Matthew 7 - DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' – Who is He talking to?

Mat 7:13
"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.

Yeshua tells us to enter into the narrow gate. He is referring to righteousness. This is the gate of Yahweh (Psalm 118:19-20, Isa. 26:1-2). The way is broad that leads to destruction. It is the way of man and his desires (Prov. 3:5-7. Ezek. 18:27-32).
Mat 7:14
"For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.

The gate of righteousness is narrow (Prov. 4:26-27, 8:20, Isa. 35:8, Jer. 6:16). The way is narrow that leads to life (Prov. 6:23, 12:28, 16:17).
Mat 7:15
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

We are to beware of false prophets. How do you determine a false prophet (Deut. 13:1-4, Isa 9:15-16, Jer. 23:13-17)? Isaiah tells us one way to know if someone is speaking the Truth Isa 8:20).
Mat 7:16
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?

The reference to fruits is a reference to works (Prov. 1:29-31, 8:18-20). Yeshua is saying that a tree will produce the type of fruit that it is. In the same way, we will produce works that reflect our love for our Father and our position in Him.
Mat 7:17
"Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
Mat 7:18
"A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
Mat 7:19
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Yeshua is speaking of the judgment of the unrighteous (Ezek. 15:2-7, Isa. 5:5-7).
Mat 7:20
"So then, you will know them by their fruits.

We have seen that the fruit of a person is their works, whether they be righteousness or unrighteousness. This is a good time to ask a question. According to Scripture, what is righteousness? (Deut. 6:25, 1 John 3:7-10).
Mat 7:21
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.

Just because one proclaims Yeshua as "Master" does not mean they will enter the kingdom of heaven. A very similar instance is described in Hosea 8:2-3. We are told that if we do not do the will of His Father, we will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Keep in mind that the Kingdom of heaven is the Kingdom Elohim will set up on earth. If we do not do His Will, we will not enter it (Rev. 22:14). Scripture tells us that we are to keep His Word. That is how He can bless us. Luke 11:28).
Mat 7:22
"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?'

Many claim to prophesy in His name. How do you know if someone is prophesying in the name of Yahweh? If they call the people to obedience to Him. Jer 23:21-22). Also, those who cast out demons and perform many miracles in the name of Yeshua will not necessarily enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Elohim does not call us to be demon-stompers or miracle-workers. He calls us to obedience to His Word. The claims of the people in this verse (prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles) are not the things the Elohim tells us to do in His Torah.
Mat 7:23
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

He will say to those who do not obey His Word, "I never knew you." This is consistent with His Word throughout John 14:15, 21-24, 1 John 2:3-7). He will say, "Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Psalm 5:5, 6:8).
Mat 7:24
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts
upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.

A wise man is defined in Scripture Job 28:28, Psalm
119:98-100). Paul reminds us that wisdom comes from Torah (2 Tim.
3:15-17).

River Valley Torah Assembly
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