Matthew 7: 20-23: “20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Jesus told the thief on the cross beside him who asked to be remembered when Jesus came into his kingdom, “This day you will be with me in paradise.” Ian McCormack, an atheist, in the last second or two of his life asked for forgiveness as it says in the Lord’s Prayer. When he died he went to hell and was being attacked by demons. Then he was taken out and appeared in heaven in front of Jesus, who told him he would have stayed in hell if he hadn’t prayed that last prayer. The Pharisees knew and believed the Scriptures, the law and the prophets, but they didn’t know Jesus and he told them they would die in their sins.
It appears that gaining entrance into heaven is simply a matter of asking Jesus for forgiveness and to be with him in his kingdom. But also just driving out demons in Jesus’ name and performing miracles in his name isn’t good enough. Jesus needs to “know us.” What does it take for him to “know us?”
The Pharisees knew the law and the prophets but they did not recognize the Spirit of Jesus all through those Scriptures and how they foretold him. It appears there is some fine line between knowing the Bible, doing the right religious thing, and knowing Jesus. Is having the Holy Spirit in us how Jesus knows us? Is it possible for someone to go through the process of accepting Jesus and read the Bible but not receive the Holy Spirit and therefore be unknown to Jesus?
I have known people who claim to be followers of Jesus, even ministers and preachers proclaiming His name, but who criticize the work of the Spirit of Jesus at work in others. If they don’t recognize the work of the Holy Spirit are they truly followers of Jesus? Does Jesus know them?
I see this problem most clearly with regard to the people that God is allowing to visit His kingdom and come back to us. All of these witnesses are transformed by being in the presence of Jesus, the Father, and their kingdom. They are far more aware of the magnitude of Jesus love, more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and more inclined to serve Him and honor His commands, living a life now dedicated to Him. Yet, I have heard some famous preachers call these people liars and Satan’s deception. But these witnesses are exhibiting the character of Jesus in their lives as if they know Him better now, much better than the criticizers are doing. Does Jesus know these preachers or will their works not stand up to the test?
I can’t answer these questions. But I encourage all of you reading this to make sure you are following Jesus and that He knows you. Read Heaven Is Beyond Imagination and see for yourself the magnitude of God’s love for you and be empowered to know Him like never before, just as has happened to all of these witnesses to Jesus, The Father, and their kingdom, our eternal home.