This study was first taught on February 14, 2012

Topic: Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (4)

No audio available for this study.

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Background
Last week, we studied the counsel that the Lord gave to the church in Laodicea, after His chastening of them. The Lord’s counsel was that they buy from Him, (a) gold refined in the fire, so that they may indeed be rich; (b) white garments that they may indeed be clothed and that their nakedness be not revealed; and, (c) eye salve to anoint their eyes with, so that they may indeed see.

We saw that when God invites us to come and buy things, He is not expecting us to come and make a monetary purchase; rather, God is asking us to come and ask Him in faith, so that He can give those things to us. Hence, the Lord’s counsel was that the Laodicean church come to Him and ask in faith for (a) true wealth from God which comes from a purging/purification in the furnace of God (affliction, hardship, testing, etc.); (b) God’s covering which is His righteousness obtained when they ask for forgiveness from God; and, (c) the Lord’s anointing upon their eyes so that they could indeed see as they should. We saw, however, that the Lord even made it easy for them by going to them, knocking at their door, and waiting for them to open up on to Him, so that He could give them what He had asked them to ask for.

This counsel applies to all believers in Christ. The time has come for all true believers to recognize that their wealth, possessions, and sufficiency must be in Christ alone. If we have erred from that path, we should willingly open the door of our hearts to our Lord, and He will give us true wealth; clothe and cover us with the robe of righteousness which protects from sin and covers shame; and, anoint our eyes so that we can clearly see as we ought and not live presumptuously.

We concluded by paraphrasing the Lord’s counsel thus, “Set aside all your claims to access into the kingdom of God on the grounds that you have prophesied or preached in My name; have cast out demons in My name; and have performed miracles in My name. Look at your condition and acknowledge that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; and then, come to Me, and obtain true wealth, and you will be wealthy indeed; obtain the white garment of righteousness, and you will be clothed indeed; and allow Me to anoint your eyes with My eye salve, and you will be able to see as you ought.” He continues, “I will even make it easier for you: you need not travel far to obtain these things, for I am already standing at the door and knocking, calling out to you; if you will hear My voice and open the door, then, I will come in and purge/purify you, clothe you, and anoint your eyes so that you can see clearly.”

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:21-23
Tonight, we conclude on the theme, “Entering into the Kingdom of Heaven”, as we study the Lord’s comments in v.23 of our scripture text. May the Holy Spirit help us to soberly and sincerely consider our claims to the kingdom of heaven, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (4)
We now conclude on the Lord’s final comments to all those with claims of doing God’s work in His Name, but who will not be permitted entry into heaven. We hope that the Lord’s comments will bring us to the place of sober reflection.
1 Corinthians 8:3; 1 John 5:3; Acts 19:13-16; 8:4-13, 14-23; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42, 37-42; 25:1-13; Luke 12:35; 1 John 2:18-19; Mark 13:22; 2 Timothy 2:19; John 10:25-29; Matthew 25:41-46; Luke 13:24-28.

Conclusion
The Lord’s comment to anyone who comes to Him with claims of access into heaven on the basis of preaching, casting out demons, performing miracles in His Name and other similar acts of divine service, is one that will shock and astound that person. For He said that He would make a plain and public proclamation, as follows: “At no time was I ever intimate with you; at no time were you ever intimate with Me. You did not love Me, nor did you ever keep any of My commandments. You were never born again, even though you were in church all your life. You had a position of eminence in the church, and were even ordained, but it was not I who gave you the position of eminence nor was it I who ordained you! I don’t recognize you, neither do I recognize as worthy of regard, any of these things you are claiming to have done in My name! Get away from Me. Get into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. You are a practitioner of lawlessness; a performer of iniquity and wickedness; a doer of things not authorized or approved by Me! You are a false professor of faith in God. You speak, but have no action to back up your speech. What a waste your life has been!”

Indeed, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Today is the day when we settle everything between us and God. This is a personal matter between you and God, and no other person is involved. You are the only one who knows whether you are playing games with God or whether you truly are born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, and sincerely walking with God. For those who are truly serving God, the eternal life promised by God is guaranteed, and can never fail; but those who are acting deceitfully, it will end very badly.

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