Eternal Rewards

The Judgement Seat

The following comes through the notes of Mark Ramsey and the responses of the class.

1. The Bema seat

   A class member noted that we have received a gift of salvation; something not worked for. Still, there are rewards for obedience.

   The day is coming when every believer in Jesus Christ will stand before the Lord and at that time, we will discover what was pretend and what was pleasing to Him. The Bible calls this future event the judgment or bema seat of Christ.

   What is your reaction or response knowing that this future event will take place?

   One class member replied by questioning the point where he became aware of rewards. He then noted that he wanted his actions to be from a pure motive and not seeking rewards. Another class member remembered how Billy Graham had a reverent fear of the rewards waiting for him. Another class member noted that he was before the Lord daily and, therefore, looked ahead to it. Yet another noted that she would be excited just to be there.

   In Scripture, the Greek word translated “judgment seat” is bema.

   ‭For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. (Romans 14:10c NIV‬)

   So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. (Romans 14:12 NIV‬)

   For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (‭2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV‬)

   One class member repeated the point “whether good or bad” to point out that the things reviewed at the Bema seat would be a unique experience.

2. The participants at the judegement seat

   Who will judge us?

   Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. (‭John 5:22-23 NIV‬)

   ‭Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27 NIV‬)

   A class member noted that all will be judged. The saved will see their works judged at the Bema seat. The unsaved will see their rejection of Christ and their works judged at the Great White Throne judgement.

   ‭Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15 NIV‬)

   Several class members observed that they were so happy that they would not experience the Great White Throne judgement. They wanted to do everything to lead others from that fate.

   Does the idea that you must appear before the judgment seat of Christ concern you?

   Does the idea of a final judgment of unbelievers have any influence on you? If so, what?

3. When do believers appear before the judgement seat?

   Scripture indicates the judgment seat will take place AFTER the rapture but BEFORE the second coming of Jesus back to earth to establish His kingdom.

   ‭Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV‬)

   To that, one class member noted that Christ will have praise for the believer.

   ‭Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) (Revelation 19:7-8 NIV‬)

   A class member noted how the fine linen was provided to us for a matter of grace.

   Believers will appear before the judgment seat in heaven while the tribulation is raging on earth. How does that strike you?

   Obviously, this judgment will take place in heaven.

   “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (‭John 14:1-3 NIV‬)

4. The principles of the judgement seat — How will we be judged?
   • Individually — Every believer will stand alone and individually before the Lord.
     

     ‭For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. (Romans 14:10c NIV‬)

     For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (‭2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV‬)

   • Impartially
     

     ‬For God does not show favoritism. (‭Romans 2:11 NIV)

     ‭Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. (Colossians 3:25 NIV‬)

     A class member noted that, if it appears once in the Bible, we can count on it, but if it appears twice, we can be doubly sure. Therefore, we know there will be no favorites. However, all of us who have taught know who will come under more strict judgement.

     Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (‭James 3:1 NIV‬)

     Teachers will be judged on whether their teaching was accurate and whether they were doers of the Word.

     One class member pointed to the text of Luke 17:2, where Christ said:

     It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. (‭Luke 17:2 NIV‬)

     Another noted that, from God’s perspective, even the oldest of us qualifies as children.

     Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (‭Matthew 5:19 NIV‬)

   • Inclusively
     

     Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (‭Hebrews 4:13 NIV‬)

     ‭Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV‬)

     ‭“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. (Matthew 6:1-2 NIV‬)

     “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. (‭Matthew 6:5 NIV‬)>

     “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. (Matthew 6:16 NIV‬)

     One class member noted how all of these speak to the motives of the Christian.

5. The purpose of the judgement seat
   

   ‭“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24 NIV‬)

   One class member noted that John 5:24 was a message of non-judgement.

   ‭Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1 NIV‬)

   One class member noted that this was a verse of no condemnation.

   We will not be punished for our sins, but will we see our sins at the judgment seat?

   Faithfulness will be rewarded while faithlessness will go unrewarded. Jesus will evaluate our faithfulness in light of the abilities and opportunities that God has given us.

   What are the “bad” works of believers in 2 Corinthians 5:10?

   The Lord will reward us for every act of faithfulness done for Him and in His name, no matter how small “right down to every cup of cold water we give to the needy in His name” – Mark 9:41.

   How does that make you feel?