Who Are You?

 BY Argie Simonis

"And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" Acts 19:15 

I think this is a very good question that we should all ask in front of the mirror. 

Who are you?

The seven sons of the Jewish high priest Sceva tried to become "exorcists" thinking that the name of Jesus is "magical" and works wonders when you use it. Peter explains that this is done only through faith in His name:

"And his name through faith in his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know: yes, the faith which is by him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." Acts 3:16 

Faith in the name of Jesus is what will make this work. Of course the devil and the demons know Jesus, who has the keys of hell and death (Rev. 1:18) and who publicly defeated them (Col. 2:15)

Have you ever wondered why the demons know Paul and not the seven sons of Sceva? Jesus answers that when His 70 disciples returned:

"And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name." Luke 10:17 

"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20 

There are many references in the Scriptures to the Book of Life, that is, God has a book that lists the names of those who really follow Him. (Phil. 4: 3, Rev. 3: 5, 13: 8, 17: 8, 20:12, 22:19) This book identifies those who will be saved from the times of trouble spoken by the prophet Daniel:

"and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Daniel 12:1

Those found in the Book of Life, the Lord Jesus Himself, will confess their names before the Father and His angels:

"He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Revelation 3:5

and will enter the New Jerusalem:

"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:27 

There is also a very strict warning:

"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Revelation 22:19 

I will close here by repeating the same question: 

Who are you?

Do you want your name to be known in Heaven and  hell? For celebration in Heaven and for terror in hell? Do not postpone the salvation of your soul for "some time in the future". Eternal life begins here and now:

"That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

For with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation." Rom. 10:9-10 

Amen!