I think the problem Calvinist devotees have with scripture is, besides being sure they are one of the Elect Calvin spoke of, is that the scripture speaks of God and from God's Omniscient perspective.
God would foreknow for whom the Good News would resonate. He would even know them by name, those names being written in the Lambs Book of Life. And likely we all at one time or other, or perhaps still, think that what the passage is telling us in various parts of the Bible , The Book of Revelation chapter 20 and verse 12 , The Book of Philippians chapter 4 verse 3, and so forth
, is that Katherine _______, Larry __________, David ___________, are what is being referred to.
But the Bible , as many of us have discovered if we've sat down and spent a great deal of time with it, is not like any other bound tome, or book. You read it , it says what is on the page, and that's how you're suppose to understand it. Move on to the next book.
No, the Bible is a doorway the moment you open the cover. It has passages, and other doorways, and secrets and hidden meanings that deliver the words of an eternal God who spoke to the world for as long as it shall live.
The idea of names, as we understand the word in western culture, is likely not what is being said about the Lamb's Book of Life.
And the sheep of God are not a select number of persons by name who are the only ones predestined for salvation. As if a certain number were pre-selected by the creator of all things and which would necessarily mean that same creator predetermined a certain number of names would suffer eternity in damnation . That idea blows Omni-Benevolence out of the water I think.
Reference: NAME
This is why I offer links to resources that support what I say or sustain what I have referred to in a scripture. Below is another example. Because if we allow ourselves to accept that God created us totally depraved and then He Himself made us to be in His grace and then have faith so as to gain eternal life in the end, we will be led to believe we have nothing to do with the matter of loving God and hearkening unto His eternal word so as to repent and be saved. It is all done for us, as one tradition would have it. And conversely, for those for whom it does not apply, well, they're to remain totally depraved and damned, as was also pre-arranged by the Father.
Just as context is vital to recognize when reading any particular scripture verse, so too is translation. It is my hope that the resource below helps to further this thread into the light of God's eternal love. Love for the whole world, as He wishes none should perish. [The Book of John chapter 3 and particularly verse 16. The Book of 2ndPeter chapter 3 verse 9 ]
Q & A: Do you think the Lord knows who are his, and who isn't?andIs the Bible its own expositor, or do we need to study the original Greek & Hebrew texts? By Craig Bluemel
(Excerpt)
Do you think the Lord knows who are his, and who isn't?
The answer to this question is easy; below is listed the same passage in a few different varying translation, all of which convey the same idea:
1 Corinthians 8:1 –3 Knowledge, however, tends to make people conceited; it is love that builds us up.
2 If any one imagines that he already possesses any true knowledge, he has as yet attained to no knowledge of the kind to which he ought to have attained;
3 but if any one loves God, that man is known by God. Weymouth New Testament Translation
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 Knowledge, however, tends to make people conceited; it is love that builds us up.
2 If any one imagines that he already possesses any true knowledge, he has as yet attained to no knowledge of the kind to which he ought to have attained;
3 but if any one loves God, that man is known by God. Weymouth New Testament Translation
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 Knowledge, puffeth up, but, love, buildeth up;
2 If anyone thinketh that he knoweth anything, not yet knoweth he, as he must needs come to know,
3 but, if anyone loveth God, the same, is known of him—Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 we know, that in all of us there is knowledge; and knowledge inflateth, but love edifieth.
2 And if any one thinketh that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet, as
he ought to know
it.
3 But if any one loveth God, that man is known of him. 1851 Murdoch New Testament
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 It is easy to think that we "know" over problems like this, but we should remember that while this “knowing” may make a man look big, it is only love that can make him grow to his full stature.
2 For if a man thinks he "knows" he may still be quite ignorant of what he ought to know.
3 But if he loves God he is the man who is known to God. Phillip’s New Testament
A host of scripture passages affirms the tenet taught in 1 Corinthians 8:1-3; God “knows” those that are “His” provided he or she “loves” God.
[end of excerpt]
God loves you! YOU! That is right now reading this way too long a post, boy that's a first for me
![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
. And if you love Him back He knows you. He knew you because you are of God.
The Book of Colossians chapter 1 verses 16-20 ,
The Book of John chapter 1 and particularly verses 1 thru 4. Believe and be saved.