Many will say "Lord, Lord", and He will say "I never knew you". This is not going to be said to pagans, but to presumptive Christians!
Actually, rather than to ... presumptive Christians (whom Christ would have known at one time), ... it appears that this will be said to those that Christ never knew.
That would have to be persistent unbelievers.
Why would a "persistent unbeliever" say "Lord, Lord" and perform miracles in the name of Jesus (and the other things mentioned in Matthew 7)?
I am sure that there will be persistent unbelievers who will call Jesus "Lord" and will claim to done great things in His name ... certainly once they see that the tide has turned against them.
These are unGodly folk who will have no compunction against lying for their own gain ... or to avoid loss.
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?Mat 7:22
Are you saying this is spoken to atheists and those who actively reject Jesus as the Christ? I don't think so, brother! Jesus is clearly correcting those who only HEAR the Gospel and do not OBEY it. Faith without works is dead. This has nothing to do with pagans, but rather, the self-righteous who think they are already going to eternal glory just by hearing the Gospel.
Regards