gerard16 said:
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
(2Ti 2:10 KJV).Does this mean that gods elect are not saved ?Shouldnt the fact that they are Gods elect cause them to be saved?
Glad you asked, because you have pointed out something I am accused of being heretical by some Christians, and that there are two chosen peoples, and obviously you took notice. One is the chosen of
race, and the other are the chosen of
grace. Israel and the church are two separate entities, but mutually interacting with each other in God's plan and purpose. The promises to Israel are marvelous earthly in blessings, i.e. becoming many people, becoming many nations, becoming militarily powerful, controlling most of the world all this before the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, which BTW the Kingdom can happen any time soon now. But earthly blessings
do not presuppose personal salvation. Their purpose is the earthly type and forerunner of God's Kingdom on this earth and as Paul stated, are the oracle people of God (by which Messiah came).
The church on the other hand are the few chosen in this age now to rule and reign with Christ in the coming Kingdom on earth. And in the end, the bible (several OT passages) claim God will write the Laws in their hearts of the Israelites specifically called for this purpose which indicates God is not through with Israel. The salvation of many more is coming later in other words. This is unlike those Christians who claim the "Jew" rejected Christ so now the promises go to a random, unprophesied group of people called Gentiles (Church) because they now "believe". That's replacement theology, instead of having eyes open to understand that both were needed then, now and in the future. This is opposed to a whimsical God who reneges on his covenant to Israel that they would be a light on the world and instead granting that responsibility to Gentiles. This is why I believe the way I do. Nothing else makes sense, as I am one to need logical reasons to everything, and any other belief just makes a Babylon of confusion (and thus the reason why one sees so many contradictory opinions).