My favorite Robert Mitchum movie is "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison." But you must dig pretty deep to find much in the way of sound biblical doctrine.
So let us consider the concept of "heaven" knowing a person. Is the idea that God knows every person as creator and eventual judge? I think not. The idea was Mr. Allison was basically a kind, caring person, who would sacrifice, or at least put at risk, his life to provide for the well-being of another, fellow fighters, or a Catholic Nun. This, plus the prayers of a believer for Mr. Allison, might bring providential well-being upon his life.
But that too is sort of a half-baked, if you do more good than bad, you go to heaven sort of theology. So what is the real, biblically based, teaching concerning "knowing?"
Recall the verse, Know the truth, and the truth will make you free. (John 8:32) For the moment, imagine that "truth" in this verse actually refers to "the Truth" which refers to the Person of Christ Jesus. (John 14:6)
Thus the phrase "knowledge of the truth" might refer to the enlightenment that comes from being placed in Christ. Conversely, when we are in Christ, Christ is in us, and therefore has intimate knowledge of us. So when Christ says "I never knew you" it means they were never placed in Christ. As an aside, when we see the phrase, knowledge of the truth, it can mean an understanding of the gospel message, or to have the enlightenment of our Helper, and thus be saved. Context must be used to discern when meaning is intended.
See Hebrews 10:26 and compare with 1 Timothy 2:4.
In summary, when God places an individual into Christ, they have come to the knowledge of the Truth. “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, (John 10:14)
So let us consider the concept of "heaven" knowing a person. Is the idea that God knows every person as creator and eventual judge? I think not. The idea was Mr. Allison was basically a kind, caring person, who would sacrifice, or at least put at risk, his life to provide for the well-being of another, fellow fighters, or a Catholic Nun. This, plus the prayers of a believer for Mr. Allison, might bring providential well-being upon his life.
But that too is sort of a half-baked, if you do more good than bad, you go to heaven sort of theology. So what is the real, biblically based, teaching concerning "knowing?"
Recall the verse, Know the truth, and the truth will make you free. (John 8:32) For the moment, imagine that "truth" in this verse actually refers to "the Truth" which refers to the Person of Christ Jesus. (John 14:6)
Thus the phrase "knowledge of the truth" might refer to the enlightenment that comes from being placed in Christ. Conversely, when we are in Christ, Christ is in us, and therefore has intimate knowledge of us. So when Christ says "I never knew you" it means they were never placed in Christ. As an aside, when we see the phrase, knowledge of the truth, it can mean an understanding of the gospel message, or to have the enlightenment of our Helper, and thus be saved. Context must be used to discern when meaning is intended.
See Hebrews 10:26 and compare with 1 Timothy 2:4.
In summary, when God places an individual into Christ, they have come to the knowledge of the Truth. “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, (John 10:14)
