By what power did the people mentioned in Matthew 7:22-23 cast out demons then and heal people?
Matthew 7:22 - 23
ESV - 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.
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Asked July 02 2016
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Geta Wal
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
I would say that they received their power from God, rather than from Satan or other evil or demonic sources, since Jesus Himself said that, if such works as casting out demons were being done by the power of the devil (as the Pharisees accused Jesus of doing), it would mean that Satan was fighting against himself; that Satan's kingdom was therefore divided; and that it would soon fall. However, the mere fact that they would have done it, or even that they would have done it in Jesus' name, would not have been a guarantee that their hearts and minds were in a proper relationship of service and obedience to God. Jesus gave the apostles (including Judas Iscariot) the power and authority to do such works in His name (Mark 6:7-12), but Judas still betrayed Jesus, indicating that, despite the works that he had done, he was in an unsaved state. God looks upon the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), not just an individual's actions that are visible to other people.
Darla Pluckrose
Supporter
There is Power in the name of Jesus, especially in the presence of believers. I believe the miracles were allowed to happen for the benefit of the saved and almost- convinced, and not for the benefit of or to validate the speakers. They were merely tools to God's end and were deluded by pride and boastfulness regarding their own importance and place in God's kingdom.
Kenneth Heck
Supporter
We know many false christs and false prophets will arise in the last days who will deceive many with their spiritual gifts and powers. It will be (and is today) a time of great confusion over who and what is true or false. The beginning words "On that day" for this verse (Matt 7:22) probably refer to the specific day of judgment taking place when Christ returns to judge the nations (Matt 25: 31-46). I believe these people (Matt 7:22-23) will be of the line of the Antichrist and receive their powers from the same source the Antichrist does, if not from the Antichrist directly. They are guilty of misusing the name of Jesus Christ to give their prophecies and other works an appearance of authenticity and authority, and misidentifying the Antichrist as the true Christ. They are ordered to depart from Christ, and so wind up outside the Kingdom of Heaven in the outer darkness, if not the Lake of Fire.
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