Many are called but few are choosen

[chester-blowfold]

On my travels around the net I see this often being used as a reason that so many will end up in hell.

What does it really mean?

[sheila]

satan and men do a lot of calling that God didn't..to teach a contrary gospel.  Scriptures show...God call a man for a particular

  purpose/prophet/judge...High Priest..apostle etc....satan raises up false apostle's,anti-christ,false teachers/unjust judges...and

   High Priest that lead the people into err...not being able to discern the holy from the profane and failing to make atonement...


...these not called of God..are given lying signs false visions etc and being under delusion......their 'light' being darkness.....as

satan transforming himself into an angel of light....that great imitator of God.


  Just as in Elijah's day...the people became confused just who was the true LORD/GOD....they had BAAL/LORD and  prophets of the

groves competing against the true work of heaven God was doing through Elijah. Elijah put the false prophets to death by a literal

sword....and now the sword of the spirit[S[alvation]WORD.....coming out of His [mouth] divides such lying teachings as eternal

torment ED and many other false teachings to death[CHRIST WAGING WARFARE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS]

    'we are many" legions called of satan in many forms..etc..as blind folds/traps/snares/wolves

[WhiteWings]

On my travels around the net I see this often being used as a reason that so many will end up in hell.

What does it really mean?

My short answer is: "Chosen for what?"

My long answer is: http://radical-reaction.com/MyChristianSites/ShepherdsVoice/few%20chosen,%20a%20kingdom%20come.htm

[sheila]

 :2c:  ps....not many of you should be teachers......a heavier judgement....he that teaches lies will be called 'the least"

.....the least of the flock will draw satan out....in the time/our day of the end time church...Laodecean overcome saints/church

as those called out of Babylon....symbolized as little Benjamin that began as a devouring wolf[when we were formerly preaching

their doctrines]and ended with sharing bounty[5 times/talents portion].   following Jesus rebuke..counsel to buy gold tried in the fire

and white garments to cover our nakedness...and eyesalve to heal our blinded eyes......in obedience we come out of her.

  yep...Psalms 68;27.

  little Benjamin was almost obliterated as a tribe..just as Laodecean church in danger of being spewed from Jesus mouth......

...but the securing of Brides was arranged.........Paul was a Benjamite...the least..and a persecutor of Christ's body....just like

  Benjamin...Paul had to get 'caught" with the Holy Spirit DeVine cup of Joseph[symbolizing Christ] in a bag of corn........to feed and

give drink of waters of life...to preserve Israel during a famine[for hearing the true 'word of God"]  Words of LIFE ABUNDANT

   a magnifying of God and Christ..not a di minished weak ineffective God or defeated in His purpose........


   Tentmaker is connected to Paul and Benjamin in this regard.........we've come out of Babylon and  some have formerly taught

eternal torment and ED.........may THE  GOD OF ALL INCREASE YOU....5 talents are yours to increase to 10...5 portions due you

little Benjamin..little flock..........He had mercy on us because we did it in ignorance.......Bless the One True God and His sons and

daughters ,all nations blessed.....He saved the best wine/cup for last/least.       :2c:

[sheila]

 :2c:   another side to the coin....many called few chosen.....those who I fore-ordained I called....those I called[receive calling in this

life[ex Samuel being called ] I chose.  Not many are called of our great numbers of his children in this life[sands/stars for numbers]

    we are called in our order....many sleep spiritually speaking all their life down here....and when called up in their order..only then

  awake and put on their glorious garments.

  so...few are chosen to draw near unto Him on this side of the veil.

[marie glen]

:2c:   another side to the coin....many called few chosen.....those who I fore-ordained I called....those I called[receive calling in this

life[ex Samuel being called ] I chose.  Not many are called of our great numbers of his children in this life[sands/stars for numbers]

    we are called in our order....many sleep spiritually speaking all their life down here....and when called up in their order..only then

  awake and put on their glorious garments.

  so...few are chosen to draw near unto Him on this side of the veil.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

On my travels around the net I see this often being used as a reason that so many will end up in hell.

What does it really mean?

My short answer is: "Chose for what?"

I think like your short answer.. and figure chosen to be saved during this brief lifetime.. and here too, I lean toward thinking of the "many" same as "As in Adam the many die" - many are called.. but few chosen (to be saved during this brief lifetime, and whatever else this is promised to entail) but those He calls, He chooses, etc.. just not all during this brief lifetime.. imo anyway :smile:

[Ross]

I.M.O - Many are called- all the seed planted in the same paddock
         - few are chosen - the first of the harvest, especially since not all germinate and become ripe at the same time.
          - then the rest are harvested in due season.

[Ross]

I.M.O problem with the church is that they say those not chosen will go to hell- they are not seeing the rest of mankind as being corrected in heaven at that later date as they learn the right way of doing things. Used to thing along those lines, just as Paul said he did until his correction.

Couple of little questions I never had answered before being made aware of this concept of all being saved;
          Why was not Israel going around trying to convert the gentiles?
         What happens to all those who died before Christ was even born in this age?

         Where do those go who have never heard of Christ in this age?
         Who would threaten someone to love them or else? - which is pretty much what the doctrine of hell-fire promotes!
        If there is hell, why was not Adam told to repent?
         If there is hell, then there will be more in hell than in heaven if we go by the current statistics.

All this is just a tip of the ice-burg for unanswered questions?
Since coming to grasp the precision of the plan which includes all man, there is more sense and logic as to a truly loving Father, and awesome saviour Jesus, who are working to a greater plan to prepare us for a future which will be above our current ability to fathom.

Eph 3;20 " NOW TO THE ONE WHO IS ABLE TO DO ABUNDANTLY BEYOND ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE,
                ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT IS WORKING WITHIN US."

         

[darryl]

Jesus never said chosen for 'eternal life'...hellists are wrong to presume He was referring to 'eternal life'.

[eaglesway]

Good questions Chester. Israel was supposed to be a Lampstand. They were to show the justice, mercy and fear of God to the world, and they did, in a veiled example of both extremes(serving God and rebelling against Him) in different periods.

Now we are "the light of the world", the "lamp on the lampstand", the "city set on a hill". We have been entrusted with the "word of reconciliation". This is the reason Paul, in Romans 8 says,

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

[marie glen]

I.M.O - Many are called- all the seed planted in the same paddock
         - few are chosen - the first of the harvest, especially since not all germinate and become ripe at the same time.
          - then the rest are harvested in due season.

    :faint: Amen! that's perfect!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

All this is just a tip of the ice-burg for unanswered questions?

Since coming to grasp the precision of the plan which includes all man, there is more sense and logic as to a truly loving Father, and awesome saviour Jesus, who are working to a greater plan to prepare us for a future which will be above our current ability to fathom.         

..A-men!! "So much more sense and logic.."!! ..I mean do 'they' never consider His 100% pristine character? And His attributes?
     :doh: As a delusion - it's literally crazy!
                              :dsunny:

[marie glen]

Jesus never said chosen for 'eternal life'...hellists are wrong to presume He was referring to 'eternal life'.

   I never thought of it that way... But the more I think about it.. the more true I realize it is..! He never said "chosen for eternal life".. Like if a king called citizens.. a crowd, but then chose some for whatever undertaking he had in mind.. does he execute the others? (Well, some might, but that brings us back to "character"! What an insult the whole theory is!)



p.s. - "the creation set free.." what a thought that is! Nature/creation is SO beautiful now... ? :Chinscratch: wow..! 

[eaglesway]

The rich young ruler was called, but he was not chosen.

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments, 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up." 21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

Jesus called him to become a disciple. To be chosen to walk with Him. The rich young ruler could not pay the price. This does not mean he therefore "went to hell forever".

There are many people who lack one thing or another,a love for something that keeps them from being "chosen" to walk among those unto whom Jesus has given the "keys to the kingdom of heaven".

They believe, but they cannot follow because something ties them to this world. They are forgiven, because "If we are faithless He is faithful still".

As has already been pointed out, nowhere does it say, "or else you will go to hell forever.

"This one

[Patinak]

satan and men do a lot of calling that God didn't..to teach a contrary gospel.  Scriptures show...God call a man for a particular

  purpose/prophet/judge...High Priest..apostle etc....satan raises up false apostle's,anti-christ,false teachers/unjust judges...and

   High Priest that lead the people into err...not being able to discern the holy from the profane and failing to make atonement...


...these not called of God..are given lying signs false visions etc and being under delusion......their 'light' being darkness.....as

satan transforming himself into an angel of light....that great imitator of God.


  Just as in Elijah's day...the people became confused just who was the true LORD/GOD....they had BAAL/LORD and  prophets of the

groves competing against the true work of heaven God was doing through Elijah. Elijah put the false prophets to death by a literal

sword....and now the sword of the spirit[S[alvation]WORD.....coming out of His [mouth] divides such lying teachings as eternal

torment ED and many other false teachings to death[CHRIST WAGING WARFARE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS]

    'we are many" legions called of satan in many forms..etc..as blind folds/traps/snares/wolves

Good post, thank you Sheila

My short answer is: "Chosen for what?"

:iagree:

[darryl]

The rich young ruler was called, but he was not chosen.

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments, 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up." 21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

Jesus called him to become a disciple. To be chosen to walk with Him. The rich young ruler could not pay the price. This does not mean he therefore "went to hell forever".

There are many people who lack one thing or another,a love for something that keeps them from being "chosen" to walk among those unto whom Jesus has given the "keys to the kingdom of heaven".

They believe, but they cannot follow because something ties them to this world. They are forgiven, because "If we are faithless He is faithful still".

As has already been pointed out, nowhere does it say, "or else you will go to hell forever.

"This one

good point !..Jesus NEVER said  "or else you will go to hell forever." This is remarkable in itself and on its own is enough to convince that the Bible does not teach everlasting unending punishment.

[joeteekay]

The One who spoke the words called and chosen was Jesus Christ in the parables. Only He spoke those words.

Mat_20:16  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Mat_22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

He spoke these words to the people of the nation of Israel. It was intended for their ears. It was not addressed to the Gentiles (the uncircumcised).

Mat_15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.


Similarly the 12 Apostles preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the tribes of Israel,  the circumcised in the nation and those of the dispersion scattered abroad. Their Gospel message was not for the Nations (Gentiles)

Time and again the Apostles preached the resurrected Christ but the majority did not believe. They heard (heard the call) but rejected the message and the leaders sought to kill the Apostles, just as they tried to kill Jesus and finally succeeded. They had ears to hear but could not perceive the truth.

The few who believed and recognized Christ as Savoir are the chosen, the Elect.

[sheila]

all mankind is due to be spiritual Israel...raised up in Christ...each in his order.God is no respector of persons. Israel was to be a

blessing unto the gentiles. They were blinded .....until the gentiles come in....gentile dogs/goy,this attitude...and exclusivity is not

conducive to 'Blessing"them.  God made of one man all nations.  Who is more lost then those who think they have self-righteousness

under the law covenant.?it wasn't called the ministry of death for nothing.. :2c:

[CHB]

The One who spoke the words called and chosen was Jesus Christ in the parables. Only He spoke those words.

Mat_20:16  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Mat_22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

He spoke these words to the people of the nation of Israel. It was intended for their ears. It was not addressed to the Gentiles (the uncircumcised).

Mat_15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.


Similarly the 12 Apostles preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the tribes of Israel,  the circumcised in the nation and those of the dispersion scattered abroad. Their Gospel message was not for the Nations (Gentiles)

Time and again the Apostles preached the resurrected Christ but the majority did not believe. They heard (heard the call) but rejected the message and the leaders sought to kill the Apostles, just as they tried to kill Jesus and finally succeeded. They had ears to hear but could not perceive the truth.

The few who believed and recognized Christ as Savoir are the chosen, the Elect.

Amen! I agree.

CHB

[micah7:9]

The One who spoke the words called and chosen was Jesus Christ in the parables. Only He spoke those words.

Mat_20:16  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Mat_22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

He spoke these words to the people of the nation of Israel. It was intended for their ears. It was not addressed to the Gentiles (the uncircumcised).

Mat_15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.


Similarly the 12 Apostles preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the tribes of Israel,  the circumcised in the nation and those of the dispersion scattered abroad. Their Gospel message was not for the Nations (Gentiles)

Time and again the Apostles preached the resurrected Christ but the majority did not believe. They heard (heard the call) but rejected the message and the leaders sought to kill the Apostles, just as they tried to kill Jesus and finally succeeded. They had ears to hear but could not perceive the truth.

The few who believed and recognized Christ as Savoir are the chosen, the Elect.

:thumbsup: :dsunny:

[marie glen]

all mankind is due to be spiritual Israel...raised up in Christ...each in his order.God is no respector of persons. Israel was to be a

blessing unto the gentiles. They were blinded .....until the gentiles come in....gentile dogs/goy,this attitude...and exclusivity is not

conducive to 'Blessing"them.  God made of one man all nations.  Who is more lost then those who think they have self-righteousness

under the law covenant.?it wasn't called the ministry of death for nothing.. :2c:

..Amen.. and what will it be when they are gathered back in - if gentiles are grafted in, how much more the natural Israel.. "will be life from the dead" - resurrection, which is His return! "You will not see me again Israel" Jesus said, "until you say `blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD`."

In Christ there is neither Hebrew nor Greek.. male nor female.. bond or slave.. but all one in Christ Jesus."

Revelation chapter 7 a great crowd in front of God's throne (metaphor for Spirit of praise poured out) 144,000 from Israel, and a crowd not able to be numbered, from every tribe, nation and tongue.. called, justified/purified, 'chosen', to believe/follow/be saved during this life.

What all that will come to mean.. One way or the other, we will see.. :gsmile:

[Pig]

The Hebrew word 'call' קרא is used first in Ge 1:5 "and God called the light Day".
It means 'gave name to'. It also means proclaim, guest, invited, befall and partridge (probably because it calls). It also means separated א from the cold קר.
And it speaks of God revealing himself to all men when read letter by letter: The death and resurrection of the Son of God ק revealed ר b the creation א. See Roman 1:18 ff in that all men know him through the things that have been made. It also means vomit קא the revelation ר. Though all men know God, they do not acknowledge him as God nor give him thanks.

This verse refers to God separating people: Moses from Korah and his gang:
Nu 16:5  And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

The word is bachar בחר which is in ב life/understanding ח revealed ר. Or the son בר with understanding in his heart ח. In ב the hole חר (I have no clue on this one yet). The first two indicate an acceptance of teh revelation.

So all men are called. God reveals himself to all men who reject his call. But some are chosen to be 'types of Christ' as testimonies to the rest. This does not speak to future conditions, but within the world.

Israel was chosen to be God's witnesses. The church is chosen to be His witnesses. Prophets were chosen to be unique figures as witnesses, etc.

[eaglesway]

Agreed. For instance, Jesus tells the Ephesian church, in Revelations, "Except you repent I will remove your lampstand from its place", the right to be the "city set on a hill" and bear the "ark of testimony"- similar to when the "glory of the Lord departed" from the temple due to Israel rejecting YHWH and seeking the gods of the nations.

[rosered]

I have enjoyed all  these wonderful answers  to a  really good question !

I love the Tentmaker site for this reason , God has blessed it so wonderfully over many many years .

I recall the  excitement of learning , a spark and a flame  lit up inside me  , like a little child so hungry  for the truth  and a million questions  , Please Lord what does this mean ?   what does that mean Lord ?

I remember asking the Holy Spirit to teach me ''  the truth ''.

so I will only add this little bit   to why   the bible has  proven with other scriptures the answer   to ''the  many called and few chosen '' question  and how it helped  me  on a personal  quest back in the day and never forgot it to this day.
I do agree with everyone answers and sharing them  is such a blessing  and beautiful truth   and  a living thing  ...

God has always provided the truth  in   the Spirit of Christ , ''this anointing ''   and standard  by the faithful few  each in an order  in time and place  and never without  a standard,  WORD that judges and divides the left[ broad  path/of death ] from the right[narrow path/life] ...   in Hebrews 11  , proves the world rejected the Spirit of truth '' Christ''  in the beginning  and those  partaking in the same sufferings of Christ set  already in motion .

  being hated of the world , but beloved of God  and most precious ,   and the same question answered  also was the precious in the sight of the Lord are the death of His saints  [ holy ones ] these  were  proof the world was not worthy of them  /HIM /CHRIST

Jesus  Christ is the Word of truth and Spirit of Truth  sent BY GOD   making  HIS WORD A CONSTANT EVER FLOWING CONTINUAL TRUTH FOR ALL TIME  BY HIS OWN SPIRIT IN THEM /HIM ALWAYS ..


1 John 4:1-6



1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;

because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

3and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.

And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

5They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.


6We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us.

By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

The whole word testifies of the exact same thing  , what truth is ....and it is a LIVING THING among many things  for certain.

 

[marie glen]

I.M.O - Many are called- all the seed planted in the same paddock
         - few are chosen - the first of the harvest, especially since not all germinate and become ripe at the same time.
          - then the rest are harvested in due season.

:banana: :dsunny: wow, I really like that! So down to earth! And rings true! :thumbsup:

It's evening, but your post made me feel like I could feel sunshine.. (maybe 2 or 3 weeks of yard work has gone to my head. :laughing7: )

[marie glen]

Israel was chosen to be God's witnesses. The church is chosen to be His witnesses. Prophets were chosen to be unique figures as witnesses, etc.

:faint: Thanks! That makes a lot of sense! I've always thought of it as many others do also I see, as chosen to come to the faith during this lifetime.. and to serve, but I hadn't really thought about it I guess :Chinscratch: