The Authorized Representative

                                                                                                                                                

Aloha Dearest Family,

Some in the past have taught that if we don't continually follow God Word and stay in fellowship with God, that we will be denied our rewards and, at the gathering together, be cast out of God's kingdom. The scripture passage used to back up this belief is Matthew 7:21-23.

"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."

Now, you may ask, how could the Lord say to someone who seems to be doing great things in the name of Jesus Christ, that they are "the workers of iniquity" and be cast out and not be able to enter into God's Kingdom? This doesn't sound right. If this is true then none of us would make it into the kingdom, for none of us walks perfectly. So what are these verses telling us?

These verses are made clearer once we understand the practices and customs of the ancient East. The people of the Bible fully understood the practice of using someone else's name. A king for example, had great authority and had the right and responsibility to make certain laws and decrees pertaining to his realm of authority. For this purpose every king had a ring called the "signet ring". Instead of signing a document he would apply hot wax to it and stamp it with his seal, the signet ring.

Now, the king could authorize a representative to act and conduct business on his behalf. The King would give the signet ring to this person and he could act in the "king's name"; conducting the king's business as if the king himself were present. This representative had absolutely no authority in his "own" name. His only authority came from using the Kings name. You can see this clearly referring to Joseph and Pharaoh,

  "And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck." (Genesis 41:41 and 42) (ESV) 

Of course, if this person displeased the king, the king could revoke the privilege of using the ring. (For further study of the signet ring, see Esther chapter 3, Esther 8:1 and I Kings 21:1-15).

By the time of Jesus, this custom was already well known to the people of Israel. Many recognized that Jesus was the authorized representative of God and this is why he could do many, mighty works. Jesus always did what God wanted him to do and therefore acted on behalf of his Father. So healing and saving people must have been God's Will.

The spiritualists of the time always used the name of someone of greater spiritual power to casts out spirits. Since Jesus cast out many devil spirits, then he must have had greater authority. (This explains Acts 19: 13-16).

This leads us to our beginning scriptures, Matthew 7:21-23. These people who Jesus is referring to are not born again believers, since this is before the day of Pentecost. They were those who were using his name but were not authorized to do so. (also check out Matthew 12:27) There is great power in his name but only those who are authorized representatives can legally use that name.

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." (John 14:13 and 14)

"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 15:16)

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. (If) 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." (Mark 16: 17 and 18)

We, the children of God, are the authorized representatives of the King. We are authorized to conduct the Father's business in the name of Jesus Christ, doing signs, miracles and wonders. When we pray in his name, it is as if Jesus Christ himself were praying. We are representing Jesus Christ on earth. We walk "in his stead "— "instead of Christ". We don't use a signet ring today, but we have God's holy spirit which He has "sealed us with". (Ephesians 1:13) Jesus Christ's name is a name that is above every name that is named. His name is above the names of Cancers, Diabetes, heart attacks, AIDS, Tuberculosis, Coronavirus and Paralysis (and any others that you could name). We can use this name because we are authorized.

Furthermore, we are citizens of heaven. We are the saints, the holy ones. God and Jesus Christ are not going to condemn us (and they are the only ones who could).

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? Is it God that justifieth? Who is he that condemneth? Is it Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us? (Romans 8:33 and 34) 

If they are not going to condemn us, then we are NOT CONDEMNED. Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God. NOTHING!

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38 and 39)

Love Always, Ray