“Someone asked him, Lord, are only a few people going to be saved? He said to them, Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Luke 13:23, 24 NIV

In Luke 18:22, 23, Jesus was approached by a rich man who was making every effort to keep the Law, and he asked how he could obtain eternal life.  Jesus told him to sell all his goods to feed the poor and then come and follow him. The man went away sorrowing because he was very rich.

Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters by me will be saved” John 10:9 (Moffatt translation).  Whoever enters that gate is urged, “I plead with you therefore, brethren…to present all your faculties to Him as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to Him…And do not conform to the present age, but be transformed by the entire renewal of your minds, so that you may learn by experience what God’s will is, namely all that is good and acceptable to Him and perfect”  Romans 12:1 (Weymouth translation).

God seeks only a “little flock” at this time for His heavenly calling – those willing to live that sacrificial life. “…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” Matthew 16:24. Few today sacrifice their all: their lives, their wills, their time, their strength, their money to follow in Jesus’s example. This heavenly calling is entered through the narrow door of Luke 13.

After the completion of the saint class, God will begin the resurrection and Kingdom blessings of all mankind, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3,4. Yes, when Jesus reigns on earth (“thy kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven”), then he will resurrect all mankind and establish a righteous, peaceable kingdom (Isaiah 11:1-9).

Additional Resources:

For a more detailed study on the three ways, download the free PDF: “God’s Plan”

Christian Questions Podcast: article “How will everyone be saved if the way is narrow?”