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Kathy said:
I will need then to understand the difference between for-ordained and predestined.... OK.

At this moment...
QUESION: WHY/How are the elect predestined?
ANSWER: (it seems to me) "Because God said so" and will have to remain a mystery.
1) VERY simplified working definitions of the terms:
Foreordination: The determining of all things; their beginning and their end, including all things to bring them to their appointed end.

Predestination: The determination of God to save certain individuals in Christ Jesus.

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[/i]You then ask:[/i]
Do you think this can be/should be understood? That is what I meant.

So (rhetorically again) where does this leave the Gospel message/presentation?
Yes, predestination is a doctrine which is irrefutably revealed in Scripture. And, it being the foundation of salvation in Christ, it should be made known, but handled with care. It can be very useful in one's speaking of God and salvation, e.g. to humble a sinner's pride who thinks that redemption of his/her soul is a matter of their own decision, etc. On the other hand, it can be very comforting to one who believes that there is no hope for themselves due to their sinfulness.

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Lastly, your wrote
I was viewing an online debate (elsewhere) between an Arminian and Predestination believer... The latter said this:

"It is the command of God that every man repent and believe the Gospel. This is the revealed will of God to man. However, in His secret will, His decretive will, He has appointed some men to salvation and others to condemnation. Man’s duty is to obey the revealed will of God. We are not to speculate on the secret will of the Lord."
I agree 100% with this quote. The specific details of the secret will (decretive will) of God is unknown to us. But it has been revealed that God has decreed (foreordained) all that should exist and all that should occur in regard to them for the explicit purpose of exalting His own glory. The revealed will (prescriptive will) of God is all that is written in His Word. And it is this which we are to give are whole attention and obey; conforming our lives according to all holiness.

In His grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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