The Judgment Seat of Christ

2 Thessalonians 2:11 reveals that as a form of judgment for man’s refusal to repent and believe while there was time and opportunity, a strong delusion will be sent upon man and they will refuse to repent.

All of this led me to speculate that perhaps few to no Gentiles would be saved during the tribulation, contrary to what I had always thought.

However…

Revelation 7:9-13

Revelation 7:9–13 ESV

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?”

Revelation 7:9-13 reveals that there WILL be people of ALL nations, tribes, and languages that WILL believe and come out of the Great Tribulation.

Everything I stated before IS TRUE.

The Tribulation IS about Israel

It IS the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecies.

A partial hardening HAS come upon Israel until the Time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.

A strong delusion WILL be sent and they WILL believe it.

However, my understanding of THE TIME OF THE GENTILES was incorrect.

I had concluded that the Time of the Gentiles ended at the rapture.

The Time of the Gentiles ends at the conclusion of the Tribulation

However, it seems more likely that is connected to Daniel’s visions and prophecies (which we will consider next week) and that it stretches until the end of the Tribulation, when the power of the Gentile nations finally fails for the last time.

The Time of the Gentiles will fail when Christ COMES and puts an end to it all, and rules perfectly.

The partial hardening will END at the end of the Tribulation when Jesus comes again, when all the world will see His coming and Israel will weep and wail on account of Him.

It is here that it is believed MOST of Israel will turn toward Him in repentance and faith.

Many WILL believe the strong delusion, but Revelation 7 makes clear that ALL NATIONS and TRIBES and LANGUAGES coming out of the tribulation will be worshipping Him, which means all NATIONS will be repenting. Not just Israel.

I apologize for the inaccuracy of my former assertion.

It is still quite possible that many fewer Gentiles will be repenting, but it does appear that SOME at least will be.

As we move forward today, we move into the Judgment Seat of Christ or the BEMA Seat.

In Revelation, we will see two different and very distinct “Judgments.”

The BEMA Seat or the Judgment Seat of Christ

This will be for us, for believers

The Great White Throne Judgment.

This will be for unbelievers and will come at the END of the Millennium.

We will come back to this one later in our study.

At this point, sequentially, right after the rapture, the BEMA Seat, or the Judgment Seat of Christ will take place.

This judgment is for believers.

It is not about condemnation or wrath, but about an account of our works done for Him, about our stewardship of our resources, gifts, services, etc in the service of the Kingdom.

After the rapture, the church will face the judgment of seat (or BEMA - Greek) of Christ.

Romans 8:1, which we have considered on numerous occasions, reminds us that we will NEVER face condemnation or wrath for our sins…those having been properly and permanently addressed through Jesus on the cross.

We WILL however face an accounting of our actions for God.

As we are STEWARDS.

As stewards, we are only caretakers of someone else’s things. In this case, God’s.

And when the master returns, we will given an account of what we have done with HIS things, how we have managed and cared for it while He was away.

In Matthew 24-25, where Jesus is giving his disciples some understanding of the last days, of the coming judgments, he also gives them some parables to teach them how they ought to be living WHILE THEY WAIT for those days to come.

Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14–30 ESV

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

This text reminds us that we have been entrusted with THE MASTER’s possessions. Our skills, talents, and gifts ARE HIS for HIS use and purpose.

What we do with them…matters.

Those who squander and do NOTHING with it, may well reveal a lack of relationship with the master.

This parable DOES NOT teach a works based salvation, rather only that we WILL BE, as his followers, using our gifts, talents, and possessions FOR HIS WILL AND GLORY. Failure to do so is disobedience and foolishness.

A complete lack of doing anything for Him may well reveal an absence of true faith and salvation.

BUT, it showcases the point, the reality of what the Judgment Seat of Christ is all about.

An accounting before God of what we have done with what He has given to us.

This is not the only place we see these things though.

The teaching of our facing the BEMA seat of Christ is seen in a couple places.

Body

BEMA Seat

Romans 14:8-10

Romans 14:8–10 ESV

8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 ESV

11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 ESV

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

2 Corinthians 5:10

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Let me begin by saying and reemphasizing, this is NOT about being saved by works.

This is NOT about gaining favor before God BY OUR WORKS.

Ephesians 2:8-9 is a solid go to arsenal verse reminding us where our standing before the Lord comes from.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

We can do NOTHING to earn favor with God.

HOWEVER, Ephesians 2:10 does reveal that our works are connected to the work that God does in our lives.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We are saved TO do good works.

Our salvation WILL result in good works

As our life is transformed by the power of His grace and the work of His Spirit within us, the FRUIT of the Spirit WILL flow out of us. Good works WILL result as we are ever transformed in the image of His Son.

If this is not happening, we ought to be concerned and ask why.

Let’s come back to one passage in particular for a moment.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 ESV

Our works will be tested

Tim LaHaye in his book, A Quick Look at the Rapture and the Second Coming includes this chart.

In it, he gives some insight into what this testing of our works will look like.

Good works - Ephesians 2:10

Quality - Matthew 25:14-30

In this parable, his servants were given different amounts. The first two returned that investment with quality work. Each doubling their allotment.

The last servant hid it, afraid to do anything with. His quality was non existent.

Quantity - Luke 19:11-27

This parable, though similar to Matthew’s is distinct enough to be kept separate and treated as a unique parable, not a parallel account.

In this one, ten servants were given one mina each (about four months wage)

Only three are shown for their accounting, but one returned 10 fold, 1 five, and one, like Matthew’s accounting, hid the money and did nothing with and his return was zero.

This parable shows the quantity of return upon the stewardship given.

Time - Matthew 20:1-16

This parable is about those who work for varying lengths of the day but all getting paid the same in the end.

Point is, we must be good stewards of the time we have. We must be faithful to stand true and fast and in the end, God will bless and reward that faithfulness.

Bad works

Good works done with evil motives - Matthew 6:2

Matthew 6:2 ESV

2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

The hypocrites gave to the needy and helped others, not because they loved God or because they loved the needy but because they loved self.

They did good things because they wanted the praise of man.

And they got their reward

Hidden counsels - 1 Corinthians 4:5

1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

The motives and intentions of the heart.

Known only to the person…and perhaps only to God Himself (we can be self deceived).

These hidden motives, the secret counsels of our hearts that often motivate and drive our decisions will be exposed.

We will be judged by them. Things that no one sees, that we think don’t matter because no one knows.

God knows and we will be held accountable for them.

Unconfessed sin - 1 John 1:9

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Repentance is not a once and done act.

It is a lifestyle.

We must keep short accounts with God and with others.

We must invite community to help us do so.

Warning - 2 John 8

2 John 8 ESV

8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

Show Chart Again

This is NOT a salvation issue…

BUT IT IS a stewardship and relational issue.

There is the threat of shame and regret for not living well for His glory while we had opportunity.

Yes, God will end up wiping away every tear and there will be no sorrow or regret, or shame in heaven because God will wipe out sin and every part of its curse, but our love for God OUGHT to compel us to WANT to live fully and passionately for Him to avoid ever not meeting the potential that He and His Spirit have given to us through their presence with us.

Is SHOULD NOT be primarily about avoiding shame at being a poor steward BUT it ought to be about doing all to please the one whom we love, who loves us and gave Himself to die in our place.

If we make this about us and about the avoidance of shame, we have made it a self centered, selfish problem.

I remember living as a kid with this as my focus. I did not want to be ashamed that I did not do enough for Him.

But you can get so focused on that, that you actually make it about yourself.

As we consider this topic of the judgement seat of Christ, please keep in perspective, we strive to live as good stewards BECAUSE OF OUR LOVE FOR GOD. We WANT to please Him because we love him. We WANT to be faithful because we are unselfishly choosing for God’s highest good.

It is not about the avoidance of shame, but about pleasing the heart of our God, our King, Our Father, Our Savior, Our Abba, Our Friend, Our Groom.

The two great enemies we face in this are laziness and selfishness. Do not let these enemies keep you from pleasing the heart of Him who created and saved you for His own pleasure.

The Judgement Seat (BEMA - Greek) is about God’s rewards for our faithfulness to Him.

5 Crowns

Incorruptible Crown - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 ESV

This is also referred to the Victor’s crown.

It will be conferred upon those who keep their body under control and bring it into subjection.

It is given to those who win the war for self-control, Spirit control.

It is given to those who have purged themselves from the enticements of the flesh and the world and who have devoted themselves to faithful service to God.

Crown of Life - James 1:12; Revelation 2:10

James 1:12 ESV

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Revelation 2:10 ESV

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

This is the martyr’s crown or the sufferer’s crown

This is given to those who are tortured, who suffer and endure great affliction for the sake of Christ.

This is given to those who are faithful to God, even unto the death.

Crown of Glory - 1 Peter 5:2-4

1 Peter 5:2–4 ESV

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

This is known as the shepherd’s crown or the pastor’s crown

It will be reserved for those who have given their lives to the teaching of God’s word, the shepherding of His flock, and equipping of God’s people for the work of ministry.

This would include all who teach the bible. Teachers, Bible School instructors, Disciplers, Sunday School teachers, etc.

Crown of Righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:12-14

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

8 Henceforth 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.

A special crown will be given to those whose lives are marked by a longing desire for the return of Jesus.

Those lives, lives that are anxiously and eagerly awaiting the coming of the Lord, are seeking the Lord, pressing into Him, serving Him.

And as they do, those lives are being purified, strengthened, and made more like Christ.

Titus 2:11–14 ESV

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

There is a purifying affect on the lives of those who are ACTIVELY and PASSIONATELY awaiting the return of Jesus.

Not just desiring it or wanting it, but ACTIVELY living in light of it, eagerly anticipating the imminency of it.

Those kinds of lives are LIVING faithfully, awaiting it.

And those lives are lives living in sync with the Spirit whose work becomes evident in their lives.

Crown of Rejoicing - 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

1 Thessalonians 2:17–20 ESV

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

This was is also referred to as the “Soul winners crown.”

This will be given to those who have devoted great attention to the salvation of the lost.

This is not always seen or known by all, or by many.

As LaHaye calls them, they are the unsung heros who are devoted to bringing the lost to salvation and they will be presented with crowns for their faithfulness.

Will they be literal crowns?

Maybe. We are told that we will cast them back at his feet.

Revelation 4:9-10

Revelation 4:9–10 ESV

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

The 24 elders here are believed to be representatives of the church.

They are believed to represent the church

And here, we see that these crowns are being cast at the feet of Jesus.

BEMA’s Timing

Since the casting of the crowns appears here in Revelation BEFORE the events of the tribulation, we surmise that the BEMA seat of Jesus takes place immediately following the rapture and before the beginning of the Tribulation period.

Also, we see in Revelation 19:6-10…

Revelation 19:6–10 ESV

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Right after this, we will return with Him to earth

As we see in this text, we are clothed in white, which represents the righteous deeds of the saints.

This infers that the BEMA seat has already happened and we are cleansed and clean at this point.

What does it all mean?

Meaning

Some have contended that crowns mean authority and as such, this conferring of crowns is God’s position and assigning us places of leadership and influence during the Millennial reign.

Problem is, this is speculative at best, I think. Might be true…might not be. There is no written or stated proof to this effect.

It could encourage some to strive for all the wrong reasons, vieing for power instead of the pleasure of the king.

There is a danger of focusing on rewards too much, or too deeply in that it can cause us to get distracted from that which really matters. We can become driven to ACHIEVE, to SUCCEED, to EARN instead of just focusing on loving God and being faithful.

We teach these truths because they are here. They are in scripture.

They compel us to be faithful.

But we need to be careful that we keep it in its proper place.

THEY SHOW US THAT GOD will honor our faithfulness, that it pleases Him, and that HE WILL ACKNOWLEDGE every act of faith, obedience, righteous living, suffering, and pain we give in our obedience to Him

It encourages us to keep on despite the challenges, despite the weariness, despite the sorrow, the grief, the disappointment, etc

BECAUSE

we know

that God cares.

God sees it all.

And God will respond rightly to it all.

Keep the perspective right.

Keep it on course.

Keep it on JESUS. On God. On the Spirit.

Truth is, we will give all the “rewards” back to Him anyway. We know we are not worthy of them and we will cast them back in worship and humility.

JUST BE FAITHFUL.

Look Up

Press On

For the love of the King

Press on.

Be faithful.

Strive to do all to be a faithful steward of what you have been given so as to please the heart of the King who gave Himself for you, who died in your place, and rose again to make you His own.

Conclusion

Big Idea: God will honor and reward every act given to Him in selfless sincerity of faith and devoted passion.

What did Jesus tell His disciples about being great in the kingdom of God?

Matthew 20:26-28

Matthew 20:26–28 ESV

26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

To be great in the kingdom is to be humble, to be a servant.

And you cannot fein or fake that, for even the hidden counsels of the heart will be exposed and revealed.

And the humble in heart will not vie for position. They will love and serve simply because they are loved and have been served the King of kings.

Live humbly.

Live with sincerity of faith

Live with devoted passion

Be faithful

and trust, and know, GOD SEES ALL and He is pleased when he sees a heart that is FULLY his.

He WILL acknowledge every bit of, in its due time.

Here is the final admonishment and encouragement…

Revelation 3:11

Revelation 3:11 ESV

11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

2 John 8

2 John 8 ESV

8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

Stripping the focus away from selfish gain, let me put it like this…

LIVE the life that God has given you TO IT’s FULLEST that you may enjoy the future He is preparing to it’s fullest.

Live the life of Godliness WITH NO REGRETS.

Live with utter abandon and deepest passion BECAUSE GOD IS INFINITELY worth it.

Run will ETERNITY in view and lay it all down for Him.

Trust the promise of Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Obviously use wisdom to embrace the Sabbath rest’s that God has prescribed, but when you are pursuing Him faithfully, when you are keeping in step with the Spirit, when you are walking with Christ, trust that HIS STRENGTH AND GRACE will be there to empower and embolden each step.

He WILL honor every step of faith, every act of obedience, every shred of faithfulness that you offer to Him.

Only live worthy of Him.

We cannot lose our salvation

But we CAN reach the end of our life here and have little to show for our lives of Christian service.

We CAN get lazy and apathetic, being lulled into a life of ease and laziness instead of living diligently for Him.

May this not be true of you. Of me.

We all have spiritual gifts and abilities.

We all ARE expected to be faithfully serving and giving for His sake.

We ARE all expected to use those gifts to serve WITHIN the body of Christ, within the dying world, and for His glory.

So…use every moment you have FOR Him. BECAUSE you love him. Because He is worth it.

AND TRUST, HE WILL HONOR every act given to Him in the selfless sincerity of faith and devotion.

Big Idea: God will honor and reward every act given to Him in selfless sincerity of faith and devoted passion.

Application

How can we ensure that our actions are rooted in selfless sincerity and faithfulness to God?

What does it look like to be a faithful steward of the gifts God has given you?

In what ways can we actively prepare for the Judgment Seat of Christ in our daily lives?

How can understanding the concept of the BEMA Seat influence your choices and actions as a young Christian?

Reflect on the five crowns mentioned. How can striving for spiritual rewards deepen your relationship with God?

What practical steps can you take to be more mindful of your motivations in serving others?

How can we help each other in our community to stay accountable in using our gifts for God's glory?

How does understanding God’s perspective on rewards impact your faithfulness in small, everyday actions?

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