The Bible speaks of different judgments which occur at different times. Some judgments are explicitly mentioned and some implied. We do know that all mankind will face judgment after death (Hebrews 9:27). The Judgment Seat of Christ occurs in heaven after the Rapture. This is a judgment of works for believers who were part of a select company of believers known as the Church, also known as the body and bride of Christ. Specifically, these are believers from the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 up until the day of the Rapture. The dead in Christ will be raised and the living will be taken alive and all taken during the Rapture will be given new glorified bodies. Fine linen white robes will be provided for all (Revelation 19:7-8). Since this group is the same group that was raptured, there is no question regarding salvation or condemnation. In the Bible, faith is linked with salvation, works are linked with rewards. The matter at hand here is the good works performed by these believers. In other words, we will be commended and rewarded for the good things we did out of love for others after we had become believers. Rewards may be given and/or lost depending on our actions which will be evaluated by Christ who will be acting as our Judge (John 5:27, Matthew 16:27). Sometimes people refer to this as the Bema Seat. A bema was a platform used to elevate a speaker for an important address to the crowd in ancient times.
“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
The Apostle Paul reminded his listeners that they should give mindful thought to their actions and ministry. He used the example as Christ being the foundation and the believers building a structure upon it. He warned them that some building material would last and be eligible for reward while other material would not last and rewards anticipated for that work would be lost. To drive this point home he employed the common biblical figure of fire as the test. Christ’s eyes are sometimes described as fire (Revelation 19:12-15) and when he looks at the work to judge it, inferior materials representing works done in the flesh or based on false teaching or improper motivation will be burned up. Superior materials, which represent work done through the Holy Spirit based on sound doctrine and motivation will last. Christians who may have fooled others (and themselves) will be disappointed that their work was not approved. But humble believers who followed the lead of the Holy Spirit and did great or even the smallest things, discreetly and motivated by love, will be rewarded for their efforts.
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
The rewards we earn will have an impact on our lives in eternity. The point of the biblical teaching on this subject is that we will have some type of work or tasks in heaven (Revelation 22:3). Therefore we should evaluate ourselves while we have time to correct any problems and focus on doing what is right and proper so as to preserve our rewards for eternity and enhance our ability to perform our duties in heaven. The best thing we can do is to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. We would do well to regularly give thanks to him for our salvation and forgiveness of sin. Our personal prayer life should be active and fervent. We know that he did not leave us on our own here on earth, he sent the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. He left the completed canon of Scripture contained in the 66 books of the Bible. We have fellow believers and the ordinances of Baptism and The Lord’s Supper to keep us focused and healthy especially as the end draws nearer.
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:7-11
So we should pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us into a lifestyle of showing love for others. When we put Christ first, the needs of others next and then ourselves last we know we are on the right path to earning eternal rewards – remember the acronym JOY, Jesus-Others-You. Spiritual gifts will become apparent in various situations as the Holy Spirit manifests himself in our lives.
There is no exhaustive list of rewards in the Bible, but rather a glimpse to stimulate our imagination. This glimpse uses the figure of an eternal crown which may be large or small and/or adorned with many or few precious stones depending on Christ’s judgment. The specifications of our crown will probably be directly correlated to the responsibilities we will be given in eternity (Luke 19:12-19). Because Christ allocated our spiritual gifts and the Holy Spirit enabled us to perform the good works, we will all rightfully lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus. The little we know about this time is more than enough to motivate us to a life of love for others out of thankfulness for who Christ is and what he has done for us.
“However, as it is written:
‘What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived’—
the things God has prepared for those who love him”
1 Corinthians 2:9
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
1 Corinthians 9:24
“Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:8
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
1 Peter 5:4
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”
Revelation 2:10
Summary
Our works will be judged upon arrival in heaven. Not just the works, but the motivation behind them (1 Corinthians 4: 5). Our entire life will be under close inspection and there will be nothing hidden. In anticipation of that important day, we are warned to self-evaluate our lives while on earth (2 John 1:8). We would do well to make changes now so as not to squander the opportunity for eternal rewards. We should strive to use our time, talent, financial resources and spiritual gifts for the glory of God. Don’t worry about this life, plan ahead for the next. Prepare yourself for the Judgment Seat of Christ!
“And now little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
1 John 2:28
“Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.”
2 John 1:8
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 3:11
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
Additional notes regarding Judgments:
- The Judgment Seat of Christ for the Church happens in heaven after the Rapture.
- The Judgment of Old Testament Saints will happen sometime prior to the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom. No specifics are mentioned. (Revelation 22:12, Daniel 12:1-2).
- The Tribulation Saints who died during the tribulation will be judged prior to the Millennium. They are seen wearing white robes and worshiping the God on his throne and the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-10). Some details are given in Revelation 20:4-6, but basically that they come to life and reign with Christ during the Millennium.
- The believers who live on earth during the Millennium will likely receive their new heavenly bodies and have their works judged at the end of the Millennium. They may experience another Rapture prior to the Great White Throne Judgment. No specifics are given in the Bible and we are left to mere speculation. Since we know the earth will be destroyed and replaced with a new earth, they must be removed and rewarded prior to that event (see Revelation 21:1-4).
- All the unbelievers who rejected Christ will be raised at the end of the Millennium. They will stand before the Great White Throne and be judged by Christ. No one at that judgment will be redeemed. The result will be condemnation for all. They will also be judged based on their evil deeds.
“And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.”
Revelation 20:12
All these groups are judged collectively at one time instead of as individuals immediately when they die. Therefore, it is probably an indication that they will form an entity and complement each other’s eternal objectives, much like individuals in the church age do. We work together towards a common goal and have been described as a body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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