WHO ARE THE "ELECT"

The Elect— "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect if that were possible." Matthew 24:24 (It is important to observe that Jesus is speaking about the time of the Great Tribulation).

Who are the elect that if possible, could be deceived during the Great Tribulation?

The word "elect" stems from the idea of being chosen. Christians are widely divided on the definition and the identity of God’s elect.

Some Christians say that "the elect" are selected individuals whom God has arbitrarily chosen for salvation (that is, God predestined selected people to be saved and all others to be destroyed). Naturally, those who advocate this view are confident that they have been predestined for salvation.

Another group claims that "the elect" are members of God’s true church which people are free to join (that is, salvation comes through accepting the teachings of the true church). Naturally, those who hold to this view are convinced that their church is the true church of God. Another group believes "the elect" are the Jews (this is based on God’s original promise to Abraham’s descendants). Each of these views has some good points, but I think the Bible defines "the elect" in a different way. I believe the Bible indicates that everyone who elects to accept the penalty for obeying God during Great Tribulation will make up the elect of God.

Consider these verses:

"He [the beast] was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone [among the saints] is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone [among the saints] is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This [agony] calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints." Revelation 13:7-10

"I saw that the woman [harlot, Babylon] was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished." Revelation 17:6

"Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; for they [the recipients of this plague] have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” Revelation 16:5-6

"And he will send his angels and GATHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens." Mark 13:27

When these four verses are aligned, I believe the elect will be those who remain loyal to Jesus when faced with death. In other words, God ELECTS those that choose to put their faith in Him and obey His commands. 

In other words, if we choose God, He chooses us for eternal life.

Jill Soto