WILL OF GOD, SECRET
WILL OF GOD, SECRET WILL OF GOD, SECRET God has a secret will and a revealed will. (See PBtop: GOD IS SOVEREIGN) This term of the "secret will" is foreign to me.
Here is some research on this matter that I have done:
1. Secret will OR revealed will as a phrase cannot be found in the scriptures -not KJV anyway. [i] 2. I do find some things that were kept secret:
Matthew 13:35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. [ii]
Romans 16:25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [iii]
I do not see the implication in either of the above 2 texts that this pertained to a secret will but yet on the other hand could we consider that the things that were kept secret were not in the will of God? Would God have brought those things to pass if they had not been His will? Do you follow my line of thinking here? As an additional thought here though should we consider that everything that is done on earth is the will of God? I think not myself but I may be wrong. If everything done on earth is the will of God then I do not understand why we are told to pray that Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth inLuke 11:2. [iv]
3. In some scriptures I think we find where God reveals what He in His providence provides for His people when He had determined things that He was going to bring to pass for the benefit of His children even such things as in1 Kings 21:1-29and1 Kings 22:1-53which I posted this morning. He makes these things known unto His servants. Example:
Amos 3:7Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Psalms 25:14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. This is even supported IMO in:
Deuteronomy 29:29The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Now, it seems also that decretive will is not to be found in the KJV scriptures either. However, would we not say that God decreed such things as the death of Ahab there in1 Kings 21:1-29&1 Kings 22:1-53? Would that not be God’s decretive will? [v] (ANSWER)[vi] [i] Amen, and that is enough for me to raise a "RED" flag.
[ii] Yes, but once uttered, they are no longer secret.
[iii] True, but no longer is.
[iv] I do not believe that every thing done in the world, on this earth, is God’s will. As you said these texts do not teach or even mention a "secret will." They have to do with the fulfillment of God’s will through Christ and in us. How these things would be accomplished had been withheld from men and prophets of old, but was revealed by Christ’s entrance into the world and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in the regenerate soul. These things are no longer secret.Colossians 1:25-29
[v] According to the "Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles" Decree means (One of God’s appointments whereby events are foreordained. 1570). Now, when you get into foreordaining, you are real close to predestinating. For me to believe that the events that led to Ahab’s death, or any one else’s for that matter, were foreordained of God is to be fatalistic. {vi} While I understand that there are no events of past, present, or future that surprise the sovereign God of heaven and earth, I do not limit Him or think Him so "short sighted" as to have to decree all things before they happen to know that they will happen. I believe and am confident that He is able to intercede at any point He chooses to control the actions of men and He himself stay the course. Without a doubt our lives and the lives of all men would be far better if in line with the ways of God. But, it is not decreed that we or they will always walk in them, and there are serious consequences if we do not, even death!
[vi] To me there is a difference between foreordination, prescience & predestination. I agree with you that foreordination and predestination are closely linked but they’re not the same thing either. As far as God ordaining, IMHO it applies to things in this life as well as things pertaining to eternal life. Through God’s prescience (knowing things before they happened) He knew what was going to be the case with Ahab. To say that God ordained and/or predestinated this before the world is not proper though IMHO. To say that God did ordain it though at some time here on the earth though is correct IMHO.