by Burke McKay

Created on: October 22, 2008

Throughout the Bible, 32 verses reference the "elect". In the New Testament, there are 19, and the other 13 are in the Old. Most references to the "elect" in the New Testament infer a prior knowledge of the word, but in Revelation 17:14 this word in the KJV is changed to chosen, echoing the common Old Testament usage.

Numbers 16:2 refers to 250 elect of the assembly, in I Chronicles 16:13 and Psalms 89:3 Israel is referred to as His elect', and Isaiah 42:1 refers to God's Servant as being His elect'. With these in mind, it can be assumed that the word elect' is used for those who stand out from the rest, or from the crowd.

In Matthew 20:16, and again in 22:14, we read that many are called, but few are chosen. II Peter 3:9 tells us that it is not God's will that any should perish, but that all come to repentance. How can many be called, if God's will is for all to come to repentance? Perhaps not all who come to repentance are called to a greater level of service to others, and among those who are called maybe only a few are called to particular service. This may sound "elitist" to some, but recall when the disciples were arguing about who would be greatest in the Kingdom Jesus told them that if they would be great they were to serve. With this hierarchy in mind, we can plainly see that "elect" and elite' are as removed from each other as the East is from the West.

The Judges were selected by God, one at a time, Prophets too were few in number for any given generation, and though the people were the elect of the world, these were the elect of the elect.

In Matthew 24:24 Jesus tells His disciples that false
christs and prophets would arise with great wonders and signs that could deceive even the elect {very elect in the KJV}, if it were possible. When we look around the churches today, all the various denominations, doctrines, teachings, etc., can we really say that all those in the pews that confess Jesus as savior are the elect? This seems highly doubtful as many Christians will ebb and flow with every shifting tide of popular opinion. Therefore, it stands to reason that not everyone is of the elect, only a few, and it is possible that not every church will have one or more of the elect in the congregation.

Consider again the words of Jesus when He says that there will be false christs and false prophets.
Many today that call themselves "prophet", but they are nothing of the kind, yet they lead massive flocks that have no idea of the destination. Many are blatantly false, yet they lead thousands with signs and wonders {miracles} that are usually lies {News programs have exposed several in recent years}.

Obviously not all who receive Christ are of the very elect {if I may use that term} though they count themselves as the elect and saints. II Timothy 2:3 says, "For there will be a time when they themselves will not put up with sound teaching, _but_ according to their own lusts they will heap up teachers to themselves, itching in the ear [fig., craving to hear what they want to hear], {2:4} and on the one hand they will turn away the ear from the truth, on the other hand they will be turned aside to myths."

Here I have presented what I believe to be the Biblical view on the election of the saints.
From this point forward it is you that must put forth whatever research and study you deem appropriate, and draw your own conclusions.

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