Your question relates to whether the future (as we perceive it) is fixed or open. My own thought is that it is a little of both. But I do not think we can arrive at a conclusion based solely upon an obscure part of speech, i.e., we cannot draw firm conclusions based on verb tenses. I agree that would amount to straining out a gnat, or squeezing the stone too hard to make it produce a drop of water. I am more interested in why this matters to you. What is the implication, one way or the other? Are you trying to determine something about free will, providence, etc.? To briefly state my own thought, God created a physical realm bound by laws of physics and time, but He Himself (as Creator) stands both within and without His Creation. Thus, God, being omnipresent in all times and dimensions, has omniscience of events and experiences them equally in a way that we cannot understand. That is not to say that these events are predetermined, only that they are known to Him before they are known to us. I hope that helps to simplify the matter and not complicate it further 🙂

Brenda, I have always thought of the temptation of Adam and Eve as a story within a story, revealing both a Physical (or Literal) sense, and a Spiritual sense. Mankind as we know, is comprised of both the rational faculty (the Reason) which corresponds to Adam; and the volitional faculty (the Will with the emotions) which corresponds to Eve. In the account, Eve, which would correspond to the Will with the emotions, sensed that the initial relationship towards the Lord God had changed. But the Rational faculty (which corresponds to Adam), no longer guided by an “Inspired Reason”, that is, intuitively aware of his/her own error of Choice or Personal Decision, was absent. The Will is always there in our temptations, but we are no longer guided by an “Inspired Reason”, call it Conscience or a spiritual intuition. Nor are we thinking consciously of the consequences of our actions. Hence, we are “acting alone” with our seduced Will and emotions. Apart from (Adam, the Rational faculty), our “Inspired Reason”, Conscience, or any spiritual intuition. I know this may be “stretching it” a bit in the explanation, but I do hope that perhaps this may answer your question by way of correspondence. Let me know what you think. Timothy B

This may not have anything to do with my knowledge of God, I would just like to get understanding as to why it was stated that way…I have sought the Lord for over a year concerning the revelation that is there…I think I have part of it worked out, and for me at least, it seems of value…

Anyway, I am relieved to know that was Icreated for Him and for His pleasure…Once I saw this the pressure was off me, and Purpose was clearer…

“May God’s Kingdom come, and His will be done on earth to the extent is is done in Heaven”…

“Lord, we are waiting and watching for Your Kingdom to be manifested…Speed the day!”
Brenda Brown

Theologians would say it was necessary for Man to have “freedom of choice.” I suppose that is mostly correct. Strictly speaking however, it was neither the tree nor the serpent nor listening to Eve that caused Adam’s downfall; it was his decision to walk an independent path. It was his yielding to Self that opened the door to Sin. Self was there all along; had it been denied, Sin would not have gained entrance.