Divine Foreknowledge

Divine foreknowledge refers to God's omniscient ability to know all things before they occur. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's nature as eternal and all-knowing. Scripture affirms that God's knowledge is not limited by time or space, and He possesses complete awareness of past, present, and future events.

The Bible provides numerous references to God's foreknowledge. In Isaiah 46:9-10 , God declares, "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.’" This passage highlights God's unique ability to declare future events with certainty, underscoring His sovereign control over history.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of God's foreknowledge in Romans 8:29 : "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." Here, foreknowledge is linked with God's predestining work, indicating that God's knowledge of future events is intertwined with His divine purposes and plans.

The concept of divine foreknowledge raises questions about human free will and responsibility. While God knows all that will happen, Scripture also affirms human accountability. In Acts 2:23 , Peter speaks of Jesus being "delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge," yet he also holds the people responsible for their actions, saying, "you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross." This demonstrates the compatibility of divine foreknowledge with human responsibility.

Divine Authority

Divine authority refers to God's supreme power and right to govern all creation. As the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, God's authority is absolute and unchallenged. His authority is evident in His ability to command, judge, and execute His will throughout the cosmos.

The Bible consistently affirms God's authority over all things. In Psalm 103:19 , it is written, "The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all." This verse emphasizes God's sovereign rule and the extent of His dominion over the heavens and the earth.

Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, also possesses divine authority. In Matthew 28:18 , Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." This statement follows His resurrection and precedes the Great Commission, underscoring His authority to command His disciples to spread the Gospel to all nations.

Divine authority is also evident in God's law and commandments. In Deuteronomy 6:1-2 , Moses instructs the Israelites, "These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged." God's authority is expressed through His laws, which are given for the well-being and guidance of His people.

Furthermore, divine authority is manifested in God's judgment. In Revelation 20:11-12 , John describes the final judgment: "Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and there were open books. And one of them was the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books." This passage illustrates God's ultimate authority to judge humanity based on His righteous standards.

In summary, divine foreknowledge and authority are integral aspects of God's nature as revealed in Scripture. God's foreknowledge assures believers of His sovereign plan, while His authority commands reverence, obedience, and trust in His perfect will.