Two Judgments in Eternity

Every human being—believer and unbeliever alike—will stand before God to be judged, but the nature of that judgment differs based on one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible presents two distinct judgments: the Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema) for believers and the Great White Throne Judgment for unbelievers.

Judgment for Believers

For those who have placed their faith in Christ alone, their eternal destiny is secure, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16), and “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not believe in the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). This wonderful gift—eternal life—is given to us at the moment of faith in Christ, for “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). It is received by grace alone, through faith alone, totally apart from works (Rom 4:4-5; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5). Those who possess eternal life will never face the lake of fire, for “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). However, though we will never face condemnation, we will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema Seat)—not to determine salvation, but to evaluate our service, spiritual growth, and production during our time on earth (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10-12).

At the Bema Seat judgment, Christ will evaluate our deeds, determining rewards or the loss of rewards (1 Cor 3:11-15). Works done in the power of the Holy Spirit and according to divine viewpoint will be classified as gold, silver, and precious stones. These will stand the test of divine evaluation, and each believer will be rewarded. However, works performed in the energy of the flesh—human effort apart from divine power—are classified as wood, hay, and straw, and will be burned up (1 Cor 3:12-15). The believer himself will still be saved, but his rewards will be diminished if his life was characterized by carnality rather than spiritual growth.

The rewards granted at the Bema Seat judgment include crowns, increased capacity for service and worship in eternity, and special honors given by Christ Himself (1 Cor 9:25; 2 Tim 4:8; Rev 2:26-27). This judgment is not punitive, as “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ” (Rom 8:1)—but it is a serious evaluation of how each believer stewarded his time, talents, and doctrine in the spiritual life.

Judgment for Unbelievers

For those who reject Christ, their destiny is already sealed—eternal separation from God in the lake of fire. They will spend eternity apart from Him, for “he who does not believe in the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). These unbelievers “will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Th 1:9). All unbelievers will stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-15). This judgment does not determine whether they will be condemned—that verdict was already rendered by their rejection of Christ—but rather the degree of their punishment in eternity.

At this judgment, all unbelievers from every age will be resurrected to stand before God. Because they rejected His perfect righteousness—His gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9)—they will be judged according to their own works, which are utterly insufficient to meet God’s perfect standard (Isa 64:6; Rom 3:10-12). Their names will not be found in the Book of Life, confirming their eternal separation from God. As John wrote, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15).

While all unbelievers will suffer eternal punishment, the severity of that punishment will vary based on their deeds (Matt 11:21-24; Luke 12:47-48). Just as there are varying degrees of reward for believers, there are varying degrees of torment for the lost. The greater the rejection of truth, the greater the accountability. Those who had more exposure to God’s revelation but still rejected it will face a more severe judgment. Moral unbelievers will suffer less than immoral unbelievers.

In conclusion, every person will stand before God—believers at the Bema Seat for the purpose of rewards and unbelievers at the Great White Throne for the determination of their punishment. The Bema is an evaluation of faithfulness, while the Great White Throne is the final sentencing of those who refused to believe in Christ. One results in eternal rewards; the other, in eternal punishment. The issue is faith in Christ. Those who believe in Him for eternal life will never face condemnation (John 3:18), while those who reject Him remain under divine wrath (John 3:36). Choose Christ, and you choose eternal life, for “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16b).

?Dr. Steven R. Cook

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