Now, taking what the Lord Jesus has revealed to me, in the details, about those on the right hand being not only "sheep", but being "ye blessed of my Father"...
and taking what the Lord has already revealed to me about those on the left hand as not only being "goats", but also "ye cursed", I bring those definitions with me when I read this parable:
" And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
When I read this, I then equate "sheep" with those in the "non-parable" that Jesus gave me clear definitions for in Matthew 25.
I also note that those same "sheep" in the parable are also associated with "one sinner that repents"...I.E. those that have repented from the heart, those that are saved.
So, having told you how I see it and why, and having given you the reason that I define "sheep" as "ye blessed of my Father" and who also will inherit the kingdom that was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, do you now understand why I equate "sheep" in the parable of the lost sheep as those that are blessed of the Father and who will inherit the kingdom that was prepared for them from the foundation of the world ( the saved )?
I'm simply reading into the parable ( *parables are Scriptural truths whose meanings are deliberately hidden from the reader and whose details are revealed in other places in God's word, please see Matthew 13 for why the Lord spoke to the Jews in parables* ) what the Lord Jesus clearly told me someplace else ....in another prophecy set for when He comes in His glory.
Again, "sheep" = "Blessed"
"Goats = "cursed".
I'm not sure how much clearer I can make it, but then I can only give you my own understanding for it, and compare notes with you in the process.
If we disagree, then we disagree.
That said, I wish you well, and I will make this my final post in this thread...
As it seems that further discussion about this subject is becoming somewhat unprofitable for both of us.
May God bless you sir.
