First we need to see the differences between the Judgement Seat of Christ for believers and the Great White Throne Judgement seat for those who reject Christ. The roles of each event are very different in method and focus as shown by the context of each event.
The fact is, if the two coming judgments are actually combined into one judgment at the Great White Throne, then good works become a requirement for salvation which goes against the Gospel of grace Apostle Paul taught. Why do I state that? Because ‘works’ play a role in both judgments but in very different ways and neither are for determining Salvation. Many pulpits push ‘works for salvation’ which is the very false gospel message Apostle Paul fought so hard against in his writings. Jesus also gave stern warning against this false gospel as well in Matthew 7:22-23.
THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
(Bema Judgement Of Believers In Christ)
The Judgement Seat of Christ has a role and it is clearly all about eternal rewards, or denial of rewards, for an already saved believer where works after salvation are ‘tested by fire’ to see if they were good or bad.
This is referred to by some as the Bema Seat of believers. Although the Bema seat was used for harsh judgement at times (The brother of John, James was beheaded at the Bema Seat for example). But it was also used for Olympic style events for rewards and prizes as a ceremony. And this is the context Paul is using. We see this proper context in 1 Cor. 9 as Paul is encouraging the Corinthian believers, and us today,
“24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV)
This is not a race for salvation but for gaining eternal rewards for a believer’s life well lived, not dead and carnal, but alive and having good works in Christ.
“10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than THAT IS LAID, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon THIS FOUNDATION gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed BY FIRE; and the fire shall TRY EVERY MAN’S WORK OF WHAT SORT IT IS. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive A REWARD. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall SUFFER LOSS: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED ; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 KJV)
A person is saved and all sins forgiven from the moment they believe on Christ and His finished work on the cross (John 3:14-18,36, John 6:37-40, Eph. 1:13-14, 1 Cor. 15:1-4). Jesus is the once for all final blood sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2, Hebrews 10:10). A person is COMPLETE IN CHRIST and ALREADY RISEN WITH CHRIST in the Spirit once they believe (Colossians 2), and are right now the righteousness of God, IN CHRIST (2 Cor. 5:17-22). Salvation is not decided at the Judgement Seat of Christ. All at this event are ALREADY SAVED and SEALED by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14) and in Heaven with glorified resurrected bodies after the Rapture Event (the Harpazo snatching away of believers in the air). There will be joy at this event but also for some great remorse at lost opportunities in their life. Even those with all works burned as only stubble, who lived as carnal Christians with no reward-able works, will have great loss of rewards but are still saved because no one is saved by works.
“15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall SUFFER LOSS: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED ; yet so as by fire.” (2 Cor. 3:15 KJV)
The Great White Throne Judgement Of Unbelievers
The Great White Throne clearly has a DIFFERENT ROLE. A very somber role. This is a judgement of condemnation where an unbelieving person who rejected Christ in their lifetime will be shown EVIDENCE of why they are condemned and this is shown by their works and deeds as evidence for sins that MUST BE PAID. A lifetime of sin debt! Jesus gave stern warning in Matthew 7:22-23 about relying on self righteous works for salvation. At this judgement the proud boastful unbelievers will be in shock to hear Jesus say to them the scariest words ever, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”.
A person either has their sins paid by accepting the gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9) by belief on Christ (John 3:14-18) or they reject the gift of salvation and must pay for their sins themselves. At the Great White Throne Judgement, what really determines the reason why they are being condemned is not their works, but that they rejected the only way to be saved from paying for their own sins; belief on Christ and His finished work on the cross. They are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Every believer on Christ for justification in salvation is written in this book, the moment they believe on Christ. Those at the Great White Throne Judgement are not found in this book. That is why they are standing in judgment at the Great White Throne.
“15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15 KJV)
That is the pivotal deciding factor at this judgement. Their works are just shown a damning evidence. Apostle Paul is clear that, “…the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 KJV)
So, my point is that a person’s works are not mentioned in either judgment seat, as a determination of salvation. Belief on Christ alone decides that!
“He that BELIEVETH ON HIM is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned ALREADY, because he hath NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18 KJV)
That is very clear, and straight up truth by Jesus’ own words.
