Majority of Mankind Will Perish -NC

[Netchaplain]

Recorded history has always revealed that most of mankind has been unconcerned about being right with God. Scripture, esp. in the New Testament, reveals this truism and a prime evidence of support is Christ’s proclamation in Matthew 7:13, 14: “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.

Our Lord was utilizing comparative terms in the above passage to disclose that even though the saved will be innumerable by man’s standard (Rev 7:9), they will be considered few in comparison to the unsaved. This concept is also evident in the many Scriptural usages of the term “world” when referring to the majority of the Earth’s inhabitants. A prime evidence of support concerns a question that Judas Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus and is considered to be Jude, the Apostle who wrote the epistle of Jude, asked Christ in John 14:21, 22: “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world”? In this sense the term “world” is in reference to the majority of the Earth’s inhabitants, otherwise it would also include the Apostles and the remnant of the saved.

Realizing most will perish increases the urgency of outreach and being aware of this truism can cause us to be more knowledgeable of God’s ways of using us to draw others to Christ.

The question could be asked, “Since God is omniscient and knew most would not choose His way, why did He create man? One reply could be, “He did it for the sake of those He knew would be saved”!

 

[Webers_Home]

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The question could be asked, “Since God is omniscient and knew most would
not choose His way, why did He create man?

A companion question might be: Why bother to manufacture a race of potentially evil creatures
knowing in advance that its first birth would eventually have to be upgraded to a second as per
John 3:3-8?

Cliff
/

 

[Foreigner]

The question could be asked, “Since God is omniscient and knew most would not choose His way, why did He create man? One reply could be, “He did it for the sake of those He knew would be saved”!

-- But that still means He created people who did not ask to be created and who He knew would be condemned to eternal damnation.

 

[Netchaplain]

As we know, God has His own reasons for what He does, which can at times leave us confused. Scripture doesn't lend understanding as to why God does everything He does. It's surely the Creator's prerogative to make examples of those He knows will choose not to love Him, but it's their choice.

I find more security in a God who knows everything than in one that chooses to be ignorant of some things, which is a concept some think might be true. Most of the Scriptures which address this issue are in Romans chapter nine, which requires much study and prayer.

 

[veteran]

None of us knows just how many will perish, their not being a part of Christ's Salvation to come. It is not ours to judge, not in this world, nor in the world to come, as that judgment belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ only. So this is not a healthy topic for speculation, since one might as well speculate also on just how many are born in this world chosen for Salvation. Neither idea is going to produce any fruit in Christ Jesus.

 

[Webers_Home]

.
Webster's defines "many" as consisting of, or amounting to, a large but
indefinite number; while "few" is defined as consisting of, or amounting to,
only a small number; viz: relative to many, few is the lesser.

Cliff
/

 

[Netchaplain]

The issue here does not concern how many, as in the count. The subject in concern is the Lord's use of the comparative terms "many and "few". Compared to how many will choose "the road that leads to destruction[font=trebuchet ms']"[/font], the saved who choose the road "which leads to life" will be few! This explains why most are unconcerned about being right with God!

 

[Webers_Home]

.

The issue here does not concern how many, as in the count.

Still; the numbers are impressive.

According to the US Census Bureau: as of July 28, 2012 @ 09:22 am New
York time, the resident population in the United States was approximately
314,042,012 with a death rate of approximately one every 14 seconds;
which translates to an average of 6,171 American deaths of all ages, races,
and genders during just one 24-hour calendar day.

According to 2009 US Census data; roughly 27.3% of America's daily deaths
are under the age of 19, which would indicate that approximately 4,486 of
the current daily death rate of 6,171 per 24 hours are adults. Giving the
"many" the benefit of the doubt by setting their maximum percentage at
51% would indicate a minimum of 2,288 American adults transferring to
perdition every day: which translates to roughly 95 per hour.

That's a very conservative estimate as the Lord didn't really specify exact
percentages to represent the quantities of "few" and "many". But just think:
if the traditional hell is a real place; then by the time CBS completes its
half-hour evening news report, a bare-bones minimum of 47 Americans
are new arrivals.

Using the ratio of 2,288 condemned souls per 314,042,012 population:
computing the number of condemned souls worldwide from a currently
estimated global population of 7,029,145,255 people, would suggest
something like 51,212 new arrivals in hell every 24 hours; which translates
to 2,134 souls every sixty minutes on the clock. By the time Paul McCartney
wrapped last night's four-hour Olympic ceremony; something like 8,536
souls wrapped their life's journey into the Bible's hell.

That rate would fill the 51,800 seats of the new Yankee Stadium to capacity
in roughly 24 hours and 16 minutes. In other words: if the world's
condemned souls started filing into the stadium at 06:00 am this morning,
then by 06:16 am tomorrow, the stadium would be full to capacity.

If those 24-hour numbers are fair; they suggest that 8,040,284 new arrivals
will be checked into hell's penal colony by the time New Year's Day 2013
rolls around 157 days from today.

If any of the above is true, and if the Lord is a credible witness; then it's
apparent that souls never stop cascading into the dungeons of hell in an
endless procession like the unbelievable millions of poultry broilers impaled
on meat hooks passing annually through a Tyson chicken-processing plant
on their way to Wendy's, McDonalds, Carl's Junior, Jack in the Box, Burger
King, In-n-Out Burger, KFC, A&W, Arby's, Dairy Queen, Taco Bell, et al; and
to supermarkets and restaurants all over the USA and wherever else Tyson
vends its meats.

Cliff
/

 

[Netchaplain]

Web, Pretty impressive and very humorous, concerning the way you presented the math.

 

[whitestone]

He's got a point you must admit. Eating at those places is hell.

 

[Netchaplain]

Funny Whitestone and Hello! God's blessing to your Family and God be blessed!!

 

[mark s]

Humorous?

The whole thought makes me feel sick inside. Because I have no reason to think these numbers misrepresent reality in any significant way.

 

[Netchaplain]

Sorry if my posts seemed insensitive and truly upset you Mark but I was referring to humorous, as to the way Web presented the math (as I stated), not as to the facts. I do not think an exuberant response is necessary to Web's or Whitestone's posts, mostly because the entire mathematical procedure used is generic, considering what Web pointed out: "The Lord didn't really specify exact percentages to represent the quantities of "few" and "many"."

To me, how many will perish isn't the issue. It is the heart-wrenching fact that it involves the majority. The intention of the OP is so we can realize the seriousness of the subject matter and not be surprised and over-upset concerning it. Regardless of what Scripture teaches us, we should be "temperate in all things" (1 Cor 9:25).

 

[Strat]

We are told to be a witness,some will listen,

None of us knows just how many will perish, their not being a part of Christ's Salvation to come. It is not ours to judge, not in this world, nor in the world to come, as that judgment belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ only. So this is not a healthy topic for speculation, since one might as well speculate also on just how many are born in this world chosen for Salvation. Neither idea is going to produce any fruit in Christ Jesus.

People seem to spend alot of time doing things God never told them to do and very little time doing what he did tell them to do...i also think God gave people limited capacity for the burdens they can bear yet some seem to want to bear burdens they were never given to bear and carry guilt that is not realy theirs....makes them feel better about themselves i guess.

 

[Netchaplain]

I agree Strat and for everyone's sake, we shouldn't attack what we disagree with, but always respond with a neighborly-love attitude, because we should be desiring to "speak the truth in love". (Eph 4:15).

 

[Webers_Home]

.
I prefer using numbers because they have a way of fleshing out the Lord's
statements. For example if the world ended today; something like:

7,305,000 Baha'i
483,821,000 Buddhists
454,579,800 Chinese Folk religionists
6,446,890 Confucianists
935,460,000 Hindus
5,669,000 Jains
1,523,212,150 Muslims
2,782,800 Shintoists
8,849,700 Taoists
181,650 Zoroastrians
639,907,110 Nonreligious; and
138,777,200 Atheists

for a grand total of 4,286,592,300 (4.3 billion) people representing 60% of
earth's current population, would transfer to hell in a blink; and that's not
even counting all the phony Christians that are Christians in label only;
e.g. LDS (14.4 million) and Watch Tower Society (7.65 million)

†. Mtt 7:22-23 . . Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Master, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them: I
never knew you. Depart from me, you that work iniquity.

That passage doesn't target Atheists, nor Hindus, nor Buddhists, nor
Muslims. No, it targets people claiming to have prophesied in "thy name"
and to have exorcised demons in "thy name" and to have done many
wonderful works in "thy name". In other words: the Lord's statement targets
Christians-- and not just your average rank and file pew warmers either, no,
but rather, it targets the cream of the crop; the celebrities of the Christian
world; renowned for their accomplishments, their piety, their perseverance,
their love, and their dedication. For example: Christians akin to Mother
Teresa, Billy Graham, and Luis Palau who prayed up a storm, published
books, traveled the world, spoke to crowds, won accolades, were canonized
to sainthood, operated hostels and orphanages in impoverished cities; and
organized relief efforts to earthquake and tsunami victims in regions like
Japan, Haiti, and Indonesia.

It is to many of those very kinds of Christian superstars that the Lord will
say "I never knew you." Why? Because though they were busy as bees,
ants, and termites in Christian service capacities; they were actually no
friend of Christ's.

Look around you at your friends, your family, your associates, your fellow
Christians; and at the shoppers at big box stores and supermarkets, and in
malls, fast food outlets, television and radio, city parks, Broadway,
and amusement centers like Las Vegas, Coney Island, Disneyland and Six Flags.
Count some noses because a large percentage of the people you're looking
at won't make it to safety when they cross over to the other side.

Cliff
/

 

[Strat]

.
I prefer using numbers because they have a way of fleshing out the Lord's
statements. For example if the world ended today; something like:

7,305,000 Baha'i
483,821,000 Buddhists
454,579,800 Chinese Folk religionists
6,446,890 Confucianists
935,460,000 Hindus
5,669,000 Jains
1,523,212,150 Muslims
2,782,800 Shintoists
8,849,700 Taoists
181,650 Zoroastrians
639,907,110 Nonreligious; and
138,777,200 Atheists

for a grand total of 4,286,592,300 (4.3 billion) people representing 60% of
earth's current population, would transfer to hell in a blink; and that's not
even counting all the phony Christians that are Christians in label only;
e.g. LDS (14.4 million) and Watch Tower Society (7.65 million)

†. Mtt 7:22-23 . . Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Master, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them: I
never knew you. Depart from me, you that work iniquity.

That passage doesn't target Atheists, nor Hindus, nor Buddhists, nor
Muslims. No, it targets people claiming to have prophesied in "thy name"
and to have exorcised demons in "thy name" and to have done many
wonderful works in "thy name". In other words: the Lord's statement targets
Christians-- and not just your average rank and file pew warmers either, no,
but rather, it targets the cream of the crop; the celebrities of the Christian
world; renowned for their accomplishments, their piety, their perseverance,
their love, and their dedication. For example: Christians akin to Mother
Teresa, Billy Graham, and Luis Palau who prayed up a storm, published
books, traveled the world, spoke to crowds, won accolades, were canonized
to sainthood, operated hostels and orphanages in impoverished cities; and
organized relief efforts to earthquake and tsunami victims in regions like
Japan, Haiti, and Indonesia.

It is to many of those very kinds of Christian superstars that the Lord will
say "I never knew you." Why? Because though they were busy as bees,
ants, and termites in Christian service capacities; they were actually no
friend of Christ's.

Look around you at your friends, your family, your associates, your fellow
Christians; and at the shoppers at big box stores and supermarkets, and in
malls, fast food outlets, television and radio, city parks, Broadway,
and amusement centers like Las Vegas, Coney Island, Disneyland and Six Flags.
Count some noses because a large percentage of the people you're looking
at won't make it to safety when they cross over to the other side.

Cliff
/

Most of all and most closely look at yourself and be sure....our responsability in regard to the salvation of others is to be a good witness and never be a stumbling block....it realy does end there.

 

[Netchaplain]

I agree Strat and the most effective witness is a loving witness! "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). If we lack an effective witness, the Lord uses somebody else.

 

[Strat]

I agree Strat and the most effective witness is a loving witness! "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). If we lack an effective witness, the Lord uses somebody else.

The Bible tells us to shake the dust of those who won't listen from our feet

 

[Webers_Home]

Most of all and most closely look at yourself

Focusing attention upon your own self is futile; and will accomplish nothing
towards making those numbers go away. Billy Graham once said that the
smallest package in the world is a man all wrapped up in himself.

I agree Strat and the most effective witness is a loving witness! "By this all will
know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

The Lord's followers aren't called to witness to one another; but rather, to the world.

†. Mrk 16:15 . . He said to them: Go into all the world and preach the gospel

The Bible tells us to shake the dust of those who won't listen from our feet

Mtt 10:5-15 only applies to those among the Lord's followers who have the power
to cleanse lepers, raise the dead, and exorcise demons. Plus: the venue is specific--
the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Cliff
/