The Seduction Of The Non-Elect
Our Bible passage, introduction to Sunday 10th July’s service and hymns are below.
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Our verses are:
Mar 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
Mar 13:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
Mar 13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
Mar 13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mar 13:18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
Mar 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Mar 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
Mar 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Mar 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Mar 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Mar 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Mar 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
Mar 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
The Seduction Of The Non-Elect
The Lord Jesus had been asked by his disciples what signs will precede the destruction of Jerusalem, the desolation of the temple and the overthrow of the Jewish nation. His comments here in Mark 13, and in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, tell the disciples what to look for and expect. Christ’s words were given as timely warnings to prompt His people to flee their homes for safety when the judgments coming on the Jewish nation begin.
Daniel’s prophecy
The ‘abomination of desolation’ of which the Lord speaks is a reference to the book of Daniel and means the Roman armies who would surround, enter and destroy the city. The Saviour warns that when the time comes the enemy will act swiftly with a ferocity unequalled in human history. It would take almost forty years but the wrath of God and judgment of Jesus Christ would be severely visited upon the Jews who slew the Son of God and proudly declared, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Mat 27:25).
God’s elect people
Three references in these verses to the Lord’s ‘elect’ are particularly notable. First, the Saviour tells His disciples the coming days of terror and destruction will be shortened, or lessened, for the sake of the elect. The meaning is that the complete annihilation of the Jews would not be permitted but would be prevented. A remnant would be saved for the sake of the Lord’s chosen people, either those living at that time or their descendants in generations to come.
False preachers
Second, we are told there will arise men whose claims to be alternative saviours with other ways of salvation and deliverance are so plausible, and their powers so persuasive, as to deceive many, even, says the Lord, if it were possible the very elect of God, the very Bride of Christ. However, it is not possible! The Lord’s chosen will not and cannot be finally deceived. Having been chosen by the grace of God to eternal life, and in consequence having truly believed and followed Christ, the elect will not be seduced by another gospel.
The elect gathered in
Third, this period of destruction and devastation will bring to an end the Jewish religion with its sacrifices and cause the gospel to surge outwards amongst the Gentile nations. The Son of man will come in the clouds with great saving power. His messengers of light, His gospel ministers, will go forth ‘bringing many sons unto glory’. The Lord Jesus sends His preachers into the world to gather His chosen, redeemed people from the ends of the earth by the preaching of the gospel.
Switching off the light
The going out of the sun, moon and falling stars typifies the removal of divine light from the Jews. The presence and glory of Christ will shine no more amongst them. The light of the scriptures will grow dim. The prophets who once guided the Jewish nation through this world will no longer grace their dark night and the Jewish people, having lost their pillar of fire will be plunged into darkness. In turn, the Sun of Righteousness will rise upon the Gentiles and the gospel will lighten the world as the Lord Jesus Christ is preached to the nations and shines on them.
‘I have foretold you all things’
In these few verses our blessed Saviour answered the disciples’ questions about when these things should be and opened to their view a picture of imminent local devastation and progressive worldwide transformation. Christ’s kingdom was not Jewish and it was not physical, it was global and spiritual. The chosen would be brought to Christ, the elect people of God would be called from every direction and gathered upon the four winds into the garner of Christ’s harvest.
The blessed elect
Tomorrow, God willing, we shall draw further lessons from the Saviour’s assertions about His elect people and the protecting hand of God that rests on them. By grace Christ’s light shines in their hearts, illuminating their understanding so they are not deceived though all the world lies in darkness. Despite the seduction of the non-elect, the salvation of God’s chosen people is assured and precisely ordained as to time, place, means and even the content of the message that leads them to Christ and glory.
Our hymns are below.
Hymn 1
Gadsby selection 77
Election. Mark 13. 20; John 10. 28; 15. 16
J. Hart 7.5.
1
Brethren, would you know your stay,
What it is supports you still?
Why, though tempted every day,
Yet you stand, and stand you will?
Long before our birth,
Nay, before Jehovah laid
The foundations of the earth,
We were chosen in our Head.
2
God’s election is the ground
Of our hope to persevere;
On this rock your building found,
And preserve your title clear.
Infidels may laugh;
Pharisees gainsay or rail;
Here’s your tenure (keep it safe) –
God’s elect can never fail!
Hymn 2
Gadsby selection 1086
“Thy will be done.” Matt. 6. 10; Luke 22. 42
A. Steele C.M.
1
Peace, my complaining, doubting heart,
Ye busy cares, be still;
Adore the just, the sovereign Lord,
Nor murmur at his will.
2
Unerring wisdom guides his hand;
Nor dares my guilty fear,
Amid the sharpest pains I feel,
Pronounce his hand severe.
3
Let me reflect, with humble awe,
Whene’er my heart complains,
Compared with what my sins deserve,
How easy are my pains!
4
Yes, Lord, I own thy sovereign hand,
Thou just, and wise, and kind;
Be every anxious thought suppressed,
And all my soul resigned.
5
But O, indulge this only wish,
This boon I must implore:
Assure my soul that thou art mine,
My God, I ask no more.