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Matthew 25, and the Judgment Scene

Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

We had recently pointed out that Matthew 25 is filled with parables concerning man’s accountability and responsibility, in this life and before Almighty God. We have not recently had a lesson on verses 31-46 of this chapter, but do have a question about it. One man points out that the area here mentioned seems to be that of Christian duty, and the accomplishments of some in this regard, and the failure of others. Yet, in verse 32 the picture of the judgment involves all nations of men, most of whom certainly are not Christians and thus Christian duty could not be performed by them. A problem here? Well, not really.

God is the judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25). Indeed, when the Lord next appears, all men will be before him in judgment, as Matthew 25:32 shows. The Lord mentions this fact, and then focuses on the area of duty the child of God has upon him in the way of benevolent obligation. This was so because he was addressing God’s children under the Mosaic law, and pointing to duties that would exist in the Christian age.

It helps to remember that this is given as typical – only one area that will be involved in judgment. Here, duty as to benevolence; in verses 14-30, the use of goods, so as to indicate growth and development with the passing of time; in Matthew 7:21-23, service rendered “in the Lord’s name,” but defective as to full obedience; and, in Matthew 12:36, speaking against holy and sacred things – the things of God – will be a part of judgment-day reckoning. So, the judgment-day examination of lives will be full, complete and perfect. Every area of concern to God will be dealt with, and each picture of the judgment scene we have in the Bible will highlight some area, but will not, in any one picture, include everything.

THE SOUTHWESTERNER, July 19, 1989