W4f wrote;
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Oh okay. So, how do you correlate that thinking with what Jesus said:
Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
As I previously said, perhaps it means only a few "find the road that leads to life" at that particular time, in that particular age. You have to remember whom Jesus was talking to, when He said those words. He wasn't talking to people in the future, he was talking to people at that present time. He
didn't say that only a few will
ever find "the road that leads to life". Here are
some (not all) verses which suggest that it isn't just a few who
will find the "road that leads to life": I have quoted from the Douay-Rheims bible (unless otherwise stated, when the meaning isn't clear in the D-R bible), you can check them out in whatever bible you prefer:
1 Timothy 2:3-4
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For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
John 12:44-47
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But Jesus cried and said: He that believeth in me doth not believe in me, but in him that sent me. And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me. I am come, a light into the world, that whosoever believeth in me may not remain in darkness. And if any man hear my words and keep them not, I do not judge him for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
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Not "to save" just "a few")
Romans 5:15-21
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But not as the offence, so also the gift. For if by the offence of one, many died: much more the grace of God and the gift, by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one sin, so also is the gift. For judgment indeed was by one unto condemnation: but grace is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned through one; much more they who receive abundance of grace and of the gift and of justice shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as by the offence of one, unto all men to condemnation: so also by the justice of one, unto all men to justification of life. For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners: so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just. Now the law entered in that sin might abound. And where sin abounded, grace did more abound. That as sin hath reigned to death: so also grace might reign by justice unto life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:20-24
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But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep: For by a man came death: and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. But every one in his own order: the firstfruits, Christ: then they that are of Christ, who have believed in his coming. Afterwards the end: when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God and the Father: when he shall have brought to nought all principality and power and virtue.
Ephesians 1:10 (King James Bible)
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That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Philippians 2:9-11 and 1 Corinthians 12:3
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For which cause, God also hath exalted him and hath given him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
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Wherefore, I give you to understand that no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, saith Anathema to Jesus. And no man can say The Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost.
(So, in other words, it says " in the name of Jesus every knee should bow... every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father" and "no man can say The Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost". It doesn't say that many will do so insincerely or be involuntarily coerced to do so.)
Romans 11:26
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And so all Israel should be saved, as it is written: There shall come out of Sion, he that shall deliver and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
Luke 2:9-11
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And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them and the brightness of God shone round about them: and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people: For, this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.
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Not "good tidings of great joy that shall be to a few people"!)
Hebrews 8:10-12 (NIV)
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This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
I Timothy 4:10
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For therefore we labour and are reviled, because we hope in For therefore we labour and are reviled, because we hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of the faithful.
(Note: it says "...the living God, who is the Saviour of
all men,
especially of the faithful" - it clearly does
not say "...the living God, who is the Saviour of
some men,
only of the faithful"!
Lamentations 3:31-32
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For the Lord will not cast off for ever. For if he hath cast off, he will also have mercy, according to the multitude of his mercies.
Psalms 22:26-27
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The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever. All the ends of the earth shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord: And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in his sight.
(Note: it says "
the poor...
shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever" -
not just some of the poor who practise the "correct" religion, or whatever"!)
Psalms 145:8-10
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The Lord is gracious and merciful: patient and plenteous in mercy. The Lord is sweet to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. Let all thy works, O lord, praise thee: and let thy saints bless thee.
Psalms 145:14-15
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The Lord lifteth up all that fall: and setteth up all that are cast down. The eyes of all hope in thee, O Lord: