The “Few Chosen” Are Israelites


Previous Page: The Election of Israel

The definition of “the elect/chosen” have been established, let us proceed to the teachings of Jesus, we must remember was Himself Jewish.

In Matthew 22 Jesus, speaking with the Pharisees compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a King who prepared a wedding feast for His Son.

Those that were invited to the wedding feast were not interested in coming so the King sent His servants out calling everyone who would come. That the invited guests to the wedding were the Israelites is certain. But the elect did not make it to the wedding feast.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in Matthew 8:11, “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

There are also many passages in the Old Testament that speak of the Messianic age in which the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be God’s special people.
For detail study the following Chapters in the book of Isaiah 2, 4, 11, 60-66).

Therefore, Jesus’ statement “For many are called, but few are chosen,” (Matthew 22:14; & 20:16) must be interpreted in light of who are the chosen, that is the Jews! The chosen, elect (the Jews) were the ones to whom the promise of the Messianic Age was first given.

However, when the bridegroom came they were not willing to come and therefore God the Father gave instruction for all (the many) to be called to the feast. Understanding who the elect are unlocks the passage for us. Knowing that the elect are the Jews completely rules out any Calvinistic interpretation of the passage. Note that both the called and chosen still needed salvation as indicated by the wedding garment and he who was found in the feast without a garment was cast out.

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