The Bible states very clearly that there is a broad road that leads to hell and damnation. There is also a narrow road that leads to heaven and eternal life. In this tract we are going to look at both roads and the characteristics of each.
This is a very important subject as the Bible clearly states that there is a very broad road that leads to hell! Could you be on that broad road to hell right now, reader? I certainly hope not!
Below is the verse we will be looking at with associated questions following:
Matt 7
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and
many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Here are some questions to consider.....:
What is the broad road?
What is the narrow road?
Why is the narrow road narrow?
Why is the broad road to hell broad?
What does the Lord suggest people to do?
What is at the end of the broad road?
What is at the end of the narrow road?
How many go down the narrow road?
How many go down the broad road?
In this article we will give an answer to each of the above questions.
Before we start I would like to leave an image in your mind about the broad road to hell and the narrow road to heaven:
People on the broad road walk through life with their eyes closed. As they walk they become very busy in the things of this world. Time quickly passes and the years go by unnoticed. These people keep walking until they suddenly reach the end of the road (end of their lifetime). Sometimes the end of the road is a surprise and other times the end can be seen approaching. Once the end of the road is reached the person falls over a cliff. Until a person falls over the cliff they have no idea or concern about what is below at the bottom. Sadly, once the person falls over the cliff it is too late! Their fate is forever sealed! At the bottom of the cliff is a great lake of fire that extends as far as the eyes can see. As a person falls from the cliff he can begin to smell the horrible sulfur smoke that rises up from the lake. The person's ears can also hear terrible screeches and screams of the damned in the distance. It all becomes very real as the lost person plunges deep into the lake of fire and his body explodes in horrible torment. Here is a glimpse of that terrible place from the Bible:
Rev 14
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is
poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he
shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the
holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever:
and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his
image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Rev 20
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire
and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall
be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is
the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was
cast into the lake of fire.
As a person walks down the broad road they pass a narrow gate which leads to a pathway which goes away from the broad road. The gate can be easily seen by all on the broad road. The pathway beyond the gate is narrow and few desire to go through the gate and follow the narrow path. Besides, the path does not look too comfortable and the broad road certainly looks easier and more entertaining! Beyond the narrow gate, in the distance, is a cross. On that cross the Saviour (the Lord Jesus) bled and died for the sins of the world. As people walk by the narrow gate they look over and see the cross and the Lord Jesus. Very few respond and enter the narrow gate and accept the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. The majority turn their head away from the narrow path and put those thoughts out of their minds. They then continue down the broad road in rejection of the Lord Jesus and His finished work on the cross.
Heb 10
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the
body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes
the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,
sat down on the right hand of God;
The good news is that the narrow path leads to a land called heaven. No one has seen heaven but they are told that it exists and have a description of this land in the book from God called the Bible. The people who enter the gate have this hope of the land of heaven in their hearts as they depart from the crowds following the broad road. The narrow path is not an easy one to follow as there are all kinds of troubles and obstacles in the path. Only those who do not love the sin in their lives are attracted to the narrow gate. The broad road seems to be an easier way to travel and offers far more worldly pleasures and sinful places of business and entertainment. The narrow road just does not appeal to the majority of people on the broad road to hell.
Acts 14
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to
continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation
enter into the kingdom of God.
As mentioned, those on the broad road just glance at the narrow gate and keep going. They really do not care about leaving the broad road. Those on this road are all aware that they are on a long journey with an uncertain ending. Everyone has different reactions as they pass the narrow gate. Some laugh, joke, and mock the gate and those on the path. Others are angry at the gate and throw stones beyond the gate hoping to hit someone on the narrow path. While others just don't care. They just walk by the narrow gate as if it didn't exist.
Mark 8
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
On the broad road there are lots of attractions to amuse those on their journey. There are places to go to gain all kinds of riches and the wealth of the world. For example lottery tickets are sold from little booths along the path and these tickets impart hope to the travelers. Other shops sell buy and sell stocks and show the financial data on a large screen in front of their store. That is a very busy place as many gather in front of the store for hours on end just to look at the financial numbers flash across the screen. If the numbers go up then the people are very happy. If the numbers take a dive many get sad and depressed. Some have actually got so upset with a major downturn that they have actually run ahead and jumped off the cliff and ended their journey! These numbers can have great power over those on the broad road. Also the broad road has places where people can spend time indulging in all kind of physical pleasures. These places are always popular and they are filled with lots of amusements. Leaving the broad road is very hard for some as they love all the attractions and places of merriment and wealth acquisition.
Those on the broad road keep walking forward. As the years pass the narrow gate seems more distant. However, one day the journey down the broad road always ends for each person. Sometimes the end can be seen through sickness or at other times the end comes by a surprise accidental death.
Here are some specific answers in regard to the narrow and the broad road.
WHAT IS THE BROAD ROAD?
The broad road is the pathway to hell. This is eternal separation from God while suffering in torment in the lake of fire. All who reject the Lord Jesus as their Saviour are choosing to pay for their own sins. The penalty for sin is eternity suffering in the lake of fire.
Rom 6
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
WHAT IS THE NARROW ROAD?
The narrow road is the path to heaven. There is only one way to heaven and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
WHY IS THE NARROW ROAD NARROW?
It is narrow because the Lord Jesus is the only way a person can be saved. There is no other way a person can be saved and this is a major stumbling block for the many proud people who are trying to earn their way to heaven. Here is what the Bible says:
Acts 4
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
WHY IS THE BROAD ROAD TO HELL BROAD?
The road to hell is very broad because there is only one way to be saved and many ways to be lost. The end result of all the pathways to hell is to reject the Lord Jesus as Saviour. People who ignore the Lord Jesus or follow a false religion are on the broad road to hell. All people who die without the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Saviour are going to hell, the lake of fire.
Prov 14
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end
thereof are the ways of death.
WHAT DOES THE LORD JESUS SUGGEST PEOPLE TO DO?
In verse 13 the Lord Jesus wants people to enter the narrow road at the straight gate. This means to accept the Lord Jesus as personal Lord and Saviour!
Isa 1
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though
your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though
they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
WHAT IS AT THE END OF THE BROAD ROAD?
All the many pathways apart from the Lord Jesus lead to the same destination. They all lead to an eternity in hell suffering in the lake of fire. This means the Buddhist, the follower of Mohammed, the follower of Krishna, and the atheist will all suffer the same fate. They are all going down the broad road to hell without the Lord Jesus. At the end of their lifetime (at the road's end), they will be cast into the lake of fire and perish for all eternity.
Rev 20
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was
cast into the lake of fire.
WHAT IS AT THE END OF THE NARROW ROAD?
Heaven and eternal life in the very presence of the Lord is at the end of the narrow road. An eternity in heaven in the presence of God awaits all of God's saved and blood bought people!
Phil 1
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart,
and to be with Christ; which is far better:
HOW MANY GO DOWN THE NARROW ROAD?
The Lord Jesus answers this question when He says the following:
Matt 7
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Notice the word FEW. The road is very narrow because the Lord Jesus is the only way a person can be saved. Few people are interested. Few people will listen to and believe in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Few people are willing to come to God on God's terms.
Instead, the foundation of all broad pathways to hell is good works. People have believed the lie that somehow they can do good works and merit salvation and eternal life. I repeat, all false religions include the false teaching that the individual can somehow merit favor with God by their good works and by adhering to some kind of religious system.
On the other hand the Bible teaches that we are all lost in sin and incapable of saving ourselves. Good works do nothing and have no part in salvation. Lost men and women can never earn their salvation in any way. If they could there would be no need for the Lord Jesus to die on the cross! If we could save ourselves by earning salvation there would be no need for the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus for our sins.
The major stumbling block is in the simplicity of the Gospel. Lost people do not want to admit they are helpless and in need of a Saviour. It is an issue of pride and self-centeredness that keeps them away from saving faith. Lost people also love their sin and do not want to give it up. They do not want to stop doing the things that God has warned people to avoid.
As a result lost people create or accept a god that will also accept their lost and sinful lifestyle without change. Good works are added to make the lost person feel valuable and a vibrant part of his so-called salvation. But they are not saved at all! Such people are greatly deceived and have a solid place to hell on the broad road!
Remember good works do not save!
Eph 2
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
HOW MANY GO DOWN THE BROAD ROAD?
Since the Lord Jesus indicated that FEW will choose to go down the narrow road to heaven and eternal life, that leaves many for the broad road. There is only one way to be saved and that is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, there are many ways a person can be lost eternally. There is only one way to heaven and many ways to hell. All ways apart from the Lord Jesus are a part of the broad road to an eternity in hell!
Mark 8
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
CONCLUSION
Right now as you read this article you are either on the broad road to hell or the narrow road to heaven. Which is it?
It really is YOUR choice. You can choose to reject the Lord Jesus and pay for your sins yourself. Or you can repent of your sins and accept the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. The Lord Jesus died on the cross and paid for the sins of the world so you would not have to. He died as a substitute (in our place) so we would not have to pay the penalty for our sins.
The Lord Jesus now offers salvation as a gift to anyone who is willing to receive it!
Make your choice and do it NOW!
Matt 11
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Isa 1
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red
like crimson, they shall be as wool.
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