Separation of Sheep and Goats

[DutchChristian]

Let us look at what The Word of GOD Says on the seperation of the sheep and the goats:

Matthew 25:
31 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:
32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

Righteous / sheep:
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?
38 When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee?
39 Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?
40 And the King shall answer and Say unto them, 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.

Unrighteous / goats:
41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not.
44 Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?
45 Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Look here it is Said by The Lord Jesus! about the sheep and the goats!

What describes the sheep (the righteous) is to be seen at verses 34-40

and that what describes the goats (the unrighteous) is to be found at verses: 41-45

Hallelujah GLORY TO GOD!

Jesus Christ is GOD!

 

[B-A-C]

Look at Hebrews 11 (hall of faith) the whole chapter, they are all mentioned righteous why?

Because they believed and trusted in GOD, they all had faith in GOD!

Well, it's about the things they did because they believed God. It's about how they proved their faith by actions they dd.
Going to an alien land, sacrificing your son, building an ark, conquering giants and armies, refusing to become as an Egyptian, Jericho falling down, etc...
These things didn't cause these people believe, they happened because these people believed they would. Because they did these things to prove their faith
God approved their faith.

1Pet 1:7; so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

 

[DutchChristian]

Yes, Faith also implies obedient action based upon things that are sometimes not seen indeed yes.

Hebrews 11:
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

you cannot see it with your eyes (Noah could not see the flood coming but he believed upon GOD and GOD His Warning Given of the coming flood and so without seeing this coming event being visible to Noah, Noah still built the Ark, he took action upon FAITH)

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Hallelujah! Glory to GOD!

God is so GOOD!

ALL GLORY TO HIS HOLY NAME!

 

[Barny]

Regarding Matt 25, the sheep and goats, below are some scriptures to give the spiritual context to what is feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, taking in the stranger, etc.

What is the spiritual food/drink that mankind is in need of?
It's Christ Jesus.
1Cor 10:3-4
And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Who are those in spiritual prison?
It's those who are without Christ.
Isa 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

And what is the state of mankind without Christ?
It's sick, and needing to hear the gospel of Christ.
Isa 1:5-6
Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

And how are the naked clothed?
Isa 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

And who is the stranger?
Eph 2:12
that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Eph 2:19
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

So we see scripture speaking in spiritual terms regarding preaching the gospel of grace. And in doing the works of believing in Jesus, John 6:29, Christians also let their light shine preaching the gospel of Christ to spiritually feed, clothe, heal and set free, the lost.
Matt 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (believing in Jesus, John 6:29), and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

[james1523]

Regarding Matt 25, the sheep and goats, below are some scriptures to give the spiritual context to what is feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, taking in the stranger, etc.

What is the spiritual food/drink that mankind is in need of?
It's Christ Jesus.
1Cor 10:3-4
And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Who are those in spiritual prison?
It's those who are without Christ.
Isa 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

And what is the state of mankind without Christ?
It's sick, and needing to hear the gospel of Christ.
Isa 1:5-6
Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

And how are the naked clothed?
Isa 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

And who is the stranger?
Eph 2:12
that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Eph 2:19
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

So we see scripture speaking in spiritual terms regarding preaching the gospel of grace. And in doing the works of believing in Jesus, John 6:29, Christians also let their light shine preaching the gospel of Christ to spiritually feed, clothe, heal and set free, the lost.
Matt 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (believing in Jesus, John 6:29), and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Barny, there is no need to spiritualize or symbolize the plain words of Christ which were neither symbolic vision (as in book of Revelation) nor parable. In this case Jesus was speaking plainly and the only thing symbolic about his words was referring to people as either sheep or goats.

 

[DHC]

Barny, there is no need to spiritualize or symbolize the plain words of Christ which were neither symbolic vision (as in book of Revelation) nor parable. In this case Jesus was speaking plainly and the only thing symbolic about his words was referring to people as either sheep or goats.

Hello James.

Probably safer to interpret it both ways at the very least.

I favor the spiritual interpretation;

John 4
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that
I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Barny, there is no need to spiritualize or symbolize the plain words of Christ which were neither symbolic vision (as in book of Revelation) nor parable. In this case Jesus was speaking plainly and the only thing symbolic about his words was referring to people as either sheep or goats.

Matthew 25
31 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:
32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

If I take this literally then I would have to come to the conclusion that he is talking about NATIONS doing these things.
So was Jesus promoting a welfare state?
Nations don't visit people in prison,they put them in prison.
Although he did tell a certain nation there should be no poor among them.
So what are the nations he is speaking of.

Imagine nations standing before the throne.

Acts 4:25 Who by the mouth of your servant David has said, Why did the nations rage, and the people imagine vain things?
In my thought life I have thoughts or imaginations that rage against God.
Nations of notions and wrong images of God that neither feed or cloth nor set free the captives.

So I see three levels of interpretation and all of them are correct in their corresponding levels.
level 1 is the world
level 2 is the mind
level 3 is spirit.

 

[james1523]

Matthew 25
31 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:
32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

If I take this literally then I would have to come to the conclusion that he is talking about NATIONS doing these things.
So was Jesus promoting a welfare state?
Nations don't visit people in prison,they put them in prison.
Although he did tell a certain nation there should be no poor among them.
So what are the nations he is speaking of.

Imagine nations standing before the throne.

Acts 4:25 Who by the mouth of your servant David has said, Why did the nations rage, and the people imagine vain things?
In my thought life I have thoughts or imaginations that rage against God.
Nations of notions and wrong images of God that neither feed or cloth nor set free the captives.

So I see three levels of interpretation and all of them are correct in their corresponding levels.
level 1 is the world
level 2 is the mind
level 3 is spirit.

If we want to find a spiritual meaning or lesson in these scriptures then that is fine I guess, but we might miss out on knowing the future and what lies ahead of us. There's really no room for spiritual interpretation in these verses. This is not a parable. This is to be taken literally.
Starting from Matt 24 is in chronological order of the events which will happen in the end times. Skipping ahead to chapter 25..
Matt 25:1-30 describes Christ's judgement on believers...where rewards or punishment is metered out to faithful or unfaithful servants.
Then
Matt 25:31-46 describes Christ's judgement on the Gentiles (the nations).

These Gentiles, the sheep and goats, are the peoples of the nations who were not destroyed by Christ at Armageddon. As we can see by verse 31, this is after Christ comes in glory, has defeated anti-Christ, and sits on his throne.
During the tribulation period the Christians and Jews will suffer terribly under Antichrist. During the tribulation period those who treat the believers well, will be counted as righteous by Christ.

Consider this verse again:
Matt 25:40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
The "you" that I highlighted in bold, is not a brother or sister of Christ, but an unbeliever, a Gentile, who took care of Christ's brothers and sisters (believers) during the tribulation period.
Christ never says that one of these sheep are a Christian, a brother or sister.

These sheep will be the ones who Christ and the overcoming believers rule over in the millennial reign (Rev 2:26, Rev 20:6). I think we are familiar with what Christ says about the faithful servants not wasting their talents, getting to rule over 1, 5, or 10 cities? Well if the bible says believers will reign and rule with Christ, then we must have something or someone to rule over. These are the sheep who are counted worthy to be ruled over, based upon their righteous and merciful acts towards Christ's Body during the tribulation period. Christians will be sick, will be in prison, and will be hungry and thirsty. This is why Jesus mentions specifically those unbelievers who visit the Christians in prison, the ones sick, the ones hungry and thirsty. These are practical matters, not spiritual. The unbelievers cannot offer anything spiritual to the Christians.

In this sense these gentiles they inherent the kingdom of Christ on Earth that God has prepared for them to enjoy. These 'sheep' will enjoy God's blessing as they dwell on the Earth and are ruled over by Christ and the overcoming believers for 1000 years.

The believers and those who were raptured prior to the tribulation enjoy the spiritual and heavenly blessings in their resurrected glorified bodies. The 'sheep' here enjoy the earthly blessings under the rule and reign of Christ and the overcoming believers.

 

[DHC]

If we want to find a spiritual meaning or lesson in these scriptures then that is fine I guess, but we might miss out on knowing the future and what lies ahead of us. There's really no room for spiritual interpretation in these verses. This is not a parable. This is to be taken literally.
Starting from Matt 24 is in chronological order of the events which will happen in the end times. Skipping ahead to chapter 25..
Matt 25:1-30 describes Christ's judgement on believers...where rewards or punishment is metered out to faithful or unfaithful servants.
Then
Matt 25:31-46 describes Christ's judgement on the Gentiles (the nations).

These Gentiles, the sheep and goats, are the peoples of the nations who were not destroyed by Christ at Armageddon. As we can see by verse 31, this is after Christ comes in glory, has defeated anti-Christ, and sits on his throne.
During the tribulation period the Christians and Jews will suffer terribly under Antichrist. During the tribulation period those who treat the believers well, will be counted as righteous by Christ.

Consider this verse again:
Matt 25:40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
The "you" that I highlighted in bold, is not a brother or sister of Christ, but an unbeliever, a Gentile, who took care of Christ's brothers and sisters (believers) during the tribulation period.
Christ never says that one of these sheep are a Christian, a brother or sister.

These sheep will be the ones who Christ and the overcoming believers rule over in the millennial reign (Rev 2:26, Rev 20:6). I think we are familiar with what Christ says about the faithful servants not wasting their talents, getting to rule over 1, 5, or 10 cities? Well if the bible says believers will reign and rule with Christ, then we must have something or someone to rule over. These are the sheep who are counted worthy to be ruled over, based upon their righteous and merciful acts towards Christ's Body during the tribulation period. Christians will be sick, will be in prison, and will be hungry and thirsty. This is why Jesus mentions specifically those unbelievers who visit the Christians in prison, the ones sick, the ones hungry and thirsty. These are practical matters, not spiritual. The unbelievers cannot offer anything spiritual to the Christians.

In this sense these gentiles they inherent the kingdom of Christ on Earth that God has prepared for them to enjoy. These 'sheep' will enjoy God's blessing as they dwell on the Earth and are ruled over by Christ and the overcoming believers for 1000 years.

The believers and those who were raptured prior to the tribulation enjoy the spiritual and heavenly blessings in their resurrected glorified bodies. The 'sheep' here enjoy the earthly blessings under the rule and reign of Christ and the overcoming believers.

Hello James.

I disagree with your literal interpretation of Matthew 25.

Although James, I applaud your attempt to maintain context,
as this is always very important. You seem to have missed the
deeper subject within the discourse that Jesus reveals in
chapters 24 and 25. Alas James, the deeper subject is presented
in the format of parables, and yes, it is definitely spiritual.

There was a change in the subject that Jesus was discussing.

This transition occurred in chapter 24.

A transition from the overview of the revelation of the end time events,
to a revelation of the Christian life.

Matthew 24
42 Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Jesus now discusses the interim period between His departure and
His return. There can be no doubt that the subject that Jesus was
addressing has altered. Have another look at Matthew 24, there is
a definite switch from eschatology to the alert, enduring, faithful service
of the Christian. This portrayal of the Christian life is set between the
the two primary events. Christ's departure and return!

It is this new subject that Jesus has revealed, that leads into the next chapter 25.

Notice that Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

Is the introduction to the new subject of the Christian life.

Matthew 24:42
Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Now we follow the new topic through into Matthew 25.

1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins (parable).

14 For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his
own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. (parable).

19 Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with
them (parable).

Now James I do need to attend to your initial statement;

"There's really no room for spiritual interpretation in these verses. This is not a parable."

Have a close look at this verse James.

Matthew 25
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’

The righteous were unaware of who they fed, clothed or visited.
The righteous are not looking for "naked" people, the righteous
preach the Gospel. People can only be clothed in Christ!

That is why there are ministries that form to help the hungry and
those in prison, but not for the naked. The physical literal interpretation
is lacking and misguided.

It is the spiritual interpretation that is the clear and correct interpretation.
The physical literal interpretation is of secondary importance.

Real food, real drink, real and lasting clothing is only available through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

You should know better James.

 

[james1523]

Hello James.

I disagree with your literal interpretation of Matthew 25.

Although James, I applaud your attempt to maintain context,
as this is always very important. You seem to have missed the
deeper subject within the discourse that Jesus reveals in
chapters 24 and 25. Alas James, the deeper subject is presented
in the format of parables, and yes, it is definitely spiritual.

There was a change in the subject that Jesus was discussing.

This transition occurred in chapter 24.

A transition from the overview of the revelation of the end time events,
to a revelation of the Christian life.

Matthew 24
42 Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Jesus now discusses the interim period between His departure and
His return. There can be no doubt that the subject that Jesus was
addressing has altered. Have another look at Matthew 24, there is
a definite switch from eschatology to the alert, enduring, faithful service
of the Christian. This portrayal of the Christian life is set between the
the two primary events. Christ's departure and return!

It is this new subject that Jesus has revealed, that leads into the next chapter 25.

Notice that Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

Is the introduction to the new subject of the Christian life.

Matthew 24:42
Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Now we follow the new topic through into Matthew 25.

1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins (parable).

14 For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his
own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. (parable).

19 Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with
them (parable).

Now James I do need to attend to your initial statement;

"There's really no room for spiritual interpretation in these verses. This is not a parable."

Have a close look at this verse James.

Matthew 25
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’

The righteous were unaware of who they fed, clothed or visited.
The righteous are not looking for "naked" people, the righteous
preach the Gospel. People can only be clothed in Christ!

That is why there are ministries that form to help the hungry and
those in prison, but not for the naked. The physical literal interpretation
is lacking and misguided.

It is the spiritual interpretation that is the clear and correct interpretation.
The physical literal interpretation is of secondary importance.

Real food, real drink, real and lasting clothing is only available through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

You should know better James.

The sheep being unaware that they had helped Christ is further proof that these are not members of Christ's body. Christians know that helping a brother or sister in Christ is as unto the Lord. These sheep are unaware that they have been helping Christ, by giving help to the saints on the Earth during the tribulation period.

Of course there are parables within the chapters but these parables are not revealing spiritual truths but actual prophetic events to take place in the future.
There is no symbolic meaning behind feeding, clothing, and drinking in these verses.
Do you also not believe in a literal tribulation period or Christ's literal judgement or a literal resurrection of the dead or literal rapture or literal return of Christ?

 

[DHC]

The sheep being unaware that they had helped Christ is further proof that these are not members of Christ's body. Christians know that helping a brother or sister in Christ is as unto the Lord. These sheep are unaware that they have been helping Christ, by giving help to the saints on the Earth during the tribulation period.

Of course there are parables within the chapters but these parables are not revealing spiritual truths but actual prophetic events to take place in the future.
There is no symbolic meaning behind feeding, clothing, and drinking in these verses.
Do you also not believe in a literal tribulation period or Christ's literal judgement or a literal resurrection of the dead or literal rapture or literal return of Christ?

Hello James.

Thanks for the reply.

There is a key given for the understanding of Matthew 24-25, the key is
the questions asked by the disciples.

The account given in Matthew 24, blends two answers together.
If you then read Luke 21, the answers are separated and more
easily comprehended.

Matthew 24
24 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.
2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

( The demolition of the temple in Jerusalem occurred in AD 70. It is important to note this
as the account in Matthew confuses the destruction of the temple and the end time events.)

We now examine the questions that the disciples asked. This is important for the answers are contained in the account.

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately,
saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Questions asked;

1) When will the temple be taken apart stone by stone.
2) The signs of your coming.
3) Signs of the end of the age.

Please read Luke 21 and get back to me, also read the account
in Luke with the above questions in mind.

 

[CareGiver]

Now James I do need to attend to your initial statement;

"There's really no room for spiritual interpretation in these verses. This is not a parable."

Have a close look at this verse James.

Matthew 25
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’

The righteous were unaware of who they fed, clothed or visited.
The righteous are not looking for "naked" people, the righteous
preach the Gospel. People can only be clothed in Christ!

That is why there are ministries that form to help the hungry and
those in prison, but not for the naked. The physical literal interpretation
is lacking and misguided.

It is the spiritual interpretation that is the clear and correct interpretation.
The physical literal interpretation is of secondary importance.

Real food, real drink, real and lasting clothing is only available through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The righteous practice righteousness and are righteous because they are born of GOD. Practicing righteousness is more than preaching the gospel. We are witnesses for Christ by the life we live as Christ lives in and through us. People that are without need food, clothing, housing, education, medical care, and love and guidance through Christ. We would not be able to witness to those who are without if they died of starvation, exposure to the elements (people need housing and clothes), or sickness (people need medical care). It is not up to us to clothe others in Christ (the righteousness of Christ). Believers are clothed with the righteousness of Christ when we are born of GOD to be a child of GOD by being made alive together with the Spirit of Christ. We put off the old ("old man") and put on the new as we overcome the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) by Christ being formed in us to become sons of GOD and heirs of GOD in the Kingdom of GOD.

James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, (16) and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (17) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Let's be realistic and responsible by not overspiritualizing the meaning of scripture.

James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you do well;

 

[james1523]

Hello James.

Thanks for the reply.

There is a key given for the understanding of Matthew 24-25, the key is
the questions asked by the disciples.

The account given in Matthew 24, blends two answers together.
If you then read Luke 21, the answers are separated and more
easily comprehended.

Matthew 24
24 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.
2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

( The demolition of the temple in Jerusalem occurred in AD 70. It is important to note this
as the account in Matthew confuses the destruction of the temple and the end time events.)

We now examine the questions that the disciples asked. This is important for the answers are contained in the account.

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately,
saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Questions asked;

1) When will the temple be taken apart stone by stone.
2) The signs of your coming.
3) Signs of the end of the age.

Please read Luke 21 and get back to me, also read the account
in Luke with the above questions in mind.

Matt 24-25 is standalone and contains more detail, Luke 21 is complementary not replacement for Matt 24-25.

 

[Brighthouse]

Hi all!! Intersting obsevations by all here.Can I make this real simple? In relation to the sheep and the goats check out two scripture. luke 10:25-37 and luke11:28. While it is very true non believers do kind actions,they have no fruit of them except to self.They feel better. We act because we love Jesus! We act because we are so very thankful for what God has done for and in us! It is not the good deeds preformed.It is good deeds done because of titus 2:14! A few days ago I met a woman on the street who asked me for money,I gave her the money, and told her I give this to you in the name of Jesus i serve! Do what is right with it,because it has surly been Jesus in me who you see today! her look of shock!!LOL i was going to buy drugs with this,but not now!! I will go eat! Amen brothers and sisters amen! titus 2:14!!

 

[DHC]

Matt 24-25 is standalone and contains more detail, Luke 21 is complementary not replacement for Matt 24-25.

Hello James.

The dismantling of the temple which Jesus spoke about is confused in Matthew.
It is very clearly portrayed in Luke, which this post should illustrate.

Matthew 24
1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.
2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately,
saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

So when will the temple be destroyed, Jesus tells the apostles when this will
happen.

Luke 21
20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near.

(This desolation of Jerusalem happened in AD 70.)

21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city;
22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.

( This old covenant that had the temple at its heart was finally abolished.)

23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people;
24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Once Jerusalem and the temple are destroyed, the era of the Gentiles begins.
Also, for us the confirmation of the New Covenant established by God through
Jesus Christ.

The nation of Israel as the chosen nation of God had ended. This was not
an end time event as the Gospel of Matthew portrays. But simply the changing
of the guard.

 

[DHC]

Hi all!! Intersting obsevations by all here.Can I make this real simple? In relation to the sheep and the goats check out two scripture. luke 10:25-37 and luke11:28. While it is very true non believers do kind actions,they have no fruit of them except to self.They feel better. We act because we love Jesus! We act because we are so very thankful for what God has done for and in us! It is not the good deeds preformed.It is good deeds done because of titus 2:14! A few days ago I met a woman on the street who asked me for money,I gave her the money, and told her I give this to you in the name of Jesus i serve! Do what is right with it,because it has surly been Jesus in me who you see today! her look of shock!!LOL i was going to buy drugs with this,but not now!! I will go eat! Amen brothers and sisters amen! titus 2:14!!

Hello Brighthouse.

Your quotation is below;

Luke 11:28
But He said, On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the "word of God" and observe it.

The "word of God" is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the "word of God" which you heard from us,
you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

Revelation 19:13
He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called "The Word of God".

The "Word of God" is Jesus Christ.

Good quotation, very subtle.

Good to see that your active in the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What a wonderful activity to be involved in Brighthouse.

May the Lord bless you powerfully in the Holy Spirit.

 

[DHC]

The righteous practice righteousness and are righteous because they are born of GOD. Practicing righteousness is more than preaching the gospel. We are witnesses for Christ by the life we live as Christ lives in and through us. People that are without need food, clothing, housing, education, medical care, and love and guidance through Christ. We would not be able to witness to those who are without if they died of starvation, exposure to the elements (people need housing and clothes), or sickness (people need medical care). It is not up to us to clothe others in Christ (the righteousness of Christ). Believers are clothed with the righteousness of Christ when we are born of GOD to be a child of GOD by being made alive together with the Spirit of Christ. We put off the old ("old man") and put on the new as we overcome the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) by Christ being formed in us to become sons of GOD and heirs of GOD in the Kingdom of GOD.

James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, (16) and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (17) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Let's be realistic and responsible by not overspiritualizing the meaning of scripture.

James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you do well;

Hello Caregiver.

Much of what you said is important and I have no issue with that.

I do believe you need to use the spiritual perspective much more caregiver.

Preaching the Gospel is the great commission!

The Gospel is accompanied by the power of God.

We receive a new life in Christ;

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

 

[james1523]

Hello James.

The dismantling of the temple which Jesus spoke about is confused in Matthew.
It is very clearly portrayed in Luke, which this post should illustrate.

Matthew 24
1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.
2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately,
saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

So when will the temple be destroyed, Jesus tells the apostles when this will
happen.

Luke 21
20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near.

(This desolation of Jerusalem happened in AD 70.)

21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city;
22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.

( This old covenant that had the temple at its heart was finally abolished.)

23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people;
24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Once Jerusalem and the temple are destroyed, the era of the Gentiles begins.
Also, for us the confirmation of the New Covenant established by God through
Jesus Christ.

The nation of Israel as the chosen nation of God had ended. This was not
an end time event as the Gospel of Matthew portrays. But simply the changing
of the guard.

In Matthew the topic of the Temple is confused, yes, but also he goes further to prophetically explain the future believer's judgement , and then judgement of the gentile nations (sheep and goats) following the tribulation period. Whilst the temple etc may be clearer in Luke, as you say, the future judgement of believers and unbelievers is clearer in Matthew. Luke and Matthew are complementary to each other and one cannot be used to disprove the other, as you seem to be trying to do.
The time of the Gentiles ends with the judgement of the sheep and goats , the gentile nations. This also has support in Revelation and 1 Cor 6:2:
1 Cor 6:2 "Or do you not know that the Lord's people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?"
Heb 2:5-6 and Rev 2:26 states that believers will rule over these gentile nations.

If you spiritualize these things you make a grave error in understanding biblical prophecy and future end time events and you may be unprepared for the Lord's return as a virgin without any oil.

You have focused much on the issue of salvation and Christ's accomplished work and who the believers are in Christ, and feeding others spiritually with Christ for salvation and edification and building the church, these are all true, but you need to see the practical side, that this is not an end to itself but the way God has prepared for His people to judge the nations and rule and reign with Him. The spirtiual feeding of Christ to the believers results in a built up church which becomes the 'warrior bride' of Christ. There is certainly some spiritual element taking place but there will also be a spiritually physical component which is the literal return of Christ in his glorified resurrected body and the return of the saints in their glorified resurrected bodies.

 

[CareGiver]

Hello Caregiver.

Much of what you said is important and I have no issue with that.

I do believe you need to use the spiritual perspective much more caregiver.

Preaching the Gospel is the great commission!

The Gospel is accompanied by the power of God.

We receive a new life in Christ;

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Just because a believer "preaches the gospel" does not mean they are a "sheep" or a child of GOD.

Faith without repentance will not get a believer into the Kingdom of GOD.

In addition, this thread was begun to explain the separation of the sheep and the goats, not to discuss "the great commission".

 

[Brighthouse]

So true Caregiver!! There is but one sin that is, and cannot!!! be forgiven now under the New Covenant now that we are under!! Now what could that be I wonder?? Faith is given by God to each in the same measure,I know some may not agree! But look at rom 12:3 if God gave me more faith then another,then God is not fair!!Nor just! ( acts 10:34) but we know he is! So since faith is given by God and his faith cannot have any flaws in it,how then can the believer in word anyway be sent to hell?? lets see how!! It is never the faith that any of us lack brothers and sisters!! NEVER THAT!!

Many churches teach different,and many churches are in a great deal of trouble in the bodies because of it! When you lie against the Lord himself and call it his Word,look out! What sends people to hell is not the cause of God,but rather there own unbelief in His very Word!! ( rev 21:8)But to the what?? Cowardly and unbelieving!! Even lines these people with murderers and liars!! Can a person have faith yet unbelief?? This answer may indeed surprise you!! But yes!! ( mark 9:23-24) Here is an example of such! The faith of Paul, of peter, etc.. is no better or worse then our faith!

It is there belief in there faith that is different from many of us! And this brothers and sisters is how we want to believe!!( mark 5:35-36)ONLY WHAT??? amen believe!! for what?? With the heart a person believes!!( rom 10:10) So what are we to believe to become saved?We believe that Jesus did everything for us,to enter in! We did nothing to deserve anything! Not our works, but Jesus works did it! Paul had much problems with the gospel of grace!! Many jews wanted works to fit into there religion! Do this, receive this,Paul was always going away from the law they wanted to stay under! Want a great study?

Study the book of Galatians!!Chapter 3 and 4 in particular! Grace by God is given, we cannot earn it!( eph 2:8-10) BUT!!! because we believe in all Jesus has indeed given us!!( 2 peter 1:3-11) Salvation is obtained through the believe of our faith! Our works from our faith give Glory to the Lord we serve!( titus 2:14) Many misunderstand the difference between forgivness and repentance, they are not the same! To repent means to turn away from! To forgive means we do not hold any weakness in our flesh to ourself!( rom 8:1)For all have weakness!( 2 cor 12:9-10!) When we learn just how great a love Jesus has for us,then and only then can we become established in our faith through our belief in our very faith!( eph 3:16-21)

This is not talking about our love for each other!But rather God's personal love for each of us!! personal!For faith!! workth through LOVE!( gal 5:6) And when we do that fellows saints!!Then we know just how much we truly do believe! For faith without love makes a great sound,but has no result!( 1 cor 13:1) Felt led to say this to us for some reason.May this bless you all and remind us all of what believing is, and does!( james 1:22)amen!! psalm 27:13