THE HOPE OF ISRAEL - The Preterist Archive

166 The Hope of Israel: What Is It?
Matthew 25:31-46.
This passage contains the most
complete statement our Lord has given as to what will
take place "when the Son of man shall come in His
glory, and all the holy angels with Him." As in all
His teaching on this subject, the first thing is the separation
of all human beings into two companies. For
"then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory; and
before Him shall be gathered all nations; and He shall
separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth
his sheep from goats." By some expositors it is
thought that our Lord is here speaking only of those
living on earth at the time of His coming ;
and we will
take it that way, since it is immaterial, for the purpose
of the present inquiry, what view of the scene
is adopted. Let it be noted, however, that the separation
is by individuals, not by nations. All the "sheep"
are put on one side, and all the "goats" on the other.
The two companies are separated, not according to
nationality, but according to the nature of the individuals,
as manifested by their conduct. To those on
the right hand the King will say, "Come, ye blessed
of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world." And to those on
His left hand He will say, "Depart from Me, ye cursed,
into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels."
Here again we have a clear statement that
the judgment then pronounced will be "everlasting."
Those on His right hand, the "sheep," are evidently
His own people. "My sheep," He calls them in John
10:27. It is His "one flock" (John 10:16, Gr.) ;
and
so here we are given to foresee the fulfilment of His
precise promise, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom" (Lu.
12 :32)
. His sheep hear His voice; and these who stand