Accountable to God

GOLDEN TEXT: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” —Matthew 25:40

MATTHEW 25:31-46

THE Parable of the Sheep and the Goats is the conclusion of Jesus’ reply to the disciples’ question concerning the sign of his second presence and the end of the age. (Matt. 24:3) In the reply Jesus speaks of conditions that would exist among the Lord’s people at the end of the age, and also of the “distress of nations, with perplexity” which would be experienced by the world in general. (Luke 21:25,26) He also indicates that to begin with it would be a time for the rewarding of his servants. Finally, in the parable we now have before us, he projects his prophecy into the future to include the entire thousand years of his presence.

The parable begins with the assertion, “When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him.” This refers to a different phase of his presence than when he comes as a Bridegroom. When he comes, or manifests himself in his glory, his “holy angels” are with him. In the Greek text, the word is “messengers,” and the messengers who will then be with him will be his glorified church.

When Christ first returns it is for the purpose of “receiving” his church unto himself. (John 14:3) They could not appear with him in glory until after this. (Col. 3:4; I Thess. 4:14-18) In fact, those who are “alive and remain” after he returns, continue in the flesh for a while, and are served “meat in due season” by their then present Master and Bridegroom. (Luke 12:42-44; Rev. 3:20) He reckons with them as his servants, and it is after they are all rewarded and glorified with him that he comes in his glory and his “messengers with him.”

The promise to all the faithful followers of the Master is that they shall live and reign with Christ, that they shall “appear with him in glory.” Paul asserts, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (I Cor. 6:2) In view of these promises, the parable which depicts the work of the thousand-year judgment day appropriately shows the saints with Jesus when he begins the work of judging.

At the same time, this emphasizes the fact that the “sheep” and the “goats” in the parable do not represent Gospel-age Christians and non-Christians, but instead, two classes of people in the next age—one which proves worthy of eternal life, and another which does not. Faithful Christians of this age will not appear to be judged at that time, but will be with Jesus participating with him in the work of judgment. Jesus said, “He that heareth my words and believeth on him that sent me, … shall not come into judgment”!—John 5:24, Revised Version

Two expressions are used in the parable to describe the reward of the “sheep”—eternal life, and “the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.” It should be noted that they are not rewarded with “immortality,” promised to the church of the Gospel age. Nor is the kingdom “prepared from the foundation of the world” the one in which the church is joint-heir with Jesus.

The “kingdom” received by the “sheep” is the one given to our first parents. (Gen. 1:28) This was a dominion over the earth. In order to continue in the enjoyment of that kingdom, it would be necessary to have eternal life. But because of their sin, they lost both life and their dominion. The sentence fell, “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” They were also driven out of their garden home, and the penalty pronounced, “Cursed is the ground for thy sake.”—Gen. 3:17-19

But through the redemptive work of Christ the lost dominion was purchased back, and eternal life again made available. It will be during the thousand years of the judgment day that humanity will be given a full opportunity to demonstrate their worthiness of inheriting the lost dominion.

To the “goats,” who then prove unworthy, two assertions are also made—they go into “everlasting fire,” and into “everlasting punishment.” Fire is used here as a symbol of destruction. The wages of sin will continue to be death. Peter wrote concerning that time that those who will not hear “that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.”—Acts 3:23

The word “punishment” is translated from a Greek word which means a “cutting off.” The language is most appropriate. The “sheep” enter into their inheritance, but the “goats” are cut off.

The difference between the two classes as shown lay the parable is in their attitude toward others. The “sheep” take an interest in those in need, while the “goats” do not. Basically, this makes the difference between love and selfishness which, in addition to belief in the redeeming blood of Christ, will determine worthiness or unworthiness of life.

QUESTIONS

Explain the setting of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

Who are the angels who are with Jesus in this parable?

What two classes are represented by the “sheep” and the “goats”?

Explain the reward of the two classes.

What is the essential difference between them?

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