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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Romans 14:10-12 says, "For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. . . . So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God" (ESV). Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us, "We must all appe...
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Lena Wms
Supporter
I have a bit different perspective than my learned Brother Michael. The Judgment Seat of Christ is not just for judging our good works as Brother Michael described, it is also for judging our motives behind those works. In Matt 7:22,23 Jesus begins to set the scene for the Judgment Seat scene. Here, some have come before the Lord, and have told Him of all their glorious works they did in His Name. Their motives were not right, and they were cast out. Jesus said He never knew them. He never had a relationship with them. In Matt 25:25-46 Jesus spoke of the unprofitable servant that hid his talent instead of investing it for the Master. The returning angry Master demanded the servant be punished. Jesus gave the analogy; when He comes, He will separate the sheep from the goats, as a shepherd would. Sheep to the Right Hand of Pleasure and the Goats to the Left Hand of eternal damnation. Jesus explained why they were in their classification. In Luke 13:25-30 Jesus spoke again of the door being shut and the Master of the house pronouncing judgment of "I never knew you." In 1 Cor 3:8-15, Paul records yet another scene: Every man's labor will be tried by fire. All wood, hay, and stubble will be burned away. Only the gold, silver, and precious stones will remain. wood = hardened corruption anger hay = tender grass like attitudes swayed with winds of emotions stubble = grain ripened dispositions that linger until they become character Gold = Humility Mind of Christ Silver = Redemption of Christ Precious Stones = Varies with each stone but each precious! In Rev 3:18 Jesus told the Laodicean Church to buy gold from Him. Brothers and Sisters, This is very serious. We must come before Jesus Christ with the right attitude, leaving behind everything, loving everything less than Him. Luk 14:26 Why? It will ALL be tried by fire. If it is worthless, it will be destroyed. If it is not just like Him, it will be consumed. What will Jesus say to us? "Enter into the Joys of the LORD, My good and faithful servant."? -or- "Depart from Me, you worker of iniquity, I never knew you!"? Salvation is a beautiful, wonderful, precious gift of God. It is not of works lest any man should boast! Eph 2:9 Yet, we are commanded to build, work, grow, prosper, increase, etc. Yes, there are many adjectives used in the Word of God that instructs us after Salvation to get up and MOVE it. GROW! Growth is exciting, naturally and spiritually. This is what will be Judged. Our attitudes, our character, our growth in Christ, our personal RELATIONSHIP with Him. Be Blessed, Lena
Shirley H.
Supporter
Both the previous answers were excellent, however they do not address the Bema seat. At least as I read my Bible. The judgement seat is for rewarding believers. The Bema seat is addressed in Revelation 20:10-14. "Then I saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. In His presence earth and sky vanished, leaving bio trace. I saw the dead, great and small alike, standing in front of His throne while the books lay open. And another book was opened which is the book of life, and the dead were judged from what was written in the books, as their deeds deserved. The sea gave up all the dead who were in it; Death and Hades were emptied of the dead that were in them; and every one was judged as his deeds deserved. Then Death and Hades were hurled into the burning lake. The burning lake is the second death; and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was hurled into the burning lake."
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
The Bema Seat or Judgment Seat of Christ is 1 of the 5 future judgments, (and probably the 1st)--(note that there is not just one "Judgment Day"; two of the others are the judgment of the nations (Matt 25:31-46) and the great white throne (Rev 20:11-15).) It is a judgment of the believers' works. It occurs in time, after the Rapture of the Church. Its location is in heaven. The judge is Christ. The subjects to be judged are all in the Body of Christ. The basis of the judgment are the works done since the time of salvation. The result will be rewards or loss of rewards. The 2 Scriptures are 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 & 2 Corinthians 5:10. The "work"s Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (occurring 4 times in these 3 verses) don't have anything to do with earning or losing salvation. The rewards (or loss of them) concern only Christians. Another commentator, Ron Rhodes, mentions 4 passages relating to the future judgment seat of Christ -- Romans 14:10 1 Cor. 3:9-15 2 Cor. 5:10 Rev. 22:12
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