The Revelation of Jesus Christ
“The Judgment Seat of Christ”
During the 7 year tribulation on earth there are a couple events taking place in heaven. One is the Wedding of the Lamb with the church which we discussed last week. The purpose of human marriage parallels the marriage of Christ and the Church.
1. Marriage is about partnership – companionship
2. Marriage is about potential – completeness
3. Marriage is about pleasure – Communion, intimacy
4. Marriage is about protection – commitment
5. Marriage is about procreation, production , creativity
6. Marriage is about portrayal -- Christlikeness
The other heavenly event during the Great Tribulation is the judgment seat of Christ.
This event is not even mentioned in Revelation. My sense is that since Revelation does not focus on God’s plan for the church but for Israel there is no mention. Paul is the one who discusses a time for the church to be evaluated and rewarded for their service. It is called a bema or judgment seat of God and of Christ. A judgment seat was common in ancient times.
In our culture we would refer to the “bench”. It was the place from which judgments were pronounced.
Bema seat – a raised platform or tribune where a judge would decide cases and reward athletes for their performance in the “games”.
God has turned over all judgment to the Son.
"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:22-24
42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42
Before we look at the particular passages connected to this event, let’s look at the concept of judgment. The core meaning is to discern between, separate, select, examine, investigate.
It applies to discerning between two parties.
It applies to discerning when sin is destroying a person and the church. 1 Cor 5:12-13
It applies to discerning an infraction of the law and declaring punishment (judgment).
There are two final future judgments.
There will be an evaluation of the service and witness of Christians.
This is called the Judgment seat of Christ or God. For the Christian, this judgment is not something to be feared but anticipated.
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:16-18
If we know Christ, His love instills confidence to face honest evaluation of our life and ministry.
He is not out to get us. He is out illuminate the truth. Only the truth can truly set us free.
There will be an ultimate judgment of those reject the Father and the Son.
This is called the Great White Throne Judgment found in Revelation.
There is a considerable contrast between these two future judgments.
JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
Involves the Church; the bride of Christ Involves all people from the beginning whose names are NOT in the
book of life
Involves all those resurrected to glory Involves all those resurrected to punishment
No one goes to hell No one goes to heaven
No unsaved people present No saved people judged but we will assist judgment
Determines reward and responsibility in
eternal kingdom based
on earthly faithfulness Determines degree of eternal punishment in hell based on earthly
works
Takes place after the rapture Takes place after the millennium
Conducted by Jesus Conducted by God Himself
The judgment of Christians has to do with faithful service. The judgment will determine reward not punishment. It is all about recognition for faithful service. I like to see this as the awards ceremony. It will be a time when Christ recognizes faithful service. Some think that reward should not be a motivation for service. If God offers it, it must be a legitimate factor and motivation.
There are numerous passages that allude to future reward as a present motivation.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Paul addressed the Romans about the unhealthy practice of criticizing one another’s actions.
He wasn’t talking about discerning destructive sin patterns or obvious violations of Scripture.
He was talking about being critical over the worship practices of other Christians. Again, He is not talking about practices which clearly violate Biblical principles. These were matters of individual choice. Paul pointed to a day when everyone must individually give account to God and not to us.
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
God is the point, not us. He is the one who we serve. We are HIS servants and ultimately accountable to Him. It is not what I am comfortable with but what pleases God.
For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt?
For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. Romans 14:1-13
Two glaring points leap out here.
1. There will come a time in the future when EVERY Christian will give account to God.
2. EVERY Christian will give account of Himself (not others) before God.
His point is, in light of a future evaluation of all earthly behavior, stop evaluating and criticizing every aspect of your fellow Christian’s behavior. We are ultimately accountable to Him.
Also, stop looking down (“regarding with contempt”) someone who doesn’t worship like you.
Paul’s first letter touched on the same point about criticizing one another’s walk.
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5
He references a future evaluation that takes place after the Lord returns that will bring to light everything hidden. Not only will God expose every deed but also the motivation behind the deeds. After a thorough examination, reward and praise will come from God.
Three additional points emerge here.
3. God will not overlook anything done on earth.
No matter how big or small. There will be those faithful servants behind the scenes that we never heard of. Never wrote a book. Never ran a ministry. Never pastored a large congregation. They faithfully executed all that God gifted and called them to do.
4. God will disclose motives as well as deeds.
5. God will individually affirm and reward faithfulness.
Paul also addressed the Corinthians about a motivation for a pleasing walk. The line of reasoning actually starts in chapter 4 of 2nd Corinthians. Paul referred to Christians as clay pots containing a most precious and valuable treasure (Jesus). Even though we presently face persecution and the agony of aging, we know that these momentary light afflictions are producing in the future an eternal measure of glory (reward) beyond our present comprehension. Even as our physical bodies suffer daily decay, our inner man can enjoy daily renewal. We maintain eternal hope and confidence for the future because of Jesus who prepared us for eternal fellowship and relationship with Him and will raise us up. Even if we die and leave our earthly body, we will instantly be present with the Lord.
It ought to be our life ambition to be pleasing to the Lord whether we live or die. We are to focus on serving Him both in life and death. The most powerful way to demonstrate His glory and power is to respond to life’s difficulties in a godly manner.
Why should we embrace such a lofty ambition?
FOR (the reason for such an powerful ambition)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10
We are all scheduled for a person audience with Jesus regarding our earthly life.
“Bad” could also be translated “worthless”. So all of our actions will be evaluated; both the worthwhile and the worthless. The worthwhile will be rewarded, the worthless discarded as unworthy or reward. Paul reinforces the point made earlier. EVERY individual Christian must appear before Christ at a point in future.
The purpose of the appearance?
6. God will recompense or reward for deeds done while in this fleshly body.
The reward will be according to what we have done during our stay on the earth. Moses gave up earthly ambition and untold riches and reward because He looked to a future reward. Heb 11:26 The central principle of true faith has to do with the inner confidence that God exists and that He generously rewards those who seek Him (Heb 11:6). Seeking God brings reward.
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday. Psalms 37:3-6
Paul purposed to do what he could to serve Jesus now in light of that future evaluation.
He urges us to be compelled by such love so as to stop living for ourselves but to live for Him who died and rose for us. Paul discussed coming rewards in his first letter to the Corinthians.
According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man's 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 man's work. 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
7. Jesus must be the foundation of our life and service.
8. Our service will be tested and rewarded for its quality.
I have always wondered the practical application of the symbols in the building materials. What is the quality materials needed to build on the foundational message of Jesus? I remembered two specific references to precious metals and jewels. The first is in proverbs urging us to search for God’s words like we would precious metal.
If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5
The truth of God requires mining and diligent search. David refers to the Scripture as more desirable than pure gold.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Psalms 19:10
The second reference is to the refining process that brings about pure character.
There are many passages that employ this image of refining.
Malachi 3:1-3 Psalms 66:8-10 Proverbs 17:3 Isaiah 48:10 1 Peter 1:6-9 Proverbs 25:4 2 Timothy 2:19-22
Our lives must keep Christ as the foundation and all else to be built on the truth of God’s word and the development of godly character. There will be blessing and reward for godly character. Reward for enduring persecution with a godly response.
9. Faithfulness here and now will affect life hereafter. (“Suffer loss”)
10. Faithful service will be rewarded with eternal positions of responsibility.
While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately… 17 And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.' Luke 19:11-27
The New Testament speaks of several crowns to be awarded Christians for their faithful service. Jesus spoke of reward for acceptance and support of His messengers.
He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. Matthew 10:40-42
Shortly after we have been gathered by Jesus in the clouds there will be a time for reward.
All will be seen as it was. There will be nothing hidden. We will finally see the true extent and impact of our life. Everyone’s faithful service will be recognized and rewarded. Faithfulness rather than greatness will be the focus. To whom much was given, much is required.
John indicated that not everyone will be anxious to have their service on earth evaluated.
John urged present faithfulness to avoid future shame at His coming.
Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 1 John 2:28
AW Tozer causes some significant introspection by his thoughts on the judgment seat.
Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will be judged not by how much I have done but by how much I could have done. In God's sight my giving is measured not by how much I have given but by how much I could have given and how much I had left after I made my gift. The needs of the world and my total ability to minister to those needs decide the worth of my service.
Not by its size is my gift judged, but by how much of me there is in it. No man gives at all until he has given all. No man gives anything acceptable to God until he has first given himself in love and sacrifice....
In the work of the church the amount one man must do to accomplish a given task is determined by how much or how little the rest of the company is willing to do. It is a rare church whose members all put their shoulder to the wheel. The typical church is composed of the few whose shoulders are bruised by their faithful labors and the many who are unwilling to raise a blister in the service of God and their fellow men. There may be a bit of wry humor in all this, but it is quite certain that there will be no laughter when each of us gives account to God of the deeds done in the body. AW Tozer
Paul said he discipline his body so that he would not be disqualified from reward. 1Cor 9:24-27
Peter urged an excited anticipation of the grace yet to come to us.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13
Peter also wrote of the intensified rejoicing at Christ’s return for those who rejoiced through the tribulations of their life in this age.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 1 Peter 4:12-13
Jesus made it clear at the end of His Revelation to the apostle John…
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Revelation 22:12
He will evaluate believers and unbelievers.
Everyone will be called to account for the life they lived on earth.
Believers for eternal reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ
Unbelievers for eternal punishment at the Great White Throne Judgment
After that it is too late.
Will you be ready to stand before Him?
Other passages on a time of future accountability.
(cf. Job 34:11; Prov. 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; 25:31–46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; I Cor. 3:8; Gal. 6:7–10; II Tim. 4:14; I Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12). Even believers will give an account of their lives and service to Christ (cf. II Cor. 5:10). Believers are not saved by works but are saved unto works (cf. Eph. 2:8–10; James and I John).
