68. IV. That people whose faith is divorced from charity are meant in the Word by goats is something shown by their lack of charity as told in Matthew. The goats and sheep in Matthew 25:31-46 mean the very same people as those meant by the goat and ram in Daniel, and this is apparent from the fact that enumerated for the sheep are a list of charitable works, and we are told that they did them; and that enumerated for the goats is the same list of charitable works, and we are told that they did not do them, who are therefore condemned. For works are lacking in the case of people whose faith is divorced from charity, owing to their denial that works involve anything having to do with salvation or the church. And when charity, which consists in works, is thus set aside, faith also founders, since faith is an expression of charity. Then, when there is no longer any charity or faith, damnation results.

If all evil people were meant by the goats there, we would find listed not charitable works that they did not do, but the evils that they had done.

The same kind of people are also meant by goats in Zechariah:

My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will visit judgment on the goats. (Zechariah 10:3)

And in Ezekiel:

…I judge between one flock and another, between rams and goats. Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture…? …Because you have…struck all the weak sheep with your horns, until you scattered them abroad, therefore I will save My flock, so that it shall no longer be prey. (Ezekiel 34:17-18, 21-22)