So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
—Matthew 20:16
Today’s churches, with their “come as you are, stay as you are” all-inclusiveness and Barney-the-Dinosaur-as-god idols, hold to the “big tent” theory of heaven: there’s plenty of room and it’s gonna be lonely up there if God demands holiness.
‘Why can’t you be like those preachers on television? Why can’t you just have a positive outlook, and beg off any hard hitting questions with the ever resourceful answer, ‘I’m not into doctrine all that much’, or ‘I think it’s just foolish bickering over things like sin and repentance because we’re all going to end up in heaven anyway; God loves everybody; He loves you just the way you are, no change required.’
—A Bird’s Eye View of the End Times Part 3 – Michael Boldea
Jesus repeatedly emphasized the small (few) number of people who would respond to God’s call.
FEW THERE BE: How Many Christians are There?
Eternal Salvation: The Narrow Way is Challenging and Few Find It
But the lost are assured that “many” are born again. “Many” are saved. The churches believe God’s most important commandment is “The more the merrier.”
Jesus emphasized “few” find the narrow way to eternal life (Matt 7:13-14) and “few” are chosen (when addressing Israel).
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
—Matthew 22:14
for though it be a dreadful truth, yet I must say, that even the greatest part of those to whom the gospel is offered, will either openly reject or secretly disobey it; and while indeed many are called to the gospel-feast, it will be manifest by their disregarding it, there are but few chosen in such a sense as finally to partake of its blessings.
In short, many hear, few believe: many are members of the visible, but few of the invisible church.
—Benson Commentary
LORD, LORD: Who is Crying Lord, Lord?
Jesus said “narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Jesus also said “many are called, but few are chosen.”
This contrasts with the churches handing out “Get Out of Hell Free” cards to everyone who even looks interested.
“Sin All You Want, We’ll Print More!”
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
When the prophets of the Old Testament prevailed not, nor John the Baptist, nor Christ himself, who told them the kingdom of God was at hand, the apostles and ministers of the gospel were sent, after Christ’s resurrection, to tell them it was come, and to persuade them to accept the offer. The reason why sinners come not to Christ and salvation by him, is, not because they cannot, but because they will not.
—Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
“Few there be” is not a popular message.
It’s a narrow path and few there be that find it. Many are on the wide path to destruction.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Many are called to the wedding-feast, that is, to salvation, but few have the wedding-garment, the righteousness of Christ, the sanctification of the Spirit.
—Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
“Few there be” is not a popular message.
Jesus is the “way” is not a popular message.
“Few are chosen” is not a popular message.
Especially in today’s churches.
Is your calling and election sure?
Who is one to believe: the churches or Jesus Christ?
THE GOSPEL
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
[NOTE: While relying on the various bible commentaries is not wise, ON OCCASION they do offer helpful comments.]
RELATED ARTICLES
- End Times Apostasy: Storm Warning for the Churches
- Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? Be Sure!
- Few There Be: How Few is Few?
- HATED: The Christian and His Message is Hated by the World
- Satan Has Counterfeited the Christian Church
- Persecution, Tribulation, Troubles, Trials: What the Bible says to Christians
- MAN OF SIN: The Man of Sin is Coming
- Persecution of the Saints: The Fear and the Pit and the Snare
by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: ETPR/xedos4, Danillo Rizutti, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-15. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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