25:32Matthew 25:32

When the Son of man comes in his glory with all the holy angels, he sits on the throne of his glory and all nations are gathered before him for judgment.GC88 322.2+2 He separates all people one from another as a shepherd divides sheep from goats, setting the sheep on his right and the goats on his left, leaving only two classes with no middle class.DA 637.1–2+2 Each person's eternal destiny is decided according to works done or left undone day by day in probationary life.Ms 77, 1906, par. 15+2 The decisive works are kindness or neglect toward the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned, which is counted as done or denied to Christ himself.DA 637.1–2+2 Those on the right are welcomed to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, while those on the left face eternal punishment outside the city.Ms 131, 1899, par. 24–27+2

When the Son of man comes in his glory with all the holy angels, he sits on the throne of his glory and all nations are gathered before him.GC88 322.2+4 That gathering is a public judgment of a whole world of accountable human beings, not of a few individuals or one nation, held in the presence of all the worlds so that God's government is vindicated and his law is shown holy, just and good.Ms 39, 1898, par. 1–4+1 There every case is decided and sentence of reward or punishment is passed upon the whole world according to works, with the whole tendency of the life, disposition and daily actions in probationary time examined to reveal whether character was formed after Christ's pattern or after the enemy of righteousness.Ms 77, 1906, par. 15+2 In that examination sin loses all attractiveness and is seen in its hideous magnitude, and the relation in which each person stands to God and to others is revealed.Ms 137, 1897, par. 1–2

He separates people one from another as a shepherd divides sheep from goats, setting the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.DA 637.1–2+4 There are only two classes, the obedient and the disobedient, those who have done good and those who have done evil, with no middle class.Lt 29, 1897, par. 26–27+2 That division displays the character God accepts and decides forever the distinct eternal outcomes of the two classes.Ms 131, 1899, par. 24–27+1

This gathering and separation belong to the future personal second coming and final judgment, which has not yet happened.GC88 322.2+4 No one receives the kingdom until that coming, because mortal corruptible flesh and blood cannot enter the incorruptible everlasting kingdom, and until then believers are only heirs.GC88 322.2 At his coming the righteous dead are raised incorruptible and the righteous living are changed, and by that great change Jesus confers immortality and fitness to receive and inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.GC88 322.2+1 The kingdom of glory and universal reign of peace on earth are not established before the advent but follow it, after those who oppose Christ's sovereignty are destroyed and after he completes his mediatorial work and returns in power and great glory to establish his kingdom.GC88 346.4–347.2+3

By one account, the judgment begins with Christ's coming in glory and lasts 1,000 years, with Christ raising the sleeping saints and changing the living faithful at his coming and then sitting on his glorious throne with them.WLF 23.4–24.1 In that account the gathering and separation of all nations takes place at the end of the 1,000 years when the wicked dead are raised, the saints being inside the Holy City and the wicked gathered outside it.WLF 23.4–24.1 The separation is certain though its timing is unknown, long delayed by God's wonderful forbearance while the work for the wicked remains undone.Ms 151, 1898, par. 15–17+1 It is preceded by signs and wonders in the heavens before the great sign of the coming of the Son of man, yet the impenitent will be unaware as in the days before the flood when they ate and drank and married until Noah entered the ark, seeing no cause for alarm and saying the Lord delays his coming, though judgments will surely come.Ms 151, 1898, par. 15–17+2

The Father judges no one but has committed all judgment to the Son, and when Christ comes in glory all nations are gathered before Him to be separated as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, the obedient from the disobedient with no middle class and each person's destiny decided.Lt 29, 1897, par. 26–27+2 He is appointed Judge of the whole world in part because in His added humanity as the Prince of sufferers He was despised and rejected, arraigned before an earthly tribunal and crucified, and therefore pronounces sentence of reward or punishment according to every man's works.Ms 39, 1898, par. 1–4+1 At His return in power and glory He sits on the throne of His glory, even the Father's throne, as the Son of man and supreme Judge, and pronounces irreversible sentence, so that those who accused and abused Him at His trial face Him then as Judge.Ms 39, 1898, par. 1–4+2

The Judge is the eternal God who created the world through Jesus Christ, owns all worlds and makes no mistakes, with no compulsion, threatening, harsh speech or condemnation in His manner of judging.Ms 129, 1906, par. 10 All nations pass before Christ, while each person's case is examined individually and with searching scrutiny, stooping from His throne to catch every sound from humanity and approving or condemning every action according to its good or evil nature.RH Dec 7, 1916+2 He gives a just decision, weighing character with perfect fairness and just, accurate discrimination, approving or condemning according to works.RH Dec 7, 1916+1

The gathering is a public judgment of a whole world of accountable human intelligences, not of a few individuals or one nation, held in the presence of the world, before all worlds and the assembled universe.Ms 39, 1898, par. 1–4+4 It is held on the largest scale so that the love, integrity and service of man for God may be glorified and honored, the commandment-keeping people honored and the loyal overcomers crowned, while transgressors are condemned and the righteous witness their condemnation.Ms 39, 1898, par. 1–4+4 There every case is decided and sentence passed upon the whole world, deciding eternal destiny on the basis of God's law, with the unrepentant seeing the full record and weight of their sins.Ms 137, 1897, par. 1–2+1 In that presence God's government is vindicated and glorified, His law shown holy, just and good, the value of eternal life seen by all created beings, sin stripped of attractiveness and seen in its hideous magnitude with its results laid bare, and the relation in which each stands to God and to each other revealed, including that the Judge is Christ whom sinners crucified.Ms 137, 1897, par. 1–2+4

Eternal destiny is decided according to works, with reward following according to what each person has done or left undone day by day in the common incidents of probationary life.Ms 77, 1906, par. 15+4 When the Son of man comes in glory with all the holy angels and sits on the throne of his glory, all nations are gathered before him and he separates them one from another as a shepherd divides sheep from goats, setting the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.Ms 77, 1906, par. 15+2 That separation fixes eternal reward or eternal punishment, distinguishing those who have done good from those who have done evil.Ms 77, 1906, par. 15+2 The whole tendency of the life, the disposition, and the actions are examined in the courts of heaven to see whether character has been formed after the pattern of Christ or after the pattern of the enemy of all righteousness.Ms 82, 1896, par. 10–12 Each one decides his own destiny by whether he denied self, obeyed the commandments, came out from the world and loved and served Christ, or lived to please self, wasted opportunity, despised Christ's words and entreaties, refused to come to him, and so has his portion with unbelievers outside the kingdom.Ms 82, 1896, par. 10–12

The decisive works are treatment of the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned, counted as treatment of Christ himself.DA 637.1–2+4 Kindness and pity shown to the lowly, the heathen, missionaries, widows, orphans, and persecuted followers by feeding, welcoming, clothing, and visiting them are accepted as service to him and show discipleship, while neglect, mistreatment, hardness, sharp words, and deaf ears bring condemnation.DA 637.1–2+4 He identifies himself with every hungry and thirsty one, every stranger, every sick one, every prisoner, so that even a pittance of bread or flimsy garments given to the starving and freezing was given to the Lord of Glory who through all the days of life was near in the person of the afflicted, famishing in the hovel and empty street, without where to lay his head, destitute, and languishing in prison while the selfish feasted, lived at ease, crowded their wardrobes, and pursued pleasure.DA 639.3–640.1 Those placed on the left are self-absorbed, caring nothing for others' needs, unconscious of guilt because Satan has blinded them so they do not perceive what they owe to their brethren, and the rich who shut themselves away in costly dwellings and splendid churches, feel superior to poor brethren, fail to put themselves in the poor man's place, let mercy die out of their hearts, and spend on pride and selfishness the means given to relieve suffering belong there.DA 639.3–640.1 Those who did not seek him and would not enter into fellowship with him hear, I know you not.DA 639.3–640.1

The judgment examines stewardship of goods, talents, time, abilities, money, influence, and truth entrusted by Christ.Ms 25, 1908, par. 16+4 What is held is not owned but held as trustee for God, a loan from the Master bought by his own blood and sufferings to secure entire obedience, given as endowments for a sacred higher trust to be invested to advance his glory and for the salvation of souls, not buried in worldly enterprises nor kept for satisfaction in accumulating worldly goods, with not a farthing to be squandered on selfish indulgence.Ms 25, 1908, par. 16+2 Church membership alone does not secure entrance to heaven, and profession of faith, position, or riches gained by clever schemes count for nothing; love shown in deeds is the evidence of genuine faith, and even small acts done from love are accepted and rewarded.Ms 25, 1908, par. 16+2 Those who have neglected responsibility and lived for themselves are placed with those who did evil and receive the same condemnation, for the decisions of the last day turn upon practical benevolence, Christ acknowledging every act of beneficence as done to himself.COL 365.1+2 People are held accountable not only for wrongs committed but also for good they could have done and failed to do, for failing to develop and use the abilities and opportunities provided through Christ.18MR 140.2–4

The separation confirms the lasting choice between obedience to God and rebellion against him and reveals character.Ms 82, 1896, par. 10–12+4 God's law tests character, so one class is made holy through obedient faith cooperating with Jesus to restore God's image and doing good in faith and works with Christ, and these are the sheep on the right; the other class is stained by sin, transgressing the law and denying the Saviour by an ungodly life, and these are the goats on the left.Ms 82, 1896, par. 10–12+3 Their actions determine destiny, with reward or punishment according to whether they obeyed or violated God's law.RH Jun 18, 1901 The division into two classes is based on the character revealed by deeds, not on profession.Lt 52, 1891, par. 55–56

Destiny turns not on profession but on character shown in deeds, and the works described in Matthew 25:31-46 are the criterion by which people are judged when the whole human family is brought before the Judge.Lt 52, 1891, par. 55–56+2 Good works are the fruit of justification by faith and of genuine saving faith, not a substitute for faith, shown by living connection with God, saving faith in Christ as personal Saviour, doing his words, transformation and fitness for the kingdom, and vitalization by the Holy Spirit with growth in grace.GC88 487.2–3+2 Mere fraudulent appearance without oil, without vitalization by the Spirit and without growth in grace, is rejected, and profession alone does not count as genuine.GC88 487.2–3+1 The Judge is the eternal God who created the world through Jesus Christ, owns all worlds, and makes no mistakes, and there is no compulsion, threatening, harsh speech, or condemnation in the judgment.Ms 129, 1906, par. 10 Condemnation is not confined to revolting crimes and outbreaking sins.Lt 12, 1893, par. 4–7

Faithful mercy is recognized even where there was no clear knowledge of God's law.ST Apr 21, 1898 God's grace can work on darkened minds, soften even a savage nature, and lead people to do what the law requires, and such kindness to those in need is counted as service to himself.ST Apr 21, 1898 The gathering includes the lowly among the nations and the heathen who never received light through human instrumentality, for all born into the heavenly family are in a special sense his brethren, and wherever the love of Christ is made manifest the divine relationship is revealed.DA 638.1–639.2 Even among the heathen are those who cherished kindness, befriended missionaries at peril of life, worshiped God ignorantly, heard his voice in nature, did the things the law required, and cherished his principles in a life of kindness and blessing to others, and their works evidence touched hearts so they are recognized as children of God and will not perish.DA 638.1–639.2 Those set on the right may have known little theology yet through the Holy Spirit have been a blessing, and they will be surprised and gladdened to hear his approval for ministry done to him in the least of his brethren, for as Son of man and brother to every son and daughter of Adam he identifies himself with every child of humanity, embracing the fallen, erring, and sinful, so every deed of kindness to uplift a fallen soul and every act of mercy is accepted as done to him.DA 638.1–639.2 Angels pass throughout the earth to comfort, protect, and win hearts, for no one is neglected, and God has equal care for all souls he has created.DA 638.1–639.2

Condemnation falls especially on neglecting to do what might have been done and ought to have been done, through lack of the moral qualifications Christ made every provision to place within reach of every sinner by clothing his divinity with humanity to bring moral power to fallen man.Lt 12, 1893, par. 4–7 The record of lives reveals selfishness, squandered means, neglected opportunities, and duties left undone, including failure in time, abilities, money, influence, truth, and care for the poor, afflicted, orphaned, and widowed.GC88 487.2–3 The rich who spend extravagantly on themselves while the poor lack food and clothing squander means to gratify pride and ambition, and the poor will rise in judgment and condemn them.ST Jun 25, 1894 Those who neglect people in need will be called to account, and the neglected will bear witness against them.ST Jun 25, 1894+1

The gathering before him ends in a separation that fixes forever the destiny of two classes, with no middle ground remaining.Ms 131, 1899, par. 24–27+2 Those placed as sheep on his right are welcomed to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world and are saved inside the gates of the city, while those placed as goats on his left face eternal punishment and are found outside the city with unbelievers.Ms 9, 1898, par. 14–16+3 Among those shut out are hypocrites and unbelievers and those who scorned him and scorned his followers, while those they had scorned are gathered into his kingdom.Ms 82, 1896, par. 10–12+1 The division displays the character he accepts and is given to educate men and women for what must be done for the soul.Ms 131, 1899, par. 24–27+1

No one receives that kingdom until his coming, for until then believers are only heirs.GC88 322.2+1 Mortal, corruptible flesh and blood cannot enter the incorruptible, everlasting kingdom.GC88 322.2 At his personal advent in glory with all the holy angels, when he sits on the throne of his glory and divides the nations as a shepherd divides sheep from goats, the righteous dead are raised incorruptible and the righteous living are changed.GC88 322.2+1 By that great change he confers immortality on his people and makes them fit to receive and inherit the kingdom then, rather than establishing a universal reign of peace before the advent.GC88 322.2+1

At that appearing he comes as heaven's King, not as a prisoner surrounded by a rabble, in his own glory and the glory of his Father and escorted by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angels.DA 739.1–5 Every eye shall see him, including those who pierced him, seeing him crowned in glory instead of thorns and clothed in whitest white instead of the old purple robe, bearing the name King of kings and Lord of lords.DA 739.1–5 Those who mocked and smote him, priests and rulers, will behold again the judgment-hall scene with every circumstance before them as if written in letters of fire, and those who called for his blood upon themselves and their children will receive the answer to their prayer as the whole world knows whom they have warred against.DA 739.1–5 The wicked cannot endure his presence, and in awful agony and horror the condemned will cry to the mountains and rocks to hide them from the face of him on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.DA 739.1–5 So much less can transgressors of the law look upon the Son of God in that day than Israel could look on Moses for the glory of his countenance or approach the mount lest they be consumed, and the wicked dead rise with the effects of the curse still visible only to recognize the crucified Jesus in kingly majesty and be overwhelmed by his glory.SG1 214.1–215.1+1

The separation is final and too late to change, because each person decides destiny in this life by repentance or refusal, and the character held at his coming remains with no opportunity for preparation afterward.Lt 131, 1902, par. 22–23+1 Even family members and other familiar companions may be among the lost.RH Mar 18, 1902 Those shut out dishonored their Redeemer, scorned mercy, refused the love of God, chose the service of Satan and stood on his side of the controversy, and their end is lamentation and woe with open acknowledgment that they are lost, witnessed as a sad spectacle by angels and men.Lt 131, 1902, par. 22–23 A person's impatience or unchristlike conduct may have made the religion of Christ distasteful to those close companions.RH Mar 18, 1902

The division brings disappointment and surprise to many.ST Those set on the right may have known little theology, yet through the Holy Spirit they were a blessing to others, and they will be surprised and gladdened to hear his approval for ministry done to him in unremembered deeds for the least of his brethren.DA 638.1–639.2 By contrast, those who did God's service from selfish, sharp, keen and designing principles in order to make their own work look successful will be bitterly disappointed to find they have no place in the kingdom, for false principles will never prevail in heaven and not one thread of selfishness belongs in any part of God's service.1MR 243.2 There also the result is decided for all found without the wedding garment.Ms 151, 1898, par. 15–17 The garment is the white linen of the righteousness of the saints, the righteousness of Christ provided at infinite cost that all may receive grace and sanctification of the Spirit and be among the blood-washed throng, and it must be put on in this life.Ms 151, 1898, par. 15–17

The whole chapter must be studied, especially its teaching on the talents and on using present time and God-given abilities faithfully for perishing souls, and compared with the life record to examine how opportunities and the Lord's talents are used, since God rewards self-denying, self-sacrificing work for the salvation of souls.Ms 25, 1908, par. 16+3 Church membership alone does not secure entrance into heaven, and those who believe the truth and purify their souls are to begin missionary work for those perishing in sin.Ms 25, 1908, par. 16 The division between those represented by the sheep and the goats reveals the character God accepts and decides destiny forever, and all must study this representation with ears to hear and intellect to comprehend, for if it does not educate for the work that must be done for the soul, nothing can.15MR 112.1–3

Boasting, self-sufficiency, self-trust, and satisfaction in accumulating worldly goods are fearfully dangerous and make the words of Christ of no effect, so every person must put them away.Lt 108, 1896, par. 13–15+2 The goods and talents committed to servants are a loan from the Master and a stewardship of grace, bought by His own blood and sufferings to secure entire obedience, given as endowments for a sacred higher trust to be invested in work for Him to advance His glory and used to the glory of God, not buried in worldly enterprises nor kept for satisfaction in accumulating worldly goods.Lt 108, 1896, par. 13–15 The requirement is to walk in His footsteps in the humility of true faith, committing to the Saviour day by day and hour by hour, constantly receiving and imparting His grace, and obeying His word in order to be recognized as His believing ones.Ms 166, 1905, par. 9–10

The judgment is personal and urgent, for at the speedy appearing of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory all will stand before Him as Judge and be put at the right hand or at the left, and that day is not to be put off.18MR 60.1–2+1 Each person should therefore ask whether he will stand at the right hand or at the left, make peace with God, and choose eternal life rather than spending life in worldly pursuits that lose heaven and bring punishment.18MR 60.1–2+2 That means living in all holy conduct and godliness instead of doubting, suspecting, and speaking evil against fellow servants.18MR 60.1–2 Character must be made ready before He comes, for there is no opportunity for preparation afterward and the character held at His coming remains, and those who had the chance to help neighbors know Christ are accountable for neglecting them.Ms 13, 1888, par. 64–67

That readiness requires cleansing the soul from sin, and the prospect of standing acquitted calls for patient, merciful treatment of those who err rather than harsh criticism or rejection.18MR 328.3–329.1 Humble acts of loving service are valued by God and will be recognized then, even small deeds such as giving a cup of cold water or speaking a timely word.17MR 69.3–70.2 Ministers will be asked what they have done for Christ, being held accountable for seeking to save those around them who are perishing in sin and iniquity and need light and truth, because they are the purchase of the blood of the Son of God, and for opening their understanding that they may accept Jesus in the truth and in the Word sent to them.Ms 79, 1886, par. 14

The same judgment condemns the self-absorbed who care nothing for others' needs, are unconscious of guilt through blindness, and neglect Christ in the person of the poor and suffering, with whom He identifies Himself as every hungry and thirsty one, every stranger, every sick one, every prisoner.DA 639.3–640.1 The rich who shut themselves away in costly dwellings and splendid churches, feel superior to poor brethren, fail to put themselves in the poor man's place, let mercy die out, and spend on pride, selfishness, wardrobes, ease, feasting and pleasure the means given to relieve and comfort suffering children—while He was famishing in the hovel and empty street, without where to lay His head, destitute and languishing in prison—will hear, I know you not, for even a pittance of bread or flimsy garments given to the starving and freezing was given to the Lord of Glory who was near in the person of the afflicted all the days of life.DA 639.3–640.1 At the last judgment the poor who lacked food and clothing will rise and condemn those who squandered means to gratify pride and ambition.ST Jun 25, 1894 Unkindness, injustice, and oppression toward a poor stranger will have to be faced at that settlement, when the record of how others were treated will matter.Lt 34a, 1886, par. 32 Those who drove weak people into temptation and spiritual ruin will be called to account for the souls harmed.Ms 41, 1899, par. 5–6 A man who brings children into the world and then forsakes his rightful wife, robs her of rightful support, casts the burden of the children upon her and rears another family will have that debt held against him and openly proclaimed before the assembled universe, and unless thoroughly converted he must make full restitution by paying honest debts for wife and children or be separated out and never enter the kingdom.Lt 35, 1896, par. 15–17 Workers whose covetousness and unfair wages harm fellow laborers decide their eternal destiny by those choices, and unless they reform they will not see the King in His beauty.1MR 272.1–273.1