Many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).

[XIII-Legion]

Matthew 22:14 declares "Many are called, but few are chosen".

Most of you will have a good idea what this refers to.

However, it doesn't do any harm to try obtain a second opinion on this subject.

So then, what do we understand by Matthew 22:14?

What is the meaning of Matthew 22:14?

 

[Thief]

We go back to the source of our spirit.
We take with us what we have learned of life and conduct.

We are allowed to follow.....or we are left standing where we fell.

 

[Shiranui117]

Matthew 22:14 declares "Many are called, but few are chosen".

Most of you will have a good idea what this refers to.

However, it doesn't do any harm to try obtain a second opinion on this subject.

So then, what do we understand by Matthew 22:14?

What is the meaning of Matthew 22:14?

It means that God calls all to salvation (1 Timothy 2:4). The "few are chosen" means that there are few who respond to God's call and cooperate with Him in their salvation; many rebel against God and refuse His gift of salvation, and few accept it gladly and cultivate their relationship with God and with others. God doesn't call all to salvation and then turn around and declare that He has predestined people for damnation. No; on the other hand, God predestines all to eternal life, but we have to choose the destiny that God has in mind for us in order to attain to eternal life and salvation. God's plan plus man's cooperation and obedience leads to the election to salvation.

 

[XIII-Legion]

You wrote:

many rebel against God and refuse His gift of salvation

But in this case, HOW do we know what is "rebellion" or God's "gift" of salvation? What CRITERIA should we use to discern the concept of "rebellion" and God's "gift" of salvation?

On the other hand, HOW do we know that what you've said is not simply wishful thinking or a SOCIAL CONSTRUCT (as religion cannot be falsified/verified by the method of scientific inquiry), which in this case could well be fire and brimstone for a designated purpose?

Also, you have said:

God predestines all to eternal life, but we have to choose the destiny that God has in mind for us in order to attain to eternal life and salvation.

But HOW do we know the "destiny" that God has in mind for us; and HOW do we discern God's "purpose" from the social constructions of human society?

 

[Pegg]

Matthew 22:14 declares "Many are called, but few are chosen".

Most of you will have a good idea what this refers to.

However, it doesn't do any harm to try obtain a second opinion on this subject.

So then, what do we understand by Matthew 22:14?

What is the meaning of Matthew 22:14?

this is the concluding comments to the illustration Jesus gave of the Marriage Feast.

That illustration was given to explain how the nation of Isreal were the first to be called to be among those chosen to rule as kings and priests with the Messiah in his kingdom...but very few of them accepted the invitation. So God went out into the broadways to invite people from the nations.

 

[Thief]

this is the concluding comments to the illustration Jesus gave of the Marriage Feast.

That illustration was given to explain how the nation of Isreal were the first to be called to be among those chosen to rule as kings and priests with the Messiah in his kingdom...but very few of them accepted the invitation. So God went out into the broadways to invite people from the nations.

Nay....
I'm sure your are referring to the parable of the wedding feast....
not the event when He turned water to wine.

 

[Pegg]

Nay....
I'm sure your are referring to the parable of the wedding feast....
not the event when He turned water to wine.

Matthew 22 and the illustration of the wedding feast

Once more Jesus spoke to them with illustrations, saying: 2 “The Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to a king who made a marriage feast for his son. 3 And he sent his slaves to call those invited to the marriage feast, but they were unwilling to come. 4 Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Look! I have prepared my dinner, my bulls and fattened animals are slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the marriage feast.”’ 5 But unconcerned they went off, one to his own field, another to his business; 6 but the rest, seizing his slaves, treated them insolently and killed them. 7 “The king grew wrathful and sent his armies and killed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his slaves, ‘The marriage feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore, go to the roads leading out of the city, and invite anyone you find to the marriage feast.’ 10 Accordingly, those slaves went out to the roads and gathered all they found, both wicked and good; and the room for the wedding ceremonies was filled with those dining. 11 “When the king came in to inspect the guests, he caught sight of a man not wearing a marriage garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Fellow, how did you get in here without a marriage garment?’ He was speechless. 13 Then the king said to his servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the darkness outside. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be.’ 14 “For there are many invited, but few chosen.”

 

[Thief]

Matthew 22 and the illustration of the wedding feast

That would be the parable .....yes.
And should be read at the personal level.

We might be called to the feast...but we might be allowed to attend.

 

[Pegg]

That would be the parable .....yes.
And should be read at the personal level.

We might be called to the feast...but we might be allowed to attend.

i think its only meant to be read at a personal level if you happen to be one of the 144,000 who will be ruling with Christ in heaven.

It applies to them first and foremost.

 

[Thief]

i think its only meant to be read at a personal level if you happen to be one of the 144,000 who will be ruling with Christ in heaven.

It applies to them first and foremost.

Not buying that.
Jesus taught in parables.....to all.....

The call is to many....

 

[Runewolf1973]

We go back to the source of our spirit.
We take with us what we have learned of life and conduct.

We are allowed to follow.....or we are left standing where we fell.

Yes, in a way we go back to that source, but we do not take anything with us. To be one with that pure Source or Spirit of God, we must be pure in spirit ourselves, not attached to the physical realm in any way. Even my girlfriend who can see and talk to the spirits on the earthbound plane says there is a sort of hierarchy in the spirit realm. On that realm they are called "the chosen ones". That's what she calls them anyway. I find that excerpt from the Bible rather interesting. I believe Jesus or Buddha may be one of those Chosen Ones.

 

[Pegg]

Not buying that.
Jesus taught in parables.....to all.....

The call is to many....

How many did he choose to be his apostles?

Many? or just a few?

 

[Thief]

How many did he choose to be his apostles?

Many? or just a few?

A test perhaps?

The parable about sowing seed would be the response.
The seed is cast without regard to where it falls.
If it does well....fine and good.

Another parable....the grain is gathered with the undesired.
The grain is sorted....the undesired is destroyed.

The wedding feast is a parable with a dreadful ending.

I do not assume I shall escape.

 

[savagewind]

How many did he choose to be his apostles?

Many? or just a few?

His apostles were men who were personally taught by Jesus so the small number of them does not mean anything but class size so that they might live together. It is not possible for one man to manage a great crowd and also keep it personal.

 

[Thief]

His apostles were men who were personally taught by Jesus so the small number of them does not mean anything but class size so that they might live together. It is not possible for one man to manage a great crowd and also keep it personal.

He fed four thousand....and then five thousand....and then it got personal.
They wanted to put a crown on His head.

He left.

 

[savagewind]

He fed four thousand....and then five thousand....and then it got personal.
They wanted to put a crown on His head.

He left.

Thank you. I was disputing her theory that few are called means only 144,000 in all time. She said the reason to believe only 144.000 are called is because Jesus chose only very few disciples. I said his choosing few disciples was not prophetic but was probably due to it being much more practical to travel and live (all the time....not just for a picnic) with a few.

 

[nazz]

It means that God calls all to salvation (1 Timothy 2:4). The "few are chosen" means that there are few who respond to God's call and cooperate with Him in their salvation; many rebel against God and refuse His gift of salvation, and few accept it gladly and cultivate their relationship with God and with others. God doesn't call all to salvation and then turn around and declare that He has predestined people for damnation. No; on the other hand, God predestines all to eternal life, but we have to choose the destiny that God has in mind for us in order to attain to eternal life and salvation. God's plan plus man's cooperation and obedience leads to the election to salvation.

^what Shiranui said

 

[XIII-Legion]

[...] many rebel against God and refuse His gift of salvation, and few accept it gladly and cultivate their relationship with God and with others. [...] God predestines all to eternal life, but we have to choose the destiny that God has in mind for us in order to attain to eternal life and salvation. God's plan plus man's cooperation and obedience leads to the election to salvation.

^what Shiranui said

However, God's "gift" of salvation is essentially a SPIRITUAL concept; which has NOTHING to do with worldly success, such as wealth, honour, power, and glory, or even the type of person one is "supposed" to marry etc - which are social constructions of our human society.

Let's say, for instance, the US government has invited a foreign national to be a future leader in America; but at the same time, it wouldn't be contrary to God's "purpose" for such a person to make his career in England instead of the USA.

To reject America in this example, does not imply such a person has rejected God's "gift" of salvation; as we must be careful not to confuse, and confound worldly success with God's "purpose".

Likewise, to dissent from the government's humanistic agenda does not imply "rebellion" against God's divine purpose, nor "rebellion" against His plan of salvation for each one of us.

As indeed, it is both wrong and misguided to equate the government's humanistic agenda with God's divine plan of salvation for each and everyone of us; for if the two are co-extensive, coterminous, and identical with one another, we must think what this would imply as regarding the US Declaration of Independence in 1776 or French Revolution in 1789-1799, which are classic cases of rebellion towards the government; and by definition, it is also contrary to God's "purpose".

In other words, there is nothing "hallowed" or "sacred" about the United States Constitution, which is a legacy of REBELLION by British colonial settlers of the original thirteen colonies; for if the government's humanistic agenda is co-extensive, coterminous, and identical with God's "purpose", then there will be no other conclusion but to assume that the Constitution and Thanksgiving etc. are also contrary to God's "purpose"; and thereby, Zeitgeist of the American Revolution would have no legitimacy whatsoever in the sight of God, nor in the eyes of the Christian world as a whole.

In a sense, God's purpose will vary quite considerably according to the individual; because each individual must tread a different path to achieve the utmost happiness; but at the same time, the "greatest happiness" is the only thing which all people should be concerned with as a priority, which is regardless of one's race, creed or colour etc; and therefore, the "greatest happiness" is the only common goal, which all people will have regardless who they are.

Therefore, it is not necessary for one to aspire to be the most powerful man on earth to attain the greatest happiness; as it could well be achieved by attaining the office of Prime Minister in a different Anglo-sphere or European jurisdiction, rather than President of the United States.

And therefore, who is to say that the President is "more admired, loved, and respected" than Prime Ministers of other countries in the civilized world?

Likewise, to reject a higher paid job in favour of job satisfaction alone doesn't imply one has rejected God's "purpose", nor does one reject His "gift" of salvation by rejecting the offer of a job promotion.

As indeed, some people will be perfectly content to work in a factory, Wal Mart, MacDonald's or construction site etc. for the rest of their lives; and such people may well eschew any invitation to enter the world of politics; but that doesn't mean their attitude is contrary to God's "purpose", nor does it imply they have rejected His "gift" of salvation.

Now, I must therefore reiterate that for anyone to do God's will s/he should simply follow the path which will lead to the greatest happiness for the individual concerned; and such a journey as this will be invariably, psychological and SPIRITUAL in nature, which has NOTHING to do with worldly success e.g. wealth, honour, power, and glory according to public opinion etc.

Generally speaking, to follow one's heart will lead to the greatest happiness and satisfaction; and whoever applies such a formula will have fulfilled his/her "destiny" according to God's plan; but that doesn't mean one should always aspire to have the "most powerful and important job in the world".

Basically, it's a FALLACY to equate the greatest happiness with having the most powerful job in the world; that argument just doesn't wash as far as I'm concerned.

By definition, those who still argue that God's "purpose" and His "gift" of salvation are directly correlated with worldly success are nothing but Sophisters and tricksters with an ulterior motive which is purely a political agenda; which is purposely designed to control, constrain, and manipulate people who're bovine, credulous, docile, uneducated, gullible, illiterate, ignorant, naive, submissive, and tractable; which are defined by one's inability to construct a strong, persuasive or effective counter argument.

In other words, one's TRUE PURPOSE can only ever be fulfilled by following the heart's desire, which is response to God's calling within each and everyone of us; but it is NOT for the government to usurp God's authority, nor presume to know anybody's "true" purpose in life.

Moreover, it is NOT for society at large to dictate what should be the "true" purpose or path of salvation for each and every person; but this is strictly a PRIVATE, and personal matter between the individual concerned and his Creator.

No government nor society on earth can rightly presume to know the "true" purpose or path of salvation for each and every individual concerned; for that is strictly a PRIVATE, and personal matter between the person concerned and his Creator.

Suffice to say that the God of Christianity is basically a God of love, which is different to the God of Fear of the Old Testament (Nahum 1:2; Deuteronomy 6:15). Therefore, any deity who invokes a sense of fear, paranoia, and foreboding cannot be the same God that Jesus taught his disciples; and any God who requires Christians to do what they don't want cannot be the God of Love as we know according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[XIII-Legion]

It means that God calls all to salvation (1 Timothy 2:4). [...] many rebel against God and refuse His gift of salvation, and few accept it gladly and cultivate their relationship with God and with others. [...] God predestines all to eternal life, but we have to choose the destiny that God has in mind for us in order to attain to eternal life and salvation. God's plan plus man's cooperation and obedience leads to the election to salvation.

^what Shiranui said

Isaiah 40:17 KJV - All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

Matthew 16:26 KJV - For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

But the Bible makes it very clear that God's purpose and Man's purpose are NOT one and the same. Therefore, the government's agenda cannot be misconstrued, confused or confounded with God's plan of salvation for each and everyone of us.

As indeed, there is no correlation between God's divine plan and worldly success, such as wealth, honour, power, and glory according to public opinion.

But to follow your heart's desire is to do God's bidding as it will lead to the greatest happiness for each and every person; but to detract from it would be contrary to God's purpose, and would be tantamount to rejecting His gift of salvation.

However, no government or society on earth could rightly presume to know God's plan of salvation for each and every individual; for this is strictly a private, and personal relationship between the individual concerned and his Creator.

Suffice to say that we should be wary not to confuse our secular law with religious law; for they are not co-extensive, coterminous, and identical. Whereas, secular law is under remit of the government, it has no authority whatsoever regarding the religious law of Christendom.

As indeed, the government may well have remit over legal, economic, social, and political matters; but it could never rightly presume to have "religious" authority in anyway, shape or form.

 

[nazz]

Isaiah 40:17 KJV - All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

Matthew 16:26 KJV - For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

But the Bible makes it very clear that God's purpose and Man's purpose are NOT one and the same. Therefore, the government's agenda cannot be misconstrued, confused or confounded with God's plan of salvation for each and everyone of us.

As indeed, there is no correlation between God's divine plan and worldly success, such as wealth, honour, power, and glory according to public opinion.

But to follow your heart's desire is to do God's bidding as it will lead to the greatest happiness for each and every person; but to detract from it would be contrary to God's purpose, and would be tantamount to rejecting His gift of salvation.

However, no government or society on earth could rightly presume to know God's plan of salvation for each and every individual; for this is strictly a private, and personal relationship between the individual concerned and his Creator.

Suffice to say that we should be wary not to confuse our secular law with religious law; for they are not co-extensive, coterminous, and identical. Whereas, secular law is under remit of the government, it has no authority whatsoever regarding the religious law of Christendom.

As indeed, the government may well have remit over legal, economic, social, and political matters; but it could never rightly presume to have "religious" authority in anyway, shape or form.

I don't disagree. I'm not sure what this has to do with Shiraniu's response or my agreement with him.