God Cares for His Elect (Matthew 24:21-31)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
14 May 2023
God’s elect must live through days of tribulation. But God cares for them.
As a young man I first heard about election in London. I reacted negatively to this teaching. Over time I came to see that my reaction was due in part to my humanistic education but mainly to my unregenerate heart.
Election is taught in the Bible. God chose Israel—not Egypt, India, or China. God elects his people before the foundation of the world. He chooses not because we are good but because he is good.
In days of tribulation God cares for his elect in three ways as observed in Matthew 24:21-31.
First, God saves his people from the full fury of his wrath (Matt. 24:21-22). No one can survive the wrath of God (Jer.10:10; Nahum 1:6). Before the second coming of Jesus there will be great tribulation in the world. God shortens those days for the sake of the elect. They are spared from the full destructive power of God's wrath.
Secondly, God saves his elect from deceit (Matt 2423-28). Many false christs and prophets shall arise to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But God keeps his people from being deceived.
Noah was not deceived by the ungodliness of his age. Righteous Lot was not deceived by the immorality around him. God keeps his elect from deceit.
We have been warned recently of the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). One danger is that of deception. People will not be able to distinguish truth from lies. The Bible teaches that people will ultimately believe in the lie (2 Thess. 2:11).
Thirdly, God cares for his elect by gathering them together at the second coming of Jesus (Matt.24: 29-31). They are never abandoned.
Jesus shall return. Believers who have died will return with him. Believers alive at that time will rise to meet Jesus in the air and so forever be with the Lord.
The dead who return with Jesus will include infants who have died in infancy and also the unborn child.
God is merciful and among the infants who have died and the unborn children are his elect.
How do you know if you are elect? Paul gives us some guidance in 1 Thess. 1:4-5. If the gospel has come to you not only in word but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance then you are elect. It is God who works in you. If you have repented and believed the gospel you are elect.
But what if you have not repented? God will pass over you and you cannot blame him for not choosing you. You perish because of non-belief not non-election.
The Lord gave people up to their sinful ways (Romans 1:24,26). Paul left the people at Antioch and Corinth because of their unbelief and turned to the Gentiles. Most significantly he said to the Corinthians "I am clean" (Acts 13:46; 18:6). No one can charge God of being unjust. He is clean.
The Lord cares for his people. He will never forsake them. We may be assured through life's trials and tribulations that we will conquer through him who loved us and gave himself for us. Praise our sovereign God. He is a wonderful caring Saviour.