The Judgment Seat of Christ

e-Sword86 · Apr 27, 2009

The Judgment Seat of Christ

Taken from A Study Of: Hebrews 6:1-2 The Foundational Teachings of the Christian Faith
By Robert Hucklebridge

The Judgment Seat of Christ or the Great White Throne will be the courtroom for the trial of mankind. May we live as if it could happen even at this very moment in history.

A. The Unbelieving

The unbelieving dead are going to be resurrected to be judged according to what Christ encounters in "the Book of Life" (Revelation 20:12). Those unbelievers who are living at Christ's coming will join them also.

1. Each man will be judged according to five principles.
a. The truth (Romans 2:2)
b. His works (Romans 2:6)
c. Without favoritism (Romans 2:11)
d. The secrets of his heart (Romans 2:16)
e. His measure of truth and understanding (Matthew 11:20-24)

2. The eternal consequences of the unbelieving.
a. Death in their sins (John 8:24)
b. Flaming vengeance from God (II Thessalonians 1:8)
c. Torment, decadence, and darkness (Matthew 8:12,22:13,25:30; Mark 9:46; Revelation 22:14-15)
d. The Second Death (Jude 7,13; Revelation 20:15)

Even though the doctrine of eternal judgment for the unbelievers and the unrepentant is not pleasant, we must believe that it will occur because it is God's truth. Jesus spoke more of hell than heaven during His time on earth so that knowing its consequences, we might flee from the coming wrath.

The eternal judgment is certain. An eternal condemnation in hell awaits those who reject the grace of God as well as those who are deceived into thinking that they were saved by the preaching of a man-centered gospel. How terrible will they feel when standing before the throne the Lord Jesus will say to them, "... I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:23)

This should motivate us more and more to preach the God-centered gospel so that the multitudes will seek Him for who He is instead of only His benefits.

B. The Believer

When Christ returns, He will judge each Christian according to his works (Romans 14:10-12; I Corinthians 3:11-15; II Corinthians 5:10). Upon having trusted in the atonement of Jesus for our sin, we do not have to wait to see if God will accept us or not. This confidence and security is the mark of each child of God (Romans 8:16).Therefore, the Judgment Seat of Christ for the Christian is the judgment of his motives and the works that he did while present in his mortal body.

1. Each Christian will be held accountable to God in three areas.
a. Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
b. Opportunities (Matthew 20:1-16)
c. Faithfulness (Luke 19:17)

2. Our works will be judged.
Even though our foundation is firm, built upon the Lordship of Jesus, it is possible that we can loose our rewards for some of the work we have done (I Corinthians 3:11). Therefore, it is necessary that we build with much care taking into account that our labors will be judged by a purifying fire according to four guidelines (I Corinthians 3:13-14).
a. Motives
b. Obedience
c. Walking in the power of God
d. Our faith in Him

3. The Crowns for service
If we build according to God's plan, we can hope and expect with a great anticipation some eternal rewards—not only everlasting life and a beautiful eternal dwelling place, but also crowns that are reserved for the saints of God.
a. The Crown of Life
It will be the reward for the faithful to Christ unto death. It is the crown given to martyrs (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).
b. The Crown of Glory
It will be the reward for those with a pastoral call who watched over the flock of God. It will also be given to those who assisted in this calling (Matthew 10:41; I Peter 5:2-4).
c. The Crown of Righteousness
It will be the reward to those who have finished the fight of faith walking in the Holiness of God (II Timothy 4:7-8).
d. The Crown of Joy
It will be the reward for those that have been the instruments of God bringing people to the saving knowledge of Christ (Philippians 4:1; I Thessalonians2:19).
e. The Incorruptible Crown
It will be the reward for those who have disciplined their Christian lives (I Corinthians 9:25).

Christ desires to give us these crowns at His Judgment Seat. As they are precious and valuable for Him, they should be very important for us.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

****(The fact that there is going to be a final judgment for all men, both believers and unbelievers, is clearly confirmed in many passages of Scripture. Every single person will one day stand before Christ and be judged for their deeds. While it is very clear that the Great White Throne Judgment is the final judgment of Christ, Christians do disagree on how it relates to the other judgments mentioned in the Bible and as to exactly who will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment.)

schoolofyoungprophet · Apr 30, 2009

true
listen to teh sermon ba leonard ravenhill
on this one its good

Baruch · Apr 30, 2009

e-Sword86 said:

Care to give examples of a man-made gospel?

I would aquaint them with catholicism, Mormonism, JW's, the Promise Keeper's program, and even the commitment to follow Christ since we are supposed to be living by faith in the Son of God so as to be resting and abiding in His Covenant to us to be witnesses of Him and not of ourselves by any yoke made by the flesh. But if you wish to clarify by giving other examples of man-made gospel, please do so.

Although I agree with hell as a punishment for the unbelievers, but for those that believe in His name but were led astray.... I have to disagree with them falling in the same category as the unbelievers that had never profess Jesus Christ as Saviour nor care to have anything to do with Him since they are condemned already. John 3:16-21

As for the misled, Jesus spoke of sheep that followed His voice and those that follow the voice of strangers. The ones that followed His voice were of that fold that would be raptured as the other sheep which were not of that fold, He will gather them out of the great tribulation and there will be one fold and one shepherd.

John 10: 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. .........14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Then we have these verses as to why judgment must fall on the House of God first. ( Which would lead to the pre-tribulation rapture event )

1 Peter 4: 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17For 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? 18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

2 Timothy 2: 11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth..... 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Vessels unto dishonour would be those left behind as the foolish virgins and the prodigal sons will be.

FYI.. just explaining why I disagree with the wayward being thrown in with the really unbelievers. If you read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-6,14-15, we can see how wicked and unreasonable men will not have faith and not follow after the tradition taught of us and shall be disorderly and yet still called a brother, but to be admonished as one by withdrawing company from him so that he may be ashamed.

This should motivate us more and more to preach the God-centered gospel so that the multitudes will seek Him for who He is instead of only His benefits.

Click to expand...

Yes, it is true that the benefits seem to be the focus and the glory in the worship places these days when manifestations were given to profit the body withal in the knowledge of Him so that our love may abound yet more and more but instead.. another way is given in coming to God for these "manifestations" and not after Christ Jesus so that the glory is given to the "spirit" bringing "gifts". One of the guidelines for judgment has been overlooked in regards to the wayward believers being left behind and that is this:

John 5: 22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

c. Walking in the power of God can be vindicating as long as it is in according to the faith in Christ. Those workers of iniquity had broadened the way in approaching God and thereby were boasting of prophesying in His name, casting out devils in His name, and doing all those wonderful works in His name... but yet were workers of iniquity because they departed from the love of the truth by seeking another spirit to receive in order for these "power trip walking with God" could occur. The walking in the power of God should be attesting to that they were not walking after the flesh to fulfill the lust thereof.

The crowns should be important to us, as well as how we build on that foundation to achieve those crowns. If it is by faith in the Son of God that we have our being and power in serving Him, then may we understand that the crowns are His crowning achievements in us since it is His workmanship that shall be glorified in Heaven. Why else would we cast our crowns at His feet if we had "earned" them?

Revelation 4:9And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Granted that there are rewards and crowns for such activities, but since it is by the grace of God we go, then surely, it is not much of a mystery as to why we would cast our crowns at His feet.

I am one of those that disagree with Robert Hucklebridge's application, but we all prophesy in part and know in part. No one is perfect, but we do need to be more discerning to those teachings that ignore this promise.

John 6: 38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

And the good fght is keeping the faith in Jesus Christ as we trust Him to have us ready to take us Home by His righteousness... the righteousness of God through faith.

Jude 1:24-25 spoke of being presented faultless and this below...

Colossians 1: 21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

So as rewards may come and go, those promises above remain as they are to His glory, and why because of that faith, we shall cast our crowns at His feet for they are His crowning achievements in us.

e-Sword86 · Apr 30, 2009

Baruch said:

I believe a man-centered gospel is any message that does not preach repentance from sin, salvation by faith, and that Jesus is the only Way to God, but instead what is preached is only what people want to hear. There are those who attend church, teach Sunday School, preach sermons and yet do not know God but live a life of sin and rebellion.

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Those who are condemned are those who practice lawlessness, not those involved in the miraculous.
1Jn 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
The supernatural and miraculous works that God does through people should be considered important but they will not get us into heaven.

1Co 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Another example would be the "seeker-sensitive" and "worldly" leader who doesn't want to offend anyone so they resorts to either self-help sermons, worldly ploys and tactics, or just ungodly events to draw people and increase their church attendance and or church membership and do not preach the Cross and that man is in a fallen state and is separated from God by his sin and is in need of repentance and salvation by faith through Jesus, who is the only Savior, in order to be reconciled to God. Two leaders that come to mind are Rick Warren and Joel Osteen .

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Jas 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

I do think the Catholics and Promise Keeper's are man-centered but I would put the Mormons, JW's and all other cults in a different category since they have no truth and deny the deity of Jesus.

1Jn 2:22,23 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Baruch · May 1, 2009

Thanks for sharing insights and discernments given by the Lord to you.

Matthew 7:13-27 in regards to the King James Bible, it has it as those that work iniquity in verse 22. These same people were testifying of prophesying in His name, casting out devils in His name, and doing many wonderful works in His name. So for such a round house condemnation, Jesus would not neglect so great an instruction to avoid that. Matthew 7:13-14 shows how as confirmed by Luke 13:24. It is the broadening of the way that is the work of iniquity. The practise of lawlessness will bring judgment as well, but it is the breaking of His commandment in His invitation in how one is to approach God the Father ( John 14:6) so that they do not mimick the rudiment found already in the world by seeking after the spirit to receive ( John 10:1 & 2 Corinthians 11:3-4). How else can God deliver those from that rudiment if wayward believers do the same thing? So signs and lying wonders will be performed as miraculous events will fool even the elect, but the basis for all of those "works" is by what? Not by way of Jesus Christ... but by calling forth the Spirit of God to do those things and yet the world has been doing that same rudiment before the Gospel of Christ had come... and yet God calls us to stand apart from the world.

May God cause the increase as wisdom can only comes from the Lord.

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The Judgment Seat of Christ

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