The Judgment Seat of Christ

In my last few blogs, I shared with readers about the Kingdom of God which is God's Government on earth during the Millennial Age - to be inaugurated after the Second Coming of Christ. In this blog I am going to share about the Judgment Seat of Christ which will precede Christ's rule. This Judgment is all about rewards or loss of rewards and has nothing to do with salvation - since only saved believers of the church age will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is because all who appear there will have the same foundation, which is the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (1 Cor 3 11).

Please note that salvation is not the end of the Christian race, but rather the beginning! The end will come at the Judgment Seat of Christ where every will, work and word will be judged through the 'baptism of fire'. This is precisely what John the Baptist meant in Matthew 3:11 when he said that the Lord Jesus will come to baptise His disciples will the Holy Spirit and fire. So Charismatics beware - you folks ought to know what you are singing and asking - otherwise you are unknowingly pronouncing curses upon yourselves !

Understand this, while salvation is secure (it cannot be easily lost except like when it is renounced or adopt another faith subsequently), reward can be easily lost if one is foolish enough and lack wisdom. When the Scriptures say that it is a gift not based on works, that something is salvation and cannot be easily lost (Ephesians 2:8-9). Conversely, when something needs to be attained through works, that is a reward which can be easily lost (2 John 8). As Christians we must learn to clearly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Make no mistake, not all believers will inherit the Kingdom of God. For many are called (unto salvation) but few are chosen (to rule and reign in the Kingdom of God) - Matthew 20:16b; 22:14. But only those who have received a reward, whose works are counted as gold, silver and precious stones (1 Cor 3: 12-15). Those whose works are wood, hay and straw will lose their reward though they themselves will be saved, even through the fire. This is consistent with what the Lord taught His disciples on numerous occasions, especially through the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22: 1-14 and the parable of the minas (talent) in Luke 19:12-27. Jesus also told His disciples that He (Son of Man) will come in the glory of His Father and reward each according to his works (Matt 16:27; Rev 22:12).

The Apostle Paul again in 2 Cor 5:10 reiterated that all Christians must appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Again in Hebrews 2:2, the writer (whom I believe is Paul) reminded us that everyone who appears there will receive exactly what he deserves. So there can be no miscarriage of judgment - unlike judgments handed out by leaders and governments of this world!

God is loving and gracious, sometimes He chastened us for our own good so that we will not lose our reward but rather 'yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it' (Hebrews 12:5-11). Hence, it is a very good idea to do our own soul searching periodically to cleanse out the 'skeleton in our closet' (2 Cor 11:31-32). Sadly, many failed to heed the example of Esau when he sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob for a pottage (typology for the trinkets of this world) and found to his deep regret that there is no tears left for repentance. When we appear before Christ, it will be too late for any remedy, and those who lost their reward will be marginalised in the outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 22:13)!

That is why chastisement and the fear (reverential) of the Lord will drive the foolishness out of believers into wisdom and right living (righteousness) - Proverbs 22:15. This is what kingdom living will be like in the Age to come under the government of the King of kings and Lord of lords - the kings and lords are the saints who will rule and reign with Him!