Based on Isaiah 66:1-5 (New King James Version)
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,’ says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word. ‘He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood; he who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol. Just as they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations, so will I choose their delusions, and bring their fears on them; because, when I called, no one answered, when I spoke they did not hear; but they did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight.’ Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word: ‘Your brethren who hated you, who cast you out for My name’s sake, said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy.’ But they shall be ashamed.”
The time will come—and indeed, the time is always at hand—when the Lord will judge His people. The Lord’s judgments may occur at unexpected moments in the present, but what should concern us most is the coming judgment, where the Lord will judge not only all humanity but also His own people. It is then that a final, conclusive decision will be made regarding who will be granted entry into the kingdom of God through the Lord Jesus Christ—and, sadly, who will not, despite being called God’s people. This is what we read in the Word concerning God’s judgment upon His people: “For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’” Hebrews 10:30. And this is what the Lord says about how He views the differences between one sheep and another within His own people: “‘I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,’ says the Lord God. ‘I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.’ ‘And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats. Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture—and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet? And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet.’ ‘Therefore thus says the Lord God to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.’” Ezekiel 34:15-24.
The following question might be relevant here: If Christ’s work was meant to free God’s people from judgment, why then does God judge His people? We have already seen that God does indeed judge His people; as previously mentioned, this judgment may occur in the present—during our earthly lives—or, certainly, at the final judgment. The point is that God is going to deal with those who pretend to follow Him, or with those harboring serious issues, to see if they finally get back on the right track or end up going completely astray. God is always engaged in the process of purification, seeking what is genuine and true, and discarding what is ultimately useless. His Word explains that His people must be purified like gold in the fire: the genuine gold is refined and improved, while that which is worthless is consumed by the flames—referring to people. He tests His people in the fire, offering them a chance to repent, turn back, and do His true will before it is too late.
Now, in the passage from Ezekiel, the Lord speaks of the different sheep—those He will shepherd versus the fat and strong ones He will destroy. Why would God destroy certain sheep? Because the fat and strong sheep are the ones that harm the other sheep—despite being sheep themselves and belonging to the same fold. Even if one is a sheep, God will not forgive a person belonging to His people who harms others—especially those who have gone astray—precisely because of the wickedness and hardness of heart of the fat, strong sheep, and the harm inflicted upon the straying, the lame, and the weak. The fact is that the fat, strong sheep is in that condition precisely because it is selfish, growing strong at the expense of the others. The Pharisees and scribes who confronted the Lord Himself exemplify these fat, strong sheep. They lived well off the people and held positions of authority and power, yet they loved no one, and much less, helped the less fortunate. Although they were Jews (for Judaism is a religion, not a nationality), they did not practice what was truly God's will. And while we are all guilty and responsible for the Lord's death (since there can be no salvation without accepting the guilt associated with the sacrifice), they were the instigators and primary cause of the Lord's death. They killed the Lord out of envy. Ultimately, it is the religious person who most clearly embodies the fat, strong sheep.
Put simply, no one can deceive the Lord; He will sift out—so to speak—what is of no use. It says this: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-8. So, what does the Lord desire? It is written: ”For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:16-17. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3-10. Faith in Christ should be lived out—and from the heart. So, what does God see in your heart? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!