The Judgement Seats of Christ!

What Awaits Every Christian!

The concept of divine judgement stands as one of the most sobering yet hopeful doctrines within Christian theology. While many Christians understand that Christ will judge the world, fewer grasp the nuanced reality that believers themselves will stand before specific judgement seats of Christ. This examination is not about salvation, which is secured through faith, but rather about accountability for how we've lived our Christian lives.

The Bema Seat: A Judgement of Believers' Works

The primary judgement seat Christians will face is what scholars often call the "Bema Seat," derived from the Greek word used in Scripture. This judgement concerns not our salvation but our service.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV)

This judgement evaluates the quality and motivation of our works as believers. Paul elaborates on this process with a powerful metaphor:

"Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (1 Corinthians 3:12-15 KJV)

Here we see that while salvation remains secure, our works undergo testing. Those done with proper motives and in alignment with God's will (represented by gold, silver, and precious stones) endure and receive rewards. Those done with improper motives or not according to God's will (represented by wood, hay, and stubble) are burned away, resulting in loss of reward—though not loss of salvation.

The Criteria of Judgement

What exactly will Christ evaluate at His judgement seat? Scripture provides several insights:

• Our motives: "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." (1 Corinthians 4:5 KJV)
• Our words: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36 KJV)
• Our stewardship: "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV)
• Our treatment of others: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (Matthew 7:1-2 KJV)

The Great White Throne: A Different Judgement

In contrast to the Bema Seat stands another judgement seat described in Revelation—the Great White Throne Judgement. While the Bema concerns believers, this throne concerns those who have rejected Christ:

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." (Revelation 20:11-12 KJV)

This solemn judgement evaluates those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Unlike believers who face judgement for rewards, these face judgement for condemnation.

Crowns as Rewards

Scripture speaks of various crowns that believers may receive at the judgement seat:

• The Incorruptible Crown for self-discipline: "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV)
• The Crown of Rejoicing for evangelism: "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19 KJV)
• The Crown of Righteousness for loving Christ's appearing: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8 KJV)
• The Crown of Life for enduring trials: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12 KJV)
• The Crown of Glory for faithful shepherding: "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Peter 5:4 KJV)

Living in Light of Future Judgement

How should awareness of Christ's judgement seat impact our daily Christian walk?

First, it should inspire holy living: "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." (2 Corinthians 5:9 KJV)

Second, it should motivate faithful service: "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:21 KJV)

Third, it should encourage perseverance: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9 KJV)

Fourth, it should cultivate eternal perspective: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 KJV)

The Mercy Within Judgement

Though the prospect of standing before Christ's judgement seat may seem daunting, we must remember that this judgement comes from the One who loved us enough to die for us. His evaluation is perfect, just, and merciful.

Furthermore, for believers, this judgement represents not condemnation but commendation—an opportunity to hear those wonderful words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

May we live each day with the awareness that we will give an account to Christ, allowing this reality to shape our priorities, purify our motives, and propel our service—all to the glory of Him who will one day sit upon that judgement seat…

Key Takeaways:

• Believers will stand before the Bema Seat of Christ: This judgement evaluates our works, motives and service—not our salvation status, which is already secure through faith.
• Our works will be tested by fire: Works done with proper motives (gold, silver, precious stones) endure and receive rewards, while those with improper motives (wood, hay, stubble) are burned away.
• Christ will judge specific aspects of our lives: These include our motives, our words, our stewardship of resources, and our treatment of others.
• The Great White Throne Judgement is different: While believers face the Bema Seat for rewards, unbelievers face the Great White Throne for condemnation.
• Various crowns await faithful believers: Scripture describes specific rewards for self-discipline, evangelism, loving Christ's appearing, enduring trials, and faithful shepherding.
• Understanding future judgement should transform our present living: It should inspire holiness, motivate faithful service, encourage perseverance, and cultivate an eternal perspective.
• Christ's judgement is ultimately merciful: For believers, this judgement represents an opportunity for commendation, not condemnation—a chance to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant."