Help with the last judgement?

Question

if the dead in christ and those living have been raptured up into heaven, HOW will they be there for the final judgement???

please help me understand this better

Answer 1

LOL. Good argument against humans going to heaven and hell. I believe that we are written in the Book of Life (symbolic). People who have died or die before the final judgement are 'sleeping and know nothing' according to scripture. When the Book is opened, they will all be judged. However, I don't think that we are all leaving this planet to become spirits in heaven or the nether regions, but we are going to be ressurected right back on earth, where humans were placed and created for in the first place. A New Heaven and a New Earth. In this New Earth, who would live? Animals only? What would the kingdom of God do, rule over animals? It doesn't make sense to say that we are going to heaven or hell.

Answer 2

There are two judgements.

The believers, who are 'asleep in Christ,' and those who are raptured, will go to the Judgement Seat of Christ (aka Bema Seat Judgement.) They have already been forgiven, and are seen as blameless, and will be rewarded for their good works that raised Christ up.

Later, all the unbelievers will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgement. They will recieve punishment for their sin.