For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4: 12-16).
Have you heard the saying that where there's smoke, there's fire? If you've spent any time around fire, you know that the fire causes the smoke, and not the other way around. In Matthew 24:3, Jesus answered questions from His disciples. They asked about the timing of the destruction of the Temple, what signs would appear before Jesus came into His kingdom, and when the world would end. This chapter records His answers. He spoke of His Kingdom, of His sheep, and of the future judgment. This encounter took place during the week of Passover and just days prior to the crucifixion.
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:
Jesus is the King, and His Kingdom was what the faithful within the nation of Israel had been waiting to see. There was glory and a heavenly host at Jesus’ birth, but what Jesus speaks of here is different. After all, He didn’t come to a throne but to a feeding box. “Son of Man” is a term that refers to Jesus' mission to represent mankind to the Father. The “Son of Man” is the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (1 John 3:2).
To Israel at that time, it was thought that the Messiah would have political power and be a deliverer from the Roman occupation. It would be like in the Golden Age of David and Solomon; Israel wouldn’t have to pay oppressive taxes to occupiers, and they would be ruling over their enemies. Prophecies would be fulfilled about prosperity and the families of Israel returning to the promised land. God would once again deal directly with the entire nation of Israel. This King is the King of Kings in their midst who will deliver on all those promises when He returns, but first, He won the ultimate victory over Death, Hell, and the Grave. Jesus, indeed, will come quickly, in great glory, with all the holy angels!
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9: 6-7).
And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 37: 22-23).
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2: 2-4).
Many today are skeptical about such a kingdom. The antichrist (also called the Man of Sin in the Bible) will attempt to set up a kingdom and to bring honor to himself by aligning political power and humanistic religion. The result will be a period of judgment unlike any the world has ever known. Jesus will intervene, destroying the evil works, persecution of the righteous, and self-worship that will be the hallmarks of that kingdom. Ultimately, Christ will take His rightful place and set up His promised Kingdom. Daniel referred to Him as a stone not cut by human hands that destroys all of the kingdoms of the world. John saw the King of Kings upon His throne in a vision while in exile on the Isle of Patmos.
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. (Daniel 2: 44-45).
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. (Revelation 19:11-16).
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: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Jesus has purchased the world He created, with the price He paid on Calvary. Because He has earned all power and authority. He will be the Great Shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. He has earned that right, the right to put all things in order according to His will. He is the Creator. He is the Redeemer. He paid the debt of all believers through obedience to the Father on the cross of Calvary. He is worthy. He will demand an answer from His enemies, and He will rule all nations.
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10).
In His kindness, He revealed to His disciples how the division of sheep and goats, wheat and tares, occurs. It is based on the belief in the Son of God and on surrender to His authority. We must be born again, because all that is unredeemed will one day be judged and will pass away, but the Church of God, His bride, will continue for eternity. Salvation comes through grace through faith:
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6: 28-29).
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:9-13).
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: 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: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 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.
This section of scripture may cause some concern, but it really shouldn’t. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus - plain and simple. In these verses the sheep (believers) are commended for accepting the grace offered and their response to that grace in their work. Works are the outward evidence of an inward salvation through Jesus. That is not to say that someone who is not a believer can never do good works - they certainly can. But the righteous Judge here is Jesus himself. He knows us to the very intents of our hearts. Don’t be confused - we know what gets us to Heaven. There has to be fire before there is smoke. It is never the smoke of our works that makes us worthy of anything. The Pharisees were religious leaders, pious, and had many works of holiness. Yet, Jesus says of them, For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20).
Good works won’t do it. Yet, there should be good works in our walk as believers. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10). Scripture gives us many verses to support the fire within us, showing the world some smoke:
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phillipians 2:12).
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14).
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27).
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:7).
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: (1 Peter 1:17).
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18).
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2: 17-18).
Interestingly, Jesus commends their work toward the least of His brethren, believers, and the nation of Israel. God doesn’t forget His promises. God told Abraham that He would bless those that blessed Him, and curse those that cursed him.The Old Testament shares many accounts of God defending Israel against those who would destroy them. 2 John says if we have fellowship with God, it will be obvious in the way we love others. To abide in Christ means to care about the things He cares about, and the nation of Israel is the apple of His eye.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22 :37-39). In summary, we need to love those that God loves. I can’t think of anyone that leaves out!
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: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 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. 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? 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. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
So, the goats are placed on the left, separated out because they do not have a personal relationship with God. A goat is born a goat, and a sheep is born a sheep. Because we are physically born under the curse of Adam’s sin, we must be born again. Nothing unredeemed will enter eternity with Christ.
Some of those goats may be churchgoers who have fallen away- as in the parable of the 10 virgins, or maybe those who were given talents/abilities/roles but didn’t use them for God (earlier in this chapter). Some may never have believed or have chose other gods to serve. Regardless, the same rules apply. Salvation only comes through Christ. Their works are of the world. They deny the authority of Jesus and it shows in how they relate to their fellow man.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15-17).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). NOTE: that is not taking place here. That judgement is the Great White Throne of Revelation chapter 20.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11: 13-15).
There is coming a day when all of the promises of scripture will be clearly seen. There will always be skeptics because this is a matter of faith. There are God's spoken promises to Israel that have yet to be fulfilled. The Lord Jesus will reveal himself to Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. (Zechariah 12: 10-11).
Through answering the disciples’ questions, Jesus also spoke directly to our age. All wrongs will be made right. Promises will be kept. The Lord, He is God. Though we do not earn our way to heaven and our righteousness is as filthy rags, there is work to do in the body of Christ. Hold fast to the profession and occupy until He comes! Don’t let the fire go out! Our King is coming, and He’s almost here! Are you ready?
Thank you for studying with us! God bless!