I hope you don't mind Joshua, I thought I would start a new thread regarding Matthew 7

"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. 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." Matthew 7:21-23

Some who say “Lord, Lord” will enter the Kingdom of heaven but not everyone. Just because some make outward professions and impress people with their attitude and manner does not mean they will be in the Little Flock. Only those who do the will of the Father in heaven will be so rewarded. What an individual teaches must be weighed against what the Word of God teaches. If the two are not in harmony, the individual is a false prophet (verse 15), a false teacher, a false preacher. If one speaks not according to the law and the testimony of the prophets, there is no light in him, yet the individual might be well educated and a fluent speaker (Isa. 8:20). In order to discern a true prophet from a false prophet, we must analyze the substance of one’s thinking and direction in the lives of others.

“False prophets” are destined for destruction (Second Death), but there are various degrees of misleading and responsibility. For example, Matthew 5:19 says that he who breaks the least of Jesus’ commandments and teaches men so shall be least in the Kingdom of heaven. Those who are a little careless will be at the bottom of the ladder, as it were. Those who are more careless will be saying, “Lord, did we not prophesy in thy name and do wonderful works?” These will not make the Little Flock, but they will get life. Still others are ravening wolves and false prophets; both they and those who imbibe their spirit will go into Second Death.

Many are convinced they are right because of providential circumstances. They cite experiences to show how the Lord has used them, but in this, they are self-deceived. “Didn’t we cast out demons in thy name?” “Haven’t we done many wonderful works in thy name?” They accomplish various works but are thrust out of the Little Flock (although, presumably, they will be in the Great Company). They are very impressed with the Lord’s leading in their lives but lack understanding. An Old Testament principle is being used here: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:22).

It is interesting that at the time of judgment, this class are trying to expostulate with the Master. They are disappointed and trying to reason with him, but they were deceived. Many mistakenly think that an individual who dies enthusiastically makes his calling and election sure. That may or may not be the case.

Of this deceived class, some may have been misled by false prophets/teachers. The principle is pointed out by the contrast in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. The Pharisee boastfully thought he was righteous, whereas the publican beat his chest and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee was deceived, and the publican had the right attitude.

“Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” The word translated “iniquity” means “lawlessness,” that is, not following the rules in connection with obedience to the Lord. In other words, “You thought you were following the rules and being obedient, but your conduct was not according to the will of my Father in heaven. You did not properly recognize the right law.”

“I never knew you.” Jesus never knew this class as being of the Little Flock, but he certainly knew them as being consecrated. All are called in the one hope of the high calling, and of these, all who continue on to be faithful unto death will actually receive the reward promised. All who are called can be of the Little Flock if they are faithful. The very fact one is called means that he can attain the chief prize, by the Lord’s grace, if he properly matures and is faithful unto death. Each must come up to a certain standard of development in his own life (he must reach the “mark”) and then stand fast (that is, faithfully) in order to get the crown of life.

However, many do not come up to the mark in the full sense of the word. They do not mature in the sense the Lord wants, so they are never recognized as having developed the standard and qualities He is looking for. The Diaglott rendering is, “I never approved of you”; that is, this class never really qualified for the Little Flock. The Lord never knew this class in the sense of being what they thought they were. They expected to get the chief reward, and here they are, expostulating with the Master in the future after they realize they failed to attain the Little Flock. They were confident of their development in the present life but failed. We cannot assume that just because a person manifests this confidence, he will be in the Little Flock or he “knows the Lord.” Many people fool others by their professions; they use sweet, gushy talk. There are many good people in the world with refined, kind natural qualities, but these are not proofs of either their Spirit-begetting or even their consecration. And even for those who are consecrated and develop fruits of the Spirit, such as kindness, this does not prove they will be of the Little Flock because obedience must accompany the fruitage.

Thus proper discernment and judgment are a lifelong study. We should have reserve when we see certain things and not foolishly rush in. We should carefully measure the situation first.

RR