The preachers quoted here describe the judgment seat of Christ as a place of review and reward for believers as servants. They say it does not decide salvation, that reward and loss of reward are always in view, and that its outcome bears on a believer's place in Christ's kingdom.
The phrase is Paul's. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). "We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ ... So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:10, 12). The word is bema, a raised platform from which a judge or ruler gave decisions.1 J. N. Darby noted the force of Paul's verb: we must "appear, or rather be manifested, before the judgment-seat of Christ".2
In both passages Paul is writing to Christians about Christians. The question is not whether they will be saved. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1); the believer "shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). What is examined is the life lived after conversion.
Paul describes the test. Christ is the only foundation, and each person builds on it. "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire." If the work survives, "he shall receive a reward". If it is burned, "he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). Motives will be weighed as well as deeds: the Lord "will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God" (4:5).
The New Testament speaks freely of reward. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). Paul expected "a crown of righteousness" (2 Timothy 4:8); Peter promises elders "a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:4). Jesus says, "behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12). John adds a caution: "Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward" (2 John 8).
Christians differ on how this relates to the final judgment. Many, especially among dispensational teachers, distinguish the judgment seat of Christ for believers from the great white throne of Revelation 20:11-15. Others hold that Scripture describes one general judgment at which believers are acquitted in Christ and their works assessed. Both agree that believers will give account.
Paul draws the practical conclusion himself. "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him" (2 Corinthians 5:9). "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance" (Colossians 3:23-24).
- Strong's Greek 968, bēma: "a step, i.e. foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e. a tribunal".
- J.N. Darby, Collected Writings of J.N. Darby Doctrinal 3, "Brethren and Their Reviewers".
In their own words
Each line below is quoted exactly from a sermon on this site. Follow the link to hear or read it where it was said.
The Judgment Seat of Christ will be a place of review and reward where some will be rewarded more than others.
William MacDonald
in Appear Before the Judgment Seat of Christ
Read in context
This judgment seat of Christ is not talking about salvation.
Brian Long
in The Judgement Seat of Christ, Does It Matter?
Listen at 7:10
Whenever the judgment seat of Christ is spoken about, reward is discussed, and the loss of the reward is mentioned again and again and again.
Oswald J. Smith
in The Judgement Seat of Christ
Listen at 20:14
Judgment seat of Christ is connected to our role as servants.
Bruce Rodgers
in The Judgment Seat of Christ
Listen at 19:02
And finally, the final outcome of the judgment seat of Christ is the placement in his kingdom.
Bruce Rodgers
in Stewardship and the Judgement Seat of Christ
Listen at 12:03
What Scripture says
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ
- Romans 14:10-12 every one of us shall give account of himself to God
- 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 every man's work shall be made manifest
- 1 Corinthians 4:5 then shall every man have praise of God
- Revelation 22:12 my reward is with me
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