The broad way, the narrow way, the highway of holiness

When Adam and Eve sinned, they (and all their children) began to walk down the “broad way” to death. Matthew 7:13: (CSB) “…the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.” Proverbs 14:12 (ESV), “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” All people are born sinners on the broad way leading to death. It is easy to follow the desires of our flesh and develop all kinds of reasoning to justify our behaviors. The way seems right, but it is not. The great majority of mankind prefer self-will instead of God’s will. 

Matthew 7:13-14 also identifies a second road, the “narrow way.” Matthew 7:13-14: (ESV) “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

What is this gate? It is the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9-10: (NKJV) “(God) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

This way is hard because Christians have vowed to deny themselves, carry their crosses and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). The present evil world, our fallen flesh, and Satan all oppose us. Consequently, when we obey God’s will, we enter into Jesus’s sufferings. Romans 8:17: (NKJV) “and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together.” But the end of the narrow way is life and immortality. Romans 2:7 (ESV), “to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.”

The prophet Isaiah says, “A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness…” (Isaiah 35:8, NASB) This is not a literal highway – Isaiah is using picture language. We can imagine the highway as a path of learning. Everyone who will be awakened on earth from the grave will be able to travel on this symbolic highway, learning to live righteously by following God’s ways. 

Isaiah continues, “The unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those.” (Isaiah 35:8, NASB) 

Mankind inherited Adam’s sin, so when they are first raised from the grave, they START OUT being unclean – meaning, sinful. The purpose of the highway is to gradually remove all traces of sin through the learning process. Eventually, those who successfully reach the end of this symbolic highway will no longer be unclean – they will be righteous and reconciled to God. To be “reconciled” means living in harmony with God’s ways.

 Therefore, they will have the opportunity to live forever on a beautiful, perfect earth. Isaiah 35:9 also says, “No lion will be there, nor will any vicious animal go up on it; they will not be found there.” These lions and vicious animals represent Satan’s temptations, false teachings, and other negative, harmful things that can lead us away from God. 

We know from 2 Corinthians 4:4 that right now, Satan is the “god of this world,” influencing mankind to do bad things. But while those raised from the dead travel this “highway,” once having chosen to follow God’s righteous principles, Satan and all of his evil influences will be bound or completely restrained. This will make it easier for everyone to understand that following God’s ways brings peace and blessings.

Finally, Isaiah 35:9,10 says, “But the redeemed will walk there, those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return…Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.” Everyone will be given lots of help to learn how to live righteously. Those who will have successfully traveled this highway and learned God’s ways will then be filled with joy because they will have gradually come back into a full, proper and loving relationship with God. What a beautiful picture of the fair and effective learning process we can expect in God’s future kingdom. He has wonderful things in store for ALL of us. 

Additional Resources: 
Christian Questions Podcast 
Episode #1231: “What if I’m Not Good Enough for Heaven?” 
Uncovering the destiny of humanity’s billions who don’t go to heaven 
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1335: “What Is the Broad Road That Leads to Destruction?”
Uncovering what role this road to destruction plays in God’s plan
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

For parents, children and Bible class teachers:
Animated video: What is the highway of holiness?