The believer in Christ will be judged at the ‘Bema Judgment Seat of Christ’ (Rom 14:10, 2 Cor 5:10) and the unbeliever will be judged at the ‘Great White Throne Judgment’ (Rev 20:11).
The believer will be judged sometime between the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ’s Second Coming on the Mount of Olives. Believers will be judged in Heaven, whilst simultaneously, the world is enduring Tribulation on earth, for seven years. We do not believe the Bride of Christ will endure the Tribulation (click here for more on this topic).
The Tribulation period is an outpouring of ‘God’s wrath’ (Rev 14:19, 15:1, 15:7, 16:1, 16:19, 19:15) and described as ‘Jacob’s trouble,’ (Jer 30:7) not the church’s trouble. The church has been redeemed from God’s wrath in all its forms (Rom 5:9-10) and therefore will not be subject to the tribulation period.
How we view the Son of God on earth, determines our eternal destiny
The verdict for both people groups hinge upon whether or not, they’ve believed on the Son of God and received Him, as their personal Savior during their time on earth.
Once you’ve taken your last breath, it will be too late. Today is the day of your salvation (Ps 90:6). It’s not sufficient to believe in ‘God’ alone, as there are many ‘gods,’ having many monikers; yet there is only one, ‘way’, ‘truth’ and ‘life’ (Jn 14:6).
The crux of the matter is belief in the Son of God (Jesus Christ) and the one true God, Jehovah (1 John 5:11-12, Rom 10:8-10, John 3:3).
For believers in Christ, their works become the basis of judgment
If you’ve already placed your trust in Christ Jesus, then you won’t be judged on the basis of salvation, which is already established. However, your works then become the focus of judgment.
A believer’s salvation is secure ‘by grace through faith’ (Eph 2:8-9), yet their works will be tested ‘by fire’ to gauge if their motives were pure, throughout the time they served Christ on earth.
That which is ‘wood’, ‘hay’ and ‘stubble’ will burn up (impure motives for self-gain) and that which survives the fire (gold, silver, jewels etc.) represent godly works which seek to glorify Christ only and will endure for eternity. Please read 1st Corinthians 3:10-14 for an overview of how a believer will be judged.
Heavenly Crowns of Reward
Our heavenly reward includes five incorruptible crowns, which require certain qualifications for attainment. These crowns will be laid before Christ’s feet as He is the ‘author and finisher of our faith’ (Heb 12:2):
- The Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor 9:24-25) – For those who gain victory, over the world and the flesh, giving their all for Christ.
- The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess 2:19-20, Dan 12:3) – A special crown for soul winners, having a heart for the lost.
- The Crown of Life (James 1:12) – A crown granted to martyrs for Christ or those who remain faithful to Him, under heavy persecution.
- The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) – For every soul who is raptured, this crown is given, as they eagerly awaited His return.
- The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:1-4) – This is a unique crown for faithful Bishops and Pastors, who honored Christ in their doctrine and were faithful shepherds to the flock.
The Promise of an eternal abode
We attain eternal life through faith in Christ (John 3:14-16, 36); and Christ has prepared a place for His own in Heaven (John 14:1-3). Jesus said He has gone to prepare a place for the righteous and there are many ‘mansions’ or ‘rooms’ in His Father’s House (John 14:2). He promised He would return again to receive us at an appointed time of His choosing (John 14:3).
Have you considered your death lately? It’s fast approaching
Hell is real. Man seeks to downplay the reality of Hell for his own convenience, but God’s opinion has never changed. Hell or ‘Hades’ (Greek word) is a holding place for the unrighteous dead until the end of the Millennial Reign of Christ. At such time, the damned will be brought out of Hell and judged, only to be cast into the ‘eternal Lake of Fire’ with the devil and demon forces, following the Great White Throne Judgment of the un-redeemed (Rev 20:15, Rev 19:20).
This is also known as the ‘second death.’ Every human being dies once when their inner man (soul and spirit) leaves their physical body. Those who don’t choose Christ as savior during their time on earth, will die a second time, being eternally separated from God, in the Lake of Fire. Take a good look at it…you don’t want to go there.
Once cast into the Lake of Fire, the unbeliever will be subject to ‘everlasting banishment from the presence of God and perpetual torment, which comprises ‘the wages of sin” (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 5:22, 29,30; 18:9; 23: 33; 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:23-25).
Think of Hell as a jail cell and the lake of fire, as the penitentiary.
Death in the Bible, is always separation from God, never annihilation. Disneyland and purgatory are fantastical places concocted in the minds of men.
Hell however, is as real as the air you breathe.
If you die separated from God, you will be separated from Him, for eternity. There are no more second chances after you leave this earth.
It’s imperative you cancel your reservation for Hell today. Click here for the most important podcast you’ll ever listen to in your lifetime.
To find out more about the compartments of Hell…click here.
Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, click here to find out more…
Author- Carl G.M. Joseph
Bibliography:
Excerpts taken from, ‘Foundations of Pentecostal Theology’ – Dr. Guy P. Duffield and Dr N. M. Van Cleave.
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/what-happens-when-you-die-all-appear-before-the-judgment-seat-of-christ
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Six Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the difference between the Great White Throne Judgment and the Judgment Seat of Christ?
Answer:
The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11–15) is reserved for unbelievers who rejected Jesus Christ during their earthly lives. It will take place after the Millennial Reign of Christ, when the dead who are not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema Seat), on the other hand, is for believers and takes place in Heaven between the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ’s Second Coming to earth. This judgment does not determine salvation, but rather evaluates the works and motives of believers to determine eternal rewards (2 Cor. 5:10).
2. Will Christians go through the Tribulation period?
Answer:
No. The Bride of Christ (the Church) will not endure the Tribulation. Scripture identifies the Tribulation as a period of God’s wrath (Rev. 14:19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 19:15), referred to as “Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7)—a time of judgment upon unbelieving Israel and the nations, not the Church.
Believers have been redeemed from God’s wrath (Rom. 5:9–10), and the Church will be caught up to Heaven prior to the outpouring of wrath on earth (1 Thess. 1:10, 5:9).
3. What determines where a person will spend eternity?
Answer:
Our eternal destiny depends entirely on how we respond to the Son of God. Salvation is found only through faith in Jesus Christ, who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). It is not enough to believe vaguely in “God,” for many false gods exist. Those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord during their lifetime are given eternal life (1 John 5:11–12; Rom. 10:8–10). Those who reject Him will face eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:15). Once this life ends, there are no second chances—today is the day of salvation (Ps. 90:6; 2 Cor. 6:2).
4. How will believers be judged at the Bema (Judgment) Seat of Christ?
Answer:
Believers will not be judged for sin or salvation, since those were settled at the cross. Instead, they will be evaluated for their works and motives while serving Christ. According to 1 Corinthians 3:10–14, our works will be tested “by fire.” Works done for selfish motives (wood, hay, stubble) will be burned away, while works done for Christ’s glory (gold, silver, precious stones) will endure. This judgment determines our rewards, not our redemption.
5. What are the heavenly crowns believers can receive as rewards?
Answer:
Scripture describes five incorruptible crowns believers may receive for faithful service:
- The Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor. 9:24–25) – For victory over the flesh and living a disciplined Christian life.
- The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19–20) – For those who win souls for Christ.
- The Crown of Life (James 1:12) – For those who endure trials or martyrdom faithfully.
- The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8) – For all who eagerly await Christ’s return.
- The Crown of Glory (1 Pet. 5:1–4) – For faithful pastors and shepherds of God’s flock.
All these crowns will ultimately be laid before Christ’s feet in worship and gratitude.
6. What happens to unbelievers after death?
Answer:
Those who die without Christ are sent to Hell (Hades), a temporary holding place for the unrighteous dead. After the Millennium, they will be resurrected to stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11–15). Since their names are not found in the Book of Life, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, also known as the second death—a state of eternal separation from God and unending torment (Matt. 25:41–46; Luke 16:23–25). Hell is real, and there are no second chances after death. Now is the time to cancel your reservation for Hell by receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior.
