The Christian Faces a Needy World

GOLDEN TEXT: “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” —I John 3:17

MATTHEW 25:31-40

THE Parable of the Sheep and the Goats was selected for the Bible lesson on the topic, “The Christian Faces a Needy World,” because it refers to performing kind deeds for others, and explains that these are looked upon by the Lord as services rendered to him. So far as this principle applies, the parable can be used to teach a valuable lesson for the present. Actually, however, this parable will have its real fulfillment during the Millennial Age, throughout the thousand-year reign of Christ.

The introduction to the parable states that “when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations.” (vss. 31,32) This indicates that the parable which follows is an illustration of things which take place subsequent to our Lord’s return, and the establishment of his kingdom.

The parable is not an illustration of the separation of Jesus’ followers from unbelievers. When the work of judgment here depicted is taking place, Jesus’ true followers of the present age will already be with him in his throne. These are the ones referred to as the “angels,” meaning messengers. Paul wrote, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (I Cor. 6:2) Jesus said that believers of this age will not come into judgment with the world.—John 5:24, R.V.

The “all nations” of the parable, therefore, which throughout the future judgment period are separated as a shepherd divideth his sheep from his goats, represent the entire world of mankind. The determination of their category at that time will not be determined upon the basis of their past lives, but upon the manner in which they react to the laws of the kingdom then in force, when the Lord is sitting upon the throne of his glory.

No single lesson of the Bible brings out all the truths which pertain to the particular subject in hand. Those who prove worthy to be the “sheep” in this parable will need to accept Christ as their Redeemer, and obey the laws of his kingdom. But these points are not mentioned in the parable. In the parable the point that is stressed is the operation of the law of love and helpfulness, as opposed to selfishness.

Those who qualify to be “sheep” see the needs of others, and respond to those needs as best they can. Thus they demonstrate their enthusiasm for the arrangements of Christ’s kingdom, in which, through a process of education and corrective discipline, selfishness is replaced by love. Those who serve others, according to the parable, are so in harmony with the spirit which this service represents, that they scarcely realize they are doing anything out of the ordinary. Certainly they do not realize that such service would be considered by the Lord as rendered unto him.

Those in the parable who find themselves on the side with the “goats” are just the opposite. They see not, or ignore the opportunity of serving others, so do nothing for their fellow men, although there doubtless will be plenty of opportunities for so doing. The parable illustrates that during the coming thousand years of judgment conditions in the world will not be made perfect suddenly. It will require essentially the entire thousand years. Throughout much of that time the dead will be returning to life, and will require that their material needs be supplied for at least a while. So there will be much opportunity for the loving heart to serve, to be helpful to others. But the “goats” of the parable fail to see these opportunities.

The “sheep” receive everlasting life, and the kingdom which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, that kingdom which was given to our first parents, but forfeited by them through their disobedience. The “goats” are cut off from life, and fail to receive their original inheritance. They are cast into “everlasting fire.” This is their punishment. Fire is a symbol of destruction, and here we have a symbol of everlasting destruction.—Acts 3:22,23

Our Golden Text is to the point. It is true today, and will be true in the next age, that that there is no evidence of the love of God in the hearts of those who shut up their bowels of compassion and refuse to help those in need when they have the opportunity. Let us endeavor to be so filled with the love of God that we will see and use our opportunities to do good to others as they come to us.

QUESTIONS

To what age in the plan of God does The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats apply?

Who are the “sheep” of this parable, and who are the “goats”?

What is the reward given to the “sheep,” and what is the punishment of the “goats”?

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