By Scott Johnson
Two Greek words help explain the final Judgment of mankind. The Word "Bema" is used in Romans 14.10 and 2 Cor 5.10 for the phrase "judgment seat": 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. (Rom 14:10 KJV-BRG) 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. (2Co 5:10 KJV-BRG). The "judgment seat" or bema judgment is a reward judgment not a condemnation judgment. Remember, Jesus was sent not to judge the world but to save the world. He, Jesus, is coming again and his "Reward " will be manifest: "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. (Rev 22:12 NIV)
Just as Joseph gave rewards to his brothers in measure at his table of grace, mercy, and forgiveness----so Jesus will give rewards to his brothers at his table of grace, mercy and forgiveness: But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--(Heb 2:9-14 NIV).
Christ has not given us the spirit of fear, but the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind. There is therefore, now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus because the law of the Spirit has set us free from the law of sin and death....and judgment: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (and judgment)--(Col 1:21-22 NIV). I see our rewards being given at the wedding supper of the Lamb---a time of celebration, a time of joy, a time of recognition, a time of rewards--at the bema judgment!
By contrast, the white throne judgment is a time of ruling and decision by the Son's Father, by the God of all creation: Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens 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 they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:11-15 NIV) This krisis judgment will indeed be a great crisis!
Remember it is the dead who are judged at this krisis judgement. The Greek word "krisis" refers to a decision rendering judgment, a condemnation judgment. The dead are at the krisis judgment, the living are at the wedding and the bema judgment seat. "It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me", "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain", "I am the resurrection and the life....he who lives and believes in me will never die". "I am the God of the living, not the God of the dead!". Do you believe this? Why not make plans to attend the wedding! How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God (in marriage to the Lamb)! (Heb 9:14 NIV)
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected]