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Matthew 25: 31-46


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I was wondering if anyone could explain who the sheep and the goats are in Matthew 25:31-46.

The reason I ask, is that a good friend of mine says they are the people who did not accept Christ in their life time and defends this with Rev 5:10, claiming that we as Christians are to reign on the earth and they will be the people we will reign over.

This doesn't seem to make sence because it would mean unbelievers would be saved by works; but then I'm not sure who this passage is referring to.

Michele

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I was wondering if anyone could explain who the sheep and the goats are in Matthew 25:31-46.

The reason I ask, is that a good friend of mine says they are the people who did not accept Christ in their life time and defends this with Rev 5:10, claiming that we as Christians are to reign on the earth and they will be the people we will reign over.

This doesn't seem to make sence because it would mean unbelievers would be saved by works; but then I'm not sure who this passage is referring to.

Michele


It's not teaching Salvation by works. Here's what a couple commentators have to say.

Bible Believer's Commentary:
25:46 Thus the goats go away into everlasting punishment, but the sheep into eternal life. But this raises two problems. First, the passage seems to teach that nations are saved or lost en masse. Second, the narrative creates the impression that the sheep are saved by good works, and the goats are condemned through failure to do good. As to the first difficulty, it must be remembered that God does deal with nations as such. OT history abounds with instances of nations punished because of their sin (Isa_10:12-19; Isa_47:5-15; Eze_25:6-7; Amo_1:3, Amo_1:6, Amo_1:9, Amo_1:11, Amo_1:13; Amo_2:1, Amo_2:4, Amo_2:6; Oba_1:10; Zec_14:1-5). It is not unreasonable to believe that nations will continue to experience divine retribution. This does not mean that every single individual in the nation will be involved in the outcome, but that the principles of divine justice will be applied on a national, as well as an individual basis.
The word ethne, translated ?nations? in this passage, can equally well be translated ?Gentiles.? Some believe the passage describes the judgment of individual Gentiles. Whether nations or individuals, there is the problem of how such a vast horde could be gathered before the Lord in Palestine. Perhaps it is best to think of representatives of the nations or individual classes assembled for judgment.
As to the second problem, the passage cannot be used to teach salvation by works. The uniform testimony of the Bible is that salvation is by faith and not by works (Eph_2:8-9). But the Bible is just as emphatic in teaching that true faith produces good works. If there are no good works, it is an indication that the person was never saved. So we must understand that the Gentiles are not saved by befriending the Jewish remnant, but that this kindness reflects their love for the Lord.


Matthew Henry's Commentary:
Mat 25:31-46 -
This is a description of the last judgment. It is as an explanation of the former parables. There is a judgment to come, in which every man shall be sentenced to a state of everlasting happiness, or misery. Christ shall come, not only in the glory of his Father, but in his own glory, as Mediator. The wicked and godly here dwell together, in the same cities, churches, families, and are not always to be known the one from the other; such are the weaknesses of saints, such the hypocrisies of sinners; and death takes both: but in that day they will be parted for ever. Jesus Christ is the great Shepherd; he will shortly distinguish between those that are his, and those that are not. All other distinctions will be done away; but the great one between saints and sinners, holy and unholy, will remain for ever. The happiness the saints shall possess is very great. It is a kingdom; the most valuable possession on earth; yet this is but a faint resemblance of the blessed state of the saints in heaven. It is a kingdom prepared. The Father provided it for them in the greatness of his wisdom and power; the Son purchased it for them; and the blessed Spirit, in preparing them for the kingdom, is preparing it for them. It is prepared for them: it is in all points adapted to the new nature of a sanctified soul. It is prepared from the foundation of the world. This happiness was for the saints, and they for it, from all eternity. They shall come and inherit it. What we inherit is not got by ourselves. It is God that makes heirs of heaven. We are not to suppose that acts of bounty will entitle to eternal happiness. Good works done for God's sake, through Jesus Christ, are here noticed as marking the character of believers made holy by the Spirit of Christ, and as the effects of grace bestowed on those who do them. The wicked in this world were often called to come to Christ for life and rest, but they turned from his calls; and justly are those bid to depart from Christ, that would not come to him. Condemned sinners will in vain offer excuses. The punishment of the wicked will be an everlasting punishment; their state cannot be altered. Thus life and death, good and evil, the blessing and the curse, are set before us, that we may choose our way, and as our way so shall our end be.


Salvation is by faith, not by works. But Scripture also teaches us that if a man does not have works to accompany his faith, then his faith is not living faith but dead. Dead faith is faith that will not save you.
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