It is the word used of the crowns promised to believers for faithfulness in the Christian life. There will be no need for forensic punishment, for Christ has forever borne all of God’s wrath toward the believer’s sins.5. At this ‘bema’ believers are to be made manifest, that each may “receive the things done in (or through) the body,” according to what he has done, “whether it be good or bad.” There they will receive rewards for their faithfulness to the Lord. Jesus was brought before Pilate and his Bema seat. The purpose of the ‘Bema’ seat is to make a public manifestation of the essential character and motives of the individual Christian. 32:3-4). Many current translations have chosen the word Judgement Seat of Christ and thus the BEMA is seen as a place of judgement. Why is it called the Bema Seat? doing missionary work, preaching … (5) In Scripture, the church is viewed as the heavenly kingdom and a universal priesthood. This may indicate something of our authority. Though katheudo was used of physical sleep and even death, it was also commonly used of spiritual apathy or carnal indifference to spiritual matters, and this is clearly the context of chapter 5. (2) A Bat Boy at the World Series. But we shall rejoice also as we realize that the rewards given will be another example of the grace of our Lord; for at best we are unprofitable servants” (E. Schuyler English, “The Church At the Tribunal,” in Prophetic Truth Unfolding Today, ed. Rewards become one of the great motives of the Christian’s life or should. 1 Cor. Likewise, the Judgment Seat of Christ is not a judicial bench. The stress is not on a man’s relationship to Christ, but upon service to Christ. (4) The Promises to Overcomers. But this judgment is to evaluate the “spiritual works” we did in this life. I have seen many leap for joy when they have won the victory, but I cannot recall seeing a loser leap for anything. 2:19; Phil. That is the imagery behind what is known as the Bema Seat. 10:14) and loved of God as Christ is loved (John 17:23).3, Again, Chafer writes concerning the Bema, “It cannot be too strongly emphasized that the judgment is unrelated to the problem of sin, that it is more for the bestowing of rewards than the rejection of failure.”4. 3 Lewis Sperry Chafer, Major Bible Themes: 52 Vital Doctrines of the Scripture Simplified and Explained, rev. The judgment seat of Christ might be compared to a commencement ceremony. As mentioned above, this is not only contrary to the finished work of Christ who once and for all paid the penalty for our sins, but it is contrary to the teaching of 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11. This will be answered as we consider the basis on which rewards are given or lost. It contrasts our crowns with the temporal and temporary treasure of this life. Four doctoral dissertations have analyzed his contribution to religious education and evangelism. 24). Although Christians apparently will reflect on this earthly life with some regret, they will also realize what is ahead for them in the heavenly life. God cannot exact payment for sins twice since payment has been fully and forever paid. Herod Agrippa I addressed the people of Tyre and Sidon from his Bema seat. 12:5f and 1 Cor. 2:19-20; 1 Tim. “But he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15). (7) The Casting of Crowns (Rev. It is important to notice that such a man does not suffer the loss of his salvation, but the loss of reward. The following two tabs change content below. This latter realization will be the source of boundless joy. In Romans 14:10 the Apostle called this examining time the Bema of God while in 2 Corinthians 5:10 he called it the Bema of Christ. 12 Samuel Hoyt, “The Judgment Seat of Christ in Theological Perspective,” Part 2, Bibliotheca Sacra, electronic media. 5:10 will lead one to the conclusion that it takes place in Heaven after the Rapture. The ‘Bema’ seat of Christ occurs at the time immediately following the translation of the Church (“Rapture”–See 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52). It is significant that among the final words of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, we find these words of the Lord: Rev. If so, how do we reconcile this with passages like Revelation 7:17, “God shall wipe away every tear from their eye,” and Revelation 21:4, “and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away,” or with Isaiah 65:17, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind”? Colossians 1:29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. God gives us salvation. But the problem of the so-called Bema seat judgment is not really one of misunderstanding the Greek, it is an exegetical problem where some teachers are reading their own presuppositions into the text. Judgment of Christians — Bema Seat Judgment. This seems to be used as a symbol of victory, authority, and responsibility. In all of these passages, “Paul was picturing the believer as a competitor in a spiritual contest. 5:19-21, 26). Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. As the victorious Grecian athlete appeared before the Bema to receive his perishable award, so the Christian will appear before Christ’s Bema to receive his imperishable award. The Greek word “bema” means judgment seat and can be found in the Greek text of Romans 14:10 and 2 Cor. No, it's not BEMA or BEAMER. Bema definition is - the usually raised part of an Eastern church containing the altar. So, they say the Judgement Seat is based on how "faithful we are" as Christians. It is not to judge believers for sin of any kind, confessed or unconfessed. (8) The Many Crowns or Diadems (Rev. But how? Scripture teaches that all sins, both confessed and unconfessed, have been forgiven and taken care of by the work of Christ on the Cross so the Christian will never face those sins again at the judgment. (5) The Promise of Special Responsibilities and Authority of the Lord’s Possessions (cf. “Scripture teaches that for the believer God’s justice has already been fully and forever satisfied at the Cross in relation to the believer’s sins. The word ‘bema’ is the Greek word used in 2 Cor 5 for – ‘judgement seat’ of Christ. Paul is speaking here to the Roman believers. Compare also: 2 Corinthians 5:10 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. He will, likewise, be without guilt because he has been declared righteous. The purpose of the bema is an exhaustive evaluation of our lives. (A relic of one was found among the ruins in Corinth.) (5) 1 John 2:28. This word was taken from Isthmian games where the contestants would compete for the prize under the careful scrutiny of judges who would make sure that every rule of the contest was obeyed (cf. The Bema Seat is the judgment seat where believers will stand before Christ. They are each quite different. 4:5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Confession means we agree with God concerning our sin and want to get back under God’s control. Matt. The Christian has been in court, condemned, sentenced, and executed in his substitute, Jesus Christ. 9:24-25). Such a concept (punishment for sin) erroneously disparages the all-sufficiency of Christ’s death on the cross.”7 Christ paid the penalty for the believer’s pre- and post-conversion sins. Charles Lee Feinberg [Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1968], p. 29). This is the basis of rewards or the cause of their loss, the abiding, Christ-dependent life. What’s the basis on which the Bema is conducted? However, we have ample lessons in life well in advance of … The Greek word [ bema ], which is translated seat, is from a root that means 'base' or the foot (and by extension, step). 5. It is a gift through faith, but He rewards us for good works. During the time of Christ, this word could refer to the platform on which a ruler or judge decided if a person was guilty of a crime. (4) Loss of Opportunities. 3:1-5; 5:5-15; Jer. Carnality causes broken relationships and pain to those around us—our families, friends, associates, and co-workers in the body of Christ (Gal. I remember going to a little league baseball game and watching a Methodist pastor leap upon the home plate fence while cheering on his son, who just hit his … Upon bodily death, the un-saved appear before the Great White Throne of God for the so-called "Great White Throne judgment" -- where God looks over their lives of sin, sees that their sin-debt has not already been paid off by Jesus blood, and thus casts them into hell to pay for their own sin-debt by spending eternity there. The so-called bema seat judgment gets its name from the Greek language in 2 Cor. “The judgment seat of God” is compose of the articular dative neuter singular form of the noun bema(βα) (vee-mah), “the judgment seat” and the articular genitive masculine singular form of the noun theos(θεός) (thay-oce), “of God.” The Bema Seat. (a) The verb is what we call in Greek an aorist subjunctive, and with the basic meaning of this verb, the grammar points to a future act, but not a continuous state. (A relic of one was found among the ruins in Corinth.) Many times the Judgment Seat of Christ is referred to by Biblical scholars as “The Bema Seat”. 19:8 with Dan. At this judgment, Christians will receive degrees of reward for their works or service to God. There used to be a sign in the registrar’s office at Dallas Seminary which read, “Salvation is by grace … Graduation is by works.”. Upon bodily death, the un-saved appear before the Great White Throne of God for the so-called "Great White Throne judgment" ... whose lives of sin have already been paid for by Jesus' blood shed on the cross at Calvary-- appear before the Bema Seat, where God metes out rewards commensurate with the person's actions while on earth (i.e. 15:17; Jn. 5:10; 1 John 2:28). Please note that the clause “he shall suffer loss” would be better rendered “it (the reward) shall be forfeited.”. By Walter D. Huyck Jr., D. Min. 22:12 Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. The Bema Seat judgment is for all Christians. When Adam and Eve chose to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they acted in self-centered independence which was idolatry and sin. What are they and how are they described in Scripture? It will occur somewhere in the heavenlies in the presence of the Lord. 1 Cor 13:13-15: “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. It was a tribal bench in Roman courtroom where the governor sat and rendered judgement on civil matters. They could enjoy themselves freely provided they abstained from eating from the one forbidden tree. While bema is used in the gospels and Acts of the raised platform where a Roman magistrate or ruler sat to make decisions and pass sentence (Matt. One such verse is Romans 14:10-12: "For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God … So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." 5:9-10; 1 John 2:28; Rev. 14:10-12; 1 Cor. It is called the Tribulation. Because Christ alone is worthy and because we can only be fruitful when we abide in Him allowing His life to fills ours, we will all cast our crowns before Him in recognition that all we have done is by His grace. 25:21; Lk. 2. 2:7; 2:11, 17, 26. Reasons for this will be set forth and developed as we study the nature, purpose, and basis for the Bema. -----I … This judgment is often taught as simply an awards ceremony, but that is not entirely correct. This is clear from the context and the analogy to the Greek athletic games. First Corinthians 4:5 says the Lord will come and "bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. This is seen in those passages where a reward is administered in the form of something like “well done thou good and faithful servant …” (cf. The expression “the judgment seat of Christ” in the English Bible has tended to cause some to draw the wrong conclusion about the nature and purpose of this evaluation. 27:29; Mk. However, certain Bible verses declare that Christians will indeed be judged at what is called the Judgment Seat or Bema Seat of Christ. (3) To reward the believer for all the good he or she has done as portrayed by the symbols of gold, silver, and precious stones, that which is valuable and can stand the test of fire without being consumed. 4:10), Paul may also have in mind a personal crown or reward that he will receive because of their presence at the return of the Lord. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire .”. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This means that rather than operating by faith in God’s provision, we end up operating in the energy of the flesh. 17:22; 14:30). Many will … We will each be enthralled with God and our glorified state. God graciously supplies the means by which we may serve Him. Crowns are given as rewards for faithfulness to appropriate God’s grace and Christ’s victory in the Christian life. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. Instead, it should be defined as the pursuit of our self-interest in our own way, rather than in God’s way. “We may have confidence.” “Confidence” is parrhesia and means “courage, boldness to speak.” Point: Though none of us are perfect or ever will be, still, faithfulness to abide and obey the Lord will give confidence of rewards. Hoyt has a good summary of what this passage is talking about and involves: The Bible suggests that there will be shame at the judgment seat of Christ to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the measure of unfaithfulness of each individual believer. Only those who are born again believers will stand before the ‘Bema’ seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1-19). The mercy seat was one of many articles of the temple built by artists, metal-workers, and carpenters: "Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded: the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen" (Exodus 35:10 … At the Bema Seat of Christ, the lives and works of … He has written over 2,000 reference and/or popular articles and received six honorary doctoral degrees. This last view I believe to be the one that is in accord with Scripture. The purpose of the bema is an exhaustive evaluation of our lives. (3) The Crown of Exultation or Rejoicing (1 Thess. God can therefore find no cause for accusing the Christian judicially any more than He can find cause for accusing Jesus Christ. Will any punishment be meted out? from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Th.M. The judge's purpose was to determine what position the runners came in-first, second, and so on-and then to give out the appropriate rewards. Some believe in a partial rapture theory which says that only those in fellowship with the Lord will be raptured as a form of punishment for their sin. Some crucial questions are: Why are we brought before the Bema? from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.He is co-founder of Liberty University, with Jerry Falwell, in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of Liberty’s existence. 8:18-25). He used the Greek katheudo in 5:10 rather than koimao, the word he used metaphorically in 4:13-14 of physical death. The victor of a given event who participated according to the rules was led by the judge to the platform called the Bema. It was never used as a judicial bench". So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” (ESV). Key Verses on Rewards: Rom. As such, use of the word "beemer" to refer to a BMW automobile is frowned upon by some BMW enthusiasts,[3] because it is the term used for motorcycles. The very desire to escape eternal damnation is a legitimate and urgent self-interest. (b) It is also a special crown given for faithfulness in running the race and exercising self-control in order to serve the Lord and finish the race. Jn. This was the royal crown, the crown of a king. Today, the University has over 11,400 students on campus with 39,000 in the Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), and he is the Dean of the School of Religion.Dr. They maintain the seriousness of the examination and yet emphasize the commendation aspect of the judgment seat. from Dallas Theological Seminary also in Dallas, a MRE from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a D.Min. The judge’s purpose was to determine what position the runners came in-first, second, and so on-and then to give out the appropriate rewards. 3:1-0-15 and 2 Cor. This event will occur immediately following the rapture or resurrection of the church after it is caught up to be with the Lord in the air as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The mercy seat was an object that rested on top of the Ark of the Covenant and was associated with the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament. Although the distinction is … ... Scripture teaches that there are three judgments: Bema Seat judgment, Sheep and Goat Judgment, and the Great White Throne judgment. The judge at the Bema bestowed rewards to the victors. Explain the nature of God’s judgment of believers in this life. They say experience is a hard teacher because it gives the test first and the lessons afterward. Note that these two things go together. 6:20; 1 Pet. It is a family matter. Though we will not be judged in the sense of punished for sin at the Bema since the Lord has born that for us, we must never take sin lightly because there are many consequences. In these passages we read such things as “give account of himself,” “suffer loss,” “shrink away from Him in shame,” and “recompense for his deeds … whether good or bad.”. This judgment will occur in heaven just after the rapture and is explained in 1 Cor. These verses show we cannot come into judgment. John 3:18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Jesus was brought before Pilate and his Bema seat. 11:28-32. And why does God judge believers for unconfessed sin as with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 and some of the believers in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 11:28f? 2:12-13), but the decision to serve, and the diligence employed in doing so, are our responsibility and our contribution and God sees this as rewardable. 421-422.). This is no more a punishment than when a student turns in a worthless assignment and receives an F or a D. His poor work results in a just grade or recompense. Then why do we have to confess sin in this life? The emotional condition of the redeemed is that of complete and unending happiness. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, ... (BEMA) seat of Christ will commence: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. However, certain Bible verses declare that Christians will indeed be judged at what is called the Judgment Seat or Bema Seat of Christ. The bema was not a judicial bench where someone was condemned; it was a reward seat. Both Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:9 speak of the “judgment seat.” This is a translation of one Greek word, the word bema. They emphasize the importance and necessity of faithful living today but reject any thought of forensic punishment at the Bema. 7:18, 22, 27. (4) That dispensing of rewards is in view is also evident from the Greek words in 2 Corinthians 5:10 translated “good” (agathos—valuable like good fruit) and “bad” (phaulos—unacceptable like rotten or spoiled fruit). I was taught we’d all be at the same judgement, whether saved or unsaved, which is apparently incorrect. 4:10-11). The goal, however, is always to bring us back to Him (Heb. 3:24; 5:15-17; 6:23; Eph. (1) To evaluate the quality of every believer’s work whether it is good or bad, i.e., acceptable and thus worthy of rewards, or unacceptable, to be rejected and unworthy of rewards. At graduation there is some measure of disappointment and remorse that one did not do better and work harder. Emotion proceeds from the realization of facts in personal experience. In August of 2001 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and on August 29th, 2002 he went home to be with the Lord. Why? They w ill still have the gift of salvation purchased for them by the Blood of christ. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, the Apostle Paul drew courage and was motivated by the fact of rewards at the return of the Lord for the church which he mentions in every chapter in this epistle and becomes the primary subject of 2 Thessalonians. These could refer to special blessing of rewards to those believers who overcomer special trials and tests rather than a general promise to all believers. Compare the following passages: 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Why is it called the BEMA? It is used of the seven diadems of the Beast in Revelation 12:3 and 13:1. (3) In 2 Timothy 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 4:5, rewards are associated with “that day” and with the Lord’s coming. Bema Seat. 1:24f, moral degeneration and the gradual breakdown in the moral fiber of men when they turn away from God. Both Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:9 speak of the “judgment seat.” This is a translation of one Greek word, the word bema. Known sin in one’s life causes a loss of intimate fellowship with the Lord with the consequent loss of His joy and peace (Ps. A separate raised platform for clergy which, in antiquity–particularly in Syria–was located in the … In 1 Cor. Key Scriptures: Heb. The Bema Seat was something that the recipients of these letters would have been familiar with – The Ancient Greek bēma (βῆμα) means both ‘platform’ and ‘step’. . At the Bema seat, we will be rewarded for works done in the Spirit. Two things: (a) This describes all the crowns. [Sale-Harrison, Judgment Seat of Christ; quoted in Pentecost, Things to Come]! 3:13-15 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. . John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. In view of his use of “crown” (stephanos, the victor’s wreath) in other places, and the fact believers will cast their crowns before the Lord (Rev. Selfishness ought not to be defined simply as the pursuit of our own self-interest. Jesus was brought before Pilate and his Bema seat. The graduates do not leave the auditorium weeping because they did not earn better grades. All believers will live in the millennium and in eternity with the Lord. If a man’s work remains undamaged by the fire, accordingly, he receives rewards (Greek misthos) … If a man’s work does not endure, and is consumed in the fire, then he shall “suffer loss.” Everything he has devoted himself to in this life (those things done in his own strength and for his own glory) shall be burnt up suddenly. “And now little children.” John is writing to believers. In 1 Cor. Similarly, Paul tells rich people that “God … gives us richly all things to enjoy.” (1 Tim. 4:10; Rom. This was the victor’s crown, the wreath given to the victorious athlete before the judge at the Bema. Within the church, there exists a good deal of confusion and disagreement concerning the exact nature of the Bema. Elimination of the curse, pain and death will also remove sorrow, tears and crying (Rev. The believer is seen by the Father as clothed in the righteousness of Christ. The crowns of royalty which stand for Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lord who alone has the right to rule and judge the world. It is discipline designed to train and bring believers back to a walk with God. Sometimes this comes in the form of various kinds of testing, trials, failure, and predicaments which He uses to correct us, to train us, and, if we have been going our own stubborn way, to increase our misery. The believer’s works are brought into judgment, called “the things done in his body” (2 Corinthians 5:10), in order that it may be determined whether they are good or bad. 2:10). Any young man who loves baseball would probably be thrilled to be a bat boy in the World Series, but he would not be jealous or resentful because he was not one of the stars of the game. “Abide in Him.” “Abide” is a synonym for fellowship which is the subject of the book (1:3-7). Self-centeredness or selfishness is preoccupation with self at the expense of others and God’s will in one’s life. As we will note through out our study, the Judgment Seat of Christ will not be a judgment of eternal condemnation, on those who lose rewards. While salvation is a gift, there are rewards given for faithfulness in the Christian life and loss of rewards for unfaithfulness.