Many Christians are unaware that the Bible speaks about two different divine judgments. The first one will occur when the church of Christ is judged at the second coming of our Lord Jesus. The Apostle Peter says, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1Pe 4:17) This first judgment has commonly been called “the Judgment Seat of Christ”. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2Co 5:10)
This verse pictures Christ seated on a ‘Bema’ – the Greek word for a raised seat like that of the judge or umpire in the Greek games (the forerunner of our modern Olympic Games). Athletes would stand in front of the ‘Bema’ and the umpire would reward the winners. This is not going to be a judgment of retribution, but one of reward. The works of those who are in Christ at His coming will be evaluated. The deeds and even the motives of Christians will be stringently tested. Indeed, they will be tested by fire. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (1Co 3:12-15) Please note that both the Apostles Peter and Paul are writing to Christians in the above Scriptures. The rewards include the bestowing of various crowns which we have no time to discuss here.
The second judgment will take place about a thousand years later at the end of the Millennium or thousand years of peace. We read about this judgment, referred to as “The Great White Throne Judgment” toward the end of the Book of 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. (Rev 20:11-15)
This is the judgment of unbelievers. First the “book of life” will be opened to establish whether they have believed in God’s Son Jesus and received God’s offer of salvation. Once the absence of their names is established, they will be judged on their deeds and this will settle their eternal destiny. This will not be a judgment for reward, but one of retribution. Wicked people who perhaps escaped judgment by earthly courts will have to stand before the awesome great white throne of God and hear His verdict. In order for them to ‘have their day in court’ as it were, there will be a second resurrection also known as the general resurrection. Believers will not be involved in this as they will have been raised in the first resurrection a thousand years earlier, that is why it is said, “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Rev 20:6) John records Jesus’ words about these two resurrections and judgments: "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned… (Joh 5:28-29) Jesus gives no indication of the time frame here.
The only way you and I can avoid appearing before this great white throne is for us to receive God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jesus said these words, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life…” (Joh 5:24) Jesus assures us that those who believe in Him will not be judged or condemned since they have already crossed from death to life and their names will have been recorded in the Book of Life. He said to his exuberant disciples after their first flush of victory over evil spirits, “…do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luk 10:20) The Apostle Paul cries out triumphantly, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:1-2) Christians escape this second judgment! God has already judged our sins by pouring out His wrath against sin on Jesus our substitute on the Cross. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isa 53:5)
Dear reader, do you know if your name is written in heaven? If you have not yet believed in Jesus and received Him as Saviour you are on perilous ground and will one day face the judgment. Do not delay in making a commitment to Christ for today is the day of salvation.
If you are indeed a child of God, please give Him your best shot and live for His glory. Build with gold, silver and costly stones and receive your great reward. Hear Him say, “Well done good and faithful servant…”
P.S. I make no apologies if these last three blogs on the Judgment of God have literally “scared the Hell out of you!” I believe that is a good thing.
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