While in Jerusalem Jesus was asked: “Are there few that be saved?” This is a question, concerning which, I have wondered for many years. I believe that at some point in our lives all of us come to Christ asking this question (Luke 13:23; compare Luke 13:34-35)! We see so many who don’t know Jesus nor even care to know him. What about the sincere person who never heard of Christ? Is he condemned for the lack of a laborer in his field? What about the sinner who is not so sincere, but never heard of the Lord? Is he condemned without ever having a reason to repent? So many people die in their sins! Is there any hope? Will they live again, or are they lost forever (Ezekiel 37:3, 11)? God says there is hope!
And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. (Ezekiel 37:13-14 KJV)
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (Romans 11:26 KJV)
Jesus as much as says that to ask the question, “Are their few to be saved?” is to miss the point of our relationship with him. Christ died for all (1Timothy 2:6; cf. 4:10), and in due time all the world will testify of his saving grace. Yet, there are some who will come into their inheritance first, and some will come in last (Luke 13:30). Nevertheless, all will live and bow before the feet of Jesus their Savior (1Corinthians 15:22-23, 25; cf. Philippians 2:10-11).
As the scripture says, there is an order (1Corinthians 15:23) to the resurrections. Let him who wishes to be first strive (G75) to enter the strait gate (Luke 13:24). The strait (G4728) gate is a narrow gate as opposed to broad or wide (Matthew 7:13-14). In fact, it is so narrow, we can enter only one by one (John 10:9). Jesus is the door (John 10:7, 9). We enter through one man, the Son of Man or Messiah (Genesis 3:15). Many believe they have entry, because they are moral or have done great works (Matthew 7:22). Nevertheless, entry into the Kingdom of God is through Jesus alone; no other name (Acts 4:12) and no other work is sufficient (John 10:1; Matthew 7:22). One day everyone who ever lived will come to know that Name and understand the price that was paid to secure their salvation (1Corinthians 15:28) and will bow at his feet:.
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth–even those long ago dead and buried–will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11 MSG)
We know that people will not be forced into submission, because God is not honored through force but in the fruits of his Spirit borne out in the lives of willing people (John 15:8); and in glorifying God through the fruits of his Spirit we show ourselves to be the disciples of Jesus. Praise God!
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14 responses to “Are Only a Small Number Saved?”
To summarize:
• So, devil and satan looks like have two meanings: individual (Adam) and conceptul (sinful desires). We just have to determine what is what according to the context.
• If Adam in a spirit form roaming freely (at least did so until Jn16:11) then could evil spirits be other people of the past (Mt8:31)?
• I understand the meaning of Jude1:9, but I can’t rephrase this verse in a way that 10 years old could understand? Could you help me with it?
To summarize:
So, devil and satan looks like have two meanings: individual (Adam) and conceptul (sinful desires). We just have to determine what is what according to the context.
Yes, but with a qualification. I believe we need to stay within the meaning of the words. The words satan and devil do not mean any sinful desire. If they refer to someone other than Adam, then they refer to an “enemy” (a satan) or a “slanderer” (a devil). Otherwise, why should the being Satan have so many names? The names are descriptive of the evil involved—slander or someone acting as an enemy.
If Adam in a spirit form roaming freely (at least did so until Jn16:11) then could evil spirits be other people of the past (Mt8:31)?
Yes, in my opinion this would be correct. You need to remember, however, that this idea, though it can be supported with Scripture better than if they were angelic beings, this doctrine is still is pretty subjective. It is something I believe is true, but I could be wrong. I would be happier with a little more support from Scripture, but I am definitely more comfortable with the “demons” being disembodied human spirits than I am with evil angelic beings. Revelation shows that Satan had the key to the bottomless pit (death – see Revelation 9:1), however by Revelation 20:1 he lost the key and is himself thrown into the pit (death) until the return of Christ. The point is, if Satan/Adam had the key to death, he probably could have made use of very powerful and evil spirits of men who had died. Like I said, this is more believable to me than evil angelic beings, but I would be happier with more support in the Scriptures.
I understand the meaning of Jude1:9, but I can’t rephrase this verse in a way that 10 years old could understand? Could you help me with it?
I can try. Jesus and Michael are the same Being. When Jesus became man, he placed himself under the authority of God (the Father—see Philippians 2:8). The god or supreme authority of this world was Satan/Adam. Remember Jesus said he was not the King over this world (John 18:36). Therefore, when contending with Satan (through the authority of Satan’s servants—the Pharisees and Sadducees), though Jesus/Michael was God in the flesh, he didn’t vilify them or rashly accuse them of evil. What he did do was depend upon God to act on Jesus’ behalf to vindicate all he said and did. Each time the authorities wanted to capture Jesus and kill him, God worked a miracle through Jesus and the authorities were afraid of the people and didn’t lay hands upon him. This occurred again and again, until it was time for Jesus to offer himself to the Father as the supreme Sacrifice on our behalf. Then Satan, himself, got into the act by putting it into Judas’ mind to betray Jesus. The Jewish authorities couldn’t pass up the opportunity so they took him and had him crucified. Yet, Jesus submitted to the will of God and silently yielded to the authorities at the time—Herod, Pilate and the Jewish Sanhedrin. He never once fought back in anger or accused anyone of lying etc. He allowed the Father’s will to be done through these evil men acting on Satan’s behalf.
Well… I think it all makes sense. It is still very strange to me, but feelings shouldn’t overwhelm logic and I’ll get used to this new concept.
• I know that soul isn’t entity that can live separately from a body, but rather a process of living. And I thought that spirits of dead people go to God and I couldn’t figure out what do they do there and what state of consciousness do they have (Gen 25:8, Ec.12:7, Act7:59-60). I realize that there are no passages that say that spirits can not roam freely on Earth (except for parable about rich man and Lazarus, which I think is a rather a parable about Judah and Israel). Your point I can see may be supported by Mat 12:43 (what is “dry places”?), Mt14:26, Lk24:39, 1Sa.28:14. Do I think correctly?
Vlad,
Well… I think it all makes sense. It is still very strange to me, but feelings shouldn’t overwhelm logic and I’ll get used to this new concept.
You are correct that feelings should not overwhelm what makes sense. However, we must not neglect our feelings. At times they tell us something is wrong (or true) even when we can’t make sense of everything. At times knowledge of the truth begins with a feeling. If what I have written makes sense to you, you need to own it by studying it all for yourself. Then it will no longer be something I said that made sense to you. It will be something you can prove from the Scripture something the Spirit within convinces you is true.
I know that soul isn’t entity that can live separately from a body, but rather a process of living. And I thought that spirits of dead people go to God and I couldn’t figure out what do they do there and what state of consciousness do they have (Gen 25:8, Ec.12:7, Act7:59-60).
I wrote a blog awhile back concerning judgment of unbelievers as found in Matthew 25. The blog can be found HERE. It talks about the differences between the deaths of the wicked and the righteous. There is a lot we don’t know concerning what happens after death. We can say we go to heaven, but what does that mean? All I know is we can be assured that the death of the righteous is one of peace and to be desired. We also know there are multiple ages to come wherein we shall serve God, but the Scriptures are largely silent as far as what that means. We are given only rare glimpses of the hereafter.
I realize that there are no passages that say that spirits can not roam freely on Earth (except for parable about rich man and Lazarus, which I think is a rather a parable about Judah and Israel). Your point I can see may be supported by Mat 12:43 (what is “dry places”?), Mt14:26, Lk24:39, 1Sa.28:14. Do I think correctly?
The “dry places” refers to the place of the dead. Life is compared to a fountain of water in Proverbs 13:14 which is the opposite of what we find in Matthew 12:43. I am thinking about writing several blogs on the subject of demons. I don’t know if I’ll have time before the Christmas holiday. I do want to write some blogs having to do with Christmas. I know it will be soon, but it may not be until January before I’ll be able have the study ready.
As always, if I haven’t been clear, just ask me to clarify and I’ll do my best.
Lord bless,
Eddie