At the Judgment Seat of Christ, Only the saved will be judged and rewarded (1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10).
No one at this judgment will be concerned about “making it.” The righteous, who will stand before the Son of Man at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will be standing before him, in Heaven, already acquitted (1 John 5:11-13).
These will receive whatever rewards they earned from the works they did while on earth. Eternal life is not a reward for good works; it is a free gift for believing on the risen Son of God (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Matthew 25:21-23,34,46, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9).
According to Hebrews 6:1, one of the principles of the doctrine of Christ, that all Christian leadersare held responsiblefor teaching to all new believers, is the
doctrine of eternal judgment. So, in light of that, how would most Christians answer the question of, “What happens after we die?”
Very likely they would go the simplified route by saying, “We either go to heaven, or we go to hell.” That answer, according to the scriptures, is essentially correct, but it leaves a great deal unsaid. So, if that is the case, whatdoeshappen when we die?
Let’s take the answer to that step-by-step. The scriptures teach there are only two options
(destinations) available to any of us after the death of our bodies. The scriptures further teach that either destination is arrived at immediately upon the death of the body and is permanent—no soul sleep, no purgatory, no second chances (2 Corinthians 5:8, Luke 16:19-25, Hebrews 9:27).
But at some point in the future, after our bodies die, after we arrive at our final destination, our bodies will be raised, and we will all be forcibly hauled into a courtroom—not a pleasant experience for anyone— whether they are defendant or plaintiff—guilty or innocent.
Forcibly means no one will be given a choice in the matter.
This is a court hearing in which no one will have the option of being held in contempt for not showing up. Whether we like it or not—we willall show up (2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:11-12).
Everyone, righteous and unrighteous alike, will stand before the Judge of all the earth—though not in the same
courtroom (Philippians 2:10-11, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:11-12).
Everyone, righteous and unrighteous alike, will watch as
writtenrecords are produced and evidence concerning
their cases is presented to the judge (Malachi 3:16, Matthew 12:36-37, Revelation 20:12).
Everyone, righteous and unrighteous alike, will have witnesses to attest to the truthfulness of the evidence that is presented (1 John 5:7, Matthew 12:41-42).
The books will be opened for the righteous and unrighteous alike, and each individual will experience judgment being passed on their case based on what is
written in those books (Malachi 3:16, Romans 2:16, 1 Corinthians15:1-4, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:11-12).
All similarities between the judgments of the righteous and unrighteous will end there.
The righteous will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ already acquitted—already entered into life. The unrighteous will stand before The Judge Of All The Earth already condemned (1 John 5:11-13, John 3:18).
The righteous will have an advocate (defense attorney) provided for them (1 John 2:1).
The unrighteous will have only a prosecutor, because in the courtroom of The Great White Throne Judgment , all
defendants will have previously waived their right to an advocate.
However, the records will be diligently searched, and witnesses will be sought, and found. But the one witness that can produce the evidence needed to free the
defendant will not be found (Matthew 12:36-37, 41-42 Revelation 1:5).
AtThe Judgment Seat of Christ , the saved will receive whatever rewards (in addition to eternal life) they may have earned (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Matthew 25:21-23,34,46).
At The Great White Throne Judgment, the unsaved will receive eternal damnation (Matthew 25:41,46).
The Judge of all the earth was put on trial once. But his courtroom will not be a kangaroo court like the one he chose to endure for our sakes (Mark 14:55-65).
Just like the unrighteous—who will all stand before him, he chose to have no advocate at his hearing either. But his choice was a righteous choice. He made such a choice in order to give all mankind the opportunity to have an advocate present for their day in court. Unlike earthly courts, in the heavenly courtroom, the mere presence of the advocate guarantees acquittal (Mark 15:4, Romans 3:10,23).
The Judge Of All The Earth had no witnesses testifying on his behalf—only accusers—liars—bearing false witness against him (Mark 14:56).
But all of the witnesses and all of the evidence that will be brought forth in the courtroom of the Judge Of All
the Earth will be absolutely trustworthy (Matthew 12:36-37, 41- 42, Revelation 20:12).
Jesus’ earthly judge did not judge righteously, but rather, with full knowledge of what he was doing, condemned an innocent man (Mark 15:14-15).
The Judge Of All The Earth, however, will judge righteously. All who have their condemnation re- affirmed at the Great White Throne Judgment will know they have been judged righteously (John 3:18, Romans 2:1-16).
Jesus said by our words, we will be justified, or by our words, we will be condemned. That is a frightening thought for most of us. During the course of a lifetime we speak many words, and we do not always choose our words wisely (Matthew 12:36-37).
The wisest choice of words we can ever make is to confess with our mouth that the Lord Jesus Christ is the risen Son of God. If we come to God on those terms, with a truly repentant heart, we are promised eternal life. A broken and contrite heart, he will not despise (Romans 10:9-10,13, Psalm 51:17).
Here is what it all boils down to. Our God is merciful and loving. He doesn’t unnecessarily complicate things.
Romans 10:9-10,13says that if we confess with our mouth
(words) the Lord Jesus, and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead...
We…
Will…
Be…
Saved.
***
When We Come To Christ
When we come to Christ, does God require us to give up the cultural identity and heritage we were born into? Absolutely not!
But everyone who comes to Christ should be willing to give up everything that will hinder the development of his or her new identity in, and service to, Jesus.
When we surrender our lives to Christ, we no longer belong to ourselves but to the God of Heaven and the
Father of our Lord (as in master) Jesus Christ who
purchased us with his own blood. We are not our own—
for we have been bought with a great price (1 Corinthians 6:20).
In the book of Genesis, we see Abraham being instructed to leave his country, his kindred, and his Father’s house to go to an unknown land that God would show him.
That could not have been easy for Abraham. He lived in a culture where family ties and responsibilities meant a great deal, but, none-the-less, he was obedient to his God in this command.
chose to follow God. But he was required to allow God to develop his life and lifestyle into something
completely new.
When we come to Christ, the scriptures say old things are passed away... and all things are becomenew. We
become a completely new creation and are instructed to walk in newness of life.
At some point in time all of our ancestors followed an
old way. When following the old way, if a new God or
spirit were introduced, wasn’t the proper worship of, or way of relating to that entity sought and adhered to? Why then, would we not be willing to do the same for our Redeemer and Creator, the great God of the universe, the oneTrueGod, Christ Jesus?
In Acts chapter 19:17-19, we see new believers entering their new life in Christ with a healthy fear of God. We witness them enthusiastically bringing items which were used in “curious arts” i.e., occult (demon worship—“old ways”) and burning them.
These Christians had no desire to retain anything of the old ways that had never been able to bring life.
Wewould be wise to follow their example as we
examine and carefully evaluate some of the things we allow ourselves to come into contact with and become influenced by (via our possessions, activities,
associations, and the various forms of media available to us today).
The cultural situation we were born into constitutes a large part of who we are, but being a New Creationin
Christ supersedes even that.
Absolutelyeverything in the life of a Christian is
superceded by the new identity now possessed in Christ —regardless of what earthly culture one is born into.
Whether we are black, white, Jew, Gentile, Native American, Asian…the list can go on and on, if we love tradition, and the ways of our earthly culture, more than Jesus, if we choose to identify with our earthly culture more than Jesus...
He tells us we are not worthy of him.
If we love this world and the things it contains
(including the cultural heritage we were born into) more than Jesus…
The love of the Father isnot not in us.
Just as Joshua challenged the children of Israel before they crossed over into the Promised Land, the Spirit of God challenges us today to, “Chooseyou this day...”
Do you love your Savior enough to examine the things you may have held dear, even sacred, your entire life? Would you like to be able to say, along with Peter, “Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee…?” Are you willing to give up everything for Jesus? He gave up everything for you.
Testimony Of Jocelyn Andersen Testimony Of Jocelyn Andersen
“I was finished with God, Jesus, Heaven, Hell, Christianity and anything that had to do with it. God truly found me at a time when I was not looking for him...”
I was only six years old the day
I was only six years old the day I decided II decided I wanted to belong to Jesus Christ. I went home wanted to belong to Jesus Christ. I went home feeling a sense of euphoric joy at what had feeling a sense of euphoric joy at what had happened that morning.
happened that morning. A sense of joy that was not to last...
I don’t remember the sermon topic I don’t remember the sermon topic thatthat day. Theology was not a concern at the day. Theology was not a concern at the time. I only knew that when the Pastor time. I only knew that when the Pastor gave the invitation to “join the church,” gave the invitation to “join the church,” I wanted to. And as he counseled with I wanted to. And as he counseled with me and prayed with me, my
me and prayed with me, my six-year-oldsix-year-old faith connected with God through belief faith connected with God through belief in his risen son, and I
in his risen son, and I knew thatknew that
something special had happened to me. something special had happened to me. I would like to say that I was faithful to I would like to say that I was faithful to God after that, but I wasn’t always. God after that, but I wasn’t always. My Mother made sure we were at My Mother made sure we were at
Church almost every Sunday, and I said Church almost every Sunday, and I said my prayers at night sometimes, but I my prayers at night sometimes, but I never made Jesus a real part of my never made Jesus a real part of my life.life. I had no idea how to
I had no idea how to do that.do that.
As an adolescent, I went my own way As an adolescent, I went my own way and stopped going to
and stopped going to ChurchChurch altogether.
A fear of dying and going to hell A fear of dying and going to hell
descended on me and stayed there for descended on me and stayed there for the next eighteen years. The only thing the next eighteen years. The only thing I knew about being a Christian was that I knew about being a Christian was that you were supposed to go to Church and you were supposed to go to Church and live a certain way, and I didn’t want to live a certain way, and I didn’t want to do that. To be perfectly honest, church do that. To be perfectly honest, church bored me.
bored me.
As a young adult, I began living As a young adult, I began living aa lifestyle that I could
lifestyle that I could not reconcile withnot reconcile with my conscience and with what I had my conscience and with what I had been taught in Church and in Sunday been taught in Church and in Sunday School through-out my childhood. School through-out my childhood. In 1979 I couldn’t bear the guilt and In 1979 I couldn’t bear the guilt and fear any longer, and I decided I didn’t fear any longer, and I decided I didn’t want to believe in hell anymore.
want to believe in hell anymore.
The only logical way I could accomplish The only logical way I could accomplish that goal…was to stop believing in God. that goal…was to stop believing in God. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I was I know it sounds ridiculous, but I was very serious about it. I reasoned with very serious about it. I reasoned with myself that if the scriptures were true myself that if the scriptures were true and there was a God, then there surely and there was a God, then there surely was a hell, and in spite of my
was a hell, and in spite of my
profession of faith at age six, I was profession of faith at age six, I was certain I was going there.
certain I was going there.
I could not think of a single reason why I could not think of a single reason why I should be granted eternal life when I I should be granted eternal life when I died. I did not
died. I did not understanunderstand that it d that it waswas faith in what Christ did and not my own faith in what Christ did and not my own good works that saved me.
I’ll never forget the first time I I’ll never forget the first time I
announced to another person that I did announced to another person that I did not think I believed in God. The words not think I believed in God. The words shocked us both. But lightning didn’t shocked us both. But lightning didn’t strike, and I was encouraged to pursue strike, and I was encouraged to pursue my goal of becoming an atheist.
my goal of becoming an atheist.
Between 1979 and 1981 I worked very Between 1979 and 1981 I worked very hard at it. Sometimes, during the day hard at it. Sometimes, during the day with all its distractions, I was
with all its distractions, I was somewhatsomewhat successfu
successful. But l. But at night, when theat night, when the silence descended, I could not squelch silence descended, I could not squelch the conviction of the Holy Spirit that the conviction of the Holy Spirit that the scriptures were true and God was the scriptures were true and God was real.
real.
In 1981 I was invited to
In 1981 I was invited to go to churchgo to church with some friends and family, and I with some friends and family, and I went. I didn’t go to worship God that went. I didn’t go to worship God that Sunda
Sunday morning. My goal y morning. My goal was towas to
discount everything the preacher said discount everything the preacher said and prove that Christianity was a myth and prove that Christianity was a myth —a crutch for weak-minded people to —a crutch for weak-minded people to lean on.
lean on.
I successfully (to my own
I successfully (to my own satisfactionsatisfaction)) shredded everything the preacher said shredded everything the preacher said that morning. I sat
that morning. I sat through the songs,through the songs, prayers, preaching and alter call
prayers, preaching and alter call completely untouched emotionally or completely untouched emotionally or spiritually. I walked out of church spiritually. I walked out of church unchange
unchanged and very d and very satisfied withsatisfied with myself.
myself.
I went back again the next week. I knew I went back again the next week. I knew that if I could sit
sermon and alter call unmoved, as sermon and alter call unmoved, as before, that I would be free forever before, that I would be free forever from this Christianity thing that from this Christianity thing that tormented me so.
tormented me so.
I planned on walking away from God I planned on walking away from God that morning and never looking back. that morning and never looking back. I sat down on the very back pew; the I sat down on the very back pew; the one closest to the exit, and waited for one closest to the exit, and waited for the service to begin. The congregation the service to begin. The congregation stood up, said a few prayers, sang a stood up, said a few prayers, sang a few hymns, and then sat down.
few hymns, and then sat down. I felt nothing—so far so good. I felt nothing—so far so good.
Then the preacher (who did not know Then the preacher (who did not know me) raised his arm and pointed his me) raised his arm and pointed his
finger directly at me and thundered the finger directly at me and thundered the first words of his sermon…
first words of his sermon… “
“ And God gave them up And God gave them up!”!”
When he uttered the last word of that When he uttered the last word of that sentence, something seemed to come sentence, something seemed to come out of the end of his finger and slam out of the end of his finger and slam straight into my heart. In that moment straight into my heart. In that moment all my atheistic
all my atheistic defenses weredefenses were
shattered, and I became acutely aware shattered, and I became acutely aware of the existence of my God and Savior of the existence of my God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Immediately I cried out to him in my Immediately I cried out to him in my heart. I told him that I
heart. I told him that I knew he wasknew he was real, and I was sorry for
the preacher said that morning, but I the preacher said that morning, but I was the first one to reach the alter was the first one to reach the alter when he finished preaching.
when he finished preaching. I picked up my Bible that very I picked up my Bible that very
afternoon and began reading the New afternoon and began reading the New T
Testament estament book book of Matof Matthewthew. I . I havehave