Neuropteron
Active Member
Who are the "other" sheep ? John 10:16
Hi,
My premise is:
The Bible makes a distinction between two groups of faithful.
One of them is designated among other appellation as sheep.
The others are called "other sheep".
One group is small, and will rule with Christ in heaven.
The other group is without number and will live on a paradise earth.
Please feel free to comment.
What follows is my reasons for believing this premise.
*************************
The New Testament addresses Christ disciples as "sheep". In Mt 28:32 these sheep are contrasted with the goats.
Is it possible to identify exactly who the analogy of "sheep" and "other sheep" is referring to ?
For starter I will assume that we can use some of the traits of an actual sheep such as docility, willingness to follow and to forego independent decisions [independence from God].
Apart from sheep there are other designations that applies to them. Importantly they have one thing in common, and that is unity with Christ. Some examples are:
Branches (John 15:5)
Holy ones (1Cor 14:33)
Congregation/Holy assembly (1Cor 15:28)
Body of Christ (Eph 4:12)
Heirs Eph (1:11)
Brothers of Christ (Mt 25)
New Creation (mentioned twice.2 Cor5:17 and Ga 6:15)
Little flock (Luk 12:42)
The context strongly implies that they refer to the same group/class disciples of Christ.
If we can accept that fact, can we then conclude that "the other sheep" are a different group of followers of Christ ?
I submit this for consideration:
Although Jesus says that they are of the same flock, "other" means they cannot be the same, additionally they are of a different fold.
Another indication is Mt 25
Three groups are mentioned in that chapter, 1) Jesus's brothers, 2) the righteous sheep, 3) the goats.
The first group are Jesus's brothers
The second group offer hospitality,are to be blessed, gain everlasting life and are designated as "blessed sheep".
The third group are called goats and are "lopped/cut off (from life).
Do you think that the "blessed sheep" of Mt 25 are the same as the"other sheep" ?
Otherwise, who else could they be ?
Yet another consideration is Rev 7:...
Two groups are mentioned in that chapter
First a specific number that would be sealed.
Second a great crowd that come out of the great tribulation.
Since the sheep class mentioned are a "little flock" they must be the same as the first group(to be sealed)
No indication to size is given for either "other sheep" or the "Great Crowd" All things considered does it not follow that they could be the same ?
On the other hand, according to Rev 5:10 some would be made Kings and Priests to rule over the earth, could they be the same as the little flock (Luk 12:42) ?
Is it possible that the other sheep are the ones that will inherit the earth ?
The foregoing would support the declaration that the Kingdom of God would rid mankind of all it's problems and fulfill the promise that "the meek will inherit the earth and find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace".
Hi,
My premise is:
The Bible makes a distinction between two groups of faithful.
One of them is designated among other appellation as sheep.
The others are called "other sheep".
One group is small, and will rule with Christ in heaven.
The other group is without number and will live on a paradise earth.
Please feel free to comment.
What follows is my reasons for believing this premise.
*************************
The New Testament addresses Christ disciples as "sheep". In Mt 28:32 these sheep are contrasted with the goats.
Is it possible to identify exactly who the analogy of "sheep" and "other sheep" is referring to ?
For starter I will assume that we can use some of the traits of an actual sheep such as docility, willingness to follow and to forego independent decisions [independence from God].
Apart from sheep there are other designations that applies to them. Importantly they have one thing in common, and that is unity with Christ. Some examples are:
Branches (John 15:5)
Holy ones (1Cor 14:33)
Congregation/Holy assembly (1Cor 15:28)
Body of Christ (Eph 4:12)
Heirs Eph (1:11)
Brothers of Christ (Mt 25)
New Creation (mentioned twice.2 Cor5:17 and Ga 6:15)
Little flock (Luk 12:42)
The context strongly implies that they refer to the same group/class disciples of Christ.
If we can accept that fact, can we then conclude that "the other sheep" are a different group of followers of Christ ?
I submit this for consideration:
Although Jesus says that they are of the same flock, "other" means they cannot be the same, additionally they are of a different fold.
Another indication is Mt 25
Three groups are mentioned in that chapter, 1) Jesus's brothers, 2) the righteous sheep, 3) the goats.
The first group are Jesus's brothers
The second group offer hospitality,are to be blessed, gain everlasting life and are designated as "blessed sheep".
The third group are called goats and are "lopped/cut off (from life).
Do you think that the "blessed sheep" of Mt 25 are the same as the"other sheep" ?
Otherwise, who else could they be ?
Yet another consideration is Rev 7:...
Two groups are mentioned in that chapter
First a specific number that would be sealed.
Second a great crowd that come out of the great tribulation.
Since the sheep class mentioned are a "little flock" they must be the same as the first group(to be sealed)
No indication to size is given for either "other sheep" or the "Great Crowd" All things considered does it not follow that they could be the same ?
On the other hand, according to Rev 5:10 some would be made Kings and Priests to rule over the earth, could they be the same as the little flock (Luk 12:42) ?
Is it possible that the other sheep are the ones that will inherit the earth ?
The foregoing would support the declaration that the Kingdom of God would rid mankind of all it's problems and fulfill the promise that "the meek will inherit the earth and find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace".
