How many people will be in heaven?

[briareos]

What percentage of humanity that has existed do you think will be in heaven at the end?

Considering that you generally either have to have been a Jew before before Christ died or you had to be born again after Christ died.

What percantage of the human race that has and will exist will be in heaven?

According to some estimates it seems like heaven may be pretty much empty, just lots and lots of angels.

 

[vortigen84]

What percentage of humanity that has existed do you think will be in heaven at the end?

Considering that you generally either have to have been a Jew before before Christ died or you had to be born again after Christ died.

What percantage of the human race that has and will exist will be in heaven?

According to some estimates it seems like heaven may be pretty much empty, just lots and lots of angels.

A countless multitude will be in heaven.

But as a percentage: few find eternal life.

God just doesn't want that many people saved. If he did, he'd elect more people, but as it is he desires to show his wrath.

(Anyone who takes offense at this needs to read Romans 9 until they can recite it in their sleep.)

 

[motherprayer]

Only God knows....

 

[Aijalon]

It looks like a whole lot of people will ultimately make it to heaven. Try reading from Revelation chapter 7

9 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,

​

Your idea that people had to be of Jewish descent prior to Jesus' death to have salvation is very flawed. For one thing, the final judgement of the world including all people that ever lived, occurs after Jesus' return to the earth. It is at this time that people are judged according to their works [Rev 20:12]. (No believer with true faith is without good works as evidence)

During the period of time that people perished without the understanding of the perfect sacrifice of Christ, they died somewhat ignorant. It is very plausible that thier sins, while they remained un-attoned made them (thier souls) prisoners of Satan. Between the time that Jesus died and rose again, I believe he set these people free from thier prisons through the attoning power of his blood. It is my belief that Satan attempted to claim Jesus as prisoner, under the pretense that he was not truly sinless, but being that he is in fact the Son of God, and perfect, he defeated this scheme, and prior to ressurrection he claimed his dominion as king over heaven and hell and all souls therin (though the kingdoms of the earth are his dominion, he is not yet reigning as king on earth).

Jesus' final words in the Gospel of Matthew include this statement:

18 And having come near, Jesus spake to them, saying, `Given to me was all authority in heaven and on earth;
​

It appears to me that this past tense is intended to mean that he was given this authority sometime just recently before his resurrection, between his death and resurrection, while he was in the spirit world.

In Revelation 1:17-18 Jesus says:

“Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I [l]was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
​

He affirms here that he has the authority to judge and to rescue the saints from death and hell.

In Luke Chapter 4 Jesus references the prophet Isaiah concerning the release of the captives. This reference to the release of captives is found in various places in the old testament, such as in Psalm 146. I believe it means the release of those held in bondage to un attoned sin in the spiritual world whom Jesus set free after his death.

This is illustrated in the summoning of Samuel by Saul through the witch. Samuel is said to "come up", a reference to his location being in the earth. I believe that the saints now go directly to the place under the throne of God described in Revelation instead of into the earth, it is there that they worship God and await the time when they will inherit the kingdom and be resurrected.

Rev 20:2
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
​

Dan 12:2
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.


Just need to addres this one......

God just doesn't want that many people saved. If he did, he'd elect more people, but as it is he desires to show his wrath.

Nothing could be further from the truth! Your message is one of hate, God is a God of Love. Predestination has to do with the fact that ALL OF US ARE CONDEMNED SINNERS, THEN GOD SAVES. He chose in his forebearance and patience to go out of his way to give faith to some that they might be saved by his power, the rest are condemned by their own sin

Ezekiel 18:23
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

John 3:16:
For God so loved the world......

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.


​

 

[miamited]

What percentage of humanity that has existed do you think will be in heaven at the end?

Considering that you generally either have to have been a Jew before before Christ died or you had to be born again after Christ died.

What percantage of the human race that has and will exist will be in heaven?

According to some estimates it seems like heaven may be pretty much empty, just lots and lots of angels.

Hi briareos,

While I'm certainly not going to make any definitive claim as to numbers or percentages, I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be about 1%. I base this on a couple of 'clues' that we find in the Scriptures.

First, Jesus said, "Few there be that find it." Referring to the way of righteousness. The city of God seems to have been foretold to be about 1400 miles square. This would be an area somewhat equivalent to half the area of the US. Since God is on record as not being pleased when men build house to house, we might consider that this area will not be grossly overpopulated as say some of our greater cities are today.

So, 1% of all mankind that has ever lived is still going to be a great multitude. However, I think it also important to remember that other prophecies seem to claim that as we reach the end of days, fewer and fewer people will have real faith. Jesus made another very telling claim, I believe, when he retorically asked his disciples, "Will the Son of Man find faith upon the earth when he returns?"

Finally, we can look at John's vision and see that he has already seen most of the great multitude underneath the altar. And they cried out,
'How long, oh Lord, sovereign and true, until our deaths are avenged?" And He replied, "Wait but a while longer until the full number of those who have been martyred such as you is full."

While I can't begin to understand the numbers, I know that only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will receive the promise of our God's salvation. Praise Him! For His judgments are holy and sure.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[LilLamb219]

Heaven is really not our ultimate final destination but the New Jerusalem, right?

 

[briareos]

miamited

1%...

do you think that's a triumph? Jesus conquering death hell and the grave? 99% of his creation never made out alive?

The problem is that that is pretty close to what I feel like the bible says too. I see no victory in it. If this is true... then God is clearly losing and the devil is the victor.

 

[Aijalon]

miamited. You implied that the multitude John saw was in his present, when it was in fact in his prophetic encounter. What John saw after entering the doorway to heaven were things yet to take place. When they occured is not so certain.

Also the size of the city being what it is, indicates that a limited number may fit inside, but there was no limitation on saints living outside it. In fact, it illuminates the nations that are saved.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

There is a prohibition of any abomination entering it, but no prohibition that those saved cannot be outside it. Placing such material limitation on the saving work of God is rather odd, since God does not make such a limitation.

Lastly, Matthew 7:13 in context is very much a simile, and does not seem to concern the final judgement. It seems that Jesus speaks these cryptic statments (like 'judge not lets ye be judged - Matt 7:1) so that it would be helpful to those in knowing what behavior was fitting and good for those who are of faith.

13 `Go ye in through the strait gate, because wide [is] the gate, and broad the way that is leading to the destruction, and many are those going in through it;
14 how strait [is] the gate, and compressed the way that is leading to the life, and few are those finding it!

This seems to concern the way of the world and the worldly destruciton caused by sinful ways.

When Jesus spoke of salvation he spoke of life eternal, notice that he does not use the word eternal. I think the point here is that he means that a living a good life is very difficult, most of us choose to do things destructive to ourelves. It does not mean most people are condemned to hell. When Jesus speaks of eternal life he speaks with more powerful language, like "judgement" "wrath" "repentance"... etc.

You make Jesus out to be a little less than hopeful in the ability of God to ultimately save people, but Jesus was really much more positive than that about our ultimate victory over sin and death.

 

[brohammer26]

1 %? Not good for me :/.

 

[BFine]

There are no humans in heaven.

 

[briareos]

There are no humans in heaven.

Awww, have you no more to say? I always enjoying reading from you.

 

[briareos]

Aijalon,

Right but the idea is either you were preached to in purgatory (not sure that place applies to non Jews or those not of faith) or you were born again under the new testament.

There do seem to be limitations on who enters.

It can very easily seem like God succeeded in saving almost no one if we try to estimate how many people do those things, granted we can't really know who accepted his message in death.

 

[aiki]

What percentage of humanity that has existed do you think will be in heaven at the end?

Considering that you generally either have to have been a Jew before before Christ died or you had to be born again after Christ died.

What percantage of the human race that has and will exist will be in heaven?

According to some estimates it seems like heaven may be pretty much empty, just lots and lots of angels.

I have no idea as to exact percentages, but as has already been pointed out, "narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads unto life and few are they who find it." (Matt. 7:14) This doesn't suggest that a majority of people will be saved.

1%...

do you think that's a triumph? Jesus conquering death hell and the grave? 99% if his creation never made out alive?

Most of those whom God has made choose to live apart from Him. This is not a failure on God's part, but the consequence of our capacity to choose whether or not we will follow Christ. Jesus did conquer sin and death and this is not diminished by the refusal of people to acknowledge and accept his victory. If the Chicago Bears win the SuperBowl, is their win made less complete or true in any way if there are those who cheered for their opponents who refuse to accept that they won? Obviously not. In the same way, the refusal of the majority of humanity to accept Christ's victory over sin and death doesn't make his victory any less victorious.

Selah.

 

[briareos]

yeah... still seems like he died for the sins of the world and only managed to save a fraction, regardless of fault though I'd hardly blame the cattle or the sheep. The bible is pretty clear that they are darkened and do not know to what end they are going.

 

[aiki]

yeah... still seems like he died for the sins of the world and only managed to save a fraction, regardless of fault though I'd hardly blame the cattle or the sheep. The bible is pretty clear that they are darkened and do not know to what end they are going.

Oh? Hmmm...this passage comes to mind:

Romans 1:18-21
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Every living person, I believe, has some light, some truth about God to which they can respond positively or negatively, which they can pursue to greater understanding or ignore to their detriment. The presence and nature of God can be seen in a general way in the nature of the universe, the world and ourselves. No one will be able, then, to stand before God and say, "It was too dark to see you! I had no idea you even existed!"

Selah.

 

[servant9901]

Oh? Hmmm...this passage comes to mind:

Romans 1:18-21
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Every living person, I believe, has some light, some truth about God to which they can respond positively or negatively, which they can pursue to greater understanding or ignore to their detriment. The presence and nature of God can be seen in a general way in the nature of the universe, the world and ourselves. No one will be able, then, to stand before God and say, "It was too dark to see you! I had no idea you even existed!"

Selah.

amen..they will stand without excuse ..

 

[servant9901]

Well we know from the Word that the lost will out number the saved..

Why in this world would a lost soul choose not to obey God and be saved? why?

John 3 gives us the answer



they love darkness rather than light

because their deeds were evil

let me just go ahead and get those scriptures

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.


For every one that doeth evil hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

God bless

 

[bluegreysky]

What percentage of humanity that has existed do you think will be in heaven at the end?

Considering that you generally either have to have been a Jew before before Christ died or you had to be born again after Christ died.

What percantage of the human race that has and will exist will be in heaven?

According to some estimates it seems like heaven may be pretty much empty, just lots and lots of angels.

Honestly I don't know how you'd ever be able to determine that but I wouldn't say most of the world... only a few seem to be doing what's right anymore, and I'm not always even included in that.
The answer is probably one of two things:
1) A select few (like a small percentage of everyon who ever lived- maybe 12%?)

or

2) even fewer

The reason I say that is because either
1) you get to go even if you didn't lead the best life but you did genuinely have faith in God and Christ and you tried to do the right thing

or

2) you only get to go if you followed every guide line to the letter, never having immoral sex or doing drugs or lying and always seeking God all the time and always serving him and never being selfish, always minding the 10 commandments as so many of the church sermons and christian books and the bible would describe...

...In which case there's only going to be like 14 people there.

 

[briareos]

aiki

"...were darkened"

Is my point and theme, regardless of mistakes... they don't know. The bible is clear that they are actually blinded, ask around... they don't know and don't believe. It will be a terrible terrible surprise.

and even if they did... All mighty God had so little affect on his wayward children, almost none were saved (relatively speaking)

and... it really doesn't matter, as you look down into hell at 90-95% of humanity burning their fault will not ease your heart or keep you from vomiting at the horror and disgust.

 

[miamited]

miamited

1%...

do you think that's a triumph? Jesus conquering death hell and the grave? 99% of his creation never made out alive?

The problem is that that is pretty close to what I feel like the bible says too. I see no victory in it. If this is true... then God is clearly losing and the devil is the victor.

Hi briareos,

Perhaps it might be good to consider what God is doing in this realm. As I understand the Scriptures, God created this realm about 6,000 years ago and the purpose is to ultimately end up with a body of people who love Him and want to be with Him. Knowing that being with Him is the only life that will bring peace, joy and contentment for eternity.

The Scriptures begin with, "In the beginning..." and goes on to tell how God created this realm, knew that those He had created would sin, but made a way that any who would choose to love and obey Him could receive His promise of Eternal life. He did this by first calling Abram and beginning through him a people who would write the Scriptures that would instruct us in all that God desires of us and then ushering in the Messiah who would pay the price for our sin that we might, through our choice of love and worship and praise and obedience, become children of God.

Quite honestly, while it is certainly God's desire that everyone who is created will take Him up on His promise, I think the Scriptures are clear that most won't. I'm confident that when God created the angelic realm it was His desire that all the angels would be obedient in loving, serving, worshiping and obeying Him also, but we know that they didn't. We may also be surprised how many, of all the angels God created, are cast into the pit. Nevertheless, God has created two realms so far and the ultimate end of both realms, as they now exist, is clearly explained to us in the Revelation of Jesus.

There will come a day that God stands from His throne and says, "Enough!" At that time He will call both men and angels to judgment and He will mete out His righteous wrath upon all that He has created. Those who through perseverence have been obedient to God and those who haven't, of both realms. He will cast the disobedient of both realms into the pit and He will gather the rest and sit back upon His throne and proclaim, "Now the dwelling of God is with men and He will be their God and they will be His people."

I'm not certian that God is necessarily expecting to live with a majority of all that He has created, but He will live with those who have chosen to let Him be God and they His people and angels. Those who are alive with Him at that time will experience life as He created it to be. A life of love for each other and God. He will be their God and will provide all that they need just as He did with Adam and Eve.

Has Jesus overcome? Sure He has! Without his overcoming no flesh would be saved! Will the majority of mankind, however, take advantage of the sacrifice of the Lord? No, I don't find that to be the case in any of the Scriptures. Even in the days of Israel, when Elijah was crying out to the Lord that there was no one who seemed to be faithful, God told him that He had preserved 5,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal. 5,000! Consider that the population of Israel at that time was surely a couple million. Faithfulness to God has never been portrayed as the majority position. And as I mentioned, with the words of Jesus that he warned the disciples that he might not find any faith upon the earth when he returns, there may not be any of the last generation to receive the promise of God.

These are my thoughts based on what seems to be the clear teaching of the Scriptures. Just because Jesus overcame death, doesn't then mean that he overcame the hearts of men. BTW, if you find yourself standing before God and your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, you will consider the work that Jesus did a victory!!!

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted