What is the Strait Gate?

"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

No doubt you have heard, as I have, many sermons preached on this text.

Most take the same view that those that enter in by the strait gate get saved and those who enter by the wide gate get lost.

But is it really that simple?

As I was washing up the dishes after breakfast this morning, God spoke to me on this very text. I want to share now that which I believe God gave me.

The vast majority of people in the world today DO NOT ENTER BY ANY GATE AT ALL.

They are simply not interested. Some do not believe in God and others, though believing in God have no desire to do anything about it.

They do not attempt to enter in, period!

In the verses quoted above, Jesus is not talking about this group of people. He is only referring to people who actually enter through one of the two gates mentioned. He is talking about people who have a desire for a religion that leads to eternal life and speaks of some finding it but most, although believing they have found it, actually end up lost!

In Revelation Chapter 3 15-16, Jesus gives a message to John, intended primarily for the Church at Laodicea and also prophetically to the Church of the last days before the Rapture.

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth."

He speaks of three types of people, those who are HOT, those who are COLD and those who are LUKEWARM.

Those who are HOT are easily recognized as those who enter in by the strait gate. Those who are COLD can be seen as those who have no desire to enter any gate at all. But it is those who are LUKEWARM that appear as detestable to God. It is those who desire to enter the gate but go through the wrong gate, the wide gate. They are content with a form of religion that does not lead to life.

Notice that Jesus does not appear to have a problem with those who are COLD. He would rather someone be COLD than LUKEWARM!

Because the cold person, although as yet not having any desire for any religion, Christian or otherwise, they can still be reached with the truth.

But the lukewarm, those trying to enter in but by the wrong gate, are usually so stubbornly sure that they are right, that they become unreachable with the truth. They settle for error. They settle for a wrong gospel and another Jesus! (See 2 Cor. 11:4) They have the 'form of Godliness but deny it's power' 2 Tim. 3:3

Going back again to our original text from Matthew 7, I want you to notice that Jesus said there will only be a few that find the true way that leads to life.

Does this surprise you?

This is a very different view from that which we hear from most preachers these days. We constantly hear revival being preached. We are constantly being told of mighty moves of the Holy Spirit that are sweeping millions into the Kingdom of God But if we are totally honest, we see that Jesus told a very different story.

Matthew 7 13-14 speaks of great deception.

It speaks of people trying to find the real truth, but ending up accepting a way that is far from the truth that leads to life. The word 'strait' as used in KJV means 'narrow, from obstacles standing close about'. It's not that God has deliberately placed obstacles in the way to prevent people entering in, but that people have made obstacles of the truth.

Jesus said, "No man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6

Many make this an obstacle. They would rather ignore what Jesus said and 'climb up some other way' John 10:1

They would rather seek God's approval by good works, by going to Church or by their giving or a host of other ways. In the end, all these things become obstacles to them entering in and finding life. Jesus said, "I am the door, if anyone enters by me, he will be saved." Jesus is the only Way, He is the only Truth and He is the only LIFE!

So many in the Church today are not entering in by Jesus. Many are following the big name preachers of this day. They hang on to every word that Mr. False Teacher says.

But because Mr. False Teacher is approved by so many, is so well known and respected by the majority, they take his words as truth, without testing them, and follow him.

They are deceived. They are lukewarm. They are detestable to God!

I believe that what we are seeing in the Church today is that which was prophesied for the end times in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. "...That day will not come unless the falling away comes first."

The falling away means apostasy in Greek. The vast majorities in the Church today are in an apostate condition. They have settled for less than the truth.

"...All unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2:10

I challenge you who are reading this, do not settle for that which is being served up as truth by most preachers and ministers in Churches today.

"Test all things; hold fast to what is good." 1 Thess. 5:21.

Test all that you hear by the infallible Word of God.

Not all that sounds 'Christian' is actually truth.

Be among the few who enter in by the strait gate and find LIFE!

Remember that Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock." Luke 12:32 He called the true Church a little flock, not a massive big one! Are you one of the 'Little flock' Are you one of the 'few there be that find it'.

Pastor Keith Brown runs http://www.hiscomingministries.com and provides free downloads and cassettes of his teaching. Why not tune into one of the internet's only Prophecy Radio Stations at http://www.raptureradio.com Great Music, Great Teaching 24/7.