Election vs. Free Grace

We believe the Scripture to teach both, but that it requires the observance of “Heaven’s first law,” order, to rightly divide the word of truth on this subject.

First, we will glance at Election.

During the age preceding the deluge, there is no Scriptural account of God giving mankind any law, and very little light of revelation. One promise shine’s out, “The Seed of the Woman to Bruise the Serpent,” and even this required future revelation in order to be comprehended. God had, however, a few patriarchs or servants who had light above the masses, as lamp-posts in a dark way.

The Patriarchal age had increase of light. It is now revealed that this seed is not only to crush evil [serpent], but to “bless all the families of the earth,” still God’s Church is represented by one man, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, etc., etc.

These patriarchs were elected – chosen. “God called Abraham, and said,” and etc. Abraham, and not his kin, was called. His parents were idolators. He had “many sons and daughters,” but only one is chosen. “In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” Of Isaac’s two sons, only one was chosen, “as it is written,” says Paul, Rom 9:7-13,”Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (loved less). God chose before they were born, “that the purpose of God according to election might stand.”

Now, remember, I do not say that God elected one to go to heaven and the other to hell. No; far from it. That is the common misconception of the Scriptural, and when properly understood, beautiful doctrine of Election.

At Jacob’s death another advance step in God’s plan is taken, and typical or fleshly Israel is formed (The Jewish age). From this time one man no longer represents God in the world; but a nation, all the sons of Jacob and their posterity. And now we have an elect nation or church, and God gives all His special blessings to it. Other and larger nations – Egypt, Chaldea, and etc. – are passed by, left without light and without knowledge, while these are given to Israel. “What advantage, then, hath a Jew?” Much, every way, chiefly because to them were committed the oracles (laws and testimonies) of God. This is Paul’s statement. God speaking to them, says: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” This people alone were recognized, and thus continued until Christ came. Yes; and after it.

During Christ’s ministry He preached to them, and would not suffer His disciples to do otherwise, saying as He sends them out, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not.” Why so, Lord? “I am not sent save, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

All his time was devoted to them until death, and here was His first work for the world, and God’s Grandest Gift, not for Israel only, but for all, for “Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for EVERY man.”

And now, also, in the Gospel age, a certain sort of election obtains. Some parts of the world are more favored with the Gospel (which is free to all who hear) than others. Contrast yourself, with your privileges and knowledge, with the heathen man who never yet heard the call. When this called-out company, (called to be “sons of God,” “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ our Lord,”) is complete, then the plan of God for the world’s salvation will be only beginning. Not until then will the seed “bruise the serpent’s head,” and “bless all the families of the earth.” For the seed is not Christ, the head, alone, but the Church, which is His body, as Paul informs us, Gal 3:29, “Which seed is Christ; and if you be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” The same company are to bruise the serpent. Rom 16:20. The very God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

The Gospel Age

The Gospel age makes ready the chaste virgin (church) for the coming Bridegroom. When ready, the bridegroom comes, and they that are ready are united. The second Adam and the second Eve become one, and are thus the beginning of the new creation, and then the glorious work of elevating mankind in general begins. The river of living water flows, and the work of the Church begins. In the next dispensation, the new heavens (powers of spiritual control) and new earth (new social order). She is no longer the espoused Virgin, but the bride. THEN “the Spirit and the Bride say come (to the world in general), and whosoever will let him come and drink of the water of life freely.”

As Adam, the beginning of the fleshly race, was composed of man and the helpmeet taken from his side, as it is written, “Male and female created He them and He called their name ADAM,” Gen 5:2, so the “Second Adam,” of whom Paul says the first “was a figure,” or type, has a helpmeet taken from His side, and when she is fully formed and perfected, the Bridegroom comes and they go in to the marriage; they become one, “the new creation of God” (read Eph 5:25,30,32), making in Himself of twain (Jews and Gentiles) “One New Man.” (Eph 2:15).

This new man we have found to be the seed “to crush the serpent’s head.” “The seed of Abraham,” “in whom all the families of the earth shall be blest.” That the Gospel age so far from closing the Church’s mission, was only a school of affliction to enable her, as well as her head, to be touched with a feeling of earth’s infirmities, that they might sympathize with mankind, and during the millennial age assist them, when “the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth,” scattering the darkness of sin and ignorance, causing “wars to cease unto the ends of the earth.” These are the “times of restitution,” which Peter says are due when Christ comes. Acts 3:17-19. For this “the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.” Rom 8:22, 19. These sons are not now (at present) manifest.

There are in Christ’s flock many “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Among the wheat there are many tares; but when in “the harvest” (“the end of the age“), they are separated, then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father – be manifested – and then to the groaning creation (mankind) shall this “Sun of Righteousness arise, with healing in His wings.”

But let us leave this bright and pleasant picture of the coming day, of which, with the poet, we could say:

“Haste thee along, ages of glory, Haste the glad time when Christ appears,” and turning, look at a dark picture. Have you ever asked yourself, while rejoicing in the glorious opportunities to be offered to mankind during the millennial age –

What about those who have died before the plan of God has thus reached its fullness?

We will address this issue in our next post.