The Separation of the Sheep
from the Goats
By: Rosemary Williams
16" x 12" · Oil on Canvas
Artist’s Statement
Inspiration
This painting draws from Matthew 25:31-46, depicting the final judgment, where Christ separates humanity like a shepherd dividing sheep from goats.
On one side, the sheep- symbolizing righteousness—stand at His right hand. They inherit eternal life not through grand deeds, but through simple acts of compassion: feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and caring for the sick. The sheep act upon Christ’s profound declaration: “What you did for the least of these, you did for me”. Christ stands hundreds of feet tall - a representation of how his second coming will be witnessed by all and undeniable.
On the opposite side,the goats—representing neglect and destruction—are cast away. Their sin? Indifference. They ignored suffering, turning away from those in need. The imagery surrounding them—the fallen kingdoms of men, storms, suffering, even an atomic bomb—reflects the chaos of a world without love.
Yet, hope remains. The sheep are led beside “still waters*, are guided through the *narrow gate*—Christ, who is The Way, The Truth, and Life. Waterfalls symbolize the inner gates we must open to grow in mercy.
Message
This piece is a reminder: our eternal fate hinges on how we treat the least of these. Will we be sheep—living with compassion—or goats, lost in selfishness?
I bear testimony to the truth that Christ showed us the way to eternal love and that, in the end, only our acts of love decide which side we’re on.
Details
Original Oil Painting
Price: $1,000.00
Contact
For questions or to purchase please contact the artist
Phone: 435-660-9714
Instagram: @rt3williams