"Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal," verses 45-46.

These verses bring the parable to a close. What a solemn word we have here!

The Lord will answer the questions posed by sinners! How often the Lord has been challenged and questioned throughout the ages! I read just yesterday where there are those who wish to change the Law so that they can 'blaspheme' without fear of prosecution!

God's Truth has been questioned as have His Justice, His Love, His very Existence!! All will be answered one day.

The very heart of man's rebellion against God is seen in his attitude toward Christians! Sin against a Christian is deemed a sin against Christ! Please remember that when you feel like hurting or annoying a Christian. Some time ago I

mentioned Galatians 5:14. "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." If you love your neighbour then you love God and the reverse is true. If you hate and abuse your neighbour you hate God!

The dreadful price of sin and rebellion! "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels," verse 41. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment," verse 46.

Please note some words.

1. 'Depart from me'. No place in Christ's company or in Heaven.

2. 'Ye cursed'. They refused the Saviour and remain cursed! "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Only the Lord Jesus can deliver us from under the curse that our sins bring upon us!

3. 'Everlasting fire'. Hell is where "The fire . . . never shall be quenched," Mark 9:43.

4. 'Prepared for the devil and his angels'.

5. 'Everlasting punishment'. Or 'torment'!

Please note the great difference of the eternity of the sheep and the goats.

'Everlasting punishment' - 'life eternal'. Please consider this today! As our study of parable has come to an end so too will life and we will all face eternity!