Just as the Lord called the 12 tribes of Israel His Elect (Isa. 45:4), He calls His modern day church His Elect in that they are one in the same. However, we must remember that there is a very small group within the Elect that is identified by God as His Very Elect (Mat. 24:24)–the “remnant” of Israel along with a few Gentiles who have become spiritual Israelites. He also called the whole house of ancient Israel (12 tribes) “the called” (Isa. 48:12), meaning that He has called them out of the world for a special task. In the case of ancient Israel the task was to serve as a “light” to which God-seeking Gentiles would come (Isa. 42:6). In the case of His New Covenant Church–“the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16), her job was the same. Sadly, both ancient and modern Israel have failed miserably. And just as God sent heathen nations to defeat, destroy and scatter ancient Israel, so He will soon do to modern Israel, including the Jews of the Middle East. Jesus warned that though many would be “called,” few would answer the call and be “chosen” to be His “Very Elect” (Mat. 20:16). Some would answer His call but would fall by the wayside, therefore disqualifying themselves for salvation (see the parable of the seeds). As Jesus warned in Matthew 10:22, some will begin in a flourish of earnest zeal, but, having failed to “endure unto the end,” will be rejected. The five foolish virgins, Judas, Simon Magus, Ananias and Saffhira serve as examples. These people, along with billions more, made Jesus their Savior but not their Lord/Master. Wanting Him to save them but rejecting His Word, they would not allow His Father to sanctify them.

Sanctification is absolutely necessary in order to qualify to be saved. The Word “sanctify” is “hagiazo,” meaning to be set apart. In the Biblical sense it means to be called out of the world, made holy and given a holy mission. Jesus makes this plain in His prayer to God concerning His apostles: “They are not of the world, EVEN (EXACTLY) AS I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Your Truth. Your Word is Truth. As You have sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself (by believing and obeying God’s Truth/Word), that they also might be sanctified (by believing and obeying) the Truth/Word. The message is simple: WE MUST ALLOW GOD TO SANCTIFY US–SET US ASIDE FROM THE WORLD AND MAKE US HOLY–IF WE ARE TO INHERIT SALVATION.

In closing this series let us return briefly to Matthew 24:24 where we find the one and only time that the Very Elect is mentioned in the Bible. The single mention might indicate how tiny will be their numbers. In this passage we find Jesus making an incredible statement. Here He makes it plain that no one is beyond the reach of Satan–not even Himself. If He could be attacked by the devil, surely the Very Elect are not exempt from his temptations. Think about this, if Jesus was beyond temptation, why did Satan tempt Him? The truth of the matter is that Jesus Himself was tempted, tested and tried just as are all other men. He set the perfect example for how to defeat the great deceiver–believe and obey God’s Word. His is our example to follow in order to inherit eternal life, be born again, enter the Kingdom of God, help Him rule the earth for 1000 years, then help Him oversee the entire universe for eternity. I, for one, eagerly anticipate His return. Come quickly, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20). L.J.