After the war a fresh look was taken at Jesus’ prophetic words recorded in John 10:16.

“That those who are to be saved are not confined to the ones who go to heaven Jesus proved when he said: ‘Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice.’ (John 10:16)

He made special mention of sheep found by him within a figurative sheepfold and thereafter given special care by him. (John 10:1-18)a

 6. To what development does John 10:16 point?

⁶ After mentioning one sheepfold at John 10:7-15, Jesus brought another group into the picture, saying: “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)

“I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.”​—JOHN 10:16.

Surely not!​—Galatians 6:16; John 10:16.

John 10:16 is one.

Let us consider John 10:16 first.

13. What did flashes of light reveal about the sheepfolds mentioned in John chapter 10?

¹³ From another ray of light, it was seen that Jesus referred not to just two but to three sheepfolds. (John, chapter 10)

These were (1) the Jewish sheepfold of which John the Baptizer was the doorkeeper, (2) the fold of anointed Kingdom heirs, and (3) the fold of the “other sheep,” who have an earthly hope.​—John 10:2, 3, 15, 16; The Watchtower, February 15, 1984, pages 10-20.

◼ How does what Jesus said in John chapter 10 about sheepfolds relate to the Abrahamic covenant?

The sheepfolds that Jesus spoke of in John the 10th chapter are features within the outworking of God’s purpose revealed in the Abrahamic covenant.

The former explanation of the sheepfold as being the Abrahamic covenant was based on the view that John chapter 10 mentioned directly only one fold, and if that were so, then the Abrahamic covenant would be its logical meaning.

What Jesus went on to say in John chapter 10 and what the historical facts show​—both of these indicate that God was going to replace the Israelite sheepfold under the Law with a new fold.

“And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring.”​—John 10:16.

Jesus said: “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)

Thus fortified, the remnant has served as a heartening example to the growing crowd of “other sheep” that Jesus Christ, the Fine Shepherd, promised to gather to the side of his anointed remnant. (John 10:16; Revelation 7:9-17)

Then timely reconsideration was given to the words of his Son at John 10:16 and their relationship to Revelation 7:9-17.

Yet they inseparably associate with the remnant of spiritual Israelites as members of the “one flock” under “one shepherd,” Jesus Christ. (John 10:16)

That ancient vast mixed company pictured the “great crowd” of the “other sheep” of the Fine Shepherd, Jesus Christ, of today.​—John 10:14, 16; Revelation 7:9-17.

It is true that, after praying in behalf of his “little flock” of spiritual sheep Jesus Christ went on to say: “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)

13. (a) In view of the time and the foretold events, what should a candidate not conclude as to his baptism? (b) What should he expect God to indicate to him in due time after his baptism?

¹³ So then, just because we are living in the “conclusion of the system of things” and because Jesus Christ is present on “his glorious throne” and separating the symbolic “sheep” from the “goats,” it is no reason for anyone who is being baptized since 1934/1935 C.E. to think that he is being baptized as one of the “other sheep,” or as a modern-day Jonadab, or as one of the “great crowd” who are not spiritual Israelites. (John 10:16; 2 Ki. 10:15-23; Rev. 7:9-17)

The sacrifice of Christ therefore lays the foundation for the great crowd of Jesus’ “other sheep” also to be delivered at Armageddon from this world under the control of the greater Pharaoh Satan the Devil, with opportunity of everlasting life on earth.​—Ex. 12:37-39, 42; 1 Cor. 5:8; Rev. 7:9; John 10:16.

22. What relation is there between John 10:16 and the festival of ingathering?

²² Jesus said: “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring.” (John 10:16)

● Would it be proper to use the expressions “other sheep” (John 10:16) and “great crowd” (Rev. 7:9) interchangeably at all times?—G.S.

All those making up the “great crowd” of Revelation 7:9 are “other sheep,” but not all of the “other sheep” of John 10:16 constitute a part of the “great crowd.”

12. (a) How does Jesus answer these questions in: (1) John 10:16; (2) Revelation chapter 7; (3) Matthew 25:31-46? (b) What is the “New World society”?

¹² Jesus spoke concerning the sheep of his temple congregation and then said, “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16, NW)

Jesus, who is the Right Shepherd, is also described as a lamb, “the Lamb of God.” (John 10:11-16; 1:36, NW)

10:11, 14, 16 112

10:11-16 440

The Lord is now gathering to himself his ‘other sheep,’ who will form the ‘great multitude’. (John 10:16)

²³ Little flock and other sheep alike continue to be molded into vessels for honorable use. (John 10:14-16)

They represent the “other sheep” of Jesus’ parable of the sheepfolds. (John 10:16)

And how the other sheep rejoice to support their anointed brothers as both groups serve together as “one flock” under “one shepherd” in subjection to the King, Jesus Christ, and to the glory of the great Universal Sovereign, Jehovah God!—John 10:16; Philippians 2:9-11.

These will enjoy perfect health and peace forever on a paradise earth. (John 10:16; Psalm 37:29; Revelation 21:3, 4)

As noted earlier, Jesus said he had “other sheep”​—earthly subjects of the Kingdom—​in addition to the “little flock” of Kingdom heirs. (John 10:16; Luke 12:32)

They also discerned that the Bible holds out two destinies​—a heavenly one for the 144,000 anointed footstep followers of Christ and a paradise earth for an unnumbered “great crowd” of “other sheep.” (Revelation 7:9; 14:1; John 10:16)

They are “the sheep” of Matthew 25:31-46 and the “other sheep” of John 10:16.