But in his parable of the sheep and the goats Jesus showed that, since he would be invisible in the heavens, a key factor that he would take into account in determining the genuineness of a person’s claims would be his treatment of those who represent Christ on earth, his “brothers.”​—Matthew 25:40, 45.

6. Who are these “brothers” of Christ?

⁶ Who are they? The ones whom God has chosen from among mankind to be heirs with Christ of the heavenly Kingdom. These number 144,000, of whom only a remnant are yet on earth. (Revelation 14:1, 4) Because they have been “born again” by means of the operation of God’s spirit, they are sons of God, and for that reason they are spoken of in the Scriptures as “brothers” of Jesus Christ. (John 3:3; Hebrews 2:10, 11) Jesus counts what people do to these “brothers,” even to “the least” of them, as being done to himself.

7. Why are Christ’s “brothers” not members of the churches of Christendom?

⁷ Where are these “brothers” of Christ in our day?

8. (a) What has helped you to identify the “brothers” of Christ? (b) How important to them is the work of Kingdom preaching?

⁸ The facts show that only one group has taken a firm stand for the Kingdom, devoting vigorous effort to proclaiming it worldwide, while avoiding involvement of any kind in the political affairs of the world. This group is Jehovah’s Witnesses. Among them are found the remaining ones of Christ’s “brothers.” In imitation of their Lord and of his apostles, they have devoted themselves to going from city to city and from house to house, telling people the good news of the Kingdom of God. (Luke 8:1; Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:20, 25) In 1919, at a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses (then known as International Bible Students) in Cedar Point, Ohio, the conventioners were reminded that their “vocation was and is to announce the incoming glorious kingdom of Messiah.” At a similar convention in 1922 this was again emphasized, and they were urged: “Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.” Using every means at their disposal, they have continued to do that worldwide right down to this day. (Matthew 24:14) Because of their activity, the Kingdom issue has been presented to you. What are you doing about it?

‘YOU DID IT TO ONE OF MY BROTHERS’

9. (a) How are the circumstances described at Matthew 25:35-40 related to the Kingdom ministry? (b) With what test have people everywhere thus been confronted?

⁹ The spirit-anointed “brothers” of Christ have come under severe tests because of boldly preaching God’s Kingdom, while maintaining separateness from the world. (John 15:19, 21) Some have experienced hunger, thirst and lack of clothing. Many have left their homes to serve in areas where they were strangers. While performing their ministry, they have undergone sickness and imprisonment, even death at the hands of persecutors. These experiences of Christ’s “brothers” have caused people of all nations to be confronted with a test. Would love for God and Christ cause them to come to the aid of these ambassadors of the heavenly Kingdom? (Matthew 25:35-40; compare 2 Corinthians 5:20.) Not primarily humanitarian kindness but help rendered because they belong to Christ is counted by the King as done to himself personally.​—Mark 9:41; Matthew 10:42.

10. (a) Why is the protest raised by the “goats” not valid? (b) By contrast, what position have the “sheep” taken?

¹⁰ Those who render such aid are likened by Jesus to sheep. People who fail to give help to his “brothers” are referred to in Jesus’ parable as goats. The “goats” may protest that they did not see Jesus Christ. But he has sent his servants to them, and these have clearly identified themselves. All the “goats” may not persecute Christ’s “brothers,” but neither are they moved by love for the heavenly King to come to the aid of his representatives. (Matthew 25:41-45) They cling to the world of which Satan the Devil is the invisible ruler. The “sheep” cannot literally see Christ either. But, in contrast to the “goats,” these prove that they are not afraid to identify themselves with Christ’s “brothers,” supporting these proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. The “sheep” know what they are doing, and they make a positive choice in favor of the Kingdom of God by means of Jesus Christ. That is why their action has merit in the eyes of the King.

11. (a) Since many people have never met one of Christ’s “brothers,” how can they be judged on the basis here described? (b) What assures the success of this work?

¹¹ How, though, is it possible for people of all nations to be judged on this basis? Did not Jesus say that his “brothers,” to whom the Father would give the heavenly Kingdom, would be just a “little flock”? (Luke 12:32) Many people never personally come in contact with one of them. True, but the “brothers” of Christ make up the nucleus of the international organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses.