Chapter 18
• 3 min. read • grade level: 6
THE LAST LAP OF THE NARROW WAY
THLIPSIS Θλιβω Θλιψιζ
PLATEIA Πλατεια
The "Narrow Way" begins at the "Strait Gate". (Matt. 7:13, 1413Enter 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: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13‑14)). The Greek word here for "narrow" is thlibo, meaning 'compressed'. It is also translated `afflicted' (2 Cor. 1:66And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (2 Corinthians 1:6)); 'suffer tribulation' (1 Thess. 3:44For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. (1 Thessalonians 3:4)); 'troubled' (2 Cor. 7:55For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. (2 Corinthians 7:5)). The Greek word thlipsis (formed from thlibo) is used over and over again to describe the normal path of the Christian through this world. For instance, in John 16:3333These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33), "In the world ye shall have tribulation," we have thlipsis used. In Rom. 5:33And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (Romans 5:3), "We glory in tribulation," we find this word again. In 2 Cor. 4:1717For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (2 Corinthians 4:17), "our light affliction", it is the same. And the examples might be greatly multiplied. The Bible makes it unmistakably clear that the "Narrow Way" is a way of tribulation.
We must remember that the word 'strait', in the expression "the Strait Gate", is an entirely different word in English to 'straight'. We speak of a 'straight line'; but a 'strait gate' means a 'narrow gate'. The Greek word is a 'stenos' gate. It is used three times in the New Testament, and always means 'narrow'. From this word stenos another word is formed, stenochoreo. This word is used seven times in the New Testament, including the noun formed from it. In 2 Cor. 6:1212Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. (2 Corinthians 6:12) we read: "Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels." In Rom. 8:3535Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35): "Shall.... distress?" 2 Cor. 6:44But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, (2 Corinthians 6:4): "In necessities, in distresses...."; 2 Cor. 12:1010Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10): "In distresses for Christ's sake." So we see that the 'Strait Gate' by which we enter the 'Narrow Way' is one that brings us distress and pressure. That is the proper, normal path for the Christian in this world. "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:1212Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)). True, we may seek to reign as kings down here, and dwell in our 'celled houses'; but that is not the path marked out by our Master for His servants.
And what is the 'last lap' of this 'Narrow Way'? It leads us to "The Street of the City", the Heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21:21; 22:221And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21)
2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2)). The word for 'street' here is plateia or plates. It means 'broad' or 'wide', and is the word used for "wide is the gate", in Matt. 7:1313Enter 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: (Matthew 7:13). We walk the 'Narrow Way' down here; but when we get Home, we will find that it led to the 'Broad Street', paved with gold where are the 'Many Mansions'. And then we will find it was no mistake when the Apostle said that our light thlipsis, our light affliction, which is but for a moment (that is the length of the Narrow Way compared to the length of the Broad Street above) worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. (2 Cor. 4:1717For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (2 Corinthians 4:17)).
And what is the 'last lap' of the 'Broad Way' that is entered through the 'Wide Gate' that leadeth to destruction? Rom. 2:99Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (Romans 2:9) gives us the answer: "Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile." 'Tribulation' here is thlipsis, and 'anguish' here is stenochoria, the very words we have just seen that mark the path of the Christian through this world! The Christian starts with the 'Strait Gate' and the 'Narrow Way' that tell of tribulation and anguish, but they are 'but for a moment', and he ends in the 'Broad Street' and the Many Mansions for eternity. The unbeliever starts with the `Wide Gate' and the 'Broad Way' that perhaps tell of ease and luxury; but they end in thlipsis and stenochoria, —Tribulation and Anguish —for eternity!
“CHOOSE YE TODAY!”