Matthew 25:31-46
(For help with this passage, I have referred to the notes in the Scofield Study Bible.)
This section records a judgment of Gentile individuals. It takes place at the second coming of Christ after the Great Tribulation--"when the Son of Man comes in his glory." The subjects of the judgment are the individuals of all the Gentile nations who will then be living on the earth. (Remember that the rapture of the Church will have taken place at the beginning of the Tribulation so believers of this present age are not the sheep or goats of this passage.) The sheep represent saved Gentiles who were saved during the Tribulation; the goats represent unsaved Gentiles; and the brothers and sisters represent believing Jews who were saved during the Tribulation. It's important to remember that these Jewish Christians would have suffered much as a result of their trusting Christ. The giving of food, water, and comfort to these people was not a means to salvation but a result of it. All believers of all ages are saved the same way--by faith. Our good works are evidence of our trust in Christ. Old Testament saints were saved through faith in God's promises. After Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, we are saved through faith in Jesus; we believe that He suffered the penalty for our sins (punishment we deserved but Jesus took in our place). He offers us salvation as a free gift if we accept it by faith. We find the following words in Ephesians 2:8-10 "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
Psalm 128
MEDITATION: "How joyful are those who fear the LORD--all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!" Psalm 128:1-2
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