The expression expected end is from Jeremiah 29:11. What it is and how it is applied to the Nations is explained in Matthew 25. God’s desire, his expectation, is to have the Nations inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34). This is the Eternal Kingdom, the Everlasting Kingdom, over which Christ will rule after all things are made new, that is, on the new earth.
There will be a judgment of the Nations. Christ will sit upon the throne of his glory, and before him all nations shall be gathered. This is not the White Throne judgment of the dead (Revelation 20:12), for the dead given up by the Sea and Death and Hell are judged by their individual works. The Judgment of the Nations deals with the Millennial Reign and those who were ruled with a rod of iron (Revelation 2:27). It must take into account the last revolt, the final battle of Gog and Magog (Revelation 20:7-9). Though separate, the Judgment of the Nations is in close connection to the White Throne.
The Lord tells us the basis for his judgment: he will separate the nations one from another, sheep from goats, by the way they will treat Israel during the Thousand Year Reign (Revelation 20:4). Jesus personalizes this treatment. He declares, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren [Jesus is of the House of David in his flesh] ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40).
The Sheep Nations will voluntarily and whole heartedly fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy: …the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory (Isaiah 60:5-7).
Isaiah continues: And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee [Jacob’s Trouble], but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles and that their kings may be brought (Isaiah 60:10-11).
However, God gives a warning: For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee [Israel, during the Millennial Reign] shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted (Isaiah 60:12). Those nations will be goat nations. The choice will be theirs to make.
God does not list the Nations by name; he does not need to do so. Today, whatever my nation decides to do among my leadership, it has no effect on my personal salvation. As the Apostle John clarifies: Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him loveth him also that is begotten of him (1 John 5:1). For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4-5)?
The Sheep Nations are called righteous (Matthew 25:37). Yet, there is none righteous, that is, righteous of ourselves. However, there is the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe (Romans 3:22). When Jesus Christ sits upon the throne of his father David during the Millennial Reign, the Sheep Nations will be those who understand who he is.
But to those who rebel, either inwardly in their heart or outwardly in their revolt (Revelation 20:8), the Lord will say, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not (Matthew 25:41).
The Goat Nations will ask, When saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these [Jews], ye did it not to me (Matthew 25:44-46).
God’s expectations are for Nations to flow in transition and be made new from the Thousand Year Reign into the Everlasting Kingdom. The righteous will do so, entering life eternal; but, the unrighteous, the self-righteous, the Goat Nations shall go away into everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46). The choice will be theirs.
(To be continued…)