CC,
From what I have read I think you are taking the phrase "few will be chosen" out of context. Jesus was speaking in a parable about a wedding feast and does not IMO imply it to eternal life or going to hell. The grooms father of the feast had been rejected. He invited everyone but some did not respect the invitation to the feast or banquet. This is the text you have referred to in its entire context.
Matthew 22
1: And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3: And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4: Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5: But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7: But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8: Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9: Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10: So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11: And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13: Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14: For many are called, but few are chosen.
Jesus did speak directly about the Kingdom of Heaven in this text;
Matthew 13
31: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
33: Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
This does not sound like a small amount but from a tiny mustard seed came great growth and yeast that rises the entire measure of meal.
God has much invested in every person that has breath in them and desires goodness and righteousness for each, beyond that I am not able to determine but trust in his vast wisdom and love to do what is perfect for everyone according to what they have done.
Nancy |
