Thursday, January 26, 2006
Enter Three Counts of Defense
Matt. 7:
V22. "Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
We hear these folks whine as they enter three counts of defensive testimony before the righteous Judge, “Did we not prophesy in Your name,” is the first count. Here are those who have made themselves a living out of religion. This is not a salary that seeks to expand the kingdom but one who merely sees religion as a handsome position that fulfills worldly self interests. He is a blind guide that survives by the backs of the willing ignorant. Over a period of time he is self-deluded to believe he is God’s servant.
The second count of defense is: “Did we not, in Your name cast out demons?” We see this very example in Acts 19:11-17 And God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12. so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13. But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14. And seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16. And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17. And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. Another example is of one who practiced this in Mark 9:38 John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to hinder him because he was not following us."
The third and final count of defense is: “Did we not, in Your name perform many miracles?” Christ tells us that these things will occur: Matt. 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Paul also tells of satanic miracles to come in 2Thess. 2:8-9 And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9. that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, MacArthur says, “There are three possible explanations for the claim of the false believers. It may be that they were allowed to do these amazing works by God’s power… Satan’s power… or their prophecies, exorcisms, and miracles were fake and contrived.” It really does not make a bit of difference because in the final analysis they were not His children and did not truly recognize Him as Lord even though they professed so.
V22. "Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
We hear these folks whine as they enter three counts of defensive testimony before the righteous Judge, “Did we not prophesy in Your name,” is the first count. Here are those who have made themselves a living out of religion. This is not a salary that seeks to expand the kingdom but one who merely sees religion as a handsome position that fulfills worldly self interests. He is a blind guide that survives by the backs of the willing ignorant. Over a period of time he is self-deluded to believe he is God’s servant.
The second count of defense is: “Did we not, in Your name cast out demons?” We see this very example in Acts 19:11-17 And God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12. so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13. But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14. And seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16. And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17. And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. Another example is of one who practiced this in Mark 9:38 John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to hinder him because he was not following us."
The third and final count of defense is: “Did we not, in Your name perform many miracles?” Christ tells us that these things will occur: Matt. 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Paul also tells of satanic miracles to come in 2Thess. 2:8-9 And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9. that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, MacArthur says, “There are three possible explanations for the claim of the false believers. It may be that they were allowed to do these amazing works by God’s power… Satan’s power… or their prophecies, exorcisms, and miracles were fake and contrived.” It really does not make a bit of difference because in the final analysis they were not His children and did not truly recognize Him as Lord even though they professed so.
# posted by Castusfumus : 3:01 PM
