Returning to the Biblical Bema: The Judgment Seat of Christ

[asterisktom]

All of creation will, some way or other, appear before our Creator. Wherever our eschatology has led us (rightly of wrongly) I hope we all realize this fact. We must avoid any teaching that robs these necessary Bema passages of their intended convicting power.

Returning to the Biblical Bema: The Judgment Seat of Christ

 

[37818]

All of creation will, some way or other, appear before our Creator. Wherever our eschatology has led us (rightly of wrongly) I hope we all realize this fact. We must avoid any teaching that robs these necessary Bema passages of their intended convicting power.

Returning to the Biblical Bema: The Judgment Seat of Christ

Romans 14:10, But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10, 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.

 

[asterisktom]

Romans 14:10, But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10, 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.

I'm not sure why you are quoting these verses. I quoted them also in my article.

 

[John of Japan]

Not a single lexicon referred to in the article. Not a single extra-biblical source (TDNT, etc.).

The article appears to say that there will be punishment of Christians at the bema. If that be true, then Jesus did not die for all our sins, and we believers have sins not covered under the blood of Christ. However, this is contra good soteriology and many passages such as:

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Rom. 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Rom. 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {by the offence...: or, by one offence} {by the righteousness...: or, by one righteousness}
Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

[37818]

I'm not sure why you are quoting these verses. I quoted them also in my article.

Two reasons.
1) The sole two passages to Christ's "Bema" Seat.
2) I am a Biblical futurist.

Revelation 20:11-15. Hebrews 10:17, And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

 

[Charlie24]

All of creation will, some way or other, appear before our Creator. Wherever our eschatology has led us (rightly of wrongly) I hope we all realize this fact. We must avoid any teaching that robs these necessary Bema passages of their intended convicting power.

Returning to the Biblical Bema: The Judgment Seat of Christ

The Bema seat is for only believers that will be judged on the good and bad according their building on the "foundation of Christ."

Paul explains this in 1 Cor. 3.

Those who appear at the Bema Seat of Christ have no sin, they have been washed by the Blood of the Lamb.

 

[37818]

The Bema seat is for only believers . . . .

There is zero Biblical support for that concept "for only believers" of Christ's "Bema" seat. Matthew 25:31-46.

And I am a Biblical futurist.

 

[Charlie24]

There is zero Biblical support for that concept "for only believers" of Christ's "Bema" seat. Matthew 25:31-46.

And I am a Biblical futurist.

Notice after Paul tells us (1 Cor. 3:11-15) our works we built on the foundation of Christ will be tested by fire, if our works pass the test of fire we will receive a reward, it those works are burned up and don't pass the test, vs. 15, we will still be saved despite the loss of our works on the building of the foundation of Christ.

This is not the judgement on salvation, it's the judgement of all the saved and their works according to right and wrong on what we have done for Christ.

 

[Charlie24]

Notice after Paul tells us (1 Cor. 3:11-15) our works we built on the foundation of Christ will be tested by fire, if our works pass the test of fire we will receive a reward, it those works are burned up and don't pass the test, vs. 15, we will still be saved despite the loss of our works on the building of the foundation of Christ.

This is not the judgement on salvation, it's the judgement of all the saved and their works according to right and wrong on what we have done for Christ.

Our salvation is not based on our works, it's based on purely faith in the finished work of Christ.

This is where the old saying is true, you can be wrong on all Biblical doctrine, but if you get the "Foundation" right which is Jesus Christ, you will make it.

 

[asterisktom]

Not a single lexicon referred to in the article. Not a single extra-biblical source (TDNT, etc.).

The article appears to say that there will be punishment of Christians at the bema. If that be true, then Jesus did not die for all our sins, and we believers have sins not covered under the blood of Christ. However, this is contra good soteriology and many passages such as:

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Rom. 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Rom. 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {by the offence...: or, by one offence} {by the righteousness...: or, by one righteousness}
Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

[Charlie24]

Our salvation is not based on our works, it's based on purely faith in the finished work of Christ.

This is where the old saying is true, you can be wrong on all Biblical doctrine, but if you get the "Foundation" right which is Jesus Christ, you will make it.

The foundation of all that's found in Scripture is Jesus Christ.

More specifically the purpose of His death, burial and resurrection, it's what Paul called "my Gospel" and it's ours also.

All the doctrines in Scripture are built on this foundation.

The foundation is what we must get right to enter into the Kingdom of God.

 

[asterisktom]

The lexicons were referred to before I wrote this article. I assumed that the verses would have had sufficient weight.

It's funny, in another group I was faulted for supposedly relying on extra-biblical sources. Neither am I saying that Christians will be condemned. Maybe you should quit reading my posts solely for ammunition.

 

[37818]

John 5;29, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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.

 

[Charlie24]

John 5;29, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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.

The Judgment Seat of Christ is the judgment for the saved. they are saved and have no sin, they are judged on what they did for Christ, but they are still saved no matter the loss of works for Christ that did not pass the test of God.

The Great White Throne of Judgment in Rev. 20:11-15 is for all the lost. They are called up and judged for their works and cast in the Lake of fire.

Did you notice vs. 11-15 are the judgment for all of mankind?

! Cor. 3:11-15 for the saved, and Rev. 20: 11-15 for the lost.

 

[JonC]

Not a single lexicon referred to in the article. Not a single extra-biblical source (TDNT, etc.).

The article appears to say that there will be punishment of Christians at the bema. If that be true, then Jesus did not die for all our sins, and we believers have sins not covered under the blood of Christ. However, this is contra good soteriology and many passages such as:

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Rom. 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Rom. 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {by the offence...: or, by one offence} {by the righteousness...: or, by one righteousness}
Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Is there a difference between coming under condemnation and being judged according to one's deeds?

I ask because of these verses:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.(2 Cor 5:10)

But as for you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you as well, why do you regard your brother or sister with contempt? For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, to Me every knee will bow, And every tongue will give praise to God.” So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10-12)

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:17-19)

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37)


I agree with you that we will not be condemned. I am wondering how you see passages like those above as applying because they at least state some type of accountability before God.

Thanks.

 

[37818]

All judgment is done by the Son.

John 5:22,23, For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

 

[Charlie24]

All judgment is done by the Son.

John 5:22,23, For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Yes I agree it's the Son that executes judgment.

When John saw the Great White Throne and Him who sat on it, He seen none other than Jesus of Nazareth, but in His glorified state.

 

[asterisktom]

Is there a difference between coming under condemnation and being judged according to one's deeds?

I ask because of these verses:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.(2 Cor 5:10)

But as for you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you as well, why do you regard your brother or sister with contempt? For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, to Me every knee will bow, And every tongue will give praise to God.” So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10-12)

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:17-19)

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37)


I agree with you that we will not be condemned. I am wondering how you see passages like those above as applying because they at least state some type of accountability before God.

Thanks.

My point as well. Condemnation and judgment are not the same terms. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ", not award ceremony. We need to maintain the right balance here. Keeping this awesome meeting in mind is a key means of our growth in grace. It is not slavish fear, but healthy, godly reverence.

 

[JonC]

My point as well. Condemnation and judgment are not the same terms. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ", not award ceremony. We need to maintain the right balance here. Keeping this awesome meeting in mind is a key means of our growth in grace. It is not slavish fear, but healthy, godly reverence.

I was also thinking of how some will escape but only as one who escapes from a fire, and about us being "refined".

I do not know how this looks. It seems that doing bad things when we are saved brings less than desirable outcomes (without condemnation) while doing good brings rewards.

Thinking of refining metal is the only way I can picture it. The bad is burnt away leaving only the pure. If there is more good metal then more survives the refining process.

 

[asterisktom]

This topic brings to mind Psalm 19, especially the last half:

7The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
12Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
13Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.