The Bible says, “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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mt.7:22, 23 KJV).
According to our text, there are throughout Christendom, many religious leaders that are successful in religion who are lost. Their success is seen in the fact that they prophesied, cast out devils, and did many wonderful works in Jesus name. We know they’re lost because Jesus says to them “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” On Judgment Day, which will, for these, be The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) these will base their assumed salvation on the fact that they were religiously successful, in Jesus name. Like so many they think their religious success is proof that they’re saved. But religious works in Jesus name doesn’t save anyone, “ye must be born again.”
We must understand that these lost religious leaders didn’t operate within a false religion per se, but operated within and out from the established Church. The names of these church leaders were on the church roll but not in the “Lambs book of life”, for the church roll isn’t synonymous with the “Lambs book of life.” In other words, the church used them, but God didn’t. So just because the church is using someone and they become a success story, doesn’t mean God is using them and that their success was due to their obedience to God. They can actually be ministers of darkness who have transformed themselves into ministers of light that the church in many instances will use. And because the church today is biblically illiterate she is a soft target for Satan. Paul warned in II Cor. 11:13-15, that Satan as well as his angels don’t appear as the diabolical creatures we imagine them to be, but appear as ministers of the Gospel, that faithfully stand behind the pulpit and preach “another gospel” and “another Jesus” (II Cor. 11:4 KJV). And they are very successful. They must be successful; men don’t follow failures. (1 John 4: 1-3).
Some get in religious work for the wrong reason and see religion as a business and a spiritual franchise and if superstition, tradition, formality and rituals must be incorporated to keep the people enslaved and deceived and yet faithful in their attendance and giving, then so be it.
These words may sound harsh and unkind to the one that feels that the “man of God” is without fault and can do no wrong. The truth is that the one who ministers the Word is subject to the same temptations as those he ministers to and history proves that he has been known to yield to temptations.
My point is we often wrongfully think if someone is successful in religion that their success can only be due to the power of God being behind them, when in reality God may not have anything to do with them or their ministry. Satan can perform supernatural miracles and wonders and cast out his demons temporarily, in Jesus’ name to create the illusion that the miracles are divine, in order to deceive and mislead and entrap. Satan’s greatest area of activity is in the realm of religion. And often his base of operation is the church. Satan knows that people go to church to get the truth, and believe they are getting the truth there, and without checking the Bible to “see if such things (as they’re hearing) are so” will live their lives based on said truth, when in reality they have been led into error by Satan’s ministers.
It’s every Christians responsibility to know their Bible (KJV) and know if true truth is being preached and to judge the preachers success not on the bases of numbers or size or material wealth but instead on their spiritual fruit. (Mt.7:16)
Don’t Forget You’re Leaving
Poem
When our Lord, for Heaven was leaving
On a silver cloud ascending
He gave word He’d be returning
To take us Home with Him attending.
On a silver cloud ascending
He gave word He’d be returning
To take us Home with Him attending.
So amid your trials alarming
And worldly pleasures so disarming
See on Christ you’re strongly leaning
And don’t forget you’ll soon be leaving.
And worldly pleasures so disarming
See on Christ you’re strongly leaning
And don’t forget you’ll soon be leaving.
Though your light is now receding
And tempestuous waves are beating
Continue to gaze on Christ Who’s reigning
And keep in mind you’ll soon be leaving.
And tempestuous waves are beating
Continue to gaze on Christ Who’s reigning
And keep in mind you’ll soon be leaving.
Are your health and strength declining?
Then on Christ be all-relying.
Trust His grace; thy faith deciding,
And don’t forget you’ll soon be leaving.
Then on Christ be all-relying.
Trust His grace; thy faith deciding,
And don’t forget you’ll soon be leaving.
Are you cold and oft’ backsliding,
In Christ’ love you’re not abiding,
And in His Word you’re not confiding,
Did you forget that you were leaving?
In Christ’ love you’re not abiding,
And in His Word you’re not confiding,
Did you forget that you were leaving?
Have you ceased from holy watching’s,
And look no longer for His coming,
And your sins you’re not forsaking,
Did you forget that you were leaving?
And look no longer for His coming,
And your sins you’re not forsaking,
Did you forget that you were leaving?
Are there things that you’re regretting;-
Awful sins that were besetting?
Confess to Christ and cease from fretting.
Soon He’ll come, your sins forgetting.
Awful sins that were besetting?
Confess to Christ and cease from fretting.
Soon He’ll come, your sins forgetting.
Have you from the Truth been turning?
And God’s grace and will you’re spurning?
For Christ’ coming you’re not yearning?
What shame you’ll have at His returning.
Do you find this world appealing;
As your love for Christ it’s stealing?
Embrace the Cross and know its healing.
And don’t forget this world you’re leaving.
And God’s grace and will you’re spurning?
For Christ’ coming you’re not yearning?
What shame you’ll have at His returning.
Do you find this world appealing;
As your love for Christ it’s stealing?
Embrace the Cross and know its healing.
And don’t forget this world you’re leaving.
When the enemy is assailing
Hide in Christ whose all-prevailing
And whose love is never-failing
And don’t forget you’ll soon be leaving.
Hide in Christ whose all-prevailing
And whose love is never-failing
And don’t forget you’ll soon be leaving.
Are you vexed by Satan’s chafing?
With fiery darts your soul he’s strafing?
Just remember crowns you’re winning,
And don’t forget you’ll soon be leaving.
With fiery darts your soul he’s strafing?
Just remember crowns you’re winning,
And don’t forget you’ll soon be leaving.
Are there loved ones you are grieving,
As to their memory you’re clinging,
Who in Heaven now are waiting?
There is for you a reunion nearing.
As to their memory you’re clinging,
Who in Heaven now are waiting?
There is for you a reunion nearing.
Are you weary of the governing,
Of world rulers and their arguing?
Soon we’ll leave amidst their warring,
To a Kingdom where Christ is reigning.
Of world rulers and their arguing?
Soon we’ll leave amidst their warring,
To a Kingdom where Christ is reigning.
Soon He’ll come, His word fulfilling,
Our Savior and King on clouds descending,
Long we’ve looked for His appearing,
Expect this day that you’ll be leaving.
Our Savior and King on clouds descending,
Long we’ve looked for His appearing,
Expect this day that you’ll be leaving.
Are you with this world consenting?
Be not false in your pretending,
Turn to Christ with heart repenting,
And you’ll rejoice at His appearing.
Be not false in your pretending,
Turn to Christ with heart repenting,
And you’ll rejoice at His appearing.
