The goat in Daniel 8 and the
goats in Matthew 25
mean people whose faith is divorced from charity,
and this can be seen from the fact
that in Daniel the goat is contrasted with a ram,
and the goats in Matthew with sheep —
the ram and the sheep both
meaning people possessing charity.
For in the Word the Lord is called a shepherd
and the church a sheepfold,
and people in the church
are collectively called a flock and individually sheep.
And because sheep are people who possess charity,
therefore goats are people without charity.
DFAITH 68
The goats and sheep in Matthew 25:1-46
mean the very same people
as those meant by the goat and ram in Daniel,
and this is apparent from the fact
that enumerated for the sheep
are a list of charitable works,
and we are told that they did them;
and that enumerated for the goats
is the same list of charitable works,
and we are told that they did not do them,
and who are therefore condemned.
For works are lacking in the case of people
whose faith is divorced from charity,
owing to their denial
that works involve anything
having to do with salvation or the church.
And when charity, which consists in works,
is thus set aside,
faith also founders,
since faith is an expression of charity.
Then, when there is no longer any charity or faith,
damnation results.
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