Throughout the Scriptures, there is a clear pattern where only a few are saved. This shows the error of those who believe in universalism that everyone will be saved. Let’s take a look at some of the passages.Only Lot’s Family Was Saved
When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, through Abraham’s intercession, only Lot and his family were saved, and even his wife perished because of the choice she made.
Only Noah’s Family Was Saved
When God destroyed the whole earth with the flood, only Noah and his family were saved – eight people in all (Gen 7:1; 1 Pe 3:20).
Only Caleb and Joshua Were Saved
When God delivered Israel from Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb made it into the promised land. All the other Israelites who came out of Egypt perished in the wilderness (Num 14:30; 26:65; 32:11). Those things happened as examples for us (1 Co 10:6).
Only Some Will Be Saved
Jesus said that when He returns to the earth, it will be just like in the days of Noah and like the days of Lot. He said, "And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. "There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. ["Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left."] (Luk 17:26-36)
So as Jesus taught, when he returns, there are those who will be taken and those who will be left. They might be working right beside each other, but only some will be saved.
Jesus said, "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. (Mat 7:13-14). Therefore, only a few find the narrow road that leads to life, while many go down to destruction.
Only Some Bear Fruit
Jesus once told a parable about a man sowing seeds, which reveals again that only some bear fruit. He explained the parable like this: "Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty." (Mat 13:18-23)
In this parable, the same seed was sown in every instance, but it resulted in four different outcomes. Therefore, Jesus made it clear that the seed of His Word would be sown into many lives, but only some would bear fruit. In fact, only one out of four kinds of people would bear fruit, while the other three would not.
In case you are not sure what Jesus thinks about those who do not bear fruit, here is what He said: "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." (Mat 7:19). He also said to the religious Jews of His day: "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.” (Mat 21:43). And we know that when He once looked for fruit on a fig tree but did not find any, He cursed it.
So we want to be a people who bear fruit for the Lord. There is no other way to live for Him. Let’s not have the mentality that we can be a disciple and not bear fruit or that everyone will be saved. It’s simply not biblical and Jesus did not teach this.
Only Some Are Thankful
Even those who receive miracles and healing from the Lord do not all go on to serve Him. “While [Jesus] was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine--where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?’” (Luk 17:11-18).
Around the world, this is still true today, and it simply amazes me. Jesus heals many people miraculously in answer to prayer, but only a few go on to serve Him. Most never bother to give thanks or devote their lives to Jesus after they are healed. Be careful to give God the thanks when He heals you or rescues you from a terrible situation. When He does these things, it’s not because your life is necessarily pleasing to Him, but because of His love for you and His great grace! Offer Him your whole life, and don’t just continue on the way you were living.
Putting it All Together
The pattern is consistent throughout God’s Word – only some are saved. This was true in Lot’s day and in Noah’s day. Jesus said it will be the same when He returns. One will be taken and the other left. Don’t be deceived into thinking that all will be saved. Few choose to take the narrow road that leads to life, while most follow the wide road to destruction. Only a fraction of those who hear God’s Word go on to do what Jesus said and bear fruit. Only a fraction of those who are healed go on to thank the Lord and serve Him. Which one are you?
I pray that everyone reading this will heed the message and be saved. Jesus does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance. But you have a choice to make. Will you follow Him?
Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
Author's note: You are invited to read Strive to Enter the Kingdom of God, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Aim for Perfection, The Straight and Narrow Path, Eudoxia Varga Testimony of Heaven and Hell, A Warning for Married Christian Couples, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, Messages from the Lord for Catholics Worshipping Idols, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part I, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part II, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Three Divine Revelations, Separation from the World, and Ask for the Ancient Paths. You may access the Main Directory for Eternal Destinations for more articles like this, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."
Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe.
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.
