The Judgement Seat of Christ

As we continue in our overview of prophecy the next event following the rapture of the Church will be - 

The Judgement Seat of Christ

Ro. 14:10- “We shall all stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ” KJV

“We shall all stand before the Judgement Seat of God” NASB
Jn. 20:28- “My Lord and my God” ; 
Titus 2:13- “Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”
Note: Jesus is God.
It is Jesus who will be sitting in judgement of all people,
the saved and the lost.
The “Judgement seat of Christ” is for the saved.
Jn. 5:22- “The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgement to the Son”
Ps. 50:5-6- “Gather My godly ones to Me,--- for God Himself is Judge.”

Definition:
The “judgement seat” in the Greek is the “Bema”.
The word means “a raised platform from which judgement is pronounced.”
It was used in law courts in Greece and was used by Roman magistrates and rulers.
A third use was that of a judging stand at sporting events, such as the famous Isthmus games and the ancient Olympics.
It is from this third use of the term that we gain some insight into how it is used in our text, Ro. 14:10.
The idea is that of a reviewing stand at the end of a race to distribute rewards to the appropriate participants.
There is no looming consequence of punishment for poor or inferior performance, only lack of reward.
There is however a definite sense of seriousness and need for ones best effort in anticipation of standing before the awesome and almighty Judge.
This will not be a time for lame and worthless excuses in an attempt to justify a halfhearted effort.
Especially when it was the Judge Himself that provided everything needed for each one to do well. (1Cor. 3:15)

2Cor. 5:10- “We must all appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body” according to what he has done, whether good or bad (worthless, the opposite of good, i.e. not good).”

2Cor. 5:11- “Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord we persuade men”

1Cor. 3:8- “each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

1Cor. 3:10-15- Let each man be careful how he builds on the foundation.
Paul said he laid a foundation. What is the foundation of Paul’s teaching?
What is the foundation of all the Apostles and the Prophets (Eph. 2:20)?
Verse 11 says, “no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Note: Jesus Christ is the final word from God to men (Heb. 1:2).
He is the only foundation upon which any man may build.

“On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

Lk. 6:46-48- Jesus said, “Everyone who hears My words and acts upon them, he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon a rock.”

1Cor. 3:14- “If any man’s work remains, he will receive a reward.”

Lk. 14:14- “you will be paid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (the Rapture)

Rev. 22:12- “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

Rewards:
Mt. 5:12- enduring persecution; 10:41-42- Prophets reward, righteous man’s reward, reward for kindness to children; Rev. 11:17-18- rewards for all His servants, small and great.

Crowns: Victors - 1 Cor.9:25-27; Life - Rev.2:10; Glory. 1 Pet.5:2-4;
Righteousness - 2 Tim.4:8; Rejoicing - 1 Thes.2:19-20

Authority: Mt. 19:28-30- Apostles to sit on thrones, follower’s to receive a hundredfold houses, land and family.

1Cor. 6:2-3- Saints to judge the world and angels.

2Tim. 2:12- We shall reign with Him.
Rev. 5:9-10- A kingdom of priests who will reign with him on earth. Rev.20:6-Reign for a thousand years.
Rev.22:5- We shall reign forever and ever.

Parables of reward:
Mt. 25:14-30- The parable of the talents. Verses 21 + 23 – “Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter in to the joy of your Master.”
Lk. 19:11-27- The parable of the minas. Verse 17 - “Well done , good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, Be in authority over ten cities.”
Verse 19 – “And He said to him also, And you are to be over Five cities.”

Commentary:
The Judgement seat of Christ is exclusively for Christians. It will be specifically to determine rewards for service and faithfulness. It should be a time of great rejoicing for all Christians, but it will also be a time of recognition of lost, wasted and missed opportunities, when much will be burned up as wood hay and stubble. Only the precious will remain, that which is pleasing to the Lord.
The knowledge that we will all give an account one day to the Lord of heaven and earth, should motivate us to do our very best while we still have a chance to do so here on earth.
When we leave this world our work to be judged will be done. This is what we will bring to the Judgement Seat of Christ for His review.
“We must all work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no man can work” Jesus Christ Jn.9:4