Who then, really can be saved (go to heaven)...? Is it many or few...?

[SkyWriting]

From the same chapter:

Matthew 7:14
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

You are missing the explanation for that in the context:

So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a
few find it.

 

[Shempster]

I think Jesus could see, by the OT, and the Law, that not very many, if any could or would be saved, go to Heaven, or be spared...

God Bless!

Rev 13:8 further complicates the issue.
and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

It appears that one's fate was recorded before we were ever born. Before the world was created in fact.

 

[Halbhh]

"Who then, really can be saved (go to heaven)...?" "Is it many or few...?"

The apostles asked Jesus this, and Jesus came up with a very creative way of saying he "Did not know" the answer to that question, but was up to and with the Father God alone...

Matthew 19:25-26 Mark 10:26-27 Luke 18:26-27

So, if even Jesus did not know and was not sure, what makes us think we can know...?

Jesus "hoped" that it would be many, but didn't really know this for sure, and did not know it through his entire ministry...

We would do well to keep that in mind when examining his words in the four gospels, or in the NT, cause the apostles and disciples did not know this (the ones being honest about it) either... But, they had a "hope" that it would be many, rather than few, but, just "did not know' for sure, that being up to the Father God alone...

Comments...?

God Bless!

Perhaps this was already added in, but He also said some indications that are very sobering -- "for many are called, but few are chosen", and the very striking "choose the narrow path", where only few find the way.... That's just very sobering. We cannot disregard His commands to us, no matter some seem hard especially at first. But it's so helpful. It helps me remember to repent as I need to, and God is just and merciful to forgive if we repent, truly, in the heart. Each day I feel I am learning more about how to be as He wants me to be, and it's often about letting go of my ego or irritations or past preoccupations or patterns, and focusing on Him, the way.

 

[SkyWriting]

The apostles asked Jesus this, and Jesus came up with a very creative way of saying he "Did not know" the answer to that question, but was up to and with the Father God alone.

Jesus was always In-the-Know. Perhaps you don't like to read the Truth.

 

[SkyWriting]

"Who then, really can be saved (go to heaven)...?" "Is it many or few...?"

The only way into Hell is to intentionally reject the teaching of God's Holy Spirit.

In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

 

[JoeP222w]

The apostles asked Jesus this, and Jesus came up with a very creative way of saying he "Did not know" the answer to that question, but was up to and with the Father God alone...

Jesus did not say He "did not know", that is a misreading of the text.
Jesus is God, He did not say the Father alone knows from the text you used. Since Jesus is God (the Son), He is in perfect communion with God (the Father) and thus knows what God (the Father) knows.

So, if even Jesus did not know and was not sure, what makes us think we can know...?

You asserted it but did not prove that Jesus did not know. Are you claiming we are God or that we are the same as Jesus, in that we have the exact same knowledge Jesus has? That is what you imply.

We would do well to keep that in mind when examining his words in the four gospels, or in the NT, cause the apostles and disciples did not know this (the ones being honest about it) either... But, they had a "hope" that it would be many, rather than few, but, just "did not know' for sure, that being up to the Father God alone...

Again, you asserted but did not prove that only the Father knows.

We do not know the identity or the amount of the elect of God. But Revelation tells us that it is a "great multitude that no one could number", so clearly, those that are saved are very great in number and not just a "few".

Revelation 7:9-10 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, (10) and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

 

[JoeP222w]

One thing Jesus said that many believers will not be saved:

Matthew 7:22-23
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Those were not believers. That is the point of the passage you mention.

 

[JoeP222w]

Then there is John 3:16, which seems to imply many (all believers) will be saved...

All believers will be saved. Unbelievers will not be saved. If a believer is not saved, then are you saying that God fails in what He seeks to complete?

John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

 

[JoeP222w]

what if a person believes as best they can but is not very knowledgeable or has not had the chance in life to be or become very knowledgeable or just isn't very smart spiritually, and does not grasp spiritual things very easily, but professes to believe and lives their life being as good as they know how to be for Christ, and is what we might call, a "babe" in the faith, and will always be a babe in the faith, and perhaps cannot be or become more than a babe in the faith...

What you describe here is works based righteousness, and no one is saved by their works, nor by their intellect, nor by the strength of their belief. Justification is the work of God's grace, salvation is the work of God's grace, sanctification is the work of God's grace, glorification is the work of God's grace. He gets all of the glory and He is the one who perseveres the believer in Jesus Christ.

 

[Celticroots]

So God wants us worrying about whether we're saved or not for the rest of our lives? I thought God wanted us to have assurance, to trust His promises.

 

[dqhall]

"Who then, really can be saved (go to heaven)...?" "Is it many or few...?"

The apostles asked Jesus this, and Jesus came up with a very creative way of saying he "Did not know" the answer to that question, but was up to and with the Father God alone...

Matthew 19:25-26 Mark 10:26-27 Luke 18:26-27

So, if even Jesus did not know and was not sure, what makes us think we can know...?

Jesus "hoped" that it would be many, but didn't really know this for sure, and did not know it through his entire ministry...

We would do well to keep that in mind when examining his words in the four gospels, or in the NT, cause the apostles and disciples did not know this (the ones being honest about it) either... But, they had a "hope" that it would be many, rather than few, but, just "did not know' for sure, that being up to the Father God alone...

Comments...?

God Bless!

Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.

Some notes about the camel/rope and the eye of the needle:
http://tmcdaniel.palmerseminary.edu/camel-hawser.pdf

In those days, burdens were heavy and taxes were not easy to pay. Not only were there Roman and Herodian taxes, there were religious taxes such as tithes and second tithes also. There was an annual two drachma temple tax and recommendations to buy sacrificial animals to offer the YHWH in Jerusalem. They were required to go to Jerusalem three times a year for Jewish religious festivals and expected to be able to pay for the journey and provisions in Jerusalem where prices were high.

I think many of the rich must have been immoral gaining money in corrupt ways, or Jesus may have objected to the rich being wasteful and insensitive to the plight of the poor.

The apostles were not rich. They had given up everything to follow Jesus. At times Paul had to work with his hands to support himself and others in the community. Other times Paul was receiving hospitality from church groups he taught.

In Matthew 11:20-24, Jesus denounced some of the towns where he preached along the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. He denounced Capernaum, Chorazin and Bethsaida. He had done teachings and miracles among them, but they wanted to follow their own ways or the ways of the chief priests instead. This passage is another that makes it seem like most people will not be saved.

 

[Blade]

There SO much about this.. we can not see. No where is it written few will be saved. Listen to His words. "if I had not come and spoken they would have no sin" "if you were blind you would have no sin. You say you see your sin remains". Gods will is none to perish. Billions of people on this planet are blind. You think GOD is going to judge someone because they NEVER heard of Jesus?

The sheep and the goats. WHEN does that happen? Jesus comes sets foot on the earth. WHAT just happen before that 7 years? So Jesus sets foot He gathers the nations. Not all on heaven.. not all the dead.. those during that time.. as it says.. He gathers the nations and splits them. When you asked JESUS into your heart.. does He know you? When you told your friend about Jesus or anyone.. did Jesus tell the Father your name? Point is.. Jesus says to the goats "I never knew you" see Jesus is not like us. He said.. I NEVER knew you. That means.. they were never saved. Never confess Jesus as lord. You dont have to be saved to use the name of Jesus. oh.. and NO the goats are not some group in this world today that you dont agree with dont like

Again.. I have never heard my Father or Yeshua or the sweet sweet Holy Spirit say.. few will be saved. Now I have heard it from man. So.. if man is a liar thats me too and only GOD is true. Then.. if man says few will be saved.. I am going with MANY! We only see flesh. Like when some talk about Churches? There are so many many wonderful good great awesome Churches of our living GOD!

Remember WHAT you are seeing. GOD can not lie. He said.. man sees the flesh.. God sees the heart. So.. EVERYTHING on the out side could look sound evil.. but that heart be true. Is a call only a GOD gets to make PRAISE GOD! We dont want truth. To believe most will be lost.. what are we doing about it? To know this and do nothing?

Churches... we will never grow up the way we should if we do not go to Church.. be it where a bunch of people meet or a huge building. We go for them.. they go for us. God gave each of us something to give away. He will NEVER use it.. if we do what we want.. our way not His. Hey.. saved we are. But Jesus will NEVER say a word about it. Why? We dont want what He wants right? Ask Him.. if you should be around others..others are HIS Kids. Or are you doing what you want? We die..so HE can live through us. Until we die.. He will just wait. Sorry.. its ALL HIM.. ALL HIS WAY not mine

 

[Winken]

"Who then, really can be saved (go to heaven)...?" "Is it many or few...?"

The apostles asked Jesus this, and Jesus came up with a very creative way of saying he "Did not know" the answer to that question, but was up to and with the Father God alone...

Matthew 19:25-26 Mark 10:26-27 Luke 18:26-27

So, if even Jesus did not know and was not sure, what makes us think we can know...?

Jesus "hoped" that it would be many, but didn't really know this for sure, and did not know it through his entire ministry...

We would do well to keep that in mind when examining his words in the four gospels, or in the NT, cause the apostles and disciples did not know this (the ones being honest about it) either... But, they had a "hope" that it would be many, rather than few, but, just "did not know' for sure, that being up to the Father God alone...

Comments...?

God Bless!

Where did Jesus say He did not know? Where was the word "hope" used by the Apostles?

 

[Neogaia777]

I know what you're talking about.

This is why I have left my denomination. I don't belong to any denomination anymore.

Me too...

Makes me sad...

God Bless!

 

[Neogaia777]

Where did Jesus say He did not know? Where was the word "hope" used by the Apostles?

It's implied in the scriptures in the OP...

The gospel, or all that Jesus and all his followers do or did was "sown in hope" (hope that many would or could be saved) A man "does not hope for a thing that he sees, but for that which he does not or cannot see"...

 

[Winken]

It's implied in the scriptures in the OP...

The gospel, or all that Jesus and all his followers do or did was "sown in hope" (hope that many would or could be saved) A man "does not hope for a thing that he sees, but for that which he does not or cannot see"...

I was referring to your OP. Neither is mentioned there. Thanks for your response.

 

[Neogaia777]

I was referring to your OP. Neither is mentioned there. Thanks for your response.

Then what do you suppose Jesus meant by his response "With men this (that many will be saved) is impossible but all things (including that many will be saved or spared) are possible with God" (referring to the Father God)...?

 

[claninja]

for many are called, but few are chosen",

Who were the "few" chosen for the wedding feast? Who were the "many" called to the wedding feast?

 

[Adstar]

"Who then, really can be saved (go to heaven)...?" "Is it many or few...?"

The apostles asked Jesus this, and Jesus came up with a very creative way of saying he "Did not know" the answer to that question, but was up to and with the Father God alone...

Matthew 19:25-26 Mark 10:26-27 Luke 18:26-27

So, if even Jesus did not know and was not sure, what makes us think we can know...?

Jesus "hoped" that it would be many, but didn't really know this for sure, and did not know it through his entire ministry...

We would do well to keep that in mind when examining his words in the four gospels, or in the NT, cause the apostles and disciples did not know this (the ones being honest about it) either... But, they had a "hope" that it would be many, rather than few, but, just "did not know' for sure, that being up to the Father God alone...

Comments...?

God Bless!

I cannot see how you came to the conclusion that Jesus did not know?

Matthew 19: KJV
25 "When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? {26} But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

So Jesus reply to the concerns of the Apostles did not have to do with knowing or not knowing.. He simply stated with God all things are possible. Which doe'nt seem to be placing a limitation.. or a statement of not knowing..

 

[Adstar]

Then what do you suppose Jesus meant by his response "With men this (that many will be saved) is impossible but all things (including that many will be saved or spared) are possible with God" (referring to the Father God)...?

It means with men ( mans efforts at being rightious enough to earn for themselves eternity with God ) it is impossible.. But with God (providing the Atonement of the LORD Jesus Christ for the forgivness of all sin) all things are possible..

The whole passage was Jesus talking to the young man who was confident in that he has been good enough following the law to earn his place in eternity with God.. that young man went away in tears because Jesus revealed that a man had to be perfect in rightiousness to justif himself.. The apostels who still have the works salvation mindset then asked in exasperation who then can be saved. Jesus pointed / hinted a the way to salvation, that it was going to be by what God was going to do, not in what men do..