On my previous blog post (https://simplycornish.wordpress.com/2023/11/07/where-are-we-headed/) I included a Prophetic End Times Table. One of the events on that Time Table was the Judgment of Believers’ Works. So, I thought I might share a study I put together in booklet form for my Sunday School Class years ago while studying end times. I found it to be a good reminder to me of how I should be living in view of Christ’s imminent return. (Imminent, meaning that something could happen at any moment and that nothing has to occur before that mement takes place.) My prayer is that I will not stand before my Savior empty handed. May I have crowns to cast at His feet!
The “Bema” Judgment Seat of Christ Bema (greek) = judgment seat.
In the large Olympic arena, this seat is the large seat where the judge of the contest sat. After the contests were over, the successful competitors would assemble before the bema to receive the reward or crowns. The bema was not a judicial bench where someone was condemned; it was a reward seat.
The Christian life is a race, and the divine umpire is watching every contestant. After the church has run her course, He will gather every member before the bema for the purpose of examining each one and giving the proper reward to each. (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:10)
Purpose of the Bema Judgment:
IS NOT:
1. To determine whether an individual enters heaven or not. That is determined before he leaves this life.
2. To punish believers for sins committed either before or after their salvation. (Isa.44:22; Micah 7:19; Heb. 8:12; 1 John 1:7)
IS: All stewards will stand before their Lord and Master and be required to give an account of the way they have used their privileges and responsibilities from the moment of their conversion. (1 Peter 4:10)
Materials to be Tested:
FOUNDATION: The repentant sinner is placed on the foundation of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. (1 Cor. 3:10-13)
BUILDING MATERIALS:
1. Gold, silver, precious stones (Work to get)
Indestructible and worthy objects
Surive and thrive in the fires
2. Wood, hay, stubble (Easy to Get)
Destrutible and Worthless
Totally consumed in the fires
What Makes Up “Golden/Stubble” Work??
GENERAL AREAS IN WHICH GOD IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED:
1. How we treat other believers.
God will not forget your labor of love toward other saints. (Heb. 6:10)
Receiving and giving in the right spirit will be rewarded. ( Mt. 10:41,42 )
2. How we exercise authority over others.
Obey them over you. (Heb. 13:17)
Stricter judgment for teachers. (Jas 3:1)
3. How we employ our God-given abilities.
Stir up the gift in you. (2 Tim. 1:6)
Employ your gifts in serving one another. (1 Peter 4:10)
4. How we use our money.
Be a cheerful (hilarious) giver. (2 Cor. 9, 6,7)
Rich not to be high-minded, not to trust in their riches, and to do good with that which God has given them. (1 Tim 6:17-19)
First day of week lay in store as God has prospered. (1 Cor. 16:2)
5. How much we suffer for Jesus.
Blessed are you, when men shall revile and persecute you. (Mat. 5, 11,12)
Think it not strange concerning fiery trials. (Mat. 10, 29,30)
Light affliction is for a moment, working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. 4:17)
Present suffered not worthy to be compared with our future glory. (Rom. 8:18)
6. How we spend our time.
Redeem the time as the days are evil. (Eph. 5:16)
Walk in wisdom redeeming the time. (Col. 4:5)
Knowing the Father judges fairly every man’s works, pass your time here in fear. (1 Peter 1 :17)
7. How we run that particular race which God has chosen for us.
All run, but one receives the prize…run to obtain. (1 Cor. 9:24)
Forget the past, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ. (Phil. 3:13, 14)
Set aside every weight and sin, run with patience the race set before us.
(Heb 12:1)
That we can rejoice in the day of the Lord, that we have not run in vain.
(Phil 2:16)
8. How effectively we control the old nature (flesh).
Every man that strives for mastery is temperate in all things. (1 Cor. 9:25-27)
9. How many souls we witness to and win for Christ.
He that wins souls is wise. (Prov. 11:30) |
The saved will be our crown of rejoicing at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 2:19-20)
They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever. (Dan. 12:3)
10. How we react to temptation.
Call it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations, knowing the trying of our faith works patience. (Jas. 1:2-3)
The devil imprisons us to try us, but those faithful unto death will receive a crown of life. (Rev. 2:10)
11. How much the doctrine of the rapture means to us. |
A crown of righteousness is laid up for those who love His appearing. (2 Tim 4:8)
12. How faithful we are to the Word of God and the flock of God.
Feed the flock; oversee willingly, not for money. Not lording it over, but being an example. (1 Peter 5:2-4)
The charge—Preach the Word. (2 Tim. 4:1,2)
As overseers of the flock, feed (with whole counsel of God) the church of God. (Acts 20:26-28)
The Results of the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ:
1. Some will receive rewards:
“If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (1 Cor. 3:14)
The rewards include:
- The Incorruptible Crown-given to those who master the old nature (1 Cor.9:25-27)
- The Crown of Life-given to soul-winners (Prov. 11:30; 1 Thess. 2:29, 20; Dan. 12:3)
- The Crown of Righteousness—given to those who especially love the doctrine of the rapture (2 Tim. 4:8)
- The Crown of Glory—given to faithful preachers and teachers (1 Peter 5:2-4; 2 Tim. 4:1,2; Acts 20:26-28)
It has been suggested that these “crowns” will actually be talents and abilities with which to glorify Christ. Thus, the greater the reward, the greater the ability. (Luke 19:11-19; 2 Tim. 2:12)
2. Some will suffer loss:
“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss.” (1 Cor. 3:15)
Believers themselves will not be lost, but they will not receive much reward and will stand with empty hands before the One who bought with His own blood the life they wasted.
Simply Cornish 