By Tom Damour · January 2001
Did you get tired of hearing about the election? I did too! What can we learn from the recent American Presidential contest? I’m reminded of the need for God’s elect to be granted their offices of authority. “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).
Who are these elect? Simply put, they are average men and women God has called over the centuries to prepare for leadership positions in the Government Jesus Christ will establish at the Second Coming (Isaiah 2:1-4; 9:6-7). They were, by and large, average people of their time from divergent cultures and backgrounds (1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Hebrews 11:1-3, 9-10, 39-40). This patchwork of individuals has given God a rich array of future leaders who have been prepared to lead with Christ. They have been educated in the ways of God during their lifetime, and are ready to go to work upon the return of Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-3). This elect group of people acted as representatives, or ambassadors, of God’s Government during their lifetime. But there is more to the story.
Those who are Christians today share the same bright future as those who have lived before us. In this month’s issue of VCM you will read about the Millennium, and the promises God has made to his elect concerning this wonderful time of world peace and harmony between nations in an article by Mr. Don Henson entitled, “The Millennium.” You will also learn how today’s ambassadors of God’s future Government should communicate with their King in a meaningful, yet personal manner, in Mr. Gregory Dullum’s article, “How to Spice Up Our Prayers.” Mr. Petty’s article, “Where Lions Stand Guard,” teaches us to guard against the dangers of covetousness. Finally, have you found your prayer life a bit dull? Perhaps you need to pray with more enthusiasm. Mr. Hector Earle has written an article that gives us several things to keep in mind while in prayer. With these wonderful truths in mind, we should be eternally thankful God is looking to, and planning for, the future. He has done this by pre-selecting individuals who are prepared as God’s elect to usher in with Christ a bright future full of promise for all humanity.
I’m reminded of what the prophet Isaiah spoke concerning the future of God’s elect: “…And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble; for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they still speak, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord (Isaiah 65:22b-25).
Questions & Answers
Q: Who are God’s elect, simply put?
A: Average men and women God has called over the centuries — average people of their time, from divergent cultures and backgrounds (1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Hebrews 11).
Q: What are the elect being prepared for?
A: Leadership positions in the Government Jesus Christ will establish at the Second Coming. Educated in the ways of God during their lifetimes, they will be ready to go to work and lead with Christ when He returns.
Q: What are the elect doing during their lifetimes now?
A: Acting as representatives, or ambassadors, of God’s Government — including communicating with their King in prayer in a meaningful, personal manner.
Q: What picture does Isaiah give of the elect’s future?
A: They will long enjoy the work of their hands and not labor in vain; before they call, God will answer; the wolf and the lamb will feed together, and nothing will hurt or destroy in all His holy mountain (Isaiah 65:22b-25).
Summary Test
Answer each question, then open “Check your answers” to see how you did.
1. God’s elect are, simply put…
a) Average men and women God has called over the centuries
b) Only the famous rulers of history
c) Angels
2. The elect are being prepared for…
a) Retirement from all responsibility
b) Leadership positions in the Government Christ will establish at His return
c) Political office today
3. True or false: the elect were, by and large, the mighty and noble of their time.
a) True
b) False
4. In Isaiah’s picture, before the elect call, God will…
a) Wait
b) Answer — and hear while they still speak
c) Send a prophet
Check your answers
1. Average men and women God has called over the centuries — Average people, from divergent cultures and backgrounds.
2. Leadership positions in the Government Christ will establish at His return — Educated in God’s ways now, ready to lead with Christ then.
3. False — By and large they were average people of their time (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
4. Answer — and hear while they still speak — Isaiah 65:24 — “before they call, I will answer.”
End of Part 1.
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