The Judgement… vs. 31-33

• 1^st – Second Coming… vs. 31
  • All of heaven…
    • When the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the holy angels with Him!
    • As Jesus concludes the Olivet Discourse – His final teaching [in Matthew] before the cross…
    • He finishes by telling the DISCIPLES what will happen when He RETURNS!
    • Jude 1:14 – “Behold – the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints.”
    • At the SECOND coming – when Jesus rides out of Heaven [King of Kings] – Revelation 19:16
    • ALL [πᾶς] the armies of Heaven will come with Him [glorified bodies] – Revelation 19:14
    • That includes ALL of the Old testament believers – ALL of the New Testament believers…
    • EVERYONE who was RAPTURED before the Tribulation – I Thessalonians 4:17
    • The innumerable multitude who died for their faith in the Tribulation – Revelation 7:14
    • As well as ALL of the Angels of heaven – Matthew 16:27
  • Armageddon…
    • II Thessalonians 1:7-8 – “The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God.”
    • Jesus will be REVEALED [ἀποκάλυψις] – to bring VENGEANCE!
    • The battle will begin in Bozrah [Petra] – where Israel will hide for 3.5 years – Isaiah 63:1
    • Then Jesus will come to Jerusalem – to the Mount of Olives – Acts 1:11
    • When He touches down the Mountain will split in TWO – Zechariah 14:4
    • His massive ARMY will come with Him – but will NOT take part in the battle…
    • Jesus will leave us in Jerusalem – go ALONE to the valley of MEGIDDO – Joel 3:14
    • With one word He will defeat the Antichrist and his army – II Thessalonians 2:8
    • The Antichrist and his False prophet will be captured…
    • And they will be the first to be thrown into the Lake of Fire – Revelation 19:21
• 2^nd – Judgement seat… vs. 31-33
  • Throne of Glory…
    • Then He will sit on the throne of His glory!
    • Jesus will then begin to RULE over the world – Psalm 2:6
    • Which starts what we call the Millennial Kingdom – 1000 year reign – Revelation 20:4
    • When He will reign from His throne in the Israel – in the city of Jerusalem!
    • Jeremiah 3:17 – “At that time Jerusalem shall be called the Throne of the LORD.”
  • 1260 days… vs. 32
    • All the nations will be gathered before Him!
    • From the Abomination of Desolation there will be 1260 days [3.5 years] – Matthew 24:15
    • After which Jesus will return and defeat the Antichrist…
    • But not everyone will die in the battle of Armageddon…
    • There will be some people who survive the Great Tribulation!
    • THIRD of the JEWISH nation will survive – Zechariah 13:8
    • These Jews will look up and see Jesus return – Zechariah 12:10
    • There will also be Gentiles who did NOT take the mark [damnation] – Revelation 14:9-11
  • 1290 days…
    • Daniel 12:11 – “From the abomination of desolation… there shall be 1290 days.”
    • 30 days after the Return of Jesus – 1290 days after the Abomination of Desolation…
    • Jesus will gather together ALL [πᾶς] of the NATIONS [ἔθνος] for judgment!
    • There are THREE Judgments in the Bible…
    • FRIST – the BEMA [βῆμα] seat of Christ – II Corinthians 5:10
    • This presumably takes place the moment a believer dies [absent from body]
    • SECOND – the Great White throne judgement – Revelation 20:12
    • This takes place at the END of the Millennial Kingdom…
    • THIRD – the separation of the Sheep and Goats…
    • This takes place BEFORE – to decide who gets to ENTER the Millennial Kingdom…
    • It would appear that this Judgment lasts for 45 days…
    • Because BLESSED is he who makes it to the 1335 day – Daniel 12:12
  • Separation… vs. 32-33
    • [Jesus] will separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
    • And He will set the sheep on His right hand but the goats on the left!
    • Jesus will separate the NATIONS into TWO categories…
    • As a SHEPHERD is able to separate SHEEP and GOATS!
    • SHEEP and GOATS look similar – sound similar – eat the same things…
    • They live side by side – experiencing much the same life…
    • But the FINAL destination of the GOAT is very different from the SHEEP…
    • The one who can always tell them apart is their shepherd!
    • John 10:27 – “My sheep hear My voice and I know them – and they follow Me.”
    • Both sheep and goats hear Jesus voice – but only the sheep follow Him…
    • Hearing does not make us a Christian – obeying Jesus makes us a sheep!
    • James 1:22 – “[The Bible] is a message to obey – not just to listen to.”

• 2^nd – The sheep… vs. 34-40
  • 1^st – Millennial Saints… vs. 34
    • Then the King will say to those on His right hand: Come you blessed of My Father.
    • Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!
      
    • The KING [βασιλεύς] will command [imperative] the SHEEP on His right to COME…
    • BLESSED [εὐλογέω] – a compound word meaning GOOD [εὖ] WORD [λόγος]
    • Because these SHEEP listened to and OBEYED the GOOD Word…
    • They must INHERIT [imperative] the MILLENNIAL Kingdom…
    • That God prepared [perfect] before He laid the foundation of the world [κόσμος]!
    • Those who TAKE the MARK – get to live in comfort for SEVEN years – Revelation 13:17
    • But those who refuse – have the opportunity to live with Christ for THOUSAND years…
    • Sadly – there will be many who chose short term COMFORT – over lasting BLESSINGS!
    • Do NOT miss – this is ALL part of the plan of God…
    • Before He spoke the FIRST word – creating the heavens and the earth – Genesis 1:1
    • God already knew how it would all END – He would WIN…
    • The question we have is what are living for – what do we CHOSE…
    • Do we foolishly live for short term COMFORT – or do we want to inherit the BLESSINGS of God!
  • 2^nd – Good works… vs. 35-36
    • Helpful… vs. 35
      • For I was hungry and you gave Me food. I was thirsty and you gave Me drink!
      • The SHEEP are known by their FRUIT [four examples]
      • It is NOT what saves them – but it does show they are SAVED – James 2:22
      • FIRST – if someone was HUNGRY or THIRSTY – they did not hesitate to help them!
      • Keep in mind – this will be during the TRIBULATION…
      • And these SHEEP will NOT take the MARK – so they cannot buy or sell…
      • Therefore – they will NOT have a lot of spare food to give!
      • It is easy to give when we have MORE than enough…
      • But SHEEP help others even when it means they do NOT have enough…
      • Because that shows a heart that has FAITH God will provide – Matthew 6:33
      • It shows a heart like Jesus – who puts others FIRST!
      • Philippian 2:5 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
    • Hospitable… vs. 35
      • I was a stranger and you took Me in!
      • SECOND – if someone was a STRANGER [ξένος] – they took them in!
      • I Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
      • HOSPITABLE [φιλόξενος] – to be kind [φίλος] to strangers [ξένος]
      • We must be HOSPITABLE – practically showing KINDNESS – even to STRANGERS…
      • Not out of OBLIGATION – no GRUMBLING – but out of genuine LOVE…
      • By doing so we show the LOVE of God to others – the goodness of God – John 13:35
      • Through which we have the opportunity to tell them about Jesus – Romans 2:4
    • Compassionate… vs. 36
      • I was naked and you clothed Me. 
      • THIRD – if someone lacked basic needs [clothing] – they had compassion!
      • SHEEP concern themselves with the needs of others – they have COMPASSION…
      • If someone is LACKING – they see it as THEIR problem…
      • Because they understand the command the Lord has given to us!
      • Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
    • Humble… vs. 36
      • I was sick and you visited Me! I was in prison and you came to Me!
      • FOURTH – they did NOT abandon those who were ALONE…
      • If someone was SICK [weak] – they would keep an EYE [σκοπός] on them…
      • If they were in PRISON [imperfect] – they would visit them!
      • When Paul was arrested the second time [Mamertine] – he was ALONE – II Timothy 4:16
      • But Onesiphorus traveled from Ephesus [1000 km] – to Rome to find Paul…
      • And when he arrived he searched zealously till he found him!
      • II Timothy 1:16 – “For he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain.”
      • We are called to refresh one another – not just when it is convenient or easy…
      • There is great joy as we get to pour the love of Jesus into the lives of others!
      • Proverbs 11:25 – “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
  • 3^rd – Least of these… vs. 37-40
    • The Righteous… vs. 37-39
      • Then the righteous will answer Him saying:
      • Lord when did we see You hungry and feed You – or thirsty and give You drink?
      • When did we see You a stranger and take You in – or naked and clothe You?
      • When did we see You sick – or in prison – and come to You?
      • RIGHTEOUS [δίκαιος] – those who are RIGHT before God…
      • The irony is – they did NOT even know what they had done RIGHT…
      • Because they had to ask the Lord [κύριος] – WHEN [πότε] had they done these things…
      • Which tells you they had the RIGHT heart in doing them!
      • Too many people do GOOD works – so that they can be SEEN by others…
      • They are looking for the PRAISE and RECOGNITION of men – Matthew 6:5
      • But in order to be RIGHTEOUS – we must do things with the RIGHT heart…
      • NOT for the glory of MEN – but for the glory of GOD!
    • The Head… vs. 40
      • The King will answer and say to them: Assuredly I say to you.
      • Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren – you did it to Me!
      • Jesus [the King] will answer and say to them – AMEN [Ἀμὴν]
      • When they did [ποιέω] these things to the LEAST [μικρός] of the brothers…
      • They also did [ποιέω] it [indicative] unto Jesus!
      • If someone has a cut on their hand – or a broken leg…
      • And the doctor helps to heal them – they are not helping the hand or leg…
      • They are helping the person – and that person will be THANKFUL!
      • Colossians 1:18 – “[Jesus] is the head of the body – the church.”
      • Make no mistake – when we minister to the BODY of Christ [church]
      • We are blessing the HEAD of the Body – we are ministering to Christ…
      • And there will come a day when He will give us THANKS for what we did!

• 3^rd – The Goats… vs. 41-46
  • 1^st – Lake of Fire… vs. 41
    • Cursed…
      • Then He will also say to those on the left hand: Depart from Me you cursed!
      • The KING [βασιλεύς] will then command [imperative] the GOATS on His left to GO…
      • CURSED – they were always doomed [perfect] – because of who they were [passive]
      • They had NOT listened to the GOSPEL [good news]
      • Therefore they will NOT be allowed into the Millennial Kingdom…
      • Instead they will be EXECUTED – and sent to HELL [ᾅδης]
      • Where they will have to WAIT until AFTER the Millennial Kingdom…
      • When they will stand before the Great White throne!
      • Revelation 20:13 – “Death and Hades deliver up the dead who are in them. And they are judged each one according to their works.”
    • Everlasting fire…
      • Into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels!
      • EVERLASTING [αἰώνιος] fire – another name for the Lake of Fire!
      • Unlike HELL [ᾅδης] – that is located in the center of the earth…
      • We do NOT know WHERE the Lake of Fire is located [not in this universe]
      • It is a place of DARKNESS – because God is not there – John 8:12
      • It is place of BRIMSTONE [450°C] – it is VERY hot – Revelation 20:12
      • It was created by God – for the DEVIL and his fallen ANGELS – Revelation 12:9
      • Satan is NOT in Hell [ᾅδης] – he is the god of this world – Ephesians 2:2
      • And he will NOT be ruling once he is thrown into the Lake of Fire – it is his PRISON!
      • Sadly they will NOT be the ONLY prisoners to be cast out there…
      • So also will everyone whose names are NOT in the book of LIFE – Revelation 20:15
  • 2^nd – Bad Works… vs. 42-45
    • Selfish… vs. 42-43
      • For I was hungry and you gave Me no food. I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink.
      • I was a stranger and you did not take Me in. Naked and you did not clothe Me.
      • Sick and in prison and you did not visit Me!
      • The GOATS are also known by their FRUIT…
      • It is NOT what curses them – but it does show they are CURSED – James 2:22
      • They did NOT do any of the things that the SHEEP did…
      • Because they did NOT care about others – they ONLY cared about themselves!
    • The Question… vs. 44
      • Then they also will answer Him saying: Lord when did we see You hungry or thirsty.
      • Or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to You?
      • Note the response is almost identical to the SHEEP…
      • They did NOT know what they had done WRONG…
      • They had to ask the Lord [κύριος] – WHEN [πότε] had they NOT done these things…
      • They will no doubt THINK – if we had seen Jesus – we would have HELPED!
    • The Answer… vs. 45
      • Then He will answer them saying: Assuredly I say to you.
      • Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these – you did not do it to Me!
      • Jesus [the King] will answer and say to them – AMEN [Ἀμὴν]
      • When they did [ποιέω] NOT do these things to the LEAST [μικρός]
      • Interesting that the word BROTHER [ἀδελφός] is missing – because they are NOT family…
      • They also did [ποιέω] NOT do it [indicative] unto Jesus!
      • The family with NO food – the NEW face at church – the neighbor who is SICK…
      • Jesus is waiting for us to come and show them the LOVE of God…
      • It is NOT that the goat will NOT help – it is that they do NOT even SEE the need…
      • They are so caught up in themselves – they miss everyone else around them – they miss Jesus!
  • 3^rd – Two destinations… vs. 46
    • These will go away into everlasting punishment – but the righteous into eternal life!
    • Everyone will live FOREVER [αἰώνιος] – the ONLY question is where…
    • The GOATS will be sent into everlasting [αἰώνιος] PUNISHMENT [κόλασις] – 2x in NT…
    • I John 4:18 – “Perfect love casts out fear – because fear involves torment [κόλασις].”
    • The SHEEP – who have received the perfect LOVE of Jesus…
    • Will be sent into everlasting [αἰώνιος] LIFE – the New Jerusalem – Revelation 21-22
    • There are only TWO options when it comes to our ETERNAL fate – SHEEP or GOATS…
    • The way to tell the difference – is by our ACTIONS – selfish or selfless!