I just recently posted a thread about the same subject. And also is wondering why there's such little preaching, teaching about it. (Rhema!)
Link1983
I'll start out by qualifying my response, because your question is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
For about 10 years now, I have believed for myself that I needed very strong foundational convictions as the basis of my faith to grow from - I NEEDED MY FOUNDATION !! MY ABSOLUTES !! MY STANDARDS !!
A few examples:
The way I was saved. NO WAVERING!!
That the Holy Spirit lives inside me. NO WAVERING !!
That I can choose by sinning to lose my salvation, by not turning away and seeking God for forgiveness. NO WAVERING !!
The "TRINITY" is real. NO WAVERING !!
FEW who claim to be believers will go to heaven. NO WAVERING !!
I'll like to give you my opinion about your question by starting out with a few verses from scripture, that as a group of verses, clearly state that "FEW" calling themselves believers will enter into heaven !!
Matthew 7: 14 Jesus says, "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and "Few" are those who find it.
Luke 13: 23-24, (23)Someone said to Jesus, Lord, are there just a few who are being saved (So, we're talking about believers here not the lost),
and Jesus said to "them" (Standing there listening to this conversation),
(24) "Strive to enter by the narrow door, for MANY, I tell you, will seek to enter, and will not be able.
Notice the similarities between the first and second verse.
To me this last verse I'm quoting is the "capper" for me about who goes to heaven, and is a "Major" part of my Christian foundations !!
Matthew 7:21 Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of heaven"...!
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Ok. The reason I make such a big deal about the "FEW", is because what God says about it, and how it fits in with the rest of what is said in my following commentary.
Alright now, think about this - ("Sorry this is so long" !!!!)
God warns us over and over that there will be false teachers and false believers (Verses coming later - I PROMISE).
If you keep up on what is happening in the church culture today, all over the world (Internet search), you'll find there is a "mass exodus" taking place in all doctrines of faith - ALL!!!
Tens of thousands are leaving the churches, all over the world, many wanting something more "AUTHENTIC AND TRUTHFULL".
They are tired of the lies of the false teachings, tired of the hypocrisy, tired of seeing their tithes used to build more grandiose facilities to worship in. TIRED OF IT ALL.
While some leave the church and God completely, many (Of the "FEW") stay with the Lord and find alternative ways to continue in their faith.
I have been blessed to have several of these who have left the church, but stayed with God, including pastors who were fired for preaching the truth, to come into my life and tell their story, some still in my life today and friends and brothers in Christ that I fellowship with.
We have a common bond in our convictions and CHRIST.
As we get closer to the return of Christ, the topic of love has been nearly completely excluded from the Christian faith, because it's the "foundation of our faith", and if "satan" can do his 'Evil best", through evil men, by selectively choosing topics to preach on that are "Popular" with the congregations, and keep more coming to hear what they "WANT" to hear, not what they "NEED" to hear, satans desire to destroy will be, and is going to be, accomplished !!
VALIDATING VERSES I PROMISED YOU ABOVE.
1st John 4:1, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit (Teacher), but test the spirits (Teachers) to see whether they are from God.
1st Timothy 4:1, "But the Spirit (Holy Spirit) "Expressly states" that in later times (Are we there yet?), some will abandon the faith (Truth), to follow deceitful spirits (Two kinds of spirits here), and the teachings of "Demons" (False teachers - SAID STRONGLY), influenced by the hypocracy of liars, who's consciences are seared with a hot iron. (PRETTY STRONG LANGUAGE)
Finally,
Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but it's end is the way of death.
If any of you read this until the end, God bless you.
This question is probably one of the most important question that anyone could ask in these "LAST DAYS."
My name is OLIGOS