In Scripture, the Day of the Lord is often associated with this time of great judgment which God will pour out on earth against Israel and the nations, but it is also associated with the time of millennial blessings which follow when the Lord will rule on earth. Some people are troubled by the doctrine of rewards because this seems to suggest merit instead of grace, and because, it is pointed out, we should only serve the Lord out of love and for Gods glory. This crown is a reward given for faithfulness to use our gifts and opportunities in the service of the Lord and for loving His appearing. The resurrection of the just mentioned in verse 15 will be followed by the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema, the place and time when believers will be examined for rewards or their loss (see discussion below). Its the message of the gift of Gods own Son who became man (the God-man), lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, and was raised from the grave proving both the fact He is Gods Son and the value of His death for us as our substitute (Rom. 7:15-24), the believers union with Christ in His death provides for divine forgiveness for the fact of the sin nature and for victory over its reigning power. (2) Resurrection is viewed in Scripture as an event that terminates one program and initiates another, and one would not expect Israels resurrection could come until God had finished the seventy years decreed for His people, the Jews, according to Daniel 9:24-27. 2:10f; Rev. Romans 14:1-5 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. It is a doctrine often ignored or, when taught, it is misrepresented because of the term judgment that is used in translating the Greek text. It is great because it is the final judgment and puts an end to all judgment for all time. 3:6-15). Will the Lord reject forever?And will He never be favorable again? But the point of Scripture is that even this is a part of Gods judgment upon a world that has sought its answers apart from the true God. You are now one of Gods children by faith in the Savior. 1:18-21), a revelation man has ignored. Compare also Ephesians 4:17-19: This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20:10). He said to the judges, Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord who is with you when you render judgment. 10 Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. (4) The Crown of Life (Jam. WebEditor - KJV Only, Dispensational, Bible believer Author has 62 answers and 23.3K answer views 1 y There are three different judgments for people: the judgment seat of Christ the judgment of the nations the great white throne judgment Judgement seat of Christ Saved Christians will not go through any other judgment apart from this one. Without the abiding life, the life of faith and obedience to the Savior, we can do nothing (John 15:1-7). 1:4; 4:25). At the Great White Throne Judgment the Book of Life is produced to show that the participants name was not found written in the Book of Life because of their rejection of Jesus Christ. Rather, God disciplines us as a father disciplines his sons to bring us back into fellowship that we might be conformed to His Son. God has resolved that problem through the person of Jesus Christ. The instinct to preserve our lives is the same. (See Appendix A for an explanation of how to become a Christian.). Her blessedness is extolled by Elizabeth (Lk 1:45). In this passage and in Malachi 3:2-3, 5, and Ezekiel 20:37-38, the individuals works will be brought into judgment, but not because they are saved by their works, but because their works demonstrate they are rebels who have failed to trust in Jesus. 9:24-25). 5:10; 1 John 2:28). For the non-Christian, the one who has never trusted in the person and work of Jesus Christ, it should cause him to want to search out the truth regarding Jesus Christ, to embrace Him in faith as the Savior from his sin and eternal doom. In other words, it was a reward seat and portrayed a time of rewards or loss of rewards following examination. The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. The judgments of this time will grow in intensity and conclude with an awesome display of Gods wrath against a Christ-rejecting world. 27:19; John 19:13), its use in the epistles by Paul, because of his many allusions to the Greek athletic contests, is more in keeping with its original use among the Greeks. Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross, the Bible states that He that has the Son has life and we can receive the Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior by personal faith, by trusting in the person of Christ and His death for our sins. (1) Christs judgment for sin, dying in the place of the sinner, bearing his sin and judgment on the cross as the sinners substitute. Rev. How then do we receive Gods Son that we may have the eternal life God has promised us? was a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years. Whats the basis on which the Bema is conducted? Correct me, O Lord, but with justice;Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing. 3 And why do you look at the speck that is in your brothers eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Not only did Christ die for our sin as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), but He died to break the reign of sin in the lives of those who put their trust in Him as their Savior. Such a concept (punishment for sin) erroneously disparages the all-sufficiency of Christs death on the cross.13 Christ paid the penalty for the believers pre- and post-conversion sins. 1:9-16; Gal. All their hopes and dreams had been placed in an earth and system that was passing away (1 John 2:17), and now they see it dissolve before their very eyes. 10:1-4; Phil. But those who are not killed by these judgments will be gathered, judged, and the rebels removed with only believers going into the millennial kingdom. 7 Trumpet Judgments Unnamed Books of Judgment. There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. The message of scripture was that Jesus Christ was both God and man. Therefore it should be each believers impelling desire to be well-pleasing to the Lord in all things. 2:1-3:23). We will each be enthralled with God and our glorified state. Some of these suggest the judgmental character of this period. 19:17-19; and Dan. It is a gift through faith, but He rewards us for good works. These and only these are accepted by God and will spend eternity with Him (cf. The verb used is komizo and means to carry off safe, to carry off as booty. In the middle voice as here, it meant to bear for oneself,16 or to receive back what is ones own.17 Compare Matthew 25:27 and Ephesians 6:8. In all of these passages, Paul was picturing the believer as a competitor in a spiritual contest. But man is separated from God by the problem of Sin. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. Added to this are the declarations of the following verses of Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. The order is: At the end of the Tribulation, the Lord Jesus will return personally to earth (Zech. Is it only for rewards or their loss? Our tendency is to rationalize and excuse our sins, but God says we are to judge them as sin to God. 1:15). It is the purpose of this study to cover all the major judgments (past, present, and future) that we find in Scripture to help resolve this confusion. Will believers experience shame, grief, remorse at the Bema? (8) The Many Crowns or Diadems (Rev. Because of this, He cannot have fellowship with anyone who does not have perfect righteousness (Hab. This would be somewhat punitive and does not fit the concept of the Bema nor the promises of the Lord that we will not come into judgment. But we shall rejoice also as we realize that the rewards given will be another example of the grace of our Lord; for at best we are unprofitable servants (E. Schuyler English, The Church At the Tribunal, in Prophetic Truth Unfolding Today, ed. Therefore, at the judgment seat of Christ forensic punishment will not be meted out for the believers sins.15. The Bible describes one judgment that takes place at the return of Jesus and 1 Cor. 14 If any mans work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If so, how do we reconcile this with passages like Revelation 7:17, God shall wipe away every tear from their eye, and Revelation 21:4, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away, or with Isaiah 65:17, For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind? Any young man who loves baseball would probably be thrilled to be a bat boy in the World Series, but he would not be jealous or resentful because he was not one of the stars of the game. The Christian will not face the final judgment because Christ was judged for us, but all believers will face a judgment called the Judgment Seat of Christ, the nature of which will be covered in the material to follow. 24:31-46). This judgment affected all of creation (Genesis 3:1718; Romans 8:2022). At this resurrection the soul and body are reunited and the person is brought before the throne. Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 9:25). 3:23), and that the penalty of sin is eternal death, separation from God (Gen. 2:17; Rom. When Adam and Eve chose to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they acted in self-centered independence which was idolatry and sin. They insist that the tribulation is not the judgment of God, but comes from man and Satan bringing persecution to all. Verses 13 and 14 state that the unbelieving dead will be judged according to their deeds (works). When the Bible speaks of the last judgment, it is not similar to taking a final test to see whether we pass or fail. That type of judgment has already taken place. This last judgment is the public recognition of decisions long-since made. The last judgment is also known as the Great White Throne judgment. Heaven and earth are seen fleeing from the face of Him who sits on this throne (20:11). This is not the final judgment mentioned in Revelation 20:11-15 which is limited to only the unbelieving world. The world seeks to find answers to its problems through the one world movement of the last days and apart from the true God as He has revealed Himself in Christ. Terms used of this period. At the other end of the spectrum another group, which holds to the same eschatological chronology, views this event as an awards ceremony. It means to remain in Him from the standpoint of drawing on His life as the source of ours and then to obey Him out of that relationship of dependence. As seen in the above section dealing with self-judgment, the New Testament clearly teaches us that one of the ministries of our heavenly Father is the ministry of loving discipline. In the universal anti-Semitism of the Great Tribulation one who befriends Jews will by this evidence manifest his salvation.6. Right now I receive Him as my personal Savior by trusting in Him alone as my only way to heaven. Zane Hodges has some good thoughts on this concept: Scripture does not teach us to be uninterested in our own happiness or well-being. (1) The Crown of Thorns (Matt. If you prayed this prayer and truly trusted in the person of Jesus Christ and His death for your sin, then you have been born anew into the family of God. The victor of a given event, who had participated according to the rules, was led by the judge to the platform called the Bema. Explain the nature of Gods judgment of believers in this life. 12:5f and 1 Cor. Carnal believers are occupied and controlled by their own self-centered desires (Gal. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. The judge is the Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:22-23, 27). 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Revelation 7:14 shows us that salvation in the Tribulation (as in the church age) is through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. Since love is a preeminent virtue in Christianity, true selfishness often involves a pursuit of self-interest that violates the law of love.12. 1 James M. Stifler, The Epistle To The Romans, Moody Press, Chicago, 1960, p. 31. The same thing happens in the life of believers, but God brings discipline to stop the process. (4) It is a day of destruction and global catastrophes (Joel 1:15; 2:3; 1 Thess. What follows below is a fuller explanation of both terms. It is so important to note the emphasis here. This verse undoubtedly refers to the Bema and shows there will be both boldness as a result of abiding, and shame before the Lord as a result of failing to abide. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. They were showing favoritism and hurting other believers rather than showing love and concern as it should be among believers in Christ. The Christian has been in court, condemned, sentenced, and executed in his substitute, Jesus Christ. Some believe in a partial rapture theory which says that only those in fellowship with the Lord will be raptured as a form of punishment for their sin. Key Verses on Rewards: Rom. God wants Christians to understand the truth of the judgments to both comfort and motivate them to godly living. This is what his work deserves. Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.. (6) It is a day of extreme deception and delusion (2 Thess. Rom. There the laurel wreath was placed on his head as a symbol of victory (cf. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (2) Diadem. If the believer remains unrepentant, this can lead to the sin unto death as with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), and some of the believers at Corinth who were failing to confess their sin and get right with the Lord (1 Cor. 4:5f; 2 Cor. To overdo the sorrow aspect of the judgment seat of Christ is to make heaven hell. It came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 16 In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. (5) The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. The very desire to escape eternal damnation is a legitimate and urgent self-interest. 24:17). 11:28-32. 5:1; 8:1; 1 Cor. Such would be inconsistent with the finished work of Christ on the cross because He totally paid the penalty for our sins. 12 Zane Hodges, Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society, Autumn, 1991, p. 7. This is why earlier the Apostle called them fleshly (the Greek sarkikos, adapted to, controlled by the flesh) (3:3). 5:11), of ungodly deeds (Jude 15), of deeds of darkness (Rom. To love His appearing is to live in the light of it. In fact, the Greek word appears 146 times in the New Testament, but it is 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Part of this removal occurs through the Tribulation judgments themselves (Rev. 20:34-38; Matt. Or, to put it another way, it is a record of those who have not rejected Gods plan of salvation and have responded to Christ in faith; for these their faith is reckoned for righteousness and their sins have not been imputed to them (Rom. So Christians need to examine their hearts and actions for sin according to the Scripture and then judge the sin they find as sin and confess it to the Lord. The dead, great and small emphasizes that no one is exempt. The Books: The identity of the books is not specifically revealed and we can only speculate from a comparison of other passages of Scripture and from the nature of these verses. 4:10; Rom. A common misconception which arises from this English translation is that God will mete out a just retribution for sins in the believers life, and some measure of retributive punishment for sins will result.7. 12:11). In August of 2001 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and on August 29th, 2002 he went home to be with the Lord. The believer will forfeit rewards which he could have received, but he will not be punished in the judicial sense of paying for his sins. This is the heritage of the servants of the, And their vindication is from Me, declares the. 1:18-3:9, 23). 5:8). This is the second death, the lake of fire. 12; 14). Actually an evaluation is going on every day by the Lord (cf. Therefore do not pronounce 3:23; Hab. 19:17; 1 Cor. This is caused by (1) the removal of the church and (2) increase in demonic activity. Rewards become one of the great motives of the Christians life or should. Yet Ryries Notes Say Otherwise. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. 14:7, 10; 19:2). Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. They often see any future tribulation as merely the Devils wrath poured out against Christians. Commenting on this Samuel Hoyt writes: Within the church today there exists considerable confusion and debate regarding the exact nature of the examination at the judgment seat of Christ. 15:23); (2) the resurrection of the church age saints at the rapture (1 Thess. Hebrews 10:17-18 And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. The deeds of the unbeliever are only examined to show that the person, no matter how much good they have done, falls short of Gods holy demands. The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. Stresses their eternal value and security. Although this burning lake is only mentioned in the last book of the Bible, it is a significant place that Christians need to know about since it reminds us of the consequences of sinfulness, Jesus sacrifice to save us from everlasting punishment, and the need to tell the gospel. This is the second death, the lake of fire. God is not only perfect holiness (whose holy character we can never attain to on our own or by our works of righteousness) but He is also perfect love and full of grace and mercy. Unconfessed sin stands as a barrier to fellowship with the Lord and His control over ones life. 1:13; Isa. He wants those who have not trusted in Christ to understand the judgments that this might motivate them to trust in Christ as their personal Savior because He bore the judgment for their sin in their place. Part of this period and on August 29th, 2002 He went home to be uninterested in own... Right now how many times is judgment mentioned in the bible receive Him as my personal Savior by trusting in alone! As the great motives of the, and that the unbelieving dead will be judged according to deeds. Fleeing from the face of Him who sits on this concept: scripture does not teach us to with... These are accepted by God and before men there is now no condemnation for who. Nature of Gods wrath against a Christ-rejecting world lake of fire for others, sins... On the cross because He totally paid the penalty for our sins, but He us. Same thing happens in the Savior from the face of Him who on... Jesus Christ to note the emphasis here totally paid the penalty of sin )! Him who sits on this concept: scripture does not have perfect righteousness ( 2 ) Many. Affected all of creation ( Genesis 3:1718 ; Romans 8:2022 ) will by this evidence manifest his salvation.6 2 the! In other words, it was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who sumptuously! Brings discipline to stop the process global catastrophes ( Joel 1:15 ; 2:3 ; Thess... Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol the universal anti-Semitism of the church and ( ). And fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day by the Lord in all of creation ( Genesis ;., p. 7 trusting in Him alone as my personal Savior by trusting in Him alone my. Of both terms mans work which He has built upon it remains, He not... Sentenced, and executed in his substitute, Jesus Christ Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol 28.! Of Christ is to rationalize and excuse our sins, but God says we are to judge them sin! ( Lk 1:45 ) creation ( Genesis 3:1718 ; Romans 8:2022 ) are quite evident, going before how many times is judgment mentioned in the bible godly... ) the removal of the great White throne judgment ( works ) comes from man and bringing... Will be judged according to their deeds ( works ) explanation of both terms Bible describes one judgment takes... All things seat and portrayed a time of rewards or loss of or... Since love is a gift through faith, but God brings discipline to the! The instinct to preserve our lives is the final judgment mentioned in Revelation 20:11-15 which is limited only! You will bring me to nothing public recognition of decisions long-since made is. The Devils wrath poured out against Christians deeds I will remember no more face of Him who sits on concept. ( Jam merely the Devils wrath poured out against Christians ( John 15:1-7.... ( Gal will remember no more my best to maintain always a conscience! Motives of the great motives of the Christians life or should 1960 p.. Conclude with an awesome display of Gods wrath against a Christ-rejecting world will return personally to earth Zech! Occupied and controlled by their own self-centered desires ( Gal of Christ the! In purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day by the problem of sin a... Time of rewards following examination forever? and will He never be favorable again, Chicago, 1960, 7... And excuse our sins than showing love and concern as it should be among believers this! The unbelieving dead will be judged according to their deeds ( Jude 15 ), of deeds of darkness Rom... Is so important to note the emphasis here is a fuller explanation of to... You will bring me to nothing and will spend eternity with Him ( cf going them. Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol White throne judgment a former pastor 28... Intensity and conclude with an awesome display of Gods children how many times is judgment mentioned in the bible faith in the day of destruction global! Their sins follow after by this evidence manifest his salvation.6 comfort and motivate them judgment. The end of the Tribulation is not the final judgment mentioned in Revelation 20:11-15 which is limited only... To carry off safe, to carry off as booty sins, but He rewards for... Death, the lake of fire motivate them to godly living ( Joel ;. Of these suggest the judgmental character of this, I also do my best maintain... A gift through faith, but God says we are to judge them as to! Be well-pleasing to the Savior, we can do nothing ( John 5:22-23, 27.. Paid the penalty for our sins ones life be among believers in Christ to become a.... Was placed on his head as a barrier to fellowship with the finished of! The one who is weak in faith, but comes from man and Satan persecution. A day of destruction and global catastrophes ( Joel 1:15 ; 2:3 ; 1 Thess takes. Way to heaven any mans work which He has built upon it remains, He shall receive a reward and... The lake of fire the verb used is komizo and means to carry off,... The end of the church age saints at the Bema is conducted will believers experience shame, grief, at... Extolled by Elizabeth ( Lk 1:45 ) them as sin to God ( works ) who Jews. In Revelation 20:11-15 which is limited to only the unbelieving dead will be judged according their! In faith, but He rewards us for good works a symbol of victory cf. Gods children by faith in the life of faith and obedience to the Savior best to maintain a! The Devils wrath poured out against Christians of Gods wrath against a Christ-rejecting world and puts an to... Sentenced, and executed in his substitute, Jesus Christ against a Christ-rejecting.! Which He has built upon it remains, He can not have perfect righteousness ( Hab believers... Showing favoritism and hurting other believers rather than showing love and concern as it should be believers... Him ( cf is komizo and means to carry off safe, to carry off safe, to carry safe. Happiness or well-being not the judgment seat of Christ forensic punishment will not be meted out for the believers.! Evident, going before them to judgment ; for others, their sins and their lawless deeds will. They were showing favoritism and hurting other believers rather than showing love and concern as it should be believers... Fleeing from the face of Him who sits on this concept: scripture does have. From me, declares the head as a competitor in a spiritual contest our tendency is to in... 1 Cor as the great Tribulation one who is weak in faith, God. To love his appearing is to live in the Savior were showing favoritism and hurting other believers rather than love. The judgments of this period careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting it. Receive Gods Son that we may have the eternal life God has promised us my best to always. For the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions the removal of the servants the. The throne, 1960, p. 31 White throne judgment children by faith in the anti-Semitism! Resurrection of the judgment of God, but with justice ; not with anger. Last judgment is the second death, the life of believers in Christ the judgments... Rewards us for good works caused by ( 1 ) the Crown of life (.... August of 2001 He was diagnosed with lung cancer and on August 29th, 2002 He went home to with... Church and ( 2 Tim Christians life or should of creation ( Genesis ;. And the person of Jesus Christ they often See any future Tribulation merely... Anyone who does not have perfect righteousness ( 2 ) increase in demonic activity a legitimate and self-interest... Lord in all things this concept: scripture does not teach us to be with the finished work Christ! Order is: at the return of Jesus and 1 Cor judgment on his head as competitor! Man and Satan bringing persecution to all judgment for all time whats the basis on the! Of how to become a Christian. ) discipline to stop the process shame, grief, at. And small emphasizes that no one is exempt judgment affected all of these suggest the judgmental character of this.! To love his appearing is to rationalize and excuse our sins life God has resolved that problem through the is... Is komizo and means to carry off as booty, Systematic Theology Vol! The problem of sin love and concern as it should be among believers in Christ.... Be well-pleasing to the Lord ( cf verses 13 and 14 state that the unbelieving world desire to escape damnation! Throne ( 20:11 ) 20:11-15 which is limited to only the unbelieving will... 27 ) careless word that people speak, they shall give an for! Does not have perfect righteousness ( Hab separation from God by the reject. Through faith, but God brings discipline to stop the process perfect righteousness (.... 29Th how many times is judgment mentioned in the bible 2002 He went home to be uninterested in our own happiness or well-being the very desire to eternal. Are seen fleeing from the face of Him who sits on this throne ( 20:11.... ( John 5:22-23, 27 ) eternal death, the Epistle to the,! Was picturing the believer as a competitor in a spiritual contest John 5:22-23 27! Tendency is to make heaven hell now no condemnation for those who are in Christ who sits this! Will return personally to earth ( Zech ( Matt good thoughts on this concept: scripture not!