The Other Sheep
by Pastor Paul M. Sadler
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Scripture Reading:
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” — John 10:16
A
short time ago I made a passing reference to the “other sheep” which
generated a lot of interest among our readers. Some were under the
impression that this phrase had to do with the reunification of the
divided kingdom. Others had been taught that the “other sheep” is the
Church, the Body of Christ. Having been in the ministry for many years,
it has been my experience that when someone has a question such as this,
there are normally twenty standing in the wings wondering the same
thing. So, with God’s help I shall do my best to shed additional light
on the matter.
Those
who are Acts 2 dispensationalists normally hold the position that the
ones who “are not of this fold” are the members of the Body of Christ.
This is an unfortunate dispensational oversight, but it is
understandable since they do not consistently rightly divide the Word of
truth. Once again, we must ask ourselves the question: To whom was our
Lord speaking, and at what time? The discourse on the Good Shepherd was
delivered by Christ when He was on the earth at least two years before
the Apostle Paul was given his special revelation.
Inasmuch
as Paul was the first to receive the truth of the One Body, the “other
sheep” in the above context could in no way be the Body of Christ.
But
there’s more. None of the Apostle Paul’s Gentile epistles contain a
reference to the members of Christ’s Body being sheep, much less a
sheepfold. However, these metaphors are found throughout the pages of
prophecy, which serves as another distinguishing factor between the two
programs of God.
THE HOUSES OF ISRAEL
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah” (Jer. 31:31).
Under
the reign of Rehoboam the kingdom was divided in Israel. The division
proved to be devastating as the ten northern tribes, which came to be
called the house of Israel, appointed Jeroboam as their King. He, of
course, destroyed the religious unity of the nation when he erected
altars at Dan and Bethel and caused the children of Israel to offer
sacrifices unto the gods of Egypt (I Kings 12:16-31).
On
the other hand, the house of Judah (tribes of Judah and Benjamin)
followed in the ways of the Lord and continued to offer their sacrifices
in Jerusalem, thus obeying the Law and the prophets. They remained in
the Lord’s favor in spite of the fact that He allowed them to be carried
off into the Babylonian captivity for their lapse of faith. These two
tribes were by far the more spiritual tribes in Israel, not to mention
that it was in Bethlehem of Judaea where the Prince of Peace chose to be
born.
Consequently,
some believe that the “other sheep” are the ten northern tribes who
will be brought back into the fold at the Second Coming of Christ.
Hence, there will be one fold and one Shepherd. We surely concur that
there will be a reunification of the tribes of Israel as represented by
the binding of the two sticks in Ezekiel 37:15-28.
This,
however, must not be confused with the sheepfold. Israel is the sheep
of God, whether they were of the northern or southern tribes. The Lord
would have never called His chosen people the “other sheep.” They are
the sheep and therefore the primary fold.
If
we say that the ten northern tribes are the “other sheep,” then what
about the kingdom Gentiles — where do they fit into the picture?
It
is often overlooked, but God had made a provision in prophecy for the
Gentiles to be saved through Israel. Thus, they are also said to be
joined to the Lord. And Isaiah goes on to add, “Even them [the Gentiles]
will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of
prayer…” (Isa. 56:6,7). Insofar as the Gentiles are the last non-Jewish
converts to be reached under the Great Commission, the classification
“other sheep” fits them perfectly. But some are sure to inquire: “Are
the Gentiles ever called sheep in prophecy?” Indeed they are, please
read prayerfully Matthew 25:31-46.
Les Feldick Ministries
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30706 W. Lona Valley Rd.
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