The Elect's Sake

And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:22).

In those times when God punished Israel, or allowed Israel to be punished, for its disobedience, He left a remnant alive - those whose faith was in Him and not in men, idols, or their own righteousness. This was true when Assyria conquered the northern 10 tribes (721 B.C.), when Babylon conquered the southern 2 tribes (586 B.C.), when Rome conquered Israel (70 A.D.), it is true now when godless nations have tried to annihilate Jews and Christians (Nazism, Communism, Islam, etc.), and it will be true in the coming Tribulation.

The tribulation is a future 7-year period when God will complete His discipline of Israel and finalize His judgment on the unbelieving world. The Christian church, made up of all who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, will not be on the earth during the Tribulation. It will be removed from the earth in the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), having been saved from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Jesus said to the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:10), Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

The period of the Tribulation will be restricted to 7 years, or 84 months, or ‘time, times, and a half time’ (Daniel 7:25). This will be for the elect’s sake. The ‘elect’ are the ‘chosen’ people of God. In the Old Testament it refers to Israel. In the New Testament it refers to Christians (including Jews who become Christian through faith in Jesus Christ). They are elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2). They are those whom He foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, He called, He justified, and whom He glorified (Romans 8:29-30). Salvation, from beginning to end, is the work of God’s grace in us. He chose us in Christ Jesus, then we responded by received Christ Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. That’s how biblical election works.

During the coming Tribulation, those who come to faith in Jesus Christ will become the target for destruction by the Antichrist and his ministers. But the Lord will limit his work to 7 years. They will be thrown into the Lake of Fire and the saints who survive them will enter the Millennial Kingdom on earth. After that, Satan and his demonic host, and those who align with him, will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, the ungodly dead will be resurrected and judged and thrown into the Lake of Fire, God will create a new heaven and earth, and the saints will live with Him, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the angelic host forever.

“Father, what a glorious day is coming for those who have been chosen in Christ Jesus and have believed in Him for salvation. Continue to safeguard Your people that we might be a continual witness to Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Amen.”

Pastor