The Sheep and The Goats
(Including The Rich Man and Lazarus)
By
Gerry Watts
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats follows on nicely from our last parable of the Talents. It has to do with the same theme of the Judgment Day associated with Christ's Return. This parable is only recorded in Matthew's account, and it was part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse. Let us begin to consider this parable a few verses at a time.
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left."
(Matthew 25:31-33 NIV)
Jesus begins by placing the events of this parable in the era of His Return, when He comes in power and glory, with the holy angels. He is talking about the ultimate Judgment Day when He is seated on His throne of heavenly glory and majesty, the era of His full Revelation, when the kingdom of God will be manifested in all its fullness in a New Creation - and all will be judged in accordance with their acts.
"For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done."
(Matthew 16:27 NIV)
This is evidently the same event described in Revelation 20 as the Great White Throne Judgment.
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books... If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
(Revelation 20:11-12,15 NIV)
The Shepherd and His Sheep
In the parable, the process, and basis, of the Judgment is pictured as a shepherd separating the sheep from the goats. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were called the sheep of His pasture, while the leaders were referred to as shepherds (e.g. Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 11). The good shepherds were true servants of God who walked in righteousness and truth, teaching the people to obey the commandments. The false, wicked shepherds were those who did the opposite, leading the people astray from God's ways and His word, abusing and deceiving the flock of God.
Jesus then went on to ultimately apply this figure of a shepherd and his sheep to Himself and His people, His little flock, the Ecclesia or Church of God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, who now has a new flock of sheep in His sheep pen, composed of both Jews and Gentiles (John 10). Under the Old Covenant, the 'pasture' was the land of Israel, and the 'sheep pen' was the religion of Judaism. Under the New Covenant, the pasture is the spiritual kingdom of God, and the sheep pen is Biblical Christianity or the Ecclesia of God.
There is only one flock and One Shepherd - which is Jesus Christ and His Ecclesia or Church - with under-shepherds acting as overseers. The word pastor essentially means a shepherd (from the Greek word poimen), and it is intimately linked to the office of a teacher (see Ephesians 4:11). A true Pastor/Shepherd will feed, guide and care for the flock of God under His care, as a servant and a teacher.
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."
(Luke 12:32 NIV)
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."
(John 10:14-16 NIV)
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
(1 Peter 5:1-4 NIV)
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock."
(Acts 20:28-29 NIV)
Both sheep and goats, lambs and kids, were often sacrificed as a part of the Old Covenant system of worship, but the main difference between the two is that goats can often be much more aggressive and stubborn than sheep. This is probably one of the reasons why the righteous remnant of the people of God are viewed as sheep in this parable, while the rest are viewed as goats.
It is also interesting to note that, in the original Greek, these goats are referred to as kids, that is, young goats, in verses 32-33. The significance of this seems to be that the goats/kids have remained immature, whereas the lambs have grown into mature sheep. The NT often depicts the acts of the Old Humanity in Adam as immaturity, and the acts of the New Humanity in Christ as maturity or perfection (e.g. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4).
As we proceed through the parable, you will notice that there are opposing parallels between the Sheep and the Goats, and these distinctions tell us a lot about the destiny and character of each group. I will explain more about each one as we progress. The following table highlights these contrasts.
The Goats
The Sheep
On the Left
On the Right
Unrighteous Acts
Righteous Acts
Cursed
Blessed
Destiny in the Coming Age
To Experience Eonian ('Eternal') Fire
To Inherit the Kingdom
Eonian ('Eternal') Chastening
Eonian ('Eternal') Life
So, returning to the scene of the parable, all the nations, all peoples, will be gathered before Christ, and there will be a judgment of separation. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, will separate the people one from another. One group is metaphorically described as the sheep, while the other group are called the goats. The sheep are placed to the right of the King, and the goats to the left.
Throughout Scripture, and in many cultures, both ancient and modern, the right side is viewed as being more favourable than the left (maybe because the majority of humans are right handed - as in 'the right hand of fellowship'). The reason could also be that when someone is facing north, then the East, the place of the sunrise, is on the right. Whatever its origins, the right side is symbolically viewed as being more favourable.
Jesus Himself is said to be seated at the right hand of God, meaning that He has the highest position of power and authority in the universe besides that of God Himself. He truly is God's right hand Man! Therefore, in the symbolism of the parable, the sheep are placed to the right, as they are the righteous sons of God, who will share in the reign of the King as firstborn sons.
The Brethren of Christ
It is common today, especially among Dispensationalists, to apply this Judgment to Gentiles only, viewing 'the nations' in a fleshly sense, in contrast to the Jews. According to this view, this judgment will occur before the alleged coming Millennium - believed to be a literal 1000 year reign of Christ after His Return. This judgment of the nations is said to be based on how everyone has treated the Jews, for the Jews are the fleshly brethren of Christ. I also went along with this interpretation for many years - until I realised that there just isn't any basis for it in the NT.
We must remember that at the time when Jesus spoke these words, the disciples didn't understand that the rest of the nations were to become the centre of God's focus in the coming spiritual kingdom, and that the Apostles themselves would be proclaiming the Gospel to all nations. The people of God were no longer going to be primarily Jewish. So in one sense, Jesus is indicating here that all the nations will be involved in responding to the Gospel, and they will be judged on how they treated the disciples and servants of Christ - that is, His brothers or brethren.
Even during His ministry, Jesus began to indicate quite clearly that the place of the flesh, that is, earthly ties, were being superceded by spiritual ties.
While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
(Matthew 12:46-50 NIV)
Some years later, the Apostle Paul revealed that even though Jesus came in the flesh as a Jew, and many knew Him as Jesus of Nazareth, nevertheless, NOW, these things of the flesh are to be placed in the background, having been superceded by the spiritual things of Christ as the Son of God. The New Humanity and the New Creation is now the focus.
So that we, from now on, are acquainted with no one according to flesh. Yet even if we have known Christ according to flesh, nevertheless now we know Him so no longer.
So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new!(2 Corinthians 5:16-17 CV)
And this applies to Christ's Flock, the spiritual 'called out company' of the Body of Christ. Therefore, it is clear that 'the brethren' in this parable are referring to the true disciples and servants of Christ, whether Jew or Gentile (although the original Apostles, and the majority of the early church, were Jewish).
That is, the true Israel of God is NOT based on fleshly ties of circumcision and uncircumcision, but it is essentially a spiritual nation composed of Jew and Gentile. Initially, the Jews were predominant as the people of God in the centuries leading up to, and including, the coming of Christ. Yet since that time, the Gentiles are now predominant in the spiritual Israel of God (which era Jesus referred to as 'the Times of the Nations,' and Paul described as 'the Fullness of the Gentiles').
It is also evident that in the final harvest of the end of this age, there will be (and already is) a large portion of Jews being gathered in again to the spiritual Israel of God, along with the Gentiles, for God has not forsaken His people Israel after the flesh. Therefore, when Christ returns to judge the earth, ALL ISRAEL (after the spirit) will be saved (see Romans 11).
Acts of Righteousness
Let us continue with the metaphorical description of this Judgment.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
(Matthew 25:34-40 NIV)
Jesus addresses the judgment of the righteous first. The sheep on His right are called 'the righteous' or 'the just,' and they are said to be blessed (i.e. made happy) with the good things of the Kingdom of God. These are the sons of God, those blessed by the Father, those who will receive the glorious inheritance of the kingdom in all its fullness, which was prepared for them since the beginning of time.
The Apostle Paul later confirmed these things in some detail to all those who are true followers of Jesus.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—...
...In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
(Ephesians 1:3-5, 11-14 NIV)
These blessed ones are called righteous because of their righteous acts of faith and love, which in the parable is so emphasised that the sheep are viewed as being ignorant of the fact that they have done any of these things to Jesus, not realising that when they showed loving actions to Christ's disciples, they were doing it to the King Himself. This reveals the truth that the true Church is the Body of Christ on the earth. Therefore, whatever is done to His Body is done to Him, for He is the Head. This is extremely important, because not only does it matter how we treat another human being, who is made in the image of God, it especially matters how we treat God's true children who are servants of Christ! Their identity is so wrapped up together, that to hurt one is to hurt the other, or to do good to one is to do good to the other, etc.
In ancient times, more so than today, a king would often send his servants as delegates or ambassadors to other kings to seek terms of peace to those in his kingdom. These servants were representatives of the king himself. Therefore if the servants were mistreated or ignored or even put to death, this was equal to an attack on the king himself. Jesus taught the same principle that His servants in His kingdom represent the King Himself.
The seeming ignorance of those in the parable to what they have done is probably not to be taken in a literal sense, of the sheep being oblivious of their actions - though it could be said that this kind of ignorance is more likely in the unrighteous goats. It is clearly there for emphasis to drive home the point that, as Jesus often taught, "he who accepts you accepts me, and he who accepts me, accepts the One who sent me." There is a clear link and identity between the Father, and His Son, and His servants.
The list of righteous acts mentioned in the parable are basic acts of loving kindness, such as, feeding the hungry and quenching the thirsty; giving someone shelter and clothing, while showing hospitality; and visiting and caring for the sick and infirm, as well as helping those who are persecuted and unjustly mistreated in prison.
These kinds of acts are encouraged throughout scripture, especially in the New Testament teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. The great emphasis of Jesus' teaching is "Love one another. Love your enemies and do good to them. Love your fellow man as yourself." Yet righteous acts of love and kindness are also the underlying emphasis of the Law in the OT. Jesus even said that the teaching of the Law and the Prophets was summed up in the command to love God and one another.
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
(Matthew 22:36-40 NIV)
Paul also confirms this.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse...
...Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.(Romans 12:9-14, 17-21 NIV)
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
(Romans 13:8-10 NIV)
Paul also emphasised that not only should we seek to do good to everyone, but we should especially seek to do good to the family of faith, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If not, we are in danger of great hypocrisy - and we shall have to give an account for all the things which we have done or said, whether good or bad, which has not been rectified by true repentance and faith.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature (the flesh), from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
(Galatians 6:7-10 NIV)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
(2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV)
And it is the commandments of the Law, the Royal Law as taught by Jesus Himself, under the gracious terms of the New Covenant that He has established, that we are encouraged to follow. Even now, those who belong to the kingdom of the heavens (i.e. those who claim to be Christians) are judged as being great or small depending on how they truly teach and practice the commandments of their Master and King, Jesus the Messiah. The faithful one, the humble one, will be called great in the eyes of heaven, no matter what they may suffer for the Name.
"Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 5:19-20 NIV)
Yet not only are these righteous acts to be shown to all, to do good to all, even our enemies, nevertheless, in the parable the emphasis is on doing these things to 'the least of these brethren of mine.'
First and foremost, Jesus is talking about His servants, His brothers, those who are apostles, prophets, teachers and evangelists, those whom He has called to represent Him to the world. This is particularly applicable to the 1st century apostles and disciples, who were taking the Gospel of the Kingdom to all nations for the first time. It was not to be confined to Israel alone.
Due to great hardship and persecution, His servants, even the least of them, would need food and drink, clothing and shelter, and care and support when they were sick or put in prison. Jesus said the following in relation to this.
"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
(Matthew 10:40-42 NIV)
Ultimately, the description of the judgment and the blessing of the righteous sheep in this parable is a fulfillment of the Beatitudes in Jesus' 'Sermon on the Mount.'
"Blessed are the poor in spirit (Happy, in spirit, are the poor - CV),
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(Matthew 5:3-12 NIV)
May these words of the King encourage our hearts when we are downtrodden and barely surviving the onslaughts of the world, and may they spur us on to continue living for His kingdom, for the end result will not be in vain - though the wait seems endless. There is a Judgment Day coming, when we shall all give an account to God, and we shall all be repaid with the appropriate wages or rewards. So keep running the race of faith, and keep serving the King in faithfulness!
The Unrighteous Goats
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
(Matthew 25:41-46 NIV)
In the remainder of the parable, we have the description of the acts of the unrighteous goats, and it is the complete opposite to the sheep. These are those who have lived in self- indulgence without showing any real love or kindness to the true servants and disciples of Christ. The damning verdict of the Judge/King is "whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."
The focus is not so much on what they did, which could include all sorts of religious works and ritual, but what they didn't do in regard to caring for others, particularly their treatment of Christ's brothers, even the least of them.
Jesus' teaching was loaded with warnings and rebukes to the religious leaders of His day, who made so much of the wrong things in their lives, which they thought were good, such as self-righteous religious works and rituals of the Law (E.g. see Matthew 23). The truth was that they were completely empty of any true righteousness and justice, mercy and love - which was the real spirit behind the Divine Law. In practice, they placed their traditions and Rabbinic doctrines above the truth of the Scriptures.
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"
He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
" 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."
"...Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
(Mark 7:5-8, 13 NIV)
One of the most piercing judgments of this kind that Jesus used in a parable was in the often misunderstood Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Let us take a brief look at this parable because it will lead us on to the subject of what the final destiny of the 'goats' is all about - the 'eternal punishment' of 'the eternal fire.' This is a subject that is so grossly misunderstood that all sorts of false teaching has arisen down the centuries centred around the doctrine of Eternal Torment in Hell - a real doctrine of the Dark Ages. So we shall need to consider this in some detail, beginning with this misunderstood, and often overlooked, parable.
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Here it is quoted in full.
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell (Gr. hades), where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
" 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "
(Luke 16:19-31 NIV)
In this parable, Jesus actually used some of the terms and phrases that were commonly used by some of the Jewish Rabbis from their traditions (terms such as, Abraham's side or bosom; the angels carrying the dead; the figurative use of Hades and Paradise, with a great gulf between them; the dead talking to one another, etc). There are examples of this in the Talmud.
These things are not supposed to be taken literally, as some teach. Jesus was using a little irony, and using the Pharisees' own traditions to teach them something gravely important - the age-abiding destiny of the righteous and the unrighteous, the sheep and the goats, after the great Judgment Day.
The religious leaders are portrayed as the Rich Man, dressed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury and self indulgence. The poor and infirm amongst the people are represented by Lazarus, the beggar. The name Lazarus comes from the Hebrew Elazar which means God is my Helper. The religious leaders were corrupt and vain glorious, and they misused their wealth and position to exploit the poor and needy. Only God could help those who turned to Him, being faithful no matter what their circumstances.
The Rich Man never lifts a finger to help Lazarus, who is laid by his gate, covered in sores and longing for some food. Even the dogs lick his sores, which could've been a veiled reference to the fact that even 'Gentile dogs' had sympathy for Lazarus, and tried to help him, much in the same manner as the Good Samaritan cared for the wounded Jew, while the religious elite just walked on by, not wishing to become ceremonially unclean (see Luke 10:25-37).
Then Jesus speaks figuratively about the death of each, revealing that once they had died, their destiny in the age to come was sealed, for they were separated by a great chasm or gulf, and the rich man could not just hop over to the other side. They were both in Hades, the place of the unseen.
Lazarus was carried by angels and placed in heavenly Paradise with Abraham and the fathers of the Faith, being blessed with good things. This represents the inheritance of the kingdom of God, the blessing of 'eternal' life.
On the other hand, the Rich Man was in a place of Torment, experiencing the curse of a fiery punishment, made worse by the fact that he could see Lazarus and Abraham on the other side. This represents the ultimate Gehenna of Fire, the Lake of Fire, the age-abiding (or eonian) fire, the punishment and chastening of the Second Death.
The Rich Man longs to have his tongue cooled with water, which is symbolic of longing to receive the blessings of the Spirit of God to bring an end to the fiery chastening. Now that his eyes have been opened, though a little too late to avoid the inevitable judgment, he begs for Lazarus to go and tell his brothers about their coming judgment. Yet Abraham, the man of faith, who represents the believing remnant, advises them to listen to the voice of Moses and the Prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures. But the Rich Man reckons that this is not enough to convince them of the truth.
Abraham replies with the sobering words, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' Jesus was using this statement to reveal that that generation had a wicked, adulterous, unbelieving heart, whose leaders and people in general would not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, even after He rose from the dead. This also had further relevance to the raising of another Lazarus, who became the greatest sign to that generation, apart from the resurrection of Jesus Himself (see John 11).
So, to sum this parable up, the hypocritical Rich Man is judged by his actions, which revealed his lack of real faith in God's commands, and he receives punishment in a 'place of fiery torment.' On the other hand, Lazarus is also judged for his faithful actions and his humble circumstances (of which the former may have led to the latter), and he receives blessing along with Abraham in a 'place of Paradise' being associated with the angels of God.
At other times, Jesus used similar metaphors to this to describe the consequences of the coming judgment. Here is one such example.
"I am saying to you, 'I don't know you or where you come from! Withdraw from me, all workers of injustice!' There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you are seeing Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out."
(Luke 13:27-28 CV)
These places of Torment and Paradise are not to be understood as actual, literal locations of heavenly bliss and fiery agony, but rather 'a state of being' in the age to come. The inheritance of the kingdom is actually IMMORTALITY and INCORRUPTION. This is described as age-abiding life, or the Life of the ages, commonly rendered 'eternal life.'
The opposite 'state of being' is that of continued MORTALITY in the Second Death, being judged and chastened by 'the fire' of God's Justice.
We covered something of these things earlier in this book, in the parable of the Wheat and the Darnel. To understand this subject correctly we need to realise that the Hebrew and Greek for 'everlasting, eternal, forever and ever, etc' essentially means INDEFINITE TIME, something that is obscure on the horizon of time. The Greek/English words eon and eonian do not literally mean 'never-ending' or eternity. These expressions are basically Latinised forms of the original Greek, which began to enter the translations of the Bible in the 4th century AD, particularly through Jerome's Latin Vulgate.
The other major point to remember is that we have to understand the original meaning of spiritual words and phrases within scripture, knowing how to apply the various figures of speech correctly. The 'Eternal Fire' of Matthew 25, and the Lake of Fire of Revelation, are not to be understood as literal places of fire. They are symbols for the fiery judgment of God, which will always be in line with the principles of His own Divine Law - which is truly righteous, holy and just.
Let us now return to our present parable of the Sheep and the Goats, and take a careful look at the destiny of each.
Eternal Life versus Eternal Punishment
Let us be reminded of the main points in this parable, especially concerning the opposing destinies of these two groups.
The Goats
The Sheep
On the Left
On the Right
Unrighteous Acts
Righteous Acts
Cursed
Blessed
Destiny in the Coming Age
To Experience Eonian ('Eternal') Fire
To Inherit the Kingdom
Eonian ('Eternal') Chastening
Eonian ('Eternal') Life
The parable closes with the following words.
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
The Concordant Literal Version reads,
'And these shall be coming away into chastening eonian, yet the just into life eonian."
Young's Literal Version reads,
'And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during.'
Concerning the 'punishment' of the unrighteous 'goats,' the Greek word kolasis is used in this text, which the CV has rendered chastening. The Greek word timoria is also used for punishment. These two words are only used a couple of times in the NT, and they clearly have to do with punishment of some kind. Here are the scripture references where these words for chastening and punishment, and those related to them, are used in the NT.
Kolazo - Acts 4:21; 2 Peter 2:4 & 9
Kolasis - Matthew 25:46; 1 John 4:18
Timoreo - Acts 22:5; 26:11
Timoria - Hebrews 10:29
There is a case for believing that kolasis essentially means chastening, which has a view to the ultimate correction of the individual, whereas timoria refers to punishment in the sense of satisfying the law. Kolasis is related to the Greek word kolazo, and this essentially means 'to prune, to cut back.' This is supposed to be the purpose behind someone being chastened or punished - to humble them and correct them, to 'prune' them.
Of course, both words and meanings could be used in relation to the Judgment, for not only will it involve chastening but it will also involve punishment in relation to the Divine Law. Each will be judged in accordance with their acts.
We can get some idea of what Jesus meant by this 'chastening judging' or 'punishment' in Luke 12:46-49, which we've considered earlier in this book.
"...the lord of that slave will be arriving on a day for which he is not hoping and at an hour which he does not know, and shall be cutting him asunder and shall be appointing his part with the unfaithful.
Now that slave who knows the will of his lord and does not make ready, nor yet does aught with a view to his will, shall have many lashes.
Now he who does not know, yet does what deserves blows, shall have few lashes. Now to everyone to whom much was given, from him much will be sought, and to whom they committed much, more excessively will they be requesting of him.
Fire came I to be casting on the earth, and what will I, if it were already kindled?"(CV)
Jesus used very strong metaphors here. He was saying that when He comes to judge the world and His Church, He will be casting fire on the earth (that is, the fire of God's justice), and the unfaithful hypocrite will receive the same kind of judgment as the unsaved, unbelieving sinner. The chastening or punishment is likened to the lashes of a whip, whether few or many, depending on the 'crime,' that will cut them to pieces (which can also be translated as 'shall be cutting him off,' as in death).
Jesus is alluding to Deuteronomy 25:1-3 concerning the '40 lashes' flogging, which became known as the 40 lashes minus 1, to make sure that the maximum 40 lashes were not increased by accident, due to a miscount. This only proves the point that this 'chastening' or 'punishment' has a purpose to it - it is justice. It is not some mindless torture or vicious punishment with no end in view. This also shows that this 'punishment' CANNOT LITERALLY BE ETERNAL - it has to end at some point, otherwise it is unjust, and it would conflict with God's own Law. Only after this chastening judging is complete will God save the rest of humanity, and reconcile them to Himself.
So returning to our text in Matthew 25, we are to understand that the unrighteous are to experience an indefinite period of chastening or punishment, which is also figuratively described as an 'age-abiding fire.' This is clearly a spiritual fire, for it was originally prepared for the Adversary and his messengers (i.e. the devil and his angels) - and they are spiritual beings. This is not natural, fleshly fire!
It is common to argue from this text, which was originally put forward by Augustine in the 4th century AD, that the everlasting punishment of the 'goats' has to be of the same duration as the everlasting life of the 'sheep' - with the emphasis being on the everlasting or eternal (Gr. Eonian). But I believe this view is incorrect, as logical as it may sound at first.
The 'everlasting' Life of the 'sheep' is not dependant on the word 'eonian,' which by itself is indicating an indefinite period of time in the age to come. The state of Life and Blessing of the believer is due to IMMORTALITY and INCORRUPTION - that is, DEATHLESSNESS! The emphasis should be laid on the 'life' and the 'chastening,' and not on the word 'eonian' or 'everlasting.'
These words are describing a state of being that will last for the age to come, but that doesn't mean that there isn't anything else beyond this distant horizon of Time. The 'chastening judging' will have to come to an end eventually, for not all will receive the same 'amount of lashes.' Nevertheless, the Life of the 'sheep' shall not end, because the Life is IMMORTALITY!
Let me give an illustration of what I mean here. Let us say that the two destinies of the Sheep and the Goats in the age to come, in a New Creation, are like two ships on the Sea of Time which are heading for the horizon. One is filled with Sheep, while the other is filled with Goats. The Sheep are leading the way on a ship of blessing, while the Goats are on a slave ship under a curse. Eventually, both ships will reach the final destination beyond the Horizon of Time, and when this occurs the Sheep will be no less blessed than before, but the Goats will be transferred to another ship.....in fact, the Goats will become Sheep and will join with the other ship of blessing!
The Sheep are on an 'age-abiding' ship of blessing, while the Goats are on an 'age-abiding' ship of chastening. Both are on the Sea of Time for an indefinite period during the age to come (i.e. eonian; age-abiding; age-during; related to the ages), but they are on different ships (one of blessing and life; the other of chastening and death). When the goal on the Horizon has been reached, the Sheep will not change....but the Goats will. And it will be God's power and loving mercy, revealed in and through Christ and His people, that will accomplish this glorious end. We all need to see the bigger picture.
The Lake of Fire is the Second Death
Now let us briefly turn to the book of Revelation, because the 'eternal (age-abiding) fire' of Matthew 25:41 is one and the same as the Lake of Fire in Revelation 20:11-15. We've looked at this topic previously in this book, so here I aim to focus on the nature of this 'Fire' which is called the Second Death, and to show how it relates to the 'eonian chastening' described above.
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
(Revelation 20:11-15 NIV)
There are two major ways that this Second Death can be interpreted (with slight variations within both interpretations) - and that is, either literally or figuratively. Of course, there are other factors involved, such as how one interprets the words for 'eternal' and 'forever and ever,' etc (i.e. whether its duration is limited or not); and how one interprets the Lake of Fire (though, of course, to be consistent in your interpretation, if you accept that the Death is literal, then the fire should be literal, and if you believe that the Death is figurative, then the fire should be figurative as well - because the Lake of Fire is actually described as being the Second Death! So how you view one should be consistent with how you view the other.)
So here's my best attempt to briefly state the various viewpoints on this issue by putting them into two groups.
1. The first view is that it is a literal physical death, the death state, which is unconsciousness or oblivion or annihilation or continual sleep (though some view the death state as being alive in another spiritual sphere, which is a little confusing! We shall presume here that the Death state is, in fact, likened to sleep, hence the need for resurrection). Many who hold this view interpret the 'fire' as figurative, and the Death as literal (though there are some who view the fire as the literal agent to bring about the literal Death, which is, at least, consistent!)
Those who believe that 'eternal' and 'forever and ever' are literal conclude that this second Death will never end (i.e. a never-ending sleep of death or annihilation). The majority who believe in the 'Eternal Hell' doctrine view the 'fire' as somewhat literal, and the death as somewhat spiritual, which is very inconsistent and contradictory!
Those who believe in Universal Reconciliation, and who hold to this first view that the Second Death is literal, conclude that this Death will end, and that every one will be resurrected again to be saved at the end of the ages (though scripture doesn't clearly teach that there will be a third resurrection, as such - unless one views 'the consummation' of 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 as this final resurrection to Life. I would say, though, that this text is ultimately talking about Transformation to immortality, which can occur even in the living; cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:50-55. So it's not just about the bodily resurrection of the dead).
2. The second view is that it is a figurative death, that is, it is a metaphor for something deeper, which has similarities to the First Death (or the dying condition) in that it is the state of mortality. This view is generally accepted amongst some of those who believe in Universal Reconciliation/Salvation, and therefore they believe that this Death will eventually end (i.e. it is eonian or age-abiding, and not literally 'eternal.') The fire is also viewed in a figurative, metaphorical sense, which is consistent with the Death being somewhat figurative.
[There are others, who believe in the Eternal Hell doctrine, who view this Death as being quite literally 'everlasting' but in their view, the fire is not literal, but figurative. Nevertheless, this 'Hell' is still viewed as a never-ending chastening or punishment, i.e. another version of Eternal Punishment or Everlasting Separation. At least this view aims to be more consistent in interpreting the 'fire' and the 'Death' as being more figurative than literal, but they incorrectly interpret 'eternal' and 'forever and ever' literally!]
Phew! I hope that's clear then! It just goes to show how difficult this subject is, and it is evident that there are a number of various viewpoints when it comes to understanding the destiny of the lost, i.e. the Goats.
It is my belief, held with strong conviction (which should already be clear by now), that the second interpretation is the correct one. The Fire and the Death are figurative, and it will one day end - with the Goats being saved and reconciled back to God through Christ.
This Second Death has to be figurative because you can't chastise people if their literally dead and gone. There has to be a purpose in the verdict that will be passed at the Judgment, as well as a purpose in the sentence itself being carried out. This appears to be wise, common sense!
I once accepted the popular (some say traditional) belief of Eternal Hell many years ago, until I came to understand the truth of Universal Reconciliation, which also included a more accurate understanding of the words eon and eonian. I then accepted the belief that the Second Death was a literal death until the Consummation of the ages, partly due to the influence of the teachings of A. E. Knoch and the Concordant Publishing Concern. But even this interpretation was not satisfactory to me. I had questions about the whole issue of this 'chastening' and the purpose of the Judgment, and there were a number of texts that just didn't make sense to me if the Second Death was to be taken literally. There was also the question of who the saints were going to rule over and the purpose of their ministry?
This whole subject became much clearer to me when I eventually rejected the system of Dispensationalism, a fairly recent system of interpretation that chops up the Scriptures incorrectly and misuses prophecy to support Christian Zionism, with all sorts of strange and fanciful teachings about the end-times.
The Dead Standing
Now take note of the fact that in the Revelation text quoted above, the dead are seen standing before the Throne to be judged. This is stated at least four times. Now if this is to be taken literally, then how can the literal dead be resurrected to stand before the throne of God to be judged.....if they're dead! This can only mean that these dead ones are unbelievers and religious hypocrites who have not received eonian Life, yet they are resurrected to be judged before Christ, and hence are seen standing before the throne.
That is to say, these 'goats' are viewed as being figuratively dead - the dead ones - who belong to the resurrection of judging and condemnation. Jesus made it clear that His true followers have already passed from the realm of Death to the realm of Life, hence they partake in the First Resurrection of Revelation 20. The rest, on the other hand, remain in Death, even while they are physically alive. The Death here is clearly mortality.
"And He gives Him authority to do judging, seeing that He is a son of mankind. Marvel not at this, for coming is the hour in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and those who do good shall go out into a resurrection of life, yet those who commit bad things, into a resurrection of judging."
(John 5:27-29 CV)
"Verily, verily, I am saying to you that he who is hearing My word and believing Him Who sends Me, has life eonian and is not coming into judging, but has proceeded out of death into life. Verily, verily, I am saying to you that coming is an hour, and now is, when the dead shall be hearing the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall be living.
(John 5:24-25 CV)
Therefore, to be consistent in our interpretation of Revelation 20, the Second Death, which is said to be the destiny of the dead ones who are being judged, must also be figurative. There are many texts in the Gospels which indicate that those who will be in this place of 'fiery Death' will be experiencing 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' and they will be 'seeing Abraham and all the prophets in the kingdom of light,' while they themselves will be 'outside in the darkness.' (And think about this: If the fire were literal, then the darkness can't be literal, because fire gives light! Clearly both expressions are being used figuratively. Jesus was using spiritual metaphors, as He did in most of His teaching.)
We must also take note that 'death and hades,' that is, the First Death and all that relates to 'the unseen,' is metaphorically 'thrown into the Lake of Fire - which is the Second Death.' This occurs because all of the dead are raised to life to be judged, and therefore the First Death as we know it will no longer exist. It becomes consumed in the Lake of Fire and will be no more. Instead, the Second Death takes its place. Every aspect of sin and death, that is to say, the state of mortality, will be in 'a lake of fire' being judged for the age to come.
There are those who don't accept that Death can be figurative, and they believe that virtually every mention of death and destruction in the NT is referring quite literally to the death state (i.e. the physical death and destruction of the body, leading to soul sleep). I would certainly beg to differ on this. Here are a few texts that clearly reveal that death can certainly be figurative and have a deeper meaning, rather than just referring to physical death.
"We are aware that we have proceeded out of death into life, for we are loving our brethren. He who is not loving is remaining in death."
(1 John 3:14 CV)
John is saying here, in accordance with Jesus' own words, that only believers have come out of death into life - even now - and this is proven by the acts of love, whereas those who are not loving their fellow man are remaining in death, though they are yet still alive.
This state of sin and death within our mortal flesh is exactly what Paul is talking about throughout Romans chapters 6-8, showing that even believers still have to learn to continually die to the flesh for them to be truly living. The following verses will suffice to show this.
"The mind of the flesh is death...
...But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is life because of righteousness...
...For if you live according to the flesh, you will be dying. Yet if by the Spirit you are putting the practices of the body to death, you will be living."
(Romans 8:6, 10, 13 FT)
The truth of the matter is that the only way to true Life (that is, immortality) is through Death and Destruction, and the fires of God - either now or in the age to come.
"And he who is not taking his cross and following after Me is not worthy of Me. He who is finding His soul will be destroying it, and he who destroys his soul on My account will be finding it."
(Matthew 10:38-39 CV)
The Chastening
I'm going to conclude by quoting a few interesting texts from the NT, which, at least to my mind anyhow, convinces me that the Judgment of the age to come is one of chastening or punishment for the 'goats' that will ultimately come to an end. This chastening judging will be in accord with God's righteous and just Law, whereby everyone will be judged in accordance with their acts. Only the true saints of God, the Overcomers of the Body of Christ, will be spared the Second Death and the divine sentence of God's wrath.
This is not to say that this 'fire' or 'Death' itself will save those going through this process of judgment, for only Christ Himself, and the results of His Sacrifice, and the power of God, can save anyone. Nevertheless, it is only through this 'fiery Death' that anyone can learn the ways of God's righteousness and justice, as well as His mercy and grace, and so be saved - for even believers have to undergo something of the fires of God in this life, as well as at the Judgment, when all will be laid bare before the all-consuming fiery eyes of God.
Be that as it may, the 'fire' of the Second Death will be very different, for it will include the wrath of God remaining upon the hypocritical, unfaithful, religious Christians who will fail to receive any wages, as well as upon all the unbelievers! It will probably take the form of a prolonged mortal life in servitude for their sins, reaping in their flesh the seeds of sin which they had sown. They will have forfeited eonian life and the salvation of their souls - and only the grace and mercy of God will set them free from their debt in the final Great Jubilee.
"Yet each will be getting his own wages according to his own toil...Now if anyone is building on this foundation (Jesus Christ) gold and silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw, each one's work will become apparent, for the Day will make it evident, for it is being revealed by fire. And the fire, it will be testing each one's work - what kind it is. If anyone's work will be remaining which he builds on it (Christ the Foundation), he will get wages. If anyone's work shall be burned up, he will forfeit it, yet he shall be saved, yet thus, as through fire."
(1 Corinthians 3:8, 12-15 CV)
"...God, Who will be paying each one in accord with his acts:...yet to those of faction, and stubborn, indeed, as to the truth, yet persuaded to injustice, indignation and fury, affliction and distress, on every human soul which is effecting evil..."
(Romans 2:8-9 CV)
"...yet he who is stubborn as to the Son shall not be seeing life, but the indignation of God shall be remaining on him."
(John 3:36 CV)
"...the Lord...is keeping the unjust for chastening in the day of judging, yet specially those going after the flesh in defiling lust and despising lordship (or authority)...Now these, as irrational animals, born naturally for capture and corruption, blaspheming that in which they are ignorant in their corruption, also shall be corrupted, being requited (or repaid) with the wages of injustice."
(2 Peter 2:9, 12-13 CV)
I am convinced that there is every good reason to believe that these scriptures (and others like them) can only be satisfactorily fulfilled by viewing them as describing the judging process of the Lake of Fire, which is called the Second Death. This, to me, is the most satisfactory interpretation, and it aligns itself with the nature of God - that He is Just and Righteous, and will not therefore go against the righteous principles of His own Law and nature. Above all, He is Love.
The Good News is that Jesus Christ has conquered Sin and Death - period! He is the One who has full control of Death and Hades - and this will include the Second Death, the metaphorical Lake of Fire. The Righteousness and Justice, along with the Love and Mercy, of God will ultimately triumph over ALL His enemies - the last enemy being Death itself! The Kingdom of Light will ultimately consume the kingdom of Darkness until no one is left in it's deathly grasp, and Justice will be done in the process. This shall occur in the glorious Age to come, the age of a New Creation, when the Restoration of all things shall occur! Now that's something to shout 'Hallelujah' about!
For further information on these topics, see The First and Second Resurrections and The Judgment Day and Is There Really a Hell? Also Will Death Last Forever?
Copyright © Gerry Watts 2008