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If you believe that. Then you must also believe that Jesus is a liar. Jesus tells you outright that not everyone will enter God's Kingdom. Only if you twist His Words can you get Him to say something else. Jesus tells us that the Gate that leads to destruction is wide, and many will enter it. Whereas the Gate that leads to life is narrow, (AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT). It all comes down to believing Jesus. Or promoting your own personal spin.
As is always the case when Jesus is speaking during His earthly ministry; He is speaking to those of Israel who are awaiting the kingdom to be restored upon the earth. For those living on the earth and expecting to enter the kingdom when it is established, there is a strict code of conduct. Salvation (entering the restored kingdom) is largely based on works. See Jesus’ words in the “Sermon on the Mount” for example which sets the behavioral standards for entering the kingdom.
But this is not talking about the permanent condition (i.e. “eternity”) for ANY person. It is a temporal state whereby some will be excluded from entry into the kingdom during the eon to come … they forfeit eonian life during that eon.
But at the conclusion of the eons, when Christ has fully accomplished His mission and purpose (see 1 Corinthians 15) ALL will ultimately be reconciled to God, and God will become All in all.
It's true that Jesus said “narrow is the way, and few there will be that find it.” But we must consider the context. During Jesus’ earthly ministry He also said that He came only to the sheep of Israel … not to the Gentiles. Jesus’ earthly agenda was to prepare His people (Israel) for the restoration of the kingdom upon the earth. And for this, the people needed “superabounding righteousness” … they needed to “be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48).
Before Jesus’ earthly ministry was concluded, and as He set forth all of the kingdom conditions, His disciples asked him, “Who consequently can be saved?” (Matt 19:25). Jesus response: “With men this is impossible, yet with God all is possible.”
Narrow is the way for this kind of righteousness being required. But thru Paul, God began to do a new thing. As Israel is set aside (temporarily, not permanently – see Romans 11:25-26) Paul begins to talk about the body of Christ … justification (not just pardon) … grace alone (not grace + works). If left to men to respond with obedience (as was the call in that day) who could be saved? But all is possible with God, and that is what Paul tells us about.
God wills that all mankind be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)
God is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11)
As in Adam all are dying; thus also in Christ will all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Jesus says that there are few FINDING it (Present Tense). NOT few will EVER find it.
Mat 7:14 how strait is the gate, and compressed the way that is leading to the life, and few are those finding it!
Note that the verse does not carry the meaning that few will ever find it.
Oh please, get a handle on the verse.
Matthew 7:13,14 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, (AND THOSE WHO ENTER BY IT ARE MANY.) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it (ARE FEW.)
So what is it? Jesus said those who find it are few. Yet you are saying everybody finds it. So who is right? You, or Jesus?
As is always the case when Jesus is speaking during His earthly ministry; He is speaking to those of Israel who are awaiting the kingdom to be restored upon the earth. For those living on the earth and expecting to enter the kingdom when it is established, there is a strict code of conduct. Salvation (entering the restored kingdom) is largely based on works. See Jesus’ words in the “Sermon on the Mount” for example which sets the behavioral standards for entering the kingdom.
But this is not talking about the permanent condition (i.e. “eternity”) for ANY person. It is a temporal state whereby some will be excluded from entry into the kingdom during the eon to come … they forfeit eonian life during that eon.
But at the conclusion of the eons, when Christ has fully accomplished His mission and purpose (see 1 Corinthians 15) ALL will ultimately be reconciled to God, and God will become All in all.
It's true that Jesus said “narrow is the way, and few there will be that find it.” But we must consider the context. During Jesus’ earthly ministry He also said that He came only to the sheep of Israel … not to the Gentiles. Jesus’ earthly agenda was to prepare His people (Israel) for the restoration of the kingdom upon the earth. And for this, the people needed “superabounding righteousness” … they needed to “be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48).
Before Jesus’ earthly ministry was concluded, and as He set forth all of the kingdom conditions, His disciples asked him, “Who consequently can be saved?” (Matt 19:25). Jesus response: “With men this is impossible, yet with God all is possible.”
Narrow is the way for this kind of righteousness being required. But thru Paul, God began to do a new thing. As Israel is set aside (temporarily, not permanently – see Romans 11:25-26) Paul begins to talk about the body of Christ … justification (not just pardon) … grace alone (not grace + works). If left to men to respond with obedience (as was the call in that day) who could be saved? But all is possible with God, and that is what Paul tells us about.
God wills that all mankind be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)
God is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11)
As in Adam all are dying; thus also in Christ will all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Oh please. The Sermon on the mount was not given to the Jews as the way of Salvation. It was given to them to show them that no one could be saved by the works of the law. Jesus took the law to a whole new level. And that is why He was telling the Jews of that time that if they wanted the law to save them. They should pluck their eye out of their head if it offends them. Because it would be better for only one eye to be burning in Hell. Jesus tells them that if you look on a woman to lust after her, you have already commited adultery. And so on, and so on. By the end of the Sermon, the Jews of Jesus time knew that no one could be that good. And that is why Jesus was showing them a different way.
It is God's desire that everyone would be saved. Yet clearly Jesus tells us that narrow is the Gate that leads to life. (AND FEW THEIR BE THAT FIND IT). What God wants, and the reality of what will be is clearly stated by Jesus.
The life that Jesus is talking about is eonian life.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Campbell34
Oh please, get a handle on the verse.
Matthew 7:13,14 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, (AND THOSE WHO ENTER BY IT ARE MANY.) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it (ARE FEW.)
So what is it? Jesus said those who find it are few. Yet you are saying everybody finds it. So who is right? You, or Jesus?
We are both right.
The life that Jesus is talking about is eonian (age-during) life.
Under the circumcision gospel works were required. Few will qualify for eonion life and reign with Christ in His kingdom during the coming millenium age.
But according to Paul's gospel of grace, sooner or later everyone will be saved and enjoy the life of Christ.
Thru Paul, God began to do a new thing. As Israel is set aside (temporarily, not permanently – see Romans 11:25-26) Paul begins to talk about the body of Christ … justification (not just pardon) … grace alone (not grace + works). If left to men to respond with obedience (as was the call in that day) who could be saved? But all is possible with God, and that is what Paul tells us about.
God wills that all mankind be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)
God is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11)
As in Adam all are dying; thus also in Christ will all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Matthew 7:13,14 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, (AND THOSE WHO ENTER BY IT ARE MANY.) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it (ARE FEW.)
So what is it? Jesus said those who find it are few. Yet you are saying everybody finds it. So who is right? You, or Jesus?
No HE (Jesus said it) in the Present Tense. The King James version is based on the Textus Receptus. Here is that Greek text parsed:
Mat 7:14 οτι G3754 CONJ στενη G4728 A-NSF η G3588 T-NSF πυλη G4439 N-NSF και G2532 CONJ τεθλιμμενη G2346 V-RPP-NSF η G3588 T-NSF οδος G3598 N-NSF η G3588 T-NSF απαγουσα G520 V-PAP-NSF εις G1519 PREP την G3588 T-ASF ζωην G2222 N-ASF και G2532 CONJ ολιγοι G3641 A-NPM εισιν G1510 V-PAI-3P οι G3588 T-NPM ευρισκοντες G2147 V-PAP-NPM αυτην G846 P-ASF
So what is V-PAP? - it is PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICPLE. So if your quoting the King James version then your quoting a meaning that is PRESENT Tense.
The narrow path that leads to life, now, is indeed narrow and few therein find it. But the broad path will ultimately lead to life as well. Although there are few who understand this presently.
Jesus Christ will correct any unbelief, as we pass through the death of men to life; for in him there is no darkness. All will emerge through the light and fire of Christ, as he quenches the false
flames of Moloch within the thoughts of depraved men.
Now, who was it that underwent a dramatic transformation on the road to Damascus from the brightness of his presence!
"The light and fire of Christ bathes the depths of humanity, as adversity falls from power."
A sudden turning point in a person's life happens in a flash. Therefore, let us move beyond the level of our own justifications to that of love and knowing, which comes from the awakening
of the Spirit that dwells within every one of us.
The life that Jesus is talking about is eonian (age-during) life.
Under the circumcision gospel works were required. Few will qualify for eonion life and reign with Christ in His kingdom during the coming millenium age.
But according to Paul's gospel of grace, sooner or later everyone will be saved and enjoy the life of Christ.
Thru Paul, God began to do a new thing. As Israel is set aside (temporarily, not permanently – see Romans 11:25-26) Paul begins to talk about the body of Christ … justification (not just pardon) … grace alone (not grace + works). If left to men to respond with obedience (as was the call in that day) who could be saved? But all is possible with God, and that is what Paul tells us about.
God wills that all mankind be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)
God is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11)
As in Adam all are dying; thus also in Christ will all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Your reading why more into 1 Timothy 2:4 than what is actually there. God wants all men to be save. Yet as Jesus points out, only a few find life. God does not (WILL) men to be saved. Salvation is a choice that man alone makes. God also wanted all the angels in heven to follow Him, yet this was not to be either. God is not the author of confusion. And if Jesus tells us that only a few will find life. God will only operate within the truth of the Bible. Suggesting we can ignore Jesus own words, and somhow believe that all mankind will be saved is not a Biblical belief. Nor is it a belief that agrees with Christ own words.
The narrow path that leads to life, now, is indeed narrow and few therein find it. But the broad path will ultimately lead to life as well. Although there are few who understand this presently.
Jesus Christ will correct any unbelief, as we pass through the death of men to life; for in him there is no darkness. All will emerge through the light and fire of Christ, as he quenches the false
flames of Moloch within the thoughts of depraved men.
Now, who was it that underwent a dramatic transformation on the road to Damascus from the brightness of his presence!
"The light and fire of Christ bathes the depths of humanity, as adversity falls from power."
A sudden turning point in a person's life happens in a flash. Therefore, let us move beyond the level of our own justifications to that of love and knowing, which comes from the awakening
of the Spirit that dwells within every one of us.
Jesus tells us the wide path leads to destruction. You can believe your own spin or you can believe Jesus. The choice is yours alone to make. Jesus does not need to correct His word nor should anyone else. Jesus spoke correctly the first time.
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But with god all things are possible!
The life that Jesus is talking about is eonian life.
