The Judgment Seat of Christ

(#870, Imperial, 1960)

Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-13.

There is not simply one general judgment for all men.  The Bible teaches that there are different judgments in the future:

    1.  The Judgment of Israel (the Great Tribulation).

    2.  The Believer's Judgment.

    3.  The Judgment of Nations (Matt. 23:31-46).

    4.  The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).

Concerning the judgment of believers we must first make clear that salvation is by grace and grace alone.  This cannot be emphasized too much.  Thus the believer's judgment falls into 3 divisions: past, present and future.

ƒ      Past: judgment of the believer's sins. 

This happened at the Cross (1 Peter 5:21; John 5:24; 2 Cor. 5:21).  It was there that Christ was judged for our sins and every believer knows that Christ has paid the penalty of death.

ƒ      Present: judgment of the believer's daily walk.

"Whom the Lord loves he chastens."  So the Lord judges our daily walk (1 Cor. 11:27-32).  Sometimes He does this by affliction when we refuse to judge ourselves.  While it is not always the case, nevertheless the Apostle Paul says that in many cases sickness, weakness and death are the result of unconfessed sin.

ƒ      Future: the judgment seat of Christ. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)

w    When will this judgment occur?  When the Lord comes for His saints (1 Cor. 4:5; Rev. 22:12).

w    What will take place?  Rewards will be given.  These rewards are often represented in the Scriptures as crowns.

    1.  The Crown for Ministry (1 Thess. 2:19; Dan. 12:3).

    2.  The Crown for Perseverance (1 Cor. 9:25).

    3.  The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8).

    4.  The Crown of Life ("sufferer's crown"; Jas.1:12; Rev. 2:10)

    5.  The Crown of Glory ("shepherd's crown"; 1 Peter 5:4).

 We must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ!