Strait is the Gate, and Narrow is the Way, Which Leads to Life, and Few there be that Find it

Continuing with our discussion of the man created calamity that has caused the earth to become without form, and void. We have seen this as what ends the age and resulting from man rejecting the counsel of God. For those accepting the love of the Truth it begins the new paradigm (the next age). Today a look at the time as found in the words of the LORD recorded in Matthew 7:13 & 14, “Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that lead to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which lead unto life, and few there be that find it.”

The context surround this quote is first telling of poor judgment that comes from blindly following those blinded by/in their errors, and our then being told to beware of false prophets. Included in this description is our being told of asking for something (referring to sight for judgment) and told that when it is given from God it is what we (out of pure heart) have asked for or were promised. This is agreeing with what follows as we are told of knowing the false prophets by their fruit – as in the result not being what was stated up front as the premise.

Now on to the deeper meaning found in the quote in the use of the terms “broad way” and the “strait.” This in context is telling of troubled times when all reasoning ability has been corrupted, and the earth has become void and without form. It is telling of the event that has been our topic: ending of the age and the beginning of the new uncorrupted. We are talking about man in a totally failed state and a world in chaos because of the basic principles (elements) our leaders and “wise men” rely on when making decisions. It is the self-inflicted condition absent God (fallen away from) and therefore opposing His character and wisdom. The NEW way is replacing all the corrupted principles (now melting away into myths under the heat of the world’s fires) with the pure foundation upon which can be built the city of peace and security. It is a return to Truth found in God’s counsel.

There is a passage in Daniel that has been translated in a way that hides its true meaning in the perspective we are discussing. It is found in Daniel 9:25 and in the words telling of the “street” and the “wall” to the city (NEW) Jerusalem being built in “troublous times.”

This is telling of a time when judgment has been reestablished and this being the way into the city.

The word translated “street” is the word rchob, from the word rachab, meaning to broaden, as in a standard ever broadening in decline – lacking good judgment. The “street” it is referring to was the “broad way” outside the city gate.

From Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary #7339: rchob (pronounced rekh-obe’) or rchowb {rekh-obe’}; from 7337; a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area:–broad place (way), street. See also 1050.

When the LORD use the words “strait” and “narrow” He is telling of troubled times, and troubles being what must be navigated to enter life. The word translated “narrow” is the Greek word thlibo, which is telling of troubles as they are coming from the crowd (popular culture), and is in other place translated as tribulation, troubles and affliction. The word translated as “strait” is stenos, meaning narrow.

Here are the word definitions from the Strong’s Greek Dictionary:

Strong’s #2346: thlibo (pronounced thlee’-bo) akin to the base of 5147; to crowd (literally or figuratively):–afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.

Strong’s #4728: stenos (pronounced sten-os’) probably from the base of 2476; narrow (from obstacles standing close about):–strait.

The picture the chapter is painting is of the troubles being a society (a culture) totally engulfed by poor judgment and lack of a standard. The way into life and out of the earth that has become without form, and void, is by navigate these obstacles.

The word translated “wall” in Daniel 9:25 is charuwts, from the root word charats, meaning a sharp point, and a decision. It is telling of the Greek equivalent, krisis (judgment), meaning a point where a decision must be made. Charuwts is the word rendered “decision” twice in Joel 3:14, in a passage the specifically referring to today’s topic.

Strong’s #2742: charuwts (pronounced khaw-roots’) or charuts {khaw-roots’}; passive participle of 2782; properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp teeth); (figuratively) determination; also eager:–decision, diligent, (fine) gold, pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall.

The word translated “troublous times” is the Hebrew word tsowq, meaning strait.

Strong’s #6695: tsowq (pronounced tsoke) or (feminine) tsuwqah {tsoo-kaw’}; from 6693; a strait, i.e. (figuratively) distress:–anguish, X troublous.

Tsowq is only used 4 times and all in agreement with the context of this discussion. It is the word “anguish” in Isaiah 8:22 where we read of those rejecting the LORD’s counsel and seeing this upon the earth, as they go deeper into darkness.

Isaiah 8
18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwells in mount Zion.
19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

Daniel 9 is telling of the same thing; the troublous times driving people to reach a decision point, and this being the dividing of time when the old ends and the new replaces it. These are the time, the times and the dividing of time. The times culminate in what is stated in verse 24, “Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”

Matthew 7
1 Judge not, that you be not judged [must be coupled with verse 5].
2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why behold you the splinter that is in your brother’s eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?
4 Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the splinter out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast you your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.
21 Not every one that says unto me, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Daniel 9
1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
3 And I set my face unto the LORD God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O LORD, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from your precepts and from your judgments:
6 Neither have we hearkened unto your servants the prophets, which spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
7 O LORD, righteousness belongs unto you, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you.
8 O LORD, to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.
9 To the LORD our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him;
10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed your law, even by departing, that they might not obey your voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
12 And he has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven has not been done as has been done upon Jerusalem.
13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand your truth.
14 Therefore has the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.
15 And now, O LORD our God, that have brought your people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have gotten you renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
16 O LORD, according to all your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of your servant, and his supplications, and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary that is desolate, for the LORD’s sake.
18 O my God, incline your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our supplications before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies.
19 O LORD, hear; O LORD, forgive; O LORD, hearken and do; defer not, for your own sake, O my God: for your city and your people are called by your name.
20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give you skill and understanding.
23 At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you; for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Joel 3
1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
3 And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.
4 Yea, and what have you to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine [the places of corruption]? will you render me a recompense? and if you recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head;
5 Because you have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:
6 The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have you sold unto the Grecians, that you might remove them far from their border.
7 Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither you have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head:
8 And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD has spoken it.
9 Proclaim you this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all you heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause your mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13 Put you in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
17 So shall you know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
19 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
20 But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
21 For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwells in Zion.