Potential error in interpretation of Sheep and Goats parable

seeking633 · Dec 10, 2016

I've been encountering what I believe is the most popular interpretation of the Sheep and Goats parable. This states that the Sheep are the believers and the Goats, the non-believers. I am convinced that this interpretation is incorrect.

Here's my reasoning.

In the parable, Christ has gathered the nations before him and then divides them to the right and left as sheep and goats respectively. He then addresses them as such referring to their works and how they treated the least of his brethren. So where are his brethren in this parable? The Sheep? No, because he uses the same reference to his brethren when addressing both sides.

To resolve this, it's important to remember that he's addressing the nations, not his brethren. When viewed in this perspective, it becomes apparent that there is a third group in the parable, his brethren.

But who are his brethren? To get the answer, we just have to read Mark 3:35:

"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

So his brethren are the faithful.

Tull · Dec 10, 2016

All that is in the bible that is not pleasant and deferential to man has been incorrectly translated,all that is pleasant and deferential to man has been correctly translated.....the 11th commandment

vinsight4u · Dec 10, 2016

vinsight4u · Dec 10, 2016

John Hyperspace · Dec 10, 2016

seeking633 said:
I've been encountering what I believe is the most popular interpretation of the Sheep and Goats parable. This states that the Sheep are the believers and the Goats, the non-believers. I am convinced that this interpretation is incorrect.

Here's my reasoning.

In the parable, Christ has gathered the nations before him and then divides them to the right and left as sheep and goats respectively. He then addresses them as such referring to their works and how they treated the least of his brethren. So where are his brethren in this parable? The Sheep? No, because he uses the same reference to his brethren when addressing both sides.

To resolve this, it's important to remember that he's addressing the nations, not his brethren. When viewed in this perspective, it becomes apparent that there is a third group in the parable, his brethren.

But who are his brethren? To get the answer, we just have to read Mark 3:35:

"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

So his brethren are the faithful.

I believe that's a good understanding: could these sheep be them "outside the covenant" who love by nature and are a "law unto themselves"; such as the Gentiles Paul speaks of here: Romans 2:14

Paul also says: "For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth."

seeking633 · Dec 10, 2016

vinsight4u said:
Matthew 25 refers to "that", so we need to step back into verse 35 to find out what "that" is.

I'm more inclined to think that the timeframe is set in verse 31. "But when the Son of Man comes [shall come] in his glory.." Is this not at the second coming or anytime after?

seeking633 · Dec 10, 2016

vinsight4u said:
Daniel 12 shows that Daniel will rise at the end of the 1290 days. Angels knew it - holy beings...and Daniel...and those who refer to - "the last day".
The resurrection at the last day.

Matthew 24 ends referring to a day and hour not known - even by the angels of heaven, or man.

I'm inclined to agree with this.

seeking633 · Dec 10, 2016

John Hyperspace said:
I believe that's a good understanding: could these sheep be them "outside the covenant" who love by nature and are a "law unto themselves"; such as the Gentiles Paul speaks of here: Romans 2:14

Well yes, this is where I'm going. It also resolves the "sola fide" dilemma, and Revelation's reference to those nations who will be ruled at Christ's return.

Paul also says: "For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth."

A rather controversial verse because it appears to contradict Jesus when he said "Judge not" But I did a study on this and the only resolution I found was that Christians should judge each other only after they put themselves through the same level of judgment. But it's also a little out of context because it refers to the present day.

vinsight4u · Dec 11, 2016

vinsight4u · Dec 11, 2016

seeking633 · Dec 11, 2016

vinsight4u said:
Jesus Christ, true, will come in glory! This will be the time of His appearing and all saints get changed to eternal life. The trumpets will be over. There will be silence in heaven. Then the used to have trumpets angels and sounded them will be seen again. This time, they have come with the vials full of God's wrath.

I will have to spend a little time to review you reply. It looks well thought out.

seeking633 · Dec 11, 2016

vinsight4u said:
Okay, good, let's look
at how Daniel 12 unfolds.
Daniel 12:1
"At that time shall Michael stand up....a time of trouble..."

Looks like I gotta a lot more studying to do. I'll get back you guys.

vinsight4u · Dec 11, 2016

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Potential error in interpretation of Sheep and Goats parable

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