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The judgment seat of Christ, also known as the Bema seat, stands as a unique event in God’s prophetic timeline. Unlike other judgments mentioned in Scripture, this particular judgment was revealed as a mystery through the apostle Paul’s ministry, specifically for the church – the body of Christ. It is crucial to understand that this judgment has no reference to sin, as the matter of sin was fully addressed at the cross of Christ.

The nature of the Bema seat is fundamentally celebratory, focusing on the display of God’s building work accomplished through the church and the New Testament ministry. As believers, we eagerly anticipate this event, for

“unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation”

(Hebrews 9:28). This appearance of Christ is not to deal with sin, but to bring the fullness of our salvation to light.

At the Bema seat, the work of every believer will be tested, not to determine salvation, but to reveal the quality of their service in Christ. Paul explains this process:

“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”

(1 Corinthians 3:13). This fire will consume all that is corruptible, leaving only that which is of eternal value – the gold, silver, and precious stones of faithful ministry in Christ.

The transformation of believers at this time is a key aspect of the Bema seat. We will be

“changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump”

(1 Corinthians 15:52). This glorification fulfills God’s predestined purpose for us,

“to be conformed to the image of his Son”

(Romans 8:29). In this moment, everything related to our earthly, fleshly nature will be burned away, and we will stand before Christ in our new, glorified state.

It is important to recognize that Christ serves a dual role at the Bema seat – He is both our judge and our advocate. As John writes,

“if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”

(1 John 2:1). Our judge is the very one who died for us, who clothes us in His righteousness, and who presents us faultless before the Father.

The Bema seat judgment is not about punishing believers for moral failings or sins. Rather, it is an evaluation of the quality and nature of our service and ministry in Christ. Paul warns against building with “wood, hay, stubble” – representing work done in the flesh or through false teaching. Instead, we are encouraged to build with “gold, silver, precious stones” – representing ministry that flows from faith in Christ and is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, the Bema seat serves as a magnificent display of God’s grace. It is the moment when

“the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God”

(Romans 8:21). This event fulfills our predestination

“unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace”

(Ephesians 1:5-6).

As we contemplate the Bema seat, we are filled with joyful anticipation. It is not a time of fear or dread, but a moment when our faith will be

“found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”

(1 Peter 1:7). This judgment seat stands as a testament to the efficacy of Christ’s finished work on the cross and the power of His life working in and through believers.

Verses Referenced:

• Hebrews 9:28 – “For unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
• 1 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.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:52 – “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
• Romans 8:29 – “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
• 1 John 2:1 – “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
• Romans 8:21 – “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
• Ephesians 1:5-6 – “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
• 1 Peter 1:7 – “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”