Few Saved?
"Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." (Luke 13: 23,24)
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7: 13,14)
"many be called, but few chosen" (Matthew 20: 16 & 22: 14)
Universalism is not a teaching of the Bible. Not every sinner will be pardoned and receive "remission of sins." We might desire Universal Salvation to be true, but, if we accept the Holy Scriptures as the sure word of God, then we are left with no choice about the matter.
Not only does the Bible teach against the idea that everyone is ultimately going to be saved, and that Hell is only temporary, but it teaches against the idea that most sinners will be saved. It teaches that most sinners will be condemned to "everlasting torment" (Revelation 20: 10) and "everlasting destruction" (II Thessalonians 1: 9) and only "few" will be saved and justified.
Jesus answered the question - "are there few that be saved"? If only "few" are saved, then most are not saved. God could have "chosen" to save all, but, in his sovereignty, has not done so. He had his reasons for doing so.
It would cheapen salvation were all to be saved, and none lost. If none were condemned, then all might not take God seriously when he demands absolute and perfect obedience. In such a case, how could his government stand or be taken seriously?
When only few escape a tragedy, those few feel, in a greater way, appeciation for having been so "fortunate."
If everyone owned a "hope diamond," then it would not be deemed so special and precious. If everyone were saved, and none lost, then salvation, like the diamond, would be esteemed as an insignificant thing.
Throughout eternity, the elect few will be able to look at the masses who are imprisoned in Hell's penitentiary, and say, "but for the mercy, love, and choice of God, I would be there too."
In the days before the flood, while the earth was heavily populated, and very wicked, we are told:
"...the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." (I Peter 3: 20)
A greater judgment is coming on the world. Will there be only a "few," again, who are saved? saved from the deluge of "fire"? (See II Peter chapter 3) Jesus answered this great question. "Few" are on the "narrow path" that "leads to eternal life." On the other hand, "many" are on the "broad way" that "leads to (eternal) destruction."
On which road are you traveling my friend? Are you going where the majority are going, or where the favored few are going?
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." (Acts 16: 31)