That Strait Gate That Few Find

[Gibs]

Is it because it is hidden behind some "bushes?" In a way I suppose yes. But it is because of another way laid of men I think is the "bushes". The popular "going with the flow" way of the worldly teaching in the popular churches.

What makes it so "strait" and "narrow"? I will touch on that after the verses.

Lu 13:23 ¶ Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

Mt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Lu 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Lu 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

Lu 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Lu 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

What makes it "strait" and "narrow" is the "shedding" that must take place to get through it. I see this is the full and true repentance and the resolve to walk away from the world and all it's sophistries and sin in a walk on that narrow path that is walking in the footsteps of Christ when He was one of us to show us it could be done.

You may say, well we are not the Son of God. True but when you came through that gate and "cleaned house" He then fills the void and He dwells in you. Paul called it "Christ in You" and EGW saw it also as the "Divine Nature".

The evil ones can all see that indwelling even though no man can and are defeated foes of Him who dwells within many years ago and there is no reason now that you cannot be victorious over them and sin.

Not only that but He now is an impervious covering that nothing can come through and you dwell safely in peace in His "pasture" fold or whatever you prefer. You are one of His and He is a Faithful Shepherd that will not lose a one.

Joh 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Joh 10:29 [color:#FF0000]My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand

Far greater than Satan and he is not able to pluck them out of his hand.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

[Gibs]

Surely the reason so few find it and go through surely is not that it has been put in the dark,

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Why is it then that the majority don't go through this gate and walk in that light? What is the cause of the great refusal?

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Dr. Rich]

Good post Gibs, one would think that after reading this that they would know something is wrong with the present belief of the majority of people who call themselves "Christian". Well, there is! The majority believe the gospel that Paul preached of righteousness by faith and being saved by grace. Jesus NEVER taught or said this. Few are those who obey all ten of the commandments and follow only the words of Jesus given to us by His eyewitnesses. It's just that simple!

[Woody]

I don't mind admitting that I don't obey all ten commandments and all of the words of Jesus.

But then I am not saved on obedience. I am saved by the blood of Jesus and the fact that in the judgment it is HIS life that is examined NOT mine. Mine is covered by the blood of Jesus. Thus, I am saved.

I prefer to stick with what the Bible and the SOP clearly state on this issue.

[John317]

....the fact that in the judgment it is HIS life that is examined NOT mine. Mine is covered by the blood of Jesus. Thus, I am saved.

I prefer to stick with what the Bible and the SOP clearly state on this issue.

But that is not what the Bible and the SoP state. Quite the contrary.

The SoP is very clear that in the Investigative Judgment, our lives are investigated. Jesus' life is not investigated in the Investigative Judgment. When sins are blotted out, it's because people's lives show that they have genuinely accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord.

You've said before that your favorite book by Ellen White is the Great Controversy. In that book, Ellen White wrote the following important statements:

Quote:

The blood of Christ, pleaded in behalf of penitent believers, secured their pardon and acceptance with the Father, yet their sins still remained upon the books of record. As in the typical service there was a work of atonement at the close of the year, so before Christ's work for the redemption of men is completed there is a work of atonement for the removal of sin from the sanctuary. This is the service which began when the 2300 days ended. At that time, as foretold by Daniel the prophet, our High Priest entered the most holy, to perform the last division of His solemn work--to cleanse the sanctuary. {GC 421.2}

As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary. And as the typical cleansing of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded. But before this can be accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement. The cleansing of the sanctuary therefore involves a work of investigation--a work of judgment. This work must be performed prior to the coming of Christ to redeem His people; for when He comes, His reward is with Him to give to every man according to his works. Revelation 22:12. {GC 421-422}

[Dr. Rich]

I don't mind admitting that I don't obey all ten commandments and all of the words of Jesus.

But then I am not saved on obedience. I am saved by the blood of Jesus and the fact that in the judgment it is HIS life that is examined NOT mine. Mine is covered by the blood of Jesus. Thus, I am saved.

I prefer to stick with what the Bible and the SOP clearly state on this issue.

Could you please show us (if you can) where you got the idea that you are saved by the blood of Jesus and that the judgment is all about Jesus' life and not yours? If the 'Bible' (actually they are the words of Paul) and EGW's writings say this, then you are betting your soul on their words--right? Of course it's your soul and not mine, so you can choose to believe what you want.

[Woody]

Thank you. And I will.

[Gibs]

What I've come across in both is the admonition to be overcomers and be dead to sin and alive a new creature born in Him.

Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Paul don't mince words about this in the whole chapter 6: of Rom

Ro 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

When sin appears as grievious to us as it does to Him is because then we are born of Him and His law is in our hearts and is the hearts desire and no longer a burden or galling to keep them too as it is in us now they became our makeup.

We must be fitted and molded now in the this time as we only come this way once.

He cannot take one into His kingdom that is still continuing in sin. You see sin is the destroyer of this present kingdom.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[John317]

...Could you please show us (if you can) where you got the idea that you are saved by the blood of Jesus ....

Rev. 5:9

And they sang a new song, saying,

"Worthy are you to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation,

Rev. 7:14

I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Rev. 19:13

He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

Matthew 26:28

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

[Woody]

Quote:

He cannot take one into His kingdom that is still continuing in sin.

As for me - I'm saved - and yet I still sin. However by the time I arrive at the Kingdom - I will not be continuing to sin because I will have seen His Face.

[John317]

He cannot take one into His kingdom that is still continuing in sin.

Originally Posted By: Woody

... I still sin.

"Still continuing in sin" is not the same as still committing sin.

Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to "go and sin no more." She didn't go on living a life devoted to sin as she did before when she lived as a prostitute. She no doubt committed other sins and made mistakes, but she overcame sins as the Holy Spirit convicted her of them. There will never be a time prior to Christ's return when we can say we have arrived and are sinless. But that is different from living in sin or practicing known sin.

The difference is that before Christ lives in us, we are slaves of sin, whereas after Christ comes into us by His Spirit, we become slaves of righteousness. See Romans 6.

[John317]

1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

This is best and most accurately translated as,

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. {1 John 3: 9, ESV}

[Gibs]

All should do a devoted study of Romans 6:1-23, they are short verses and to the point and easily understood. I had posted the complete chapter in another thread.

You will be blessed.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[phkrause]

Originally Posted By: Gibs

1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

This is best and most accurately translated as,

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. {1 John 3: 9, ESV}

Excellent text John, I also like the way the CJB puts it: 1 John 3:9 No one who has God as his Father keeps on sinning, because the seed planted by God remains in him. That is, he cannot continue sinning, because he has God as his Father.

[Gibs]

Paul's statement "dead" to sin says it very clearly so there is plenty of substantuation.

Ro 6:1 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Ro 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Lysimachus]

Some people argue and say that since God is all knowing, there is no need for an examination/investigation.

My question then is, why do Angels need to Write anything in a book? Revelation 14:12

[Kevin H]

Some people argue and say that since God is all knowing, there is no need for an examination/investigation.

My question then is, why do Angels need to Write anything in a book? Revelation 14:12

True, but first of all the Judgment is a gift to created beings (both fallen and unfallen) in teaching the universe about the nature of God and the issues of the 3 deceptions of Satan and the two attitudes in people (one is thinking we are for ourselves by making less of the outside world, the other is to want to love the world as Jesus has loved it.)

Investigative Judgments was a part of ancient near-eastern court systems and also ancient near-eastern religion. The consept of prayer requests stem from this belief asking the gods or God to examin the situation and to make judgment for them and to listen to their request. In the case of our Investiagtive Judgment it is the prayer for Jesus to see if he can return in the clouds and take us to heaven, and where we entered a time where the unfallen can review what Jesus did for humans who claimed to accept him, which helps them understand their own salvation (since they are also saved by grace, not works)and for us God has opened up the ancient world so that we can study the Bible as never before, which can make the Bible really come to life and be understood in a deeper way.

But did not God know that Adam and Eve ate the fruit and where they were hiding? So why did he use an investigative judgment (with ancient investigative judgment language) to come into the garden. Whey didn't he just come and say "Get out here, I see you behinde that tree and furthermore I know what you did!!!" Did God not know of Sodom and Gamorah? So why did he have an investigative judgment there?

(technically if you were to look at what the archaeologists and linguist say, it would have been pictured as the 2 beings we understand as angels, in the setting of them being the gods assigned to those cities and that they were finding these cities unmanageable, related to the idea in, I don't have the specific texts but in the pentatuch there is the table of nations and the most high God the the Hebrews worshiped directly, and the other gods for the other nations-- it took a while for God's people to become purely Monothistic, for a long time they were henothiestic; and the Psalm that says that God is saying to the counsel "You are gods, start judging rightly..." and threatening that they would die like mortals, and thus from this context the gods of Sodom and Gamorah asked for an investigative judgment that their cities are unmanageable. So it was not Sodom and Gamorah who was the subject of the investigative judgment but the gods assigned to those cities who requested the investigative judgment on themselves.)

There are different investigative judgment passages in the Bible, with the ancient world's investigative judgment language. When did God know everything? Was he not knowing everything in the times when he choose to have these investigative judgment passages in the Bible? Did we have a more stupid God back then who finally wised up so that he no longer needed Investigative Judgments? Or was God always all knowing, but in his kindness using investigative judgments in working with creatures?

[Kevin H]

Back to the original question about the strait way and wide way: The wide way is so wide that we don't know which direction it runs so we travel what ever direction we feel like. We are subject to exestentialism, to live as we please for heaven is our home; and this usually codles to our disposition to think we are for ourselves by making less of the outside world.

The strate and narrow way is only one way, heading to Jesus, focusing on Jesus, to love the world as Jesus has loved it. Few naturally find it on their own and thus we need to have missionaries and other witnessess to point them in this direction.

[Gibs]

Jesus loved the world but hated it's wickednes and yes as His witnesses we are to bring the true light of His Salvation to all that will see and have the love for the Truth to receive it.

The "strait" gate Jesus refers to is the coming out of the world and dying of it and walking the path He walked to show us it could be done. He took no power to do this that is not ours to take hold of is the understanding so many miss.

That gate is illuminated well by Him who is the light of the world but the spirit of the world must be cast out before it is a desirable one to go through.

It means the supplicant must be broken of His Spirit and will to be of His Spirit and Will and when our house is cleaned of other masters He then fills us with His Spirit and then our walk up that path is easily done as He done before us.

The falling on Him the Rock must be done!

Lu 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Lu 20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Dr. Rich]

Excellent text John, I also like the way the CJB puts it: 1 John 3:9 No one who has God as his Father keeps on sinning, because the seed planted by God remains in him. That is, he cannot continue sinning, because he has God as his Father.

[Dr. Rich]

Back to the original question about the strait way and wide way: The wide way is so wide that we don't know which direction it runs so we travel what ever direction we feel like. We are subject to exestentialism, to live as we please for heaven is our home; and this usually codles to our disposition to think we are for ourselves by making less of the outside world.

The strate and narrow way is only one way, heading to Jesus, focusing on Jesus, to love the world as Jesus has loved it. Few naturally find it on their own and thus we need to have missionaries and other witnessess to point them in this direction.

Not quite right Kevin, as Jesus was talking only about all those who think they are followers of Christ. He was not talking about others who have nothing to do with Christ.

Truth is, He was talking about those who keep all ten commandments and follow the tesimony of Jesus (His words only) verses those who have been deceived into believing they are saved by grace. (Rev. 12:17 and Matt. 19)

He is talking about the difference there is between the Wheat and the Tares. Notice that NO ONE knew the difference between the two for over 2000 years because they were growing up together. It is only now that the difference has been discovered. Check it out.

[Gibs]

I just ran across this one on this subject from EGW and she has much to say in many many of her writings on this one and this one fits here in my see of it, so here I paste it,

"All who enter the City of God will enter through the strait gate—by agonizing effort; for “there shall in no wise enter into it anything

that defileth.” Revelation 21:27. But none who have fallen need give up to despair. Aged men, once honored of God, may have defiled their souls, sacrificing virtue on the altar of lust; but if they repent, forsake sin, and turn to God, there is still hope for them. He who declares, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” also gives the invitation, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Revelation 2:10; Isaiah 55:7. God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. “I will heal their backsliding,” He declares; “I will love them freely.” Hosea 14:4.—(Prophets and Kings, 83, 84.) {Pr 276.3}

A SMALL GROUP WILL BE PRAYING FOR THE CHURCH IN THE TIME OF HER GREATEST DANGER.—The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world." {Pr 277.1}

Ex 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Dr. Rich]

Too bad she didn't read and understand Rev. 2:18-26.

[phkrause]

I'll take EGWs interpretation of the Bible over yours Dr Rich, any day of the week.

[Dr. Rich]

No problem PK, I am not here to build a church or get people to side with me anyway. I still love you PK! All I ask is for a fair trial.