Can anyone explain, or point me to a clear article on what election DOES mean?
Like in Acts 13:48
'and when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed'.
https://derekzrishmawy.com/2014/05/15/wright-on-election-in-ephesians-1/
When the non-Jewish people in the crowd heard these words, they were thrilled and they honored the word of the Lord. All who believed that they were destined to experience eternal life received the message. ~TPT
Matt 24;22 " And unless those days were shortened no human being would survive.
But for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."
Elect - elektos - chosen out, selected, chosen as a recipient of a special privilege, specially beloved, possessed of prime excellence.
Saints - hagios - separate from common condition and use, hallowed, dedicated,
Interesting that this is the hagios/holy used to refer to the Holy Spirit.
Matt 22;14 " For many are called, but few are chosen[elektos]."
There have been many wars over what that means.
When attending church no-one could explain or answer with any real depth.
The bible is true, but mans' interpretation has caused all sorts of problems.
Predestination- what a topic!
When I was a child I reasoned like a child; a child can only form opinions based on what they have been told.
A man can go through much experience to shape and correct those opinions.
I.M.O this is the difference between the elektos and the rest of the congregation.
The congregation, of which I used to be a member, know about Christ and are learning about life.
However the grasp of the coming ages and development has NOT been given to them. They are like the babes still feeding on milk.
Eklesia, chosen, to me, are the start of the "born again" process referred to by Jesus.
John 3;3 " I tell you the truth, unless a person has been born again he cannot perceive the kingdom of God."
Paul in 1 Cor 15 elaborates about the difference between the types of bodies and glories. He states that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
To the Galations Paul talks about the differences between flesh and spirit in chapter 5.
Then to the Ephesians Paul talks about all this being prepared before the world began.
If you are being blessed with this information then, to me, this is an indication of being amongst the eklesia.
Life makes more sense. You have a peace which no-one else can grasp. This is because the others have not yet been shown the truth in full, only in part.
There are ages to come- not just heaven or hell - when others will learn this truth.
Hence eklesia are a first fruit- not the only ones saved like mankind currently seems to think- but first as part of the on-going correction and teaching of all mankind until all mankind will be saved- then the new heavens after that Great White Throne of the correction, judgment, of those who are still to be taught that truth.
Thank you brothers. When the threat gets out of any Scripture, the beauty appears. It actually gets exciting!
I found another article that is very clear about this subject on mercifultruth.com, named Few Chosen, a Kingdom Come. (thank you Seth!)
You are welcome; the truth is pretty glorious.
Christ is definitely the only way to life.
Yes, I believe those saved in this age are the elect. The few, the chosen, called out (as Ross said, the ekklesia) for a purpose - to be salt and light, and help the others come in. Then I believe all the rest are the destined - destined to be in the "every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord".
So the pre-destined, and the destined :) 2 cents.