Do I believe God already knew that Satan would rebel? How could He not? Do you actually think God could be surprised by anything that happens? Does He then have to go to Plan B or C or D...? If all of life and time was unknowable and just random happening as it is happening, then how could God prove Himself to the Israelites by prophecy? God told them that the chief way they could know who was and was not a prophet of the Lord would be by what they said would happen, actually did happen exactly like they said it would. Now, how could God tell anyone things that would happen IN THE FUTURE unless He already knew? As He told them, no false god or idol could do that and ONLY the true God has that genuine attribute.
As I said, this is something that our mere, finite human minds do not have the capacity to comprehend. Scripture is rampant with words that speak to Almighty God's infinite and unsearchable wisdom and knowledge. That He knows the end from the beginning demonstrates that He is outside of what we call time. He is not bound by it, constrained by it, hindered by it. When you say, "Love is not an emotion that can be ordered, bought, sold, or commanded", I agree and I do not see the connection between God's omniscience and His "ordering" of love. We love Him because He FIRST loved us. We cannot limit by our own limited thinking why or how God does what God does. All we can know is what He tells us in His word and by the confirmation of His word within our hearts that His Spirit illuminates.
AND according to Paul some were chosen/elected before the foundation of this flesh age. AND by Paul's own life story he was NOT allow to follow his free will of ending Christianity.... Stephen was stoned because of describing the Christian 'history'!!!
Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 1:
4 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,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
But is he really saying that, "some were chosen/elected before the foundation of this flesh age", or is he saying that God predetermined that those who would come to saving faith would be "holy and without blame" and "adopted" into the family of God and conformed to the image of Christ? I read this and other verses not so much that God has already predetermined who would or would not be saved - as if no one has a choice - but that He KNOWS all that would and has determined that all that do ARE set apart in Christ to the praise of His glory. Again, God is outside of time and that is the ONLY way that He could know us before the foundation of the earth, know all our days before there was a one of them and work ALL things to the good and His glory. When you say Paul was not "allowed" to follow his anti-Christian ways, I disagree. Of course Paul had the choice just like Mary had a choice in bearing the Savior, just as we all have the choice to choose God or reject Him. Paul was God's chosen, "he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15). But if Paul refused, he would NOT have been God's chosen one - he was not FORCED to be what God planned for him to be.
I think the problem is that we try to understand things we don't have the ability to understand and those things we accept by faith because God SAID it.
Not everyone that God created loved - loves Him, else we would NOT have had to have this flesh age. Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
I am guessing that Christians believe that Christ existed before He came to this flesh age as a babe? Seems like a natural 'guess', and as stated here that the 'children' us existed prior to our conception. AND that is what Paul is referencing when the words 'foundation of this world', is giving a time signature, because the words are actually a verb meaning the casting down - overthrow. AND Genesis 1:2 describes what happened to this earth in that rebellion or casting down - overthrow, before this flesh age began.
We Christians know with certainty one thing, who is the victor when this 'mess' all gets sorted out. But as any loving Father/Mother have for their own flesh children it would take irrefutable proof to 'destroy' a child. Likewise, the Creator requires His own proof without question to destroy those that have no natural love for and of Him....
To say He already knows, who has that 'love' and who does not without total and complete understanding of WHO He literally is, says that God deliberately created 'evil', and I do not for one minute believe that is our Heavenly Father.
To me it is quite obvious that given the scenario of the Garden of Eden, there was Plan B.
Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 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, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. But is he really saying that, "some were chosen/elected before the foundation of this flesh age", or is he saying that God predetermined that those who would come to saving faith would be "holy and without blame" and "adopted" into the family of God and conformed to the image of Christ? I read this and other verses not so much that God has already predetermined who would or would not be saved - as if no one has a choice - but that He KNOWS all that would and has determined that all that do ARE set apart in Christ to the praise of His glory. Again, God is outside of time and that is the ONLY way that He could know us before the foundation of the earth, know all our days before there was a one of them and work ALL things to the good and His glory. When you say Paul was not "allowed" to follow his anti-Christian ways, I disagree. Of course Paul had the choice just like Mary had a choice in bearing the Savior, just as we all have the choice to choose God or reject Him. Paul was God's chosen, "he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15). But if Paul refused, he would NOT have been God's chosen one - he was not FORCED to be what God planned for him to be. I think the problem is that we try to understand things we don't have the ability to understand and those things we accept by faith because God SAID it.
The words 'foundation of this world' is a verb that means casting down - overthrow. Paul says before the casting down - overthrow some stayed loyal to the Heavenly Father. That is what makes them 'chosen/elected' to carry forth God's plan through this flesh age. And we can know some of them by who were chosen to put down the WORD of God.
I keep hearing/reading some write/say that God is outside of time, which makes NO sense to me. Because of what Peter wrote in IIPeter 3, whole chapter. Peter wrote IIPeter 3:5 For 'this' they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of OLD, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (This is not talking about Noah's flood but referencing Genesis 1:2.)
6 Whereby the world that then *was* perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth which are *now*, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 BUT, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,
that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
This is not outside of time it is the ultimate perfect time setter and keeper.