Zechariah 13:8

"And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith Jehovah, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein."

Baldwin and others have supposed that this refers to the killing of two thirds of the Jewish population, as at the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans; and, of course, that literally occurred; but "in that day" appears to focus the prophecy upon what will take place in God's spiritual Israel throughout history. If so, it is but a way of saying what Jesus said:

"Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it" (Matthew 7:13).

This usage of "one third" is also seen in Revelation 6. Inherent in the teaching of this verse is the fact that the company of the redeemed is but a "remnant," certainly nothing approaching a majority of the people. "This third part represents the faithful among the Jews and the Christian Church gathered out of the nations."[22] As Christ said,

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).