It's one of the reason, why DOS2 lost a lot of its cooperative charme, it forces you to fight each other which was a huge disincentive for my friend and me. And yes is gets revealed early anyway.
Unless everyone really wants to become divine, the game does not force you to do anything. you can either decide beforehand who becomes divine,plot in secret or just outright try to screw your team. makes for some funny situations. The Choice is there.
I have done several playthoughs with friends, and never did we feel like forced to fight each other. not all charaters wants to sit with all that responsibility and power. some may just want to ensure a new divine, then go back to living their lives. again, the choice is there
