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Judgement Seat of Christ vs Great White Throne Judgement – Viral Believer
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Judgement Seat of Christ vs Great White Throne Judgement

Introduction

As believers, it is essential to understand the distinction between the Judgement Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgement. These two events have different purposes and consequences, and it is crucial to recognize how they apply to our lives as we strive to follow Christ.

In this blog post, we will delve into the differences between the two judgements, using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible as our primary reference.

We will begin by exploring the Judgement Seat of Christ, which is specifically for believers, and then compare it to the Great White Throne Judgement, which is reserved for those who have rejected Christ.

By understanding these two separate events, we can better comprehend the depth of God’s love and grace, as well as the eternal consequences of our decisions in this life.

Key Takeaways

  1. The Judgement Seat of Christ is for believers to receive rewards based on their works in service to Christ.
  2. The Great White Throne Judgement is for unbelievers to be judged according to their works and ultimately be separated from God.
  3. The main difference between the two judgements lies in their purpose and the individuals involved.

The Judgement Seat of Christ

Purpose and Participants

The Judgement Seat of Christ, also known as the Bema Seat, is a time when believers will be rewarded for their works in service to Christ. This judgement is not about salvation, as believers are already saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Instead, it is a time for Christ to assess our faithfulness and reward us accordingly (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Basis for Rewards

The basis for rewards at the Judgement Seat of Christ is the believer’s works. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NKJV).

These rewards are not a reflection of our salvation but rather the extent to which we have served Christ and built upon the foundation of our faith (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

Types of Rewards

There are several types of rewards mentioned in Scripture that believers may receive at the Judgement Seat of Christ. These include crowns, such as the incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:25), the crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19), and the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8).

Believers may also receive various other rewards based on their faithfulness and service to Christ.

The Great White Throne Judgement

Purpose and Participants

The Great White Throne Judgement is a separate event from the Judgement Seat of Christ. This judgement is reserved for those who have rejected Christ and will face God’s wrath.

Revelation 20:11-15 provides a vivid description of this event, stating, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away” (Revelation 20:11, NKJV).

Basis for Judgement

The basis for judgement at the Great White Throne is the individual’s works and their rejection of Christ. Jesus said, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18, NKJV).

Those who have rejected Christ will be judged according to their works and will ultimately be separated from God (Revelation 20:12-13).

Eternal Consequences

The eternal consequences of the Great White Throne Judgement are severe. Those who have rejected Christ and are judged at this event will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:14-15).

This is an eternal separation from God and a place of torment, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

Comparing the Two Judgements

Purpose

The primary difference between the Judgement Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgement is their purpose.

The Judgement Seat of Christ is for believers to receive rewards based on their works in service to Christ, whereas the Great White Throne Judgement is for unbelievers to be judged according to their works and ultimately be separated from God.

Participants

Another difference between the two judgements is the individuals involved. The Judgement Seat of Christ is specifically for believers in Jesus Christ, while the Great White Throne Judgement is reserved for unbelievers who have rejected Christ.

Timing

The timing of these two judgements is also distinct. The Judgement Seat of Christ is generally believed to occur after the Rapture of the Church and before the Millennial Reign of Christ, while the Great White Throne Judgement takes place after the Millennium, at the end of human history (Revelation 20:7-15).

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between the Judgement Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgement helps us to grasp the depth of God’s love, grace, and justice.

For believers, it is a call to live a life of faithfulness and service to Christ, knowing that our works will be rewarded at the Judgement Seat of Christ.

For unbelievers, the reality of the Great White Throne Judgement is a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ. It is an urgent call to repent and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to avoid the devastating outcome of this judgement.

As Christians, we must be diligent in sharing the gospel with those who have not yet come to faith in Christ. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, imploring others to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

By understanding the eternal significance of these two judgements, we can be better equipped to fulfill our God-given mission to share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ with the world.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.