dear Tammy...
you said this: "As well... what the sheep did to feed the poor, the hungry, the needy, the suffering, the imprisoned... they did to Him. These are also invited into the kingdom. These are those Christ knows, regardless of whether they specifically know Him."...
that scripture in matthew is refering to the church. Jesus comes to the church like a thief in the night. He comes to the rest of the world so that every eye will see Him. Also in the scripture in matthew He comes with His holy angels...when He comes to the world He comes with all the saints. If you will notice, in the scripture in matthew, both groups call Him Lord...but He still seperates them into the sheep on one side and the goats on the other.
"by grace you have been saved by FAITH" ...the age of grace for is over...now those mentioned in matthew are only saved by prior works.
"For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God: and if it begins with us first, what shall be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now, 'If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?'" 1 peter 4:17-18
love michelle