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The Judgment Seat of Christ and the Doctrine of Eternal Rewards Romans 14:10-12
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.

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. For it is written: As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10-12, NKJV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10, NKJV) 1. What is the Judgment Seat of Christ? The word judgment seat is one word in Greek: bhma (bema). It literally means a step or raised place mounted by steps. In Greek law courts, one bema was provided for the accuser, another for the accused. In the ancient Roman world, the word bema generally referred to the official seat of a judge. In the New Testament the word is used this way in several passages, usually of the Roman governor or of the emperor (Matt 27:19; John 19:13; Acts 18:12,16-17; 25:6, 10, 17). The word is also used to refer to the structure, resembling a throne, that Herod built in the theater of Caesarea, from which he used to view the games and make speeches to the people (Acts 12:21). The word is used a total of 12 times in the NT. 2. What is the purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ? At the Judgment Seat of Christ, believers of the church age will be rewarded for their acts of service done during their life on earth. Jesus taught that faithful believers will receive rewards in heaven Matt. 6:19-21 Matt. 16:24-27 Matt. 5:11-12//Luke 6:22-23 Luke 19:11-27 Rev. 22:12 Mark 10:28-30 Matt. 19:27-30 Paul taught that faithful believers will receive rewards in heaven 1 Cor. 3:8-15 2 Cor. 5:9-11 Col. 3:23-24 1 Cor. 9:24-27 2 Tim. 4:6-8 Phil. 3:14 1 Tim. 4:8 Eph. 6:7-8 John taught that faithful believers will receive rewards in heaven 1 John 2:28 2 John 8
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The writer of Hebrews taught that faithful believers will receive rewards in heaven Heb. 10:35-36 Heb. 6:9-12 Heb. 11:6 Peter taught that faithful believers will receive rewards in heaven 1 Pet. 5:1-4 2 Pet. 1:5-11 James taught that faithful believers will receive rewards in heaven Jas. 1:12 Jas. 2:5

3. What are some ways that believers can earn rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ? Preface: Eternal life is a FREE GIFT received by faith. (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Rev. 22:17) Eternal rewards are a WAGE earned by good works. (1 Cor. 3:8; Col. 3:23-24; 2 John 8; Rev. 22:12) A. Enduring trials of all kinds (Jas. 1:12) B. Diligently seeking God (Heb. 11:6) C. Faithful pastoral work (1 Pet. 5:4) D. Longing for Christs appearing (2 Tim. 4:8) E. Leading others to Christ (1 Thess. 2:19) F. Faithfulness to Christ (1 Cor. 4:1-5) G. Hospitality (Matt. 10:40-42) H. Diligence in your Christian walk (1 Cor. 9:24-27; Heb. 6:11-12; 2 Pet. 1:10-11) I. Good stewardship of the gifts Christ has given you (Luke 19:11-27) J. Enduring persecution (Matt. 5:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:12; Heb. 10:36) K. Remaining in close fellowship with Christ (1 John 2:28) L. Unwavering commitment to Christ (Matt. 16:24-27) M. Doing good works with the right motive (Col. 3:23-24; 1 Cor. 4:5) N. Benevolence toward the poor (Mk. 10:21; Lk. 12:32-33; 1 Tim. 6:17-19) O. Serving Christ wholeheartedly (Jn. 12:26) P. Consistency in good works (Titus 3:8) Q. Confessing your faith before men (Matt. 10:32) R. Ministering to other Christians (Heb. 6:10) S. Loving Christ (John 14:21) T. Following the Spirit and not the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:3-5) 4. What kinds of rewards will be distributed at the Judgment Seat of Christ? A. Crowns (Jas. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:4; 1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Thess. 2:19) B. Reigning with Christ in the Kingdom (2 Tim. 2:12; Matt. 19:28-30; Luke 22:28-30; Rev. 20:4-6; Luke 19:11-27) C. Special positions of service and authority in the Kingdom (Luke 19:11-27) D. Praise from God (1 Cor. 4:5) E. Prophets reward (Matt. 10:41) F. Righteous mans reward (Matt. 10:41) G. Intimate level of love from God (John 14:21) H. Being confessed by Christ before God in heaven (Matt. 10:32)
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I. Unspecified inheritance in the Kingdom (Heb. 1:14; 6:11; 9:15; Col. 3:24; 1 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 21:7; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:3-5; Jas. 2:5) J. Special honor from God (John 12:26) 5. When will the Judgment Seat of Christ take place? The precise moment is unclear but we can narrow the time to sometime between the Rapture and the Second Coming. The believers rewards are clearly distributed when Christ comes (Rev. 22:12; 1 Jn. 2:28; 2 Tim. 4:8; Matt. 16:27). Paul also tells us that flesh & blood cannot receive an inheritance in the Kingdom. Thus, the believers rewards must be distributed after we have received our glorified bodies. This occurs at the Rapture (1 Cor. 15:50-58; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). So the Judgment Seat of Christ cannot precede the Rapture. But it also cannot occur after the Second Coming because many of the specific rewards discussed in Scripture involve positions of authority in the kingdom. Thus, these assignments must have been distributed before the Second Coming. I believe the Judgment Seat of Christ will begin at the time of the rapture and continue throughout the period of time between the rapture and the start of the tribulation. The Judgment Seat of Christ, like the rapture, pertains only to believers of the Church Age. Neither OT saints, tribulation saints, nor millennial saints will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. It is only Church Age believers. Jesus parable about the minas seems to imply that believers during this age are given a stewardship and this stewardship will be accounted for at the Judgment Seat of Christ. 6. How should the reality of the Judgment Seat of Christ affect the believers actions during their life on earth? A. The prospect of eternal rewards motivates believers to do the very things that will be rewarded. (Rev. 22:12; 2 John 8; Col. 3:23-24) B. The prospect of eternal rewards encourages believers to have a heavenly perspective. (Matt. 6:19-21; Col. 3:1-4; Phil. 3:20-21) C. The prospect of eternal rewards answers the natural desire within believers to earn a wage based on works. (1 Cor. 3:8; 2 John 8; Col. 3:23-24; Matt. 16:27) D. The prospect of eternal rewards fills in the gap created by the simplistic heaven/hell view of theology, which is so common in evangelical circles. 7. Why isnt this doctrine taught more frequently? A. Some people mistakenly assume that the doctrine of eternal rewards contradicts salvation by faith alone. Its true that eternal life is a free gift obtained solely by faith apart from works. (Rom. 4:4-5; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5) Eternal rewards, however, are related to the sanctification process not the justification process. Justification and sanctification are not the same; neither are eternal salvation and eternal rewards. B. Some people feel that the doctrine of eternal rewards promotes a selfish motivation. It is admittedly selfish to work for pay. But is this wrong? The word selfish has two connotations. First, it can refer to greediness at the expense of others. Second, it can refer to being intent on personal gain. The first connotation of selfishness is not appropriate. The second is completely appropriate. Jesus Himself endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. Hebrews chapter 11 contains an extensive list of people who were motivated by eternal rewards.
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C.

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If it is selfish to serve Christ in order to receive rewards, isnt it equally selfish to believe the Gospel in order to avoid hell? Both actions are motivated by personal gain. Some people believe that all believers will be equally rewarded. This is based on a misunderstanding of Jesus teaching in Matthew 20:1-16 But this passage only teaches that God will not penalize a person for believing the Gospel late in life. All who serve God wholeheartedly during their Christian life, whether they are Christians for one year or 50 years before going to be with the Lord, will be rewarded equallybased on their works. But those who come to faith in Christ and dont serve wholeheartedly will not get the same degree of reward as the one who does. This criticism of the doctrine of eternal rewards is common from Covenant theologians and other Amillennialists who have an overly simplistic view of eschatology. To these theologians there is no need for eternal rewards because all believers are motivated to persevere out of a fear of disproving or losing their salvation. It all comes down to heaven or hell, in their simplistic view. Some people assert that differing rewards in eternity will lead to jealousy. This is not possible because jealousy is sin and there is no sin in heaven. There is a difference between regret and jealousy. A glorified saint might wish that he had done more for Christ in this life, but he will be content with what he has in heaven. In this life on earth it is possible to avoid the sin of jealousy of those who have more than you. If its possible here, it certainly will be possible in heaven! Some people claim that Jesus taught that we are all merely servants who deserve no rewards. This is based on Jesus teaching in Luke 17:7-10. It is true that from Gods perspective no Christian deserves rewards. But this doesnt mean that God wont reward His children. The overwhelming evidence of Scripture is that Christians will be rewarded based on their acts of faithfulness in this life. Some people say that emphasizing eternal rewards is pointless since believers ultimately will give all rewards back to Christ anyway. This view is based on Rev. 4:9-10. Since all rewards will just be laid at the feet of Jesus, they say, whats the point of differing rewards. The only lasting reward will be the joy we experience in heaven, right? However, Revelation 4:9-10 says that whenever we give glory and honor and thanks to God we will cast our crowns before Him. In other words, this is not a one-time act and we will retain our crowns so that throughout eternity we can cast them at His feet and take them up again.

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