But the point of Scripture is that even this is a part of Gods judgment upon a world that has sought its answers apart from the true God. Commenting on this Samuel Hoyt writes: Within the church today there exists considerable confusion and debate regarding the exact nature of the examination at the judgment seat of Christ. May the reality of this judgment cause us to carefully reflect on the serious consequences of this passage on a Christ-rejecting world. For example, Moses lived forty years in Egypt and forty years in the desert. As the victorious Grecian athlete appeared before the Bema to receive his perishable award, so the Christian will appear before Christs Bema to receive his imperishable award. 2 Corinthians 5:21: He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Sin calls for judgment and the cross of Jesus Christ became that place of judgment. The same thing happens in the life of believers, but God brings discipline to stop the process. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we should not be judged. 6:18-19; Tit. This is further confirmed by the message of the book of Romans where the Apostle shows Israels problem to be one of seeking to establish her own righteousness by keeping the Law rather than accept Gods righteousness by faith in Christ (Rom. The point is the Great White Throne Judgment does not occur on earth or in heaven as we know it, but somewhere beyond, perhaps in extreme outer space. When the Bible speaks of the last judgment, it is not similar to taking a final test to see whether we pass or fail. That type of judgment has already taken place. This last judgment is the public recognition of decisions long-since made. The last judgment is also known as the Great White Throne judgment. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. English strikes a proper balance on this subject. But this sorrow must be somewhat relative because even for the finest of Christians there will be some things worthy of unceasing remorse in the light of Gods unapproachable holiness. 1:15, 18; Rev. (2) The Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor. Such a concept (punishment for sin) erroneously disparages the all-sufficiency of Christs death on the cross.13 Christ paid the penalty for the believers pre- and post-conversion sins. Why is possession of Gods Son necessary to have eternal life? Adam and Eve died spiritually and began to die physically. But those who are not killed by these judgments will be gathered, judged, and the rebels removed with only believers going into the millennial kingdom. The dead, great and small emphasizes that no one is exempt. For instance, many do not understand that instead of one final judgment, the Bible teaches that there are a series of five to seven future judgments (depending on how they are categorized) that differ in respect to time, purpose, subjects, and circumstances. 24:4-26). 11:32); in his standing before God, and on the ground that the penalty for all sinpast, present, and future (Col. 2:13)has been borne by Christ as the perfect Substitute, the believer is not only placed beyond condemnation, but being in Christ is accepted in the perfection of Christ (1 Cor. At this resurrection the soul and body are reunited and the person is brought before the throne. 17 Fritz Rienecker, Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament, Cleon L. Rogers, Jr., editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1980, p. 468. 1 Peter 3:18: For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. 3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. Carnal believers are occupied and controlled by their own self-centered desires (Gal. 5:1; 8:1; 1 Cor. He did not whip the losers.8 We might add, neither did he sentence them to hard labor. In other words, when we fail to honestly judge sin in our lives it spills over in one area after another. It was not a time of punishment where believers are judged for their sins. However, this is not the picture that the New Testament gives of heaven. Sin requires a penalty, the penalty of death as Gods holy judgment on sin. Related Topics: Dispensational / Covenantal Theology, Eschatology (Things to Come), J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. The Book of Life contains the names of believers, those justified by faith and who have a righteousness from God imputed to their account. 19:12). 26:19).5. Romans 3:24-26 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. Elimination of the curse, pain and death will also remove sorrow, tears and crying (Rev. (2) All believers, regardless of their spiritual state, will be raptured and will stand before the Bema to give an account of their lives and will either receive rewards or lose rewards. In order to be accepted by God, we must be as good as God is. 2:9; 5:3; 8:35; 12:12; 1 Thess. Both Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:9 speak of the judgment seat. This a translation of one Greek word, the word bema. Its the message of the gift of Gods own Son who became man (the God-man), lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, and was raised from the grave proving both the fact He is Gods Son and the value of His death for us as our substitute (Rom. A very interesting, enlightening, and important passage to this subject is 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 for in this passage we have a reference to both the self-judgment of the believer and the discipline judgment of God on believers. 14:4), but Ezekiel 20:34-35 shows God brings Israel out from the nations where she has been scattered throughout the times of the Gentiles (gathers her to the last person, Ezek. but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly. But this happens as a judgment from God against mans arrogant independence. 14 If any mans work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. The resurrection of the just mentioned in verse 15 will be followed by the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema, the place and time when believers will be examined for rewards or their loss (see discussion below). But Jesus said to him, No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.. Generally speaking, the principle is stated in Matthew 7:1-5. 24 and 25). Behold, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your fathers house so that there will not be an old man in your house. (2) The Promise of Heavenly Treasure (Matt. Part of this removal occurs through the Tribulation judgments themselves (Rev. So, the book of works will contain a record of all the unbelievers deeds, good and bad, to demonstrate the truth of Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall (continually miss the mark) short of the glory (perfect holiness) of God. All fall short of Gods perfect righteousness and have therefore no basis upon which to stand accepted (justified) before a holy and just God. 21:4). 2:2 the ruler of the kingdom of the air, NIV [air is the Greek, aer, the atmospheric heavens]). 1 Cor. Some of these suggest the judgmental character of this period. 2:1-3:23). 6:10-12; 1 Pet. 3:14-15). 12:10). 1:18-3:9, 23). Specifically, this is the dead of the second resurrection, the resurrection of the unjust, the resurrection unto the second death mentioned in Revelation 20:5-6, 12-14, and John 5:29b. 1 Cor. Is Divorce And Remarriage After Abuse, Neglect, Financial, Or Emotional Issues Okay? Evident is phaneros which means known, plain, visible, revealed as to it nature. The day refers to a day well known and refers to the day of the Bema after the rapture of the church. For the Christian, the future reality of this event should cause deep concern because of the many (including some of our friends and relatives) who will face this throne of judgment because they never received the Savior by faith. 5 Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come, Dunham Publishing Co., Findlay, OH, 1958, p. 411. This is not the final judgment mentioned in Revelation 20:11-15 which is limited to only the unbelieving world. God graciously supplies the means by which we may serve Him. Colossians 1:29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. The Bible declares, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory (the perfect holiness) of God. In other words, our sin separates us from God who is perfect holiness (righteousness and justice) and who must therefore judge sinful man (Rom. As a child of God, you are, however, a babe in Christ and you need to grow and be spiritually nourished and built up in the things of Christ. 6-19; Zech. Everything about this time will be unprecedented (Zeph. 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, and behold, the log is in your own eye? Abide in Him. Abide is a synonym for fellowship which is the subject of the book (1:3-7). (7) Loss of Physical Health and Vitality. Romans 4:1-5: What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? This may indicate something of our authority. (5) It yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb. 14 And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. Study now. While bema is used in the Gospels and in Acts of the raised platform where a Roman magistrate or ruler sat to make decisions and pass sentence (Matt. 15 If any mans work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. Chafer and Walvoord have an excellent word on this view: With reference to sin, Scripture teaches that the child of God under grace shall not come into judgment (John 3:18; 5:24; 6:37; Rom. As Amos 3:3 says, can two walk together unless they be agreed? Obviously the answer is no. The Archangel* Gabriel is mentioned in He wanted to walk blamelessly, to keep short accounts with God, and to stay in close communion with the Lord lest he should become disqualified for rewards at the Bema (cf. 2:14-16), and the revelation of God-consciousness in creation so that they are without excuse (Rom. It contrasts our crowns with the temporal and temporary treasure of this life. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. Biblical Verses related to The Day Of Judgement. Unfortunately, this condition had continued because some of these believers had failed to examine their hearts and judge their sin by honest confession followed by a commitment to deal with it in the power of the Spirit (11:28, 31). But for now, lest we draw some wrong conclusions, we need to be ever mindful that Gods Word clearly teaches there are specific and very serious consequences, both temporal and eternal, for sin or disobedience. At the other end of the spectrum another group, which holds to the same eschatological chronology, views this event as an awards ceremony. 3:13-15: each mans work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each mans work. 3:9-10, 23). Since love is a preeminent virtue in Christianity, true selfishness often involves a pursuit of self-interest that violates the law of love.12. 15:23); (2) the resurrection of the church age saints at the rapture (1 Thess. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. Some of the Christians at Corinth were being externally religious. But even this will be Gods judgment and the expression of His wrath. The believer will forfeit rewards which he could have received, but he will not be punished in the judicial sense of paying for his sins. This evidently takes place after the resurrection of the unbelieving dead from the grave and Hades. Copy. WebIn actuality, the New Testament reveals six distinct judgments which will impact current and future inhabitants of earth. 6-19). 20:10). No amount of human goodness is as good as God. 18 Samuel Hoyt, The Judgment Seat of Christ in Theological Perspective, Part 2, Bibliotheca Sacra, electronic media. Rev. Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier concerning the judgment of Satan, God has manifested His power by defeating Satan and his hordes. (12) It is a time of martyrdom of believers (Rev. 2:12). 20:11 with 21:1). Jn. 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brothers eye. And why does God judge believers for unconfessed sin as with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 and some of the believers in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 11:28f? This day of judgment, also known as the Final Judgment, is when Jesus, the Son of God, will judge the living and the dead before destroying the old heaven and earth, which are corrupted of sin. Sin can be defined as anything that opposes Gods will and law. To engage in sin is to disobey or abuse His laws. Because of this, He cannot have fellowship with anyone who does not have perfect righteousness (Hab. Will the Lord reject forever?And will He never be favorable again? 9 Lewis Sperry Chafer, Major Bible Themes: 52 Vital Doctrines of the Scripture Simplified and Explained, rev. (10) It is a time of extreme anti-Semitism (Rev. Whats the basis on which the Bema is conducted? Charles Lee Feingberg [Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1968], p. 29). The deeds of the unbeliever are only examined to show that the person, no matter how much good they have done, falls short of Gods holy demands. (3) A time of trouble or distress (Daniel 12:1). It is great because it is the final judgment and puts an end to all judgment for all time. Sometimes this comes in the form of various kinds of testing, trials, failure, and predicaments which He uses to correct us, to train us, and, if we have been going our own stubborn way, to increase our misery. 11:31-32; Ps. 6:2-4; 16:14; 19:14f; Joel 3:2, 9f; Rev. The crown is not eternal life which is a gift through faith alone in Christ alone (Jn. The next prophetic event in Gods timetable will be the rapture or the catching up of the body of Christ, the church, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. (3) The Crown of Exultation or Rejoicing (1 Thess. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. In August of 2001 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and on August 29th, 2002 he went home to be with the Lord. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. 5:3; Rev. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Before the Last Supper, Judas is said to have gone to the chief priests and agreed to hand over Jesus in exchange for 30 silver coins, and to have attempted to return the money afterwards, filled with Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. A strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate. A few verses after Phil 1:6, Paul mentions the day of Jesus Christ again. But (2) Scripture also uses it of a very special and future time of tribulation that is to come upon the whole earth (Matt. In one sense, the Thessalonians will be Pauls crown, and the effect at the Bema and throughout eternity will be rejoicing or exultation over their presence in heaven. 32:3-5). The Bible describes one judgment that takes place at the return of Jesus and two judgments The Christian will not face the final judgment because Christ was judged for us, but all believers will face a judgment called the Judgment Seat of Christ, the nature of which will be covered in the material to follow. This is the heritage of the servants of the, And their vindication is from Me, declares the. In the first stage, we are all judged from the books according to our works. The instinct to preserve our lives is the same. To sin means to miss the mark. 1:18; Revelation 6:16-17; 11:18; 14:7, 10, 19; 15:4, 7; 16:1, 7, 19; 19:1-2. (2) Death, a reference to all those who were buried in graves in the ground, cremated, or destroyed in any other way on earth. (1) The sea, a reference to all those who died at sea and were not buried in the earth. Eph. An interesting and important passage to this study is Acts 24:15-16 because in this passage Paul implicitly made reference to two judgments which are closely related. 1:4; 4:25). But when men reject the knowledge of God and His plan of salvation, they in essence determine to stand on their own merit, or in their own righteousness. The Tribulation will witness Satans wrath and the persecutions of his man, the Beast (Rev. He did not whip the losers.3 We might add, neither did he sentence them to hard labor. While, for Gods own purposes, Satan has been allowed to continue his nefarious schemes, Scripture speaks of three sure events regarding the activity of Satan and his demonic forces: his binding during the millennium, his short release, and his final incarceration in the Lake of Fire. 3:11-12. Since the church is gone, caught up to be with the Lord (1 Thess. 11:1f; 13:1f; 2 Thess. 10:1-4; Phil. Throughout the centuries as anticipated in the enmity mentioned in Genesis 3:15, there has been constant warfare between the holy angels who minister to Gods people and Satan and his unholy angels, the demonic spirits. The Judgment Seat of Christ is not related to salvation but to the bestowal of rewards, and every Christian is assured that he will receive some reward (1 Cor. Her reward is described as fine linen, the righteous acts of the saintsundoubtedly the result of rewards. So, much as we see in Romans 1:18f, God turns the world over to the consequences of its choices. It means to remain in Him from the standpoint of drawing on His life as the source of ours and then to obey Him out of that relationship of dependence. The word throne is used more than 30 times in Revelation, but this throne, the great white one, is to be distinguished from all others as the most significant one of all. As it will be shown below, though it is tremendously serious with eternal ramifications, the judgment seat of Christ is not a place and time when the Lord will mete out punishment for sins committed by the child of God. The Books: The identity of the books is not specifically revealed and we can only speculate from a comparison of other passages of Scripture and from the nature of these verses. 1:6; Rev. 2:19; Phil. Rather, it is a place where rewards will be given or lost depending on how one has used his or her life for the Lord. Selfishness ought not to be defined simply as the pursuit of our own self-interest. Friend, have you put your trust in the person of Christ as the God-man Savior who died for your sin?
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