Does God not know the beginning from the end?

Does God not know the beginning from the end?

QUESTION:

Does God not know the beginning from the end?

REPY:

God absolutely knows the beginning from the end. God is not limited by time as He is outside of time and eternal in nature. The Bible provides several verses that emphasize God's eternal nature and His existence beyond the constraints of time: Ephesians 3:11; 1 Timothy 1:17; Genesis 21:33; Psalm 100:5.

Besides direct quotes of scripture let’s also look at other content that proves God’s eternal nature and His omniscience regards knowledge of beginning and end. Consider this. Any ‘human’ plan (or project) has a specific sequence of events. One cannot build a house by starting with the roof first! (Progress through the plan in the wrong order leads to problems and probable failure). Have you ever considered the Bible being God's plan (or project) to redeem creation? In this regard, the Bible is God’s blueprint that provides the plan to follow and achieve the desired outcome. Consider the following verses, noting the indication of a plan, a start and end of it, progression and specific timings and goals, etc.

Isa 46:9-10  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  (10)  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel [Strongs 6098. Heb. "etsah" - plan, purpose, designs, advisement] shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,'

Psalm 33:11 The counsel [guidelines, advisement, purpose] of the Lord stands forever, the plans [thoughts, intentions, inventions] of His heart to all generations.

Note this dialog between God and Jesus concerning Israel salvation. This dialog makes it clear that things were planned and settled long before the actual events occurred. This were planned and predetermined according to the wisdom and will of God,

Isaiah 49:5 [Jesus speaking] And now says the Lord, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and My God shall be My strength), 6 [Plans concerning Gentile salvation] [God speaking] Indeed He says, It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.

Before the foundations of the world, God put together a plan and predestined all these things to happen according to His counsel and good pleasure. But, does this plan have progression? Are there actions and targets in this plan? Let’s consider the next verse,

Galatians 4:4  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, ...

'The fullness of the time' expresses that there was an exact point in the timeline when Jesus Christ had to be born. This indicates a very specific moment! Not too soon, or not too late! There are many reasons for this exact moment, but this is a very clear proof that God's plan has a structure, and that timing was clearly evident.

Because God's 'plan' has existed from the beginning, we often encounter words like these: Predetermined, Predestined, Foreknowledge, Foreordained, Chosen, Elect, and Called. The following verses all indicate design and intention.

1Pe 1:19-20  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (20)  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (See Genesis 3:15, Galatians 4:4-5)

Eph 1:4-5  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  (5)  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Eph.3:15 whole family…)

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 

See also: Isaiah 14:26-27; Ephesians 1:11; Acts 2:23; 2 Timothy 1:9

One last scripture that can add truth to that mentioned above is,

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Why would Paul have told Timothy to study the scriptures and to ensure he divides them correctly? Well, wouldn't it be necessary if the scriptures were an extended and very elaborate plan, comprising many complimentary, yet fundamentally different parts, people groups, actions, and periods.

Thus, to conclude, there is much evidence in the Bible that indicates that God knows the beginning from the end. God has predetermined a plan before the foundations of the world that is being executed in exact timing to restore creation and redeem humanity.