There is a Divinely constructed wall that stands between the elect and the world. Christ is giving His Word to the elect of today. Each individual who is hearing and receiving the Word of God will discover that the Word that has come to him is separating him from the world and, in some instances, from people whom he always had considered to be his brothers and sisters in the Lord.

The scriptural passages that control the destinies of each of the Lord's chosen can be found throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament. These passages are clear: there is a Divinely ordained difference between the elect and the remainder of mankind.

For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people [people for God's own possession] unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 14:2)

Consider the awesome implications of such a passage!

For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. (Isaiah 43:3,4)

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth [declares to be righteous]. (Romans 8:33)

Again:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people [people for God's own possession]; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; (I Peter 2:9)

And so on and on throughout the Scriptures.

Each member of the elect must keep his part of the covenant by cleaving with all of his strength to the Lord who has called him out of the world. If he does not, the Lord will bring him under discipline. If he refuses to be disciplined, he will discover he is facing an angry God even though it had appeared he was a member of the elect.

The doctrine of Divine election stands as one of the principal ideas of the entire Scriptures.

In John 17:14, Jesus acknowledges to the Father in Heaven that He has given the Father's Word to the elect. Hasn't Jesus given the Word of God to everyone? Not in the sense meant here.

Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables but He explained the meaning of the parables to His chosen. Only three from among the chosen disciples were allowed to behold His transfiguration. We can see three levels of opportunity displayed here: the multitudes, the chosen, and the three from among the chosen.

A level of opportunity in the Kingdom of God is not earned, it is assigned by Divine election. (Although who can say what God will do on the behalf of any individual who seeks Him with a perfect heart?)

To be continued.