How many people will be in heaven? Is the number a large one, or not as many as some might think? Just how many people are saved, how many in my city, in your city, in your country? Maybe these questions have crossed your mind at one time or another, or maybe not. They came to the mind of one person who was in the crowd of people who were listening to Jesus teach in our Gospel reading for today. Why did he ask that question? Did he want to feel good about himself, that he was part of that “in-crowd”? Whatever his reasons for asking might have been, the answer that Jesus gave was probably not the one he was expecting or looking for. Let’s see what Jesus had to say.
As we begin our Scriptures, this fellow asked Jesus the question of whether there will only be a few people who are saved (vs. 22-23). I’m sure that he felt that he would be part of that group, him and his friends. Surely not all of this riff-raff! Did he genuinely care that people everywhere get saved, or only concerned that he and his friends were? Jesus responded by telling him and all who were listening that they need to strive to be sure that they were, as not everyone who thinks they are will be entering heaven (vs. 24).
Jesus tells us here that we need to strive to enter in through the narrow gate. The Greek word “strive” that was used in this verse is “Agonizomai” which means to agonize, to struggle, to endeavor with strenuous zeal, striving to obtain. This isn’t something that we just casually attempt, but something that we earnestly pursue and undertake to obtain. No one just automatically gets into heaven.
Jesus then continues by saying that the gate is narrow (vs. 24). There are some who teach and preach that everyone gets to heaven, that no one is left out, almost as if it was a super, twenty-lane highway into heaven. God’s Word tells us here that the gate is “narrow”. This represents the exclusivity of salvation, that it is through Jesus Christ alone. As we read in the Gospel of John, no one comes to God except through Jesus (John 14:6). Not through any other religion, any other great religious leader, or great philosophy, only through Jesus. No other name will bring salvation (Acts 4:12). Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). No other way leads to eternal life.
He then proceeds to give the picture of a homeowner who closes the door. Those outside may knock, even pound on the door asking to be let in. However the homeowner responds by telling them to leave, as he doesn’t know them (vs. 25-27). Jesus tells us that this is what will happen on the final day. There will be people who think that they belong in heaven, that they knew about Jesus, even ate and drank in His presence, but they do not get in. There are many who are familiar with Jesus, but not truly saved by Him. They may stand in a pulpit and preach using the Name of Jesus, but are not truly saved. They may quote Bible verses, but are not saved. And Jesus says that once the door is shut, it is too late. This reminds us of Noah’s Ark. When God shut the door, then judgment fell.
Jesus proceeds by describing the condition of those who are left out, that it is weeping and gnashing of teeth (vs. 28). This is a clear reference to eternal separation from God in hell, a place of sorrow and torment. Again, the Words of Jesus, the words of the Bible contradicts what many teach when they say that there is no hell, and that everyone gets to heaven. Jesus teaches us that hell is real, it is eternal, and it is reserved for those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ. Since we do not know when that door will be closed, people need to repent now, and turn to Jesus, accepting Him as their Savior.
Our Scripture concludes by saying that there will be those from all four corners of the globe in God’s kingdom, and that those who thought they would be first will be last, and those who thought they were last will be first (vs. 29-30). The Gospel of salvation is for all nations, for all people, regardless of their color or nationality. It is not limited by geography, ethnicity, or background. Anyone who has accepted Jesus is welcomed.
Rather than wondering how many people would be in heaven, that person should have been wondering if he was going to be there. It is something that you should be asking yourself - are you going to be among the saved? Don’t be one of those who somehow miss out because they never made an actual relationship with Jesus. They thought that by occasionally going to church, or that because their parents were Christians, or that they were a “cultural Christian” was good enough, but they never personally themselves accepted Jesus as their Savior. Proximity to truth is not salvation. Church attendance, religious rituals, or cultural Christianity do not save. Only a personal, repentant faith in Christ does. Strive to enter through the narrow gate!
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