This article is continued in Rewards in Heaven... Apparently there are those that will make it to heaven, but who have earned little or no additional rewards.
Introduction There is some debate as to the nature and exact timing of the Bema Seat, and whether or not it is the same judgment as the Great White Throne. Some believe that it will occur at the moment of death for each believer, others that it will be a general event at some point in the end times. However since the Bible is not specific on the timing it is perhaps useless to speculate. What is far more important is that we are warned that it will occur and that we had better be prepared.. redeeming the time wisely so that we are not ashamed when He comes. . What Is the Bema or Judgment Seat? The Greek word bema (step) means a raised platform. In antiquity it was probably made of stone, but in modern times it is usually a rectangular wooden platform approached by steps. The bema became a standard fixture in Jewish synagogues and later formed part of many large basilican churches. The original use of the bema was the raised seat of the judge when he was acting in a official capacity or as a tribunal from which orators addressed the citizens as well as the courts of law... Which is how it is used in several places in Scripture. In Matthew 27:19 Pilate sat on the judgment seat, from where he decided the fate of Jesus and Barabbas. And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. [Matthew 27:19]
In Acts 12:21, Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made a speech to the people from the judgment seat, but since he did not give God the glory, an angel of the Lord struck him. And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them. [Acts 12:21]
In Acts 18, the proconsul Gallio heard charges of wrong against Paul while seated upon the bema (v. 12). Sosthenes was seized and beaten by the mob in front of the judgment seat in the presence of Gallio, when he refused to proceed against Paul at the instigation of the Jews. But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat, saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters. And he drove them from the judgment-seat. And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things. [Acts 18:12-17].
In Acts 25:6, when the high priest and the chief of the Jews brought charges against Paul, he was brought before Festus who had taken his place on the bema. And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought… But Paul said, I am standing before Caesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest… When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought. [Acts 25:6, 10, 17]
The Bema Seat and The Christian So what has this judgment seat to do with Christians? Plenty, if you consider the following two verses, where the same Greek word bema is used of Christ’s Judgment Seat. [Emphasis Added] But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:10-12, NKJV). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
“… Some teachers have argued that this word, bema, was used in Greek literature as a reward seat for the judge viewing contestants in the Grecian athletic games. Therefore, they say this word carries the notion of honor and reward rather than justice or judgment. Thus, they conclude that at Christ’s Bema, He will simply reward and honor the victorious runners in the Christian race. Those who do not run so well will just not receive a (positive) reward according to this view”. [http://www.seekersofchrist.org/Worthy/Worthychp7a.htm] While it is true that Paul made several allusions to the Greek athletic contests using the Greek word Stephanos (translated crown), which was public recognition of victory in races, games and war …The Scriptures never once uses bema in the setting of an athletic contest with rewards. Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [1Corinthians 9:24-25]. And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully. [2Timothy 2:5] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing. [2Timothy 4:7-8]
In any case too many Christians tend to sail past 2 Corinthians 5:10, be totally oblivious to the last few words… deeds will be recompensed whether good or bad. This is obviously NOT just a rewards or rah-rah ceremony, but one that also takes bad deeds into account, when believers must give an account of their lives to Christ. The Bible teaches clearly that all men, both living and dead, saved and unsaved, must give an account to Christ. The Bema Seat.. Judgment And Condemnation? From the two references to the Bema as the judgment seat of Christ, it seems to be clear that this judgment is reserved for believers whose salvation has already been secured by faith in Jesus Christ and is completely separate from the general Great White Throne judgment spoken of in Revelation. “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” The Great White Throne is where those who do not believe in Jesus Christ are judged and condemned. [Revelation 20:11-15].
2 Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14, taken by themselves, certainly seem to indicate that Christians can be condemned at the Bema seat judgment to come. However no doctrine can be built without taking into consideration other verses that bear on the subject. For example … “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” [Romans 8:1] And you, being dead in your trespasses and the un-circumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and He has taken it out of the midst, nailing it to the cross. [Col 2:13-14] “Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” [John 6:40] “He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God”. [John 3:18]
The above texts assure us that all who follow Christ in faith are saved and will gain entrance to Heaven, therefore judgment (in terms of salvation) cannot be the reason for the Bema Seat. However there is more… Supporting Scriptures While Scripture has plenty to say about the hope and joy of Jesus’ second coming, apparently all will not be sweetness and light. The Bible also has much to say about negative emotions... Please note that the following examples were written to believers NOT unsaved people. Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God. [1Corinthians 4:5]
Bringing to light the hidden things of darkness doesn't sound like He is going to expose good deeds, but those that we would much rather keep tucked away. “And now little children abide in Him so that when He appears we may have confidence, and not shrink back in shame at His coming.' [John 2:28]
So why aren’t all believers going to have confidence at His coming? Why are some going to shrink back in shame? Perhaps because they are not looking forward to the hidden things of darkness being exposed Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. [2 Timothy 2:15].
The warning here is to give diligence to making sure you are not going to be ashamed. Apparently there is a real and clear danger of being ashamed in that day for those that did not heed many other warnings in the Bible.. Such as Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [Eph 5:15-17]
All of which begs the question.. What Will Be Judged at The Bema Seat of Christ? For an answer to that we have to turn to I Corinthians 3:9-13.. "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. "Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, "Each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work."
Unfortunately many Christians, draw the conclusion that since all our sins have been forgiven, our works cannot possibly be considered at the judgment Seat of Christ… Not true! There are different kinds of Christians: faithful and unfaithful (Matthew 25:21); spiritual and carnal (1 Corinthians 3:1); diligent and careless (Luke 19: 12-26), wise and unwise (1 Corinthians 6:5 and Ephesians 5:15-17). Please note very carefully that the word carnal in 1 Corinthians 3:1 is NOT to be confused with unrighteousness. The use of the word had nothing to do with sexual immorality or drunkenness or idolatry- it had everything to do with the selfish attitudes and partisan spirit of the Corinthians, who Paul was writing to. As the term is used today a carnal Christian is not saved… “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” [Romans 8:6] [The Carnal Christian] Perhaps Leonard Ravenhill said it best. The following is excerpted from his article The Judgment Seat of Christ… “Notice what it [I Corinthians 3:9-13] says very carefully, "...the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work." Not how much work, but rather what kind of work. Not the quantity but the quality. This scripture is speaking of your whole life's work. In other words, your life's work can be wood or hay or straw -- or it can be silver, gold, or costly stones. And on that day, the fire will put it to the final test. What fire? The Bible tells that God is love, but it also tells us that He is a consuming fire as well. (Hebrews 12:29)… Our whole life, from the very moment we begin to witness for Christ, including all of our service and our labor for Him, is going to be tested by fire. We must be very careful to make wise investments, or in the end, all that will be left is ashes… Will our life's work stand the test of the fire when we come before the Lord? Will it have lasting eternal value - or will it end up in ashes? There's an interesting difference between wood, hay, straw - and gold, silver, and costly stones. Wood, hay, and stubble are found above the ground. They catch the eye, just like many people's ministries do. They are quite plentiful and easy to find. On the other hand, silver, gold, and precious stones are found below the ground. Nobody sees them - again, like many people's ministries. They're not just lying around in a field somewhere for anyone to pick up. They are much harder to come by; in fact, it takes a lot of hard work to get them. That's why they are so expensive. They are of much higher quality than many other things, and much more rare too. Again, it's the quality, not the quantity that sets their value. Many things are difficult in the Christian life, but we should desire to acquire those things which will hold their value, not only on earth, but in heaven as well.
Redeeming The Time In the parable of the ten servants, the story is told of a master who was leaving his home to travel, and before going gave his ten servants ten minas to trade until he returned. On returning from his travels, the master asked his servants for an account of the money given to them. We are only told of the actions of three of the servants, the first of whom made ten minas more and was rewarded with a ‘Well Done’ and given authority over ten cities. The second made five minas and was given authority over five cities. The third who is the central figure of the story (not it’s hero) hid his talent in a napkin for safekeeping, and therefore returned the original amount to his master. The master who probably expected the slave to take his instructions to trade both literally and seriously, was extremely displeased and the servant was then ‘rewarded’ with loss of even the one mina he was originally given. (Luke 19:12-26). Jesus told this parable as He and the disciples were approaching Jerusalem and His final hours on earth. The disciples supposed “the kingdom of God was immediately to appear”. In this context the parable makes a great deal of sense. “… Jesus was nearing Jerusalem. Expectation was at an all-time high. Everyone expected the kingdom to commence upon our Lord’s arrival. This parable was then given by our Lord. The departure of the king to a distant land, and his later return signaled a time delay in the arrival of the kingdom of God. The people expected the kingdom to be established almost immediately, but this parable taught that there were some intervening events which must take place first. The delay of the kingdom’s arrival had at least two reasons. In the first place, the king had to go away in order to gain the right to rule. Our Lord had to lay the foundation for His kingdom by laying down His life for the sins of the world, by making a provision for righteousness on the basis of His grace, so that men could be pronounced righteous and be allowed to enter into His kingdom. Jesus had to go up to heaven to be crowned king (cf. Philippians 2:9-11), and to wait for the Father’s appointed time for Him to return and to reign. In the second place, the delay of the kingdom provided a time for the king’s servants to be proven, to be tested, so that those who were faithful could be rewarded by greater responsibilities in the kingdom. The delay in the coming of the kingdom enables the Master to test His servants in the use of the money that has been entrusted to them. To the degree that the slaves are faithful in the use of money—a small thing—they will be given greater authority, the authority to rule in the kingdom. And finally, while the disciples (especially) thought of the kingdom of God in terms of political revolution and of personal position and power, this parable reminded them that the coming of the kingdom would begin with a time of judgment. A judgment in terms of those who rejected Christ as Savior, and also a judging of the followers of the Lord as to their faithfulness in serving Him, which will be the basis of their rewards in the kingdom”. [The Nobleman: His Slaves and His Citizens By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M. http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1127]
Also Note the Following Scriptures [The list is far from comprehensive] “On the day of judgment, all people will render an account for every careless word they utter” (Matthew 12:36) And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: [1 Peter 1:17]. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward. [Mat 10:41-42] And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. [1 Corinthians 9:25-27]. But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. [2 Corinthians 9:6-7] Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. [James Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. [1Peter 5:2-4]. Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10). for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister. [Hebrews 6:10]
Does this Mean A Believer Never Sins? No it doesn’t. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Here, the apostle says that Christians who claim to be sin free are deceiving themselves. “James was hot-headed, John was judgmental. Peter denied Christ. The Bible is full of sinners—saved ones. To say that Christians can't sin squares neither with the Bible nor life. Christians can and do sin. When they do sin they don't immediately "fall from grace" either. Their relationship with God is stronger than that. How can you read in Paul's epistles the constant call for Christians, saints, the redeemed, to put off sin, lay aside sin, crucify sin, mortify the deeds of the flesh. If Christians never sinned why would Paul address these "saints" and tell them to stop? The truth is, Christians can fall into sin… But they can not sin too. Sin is a choice we make. We can choose to do it and sin. Or we can choose to refrain, and not sin. But we are not trapped forever in a sinful cycle. It is possible to resist temptation and keep from sinning. … Christians don't have to sin”. [Keith Drury. How much can a Christian sin?]
The idea of being born again means that we should be transformed day by day into the image of Christ. Although we should strive for perfection (Matt. 5:48), it doesn't mean that we'll be perfect. when we're born again we receive a new, godly nature (Ephesians 4:24), but our old nature [also called the flesh] still exists. What It Does Mean What are you living for? Is entertaining yourself with hobbies and such something that you do on the side, just occasionally? Or is your relationship with God something that you do on the side, just occasionally? There's a dark, decaying world around us, going to Hell. Are you salt and light? After you die, what will you be remembered for? How many sports statistics you had memorized? How many jokes you knew and how easily you could get people to laugh? How many cans of beer you could drink in a sitting? How well you managed your company or served tables at a restaurant? How much you were loved just because you were born into a particular family, even though you never did much else other than being born? [Don’t Waste Your Life] The prophet Daniel was told: "those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever" - Daniel 12:3
How brightly will you shine? Will you in this late hour, like Esther, stand up and be counted, or will you slink away into the shadows and fritter away your life? Either way, you will be counted. Either way you will receive the rewards (or just dues) at the Bema seat of Christ. Continued in Rewards in Heaven.. | 
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