What is double predestination?

Answer

Double predestination is the belief that God creates some people whose purpose in existence is to be sent to hell. Is this concept biblical? Let us examine the question from the book of Romans, which has two predominant themes throughout. The first theme is the righteousness of God. The gospel message itself reveals God’s righteousness (Romans 1:16-17). The truth contained within the gospel message declares a person righteous before God by faith (Romans 4-5). The central figure of the gospel message—Jesus Christ—enables a person to be righteous (Romans 6-7). The gospel message guides individuals on how to live in a righteous manner (Romans 12).

Another theme found in the book of Romans is that of wrath. God’s wrath has been revealed—and is being revealed—against all sinful actions «For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; », (Romans 1:18). Humanity is aware of God but rejects Him in their thoughts and deeds (Romans 1:21-22). Therefore, the wrath of God is the consequence of allowing individuals to live as they please «Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: », (Romans 1:24,26, 28), which ultimately leads to destruction (Romans 1:28-32). Man rejects the God of the universe, and in response, God forsakes man. Only a personal intervention from God can change the destructive path that individuals are on.A person discovers himself as he hardens himself in sin.

In Romans 9:22, we find the following passage: “What if God, choosing to reveal his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?” Some individuals interpret this verse as suggesting that God has created specific vessels for His wrath. However, this is not the intended message of the verse. As mentioned earlier, humanity has already faced God’s wrath. Humanity has readied itself for destruction. It is God who tolerates these vessels—vessels that have readied themselves for destruction by refusing to forsake their sin and turn to God.

Consider the subsequent verse, Romans 9:23, which states: “And he did so in order that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory.” It is important to note that God chooses certain individuals in advance for His glory. In essence, before the world’s creation, God selected specific individuals to be His children so that He would receive glory (see Ephesians 1:4). It does not imply that God chose individuals for damnation or predetermined them for wrath. The Bible does not mention a concept of double predestination where God elects or predestines some to hell and others to heaven. Those who are subject to God’s wrath are in that state because they have rejected God. Those who possess God’s righteousness are in that state because God has chosen them to be His children.