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?”
Vlad, hello and welcome,
Concerning predestination (Romans 9:10-33), according to Ephesians 1:4, we who are called have been chosen in Christ before the “foundation (break up) of the world” i.e. before Adam rebelled. No one seeks God until God touches a person. We are dead as far as our spirits are concerned and the dead know nothing and can do nothing. Consequently, the spiritually dead cannot know or find God. It is an impossibility. He must save us first. He must pour his light into our spirits before we can recognize anything of spiritual value or even respond to him. In other words we must become born again. Jesus says we have not chosen him; he has chosen us (John 15:16).
Concerning the “vessels of wrath” — as I said above, no one seeks after God until God breathes life into their spirits. The “vessels of wrath” are used of God to show what men will do without the Spirit of God. The best and the worst of them can neither find God nor hurt what God plans to do. Nevertheless, Jesus saved all. These are saved, but they simply cannot respond until God makes their spirits alive to him. The only difference between us and them is the difference God has made in us by giving us his Spirit. The “damned” is just an old English word for “judged”. In more modern translations, you will find the word “judged” in places where “damned” appeared in the King James Version (if that is what you are using. It is my favorite Bible, but it has its limitations). God has judged all in unbelief, but he has begun his work of salvation by calling us. We are the beginning, not the end of his work.
Concerning the call of God, you are correct in that God will used different methods to call each one of us. We seek fulfillment in different things, and at times God will meet us there and open up the floodgates of truth in the very things we are so interested in–like creation (science etc.). Other times we are caught up in the things of this world and the world’s influence must be taken away before we can see the truth. Nevertheless, God gives us the grace to respond to him and act on his behalf wherever we are at the time of our call.
Concerning your proficiency in the English language, don’t give it another thought. I can understand you very well. By the way what country do you call home? Thank you again for reading my blog and for the encouragement you offer in your comments.
Lord bless,
Eddie
Sorry to bother you again, I have another question:
How do you understand Jude6?
Vlad,
First of all, please do not think your questions / comments are a bother to me. They are not. At times when I am defending the word of God with an unbeliever, I can become spiritually drained, but I think this is because of a kind of mourning within over their condition. However, in discussions with brethren who simply wish to know God and his word better, I find this more fulfilling than my necessary food. You are welcome here, brother. Never think for a moment that you are a bother. :-)
Concerning Jude 6, I don’t know whether your question is about “angels” or about the “everlasting” chains, so I’ll address both. First the angels — both the Hebrew and Greek words simply refer to messenger and can mean either spirit beings or men. I am not opposed to the belief that there was a war in heaven and some angels rebelled against God (if true, this would have been caused by Adam). However, there isn’t any hard evidence of such a war taking place. There are those who advocate such a doctrine that use many Scriptures to support their understanding but it is all subjective understanding. All I can say is that it could be so, but probably isn’t. I tend to understand these “angels” as men whom God called but rebelled, preferring the world to serving him. Yet, even this is not set in cement. I am willing to believe either understanding if it can be shown to be true.
Concerning the “everlasting” chains, the word used for “forever” and “everlasting” etc. really means an undefined period of time. It can refer to the indefinite period of a man’s life, or the age before the flood, or the age of the judges in Israel. It simply means an indefinite period and must be defined by the context. It can mean forever and ever like we understand the word in English, but the context must support that understanding. In Jude 1:6 it is clear that the “everlasting” chains are only for an indefinite period of time which culminates in the judgment of God. God set a time when he would judge all things, and the everlasting chains of darkness (which is really death) ends when that time begins and all men rise to be judged by God.
If this doesn’t answer your question or if it sparks others, just let me know and we’ll discuss it.
Lord bless
Eddie
• I understand that the word “angels” means “messenger” and not necessarily heavenly beings (Job38:7). Also “first estate”, “everlasting”, “chains” and “darkness” can have unobvious to men of the present meaning. But can we tell what event in history Jude6 is referring to?
• Following characteristics of “devil” from NT (of cause, as it isn’t in OT), I came to conclusion that “devil” means lust and pride (1Jn2:16). Devil doesn’t have to and in many cases can’t be a specific individual following Jn6:70 and Tit2:3(accuser=devil) vs Jn13:2. Even when Jesus was tempted in the desert He was simply (by meaning, not like it simple to overcome temptation) got hungry, didn’t want to carry a burden of His miserable life (He could take kingdoms) and that He wanted to prove that He is God by extraordinary measure (falling from height). The only exception that I see is Jude1:9. If devil is a sinful tendencies of our flesh then who Michael was talking to? Perhaps some individual under the influence of sinful desires? Do we know the historical event described here?
Thank you so much.
Vlad, greetings,
…can we tell what event in history Jude6 is referring to?
This would depend upon what meaning we place upon the words angels, everlasting and first estate. If it refers to angelic beings, there is little we can know except that the rebellion must have occurred after Adam’s and probably as a consequence to what occurred in Eden.
If we conclude that the angels are men whom the Lord had appointed for a task, then we are probably speaking of the antediluvian age. Peter speaks of the same thing in his second epistle. In Peter 2 we find a series of groups of people being addressed, but if some are angelic beings, it is difficult to find out exactly what Peter is alluding to. However, if all groups are men, then discovering Peter’s meaning is much easier. First he addresses false prophets or teachers and compares them with the **angels** who sinned. If both groups are men, then the angels are human messengers of God. If they represent one single group of messengers of God, then I would place them before the Noahic Flood, as it appears that Genesis 6 represents a breakdown of some godly order and **all** men began to wholeheartedly rebel against God. Only Noah and his immediate family were saved, despite the fact that other men of high authority in the “righteous” genealogical line were still alive. On the other hand, if the “angels” represent the failures of all messengers of God, then Peter is merely making a general comparison. However, I believe he is speaking of the age before the Noaic Flood, because Peter does make reference to this age in his first letter (1Peter 3:18-20).
… I came to conclusion that “devil” means lust and pride (1Jn2:16).
Actually the word devil in the Greek means “slanderer”. Anyone who accuses someone else wrongfully is slandering them and fulfills the idea of devil. However, Adam did personify this characteristic, so it also refers to a real being. So, you are correct in pointing out that Titus 2:3 and John 6:70 refer to sins of men, but the John 13:2 represents the being, Satan, as is seen in John 13:27.
I do not agree with your understanding of Jesus’ temptations, however. I do have two blogs on the subject found HERE and HERE. The second blog is actually about Jesus’ later trials but this alludes to his temptations. Bottom line is, however, Jesus cannot be tempted to do evil. His temptations show that we can find peace in him when we are tempted. His power working in us enables us to overcome.
Concerning Jude 1:9, you are correct to note this is an actual being and not sinful tendencies. We need to be careful not to spiritualize everything in the Bible, so that nothing can be known to be literally true. I go by a rule that if I cannot explain it literally, then I see if it makes sense to spiritualize it. The rule of thumb, however, is a literal meaning first. If this cannot be done sensibly, then I seek other means.
Concerning when Michael disputed with the Devil, I do believe this can be known. However, I need to preface my remarks by saying Michael is not an angelic being. Michael is the Leader of the angels (Archangel) and also the King of mankind. He is Jesus. One may search the Bible from cover to cover, and one would find only one Archangel. Tradition points also to Gabriel and someone by the name of Raphael, but giving them the title of archangel is unscriptural. Only Michael is called Archangel—i.e. Leader of the angels. Having said this, we can now discover when Michael (Jesus) disputed with the Devil over the body (Law) of Moses. It was during Jesus’ earthly ministry. We know this by connecting two Scriptures together. The first is Luke 10:18 where, after the 70 completed their work and returned to Jesus, Jesus said that he beheld Satan fall from heaven. We can now connect this Scripture with Revelation 12:7-10. Here Michael (Jesus) and his angels (disciples) fought Satan, the Devil (Dragon, Serpent), and his angels the Pharisees, Sadducees etc. (those in authority who refused to recognize Jesus’ authority). The result was Satan was cast out of heaven. This is the same event, but explained two different ways, but the meaning is the same.
I hope this helps. If I did not adequately answer your questions to your satisfaction, don’t hesitate to ask for clarity. If I have sparked new questions, by all means ask—I remain your willing servant in this task.
Lord bless,
Eddie