The world today is trying to convince us that more is better. The more genders, the better. The more pregnancy options, the better. Even the more belief systems there are, the better, because the broader the path that one can follow, the better. While this all may sound appealing and inclusive, it has one major problem – they can’t all be true.
One belief system says you have to have good works outweigh the bad to enter paradise. Another believes paradise is a state of consciousness that can be arrived at only through meditation. Another claims reincarnation and says that the life you live each time can eventually lead you to a higher plane of existence. Others hold that a series of rituals must be diligently practiced in order to arrive in paradise. As much as the world would like to say they are all true, contradiction of belief and practice says they’re not.
Imagine a city where a green light could mean go to some and stop to others. The determining factor as to what a green light meant was up to each individual. What would be the end result? Chaos and catastrophe, and no one would get to where they were attempting to go.
The same is true for the “all roads lead to God” type of thinking. There has to be a universal standard for entering the heavenly kingdom, because contradictory beliefs cannot be a pathway to the same destination. This is why Jesus made it clear to the disciples on multiple occasions that the only way to heaven is through Him.
John 10:1 KJV – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
John 10:7-10 KJV – “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Later, Jesus further highlighted the exclusivity of the means by which one can be saved and thus spend eternity in heaven when He said to the disciples:
John 14:6 KJV – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Again, to say all paths lead to one destination is the practical equivalent of saying all freeways take you to the same city, or all flights end at the same destination. You have to get on the right freeway or board the right flight that coincides with your desired destination. It might be appealing to think that no matter what you believe you’ll end up in heaven, but it’s not true.
Revelation 2:7 KJV – “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
The word “overcomes” means to subdue, conquer, or, simply, get the victory. The Greek term actually comes from a word almost everyone has heard – nike – the word for victory.
If those who overcome eat of the tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God, what is it that they “get the victory” over? Can it be a different answer for each person?
Revelation 22:14-15 KJV – “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
Remember Jesus said in John 3 that you must be born again. This implies that those born again are also those who do His commandments, and are, thus, the overcomers. This scene in Revelation 22 is not implying a works righteousness (salvation by works), but rather it is exposing the destination of unrighteousness – those on a different path who are described as “dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
The truth that those who do His commandments are the exclusive group who have access to the tree of life tells us that more is not better. There is only one way to heaven, and, while ultimately all roads do lead to God, many will meet Him for sentencing and not blessing.
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Someday the “more is better” crowd is going to meet the King of Heaven and bow and confess that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father but through Him. Sadly, it will not be a confession that leads to salvation, but one of condemnation. The best thing for anyone to do is make that confession now, for after death it will be too late.
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
