In this blog I will attempt to describe what the raptured believer will experience immediately after they are caught up off the earth or from Paradise in heaven. The first stop after the Rapture is the Bema Seat judgment.
Most believers don’t even know what the word ‘bema’ means or that there is a specific judgment awaiting them in heaven just after they arrive there.
A quick recap of the words of the Apostle Paul will help us to better understand this coming judgment and how, as believers in Jesus, we will all stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives, both the good and the bad, at the Judgment (Greek: bema) Seat of Christ.
Paul said it this way, “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:8-12
- In this passage Paul asks, ‘Why are you judging your brother?’ Paul also asks, ‘Why are you despising your brother?’ All believers will stand at the bema and give an account of their actions to the Lord.
Paul was explaining that we don’t give an account of our lives to other men, but rather to the Lord Himself. He stressed that we are to make Jesus the Lord of our life and let Him be the Lord of other believers lives as well.
STORY: Two famous preachers from the Victorian Era in England were Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker; both of whom where mighty preachers of the gospel. Early in their ministry they were friends, they consulted with each other, fellowshipped together, and even exchanged pulpits at times. One day they had a disagreement that even reached the newspapers. Spurgeon accused Parker of being ‘unspiritual’ because he attended the theater. Parker pointed out that Spurgeon smoked cigars, a practice many believers condemned. This unfortunate dispute ended their friendship.
Who was right or wrong, and why? When it comes to questionable matters of the Christian life, mature believers can disagree without being disagreeable. God blesses people who are disagreeable and He will deal with His servants as He wishes; however, it’s not our place to judge. Our responsibility to intervene manifests when sin, clearly defined in the Bible, becomes an issue; and even then, it’s done in a ‘spirit of gentleness’ and not judgment. (Galatians 6:1-3).
The word used here for ‘judgment’ (Greek: bema) references a raised tribunal where individuals stood to be rewarded for their good and useful works which rendered them a profit for their labors. Anything un-useful (worthless) would render them no profit. A good example of a bema is the Olympic games when the athletes receive gold, silver, and bronze medals. All three are winners, all three receive rewards that reflect their efforts and accomplishment. This also applies to other sports, and even wages received for a job well done.
Some scholars might say, ‘The Bema in Paul’s day also rendered flogging for bad behavior. How is that negative and painful consequence rendered at the heavenly Bema?’ My response to this question is that Jesus not only took the consequence of our sin on the cross, but He also took the ‘bad’ (Greek: kakos) things that we have done or said that were not so much a sin, but we’re worthless. Thus, before He endured the cross, Christ was flogged at the whipping post, but His eye was on the real target, the cross. He took the hit for our kakos, our ‘worthless deeds,’ so we won’t have to endure their consequence at the heavenly Bema.
The Bema Seat Judgment is nothing for a believer in Jesus to be worried about, no more than you get worried about receiving your paycheck. What may be troublesome is the amount of reward (or lack) that you receive. The Bema Seat is where the Lord will reward us for our faithfulness to Him and the work that He called us to in our lifetime. While it’s true that we will all lose something at this judgment, and most likely cry over it; however, it’s equally true that the Lord will wipe every tear from our eyes (Revelation 7:17;21:4) and show us those rewards that we did receive from Him for our service of Him. Since we don’t deserve anything in the first place, I would say that everything looks up from the bema.
Some people struggle over the phrase, ‘good and bad’ in this passage, but a better understanding of the words used by Paul will clear up the matter.
- The word for ‘good’ (Greek: agathos)means ‘good in its character and constitution, it’s beneficial in its effect, and used in scripture of things and behavior that is morally honorable and pleasing to God; therefore beneficial.’
- The word for ‘bad’ (Greek: kakos) used here means ‘the lack in a person or thing of those qualities that should otherwise be possessed by them. It’s being bad in character, morally by way of thinking, feeling, or acting; it’s injurious or baneful. It is the opposite of agathos.’
NOTE: The word ‘baneful’ is an adjective, meaning ‘harmful or poisonous.’ The root word is ‘bane’ and refers to a person who is a constant cause of misery, worry, and anxiety or who always gets on your nerves.’
The word kakos doesn’t infer to sin so much, but it can certainly lead to it. However, at the Bema, our sin issues are NOT in question, as they have been completely removed from us through the blood of Jesus that was shed for us on the cross of Calvary. At the Bema, only that which was good and bad, that is non-sin, but not good either or beneficial, will be judged. The kakos stuff won’t yield a reward; only loss, it’s basically worthless, but the individual being judged is still just as saved by God’s grace.
Jesus said it this way, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle (Greek: argos) word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:35-37
- The word for ‘idle’ (Greek: argos) that Jesus used here means ‘inactive, idle, unfruitful, barren, ineffective, and worthless.’ We can see how we can do things, or not do things, that are not sin so much, but can lead to it. This idleness tends to lead more to a lack of reward at the Bema.
Again, I am sure that we will all lose something at the Bema, however, thanks be to God, it’s not our salvation! Whatever loss is measured there, it can’t be compared to our reward that we have in Christ. A clear understanding of this should help us to live a more productive life for the Lord, being more intentional in our service of the King, and doing what He has called and equipped us to do when He prompts us.
Jesus said it this way, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21
- If ever there were a passage in the Scripture where Jesus is encouraging us to ‘lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven’ it would be this one. The ‘treasure’ that we lay up for ourselves in heaven will be rewarded to us at the Bema, so this should be something we are looking forward to.
The word for ‘treasures’ (Greek: thesauros) meaning ‘a place of safe keeping.’ That place, in context to the Lord’s command for us to ‘store up treasures’ is in heaven. The word thesauros is also where we get the word ‘thesaurus’ from, which, is ‘a useful treasury of literary collection of synonyms and antonyms.’
The idea of having a collection of things that are useful is implied here with this word ‘treasure.’ In heaven however, we never lose it. The Lord knows what awaits us at the Bema; and we should be excited about it too. Our striving to serve the Lord should not be based on rewards or loss of rewards that we will receive, but rather, as an expression of our love for the Lord and our desire to please Him.
Paul reminds us, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” – 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
- This ‘fire of testing’ of our works will occur at the Bema when the Lord reviews our work done in our lifetime in His name.
Remember, the Bema Seat Judgment is not a judgment that deals with your sin, because your sins were are all forgiven when you were saved; otherwise you wouldn’t be at the Bema Seat Judgment. The Bema addresses the good and bad (non-sin) things that we did in our lives.
NOTE: The longer you live, the greater the opportunity you have to serve the Lord and thus, ‘store up’ your heavenly rewards, While this shouldn’t be what motivates us so much, just a nice benefit from the Lord that we really don’t deserve in the first place. We need to be focused on being good and well pleasing to the Lord.
In essence, the Bema burns up all of the ‘worthless things’ that we ever said or did; it’s where we receive the rewards that the Lord has reserved for all the good that we did in His name. As far as our sins go, that was decided at the cross of Christ, Who has ‘removed our sins as far as the east if from the west.’ (Psalm 103:12)
Knowing what will be occurring at the Bema will help us to be better prepared for it at the Rapture. We can have a confidence in knowing that when Jesus does return for us, we will be ready to be received by Him.
We can have this confidence, this ‘God-fidence,’ and an assurance in knowing that at the moment of the Rapture, we will be caught up with all of those who love Jesus at His appearing.
- The Bema Seat Judgment occurs in conjunction with the Rapture; it’s a judgment of rewards that is given by Jesus, who will judge all of us there who have placed their faith in Jesus.
Jesus reminds us, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21:34-36
- This passage reveals that the Church of Jesus Christ are those who are those ‘worthy to escape’ the coming seven-year tribulation. The word ‘worthy’ (Greek: kataxioo), used as a verb, is a stronger form of the word axios which emphasizes ‘the weight of one’s works, their worth, or the worthiness of their deeds.’
Our ‘worthiness to escape’ is not determined by our works, for only Jesus makes us worthy to escape; however, our worthiness that is measured will be done when we ‘stand before the Son of Man.’ This is a direct reference to the Rapture (our escape) and to the Bema Seat Judgment that occurs just after. When I teach folks about this I always ask, ‘Who here is looking forward to the Rapture?’ They all raise their hands. Then I ask, ‘Who here is looking forward to the Judgment Seat of Christ?’ Nobody raises their hands. The point is that one occurs just after the other. Being ready to go is not just about your launch into heaven, but rather, the account that you will give to the Lord when you get there!
Review: The Bema Seat is a judgment reserved only for NT Christians. The rewards we receive at the Beam Seat will be ours to keep throughout eternity and we can never lose them. Any bad works we have done that are non-sin issues will be ‘burned up’ like wood, hay, and stubble. All of our good works that we have done in the name of the Lord will be ‘refined’ like gold, silver, and precious stones.
The Bema Seat is the last and final judgment believers will experience throughout eternity. It occurs immediately after the Rapture, but before the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
This judgment does not judge a person for their sins because they are already forgiven at salvation. This bema is the only judgment that believers will have to face; for them it will be more about receiving their heavenly rewards than anything else. A similar idea would be when bonuses are handed out at work. Some employees get more than others, but everyone gets something, and all are glad to receive what they are rewarded.
At the Bema Seat Judgment we have the opportunity to receive, if possible, up to five different crowns.
1. The Incorruptible Crown (aka: Victor’s Crown) for those who have kept their bodies subjected in righteousness.
2. The Crown of Life (aka: Martyr’s Crown) for those who have given their lives for the faith.
3. The Crown of Glory (aka: Shepherd’s Crown) for those who have committed their life to the gospel message.
4. The Crown of Righteousness is for those who live right, knowing that Jesus could return at any moment.
5. The Crown of Rejoicing (aka: Soul Winner’s Crown) is for those who win people to Jesus in their witness.
Each crown that is reward us represents a different thing accomplished in our lifetime. In Revelation 4, which is the Rapture chapter in Revelation, we read:
“Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” – Revelation 4:9-11
- While there is debate and speculation as to just who the 24 elders are, the general consensus is that they are, among other things, representative of the NT Church being present in heaven.
The question arises, ‘Where did they get their crowns?’ The answer, ‘They got them at the Bema Seat.’
The inference here is that we too shall cast our crowns before the Lord in worship of Him. We too shall be rewarded, at least one crown, at the Bema and cast it before the Lord in glory.
NOTE: If a person misses the Rapture, but then accepts Jesus into their heart, if they die in the tribulation, then their souls will be sequestered ‘under the alter of the Lord’ in heaven, where they will be later judged. If they survive the tribulation, they will be judged at the Judgment of the Nations.
However, those who missed the Rapture will NOT be able to attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb; it is reserved only for the Church and OT saints. While many debate this restriction, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is a heavenly wedding reception of sorts that commemorates Christ’ love for His Bride, His Church.
We, who are His Church, will experience great joy and rejoicing with the entirety of the body of Christ, both OT and NT saints alike, who are gathered there for this seven-year celebration while the earth is judged during the tribulation.
While many disagree with this order of events, my point is that while everyone is invited to the wedding, not everyone accepts the invitation. Tribsaints miss their own wedding, as it were. They will be saved and be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven, but under extreme duress and most likely martyrdom.
When the seven-year tribulation is over, Jesus will return to the earth in His glorious Second Coming and His Church, you and I, will be with Him. The purpose of His return to earth is to defeat the devil and to set up His Millennial Kingdom; but that’s another blog for another time.
Just thought you might want to know what’s coming when Jesus does.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 35-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Lead Pastor (25+ years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 