The Judgement Seat of Christ - Who comes before it and for what purpose?

Question

Revelation 20: 11-15 would be a good place to start, but there are lots of other Biblical references to use. What did Jesus have to say about it when he was on earth? What is the purpose of the Judgement?

Wow! Excellent quality of answers here. Thanks for taking the time, folks, to explain this to me.

I recently read an article about it saying it follows death (Hebrews 9:27) and the 2nd coming of Jesus (Hebrews 9:28) and precedes our final and everlasting destiny. However, there is disagreement as to which comes first - the General judgement or the Christians' judgement.

I've also posted a q on the reward of the saved.

Will get back to you after I've had time to digest all this info.

What an amazing insight into the Throne of God and the Throne of Christ pointing to the triune nature of the Godhead. Of course, there is only one throne - and it's occupied by God and Christ. Brilliant!

Answer 1

There are 3 basic interpretations (premillennial, amillennial and postmillennial) but I don't want to go into all that. Main differences lie in when events will unravel but I personally don't think that's really important insofar as it will all happen according to God's perfect time-table, whether we have anticipated that correctly or not. The important issue for us is to ensure we will be judged favorably and already have our names written in 'the Book of Life'. To do that, we need to put all our faith (trust) in Christ today (because we only have today - we never know on what day we will die). Once we realise that 'all our righteous acts are as filthy rags' in the sight of a holy God, we begin to start thinking in accordance with God's plan of salvation; repentance and faith in what Christ did on the cross will ensure our names go in the Book of Life. Then, when we are judged by Christ, his righteousness will 'cover' our sins, and when God looks at us, he will see Christ in us - the hope of glory.

But the purpose of the Judgement Seat of Christ is to clear the name of Jesus and the name of God. Those who argued that God has a lot to answer for will be utterly ashamed. The Bible will be vindicated. Every hidden thing will be exposed, and judged. It will be awesome, and only those whose confidence is in Christ will not be terrified.

Jesus spoke much of the fate awaiting people on that Day. Nobody warned more about the everlasting horrors of hell (Greek gehenna) than Jesus (Jn 3:16 Mt 7:21; 9:4 10:25; 25:41 Lk 12:2-3, 8:17).

Finally, it's interesting to note that Rom 14:10-12 refers to God's judgment seat but 2 Cor 5:10 speaks of the judgment seat of Christ. There are not two thrones in heaven. There's only one. God and Christ SHARE the SAME throne in Revelation! This points clearly to the Trinity (for the Spirit of God is also depicted as integral to heaven's throne in Revelation 5:6 & 13 etc). Hope that adds helpfully to the 3 excellent answers already given.

Answer 2

Romans 14:10-12 says, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” In the context of both Scriptures, it is clear that they are referring to Christians, not unbelievers. The Judgment Seat of Christ, therefore, involves believers giving an account of their lives to Christ. The Judgment Seat of Christ does not determine salvation; that was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 John 2:2), and our faith in Him (John 3:16). All of our sins are forgiven and we will never be condemned for them (Romans 8:1). We should not look at the Judgment Seat of Christ as God judging our sins, but rather as God rewarding us for our lives. Yes, as the Scriptures say, we will have to give an account of our lives. Part of this is surely answering for the sins we committed. However, that is not going to be the primary focus of the Judgment Seat of Christ."
The Great White Throne, is where you don't want to be, an IT will be the final Judgement for non believers, as mentioned in 20:11-15.
Have a great day =)

Answer 3

It were just a riddles.
That to solve the mess created with blunders and slip-ups with human errors created back in the past being expose with time after the mystery of us -911.
Living human kind must solve the mess out there for the good of mankind.
That is to come up with a yellow ribbon for the good of mankind.
Then to elect one community leader among one of the dirty dozen to lead and guide the flocks of lost sheeps wandering lost home in worshiping god on planet earth.
In time will expose the lost twin brothers of Israel.
Then will solve the mess with the third wave of Liberation of Freedom for the good of mankind .
With the creation of peace on earth goodwill to men on planet earth.
Then will learn and understand the real meaning of X'mas.
Revealation.16.13-16
Then we know who were the Fantastic four who were making a mess without being aware of it.

Answer 4

We are often told in the scriptures that the day will come when we will stand before God and be judged. We need to understand how judgment takes place so we can be better prepared for this important event.

The scriptures teach that all of us will be judged according to our works: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

In this scripture, John the Revelator is referring to the Final Judgment. This judgment is the last in a long series of judgments. In the premortal life all spirits who were judged worthy were allowed to receive a body and come to earth. Here on earth we are often judged as to our worthiness to receive opportunities within the kingdom of God.

Our words, works, and thoughts Are Used to Judge Us
The Lord said: “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37).

Only through faith in Jesus Christ can we be prepared for the Final Judgment. Through faithful discipleship to him and repentance of all our sins, we can be forgiven for our sins and become pure and holy so that we can dwell in the presence of God. As we repent of our sins, giving up every impure thought and act, the Holy Ghost will change our hearts so we no longer have even the desire to sin. Then when we are judged, we will be found ready to enter into God’s presence.

Discussion
• Ask class members to imagine hearing all their thoughts, words, and actions revealed at the Judgment. Then have them silently think about what they can do to improve their thoughts, words, and actions.

We Will Be Judged by Records
We will be judged out of records kept on earth. We will also be judged out of the “book of life,” which is kept in heaven.

There is another record that will be used to judge us. The Apostle Paul taught that we ourselves are the most complete record of our life (see Romans 2:15; 2 Corinthians 3:1–3). Stored in our body and mind is a complete history of everything we have done.

Those Who Will Judge
The Apostle John taught that “the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). The Son, in turn, will call upon others to assist in the Judgment. The Twelve who were with him in his ministry will judge the twelve tribes of Israel (see Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30).

At the Final Judgment we will be assigned to the kingdom for which we are prepared. Jesus described "many mansions" which have been prepared, from eternal life, with our Father in Heaven to lesser degrees of glory which we may obtain.

We Should Prepare Now for Judgment
In reality, every day is a day of judgment. We speak, think, and act according to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law. Our faith in Jesus Christ, as shown by our daily actions, determines which kingdom we will inherit.

Answer 5

The Great White Throne Judgment is found in Revelation 20:11-15 and is the final judgment prior to the lost being cast into the lake of fire (the place of eternal punishment commonly known as hell). We know from Revelation 20:7-15 that this judgment will take place after the millennium and after Satan, the beast, and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10). The books that are opened (Revelation 20:12) contain records of everyone’s deeds whether they are good or evil, because God knows everything that has ever been said, done, or even thought; and He will reward or punish each one accordingly (Psalm 28:4; Psalm 62:12; Romans 2:6; Revelation 2:23; Revelation 18:6; Revelation 22:12).

Also at this time another book is also opened and that is the “book of life” (Revelation 20:12). It is this book that determines whether a person will inherit eternal life with God or receive everlasting punishment in the lake of fire. Although Christians are held accountable for their actions, they are forgiven in Christ and their names were written in the “book of life from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 17:8). We also know from Scripture that it is at this judgment that Jesus will judge “the dead according to their deeds” (Revelation 20:12) and that “anyone’s name” that is not “found written in the book of life” will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

The fact that there is going to be a final judgment for all men, both believers and unbelievers, is clearly confirmed in many passages of Scripture. Every single person will one day stand before Christ and be judged for their deeds. While it is very clear that the Great White Throne Judgment is the final judgment of Christ, Christians do disagree on how it relates to the other judgments mentioned in the Bible, and as to exactly who will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Many Christians believe that the Scriptures reveal three different judgments to come. The first is the judgment of the “sheep and the goats” or a “judgment of the nations” and is seen in Matthew 25:31-36. They believe it takes place after the tribulation period but prior to the millennium and that it is to determine who will get to enter into the millennium kingdom. The second is a judgment of believers’ works, often referred to as the “judgment (bema) seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10); at which time Christians will receive degrees of reward for their works or service to God. The third is the “Great White Throne” judgment at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:11-15); which is the judgment of unbelievers in which they are judged according to their works and sentenced to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire.

Other Christians believe that all three of these judgments as seen in Matthew 25:31-36; 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Revelation 20:11-15 speak of the same final judgment, not of three separate judgments. In other words, those that hold this view believe that the “Great White Throne” judgment in Revelation 20:11-15 will be the time that both believers and unbelievers alike are judged. Those whose names are found in the “book of life” will be judged for their deeds in order to determine the rewards or loss of rewards that they will receive; and those whose names are not in the “book of life” will be judged according to their deeds to determine the degree of punishment they will receive in the lake of fire. Those that hold this view believe that Matthew 25:31-46 is another description of what takes place at the “Great White Throne” judgment. They point to the fact that the result of this judgment is the same as what is seen after the “Great White Throne” judgment in Revelation 20:11-15. The “sheep” (believers) enter into eternal life while the “goats” (unbelievers) are cast into “everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:46).

Whichever view one holds of the “Great White Throne” judgment, it is important to never lose sight of three very important facts concerning the coming judgment or judgments. 1—That Jesus Christ will be the judge. 2—that all unbelievers will be judged by Christ, and that they will be punished according to the deeds that they did. The Bible is very clear that the unbeliever is storing up “wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2:5), and that God will “render to each one according to his deeds” (Romans 2:6). 3—that believers will also be judged by Christ, but since Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to them and their names are written in the “book of life,” they will be rewarded according to the deeds that they did. Romans 14:10-12 is very clear that “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” and that each one of us will “give an account of himself to God.”

Without a doubt the Bible is very clear that everybody, believer and unbeliever alike, will someday stand before Christ to be judged. But the good news for the believer is that our judgment will not be to determine if we are cast into the lake of fire, because that was settled once we believed the gospel and became “children of God.” Those that are truly saved have benefited from the great exchange in which our sins are accounted to Christ and His righteousness is imputed to us. So, while our salvation is secure in Christ we will “still give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:12), and should strive to do all things for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Recommended Resource: What the Bible Says about Heaven & Eternity by Ice & Demy.