What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Why do people in Matthew 7:22 believe they have prophesied in the name of Christ?"
Answer
People in Matthew 7:22 mistakenly believe in their acceptance by Christ because they rely on their outward religious achievements, such as prophesying or performing miracles. However, they fall prey to deception, for although they acknowledge the name of Jesus, they simultaneously live in disobedience to God's law. Their faith is based on a self‑chosen standard of sanctification and a self‑presentation that hides the inner lack of true obedience and character transformation.
Claim to Sanctification While Simultaneously Disobedient
»One of Satan's most successful deceptions is to cause people to claim they are sanctified while they simultaneously live in disobedience to God's commandments. They are described by Jesus as those who will say, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? and cast out demons in your name? and do many mighty works in your name?” Yes, those who claim to be sanctified talk a great deal about being saved by the blood of Jesus, but their sanctification does not occur through the truth as it is in Jesus. While they claim to believe in Him and seemingly perform marvelous works in His name, they ignore the law of His Father.«
Deception Through Religious Outwardness and Pride
»Among those who will experience bitter disappointment on the day of final judgment will be some who were outwardly religious and apparently have led a Christian life. Yet the self is woven into everything they do. They are proud of their morality, their influence, their ability to stand in a higher position than others, and their knowledge of the truth; for they think this will earn them Christ’s praise. “Lord,” they plead, “we have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught on our streets.” “Did we not prophesy in your name? and cast out demons in your name? and do many marvelous works in your name?”«
False Prophets and Satan’s Power
»The people described here who make these presumptuous claims and seemingly weave Jesus into all their actions aptly represent those who claim modern sanctification yet are at war with God’s law. Christ calls them evildoers because they are frauds who wear the garments of righteousness to conceal the deformity of their character, the inner wickedness of their unholy hearts. ... Satan gives his power to those who assist him in his deceptions; therefore those who claim to possess the great power of God can be recognized only by the great detector, the law of Jehovah.«
Building on the Sand of One’s Own Standards
»Those depicted in this parable as building on sand are the ones who feel that everything is in order for them. They step directly before the Lord and say: I have done this, I have done that. “Many will say to me on that day: Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? and cast out demons in your name? and do many marvelous works in your name?” But that counts for nothing to the Lord. ... Here is a class that transgresses God’s law while proudly coming to Him with what they have done, expecting His favor. And it is this class that is portrayed here as building on sand. They have erected their own standard.«
Self‑Deception and Lack of Obedience
»Some are blinded, deceived within themselves. They imagine themselves clothed in the garments of Christ’s righteousness, while their hearts are in no way inclined to obey His demands. Jesus referred to this class when He said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of My Father in heaven.” He draws attention to that great day when all will be judged, not by their confession, but by their works.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
