Who are the ELECT? Matt 24:24

[aigerim]

Who are the “ELECT” referred to in Matthew 24:24?

Matthew 24:24 - For there shall arise false Christs, and FALSE PROPHETS, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall THEY SHALL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT.

I believe most of you on this forum are genuine, humble followers of Christ. In addition, you are amazing scholars and remarkably eloquent, too. I learn so much!

So, here are my questions/concerns with Matthew 24:24…

1. Who are the “ELECT” referred to in Matthew 24:24?
2. This is a duh moment: If someone is “ELECT”, they certainly don’t want to be deceived!
3. How is it, that in the last days, some “ELECT” will find themselves deceived ?
4. Are we, LDS members, the “ELECT”? Are we to be deceived?
5. To be considered “ELECT” seems like such a nice term, but how can you be “ELECT” and humble at the same time? Or, “ELECT” and dumb enough to be deceived?
6. Surely, the "ELECT" are praying, following the commandments, and listening to the spirit - that's why they are the ELECT -so how could they become deceived?

I'm worried and confused. :-\

[sevenator]

I wonder about his myself. Personally my hangup with this verse is the phrase "if it were possible".

Does that mean it's NOT possible, or that all BUT those elect will be deceived because of the magnitude of the miracles and signs shown? I dunno...don't guess that helps much.

I'll wait for a wiser reply than mine.

[Peter]

Here is how I see it, you skipped over one important part of this scripture "for there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" Matt 24:24 Even JS-M 1:22 say the same thing: "For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant." But the JS-M adds this last part, "who are the elect according to the covenant". So the question is what does that mean. In the Guide to the Scriptures under calling and Election:

"It says Righteous followers of Christ can become numbered among the elect who gain the assurance of exaltation." So the elect are those that receive there calling and election, and when they fall they fall to perdition and outer-darkness. This is how I take "if possible", meaning how convincing theses false prophets and their wonders will be that if the elect could fall they would, but they can't, at least not by deceptive means. for the elect to become a son of perdition they must say "that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it" Teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith, p. 358.

I hope that I was able to convey my words in a way you could understand.

[mes5464]

1. Who are the “ELECT” referred to in Matthew 24:24?
2. This is a duh moment: If someone is “ELECT”, they certainly don’t want to be deceived!
3. How is it, that in the last days, some “ELECT” will find themselves deceived ?
4. Are we, LDS members, the “ELECT”? Are we to be deceived?
5. To be considered “ELECT” seems like such a nice term, but how can you be “ELECT” and humble at the same time? Or, “ELECT” and dumb enough to be deceived?
6. Surely, the "ELECT" are praying, following the commandments, and listening to the spirit - that's why they are the ELECT -so how could they become deceived?

These are my thoughts.

1. The elect are anyone who would accept Christ.

2. Yep.

3. The elect are seduced. They may not even understand the choice they are making. I think some modern examples of this are: people that support the undeclared wars, people supporting homosexual rights, people supporting socialist systems such as social security, medicare, medicaid, public schools, etc.

38 And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations.

4. Based on my definition in 1, anyone that would accept Christ is a part of the elect. The evidence that the saints are being deceived appears in newspapers all the time.

5. The elect are elect because of their humility. The elect are dumb enough to be deceived because they don't follow the prophets or the council of Jesus Christ.

24 And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;

30 All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence.

39 And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.

21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?

Truth comes by the Holy Ghost, not from man.

77 And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
79 Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—
80 That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.

We are supposed to study and learn so we can see things for what they really are, were, and will be. We are supposed to study the political, the spiritual, the scientific. The Holy Ghost will help us distinguish the truth from the lie.

6. By my definition the elect may not be praying or following the commandments. The elect are those that would accept the truth if they could find it. Or in other words, they would accept Christ if they knew were to find the real Christ.

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

[FoxMammaWisdom]

Here is how I see it, you skipped over one important part of this scripture "for there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" Matt 24:24 Even JS-M 1:22 say the same thing: "For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant." But the JS-M adds this last part, "who are the elect according to the covenant". So the question is what does that mean. In the Guide to the Scriptures under calling and Election:

"It says Righteous followers of Christ can become numbered among the elect who gain the assurance of exaltation." So the elect are those that receive there calling and election, and when they fall they fall to perdition and outer-darkness. This is how I take "if possible", meaning how convincing theses false prophets and their wonders will be that if the elect could fall they would, but they can't, at least not by deceptive means. for the elect to become a son of perdition they must say "that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it" Teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith, p. 358.

I hope that I was able to convey my words in a way you could understand.

Spot on. :ymapplause:

[liberty]

The Elect can be compared to Avraham Gileadi's spiritual level of Son/Servant discussed in his book "Isaiah Decoded".

HofL

[katmr]

I hope I'm not too far off base here but I think one requirement to be the Lords elect is to live as the Lords elect.
I guess what I mean is that one thing we covenant to do is give ALL to Lord...time, talents, literally everything we've been blessed with.....everything we have to building up of his kingdom and everything to be in his service.
The Savior gave his life for us we can choose whether or not we will give our life to him. If we are only willing to give part we cannot fully be in his service. When we make those covenants I feel he is calling us to be his elect by showing us the things necessary that we should do. Will we choose to be his elect? He has called. Are we truly willing to answer the call?

[Jarbar]

D&C 84:33-34

For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the ELECT of God.

[drjme]

Thayer's Greek Lexicon:

̓́

eklektos

1) picked out, chosen

1a) chosen by God

1a1) to obtain salvation through Christ

1a1a) Christians are called "chosen or elect" of God

1a2) the Messiah in called "elect" , as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable

1a3) choice, select, i.e. the best of its kind or class, excellence preeminent: applied to certain individual Christians

Is it possible that many who serve God in the church (or any other church for that matter) do not know Christ? Yes.

imho the only difference between the elect that are deceived and those that are not deceived, Is a personal relationship with the Savior. Christ called the church to be His bride. That would indicate a personal, intimate (pure) relationship. He already knows us, but asks us to develop deep knowledge, friendship and trust in Him. He is interested in us, but are we truly interested in knowing Him?
This also relates to the scriptures:

22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?
23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who work iniquity

It shows the importance of knowing Him, you can act in His name, do works in His name, but If he doesn't know you, or you know Him (like people in a close friendship would) then even though you were chosen (or elect) by not knowing Him you will be deceived, as He will also turn you away. This, for me, also shows the gulf of difference between religion and discipleship. the act of doing things in His name, or the path of following in his footsteps as He said and done.

[Carlos]

Matthew 24:24 - For there shall arise FALSE CHRISTS, and FALSE PROPHETS, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall THEY SHALL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT.

The word Christ is the Greek form of Messiah or Savior. Jesus is the true Christ. All other saviors are false. A false prophet is one who promotes the false saviors.
Must a Savior be an individual?? Only if it is Jesus. Otherwise false Christ's could be men, women, institutions, or philosophies which promote the "salvation" of humanity. These Christ's would seek to change the laws of God; directly, indirectly, gradually, out of "necessity".
IMO the most obvious false Christ's are men's governments, the most common now is the socialist flavor. They obviously seek to redefine marriage and family. It marginalizes all righteousness and promotes secularism. Collective freedom trumps individual liberty. They derive their power from money, not faith. And with that power they "shew great signs and wonders". The masses are always petitioning these false Christ's for their daily bread, education, healing, etc. People even want them to change the weather. I would even say that many of the ELECT (LDS or faithful Christian) have been deceived to accept and promote the changed laws and to rely on money as the power needed to change lives.

Carlos

[Watcher]

There seems to be a current of thought on the forums here that what is really necessary is to "accept Christ," and that's what comprises the elect.

As a convert of thirty years, I have many friends who have "accepted Christ." They have a multitude of beliefs and interpretations of Him and of the New Testament. Many of them subscribe to the Nicene Creed, some worship on Saturday. Almost all of them believe that upon death they will be unmarried angels in heaven, worshiping God day and night.

"Accepting Christ" as one's savior, and living a good life, is enough for the Terrestrial Kingdom.

To be elect means to follow Christ's commandments in every particular, which would include not "speaking evil of the Lord's anointed, as well as following the prophet.

If we have no anointed prophet and apostles leading the restored gospel, then we are in the wrong church. If I thought such were the case I would leave without any delay.

[friendsofthe]

I wouldn’t argue with the statement that those who have received their calling and election are elect but I don’t believe that one has to have attained that level of progression to be considered elect in the Lords eyes. I my view, if we have accepted the gospel covenant and have retained a remission of sin through continued repentance and the renewing of those covenants as we partake of the sacrament each week, we are going to be in good shape and we are of the elect.

By this definition, even children who can’t begin to comprehend the concept of calling and election can still qualify as the Lords elect. So also, youth, new concerts and all the levels of progression up to calling and election who have received Christ's grace through the atonement are the elect as well.

[SkyBird]

I believe it is clear that all who have come to earth to receive mortal bodies are the "elect" of God... we all were "one" is supporting and living up to the "plan of salvation" in the pre-mortal world. We were converted to this truth! Now that we are here many have obviously forsaken their "elect" conversion to the truth they once fought for. So the question is now... will the "elect" step forward and awaken? I really don't believe the "elect" are counted the "elect" by what "church" they belong to or by what ordinances they accept or priesthood which they have or don't have... all these things can help point us back to the truth of being the "elect" of God again...

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, (New Testament | Romans 2:14 - 15)

For circumcision (baptism) verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.(New Testament | Romans 2:25)
(baptism)
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew (the "elect"), which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew (the "elect), which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.(New Testament | Romans 2:25 - 29)

In the symbolic nature of mortality... have we not all come forth from the watery womb of baptism, fulfilling the Saviors statement:

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.(New Testament | John 3:5 - 6)

I believe the more we "repent" of the more we will awaken to the truth of "election" we were once apart of and can be apart of again... as in "a restoration" of all things!

[Benjamin_LK]

My honest feelings are these, there will be plenty of flattery directed at members of the church to go with the bandwagon, so to speak, and embrace their philosophies. Will it be appealing to all kinds of members, yes. My interpretation of deceive even the very elect is the fact that they will be seeking to tempt and lure away all members of the church, even the prophet, first presidency, and the apostles, and so on. Who is elect will be proven true and true.

Will they be appealing, very much so with their dominance over mainstream media, prominent flattery in all aspects of academia, and so on. The only real escape from their appeal will be the power of the Holy Ghost to discern what's deceiving about them.

The false christ and false prophet is easily sampled in the world today, as plenty of both secular and sectarian doctrines alike make themselves out to be something that saves the human race, but whatever lures one away from remembering that Jesus Christ is what saves, or even more importantly, lures one into not praying is what you should really be looking out for.

2 Nephi 32:8
"8 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray."

Secondly, another important counsel is that of Mormon to Moroni in Moroni 7:13"13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and benticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

[Benjamin_LK]

There seems to be a current of thought on the forums here that what is really necessary is to "accept Christ," and that's what comprises the elect.

As a convert of thirty years, I have many friends who have "accepted Christ." They have a multitude of beliefs and interpretations of Him and of the New Testament. Many of them subscribe to the Nicene Creed, some worship on Saturday. Almost all of them believe that upon death they will be unmarried angels in heaven, worshiping God day and night.

"Accepting Christ" as one's savior, and living a good life, is enough for the Terrestrial Kingdom.

To be elect means to follow Christ's commandments in every particular, which would include not "speaking evil of the Lord's anointed, as well as following the prophet.

If we have no anointed prophet and apostles leading the restored gospel, then we are in the wrong church. If I thought such were the case I would leave without any delay.

Even moreso, the gospel answers more with the Temple, such as the Salvation of those who died without it. I was once one of those Christians who went by the Nicene Creed, Catholic to be exact. The idea of the dead in Catholicism involves the state between Heaven and Hell known as Purgatory, similar to the Spirit World, or Spirit Prison, but missing a few details, courtesy of the long night or Great Apostasy. The explanation of how the salvation of the Dead is made more "complete" with the restored gospel and the Temple Ordinances by a long shot.

What's a funny random fact was the argument between what the indulgences meant in the time of Martin Luther, a big argument over that time was the idea that by contributing/donating to the construction of the cathedrals/basilicas, you released the heathen ancestors from "Purgatory" that whole concept sounds peculiar, doesn't it? It's what kicked off the reformation!