“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”[Matthew 7:21-23]
I’ve always believed that as soon as a lost person dies, they go to hell. Now, hell isn’t the lake of fire, but is a place of the departed dead, hades, Sheol. Would not a lost person immediately upon death know his/her fate then? If so, then why did Jesus say the above, as it sounds like many will be surprised of His verdict on the day of judgment?
Your input is much needed and appreciated. TIA.
Matthew 7:21-23?
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by SovereignGrace, Feb 16, 2022.
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SovereignGrace Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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SovereignGrace Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
This thought just struck me a few minutes ago and I wonder why I never thought of this as many times as I’ve read it and pondered upon it.
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I think the passage indicates the lost (those that thought they were saved, but were not) will seek to overturn their judgment when provided the opportunity. Thus "on that day" refers to their judgment day rather than the day they are aware they are in Hades.
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Interesting the phrase “I never knew you”. Apparently, being “known” by Jesus is needed to be able to do the “will of the Father”.
peace to you -
In the Judgement not everyone are resurrection from lower Hades. There are two other places. A place in Death [not Hades], from the sea. And possibly the upper Hades that was emptied at Christ's ascension. Beyond this in Revelation 20:13 Scripture is silent on all the lost.
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1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers:
2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps 1 -
SovereignGrace Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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SavedByGrace Well-Known Member
The passage in Matthew is, in my opinion, talking about professing "christians", who have the outward appearance of being a "believer", but never beed truly born-again. The Lord would never tell those who are truly saved, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.". Indeed there are many who think that they can get to heaven by their "good works", which is impossible; or make a "profession" at a Church service, or elsewhere, by raising their hand, without actually "repenting and believing", and assume that they are "saved", because the "pastor" says so!
This is a very important thread! -
SovereignGrace Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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SavedByGrace Well-Known Member
Contextually, in the verses before, Jesus talks about the good and bad fruits, which is the lives of those who claim to be Christians. -
SovereignGrace Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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SavedByGrace Well-Known Member
We also do know from Matthew 25, that there will be a time when Jesus is to separate the Sheep from the Goats, and tell them of their destiny
But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He shall sit on the throne of His glory. And all nations shall be gathered before Him. And He shall separate them from one another, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. And indeed He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats off the left. Then the King shall say to those on His right hand, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (31-34)
Is the answer in WHEN all of these things will take place? As there are no contradictions in the Bible, we cannot assume any errors. Though there are paradoxes, and many difficult passages. -
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SovereignGrace Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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SovereignGrace Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
@SavedByGrace
You posted this and this is what I’m pondering.
I asked this on another site and a person said (not verbatim) that maybe this would be one last plea and are using their good works as a way to argue for mercy. That seems as good an explanation as any I’ve read, probably better. -
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SovereignGrace Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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In Matthew 7:22 they were trusting in what they did. -
Romans 2:13
James 2:24 -
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?
38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Mt 25
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