Matthew 25:31-46 "The Olivet Discourse: The King's Judgment of the Gentile Nations"

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Please turn in your Bibles to Matthew 25, we are picking up in V31… finishing Matthew 25 and The Olivet Discourse… and finishing our “series” The King’s Ministry in Jerusalem.

We’ve been camped under this theme “The King’s Ministry in Jerusalem” for the past 3 months… since October… Matthew Chapters 21-25… which records Jesus’ final ministry highlights prior to the cross.

And in this theme… we observed:

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry… He rode into Jerusalem during Passover on the colt of a donkey… symbolizing the King coming in peace.

Immediately, He was examined by the the chief priests, elders, Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees… not so different from how the leaders examined a Passover Lamb for spot or blemish.

And, then Jesus taught the people, and for the past five weeks, we have looked at one such teaching… Jesus’ great End Times teaching… The Olivet Discourse.

The Setting is Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives… just outside the Temple… across the Kidron Valley.

Peter, James, John, and Andrew were marveling over the magnificient structure and adornments of the Temple.

But, Jesus doesn’t just go along with their comments. We don’t read Jesus saying, “Oh yeah… it’s cool. The temple… amazing… a true work of art.”

No, Jesus, in His typical style, had something profound to say. He responds, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

And, I love this…we have no recorded response by the disciples from the Temple until they get to the Mount of Olives… a 15-20 minute walk.

Hey, and I’m a processor… I like to chew on a thought for a while, so I really appreciate this… I could have been one of the twelve! Well, except that I’m not Jewish… and I live about 2000 years too late… on the wrong continent, but those are just details. Moving on…

In Matt 24:3, the disciples ask Jesus: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

And, if they thought they had something to process before… now Jesus gives them an end times eschatology they had never heard before.

He described the tribulation, His second coming, and then reinforced His teaching with parables. And, the disciples are silent.

Jesus taught…

“...of that day and hour no one knows...”

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming...”

“…be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Jesus emphasized the importance of living a life in expectation that He could come back at any moment.

And, he told parables about living a life faithful to Him.

He asked, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant…?

He told the parable of the Ten Virgins… five were watching and ready, and were permitted to the wedding.

He told the parable of the Talents… 2 of the servants were faithful and praised, “Well done, good and faithful servant…”

But, in these parables, there was also another group who were chastised as…

“… that evil servant…”

“… wicked and lazy… ”

The Lord said, “‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’”

And, where we left off in V30, Jesus finished these parables with a warning to those who did not know Him… to those who had no relationship with Him…

He said, “… cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

And, there is a truth woven through this teaching that applies to people of all ages… eternity is at stake… and there are blessings and promises to those who have relationship with Jesus Christ… and, warnings of judgment for those who reject Him.

We all choose how we spend eternity based on how we live our lives now… and WHO we live it for.

Today, we pick up in V31… Jesus breaks from teaching in parables and continues to describe the end times. … specifically after the 7 year tribulation… “when the Son of Man comes in His glory.”

Here Jesus describes a separation of the sheep and the goats… rewarding or condemning non-Jewish Gentiles (NOT the church) who survived the 7-Yr Tribulation based upon their faith in action.

Because to have God’s heart of compassion towards the oppressed… especially during the end times… it takes faith in God.

The title of today’s sermon is “The Olivet Discourse: The King’s Judgment of the Gentile Nations.” (Also called “The Sheep / Goat Judgment)

Let’s Pray!

Matt 25:31-32 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”

Let’s stop there, and establish a few things… the “when,” “who,” and “where.”

Looking back at Matt 24:29-30, we have already seen the “when” and “who” in weeks prior… “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

So, from those verses, we observe Jesus’ Second Coming… returning to Earth from heaven, after 7 years of Tribulation on Earth… Daniel’s Seventieth Week… a time of Jacob’s Trouble.

In Daniel 12… go ahead and turn there… Daniel 12 records a fascinating observation about the timing (at least fascinating to me… maybe not to you).

Daniel, in several chapters, had been talking with the angel Gabriel about the End Times Tribulation, and here in Daniel 12 he observes a conversation with a “man clothed in lined” (often how angels are described) talking with two others (likely two more angels)… and in this somewhat obscure conversation, we potentially… emphasis on potentially observe the timing of the Sheep/ Goat Judgment.

Dan 12:5-13 “Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others [possibly two angels], one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen [maybe Gabriel], who was above the waters of the river, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?” 7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time [3.5 years/ 1,260 days]; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.”

If you have been with us this past month, we have spoken often about two 3.5 year time frames… a total of 7 years during the Tribulation. And, this is what these men or angels are talking about… specifically the Great Tribulation… the second 3.5 years “… when the power of the holy people [Israel] has been completely shattered…”

Continuing to V8 “Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord [or “Sir”… a respectful title], what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. [2 groups pictured… righteous and wicked… saved and unsaved… maybe Sheep and Goats...] 11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, [mid-point of the Tribulation] there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. [An extra 30 days past 1,260 days]. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. [An additional 45 days] 13 “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest [die], and will arise [resurrection] to your inheritance at the end of the days.” [A beautiful promise to Daniel. Even in the OT… a promise of resurrection to the faithful, but that’s a different sermon.]

So, what about those extra 30 and 45 days…75 days total? What happens then?

We cannot say for sure… but, in the first 30 days beyond the end point of the tribulation some think...

Israel is rebuilt.. Isa 61:4 “…they shall rebuild the old ruins…they shall repair the ruined cities...”

And the earth is restored… Isa 32:18 “My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places...

Jerusalem and the Earth will be devastated during the Tribulation, but the Millennium is a perfect physical and spiritual environment.

So, perhaps some restoration happens during these 30 days.

And, then the extra 45 days, and note V10… two groups of people and V12… “Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.”

And, while I cannot say for sure, I would not be surprised if during these 45 days are when the Gentile Nations are judged… because there is a promised blessing to the person who comes to the end of this time… and certainly entrance into the Millennial Kingdom will be a blessing.

So, with all of that… we have the “when”… after the tribulation… and just maybe… in those final 45 extended days.

From this verse in Matt 25:31, we also see some of… “Who” is returning. And, I know of at least 3 groups...

First, we see the ‘Son of Man’ who no doubt is Jesus. In the Gospels alone, Jesus refers to Himself 84x in 80 verses as the Son of Man! It’s one of Jesus’ favorite titles for Himself… it’s a title that points to His humanity, but also to His Messiahship.

And, to appreciate this… let’s take a moment and read through those 80 verses…

Matt 8:19-20 “Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Matt 9:6-7 “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house.”

And, if I actually read all 80 verses… you may depart to your houses, so I’ll only read those two.

But, no doubt… Jesus is the ‘Son of Man.’

To the Jew, this title would spark memories of Dan 7:13-14 (which parallels our teaching today)… listen to this… “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! [pointing to the Second Coming] He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. [pointing to the Millennial Reign] His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.” [pointing to A New Heaven, A New Earth, and A New Jerusalem… Eternity].

So, the Son of Man/ Jesus is at the Sheep/ Goat Judgment.

The other “who” in V31... “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.”

So, angels will be coming with Jesus, and not just any angels, but “holy angels”… as opposed perhaps to “unholy angels” or what we call demons.

And, not just angels will return with Jesus, but also the church. According to Rev 19:14, we read, “And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.”

“Well, Pastor Marc… how do you know that’s the church… and not angels?”

Well, the “armies in heaven” could be both, but notice this group rides on white horses… indicative of victory… which is what the church has in Christ.

Despite all the adversity and distress life can through at us, Paul declared, Rom 8:37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

We indeed will be riding white horses with Jesus… and especially because of Jesus… and our faith in Jesus.

Also, recall what the armies wear… “… fine linen, white and clean...”… the same dress as the bride of Christ during the marriage of the Lamb...

Rev 19:7-8 “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

So, at this Sheep/ Goat Judgment, we will see Jesus, Angels, and The Church.

And, the church will be clothed in fine linen based upon it’s “righteous acts.”

Now, I want to go down a little rabbit trail to talk about these “righteous acts”… because at the Sheep/Goat Judgment… people are judged by their works, but their works are really a reflection of faith.

And, so it is in Rev 19:8 “…the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” What does John mean by that?

Some would interpret these righteous acts as being “justified by faith,” which points to our standing with God.

However, “righteous acts” is plural, and being justified… “getting saved” is a singular action of the past. You only need to say the salvation prayer once… if it is honest.

Here, these “righteous acts” seem to go beyond our standing of being justified… of being saved… and seem to point towards our righteous deeds … good works… the outflow or expression of our faith... BECAUSE we are saved. But, we are not saved by works… ‘Works are the fruit, not the root.’

Gal 2:16 states, “… knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

Eph 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

It’s not works that save us… you can’t earn your way to heaven by being a good person, or by doing good works.

But, listen to this next verse Eph 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Because of the grace of God bestowed upon you in salvation, there should be an evidence of salvation. You were “created in Christ Jesus for good works...” “we should walk in them.”

And, acts of good… acts of mercy that you do in this lifetime… loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself… these “righteous acts” are visible and reflected in eternity.

And, we will see glimmers of this in our passage today.

So, back in Matthew… we have Jesus, at the end of the tribulation… returning to earth with all the holy angels, and the church… and specifically to Jerusalem because…V31 states, “He will sit on the throne of His glory.”

There’s only one place on earth where the Lord’s throne would be… and that’s in His temple in Jerusalem… which points to the building of the 3rd Temple… That’s “where” this scene is happening.

Alright… 1 verse down…

Let’s again read V32 “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”

This word “nations” in Gk. is ĕthnŏs can be translated “a race, a nation, people,” but specifically points to Gentile nations.

Strong’s, Mounce, Thayers all include a note that “ethnos” refers to “nations or people as distinguished from the Jews, the heathen, Gentiles...”

So, pictured here is a gathering of all the gentile nations on earth standing before Jesus just after His second coming.

And, since we are talking Eschatology, I want to briefly mention a few other events around this moment Jesus returns… events Jesus did not share with the disciples…

Just prior to Jesus’ return... the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gather at Megiddo for the Battle of Armageddon against Jesus… (which was not much of a battle… Jesus returns and simply speaks and they are destroyed).

And the beast (the Anti-Christ) and False Prophet… those evil men empowered by Satan are throne into the lake of fire even before the Millennium begins. Kind of a first order of business… Rev 19.

Then, in Rev 20 Satan is bound by a angel who is not even named (I love that non-detail… we call him “angel Bob”). Satan is cast into the “bottomless pit” (different from the Lake of Fire… eternal hell) prior to the Millennial Reign.

Side-note on Satan’s final end: At the end of the Millennial reign, Satan will be released and again deceive the nations of the Millennial kingdom… who come against Jesus and the saints and they are destroyed by fire from heaven (Rev 20:9). And, Rev 20:10 reads, “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are [a terrible way to spend 1000 years]. And they [plural] will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

This is thematic for those who oppose God. Better to be with Jesus, than against Him, but He gives us all that free-will choice.

Then, back prior to the Millennial reign, the Tribulation Martyrs and Old Testament saints are resurrected.

Once all that happens, it seems then comes… “The Sheep/ Goat Judgment” … “The King’s Judgment of the Gentile Nations.”

Notice in Matt 25:32, Jesus states “...He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”

This is why this judgment is often referred to as the “Sheep / Goat Judgment.”

And, perhaps is a nod to Ezk 34:17 “And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats.”

This is not the first time Jesus referred to believers as ‘sheep’.

John 10 Jesus refers to Himself as the “Good Shepherd.”

John 10:3-4 “… the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”

Heb 13:20 refers to Jesus at “… that great Shepherd of the sheep...”

In Matt 26:31, just prior to Jesus’ arrest Jesus says to His disciples, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written [quoting Zech 13:7]: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

In the NT, there are not many striking verses about “goats” linked to unbelievers.

Some people comment about the character and nature of docile and stupid sheep compared to believers… and rambunctious and troublesome goats to unbelievers… maybe.

D.A. Carson wrote, “In the countryside sheep and goats mingled during the day. At night they were often separated: sheep tolerated the cool air, but goats had to be herded together for warmth.”

And, that’s what is pictured here in Matthew. Sheep and goats in pasture together, but at the end of the age they will be separated.

And, indeed the goats will be “herded together for warmth”… a little more warmth than they might just expect.

This separation at the end of the age should draw to remembrance the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares in Matthew 13… which seems to be a parabolic way of speaking about the Sheep/Goat Judgment.

Let me just read a little bit of this parable

Matt 13:24-25 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.”

If you recall the servants want to remove the tares, but the owner forbids them as they may uproot the wheat. Instead the owner plans to instruct the reapers at time of harvest… “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

The nice thing is Jesus gave the interpretation to this parable. Matt 13:37-43 “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world [not the church], the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

This is a great parallel to what we see in the Sheep / Goat judgment… not to be confused with the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the Millennium which is only for unbelievers of all ages.

Alright, well we have gotten through two verses… we are on pace to get out of here by dinner… I hope you didn’t have lunch plans.

But, honestly… the rest of these verses, with all that established should just flow...

Matt 25:33-40 “And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King [circle that…this verse and V40 are the only verses Jesus directly calls Himself “the King.”] will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ [showing compassion… meeting various needs for survival] 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

These Sheep… the Gentile nations who survive the tribulation… which is miraculous in and of itself… they will stand before God.

These are saved believers, who came to faith after the rapture of the church, but during the Seven Year Tribulation.

We know they are saved believers because in V46, Jesus states ‘the righteous [will go] into eternal life.’

What’s marvelous about this group is they cared for the “least of these”… Jesus’ brethren, but they don’t connect the dots that being compassionate to others directly equates to honoring God. But, they are living out ‘love and compassion’… the very heart of God.

And, this is how we should live, and if you do… fabulous. Loving our neighbors as ourselves. Faith in action.

When Jesus states, “My brethren,” I believe Jesus is speaking about the Jews… Jesus was a Jew… the Disciples were Jews… it’s the context of this teaching… it fits.

During the Tribulation time, there will be wholesale slaughter of the Jews. Zech 13:8 speaks about 2/3 of the Jews will die… at the hand of the Anti-Christ and his followers.

There will also be many Martyred Saints who die for not taking the mark of the beast, and I wouldn’t entirely rule out this saved group as Jesus’ ‘brethren’ either.

So, these sheep are compassionate on those who are being persecuted… much like the people who were compassionate on the Jews during the Holocaust.

If you think the world hates Israel now, just wait… anti-semitism will be greatly amplified during the Great Tribulation.

And, to help Jews during this time… will be a major risk… it will come at cost… it will be a mark of those with faith… the righteous.

A modern example of this kind of Christian faith in action is the Ten Boom Family. During WWII, this Dutch Christian family harbored hundreds of Jews to protect them from the Nazis.

And, it came at cost… In 1944 they were betrayed by a fellow Dutch citizen and the entire family was imprisoned. Corrie survived (her 84 year old father and sister did not).

You can read her account in her book entitled “The Hiding Place.” Their faith was in action.

In many scriptures, God expresses compassion towards those in the most desperate of circumstances, and an expectation on His people to care for them… it’s a mark of faith.

James says it well in James 2:14-18 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

I mentioned this earlier… works do not save, but works are a demonstration of our faith. And, during the tribulation… this will be a mark of the righteous.

But, when James wrote these verses… they apply to the church… to us… we have the same expectations laid upon us to love… to serve… to live out our faith.

‘We’re not saved by performance, but our faith should perform.’

John said it this way, and this is one of those verses that just smacks you in the face…

1 Jn 3:17 “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

True for us today, but during the tribulation … when life and family is on the line to help a Jew in need… not shutting one’s heart is a clear demonstration of righteousness… an evidence that the love of God abides in that person.

That’s a sheep.

But, the goats… V41…

Matt 25:41-46 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

If you’re a goat, and you survive the tribulation by hiding in a bunker for 7 years… you’re still a goat… you may survive the Tribulation, but only to stand before Jesus and be judged as a goat.

And, your hard heartedness will condemn you. These goats turned their backs… they saw people in desperate need for food, shelter, clothing, medicine and companionship… and they would not respond.

This is not the heart of God. God responds.

Jn 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave [a verb… an action] His only begotten Son…”

God is a God of love and a God of action. Jesus left eternity to die for us to redeem us… demonstrating His love.

1 Jn 4:7-9 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

If you are saved… if you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ… you’re not pictured in this Sheep/ Goat Judgement. You won’t be a part of it.

But, right now… one thing for us to take a walk with this week… Ask yourself, “In my life right now, am I behaving more like a sheep or a goat?”

Is my love for God and others observable through my actions? How am I demonstrating my faith? Is my faith mobilized?

And, even more difficult… If being obedient to God’s call on your life would come at cost, would you obey? Have you obeyed?

Some of you in the audience today, or listening online… know without a doubt the answer is yes… some of you may be feeling convicted because you didn’t respond… and some of you are thinking about lunch.

Don’t worry… we are almost done.

In Luke 17, Jesus challenged the Apostles on extending forgiveness… it was a hard teaching, and they responded, “Increase our faith.”

That was honest. And, as we wrap up this hard teaching, maybe that’s something you need to pray to the Lord today. ‘Increase my faith. Lord, help me to live a life of visible faith.’

If you are saved, you are a sheep… live it out this week.

Let’s Pray!

The Psalmist wrote, Ps 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties [my concerns]; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

We all need to be praying this daily. We live in wicked times. How important for us to be light… for people to see that light… visible faith.