Few will be saved?

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I did not say what tense I thought it was....you are assuming. And I like "Has come" as well.....which is still not "came" I think it best to quote scripture as is, and not adjust it to your personal interpretation.

I am not like most Christians, nor do I try to be. It is best what you let God reveal meanings to you, or go with your own interpretation rather than I try to explain...

So you have no opinion on 1 John 4:3 in what it means?
I would say that it is very important to understand what it is saying because it will help a believer to determine who is of the spirit of the antichrist or not. For me, there is no trouble in understanding what this verse is saying. It is obvious. A person cannot deny the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. This is essential in knowing the things of God as one walks with God and grows in knowledge (According to His Word).

For to deny that Jesus is God and to deny that the Living Word (second person of the Godhead) had entered into the flesh of man is essential. If Jesus was not God, He cannot be our Savior. If Jesus did not have a physical flesh and blood body that was real, He could not really pay for our sins. So to deny this or the Incarnation is to deny salvation itself. It is the spirit of the anitchrist that would be against this (of course). Whether you see that in the Scriptures or not, is of no consequence. The reality is that the Scriptures teach that the Incarnation is essential for our salvation. So you can make 1 John 4:3 some kind of mystery if you like. I will stick to what it plainly says and not be not be deceived by anyone claiming to deny the Incarnation in these last days.
 
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PanDeVida

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What did Jesus mean when he said "few will be saved?" There are billions of Christians out there! Christianity is the largest religion in the world! So surely many will be saved? What are we missing? Discuss.

MM,

Salvation or damnation begins at death and NOT while we are alive! We are not saved until we are dead and with the Lord. Amen

To judge ourselves as saved is a sin of presumption, or thou shall not Judge or thou shall be judged, even oneself, one can not judge only God and at the end of our lives.


 
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Yes, Jason, when John wrote this, he was battling the Gnostics who did not believe Jesus came in the flesh, but only in spirit, and misinterpret scripture and say that our spirit is dead to sin and is saved, but our flesh will die and grace covers sins of the flesh, like fornication. That is a spirit of antichrist, and not what Jesus represents - a license to sin. Unfortunately, that spirit is still with us in easy Christianity, like OSAS. But there will be an Antichrist - one person who is the son of perdition.

Yes, I am already aware of this; And I agree 100%. We should always stay humble and be not high minded. We have to continue to fight the good fight of faith. We need to pray and love those who want the easy way out (like with OSAS). It's about love; And it doesn't get any better than love. For God is love.
 
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RaymondG

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So you have no opinion on 1 John 4:3 in what it means?
I would say that it is very important to understand what it is saying because it will help a believer to determine who is of the spirit of the antichrist or not. For me, there is no trouble in understanding what this verse is saying. It is obvious. A person cannot deny the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. This is essential in knowing the things of God as one walks with God and grows in knowledge (According to His Word).

For to deny that Jesus is God and to deny that the Living Word (second person of the Godhead) had entered into the flesh of man is essential. If Jesus was not God, He cannot be our Savior. If Jesus did not have a physical flesh and blood body that was real, He could not really pay for our sins. So to deny this or the Incarnation is to deny salvation itself. It is the spirit of the anitchrist that would be against this (of course). Whether you see that in the Scriptures or not, is of no consequence. The reality is that the Scriptures teach that the Incarnation is essential for our salvation. So you can make 1 John 4:3 some kind of mystery if you like. I will stick to what it plainly says and not be not be deceived by anyone claiming to deny the Incarnation in these last days.
Again, who said anything about denying Jesus? You are assuming again. I say something, you assume I mean something else....I say nothing and you again assume something else. You are only allowed to see what your mind tells you is right and true. So it really doesnt matter what I say. assume on.
 
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That's true. I didn't think of it that way.

But it is easy to have a belief alone in Jesus. Everyone can do that. It's the smooth way. The wide gate path many Christians are on. See, in Matthew 7 (which is the context of the narrow way), Jesus said to certain believers to depart from Him because they worked iniquity or sin (in addition to the good works they did). So this is not just false professors here. These were believers who actually did many wonderful works for the Lord. But because they also sinned or justified sin in some way, Jesus who is God and who is holy (and cannto agree with sin) said for these believers to depart from Him. Again, also read Matthew 13:41-42. Jesus will send forth his angels and gather out of His Kingdom all who offend (sin) and who do iniquity (intense sin) and cast them into the furnace of fire (i.e. the Lake of Fire). In John 12:48, Jesus says he who does not receive His words, those very words will judge them on the last day. What words of Jesus can judge a person? Just read Matthew 5:22, Matthew 5:28-30, Matthew 6:15 for starters.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Jesus stated plainly who is being saved, and who is already condemned while they are still walking 'alive' on earth.

They don't have to wait until they die to find out.

It is all written throughout Scripture, and revealed clearly by the Father from heaven to those He chooses, exactly as written in Scripture.
 
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Again, who said anything about denying Jesus? You are assuming again. I say something, you assume I mean something else....I say nothing and you again assume something else. You are only allowed to see what your mind tells you is right and true. So it really doesnt matter what I say. assume on.

By your not saying anything it makes it look like you are avoiding the test given to us in 1 John 4:3. Why wouldn't you want to gladly admit the Incarnation? See, it is not just denying the Incarnation in 1 John 4:3 that is the problem. You have to confess it, too. If you are not confessing the Incarnation, then I have every right to be suspect of you because of what 1 John 4:3 says.

I will ask you plainly and I would like an answer instead of you trying to avoid it.
Do you believe in the "Incarnation of Jesus Christ"?
Do you believe Jesus is God (Who is eternal and uncreated)?
Do you believe Jesus had and or still has a real flesh and blood body that died for our sins?
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Uh, it's talking about the Incarnation. The incarnation is a past event. Jesus still has a physical flesh and blood body now but He is not still repeatedly reliving the Incarnation every waking second of every day. Jesus came once into the flesh with the Incarnation. It was a one time event and not a "present day" every day kind of thing.
Just for those seeking out the TRUTH about all things, as revealed by the Father from heaven,
and yes quite a tangent from this thread (I think),
you might try to find any indication in Scripture
of what you call "blood" in Jesus' body AFTER His Ascension (maybe after His Resurrection) ....
Yes, this is quite a bit different from almost all the other concepts, ideas, posts, and threads you've ever read...... and not to be settled nor determined here, obviously. (it is not possible on this site, I think ) ... simply for "seeking YHWH'S KINGDOM in all things" ....
 
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You've had a little bit of everything on this thread so far, some gospel-based and some works-based claims. Take note of those professing works to either be saved or to maintain salvation, because they'll likely be among the many who miss it. That's a clever deception which will cause many a 'christian' to wake up in hell one day, as will all those who place even a little of their faith in themselves to be saved. There are 'few' who will be able to take themselves out of the equation.

Then why did Jesus say, "if you will enter into life, keep the commandments" ? (See Matthew 19:17).
Why does Titus 1:16 say that you can deny God by your lack of works?
Why does Hebrew 5:9 says that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him?
Why does James say faith without works is dead?

Oh, and by the way, I believe Jesus is the One who does the good work in me. So ... it is not really ultimately me doing the good work. I surrender to Christ and his good ways flows through me. For God alone is good. John 15:5 says we can do nothing without Him.
 
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disciple1

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What did Jesus mean when he said "few will be saved?" There are billions of Christians out there! Christianity is the largest religion in the world! So surely many will be saved? What are we missing? Discuss.
Most people don't know it's all about love because they don't study the bible.
Matthew chapter 4 verse 4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Romans chapter 1 verse 28
Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

John chapter 8 verse 31,32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, " If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
2 John
9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Job chapter 23 verse 12
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Matthew 11
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Luke chapter 21
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Romans chapter 10
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Mark chapter 13
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
James chapter 1
25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James chapter 4
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Isaiah chapter 45 verse 19
I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
Jeremiah chapter 9
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.
Jeremiah chapter 5 verse 1
5 “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and consider,
search through her squares.
If you can find but one person
who deals honestly and seeks the truth,
I will forgive this city.
Psalm 119 verse 114
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
 
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Adzinfi

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What did Jesus mean when he said "few will be saved?" There are billions of Christians out there! Christianity is the largest religion in the world! So surely many will be saved? What are we missing? Discuss.
Gods judgment is perfect.

Out of the whole world EIGHT were saved in the ark .

Out of the whole cities of Sodom and gormorah THREE we're saved.

It states 600 thousand fighting aged men (plus woman and children and aged ) came out of Egypt through water baptism in the red sea through the spiritual rock (christ) and then after all that ...of an estimated million+ only TWO entered the promised land.

JESUS means what he says.
So if people are continuing to practice sin .one by not stoping evil works and two. by not obeying Jesus to DO what he says. Which many(all) are called to do.
Then they will NOT be chosen

Those who THINK they are saved need to get very very very afraid and work out whether that are IN the faith.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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It states 600 thousand fighting aged men (plus woman and children and aged ) came out of Egypt through water baptism in the red sea through the spiritual rock (christ) and then after all that ...of an estimated million+ only TWO entered the promised land.
Don't
forget
how many under 20 years old (at the time of the rebellion) entered the promised land.
A lot more than 2.
 
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SeventyOne

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Then why did Jesus say, "if you will enter into life, keep the commandments" ? (See Matthew 19:17).
Why does Titus 1:16 say that you can deny God by your lack of works?
Why does Hebrew 5:9 says that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him?
Why does James say faith without works is dead?

Most of these go back to those with true faith will do good works. Lack of good works indicate a dead faith. They don't kill faith, which is your implication. You will know them by their fruit, etc.

Oh, and by the way, I believe Jesus is the One who does the good work in me. So ... it is not really ultimately me doing the good work. I surrender to Christ and his good ways flows through me. For God alone is good. John 15:5 says we can do nothing without Him.

Good, then I don't know why you insist on something different with your words.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Again you fully detracted from the point..
Did you not use 3 examples ?
In one example, 8 people were saved.
In another example, 3 people were saved.
Yet in the 3rd example, NOT ONLY 2 were saved, but everyone who had been under 20 years old was 'saved' along with Joshua and Caleb.
Simple.
As it is written.
 
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Neostarwcc

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Another interpretation of this that I am not sure is credible is that Jesus is referring to the Jewish people. The majority of Jews did not accept Jesus as their Messiah.

That's true. It's possible.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Another interpretation of this that I am not sure is credible is that Jesus is referring to the Jewish people. The majority of Jews did not accept Jesus as their Messiah.
This is true, yet the majority of the gentiles never accepted Jesus nor repented of their sins either.
So few Jews, and few gentiles, were saved. Many remain on the road to destruction, willingly.
 
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