Does God's Foreknowledge Make Revelation 22:19 a Non-Literal Expression?
J.C. Thibodaux
Another argument that Calvinists employ against the warning given in Revelation 22 is the idea that if taken literally, it would contradict God's divine foreknowledge. The argument goes something like this:
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God knows the future, including all those who will end up in heaven and hell (true)
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God ordained who will be saved from the foundation of the world (true)
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It therefore follows that any reference to God taking away eternal salvation from anyone cannot be taken literally, for He would have already done so before the world began (conclusion is faulty)
This type of argument is known as a non-sequitur (French: 'does not follow'), as it makes assumptions about God that cannot be backed up from the Bible.
The fact that God has perfect foreknowledge of all future events does not mean that He cannot choose to do things in the present or future -- He is sovereign after all. It may have been part of God's plan that He, knowing some would receive Him but later fall away, granted them the gift of faith in Him till such time as they would reject it. And in keeping with His promises, prepared a place for them, yet took their portion away when they would not continue to abide in Him. Consider the following verses in scripture,
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils..."
1 Timothy 4:1
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."
Romans 11:22
"Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled; Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."
Hebrews 12:14-16
The warning in Revelation 22:19 is not an isolated instance, its meaning correlates very well with the rest of the Bible. This whole idea of calling it an anthropomorphism (non-literal expression in human terms) is fraught with faulty assumptions that cannot be proven. One could under equally as strong a premise raise questions about why God created the world and is letting it run its course instead of just glorifying the elect immediately. To which, as well as to the Calvinist questions of why God would perform actions in the present or future despite perfect foreknowledge in eternity past, I can only reply,
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
Romans 11:33
Bottom Line:
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There is no basis for saying that God's foreknowledge in eternity past means that He cannot or will not perform an action in the present or future
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Just because we cannot understand why God would do a thing does not mean that He will not do it, especially when His word clearly states that He will
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