Many movies show everyone lined up, waiting to see if they’ve made it into heaven.
In the movies, some make it, and others are turned away. But this is not an accurate description. When you become a Christian, you will not be in that line. That line, called the Great White Throne Judgment, is for nonbelievers.
Who will face the Great White Throne Judgment?
The only people who will face the Great White Throne Judgment are people who’ve ignored Jesus’ offer of the free gift of salvation.
Christians will face the Bema Judgment.
In this judgment, 1 Corinthians 3:13 says, “… their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.” If you’ve done good work, you will receive rewards based on these works done for Christ. These are eternal rewards. This judgment will not affect your heavenly status, just your rewards.
Christians should look forward to the Bema Judgment.
Luke 6:23 says, “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.”
Now you know Christians won’t wait in line to see if they made it into heaven. But there’s more good news. God won’t point out everything you did wrong because there are no tears in heaven. Instead, he will point out your good works. This doesn’t give you a license to sin.
Based on your work, let’s look at the rewards you will receive at the Bema Judgment.
Your rewards are based on three things:
Thoughts: Jeremiah 17:10 says, “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
Actions: Matthew 6:3-4 says, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Words: Matthew 12:36 says, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
All Christians should look forward to this judgment. It’s great that they won’t wait in line to see if they’ve made it into heaven.
At this judgment, you can earn many crowns, which are too long to elaborate on here. But they include a crown of life, an incorruptible crown, a crown of separation, a crown of protection, a crown of righteousness, a crown of glory, and a crown of rejoicing.
If you’re not a Christian, grace is a free gift.
To accept this gift of grace, you must place your faith in Jesus and make him the Lord and Savior of your life. There aren’t any deeds good enough in the eyes of our perfect Savior that will allow us to earn our way to heaven. I’ve written a blog post that explains salvation called Is the Grace of God the Only Way to Heaven?
Yes, Christians/believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will not be judged by their failures but will receive crowns/rewards for the good work they did.
Ephesians 2:10 reads “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Once a person is saved they want to do the good works God has prepared for them to do. It will be a joy to lay the crowns we receive at the feet of Jesus!
Thank you for your post.
I’m so glad you know Jesus and significantly understand the gospel.