Who were the nations judged by the Son of Man?

Immediately after the catastrophe of the war against Rome, Jesus tells his disciples, the Son of Man will be seen coming with the clouds of heaven (Matt. 24:29-30). Certain things will then ensue. The angels will gather those whom he had chosen and sent out to the ends of the earth with the message of the kingdom of God (24:31). The delayed marriage of the bridegroom and the bride will be celebrated (25:1-13). The master will return home to settle accounts with his servants (25:14-30).

The disciples are assured that “all these things” will happen within a generation, but they cannot afford to be negligent or complacent: they risk being swept away in the judgment coming on Israel, they risk being excluded from the celebration, they risk not being rewarded.

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