Election

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

Concise Bible Dictionary:

Spoken of
2. Cyrus, who was called by God to be His “shepherd” to work out His will, saying to Jerusalem, “Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid” (Isa. 44:2828That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (Isaiah 44:28); Isa. 45:1-41Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; 2I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. (Isaiah 45:1‑4)). It was Cyrus who released the captives to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:2-32Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:2‑3)).
6. Election of persons to eternal life (Rom. 8:29-30,3329For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29‑30)
33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (Romans 8:33); Rom. 11:5,75Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (Romans 11:7); Col. 3:1212Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:12); 1 Thess. 1:44Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:4); 2 Tim. 2:1010Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10); Titus 1:11Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (Titus 1:1); 1 Peter 1:22Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2); 1 Peter 5:1313The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. (1 Peter 5:13); 2 Peter 1:1010Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:10); 2 John 1:1,131The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; (2 John 1)
13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen. (2 John 13)).
The reason Christians feel a difficulty as to the doctrine of election to eternal life, is because they do not see the extent of the fall of man, and his utterly lost condition. Were it not for election, and the prevailing grace that follows it, not one would be saved. Christ died for all, and the gospel is proclaimed to all (Rom. 3:2222Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22); Heb. 2:99But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9)); but alas, except for the election and grace of God, none would respond (Luke 14:1818And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. (Luke 14:18)). God must have all the glory.
Another error that has caused a difficulty as to “election” is the idea which some maintain that as some are ordained to eternal life, others likewise are fore-ordained by God to perdition, called “reprobation.” But this is not taught in scripture—God desires that all men should be saved (1 Tim. 2:44Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)), and His election to life ensures that some will be. It was not before Esau was born, nor until long after he was dead, that it was said he was hated of God (Mal. 1:33And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. (Malachi 1:3)). Some even judge that it refers, not to Esau personally, but to his descendants after their deeds had been fully manifested (compare Obad. 1010For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever. (Obadiah 10); Ezek. 35).

Related Books and Articles:

Election and Predestination: The Editor's Column
Election
Election
Scripture Queries and Answers: Preaching Election
“That Whosoever Believeth”: Preach Christ, Not Election