Who Are the Elect? Understanding Biblical Election and Character

The elect of God are those who, through faith in Jesus Christ, choose to live in humble obedience to God's commandments and respond to the drawing of His Holy Spirit6MR 388.2+3. Election is not an arbitrary choice by God to save some and destroy others; rather, it is a result of an individual's decision to accept the provisions of salvation and the imparted grace of ChristST January 2, 1893, par. 2+2.

The Character of the Elect

The elect are distinguished by a specific excellence of character that is in harmony with the law of GodCE 118.1+1.

• Humility and Simplicity: They humble themselves as little children, receiving and obeying the Word of God with simplicityST January 2, 1893, par. 2+1.

• Christlike Virtues: They are called to "put on" mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering Colossians 3:1222LtMs, Lt 32, 1907, par. 11+1.

• Purity: In the final days of earth's history, the elect must stand untainted amid surrounding corruption, possessing holy bodies and pure spiritsCTBH 8.5+1.

• Guileless Spirit: A marked feature of the 144,000, who are among the elect, is that no guile is found in their mouths Psalms 32:2+114MR 93.1.

Conditions of Election

Election is based on conditions that every person has the opportunity to meet through the merit of Christ’s blood2MR 149.1+2.

• Faith and Obedience: The elect are chosen through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth, manifesting their faith through obedience to the commandments 1 Peter 1:26MR 388.2+1.

• Persistence: To make their calling and election sure, believers must remain steadfast and immovable in their faithfulness 2 Peter 1:102MR 149.1+1.

• Self-Denial: They are elected to wear the yoke of Christ, lift His burdens, and follow Him in trustful, willing obedience wherever He goes Matthew 11:2914MR 93.1+1.

The Experience of the Elect in the Last Days

The elect occupy a special place in the closing scenes of the conflict between good and evilEVRR486+1.

• Protection from Deception: Satan will work miracles and manifest false spirits to deceive, if possible, the very elect; however, they find their security in the living Word of God Matthew 24:24CCh 39.5+1.

• Crying for Deliverance: During the time of Jacob’s trouble, the elect will cry out day and night to God for justice and deliverance from their adversaries Luke 18:7-8EVRR521+1.

• Divine Vindication: Though Satan is the "accuser of the brethren," Christ stands at the right hand of God to justify His elect, and no power can separate them from His love Romans 8:33-35GW92 117.1+2.

The Universal Invitation

God wills that all people should be saved, and Christ has paid the "election price" for every human being7BC 944.2+2. No walls are built to keep any soul from salvation; rather, anyone who is willing to be saved by Christ and return to loyalty to His law is accounted among the elect Revelation 22:176MR 388.2+1. Every person is currently a probationer deciding their own future destiny by whether they choose to place themselves in the channel of light5MR 11.3+1.