So, did the candidate you chose actually win?
How about this: do you believe in the election of 2020? What I mean is, do you believe that it was conducted in a way that was honest and fair? Do you trust the results as accurate? Do you feel confident that the initial count could withstand objective scrutiny and still deliver the same result that is being widely claimed? Did the process leave a trail that is clear enough for a thorough and accurate audit to be conducted?
We do have systems in place to recount votes. Maybe you recall the Florida recount of 2000 and the "hanging chad" debacle? I'm sure Al Gore remembers it.
If this most recent presidential election was conducted properly and in an upstanding way, then an honorable recount should (theoretically) produce the same result as the first count. A second tabulation of the ballots would only confirm the current claims, right?
Of course, there is no perfect voting system. There are better systems and worse systems, but all have flaws.
How about your election of God (1st Thessalonians 1:4)? His systems are impeccable.
If you don't believe in election, you don't believe the Bible.
Don't get upset with me. Read it* for yourself.
Perhaps we could debate about the nature of election, but the reality of it is indisputable. And of course the results of the election (to which I now direct our attention) will become evident at the point of death, right? The unregenerate wake up in hell. The regenerate awake in the presence of Christ. Upon our death, it becomes immediately clear who is a winner and who is a loser.
But will there be a recount?
Surprisingly, the answer is, "Yes." Again, read it for yourself...
Revelation 20:11-15: John said, "I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
THAT is a recount. One by one the condemned will be called up for judgment. They are already doomed. But, their destruction will be revalidated; reconfirmed. Their choice to reject their Creator instead of remembering their Creator will be placed on display. It will be demonstrated that each lost soul chose to reject instead of receive their Redeemer. The damnation of the enemies of God will be seen with harsh clarity.
All the above statements are true. But there is another that is true.
It will be made abundantly clear who is among the elect and who is not.
The book of life is literally a list of the elect of God. Again, you may interpret the process of election correctly or incorrectly, but there is no doubt that it is a very real thing. And, every soul that is cast into the lake of fire will be cast in after a search has been conducted amid the names of those who are elect from the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, Revelation 13:8 & 17:8).
It's a recount.
Of course, the winners do not have to wait until that point to know that we have won. Jesus reminded His disciples that they could (and should) rejoice immediately and constantly because they knew that their names were written down in heaven (Luke 10:20). Peter said that we can and should make our calling and election sure. Like, right now (2nd Peter 1:10)! Paul wrote that we know that we are "known of God" (Galatians 4:9). John wrote that we know that we have eternal life (1st John 5:13).
So, the recount for those in Satan's party is at the very end of time. And, it will be too late for them. All will be refused. "I never knew you." "You are workers of iniquity." "Depart from me." Those horrid words will be uttered from the lips of the Lord Jesus. None will escape.
But my recount can happen right now. I don't have to wait for death to confirm my election. I refuse to wait. I'm told not to wait. 2nd Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates?"
If you are reading this right now then whether you feel sure or insecure, examine yourself now. Are you in the faith? Are you among the chosen of God? Is Jesus Christ in you? His Spirit confirms His presence in us. He is the comforter of His own and a reprover of those who still belong to this world.
Eternal life is everlasting for sure. But, you have to actually have it for it to last. Is your faith in the finished work of Christ? Have you heard and heeded His call? Do you honestly and sincerely love the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you know the chastening hand of God? He only chastens His children. If you are not disciplined by Him, then you may be a child of the church, but you are not a child of God. Are you led by the Spirit? Do you hunger for and understand the water of the Word? Do you love the body and bride of Christ; the church? Do you love the fellowship of believers?
I hereby certify my own election. The Spirit and the Word have certified it for me. I am His. Are you?
*See "election" in Romans 9:11, 11:5, 11:7, 11:28, 1st Thessalonians 1:4, 2nd Peter 1:10, & "elect" in Isaiah 42:1, 45:4, 65:9, 65:22, Matthew 24:24, 24:31, Mark 13:22, 13:27, Luke 18:7, Romans 8:33, Colossians 3:12, 1st Timothy 5:21, Titus 1:1, 1st Peter 1:2, 1st Peter 2:6, 2nd John 1:1 & 1:13.
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