Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

You Choose Which Judgment You Will Attend

I Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; I Corinthians 3:13 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 sort it is. I Corinthians 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. I Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

OR

	Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Judgement Seat of Christ or Great White Throne Judgment

I John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

The Father’s decree in Psalm 2, in which The Father “had Begotten” His Son, set in action the events of the Gospel. The result of this is Christ being called, in the book of Revelation, the “First Begotten of the Dead” (Revelation 1:5); and Christ’s own have been “begotten” unto a “Lively Hope” by the Resurrection of Christ Jesus; to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (James 1:18; I Peter 1:3)

This “Lively Hope” is an inheritance which is manifested in the resurrection of the body. (Romans 8:21-23) The believer’s resurrection is called in the Scripture the “Blessed Hope”(Titus 2:13), and corresponds to the events occurring from the Rapture to the Second Coming.

The Greek word for “judgment seat” is bema. This word is used in the Gospels and Acts meaning a raised platform from which a judge makes his decisions. However, in the Epistles of Paul, bema is explained with sports analogies. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (II Timothy 2:5)

Judgments In The Bible
Psalm 89: 14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne:
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Genesis 18: 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee
Type of Judgment	Reference	Who is Judged	When	Where
Satan Judged	John 16:27-33; John 16:9; 12:31 Revelation 20:10	Satan	Christ’s Death	Calvary
Substitutionary (Just for the Unjust) Judgment	Galatians 3:13-14; I Peter 3:15-18	Sin Judged	Christ hanging on a tree – Just for the Unjust	Calvary
Believer’s Continuing Self Judgment	I Corinthians 11:31-32; [II Samuel 7:14-15;12:13-14; I Corinthians 5:5; I Timothy 1:20; Hebrews 12:7]	Self	The born again during the Church Age	On Earth before the Rapture
Judgment Seat of Christ	II Corinthians 5:10; I Corinthians 3:13-15; II John 8	Born Again during the Church Age	After the Rapture [II Timothy 4:8]	In Heaven
Remnant of Israel Judged	Ezekiel 20:33-38; Daniel 9:24-27; Revelation 12; Matthew 24	Nation of Israel	During the Tribulation Period	Second Coming
The Gentile Nations Judged	Matthew 25:31-46	Gentile Nations	The Beginning of Millennium after 2^nd Coming	At Christ’s Throne (Mount Zion)
Great White Throne Judgment	Revelation 20:11-14	Wicked Dead from Creation	After the Millennial Reign	Suspended in Space

I. The Judgment Seat of Christ vs the Great White Throne Judgment

A. There is an erroneous idea held by some that there will be one general day of reckoning on which all beings just and unjust will be judged. Above is a chart demonstrating seven of these j

B. There are two judgments concerning the people in the Church Age.

C. The great news is that we choose which judgement we will attend.

1. If we are Christ’s and “love His appearing” we will attend the Judgment Seat of Christ

a. At the Rapture, true believer’s will face Christ for the purpose:

b. True believers To receive awards (crowns) for good works serving Christ

c. True believers will suffer loss for bad works

d. True believers will obtain various spheres of authority in the upcoming Kingdom

e. True believers will reign with Christ in the millennium

D. Paul explains that we all shall attend the JSC, to receive rewards or loss for our works

II Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

E. Paul knows his death is soon and explains his reward at the JSC

II Timothy 3:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

II Timothy 3:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

II Timothy 3:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2. The Wicked will be in the 2^nd resurrection and attend the Great White Throne Judgment

a. This group will be resurrected after heaven and earth are destroyed

b. This group will face Christ for eternal judgment suspended in space

c. This group will face Christ only with their own righteousness against Christ’s

d. This group will be cast into the Lake of Fire eternally

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

II. Details of the Judgment Seat

A. Who will be there

1. Jesus Christ will be the Judge

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

2. All True Born Again Believers will be judged – Speaking to the Corinthian church, Paul says:

II Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

B. When and where will the Judgment Seat of Christ occur – After the Rapture in heaven

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Revelation 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

1. John, a type of the church, is translated into heaven through an open door

a.) John hears a voice talking with him that sounded like a trumpet

b.) John sees a group of people wearing white robes with crowns on their heads

2. This group undoubtedly got their robes and crowns at Judgment Seat of Christ

C. According to what will the church be judged

1. Only the works for Christ will abide

I Corinthians 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

I Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

I Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

I Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth

thereupon.

I Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

2. Be evaluated by the works done in the body – Good or Bad

I Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

3. What you do – Build on the Foundation of God’s building

I Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I

have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon

4. Why you do it

thereupon.

5. The Sort of work you do – lasting or temporal work

I Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

I Corinthians 3:13 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 sort it is.

I Corinthians 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

I Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

6. The Holy Spirit does not live in a defiled temple

I Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

I Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

7. We will be judged by our words

Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

8. Learn a lesson from the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in Christ’s time:

Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Five Parts of the Judgment Seat of Christ
Persons – Who?	Christ is the Judge	John 5:22	For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son
Persons – Who?	All True Born Again Believers Judged	II Corinthians 5:10	For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ
Period - When	During the Rapture	Revelation 4:1-4	John, a type of the church, is translated to heaven and sees a group around the Throne of God in white robes and with crowns
Place – Where?	In Heaven	Revelation 4:1-4	A Throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne
Place – Where?	In Heaven	II Timothy 4:5-8	I have fought a good fight…Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness , which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
Plot – How?	Only works done for Christ will abide the fire	I Corinthians 3:9-15	For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
	What you do		I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.
	Why you do it		But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
	Sort of work you do		Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it… Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it
	How you are judged		If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, 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
Purpose – Why?	Dispensing of Crowns	II Corinthians 5:8-10	…that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Purpose – Why?	Degrees of Authority Given in the Kingdom	Luke 19:11-27	…thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
II Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

III. Five Rewards At The Judgment Seat of Christ – First Purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ

Judgment Seat of Christ – (Bema) – Receive Crowns or Suffer Loss
II Corinthians 5:1-11; Romans 14; I Corinthians 3:5-23
Stephanos – (Victors) Crowns
Christ Meeting The Church In The Air ↑	Incorruptible Crown	Crown of Life	Crown of Glory	Crown of Righteousness	Crown of Rejoicing	Christ and the Wife Return To Earth ↓
	Mastering The Old Man	Enduring Temptation – Being a Martyr for Christ	Feeding The Flock	Loving His Appearing	Making Disciples – Possessing The Lively Hope
	1 Corinthians 9:25-27 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible…But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.	James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Revelation 2:10...behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.	1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.	II Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Stephanos was the crown awarded at the games; it was made of olive and laurel. They soon faded away.	1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.
Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. Revelation 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God… Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Rapture of the Church	7 Year Tribulation Period					Marriage Supper of the Lamb

IV. Spheres of Authority Given to Reign in the Kingdom – The 2^nd Purpose

Luke 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

Luke 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

Luke 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

Luke 19:16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

Luke 19:18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

Luke 19:19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

Luke 19:20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

Luke 19:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

Luke 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Luke 19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

Luke 19:24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

Luke 19:25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

Luke 19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

V. The Result of the Judgment Seat of Christ

Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

VI. Getting Ready For The Judgment Seat of Christ

A. Get Rid of Envy, Strife, and Divisions

I Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

I Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

I Corinthians 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

I Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

I Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

I Corinthians 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

I Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

I Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

B. Only Build on the foundation already built – The foundation of Christ

I Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

I Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

C. Do Not Defile The Temple of God

I Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

I Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

I Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

I Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

I Corinthians 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

I Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

D. No Idle Words

Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

E. And Concerning Liberties – Don’t Live To Yourself

Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

Romans 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Romans 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Romans 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Romans 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Romans 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Romans 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.