“Why Only A Few Will Enter Heaven”
Editors Note:
"...The last Alpha and Omega of Pastor Turnage that we posted on the SOC Facebook page July 20, 2022."
WHY ONLY A FEW WILL ENTER HEAVEN
Genesis 1:1 says, "…God created the heavens and the earth." He is the originator of Heaven. With very limited time and space, let's say God created an ultimate place for His intended purposes.
God is holy and perfect. So is Heaven, His dwelling place (Psalms 89:6, Nehemiah 9:6). Then Romans 3:10 says, "…There is none righteous, no not one." No earthly being is holy enough for Heaven. Only the perfection of Christ produces a holiness providing entrance to God's abode. Leviticus 19:2 records the Lord's emphasis on being holy "…Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy." The word for holy in Hebrew is "qadash," which means to be sanctified, consecrated, and dedicated or to be separated from the world and worldliness.
Jesus said in John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Who is "you" in verse 3? This is a unique place where God has invited His family to be with Him where He is. Has God created Heaven for just anyone and everyone? God Who inhabits eternity abides there. The entire verse says: "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57:15 (KJV)(Created for those exactly like Him). The phrase under consideration in Hebrew is "עד שכן." The first word, "שכן" means to reside or inhabit. This verb is in the active participle form, which in the King James Version was translated as "inhabiteth," or in modern English, "inhabiting." The second word, "עד," can mean either "perpetual continuation; enduring future" or "time without end." In the King James Version, the word in this verse was translated as "eternity." Interestingly, this is the only time the word "eternity" appears in this translation of the Bible. The uniqueness of this combination of words allows for many different translations and interpretations.
Not comparing the spiritual and natural events but by way of analogy very few people have visitors in their homes, and certainly not strangers who are not interested in that residence even though they are invited. There are no common interests, and the guests have no particular need or desire to be there for any reason. The resident of that dwelling will extend an invitation for any number of reasons, and all may be for reasons that would benefit the visitor. The fact is if there is a dead coldness between the owner and guest, very seldom will the guest have a "desire" to go to that house. He has no sense of benefit to him from being there. No matter the owner's purpose or need for his invitation, there is nothing of common interest between them because of the visitor’s indifference and blindness.
The fact Jesus died for all means nothing to the unsaved man. They have no fellowship based on gratitude, common interests, or goals. In other words, why would the possessor of that house have died for the guest, offered to meet his need, etc.? Is there any reason to continue the good things by the resident?
God has a holy house; He has invited all to gather there with Him; most refuse, have no desire to be there, ignore the invitations, and have no feelings or heart for the house or owner. Such is the condition of the lost sheep of the world. Jesus did not fail in His wondrous works, and a great cloud of witnesses will enter His abode. Thank God.