Hell’s Most Surprised Guests

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 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?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’” — Matthew 7:21–23

A Knock at the Wrong Gate

Imagine the sound of weeping—not from pain, but from shock.

Imagine a man, with hands lifted high, sweat still on his brow from ministry, lips still warm from preaching, eyes wide with anticipation. He steps forward expecting reward… only to be turned away. “Lord, Lord…” he cries, bewildered. But the door doesn’t open. The gate doesn’t swing wide. The voice behind it says words colder than death:

“I never knew you. Depart from Me.”

He collapses—not from exhaustion, but from realization. Eternity has already begun. And he’s not where he thought he’d be.

He is in hell.

And he’s surprised to be there.

THE GREAT DECEPTION: FALSE ASSURANCE IN A RELIGIOUS LIFE

This passage isn’t about pagans. It isn’t about atheists or witches or rebellious prodigals shaking fists at heaven.

No, Jesus is speaking of those who called Him Lord. Twice.

In Jewish culture, that repetition meant intensity—“Lord, Lord” meant earnestness. It meant affection. It meant sincerity. These weren’t lukewarm pew-fillers. They were people who thought they knew Jesus. But He didn’t know them.

Let that strike you: You can say His name, do His work, walk with His people… and still not be His.

We are in dangerous territory here. The most terrifying words in Scripture are not, “You are condemned,” but “I never knew you.” Because those words are said to someone who thought they were already in.

These are Hell’s most surprised guests.

THE LOST AMONG THE FAITHFUL

A. Judas Iscariot – The Apostle Who Kissed the Door of Heaven and Went to Hell

Judas walked with Jesus. He saw the miracles. He healed the sick. He cast out demons. He sat at the Last Supper, dipped his hand in the bowl. He kissed the very face of God… and betrayed Him.

He wasn’t an outsider. He was in the inner circle. But his heart was never Christ’s.

Jesus said, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” (John 6:70)

Judas heard every parable. But parables don’t save you. Jesus does. Judas used the name of Jesus but never knew the person of Jesus.

He is among the most surprised in hell.

B. Saul – Zealous but Blind

Before he became Paul, Saul of Tarsus was the most religious man in Israel. A Pharisee of Pharisees. Memorized the Torah. Studied under Gamaliel. Lived blamelessly—on the outside.

But he persecuted Christ Himself. Because zeal without knowledge is a fast road to destruction.

Jesus stopped him on the road, not because Saul was searching for truth, but because Truth was searching for him.

You can love the law and still hate the Lord.

RELIGION WITHOUT REGENERATION

Let me tell you of a time when churches were packed, Bibles were printed, and the name of Christ was on the lips of kings… yet darkness reigned.

A. The Reformation: When the Church Forgot Christ

In the centuries leading up to the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Church held immense power. Cathedrals scraped the skies, rituals abounded, and Latin prayers echoed in every village.

But truth had been buried.

The Gospel was chained behind Latin texts, behind indulgences, behind popes and councils. People baptized their children, kissed relics, and paid priests for blessings—all while heading to hell.

Then came a monk with a mallet—Martin Luther. He nailed 95 Theses to the church door at Wittenberg and shouted into the silence, “The just shall live by faith!” Not by works. Not by appearances. Not by ceremonies. By Christ alone.

Europe had been religious, but it had been lost.

B. The Great Awakening: Dead Churches, Living Words

In the 18th century, America was full of churches. But the pulpits were cold, the people unmoved. Then men like Jonathan Edwards thundered, “The wrath of God burns against you like fire!”

And revival came—not to the wicked, but to the religious!

Thousands realized they had been trusting in form, not faith. They were members of churches, but not citizens of heaven.

Do you see the pattern? The most shocked residents of hell are not the rebels, but the respectable.

BUILDING THE WRONG HOUSE: THE CONTEXT OF MATTHEW 7

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a parable:

“Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock…” (Matthew 7:24)

Both men built a house.

Both faced the same storm.

But only one stood—because only one built on Christ.

The other? His house looked fine. It had walls. It had windows. It had religion. But the foundation was sand. Empty ritual. Surface obedience. False assurance.

And great was the fall of it.

THE EMOTION OF THE FINAL DAY

Picture it.

The sky splits open.

The trumpet sounds.

The dead rise.

Jesus appears—not as the suffering Servant, but as the conquering King. His eyes like fire. His voice like rushing waters. The Judge of all the earth.

And people run to Him, expecting a crown… but receive a curse.

“Lord, Lord… didn’t we preach?”

“Didn’t we sing in the choir?”

“Didn’t we build churches and feed the poor?”

And Jesus doesn’t say, “You didn’t do enough.” He says, “I never knew you.”

Not “I knew you once.”

Not “You lost Me.”

But “I never knew you.”

Relationship, not religion. Intimacy, not activity. Devotion, not performance.

FIVE MARKS OF TRUE SALVATION

Don’t walk away terrified. Walk away examining. Because the Lord doesn’t want you deceived—He wants you redeemed.

Here are five questions. Answer honestly before God:

1. Do I obey Jesus or just admire Him?

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” —John 14:15
True faith produces obedience.

2. Do I know Him or just know about Him?

Head knowledge without heart surrender is the road to hell. Judas knew Him up close—but never bowed the knee.

3. Have I been born again or just raised in church?

You must be born again—not just confirmed, baptized, or churched.

4. Do I repent or do I just feel guilty?

Repentance is a lifestyle, not a moment. It’s turning from sin, not just regretting it.

5. Do I long for holiness or settle for hypocrisy?

The Spirit makes us holy. If you can sin comfortably, the Spirit may not be in you.

THE GOOD NEWS: THE DOOR IS STILL OPEN

This is not a message of fear. It’s a message of mercy.

Because if you’re breathing, it’s not too late.

There is a Door—and His name is Jesus.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.” —John 10:9

Not “if anyone enters by their works.”

Not “if anyone enters by church membership.”

By Him.

Come to Christ, not for a title, not for a blessing, but for Him. Cry not “Lord, Lord” with your lips, but “Lord, Lord” with your life.

CLOSING PRAYER

Heavenly Father,
You are holy and just. And we tremble at Your Word.
Forgive us for assuming intimacy where there was none.
Forgive us for trusting in works, in emotions, in heritage—when only Jesus saves.
Search our hearts. Break down false assurance.
Build true faith.
Let no one here hear “Depart from Me.”
But instead: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
We run to You. We cling to the cross.
Not for what we’ve done—but because of what You’ve done.
In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen.

FINAL CHALLENGE: WILL YOU BE SURPRISED?

You’ve heard the warning. Now it’s your move.

Examine yourself.

Repent where you’ve played the game.

Run to Christ—not religion.

Because on that Day, only one thing will matter:

Does Jesus know you?

Not—Did you preach?
Not—Did you volunteer?
Not—Did you call Him Lord?

But—Did He know you?

Hell is full of people who were shocked to be there.

Don’t be one of them.
Fall on your knees now—so you don’t fall in eternity.

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate…”

While the gate is still open.

Amen.