Election callings as used by Jesus

Matthew 22:10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. [kjv]

και εξελθοντες οι δουλοι εκεινοι εις τας οδους συνηγαγον παντας ους ευρον πονηρους τε και αγαθους και επλησθη ο νυμφων ανακειμενων [gnt]

22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: [kjv]

εισελθων δε ο βασιλευς θεασασθαι τους ανακειμενους ειδεν εκει ανθρωπον ουκ ενδεδυμενον ενδυμα γαμου [gnt]

[compiler theory and practice]

Matthew 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. [kjv]

και λεγει αυτω εταιρε πως εισηλθες ωδε μη εχων ενδυμα γαμου ο δε εφιμωθη [gnt]

22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [kjv]

τοτε ο βασιλευς ειπεν τοις διακονοις δησαντες αυτου ποδας και χειρας εκβαλετε αυτον εις το σκοτος το εξωτερον εκει εσται ο κλαυθμος και ο βρυγμος των οδοντων [gnt]

22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]

Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [kjv]

22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]

"ὀλίγοι" ≈ "little in size, value, duration, etc." (plural).
"ὦ" ≈ "oh (joy or pain)".
"λυκοί" ≈ "wolves" (could be a type of "bird").

What does Jesus mean when he says that "few" are "chosen" or "elected"? This verse is the only verse where Jesus makes this distinction of "many", "called", "few" and "chosen".

Should the Biblical context, as recorded by Matthew, be used in determining the meaning of these words? Here are examples of multiple lists?

Santa: "naughty" and "nice".
Dean: "Dean's List" and "Dean's Other List".

What list or lists (sometimes called a book) does God have?

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [kjv]

7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [kjv]

In Matthew 7, Jesus talks of the "straight" "gate" and "wide" "area". The TR (Textus Receptus) adds the "gate" to the "wide" "area". What exactly is a "strait" "gate"? The ancient Greek word "πλατύς" ≈ "wide, flat" and is related to the English word "flat" and "platypus" as, literally, "flat feet".

How "many" is "many"? How "few" is "few"?

What does the word translated as "leadeth" mean?
What is the "life"? Is this eternal "life"?
What is the "loss" - translated as "destruction"? Is this eternal "destruction"?

[Psalm 23, He Leadeth Me (hymn)]

More: Matthew 22:14 Election callings of the chosen elect

More: Streets: Flowing after a path into a plaza

More: Song: He leadeth me

More: Matthew 7:13-14 Strait talk about narrow and wide gates

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [kjv]

προσεχετε απο των ψευδοπροφητων οιτινες ερχονται προς υμας εν ενδυμασιν προβατων εσωθεν δε εισιν λυκοι αρπαγες [gnt]

Dogs are known as man's best friend. The dog breed is related to the wolf breed and can interbreed. Two dogs may appear similar, but one may be a sheep dog and another a wolf dog.

A sheep dog is like a bishop who travels around keeping the faithful in line.
A wolf dog or ravenous wolf is a (false ) leader or eye in the church not sparing the flock. Jesus uses the word "wolf" in a manner similar to how he refers to the "birds".

Jesus warns of this. It might be important and useful to distinguish these types of dogs.

More: Interbreeding

More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows

More: Crying wolf for the search and seizure of the rapture

More: Matthew 7:15 Sheep dogs and wolf dogs

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [kjv]

οτι στενη η πυλη και τεθλιμμενη η οδος η απαγουσα εις την ζωην και ολιγοι εισιν οι ευρισκοντες αυτην [gnt]

Why might Jesus use the phrase "and" "few"? My fish joke will gill you! Debate is very important to fisherman.

"και" ≈ "and" (conjunction).
"ὀλίγοι" ≈ "few, little, small" (plural) from "ὀλίγος" ≈ "few, little, small".
"καίω" ≈ "light, kindle, set on fire, burn, burn up, make very cold (frost)".

The ancient Greek word "λυκοί" ≈ "wolves" (used in the next verse) from "λύκος" ≈ "wolf" but could be a "jackdaw", "starling", "thrush", or similar bird.

Greek (as written): ... and few ...
Play on words: ... I burn wolves/birds ... (similarity of "g" and "k" sound)

More: Matthew 7:13-14 Strait talk about narrow and wide gates

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was … in the whale's belly; … [kjv]

ωσπερ γαρ ην ιωνας εν τη κοιλια του κητους … [gnt]

The KJV (King James Version) moves the "three" "days" and "three" "nights" from after the "whale" to before the "belly". [temple woken up]

Greek: ... for as Jonah was in the belly of the whale ...
Play on words: ... for as the ages was (are) in the wolves of the wall ...

Might the "wolves" and the "wall" be related to the "wide" "area" connected by the "narrow" "gates"?

[Spoonerisms, Anabaptist book]

More: Matthew 7:13-14 Strait talk about narrow and wide gates

More: Punishment by Spoonerisms: switched consonants

More: Romans 16 A belly-ache pun on useful Christ-like words

More: Matthew 12:38-40 Sign sign everywhere a sign

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]

24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. [kjv]

24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [kjv]

24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. [kjv]

Jesus uses the noun for "elect" or "chosen" three times in Matthew 24 and one other time, at the end of the Parable of the Wedding feast in Matthew 22. These nouns are either mistranslated in context or ambiguous in use (or both).

More: Matthew 22:14 Election callings of the chosen elect

More: Election callings us used by others and not Jesus

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? [kjv]

καθημενου δε αυτου επι του ορους των ελαιων προσηλθον αυτω οι μαθηται κατ ιδιαν λεγοντες ειπον ημιν ποτε ταυτα εσται και τι το σημειον της σης παρουσιας και συντελειας του αιωνος [gnt]

Paraphrase: ... Tell us, when will what you have just been saying be. That is, when will the religious establishment acknowledge what you have been saying about oppressing the believers at the bottom? When shall this cooperative effort take place into the ages?

Jesus then follows with an extended discourse. The apparent meaning of this extended discourse, called the Olivet Discourse, is that the cooperation that should happen will never happen into the ages until the final end of time (as we know it) when heaven and earth will pass by. It will happen when pigs fly!

More: Matthew 24:3 All of it in the Olivet Discourse

Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]

The field of combinatorics has to do with arranging objects - combination, permutations, etc.

Pigeonhole principle: Pigeons are to be placed in pigeonholes. If there are more pigeons than there are pigeonholes, then at least one pigeonhole will have more than one pigeon.
By the pigeonhole principle, if there are more than half of those who claim to follow "Christ" who are a false "Christs", then at least one person needs to be self-deceived. As the number grows to all those in the domain, the number of self-deceived approaches everyone in the domain (structural induction). That would be "many". Does Jesus ever talk of people being "deceived" or self "deceived" about what he says?

Note that a "dove" (from a Germanic word) and a "pigeon" (from a Latin word) are two names the same "bird".

More: Permutation: Introduction

More: Flipping the pigeon bird as reality or perception

More: Matthew 24:4-5 False Christs and all of it

Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [kjv]

μελλησετε δε ακουειν πολεμους και ακοας πολεμων ορατε μη θροεισθε δει γαρ γενεσθαι αλλ ουπω εστιν το τελος [gnt]

24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [kjv]

εγερθησεται γαρ εθνος επι εθνος και βασιλεια επι βασιλειαν και εσονται λιμοι και σεισμοι κατα τοπους [gnt]

24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. [kjv]

παντα δε ταυτα αρχη ωδινων [gnt]

Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [kjv]

τοτε παραδωσουσιν υμας εις θλιψιν και αποκτενουσιν υμας και εσεσθε μισουμενοι υπο παντων των εθνων δια το ονομα μου [gnt]

Alternate paraphrase (using Greek meanings and play on words): Then shall they tradition (hand over) you into (peer and deceptive) pressure (affliction) and shall kill you (your soul, through deception) and you shall be hatefully rewarded under all those peoples through the (deceptive use of) my name.

Did Jesus warn about false teachers using his name and other deceptions in this discourse?
Why might this verse be related to those false teachers (and followers) and deceptions?

More: Matthew 24:8-14 Beginning of sorrows

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [kjv]

εσται γαρ τοτε θλιψις μεγαλη οια ου γεγονεν απ αρχης κοσμου εως του νυν ουδ ου μη γενηται [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "θλῖψις" ≈ "pressure" and, figuratively, "oppression", "affliction", etc.
By the pigeonhole principle, there is a lot of self-deception. Might this include peer pressure?

Paraphrase: For then shall by great pressure (peer pressure) that has not been (come into being) since the beginning of the world (people in the world) until now, neither has ever been (come into being).

[broken cross, true vs. false]

More: Matthew 24:4-5 False Christs and all of it

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. [kjv]

και ει μη εκολοβωθησαν αι ημεραι εκειναι ουκ αν εσωθη πασα σαρξ δια δε τους εκλεκτους κολοβωθησονται αι ημεραι εκειναι [gnt]

The analogy of "Christ's" "shortening" with "Crisco" "shortening" appears to be a half-baked idea, even (oven) if the words sound similar. Let's put this idea on the back burner.
To be fully baked, perhaps something needs to be "taken" and "put" into a "fire" pit of some kind. Perhaps "outer" "darkness" would be sufficient. Might the "darkness" be achieved by "darkening" the "sun"? Such a "darkness" might be similar to the "blind" leading the "blind".

More: Matthew 15:1-21 Blind leading the blind

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. [kjv]

Greek word order: and if not (potential) curtailed/shortened the days those not (actual) if saved all flesh through/by then/however of the elect curtailed/shortened the days those.

Jesus appears to be making a logical statement. Some do not like the use of logic on what Jesus says but, instead, prefer opinion. Everyone can have one or more of a large number of opinions on a matter. There are many fewer logical views of that same matter.

To support the idea of the "elect" or "chosen" being good, the Greek word "by" or "through" was translated as "for".

Let us, however, here consider the logic of what Jesus is saying. To do that, we need to review some logic rules.

There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true. Winston Churchill (British statesman)

How might one determine what is true and what is not true?

More: Winston Churchill

The following are all equivalent.
A implies B	modens ponens
B if A	(top down)
(not B) or A
(not B) implies (not A)	modens tollens
A or (not B)

The two tables are symmetric. Which one is true? The other one is then false.

If the above are true, then the following are not true or false.

The following are all equivalent.
B implies A	converse error
A if B	(top down)
(not A) or B
(not A) implies (not B)	fact check fallacy
B or (not A)

There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true. Winston Churchill.
Note that if the bottom table is true, then the top table is not true or false. To see this requires algebraic substitution of names for other names (as in a code). This is part of the programming process in computer science, software engineering, etc.

More: Fact check fallacy: bad logic and conclusions

Expression tree for (P -> Q) = ((! Q) -> (! P))

P Q | ( P -> Q ) = ( ( ! Q ) -> ( ! P ) ) ----------------------------------------- 0 0 | ( 0 1 0 ) 1 ( ( 1 0 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) ) 0 1 | ( 0 1 1 ) 1 ( ( 0 1 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) ) 1 0 | ( 1 0 0 ) 1 ( ( 1 0 ) 0 ( 0 1 ) ) 1 1 | ( 1 1 1 ) 1 ( ( 0 1 ) 1 ( 0 1 ) )

The expressions are the same since the values under the equal sign "=" are all 1 or true.

More: Fact check fallacy: bad logic and conclusions

Expression tree for (P -> Q) = ((! P) -> (! Q))

P Q | ( P -> Q ) = ( ( ! P ) -> ( ! Q ) ) ----------------------------------------- 0 0 | ( 0 1 0 ) 1 ( ( 1 0 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) ) 0 1 | ( 0 1 1 ) 0 ( ( 1 0 ) 0 ( 0 1 ) ) 1 0 | ( 1 0 0 ) 0 ( ( 0 1 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) ) 1 1 | ( 1 1 1 ) 1 ( ( 0 1 ) 1 ( 0 1 ) )

Here is an extended truth table proof that the fact check fallacy is not equivalent to implication.

The expressions are not the same since the values under the equal sign "=" are not all 1 or true.

More: Fact check fallacy: bad logic and conclusions

P Q | ( ( ! P ) -> ( ! Q ) ) = ( Q -> P ) ----------------------------------------- 0 0 | ( ( 1 0 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) ) 1 ( 0 1 0 ) 0 1 | ( ( 1 0 ) 0 ( 0 1 ) ) 1 ( 1 0 0 ) 1 0 | ( ( 0 1 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) ) 1 ( 0 1 1 ) 1 1 | ( ( 0 1 ) 1 ( 0 1 ) ) 1 ( 1 1 1 )

Here is an extended truth table proof that the fact check fallacy is equivalent to the converse error.

The expressions are the same since the values under the equal sign "=" are all 1 or true.

More: Converse fallacy: If A then B does not mean If B then A

More: Fact check fallacy: bad logic and conclusions

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. [kjv]

Variable operands for the verse
X	εκολοβωθησαν αι ημεραι εκειναι	those days be shortened
X	κολοβωθησονται αι ημεραι εκειναι	those days be shortened
Y	εσωθη πασα σαρξ	saved all flesh
E	δια (τους) εκλεκτους	by the elect

Connective operators for the verse
if not	ει μη	if not
if not	ουκ αν	if not
but by	δια δε	through but

To support the idea of a good "elect". the Greek for "by" or "through" needs to be changed to "for".

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. [kjv]

Let X be "those days/parts be shortened or cut off", Y be "flesh saved", E be "elect".

1. if not X then not Y but by E is X. (as stated, modus ponens)
2. if Y then X but by E is X. (modens tollens)
E is self-deceived (surrounding verses) and decides that Y needs to be achieved (equivocation on "flesh" and "saved") by doing X (converse fallacy).
3. if X then Y but (since) by E is X. (converse fallacy by E)
E (deceived) decides that X needs to be done to get Y and convinces others "in this way/manner" (surrounding verses).
4. if not Y then not X but (since) by E is X. (restated as fact check fallacy)

In three verses, Jesus will remind us that he had told us this before.

More: Converse fallacy: If A then B does not mean If B then A

More: Fact check fallacy: bad logic and conclusions

More: Equivocation deception between names and meanings

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. [kjv]

Paraphrase using the above logic: And if those days [parts there yes] were not cut off (horns/rules removed) no flesh would be saved, but though the (deceived) elect's (false) ideas, those days [parts there yes] will be cut off (horns/rules removed) in order to (invalid logic) save all flesh.

Jesus wants to "cut off" certain unnecessary horns/rules/parts (yoke of compulsion) in order to "save" "all" "flesh" in a "heavenly" manner.
The (deceived) "elect" want to "cut off" all horns/rules/parts in the (false) idea that this will "save" "all" "flesh" in a "worldly" manner.

Discuss: Has it ever happened that false teachers want to "cut off" all horns/rules/parts in order that all "flesh" might be "saved"? Does it help fill the pews (or their own salary)?

Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. [kjv]

τοτε εαν τις υμιν ειπη ιδου ωδε ο χριστος η ωδε μη πιστευσητε [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ὧδε" ≈ "in this way, thus" and comes from "ὅδε" ≈ "this". Translating the word as "here" loses the idea of the manner or way in which something is done.

KJV: ... here is Christ or there is Christ - do not believe it. (localized false Christ)
Greek word meaning: ... in this way/manner is Christ or in this way/manner is Christ - do not believe it. (general idea of a false Christ)

Discuss: Can one be a false Christ if one repeats, in the same manner/way, ideas that a false Christ would say?

There is a disjunction using "or" in this verse.

More: Disjunction in Matthew

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [kjv]

εγερθησονται γαρ ψευδοχριστοι και ψευδοπροφηται και δωσουσιν σημεια μεγαλα και τερατα ωστε πλανασθαι ει δυνατον και τους εκλεκτους [gnt]

To what does this refer? The deception of the elect. Who are the "elect"?

"elect"

good

"deceive"

"elect"

not

good

"deceive"

"elect"

"deceive"

themselves

Is it "potentially possible" to "deceive" someone who is already "deceived" or has self "deceived"?

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [kjv]

Here is an analogy of a statement made by a lawyer defending his politician client accused of corruption.

Lawyer: There is not one shred of evidence that my client is corrupt.
Lawyer: And it is not possible that my client will become corrupt.

Here is an analogy for the "elect"

There is not one shred of evidence that the elect are deceived.
And it is not possible that the elect will become deceived.

More: One cookie rule: good to the last drop

Matthew 24:25 Behold, I have told you before. [kjv]

ιδου προειρηκα υμιν [gnt]

If Jesus tells them "before" then has what he is now describing happened before?

Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. [kjv]

και αποστελει τους αγγελους αυτου μετα σαλπιγγος μεγαλης και επισυναξουσιν τους εκλεκτους αυτου εκ των τεσσαρων ανεμων απ ακρων ουρανων εως των ακρων αυτων [gnt]

"τέσσαρες" ≈ "four".
"σαῦρος" ≈ "lizard".
"ἄνεμος" ≈ "wind"
"ἄνομος" ≈ "lawless, impious, unmusical"

Who are the "elect"? Neither this verse nor the verse that follows (the fig tree) indicate what happens to the "elect".

The Greek word translated as "four" can be a play on words with (four) "lizard".
The Greek word translated as "winds" can be a play on words with "against the law" or "iniquity".

More: Against the law: out-law or in-law

Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. [kjv]

The "angels" are the "reapers". There are many "trumpets" in Revelation.
The Greek word translated as "his" is that of "his/it" (masculine/neuter).
The "ends" are one point to another point, such as from the "beginning" of time, or "east", to the "end" of time, or "west".

More: Matthew 13:47-50: KP7 Parable of the harvest at the end of the age

The seventh kingdom parable is the harvest at the end of the age.

Matthew 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: [kjv]

13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. [kjv]

Verses 49 and 50 appear to be a restatement of verses 47 and 48.

13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, [kjv]

13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [kjv]

One assumes that there are "fish" in the "net" but this is never stated. In real life, "birds", "animals" and other creatures might be caught in a "net".

Matthew 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, [kjv]

ουτως εσται εν τη συντελεια του αιωνος εξελευσονται οι αγγελοι και αφοριουσιν τους πονηρους εκ μεσου των δικαιων [gnt]

13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [kjv]

και βαλουσιν αυτους εις την καμινον του πυρος εκει εσται ο κλαυθμος και ο βρυγμος των οδοντων [gnt]

24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. [kjv]

Are these verses a statement of basically the same idea? A good teacher often teaches the same thing in many different ways.
Who are the "chosen" or "elect" in these verses? What happens to them?
Is being one of the "elect" good or not good?