emphasizes God’s purpose in Christ—bringing unity and redemption to humanity. The Bible consistently teaches that salvation is available to all who accept Christ (John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9), suggesting that predestination in this context refers to God's overarching plan rather than an arbitrary selection of individuals for salvation or damnation.
What Do Adventists Believe About Predestination?
Seventh-day Adventists reject the Calvinist doctrine of predestination, which teaches that God has predetermined who will be saved and who will be lost. Instead, Adventists believe:
- God desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3–4, 2 Peter 3:9).
- Salvation is by grace through faith and requires human response (Ephesians 2:8–9).
- Predestination refers to God’s plan in Christ—those who accept Him are part of the "predestined" group, meaning God has foreordained salvation for all who choose Christ.
- Human free will is essential—people can choose to accept or reject God's offer of salvation.
Ephesians 1:9–11 teaches that God has a divine plan for salvation through Christ, but it does not imply that individuals are arbitrarily chosen for salvation or condemnation. Adventists believe in free will and that predestination refers to God’s purpose to save all who willingly accept Christ.
More: Sabbath School Lesson 8: Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence