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The Two Gates
Matthew 7:13,14
One of the most startling teachings of Jesus is his teaching about the two
gates. It is startling because few have really understood its true meaning.
People that attend any kind of church usually believe that the wide gate
is reserved for the godless and those who are not interested in serving God.
Let's look at what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:13-14 about these two gates.
Matthew 7:13 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: 14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it.
The Strait Gate
Look at the strait gate and narrow way. What do we know about this gate?
First, Jesus says that it is the gate that leads to life. This obviously means
that it is the gate that leads men to heaven.
Second, Jesus says that it is a "strait" gate. The word "strait" means
difficult. Jesus tells us that entering heaven will not be easy. This is a
surprise to most people, because they have been taught that the way to heaven is
easy. They've been taught, " All you have to do to be saved is believe in
Jesus." There is a great
difference between what men teach today and what Jesus taught then.
Third, Jesus tells us that there are not many people going in through this
strait gate and narrow way. He says, "Few there be that find it." This too, is a
surprise to
many folks, because they believe that most people will be saved because most
people believe in God.
Jesus has told us three things about the strait gate.
1. It is the gate that leads to heaven.
2. It is difficult to enter.
3. There will not be many people who go in the strait gate.
So far, we have no trouble understanding what Jesus has said. While it may not
agree with what most have been taught and believe, it is clear and easy to
understand.
Let us imagine, for a moment, that there is a sign over the strait gate. What
would it say? Obviously, it would say, "To Heaven." It would mean that because
those
entering in know the truth and have heaven as their destination. Remember
though, Jesus says that there are only a few that will find it and go in? Why is
that? Do you have an answer for that question? Who are those who find and enter
the narrow way? Give some serious thought to that question while we consider
what Jesus
taught us about the wide gate.
The Wide Gate
Consider the wide gate now. Jesus tells us some things about it, also.
First, it is a "wide" gate. It is a gate that is easily seen. Perhaps it is
attractive. It surely draws people to it.
Second, Jesus tells us this gate is the entrance to a broad way. Some
translations say it is the "easy way."
In other words, it is not hard to enter this gate nor walk the road it covers.
Third, Jesus tells us that it is a gate that leads to destruction or Hell. Those
who go in that gate are bound for destruction.
Fourth, Jesus told us there are going to be "many" who go in this gate.
Remember, there are going to be only a few who go in the narrow gate to Heaven,
but many will go in the gate to Hell. Many! Why is that? Do they want to go to
eternal punishment? Is that what people desire? This is a question that also
bears serious consideration.
Let us again summarize the points that Jesus has made about the wide gate and
the broad way.
1. It is a wide gate.
2. It is easy way to go.
3. It is the gate that leads to Hell.
4. There will be many people who go in the wide gate.
Most people consider this the be the way of the world, the way of those who do
not try to serve Jesus. Generally, it is taught that sinners and those who do
not love God and the "un-churched" are the ones going in this gate. We are told
they are living an "easy" life, hence we are to understand that they are going
down the broad way. Why would anyone ever go in this gate? Surely you would not
choose to go in this gate.
Let's use our imagination again, and ask ourselves:
"What does the sign over the wide gate and broad say?"
What do you think?
Most people, when asked this question say that the sign over the wide gate would
say "To Hell." It is true, that Hell is where those who go in that gate will
end, but is that what the sign would say?
No! That sign over the broad gate says "To Heaven!"
It is a lying sign. It is a sign that gives false directions. Think about it a
moment. People going through the wide gate and broad way actually believe that
they are going to end up in heaven. Prove it to yourself.. Read what Jesus says
in the next verse.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
"BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS...."
False Prophets! These people who are going in the wide gate and broad way
believe they are going to heaven! They are following men who claim to be men of
God. They are following men who say that they will tell them the way to go to
heaven! Never-the-less, they are following false prophets! Do you know what the
really sad part of this is? Many are sincere in their beliefs. They do not want
to follow a false prophet. In fact, even some of the false prophets may be
sincere.
Notice, however, in Matthew 7:22, what they will say to Jesus on the day of
judgment.
Matthew 7: 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name
done many wonderful works?
Look what their claims mean!
1. They called Jesus their Lord!
2. They prophesied (taught the word of God) in Jesus authority.
3. They claimed to have cast out demons in Jesus' authority.
4. They did many wonderful works by Jesus' authority!
Those are pretty good credentials, and today, if we meet someone who makes these
claims, we would probably be impressed! Most people would consider them to be
saved.
After all, look at what they are doing! They call Jesus their Lord, they preach
and teach, they cast out demons, and they do many other works that man considers
to be great works.
But look at Jesus' evaluation of them. Jesus says to the false prophets and
those who are following them:
Matthew 7:23 "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity."
These religious people with such great credentials are to depart from the
presence of Jesus and God. They are to go to Hell. Why is that? Why would Jesus
tell people who call Him their Lord, who preach, who claim to cast out demons,
and who do great works for humanity, that He never knew them?
In spite of their claims, they are not Christians and are not going to be in
heaven. Look back to verse 21. It tells you why!
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
What is Jesus point? Simple. In spite of popular belief, saying you are a
Christian, even believing, is not all that God requires of us. Jesus says we
must do the will
of God.
We must not just believe in God, but we must also believe God! We must believe
God enough to do His will.
That is the problem with the teaching of many who are false prophets and
teachers today. They are telling people that all one must do is believe in Jesus
in order to be saved. They say we are saved by "faith only." This is a false
teaching. God has never said it, but men teach it. In fact, we have seen that
Jesus has said just the opposite.
Jesus clearly and carefully warns man about going in the wide gate. He proclaims
the wide gate delivers men to Hell. The other gate is the one that takes men to
Heaven.
Which gate are you entering? The decision, the choice is yours. Are you going to
believe men, or Jesus? Don't be misled by false teachers who are leading people
into the wide gate and down the easy road. Remember Jesus words:
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
By Ney Rieber
From Expository Files 2.3; March, 1995
