ARE THERE MANY SAVED?

By Curtis Pugh

“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved?...” (Luke 13:23). This was an honest question put to Jesus by one who was observing the reaction of the people to His ministry. The Lord replied in these words: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are,” (Luke 13:24-25).

There comes a time when the Master of this world will close the door of opportunity to enter into salvation, but as Jesus said, “many... shall not be able.” The Lord's answer to those outside will be you are not from me! You are not mine!

The answer to our question is given by the Lord in these words: “many... will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” In other words the “many” shall be lost! Few, then, will be saved! Consider this: the Lord Jesus who was and is the Son of God lived thirty three and a half years upon this earth. He went about doing good, raising the dead, healing the sick, preaching repentance, teaching wholesome, healthy doctrine, etc., and through His disciples baptizing converts. Before He left this world He promised His disciples that He would dip them in the Holy Spirit in a few days (see Acts 1:4-5). How many disciples were gathered together for that event? The answer is only a hundred and twenty! Think about that! The Son of God left behind a hundred-twenty disciples – faithful men and women who obeyed Him. Others were converted later, but after thirty three and a half years He left only a few faithful disciples out of the multiplied thousands He preached to and before whom He worked undisputed miracles.

How shall we assess the worth of today's huge churches as far as true converts are concerned? Looking at things outwardly it would seem that Jesus was a failure, especially in comparison to today's popular preachers. Ah! But the difference is in quality! His converts were said by their contemporaries to “have turned the world upside down”! (see Acts 17:6). But today's converts for the most part have had the world turn them upside down! By and large today's “Christians” are so different from those converted by Christ as to be a different species.

We are reminded of the Lord's words: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity,” (Matthew 7:22-23).