The Bible tells a great story one of hope, joy, and peace. It is filled with promises of better days ahead and eternal life in Heaven. But at the same time, it tells a much sadder story. Speaking of the many who will never experience those very things or be able to enter the gates of Heaven. As Christians walking through this life, we must strive to not be counted among the many who will miss it all.
The word “many” is defined as a large number of or the majority of people. Therefore our hope would be that our Bible would tell that the majority of people will turn their lives to God. That large numbers of people would receive the free gift of salvation God is offering them. But that sadly is not the case.
Instead, we read that the opposite is in fact true. Jesus himself said that many are going to take the wide path that leads to destruction. While only a few will choose to walk the narrow path leading to life. Oh, how I long and pray to be among the few!
Matthew 7:13–14 (ESV)
13 “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. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
That verse seems to be speaking about non-believers as compared to believers. But other verses indicate many will sadly miss out on Heaven even though they would say they believe in God. That is because many will seek to enter in but won’t be able to. And many who thought they served God will be told: “I never knew you”.
Luke 13:24 (ESV)
24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Matthew 7:22–23 (ESV)
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
The sad truth is that even those with the best intentions can become one of the many. Even believing in God and Jesus will not keep everyone from being counted among that number. As belief alone will not save because if it did the demons would be saved. Because as the scripture says they believe and tremble. Yet we know that they will not be counted among the saved. Acknowledging the existence of God and submitting your life to Him are two very different things.
The numbers of those referred to as “the many” does not stop here but keeps growing as you continue to reference scripture. As the Bible tells of many who will be lead astray by false teachers. This includes those who have faith and believe they are rightly serving God. A large number of people will be taken captive by false doctrine and led away from the Lord. In fact, scripture speaks on this subject many times. Driving the point home and making it clear that we must stand on guard making sure we do not get caught in the net of false teaching. Because “many” will and it will become a more and more prevalent issue as time goes on.
Matthew 24:5 (ESV)
5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
Matthew 24:11 (ESV)
11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
Mark 13:6 (ESV)
6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.
2 Peter 2:1–2 (ESV)
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
Some will be able to overcome all these things. Keeping themselves from becoming one of the many all the way to the end time only to then walk away from God. The Bible warns of the many who will walk through their whole life in faith to only let go in the last days. We all want to believe that won’t be us but we must not become overconfident. As scripture is clear that it will happen to a large number of people and it could easily be any one of us.
Matthew 24:10 (ESV)
10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.
Don’t be one of the many who will not be able to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Be sure that your feet are firmly planted on the narrow path. The only one that leads to eternal life. Wisely pick those you allow to speak into your life. Compare their teaching to God’s word to be sure their message is not one composed of false doctrine. Keep your faith all the way until the end. Don’t give up when things get tough but push through crossing the finishing line in strength.
Live your life knowing that many will sadly not make it to Heaven. That’s not a group to be counted among. Work hard to be one of the few who will hear their name called from the Book of Life. One of those who will be triumphantly ushered into the Kingdom of God. That will hear the Father speak those most precious words “Well done my good and faithful servant”.
Revelation 20:11–15 (ESV)
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Matthew 25:23 (ESV)
23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Please help us to reach more people with the truth of scripture by sharing our content on your social media. Every share helps us to reach more and more people. Meaning that more people are able to learn about the greatness of God. If you would like to share simply click the icon of your preferred social media platform bellow. Thank you for supporting this ministry and God Bless!
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.