The sheep and the goats?

[Van]

In Matthew 25: 31-46 Jesus teaches about the end of the age of grace. He will begin is Millennial reign, sitting on His thrown.

Some have read this passage and conclude, mistakenly in my opinion, that Christ's division will be based on works.

But I believe "giving to Christ what He needed" refers to giving Christ, by those physically living at that time, trust, love and commitment.

In verse 40 we see that the sheep are "brothers" [siblings] of Christ, thus those having been born anew as children of God.

And on the other left side, the goats are described as not giving Christ what He needed. Perhaps they had never heard the gospel because it was not presented or because like Soil #1, they had lost their ability to understand the spiritual milk of the gospel. And of course, the many who had sought the narrow door. but never finding it, would have failed to fully embrace the gospel, like Soil #2 or #3 of Matthew 13. Their love for and commitment to Christ was not sufficient, such that Christ would or had become the overriding priority of their lives.

The key take away here, as in Matthew 7:21-23 is to do the "will" of the Father, which John presents with crystal clarity:

​

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in [into] Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” [John 6:40 NASB]​

 

[Charlie24]

In Matthew 25: 31-46 Jesus teaches about the end of the age of grace. He will begin is Millennial reign, sitting on His thrown.

Some have read this passage and conclude, mistakenly in my opinion, that Christ's division will be based on works.

But I believe "giving to Christ what He needed" refers to giving Christ, by those physically living at that time, trust, love and commitment.

In verse 40 we see that the sheep are "brothers" [siblings] of Christ, thus those having been born anew as children of God.

And on the other left side, the goats are described as not giving Christ what He needed. Perhaps they had never heard the gospel because it was not presented or because like Soil #1, they had lost their ability to understand the spiritual milk of the gospel. And of course, the many who had sought the narrow door. but never finding it, would have failed to fully embrace the gospel, like Soil #2 or #3 of Matthew 13. Their love for and commitment to Christ was not sufficient, such that Christ would or had become the overriding priority of their lives.

The key take away here, as in Matthew 7:21-23 is to do the "will" of the Father, which John presents with crystal clarity:

​

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in [into] Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” [John 6:40 NASB]​

I see this a different way, Van.

Christ is dividing nations at His Second Coming not individuals, on something they didn't do for Him.

Based on what had just happened at His Second Coming, He has just destroyed the Anti-Christ and his armies of many nations joined to together to destroy Israel.

The goat nations are those nations that joined with the Anti-Christ against Israel, with the sheep nations being those who tried to help Israel.

This judgment of the nations is based on the "righteous" dealings with God's chosen people by the nations during the Great Tribulation.

The judgment falls on the leaders of these nations with those leaders against Israel not being allowed into the Kingdom. It's not the entire nations that are sent into everlasting punishment.

The lost on earth that survived the Great Tribulation will at this time be allowed to accept Christ and enter into the 1000 year reign, with Israel fulfilling their calling during this time to take Christ to the world, but the leaders of the nations against Israel who joined in with the Anti-Christ are rejected.

There were probably many people in the goat nations that conspired against Israel as well to destroy them, they are probably numbered along with the leaders of those nations in rejection. It's believed by many that they are all executed, and eternally lost.

 

[37818]

I see this a different way, Van.

Christ is dividing nations at His Second Coming not individuals, on something they didn't do for Him.

Based on what had just happened at His Second Coming, He has just destroyed the Anti-Christ and his armies of many nations joined to together to destroy Israel.

The goat nations are those nations that joined with the Anti-Christ against Israel, with the sheep nations being those who tried to help Israel.

This judgment of the nations is based on the "righteous" dealings with God's chosen people by the nations during the Great Tribulation.

The judgment falls on the leaders of these nations with those leaders against Israel not being allowed into the Kingdom. It's not the entire nations that are sent into everlasting punishment.

The lost on earth that survived the Great Tribulation will at this time be allowed to accept Christ and enter into the 1000 year reign, with Israel fulfilling their calling during this time to take Christ to the world, but the leaders of the nations against Israel who joined in with the Anti-Christ are rejected.

There were probably many people in the goat nations that conspired against Israel as well to destroy them, they are probably numbered along with the leaders of those nations in rejection. It's believed by many that they are all executed, and eternally lost.

I see the Sheep and Goats as simply the Save and Lost NOT do to the works in the account being what is measured and weighed. Revelation 20:11-15.

 

[Charlie24]

I see the Sheep and Goats as simply the Save and Lost NOT do to the works in the account being what is measured and weighed. Revelation 20:11-15.

It's not about salvation, it's about justice being served on God's word.

God has always loved and saved Israel from extinction, and He will fulfill His promise in gathering all who caused harm to Israel and serving justice.

Joel 3:2

"I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land."

The Valley of Jehoshaphat means, "Jehovah has judged."

This is the Battle of Armageddon where God does His judging at His Second Coming. But these armies are not all who will be judged, first order of business after He has destroyed the Anti-Christ and those armies from all the nations are those who were behind and conspired to the destruction of His people.