Life After Earth: Rewards, Judgments, and the Bema Seat Explained

We continue our reflections on eternity and our preparation for when each of us leaves Earth. In my forty-eight years of studying the Bible, I have concluded that there are three judgments in the Scriptures. The first judgment occurs when we depart from this world: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). This judgment concerns what a person has done with the free offer of pardon for their sins. The believer in Christ will not be judged according to his sins; he is secure in what Jesus accomplished on the cross. At death, those who are believers go to be with the Lord and will return with Jesus at the Second Coming of Christ: "For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him" (1 Thessalonians 4:14). When a person believes and trusts in Christ, something transformative happens deep within their soul—they pass from a state of death and slavery to Satan to a condition of eternal life imparted to them:

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24; emphasis added).

When believers die, they leave their physical bodies behind but continue to live with Christ. At Jesus' return and the Resurrection, those who trust in Christ will be given new, glorified bodies that are free from the sinful nature inherited from Adam. In a future study, we will examine what the Resurrection Body is like.

The second judgment takes place at Christ's return and concerns the rewards given to believers. This event, known as the Bema Seat Judgment, involves believers appearing before God. The third judgment, called the Great White Throne Judgment, addresses those who reject God's free pardon, condemning all who refuse God’s salvation to the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). Today and tomorrow, we will focus our meditation on preparing ourselves as Christians for the Bema Seat Judgment of Christ.

The Bema Seat Judgment of Christ

At the Second Coming of Christ, after suppressing all rebellion on Earth, Jesus will sit to judge at the Bema Seat Judgment.

Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son (John 5:22).

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 (Matthew 16:27).

⁹So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:9-10).

This judgment concerns the believer's rewards based on their use of time, energy, gifts, talents, and money. The Greek term bēmatos is translated as "judgment seat" in English. It was a common term in Greek New Testament, signifying a platform used in sporting events to award winners. In a secular setting, bēma refers to “to set (his foot) on” and describes a raised platform at an assembly. For Christians, this is the point where we will be judged by God on two key aspects: 1) the fruit of the Spirit reflected in our lives, including our Christlike character; and 2) how we have used our resources—time, energy, skills, and money—to further God's kingdom. My prayer is that you will dedicate your life to pursuits that will last into eternity. We will explore these ideas further tomorrow. Keith Thomas

Taken from the series  Insights into Eternity. Click on the study Are You READY for Eternity?

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