Do you agree with the OP that none of the elect are ever in danger of the second death?
Yes, that is part of the definition of the 'elect'. I believe that definition is almost universally accepted by Christians. The “elect" of God” are those whom God has predestined to salvation.
(Aside: I am assuming you are not talking about ISRAEL, who constitute another entity known as the 'elect' or the 'elect' angels)
Why all the grave warnings written to the churches?
This is not directly relevant to the “elect of God” who are those whom God has predestined to salvation.
I can't believe you don't know the answer. The purpose of "Warnings" is to act as God's instructions for obedience and consequences. This is the way God has chosen to interact with us 'dummies'.
Why does anyone not believing (and practicing sin) have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ?
This is not directly relevant to the “elect of God” who are those whom God has predestined to salvation.
I can't believe you don't know the answer. I assume by 'believing' you are talking about faith that causes salvation. Anyone the does not have salvific faith does not share in Christ's inheritance (Theology 101)
What do you do with
Rom. 3:10-18 and other such passages teaching total depravity of every unregenerate person?
This is not directly relevant to the “elect of God” who are those whom God has predestined to salvation.
Depravity is the inability to do “good” in the manner which is pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6). Depravity is what Gods sees when He looks at fallen man and not what He sees when He looks at Himself or those who have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them Isaiah 53:11.
Total depravity means that there is nothing in fallen man which God can find pleasure or accept.
Total depravity means that man is, in spirit and soul and body, the slave of sin and the captive of the Devil; "following the prince of the power of the air”. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]."
Ok, I get that all the elect will eventually believe and obey, as God causes them to be converted and born again. From an eternal POV they were predestined to be saved.
Agreed.
there is a chronology in the process of predestination. God's plan has to be worked out, because if the plan is thwarted (hypothetically), those people won't be converted, and they will be judged "as the rest," because they are "children of wrath."
Agreed. (God's plan cannot be thwarted) It would be nice if plan was thwarting such that Adam and Eve never sin
)
If there were no real danger of judgment for the elect before they hear the gospel and believe, then the part of the gospel that says there is a real need to be saved seems like a big fat lie.
I don't think I follow you.
It is not possible for any of the elect to not hear the gospel. All the elect must hear the gospel as faith cometh by hearing and faith is a prerequisite of being a child of God. God's plan of salvation includes:
- to select/chose whom He would save in eternity past (before TIME existed).
- God create earth/man/time
- God sends Christ as Redemption, Reconciliation, Propitiation
- Joe Blow is born and is part of the elect
- Joe Blow hears the salvific gospel
- Joe Blow is caused to believe the gospel he has heard
Step 1 thru 6 all all necessary to Joe Blow to be saved. Now, God could have saved the 'elect' via another method. We assume God always uses the best method/plan so this is what He has determined the process is. God determines the process/'the need'. God has determines 'the process' to be necessary.
It seems to me that the OP has entered into the realm of hypercalvinist heresy.
I don't follow. What is the heresy specifically?
The redemption of Christ is "once for all," but it is not appropriated to a person prior to that person hearing the gospel and believing. If it is claimed that it is appropriated before regeneration, that will negate the necessity to believe and obey the gospel, which the NT is clear of such necessity (ref
2 Thes. 12:8-10). What do you think about that?
I think you conflating 'Gods Plan' and the 'execution in time of Gods Plan'; that for some reason the PLAN and the Execution of the Plan are one and the same. (not sure I am following you though).
God is eternal, he has no succession of moments. In this sense you are always saved. God acts in time and from a human/time stand point you are saved at some point in a succession of moments. So, it depends on your view point. God's viewpoint is you are always one of the chosen. God plays out one's conversion in time. (I grant that I, and no one for that matter, understands what it is to be eternal and getting into interesting metaphysics)
Maybe you should think of one's salvation as being first "assigned" and later "applied". You were always going to be adopted by God (assigned in eternity past) and this adoption took place (was applied) in 1972 (or whenever). The 'application' is a necessary part of your salvation but is was predestined (Assigned) in eternity past.
Maybe I don't understand what you are getting at.