What Is Predestination? (Crucial Questions)

by R.C. Sproul

In the ancient world, there were no cell phones and no internet. The only way to spread news was to have someone carry it. So, for instance, when a great battle was going on, the only way for the people at home to know how the battle was going was to have someone run back to the city and deliver the news. This is why we have races today called marathons. According to tradition, after the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, a runner traveled 26.2 miles back to Athens to tell of the Athenians’ victory over the Persians. Cities would post lookouts on their walls who would scan the distance for the approach of a runner. Before they could see the look on the runner’s face, they could tell by his footfalls in the distance whether he was bringing good news or bad news. The bearer of bad news would not have his feet flying in great joy. When the Battle of Marathon runner approached the city gates, his feet kicking up the dust, they could tell by his feet alone that the news was good news. The prophet Isaiah borrows that imagery, for the custom of bearing news by messenger was the custom in the Old Testament as well. Isaiah says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace.”