This is in response to a question topic that came in, and yes, that’s a hefty set of topics! I’ll give a concise, thought-provoking overview of each; culture & history, salvation, heaven, and predestination. I’ll weave through the Bible, aiming to spark reflection rather than exhaust every detail.
Culture & History
The Bible spans roughly 4,000 years of history, from the Bronze Age to the Roman Empire, touching on a mixture of ancient cultures. It begins with what used to be thought of as nomadic patriarchs like Abraham in Mesopotamia (Genesis 12). However, Abram was the son of a very noble general and important family of the early civilizations of the earth.
Then the scriptures moves through Egyptian bondage by the descendants of Abram, Isaac, and Jacob, as they left Egypt at the hand of Moses. Their behavior caused them to wander in the desert (Exodus), and settle into the tribal (family) confederacies in the land of Canaan.
The monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon ensued and (1-2 Samuel, 1 Kings) marked a cultural peak; think temple-building and poetic psalms, a divided kingdom, before fracturing into exile under Babylon (2 Kings 25, Jeremiah) for the House of Judah, and Assyria before that for the House of Ephraim.
The Culture & History Salvation Heaven And Predestination In The Bible
By the New Testament, the people of Judah were under Roman rule, with Greek influence (Hellenism) reshaping language, ideology, and thought (e.g., the Septuagint). Despite the teaching of the Anointed Prince of Judah, the Greek/Roman influence destructed this people.
The texts reflect patriarchal societies, agrarian economies, and a deep intertwining of religion with daily life—laws in Leviticus, for instance, govern everything from diet to morality. Yet, amid this, the Almighty’s covenant with a “small,” often rebellious people (who are from within another people, Shem and them) stands out as a countercultural thread, challenging empires and idolatry with monotheism and justice.
What’s striking?
The Bible doesn’t sanitize history—heroes like David had moments of adultery and murder tainting his legacy (2 Samuel 11), yet still “after the Almighty’s heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) in his humility to beg for mercy and actually repent. It’s raw, showing how the Almighty’s purpose still unfolds through messy human cultures.
Let’s move on to salvation.
Salvation
Salvation is the Bible’s heartbeat. The Great Creator (God) rescuing humanity from sin and death is salvation. It starts in Genesis 3 with the “Fall.”
The “Fall” is where Adam and Eve’s disobedience fractures their bond with the Creator, ushering in mortality and exile. Don’t fret, this was all part of the plan, but the way it took place was not so much part of the plan. The Old Testament builds toward redemption through promises or covenants (particularly with Abram’s offspring, Genesis 12:3), sacrifices (Leviticus 16’s Day of Atonement), and prophets hinting at an Anointed One (Isaiah 53) as well as the restoration of His people.
The New Testament declares the Anointed Prince of Judah (Jesus Christ) as that fulfillment—his death and resurrection (Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4) bridging the gap, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe, be they of the House of Jacob or of the Gentiles (John 3:16). But it does start with the House of Jacob. It’s not earned solely by works, but received by confidence or faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), though James 2:17 nudges us that true faith and confidence is shown through action.
The twist?
Salvation’s scope evolves—from the House of Jacob’s national deliverance to a universal call, the House of Jacob and Gentile alike (Romans 1:16). It’s both now (reconciliation with the Great Creator) and not yet (full renewal at the Anointed Prince of Judah’s return). Does free will or divine grace drive it? The Bible holds both in tension, leaving room for debate, but ultimately it has got to be free will.
Let’s talk about Heaven!
Heaven
Heaven in Scripture is less a fluffy cloudscape and more a dynamic reality. In the Old Testament, it’s the Almighty’s dwelling place above the earth (Psalm 11:4), mysterious and veiled. The New Testament sharpens the picture: the Anointed Prince promises a place prepared for believers (John 14:2-3), and Revelation 21-22 paints it as a new heaven and new earth—a physical, perfected creation where the Creator lives among people, wiping away tears, death, and pain.
To be fair, the Old Testament promised all of that first (Isaiah 65:17). No sun or temple needed; the Almighty’s presence is its light (Revelation 21:23). It’s a city (New Jerusalem), yet also a garden, sounds like Eden’s restoration. It’s right here on the earth.
Provocative bit: Heaven isn’t just an escape—it’s where justice reigns and creation is healed. But who gets in? The Anointed Prince says “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6), yet the thief on the cross slips in with a last-minute plea (Luke 23:43). It’s exclusive yet surprising. To get in, people must accept the teachings of the Anointed One and those of the prophets.
Shall we talk about predestination?
Predestination
Here’s the brain-bender. Predestination suggests the Almighty sovereignly chooses who’s saved and He’s already done it. It does not matter how many cookies you baked for the church or how many grannies you helped across the street. Bottom line is, if you weren’t chosen or predestined, you’re out. Romans 8:29-30 says He “foreknew” and “predestined” some to be conformed to Christ’s image, and Ephesians 1:4-5 claims believers were chosen “before the foundation of the world.”
However, free will reverberates too—Joshua 24:15 calls O Jacob to “choose this day” whom they’ll serve, and John 3:16 implies belief is open to “whosoever.”
Theologians split here: Calvinists lean hard into the Almighty’s election (Romans 9:16—”it depends not on human will, but on the Almighty”), while Arminians argue humans cooperate with grace.
What’s wild?
The Bible doesn’t resolve it neatly. The Anointed Prince of Judah (yeah I like calling him that full title) wept over Jerusalem’s rejection of the Almighty (Matthew 23:37), hinting at a real choice, yet he prays, “No one can come to me unless the Father draws him” (John 6:44). Are we puppets or partners? It’s a paradox that forces humility to take some action and know that the Almighty’s mind outstrips ours. But what kind of heavenly judicial system would have a judgment for something they were already predestined for?
Tying It Together
These themes all interlock: so kudos to who asked this question because they all interlock. History shows the Almighty engaging cultures, ultimately attempting to bring the culture of the Heaven Eternal Kingdom to the colony of the Kingdom called earth. He does this to unfold salvation; salvation aims at Heaven’s renewal. The colony rebelled in the days of Adam, Nimrod, and even the House of Jacob. However, was reconciled by the Anointed Prince of Judah and the mercy of the Eternal Almighty Creator. Lastly, predestination probes how we get there; this is a deeper topic but the entire predestination deals with the war in Heaven before the earth was established (but that’s a topic for another writing).
The Bible doesn’t dodge complexity—it invites us to wrestle with it. What do you think: does the Almighty’s sovereignty comfort or unsettle you in this mix?
Thanks for reading!
Power be with you,
Minister Koko
Looking to learn more, join our School on Skool and our Action Group. We teach how to best prepare for the coming Kingdom, which is approaching sooner than you think.
