Will Jesus Say To Saints; * I Never Knew You? *

My son, apostle Mike, taught on this subject recently, and that teaching really opened my eyes to a more profound understanding of it. Therefore, I am moved to teach it in even more detail. If you are born of God and really want to spend eternity with Him, then the following scripture should ignite the fear of the Lord in your soul.

Matthew 7:13 - 14

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.

Why is the way to eternal life so hard to find? That is the question the Body of Christ dares not to ask, even though the word of God declares it to be so. First of all, let us look at the premise set here by this passage; remembering that the Lord speaks to the church in language that it is able to relate to.

A gate is usually installed at an entrance to a private property. The gate is an opening that once opened, allows access to the enclosed property or in this case, kingdom. It also follows suit that those who are looking for the entrance, know assuredly that it exists. That means that the world is not looking for it, and are surely not certain that it exists. Therefore, that leaves the church. It is the Body of Christ that knows there is a kingdom of God that will rule the earth. We know that Jesus is its king, and that one day the saints will reign with him.

2 Peter 1:10

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

These verses admonish the Body of Christ to make our calling out of sin, and our election in Christ, sure. The only way to do that is to walk holy and blameless before the Lord. We must endure until the end. Note that it is not that Jesus is hard to find. He is actively seeking out the lost through the preaching of the gospel. And also, the heart that hunger and thirst for God will be filled. No, my friends, these passages advocate holiness as the only guarantee that you will enter the kingdom of God when the Master returns. Therefore, the gate or entrance into the everlasting Kingdom is very straight and narrow. This also means that many will start out in the Body of Christ, but will not make it to that gate. They will fall. The scripture, (which cannot be broken), has already declared that in the last days, there will be a great falling away. In conclusion, Jesus is referring to saints of God, falling from grace. However, in the next verse he switches gears.

Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Notice I said that Jesus switched gears here with this verse. He begins to speak of another set of people, not the saints.

1. The false prophet is a fake, unreal, unfruitful, deceptive individual. But more than that he or she is unsaved.
2. They come in sheep’s clothing, but they are not one of the sheep.
3. They are ravenous wolves, sent by Satan to devour the sheep.

Matthew 7:16

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

1. You will know them by their fruits.
2. You cannot get grapes out of thorns
3. You cannot get figs out of thistles.

Matthew 7:17-19

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

1. Because these false prophets are not saved, they cannot live holy. They cannot bring forth good fruits.
2. They have studied the church and the word of God long enough to orate in the house of faith,
3. In the end they will burn in the lake of fire.

Matthew 7:20

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Now Jesus is about to take this message into more detail.

Matthew 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

There was a time when I taught this scripture in error. I thought Jesus was speaking here of Saints, who had once been saved and fallen away. I considered the fact that they proclaimed to have cast out devils in his name. So, therefore, I thought these must have been Saints at one time.

However, as apostle Mike taught,..

1. Jesus emphasized the facet that he never knew them.

1. This implies that their names were never written in the Lamb’s book of life.

1. Jesus called them workers of iniquity. That means that their ministry was a lie.

1. They could proclaim to have done great works, but they are even as many leaders in the church are today; unsaved, worldly, ungodly, deceptive men and women who have framed themselves as men and women of God, to bring the powers of darkness into the household of faith.

1. Another thing to consider is that these people are standing at the judgment where the deeds done in their lifetime are being tried. They are standing in the second resurrection. The Saints of Good have already been raptured and are seated on thrones of judgment, wherein they will judge the world and angels.

1. Yes, there will also be in this resurrection those who were once saved, but dishonored their election and went about doing works of iniquity. They were made castaways, dying in their sin. Yes they will be at this judgment as well.

1. But of the people Jesus is speaking of, he said, “I never knew you.” Therefore, they were never saved.

My dear friends, let us endeavor to enter into the kingdom at that straight and narrow gate. Work the works of righteousness. Stay the course to the end. Let us look upon our Savior’s face in peace.

Love you much,

Mary