Some people have asked me why I do not preach on the end times. My answer is as follows: a wise preacher told me that the study of end times could divide a church. So, I was dead set against preaching on the topic. However, after reading my Bible, I discovered that I needed to. And the following verse is the reason why:
Colossians 3
English Standard Version
Put On the New Self
3 (A)If then you have been raised with Christ, seek (B)the things that are above, where Christ is, (C)seated at the right hand of God. 2 (D)Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
See, there is more to the story, than just our day-to-day life. Pastor Bonnie told us, one Wednesday night, that there is more to come. We can’t just carpe diem Or seize the day. We should be interested in the final events of the earth. We should be talking about the rapture and Satan being cast into the pit.
In the first verse, it asks us: have you not been born again? Did God not raise you from the dead? Then, in Colossians chapter 2 it further questions us. It reads as follows: Colossians 2:12, ESV: having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
The Bible says then if you were raised with Christ, meaning: you are a child of God; then, we are to seek those things which are above. Then, it says that God is sitting beside of Jesus, in heaven. Therefore, a true believer is one that is concentrated on not only the earthly things, but the things above. The things of earth, are attractive, especially sin. But, as we gear up for Easter we will find out that everything in an Easter basket is plastic and is fake. The things here on earth or death and dying, but the things of heaven or eternal. The things that we are going through is just a vapor. We are here Today but gone tomorrow.
It is much better to concentrate on heavenly things then earthly things. Things of which will last and have meaning. Things that are lovely and true and not the death and dying.
We have to learn to look up. We have to learn to study our Bible. We must allow the Bible to teach us about what Jesus has graciously stored up for us. Looking up, is a biblical thing. Let’s consider Philippians 3:14. Philippians 3:14
(New International Version) states:
14 I press on(A) toward the goal to win the prize(B) for which God has called(C) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
We can’t just look all around us because we would have a worldly focus And it’s not always good to have our head toward the ground. We must look up. Psalm 121 says the following: Psalm 121:1-2 (King James Version) 121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
When we lift our eyes up from what is all around this causes us to gain an understanding of heavenly things. Our help comes from the Lord. Our strength comes from the Lord. All good things come down from heaven. We give God glory and honor for who he is and what he does for us.
Now, let’s consider John 11. Here we see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ raising Lazarus from the dead. Pay attention here, because it says that Jesus looked up!
John 11:41
New International Version
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up(A) and said, “Father,(B) I thank you that you have heard me.
See, this is truly a biblical thing. Jesus himself looked up. Now turn with me toActs 1. Here is what it says: Acts 1:10, NIV: They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
Here, we see that looking up is clear. It is essential. The disciples were looking up, as it to see Jesus, but Jesus was going to be seated at the right hand of the father. And there he is today according to scripture. Waiting on the word for God to tell him to come and get us.
Next, turn with me to Hebrews. Here in Hebrews we see a point. For everyone, Christian and non-Christian; there will come a time in your life that we must die.
Hebrews 9:27-28
New International Version
27 Just as people are destined to die once,(A) and after that to face judgment,(B) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once(C) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,(D) not to bear sin,(E) but to bring salvation(F) to those who are waiting for him.(G)
So, everyone is an appointed time to die. We will either go into eternity by the way of the grave or by the way of rapture. No one can escape this. This is clearly outlined in Scripture. This is the way it is. This is the truth. This is our understanding of the scripture.
The Bible is very clear, after this, comes junchment. For the believer and the nonbeliever. Jesus came to seek and save! If you have accepted this free gift; then, you will enter in to eternity.
Now, comes the responsibility of the believer to look up. To look up in anticipation for what God is going to do. In anticipation of Jesus his return to get his glory bride.
So, God will send Jesus to us, but the wording of scripture is we will appear before him and then the judgment. Let’s consider judgment for just a minute. Let’s try to Job 19:29. Job 19:29 says the following: “you should fear the sword yourselves; for wrath will bring punishment by the sword, and then you will know that there is judgment.”
Therefore, we see that the judgment has been spoke about all the Bible from the Old Testament all the way into the New Testament. No one can’t escape judgment. Judgment is coming. We need to be prepared! So, this morning, I want to address eight different questions regarding judgment. The questions are as follows:
First, What is the Bema Seat
Second, Where is the Bema Seat
Thirdly, how many future judgements are there?
Fourthly, Who will stand there?
Fifthly, How will they get there?
Number 6, How is the Judgement different from the others?
Number 7, When will that be?
Number 8, What is the bema seat of Christ?
Let’s tackle the first two questions: What is the Bema seat of Christ? And Where is the Bema seat of Christ?
First of all, you have to understand the Bema seat is the judgment seat that is known also translated as a court or tribunal! It is a reward seat and portrays a time of rewards or loss of rewards following examination, but it is not a time of punishment where believers are judged for their sins. Such would be inconsistent with the finished work of Christ on the Cross because He totally paid the penalty for our sins.
It’s a platform that could be either public or private in other words you could stand alone before the Lord or you can actually have some sort of a public hearing, but we are talking about something that is promised in the scriptures. The Bible says in Romans 14:10 “King James Bible
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.”
We know that it’s going to happen consider Acts 25:22! This is where Paul was put on trial. You can picture his trail as him standing on the bema seat in the middle of the courtyard. I picture a tribunal experience!
There is actually a museum of this in Western Greece.
Then, 2 Corinthians 5:10 says this: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.”
Therefore, we shall all (it’s not maybe) -but we shall all stand before the judgment! Now, in ancient Corinth there was also a judgement seat referred to as the Bema Seat. The Bema sat in the middle of the Central Shops. It was a large, elevated pedestal from which Roman officials would address the public. This was the Bema Paul the Apostle stayed in Ancient Corinth for a year and a half and was accused by the city’s Jews for illegal teachings and put on trial. This can be referenced In Acts (Acts 18:12-17 ), the bema at Corinth is called a tribunal.
Thus, we have a vision of what Paul thought the judgement seat would look like. Today, we have a different vision of what the judgement seat may look like. One thing is for sure; there will be some sort of judgement and we call this “The Judgement seat of Christ.” Little is known about what it will actually look like, but one thing is for sure: we will have to answer for what we say and do in this life.
While bema is used in the gospels and Acts of the raised platform where a Roman magistrate or ruler sat to make decisions and pass sentence. In Matt. 27:19; John 19:13 we see that a ruler sat down to judge. Paul looked at the bema as a seat for rewards, because of the Greek athletic contests.
This word (bema) was also taken from Isthmian games where the contestants would compete for the prize under the careful scrutiny of judges who would make sure that every rule of the contest was obeyed. (2 Tim. 2:5). The victor of a given event who participated according to the rules was led by the judge to the platform called the Bema. There the laurel wreath was placed on his head as a symbol of victory (1 Cor. 9:24-25).
We Christians are in a spiritual warfare. Satan thinks it is sport to seek and devour who he may. We strive to become more like Christ. 2 Timothy 2:5 — “5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” Paul tells us that we are not to set idle, but we are to run the race set before us. 1 Corinthians 9:24–25 — King James Version (KJV 1900) “says this: 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.” There is a work for us to do. We are not to sit on the couch and wait for the rapture! We are to seek for those who are thirsty. Whether good or bad we have won the victory. We will seat in the bema seat of Christ not punishments, but for rewards. God sent his only son to die for us; so, we could live. All our sins have been forever and remembered no more.
Let’s move onto the next big question: how many future judgements are there? According to Scripture, AND MY UNDERSTANDING, there are three. The first bema set of Judgment is followed by the death of the body. It is from Paul that wrote, “…to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). This passage says, “We are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” Then, In verses 1-8, the apostle compared our present mortal state with our future immortal life in heaven. He was showing us the difference between our earthy bodies that will someday perish and the new, perfect bodies that will be ours in heaven.
The second seat of Judgement comes with the rapture. The bible tells us God will separate the sheep and the goat. Matthew says the following: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left (Matthew 25:31–33). Then, the goats will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
The third judgment seat of Christ is during the great white throne of judgement. This is after the rapture and after the 1000-year reign on Earth. He knew church of Christ only had the Old Testament; therefore, they were really concerned about what would happen to them when they died. People would come in and tell them all sorts of things; like they have missed the rapture. Yes, they would bring their question to Paul. Paul, they thought was the expert to the future. They thought that he held the keys to the mystery.
Paul tells them to keep their heads up. To look toward the heavens for what they needed. Which, inspired Paul to write first Thessalonians, which, describes that they have not come in to the rapture yet. Then, second Thessalonians tells us and them all the things that must take place before Jesus will return. 4:16 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” 5:17 “Then we who are 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.”
Therefore, we must be transformed into our glorified bodies before we can even stand before the Lord. Gods’ children have a lot to do. We must be instant in season and out of season. We must teach. We must edify. We must seek the lost thirsty. We must be about our father’s business. There is no setting or relaxing or waiting for the rapture to come. We must work while we’re here. I encourage you this morning, two asked God for direction on where he wants you to work. Of course, while we are working, our eyes must be fixed upon heaven, and not upon worldly things. After all, aren’t we laying up treasures in heaven?
By the way, Jesus came into the world to be the lamb, the lamb for slaughter, but today he is the master of the universe. He is the lion of the tribe of Judah. We must work. Hell and destruction is not in our future. In fact, Psalm 62:12 says the following: “and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.” See, the Lord is holding rewards and not bad judgments for his children. Oh, woe to you, if you were not saved. What you have coming is deaf and in a ternal like a far. Oh, listen today child! Today, is the day of salvation. Please wait no more. For this is a life or death situation. Wake up, stretch forth your hand, confess, for the victory is to yours to obtain.
Matthew 16:27 (New International Version) 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
Ephesians 6:8 (King James Version) 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Aren’t you glad that our status on earth has nothing to do with our status in heaven? The way people see yes and the reputation that we carry, has little to do with our rewards. If you choose not Jesus Christ your reward is Hale, but if you are a child of God your reward is heaven. But, for the child of God there is an even more. There are more rewards to obtain. So, as I work. We work because, of our love for the Lord, clearly, we see that the Lord is just and wants to give us rewards.
We can be rest assured that we are not going to face judgment for damn nation. Let’s consider psalms 103 verses10-12 “Psalm 103:10-13
(New International Version) 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Our sin, therefore, has already been dealt with and settled. Christ had to die once, and he died for all who will except him. Can we grasp this concept this morning? Do you get it, do you understand it deep in your soul? We have won the victory today! Now, the devil wants to crush that notion in us, because if we have no hope of heaven; then, we can back away and fall into sin. Romans 8:1 (King James Version) 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Which would lead us into the leadership of the devil. Let’s plan our feet firm! Let’s put on the whole armor of God! And run this race! Run into the gates worthy because Christ has paid at all!
OK, we were born sinners! John 5:24 Says the following: John 5:24 (New International Version) 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me(A) has eternal life(B) and will not be judged(C) but has crossed over from death to life.(D)
When we are born we are already sinners. We are born with a sin nature. When we get saved we put on a new nature. Our flesh houses the Holy Spirit. We are born a new. This is a celebration that reaches heaven. A lost sinner has come home.
Look, we are saved from the curse! Turn with me in your Bibles to Galatians chapter 3. Galatians 3:13
(New International Version) says the following: 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law(A) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[a](B)
Now we are free! Free from sin and the curse! Now we can live in righteousness! We can live holy lives! We can live for Jesus! Because, we have the Holy Spirit, we can do miraculous things, according to the word of God. Consider the following verse of scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21(New International Version) “21 God made him who had no sin(A) to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(B)”
So, what we are doing going to deal with in heaven has nothing to do with our simple past. Are simple past is covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12: 1 informs us: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
1 Timothy 6:12 (New International Version)
“12 Fight the good fight(A) of the faith. Take hold of(B) the eternal life(C) to which you were called when you made your good confession(D) in the presence of many witnesses.
Therefore, when we run this race, we will be judged by our fruits. God will reward us. We will give an answer to what we have done on earth when we get to heaven. In other words, the bema seat, the seat of judgment, for believers will be there works after salvation. After their new life in Jesus Christ.
Works won’t get us into heaven! We work because we love the Lord. But the Lord loves us so much that he wants to give us rewards. You might say, I’ve done a number of things, but my question to you is as follows: was your heart inclined to the Lord? Did you give all credit to God? Or did you withhold just a little?
We are almost done, but first I want to look at an analogy that Paul gave the Corinthian church. It is found in first Corinthians chapter 3. It reads as follows: 1 Corinthians 3:10-13 (New International Version) 10 By the grace God has given me, (A) I laid a foundation(B) as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (C) 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is,(D) because the Day(E) will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
There is a day coming, that we will stand before the Lord, and he will declare our good deeds, that we done in his name. Now, comes the fire. Some of us will suffer a loss because we did not work for the Lord. We will either have Joy or we will have shame. 1 Corinthians 3:15
(New International Version) 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (A)
I don’t want to imagine myself being ashamed when I stand before the Lord. But many of us, who think that we have done a lot for the Lord, might be disappointed or even shamed. Will be watching everyone receive their awards, but some will say what about me! I filled stadiums full of people, I preach to the masses, I did this, and I did that. But, without the Lord they did none of these. They will be saved, but as though they just came through the flames.
So, say again let’s run the race! Let’s work for the Lord! Let’s give him the glory!
I have figured out, I can go to the gym as Many times as I want to, but this body is going to die. I’m not discouraging you from working out and treating your body right, because the Bible tells us that it is good for us to do that. I know full well, what it is like, to try to serve the Lord, with a sick body and it is very difficult. But what I want you to understand, is that we were appointed to be born and we are appointed to die.
We are supposed to find our value and worth in Christ Jesus. Once we have been born again, we are a new creature, and we are to abide in him. Check out what the following scripture reads: First John 2:28
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears uwe may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
The scripture, informs us, that we can be ashamed of ourselves, during the judgment seat of Christ.
The word appears, also sticks out here, because it means the rapture. One day, we will be raptured out of here; unless we die by the way of the grave and are present with him. Again, get ready! The day of Judgment is soon! Don’t give up hope! Look up! When we look anywhere else, we Focus on ungodly things and things on this earth.
Now, there is a lot more to this lesson, but we do not have time to cover it all today. So, I just want to briefly mention a few more things and then we will close.
Our gifts and our faithful service is the bases of our rewards. God has gifted each one of you with time, talents, and resources. We are to use those times, talents, and resources to glorify God and build the kingdom of God.
No matter how you live or whatever you do make sure that you do not lose your rewards in heaven. We cannot lose our salvation, but according to the next scripture we can lose our rewards. 2 John 1:8 (English Standard Version) “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.”
Next, want you to locate the following verse: (Revelation 3:11
King James Version) “11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” This verse tells us that we were also receive crowns or jewels our crowns. The way we believe should be genuine and not phony.
Paul seems to understand the sequence of events. This is what Paul said about his crown: 2 Timothy 4:7 “7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 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.”
We see here that there is a date set. A day that the Lord will crown him. He fought the good fight. He did not sit home on his tushie. He worked and used his time, talents, and resources for the work of the Lord. He is telling us to look up, because there’s a day coming, that the Lord will be coming back in the clouds of glory, and there he is, and we will also be.
There’s also the book of life, part of the judgment seat. This needs to be studied a little bit further.
Just so that we understand, there is a book of life, that holds every name, of every person, that has ever been born. However, when you die, and your name has not been replaced, or blotted out, then this means you have never been reborn. That means you did not accept Jesus Christ while you were alive. Your judgment is not the bema seat, but your judgment is “department I never knew you.” -found in Matthew 7:21. Everyone, once their name to be written in the lambs book of life. This is the book that no one, can blot your name out of.
Revelation 13:8
And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
Revelation 21:27
But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life
let’s move on from this idea, let’s consider the white arraignment, that comes with judgment. Located in the following scripture: Revelation 3:5 “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my father and before his angels.”
Quickly number seven: when will this happen? Judgment happens as soon as you die or are raptured out of here. We stand before the judge. There will be no time for a movie of popcorn. there will be no waiting. Absent with the body is present with the lord. (Second Corinthians 5:8)
Revelation 5:7-8 (King James Version) “7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
Lastly, question eight why in the world do we need to study about this and why is it so important to a Christians life?
We need to be deeply rooted in the word. We need to know so that we can be prepared for what is to come. We need to share this hope; so that, it will compel people to come into the fold of the kingdom.
For me, knowing the goal, knowing the vision, knowing the path,creates in me a hope that desires to work for the Lord.
When we understand that God will judge you for the things that you have done as a believer; then, it repels the delusion that we have a license to sin and that we can do whatever we want to do. I think, it creates a desire for all God’s children to work. When we work, we set great examples.
Lastly, I have a couple questions for you.
First question how are you live in a righteous life trying to lay up treasures in heaven?
Thanking about death, what judgment are you going to go to? I hope you’re going to the beam a seat.
If you’re going to the Beama seat; would you be a disappointment?
How are you using your time, talents, and resources to glorify God? Can you be doing a better job?
Be careful not to let sin and indifference get in the way. Ephesians 5:15-16 (New International Version) “15 Be very careful, then, how you live(A)—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, (B) because the days are evil.(C)”
This is all for today. I’ll leave you with one scripture: that can be very sobering:
1 John 2:28 (King James Version) “28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”
So, be encouraged today, with hope, that you will receive your lavishing rewards. Because you ran the race, and you fought a good fight.
