Matthew 25:1-13
“Behold, The Bridegroom is Coming, Are You Ready?”
Vs. 1-2, 5, 7 Wise and Foolish Virgins
Vs. 3-4, 6, 8-9 What Made Five Wise and Five Foolish
Vs. 10-13 No Oil, No Relationship
Intro
Here again we need to remember the context of this passage; it is Jesus’ words in response to the disciple’s question of when the second coming was going to happen. Now I want you to notice just for a moment that this section is divided into three sections, each illustrated by its own parable: the parable of the ten virgins, the parable of the talents, and the parable of the sheep and the goats. Now in each of these parables, Jesus is pictured:
1.) Vs. 1-13 Jesus is the Bridegroom.
2.) Vs. 14-30 Jesus is the Master.
3.) Vs. 31-46 Jesus is the King who judges.
Now did you notice something else about these stories? In each case, the One that represents Jesus (Bridegroom, Master, King) is absent for a while and then returns! So in each of these stories we have a picture of Jesus at the time of the 2nd coming. He was absent for a while then returned. Something else I picked up on here: in each case, the story deals with folks who are either faithful or they are not faithful. Interesting that what these stories are to illustrate is faithfulness at the Lord’s return.
Hey folks, we live in a world of 15-second sound bites. Where perception is everything and content does not matter. As long as it looks good, we are impressed. I’m afraid that today in the church we have settled for the same thing. As long as we sound spiritual and religious, that’s when people will come into our buildings. Hey folks, let’s not forget that Christianity, at its simplest point, is about DEVOTION to a person, not a principal. It is devotion seen in a loving surrender of ourselves to the One we owe our lives too.
A young businessman had just moved into his own office, starting up his new firm. He had ordered the best in office furniture, accenting it with some antiques. So he was sitting there in his $800.00 leather office chair. All of a sudden, a man entered the plush waiting room. Wanting to appear the young hotshot businessman he thought he was, he quickly grabbed the phone, spun in his chair so his back was facing him, and pretended that he was making some huge multi-million dollar deal.
“What do you mean you can’t ship three thousand units by Friday?” “At 10 grand a pop, you had better find a way, or you won’t be doing any business my way again!” “Yeh, that’s what I thought you would say. Make it 4000 thousand by Thursday, and I’ll send you and the Miss’s to the Islands on me; you can stay at my chateau.” “ Great! Hey, got to go, got someone else here.” As he hung up the phone, he swung around in his $800.00 chair, looked the guy in the eye, and said, “May I help you?” To which the man replied, “Yeah, I’ve come to hook up your phone lines!”
Folks, I’m afraid that it might be that way at the rapture. A lot of people have been pretending to be Christians, but it’s not real; there’s no relationship. Now you’ve fooled a lot of people, but you aren’t going to fool Jesus. That’s the application of this story here today.
Vs. 1-2, 5, 7 Wise and Foolish Virgins
Vs. 1 First, take a look at that little word “then.”. What that little word tells you is that there was no chapter break here; this was part of Jesus’ words on the Mount of Olives about the consummation of the Jewish age. It is also a word that marks time. Literally, it is “at that time.” So all of you Bible scholars will now raise up in one accord and ask the question, “At what time?”
Well, Jesus had been teaching using the illustration of the two servants (vs. 45–51). There He ended it by saying that the unfaithful servant will be (vs. 51), “appointed his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This little word “then” is the key to the interpretation of this parable. When will the kingdom of heaven be likened to this? “THEN”! Not today, folks, not the time of the church, but rather at the second coming.
Note: Jump ahead with me, and you will see that this is the case in each of the stories in this chapter: In verse 14, you see the word “for the kingdom of heaven is like.” When you see the word “for,” you ask what it is there for. Then in verse 31, “When you see the Son of Man…”
So if in this section the context deals with the 2nd coming and we are not here, why bother studying it? Well, because Rom. 15:4 says, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” In other words, there is a benefit in our looking at these words as well.
Remember the “rapture” of the church happens before the tribulation, so if these things are true at Jesus’ 2nd coming, how much more true are they for us? So often this parable is used as an evangelical message to unbelievers, and it still can be, but first we need to realize that the context warrants it to be placed at the 2nd coming, not the rapture.
Vs. 1-2,5,7 Allow me, please, to lump this together if you will so that we can get a clear picture, and as I do, we will make our observations:
It is helpful to understand the Jewish wedding ceremony and the importance it had on that day. The Jewish marriage was in three stages:
1.) Engagement: A formal agreement made by the two fathers.
2.) Betrothal: A legal contract where promises were made, lasting a year.
3.) Marriage: The ceremony usually lasts a week, at the end of which the relationship is consummated.
It is the last stage that this story illustrates. By the way, everyone hearing this story was familiar with it; the problem is that we, for the most part, are not.
During the one year of betrothal, the couple would only see each other at supervised times. And during this time the bridegroom would be building the house in which they would live. In fact, the wedding ceremony would take place at the new house. So some time in the early afternoon the bridegroom would set out to get his bride, usually with his friends.
If you read John 3:29, John the Baptist makes reference to this same thing when he says, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.” So John called himself one of the “friends of the bridegroom.” They would arrive together at the bride’s house, and while there, the bride would receive a blessing from her family as well as gifts placed upon her, such as jewelry and perfume.
This would last some time, and by the time they left, it was dark. So as they made their way through the darkened streets, people would join the joyous processional all the way to the new house as they weaved in and out of the streets, kind of gathering momentum as they went in song and dancing. Now most of the folks would join this group along the way, but they had to be ready, for you were not allowed in if you were late.
Note: Weddings were a big thing, folks; it was a huge party and a great source of entertainment and fun. So people really liked going to them. You can tell this by the way John the Baptist describes it in the verses above by saying that he “rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled.” In fact, Jer. 7:34 predicts that because of the sins of Israel, “the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride will not be heard. For the land shall be desolate.”
So did you notice something here? Did you see that the bridegroom had already gotten his bride? In this story, Jesus has already gotten His bride, and he is on his way back to the wedding at His house, folks, and He is picking up the rest of the people along the way! Folks, we are the bride of Christ! By the time that this story takes place, we are with our Groom Jesus heading home, Amen!
Now let’s look at the virgins. You will notice that they had four things in common:
1.) Vs. 1. They all took their lamps. They all appeared outwardly prepared. They all looked like they were ready to join the party. Folks, most people are somewhat interested in religious things and especially end-time things; why is there even a push to do good today?
2.) Vs. 1 All went out to meet the bridegroom. They all professed to be ready and waiting. Folks, they all wanted to go to the party! It was not indifference that excluded some.
3.) Vs. 5. All slept and slumbered. They all nodded off and rested. As they all waited and it was night, they grew weary. Hey, it happens! It would happen many days later when Jesus would go to the garden and pray, and they all fell asleep. Folks, the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. You can show the difference between these two groups based upon some never failing, because they all do.
4.) Vs. 7: All arose and trimmed their lamps: Neither can you say, “Well, we all fail, but only those of the Lord repent and change their ways.” Nope, they all arose and trimmed their wicks.
According to a national survey by “Sunday School Adult Quarterly, 10% of the church members cannot be found, 20% never attend, 25% never pray, 35% never read their Bible, 40% never give to the church, 60% never give to missions, 70% never assume responsibility to help at church, 85% never invite anyone to church, 95% never share their faith, yet on the same questionnaire, 100% expect to go to heaven.
Vs. 3-4, 6, 8-9 What Made Five Wise and Five Foolish
Vs.3-4 Right here in Jesus’ story we are told what made some foolish and some wise. You will notice that it was nothing outward at all. It was inward. So what did the foolish not do?
A.) Vs. 3 They took their lamps but took no oil with them. Folks, that is what religion is all about: trying to outwardly appear religious without having to have a relationship. Do you see that? They took the lamps, but not the oil. The lamp was to shed light; it’s just a receptacle; it’s the burning of the oil that produces the light. Man, does that speak to me? Too much of what the church does is get all caught up in the structure.
B.) Vs. 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now the lamps were made up of a round receptacle for the oil and wick, and this was placed in a hollow cup, which was in turn fastened on a wooden pole.
So the problem of the foolish was “no oil in their vessel.” Hey, folks, you can look throughout scripture and you will find out that “oil” is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In Heb 1:9 we are told, “Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” Again, notice that the “oil” or Holy Spirit had to be “in” the vessel.
May I just take this time here to say what Jesus said to Nicodemus in John chapter 3: “I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God.” So what is Jesus saying? He is saying that entrance into God’s kingdom can not be gained through education or religion, but only by being spiritually transformed!
Turn back a moment to John 1:12-13. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God.” So according to John, how are you “reborn, becoming the children of God”?
A.) vs. 12 Believe Him
B.) vs. 12 Accept Him
C.) vs. 13 By God
How are you not “reborn”?
A.) Not by blood: Not by birth, right!
B.) Not by the will of the flesh: Not by religious practice!
C.) Not by the will of man; not by self-effort!
Do you get the picture now as to why 5 were foolish? They had not been born again!
Vs. 6 Notice that there was no difference until the coming of the bridegroom. Hey, you had better make sure that if you are in the tribulation period and you’re trying to tell the second coming that you are not just faking it. And may I just say that same thing today?
Vs. 8-9 Now I cannot give you some of my oil; you cannot come on someone else’s coattails, folks. I cannot save you; only Jesus can do that, so go to Him.
Now this flies right into the face of those that say that they have time; man, no one knows their day or hour, so why not be born again now? Why wait?
Vs. 10-13 No Oil, No Relationship
Vs. 10 Look at the finality of all this. While the 5 were away trying to get oil, the bridegroom came, and those that were ready went “in” with him, and the door was shut. I am convinced that in eternity no one will want to be in Hell. Every single person will want to be in heaven, but the door will be shut and it will be too late.
The Bible says in Heb. 9:27 “And just as it is destined that each person dies only once, and after that comes judgment,” all a person needs to do to go to Hell is nothing! Just wait and procrastinate. Tell yourself that you have plenty of time to party, and when you get older, then you will get “born again.”.
Vs. 11 Look here; they come up to the door and say, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” Hey, he could say I was open to you all the time while you were living, and you did want me. Making some profession of faith does not save you unless it is backed by faith and surrender!
Vs. 12 Wow! Look at what the Lord says here. There are two words commonly used for “know,” and the word used here means full knowledge or intimate knowledge. So Jesus is saying that He has no intimate knowledge. Vine renders it this way: “Assuredly, I say to you, you do not stand in a relationship with me.”
Vs. 13: So what’s the point? “Watch.” Hey, be occupied with Him, not religion or churchianity.
Folks, even though this is geared towards those who find themselves in the tribulation awaiting the 2nd coming, we too ought to heed what Peter says in 2 Peter 1:10–11. “So, dear friends, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Hey, lets just ask the Lord to fill our lamps with the oil of His Holy Spirit!
Matthew 25:14-30
“Faithfully Yours”
Vs. 14-18 Using What Has Been Given To Us
Vs. 19-28 Giving Account
Vs. 29-30 Rewards and Retribution
Intro
Now, as I said last week, Jesus gives His disciples and us a picture of Himself and what His followers will look like just prior to His 2nd coming. He likens Himself to:
1.) A groom who, after he has gotten his bride and is on the way to the wedding, picks up the rest of the party, only to find that some have not been prepared inwardly. As I said, this deals with the profession of faith and an actual relationship with Jesus.
2.) A master who leaves his servants in charge of his possessions according to their ability and rewards them based upon what they have done when he returns.
3.) A king who judges, every person dividing them into sheep and goats again, it is based upon their activity to reach others.
I believe that in each case the context of the story indicates that Jesus is speaking of the time after the church has been raptured or taken away and just prior to His 2nd coming. Yet with that said, it is important that we find personal applications for today as well.
It appears that the virgins in the first story are the same as the servants in the second story. In the first story, Jesus deals with being prepared personally, and He warns in verse 13, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” It seems that some have a misunderstanding of what it means to “watch.” For some, this describes activity.
The story is about a fishing boat that was returning home after many days at sea. As they neared the shore, the sailors gazed eagerly toward the dock, where a group of their loved ones had gathered. The skipper looked through his binoculars and identified some of them: “I see Bill’s Mary, and there is Tom’s Margaret and David’s Anne.”
One man became concerned because his wife was not there. As soon as he left the boat, he hurried up the hill to his cottage. As he opened the door, she ran to meet him, saying, “I have been waiting for you!” He replied with a gentle rebuke, “Yes, but the other men’s wives were watching for them!” Do you get it? Their watching was full of activity! If the virgins had been faithful to watch for the wedding party, they would have worked to make sure they had enough oil for the lamps!
Vs. 14-18 Using What Has Been Given To Us
Vs. 14-15 Now the word “for” points us right back to the verse above, which spoke of watchfulness. So Jesus is going to illustrate for us what watchfulness looks like.
I like this; every now and then, when I buy some sort of item that needs to be assembled, I actually read the instructions. Now guys, I don’t know about you, but I like the instructions that have pictures along the way that show me what the heck the thing I’m trying to put together is supposed to look like; it helps me know if I’m understanding the instructions! That’s what Jesus does here; in verse 13, He exhorts them on being prepared personally for his coming, and the emphasis was on internal preparations. Now He comes back and says that this watchfulness has to do with outward conduct as well.
Now this story has to do with something that does not happen in our day. In those days when a wealthy man left, he would be gone for a long time, for travel was time-consuming. So when he would leave, he would want his business to continue. He would place his servants in charge of his assets, and they were to see that they were prospering just as he would if they were there.
With that said, let’s take a look at the story in detail and ask several questions:
1.) Who’s servants were they? His! The word used for servant here is doulos, and it means “bound servant.” Now a bound servant was different than a slave. In Israel, you may find yourself as a servant to pay off some debts you owed, but at the end of 7 years, you were released and were free. Except if, at the end of those 7 years, you choose to remain in service to your master. If you did, then you would go to the doorpost of the master’s house, and he would pierce your ear.
This meant that you were the absolute property of your master; all of your life was now willingly surrendered to him. The normal reason why a person would do this was that while they were a slave, they had married another slave and had children, and while they may be freed after 7 years, their wife and children were not; they remained the property of the master.
So what does that have to do with us? Well, you and I are bound-servants of Jesus Christ willingly, for no other reason than His love for us. That is what we profess. We claim to have no other purpose in life than to glorify Him. We have been set free from the bondage of sin, so we now serve the Lord Jesus all the days of our lives.
2.) Who’s good were they? His! It is important that you get the picture, “His servants…His goods.” The goods were left to the servant for the purpose of enriching the absent master! It was the responsibility of the servants to use the goods in a way that brought wealth to the master. Do you see that? The goods, just like the servants, did not belong to the servants but to the master.
“OK! OK!” you say. I get it. The work of the believers both now and at the 2nd coming is to further God’s kingdom, not our own! Jesus has given us everything, and it was purchased at a great cost and given freely to us to use as we see fit, but the goal of using it is to bring Him glory!
Note: May I just make an observation at this point? I think that this is one of the main reasons the church is so ineffective today. We are too busy trying to make a mark for ourselves, our church, etc. I came across this the other day about worship, and it struck me. “Many people think that our worship is somehow supposed to be for our benefit, edification, enjoyment, instead of the Lord’s.” Folks, It’s not about us; it’s about Him!
3.) What were the goods? Talents! Now when we think of this word “talents,” we think in terms of abilities. “Man, so and so is very talented!” The word does not describe the quality of a gift, but rather the quantity of the gift; it was not about natural abilities. And as we can see, the master gave some more than others. The five were the masters, and so were the two, as well as the one; they were not the servants at all! Literally, the talents were sums of the master’s money, approximately 20 years of wages.
So in perspective here, it was not about the giftedness of His servants, but rather the riches of His grace, and whatever He has given us, we are to use for His glory, not ours. Anything that we can use to glorify the Lord is a “talent.” Your time is a talent, for you can use that to glorify the Lord. Some of you are retired and God has given you time; then it is not your time but His!
Then there’s your giftedness; some of you have specialized gifts, the ability to crunch numbers, or play music, cook, paint, etc. Then this giftedness is not yours; it’s the Lords, so use it for His glory! Some of you have been given treasure from the Lord. I mean, God has blessed you with finances; that’s your talent. Well, it’s not yours; it’s his. Simply put, God has given all of us something to use for His glory.
Perhaps you might be thinking, “Well, I have nothing!” Even if you were disabled to the point that you could not speak, walk, or provide for yourself in any way, you would still have a talent. You could be an intercessor prayer warrior!
4.) Vs. 15 How did He distribute the talents? Each according to their ability! Now the talents were the Lords, but they were given in accordance with one’s ability to distribute them. All this means is that God will never call a person to do something that He has not gifted them to do. Well, how do you know if He has gifted you to sing? Well, can you sing? All this refers to is responsibility; the greater the amount of gift, the greater the responsibility to use it all!
Note: I’ve been pastoring here for almost 11 years, and I’ve finally concluded that I’m a “one talent” guy. Now, unfortunately, I’ve spent most of those 10+ years bummed out that I did not get more talents instead of using the one I have for His glory. Don’t make my mistake, folk. It is the Lord that gives you according to your ability, but He rewards all the same, and it’s not based upon quantity; it is based upon “faithfulness,” as we shall see.
Vs. 16-17 Do you see that the two faithful servants were equally successful? They each doubled what was originally trusted to them. Now that is great; each of these guys received the same from the master (vs. 21, 23). There was no difference! Do you see this? It’s not the amount that determines success; it is faithfulness. Don’t you see if the man with one talent would have done like the first two, he would have received the same reward! Simply put, for me, it is not how much He gave me; it’s what I’ve done with what He gave me that will be the determining factor of rewards!
Vs. 18 Now notice what this unfaithful servant does. He puts the talent into the earth! Hey, that’s what a lot of folks do. They invest the talent God has given them in the world where it produces nothing for the Lord’s glory.
Vs. 19-28 Giving Account
Vs. 19 Again, you will notice the time delay. It seems that when we lose the perspective that the Lord can come at any moment, people get slothful. The reality is that every person is going to have to give an account, believers as well. There is a judgment for believers that is not about punishment but rather about rewards.
Vs. 20-23 Now, as I’ve already noted, the rewards came for both of the faithful servants. Each servant produced 100 fold, so they were both equally successful.
Now, look at what the Lord has to say to these servants: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” The rewards were identical because the increase was identical, both 100 fold.
1.) They started as servants, but they end up as rulers.
2.) They had worked and toiled, but now they were entering the joy of the Lord.
When I think of all the talents I’ve buried worrying about the five someone else has had that I did not. All God rewards upon is faithfulness to what He has given you.
Vs. 24-28 Now we have the unfaithful servant. We can see that his problem comes from not knowing the true character of his master. (vs. 24) Notice his estimation of his master. The sovereignty of the master does not excuse the laziness of the servant; it condemns it all the more! This guy was into a profession without practice, which is mere religion!
Vs. 29-30 Rewards and Retribution
Vs. 29-30 In context, this deals with those in the last days professing to be believers without showing by their lifestyle. Yet, it has an application for us as well. You all have things that the Lord has given you, so use them; do not bury them in the earth.
Folks, there is the sin of commission where we actively do something, but you know there is the sin of omission as well where we don’t do what we ought. The servant shows himself not to be a servant at all by what we do with what God has given us. You determine your watchfulness and readiness by what you do, not what you say.
It is my prayer that the Lord finds me and the one talent He has given me invested in producing a 100-fold for His glory.
Matthew 25:31-46
“Sheep, goats, and brothers”
Vs. 31-32a The Nations Gathered
Vs. 32b-36: He Will Separate The Sheep From The Goats
Vs. 37-46, Inasmuch As You Have Done
Intro
We come now to the last of the stories that Jesus told concerning His second coming. In all of these stories, Jesus is speaking of contrasts between what a person professes to be and what they really are. In each of these, the actions of those foolish, lazy, or the goats showed INDIFFERENCE.
1.) Parable of 10 Virgins: Dealt with faithfulness in being born again, verses the indifference of just looking religious outwardly.
2.) Parable of the talents: Dealt with faithfulness to use what the Lord has given you for His glory, verses indifference as seen in burying what He has given you.
3.) Parable of the sheep and goats: Deals with faithfulness towards reaching the needs of others versus indifference towards others.
Folks, there is one thing we cannot afford to be concerned about: the second coming, regardless of your opinions of how it will all unfold; you cannot afford to be indifferent! When the church has lost the hope of the emanate return of Jesus, it has become indifferent. May I just say that this must go beyond just verbal excitement; it must spur us to action!
A survivor of a Nazi death camp wrote these words very bitterly: “Here’s to a world that did not care. To those who had eyes but would not see. To those who had ears but would not hear. To those who had voices but would not speak.” May that not be said about us!
Vs. 31-32a The Nations Gathered
Vs. 31. I find it interesting that the use of the term “son of man” is used here. This is Jesus’ title for himself and one that depicts His humanity (the Son of God speaks of His deity). So what’s the point? Well, Jesus wants us to know that the same person born in the manger who was rejected by the world will be the same one who judges the world. Think of this for a moment if you will:
A.) For the Christian (born again), the One who sits on the throne to judge will be your savior, shepherd, brother, and friend. When you see Him, how are you going to feel? I know that I am going to feel a great relief, for the one that judges me is the one that loved me so much that He died for me.
B.) For the non-Christian, their judge will be the same one who died for them, but they rejected choosing rather to trust in their own goodness. It was His invitation to receive His love for them that they were too busy to accept, so they died and are in His presence. How are they going to feel when they see Him?
Now I just love the way Jesus puts this: “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.” Folks, notice that it does not say, “If the Son of Man comes.” It is only an issue of timing; it is when! And again, it is not a matter of where He will be, for He will sit on the throne of His glory! Now if I were saying this about myself, it would be the highest form of arrogance, but this is Jesus saying it about Himself!
Vs. 32 So Jesus is describing the judgment after His second coming. Now Joel speaks of this in his prophecy:
A.) Joel 3:1-2, 14 “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land.” “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”
B.) Zech. 14:4 “And on that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
C.) Dan. 12:11-12 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he who waits and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.” Now the difference in these two numbers is 40 days.
This is what Jesus is describing here: when Jesus comes back, He will come back upon the Mount of Olives, and it will split, causing a very large valley to form, and in that valley, He will gather the nations, and they will be judged some 40 days based upon how they treated the Jews and perhaps other believers during the tribulation period.
Now it is interesting that several years ago Hilton Hotels wanted to build a huge hotel on the Mount of Olives, so they did some seismological studies on the Mount of Olives, and they found a previous undetected major fault line, so they can’t build on it.
So Jesus is looking forward to the consummation of the age and to what will happen. And what will happen will be the judging of the “nations.” Now the word “nation” here literally means “gentile nation,” which would be anything other than Jewish. But with that said, it will not be just the nation that will be judged but the individual’s within those nations, for the word “them” speaks to individuals.
Now I want you to get the picture here. There will be this valley, and the gentile nations will be gathered together right after the 2nd coming, and Jesus will separate into two groups, one called sheep and the other called goats, based upon what they did or did not do towards His brethren. So in essence, we have depicted three groups of folks here (Sheep, Goats, and Brethren). And all of this will take place before the 1000-year reign of Jesus upon the earth.
If Jesus is separating these into sheep and goats, it reveals to us that some will make it through the great tribulation. Now a careful reading of Revelation 9:1-21 will tell you that based upon the world’s population of 6 billion, 2/3 of the population of the world will be wiped out during the great tribulation period, and these will appear here before Jesus. Kind of like a war tribunal being
convened.
Vs. 32b-33 So who are the sheep?
Vs. 32b-36: He Will Separate The Sheep From The Goats
A.) Vs. 35-36, 37. They will be comprised of individuals that will have ministered to the “brethren,” feeding, giving water, visiting in jail, clothing, etc. They will be surprised at their being called sheep because their motive was pure. Their service was unto the Lord, so their reward is from the Lord!
Now notice what the Lord gives them as a reward for their faithfulness. “Inherit the kingdom.” So is this some work-type salvation? No! for it says that they “inherit” the kingdom, which tells you that you have to have a relationship with the person you have inherited the kingdom from! So these sheep were saved by faith just as we are. Nobody at any time has been saved by work. Yet with that said, these works here were evidence that they were saved.
So what’s the application for us? Well, if we are His sheep, we will care about the same things He does; you won’t see indifference towards the needs of others. All too often, what the world sees in the church is a bunch of folks indifferent towards the world that is hurting. Our deeds are evidence of our trust in Jesus. The question is not what we said, but what we did: not what we professed, but what we practiced. Folks, our works will not justify us. But the truth of our faith will be tested by our lives. Character in this life will prove to be an everlasting possession in the world to come. With the same heart that a person dies, they will rise with!
Who are the brothers?
B.) Well, Jesus is no doubt speaking of the Jews that are alive during this time who have fled Judea to hide from the severe persecutions of the antichrist. Since these Jews will not receive the mark of the beast and will therefore be unable to buy or sell, they will be dependent upon the charity of others. Perhaps they might be believers as well, because Jesus said whoever did the will of His Father were His brethren.
At any rate, they will visit them in prison, hide those who need protection, and reach out to those who are hurting. It reminds me of Corrie Tenboom and her family, who refused to persecute the Jews and took care of them, feeding them, hiding them, etc. Folks, that is how we are to live today—reach out to a dying world!
Man, if we could only treat the hurting as if they were Jesus! Wow! Would you treat Jesus any differently than you would a Jehovah’s Witness that came to your door? How about that guy that bugs you at work? This challenges me to treat each and every person as if I were ministering to Jesus. Now that does not mean that you wink at sin; it just means that you lovingly deal with it. Folks, being a Christian is a messy job, and if you are doing it right, you are going to get your business all over you!
Vs. 37-46, Inasmuch As You Have Done
Vs. 37-40 Now the faithful are amazed by the response of the Lord. I mean, not only had He remembered them, but He had applied their action to Himself! Folks, everyone else will have to give an account of ourselves. Now, as believers in Jesus, ours will not be for salvation but rather for rewards.
Vs. 41-46 Now look at this carefully because you have an answer to a question a lot of non-Christians want to know: “Will God send a person to hell?” The answer is no!
Vs. 41 tells us that Hell was not created for man but for the devil and his angels, so the only way you can go there is by following him. Simply put, God did not prepare hell for people. Who are the goats?
C.) Well, the goats are those who were indifferent. Now there is no middle ground here. Either you are sheep or goats. Have you ever seen sheep? They follow the direction of the shepherd just as Rev. 14:4 describes the 144,000 Jewish evangelists as those who follow the lamb wherever He goes. Goats, on the other hand, are impossible to lead; they would rather butt heads and eat trash than follow anyone.
Now the end results are both eternal, and the state won’t change. As Christians today, we must be ready, willing, and able to use what God has entrusted us to reach a world that does not know Him. God loves the people of the world so much that He took the punishment of the sins of the world upon Himself.
God does not condemn anyone to hell. Instead, people would rather go to hell than trust the One who died for them. God will do His best to stop each person from going to hell, but it is up to each person to respond to His grace and love!