Elect according to the foreknowledge of God

[Brightfame52]

Save thy Elect !

Isa 45:17

17 But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

Salvation is promised to and only provided for in Christ, God's Elect, Israel !

The Salvation that is in Christ Jesus, even Christ Jesus the Mediator 1 Tim 2:5

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Is a Salvation not for all mankind, but for God's own Elect 2 Tim 2:10

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.

This is that also that David prayed for Ps 106:4-5

4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance. 7

 

[Brightfame52]

The Elect The Salvation !



Salvation is and always has been and will be only for God's Elect, The Israel of God, which has nothing to do with ethnicity 2 Tim 2:10

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.

Notice THAT THEY may obtain the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus ! There isnt Salvation for anyone Else in Christ Jesus but that of the Elect , for this is a clear cut connotation !

And the Salvation here Paul is referring to 2 Tim 2:10 which is about the Church of the Eklect Gentiles, could be no other than the Salvation Promised here for God's Elect Isa 45:17

17 But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

The words The Elect are in the original with the definite article indicating that the Elect Paul is speaking of is the one and only Elect of God, yet they do include Gentiles !

διὰ τοῦτο πάντα ὑπομένω διὰ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σωτηρίας τύχωσιν τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ μετὰ δόξης αἰωνίου

 

[complete]

Hello @Brightfame52,

It seems that you believe that all believers are identified with Israel, who are themselves the elect nation, and will be blessed accordingly, yes?

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Brightfame52]

Hello @Brightfame52,

It seems that you believe that all believers are identified with Israel, who are themselves the elect nation, and will be blessed accordingly, yes?

In Christ Jesus
Chris

Yes Israel is the elect nation as per 1 Pet 2:9

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

But this is not the physical ethnic nation under the Old Covenant, this is a Spiritual Nation of people under the everlasting Covenant, or the New Covenant comprised of all ethnic groups. This is the Body of Christ, the Church !

 

[complete]

Yes Israel is the elect nation as per 1 Pet 2:9

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

But this is not the physical ethnic nation under the Old Covenant, this is a Spiritual Nation of people under the everlasting Covenant, or the New Covenant comprised of all ethnic groups. This is the Body of Christ, the Church !

'But ye are a chosen generation,
.. a royal priesthood,
.... an holy nation,
...... a peculiar people;
........ that ye should shew forth the praises of Him
.......... Who hath called you out of darkness
............ into His marvellous light:
Which in time past were not a people,
.. but are now the people of God:
.... which had not obtained mercy,
...... but now have obtained mercy.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you
.. as strangers and pilgrims,
.... abstain from fleshly lusts,
...... which war against the soul;
(1 Peter 2:9-11)

Hello @Brightfame52,

Thank you for this further response from you. I acknowledge your use of 1 Peter 2:9: but would ask you to consider to whom this letter was originally addressed:-

'Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
to the strangers
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
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.'
(1 Peter 1:1-2)

Peter was an Apostle to the Circumcision, as Paul was to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-8). He was speaking to the Remnant of Israel who were scattered among the nations. Elect of God: They were 'strangers and pilgrims' among the Gentiles. They are 'a chosen generation', 'a royal priesthood', 'A Holy nation', (Exodus 19:6), 'a peculiar People'.(Deuteronomy 14:2).

This is not written to the Body of Christ: For when this was written, the knowledge of 'the church which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all' (Ephesians 1:21-22), had not been made known: it was 'hid in God', until made known to Paul, prior to the writing of the Epistles written by Him from prison, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, 2 Timothy Titus and Philemon.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Brightfame52]

Election in Christ Essential to the forgiveness of sins !

Election in Christ Essential to the forgiveness of sins , for when we read the passage Eph 1:3-8

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Its plain from these sacred words that Redemption through His Blood with the Forgiveness of sins has for its foundation Election Vs 4, Yes having been Chosen in Christ Jesus before the foundation, results in the bestowing of the Spiritual Blessings, of which one of many is Forgiveness of sins .

Therefore its quite appropriate that when preaching the Forgiveness of sins as Per Lk 24:47

47 And that repentance and remission/forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 13:38

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 26:18

8 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

They did not neglect the foundation of this forgiveness of sins, having been Chosen in Christ for it Eph 1:3-4,7 ! 7

 

[Brightfame52]

'But ye are a chosen generation,
.. a royal priesthood,
.... an holy nation,
...... a peculiar people;
........ that ye should shew forth the praises of Him
.......... Who hath called you out of darkness
............ into His marvellous light:
Which in time past were not a people,
.. but are now the people of God:
.... which had not obtained mercy,
...... but now have obtained mercy.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you
.. as strangers and pilgrims,
.... abstain from fleshly lusts,
...... which war against the soul;
(1 Peter 2:9-11)

Hello @Brightfame52,

Thank you for this further response from you. I acknowledge your use of 1 Peter 2:9: but would ask you to consider to whom this letter was originally addressed:-

'Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
to the strangers
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
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.'
(1 Peter 1:1-2)

Peter was an Apostle to the Circumcision, as Paul was to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-8). He was speaking to the Remnant of Israel who were scattered among the nations. Elect of God: They were 'strangers and pilgrims' among the Gentiles. They are 'a chosen generation', 'a royal priesthood', 'A Holy nation', (Exodus 19:6), 'a peculiar People'.(Deuteronomy 14:2).

This is not written to the Body of Christ: For when this was written, the knowledge of 'the church which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all' (Ephesians 1:21-22), had not been made known: it was 'hid in God', until made known to Paul, prior to the writing of the Epistles written by Him from prison, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, 2 Timothy Titus and Philemon.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

I know who its written to, the Body of Christ, the Church. Salvation isn't based on ethnicity, that would be merit salvation !

 

[Oseas]

Awesome!!!
And what would you say is Gods Purpose?

Well, the Son of God is come: for what? To give us an understanding. Understanding what? To understand that we may know Him that is true. Who is Him? GOD the Father, so in His Son JESUS Christ we may know Him-may know God the Father- for JESUS is the EXPRESS IMAGE of GOD the Father-the Word, the Word is GOD, and was made flesh and He chose for He Himself the name of JESUS, this is the true God, and eternal life. JESUS said: I and my Father ARE One- John 10:30.

JESUS left very clear, saying: Matthew 11:27 :
27 -...no man knoweth the Son, but the Father;
neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son,
and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him - will reveal GOD the Father -.

 

[Brightfame52]

Is Election Salvation ?

I hear many times people say that Election, in and of itself, or Election itself is not Salvation, but that its merely unto Salvation, based upon a scripture here 2 Thess 2:13

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Now understand something, that verse does not say that Election is not Salvation, but its speaking of the fruit of Salvation in time, inbelieving the Truth, resulting from Sanctification of the Spirit. In a real sense, being able to believe the Truth is a Saving or Salvation [from error]. Thats what Paul means here 1 Cor 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

For preaching does not save anyone from hell or the penalty of sin, Christ's Death alone done that !

Again here to Timothy 1 Tim 4:16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Doctrine does not actually save anyone from the penalty of sin, but it does save from the delusions of sin and false gospels and doctrines , to belief of the Truth !

The Truth however is that ELECTION is ones Salvation from the Eternal Perspective, in the Eternal Realm, wherein from Eternity Past, the Elect ones, Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world as Per Eph 1:4, are by that Divine choice, saved in the purpose of God from the penalty of sin 2 Tim 1:9, and so that shall result in time, a Salvation wrought by the Spirit 2 Thess 2:13, which is but the fruit of Salvation they already had in the Eternal Purpose of God, which is Election Rom 9:11

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
)

These Two purposes being the same , here in Rom 9:11 and 2 Tim 1:9, God's Purpose of Election in Christ,

So its concluded, it is not biblically correct to say Election is not Salvation, without clarification of the same !

 

[Brightfame52]

Is Election Salvation ? 2


All who have been Chosen to Salvation in Eternity Past, or from the beginning , shall in time be called by the Gospel to believe the Truth 2 Thess 2:13-14

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Vs 14 being called by the Gospel, is precipitated by the Work of the Spirit unto belief of the Truth , which is the Gospel !

The Calling of the Gospel in Time reveals who was Elected before Time, so we come to know in time of our election before time by our calling, and thats what Peter means here 2 Pet 1:10

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Calling will always result from Election, and so its an evidence in time of election before time !

So in the scheme of Salvation, there is a Calling restricted to the Election, which of course cannot be the same that are called here without being of the election Matt 22:14

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

FYI, this called refers to the natural seed of Abraham in the formulation of the Covenant Nation of Israel, However within that Nation resided only a very small remnant of the Election of Grace !

 

[Brightfame52]

Why man hates the Gospel Truth of Election !

1 Cor 1:29

That no flesh should glory/boast in his presence.

That word glory is also translated boast as in Eph 2:9 !

Now, we as men by nature hate Election because it gives us no reason to boast about our so called freewill; Thats right, we cannot boast that I chose to believe with my own freewill and so God saved me because of it, and you didn't so God has not saved you ! Thats boasting whether we say it like that or not, but if in the final analysis one can say i am saved as a result of my freewill to believe, and since you didn't use that same opportunity of freewill afforded you, you are still lost, thats boasting or a cause to boast.

But the Pure Doctrine of Election takes that boast away, so the natural man hates that Doctrine ! 7

 

[Jonathan_Gale]

Save thy Elect !

I hate the word "elect", even though it's legit in the bible. It's a false sense of security, you know. In the end times - like, nowadays, many false prophets rise in the Lord's name, and even the ELECT will be deceived, so there's no guarantee. Pastor Paul Washer once famously said, you knowing Jesus is not blessed assurance, but Lord Jesus knowing you is. He gave an analogy: You dream of a tour in the White House, by knowing and admiring the president of the United States doesn't get you an invitation; however, if the POTUS somehow knows and admires YOU, then you do stand a much better chance to get an invitation, don't you think?

 

[Brightfame52]

I hate the word "elect", even though it's legit in the bible. It's a false sense of security, you know. In the end times - like, nowadays, many false prophets rise in the Lord's name, and even the ELECT will be deceived, so there's no guarantee. Pastor Paul Washer once famously said, you knowing Jesus is not blessed assurance, but Lord Jesus knowing you is. He gave an analogy: You dream of a tour in the White House, by knowing and admiring the president of the United States doesn't get you an invitation; however, if the POTUS somehow knows and admires YOU, then you do stand a much better chance to get an invitation, don't you think?

Jesus seems to indicate that its not possible for the elect to be deceived Matt 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.

 

[Jonathan_Gale]

Jesus seems to indicate that its not possible for the elect to be deceived Matt 24:24

Being deceived is not being condemned. What matters is, God will pour out his spirit and raise two witnesses to preach to the whole world, then the Elect, including the deceived, will be redpilled.

 

[Brightfame52]

Why man hates the Gospel Truth of Election ! 2

Let me illustrate this freewill boasting concept and how Election puts a stop to it ! Jn 1:12-13

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Now whats makes the difference between those who receive Christ and those who dont ?

The one who is a boaster will say that it was his own freewill that made the difference, but the ones who believe in Election says God's Election made the difference.

See Election points to God making the Difference, but boasting points to their freewill making the difference in saved and lost, or who receives Christ or not.

So that's why Election to Salvation is so hated by the natural man, for then he cannot find cause to boast about what he had done to win God's approval over the other guy !

 

[Brightfame52]

Being deceived is not being condemned. What matters is, God will pour out his spirit and raise two witnesses to preach to the whole world, then the Elect, including the deceived, will be redpilled.

Being deceived is being deceived. But the Elect are not condemned as well, never have been nor can be, not ever.

Now the elect as all men naturally, are born deceived as dead in sin Titus 3:3


For we[Elect] ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But the Elect are regenerated and given Faith

Titus 3:4-6

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Now this Spiritual renewal causes the elect to no longer be deceived and prevents them from ever being deceived again.

Jesus of them, a Stranger they will not follow Jn 10:3-5

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

 

[Jonathan_Gale]

Being deceived is being deceived. But the Elect are not condemned as well, never have been nor can be, not ever.

Now the elect as all men naturally, are born deceived as dead in sin Titus 3:3

We're called to be "wise like serpent and innocent like a dove" for this reason. Serpent is Satan, dove is the Holy Spirit. You won't be deceived or at least you're less likely to be deceived if you know the enemy's tricks.

 

[Brightfame52]

The Beloved are the Elect !


1 Thess 1:4

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

The Beloved of the Lord are His Election !

The word beloved is the greek word agapaō, yes the same word found in Jn 3:16

For God so loved/beloved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The ones Paul calls #1 The Beloved and Brethren in 1 Thess 1:4 are the ones Jn 3:16 says God so loved, and so since the beloved brethren are the Election of God in 1 Thess 1:4, so it is with the beloved ones , believing in Jn 3:16, the Election of God !

The ones in Jn 3:16 are the Election of God, evidenced by their believing, for God's Love causes, effects both election and believing !

Lets look back at the context of 1 Thess 1:4-6

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

To the beloved and the Election, the Gospel comes to them not in word only but also in POWER !

The word Power in Vs 5 dynamis is the same word used in Rom 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Thats why they are believing because to them the beloved Rom 1:7

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel comes to them not in word only BUT " but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance"

Also the word assurance actually means to be fully persuaded, the same word is used here Rom 4:21

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

So the Holy Ghost Fully Persuades with the Gospel those who are the Beloved of the Lord, the Election ! Thats why TO THEM it [The Gospel] is the Power of God, evidenced by their Believing ! Thats Why those in Jn 3:16 are Believing as well !

 

[Brightfame52]

The result of Election !

Jn 6:37

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Those that are given to Christ are the Election, given to Him initially before the foundation of the World Eph 1:4;Heb 2:13

And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

And the word of promise concerning them, they shall come to Christ, or they shall seek for a intimacy with Him, to become a follower, and it denotes that they have been given Live, which contrasts to them Jesus says earlier these words Jn 5:40

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Now the difference in the former ones coming to Christ Jn 6:37, they had been given to Christ by the Father [Election]

They were doing what those in Jn 5:40 would not and could not do, and that is to come to Christ in living Faith, with a Spiritual Hunger and thirst having been created in them for Him by the Spirit Jn 6:35

35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Now understand something, the coming in Jn 6:37 is a Spiritual Coming seeking an intimate fellowship with Christ, which naturally a man cannot do.

By nature we do not seek God Rom 3:11

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Now remember the coming in Jn 6:37

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Its the greek word hēkō and means to:

A.to come to one, i.e. to seek an intimacy with one, become his follower: to come upon one (unexpectedly)

Yet that is something we by nature do not do according to Rom 3:11, so therefore those given to the Son by the Father are coming Spiritually, having been given a New Nature that now desires and seeks after Intimacy for Christ ! The men in Jn 5:40 would not come to Christ in that matter , and frankly could not unless they had been given a New Nature as well ! This New Nature is given in accordance with Election ! 8

 

[Jonathan_Gale]

Its the greek word hēkō and means to:

A.to come to one, i.e. to seek an intimacy with one, become his follower: to come upon one (unexpectedly)

Yet that is something we by nature do not do according to Rom 3:11, so therefore those given to the Son by the Father are coming Spiritually, having been given a New Nature that now desires and seeks after Intimacy for Christ ! The men in Jn 5:40 would not come to Christ in that matter , and frankly could not unless they had been given a New Nature as well ! This New Nature is given in accordance with Election ! 8

This intimacy was the original design for Adam and Eve - "two become one flesh". Back in the Garden of Eden, Adam was put to sleep, his SIDE was cut open, and supposedly a rib was removed, out of which Eve was created, and when he woke up, the first thing in his sight was her, the beautiful bride God prepared for him. She was "bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh," this was later quoted by Paul to teach the principles of marriage, if I remember it correctly.

Adam was the prototype of Christ, and Christ was called the Last Adam - or Second Adam for this reason. Christ died on the cross, He was pieced on the side, his blood was poured out, and Adam's sin was atoned for. When Christ was resurrected, what was the first thing he saw? Mary Magdalene, "the apostle of apostles", weeping at the tomb. She was the Second Eve, the first witness of Christ's resurrection before Peter and John. Church as Christ's body started from her. When she assumed Christ as the "gardener", she wasn't wrong, 'cause Adam was appointed as the gardener of Eden, and Christ, as the Second Adam, is also a gardener of "paradise", which acutally refers to the restored garden of Eden. There's a striking parallel.