I run into verses in the Bible that seem to be uninterpretable. For instance, when Jesus says in Matthew “I never knew you,” after doing many miracles and prophecies. Is this demonic power or is the Name of Jesus so powerful that it works for even pagans? Can you clarify this for me?
Many people have the idea that only God can perform miracles. But the Bible shows us that’s not true. For example in Exodus 7:11-22 Pharoah’s magicians performed miracles just like Moses. In 2 Thes. 2:9-10 Paul said Satan will confirm the power of the anti-Christ through counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders. Rev. 13:13 tells of the false prophet also performing great and miraculous signs.
During the Church Age, countless people have been deceived into believing false doctrine due to the performance of what appeared to be miracles of one kind or another, all performed in the name of Jesus. But Jesus said a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit (Matt. 7:18). That means if the miracles come from Him, the teaching would be Biblically sound. In my opinion, when the perpetrators of these deceiving miracles come before the Lord they might be surprised to hear Him say, “I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers” (Matt. 7:23).