This is a sobering question that all people must grapple with. According to the Bible, the sad reality is that more people will end up in hell than in heaven. Jesus himself said that the road to destruction is broad and many enter through it, while the road to life is narrow and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). This indicates that numerically, more people will choose the path that leads to condemnation than the path that leads to eternal life with God.
Why is this the case? The Bible teaches that all people are born with a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5). Due to the fall of Adam and Eve, sin has infected the human race and separated us from a holy God (Isaiah 59:2). No one is righteous on their own – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Because God is perfectly just, sin demands punishment. The rightful penalty for our sin against an eternal God is eternal separation from Him (Matthew 25:46).
The only way to be reconciled to God is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Those who put their faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross have their sins forgiven and receive eternal life (John 3:16). Sadly, many people reject God’s free offer of salvation through Jesus and refuse to turn from their sin. The Bible warns that one day every knee will bow before Christ and every tongue confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). But for many, it will be too late – their eternal destiny will be sealed.
Why do so many choose to reject God’s offer of salvation? The Bible explains that people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). They suppress the truth in unrighteousness because they don’t want to give up their sinful lifestyles (Romans 1:18). They are blinded by the god of this world from seeing the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). Many are apathetic and simply don’t want to acknowledge their need for a Savior. They try to earn their way to heaven through good works rather than humbly receiving salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Tragically, even many who hear the gospel message and profess to be Christians are not truly saved. Jesus warned that not everyone who calls him “Lord, Lord” will enter His kingdom, but only those who do the will of God (Matthew 7:21-23). Simply identifying as a Christian does not save someone – they must repent of their sins and submit their lives to the lordship of Christ. Sadly, some seem interested in Jesus but are not willing to forsake everything to follow Him wholeheartedly (Luke 14:33).
While the path to destruction is crowded, the path to eternal life is available to all. God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires that they turn from their ways and live (Ezekiel 33:11). It is not God’s will that any should perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
For those who repent and believe in Jesus, an eternity in heaven awaits by God’s grace. While humanity is sinful by nature, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for sinners, was buried, and rose again on the third day conquering sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). When we turn to Jesus in repentant faith, He forgives our sins and gives us a new heart to follow Him.
Though many reject Christ in this life, there will come a day when every knee will bow before Him and every tongue confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). All will stand before God in the final judgment and only those who are in Christ will be welcomed into eternal life (Revelation 20:11-15). While God’s desire is for all to be saved, He will not force anyone to spend eternity with Him who is not willing. Tragically, many will follow the broad path that leads to destruction. But by God’s grace, a great multitude from every nation will experience eternal life with Christ (Revelation 7:9).
As followers of Jesus then, we have a sobering responsibility to warn people of the coming judgment and point them to the only way of salvation through faith in Christ. We must examine our own hearts to make sure we are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). And we must make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel while imploring people to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few – we must pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field (Luke 10:2).
While the Bible warns that many are on the path to destruction, it also offers incredible hope: “…there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). It’s not God’s will that any should perish. By His grace, many will humble themselves, turn to Christ, and receive the gift of eternal life. In heaven, the redeemed of the Lord will worship Him for His mercy in saving sinners through the blood of Jesus. May many join that heavenly throng by trusting in Christ today!
