The Sheep And Goat Judgment
January 31, 2021
Commentary
We find Jesus giving a prophetic sermon. When He comes with all His angels, He will sit on His royal throne (v. 31). The phrase all nations refers to the Gentiles (v. 32). These are all people other than Jews, who have lived throughout the tribulation period and will be judged individually. This judgment will take place on earth right after the battle of Armageddon and must not be confused with the Great White Throne judgment after the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth.
There are three groups in this account; sheep, goats and brethren (vv 33-34). It seems likely that the brethren are the believing Jews from the tribulation period. They have trusted Christ and refuse to receive the “mark of the beast” (Rev. 13:16-17). They are unable to buy or sell and can only survive through the loving care of the “sheep Gentiles” who have trusted Christ and care for these brethren (vv. 35-40).
The sheep individuals have not actually seen the Lord Jesus or ministered to His needs but because they lovingly ministered to the believing Jews they did it to Christ. Their motive was not a reward but sacrificial love. The goat individuals were judged because they did not trust Christ and as a result care for His brethren. They apparently received the “mark of the beast” and took care of their own needs but had no time for the Jewish people and their suffering on earth. The forces of the world dictator will be doing everything possible to exterminate all Jews (Rev. 12:17). The king explains how they refused to help him when they denied help to others (vv. 41-46).What we do with the Good News has enormous consequences; punishment for those who reject and reward for those who serve.
Application
There are sins of omission as well as sins of commission (James 4:17). In other words, not doing good when it is in my power to do it, is the moral equivalent of doing evil. How would I rate myself on a scale of 1 to 10 concerning this matter with 10 being excellent?
Matthew 25:31– 46 (NET)
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ 46 And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”