We continue our reflections on eternity and our preparation for when each of us leaves Earth. In my forty-seven years of studying the Bible, I have concluded that there are three judgments in the Scriptures. The first judgment occurs when we depart from this world: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). This judgment concerns what a person has done with the free offer of pardon for their sins. The believer in Christ will not be judged according to his sins; he is secure in what Jesus accomplished on the cross. At death, those who are believers go to be with the Lord and will return with Jesus at the Second Coming of Christ: "For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him" (1 Thessalonians 4:14). When a person believes and trusts in Christ, something transformative happens deep within their soul—they pass from a state of death and slavery to Satan to a condition of eternal life imparted to them:
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24, Emphasis added).
When believers die, they are separated from their physical bodies but remain very much alive and with Christ. When Jesus returns, and the Resurrection takes place, those who have placed their trust in Christ will receive a new body—a glorified body no longer influenced by the sinful nature inherited from Adam. In a later study, we will explore the topic of the Resurrection Body, specifically what it is like (it is also available online at this link).
The second judgment occurs at the return of Christ and relates to the rewards given to believers. This appearance before God is known as the Bema Seat Judgment. The third judgment is called the Great White Throne Judgment and concerns those who reject God's offer of a free pardon, where all who have refused the gift of God’s salvation are doomed to the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). We will focus our meditation today and tomorrow on preparing ourselves as Christians for the Bema Seat Judgment of Christ.
The Bema Seat Judgment of Christ
At the Second Coming of Christ, after suppressing all rebellion on Earth, Jesus will sit to judge at the Bema Seat Judgment.
Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son (John 5:22).
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done (Matthew 16:27).
9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:9-10).
This judgment concerns the believer's rewards based on how they have invested their time, energy, gifts, talents, and money. The Greek word bēmatos translates to "judgment seat" in English. This term was commonly used in the Greek language of the New Testament, referring to a platform for rewards in sporting contests. In a secular legal context, bēma means “to set (his foot) on” and denotes a raised platform at the assembly site. This appearance before God is where we, as Christians, will be judged on two matters: 1) the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, which includes our Christlikeness or character; 2) how we have utilized our resources—time, energy, skills, and money—to advance God's kingdom. My prayer for you today is that you will invest your life in things that will endure into eternity. Let’s continue these thoughts tomorrow. Keith Thomas
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Taken from the series Insights into Eternity. Click on the study Preparing for Eternity.
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