When Jesus was on this earth travelling through the cities and villages, teaching in a place not far from Jerusalem, someone came up to Him, asking a very important question, “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. From this we can ask a second question which could be, “Why will many seek to enter in, and not be able?” Are they too big to enter?
In another place we read that Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 7:21
Again I ask, why? And again, I ask, are they too big to enter?
This short phrase “Too big to enter,” will be developed in this article. During a discussion last month we were talking about a person here in Africa who came to church. He became friends with some of the members, but after discovering all the truth, he did not accept it and left without giving us a reason. He found no error or mistake in the principles of faith, and doctrines of the church. He said he found them to be blameless, but he still remained in his Sunday church. This is how I, Cristina Calibo, told Brother Victor Shumbusho that “he was too big to enter.” What does this mean to you? The gate is still open to us all. Do you feel you are too big to enter the gate? What gate is spoken of here?
I would like to relate a legend: There was a group of animals living peacefully in a park. One day the owner of the park decided to intentionally burn the grassland. He knew that fire is as essential to many of the world’s ecosystems as sunlight or precipitation, particularly for forests and grassland. A controlled fire can make room for new growth, thus revitalizing the grasslands. Not wanting the animals to be injured, he informed the animals and provided a place for them to escape. There was a big cave that would keep them safe while the fire was burning. The only drawback was that the entrance to the cave was very small. Those animals with large horns would need to cut their horns in order to be able to enter the cave and save their lives. If they did not cut their horns, they would not be able to fit through the entrance. A date was set for all the animals with horns to come and have their horns cut. One of the animals though, refused to heed the warning saying that “I cannot cut off my horns. They are beautiful and needed for self-defense.” Thus he went away, keeping his horns. On the appointed day of the fire, all the animals safely entered the cave. The fire began to roar and the animal who refused to part with his horns lost his life at the entrance of the cave while trying in vain to enter. All the other animals were safe during the crisis. Only the proud one perished at the entrance. He was “too big to enter” because his pride prevented him from parting with his horns.
What can you learn from this legend? Is there something that is preventing you from entering the heavenly kingdom? Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 8:32 (Genesis 19). This very short phrase is significant. She was too big to enter Zoar.
Strait gate, narrow way
“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. Are you among these few that find it?
“‘Strive to enter 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.” These roads are distinct, separate, in opposite directions. One leads to eternal life, the other to eternal death. The roads are opposite; one is broad and smooth, the other narrow and rugged. So the parties that travel them are opposite in character, in life, in dress, and in conversation.
“Those who travel in the narrow way are talking of the joy and happiness they will have at the end of the journey. Their countenances are often sad, yet often beam with holy, sacred joy. They do not dress like the company in the broad road, nor talk like them, nor act like them.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 127
“‘There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.’ Proverbs 16:25. Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin, when there is every opportunity to know the will of God. A man is traveling and comes to a place where there are several roads and a guideboard indicating where each one leads. If he disregards the guideboard, and takes whichever road seems to him to be right, he may be ever so sincere, but will in all probability find himself on the wrong road. ” –The Great Controversy, p. 597–598
Today Christians travel on different paths and how sad it is that some of these paths lead away from God and the truth. It is our prayer that you will set your mind and feet on that good old path on which you must travel so that you may find rest for your soul.
They way to heaven is narrow and some will be too big to enter that road. This is why Christ solemnly advised His followers to, “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
An object lesson through an inspiring dream
Ellen White, prophetess of God, was given a vision as to why some will not reach their destination.
“While at Battle Creek, Michigan, in August, 1868, I dreamed of being with a large body of people. A portion of this assembly started out prepared to journey. We had heavily loaded wagons. As we journeyed, the road seemed to ascend. On one side of this road was a deep precipice; on the other was a high, smooth, white wall. . . .
“As we journeyed on, the road grew narrower and steeper. In some places it seemed so very narrow that we concluded that we could no longer travel with the loaded wagons. We then loosed them from the horses, took a portion of the luggage from the wagons and placed it upon the horses, and journeyed on horseback.
“As we progressed, the path still continued to grow narrow. We were obliged to press close to the wall, to save ourselves from falling off the narrow road down the steep precipice. As we did this, the luggage on the horses pressed against the wall, and caused us to sway toward the precipice. We feared that we should fall, and be dashed in pieces on the rocks. We then cut the luggage from the horses, and it fell over the precipice. We continued on horseback, greatly fearing, as we came to the narrower places in the road, that we should lose our balance and fall. At such times, a hand seemed to take the bridle, and guide us over the perilous way.
“As the path grew more narrow, we decided that we could no longer go with safety on horseback, and we left the horses and went on foot, in single file, one following in the footsteps of another. At this point small cords were let down from the top of the pure white wall; these we eagerly grasped, to aid us in keeping our balance upon the path. As we traveled, the cord moved along with us. The path finally became so narrow that we concluded that we could travel more safely without our shoes; so we slipped them from our feet, and went on some distance without them. Soon it was decided that we could travel more safely without our stockings; these were removed, and we journeyed on with bare feet.
“We then thought of those who had not accustomed themselves to privations and hardships. Where were such now? They were not in the company. At every change, some were left behind, and those only remained who had accustomed themselves to endure hardships. The privations of the way only made these more eager to press on to the end.
“Our danger of falling from the pathway increased. We pressed close to the white wall, yet could not place our feet fully upon the path; for it was too narrow.
We then suspended nearly our whole weight upon the cords, exclaiming: ‘We have hold from above! We have hold from above!’ The same words were uttered by all the company in the narrow pathway.
“As we heard the sounds of mirth and revelry that seemed to come from the abyss below, we shuddered. We heard the profane oath, the vulgar jest, and low, vile songs. We heard the war song and the dance song. We heard instrumental music, and loud laughter, mingled with cursing and cries of anguish and bitter wailing, and were more anxious than ever to keep upon the narrow, difficult pathway. Much of the time we were compelled to suspend our whole weight upon the cords, which increased in size as we progressed.
“I noticed that the beautiful white wall was stained with blood. It caused a feeling of regret to see the wall thus stained. This feeling, however, lasted but for a moment, as I soon thought that it was all as it should be. Those who are following after will know that others have passed the narrow, difficult way before them, and will conclude that if others were able to pursue their onward course, they can do the same. And as the blood shall be pressed from their aching feet, they will not faint with discouragement; but seeing the blood upon the wall, they will know that others have endured the same pain.
“At length we came to a large chasm, at which our path ended. There was nothing now to guide the feet, nothing upon which to rest them. Our whole reliance must be upon the cords, which had increased in size, until they were as large as our bodies. Here we were for a time thrown into perplexity and distress. We inquired in fearful whispers, ‘To what is the cord attached?’ My husband was just before me. Large drops of sweat were falling from his brow, the veins in his neck and temples were increased to double their usual size, and suppressed, agonizing groans came from his lips. The sweat was dropping from my face, and I felt such anguish as I had never felt before. A fearful struggle was before us. Should we fail here, all the difficulties of our journey had been experienced for nought.
“Before us, on the other side of the chasm, was a beautiful field of green grass, about six inches high. I could not see the sun, but bright soft beams of light, resembling fine gold and silver, were resting upon this field. Nothing I had seen upon earth could compare in beauty and glory with this field. But could we succeed in reaching it? was the anxious inquiry. Should the cord break, we must perish. Again, in whispered anguish, the words were breathed, ‘What holds the cord?’
“For a moment we hesitated to venture. Then we exclaimed: ‘Our only hope is to trust wholly to the cord. It has been our dependence all the difficult way. It will not fail us now.’ Still we were hesitating and distressed. The words were then spoken: ‘God holds the cord. We need not fear.’ These words were then repeated by those behind us, accompanied with: ‘He will not fail us now. He has brought us thus far in safety.’
“My husband then swung himself over the fearful abyss into the beautiful field beyond. I immediately followed. And oh, what a sense of relief and gratitude to God we felt! I heard voices raised in triumphant praise to God. I was happy, perfectly happy.” –Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G White, p. 179–184
Too big to enter
The dream is very clear. There were many travelers at the beginning. They started the journey with wagons. As they progressed, the path began to grow narrow. They then had to press close to the wall, leaving behind the loaded wagons. Finally, they had to leave the horses also and remove their shoes. Many of them got left behind along the way.
This clearly means that we need to continue making an assessment as to what we need to remove from our lives; what we need to leave behind on our journey to heaven. How easy it would be to get to heaven if there was no self-denial or cross.
“The Word of God has not widened the narrow way, and if the multitude have found a path where they can wear a form of godliness and not bear the cross or suffer tribulation, they have found a way where our Saviour did not walk and they follow another example than that which Christ set before us. Is it not enough that Jesus left the felicity and glory of heaven, endured a life of poverty and deep affliction, and died a cruel, shameful death to provide for us the joys of holiness and heaven? And can it be that we, the worthless objects of so great a condescension and love, will seek after a better portion in this life than was given to our Redeemer?” –Our High Calling, p. 288
“When we read that many will seek to enter in and shall not be able, then we want to understand what we shall do in order to succeed. This to us is a mournful statement, that there are those who will fail to enter in at the strait gate because they only seek to enter in, and do not strive. . .
“We are in a world where sin and iniquity prevail, and we want to know what we shall do in order to inherit life. We cannot any of us afford to miss the great reward that is presented before the overcomer. We want to know that the steps that we are taking are heavenward instead of earthward. ” –In Heavenly Places, p. 263
“Here is the condition of the only saving election in the Word of God. We are to become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. We are to add grace to grace, and the promise is, ‘If ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1114
“We point you to the ladder set up on earth, reaching to the city of God. Plant your feet on the ladder. Forsake your sins. Climb step by step and you will reach God above the ladder, and the Holy City of God. . . . .
“When the successive steps have all been mounted, when the graces have been added one after another, the crowning grace is the perfect love of God–supreme love to God and love to our fellow men. And then the abundant entrance into the kingdom of God.” –Our High Calling, p. 75
Why some are too big to enter
Those who do not have faith, meekness and humility. “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
“Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.” Matthew 18:8–9
Those who allow their fleshly lusts to control them will be too big to enter.
Those who do not keep God’s commandments. “And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? . . . if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16–17. All those who claim to follow Him but do not keep His commandments, shall not enter.
Those who make an idol of their riches. “Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:23. “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” Mark 10:23
“However large, however small the possessions of any individual, let him remember that it is his only in trust. For his strength, skill, time, talents, opportunities, and means, he must render an account to God. ” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 22
“‘The tithe . . . is the Lord’s.’ Here the same form of expression is employed as in the law of the Sabbath. ‘The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.’ Exodus 20:10. God reserved to Himself a specified portion of man’s time and of his means, and no man could, without guilt, appropriate either for his own interests.”— Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 525–526
“A tithe of all our increase is the Lord’s. He has reserved it to Himself, to be employed for religious purposes. It is holy. Nothing less than this has He accepted in any dispensation. A neglect or postponement of this duty, will provoke the divine displeasure. If all professed Christians would faithfully bring their tithes to God, His treasury would be full.” –The Review and Herald, May 16, 1882
“Our self-denying benevolence, our willing offerings, are to give evidence that the truth has been doing its work upon our hearts.” –The Review and Herald, July 14, 1904
“The Lord does not need our offerings. We cannot enrich Him by our gifts. Says the psalmist: ‘All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.’ Yet God permits us to show our appreciation of His mercies by self-sacrificing efforts to extend the same to others.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 18
Those who are not born again. “Except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5. To be born again—to be baptized by water and by the Holy Spirit is a necessary requirement to enter the kingdom of God.
“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24
“The love of money lies at the root of nearly all the crimes committed in the world. Fathers who selfishly retain their means to enrich their children, and who do not see the wants of the cause of God and relieve them, make a terrible mistake. The children whom they think to bless with their means are cursed with it.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 330–331
Throughout the ages, riches and honor have been attended with much peril to one’s humility and spirituality. It is when a man is prosperous, when all his fellow men speak well of him, that he is in special danger.
Why are the prosperous in peril? “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:7–10
Do you honour God with your material blessings? Remember that soon riches shall be of no value.
“The time of trouble, which is to increase until the end, is very near at hand. We have no time to lose. . . . The time of trouble–trouble such as was not since there was a nation [Daniel 12:1]–is right upon us, and we are like the sleeping virgins.” –Last Day Events, p. 12
“Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth.
“It is too late now to cling to worldly treasures. Soon unnecessary houses and lands will be of no benefit to anyone, for the curse of God will rest more and more heavily upon the earth. The call comes, ‘Sell that ye have, and give alms’ [Luke 12:33].” –Last Day Events, p. 261
Take heed
Dear reader, as you read above, many will try to enter but will not be able, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Hebrews 4:1. “All who preach the truth will not themselves be saved by it. Said the angel: ‘Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.’” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 262
Strive to enter, “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22:15
“It is not enough to enter upon this warfare, we must pursue it to the end. We must know nothing of yielding. . . . To the overcomer is promised the triumphal victory. ‘To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.’” –Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 360
“We should never forget that we are placed on trial in this world, to determine our fitness for the future life.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 22
You need to ask yourself: What must I do now as I strive to enter?
-How much time do I spend in the reading the Word of God?
-How much time do I spend in prayer?
-How much time do I spend in fellowship with other true Christians?
-How much “spiritual fruit” am I bearing?
-Does my life show the “fruit” of love? The fruit of joy? The fruit of peace? The fruit of patience? The fruit of kindness? The fruit of goodness? The fruit of faithfulness? The fruit of gentleness? And the fruit of self-control?
When running the race, John Stephen Akhwari said, “My country did not send me over 11,000 kilometres to start a race but, to finish one.” Likewise, Christ has not called you to only start the race, but, He has called you to finish it.
May these words inspire you to pray for the coming of the kingdom of heaven and to seek for it above all earthly treasures, so that you may be part of the kingdom of grace now, and you may enter the kingdom of glory when Jesus comes in the future. Amen.
Cristina Abbly Calibo (Philippines) and Victor Shumbusho (D R Congo)