Have you ever wondered why there was a distinction between murder and manslaughter in the Old Testament Law? It is because God is a righteous judge.
Murder was a deliberate act, while manslaughter was not. God is about justice. Not only is God about justice, but He cares more about animals, than some people care about other people.
Notice: Jonah 4: 11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?
The implication here by God is that in the 'overthrow' will not only affect the people, but the cattle as well.
My point in that God does not kill needlessly. He values life. If there would be no other reason for predestination not to be correct, this would suffice.
I am not saying the people that are condemned are condemned unjustly, I am saying just the opposite! They are being condemned because God gave them a multitude of witness as to not only His existence, but also to His redemption plan; and they WILLFULLY turned Him down.
Back in the mid 80's to mid 90's I was involved in street evangelism. One Friday night I witnessed to two young Marines about needing Christ. In the end, they looked at me and said, 'Preacher, we know your right'. They shared with me how they knew they had to get saved, but wanted to 'enjoy' being young. They told me they would see me in a few weeks and accept Christ as Saviour. They walked away, got on their motorcycles, and began 'cruising'. About five minutes later they rode past blowing their horns and waving. Then about ten minutes later we heard a loud crash. Those same two young Marines were trying to beat a red light at an intersection. Unfortunately, they failed; and there was a tractor-trailer coming the other way. It was one block from where we were. Both Marines were killed instantly.
Why am I telling you this?
Ezekiel 33 says that God has called us to be a watchman on the wall. To sound the trumpet, and warn the people of danger. If those Marines would have walked by me, and would not have given them warning; their blood would have been on my hands. If they were just two young wicked Marines that weren't part of the 'elect', why would their blood be on my hands? God didn't choose them. They were wicked, and ungodly; they got what they deserved, right? That is predestination.
The reason their blood would have been on my hands is because their souls are precious to God the Father.
Their blood, however, is not on my hands. These two young Marines will stand before God and have no reason to give God for refusing Him. Fifteen minutes before they entered eternity those two Marines were warned of the danger ahead. I do not want to make it sound like I don't care about those Marines, I most definitely did, That is why we were there witnessing on the streets. The point is, I have them the gospel, showing them their need to be saved. But in the final analysts, they CHOOSE not to accept Christ as Saviour; and that is why they are condemned, with their blood on their own hands.
Jack
