The Judgment Seat of Christ
What does it involve? Only believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The “great white throne” judgment described in Rev. 20: 11– 15 is for unbelievers.
What is it? At his judgment seat, Jesus will determine a believer’s faithfulness to Him and reward each person appropriately (see 1 Cor. 3: 11– 15 ). This will not be a determination of one’s eternal destiny; that issue is decided the moment a person believes in Christ.
Who will preside? The risen Christ.
Where will it occur? Heaven ( 5: 8 ).
When will it occur? The Scriptures do not specify when this will occur. It is obviously at a time when all Christians are gathered in heaven.
What is the nature of these eternal rewards? Some commentators consider the various “crowns” mentioned in the New Testament as the rewards ( 1 Cor. 9: 25 ; 2 Tim. 4: 8 ; James 1: 12 ; 1 Pet. 5: 4 ; Rev. 2: 10 ). These will eventually be placed before the throne of God ( Rev. 4: 10 ). Others point to the parable of the minas in Luke 19: 11– 27 and see the prospects of serving and ruling in eternity as being directly tied to our faithfulness on earth. We do not know the exact nature of the “new heavens and new earth” or “the kingdom of God.” But the Scriptures do seem to imply that eternity will involve serving and reigning ( Matt. 25: 21 , 23 ; Rev. 22: 3 , 5 ).
Why is this doctrine significant? Knowing that in the future we will stand before Jesus Christ and face a review of our lives should motivate us to live righteously and faithfully in the present.
How can we prepare for our eternal “audit”? Walk by faith, not by sight ( 5: 7 ). Develop a longing for heaven ( 5: 8 ). Make it our chief aim in life to please the Lord ( 5: 9 ). Keep the judgment seat of Christ in view ( 5: 10 ).
What does it involve? Only believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The “great white throne” judgment described in Rev. 20: 11– 15 is for unbelievers.
What is it? At his judgment seat, Jesus will determine a believer’s faithfulness to Him and reward each person appropriately (see 1 Cor. 3: 11– 15 ). This will not be a determination of one’s eternal destiny; that issue is decided the moment a person believes in Christ.
Who will preside? The risen Christ.
Where will it occur? Heaven ( 5: 8 ).
When will it occur? The Scriptures do not specify when this will occur. It is obviously at a time when all Christians are gathered in heaven.
What is the nature of these eternal rewards? Some commentators consider the various “crowns” mentioned in the New Testament as the rewards ( 1 Cor. 9: 25 ; 2 Tim. 4: 8 ; James 1: 12 ; 1 Pet. 5: 4 ; Rev. 2: 10 ). These will eventually be placed before the throne of God ( Rev. 4: 10 ). Others point to the parable of the minas in Luke 19: 11– 27 and see the prospects of serving and ruling in eternity as being directly tied to our faithfulness on earth. We do not know the exact nature of the “new heavens and new earth” or “the kingdom of God.” But the Scriptures do seem to imply that eternity will involve serving and reigning ( Matt. 25: 21 , 23 ; Rev. 22: 3 , 5 ).
Why is this doctrine significant? Knowing that in the future we will stand before Jesus Christ and face a review of our lives should motivate us to live righteously and faithfully in the present.
How can we prepare for our eternal “audit”? Walk by faith, not by sight ( 5: 7 ). Develop a longing for heaven ( 5: 8 ). Make it our chief aim in life to please the Lord ( 5: 9 ). Keep the judgment seat of Christ in view ( 5: 10 ).
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