In an age where Replacement Theology is dominant in the church and antisemitism is growing in the the world, just as the Bible said it would, Jesus gives us a very timely reminder through the dividing of the sheep from the goats.
Genesis 17:7
“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.”
The reminder for us today is that everlasting means everlasting. God has established a covenant with the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob that stands yet to this day. This covenant includes what the Lord first said to Abram when he called him out of the land he was dwelling in, to a land occupied by the Canaanites that would become the “everlasting possession” of the Jewish people. (Genesis 17:8)
Genesis 12:3
“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Since this was true in Genesis and the dividing of the sheep and goats takes place at the end of the tribulation, this means from inception to final fruition. Therefore the blessings and cursing associated with the treatment of the Jews is true today.
Some would say there are many familiar names who held or hold to Replacement Theology. May I remind you that the one who bears the name above all names is the one speaking in the Olivet Discourse and He says that the treatment of the Jews by the Gentiles during the 70th week of Daniel will reveal what was truly in their hearts. The sheep will care for and love on the Jews while the goats will be indifferent to their plight. Joel 3:1-3 makes the point for us;
“For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there
On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land. They have cast lots for My people, Have given a boy as payment for a harlot, And sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.”
“At that time” indicates a future event to Joel which is now history to us. This is the regathering of the Jews into the land given to them by the covenant. The consequences of cursing Israel is also underscored by what Jesus said as He concluded his comments concerning the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:41-46
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Understand this does not mean that Gentiles will be saved by their “good works” toward the Jews during the tribulation, it means that Gentiles who are born again (made righteous) during the tribulation are going to understand the Jews are the chosen people of God and He is finishing His discipline of His chosen people and through that opening their eyes to “look upon the One whom they pierced” and realize the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is the one whom Pilate called, The King of the Jews!
