Judges 13:22-23 THE ELECT KNOW THEY SHALL NEVER DIE

13:22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

13:23 But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.

After witnessing God’s acceptance of their offering, Manoah and his wife make a striking disclosure of God’s purpose. Christ’s faithful Gospel preachers declare that certain proof of God’s purpose is given to the elect and not to those predestined for destruction.
Prov 3:32-33 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

Manoah portrays one who has come to Christ but does not yet comprehend what has happened. His wife portrays a preacher instructing him so that he understands.
Neh 8:1-8 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man... they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses... Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding... they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

1) Christ himself reveals himself to his elect so they know that God does not intend to pour wrath on them. All are condemned under Law; every sin must be paid for. God’s elect have had their sin debt paid by Christ for them. They will never die (If the LORD were pleased to kill us.. he would not... neither would... nor would...).

John 14:20 ... Ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

2) The fact that Christ’s offering at Calvary was accepted is what enables God not to kill his elect. They are acceptable to God because he received their offering (he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands).

Gen 4:3-5 ... Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

3) Christ is revealed to the elect only (us) through the preaching of the Gospel by his preachers to his church (neither would he have shewed us all these things). God’s enemies do not know of his name, his character, his Free Sovereign Grace.

Ps 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

4) Christ reveals himself to the elect to give them confidence, assurance, peace, and rest during their lives here on earth (now - at this time) that they might believe and trust in him now and fully take all the promises and all the blessings of his covenant (nor would as at this time have told us such things as these).

Ps 27:13-14 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

By Ray Bennetts