We see for another thing, that God's elect are ahoays special objects of God's care. Twice in this passage our Lord mentions them. " For the elect's sake the days of tribulation are to be shortened." It will not be possible to deceive the " elect."
Those whom God has chosen to salvation by Christ, are those whom God specially loves in this world. They are the jewels among mankind. He cares more for them than for kings on their thrones, if kings are not converted. He hears their prayers. He orders all the events of nations and the issues of wars for their good, and their sanctification. He keeps them by His Spirit. He allows neither man nor devil to pluck them out of His hand. Whatever tribulation comes on the world, God's elect are safe. May we never rest till we know that we are of this blessed number ! There breathes not the man or woman who can prove that he is not one. The promises of the Gospel are open to all. May we give diligence to make our calling and election sure ! God's elect are a people who cry unto Him night and day. When Paul saw the faith, and hope, and love of the Thessalonians, then he knew " their election of God." (1 Thess. i. 4 ; Luke xviii, 7.)
Finally, we see from these verses, that ivhenever the second advent of Christ takes place, it ivill he a very sud- den event. It will be ^' as the lightning coming out of the east, and shining even to the west."
This is a practical truth that we should ever keep be- fore our minds. That our Lord Jesus will come again in person to this world, we know from Scripture. That He will come in a time of great tribulation, we also know.