The Gentile Sheep and Goats

When Messiah Jesus returns, He will judge the Gentiles to determine who among them will enter the Messianic Kingdom.

The prophet Joel identified those being judged using the Hebrew word goyim (“nations”), a word still used for “Gentiles” today (Joel 3:12). Jesus said all nations will be gathered before Him (Mt. 25:32), establishing the connection to Joel’s prophecy. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Greek word for “nations” refers to Gentiles who survive the Tribulation’s cataclysmic events.

As a shepherd divides sheep from goats, the Messiah will divide these non-Jews: The righteous will “inherit the kingdom prepared for [them] from the foundation of the world,” while the unrighteous will be condemned to “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (vv. 34, 41).

Jesus spelled out the criterion He will use to distinguish the righteous from the unrighteous:

For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me (vv. 35–36, 40).

Thus He will identify Gentile survivors of the Tribulation as righteous by their attitude toward His “brethren.” These brethren belong to neither the sheep nor the goats. Furthermore, they are distinct from the nations, or goyim. So the word brethren can only refer to one other group of people: the Jewish people—Jesus’ Jewish kinsmen.

That fact should not be surprising. The Bible consistently teaches that God notices how Gentiles treat His Chosen People and that He holds them accountable. At this judgment, compassionate treatment of the Messiah’s brethren is not the basis of salvation but, rather, evidence of genuine faith. And only people with genuine faith in the Messiah of Israel will enter His Messianic Kingdom.

1 thought on “The Gentile Sheep and Goats

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Features

Saying is Believing

Rhetoric is everything. Or at least it appears so nowadays. But what happens when rhetoric doesn’t match reality? See for yourself.

‘I Will Come Again’

Jesus’ promise to come again was familiar talk to His disciples. That’s because it was connected to a special, joyous occasion expertly described in this article.

Rejoicing in Beulah Land

Today Israel is besieged on all sides. It seems like the little Jewish state has noth- ing but enemies. But someday the tide will turn. God has a plan, and here it is.

Entering the Millennium

First the Messiah will level the forces against Him in the Valley of Megiddo. Then He will usher in a new era. If you’re interested in how things will unfold, you’ll love this article.

Living in a Perfect World

Long life. No disease. Tame animals. These are merely a few characteristics of the Millennium. There are many more, some of which may even surprise you.


Share Your Story.
Has God used The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry in your life? Share your story with us!
 

Subscription Options

1 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$9.99 every 1 year

1 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$19.99 every 1 year

2 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$19.99 every 2 years

2 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$39.99 every 2 years

3 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$29.99 every 3 years

3 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$59.99 every 3 years