If Three Classes Exist: Wicked+Righteous+Middling People, then both Predistination and Free Will exist

[Alfred-Persson]

Scripture says divine election is conditioned “according to the foreknowledge of God” (1 Pt. 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. (1 Pet. 1:2 KJV)

Scripture also says divine election was not conditioned according to works either good or evil the Elect do:

For 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. (Rom. 9:11 KJV)

The apparent contradiction has caused controversy in the Church. What if we wrongly assumed these scriptures pertain only to the "Wicked" or the "Righteous", what if there is a "third class" in the middlle, the "Middling People"?

Everyone assumes there are only two classes of people in this context (Mt. 25:31-46)

"And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matt. 25:46 NKJ)

Actually, there is a third Christ points to and calls "My Brethren"

"And the King will answer and say to them,`Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' (Matt. 25:40 NKJ)


Paul hints there is a "third class" of People in Romans 11:5-32, who when added to the Elect become Israel's "fullness":

5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."
9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always."
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
(Rom. 11:5-12 NKJ)

In Revelation 3:15-16 Christ criticizes those who could be categorized as "middling people" who are neither cold or hot:

15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (Rev. 3:15-16 NKJ)

James warns against being "double minded" who might not receive salvation from the LORD, something that could be said only about those whose fate is undetermined:

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (Jas. 1:6-8 NKJ)

Lets assume the School of Hillel (Gamaliel, Paul the apostle Acts 22:3) is correct, that three classes of people exist on Judgment Day, which is confirmed in the book of Revelation when the "book of life" is opened so names could be written into it (Rev. 20:12) :

[I.15 A] Said R. Kruspedai said R. Yohanan, “Three books are opened [by God] on the New Year: one for the thoroughly wicked, one for the thoroughly righteous, and one for middling [people].
“The thoroughly righteous immediately are inscribed and sealed for [continued] life.
[C] “The thoroughly wicked immediately are inscribed and sealed for death.
[D] “Middling [people] are left hanging from New Year until the Day of Atonement.
[E] “If they [are found to have] merit, they are inscribed for life.
[F] “If they [are found] not [to have] merit, they are inscribed for death.”
[G] Said R. Abin, “What is the Scriptural [foundation for this]? [Ps. 69:28 states]: ‘Let them be blotted out of the book of the living. Let them not be inscribed among the righteous.’ ‘Let them be blotted out of the book’-this refers to the book of the thoroughly wicked. ‘[… of the] living’-this refers to the book of the righteous. ‘Let them not be inscribed among the righteous’-this refers to the book of middling [people].”-Neusner, J. (2011). The Babylonian Talmud: A Translation and Commentary (Vol. 6b, p. 83). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

Rabbi Abin relies on unstated implications: “Let them be blotted out” implies the Book of the Thoroughly Wicked because the action is ongoing, they will never repent. “Book of the Living” lists the names of the Thoroughly Righteous. “Inscribed among the righteous” implies the Book of the Middling

This means both Calvin and Arminius are partly correct, both Election and Free Will are taught in Scripture. For more on this go to my site:

What if the Bible Teaches Both Predestination and Free Will? | End Time News

What if the Bible Teaches Both Predestination and Free Will? Scripture says divine election is conditioned "according to the foreknowledge of God" (1 Pt. 1:2): Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood...

endtimenews.net

 

[johansen]

I used to be concerned about this until i found that what john actually said was "for all are called but few choose"

 

[Alfred-Persson]

I used to be concerned about this until i found that what john actually said was "for all are called but few choose"

I couldn't find a Bible version that agrees with that. Did you make it up?

 

[johansen]

I couldn't find a Bible version that agrees with that. Did you make it up?

The greek is usually translated "many are called but few are chosen"

Its not hard to learn, go read the text

"for many are called but few are chosen" is what you read in most translations. but in my opinion a simpler translation is supported by the original greek which simply states: "for all are called but few choose"
this simpler translation destroys the distinction implied by the english translation "many are called" (implying not all) and "few are chosen" (which in english implies God chooses people, potentially against their will)
the following is from someone i met:
/quote
I'll explain:
"Many" or "all" is the Greek term οἱ πολλοί.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoi_polloi

Hoi polloi (/ˌhɔɪ pəˈlɔɪ/; from Ancient Greek οἱ πολλοί (hoi polloí) 'the many') is an expression from Greek that means "the many" or, in the strictest sense, "the people". In English, it has been given a negative connotation to signify the masses.[1] Synonyms for hoi polloi include "the plebs" (plebeians), "the rabble", "the masses", "the great unwashed", "riffraff", and "the proles" (proletarians).[2]

The basic gist in ancient times is "everyone who's not in the conversation we're having right now", or "the others" or "the everyman" or "average man". Since Jesus was talking to his disciples, who already knew they were called, this means it basically applies to everyone.
So you could say "many are called" and this would absolutely be true in modern Greek, but in Koine Greek, "the people" or "the masses" or really, "all" is a better translation. The reason translators chose "many" is probably due to a knowledge of modern Greek usage.
Now, to explain "are chosen" vs "choose", you have to understand nominative equality. In Koine Greek, if you have 2 nominatives (aka nouns with an ending that make them a subject) with the word "is" or "are" then the second one functions in English as an object. "He is good". In Koine, this would be 2 subjects with an "is" between them, but the understanding of the second is clearly an object in English. "Good" describes "He" as a direct object, even though they are both subjects in Greek.
But there is no other place that I know of where this survives through a conjunction ("but" in this case).
All are called (sure) but few (another noun) choose (a nominative verb form that clearly relates to few).
You can't say "are chosen" because then it would have to be "all are chosen" or "many are chosen". But you can't, because then what do you do with "few"? You can't make it an object in this half because there is no "is" or "are" in this half.
If there were an "are", such as "all are called" but "few are chosen" then I would agree. But there is no connecting "is" or "are" in the second half. It has to be "few choose". It's the few who are doing the action, not having it done to them.
The other thing you have to understand is that most translators are very, VERY reluctant to go against established tradition. If you look at old NIV Bibles (prior to 2000), the correct translation is almost always in the footnotes, not in the text. They were constantly too afraid to go against tradition to put the correct translation in the text.

 

[Alfred-Persson]

The greek is usually translated "many are called but few are chosen"

Its not hard to learn, go read the text

"for many are called but few are chosen" is what you read in most translations. but in my opinion a simpler translation is supported by the original greek which simply states: "for all are called but few choose"
this simpler translation destroys the distinction implied by the english translation "many are called" (implying not all) and "few are chosen" (which in english implies God chooses people, potentially against their will)
the following is from someone i met:
/quote
I'll explain:
"Many" or "all" is the Greek term οἱ πολλοί.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoi_polloi

The basic gist in ancient times is "everyone who's not in the conversation we're having right now", or "the others" or "the everyman" or "average man". Since Jesus was talking to his disciples, who already knew they were called, this means it basically applies to everyone.
So you could say "many are called" and this would absolutely be true in modern Greek, but in Koine Greek, "the people" or "the masses" or really, "all" is a better translation. The reason translators chose "many" is probably due to a knowledge of modern Greek usage.
Now, to explain "are chosen" vs "choose", you have to understand nominative equality. In Koine Greek, if you have 2 nominatives (aka nouns with an ending that make them a subject) with the word "is" or "are" then the second one functions in English as an object. "He is good". In Koine, this would be 2 subjects with an "is" between them, but the understanding of the second is clearly an object in English. "Good" describes "He" as a direct object, even though they are both subjects in Greek.
But there is no other place that I know of where this survives through a conjunction ("but" in this case).
All are called (sure) but few (another noun) choose (a nominative verb form that clearly relates to few).
You can't say "are chosen" because then it would have to be "all are chosen" or "many are chosen". But you can't, because then what do you do with "few"? You can't make it an object in this half because there is no "is" or "are" in this half.
If there were an "are", such as "all are called" but "few are chosen" then I would agree. But there is no connecting "is" or "are" in the second half. It has to be "few choose". It's the few who are doing the action, not having it done to them.
The other thing you have to understand is that most translators are very, VERY reluctant to go against established tradition. If you look at old NIV Bibles (prior to 2000), the correct translation is almost always in the footnotes, not in the text. They were constantly too afraid to go against tradition to put the correct translation in the text.

"All" is not in the text, even according to the authorities you cite: "everyone who's not" isn't "all". Moreover, the adjective can't be "chose", the only one chosing is God, not the people.

14 `Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.
15 `Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?'
16 "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." (Matt. 20:14-16 NKJ)

The "last" get chosen to receive more for working less. The workers aren't making a choice.

Same here, the "called" are not choosing, God is choosing from among the many, those without a wedding garment:

10 "So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.
12 "So he said to him,`Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.
13 "Then the king said to the servants,`Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matt. 22:10-14 NKJ)

In the first use, being chosen is good; In the second, being chosen is bad. You interpretation ignores these are "opposite", that its referring to "some among the group" and nothing more. Being chosen by itself implies nothing good or bad, as the opposite illustrates.

 

[David Lamb]

Scripture says divine election is conditioned “according to the foreknowledge of God” (1 Pt. 1:2):


Scripture also says divine election was not conditioned according to works either good or evil the Elect do:


The apparent contradiction has caused controversy in the Church. What if we wrongly assumed these scriptures pertain only to the "Wicked" or the "Righteous", what if there is a "third class" in the middlle, the "Middling People"?

Everyone assumes there are only two classes of people in this context (Mt. 25:31-46)

"And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matt. 25:46 NKJ)

Actually, there is a third Christ points to and calls "My Brethren"

"And the King will answer and say to them,`Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' (Matt. 25:40 NKJ)


Paul hints there is a "third class" of People in Romans 11:5-32, who when added to the Elect become Israel's "fullness":

5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."
9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always."
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
(Rom. 11:5-12 NKJ)

James argues against any middle ground:

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (Jas 2:10 NKJV)

The context of the words you quoted from Matthew is Jesus teaching that those who mistreat His followers (Christians) are guilty of mistreating Him, and those who treat His followers well are doing the same as if they had treated Him well. The recipients of the good and bad treatment are those whose sins have been forgiven. I don't see Romans 11 as mentioning or referring to some middle class either. There is no middle way with Christian things. Jesus said:

“"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” (Lu 11:23 NKJV)

 

[johansen]

James argues against any middle ground:

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (Jas 2:10 NKJV)

The context of the words you quoted from Matthew is Jesus teaching that those who mistreat His followers (Christians) are guilty of mistreating Him, and those who treat His followers well are doing the same as if they had treated Him well. The recipients of the good and bad treatment are those whose sins have been forgiven. I don't see Romans 11 as mentioning or referring to some middle class either. There is no middle way with Christian things. Jesus said:

“"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” (Lu 11:23 NKJV)

For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish.

Note the absence of any concept of the elect in that verse

 

[Alfred-Persson]

James argues against any middle ground:

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (Jas 2:10 NKJV)

The context of the words you quoted from Matthew is Jesus teaching that those who mistreat His followers (Christians) are guilty of mistreating Him, and those who treat His followers well are doing the same as if they had treated Him well. The recipients of the good and bad treatment are those whose sins have been forgiven. I don't see Romans 11 as mentioning or referring to some middle class either. There is no middle way with Christian things. Jesus said:

“"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” (Lu 11:23 NKJV)

I didn't say there is a middle way. I said both Arminius and Calvin were partly correct. There are verses that teach free will and people can lose their salvation, and verses which teach predestination and eternal security. The Bible is 100% true, there is no contradiction. There are three "classes" of people, those predestined to salvation, those not predestined. The last group, some choose life and are saved with the elect, some chose wickedness and so are eternally lost. When a "middling" person chooses righteousness, but then becomes wicked, they "lose thier salvation" from our perspective. From God's perspective, they never obtained it:

This applies to the unsaved middling people. It does not contradict predestination (Romans 8:29ff):

21 "But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
22 "None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.
23 "Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?
24 "But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.
(Ezek. 18:21-24 NKJ)

In Romans Paul speaks of the Elect obtaining salvation, and "the blinded" who do not. But then says some of the "blinded" do obain it and together with the Elect, they are the "fulness" of Israel. Hence you have Elect + non Elect obtaining salvation, and the wicked who do not:

7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."
9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always."
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
(Rom. 11:7-12 NKJ)

So the Elect+saved Blinded+Gentiles = All Israel:

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,
31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
(Rom. 11:25-32 NKJ)

God has committed them all (the blinded) to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all (who repent and believe after the blindness is healed).

So you have three classes: The Elect, the Blinded who believe, the wicked not mentioned in this context.

 

[Alfred-Persson]

Some believe they heard my view of Predestination before. That is impossle, I originated the view. It has yet to be debated in the Church.

What you heard is that God "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…predestined us to adoption as sons…according to the good pleasure of His will (Eph. 1-5)."

Arminius believed the Fall onward was the basis for God's choice, "foreseen faith". Calvin objected, and emphasized God's Sovereign will which had nothing to do with us or what we do.

I say both are wrong. God foreknew everyone who would come into existence before the foundation of the world. Everyone came into existence holy and without sin, with absolute Free Will…in His Omniscience.

Those who responded to God's love when they "awoke", with Love became God's Elect predestined unto salvation. Those who responded to God's love with indifference, or worse…He did not predestine. In order that NONE of those He foreknew loved Him would perish, God ordains all things will work together for their good. This has nothing to do with what we do AFTER the fall. Its not "foreseen" faith. AND God's Sovereign Choice was based on LOVE.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:28-31 NKJ)

It was "God's good purpose and will" He not lose even one of those He foreknew loved Him, completely without reservation. They knew God perfectly (in God's Omniscience), and responded to His love with love. They are lovers of God. If God didn't have a way to prevent even one of these be lost, He never would have created the cosmos.

God does not predestine the rest. He calls all to repentance and salvation, and some of the "Undetermined" will accept His offer, but the wicked will not.

You said these have free will. Can they turn away from God, having been predestined before birth, not to do so?

Hypothetical theories about free will may not apply here.

These "lovers of God" may not even know who they are in this life. They only know they repented and believed just like all other believers. And they never fall away. Its not "in them" to reject God. But God Himself keeps them from making that mistake, no "man" can tear them out of God's hand, including themselves:

27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (Jn. 10:27-29 NKJ)

But that is not true of the non-elect. Prior to regeneration, being born again…they can lose what they had almost obtained. Once a "non-elect" is born again, they have passed from death into life and cannot die. If "everlasting life" is temporary, its not everlasting life:

24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. (Jn. 5:24 NKJ)

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. (1 Jn. 3:14 NKJ)

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (Jn. 11:25-26 NKJ)

Once saved, always saved. All the scriptures that say believers fall away into death and lose their salvation, apply ONLY to the "middling people", the "non-elect" prior to regeneration. Once regenerated, they have "everlasting life".

So you never heard this view of Predestination. Neither Calvin, Arminius or Molina discuss the above. I hope to make it popular in the church so it can be debated.

 

[johansen]

It has yet to be debated in the Church.

oh dear....

 

[Alfred-Persson]

Some believe they heard my view of Predestination before. That is impossle, I originated the view. It has yet to be debated in the Church.

What you heard is that God "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…predestined us to adoption as sons…according to the good pleasure of His will (Eph. 1-5)."

Arminius believed the Fall onward was the basis for God's choice, "foreseen faith". Calvin objected, and emphasized God's Sovereign will which had nothing to do with us or what we do.

I say both are wrong. God foreknew everyone who would come into existence before the foundation of the world. Everyone came into existence holy and without sin, with absolute Free Will…in His Omniscience.

Those who responded to God's love when they "awoke", with Love became God's Elect predestined unto salvation. Those who responded to God's love with indifference, or worse…He did not predestine. In order that NONE of those He foreknew loved Him would perish, God ordains all things will work together for their good. This has nothing to do with what we do AFTER the fall. Its not "foreseen" faith. AND God's Sovereign Choice was based on LOVE.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:28-31 NKJ)

It was "God's good purpose and will" He not lose even one of those He foreknew loved Him, completely without reservation. They knew God perfectly (in God's Omniscience), and responded to His love with love. They are lovers of God. If God didn't have a way to prevent even one of these be lost, He never would have created the cosmos.

God does not predestine the rest. He calls all to repentance and salvation, and some of the "Undetermined" will accept His offer, but the wicked will not.

You said these have free will. Can they turn away from God, having been predestined before birth, not to do so?

Hypothetical theories about free will may not apply here.

These "lovers of God" may not even know who they are in this life. They only know they repented and believed just like all other believers. And they never fall away. Its not "in them" to reject God. But God Himself keeps them from making that mistake, no "man" can tear them out of God's hand, including themselves:

27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (Jn. 10:27-29 NKJ)

But that is not true of the non-elect. Prior to regeneration, being born again…they can lose what they had almost obtained. Once a "non-elect" is born again, they have passed from death into life and cannot die. If "everlasting life" is temporary, its not everlasting life:

24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. (Jn. 5:24 NKJ)

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. (1 Jn. 3:14 NKJ)

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (Jn. 11:25-26 NKJ)

Once saved, always saved. All the scriptures that say believers fall away into death and lose their salvation, apply ONLY to the "middling people", the "non-elect" prior to regeneration. Once regenerated, they have "everlasting life".

So you never heard this view of Predestination. Neither Calvin, Arminius or Molina discuss the above. I hope to make it popular in the church so it can be debated.

PS: Elements of God's Natural Knowledge, Middle Knowledge and Free Knowledge, all are present in the above. But as the "Omniscient human" never comes into actual existence, Salvation of the Elect is by God's grace through faith and not predicated upon anything we actually do or are in this fallen realm. Same can be affirmed for the non-elect because God Sovereignly calls all to repentance, and enables them to make a free will choice for salvation. A choice is not a work. He does this either in this life, or the afterlife (Heb. 9:27-29; 1 Pet. 4:6). Only those who commit eternal sins in this life, by blaspheming the Holy Spirit or accepting the Mark of the Beast etc., lose any opportunity to reconsider their rejection of the gospel in this life.

 

[David Lamb]

For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish.

Note the absence of any concept of the elect in that verse

But I wasn't saying that. This thread is about the possibility of three classes of people, wicked, righteous and in between. I was saying that the bible speaks of only two.

 

[Alfred-Persson]

But I wasn't saying that. This thread is about the possibility of three classes of people, wicked, righteous and in between. I was saying that the bible speaks of only two.

I agree somewhat, the third class must be inferred. But if one values Rabbinic Teaching as Jesus did then the possibility the third class is implied by scripture texts which support both Arminianism against Calvinism, and Calvinism against Armianism, becomes more likely:

Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." (Matt. 13:52 NKJ)

2 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
3 "Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. (Matt. 23:2-3 NKJ)

The possiblity ideas from the School of Hillel which Paul was immersed in, found its way in the NT becomes possible:

3 "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. (Acts 22:3 NKJ)

 

[Hazelelponi]

Scripture says divine election is conditioned “according to the foreknowledge of God” (1 Pt. 1:2):


Scripture also says divine election was not conditioned according to works either good or evil the Elect do:


The apparent contradiction has caused controversy in the Church. What if we wrongly assumed these scriptures pertain only to the "Wicked" or the "Righteous", what if there is a "third class" in the middlle, the "Middling People"?

Everyone assumes there are only two classes of people in this context (Mt. 25:31-46)

"And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matt. 25:46 NKJ)

Actually, there is a third Christ points to and calls "My Brethren"

"And the King will answer and say to them,`Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' (Matt. 25:40 NKJ)


Paul hints there is a "third class" of People in Romans 11:5-32, who when added to the Elect become Israel's "fullness":

5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."
9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always."
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
(Rom. 11:5-12 NKJ)

In Revelation 3:15-16 Christ criticizes those who could be categorized as "middling people" who are neither cold or hot:

15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (Rev. 3:15-16 NKJ)

James warns against being "double minded" who might not receive salvation from the LORD, something that could be said only about those whose fate is undetermined:

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (Jas. 1:6-8 NKJ)

Lets assume the School of Hillel (Gamaliel, Paul the apostle Acts 22:3) is correct, that three classes of people exist on Judgment Day, which is confirmed in the book of Revelation when the "book of life" is opened so names could be written into it (Rev. 20:12) :

[I.15 A] Said R. Kruspedai said R. Yohanan, “Three books are opened [by God] on the New Year: one for the thoroughly wicked, one for the thoroughly righteous, and one for middling [people].
“The thoroughly righteous immediately are inscribed and sealed for [continued] life.
[C] “The thoroughly wicked immediately are inscribed and sealed for death.
[D] “Middling [people] are left hanging from New Year until the Day of Atonement.
[E] “If they [are found to have] merit, they are inscribed for life.
[F] “If they [are found] not [to have] merit, they are inscribed for death.”
[G] Said R. Abin, “What is the Scriptural [foundation for this]? [Ps. 69:28 states]: ‘Let them be blotted out of the book of the living. Let them not be inscribed among the righteous.’ ‘Let them be blotted out of the book’-this refers to the book of the thoroughly wicked. ‘[… of the] living’-this refers to the book of the righteous. ‘Let them not be inscribed among the righteous’-this refers to the book of middling [people].”-Neusner, J. (2011). The Babylonian Talmud: A Translation and Commentary (Vol. 6b, p. 83). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

Rabbi Abin relies on unstated implications: “Let them be blotted out” implies the Book of the Thoroughly Wicked because the action is ongoing, they will never repent. “Book of the Living” lists the names of the Thoroughly Righteous. “Inscribed among the righteous” implies the Book of the Middling

This means both Calvin and Arminius are partly correct, both Election and Free Will are taught in Scripture. For more on this go to my site:

What if the Bible Teaches Both Predestination and Free Will? | End Time News

What if the Bible Teaches Both Predestination and Free Will? Scripture says divine election is conditioned "according to the foreknowledge of God" (1 Pt. 1:2): Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood...

endtimenews.net

I'm coming from the Calvinist perspective that says anyone who is saved is indeed in the assembly of the elect.

That's what your missing. It doesn't matter what we experience or see, all who are saved are the elect.

Do you think you chose to accept Christ? Boom, one more of God's elect is home.

God is sovereign.

 

[Alfred-Persson]

I'm coming from the Calvinist perspective that says anyone who is saved is indeed in the assembly of the elect.

That's what your missing. It doesn't matter what we experience or see, all who are saved are the elect.

Do you think you chose to accept Christ? Boom, one more of God's elect is home.

God is sovereign.

If all saved are elect chosen before the foundation of the world, that means their names were written in the book of life "since the foundation of the world" and can never be blotted out.

So how is it there are names in the book of life that can be blotted out?

"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Rev. 3:5 NKJ)

Logically, as the Elect's names cannot be blotted out, these names that can be blotted do not belong to the Elect. Another class of people, who aren't elect, are also among the saved.

Again, Paul says the "elect" obtained salvation, but the rest (=non elect) were blinded but later saved. Therefore, The Elect+The saved Blinded+The saved Gentiles=The Fullness:

7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."
9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always."
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! (Rom. 11:7-12 NKJ)

26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,
31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. (Rom. 11:26-32 NKJ)

The Elect+The saved Blinded+The Gentiles= The Fullness, "All Israel...saved".

Among these "blinded" were those who died "enemies of the gospel", but at Christ's second coming they are delivered. God has mercy on all who believe, whether in this life or the afterlife.

So everyone saved was not "of the Elect", some of the "non-Elect" were also saved because they repented and believed.