SHEEP AND GOATS

   Matthew 25:31-46 This parable is called “the parable of the sheep and goats”. Some call it “the judgment of the nations”. No matter what it is called, it has confused a lot of people who otherwise have written and understood most of the other parables by Jesus. Let's make this one clear for all of us.

WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL COME

(VS. 31)

    Matthew 24:30; 25:1, 14, 31, 34 If we look at all the verses that make up the context of what Jesus is talking about we can immediately place the timing and place of the events within the parable.

   Revelation 19:11- 20:6 As we continue to compare scripture with scripture we find ourselves at the last days of the seven year tribulation period and see that it is the same Person that is in Mat. 25:31.

   Revelation 20:4; Matthew 19:28 Comparing these verses puts the Apostles on thrones of judgment.

   II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7 This time when Jesus comes back He is coming back all the way to the earth and He will not be hidden but “every eye will see Him.”

   I Thessalonians 4:16; 5:2 At Jesus first return He will come in the clouds just like He left. Also, He will come unexpected like a thief in the night when no one sees Him and He will take His bride away.

JUDGMENT DAY

(VS. 32)

    Matthew 25:32 This judgment is specific to the nations that are upon the earth and the people of the nations are to be separated by the holy angels.

   Revelation 19:14-19 This judgment is taking place after the battle of Armageddon and just before the thousand year reign of Christ.

   Romans 14:10;  Corinthians 5:10  This particular judgment in the parable is not the Judgment Seat of Christ. The judgment Seat of Christ is done in heaven (Rev. 19:7-8) after the rapture and before the Marriage to The Lamb and the Marriage Supper.

   Revelation 20:11-15 The judgment in this parable is not the Great White Throne Judgment because that judgment doesn't take place until after the thousand year reign of Christ and the final resurrection of the dead doesn't take place until then ( Rev. 20:5).

SHEEP VS. GOATS

    Matthew 25:34-40 ( The Sheep )- King Jesus is obviously happy with those that He calls the sheep on His right hand because of their good works towards  those He calls “these my brethren”. The sheep could be all those that got saved during the Tribulation and He was rewarding them for helping each other. My opinion is that the sheep are those Gentiles that were saved during the Tribulation and helped protect the Jews that were being persecuted and killed by the anti-Christ. I believe that when Jesus called some of them “these my brethren” He referred to the Jews because He was born a Jew.

   Psalm 100:3; John 10:14-16  The word 'sheep' in scripture generally indicates a positive.

   Matthew 25:41-46 ( The Goats )- The King is obviously not happy with the goats on His left hand. The only reason He would not be happy with them is because they took “the mark of the beast” thus refusing Christ and condemning themselves. Also, they probably did not help those that refused the mark. Jesus called them 'cursed' in vs. 41, this word is always used in scripture to indicate a negative, see Je. 17:5; II Cor. 6:14; Rev. 21:8