by Ester yusufu | 30 August 2019 08:46 pm08
This is a deeply important question that people have asked for generations—even during the time of Jesus. And today, the same question remains:
Will the number of people who are saved be many or few?
In Luke 13:23–24, someone asked Jesus:
“Lord, are there few who are saved?”
And He said to them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
Jesus didn’t answer with a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, He gave a warning: entering the Kingdom of God is not automatic. It takes intentional effort and spiritual discipline. Many will want to enter, but only few will actually succeed, because the gate is narrow.
Later in the passage (Luke 13:25–27), Jesus described people who will try to enter after the door has been shut. Though they had some connection with Jesus—perhaps they heard His teachings or were part of religious activities—He will say to them:
“I do not know you… Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.”
This reveals a key theological truth: familiarity with Jesus is not enough. Salvation requires obedience, not just association.
In Matthew 7:13–14, Jesus said:
“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.”
This points to two key realities:
Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), but true saving faith produces a changed life—marked by repentance, holiness, and obedience to God’s Word (James 2:17, Hebrews 12:14).
Jesus says few will find the way to life. Why? Because the path is crowded—not with people, but with worldly distractions and sinful lifestyles:
False prophets have made it harder for people to recognize the true gospel because they blend truth with error. Many churches today emphasize prosperity and success instead of repentance and holiness.
2 Timothy 4:3–4
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
This explains why the narrow way is now harder to find and follow. Even Christianity is being reshaped into something that pleases people instead of glorifying God.
Jesus warned that the final days before His return would be just like the days of Noah and Lot.
Luke 17:26–30
“As it was in the days of Noah… and in the days of Lot… even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”
How many were saved in those days?
This shows that even when God warns, very few people respond. The majority are distracted, deceived, or indifferent.
Jesus compared our generation to theirs. If only a few were saved then, we must not assume the situation is different now. His warnings were not symbolic—they were serious.
Matthew 24:37–39
“As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…”
It means that salvation is available to all, but only a few will take it seriously enough to walk the narrow path.
It’s time to ask ourselves:
Hebrews 12:14
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
Mark 8:36
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
We are living in the final hours of this age. Jesus is at the door. The time to repent and follow Him is now.
True Christianity is not about appearance, fashion, or wealth. It is about a life fully surrendered to Christ.
Let’s return to the original gospel—the faith of the apostles, which focused on truth, repentance, and holiness, not modern popularity or comfort.
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”
Let us be among the few who respond. The world may mock the narrow way, but eternal life awaits those who walk in it.
Jesus clearly taught that few will be saved—not because salvation is limited, but because many reject the cost of following Him.
Let us not be deceived by the crowd or modern trends. Instead, let us:
Matthew 24:44
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
May God give us grace to walk the narrow road and be among the few who are saved. Amen.
Be blessed.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/08/30/will-many-or-few-people-be-saved-and-enter-heaven/
Copyright ©2025 Wingu la Mashahidi unless otherwise noted.