Isa. 43:1--But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, (speaking to Jesus)---Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou are mine. (Being called by name signifies belonging). I am sure there are other places where this is taught.

Now, go back and look at Matt. 16--- first Jesus asks his disciples who others say that Jesus was. Then he pins it down to a personal thing; he asks them, But whom say ye that I am? See it is important that WE know who Jesus is; this is part of it. But, then notice, After Peter declared to Jesus that he knew who Jesus was---

V18---And I say also unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon THIS rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Here is a great revelation; being overlooked;--- The rock is not JUST that one knows who Jesus is: it must also follow that Jesus tells us who we are; in other words, he calls us by our name. "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me".

It not enough for us to say I know him; he has to also KNOW us. He has to call us by name; he has to put his Spirit in us. THIS is the ROCK. It is a two-way thing: we must know him; but he must also know us. "I in them and they in me". John 17:21-23. Now, that you see the full ROCK, let's try to find more proof in the Word of this.

I think this is GREAT! Here is more proof that it is imperative that Jesus knows us.

Matt. 7:23---And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Here Jesus is speaking to those who claimed to know him; to have prophesied, cast out devils, and done many wonderful works is the name of Jesus.

See, they thought they knew him: but what damned them? The fact that Jesus never knew them!

Matt. 15:12 (speaking of the foolish virgins)---But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

These people tried to get into the marriage by claiming they had known Jesus; and truly at one time they had known him; they had at one time had a light, had oil and had walked with Jesus; but they had let their oil and light go out.

What damned them? The fact that Jesus knew them not. This is present tense; he did not say to this group, I never knew you; he said I know you not---meaning at the present time he did not know them.

It is necessary that we stay in touch with Jesus; yesterday's oil will not do.

Luke 13:24--Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

15--When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

V26---Then shall ye begin to say, we have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

V27---But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Now, this is apparently the foolish virgins; for they stand and knock at the closed door asking to be let in.

But, see, they declared that they had actually 'eaten' in his presence= meaning they had at one time had the blessing of God's presence and Word.

They said he had taught in their streets= their church. Yet, Jesus said I know ye not; depart from me.

Now, don't you see that this positively proves that unless Jesus acknowledges knowing who you are, you will not be in his kingdom?

So, this is the pure, solid rock of salvation: you must know Jesus and Jesus has to know you and call your name. You must have a true revelation of who Jesus is; he must know you by putting his Spirit into you. Without the Spirit, you are none of his.

This is where those who strove to enter in missed it: they did not receive the Spirit, the Holy Ghost. That is what will cause most people to be lost.

May you receive the Holy Ghost today. For without it there is no salvation. Unless Jesus knows you, you will not be permitted into the kingdom.

Here is another Scripture God gave me on this. Galatians 4:9--But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Now, see--here he emphasizes that it is that rather that you are KNOWN OF GOD. See this shows it is more important to be KNOWN OF GOD. We must know him; but unless he knows us, we will not be saved. He will say, depart from me, I know you not.