In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” This passage has nothing to do with democracy or voting people into positions of power in our government. In these solemn words the Lord Jesus was speaking of two roads and two eternal destinies. There is the “broad road that leads to destruction” and the “narrow road that leads to life.”

Sadly, most people are traveling down the broad road. Why? Because they love their sin (John 3:19-20) and refuse to acknowledge their lost condition and their need for salvation. This road is popular with the masses because they believe the “gospel of Jesus Christ is foolish” (see 1 Corinthians 1:18) and they believe they are in good company with most people who are content to “live without Christ” and to “die without Christ.” To them, LIFE is only for the “here and now,” and thus their motto is “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32). Little do they know that “It’s appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Eternal JUDGMENT lies at the end of the “broad road that leads to DESTRUCTION.” The word “destruction” speaks of “ruin,” for the unbeliever will be “condemned to eternal ruin in the lake of fire” (see John 3:18, 36 with Revelation 20:11-15).

The relatively few who are traveling down the narrow road have seen their sinful condition and humbled themselves before God (Luke 18:13-14). They have entered through the “narrow gate” (through Jesus Christ… see John 14:6) and they rejoice in Christ their Savior and seek to live for Him. They know the gospel of Jesus Christ is NOT FOOLISH, but it is “the power of God unto salvation to all that believe” (Romans 1:16). They find themselves on the road that enriches their life here and now, and at the end of the road they will spend a blissful eternity in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ and all who have believed. They will suffer persecution for their faith in Christ (Philippians 1:27 with 2 Timothy 3:12), but when life’s journey is over, they will be with Christ forever where there is “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

I realize that your questions dealt with voting and democratic practices. Perhaps you were thinking of how there are so many people on the “broad road” who are ungodly and may vote terrible leaders into power. We don’t have the space to delve into this subject of democracy and voting, but you can rest assured that it is GOD ALONE Who puts people into power. Romans 13:1 declares, “Let every soul be subject of the governing authorities. For there is NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD, and the authorities that exist ARE APPOINTED BY GOD.” If one lives in a “democratic republic” like we do here in the United States, whoever is in power is there because God has allowed them to be there, even if it is a wicked man (see Daniel 4:17). God allowed Israel to “choose their first king” (Saul), who turned out to be a tyrant, but God appointed him to further His purposes. The Day is coming when the perfect RULER will be ruling over this earth (see Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 14:9; and Revelation 11:15; 19:11-16). This will not be done through a “democratic process,” but by God’s Sovereign will who has ordained His Son to the “King of Kings, and Lord of lords.” He alone can rule in RIGHTEOUSNESS and bring true PEACE to the world (see Isaiah 32:1 & 17).  (DO)  (743.3)