Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "wicked" is often used to describe individuals who live in opposition to God's commandments and righteousness. The wicked are characterized by their sinful actions, rebellion against divine authority, and moral corruption. Throughout Scripture, the fate and nature of the wicked are contrasted with those who are righteous and obedient to God.
A notable comparison is made between the wicked and goats in the New Testament, specifically in the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the imagery of sheep and goats to illustrate the final judgment. In
Matthew 25:31-33 (BSB), it is written: "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left."
In this parable, the sheep represent the righteous who have followed God's will, while the goats symbolize the wicked who have failed to live according to His commands. The distinction between sheep and goats is further elaborated in
Matthew 25:41-46 (BSB), where Jesus pronounces judgment on the goats: "Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink... Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
The comparison of the wicked to goats highlights several key aspects:
1.
Separation and Judgment: Just as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, God will ultimately distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. This separation underscores the moral and spiritual divide between those who follow God's ways and those who do not.
2.
Behavior and Accountability: The wicked, like the goats, are held accountable for their actions, particularly their failure to show compassion and care for others. This lack of love and service is a defining characteristic of their wickedness.
3.
Eternal Consequences: The fate of the wicked is eternal punishment, as depicted in the parable. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of living a life contrary to God's will.
4.
Moral Responsibility: The comparison emphasizes the importance of moral responsibility and the call to live a life that reflects God's love and righteousness. The wicked are those who neglect this responsibility, choosing instead a path of self-interest and disobedience.
In summary, the biblical comparison of the wicked to goats serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding the nature and destiny of those who reject God's commandments. It calls believers to examine their own lives, ensuring they align with the values and actions of the righteous, as exemplified by the sheep in Jesus' parable.
Nave's Topical Index
Matthew 25:32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
Nave's Topical Index
Library
The Eternity of God
... The wrath of God is compared to a stream of ... The people of God here are in a suffering
condition ... Acts 20: Bonds and afflictions abide me.' The wicked are clad in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 the eternity of god.htm
The Good Shepherd: a Farewell Sermon
... most apt to stray and be lost; Christ's people may justly, in that respect, be compared
to sheep ... the habitual temper of their minds: the wicked hear the ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the good shepherd a farewell.htm
Christ Exalted
... turned many to God, are but as stars compared with him ... garments, and we, the meanest
of his people, shall share a ... What are wicked men, but the servants of God's ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ exalted.htm
Heavenly Rest
... life of the greatest happiness here is nothing compared with the ... There remaineth
a rest to the people of God ... from all the idle converse of the wicked, and from ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/heavenly rest.htm
Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... And again he was compared to an eagle which ... brethren were struggling on behalf of
their people, when they ... And the wicked Antiochus spake words against the Most ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm
An American Reformer.
... opinions, and dispensing with commentaries, he compared scripture with ... day many,
even of the professed people of God ... While to the wicked the advent of the Lord ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /18 an american reformer.htm
The Great Assize
... The wicked, meantime, shall be turned into hell, even all ... with them, and they shall
be his people, and God ... administer justice; may not ye be compared to those ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 15 the great assize.htm
The Hymns of Isaac Watts
... The right people win. The wicked are cast down. ... Compared with Oxford and Cambridge,
the academies had many disadvantages, but they had one notable advantage. ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/the hymns of isaac watts.htm
An American Reformer
... opinions, and dispensing with commentaries, he compared scripture with ... day many,
even of the professed people of God ... While to the wicked the advent of the Lord ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 18 an american reformer.htm
Eccles. 12:12 Simplicity in Preaching.
... above all things, and desperately wicked." Illustration, I ... eloquence, and power,
can be compared with some of ... to the poor, and visiting your people from house ...
/.../chapter iii eccles 12 12 simplicity.htm
Resources
What is ultimate reconciliation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is wisdom literature? | GotQuestions.orgIs annihilationism biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWicked: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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