Judgment Day

Only believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The "great white throne" judgment described in Revelation 20:11-15(verse 11) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

(verse 12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

(verse 13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

(verse 14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

(verse 15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.Revelation 20 verses 11-15 is for unbelievers.

At his judgment seat, Jesus will determine a believer's faithfulness to Him and reward each person appropriately (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15(verse 11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

(verse 12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

(verse 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.

(verse 14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

(verse 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 verses 11-15). This will not be a determination of one's eternal destiny; that issue is decided the moment a person believes in Christ.

The risen Christ.

Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.2 Corinthians 5 verse 8)

The Scriptures do not specify when this will occur. It is obviously at a time when all Christians are gathered in heaven.

Some commentators consider the various "crowns mentioned in the New Testament as the rewards (1 Corinthians 9:25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.1 Corinthians 9 verse 25; 2 Timothy 4:8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.1 Timothy 4 verse 8; James 1:12Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.James 1 verse 12, 1 Peter 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.1 Peter 5 verse 4; Revelation 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.Revelation 2 verse 10). These will eventually be placed before the throne of God (Revelation 4:10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,Revelation 4 verse 10). Others point to the minas in Luke 19:11-27 and see the prospects of serving and ruling in eternity as being directly tied to our faithfulness on earth. We do not know the exact nature of the "new heavens and new earth" or "the kingdom of God." But the Scriptures do seem to imply that eternity will involve serving and reigning (Matthew 25:21, 23(verse 21) His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

(verse 23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Matthew 25 verses 21, 23; Revelation 22:3, 5(verse 3) And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

(verse 5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.Revelation 22 verses 3, 5).

Knowing that in the future we will stand before Jesus Christ and face a REVIEW OF OUR LIVES should motivate us to live righteously and faithfully in the present.

Walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7(For we walk by faith, not by sight.)2 Corinthians 5 verse 7). Develop a longing for heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.2 Corinthians 5 verse 8). Make it our chief aim in life to please the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.2 Corinthians 5 verse 9). Keep the judgment seat of Christ in view (2 Corinthians 5:10For 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 verse 10).