Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
The Doctrine of Predestination is concisely and clearly presented in the Word of God for our understanding and joy and to give us a “good hope through grace” (II Thessalonians 2:16). The English word “predestinate” is only used four times in the Bible, the Greek word that is here translated “predestinate” is only used six times in the Word of God. In each case, the word “predestinate” refers to a previous act of God that continues in effect today and will surely continue forever. These acts of God are absolutely secured by the will, power, and authority of our Sovereign God. The phrase, “he also did predestinate” refers to a destiny that God determined and decreed for His Children even “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). In this passage, it refers to the people “whom he did foreknow”; that is, even before the world began the Lord chose to lovingly know His Children and surely determined that each and every one of them, none lost (John 6:39), would be “conformed to the image of his Son”. Those who are “conformed to the image of his Son” are the same as “the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth” (Romans 9:11). Having chosen His People, “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” (Revelation 7:9), the Lord set their destiny “to be conformed to the image of his Son”. As referred to here, “the image of his Son”, our Lord Jesus Christ, is perfect, sinless, unspotted, and unblemished. Thus, in His blessed Sacrifice, our Lord certainly and eternally rendered each and every one “whom” “he did predestinate” perfectly fit for Eternal Heaven. Therefore, each one “whom” “he did predestinate”, will one blessed day hear our Lord’s authoritative voice Command, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34) and every one will surely be “caught up … to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17). This being true, no matter what ill this present world casts upon us; we can worshipfully and joyfully and confidently declare with Job, “I know that my redeemer liveth … Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27)!