Hi Morten,
Here are a few places that speak about the "Few" and the "many" that should help with your questions.
http://bible-truths.com/lake8.html -----------------------------
DEFINING "CHURCH"
Just what is a "church?" Strong’s Greek Dictionary, #1570. ekklesia, a calling out. (1b) Ekklesia, from ek, "out of," and klesis, "a calling…" So the church is those whom God has CALLED OUT to be His "called out ones," hence, Jesus said, "So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last [sorry, don’t have time to explain this unique statement of our Lord]: for many be called, but few chosen." I will take the time to explain this second statement, however.
Notice that the "called" and the "chosen" cannot be the same group, as one is "many" and the other is "few." God has given us a general statement as to whom He has called and whom He has not called. We already know the number of those called is "many." Now we will see the two general classifications of those called:
THE "CALLED" AND THE "NOT CALLED"
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many [some, but not many] wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
But God has chosen the foolish things [many translations do not insert the word "things" in these verses] of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And the base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence" (I Cor. 1:26-29).
So we see that God calls MOSTLY those who are: weak, base, despised, nothings! Are we to believe that God is going to build a SPIRITUAL ARMY of Sons and Daughters by which He will conquer and SAVE THE WORLD?
Hard to believe, isn’t it? I think we can all agree that there is a great deal of work to be done with and to these "nothings of the world" whom God is calling to such a formidable, once-in-an-eternity task!
But of the "many called," we are told, "few are chosen" (Matt. 20:16). Why is that? God has intended it to be such. We are given the parable of the "sower of seed" where much of the seed fell by the side of the tilled soil, and the birds ate it; some had no depth and withered in the sun; still more fell among thorns and were chocked, but some fell upon good soil and produced much fruit. Many seed are sown, but few seed produce good fruit. "Seed" we see everywhere in the Church; "fruit" of God’s spirit is more rare. These few have the added designation of:
"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Rev. 17:14).
These are the "very elect" who cannot be deceived any longer by the Great Whore, "Mystery Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots, and the Abominations of the earth."
One more important verse regarding our calling, that I will cite out of the Concordant Literal New Testament because I believe they translate the Greek aorist tense properly, whereas the King James uses the past tense:
"Now we are aware that GOD [it is unfortunate that the King James leaves out "God" even though it is in the manuscripts. Most translations do put "God" in this opening phrase. Things don’t just ‘work’ together without GOD doing the ‘working’] is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are [being] called according to the purpose that, whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be Firstborn among many brethren. Now whom He designates beforehand, these He calls [not ‘called’ as all are NOT YET called, it is the aorist tense] also, and whom He calls, these He justifies, also; now whom He justifies, these He glorifies also" (Rom. 8:28:30).
Now, pay attention: All which God foreknew, He then designates beforehand (He hand-picks them, if you will). And therefore, since He has already designated them beforehand, when they are born in whatever generation God designates; He then calls them. Now it is true that God calls MANY OTHERS whom He has NOT designated to be "conformed to the image of His Son" AT THE TIME that each generation appears in history.
There are many more "called" in each generation than are actually, "chosen" to be conformed to the image of His Son at that time.
All that are not chosen will be in the second resurrection/white throne judgment/lake of fire. These will go the "broad way into destruction" from which they will await judgment at the great white throne. But, those which God foreknows and designates beforehand, He definitely does call, but these designated ones GO ON to be JUSTIFIED AND GLORIFIED. They are not just the "called," but the "called AND CHOSEN" which will go on to glorification in service with Christ, as the manifested Sons and Daughters of God, in the Kingdom of God, to bring the rest of heaven and earth to SALVATION!
When Jesus says that,
"Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord… Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity" (Matt. 722-23),
He is not speaking of a minority but a majority. The "many" NEVER means the minority!
We will see it conclusively proved from God’s Word that the majority in the Church today are going the "broad way," and not the "straight and narrow way." And I am not just preaching to the choir when I say that only a "FEW" will be in the first resurrection and rule and reign with Christ, I am speaking to all the church and to myself as well. I know these aren’t the "soft" words that tickle people’s ears, but what I am telling you is a "hard saying" of the Scripture that is absolutely true. Jesus Christ Himself said that "THE MANY" must "DEPART from Me." Jesus doesn’t "know" the many, in a spiritual relationship, because they are too carnal to be spiritual.
ARE YOU "CALLED AND CHOSEN" OR JUST "CALLED?"
Let me first state that there is an order in the process of being called to Sonship. First you are called, and then you are chosen from among the called. And we have already learned that the "chosen" are also the "few." Quite frankly, not unlike a casting call. Many are called to come to the casting rehearsal, but only a relative few will be chosen for the actual performance. Which are you? I will not be your personal judge, however, as we progress in this series, you will be confronted with dozens of Scriptures by which you can JUDGE YOURSELF by the aid of God’s Spirit.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,9192.0.html -------------------------------
There are many ways to prove that only the "few chosen" out of the "many called," who understand and live the Truths of God. Since I have twelve hundred and thirty-three unanswered emails ahead of yours also waiting for a reply from me, I will just give you one really good proof.
The seven churches prophesied in Revelation 2 and 3 are the entire Church of God that "is, was, and is to come," down through the centuries. How many in this entire generational church understand and live the Truths of God?
EPHESIS: "you have left your first love" (Rev. 2:4). "you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate" (Verse 6)--that the REST of the entire Church!
SMYRNA: "the devil shall cast SOME of you [not MOST you] into prison" (Rev. 2:10).
PERGAMOS: "where SATAN'S seat [throne] is" (Verse 13). They were filled with Nicolaitanes and had the "doctrine of Balaam" (Verses 114-15).
THYATIRA: They represented "that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols" (Verse 20). "She, [the whole Church] REPENTED NOT" (Verse 21). "But unto YOU [the FEW] I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as MANY ['not the 'many called,' but "AS many...'] as have NOT this doctrine, and which have NOT known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon YOU [the FEW who know the truth and live it] none other burden" (Verse 24).
SARDIS: "you have a name that you live, but [you] are dead" (Rev. 3:1). You have a FEW names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white..." (Verse 4). How many? The whole Church? Most of the Church? The "historical" Church down through the centuries? NO--just "a FEW names."
PHILADELPHIA: "Behold I will make THEM OF THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN, which SAY they are [converted, born again, spiritually circumcised] Jew, and ARE NOT..." (Rev. 3:9). That's the entire Church which say they are "spiritually converted spiritual Jew," but they "ARE NOT," because they lie and have NOT the truth of the "FEW NAMES" in God's Church
LAODICEA: "You [the many in the Church down through the centuries of the Church age] are neither cold nor hot...So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of My mouth" (Verses 15-16). "...and you KNOW NOT that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Ver. 17). "AS MANY [not 'THE many,' but "AS many'] as I love, I rebuke and chasten: [God chastens those He has chosen, and if they refuse chastening, as the whole of the Church does, then they are spiritual '********, and NOT SONS,' Heb. 12:5-8]; be zealous therefore, and repent" (Verse 19).
Jesus asked if He would "find faith" on the earth when He returns? Obviously NOT. But how could that be, seeing that there are over TWO BILLIONS CHRISTIANS IN THE CHURCH?!
Hope that helps your understanding.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2931.0.html ------------
Dear Kim:
I see that you believe you possess, "the gifts of wisdom and discernment." Discern this.................
You state:
"...people like you [that's me] deceiving MANY in these last days."
"...you are not able to lead me astry as you have MANY others."
"...you will be held responsible for the destruction of MANY souls."
You don't know any of that for a fact. You are merely applying these things to me to make yourself feel good.
What are the facts?
[1] I am not "MANY" but one person. I have a staff of ONE--my Web Master.
[2] I know of no one who is teaching what I teach on the worldwide web.
[3] I assure you that not MANY follow my teachings. MANY read our site, but very very FEW live by it. There are so few in fact, that if I had a dollar for everyone who has read our site and then turned to God and accepted Jesus as the Saviour of their wretched carnal selves, and began living godly, and righteously, and forsaking the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life....if I had a dollar for every one of them, it would not be enough to pay my utility bills for one month.
Now on the hand, tis true, Jesus did say: "For MANY shall come in My Name saying I am Christ, and shall deceive MANY" (Matt. 24:5). Yes somewhere in this world there are "MANY" not just a few or "one" like me, but M-A-N-Y! Do you understand the difference between "few" and "MANY?" Jesus said that there would be MANY who would teach the world that Jesus is indeed "THE CHRIST," but in their teaching that Jesus is the Christ, they "...shall deceive MANY."
What evil and vile things do they teach that would deceive SO MANY? Let Jesus answer, seeing that it was He Who brought it up:
"MANY will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord [oh yes, they love to call Him 'LORD'--BUT they do NOT WHAT HE SAYS, Luke 6:46], have we not prophesied in Your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done MANY wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them. I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from Me, ye that work INIQUITY [lawlessness]" (Matt. 7:22-23).
Wow! Imagine that? They do all that in the Name of the Lord. They do MANY WONDERFUL WORKS, but they personally are lawless and filled with iniquity--much like the religious leaders of Jesus's day: lying two-faced hypocrites. Where, Kim, do we find so MANY people teaching that Jesus is the Christ, and yet are DECEIVING MANY? What great body of believers do such things? Don't lay their sins on my doorstep, Kim, for I am just one, not many, and those who obey God are FEW, not MANY.
There, Kim, are the "many" who deceive the "MANY," not the few or the one who has virtually no one believing him.
Am I going to fast for you? Oh you would love to believe that the "few teaching the few" are really the "MANY deceiving the MANY," but it won't fit, Kim. You can't make it fit.
Maybe you should reconsider the things that I have written. For there are "MANY called, but FEW chosen."
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,533.0.html ----------------------
God has always witnessed against unbelieving Israel (His Church), as well as witnessng to those He chose to live by faith within the Nation/Church.
Under the New Covenant, this choosing of the faithful involved a more pronounced departure from the main group. Paul witnessed to Gentiles in the Synagogues of the Jews, for example, but when they believed Paul's message concerning Jesus Christ, they left the synagogue and met in private homes of like believers.
The truth is, once one begins to believe God's Word and live by God's Word, he will not need to come out of the Church or leave the Church, the Church will KICK HIM OUT! I can personally attest to this.
Each generation who reads the book of revelation will see their sins presented--both to the called and the chosen. Of course, the called have always believed that they are the chosen. It's just God's way to conceal a matter for HIs own ultimate majesty.
Tartaroo is a subject to the next HELL Part C paper.
God be with you,
Ray