Matthew 7:22

I don't think they mistook the demons. What they mistook, was that while Jesus' name is powerful, it takes more that just using it to be saved.

blankshot said:

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' (23) And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

Who are these that the people mistook for demons? Did they really look like demons?

John 16:2-3 ESV They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. (3) And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.

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I don't believe these will be demons. They will be human beings who preached and performed works in the name of Jesus. But they will be part of the end times delusion that will cause all who reject the Message of Jesus but believe in "another jesus" to do lying signs and wonders just as the Lawless one will do when the time comes.

Never follow anyone because they are doing signs and wonders, there s no security in trusting in signs and wonders in the end times because the Bible reveals that in the end times people agents of satan will be able to do signs and wonders.

Trust in Jesus, the One revealed in the Bible. Not the one built up by the traditions of men who have twisted His message to make it of no use to those who embrace the lies.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

AMen Hammer/Stone

My you properly divide that which your eye has seen
That we all may have eyes and ears as well Numbers 11:29

Proverbs 20:12
Psalms 54:7

Dt 32:7-8

BTW Thank You for the use of Your House

You really have to wonder at some of the things I see on video. Like holy laughter, Or lining people up and pushing them over.
I've wondered about those snake handlers as well. Sure, Paul shook a snake off his arm and those who witnessed to were amazed he didn't die.

It really makes you wonder why this story is in Acts 28:1-10

28 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. [sup]2 [/sup]And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. [sup]3 [/sup]But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. [sup]4 [/sup]So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” [sup]5 [/sup]But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. [sup]6 [/sup]However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
[sup]7 [/sup]In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. [sup]8 [/sup]And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. [sup]9 [/sup]So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. [sup]10 [/sup]They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

This is truly a different message. "The native were kind" They recognized Paul "because of the snake" and said he was a god. Paul healed the patriarch of the island then others. The story closes with They also honored us in many ways.

What strikes me is, here is the man commissioned and empowered by the resurrected Christ to take the message into all the gentiles, yet he is not recorded as ever speaking a word "he prayed and healed". There is no hint of a message nor any sign the natives received salvation.
A few things come to mind.
1 That we should do good unto our enemies, Luke 6:35
2 By seeing Paul bitten they believed him a god
3 What is the fruit Paul and Luke receive from the natives? They also honored us in many ways.
4 You could apply this to some today. Those that seek honor, Paul IMO was not a seeker of praise and honor unto himself. Honor was given because of a sign a sign that Paul never demonstrated, but happened by chance.

I tried to make my point and I have heard my teachers say salvation was at work here, but I simply don't see it.
One things for sure those the Lord is speaking about never knew them. So If you being born of spirit have no fear of hearing the words I never knew you.
But watch out for signs and wonders, carefully. I pray we all have eyes to see.

blankshot
In the chapter before where is it that Paul and Luke were ship wrecked? answer where two seas meet. A chunk of wood for the fire.

I have no problem with Acts 28

but you asked

In the chapter before where is it that Paul and Luke were ship wrecked? answer where two seas meet. A chunk of wood for the fire

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Since they where shipwrecked on the island of Melita which is modern day Malta the two seas would have been the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea.



All Praise The Ancient of Days

Rex said:

You really have to wonder at some of the things I see on video. Like holy laughter, Or lining people up and pushing them over.
I've wondered about those snake handlers as well. Sure, Paul shook a snake off his arm and those who witnessed to were amazed he didn't die.

It really makes you wonder why this story is in Acts 28:1-10

This is truly a different message. "The native were kind" They recognized Paul "because of the snake" and said he was a god. Paul healed the patriarch of the island then others. The story closes with They also honored us in many ways.

What strikes me is, here is the man commissioned and empowered by the resurrected Christ to take the message into all the gentiles, yet he is not recorded as ever speaking a word "he prayed and healed". There is no hint of a message nor any sign the natives received salvation.
A few things come to mind.
1 That we should do good unto our enemies, Luke 6:35
2 By seeing Paul bitten they believed him a god
3 What is the fruit Paul and Luke receive from the natives? They also honored us in many ways.
4 You could apply this to some today. Those that seek honor, Paul IMO was not a seeker of praise and honor unto himself. Honor was given because of a sign a sign that Paul never demonstrated, but happened by chance.

I tried to make my point and I have heard my teachers say salvation was at work here, but I simply don't see it.
One things for sure those the Lord is speaking about never knew them. So If you being born of spirit have no fear of hearing the words I never knew you.
But watch out for signs and wonders, carefully. I pray we all have eyes to see.

blankshot
In the chapter before where is it that Paul and Luke were ship wrecked? answer where two seas meet. A chunk of wood for the fire.

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The very fact that Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake is a sign that he was a Believer.


Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Just because Scripture doesn't record Paul preaching, I'm sure he did. Because all throughout his epistles, you find that there is ONE thing on Paul's mind: Jesus.

There is no way that such a man on fire would have just passed through, especially after what happened.

The story here points to quite a few things. The most prominent for me is this: That when one is filled with the Spirit of the Almighty God, amazing things can and will happen in ways that we least expect it. From a supposedly fatal snake bite, came an incredible avenue for Paul to share about Jesus.

Nothing is impossible when one walks with Jesus.

I believe these people may be confused about casting out demons in that they perhaps were dealing with the deception of thinking they had cast them out.

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Hi HammerStone,

You may be partly correct, but I offer an alternative perspective, from my own experience. There are those who can move demons around just by commanding them. They do not bring full or lasting deliverance to the person who is demonised. They may even deliberately not cast out every demon, to keep the person in bondage, or, invite new demons into the person's life.

And, some demons will move if they are commanded in the name of Jesus Christ - which we know is the most powerful name, the name above all names in heaven and on earth - although some will not:

Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches. 14 And there were seven sons of [one] Sceva, a Jew, [and] chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Bill Schnoebelen, referring to his days in the occult, quotes, 'Sometimes the magic works. Sometimes the magic doesn't work'.

Scripture has given many proofs of God's working according to holiness and truth. It is up to us to press into the fulness of what has been made available through Christ's life and sacrifice. We will not have an excuse on the last day, if we have refused Him to use us as He desires.

The situation you mention, where people conform to an outward standard judged by others to be 'spiritual', is specifically spoken against in the NT. 1 Cor 2:14, 15. But therefore, no-one who really wants to know the Lord and be in right relationship with Him, has an excuse for remaining deceived or confused. Acknowledgement of truth is the key to breaking out of deceptions, including self-deception. Rom 1:17, 18, 19, 28.

2 Thessalonians 2:'... after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivable-ness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth 10 Proving what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever makes manifest is light. 1

4 Wherefore he says, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be being filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God
.

When Jesus states that some will have cast out demons in His name, there is no reason to disbelieve Him. He was not mistaken. He is, therefore, emphasising the need to be in right relationship with the Father through Him, obeying the Father's will. Matt 7:21, John 6:39.

John 14:13 And whatever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].

John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 16:23 . And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.

John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

Jesus is giving us a key - obey, obedience. This is the antedote to Adam's disobedience. Acts 5:32.

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. 1

8 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hates me hates my Father also.

24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.


We must be living and walking in the Holy Spirit - and therefore speaking 'in the name' of Jesus Christ - when we ask God to do something for us.

ZebraHug said:

The very fact that Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake is a sign that he was a Believer.


Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Just because Scripture doesn't record Paul preaching, I'm sure he did. Because all throughout his epistles, you find that there is ONE thing on Paul's mind: Jesus.

There is no way that such a man on fire would have just passed through, especially after what happened.

The story here points to quite a few things. The most prominent for me is this: That when one is filled with the Spirit of the Almighty God, amazing things can and will happen in ways that we least expect it. From a supposedly fatal snake bite, came an incredible avenue for Paul to share about Jesus.

Nothing is impossible when one walks with Jesus.

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Thank you
Great point ZebraHug
The verse never came to mind. They shall take up serpents it's not an exact fit but close enough.

I found that strange as well. but I'm a bit careful about speaking about salvation or believing when nether is clear in a story. Scripture surly has layered meaning or "pardes" but I'm not the first to say were all still dim reflections in light of what we will be. So I'm always learning, the best way to learn is to listen to everyone and every detail, One thing I have learned with Jesus is God is a God of the smallest detail, from every grain of sand to the placement of every star.

Just because Scripture doesn't record Paul preaching, I'm sure he did. Because all throughout his epistles, you find that there is ONE thing on Paul's mind: Jesus.

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The accounts of Jesus healing is different in every case, some we know believed others we don't, God looks at each one of us for exactly who we are, the Lords work is not a pre-stamped I have it all figured out salvation. The exception is "that we all believe" after that we all have a story, we all have our own personality that is shaped in your love and walk threw life with Him.

I do this all the time, I'm simply trying to help, If I dive in when someone calls for help I really don't care if I see the guiding hand of the Lord I know He'll be there. Let's rescue one another. Come, let us reason together.
God Bless You ZebraHug

Let me rephrase that, when someone needs help the Lord says "go" and I hit the water, I don't worry what I will find I know He will be there. He's trained me to never worry about my job or money, what I will eat, or what others my think. You want to SEE the HAND of the LORD follow those instructions.

And the praise and Glory is His and His alone

The very words I speak teach me Thank you Lord

Hi HammerStone,

I did have to call attention to a hermeneutical detail here.

Matthew 7:22-23
On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness'

Notice who says what and make no mistake that Jesus never validates their works. He is merely reporting what is said. Just as Satan's words to Eve are in the Bible, so are the words of the lawless here. These works are claimed to have been done in the name of Jesus, but the implication is that they were not, because the whole Jesus side of the equation is lacking. He clearly says I never knew them, when elsewhere he says (as well as inspired others) that he knows exactly whom are his.

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Points taken! Thanks for the gentle correction.