And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:46 NET
The 25th chapter of Matthew contains three parables that deal with Jesus’ return. The last of these is the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. In this parable, Jesus is pictured as both a king sitting on his throne and a shepherd. As a sovereign king, he assembles the world’s peoples before him for his judgment. And, like a shepherd, he divides the people into two groups: sheep and goats.
As the sovereign king, Jesus judged both groups based on what they had done, or not done, for him. The sheep, who had ministered to Jesus by caring for those in need, inherited the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. In contrast, the goats, who had not cared for those in need, were cast into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Eternal Consequences
We might argue and debate many of the details of this parable. But what is most important is its lesson—that what we do in this life has eternal consequences. Some will experience eternal punishment. Others will experience eternal life.
Regardless of how you might understand the nature of this eternal punishment, it is eternal. There is no recovery from it. Once this life is over, there is no second chance. There is no hope for a reversal of God’s judgment.
In this parable, judgment is based on our ministering to Jesus by providing for those in need. But the Scripture makes clear that our salvation is not based on our works. Instead, our works are a reflection of the relationship we have with Jesus. If he is our Lord, our lives will reflect that, and eternal life is ours. If he is not our Lord, our lives will reflect that as well, and the resulting punishment is also eternal.
The most important decision you will ever make in this life is centered around Jesus. Will you accept him as Lord and follow him? Or will you reject his offer of salvation and live life on your own terms? The judgment that follows is one that has eternal consequences.
