Our Text for this series:
Hebrews 5:12-14 NKJV
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 6:1-2 NKJV
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Two Judgements, Two Seats
As we study through scripture, we see that there is indeed two different judgements. One judgement is for all of those whose names are NOT found in “the book of life”, the unsaved, and take place at the “great white throne” of God. The other is for all those who ARE found in the “book of life…”, the saved, and takes place “…before the judgement seat of Christ…”
Revelation 20:12 NLT I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.
2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Notice the description in Revelations 20:11 of God’s throne; “And I saw a great white throne…” White is used here, but I believe a better description from the Greek would be “brilliant” as in brilliant light. So we can visualize that, as God is light, His throne would be masked with His brilliant light, His glory, also. That’s a much better depiction than simply “white.”
The Lake of Fire
God wants all to be saved, yet man has free will and is required to choose to receive or to refuse salvation.
2 Peter 3:9 KJV The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Those who choose to refuse salvation will be judged at the “great white throne of God” “according to their works.” “Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:10 KJV And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The Greek word for tormented could be expanded for better understanding: to torture; to vex with grievous pains, to be harassed, distressed.
New Heaven, New Earth
Those whose names are found in “the book of life” will be judged by their works also and will receive their reward according to their works, without condemnation. They will also enter into the new heaven and the new earth.
Romans 8:1 KJV There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Revelation 21:1-4 KJV And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Romans 14:10,12 NLT 10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.
Here’s an excerpt from Rick Renner’s “Foundations of Faith” series that tackles the word “judgment:”
“Interestingly, the word judgment is not in the original text. The phrase rendered “judgment seat” in Romans 14:10 is the Greek word bema, and it describes a platform on which a judge or governor gave judgment. The word bemawas taken from the Ancient Greek Isthmian games in which athletes competed for a reward. As they competed, they were under the careful scrutiny of judges who watched to make sure every rule of the contest was obeyed. After the games had ended, the victors were led to a platform, which was called the bema. The bema was the place where the judge placed laurel crowns on the heads of those who had fought well.
By using the word bema, Paul depicts believers as competitors in a spiritual contest. And just as victorious athletes appeared before the bema to receive a physical reward, Christians will one day appear before Christ’s bema to receive an incorruptible, spiritual reward. His bema will not be a place where losers are punished. It will be a place where all believers’ works will be evaluated, and those who fought and competed well – according to the “rules” of His Word and His will – will be rewarded.”
Crown Reward
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 MEV each one’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on the foundation endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss. But he himself will be saved, still going through the fire.
Fire strips away the impurities of a substance and, here, that substance is the work we did on the earth. How well did we perform the work of spreading the gospel that all believers are called to? How well did we perform the work that He called us to personally? Jesus will reveal, after the impurities are burned off, the truth of our work and reward each according to the truth.
The Bible speaks of 5 different crowns that can be awarded to a believer through judgment:
- Incorruptible Crown: 1 Corinthians 9:25 MEV Everyone who strives for the prize exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. Speaks to discipline.
- Crown of Rejoicing: 1 Thessalonians 2:19 MEV For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Will it not even be you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? Speaks to evangelizing.
- Crown of Righteousness: 2 Timothy 4:8 MEV From now on a crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing. Speaks to those who live a sanctified life while waiting for Jesus to return.
- Crown of Glory: 1 Peter 5:4 MEV And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of glory that will not fade away. Speaks to faithful pastors.
- Crown of Life: James 1:12 MEV Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Revelation 2:10 MEV Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Speaks to those who have suffered yet remained faithful.
The Bible speaks of many other rewards on earth and in heaven and I wanted to touch on these specifically because they don’t receive much attention among Christians.
Because God loves you and doesn’t want to lose you to Satan, He left you with the choice between the two. He won’t violate your free will and that also means that He has placed on your shoulders the responsibility for that choice.
There are many in this world and throughout history who have discounted God and chosen the lies of the devil and these people are more than willing to bring you down with them. There are those who have no beliefs either way, there are those who will persecute you for your beliefs and their are those who will try to destroy your beliefs, so that the devil will have you also.
Who you don’t associate with is just as important as who you do associate with. Surround yourself with your brothers and sisters in Christ and keep the Word of God before you day and night and this will help you keep strong and filled with the Word. This way when you are in the world, surrounded by it, you can stand strong in the light of Christ and not have your flame put out.
There are two judgments…one for the unsaved leading to the lake of fire…and one for the saved leading to a new earth and a new heaven. The choice, and the responsibility of that choice, is ours.
Revelation 20:11-15 KJVS
11 And I saw a great white (bright, brilliant) 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. 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. 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. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.