Luke 13Luke Chapter 13, Narrow way, Blessed is He Baruch haba Bshem Adonai, until, Does God still punish sin?, How many will be saved?, narrow gate, straight gate, Universalism, Why doesn't God save everyone?, salvation conditionBeach after the earthquake in Costa Rica, DLK, 2012Matt. 13:31Matt. 17:20Mk. 4:31Lk. 13:19Lk. 17:6Let's read Luke 13:1-9Christ teachers concerning repentancenullLuke 13:15, Does God Still Punish Sin? by Sean LazarDoes God still punish sin?Does God still chastise Christians and punish His sons?

Grace In Focus July and August 2013 page 7, Does God Still Punish Sin?, by Sean Lazar, Luke 13:15, 1Corinthians 11:2732, Hebrews 12:46 Does God Still Punish Sin?, by Sean Lazar, Luke 13:15, 1Corinthians 11:2732, Does God still punish sin?Does God still chastise Christians and punish His sons?Hebrews 12:46

Luke 13:3 This Was Very Important To JesusNIVO Luke 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.Memorize these two;KJV Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.Lets examine this word repent;Many people teach that this Greek word means to stop sinning, or turn from your sins. But it actually translates to have a change of thought or mind.Luke 13:3, Repent Or PerishNAU Luke 13:3 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.If someone's should stop sinning, or turn from their sins, will they not perish?Is the penalty for sin that you must stop, sinning, or turn from their sins?If you stop sinning, or turn from their sins, will your sin debt be paid in full? Or must you have a change of thought or mind and trust in Jesus finished work on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.Is the gospel a gospel of good works and stop sinning, or trust and believe? Eternity hinges on your answer.nullLuke 13:6-9, The Fig Tree In The Vineyardgracethrufaith.comQ.I recognize the man who owned the vineyard was God, and the visiting the tree over three years time was Christs ministry on Earth, but I wondered who might the vine dresser of the vineyard be? Also, when the vine dresser asks to be allowed to dig around it and fertilize it, what does that infer? I notice theres no time period mentioned for waiting to see if this action produces fruit before the decision is made to cut the tree down. Is that a reference to the Church Age?A.The context in which this parable was set is revealed in the two previous examples ofLuke 13:1-5. They tell us the Lord was speaking of the need for Israel to repent or they would perish. He had been doing this since the beginning of His ministry (Matt. 4:17). Repent means to change ones mind, and what Israel was being told to do was to change their mind about their need for a Savior to save them from their sins.As for the parable ofLuke 13:6-9, I agree that the fig tree belonged to God. Most scholars believe that when used symbolically both fig trees and vineyards represent Israel. The three years represented the earthly ministry of Jesus, and I think the one called a vine dresser in the King James translation and a gardener in the NIV was Jesus Himself.This parable shows the Lord Jesus pleading with His Father for mercy on behalf of Israel. He was cultivating and fertilizing with the Gospel and asked His Father for time to see the effect of His efforts. But He agreed they couldnt wait forever, and within a generation Israel was cut down for their failure to bear fruit.http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacherhttp://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher The Fig Tree In The VineyardThursday, January 16th, 2014Israel ParablesLet's read Luke 13:10-17Christ heals the crippled womannullLuke 13:19 Mustard SeedNAU Luke 13:19 "It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and THE BIRDS OF THE AIR NESTED IN ITS BRANCHES."

Luke 13:19 Israeli Mustard NAU Luke 13:19 "It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and THE BIRDS OF THE AIR NESTED IN ITS BRANCHES."Luke 13:19 Israeli Mustard Matthew 13:31 He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;

Let's read Luke 13:18-30Kingdom parablesnullLuke 13:23, Lord, will only a few be saved?NAU Luke 13:23 And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them,.Theologically, and logically, there are only four ways to answer this question:Everyone will be saved.None will be saved.Some will be saved.We cant/don't know.As usual Jesus answers the question with another question.nullLuke 13:23 What Must I Do To Be Saved?NAU Luke 13:23 And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them,

Luke 13:25 Malachi 3:18 Psalm 11:5 James 1:12 1 Timothy 2:4 2 Thessalonians 2:10 Ephesians 2:8 Acts 16:30, What Must I Do To Be Saved?Luke 13:23 Narrow Gate, Straight Gate

Matthew 7:13 Luke 13:23, Narrow Gate, Straight Gate

Luke 13:24 The Narrow GateNAU Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.Limited Atonement, or bad timing?

Matthew 7:13Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.The Narrow Door, GateJerusalem Daily Photo, Todays photo by Rebecca Kowalsky features a beautifully gated home in the Beit HaKerem neighborhood in Jerusalem.

The Narrow GateLuke 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door

Luke 13:24, His Path Is NarrowNAU Luke 13:24 ..the narrow door NAU Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Romans 3:17 John 10:9 Luke 13:24 Matthew 7:13 Job 23:11 His pathLuke 13:24, His Path Is NarrowNAU Luke 13:24 ..the narrow door (Matthew 7:13)NAU Job 23:11 "My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside.NAU Hebrews 10:20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,NAU John 10:7 So Jesus saidI am the door of the sheep.NAU John 10:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be savedNAU John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.NAU Ephesians 2:18 for through Him we both have our accessNAU Romans 3:17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN."Romans 3:17 John 10:9 Luke 13:24 Matthew 7:13 Job 23:11 His pathLuke 13:24, His pathNarrow Path or Broad Path

C. S. Lewis said, The safest road to hell is a gradual one. This safe road has a gentle slope, without turns, without milestones, without signposts, without warnings.

Romans 3:17 John 10:9 Luke 13:24 Matthew 7:13 Job 23:11 His pathLuke 13:24, Strive For God Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. William Carey said, Attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.Psalm 55:18 He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are many who strive with me.Proverbs 28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them.Romans 15:30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,1 Timothy 4:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.Luke 13:24, The Narrow Gate Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

Matthew 7:13 Luke9:23-24, GotQuestions.orgWill more people go to heaven or to hell?Question: "Will more people go to heaven or to hell?"Answer:The question of whether there are more people in heaven or hell is answered by Jesus Himself in one succinct passage: 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. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew7:13-14).This passage tells us that only those who receive Jesus Christ and who believe in Him are given the right to become children of God (John1:12). As such, the gift of eternal life comes only through Jesus Christ to all those who believe. He said I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). Its not through Islam, Buddha, or other false gods of mans making. Its not for those wanting a cheap and easy way to heaven while continuing to live their own selfish and worldly lives on earth. Jesus only saves those who fully trust in Him as Savior (Acts4:12).Those who preach a gospel of inclusiveness where all ways lead to heaven preach an utterly different gospel than the one Jesus preached. The fact that few find Gods way implies that it is to be sought diligently. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). The point is this that no one will stumble into the kingdom or wander through the narrow gate by accident. Someone asked Jesus: "Lord, will those who are saved be few? He replied, Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able (Luke13:23-24). there is no doubt that more will go to hell than to heaven. The question for you is, then, on which road are you?GotQuestions.orgviaicontactmail3.comProverbs14:12 Jeremiah 29:13 Numbers 22:24-26 Luke9:23-24, 13:24 Matthew 7:13, Narrow GateLuke 13:30, First Will Be Last, And The Last, FirstLuke 13:30 "And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.(Mark 10:31)

Luke 13:30 Mark 10:31, First Will Be Last, And The Last, FirstLet's read Luke 13:31-35Christ mourns as He predicts the destruction of Jerusalemnull

Luke 13:34, I wanted to gather your children togetherNAU Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!Jerusalem Daily Photo, Todays Jerusalem photograph taken by Ilan Rosen depicts a school group made up of kids from the entire spectrum of Jewish backgrounds, coming to pray together at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.Jerusalem Daily PhotoToday's Jerusalem photograph taken by Ilan Rosen depicts a school group made up of kids from the entire spectrum of Jewish backgrounds, coming to pray together at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.Luke 13:34, Gather Your ChildrenNAU Luke 13:34 I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wingsJerusalem Daily Photo, A family praying together at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, by Noam Chen

Jer. 7:18 Joel 2:16 Matt. 23:37 Lk. 13:34 Jn. 11:52People from far away will come andbuildthe Sanctuary of the Lord, and then you will know that the God of Hosts has sent me to you. ZECHARIAH (6:15)

Luke 13:34, Willing, Not Willing, Would Not BelieveNAU Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!Luke 13:34, ye would not!Why is there a broad path to hell?NAS NAU and you would not have it!KJV ye would not!NET you would have none of it!NKJ NIVO you were not willing!YLT ye did not will.NJB you refused!BGT .nullUnwilling Not Willing, Would Not BelieveNAU John 7:39, 5:40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.NAU Matthew 22:3, 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.NAU Isaiah 30:15 For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength." But you were not willing,NAU Ezekiel 20:8, 3:7 yet the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, since they are not willing to listen to Me. Surely the whole house of Israel is stubborn and obstinate.NAU Acts 28:24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.1 Co. 7:12, 1 Co. 14:24, 2 Co. 6:15, 1 Tim. 5:8Universalism, Why Doesn't God Save Everyone, Salvation ConditionalNAU Matthew 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.NAU Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,NAU John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.Luke 13:35, Blessed is HeNAU Luke 13:35 "Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!Many had already called this out to Jesus before;Mark 11:9, NAU Matthew 21:9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!John 12:13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel."Where Does The Name Come From?gracethrufaith.comQ.What is the meaning of Yahweh or where does it come from?A.It was against the law for the Jews to speak or write the Lords name except for one day each year when they spoke it 7 times in a Temple ceremony called Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.When they wrote His name they used 4 initials to represent it. They were translated into English as JHVH. The King James translators put LORD, all in caps, where the initials appeared in the Hebrew text. Somewhere along the way vowels from Elohim, which means God, and Adonai, which means Lord, were added to the initials forming Jehovah. Later it was determined that since in the Hebrew language the four initials are pronouncedYodh, He, Waw, andHe,Yahweh is a more accurate pronunciation of Gods name.But the truth is no one alive today knows Gods actual name. After the Temple was destroyed the Yom Kippur ceremony changed and they no longer spoke it. Scholars estimate it was eventually lost to the memory of man in about 300 AD. Today Jesus is the name above all names (Phil. 2:9-11).http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/where-does-the-name-come-from/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29Friday, July 4th, 2014Old TestamentWhere Does The Name Come From?Luke 13:35, Baruch haba Bshem Adonai (YHWH)NAU Matthew 23:39 "For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!NAU Psalm 118:26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD; We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. NAU Matthew 21:9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!Hol3193 the name of God, first in Gn 24; Qr , hence printed texts ; for pronunciation (almost certainly yahweh)NAU Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'Blessed is HeNAU Luke 13:35 "Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'Mark 11:9, NAU Matthew 21:9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!NAU Matthew 23:39 "For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'John 12:13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel."NAU Psalm 118:26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD; We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.Jeremiah 33:3 Psalm 118:26, Baruch haba bshem Adonai (YHWH)NAU Psalm 118:26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD; We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. NAU Matthew 23:39 "For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'NAU Matthew 21:9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!Hol3193 the name of God, first in Gn 24; Qr , hence printed texts ; for pronunciation (almost certainly yahweh)Palm Sunday Jesus Last Journey, ByJonathan Lipnick,Holy Land StudiesPsalm 118:26 is quoted in all four Gospels. But we usually don't look at verse 25, the word hosanna is used;Hosanna comes from the Hebrew hoshia-na meaning save us, please found in Psalm 118:25. The original name of Jesus in Hebrew, Yeshua, is built on the same root: to save. So the crowds have spontaneously devised a new ritual, welcoming the messianic savior to Jerusalem using a well-known phrase out of season. The waving of palm branches in April would have struck bystanders as very odd until they realized that Hosanna matches the name of Jesus perfectly. It would then be clear that indeed this is the one who comes in the name of the Lord (Ps 118:26).http://holylandstudies.eteacherbiblical.com/palm-sunday/http://holylandstudies.eteacherbiblical.com/palm-sunday/Palm Sunday Jesus Last JourneyByJonathan Lipnick/ Nov 17, 2014/Holy Land Studies/Luke 13:35, until the time comes"NAU Luke 13:35 your house is left to you desolate until the time comesThe until indicates a coming change, and the world and all of us have no idea what that will be like. When the until change happens, all Heaven is gonna break out.NAU Zechariah 14:4 In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.Micah 1:3 For behold, the LORD is coming forth from His place. He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. 4 The mountains will melt under Him And the valleys will be split, Like wax before the fire, Like water poured down a steep place.NAU Revelation 16:19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fellnullLuke 13:35, until the time comes" NAU Isaiah 24:16 From the ends of the earth we hear songs, "Glory to the Righteous One," But I say, "Woe to me! Woe to me! Alas for me! The treacherous deal treacherously, And the treacherous deal very treacherously."17 Terror and pit and snare Confront you, O inhabitant of the earth.18 Then it will be that he who flees the report of disaster will fall into the pit, And he who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare; For the windows above are opened, and the foundations of the earth shake. 19 The earth is broken asunder, The earth is split through, The earth is shaken violently. 20 The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard And it totters like a shack, For its transgression is heavy upon it, And it will fall, never to rise again. 21 So it will happen in that day, That the LORD will punish the host of heaven on high, And the kings of the earth on earth. 22 They will be gathered together Like prisoners in the dungeon, And will be confined in prison; And after many days they will be punished. 23 Then the moon will be abashed and the sun ashamed, For the LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, And His glory will be before His elders.nullLuke 13:35, Justice to Victory Dr. Stanley D. ToussaintA battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory.(Matthew12:20, NASB)At first blush this verse seems to be out of place in the Christmas devotional booklet, but it has everything to do with the birth of the Lord Jesus. He was born in humble circumstances. No armies guarded the infant Jesus. So it was in His ministry; He humbly retreated when faced with opposition (Matthew2:14, 22;4:12;12:15;14:13;15:21; 16:4;21:17). In Matthew12:14the Pharisees took counsel how they might destroy Him. The Lords response was not to fight and make a big scene, but simply to retire from them. This was exactly as Isaiah 42:23 predicted. In fact Christ humbly dealt with battered reeds and smoldering wicks. Reeds were

2 Corinthians 13:4 Psalm 51:17 Isaiah 42:3 Matthew 12:20, Luke 13:35, until, Justice to Victory, Dr. Stanley D. ToussaintLuke 13:35, Justice to Victory Dr. Stanley D. Toussaintcheap and dispensable. A smoldering wick could be quenched with a squeeze of the thumb and forefinger. Matthew12:19 further states He would not cause a loud public clamor in the streets.This is a description of Christs earthly ministry in weakness. 2 Corinthians 13:4 says, He was crucified because of weakness. A crucial point in Matthew12:20 is the adverb until. The construction in the Greek NT gives an impression of some indefinite future time. In this age we are still seeing the weakness of Christthe blaspheming of His name, the mocking of Christians, and the flaunting of disobedience to the point of lasciviousness. However, one day this will change when He returns to reign and He leads justice to victory. Although great power is revealed in the gospel (Romans1:16), the whole world still lies in the Evil One (1 John5:19).Jesus is our example (1 Peter2:21). We are not to be brawlers but quietly and gently to be His servants. As Paul stated, we are to eat our bread in quietness (2 Thessalonians3:12). What a gentle Christmas reminder Matthew12:20is.2 Corinthians 13:4 Psalm 51:17 Isaiah 42:3 Matthew 12:20, Luke 13:35, until, Justice to Victory, Dr. Stanley D. ToussaintIn ConclusionStand tall and strong for the truth!Dallas Seminary Stearns Archesnull

Dallas Seminary Stearns ArchesTHE ENDSo be steadfast, long-suffering, and still standing, until He comes again!null

Matthew 13Matt. 13:31Matt. 17:20Mk. 4:31Lk. 13:19Lk. 17:6Matt. 13:31, 17:20 Mk. 4:31 Lk. 13:19, 17:6How Many Will Be Saved?Luke 13:22-29Ray PritchardKeep Believing MinistriesDallas, Texas

How Many Will Be Saved?Luke 13:22-29

I can think of only four ways to answer the question raised in the title of this sermon:Everyone will be saved.No one will be saved.Some will be saved, some will be lost.There is no way to know.In recent years answer # 1 has become increasingly popular. The people who say that everyone will eventually be saved point to the grace and mercy of God, which they believe will ultimately triumph in the end, guaranteeing that even those who reject Christ in this life will share in eternal glory. This strikes a chord with many people who cannot bear the thought of anyone going to hell.Answer # 2 suggests that in the end, no one will be saved because there is no such thing as salvation. If there is no God, there can be no heaven, no hell, and thus no salvation for anyone.Answer # 3 is certainly correct as far as it goes. The most popular verse in the Bible, John3:16, points to the two destinations, when it declares that those who believe will not perish but have everlasting life. So there you have it:Some will perish.Some will have everlasting life.John 5:28-29 says it another way when it speaks of some who are raised to life and others who are raised to judgment.Answer # 4 gives us another perspective by supposing that no one can know who is saved and who is lost. That is certainly a correct answer when viewed from this life. We do not know with final certainty how many people will end up with eternal life.The question could be framed this way:How many people does God intend to save out of the great mass of humanity?Will it be only a few?Will it be a vast number?Is there any way to answer that question?Whenever we come to a question like this, we need to go back to the Bible for the answer. So thats where we will begin.I. What Does the Bible Say?Luke 13 tells of an occasion where Jesus actually discusses this question.Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, Lord, are only a few people going to be saved? (Luke 13:22-23).This question arises as Jesus is going through the villages on his way to Jerusalem for the final time. One day someone comes up with a question that obviously had been troubling him:Are only a few people going to be saved?Thats a good question. We can think of various ways to ask that question today:

Lord, I live in Brooklyn. Are only a few people in Brooklyn going to be saved?What about Dallas, Lord? How many people in Dallas are going to heaven?Im from China and I love my country. Will only a few Chinese be in heaven?What about my family--My brothers and sisters, my mother and father, my children, my grandchildren? What about them? Will only a few people in my family be saved?We all wonder about these things from time to time. The way the question is phrased suggests that the questioner expected Jesus to say, Youre right. Not many people will be saved.Suppose I asked you to estimate the percentage of people who will one day be in heaven. What number would you give?3%?5%?10%?Would you go with a higher number?25%?33%?58%?Note that Jesus does not directly answer the question.Its almost as if he says in reply, Listen, friend. Thats none of your business. Jesus doesnt give a number or a percentage or any indication at all. The number of true believers is hidden in the mind and heart of God.He knows, but hes not telling us.But notice what he actually says in verses 24-27:He said to them, Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, Sir, open the door for us. But he will answer, I dont know you or where you come from. Then you will say, We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets. But he will reply, I dont know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!Jesus turns the tables on the questioner and says to him, Make sure that you are among the saved!

Dont worry about the others.Take care of yourself first.

Jesus reminds us that not only is there a door to heaven, its a narrow door, meaning that not everyone will find it and it will be easy to miss if you arent looking for it. Its as if Jesus is saying, Dont get so wrapped up in esoteric questions that you yourself miss the door to heaven. While you are philosophizing about everyone else, make sure you find the door that leads to heaven and make sure you go through it."

You may remember the childrens chorus that goes this way:One door and only one,And yet its sides are two.Inside and outside,On which side are you?If we stopped here, it would seem that Jesus has answered the question without answering it. He seems to be saying that not very many people will find that narrow door.And that is certainly part of the answer.Jesus even says that some people will knock on the door but wont get in. Who are these people who try to get in but wont be allowed to enter? In this context Jesus must be speaking of the Israelites who took his coming for granted, who disregarded his message, who thought their religion would be good enough to guarantee them a place in heaven so they delayed any decision about Christ until it was too late.Let all religious people be warned.Your religion will not get you to heaven.Im a Baptist but there are no seats in heaven reserved for Baptists. The same is true for Methodists, Lutherans, Catholics, Presbyterians, Mennonites, Brethren, Church of Christ, Bible church people, Pentecostals, or whatever your personal brand happens to be.Jesus doesnt save people according to denominational affiliation. Even if you attend the best Bible-believing church in town, dont think your church membership gives you a reserved seat in heaven.Without a personal response to Christ, your church membership will lead you not to heaven, but to hell.God Wants Bolivians in HeavenBut thats not the end of the passage. Jesus adds two important pieces of the puzzle in verses 28-29.There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.God intends to have lots of people at his banquet table.Jesus specifies that people will come from every point on the compass. No part of the globe will be excluded. Its not like God says, I want a lot of Americans but only a handful from Asia.No! Its not like that.When God throws a party, he invites people from everywhere. And they will come streaming in from north, south, east and west. Think about what this means:God intends to have Bolivians in heaven.He wants Koreans at his banquet table.He calls them from the islands of the Pacific.He intends to save people from Kosovo.He wants Russians at his table.He wants Chinese at his table.He calls them from Canada and Sweden.He invites them from Nepal and Tibet.He intends to have Moroccans feasting with him.He wants Turks there.He calls Iraqis and Israelis.He wants a host of believers from Irian Jaya at his table.In 1908 William Dunkerleywrote these wordsfor thePageant of Darkness and Lightat the London Missionary Societys exhibition The Orient in London, which ran from 1908 to 1914:In Christ there is no East or West,In Him no South or North;But one great fellowship of loveThroughout the whole wide earth.In Christ now meet both East and West,In Him meet North and South;All Christly souls are one in HimThroughout the whole wide earth.That brings us to the other side of the question. If the first part of Jesus answer seems to be narrow, the last part seems to be very broad indeed.For all those who think that God only intends to save a few people and that far more will go to hell than to heaven, consider these words by the great English preacher Charles Spurgeon from his sermonHeaven and Hell:Some narrow-minded bigots think that heaven will be a very small place, where there will be a very few people, who went to their chapel or their church. I confess, I have no wish for a very small heaven, and love to read in the Scriptures that there are many mansions in my Fathers house. How often do I hear people say, Ah! Strait is the gate and narrow is the way, and few there be that find it. There will be very few in heaven; there will be most lost. My friend I differ from you. Do you think that Christ will let the devil beat him? That he will let the devil have more in hell than there will be in heaven? No: it is impossible. For then Satan would laugh at Christ. There will be more in heaven than there are among the lost. God says, that there will be a multitude that no man can number who will be saved; but he never says that there will be a number that no man can number that will be lost. There will be a host beyond all count who will get into heaven.Now that may not be conclusive to you, but I think what Spurgeon says warrants our consideration.Youll never find a man whose theology was more orthodox than Spurgeon. Hes no liberal trying to preach universal salvation. Hes one of the greatest gospel preachers in Christian history. And he says, There will be a host beyond all count who will get into heaven.If our theology leads us to write off the majority of the human race as a hopeless cause, then perhaps we need to check our theology with the Bible.I do not think it is biblical to suggest that God intends to save only a tiny fraction of the human race he created for his good pleasure. While it is true that there is a narrow way that few find, that few turns out to be a vast, uncountable multitude from every corner of the earth. Pause for a moment and ponder how Revelation 7:9-10 describes that great uncountable multitude:After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.Does that sound like only a few will be saved?It sounds to me like heaven will be filled with people of every language and culture and skin color and ethnic background gathered to praise the Lord who saved them.We need to take Jesus words to heart as we ponder both sides of Jesus answer. Multitudes will be saved but not everyone will be saved. Some will make it, others wont. Jesus surely intends to warn all of us religious types not to think that our religion will get us into heaven. We must know him personally. And since God intends to save multitudes from every corner of the globe, lets pray for a heart like his that embraces Gods global vision.II. What Does This Mean for Us Today?As we think about this, lets consider four important implications for us today.1. Because only God knows who is saved, we should be careful about speculating.

Sometimes I hear Christians being very careless about passing judgment on certain politicians we dont like. People from my political persuasion can be very quick to declare that so-and-so cant possibly be a Christian. To be clear about it, it is perfectly possible to claim to be a Christian and yet not know the Lord.Jesus said as much in this passage. But that warning is not given so we will judge politicians we dont like. The warning is given so that we will judge ourselves.Make sure that you know the Lord.Let God take care of that politician.Its not my job to determine who goes to heaven.Thats Gods job.Im in sales, not administration.2. Because Gods heart is big, we can say that no one is beyond the reach of salvation.This touches how we view the truly wicked people of this world. Even if we dont want to admit it, we all have a hierarchy of sin, and we all compare ourselves to others. Were not mass murderers or were not drug pushers or were not pornographers.But as long as we rank ourselves above others because we think were not as bad as they are, we show that we dont understand the greatness of our sin or our desperate need for Gods grace.Its not that God saves us and then goes on down to reach the really bad people. Sometimes we say, There is graceevenfor mass murderers. But we say it triumphantly because we dont see ourselves as bad as a mass murderer. But the warning Jesus gave applies first and foremost to religious people who thought they were in only to discover too late that they had been left out.Corrie Ten Boom loved to say that there is no pit so deep that the love of God is not deeper still. Thank God it is true. That means anyone, anywhere, anytime can be saved, without regard to what they have done in the past.When Fanny Crosby wrote the gospel songTo God Be the Glory, she included a phrase in the second verse that ought to give us great hope:The vilest offender who truly believesThat moment from Jesus a pardon receives.Gods grace is so great that it reaches farther than your sin has ever gone. No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, no matter how evil you may be, you can be saved if you will turn to Jesus and trust him with all your heart.3. Because God cannot be fooled, we must not fool ourselves.Sometimes people ask, Can Muslim terrorists be saved? The answer is yes, if they turn to Jesus as trust him for salvation.Perhaps we should ask, Can a Baptist be saved? Amazing as it sounds, Jesus will even save a Baptist.Or a Methodist.Or a Catholic.Or a Lutheran.Or a Presbyterian.

I know its shocking to think about, but Jesus will even save self-righteous church members. Im glad thats true, because thats my plan. Im a church member, I have my own share of self-righteousness, and Im trusting Jesus to save me in spite of myself.As someone has said, there will be three surprises when we get to haven:First, we will be surprised that some people are there who we never expected to see in heaven.Second, we will be surprised that some people are not there who we expected to see in heaven.Third, the greatest surprise will be that we ourselves are there.No doubt all three statements are true, but I think we need the last one because sometimes Christians can think that they deserve heaven, even though we would never say that out loud. After all, we play by the rules, or so we think (though in reality we fall far short). But when we see the glories of heaven with all the saints and angels gathered there, when we catch a glimpse of the glory of God and the beauty of Jesus, the greatest surprise will be that we are allowed to take part in that grand celebration.4. Because God wants people from every corner of the earth, weve got to go to every corner to the earth to fill up his banquet hall.Thats why we go, thats why we give, thats why we pray, and thats why we send our best and brightest to the darkest corners of the earth. Thats why our children answer the call, go through years of training, raise funds, learn a strange language, board a plane taking all their supplies in 12 bags, with their children in tow, flying off to China or Thailand or Cameroon or some other distant land for the sake of the gospel.Why do we do this?Why go to all that trouble if not to share the Good News with those who have never heard it?Why give so much money?Why let our grandchildren grow up on the other side of the world?Why be separated at Christmas and Thanksgiving?It is not just that God calls our children to go.It is not just that Christ has commissioned us to go.It is not just that we believe in world missions.All those things are true.We do not deny any of them.

But surely underlying all of that is a certainty about Gods heart that he has revealed to us.If God wants Bolivians at his banquet, someone must go and invite them.If God wants Russians, someone must go and let them know.If God has a heart for the Dao people, someone must find them, go to them, live with them far out in the jungle, learn their language, love them, pray for them, and tell them the great story of Gods love revealed in the Bible.We are not going simply because we are commanded to go.We go because of Gods heart that compels us to go.If God so loved this dying world, then someone must go and show them the way of life.5. Because God has said that many will be saved, we ought to pray that many will be saved.If God intends to save many people, then we ought to pray fervently that he will do what he said he would do.

A few years ago Marlene and I traveled to the Czech Republic to speak to a group of Josiah Venture missionaries doing youth ministry throughout Eastern Europe. We met wonderful young people serving Christ in Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia, and many other countries. Many of them labor in areas that are difficult for gospel ministry, but their faith was undeterred. One day we had lunch with a young couple we met at the conference. He is from the US and she is from the Czech Republic. When we asked her if she comes from a Christian family, she replied no, but her mother has accepted Christ. Then speaking of her brother, she said, He is not saved yet.

Ponder that little word yet.Not, He is not saved.But, He is not saved yet.

The little word yet makes all the difference.If you say, He is not saved, you are simply describing current reality, but when you say, He is not saved yet, you bring God into the situation. The little word yet means that the way things are today is not the way they have to betomorrow.

Yet is the word of faith.Yet says, I believe God has some big work to do here.Yet means, Im praying for what I do not presently see.While you are waiting, dont let go of that little word yet.

He is not saved yet.She is not saved yet.My son as not come back to the Lord yet.

Hang on to that little word yet.

God will not be defeated.He keeps score in his own way.We can say it this way.God always intended to save a vast multitude of people.Many of those people are not saved at the moment.Most of them are not particularly close to the Kingdom.But God intends to save them anyway.And he will.Not apart from human means.Not apart from the preaching of the gospel.Not apart from our prayers.There are some lost people today who will savedtomorrow.And they have no clue about it today.We dont know who they are or where they are.We just know theyre out there.And that might include the brother in the Czech Republic who is not saved yet.Thats why we wait and pray and thats why we keep believing.Will only a few people be saved?No! Multitudes will be saved!Make sure you are among them.Our God is in the saving business!God honors forward-looking faith.Just because our loved ones are not saved today does not mean they wont come to Christtomorrow.Oh we of little faith.Let us pray and believe for those who dont know the Lord, and let us say by faith, "He is not saved yet" or "She is not saved yet."God is not finished yet.Father, we thank you that your heart encompasses the whole world. Thank you for making a way through your Son for anyone to be saved anywhere, anytime.Help us to pray boldly for our loved ones who not saved yet. We pray for a vast harvest of people to be saved from every part of the globe. Give us a heart like yours so that we will love the world the way you do.Amen.Luke9:23-24, Narrow GateQuestion: "Will more people go to heaven or to hell?"

Answer:The question of whether there are more people in heaven or hell is answered by Jesus Himself in one succinct passage: 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. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew7:13-14).

This passage tells us that only those who receive Jesus Christ and who believe in Him are given the right to become children of God (John1:12). As such, the gift of eternal life comes only through Jesus Christ to all those who believe. He said I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). Its not through Islam, Buddha, or other false gods of mans making. Its not for those wanting a cheap and easy way to heaven while continuing to live their own selfish and worldly lives on earth. Jesus only saves those who fully trust in Him as Savior (Acts4:12).

So, what are these two gates in Matthew7:13-14? They are the entrance to two different ways. The wide gate leads to the broad way, or road. The small narrow gate leads to the way that is narrow. The narrow way is the way of the godly, and the broad way is the way of the ungodly. The broad way is the easy way. It is attractive and self-indulgent. It is permissive. Its the inclusive way of the world, with few rules, few restrictions, and fewer requirements. Tolerance of sin is the norm where God's Word is not studied and His standards not followed. This way requires no spiritual maturity, no moral character, no commitment, and no sacrifice. It is the easy way of salvation following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). It is that broad way that seems right to a man, but end is the way to death (Proverbs14:12).

Those who preach a gospel of inclusiveness where all ways lead to heaven preach an utterly different gospel than the one Jesus preached. The gate of self-centeredness, self-absorption, and a proud, holier-than-thou mindset is the wide gate of the world that leads to hell, not the narrow gate which leads to eternal life. As a result, most people spend their lives following the masses who are on the broad road, doing what everyone else does and believing what everyone else believes.

The narrow way is the hard way, the demanding way. It is the way of recognizing that you cannot save yourself and must depend on Jesus Christ alone to save you. Its the way of self-denial and the cross. The fact that few find Gods way implies that it is to be sought diligently. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). The point is this that no one will stumble into the kingdom or wander through the narrow gate by accident. Someone asked Jesus: "Lord, will those who are saved be few? He replied, Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able (Luke13:23-24).

Many will seek to enter that narrow door, the door of salvation, but will not be able. They are unwilling to trust/rely on Jesus alone. They are unwilling to pay the price. It costs too much for them to give up the world. Gods gate is a gate through which one cannot carry the baggage of sin and self-will, nor can one carry the accoutrements of materialism. The way of Christ is the way of the cross, and the way of the cross is the way of self-denial. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it (Luke9:23-24).

Jesus knows that many will choose the wide gate and the broad way which leads to destruction and hell. Correspondingly, He said that only a few will choose the narrow gate. According to Matthew7:13-14, there is no doubt that more will go to hell than to heaven. The question for you is, then, on which road are you?

Recommended Resources:Logos Bible SoftwareandJesus Among Other gods by Ravi Zacharias.GotQuestions.orgviaicontactmail3.comProverbs14:12 Jeremiah 29:13 Numbers 22:24-26 Luke9:23-24, 13:24 Matthew 7:13, Narrow GateThe Withered Fig Tree. Follow UpQ.Re:The Withered Fig Tree. My Question is: If the cursed fig tree is symbolic of Israel, and Jesus words were that it would henceforth bear no fruit forever, how do we reconcile that with national Israel being in the millennial Kingdom obviously bearing fruit to the Lord? Henceforth and forever dont leave any wiggle room for except in the millennium.A. This is a case where you have to be careful with literal vs. symbolic interpretations. The same Greek word that is translated forever in the King James version ofMark 11:14can also mean for an age, or a period of time. The appropriate meaning comes from the context in which the word is used.In the literal interpretation the fig tree may never have borne fruit again. In that case henceforth and forever would convey the appropriate meaning. But in the symbolic interpretation its also true that while Israel has borne no fruit in this age, the nation will be fruitful in the next age, the millennium. So the alternate meaning henceforth in this age would be appropriate for the symbolic interpretation.http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/withered-fig-tree-follow/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/withered-fig-tree-follow/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29The Withered Fig Tree. Follow UpThursday, July 10th, 2014Interpreting Verses

YourChildrenThere is hope for your future, the word of the Lord, and yourchildrenwill return to their border.JEREMIAH (31:16)Shabbat InspirationToday's verse from Jeremiah declares that the future should be seen in thechildrenwho inhabit the world and provide hope for a perfected universe. By watching children and their enthusiasm for life we can remind ourselves of the need for energy and excitement in the service of the Lord in our daily lives. A child's given Hebrew name is said to reflect their true essence which we hope reflects this intrinsic enthusiasm.Jerusalem Daily PhotoToday's Jerusalem photograph taken by Ilan Rosen depicts a school group made up of kids from the entire spectrum of Jewish backgrounds, coming to pray together at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Luke 13:24Thus Rachel died and was buriedon the roadto Efrath, which is Bethlehem.GENESIS (35:19)JerusalemInspirationToday's verse cites the tragic death of our Matriarch Rachel during childbirth. Jacob buries Rachel at the site of her departing, the road to Efrath, which is right outside Jerusalem. In modern times, Rachel's tomb is a place where many tears are shed by people seeking Mother Rachel to intercede with God on their behalf. In particular, women seeking to bear a child come to pray by Rachel's tomb, as she too was barren for many years and God heard her prayers. The Efrat organization aknowledges the value of every Jewish child and provides financial assistance to mothers in need who would otherwise consider abortion.Jerusalem Daily PhotoJoe Aminoff's beautiful photo of a blooming path in the city of Efrat, just outside Jerusalem.NAU Luke 24:15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.Jeremiah 7:23, 42:3 Isaiah 65:2 Proverbs 1:15 Psalm 119:1 Deuteronomy 5:33 Judges 2:22 Luke 13:24 Matthew 7:14 2 Corinthians 13:4 Psalm 51:17 Isaiah 42:3 Matthew 12:20, Luke 13:35, until, Justice to Victory, Dr. Stanley D. ToussaintA battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory.(Matthew12:20, NASB)At first blush this verse seems to be out of place in the Christmas devotional booklet, but it has everything to do with the birth of the Lord Jesus. He was born in humble circumstances. No armies guarded the infant Jesus. So it was in His ministry; He humbly retreated when faced with opposition (Matthew2:14, 22;4:12;12:15;14:13;15:21; 16:4;21:17). In Matthew12:14the Pharisees took counsel how they might destroy Him. The Lords response was not to fight and make a big scene, but simply to retire from them. This was exactly as Isaiah 42:23 predicted. In fact Christ humbly dealt with battered reeds and smoldering wicks. Reeds were cheap and dispensable. A smoldering wick could be quenched with a squeeze of the thumb and forefinger. Matthew12:19further states He would not cause a loud public clamor in the streets.This is a description of Christs earthly ministry in weakness. 2 Corinthians 13:4 says, He was crucified because of weakness. A crucial point in Matthew12:20is the adverb until. The construction in the Greek NT gives an impression of some indefinite future time. In this age we are still seeing the weakness of Christthe blaspheming of His name, the mocking of Christians, and the flaunting of disobedience to the point of lasciviousness. However, one day this will change when He returns to reign and He leads justice to victory. Although great power is revealed in the gospel (Romans1:16), the whole world still lies in the Evil One (1 John5:19).Jesus is our example (1 Peter2:21). We are not to be brawlers but quietly and gently to be His servants. As Paul stated, we are to eat our bread in quietness (2 Thessalonians3:12). What a gentle Christmas reminder Matthew12:20is.

Jeremiah 33:3 Psalm 118:26, Baruch haba bshem Adonai (YHWH)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFsAOT0DJ8ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puV9nGwbhO4Paul Wilbur - Baruch Haba B'shem Adonai LyricsMusic video in; Videos, Bible in Five Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFsAOT0DJ8oJeremiah 33:3 Psalm 118:26, Baruch haba bshem Adonai (YHWH)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puV9nGwbhO4