Matthew 25:31-46 Sheep, Goats, and Brethren

My commentary titles this part "Christ's Coming And The Gentile Nations" and explains how Jesus will judge individuals who are not Jewish.  It says this is not the Great White Throne judgment being discussed, for that is to take place after Jesus' 1000-year reign.  "This judgment takes place on earth immediately after the battle of Armageddon, before the kingdom is established on earth, for the saved are told to inherit the kingdom."  It also has nothing to do with salvation by good works.

There are three groups mentioned -- sheep, goats, and brethren, and Warren Wiersbe says the brethren represent believing Jews from the tribulation period.  Sheep represent saved Gentiles, while goats represent unbelieving Gentiles.  It's his belief that the believing Gentiles stepped up to help believing Jews who will not take the mark of the beast and will therefore be unable to buy and sell during that time period.  The goats represent those unbelievers who did not care what happened to the believing Jews.  My commentary said, "There are sins of omission as well as sins of commission.  Not doing good is the moral equivalent of doing evil (James 4:17)."

It does say that the sheep were blessed but the goats were not cursed, and it reminds us that "Matthew 25:41 does not state that the everlasting fire was prepared for the goats.  It was prepared for the devil and his angels.  God never prepared hell for people.  There is no evidence from Scripture that God predestines people to go to hell.  If sinners listen to Satan, and follow his ways, they will end up where he ends up -- in the torments of hell.

Father, thank You for saving me from that destiny.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford