It is not the purpose of this article to limit what the Lord knows but to call to our attention some valuable lessons.

Christ Knew No Sin

Paul told the Corinthians, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor. 5:21). We read, in Matt. 4:1-11, of Jesus being tempted by Satan, "yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). Peter said that Christ left us a perfect example "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (1 Pet. 2:22-23). Jesus never did commit one single sin. What a record!

Christ Does Not Know When He Will Return

Down through the years there have been many time setters in regards to the Lord's second coming. Up to this time, they have all proven to be false: The Bible teaches that Christ Himself does not know when He will return. In reference to the second coining, Mark said, "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father" (Mark 13:32). Only God the Father knows when Christ will return and He has not told anyone! The emphasis is not placed on the time but being ready when it does come (Mk. 13:32-37).

Christ Does Not Know A Single Person He Did Not Die For

Contrary to the teaching of some, Christ did not die for just a pre-selected few. The Hebrew writer said, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Heb. 2:9). Christ died for the worst sinner. Paul said, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). The death of Christ has made the salvation of every man possible if he will . but obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9).

Christ Knows Nothing About Establishing Any Church But His Own

The Psalmist has warned us, "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. . ." (Psa. 127:1). The only church Jesus ever promised to build was His own. Jesus told Peter, "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). Because the church belongs to Christ, we can read about "the churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16) in the New Testament. If Jesus had anything to do with the establishing any other church but His own, He does not know about it.

People have always tried to get to the Father without Christ. Jesus told Thomas, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me" (Jn. 14:6). Jesus is the door and He knows of no person who can reach the Father except by coming through the door. The process by which one comes to Christ is that he be drawn by the power of God to save, which is the gospel of Christ (Jn. 6:44-45; 2 Thess. 2:14). Thus when one hears, believes and obeys the gospel, he can, be saved from his past sins and be added to the Lord's church. The Lord knows of no other plan by which men are saved.

The Lord Will Not Know Some at the Judgment

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" (Matt. 7:2123). In the judgment, the Lord will have those standing before Him who have been lawless while they lived and He will declare that He never did approve of them. Such a person Jesus will not know. at the judgment.

Truth Magazine XIX: 42, p. 664
September 4, 1975