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SUBJECT: Matthew 7:12-14
Straight and Narrow gates
QUESTION: Do not these
verses tell us that most will fail in their quest for
Salvation?
ANSWER:
First the verse in question:
Matthew 7:12-14
12 Therefore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so
to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter ye in at the strait
gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat:
14 Because strait is the
gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it.
This set of verses is not
saying exactly what you might think. It is not saying that
most will be destroyed in the second death. These verse are
focusing on the PROCESSES of good (which
leads to Salvation and Eternal Life) and of evil
(which leads to the second death)
Remember, Jesus is talking to
new people to the gospel here. This is Introduction to the
subject of Salvation. He is introducing the two processes (good
and evil). He is not giving an end time prophecy
or declaring that the lion's share of the masses would
fail. Remember what God says elsewhere in the scriptures...
1
Timothy 2:4
Who will have all men to be
saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Why would God say this if the
other verses were saying that most would NOT be saved?
Notice a commentary on the
subject:
Matthew 7:12-14
II. We must make religion
our business, and be intent upon it; we must be strict and
circumspect in our conversation, which is here represented
to us as entering in at a strait gate, and walking on in a
narrow way, v. 13, 14. Observe here,
1. The account that is given
of the bad way of sin, and the good way of holiness. There
are but two ways, right and wrong, good and evil; the way to
the Kingdom of God, and the way to hell (grave-death)
or the second death; in the one of which we are all of us
walking: no middle place hereafter, no middle way now: the
distinction of the children of men into saints and sinners,
godly and ungodly, will swallow up all to eternity.
Here is, (1.) An account
given us of the way of sin and sinners; both what is the
best, and what is the worst of it.
[1.] that which allures
multitudes into it, and keeps them in it; the gate is wide,
and the way broad, and there are many travellers in that
way. First, "You will have abundance of liberty in that way;
the gate is wide, and stands wide open to tempt those that
go right on their way. You may go in at this gate with all
your lusts about you; it gives no check to your appetites,
to your passions: you may walk in the way of your heart, and
in the sight of your eyes; that gives room enough." It is a
broad way, for there is nothing to hedge in those that walk
in it, but they wander endlessly; a broad way, for there are
many paths in it; there is choice of sinful ways, contrary
to each other, but all paths in this broad way. Secondly,
"You will have abundance of company in that way: many there
be that go in at this gate, and walk in this way." If we
follow the multitude, it will be to do evil: if we go with
the crowd, it will be the wrong way. It is natural for us to
incline to go down the stream, and do as the most do; but it
is too great a compliment, to be willing to be damned for
company, and to go unto death with them, because they will
not go into the Kingdom with us: if many perish, we should
be the more cautious.
[2.] that which should
affright us all from it is, that it leads to destruction.
Death, eternal death, is at the end of it (and the way of
sin tends to it),-- everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord. Whether it be the high way of open
profaneness, or the back way of close hypocrisy, if it be a
way of sin, it will be our ruin, if we repent not.
~from Matthew Henry's Commentary
Now notice closely what the
verses are saying:
broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction (verse 13) and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life (verse 14)
These are descriptions of
those ways. Notice the key word, "leadeth". These ways
lead somewhere but none of the text is promising that most
will go there. Most WILL enter in at the beginning but God
has a Plan to lead most to the way of life.
Most will find this entrance
to the right, Godly way after the Second Resurrection in
which all those who ever lived and who never were given the
truth of God will have their opportunity at Salvation.
After the Second Resurrection everyone will be given the
absolute truth of God. This will be made easy because
Christ will be in charge and not man.
Most will choose eternal
life. It is a good plan.
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