"Thy Kingdom Come"

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

                               1st Corinthians 3:13-15 states:

     "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built there upon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

Theologian Eric Sauer, in his book, "The Triumph of the Crucified," Pg. 112, says:

              "The return of the Christ for His people is the "blessed hope" of the Church (Titus 2:13).  Nevertheless it is connected not only with heavenly privileges but also with holy responsibility.  Even as the Rapture is a refreshment for the heart, so is the Judgment Seat of Christ a spur to the conscience."

     The Word, in 2nd Corinthians 5:10, says that we, the Church, will receive judgment not only according to our "good" works, but also according to our "bad" works:

          "For we (Christians) must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

     Christians, especially in today's world, aren't nearly concerned enough about the seriousness of the coming Judgment of Christ's people.  If we study even only a little about the consequences of our gain or loss at our judgment, it ought to motivate us to be much more diligent and faithful in the duties that Christ and the Holy Spirit have assigned to us on a moment-to-moment basis while we're still here on this earth.

     Depending upon the outcome of each judgment, some of us will be as "great" or "small" vessels, but "all" will be filled.  There will be degrees and stages of glory (Matthew 25:14-30); but no difference in happiness (Matthew 20:1-16).

     Sauer says in his book, "The Triumph of the Crucified", Pg. 116, that:

          "Those who at the Judgment Seat of Christ had been adjudged worthy of the prize will be made judges of the world.  They will be the ruling aristocracy in the eternal kingdom of heaven."

                                 1st Corinthians 6:2-3 states:

          "Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? and

     if the world should be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?  Know you not that we shall judge the angels?  how much more things that pertain to this life?"

                                        And, Revelation 3:21:

          "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne."

     Nevertheless, all who make up the raptured Church will be saved; and all will shine; if in different degrees of glory and splendor:

                                   1st Corinthians 15:40-44:

          "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.  So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."

     The Judgment Seat of Christ is not about salvation, because all of the Church has been previously "washed" in the blood of the Lamb; rather, this Judgment will constitute a basis for reward.

     John Walvoord, "The Millennial Kingdom", Pg. 278 states:

          "The 'fear of the Lord' of which Paul speaks in 2nd Corinthians 5:11 is the dread of standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ with a wasted life that is not due a reward.  The judgment, distinguishing as it does that which is good and bad, again is primarily occupied with the question of reward, not punishment. As Romans 8:1 states: 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.'  As creatures of grace, sins are forgiven, but rewards are distributed on the basis of effective testimony for Christ."

     The Judge will be Jesus Christ the Lord, the "righteous" Judge.

                                           John 5:22:

          "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son . . ."