Nov 17, 2014

God's Prognosis Of Cause And Course Of An Outcome

Common Sense Commentary: The Greek word "prognosis", translated "foreknowledge",  is used twice in the New Testament. It is first used in reference to the crucifixion of Jesus and second in reference to the salvation of believers. Here are the two verses....

Acts 2:23   Him (Jesus), being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 

 1 Peter 1:2   Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 

So, the question is, what does the word "foreknowledge" mean? The obvious answer is, "to know before".  Now the question is, is "foreknowledge"  an accurate translation of the Greek word "prognosis"? To discover that we must dissect the Greek word "prognosis". It derives its meaning from the Greek pro + gignoskein which means "to know before", a forecast or prediction of future events. A prophecy of what will happen. This word, prognosis, does not determine the event or condition, it simply forecasts the event by knowledge and observation of symptoms, facts or conditions.  The condition, or event, determines the forecast, not visa versa. So a prognosis is a forecast of the cause and course of a disease, health condition or event. The Physician does not cause the disease. Neither does he cause the course of the disease. He simply studies the patient's own symptoms and by his observation and knowledge knows where it will end and gives his prognosis to the patient, in whom the condition abides .... through no fault of the doctor. He simply knows what is and will be. Fore-knowledge  (prognosis) of salvation is another way of saying PRE-destination . If God foreknows the future and thus gives a prognostication or prognosis of someone's salvation, based on that foreknowledge, it will be and is destined before it happens. Foreknowledge IS Predestination. RB

Be is also understood that God not only foreknows every single thing which we will think, decide upon, say and do, but He also foreknew the millions of things He Himself has done, is doing and will do.  He has all knowledge about us. Himself and everything else, past, present and future... before time began.  RB


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