[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Actually rw, the concept of an 'elect' group is contrary to what I've been reading in the Bible. Here's a verse from 2 Peter 3:9 in the RSV and King James versions:

The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

[rwfromkansas]

Context.

[drstevej]

The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

--

The reason for the delay of the Lord's return, which is the context of this verse, is His gathering of the elect. The you here is clearly believers [the elect].