We have been studying Hebrews 6:1-3. Which states that there are six elemental principles or doctrines that every Believer must have established as truth in their lives. These truths are the gateway to maturity in our relationship with God.
The six doctrines are the following:
- Repentance from Dead-works
- Faith in God
- Baptisms
- The Laying-on of hands
- The Resurrection
- And now the subject for today- Eternal Judgment
In the last episode, I mentioned the “Rapture.” Which refers to the fact that when Jesus returns again, He will “Take-up” or Rapture those who belong to Him. After which trials and tribulations will befall the earth, as described in the book of Revelations. Those who have died “in Christ” as well as those who are alive will be Raptured at that time! The word Rapture literally means that they will be “caught up in the air”. The scriptures that speak to the issue of the Rapture are as follows:
- Matthew 24:30
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7
- 1 Peter 1:13
- Revelation 1:7
The Bible is clear that all Believers and non-Believers will experience a resurrection. Then a Judgment will follow. There will be two judgments; one called the Bema Judgment for the righteous or Believers. The other is the White-Throne Judgment for those who have denied or rejected Jesus Christ.
The Bema Judgment or Believer’s Judgement
The good news is that as Believers in Christ our judgment will not determine our salvation. Jesus dealt with the issue of sin and we are forgiven. Our judgment will be based on how we lived our lives for Him, Jesus. Our Judgment is a judgment for rewards!
This judgment is called the Bema judgment because of 2 Corinthians 5:10. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad”. The original Greek uses the word Bema for the English word seat; hence we have the Bema Judgment.
1 Cor. 3:12-15 describes the judgment of the believer for the “works” he or she has done. Jesus is the foundation upon which we build our lives. Gold, silver, and precious stones represent those deeds done in obedience to Jesus. Hay, wood, and straw represent those works done for self. “Now if anyone builds on this foundation (Jesus) with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day (Bema Judgement) will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss (of reward); but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire”.
While some works may be burned up and account for nothing before God, the individual is still saved!
Now there is some difference of opinion as to when this Bema judgment takes place and exactly what the rewards are. Is it at the point of death or are we all judged together at some later period? Whatever the timing of the Bema judgment or the nature of the rewards they are unimportant compared to the fact that Heaven will be open to us. We will spend eternity with God and we will not face the White Throne Judgment for those who are condemned to Hell.
Making the decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, in this life, is the single most important decision you can make in your life. It is a decision that effects your eternity. Jesus died for your sin so that you could be an over-comer in this life and secure your place in Heaven in the next life. If you have not made that decision, I encourage you to do it now. Remember it begins with repentance and believing that Jesus died for you. You repent by acknowledging that Jesus is the Savior for sinners and that you are a sinner. You believe by trusting that Jesus died for you personally and that you are forgiven, and that He has given you a new beginning in life!
Please do take the time to think about, meditate on this Nugget of Truth throughout this day.
We will be looking at the White Throne Judgment for those who have rejected Christ in our next Episode.
God Bless you!
