If we are saved by grace through faith, why are we judged?

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O

OwenHeidenreich

Guest
#1
please understand my question before you answer

So i've read that we are judged, on Judgement Day, by our Works. Yet we are saved through God's graceful gift of salvation through faith.
So where does "doing works" establish itself in the role of salvation?

I understand that we are supposed to BE Christ-like and BE perfect (just like our Father) but why does he Judge us if we are already saved?

for example:

my friend says hes a "bad christian" because he has never "saved somebody" (i know only jesus can save, but the point in the example is to say that he has never sowed a seed of truth in to somebodies life)

So he says hes a bad christian because he has never done good works for the Lord. yet, helives his life for god and hes faithful and he knows jesus is lord. HE is rewarded with the holy spirit because of this faith he has. if he dies right now, he would not go to hell.

whats the point in him being judged if he knows jesus is lord?
 
I

ib4gzus

Guest
#2
There are 2 different Judgements in the Bible.

There's the Judgement Seat of Christ,
(for Saved people only), which will not be a judgement but a reward will be given you according to your works.

2 Corinthians 5:10
[SUP]10 [/SUP]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.
_____________________________________________

And then there's the White Throne Judgement
(only the unsaved will be judged here) according to their works.
(Rev. 20:11,12)
[SUP]11 [/SUP]And I saw a great white 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. [SUP]12 [/SUP]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.
 
O

OwenHeidenreich

Guest
#3
There are 2 different Judgements in the Bible.

There's the Judgement Seat of Christ,
(for Saved people only), which will not be a judgement but a reward will be given you according to your works.

2 Corinthians 5:10
[SUP]10 [/SUP]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.
_____________________________________________

And then there's the White Throne Judgement
(only the unsaved will be judged here) according to their works.
(Rev. 20:11,12)
[SUP]11 [/SUP]And I saw a great white 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. [SUP]12 [/SUP]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.
both of those verses say that BOTH the unsaved and the saved are there.

and i still dont know why were judged by our works if he saves us through faith.
 
J

jimmydiggs

Guest
#4
both of those verses say that BOTH the unsaved and the saved are there.

and i still dont know why were judged by our works if he saves us through faith.
You don't even understand grace.
 
Nov 26, 2011
3,818
62
0
#5
please understand my question before you answer

So i've read that we are judged, on Judgement Day, by our Works. Yet we are saved through God's graceful gift of salvation through faith.
So where does "doing works" establish itself in the role of salvation?

I understand that we are supposed to BE Christ-like and BE perfect (just like our Father) but why does he Judge us if we are already saved?

for example:

my friend says hes a "bad christian" because he has never "saved somebody" (i know only jesus can save, but the point in the example is to say that he has never sowed a seed of truth in to somebodies life)

So he says hes a bad christian because he has never done good works for the Lord. yet, helives his life for god and hes faithful and he knows jesus is lord. HE is rewarded with the holy spirit because of this faith he has. if he dies right now, he would not go to hell.

whats the point in him being judged if he knows jesus is lord?

The confusion lies in a misunderstanding of what "saved by grace through faith" actually means.

The Bible says this...

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Thus the QUICKENING is connected to GRACE.

The Bible says this...

Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Quickened Together means...

Quickened Together - suzōopoieō - G4806
From G4862 and G2227; to reanimate conjointly with (figuratively): - quicken together with.


The Bible also says this...

Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Refreshing means...

Refreshing -anapsuxis - G403
an-aps'-ook-sis
From G404; properly a recovery of breath, that is, (figuratively) revival: - revival.

We are quickened by the Word (Psa 119:50) and by the Spirit (1 Pet 3:18).

Thus when the Bible says this...

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

...keep this in mind...

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

In other words the grace of God is the divine influence or drawing of God upon the heart of men. It is in yielding to this divine influence and cooperating with it that we are QUICKENED TOGETHER with Christ whereby we are raised up to newness of life.

FAITH = YIELDING = FAITHFULNESS = TRUSTING = PUTTING ONESELF IN GOD'S HANDS

Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Because...

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Faith is inclusive of diligently seeking, believing and trusting God.

So when the Bible says this...

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The context is this...

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jesus had this to say...

Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

In other words we are not our own workmanship, we are His workmanship.

So why does God judge us by our deeds? Well deeds are the manifest fruit of genuinely abiding in the vine...

Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Thus...

Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

The fruit we produce is evidence of the tree we belong to.

Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?


Obedience unto Righteousness unto Holiness the end of which is everlasting life (Rom 6:19,22)

or

Disobedience to righteousness, ie. obeying sin unto death.

Hence...

Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,


Thus with the above in mind the confusion wrought by "saved by grace through faith" is a result of people believing that "faith is passive trust" and "grace is a free provision."

In other words many people believe that "saved by grace through faith" is "trusting in a provision whereby one is declared righteous APART from the inward purity resultant of faithfully yielding to the divine influence of God upon the heart."

Throw the "quickening" out the window and one has thrown the resultant "manifest deeds of righteousness" out the window with it. Thus with "manifest righteous deeds" out the window salvation is merely a forensic position APART from actual conduct hence the confusion of "why are we judged by our deeds?"
 
O

OwenHeidenreich

Guest
#6
I love your amazing insight. but my question still remains, i'll word it this way

if you were the Judge of a court of law and i was giving my account because i robbed a bank therefore i am guilty. however, you happen to be very generous and say "you are forgiven, and your debt is payed off. i personally payed it off for you and because you're my friend, therefore you dont have to go to jail." then you say "and here, have a cookie."

haha okay so that was my example, and obviously the Judge represents God,
the payed off debt is the crucifixion as well as the life of faith (everythiung you talked about above),
the forgiveness is gods grace (i hope i'm correct in this example)
and also the cookie represents heaven (it was the best simple thing i could think of. we both know heaven is more than a cookie :) )

so my question is. "Why are we judged, if we are already forgiven and we dont need to pay off any 'fines'?"
 
Feb 7, 2013
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#7
Peace be with you friend and JESUS loves you.
The way GOD approached mankind in the Old Covenant and New Covenant are quite similar.
In the Old HE used Moses and Aaron and in the New HE used HIS SON and HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
How the Israelites were in bondage of slavery to pharoh, the same people of all nation were in bondage of slavery to sin and satan.
How Moses and Aaron brought the Israelites to the mount the same JESUS brought the crowd to a mount (Matthew 5, sermon on the mount).
How GOD through Moses and Aaron gave the crowd the Old Covenant which consist of GOD's 'Law of the letter' to 'Keep', the same GOD through JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT gave the New Covenant which consist of GOD's 'Law of the SPIRIT' to 'Keep'.
How the Israelites in the Old who disobeyed GOD's Law of the letter and were judged and punished, the same will be for Christians who disobey the New Covenant teachings, commandments and instructions that are spirit and life from JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT.
'By grace and through faith.' means one has just been redeemed from the bondage slavery of sin and then from Matthew 5 onwards JESUS gives us GOD's Law of the SPIRIT and makes a New Covenant. Those who hear and do not practice them and those who do not abide in them will stand judgement.
Meantime Christians can do whatever they like, since the MASTER is away. We have the New Covenant instruction manual of CHRIST to know whether we are faithful to HIM or not.
Apostle Paul was not wrong in saying this; 'Workout your salvation in fear and trembling.'
In other words he is saying; 'You are already saved but continue now to walk and grow in CHRIST's Teachings in the Gospels, book of Acts, epistles of the Apostles and book of Revelation.
May GOD the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST forgive us, help us and guide us to grow in spirit and truth.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#8
both of those verses say that BOTH the unsaved and the saved are there.

and i still dont know why were judged by our works if he saves us through faith.
actually this is not true.

in the first one (in the greek bema) WE are the believers in christ who are saved by his blood.

the bema judgment in the greek is the judgment for reward.. at the olympics, the judges gave reward for work done.. (whoever won the race etc...) This is the gold silver precious stone, wood hey straw judgment. there will be no unbelievers at this judgment.

the second is a different word (I cant remember right nowl i can look it up when I get home) only the unsaved (death and hades) will be there. also notice.. these people were delivered to Christ, not risen by him, or ressurected..


Hope this helps
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
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#9
1 Cor 3:11-15 The works which we have done will be tested by fire. Those works that stand the test will result in rewards to the believer. We are building upon our foundation who is Christ. If we build poorly then our works will perish in the fire. How do we build those things that will stand the test? He that winneth souls is wise. All the works that stand will be those done in the strength of the Lord and not our will.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,363
185
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#10
Short answer...

We are saved by faith and rewarded according to our works. Being given eternal life is the penny each laborer was given no matter how many hours he worked. The reward of governing ten cities, five cities etc. is the reward given according to works. Tow different thigns that are tied together in salvation as a whole.
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,363
185
63
#11
Judgment is not a "standing before the bench" one time event. We are judged daily...

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

And the criteria for judgment is according to our works...

Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

20:12 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.

Rev 20:13 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.

Notice these scriptures are referring to giving to every man according to his works. Salvation (eternal life) is the gift of God and has nothing to do with a reward according to works. The reward for each of us will be different and it will be according to our works....

1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 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.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
 

allaboutlove

Senior Member
Jun 11, 2013
480
4
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#12
Owen look at it his way if you commit a crime your going to hwve to go before a judge for it biy you hire yourself a good lawyer an he saves you from any actual punshiment... the lawyer obvisoly represents jesus we are still going to hwve to give account for are sins but jesus is going to defend an let the judge know are crimes are coverd by his blood an we are to be set free.... thats the best way i know how to put it.
 
Sep 4, 2012
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#13
It's kind of like an employee evaluation at the end of the year. You're called into the boss' office to have your work for the year judged and rewarded (or not) based on your performance. You are not called into the office to be fired.
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
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#14
so my question is. "Why are we judged, if we are already forgiven and we dont need to pay off any 'fines'?"
Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Was the debt that the Lord paid for you a lot or a little? Did He give you a lot or a little?

You're forgiven but do you believe it? Are you still working for it? Or are you working because of it?
 
E

enoch1nine

Guest
#16
my friend says hes a "bad christian" because he has never "saved somebody" (i know only jesus can save, but the point in the example is to say that he has never sowed a seed of truth in to somebodies life)
If he talks a friend out of a bad plan, or gives a meal to a hungry person, hasn't he, rather Jesus, saved that person from one of his troubles? And therefore he has done the real work of Jesus, which isn't simply "putting someone one the list"

Or for that matter, if he simply forgives someone when they do wrong to him and doesn't storm around day and night in his mind on how to get even, or to wish misfortune on them, hasn't he done the works of Jesus?

I think this is how we are judged, not based on whether we call Him "real" or get others to do the same.
 

SparkleEyes

Senior Member
Mar 23, 2013
771
21
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#17
Short answer...

We are saved by faith and rewarded according to our works. Being given eternal life is the penny each laborer was given no matter how many hours he worked. The reward of governing ten cities, five cities etc. is the reward given according to works. Tow different thigns that are tied together in salvation as a whole.
John832 - I love your answer.

Here is my take. We are saved by grace. The way I see it, we don't have to DO anything else to get into heaven. However, serving Him, sharing the word with others, reading the Bible, learning more, etc all all things that He wants us to do. Those things make Him happy. A Christian should want to make God happy and proud of us. When we get to heaven, He will ask us about the things we did while on earth. He will smile when he sees how obedient we were. We should all want to make God smile. :cool:
 
Last edited:
Nov 26, 2011
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#18
My comments in blue.

I love your amazing insight. but my question still remains, i'll word it this way

if you were the Judge of a court of law and i was giving my account because i robbed a bank therefore i am guilty. however, you happen to be very generous and say "you are forgiven, and your debt is payed off. i personally payed it off for you and because you're my friend, therefore you dont have to go to jail." then you say "and here, have a cookie." What you have written in bold is a fallacy. Jesus did not "pay your sin debt off." You won't find anything in the Bible teaching that. You will find teachers teaching that who snip a verses and apply conjecture to them in an attempt to convince themselves and others that this is what the Bible is teaching.

Jesus purchased YOU. Jesus purchased YOU from the dominion of sin that you may forsake the "service of sin" and instead "serve righteousness." Thus the gift of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ whilst the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23).

You see it is the Spirit of life IN Jesus Christ which sets you free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). When one is walking according to the Spirit they are not walking according to the lusts of the flesh, it is in walking according to the lusts of the flesh that one sins and thus EARNS sins wages which is death.

It is through the blood of Christ that we are purchased from sins dominion via the washing of regeneration via the blood of Christ where out hearts are made clean before God. It is in this state that we can then serve God acceptable as servants of righteousness having put off our former life of serving sin.

Carefully read Romans 6, 7 and 8 very slowly and reflect on what you read.

haha okay so that was my example, and obviously the Judge represents God,
the payed off debt is the crucifixion as well as the life of faith (everythiung you talked about above),
the forgiveness is gods grace (i hope i'm correct in this example) Whilst there is the aspect of grace whereby God endures our rebellion for a time ie.

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But
where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Or in other words...

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

This grace is not a license to keep on sinning in the hope that God's forbearance will continue even more...

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?


The grace of God exists for the express purpose of ending the service of sin.

Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.


Thus...

Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Grace removes the dominion or hold of death that sin has over a believer for it is via the blood of Christ that this happens...


Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.


Keep the above in mind when reading the following...

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. [When someone sins they fall under condemnation (sins dominion) and a return to obedience cannot undo this, it is via grace that the reprieve is found.]
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. [Paul asks the question that should we sin because of the reprieve? No he says.]
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? [Being reconciled to God is more than just receiving forgiveness, it involves the switching of masters. We go from a state of "serving sin" to a state of "serving righteousness." Those who remain servants of sin are deceiving themselves into believing they have been set free.]
Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. [The service of sin ends when one obeys from the heart the doctrine of Christ.]
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Rom 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Rom 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus rescues us from the service of sin whereby we earn the wages of sin which is death.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

God pardons our former rebellion and effects the change necessary they we do not offend again. Thereby we are set free from condemnation AND bondage.


and also the cookie represents heaven (it was the best simple thing i could think of. we both know heaven is more than a cookie :) )

so my question is. "Why are we judged, if we are already forgiven and we dont need to pay off any 'fines'?" Again the notion that "your fine was paid" is a falsehood. God does not forgive sins on the basis of the fine being paid. God FREELY forgives sins on the basis of repentance and faith whereby one is purged by the blood of Christ (Heb 9:14).

Our DEEDS are related to the choices we make in how we redeem our time and whether we produce the fruit of righteousness or the fruit of wickedness. Thus God judges all men by what they DO.

 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
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#19
A chapter from my manuscript....

HOW WILL WE BE JUDGED?


We’ve seen prior to Jesus’ return the events by which the world will be judged, and that we will take part in it. But it’s not just that earthly judgment we have to be concerned with. In Revelation 11, where we heard the 7th trumpet sound, those around God’s throne proclaim that the time has come for Him to rule and judge the saints. That’s us. And that’s a whole separate judgment. The tribulation events are an earthly phenomenon, occurring before His return; judging the saints is spiritual and comes after He gathers us. So how then will we be judged?

Jesus likened this judgment as to when a man going on a journey called his servants together and gave them each some money to look after. When he returned he found that two had wisely invested the monies to earn more. He was proud of them and put them in charge over parts of his estate. But a third servant had only hid his, returning no more than what he had been given. The man scolded this servant and cast him out, calling him unfaithful. "To whom much is given, much will be required” Jesus said[1].

This is pretty clear and logical. We will be called to account for how we use what He gives us. The productive servant will be rewarded, and the unproductive is ‘cast out’.

Jesus had earlier likened our entrance into His Kingdom as to when a king threw a feast and those he invited were too busy to respond[2]. So the king opened the doors and took in anyone who would come, filled the place and the feast began. Those who had been invited came at their leisure, only to find themselves tossed out and the door shut in their face.

Jesus later expanded on this by telling of 10 ‘virgins’ (using a term that references wedding attendants) with lamps who went out to wait for a bridegroom[3]. The groom was delayed and the attendants went to sleep. Late at night they were awakened by the bridegroom’s coming. Turning up their lamps to receive him, half of them were out of oil and had to go find some. While they were gone, the groom arrived and took the others into the wedding feast. When the five without oil returned later, they found themselves denied entrance and shut out.

There’s a recurring theme here. We are accountable for how we use what He gives us; The prudent enter into a feast, and the ‘tardy’ are shut out.

Paul described our judgment[4], where he says we will give an account of our lives to God and receive good or bad for our works. Paul explained to the Corinthians[5] that those who founded their faith in Jesus build upon that foundation by the works they do, whether good (represented by silver and gold) or bad (wood and straw). On the day of judgment these works will be tested by fire, and those whose work is not burnt up will be rewarded, while those whose work is burned away will suffer a loss. But they will be saved, as though "through the fire” Paul says.

As though thru the fire. What does that mean?

When Jesus returns and takes us up He will host a feast, a wedding feast to be exact and we’ll look at that in a bit. The point is when He returns, those He finds faithfully responsive will enter in with Him to this feast. But those who aren’t will find themselves shut out of it. Remember, these are all part of that group that He gathered to Him. None the less some are separated from Him for a time because of their faithlessness.

Hell in its Biblical form is a place set apart from the presence of God[6], and described as a lake of fire. With God inside at the wedding feast, those who are locked out are set apart from His presence, and therefore going through a very real form of hell. "As though through the fire,” Paul said. Jesus said that the unfaithful servant will be appointed a portion with the unbelievers[7], and repeatedly warned that those who fail His judgment will be cast out into darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth[8] - a close analogy to the wailing and gnashing described going on in the lake of fire[9].

There is debate on whether you get your heaven or hell pass by ‘being good’. Jesus says that for actually getting in, no that does not matter. The reason that doesn’t matter is because all you have to do is be bad once, and your ticket is punched. And Lord knows we’re all going to trip up at some point. That’s why Jesus says that He is not just the way to God, but the only way to Him. He paid our entry fee, and there’s nothing we can possibly do to earn it aside from accepting it. That is the unforgiveable sin – not accepting forgiveness. So no, being good does not get you into ‘heaven’.

BUT – being good or bad does get you into or out of Jesus’ wedding feast. If you’re cast out then you will go thru purification in something very similar to hell while the feast goes on.

Also note again that this not the end of the world, but the end of the age. There is another judgment which occurs at the end of the world[10], where God sits upon the Great White Throne and divides mankind up into two groups, namely His and not His people. Those who are not His People are cast into the lake of fire, while His people inherit a new creation. This is a separate and later final judgment, and we’ll come back to it too in a bit.

But if I may be allowed to digress again, let me share with you my picture of hell. God’s word tells us the world is made of things unseen, which describes the atom and it’s components. The interesting thing about the atom is that it’s nucleus is composed of like-charged particles, and orbiting that are like charged particles. The laws of science dictate that like charged particles repel each other, indicating the whole dang thing should just naturally come apart. But God says that all things are held together by Him[11]. The Lord spoke this creation into existence, putting it together by His very Word (note the similarity of word/world). We are told that at the end of its existence the elements will melt with fervent heat[12]. Consider what happens when an atom is split - it creates intense heat and fire as the element is ripped out of existence. Could it be possible that when God speaks it out of existence, the resulting nuclear meltdown of all created matter that now exists as our earth and heavens will create the lake of fire? Would it seem fitting that those who love this world more than Him would be given it, in its natural state apart from Him?

Ok, back to it. Jesus has gathered us together, celebrated with His faithful, and is returning with us to earth to begin exercising His authority. So what’s that going to be like?

[HR][/HR][1] Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27


[2] Matt. 22:1-4; Luke 14:15-24


[3] Matt. 25:1-13, and again referencing the receiving party going out to meet and escort an arriving guest


[4] 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10-12


[5] 1 Corinthians 3:11-15


[6] Matt. 25:41


[7] Luke 12:16


[8] Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30


[9] Matt. 13:42, 50


[10] Matt 25:31 - 46, Rev. 20:11-15


[11] Hebrews 11:3; Col. 1:16


[12] 2 Peter 3:7, 10, 12
 

starfield

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2009
3,393
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#20
Believers will not come into condemnation at the Judgment Seat of Christ because we have been ransomed by the Lamb that was slain on our behalf...

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


...whereas unbelievers will be judged according to their works and condemned at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white 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.
Rev 20:12 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.
Rev 20:13 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.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.