The MANY and the FEW - who are they? (believe, sinners, disciples)

[Harold Kupp]

The Many and the Few – who are they?


Jesus warned his disciples that the way that leads to life was very narrow and that only a FEW will find it.


At the same time Jesus said that the way that leads to destruction was very broad and MANY go that way

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it.

So how can we know if we are one of the many or the few?

1. We know that the many and the few refers to believers for Jesus said:

Mat 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.


All who believe in Jesus have been called by God – it is God who draws people to Jesus and those who receive Jesus as their Saviour who died for their sins are given the power to become the children of God. They are not children of God the moment they receive Jesus but they are given the spiritual power to choose the narrow path that leads to life.


2. We can be certain that it involves more than just faith – it depends on what we do . The workers of iniquity will not be among the few that are saved.


Luk 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there FEW that be saved? And he said unto them,

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for MANY, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able….

….”But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.


3. We know that MANY who believed in Jesus and called Him Lord will be rejected by Jesus despite their miraculous spiritual experiences because they were “workers of iniquity”. (Transgressors of the law)

Jesus warned the disciples:

Mat 7:22 MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


4. We know that the FEW who are chosen will be from among the King’s servants .


Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For MANY are called, but FEW are chosen.


There can be no doubt that of the Many whom God calls only a Few will be chosen to receive eternal life

– There is both a gate and a way – Jesus is the gate and the narrow way is the way of holiness.


Isa 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it;

Those who do not keep God’s commandments have no hope to be among the few…


HK


FEW: Greek oligos - puny Of the many who are called only a puny number will be chosen to receive eternal life.

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; (The many)

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin (The few)

[TheWordIsOne]

Many a call a few are chosen

Matthew 20: The God’s kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard, they were Men hanging around the town square unemployed. Now atnoon, and again at three o’clock. At five o’clock he went back and found still others standing around. (People of the form, remember that the estate manager is those that God had put in charge of his kingdom,”) The manager said Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?’ “They said, ‘Because no one hired us.’ I will make disciples, go to my vineyard to work. When the day’s work was over, (Meaning the harvest) the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, ‘Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.’ When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager,
I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’
“Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.”
(It is because they worked harder, to bring people into the kingdom, not divide them, but also to show them, that there is a judgment as well. The first, that they were the “last,” and “last”, that worker harder became “first,” in the “kingdom,” So many are call but, come to God on their own turn. Some pastors make their job easier because they don't have to work as herded, and the ones that do work herded, and teach them how to work harder instead it being easy and how to bring the people into the kingdom.)
Matthew 7: 13 -14 Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

The People Complain Harshly
Malachi 3: 13 – 18 says, “You have spoken hard, rude words to me.
“You ask, ‘When did we ever do that?’ “When you said, ‘It doesn’t pay to serve God. What do we ever get out of it? When we did what he said and went around with long faces, serious about God-of-the-Angel-Armies, what difference did it make? Those who take life into their own hands are the lucky ones. They break all the rules and get ahead anyway. They push God to the limit and get by with it.’”
Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, “They’re mine, all mine. They’ll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. 18Once more you’ll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn’t, between serving God and not serving him.

Men, that Rob God’s Glory.
Malachi 3: 8 – 12 In by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day.
“You ask, ‘How have we robbed you?’
“The tithe and the offering—that’s how! 9And now you’re under a curse—the whole lot of you—because you’re robbing me.
Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers.” The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies. “You’ll be voted ‘Happiest Nation.’ You’ll experience what it’s like to be a country of grace.” God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.

[cg81]

Originally Posted by Harold Kupp

The Many and the Few – who are they?

The many.. those who do not care about the narrow way and live by the desires of the flesh.. either openly living as sinners, or in a "hidden" way - for example, trying to enter by works and thus denying the humility that comes in realizing we are unworthy, and are saved by grace.

The few.. those who enter the door of mercy unworthily, yet worthy by the grace of God.

[TheWordIsOne]

Your Words are Wise to my eyes

[TheWordIsOne]

cg81, Yes you are very right those who enter the door of mercy unworthily, yet worthy by the grace of God. Just like the Republican, that he could not look so much into heaven, but said for gave me for I am a sinner.

[TheWordIsOne]

Moderator cut: removed orphaned quote

Even the nobodies have a better chance, of entering the kingdom of God, those that don't have. And they cry to their father in heaven, make men divide, because one have more than the other. Matthew 5: 3, 6 Blessed are the poor in spirit but there is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed is are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness will they shall be filled.

[TheWordIsOne]

Harold and Donna, sometimes you must try to make yourselves humble as well, if you want people to learn from your teachings. Many people have great feelings, and sometimes what you do intimidates them. This is not the way of the Lord, which is the greatest command of all.

]Eph. 6:14. The Breastplate of Righteousness. Righteousness is being honest, good, humble, and fair to others. It means standing up for weaker people. Galatians 5: 22,23. The Fruit of the Spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self- Control, and Longsuffering.

[TheWordIsOne]

God sees the true hearts of all His People. Not the other one.

[Miss Blue]

I think some of the many include those who try to lead Christians back into obedience to the old laws which were given to the people before Jesus became human to suffered and died as the final sacrifice for sin, and to abolish the old laws..It is almost like denying the birth, life, ministry, death, burial and resurrection of our Savior..
The few may include those faithful ones who follow Christs teachings and pass on those teachings in love and humbleness...they produce good fruit..

[Ilene Wright]

Originally Posted by TheWordIsOne

Harold and Donna, sometimes you must try to make yourselves humble as well, if you want people to learn from your teachings. Many people have great feelings, and sometimes what you do intimidates them. This is not the way of the Lord, which is the greatest command of all.

]Eph. 6:14. The Breastplate of Righteousness. Righteousness is being honest, good, humble, and fair to others. It means standing up for weaker people. Galatians 5: 22,23. The Fruit of the Spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self- Control, and Longsuffering.

Originally Posted by Miss Blue

I think some of the many include those who try to lead Christians back into obedience to the old laws which were given to the people before Jesus became human to suffered and died as the final sacrifice for sin, and to abolish the old laws..It is almost like denying the birth, life, ministry, death, burial and resurrection of our Savior..
The few may include those faithful ones who follow Christs teachings and pass on those teachings in love and humbleness...they produce good fruit..

AMEN to both of the above!!!