^
@iamsoandso ,
Consider the following:
From Gal1:8 , per BibleHub -
2. beside, beyond, i. e. metaphorically,
a. equivalent to contrary to: παρά τήν διδαχήν, Romans 16:17
[...]
παῥ ὁ, contrary to that which, i. e. at variance with that which,
Galatians 1:8f
Gal1:8 - "[...preached unto you]
contrary to [/at variance with] that which
WE have preached unto you"
____________
[
quoting Wm Kelly on Rev14, from BibleHub (
my note: Matt25, when speaking
of when they either will have AIDED/BLESSED "the least of these My brethren" or DID NOT do so,
is referring to that which will take place on the earth FOLLOWING "our Rapture")]
"Another consideration perhaps may help some as connected with this and confirmatory of it, founded on the last part of Matthew 25, where all the nations are called up before the Son of Man when He sits as King on the throne of His glory. Surely this cannot be in heaven but on earth: how could "all the nations" be seen on high?
It will be remembered that He tells those whom He designates as the "sheep" that, inasmuch as they did what they had done to His "brethren," it was really to Him; as on the other hand the insults fell on Him which were aimed at them. These acts of kindness, or of hostile indifference, will be owned by the Lord
when He judges the quick [Matt25:31-34 context is about those "STILL-LIVING" at His "return"
to the earth]. It is no use for people to call it the general judgment, or the judgment of our works. It has
nothing to do with us who believe on Him now.
The one principle before us in this scripture is His dealing with the living Gentiles, or all nations according to their ways with His brethren. To act aright then will require real power of God through grace.
The pressure against His messengers at that time will be enormous. If any receive them well, it will be from faith, however small may be the measure of their faith. That to honour His brethren is virtually to honour Himself, they had not themselves known. When they stand in presence of the King, how astonished they are that He should regard what was done to the messengers of His gospel in the last days as if done to Himself! When men are raised from the dead, they know as they are known;
but these are the nations alive in flesh. Compare Matthew 24:14.
"Certainly these Gentiles were wrought in by divine grace, yet evidently they are far from what is called "intelligent." How often must one beware of making too much of this! What a constant snare it is to slip into unconscious or inconsiderate criticism! Men are apt to give themselves an exaggerated importance on the score of their knowledge. God attaches a far higher value to the heed paid to the Lord Himself, and to those He sends out. It is a crucial test.
Then [meaning, at that time] most of all it will be so, because these messages will go forth to the nations on the earth before the end comes. Growingly lifted up and self-satisfied,
the nations are summoned by Jewish messengers (poor and contemptible in most eyes),
who will solemnly proclaim the kingdom just at hand [again, see Matt24:14]; for the King is coming in person to judge the quick apart from and before the judgment of the dead. Some souls here and there will receive them [these messengers/servants], not only treating them in love, but this because they receive the message. The power of the Spirit alone gives them faith. None less than God Himself inclines their heart. Accordingly the Lord here refers to its reception, with the grace that accompanied it, as evidence of their heeding Himself in the persons of His brethren, the messengers.
"
This is similar to, if not the same as, the everlasting gospel. It is called by Matthew the "gospel of the kingdom." The "gospel of the kingdom" and the "everlasting gospel" are substantially like. In the Revelation it is thus described,
because it was always in the purpose of God, through the bruised Seed of the woman, to crush the foe and to bless man himself here below. This Matthew, in accordance with his design, calls rather the "gospel of the kingdom," because Christ is going to be King of a kingdom prepared from [apo] the foundation of the world. S. John, it would seem, calls it an "everlasting gospel," because it is in contrast with special messages from time to time (Hebrews 4:2), as well as with all that had to do with man as he is here below. At this most corrupt time [i.e. the tribulation period] the suited glad tidings will be sent forth, and certain souls will receive it by God's grace. Thus the second scene in the chapter is the proclamation of an everlasting gospel to those settled down on the earth, and to the nations, etc., as the first section was the separation of a remnant of Jews to the Lamb on mount Zion. Both point, as do other visions of the book, to the various operations of God's goodness, and to the different groups of blessing He will form. Is it incredible that God should thus work in honour of Christ the Lamb? How good is the God we adore!"
--William Kelly, Commentary on Revelation 14
[end quoting; bold, underline, and bracketed inserts mine]
