Separating the Sheep from the Goats
The Book of Revelation never mentions this in those terms. The reference comes from a parable in Matthew 25:31-46 (gospel study notes).
In the gospel study notes, I've captured what two reputable sources have indicated when the separation of the sheep and the goats would occur which places this event at either just before or at the beginning of the One Thousand Year Reign. However, in my unscholarly opinion, it would seem to occur sometime after Satan is released at the end when the thousand years are over....possibly during the actual White Throne Judgement.
Here are my thoughts (captured only to help me sort through and keep track of all the various studied opinions offered)
In the gospel study notes, I've captured what two reputable sources have indicated when the separation of the sheep and the goats would occur which places this event at either just before or at the beginning of the One Thousand Year Reign. However, in my unscholarly opinion, it would seem to occur sometime after Satan is released at the end when the thousand years are over....possibly during the actual White Throne Judgement.
Here are my thoughts (captured only to help me sort through and keep track of all the various studied opinions offered)
- The Hebrew word used for sheep/goats (as in Exodus 13:13 Consecration of the first born) is #7716 seh and it can be used interchangeably to refer to a sheep or a goat. The Greek words used in Matthew distinguished between the two. The only relevance that this might bear is that there was a general category of animal that sheep and goats both fit in.
- Matthew 25:31 opens with "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him..." definitely seems to refer to the events described in Revelation 19:11-21. However, this verse goes on to say "....He will sit on His glorious throne [and vs 32] All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." In the Second Coming which occurs before the thousand year reign, Jesus is on a white horse not a throne.
- According to Bibleref on Rev 20:7-8, the people who survived the Tribulation and didn't take the mark will enter into the Millennium and will repopulate the earth. It could only be those born during this period that could still be deceived by Satan when he is released for a time period. Although Jesus will be reigning during this period and Satan will not be around to wreak havoc, does not mean that the hearts of the people during this time were committed to Christ. And like a shepherd who has to separate the sheep from the goats, the people (general category) will have to be divided into sheep and goats.
Bibleref Rev 20:1 Some wonder why God would not choose to cast Satan into the lake of fire immediately, rather than hold him for a thousand years before being released. Most likely, this is part of God's "message" as seen in Revelation. Even after a millennium of goodness and justice, human beings will still choose to reject God and follow Satan. The claim that mankind would follow God "if only" He did something more to win them is a myth, which events in the end times explicitly disprove.