Who are the Elect?
It is important to define the term “elect” used in the key passage in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 commonly known as the “Olivet Discourse.” The word “elect” simply means “chosen,” just as we would use it in common speech today. When we “elect” a president, we are “choosing” a man to fill that office. Since the Bible says “his elect,” the passage is referring to God’s chosen people. The question is, therefore, who are the elect? Who are God’s chosen people? Many will answer that “the Jews” or “the nation of Israel” are God’s chosen people, but that is a teaching that is blatantly contrary to the word of God.
Consider the following verse for example:
Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
It is clear from Romans 11:7 that Israel and the election cannot be the same group. The Bible refers to those who are saved as the elect, regardless of whether they are Jew or Gentile.
1Th 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:4, the Gentile Thessalonians are referred to as being “elect.” In fact, nowhere in the entire Bible are the Jews or the nation of Israel referred to as God’s elect. To prove this, we will look at every single mention of the word “elect” in the Bible, beginning with the New Testament.
Out of 16 mentions of the term “elect” in the Bible:
10 refer to Believers in General
2 refer to Believers who are Gentiles
1 refers to Believers who are Jews
2 refer to Jesus Christ himself
1 refers to the person Jacob who was a Believer
The first mention of the word “elect” in the New Testament is Matthew 24. It is very easy to demonstrate that the word “elect” in Matthew 24 is not referring to the Jewish people.
Mention #1 - Matthew 24
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
In verse 24, the Bible is telling us that false Christs and false prophets will be so convincing in the last days that if it were possible they would deceive the very elect. By saying, “if it were possible,” God is making it very clear that it is not possible. The elect will not be deceived by false Christs and false prophets. In fact, God is saying that that would be impossible.
The word “elect” in Matthew 24 cannot be referring the Jewish people or the nation of Israel, since they are one of the most deceived groups in the world! Every Jewish Rabbi is a false prophet according to the Bible:
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
According to 1 John 2:22, every Jewish Rabbi is antichrist because they do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ). Many Christians will make statements such as “the Jews believe the Old Testament,” but Jesus made it clear in John 5 that this is not the case. According to Jesus, anyone who truly believes the Old Testament also believes in Jesus Christ:
Joh 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
Joh 5:47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
The fact that the religion of modern-day Israel, Judaism, is the religion of antichrist excludes them from being God’s elect in Matthew 24.
Mention #2 – Mark 13
Mar 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
Mar 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
The same thing applies here. The elect is referring to believers because they are the ones whom it will be impossible to deceive by false Christs and false prophets.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Joh 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Joh 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
Joh 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Mention #3 – Luke 18
Luk 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
This verse is not referring to the Jewish people since they for the most part reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their saviour.
1Jn 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
The only Jews Luke 18:7 is referring to are those Jews which believe on Jesus Christ who are saved. Saved Jews are not the elect because they are Jews, they are the elect because they are saved!
Mention #4 – Romans 8
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Only those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are justified. This verse is referring to Roman Gentiles who are saved and therefore justified. This verse is not referring to the nation of Israel or the Jews.
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Mention #5 – Romans 9-11
Rom 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
According to Romans 9:11 and Romans 11:5,6 the election is not of works, but of grace. According to Romans 11:7, the entire nation of Israel is not elect. Only the believing remnant is elect. They are not elect because they are Jews; they are elect because they are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The believing Gentile Romans were referred to as elect in Romans 8. The believing remnant of Israel is referred to as elect in Romans 11. The common denominator is that the elect consists of all believers whether they be Jew or Gentile.
Mention #6 – Colossians 3:12
Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
These verses are written to the Gentile Colossians to tell them that there is no difference between them and the Jews because they are both elect if they believe on Jesus Christ.
Mention #7 – 1 Thessalonians 1:4
1Th 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Again, Gentile Thessalonians are here referred to as God’s elect.
Mention #8 – 2 Timothy 2:10
2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Mention #9 – Titus 1:1
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
Here the “faith of God’s elect” is mentioned. Therefore the elect are those who have faith in Jesus Christ. This scripture cannot be referring to the nation of Israel as the “elect,” since their faith is not in Christ.
Mention #10 – 1 Peter 1:2
1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
According to 1 Peter 1:2, one becomes elect through the blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore it is impossible for unbelieving Jews to be God’s “elect” or God’s “chosen people” since they do not have faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
According to verse 3, the elect are those who have been “begotten again,” or born again.
Mention #11 – 1 Peter 2:6
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
In 1 Peter 2:6, Jesus Christ himself is referred to as elect. The reason we as Christians are elect is that we are in Christ.
Mention #12 – 2 Peter 1:10
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
According to 2 Peter 1:10,11, being elect is what gives you an entrance into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Notice to whom the book of 2 Peter is being written:
2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Is the word elect referring to “the Jews”? No!
Mention #13 – 2 John
2Jn 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2Jn 1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
2Jn 1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
Only believers in Jesus Christ have the truth dwelling in them. Unbelievers do not have the truth in them, whether they be Jew or Gentile. Therefore the term “elect” in verses 1 and 13 must be referring to a saved Christian.
Mention #14 – Isaiah 42:1
Isa 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
According to Matthew 12, Isaiah 42 is a prophecy of Jesus Christ. Therefore it is Jesus Christ himself who is being referred to here as God’s “elect.”
Mention #15 – Isaiah 45
Isa 45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
Isa 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
In verse 4, God is speaking to the disobedient Jews and saying to them, “thou hast not known me.” God refers to their ancestor Jacob (Israel) as his elect. He is not referring to the nation of Israel as his “servant” or “elect” because they have not even known him. Jacob (Israel), their father was God’s servant, unlike them. The concept of Jacob being elect is reiterated in Romans 9:
Rom 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Rom 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Isaiah 45:4 is referring to Israel the person, not Israel the nation
Mention #16 – Isaiah 65
Isa 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Isaiah 65 is referring to the second coming and millennial reign of Jesus Christ:
Isa 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Isa 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
According to verse 1 of the chapter, it is NOT referring to the Jews as his people, but rather to believers who are not of the nation of Israel:
Isa 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Rom 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Rom 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
Rom 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
Rom 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Therefore by reading Isaiah 65 in context, it is clear that it is referring to Christians in the millennium as God’s elect and not the Jewish people.
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Summary:
Out of 16 mentions of the term “elect” in the Bible:
10 refer to Believers in General
2 refer to Believers who are Gentiles
1 refers to Believers who are Jews
2 refer to Jesus Christ himself
1 refers to the person Jacob who was a Believer
Do you see a pattern?
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