Have you ever received a ‘Notice to Appear’ in court? Sometimes these notices bring fear and trepidation. On other occasions, there might be excitement because you know your case will be resolved—your excited to appear!
The Bible serves us our notice to appear in 2 Corinthians 5:10.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. NIV
No matter our beliefs, one day, every human being ever born will appear in court before the supreme judge. Unfortunately, some people will find they have arrived in a criminal court—others will arrive in an awarding court.
The apostle Paul pictured the believer in Christ as a competitor in a spiritual contest. Centuries ago, the victorious Grecian athlete appeared before the Bema to receive his perishable award. In similar fashion, the Christian will appear before Christ’s Bema Court to receive his imperishable award.
The word “bema” was taken from ancient games where the contestants would compete for a prize under the careful scrutiny of judges. The judges would make sure every rule of the contest was obeyed. The victor, who participated according to the rules, was led by the judge to a platform called the Bema. The victor would receive a laurel wreath and wear it on his head as a crown of victory.
It’s important to remember that the judge at the Bema seat rewarded victors. A Christians place in Heaven is secure even if they do not receive awards. A Christian arrives at the Bema seat because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Through him, they have victory over the world. Those persons who did notput their faith in Jesus Christ will not arrive at the Bema seat. Non-believers are judged for their deeds at the Great White Throne judgement. What are the differences between the two judgements seats/courts?
The Bema seat is like an awarding court. Have you ever watched the Olympics? The judges score the athletes to determine who gets medals. The judges are not there to determine punishments for the athletes would didn’t perform very well.
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3: 12-15 NIV
When followers of Jesus Christ stand before Him at the Bema Seat, some will experience great joy and some will experience regret. There will be great joy for Saints of whom the Lord says; “Well done good and faithful servant.” There will be some regret and shame for those Saints who squandered their talents–but they will not receive a sentence of punishment. Jesus Said in 1 John 5:24
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. NIV
On the other hand, The Great White Throne is like a criminal court.
Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.
Do you understand this verse? Only the dead are judged at the Great White Throne. Followers of Jesus Christ have already been judged at the Bema Seat. They have their rewards and a glorified body—they’ve never been more alive! Followers of Jesus Christ are only observers at the Great White Throne judgment.
Anyone who is dead and judged at the GWT will be thrown into the lake of fire. This is called the second death because it is a permanent separation from God for all eternity. In a criminal court, the judge is there to pronounce guilt and punishment–not to give rewards. The Bema seat, and the Great White Throne, are two, totally different types of court.
Reflection
Should a believer in Jesus Christ have fear and trepidation about their notice to appear? Yes and no. No because our salvation through Jesus Christ is secure and we should be excited and look forward to finally meeting our Savior. Yes, because this truth should keep us in a sober reality about the way we live our lives.
If you have not placed your faith and hope in Jesus Christ, let me encourage you to do so. You can settle out of criminal court today by trusting Jesus as your Savior. He died on the cross to pay for all of your sin. He wants to heal you and have an everlasting relationship with you. Ask Him into your heart today my friend.