Matthew 25:31-46 

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. ³³ And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 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.’ 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.”

As a refresher, let’s think about the biblical order of events as revealed in these verses…

(24:1-3) “Jesus’ initial comments and three questions by the Disciples”

Jesus tells them that the Temple will be destroyed stone by stone so the disciples ask when that will take place; what will be the sign of HIS return; and, what will be the sign of the end of the age?

(24:4-8) “The Beginning of Sorrows” (First ½ of Tribulation)

The seven year tribulation period is divided into two parts of three and one-half years each. While not specifically mentioning the rapture here, HE first describes the conditions on earth immediately after that event.

(24:9-26) “The Revelation of the Antichrist and the beginning of the Great Tribulation” (Second ½ of Tribulation)

In these verses, Jesus describes the revelation of the antichrist and the subsequent events of the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation, which Jesus calls the “Great” Tribulation.

(24:27-44) “The Second Advent (Physical Return of Christ and the Battle of Armageddon)

At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will physically return to earth; defeat Satan and his armies at the Battle of Armageddon; judge all who are living on earth; and, set up the Millennial Kingdom.

(24:45 – 25:30) “Warning of Coming Judgment and the Parables of the Kingdom: Be Ready; Be Faithful”

Jesus reminds HIS disciples through the use of parables that we must be ready for HIS return and we must be faithful stewards of HIS gifts until HE returns!

(25:31-46) The Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats”

Following HIS victory at the Battle of Armageddon, Jesus will set all of the “Nations” (peoples) of the world who are alive on earth before HIM and demonstrate the reality of their salvation (or the reality of their unsaved condition) as evidenced by their living. Those who are saved will enter and populate the Kingdom, while those who are not saved are immediately cast into hell.

As the LORD allows, I will teach through this passage in six specific areas including both the time and nature of the Kingdom; the judgment of the sheep and the judgment of the goats; the undeniable evidence in their lives proving whether or not they are truly saved. Jesus closes this sermon with a basic summary of the nature of the saved and the unsaved and the eternal consequence of their spiritual condition before God.

I hope that you will take the time to read over these verses a few times and think about how they apply to your life today. Read, Think, and Pray, so your mind will be ready to hear the Word of God on Sunday!

To quote my Evangelist friend Tom Rains, I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand; a smile on your face; and your family and friends by your side!