Events Following the Rapture

I. The Bema Judgment

Introduction- What is the ‘bema’ seat?

Raised platform

Raised platform

Seat on the platform

Official seat of a judge (evaluate evidence) , 16-17)

Place where umpire at the Grecian games awarded contestants (evaluate performance)

I. The time of the Bema Seat is after the Rapture.

Reward accompanies the resurrection of the righteous ()

Seat on the platform

says that the “bride” has already been rewarded when the lord returns to reign ()

Official seat of a judge (evaluate evidence) , )

The reward is always associated with “that day”

Place where umpire at the Grecian games awarded contestants (evaluate performance)

A. The time of the Bema Judgment is after the Rapture.

Reward accompanies the resurrection of the righteous ()

Luke 14:12–14 CSB

He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

says that the “bride” has already been rewarded when the lord returns to reign ()

Revelation 19:6–8 CSB

Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters, and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying, Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints.

The reward is always associated with “that day” , , ).

1 Corinthians 4:5 CSB

So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

2 Timothy 4:8 CSB

There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.

Revelation 22:12 CSB

“Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work.

B. The place of the Bema Judgment is the heavenlies.

,

1 Thessalonians 4:12 CSB

so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.

2 Corinthians 5:1–8 CSB

For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:12 CSB

so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.

1 Thessalonians 4:2 CSB

For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 CSB

Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:1–8 CSB

For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

C. The judge at the Bema Judgment is Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10 CSB

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

John 5:22 CSB

The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son,

Romans 14:10 CSB

But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

D. The subjects of the Bema Judgment are believers from the Church Age.

1. Only believers could ‘have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens’.

Only believers could experience ‘mortality… and be swallowed up by life.’

2. Only believers could experience ‘mortality… and be swallowed up by life.’

Only to believers has God given ‘the Spirit as a down payment’.

Only to believers has God given ‘the Spirit as a down payment’.

Only the believer can have confidence that ‘while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.’

Only the believer can ‘walk by faith and not by sight.’

E. The basis of examination at the Bema Judgment are a believers works.

Not to determine one’s salvation.

Not to judge one’s sins.

Hebrews 10:17 CSB

and I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts.

F. The purpose of the Bema Judgment is to reveal the motive and value of one’s works.

The word appear is better translated ‘make manifest’

2 Corinthians 5:10 CSB

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

2. - the Lord will reveal the motive of our hearts and devotion to Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:2–5 CSB

In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful. It is of little importance to me that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even judge myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me. So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

1 Corinthians 4:2–5 CSB

In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful. It is of little importance to me that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even judge myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me. So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

Ephesians 6:6–8 CSB

Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people, knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.

3. The Lord will reveal the value usefulness of our works to his kingdom. ()

2 Corinthians 5:10 CSB

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

a. Good - acceptable for use

b. Evil- is not the word for moral or ethical right and wrong (kalos or poneras), but instead Phaulos- it means ‘good for nothing, or not useful.

G. The result of the Bema Judgment is a reward received or a reward lost.

1 Corinthians 3:14–15 CSB

If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:14-15)

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 CSB

If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

Gold, silver, precious stones- valuable

Wood, hay or straw- Worthless

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 CSB

Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 John 2:28 CSB

So now, little children, remain in him so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

2 John 8 CSB

Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.

Luke 19:26 CSB

“ ‘I tell you, that to everyone who has, more will be given; and from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away.

3. Five areas of reward:

Crown incorruptible-mastery over the old man and its desires for self

Crown of rejoicing- winning the lost to evangelism ;19

Crown of life- enduring trials Jame 1:12

Crown of righteousness- loving his appearing

Crown of glory- feeding the flock of God

II. Marriage of the Lamb