Back to the Future is Where it's at for Israel
There is a Bible prophecy told in the form of a judgment, and known as the parable of the Goats and the Sheep. It is found in Matthew 25:31-46. Many people see this passage as an invitation to social justice for Christians today, but the context says otherwise. The passage is critical to understanding how Yeshua (Jesus) desires that we treat the Jewish people. It is literally black and white, and has major implications for both the Jewish people and those who interact with them.
It must be understood that Matthew 25:31-46 deals with a future event. The sequence will be as follows: The Rapture of the believers (1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) will take place first, with no sign prior to it. It is imminent and could happen at any moment. The next event will be the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the one known as the Antichrist (Daniel 9:24-27). At that point, the seven-year Great Tribulation will start and things on earth will degrade rapidly, especially after the mid-point known as the abomination of desolation (Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15). Many will die (Revelation 6:7-8; 9:15, 18). It appears that about 25% of the world’s population will die, and then that 33% of the remaining population will perish as well. That is making the number of casualties around 4 billion by today's standards.
At the end of the Tribulation, only when the surviving Jews cry out "Baruch Haba Bashem Adonai" (Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord) according to Zechariah 12:10, will Yeshua return with all the raptured saints. Sadly, two thirds of world Jewry will have perished (Zechariah 13:8-9), and only one third survived, with the help of the Gentiles who had been left behind and became believers during the terrible time of Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). At that time, He will separate the Goats from the Sheep in a judgment explained in detail in Matthew 25:31-46.
The Goats describe those who didn't help, rescue or protect Jews during the Tribulation, and their fate into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone is sealed in verses 45-46, "Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The fate of the Sheep, describing those who helped the Jews is also sealed but for a very different destination as we read in verse 34, “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
Again, this is an event that will take place in the future, but the principle taught in that passage should be of the utmost importance to all Christians TODAY, especially in light of the exponential growth in antisemitism that we have witnessed since October 7, 2023. Regardless of our position on the end times, how we treat Jewish people is very important to God who calls them "The Apple of my eye" (Zechariah 2:8). Additionally, God is afflicted by the suffering of the Jewish people, which might be the main reason why Satan enjoys hurting the Jews so much, "In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old." (Isaiah 63:9).
There are many reasons why the principle of the Sheep and the Goats must be applied today:
• The Sheep will be blessed by the King for their actions (Matthew 25:34, Genesis 12:3)
• The Sheep are called righteous by the King (Matthew 25:37)
• Blessing the Jews is akin to blessing the Jewish Messiah (Matthew 25:40)
• The Sheep are surprised because their deeds were done because of righteousness, not to gain it (Matthew 25:37)
• The Sheep will inherit the Kingdom of God (Matthew 25:34)
This is where Christians need to position themselves today. During the Tribulation, the Sheep will demonstrate that they have skin in the game no matter the cost. Nobody ever said that Christianity was going to be a walk in the park, but we know that it is a walk with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that will lead to eternal bliss in His presence. Isn't that better than any park we could find? Do we have skin in the game today...No matter the cost?
With the advent of Collateral antisemitism, all friends of Israel and the Jews are now at risk. Additionally, I truly believe that End Times antisemitism was let out of Pandoras Box of Jew-hatred on October 7, 2023, with no chance of being put back in before Yeshua returns. This being said, as part of the Remnant Church, we still have a duty to EXPOSE and OPPOSE antisemitism, until Messiah returns to DEPOSE the Jew haters!
The Tribulation Sheep remind me of the Righteous Gentiles of World War Two who saved many Jews because to them, it was the most natural thing to do. The Sheep are the New Righteous Gentiles. There is absolutely no reason for us all to wait for them to act on behalf of Israel after we have been raptured. The Jewish people need us NOW. Speak to your Jewish neighbor, friend or co-worker today. Let them know that you have their backs. Talk to your pastor and tell him about our initiative to provide FREE security to local US synagogues.
This PARABLE teaches a PRINCIPLE, and the principle delivers a PROMISE. The future of Israel and the Jewish people is today.
Don't we want to be a part of it?I want to play my part in it, don't you?
Speaking truth and clearly written and explained. Thank you!
For me, God continues to send American Jew in my path. Sometimes all I can say is that I support you and Israel.
How do you know that the people left behind that help the Jews will be Christians. Chapter and verse please.
Anyone left behind helping Jews will be believers, especially since Yeshua promises them entrance into the Kingdom. While there will be unbelievers during the Kingdom, these will be born into it, not admitted into it as unbelievers
The SORTING is not just about the Jews. All of GOD’s Word will in the end times be the LIGHT in the people’s hearts to guide them into the right choices when darkness covers this earth. Many who think they are Christians will have to go through the Wrath of GOD because in their hearts they desired the world more than the Way of GOD. They will have to go through the Bowls of GOD’s Wrath when it is poured out upon earth. This will be their last chance to choose the good over evil and help those in need, putting others first. Jesus returns to earth in the 7th Bowl of Wrath and that is when He will sort those who survived the Wrath as to whether they are sheep or goats, and this SORTING will be of all nations. The Wrath will be shortened because GOD wants there to be survivors. In fact, those who were harvested by Jesus before the Bowls of Wrath began may well be helping to protect groups of people during GOD’s Wrath.
I’m glad that someone is shining a light on Matt. 25, the parable of goats & sheep. However, I believe Jesus is highlighting our hearts toward all people here, not just the Jewish people. In Matt. 22, Jesus gives the parable of the Good Samaritan. In that, it’s not the Levite, not a church leader, but the average person who had the heart and used his resources to help the person in need. Jesus stated that the greatest commandment is to Love God, and the 2nd is like it, to Love Your Neighbor. The Good Samaritan demonstrated that; so should we. Regardless of background, race, religion, if someone is a stranger, thirsty, hungry, naked, sick, or in prison, our heart should move us to help that person.
Now, we are to be wise too; if a naked man who appears drunk or tripping on drugs is running around, I’ll likely demonstrate my love by calling the police. But I do all of this with knowledge that Jesus stated, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
I look forward to reading your articles Olivier; God bless you sir!