The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-09-17
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 20
JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS.

JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS.
LESSON TExT-Matt 25:31-46.
GOLDEN TEXT-Inasmuch as ye did 1t
not unto one of the least, ye did 1t not
unto Me. Matt. 2545
|. Tho Congregation, w. 31-33. This
il one of the difficult and much-con-
tfoverted passages of our Lords Oil
vet prophecy. The title Son Of Man"
is one which refers to our Lords
earthly relations and administration,
and is one not otherwise used in this
prophecy Jesus is speaking to his
disciples He looks beyond the dark
passion so rapidly approaching to the
light of the ultimate fulfilling of his
purpose for this world. Our Lord here
makes no reference to the final judg-
ment mentioned in the Apocalypse. In
that hour earth and heaven will flee
away. Here there is no such passing
away nor do the dead appear. The
son is enthroned. He administers
judgment. He is assisted by the ac-
companying angels. The believer
must appear before the judgment (II
Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10), but his des-
tiny is decided the moment he be-
lieves, John 5:24. Christ first came in
humiliation, when he comes this time
twill be in GLORY" ". 3D. He may
come at any moment, Matt. 24:42-44.
This scene is more the description of
judgment than of trial. The test
ing is taking place today.
Separating Test.
n. Those Commended, w. 34-40.
The separating test is the attitude
of the nations toward the brethren of
the Lord. Here Jesus emphatically
speaks of his kingship, hence the hon
ored position, ."on his right hand"
In his teaching Jesus had empha-
sized the fact that those who do the
will of God are his next of kin. Here
they are, "Ye blessed of my father"
This word blessed" means, literally,
well spoken Of" We are blessed of
God in the heavenlies in Christ, Eph.
1:3. but we are also to be blessed
with an inheritance in the kingdom.
See Gal. 5:19, 81; Eph. 5.5; l Cor. 6: 8,
10 contrasted with II Tim. 22; AS;
James 2:5; Rev. 21:7. This blessing is
gift, Luke 1882, which has been
prepared from the foundation of the
world ". 34. Mans destiny de-
pends upon the object and act of his
faith, but the test, the proof, the evil
dence of that faith is in his conduct
(Gal. 5:6; James 2:17, 18). Altruism
I,,k ,1xr
saved soul will be compassionately
serviceable. 1t is ours to assuage the
thirsty, John Ala, 655; ours to feed
the hungry, John 6:32, So; ours to re-
ceive the stranger, Eph. 2:13, 18, 19;
ours to clothe the naked, lisa. 64:6;
ours to visit the sick, Luke :68, 78;
and ours to visit the prisoner Luke
ness of good deeds. The Christian is
so identified with Jesus Christ as to
regard these deeds as not his own,
but Christ within" The real test is
not so much love for God or Christ
whom we have not seen, but love for
the brethren whom we have seen q
John 3:1O. Our attitude toward our
brethren is the evidence that we have
received Christ. Our life of service,
though we may be "the least" will
be commended before the throne and
the assembled nations and angels. He
is identified with the least" This
sentence needs to be interpreted in
the light of the entire scene and its
relationship. Those commended are
sent away into an age-abiding life
of felicity.
The Other Side.
III. Those Condemned, w. 41-46.
Turning now to the other side, what a
change we behold! Come" is now
depart" not to age-abiding joy, but to
age-abiding fire, which is age-abiding
punishment. We do not infer that
this parable refers to the place Of
the departed dead, to the final judg-
ment of sin but to the time of his
is blessed and the place Of punish
ment are on this earth during the age
of his millennial reign. Such at least
is as far as we feel we have a right
to go in the Interpretation of this par
able. Those who do not listen to the
"come" of Jesus now, will hear his
depart" hereafter. Notice there is
no reference to the father following
the curse such as we find in connec-
tion with the blessed" Men are
cursed by themselves, John $40.
Those who seek to save themselves
are likewise cursed, Gal. 3!10 The
Kingdom is prepared for the righteous
and punishment is not prepared for
man. 1t was prepared for the devil
(41) and his cohorts.
~. The Lesson content. Admit
ting me iimculty of Interpretation let
us look at the picture Jesus on
Mount Olivet. sitting In the midst of
his disciples, knew full we'll what was
awaiting him on Calvary. Judged by
human standards he was defeated and