Will there be few or many people who inherit eternal life?

[tonychanyt]

Lk 13:

23 Someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Jesus did not give an absolute number of people who would go to heaven.

Mt 7:

13 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. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Proportionally, there seem to be more headed for hell.

Revelation 7:

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

John painted a picture of many people in absolute terms in heaven.

Will there be few or many people who inherit eternal life?

In terms of absolute number, there will be many, but perhaps more will head for eternal death.

 

[okay]

What about passages like Romans 5:18?

In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. (NABRE)

 

[tonychanyt]

What about passages like Romans 5:18?

In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. (NABRE)

How's that relate to the OP?

 

[Richard T]

Good teaching as usual. Abraham's seed as the sand of the sea too shows quite a few.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

Lk 13:


Jesus did not give an absolute number of people who would go to heaven.

Mt 7:


Proportionally, there seem to be more headed for hell.

Revelation 7:


John painted a picture of many people in absolute terms in heaven.

Will there be few or many people who inherit eternal life?

In terms of absolute number, there will be many, but perhaps more will head for eternal death.

Based on Matthew 7:13 and on verses like Matthew 22:14 where Jesus said "many are called, but few are chosen", it seems that it is relatively few, though not literally few, who will inherit eternal life. Relatively few in comparison to the many who are called to salvation. Yet, Revelation 7:9 describes the number of saved as "a great multitude", as you showed as well.

So, the answer to your question is that both few and many people will inherit eternal life, depending on how you look at it (literally or comparatively).

 

[okay]

How's that relate to the OP?

Fair enough. It would be better suited for a different forum anyway.

 

[Diamond72]

Jesus did not give an absolute number of people who would go to heaven.

Jesus said few and many. Zechariah 13:8 says one third. “It will come about in all the land,” Declares the LORD, “Two parts in it will be cut off and perish, But the third will be left alive."