The contrasting reactions to God’s Word discussed in previous postings reveal a distinct separation between His Elect and His Very Elect, both of which are in His true church which is known Scripturally as the Church of God. Though having usurped the name, this denomination bears no relation to the Body of Christ.

Where one finds the Very Elect one always finds the Elect. For example, in the first human family (the Church of Eden) there was Adam, Eve, Cain (Elect) and Abel (Very Elect). Among the sons of Abraham there was Joseph (Very Elect) and the other boys (Elect). At Mt. Sinai there was Moses, the Tribe of Levi (Very Elect) and the rest of the House of Israel (Elect). Going into the Promised Land there was Joshua, Caleb, the rest of the House of Israel (Very Elect) and Achan, his family and supporters (Elect). Among the Apostles there was Judas (Elect) and the others (Very Elect). Recall in Matthew 12:46-50 where Jesus pointed to the 12 disciples and called them His brethren (Elect), eleven of them were His Very Elect. In today’s religious circles the Elect outnumber the Very Elect many to few. Jesus prophesied this phenomena in Matthew 7:13,14 when He warned that many would enter Satan’s wide (“come one, come all”) gate and walk his broad (“any way you want it”) path. Few, He said, would “strive to enter” His strait (restrictive) gate and walk His narrow (singular) way. Though all God-seekers look for God’s gate and way, Satan entices the masses through his gate and along his way where they go through life believing that they are walking with God. Such is the spiritual condition of the Counterfeit Church whose parishioners, due to Biblical ignorance and spiritual laziness, never realize that they are following Satan’s false prophets along his path. Such is the power of Satan over professing Christendom.

We must remember that Jesus warned those seeking salvation that, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but (only) those who do the will of My Father in heaven” (Mat. 7:21). The tragedy is that both Elect and Very Elect believe that they will spend eternity with Him. Many claim to be His Very Elect, but only a few will make the final cut and be standing at the end (22-27). Many are called, but few answer the call. The vast majority of those who are called by God to follow His hard path are drawn away by Satan’s call to take the easy way. All in both groups believe that they will spend eternity with the Lord. For one there will be “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” From the other will be heard “weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Though the path one should take is obvious, the religious masses choose the other. This again shows the power of the devil. L.J.