Saturday before the Nativity of Christ; The Holy Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia (284-305)
Nativity Fast.
Read
Galatians 3:8-12; Luke 13:18-29
At the culmination of history, when our Lord returns and the general judgment takes place, how many people will there be in heaven? Will there be few? Will there be many? Will all of humanity through the ages find themselves in heaven?
Some have speculated that there will be very few people in heaven. Statements of our Lord such as we have heard today, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able,” have led them to believe that not many will be saved. Others, even some patristic writers, have speculated that as our Lord is not only loving and compassionate but the very source of love and compassion, and He desires all to be saved, all people will be saved; and some even further—that the Devil will be saved. (Of course, this is a simplified presentation of these speculations).
We really can’t answer now “how many” or “how few” will be in heaven. But Jesus does tell us to do something toward this – “Strive to enter by the narrow door.” It means to make every effort like an athlete makes every effort to win a contest. It doesn’t mean that we will win heaven by our efforts, but it does mean that our efforts will help for that seed of the Kingdom of God to grow in us, like a mustard seed or leaven. As we prepare for Christmas, let’s keeping striving!