The Bible teaches that it is God’s desire for everyone to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4).
He desires that all men everywhere will repent and live for Him (Acts 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9). This is evident in that He sent His only begotten Son to die for the world that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17).
While God desires this, He will not force anyone to obey Him. We were created as free-moral agents with the ability to choose. It is an individual responsibility to respond to the will of God (2 Cor. 5:10). One can choose to respond properly or incorrectly to His will (Acts 2:38-41; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).
In this article, we want to ask the question, “Will the majority of people in this world make it to Heaven?” While this is a popular thought, is it Biblical?
I invite you to grab your Bible and study along with me.
The Bible is the standard.
As always, we want to stress that the Bible is right (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It’s not about “who” is right but “what” is right.
There is an absolute standard of truth, and that is the Word of God (John 17:17). With that established, we go to the Word of God to answer our question.
How Jesus answered our question.
Jesus preached perhaps the greatest sermon of all time known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” In this sermon (Matt. 5-7), He addressed a wide variety of topics. When He finished, the people were “astonished” because He “spoke with authority.”
Of course, Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28:18) and His Words will judge us in the last day (John 12:48).
Consider what He said about the question at hand:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matt. 7:13-27).
What can we learn from Jesus about who will be in Heaven?
Jesus stated that there are two paths available to mankind: The wide gate (easy path) that leads to destruction and the narrow gate (difficult path) that leads to life.
Did Jesus say that the majority would enter in at the narrow gate? NO! In fact, He said “few” will find it.
When we come to vs. 21-24, we notice that Jesus clarified that ONLY those who do the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, not those who only SAY that they belong to Him.
Imagine the chilling words, “I never knew you,” to someone who thought they knew Him!
The wise man, Jesus says, is one who both hears and does what He says to do. This is very similar to what we find in the Book of James: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).
Jesus, the “Author of eternal salvation,” made it clear that only those who do the will of the Father will be in Heaven. All those who obey from the heart and live faithful lives for God will be with Him forever (Heb. 5:8-9).
Based on the Scriptures, what conclusion must we draw? I ask again and will leave you to decide for yourself, “Will the majority of humanity make it to Heaven?”
What about you? I pray that you will search the Scriptures, be honest with yourself, and respond properly to the Gospel!
I love you and God loves you!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia. They live stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
A difficult truth but true nineteenth. Reminds me of the days of Noah when only a few were saved. Praying for the lost.