When we say that God is a God of wrath, we are focusing particularly on the consequences of His righteous assessment resulting in righteous punishment. ![]() When we say that God is a God of judgment, we normally mean He is righteous in His assessment of people and events. We often use these two meanings interchangeably. ![]() The second idea springs from the first but is concerned with the decision made and the action of punishment or reward that arises from a righteous assessment of the facts. Firstly, there is the idea of a righteous assessment made based on evidence, leading to conviction or exoneration of the charges. There are a number of words that are translated ‘judgment’ in the Bible and each must be interpreted in its context. This subject is one of deep solemnity and the prayer of the writer is that our souls may be stilled and consideration of this critical subject will form deeper convictions of the glory of Christ. There are four principal sections of Scripture that set out the subject most fully: 1Corinthians chapters 3 and 4 2Corinthians chapter 5 and Romans chapter 14, each of which will be briefly reviewed. For example, will believers have to answer for their sins? When will it happen? Who will be there? Where will it happen? Having answered these initial questions, seven critical features of the Judgment Seat of Christ will be examined. When dealing with the subject of the Judgment Seat of Christ, a number of basic questions must initially be answered. Following a brief survey of the various judgments we find in Scripture generally, we will then focus in particular on the Judgment Seat of Christ. In this chapter we will be considering the terms ‘judgment’ and ‘Judgment Seat’ in Scripture. SUMMARY: SEVEN CRITICAL FEATURES OF THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST SEVEN CRITICAL FEATURES OF THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST 8).SEVEN FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS ON THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST Therefore, this judgment of Christians at the bema seat is not a judgment of punishment it is a judgment of reward. This could make sense of the imperative to run the race until the end, so that we do not lose our reward (2 Jn. Later, Paul writes that we will be recompensed for our deeds “whether good or bad.” Regarding this passage, Pentecost writes,Ĭoncerning the word bad (phaulos), it is to be observed that Paul did not use the usual word for bad ( kakos or poneras), either of which would signify that which is ethically or morally evil… Thus the judgment is not to determine what is ethically good or evil, but rather that which is acceptable and that which is worthless. It was called the “bema” or “reward seat.” It was never used of a judicial bench. ![]() From here he rewarded all the contestants and here he rewarded all winners. In Grecian games in Athens, the old arena contained a raised platform on which the president or umpire of the arena sat. In this passage, Paul writes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” Regarding this beat seat, Sale-Harrison writes, In fact, Paul explicitly writes, “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss but he himself will be saved” (v.15). However, the purpose of this judgment is not wrath-but “reward” (v.14). Here, God will “test the quality of each man’s work” (1 Cor. RESPONSE: The Bible teaches that Christians will have to stand before God in the bema seat judgment. Elsewhere, Paul writes: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. CLAIM: Paul writes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor.
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