The Three Ways

Goal of this Study: Looking at the three ways mentioned in the Bible… WHERE do they lead?

WHO opened each way? WHAT is the reward of walking on each way? WHEN did each one of them open?

WHICH way is Jesus encouraging us to walk on? WHAT hope is there for all people?

Additional references: Studies in the Scriptures Vol. 1, pp.205–218

Matthew 7:13, 14 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Many Christians understand these gates to be leading to either heaven or hell. Is that true?

THE BROAD WAY

What is the BROAD WAY? What does it mean that it leads to destruction?

“Many who enter through it”− the vast majority of the world are walking in this way.

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and
will not be able.”

The life path or way of the world of mankind “seems right” to them now, but the end thereof is “the way of death” What kind of “way” would it be that would end “in the way of death”? The answer is in

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…”

Death is the result of sin, so this must be the way of sin; death is the ”destruction” mentioned here.

First death in the Bible (Cain and Abel)

We read in Genesis 4:3–12 how Cain killed his brother. We can assume Adam and Eve
tried to wake him up, thinking he was asleep, but finally they realized this is what God meant in the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 2:17 “But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

They died from God’s divine favor and now they and their offspring literally began to die

The original sin in the Garden of Eden brought death and destruction upon all the human
race (and the earth itself). “Many who enter through it” refers to the world’s many billions
of humanity who, without some kind of intervention, would continue to be born and die, generation after generation, without hope of anything different.

This BROAD WAY of sin has been AN INHERITED CONDITION

All people at birth are born on this broad way because of inherited sin.

Psalm 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin
my mother conceived me.”

Was David speaking only of himself? No, because the Apostle Paul says the same thing about us all.

Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned.”

Sin has developed to such an extent, and mankind have so completely lost sight of righteousness that this “way seems right to a man.”

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death.“
Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness”

Sins are normalized in today’s society. Lines are blurred between what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ making them subjective for each individual’s feelings.

The Time from Adam to Jesus

God gave Israel the Law through Moses.

Galatians 3:12 “…The Law is not of faith; on the contrary, he who practices them shall live by them.”

But NONE could gain life through the law for God’s perfect law could NOT ever be kept by fallen and imperfect man. Galatians 2:16 Even with the Law, all of Israel continued dying like the rest of mankind. This then, was the BROAD WAY leading to “destruction” or death. This was the only way open until the coming of Jesus for both the World and Israel.

THE NARROW WAY

WHAT is the Narrow Way? WHERE is it pictured?

Hebrews 10:19, 20 “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood
of Jesus, by a new and living way which he inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, his flesh.”

Through his death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus opened “a new and living way”—A WAY TO LIFE. This is the “way” Jesus referred to in our original verse Matthew 7:14 “…the way is narrow that leads to life…” “Life” is a broad and comprehensive term, but here our Lord uses it in reference to that highest form of life, pertaining to the divine nature—immortality—the prize for which He invited us to run.

Even though the NARROW WAY leads to immortal life, it might be described as a path of self-denial and transformation, since its prize is gained through the death of the old creature and the sacrifice of the human nature even unto death. It is the NARROW WAY of dying to the old self in order to attain life. Being reckoned free from Adamic guilt and the death penalty, the consecrated voluntarily surrender or sacrifice the human rights they would have received with the rest of the world when raised from the dead. As “the man Christ Jesus” laid down or sacrificed his life for the world, so these become joint-sacrificers with him.

The tearing of the veil in the Temple leading into the MOST HOLY at the death of Jesus was a sign of the opening of this NARROW WAY.

Matthew 27:51 (KJV) “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.”

The MOST HOLY room of the Temple symbolized heaven, the place where God’s justice could be satisfied. When Jesus died, he paid the ransom price for sin and opened access to God through his blood for both the Church (his most faithful followers promised a heavenly reward) and the rest of the world (who will be raised from the dead, on earth). After his death, resurrection and ascension, believers could then be called with a heavenly calling to be resurrected in heaven.

Hebrews 10:19–20 (ESV) “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.”

The Apostle Paul makes a connection between the Tabernacle in
the wilderness and the way Jesus opened.

Hebrews 9:8–9 “The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly, both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshipper perfect in conscience.”
Hebrews 10:19–20 “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, his flesh.”

This NARROW WAY leads to the HEAVENLY SALVATION.

Hebrews 2:3 “How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”
Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

What “life” does the NARROW WAY lead to?

MORTALS are beings who have life but can die. They are dependent on an outside source for life. All living creatures in heaven (spirit beings) and on earth (Adam and his descendants) were created as mortal.
IMMORTALS have life within themselves. They are NOT dependent on an outside source for life. Immortality is the highest nature that can exist in the universe. Immortality means death is not a possibility.
Romans 2:7 “To those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.”

What about the human race?

Perfect mortal living beings have a right to life.

All the children of Adam are imperfect and are not even referred to as mortal, but as already “dead.” Because of the fall in Eden, all are born to die, having no right to live at all.

Luke 9:60 “…Allow the dead to bury their own dead…”

What about Jesus?

Jesus died as a MORTAL, PERFECT human being on the cross.

Revelation 1:18 “the living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive.”

But after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, he was given immortality, life within himself.

John 5:26 “For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself”
Revelation 1:18 “…I am alive forevermore.”

What about Jesus’ followers?

Jesus’ faithful followers in this Gospel Age are promised the divine nature or immortality.

2 Peter 1:4 “… so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature…”
1 Corinthians 15:53 “For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power…”

However, the gate is narrow, so very few enter this narrow way because the standard of following Jesus is very high.

Romans 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
Philippians 1:29 “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake.”
2 Timothy 2:11,12 “It is a trustworthy statement: for if we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.”

The Narrow way is not just believing in Jesus, but one must follow the master into sacrifice and unto death.

Matthew 16:24 “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”
Matthew 19:24 “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus gives us an example of the great difficulty camels had to go through the narrow door after the sunset to enter Jerusalem. Similarly, all of us, including those that have more of the earthly goods, have to bow down, unload all our burdens, desires and go through. With Him all things are possible.

The Highway of Holiness

Who is the Highway for? Who will walk on it?

If the NARROW WAY is only for the most faithful Christians today, is there hope for the rest of the world? Yes!

The Bible teaches that God, through His mercy and grace, provides mankind with not one, but two paths to salvation; one present and one future. Both paths are made possible by the sacrifice Jesus made on behalf of mankind.

Isaiah 35:8–10 “A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean
will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, nor will any vicious beast go up on it; these will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
“A highway will be there, …called the Highway of Holiness.” This replaces the BROAD ROAD TO DESTRUCTION.
“The unclean will not travel on it, but … for him who walks that way.” Sinners will be educated as they go.
“Fools will not wander on it.”
- Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.”
On this highway, they will not err in their understanding.
- Isaiah 29:24 “Those who err in mind will know the truth, and those who criticize will accept instruction.”
“No lion will be there.” Satan will be bound at the beginning of the Kingdom, before the highway is opened.
- 1 Peter 5:8 “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
- Revelation 20:3 “and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer…”
“Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; these will not be found there.” These refer to all Satan’s systems and sources of evil that take mankind away from God, leading to sin and destruction (death).
“But the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord will return.” The world of mankind that walked on the BROAD WAY, now by the grace of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, will return by the awakening of the dead. Daniel 12:2

How and when will this Kingdom work?

This second path to salvation will not open until the future, after all those who walked the NARROW WAY (the consecrated) have been given ample opportunity to prove their faithfulness. After the full number has been judged and gathered, the rest of mankind will begin to be raised from death and restored to perfect human life.

This time is the “restitution of all things” the Apostle Paul refers to in Acts 3:21. “Restitution” means restoring something to a previous, usually superior, state. Mankind will be restored to the perfect human state that Adam and Eve experienced prior to their disobedience.

However, even though people will be restored to life, they will start out with much the same minds and hearts that they had when they died. Just as in Adam and Eve’s time, God cannot and will not tolerate sin. Mankind, will need to be “re-educated” after being raised from the dead. This future work will include all mankind.

There will be many aids to make the process easier; the chief of which will be Satan’s binding. Revelation 20:2 Satan’s influence caused Adam and Eve’s original disobedience (Genesis 3:4) and has been deceiving mankind to varying degrees ever since. With Satan bound, his influences will not be able to deceive and consume (“devour like a lion”) people like they do today. Returning to God and following His ways will thus be much more straightforward during this future time than it is for those who strive “to walk by faith” in the present time.

This future period of all people returning to God is compared to a “Highway of Holiness.” It will be like a “highway” because, in contrast to the NARROW WAY of “walking by faith and not by sight,” it will be traveled by every person who ever lived, and not just a select few who hear and respond to God’s calling today. The whole of mankind, redeemed from mankind’s death penalty by Jesus, will have every advantage to return to God (“the redeemed shall walk there”). Mankind will live under a new, righteous and permanent world government.

1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
Acts 24:15 (KJV) “…that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”
1 John 2:2 “He himself [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [His faithful followers; the Church class]; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world [the ‘everybody else’].”
1 Timothy 2:6 “who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”
1 Timothy 2:4 (KJV) “Who [God] will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Isaiah 51:11 “And the redeemed of the Lord will return And come to Zion with joyful shouting, And ever-lasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

What will be the steps to salvation?

Deliverance from death, from graves. Having risen from the dead, the person will retain the same body and characteristics, but in a perfected state. While their mental and physical traits will remain, any physical deficiencies or ailments, such as those caused by disease or injury, will be removed, ensuring a whole and restored condition.

Luke 13:29, 30 “And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.”
Job 19:26, 27 “Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another.”

Deliverance from sin. The purification from the ways of sin and old habit is only possible through the power of the TRUTH! This will be possible because…

Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of…the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

How will people come to a knowledge of the truth?

ALL the world’s “eyes” and “ears” of understanding will be opened from Satan’s blinding effects. Gradually, ignorance and blindness will be completely removed.

Isaiah 29:18 “On that day the deaf will hear words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.”
Isaiah 32:3 “Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded, and the ears of those who hear will listen.”
2 Corinthians 4:4 “…The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving…”
Habakkuk 2:14 “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
Isaiah 25:7 (KJV) “And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.”
- Covering: the inherited sin and death from Adam covering over ALL mankind.
- Veil: the blinding of the eyes of understanding of all mankind. Isaiah 60:2

Human perfection will be restored gradually

People will then go day by day from the old condition to becoming young!

Job 33:25 “Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor.”
Isaiah 35:6 “Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah.”

There will be a generous trial period.

Isaiah 65:20 “No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his days…and the one who does not reach the age of one hundred will be thought accursed.”

Will there be any willfully disobedient people at that time?

We expect so, in spite of God’s grace and mercy.

Isaiah 26:10 “Though the wicked is shown favor, he does not learn righteousness; he deals unjustly in the land of uprightness…”
Acts 3:23 “…Every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.”

Jesus gave the Parable of the Sheep and Goats which shows the final judgment process, pictured as a sorting of “sheep” and “goats.”

Matthew 25:31–33 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him; and he will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and he will put the sheep on his right, and the goats on the left.”
Verses 34–40: Jesus describes the king (a symbol of himself) talking to those on the right, the “sheep.” He lists the positive services and acts performed by this class which made them worthy of being separated out onto the right.
Verses 41–46: Jesus describes the negative actions performed by the “goats” that caused them to be separated out onto the left. Those of mankind who, after being taught God’s ways in perfect conditions, still choose to lapse into selfish or disobedient minds and hearts will be “cut off” or destroyed.
Once this judgment has been completed, only those of mankind in full harmony with God and His ways will remain, and mankind will enter into the unimaginable wonder of the untold ages to come.
Isaiah 11:9 “They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
Psalms 22:27, 28 “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will worship before You. For the kingdom is the LORD’s and He rules over the nations.”
Revelation 21:4 “And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”