Matthew 7:21-23 , I never knew you

[MorningGlory]

A Cautionary Tale

 

 

One day, a group of souls suddenly found themselves standing before the Gates of Heaven and Jesus was there before them.

 

Some appeared with great expectancy on their faces, others looked a little doubtful.

 

Jesus asked them all . . . "Did you do the will of My Father?"

 

One, smiling with expectancy, eagerly said "LORD! I cast out many demons in You Name!" Another shouted out, "LORD! I prophesied to many in Your Name!", and another declared "LORD! I did mighty deeds in Your Name!", and others started chiming in with all the wonderous things they had done in His Name. 

 

Some, though, were looking around, feeling like they were on the outside, because they had never really done any of these things. A few were looking down at the ground, not daring to look up.

 

Jesus held up His hands for silence.

 

After all the clamoring had died down, and everyone was waiting in silence, Jesus said to them 

 

"But did you do My Father's will?"

 

Now, puzzled expressions began to appear on the faces of those who had just jumped in declaring the great and mighty things they had done in Jesus' Name. No one said anything for a few moments. . . . . . Then one gathered up enough bravery to ask, "What do you mean? Didn't we do the Father's will when we did all these mighty and wonderful things?" Others began to join in adding their assent to the question that was perplexing them.

 

Jesus waited for the murmuring to die down. Then He asked:

 

"Did you give a glass of water to one of these little ones in My Name?"

 

He waited . . hands began to go up. The ones who had been so loudly proclaiming their mighty deeds, began to look around them, their perplextion growing.

 

"Did you give food to one of these little ones in My Name when they were hungry?"

 

More hand went up . . it was dead silent. Those who had first clamored so expectantly, grew even more perplexed as they looked around at those who were raising their hands.

 

"Did you clothe one of these little ones in My Hame when they were naked?"

 

Hands began to go up again . . Again, those who had so expectantly declared their mighty deeds at first, looked around a little concerned now, and very perplexed.

 

"Did you take in one of these little ones in My Name when they were a stranger?"

 

Again, in the silence, the soft sound of hands being raised was all that could be heard, and this time some of those who had first declared their mighty deeds, raised their hands too . . now with a more humble expression on their faces. The others looked on, some with a growing sense of alarm; but others with a confidence that even though they didn't understand what was going on, they didbn't need to worry about such "works", for they knew they were saved by grace through faith . .these works were totally unnecessary. A smugness began to settle over them as they thought they had everthing under control.

 

"Did you visit one of these little ones in My Name when they were sick?"

 

And the scene repeated itself as the soft silent sound of hands rising in the air answered. Those who had first been so sure in their expectancy, yet had never raised their hands, found themselves divided in their reactions to the unfolding situation. Some were showing signs of fear, realizing that something was indeed wrong, and though they tried to hide it, you could see it in their eyes. The others became even more certain they had nothing to fear, for they didn't believe in works. Works couldn't save, works couldn't justify one. They had nothing to worry about! And their smugness grew.

 

"Did you visit one of these little ones in My Name when they were in prison?"

 

Again, that silent, swoosh of hands rising in the air. Again, the look of fear in the eyes of some who had not raised their hands, and the look of smug confidence increasing in the eyes of those who didn't believe works did anything at all.

 

 

When the last hand was lowered, Jesus stood there in silence, looking at each one in turn. Some who had been worried right at first, even those who had looked at the ground because they had done no mighty works, now locked eyes with Jesus and saw His smiling at them and their eyes smiled back wrapped in peace and love. 

 

Those who had first bragged about their mighty deeds found they couldn't look Jesus in the eye, turning away when His eyes found theirs. Those who had smugly allowed themselves to feel confident because they "knew" that they needed no such works to be saved since faith was enough, found no smiles in Jesus' eyes for them, and could not keep their eyes locked on His. When they looked away, their eyes showed the first signs of real fear.

 

After all was done, Jesus spoke again:

 

"Those who raised your hands, come here to My right hand"

 

All those who had raised their hands made their way, peaceful and calm, to Jesus' right hand and stood there gazing on their Lord.

 

Then Jesus spoke again,

 

"Those who didn't raise your hands, come here and stand on My left."

 

Even though they were fearful of what this meant, and wanted to join the others on the right, they were compelled to obey. They gathered on His left, many nervous, some trembling.

 

When everyone was once again silently still, Jesus spoke again, first to those on His right, 

 

"When you gave one of these little ones water when they were thirsty, food when they were hungry, clothes when they were naked; when you took them in when they were a stranger, when you visited them when they were sick or in prison . . . 

 

Jesus paused, and looked at each and every one of those standing on His right, then He proceeded, softly and gently with great love .. .

 

" . . . . you did it unto Me."

 

They all gazed at Him with joyful awe, their faces radiant. . . . 

 

Jesus continued, booming with great joy . . 

 

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. Enter thou into the Joy of the Lord!"

 

And the gates of Heaven swung open with a mighty 'swoosh', followed by the angels who came out to usher them into heaven, with rapturous expressions, shining bright.

 

When all had entered, the gates of heaven closed, . . . the sound echoed in the silence.

 

Then Jesus slowly turned His attention to those on His left, with a look of deep sadness on His face. He looked at them and said.

 

"When you gave not one of these little ones water when they were thirsty, food when they were hungry, clothes when they were naked; when you took them not in when they were a stranger, when you visited them not when they were sick or in prison . . . 

 

Jesus paused, and looked at each and every one of those standing on His left; then He proceeded, clearly and uncompromisingly .. .

 

" . . . . you did it not unto Me."

 

Fear filled the hearts and minds of those standing there, looking at the stern face of the Lord. Those who had held, to the bitter end, on to their belief that one could not be saved by works, that works were absolutely unnecessary for one's salvation, were in utter confusion. Hadn't they done what Jesus wanted? They wanted to cry out again 'Look at our ministries! Look at our mighty deeds! Look at how the power of the Holy Spirit moved through us! We brought so many souls to You!' But they could say nothing.

 

Jesus just looked them in the eyes, and all they could find was sternness, like steel.

 

The words they dreaded to hear finally came . . 

 

Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Go away to eternal punishment!"

 

 

And in the suddenness of the moment, with weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, they found themselves flung far from Jesus and heaven . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

 

. . . . . . never to see either again.

 

A Cautionary Tale

 

Matthew 7:21-2Matthew 25:31-

Well, Therese, if THAT doesn't get people's attention they are beyond hope.  Such a scenario (those on the left) terrifies me to the depths of my soul!

[Retrobyter]

 Shalom, thereselittleflower.

A Cautionary Tale

 

 

One day, a group of souls suddenly found themselves standing before the Gates of Heaven and Jesus was there before them.

 

Some appeared with great expectancy on their faces, others looked a little doubtful.

 

Jesus asked them all . . . "Did you do the will of My Father?"

 

One, smiling with expectancy, eagerly said "LORD! I cast out many demons in You Name!" Another shouted out, "LORD! I prophesied to many in Your Name!", and another declared "LORD! I did mighty deeds in Your Name!", and others started chiming in with all the wonderous things they had done in His Name. 

 

Some, though, were looking around, feeling like they were on the outside, because they had never really done any of these things. A few were looking down at the ground, not daring to look up.

 

Jesus held up His hands for silence.

 

After all the clamoring had died down, and everyone was waiting in silence, Jesus said to them 

 

"But did you do My Father's will?"

 

Now, puzzled expressions began to appear on the faces of those who had just jumped in declaring the great and mighty things they had done in Jesus' Name. No one said anything for a few moments. . . . . . Then one gathered up enough bravery to ask, "What do you mean? Didn't we do the Father's will when we did all these mighty and wonderful things?" Others began to join in adding their assent to the question that was perplexing them.

 

Jesus waited for the murmuring to die down. Then He asked:

 

"Did you give a glass of water to one of these little ones in My Name?"

 

He waited . . hands began to go up. The ones who had been so loudly proclaiming their mighty deeds, began to look around them, their perplextion growing.

 

"Did you give food to one of these little ones in My Name when they were hungry?"

 

More hand went up . . it was dead silent. Those who had first clamored so expectantly, grew even more perplexed as they looked around at those who were raising their hands.

 

"Did you clothe one of these little ones in My Hame when they were naked?"

 

Hands began to go up again . . Again, those who had so expectantly declared their mighty deeds at first, looked around a little concerned now, and very perplexed.

 

"Did you take in one of these little ones in My Name when they were a stranger?"

 

Again, in the silence, the soft sound of hands being raised was all that could be heard, and this time some of those who had first declared their mighty deeds, raised their hands too . . now with a more humble expression on their faces. The others looked on, some with a growing sense of alarm; but others with a confidence that even though they didn't understand what was going on, they didbn't need to worry about such "works", for they knew they were saved by grace through faith . .these works were totally unnecessary. A smugness began to settle over them as they thought they had everthing under control.

 

"Did you visit one of these little ones in My Name when they were sick?"

 

And the scene repeated itself as the soft silent sound of hands rising in the air answered. Those who had first been so sure in their expectancy, yet had never raised their hands, found themselves divided in their reactions to the unfolding situation. Some were showing signs of fear, realizing that something was indeed wrong, and though they tried to hide it, you could see it in their eyes. The others became even more certain they had nothing to fear, for they didn't believe in works. Works couldn't save, works couldn't justify one. They had nothing to worry about! And their smugness grew.

 

"Did you visit one of these little ones in My Name when they were in prison?"

 

Again, that silent, swoosh of hands rising in the air. Again, the look of fear in the eyes of some who had not raised their hands, and the look of smug confidence increasing in the eyes of those who didn't believe works did anything at all.

 

 

When the last hand was lowered, Jesus stood there in silence, looking at each one in turn. Some who had been worried right at first, even those who had looked at the ground because they had done no mighty works, now locked eyes with Jesus and saw His smiling at them and their eyes smiled back wrapped in peace and love. 

 

Those who had first bragged about their mighty deeds found they couldn't look Jesus in the eye, turning away when His eyes found theirs. Those who had smugly allowed themselves to feel confident because they "knew" that they needed no such works to be saved since faith was enough, found no smiles in Jesus' eyes for them, and could not keep their eyes locked on His. When they looked away, their eyes showed the first signs of real fear.

 

After all was done, Jesus spoke again:

 

"Those who raised your hands, come here to My right hand"

 

All those who had raised their hands made their way, peaceful and calm, to Jesus' right hand and stood there gazing on their Lord.

 

Then Jesus spoke again,

 

"Those who didn't raise your hands, come here and stand on My left."

 

Even though they were fearful of what this meant, and wanted to join the others on the right, they were compelled to obey. They gathered on His left, many nervous, some trembling.

 

When everyone was once again silently still, Jesus spoke again, first to those on His right, 

 

"When you gave one of these little ones water when they were thirsty, food when they were hungry, clothes when they were naked; when you took them in when they were a stranger, when you visited them when they were sick or in prison . . . 

 

Jesus paused, and looked at each and every one of those standing on His right, then He proceeded, softly and gently with great love .. .

 

" . . . . you did it unto Me."

 

They all gazed at Him with joyful awe, their faces radiant. . . . 

 

Jesus continued, booming with great joy . . 

 

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. Enter thou into the Joy of the Lord!"

 

And the gates of Heaven swung open with a mighty 'swoosh', followed by the angels who came out to usher them into heaven, with rapturous expressions, shining bright.

 

 

 

 

When all had entered, the gates of heaven closed, . . . the sound echoed in the silence.

 

Then Jesus slowly turned His attention to those on His left, with a look of deep sadness on His face. He looked at them and said.

 

"When you gave not one of these little ones water when they were thirsty, food when they were hungry, clothes when they were naked; when you took them not in when they were a stranger, when you visited them not when they were sick or in prison . . . 

 

Jesus paused, and looked at each and every one of those standing on His left; then He proceeded, clearly and uncompromisingly .. .

 

" . . . . you did it not unto Me."

 

Fear filled the hearts and minds of those standing there, looking at the stern face of the Lord. Those who had held, to the bitter end, on to their belief that one could not be saved by works, that works were absolutely unnecessary for one's salvation, were in utter confusion. Hadn't they done what Jesus wanted? They wanted to cry out again 'Look at our ministries! Look at our mighty deeds! Look at how the power of the Holy Spirit moved through us! We brought so many souls to You!' But they could say nothing.

 

Jesus just looked them in the eyes, and all they could find was sternness, like steel.

 

The words they dreaded to hear finally came . . 

 

Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Go away to eternal punishment!"

 

 

And in the suddenness of the moment, with weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, they found themselves flung far from Jesus and heaven . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

 

 

 

. . . . . . never to see either again.

 

 

 

 

 

A Cautionary Tale

 

 

 

Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 25:31-

That’s an interesting way to tell Yeshua`s account, but it is not accurate. Yeshua` is not telling about an “entrance to Heaven”; He is talking about an “entrance into His Kingdom" when He comes back to this earth.  Look again at the key phrases (highlighted) below:

Matthew 25:31-46

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory (Greek: doxa = brightness; crystal clarity), and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory (Greek: doxa = brightness; crystal clarity):
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations (Greek: ethnoi = non-Israeli nations; Gentile nations): and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you (Greek: kleeronomeesete teen heetoimasmeneen humin basileian = inherit the adjusted for-you-all kingdom) from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren (a third party at the scene), ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me (Greek: Poreuesthe ap’ emou = "[you-all] Go away-from me") , ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
KJV

This is talking about a WAR TRIBUNAL after the Battle of Har-Megiddown (Armageddon), when Yeshua` seizes full control of the Land of Israel. He gathers all the other nations, particularly those who fought in this great battle, and decides their fates based on how they treated His people, the children of Israel. He is judging NATIONS, not individuals, at this tribunal. This is NOT the end judgment, because these nations who fail the test are NOT THROWN into the Lake of Fire right away, as they shall be after the final judgment (Revelation 20:7-15; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). They are merely DESTINED for the everlasting punishment in fire and SENT AWAY!

This war tribunal is a fulfillment of Joel 3 and Ezekiel 34:

Joel 3:11-20

11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
19 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
20 But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
KJV

Ezekiel 34:11-24

11 For thus saith the LORD God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the LORD God.
16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
17 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the LORD God; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.
18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
19 And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
20 Therefore thus saith the LORD God unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.
21 Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;
22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.
23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.
KJV