Home
What's New
Cults
Escaping the Cult
Apologetics
Current Trends
Bible Doctrines
Bible Explanations
Ecumenism
Emergent church
Prophecy
Latter Rain
Word Faith
Popular Teachers
Pentecostal Issues
Trinity / Deity
World  Religions
New Age Movement
Book Reviews
Testimonies
Web Directory
Tracts for witnessing
Books
Audio 
Video
Web Search
The Persecuted Church

 

For printing  our articles please copy the web page by highlighting  the text first - then click copy in the browser-  paste the article into a word  program on your computer. When the text is transferred into word, click to save or print.      

 

 

 

 

                            

 

Does Jesus’ command in Mt. 25 mean we are to take care for the world?

Matthew 25:31-46: "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'  

Many have this as their theme and a requirement for a social gospel, they have changed the text to a general principle that is applied to everyone. Jesus’ principle of We are to do unto others as we would have them do unto us is to be our lifestyle but in this rebuke it is more specific. Christians are to help in various ways but this is not our specific mission to solve poverty or disease. Of course, if people are starving they cannot listen to a spiritual message about their soul too well. We should be there for catastrophes such as earthquakes and floods... What of the poverty in the church, are we to feed the world and not the brethren? Isn’t this what Jesus said to do in Mt.25. Unfortunately Mt. 25 is often used for a general humanitarian effort of the church.

Notice the point- least of my BRETHREN – primarily the Jews are Jesus brethren and so are believers and this rebuke is mostly centered in the tribulation period.

Jesus sees this as being against him by not doing these things to his brethren- feed and clothed Christ is used just as Jesus said to Paul in Acts 9 that he persecuted him by going against his church and arresting and killing his people.

Its general wider application it means - taking care of the brethren means to care for Christians that are homeless or in jail; (inasmuch as you did it to the least of the My brethren, you did it to me), in its primary meaning it has to do with the Jews and believers in the tribulation. This cannot be applied to the nations and people who are unsaved by the context and the meaning of the word brethren and the personal application of “I,”  “me” and “you did it to Me.”

Along with the literal application of their actions their would be of necessity be a spiritual one. They gave food- this is not just physical food but food for eternal life- the word. They gave them water for their thirst- again it is not just physical food but the water of life.

The gospel is to the Jew first. When you see organizations claiming to help the Jews back into Israel and they purposely do not give them the gospel they are guilty of this negligence and will be judged accordingly.

© 2009 No portion of this site is to be copied or used unless kept in its original format- the way it appears. Articles can be reproduced in portions for ones personal use. Any other use is to have the permission of  Let Us Reason Ministries first. Thank You.

We always appreciate hearing  from those of you that have benefited by the articles on our website. We love hearing the testimonies and praise reports. We are here to help those who have questions on Bible doctrine, new teachings and movements.  Unfortunately we cannot answer every email. Our time is valuable just as yours is, please keep in mind, we only have time to answer sincere inquiries from those who need help. For those who have another point of view, we will answer emails that want to engage in authentic dialogue, not in arguments. We will use discretion in answering any letters. 

  Let Us Reason Ministries

We thank you for your support in our ministry