The American economy faced an economic decision like it never has before this week. After decades of overspending, a judgment of budgetary failure came upon the American people. Unable to deal with their ever increasing debt load they faced the challenge of resolving their debt.
All actions have their consequences in judgment. An accounting for actions will eventually come to everyone. Not even the sins of Christians are exempt. The marvelous and gracious privilege granted to Christians, however, is to have had the judgment and punishment for all their sins placed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who died as the substitute for sinners. By God’s divine grace working through their obedient trust in His Son, believers have the guilt and penalty for their sins nailed to the cross with Christ. But those who do not receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior must bear the penalty for their own sins, which is spiritual death and eternal damnation. The warning to unbelievers is stated over and over again in Scripture by word and demonstrated by direct acts of divine judgment.
Jesus’ closing words in the Olivet discourse-a sermon on His second coming given privately to the disciples after His last public teaching in the Temple-were one of the most severe and sobering warnings of judgment in all of Scripture, pictured as the divine separation of the righteous sheep from the unrighteous goats. Not only will it determine the ultimate, eternal destinies of everyone but will also determine who will and will not enter the kingdom. Only those who belong to the King, believers who have been born into God’s spiritual family and been made citizens of His spiritual kingdom, will enter His glorious kingdom.
"The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats" is not mentioned in any of the other gospels, no doubt because the other Gospels do not focus on Christ’s kingship, as does Matthew. For that same reason Matthew places much greater emphasis on all aspects of the Lord’s second coming than do the other gospels, because it is at Jesus` return, He will manifest Himself as King of kings and Lord of lords in consummate regal glory and power (Rev. 19:11–16). Therefore, in Matthew 25:31-46 we see: 1) The Setting of Judgment (Matthew 25:31–32a) and 2) The Process of Judgment (Matthew 25:32b-46)
1) The Setting of Judgment (Matthew 25:31–32a)
Matthew 25:31-32a [31]"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32]Before him will be gathered all the nations, (and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats). (ESV)
The four parables of Matthew 24:43–25:30 have all alluded to judgment, even while concentrating more on right living in this life. The parable of the talents taught the need for faithful work and service, which will be rewarded at the judgment. The final story is of the judgment itself. There is also a progression. In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, the women who were not ready are shut out from the banquet. In the next parable, the wicked, lazy servant is thrown out into the darkness. In the story of the sheep and the goats, those who have ignored the needs of Christ’s brothers are cursed with an eternal punishment (Boice, J. M. (2001). The Gospel of Matthew (540). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.).
This passage is often described as a parable, but Jesus does not use this term for it. This, of course, is not decisive (he does not describe the story of the talents as a parable either). It is described as a parable in the fact that it describes actual future events based on present imagery of separating sheep from goats) (Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (633). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.)
a) The Judge When the Son of Man (25:31a)
Please turn to Daniel 7
The sovereign Judge over the separation of the sheep and goats will be Christ Himself, the Son of Man. Jesus had earlier declared that “not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father” (John 5:22). God the Father has delegated all judgment authority to the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the fulfillment of the vision of Dan 7:13–14 where the Son of Man is enthroned as judge over all the nations (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (957). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.)
Daniel 7:13-14 [13]"I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. [14]And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (EV)
The most common title Jesus used of Himself was the Son of Man. That title affirmed His incarnation, His identity with mankind, His time of humiliation and sacrifice. It reflected His condescension, His submissiveness, His humility, His meekness, and His gracious love for fallen humanity. His referring to Himself as Son of Man provided a profound contrast with the titles and roles He will have when He comes in glory. It suggested a clear distinction between His two comings.
b) The Time comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, (25:31b)
The time of judgment will be Christ’s return, when He comes in His glory. Although we do not know at what precise time in history that event will occur (Matt. 24:36, 42, 44, 50), we know that He will appear “immediately after the tribulation of those days” (24:29).
Apparently His judgment will be instantaneous, at the moment He appears, and when that occurs the opportunity for faith in Him will be past. As pictured in the parable of the virgins, when the Bridegroom comes the door will be shut (Matt. 25:10). When the Lord comes to earth in glory with His angels and saints, there will be no opportunity for unbelievers then living to receive Him as Messiah.
Please turn to 2 Thessalonians 1
Accompanying and assisting the Lord at His appearing in glory and judgment will be the magnificent host of all His heavenly angels. At that time, Paul says:
2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 [6]since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7]and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels [8]in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (ESV)
c) The Place then He will sit on His glorious throne. (25:31c)
Please turn to Luke 1
The place of Christ’s judgment will be the earth, where He will sit on His glorious throne. The symbol indicates a most glorious throne, that is, a throne characterized by external splendor, brightness, brilliance, or radiance, corresponding with the internal and essential splendor of its Occupant’s attributes (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 9: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew. New Testament Commentary (885). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).
While Mary was still only betrothed to Joseph, the angel told her:
Luke 1:31-33 [31]And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. [32]He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, [33]and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." (ESV)
d) The Subjects Before him will be gathered all the nations (25:32a)
The OT imagery continues with the gathering, or, in the light of the following simile, perhaps the “herding together;” of all nations for judgment, as in Joel 3:1–12 (Hebrew and LXX 4:1–12), with a likely verbal echo of Joel 3:2, “I will gather all the nations … into judgment.” Again, a passage which depicts God himself as judge is echoed in a description of judgment by the Son of Man. The subjects of Christ’s judgment will be all the nations. Ethna (nations) has the basic meaning of peoples and here refers to every person alive on earth when the Lord returns. This will not be a judgment of groups (Germany, Italy, Japan, etc.) but of individuals within these nations (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Mt 25:31). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.).
Illustration: ("But Few Listened")
Winston Churchill, his wary eye fixed on Hitler, was a lone voice in the years preceding World War II. He continually warned his nation and the world of the impending disasters about to befall Europe, but few listened. In 1936, he embarked on a strenuous campaign to awaken England with his cries of alarm. In one article, published in the most prominent newspapers of fourteen countries, he warned that the peoples of Europe were chattering, busy, sporting, toiling, amused from day to day by headlines and from night to night by cinemas, slipping, sinking, rolling backward to the age when the earth was void and darkness moved upon the face of the waters. Surely, he argued, it is worth a supreme effort … to control the hideous drift of events and arrest calamity on the threshold. Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!!! NOW is the appointed time. But few listened (William Manchester, The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill—Alone (Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1988), 205.).
2) The Process of Judgment (Matthew 25:32b-46)
Matthew 25:32b-33 [32] (Before him will be gathered all the nations), and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33]And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. (ESV)
The process of Christ’s judgment will include the absolute and unerring separation of the saved from the unsaved. When all the nations and peoples of the earth will have been gathered before Him at His return, the Lord Jesus Christ will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
In the ancient Near East, as in much of that land still today, sheep and goats are frequently herded together. But sheep are docile, gentle creatures, whereas goats are unruly and rambunctious and can easily upset the sheep. Because they do not feed or rest well together, the shepherd often separates them for grazing and for sleeping at night. Goats were more sensitive to cold than the sheep, so that at the end of the day the separation had to be made, the goats being put in a warmer place (Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (636). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.)
In a similar way the Lord Jesus Christ will separate believers from unbelievers when He returns. As Matthew 25:33 indicates, He will separate the believing sheep on His right, the place of favor and blessing. But the unbelieving goats He will put on the left, the place of disfavor and rejection.
a) The Inheritance of the Saved (Matthew 25:34–40)
Matthew 25:34-40 [34]Then the King will say to those on his right, ’Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35]For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36]I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37]Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ’Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38]And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39]And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40]And the King will answer them, ’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (ESV)
Jesus here reveals unequivocally that the Son of Man who sits on the glorious throne (v. 31) is also the Son of God, the divine King. After his subjects are separated, the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of/by My Father. This is a PERFECT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE. They have been blessed in the past and continue to be blessed. God was the active agent. (They are not blessed because they took action. God took the action and their lives were blessed and they became a blessing to others) (Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 9: The First Christian Primer: Matthew. Study Guide Commentary Series (209). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.).
Their blessing is to inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Believers will not inherit the kingdom based on good deeds they will have or will not have performed on earth. Their inheritance was determined countless ages ago, even from the foundation of the world.
Please turn to Romans 8
Those who enter the kingdom will not do so on the basis of the service they have performed for Christ but on the basis of their being blessed by the Father because of their trust in His Son. They will in no way earn a place in the kingdom. A child does not earn an inheritance but receives it on the basis of his being in the family. In exactly the same way, a believer does not earn his way into the kingdom of God but receives it as his rightful inheritance as a child of God and a fellow heir with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:16–17).
Romans 8:16-17 [16]The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17]and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (ESV) "Keep your place in Romans 8"
Prepared for you accentuates the selectivity of salvation. From before the time the world was created, God sovereignly chose those who will belong to Him.
Look down at Romans 8:29:
Romans 8:29 [29]For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (ESV)
The source of salvation is the Father’s blessing, the reception of salvation is through faith, and the selectivity of salvation is in the advance preparation of the Father made in ages past. 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 (MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997). Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Mt 25:46). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).
Throughout his ministry, by means of precept and example, Jesus had stressed the necessity of feelings and works of love, mercy, and generosity (5:7, 43–48; 8:17; 9:36; 11:28–30; 12:7, 20, 21; 14:16, 34–36; 15:32; 18:1–6, 22, 35; 19:13–15; 20:28; 22:9, 37–39; 23:37). So it is altogether natural that this is what he expects of his followers (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 9: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew. New Testament Commentary (888). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).
The genuinely righteous deeds Jesus mentions in verses 35–36 are measurable evidence of salvation. The Lord then lists six representative areas of need: being hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison. The list is not exhaustive but representative of all needs that a person might have. Each of these needs is central to survival and quality of life. Food, drink, clothing, and health are related to the needs of a person’s body. Being a stranger (Gr. xenos, “foreigner, alien”) is also related to physical well-being. Because an alien usually had no job or other means of support, there was a strong tendency to view him with prejudice, and even to abuse him. Because of their needy state, foreigners were protected, along with widows and orphans, by Old Testament law (e.g., Lev. 19:10, 33–34; Deut. 27:17–19). Someone who was in prison was, likewise, unable to earn a living for himself or his family. In fact, such a person was dependent on others to bring him food, because the law enforcement system usually did not provide it for him (Weber, S. K. (2000). Vol. 1: Matthew. Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (425). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
Please turn to James 2
The kingdom is for those who have ministered to such needs in the lives of God’s people, because those good deeds evidence true, living faith. They are characteristic of God’s children and kingdom citizens.
James 2:15-17 [15]If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, [16]and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? [17]So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (ESV)
• Scripture is very clear in teaching that the evidence for assurance of true salvation is not found in a past moment of decision but in a continuous pattern of righteous behavior.
The reality of hunger and the social needs of the Third World, especially, call the Christian church to the deeds of love that care and share. A ministry of relief, of food and clothing, of education and medicine, or agricultural development, and of social enrichment is an authentic witness of the gospel. One can hardly expect persons to hear a word about salvation unless they see the saving deed of love, for empty stomachs lead to emptying thoughts. Throughout the Gospel of Matthew Jesus’ ministry related time for the deed of love with time given to teaching. We are called to interface deed and word in our mission (Augsburger, M. S., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1982). Vol. 24: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 24 : Matthew. The Preacher’s Commentary series (18). Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc.).
In Matthew 25:37, the King addresses them as the righteous, not simply because they have been declared righteous in Christ but because they have been made righteous by Christ. Their works of service to fellow believers give evidence that they are themselves the product of divine “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
The good deeds mentioned in these verses all deal with common, everyday needs. There is no mention of monumental undertakings or of spectacular accomplishments (cf. Matt. 7:21–23, where the claim to the spectacular is useless) but only of routine, day-to-day kindnesses that help meet the needs of fellow believers.
When the King’s self-effacing servants ask, “Lord, when did we do all those things for You?” Matthew notes in Matthew 25:40 that the King will answer them, “Truly I say to you, as/to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.” The King’s addressing these people as brothers gives still further evidence that they are already children of God and do not become so because of their good works.
b) The Condemnation of the Unsaved (Matthew 25:41–46)
Matthew 25:41-46 [41]"Then he will say to those on his left, ’Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42]For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43]I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ [44]Then they also will answer, 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?’ [45]Then he will answer them, saying, ’Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ [46]And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (ESV)
To the lost who will be gathered on His left the King will say, “Depart from Me, you cursed/accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” This description gives rise to questions: a. “How is it possible for the wicked to be sent away from (or: to depart from) God?” Is not God omnipresent? (Ps. 139:7–12). Answer: Although God is indeed everywhere, that presence is not everywhere a presence of love. It is from this presence of love, patience, and warning that the wicked are finally banished forever. b. If hell is the place of fire, of the flame, of burning, how can it also be the abode of darkness?” Answer: Burning and darkness are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, by a certain form of radiation a person may be seriously burned while he is in a dark room (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 9: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew. New Testament Commentary (890). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
It is just as obvious that Christ does not condemn those human beings who refused to believe people because they failed to serve Him (vv. 42–43) as it is that He does not save the others because they did serve Him (vv. 34–35). These are cursed/accursed because they rejected Christ, just as those who enter the kingdom are righteous (v. 37) because they accepted Him. Their rejection of Christ left them in a state where they were not able to do righteous deeds.
Eternal punishment takes place in hell (that is, the lake of fire or Gehenna), which is the place of punishment after death for all those who refuse to repent. In the Bible, three words are used in connection with eternal punishment: (1) Sheol, or “the grave,” is used in the Old Testament to mean the place of the dead, generally thought to be under the earth. (See Job 24:19; Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 38:10.) (2) “Hades” is the Greek word for the underworld, the realm of the dead. It is the word used in the New Testament for Sheol. (See Matthew 16:18; Revelation 1:18; 20:13–14.) (3) Gehenna, or hell, was named after the Valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem where children had been sacrificed by fire to the pagan gods (see 2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chronicles 28:3). This is the place of eternal fire (Matthew 5:22; 10:28; Mark 9:43; Luke 12:5; James 3:6; Revelation 19:20) prepared for the devil, his angels, and all those who do not believe in Christ (Revelation 20:9–10). This is the final and eternal state of the wicked after the resurrection and the Last Judgment (Barton, B. B. (1996). Matthew. Life application Bible commentary (498–499). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.).
Jesus is speaking of eternal separation from God and from His goodness, righteousness, truth, joy, peace, and every other good thing. He is speaking of eternal association with the devil and his angels in the place of torment God prepared for them. He is speaking of eternal isolation, where there will be no fellowship, no consolation, and no encouragement. He is speaking of eternal duration and of eternal affliction, from which there will be no relief or respite.
The evidence that those rejected people never belonged to Christ will be that they did not love and serve His people. Their response to believers’ needs will have been just the opposite of those who enter the kingdom. When, vicariously through the needs of His people, Christ was hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, those unbelievers refused to minister to Him. And in so doing they proved they did not belong to Him. We should notice that their condemnation (like that of the foolish girls in the preceding parable) is expressed not in terms of their having done some awful crime, but in terms of their failure to do what is right.
Not a single sinful deed—such as idolatry, murder, adultery, theft, etc.—is mentioned. Only sins of omission are enumerated, sins of neglect. Cf. Heb. 2:3. This neglect proves that these people have not believed in the Son of man. For this unbelief, thus demonstrated, they are condemned (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 9: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew. New Testament Commentary (891). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).
• Who has God brought to your attention that needs your help. Who has He put in your life that has not come to faith. Failure to act in righteousness is in many ways a more severe sin than those sins of commission that we outwardly see as evil.
Like the righteous who are received into the kingdom, the cursed/accursed who are rejected will also be amazed at the Lord’s words to them. But they will ask, “Lord, when did we not minister to you in those ways?” He will reply, as it says in Matthew 25:45, “Truly I say to you, as/to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” To fail to serve Christ’s people is to fail to serve Him, and to fail to serve Him is to prove one does not belong to Him.
It is significant that the marks of lostness Jesus mentions here are not gross sins committed but rather simple acts of kindness not committed. The five foolish virgins who had no oil for their lamps were not shut out of the wedding feast because they were morally wicked but because they were unprepared for the bridegroom (Matt. 25:1–13). In the same way, the slave with one talent was not cast into outer darkness because he embezzled the master’s money but because he failed to invest it (vv. 14–30). Also in the same way, a person who is shut out of the kingdom of God is not condemned because of the greatness of his sin but because of the absence of his faith. It is not that those who are damned to hell are equally wretched and vile; their common reason for damnation is lack of faith.
Finally, in Matthew 25:46 Jesus uses the same word (aiônios, eternal) to describe salvation and condemnation. If believers will inhabit the new heavens and earth with God forever, the lost will be in hell with the devil forever.
The idea of eternal suffering has been so disturbing to some people that there have been countless attempts to deny it or limit its duration. People have claimed that eternal suffering is inconsistent with the goodness of God, who certainly will never allow any of his creatures to remain in hell forever. But God is a better judge of what is consistent with his goodness than we are, and it is he who says that hell is eternal. Others have argued that an eternal hell is inconsistent with the justice of God, for no sins committed in time could ever deserve such punishment. But what makes sin an infinite evil is that it is against an infinite God. Besides, we must remember that hell’s punishments vary in severity according to the nature of the sin (see Matt. 11:22; Luke 12:47–48; 2 Cor. 5:10) (Boice, J. M. (2001). The Gospel of Matthew (544–545). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.).
At the time of death, the cursed/accursed will be slain on the spot and go immediately into the eternal punishment of hell, suffering permanent, everlasting crystallization of their state of spiritual death. During the final resurrection, their bodies will be raised
John 5:28-29 [28]Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice [29]and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (ESV)
• They will again stand before God for final sentencing and final condemnation in bodies suited for hell’s torments.
But the righteous will go away into eternal life, to spend all eternity glorified with their Lord and Savior.
Illustration: At 6 A.M. (local time) on December 7,1941, the first Japanese attack fleet of 183 planes took off from aircraft carriers 230 miles north of Oahu Hawaii. Ironically, at 7:02 A.M., two Army operators at a radar station on Oahu’s north shore picked up approaching Japanese fighters on radar. They contacted a junior officer who disregarded their sighting, thinking that it was B-17 bombers from the United States west coast. The first Japanese bomb was dropped at 7:55 a.m. on Wheeler Field, eight miles from Pearl Harbor. No one was prepared for what was occurring. The attacking planes came in two waves; the first hit its target at 7:53 A.M., the second at 8:55. By 9:55 it was all over. By 1:00 P.M. the carriers that launched the planes from 274 miles off the coast of Oahu were heading back to Japan. Behind them they left chaos, 2,403 dead, 188 destroyed planes, and a crippled Pacific Fleet that included eight damaged or destroyed battleships. At Pearl Harbor, the consequences for not being ready for an enemy attack were devastating. There were signs that went unheeded. (Weber, S. K. (2000). Vol. 1: Matthew. Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (427–428). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
The element of watchful waiting applies to the return of Christ. For the believer, being ready for Christ’s return involves more than not being caught by surprise. It also involves living a life in faithful obedience to God, investing our resources in the kingdom of God. Jesus will someday return. Those who are found faithful and living in obedience to God will be will be rewarded. Those who had no time for God, He will have no time for them. For them, it will be too late, and the consequences will be eternally devastating. Are you ready? Are you calling others to get ready now?
(Format Note: Outline &some base commentary from MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (Mt 25:31–41). Chicago: Moody Press..)
