July 24, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
(The views expressed in this article are my personal interpretations of the Bible, particularly concerning biblical prophecy and the end times. They are offered for discussion, study, and personal reflection. I do not claim special revelation, nor do I speak on behalf of any church, denomination, religious organization, or its leaders. Readers are encouraged to study the Scriptures for themselves, seek God’s guidance through prayer, and draw their own conclusions.)
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…” — Matthew 7:21 (KJV)
When Christians discuss the last days, the conversation almost always turns to the Antichrist, the mark of the beast, the tribulation, and the powerful deception that the Bible says will come upon the world. These are important subjects, and the Scriptures tell us to be watchful. Yet there is another deception—one that is already at work today—and it may be even more dangerous because it affects a person’s eternal destiny.
What if the greatest deception is not being fooled by the Antichrist someday? What if it is believing that you belong to Jesus Christ when, in reality, you do not?
This is not merely a warning from the Apostle Paul or the Apostle John. It is a warning spoken directly by Jesus Christ Himself. In one of the most sobering passages in all of Scripture, Jesus describes people who fully expected to enter heaven. They were convinced they were His followers, yet they discovered too late that they had never truly known Him.
Jesus Warned That Many Would Be Shocked
Jesus said:
“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.”
— Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
These are among the most startling words Jesus ever spoke. Notice that the people standing before Him were not atheists, pagans, or those openly opposed to God. They addressed Him as “Lord.” They believed they had faithfully served Him. They pointed to their religious accomplishments as evidence that they belonged to Him.
Yet Jesus did not say, “I knew you once.” He said, “I never knew you.” Their greatest tragedy was not simply that they had sinned. Their tragedy was that they had lived their entire lives believing they were saved while never having entered into a genuine relationship with the Savior.
That possibility should cause every one of us to pause and honestly examine our own faith.
Religion Has Never Been Able to Save Anyone
One of Satan’s greatest deceptions is convincing people that religion and salvation are the same thing. Millions place their confidence in the church they attend, their baptism, religious ordinances, priesthood authority, sacraments, temple ceremonies, or simply the belief that they have tried to live a good life.
The Bible teaches something entirely different.
Paul wrote:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
Salvation is not earned through religious effort. It is not something we deserve because we have lived better than someone else. It is God’s free gift, purchased by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
If our own goodness could save us, then Christ’s suffering on Calvary would have been unnecessary. The cross itself is proof that there was no other way for sinful mankind to be reconciled to a holy God.
Jesus Said You Must Be Born Again
When Nicodemus came to Jesus, he was one of the most respected religious leaders in Israel. If anyone could have entered heaven through religious devotion alone, surely it would have been him.
Yet Jesus did not compliment his religion. He did not tell him to work harder or become more devoted. Instead, Christ immediately addressed the one thing Nicodemus lacked.
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)
Then Jesus repeated the statement so there could be no misunderstanding.
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
— John 3:7 (KJV)
Notice the certainty of His words. Jesus did not say that being born again was a good idea or simply one path among many. He said it was absolutely necessary. Every person who enters God’s kingdom must experience this spiritual rebirth that comes through faith in Him.
Being a Good Person Is Not Enough
Many people hope that, when they stand before God, their good deeds will outweigh their failures. That idea may sound comforting, but it is not what the Bible teaches.
Scripture says:
“There is none righteous, no, not one.”
— Romans 3:10 (KJV)
And again:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23 (KJV)
God does not compare us with other people. He compares us with His own perfect holiness. By that standard, every one of us falls short.
That is precisely why Jesus came into the world. We do not need a little improvement—we need a Savior.
The Thief on the Cross Changed Everything
Perhaps the clearest picture of salvation by grace is found in the thief who hung beside Jesus on the cross.
He had no opportunity to perform good works. He could not be baptized. He could not join a church, make restitution for his crimes, or begin a new life of obedience. All he could do was place his faith in the dying Savior beside him.
Jesus answered with these remarkable words:
“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
— Luke 23:43 (KJV)
In that moment, the thief received eternal life—not because of what he had done, but because of whom he trusted.
His story reminds us that salvation has always been by God’s grace through faith, never by human achievement.
Have You Personally Trusted Jesus Christ?
There is a tremendous difference between knowing facts about Jesus and personally trusting Him.
Many people believe He existed. Many admire His teachings. Some attend church every week. Yet none of those things, by themselves, save a person.
The Bible says:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.“
— Romans 10:9 (KJV)
Notice the certainty of God’s promise. It does not say you might be saved or that you could be saved if you perform enough good works afterward. It says, “thou shalt be saved.”
Our confidence rests entirely in Jesus Christ and His finished work upon the cross, and NOT in anything else. NOT your church, NOT your temple, NOT even in your own good works or service. JUST in Jesus Christ… FULLY!
Examine Yourself Before It Is Too Late
The Apostle Paul gave believers a challenge that remains just as important today.
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
God never tells us to examine our denomination, our church attendance, or our religious accomplishments. Instead, He calls us to examine whether we are truly in the faith.
That is one of the most important questions any person will ever answer.
God Wants You to Know
The wonderful news of the gospel is that God does not want His children living in fear or uncertainty. He wants us to have assurance.
John wrote:
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…”
— 1 John 5:13 (KJV)
Notice that John says we may know. Eternal life is not based upon our ability to maintain perfection. It rests upon the finished work of Jesus Christ and the promises of God’s Word.
Those who have truly placed their faith in Him can live with confidence—not confidence in themselves, but confidence in their Savior.
The Most Important Question You Will Ever Answer
One day every one of us will stand before Jesus Christ. On that day, our church membership, religious title, family heritage, charitable works, and personal reputation will not determine our eternal destiny.
Only one question will matter.
Did you truly know Jesus Christ… and did He know you?
The greatest deception is not simply being deceived by the Antichrist in the future. The greatest deception is spending an entire lifetime believing you are saved while never having truly trusted the One who alone can save.
Jesus has already done everything necessary for your salvation. He willingly bore your sins upon the cross, shed His blood for your redemption, and rose again the third day so that all who believe on Him might receive eternal life.
His invitation remains open today.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
If you have never placed your complete trust in Jesus Christ alone, do not wait. Turn to Him in faith today. Do not rely upon your religion, your good works, or your own righteousness. Place your confidence entirely in the finished work of the Savior.
Then, instead of hearing the heartbreaking words, “I never knew you,” you can look forward with joyful anticipation to hearing:
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
— Matthew 25:21 (KJV)
There is no greater peace in this life than knowing, with full assurance from the Word of God, that your eternal salvation rests completely in Jesus Christ.
Satan has had FULL intent to deceive the very elect. They have been his primary target for deception. They are the ones that really matter to him to take away from God. We have also been warned about this in the scriptures:
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
— Matthew 24:24 (KJV)
What better way for satan to lead the very elect away from Jesus Christ, than to use religion disguised as the teachings of Jesus Christ to do so. LIES mixed in with some truths seems to have worked quite successfully, as I have been one that was personally caught up in the nets of deception from my church.
To be taught that my church was the only true church, and that I needed this church as well as their religious ordinances to obtain my salvation. My good works, my tithing, my service and church attendance were all necessary for me to receive that salvation. And even that if I did not pay my tithing, that I would be “Burned at His coming!” ALL of this was DECEPTION, and false teachings compared to the teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament.
Isn’t it ironic, that a church that proclaims the entire gospel truth could very well be the reason that a person is met by the Savior and hears Him say… “Depart from Me, I never knew you?”
We are nearing the start of the 7-year Tribulation Period, preceded by the Rapture for all of those who are “in Christ.” THE MOST IMPORTANT thing that you can be doing right now is to make certain that you are SAVED, by becoming Born Again as taught in the New Testament. This is NOT being baptized as certain churches teach.
Right NOW, go to the New Testament and study how to become Born Again. Study what it means to be “in Christ.” With the assistance of today’s technology, you can learn all of the details in a matter of moments. Then, ask yourself if you have been saved, according to what Christ is teaching. If NOT, you can do it immediately through prayer, through Jesus Christ.
Let me be bold for a moment, and help you clearly see if you are saved, or if you are using the false teachings of the adversary to make this determination:
The King James Bible teaches that salvation is received by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by adding religious ordinances, temple ceremonies, church membership, or personal good works as requirements for eternal life. Scripture declares, “For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV), and “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5, KJV).
When a person trusts anything alongside Christ’s finished work on the cross as necessary to be saved, they are no longer relying completely upon Him. Salvation is a free gift purchased entirely by the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:10–14, KJV). Good works, obedience, and a changed life are the evidence of genuine faith, but they are never the cause of salvation. To add religion, ceremonies, or human effort as a requirement for being saved is to place confidence in something other than Christ alone, when the Scriptures plainly teach that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, KJV). When a person believes all of these other things are NECESSARY for salvation, they are NOT SAVED! They are like Nicodemus prior to Jesus telling him that he must be Born Again to see the “Kingdom of God.”
Are you like Nicodemus, trusting in the good, religious person that you are. Trusting in your knowledge of your church’s doctrine and history? Active membership and service and even religious leadership titles? Tithing paid? Temple attendance, service, and rituals performed for the dead? Service of a full-time mission for the church? Do you think that all of these things will save you? Well, sadly I must tell you that if you are relying upon these things, you are like Nicodemus, and are still missing the very thing that will SAVE you. The very thing that will grant you entrance into the kingdom of God…Heaven! And I must tell you as Jesus told Nicodemus that day… YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN to be SAVED.
All of your good works are indeed important, but they have NOTHING to do with Salvation. Our salvation, (living with God in heaven), is due to one thing only… the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and our job is to accept that atonement through faith as all that is necessary for salvation. 100% of the credit goes to Jesus Christ. 100% of the GLORY goes to our Savior! Not to us or our church…Nothing else, just Jesus Christ, as He is the one saving you. Not you…Not your Church…just Him.
Do not let the craftiness of satan continue to fool you through the teachings of your church. And the beauty of this is that you can take all of these teachings from Jesus Christ to God in prayer to let Him confirm their truthfulness. Do not trust ME, or any other MAN, for that is what got all of us deceived in the first place. TRUST GOD ONLY!!! Let HIM be the one that confirms truth. Talk to God in prayer, and let Him talk to you through His scripture…the New Testament. Compare all of spiritual learning to the words that Christ and His apostles wrote which are recorded in the New Testament, for this is His gospel. If you think OTHER scriptures are truth, compare those teachings with the teachings of Christ in the New Testament, and you will see quite quickly that this other scripture is NOT the SAME. Do not continually use it to deceive you.
As you continue to learn TRUTH as Christ taught in the New Testament, it will flush out all of the untruths that false religions are teaching. As you begin this journey today, again, start by learning how to become Born again, and what it means to be “in Christ” as Jesus taught. This is what matters MOST. It is a simple adjustment but a very critical one that you must make.
I give my firm conviction and testimony of this closing scripture…
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
— John 8:31–32 (KJV)
I KNOW with great certainty that I am going to heaven. Do YOU????
I KNOW with great certainty that I will be included in the Rapture that will take place very soon. Do You????
This knowledge that I have is due to the fact that I NOW know the truth, which has set me FREE! I pray that you too can find such freedom in learning the truth that Jesus taught.
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