Page 110 - Eschatology - Student Ebook

Study Section 13: The Sheep and Goat Judgment

13.1 Connect

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.

In ancient biblical times, a father’s blessing was extremely important, because it determined who would
receive the major part of the inheritance. When Jacob was about to bless his two grandsons, Ephraim
and Manasseh, he was careful to place his right hand on the one who would receive the inheritance.
Because the major blessing normally went to the eldest son, Manasseh was placed on Jacob’s right and
Ephraim on his left. But when the time for blessing came, Jacob crossed his hands so that his right hand
was on Ephraim’s head rather than Manasseh’s. Against Joseph’s objection, Jacob insisted on giving the
major blessing to Ephraim, because God had chosen him over his brother (Gen. 48:8–20).

There is coming an event where God will judge the people who are still alive at the end of the
tribulation. They will be spiritually identified as sheep or goats. The sheep will be believers and the
goats unbelievers. During this judgment, the sheep will be placed to the right side of Jesus (inheritance)
and the goats on the left (no inheritance). Let’s learn more about this…

13.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain what the Sheep and Goat judgment is.

2. The student should be able to describe the Millennial Kingdom and explain what it is.

3. The student should be able to explain what the Battle of Gog and Magog is.

4. The student should be able to describe the Great White Throne judgment.

13.3 Be Ready to Meet the King
Jesus warned people to be ready for His Second Coming to earth and to be evaluated by Him.
(vv. 42-51) This is Jesus’ application to believers living during the 7-year Tribulation. He uses
several parables to illustrate His point.

His challenge to the believers alive during the Tribulation period is to stay alert and be
prepared for His Second Coming. Notice that Jesus is now using the word “you” to speak to His
disciples who represented believers in Christ. (v. 42)

Matthew 24:42 (NIV84)42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your
Lord will come.

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