| Parable Of The Sheep And The Goats |
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Information AboutParable Of The Sheep And The Goats |
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It tells of the judgment, see also Last Judgment , and division of all the world's people into the blessed, who are welcomed by the Father , and the cursed, who are cast out. The division is entirely based on the acts of kindness and mercy done by people to their disadvantaged fellow men; Jesus identifies such kindness with kindness towards himself. From ( NRSV )
This passage is widely quoted by those who assert that ones actions ('works') are significant in relation to one's salvation. See also Justification (theology) . Others deny that this is a gospel based only upon man's good works. They point to the context of the judgment which is the Apocalypse at the end of the age. They see it as a judgment not for entry into heaven but rather for entry into the Millennium in which Christ comes to rule as Messiah. The coming Messiah has the right to admit those whom He wills. And here we have a huge number of people left at the end of the tribulations of the last days who have not come to know Christ personally. The sheep in the parable are not in direct personal covenant with Christ. And so they are surprised to hear Christ say that they had done things that had shown Him blood covenant loving-kindness. They ask Him how this could be. The answer Christ gives is heart warming and explains basis for the favor and the mercy given to the sheep. Christ is referring to actions of mercy undertaken for His covenant people in their time of tribulation. He says, "inasmuch as you did it, (showed covenant loving-kindness), to the least of these my brethren, (those whom He is in covenant with), you did it to me". This reveals a second order blood covenant connection between the sheep and Messiah. This covenant is enacted through a third party. It is not sufficient for entry into heaven. But it is the basis upon which the sheep are given favor and a passport into the Millennium of Messiah. Another interpretation is advanced by Progressive Christians who see in the passage a confirmation of the economic basis of judgement, whereas societies that prioritize the health and welfare of the most vulnerable will be judged favourably, while regimes that do little to remedy inequalities will not. The division of a flock into sheep and goats would be a well-known happening in Jesus time, sheep and goats being much more similar-looking than the modern day animals. SEE ALSO Corporal Works Of Mercy EXTERNAL LINKS |
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