The last section of Matthew 25 is verses 31 – 46. This passage of scripture is the judgement of the nations or the judgement of the sheep and the goats. This judgement happens after Christ has returned to earth to reign. Christ, the King, will judge from his throne.
This judgement of nations seems to be all those who have survived the seven year tribulation period on the earth. Those who have died during the tribulation and were believers in Christ are described in Revelation 7:9-17. Those who died and were not believers in Christ are judged after the 1000 year reign of Christ (see Revelation 20).
The deciding factor in this judgement is what have the people of the nations of the earth done concerning the Jews during the tribulation. Christ says in verse 40 that what people had done to the least of these my brethren, they had done to him. The phrase, “my brethren” refers to the Jews. This entire judgement is a fulfillment of the promise the Lord had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He promised to bless those that blessed them and to curse those who cursed them.
The Jew will be terribly persecuted by the Anti-Christ during the second half of the tribulation. When you consider different passages of scripture such as Revelation 12 and Matthew 24, you can see the reality of the Jews being hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick, and imprisoned. The sheep are those who will help the Jews in their time of need. Consider the danger of those who will help the Jews at this time and you can understand why the Lord rewards them.
There are a few things to consider from this passage. The first is that it seems that this judgement is a continuation of the parable of the talents. The sheep were faithful investors of the Lord’s goods by using their means to provide for the Jews. The goats had equal opportunity to use their money for good and instead chose not to get involved for fear of loss.
The second consideration for this passage is that it is very difficult to find salvation through faith alone. Although most commentators on this passage will try to force the Church and salvation through faith alone into this passage, it simply is not there. This is truly salvation through good works. I think the way to reconcile Hebrews 11:6 which says that without faith it is impossible to please God and this passage in Matthew 25 is to remember that faith is based on a promise from God. The promise that the sheep may stand on during the tribulation is the one already mentioned in this post; that God blesses those who bless the Jew and curses those who curse the Jew. It is true that saving faith produces good works. James 2:14-18 is a passage of scripture that speaks to the relationship between faith and works. This passage in James may also speak directly to Matthew 25 when the similar wording is considered (v. 15).
The third and final consideration for this passage is that this judgement is for where these people will spend eternity. The sheep receive life eternal and the goats receive everlasting punishment. Americans should very seriously consider this passage and our relationship with Israel. It has always been true that God blesses those nations who bless Israel and curses those nations who curse Israel.