In our last message I mentioned that the Return of Christ and the Rapture are the most frequently cited prophecies in the scriptures. Do you know what the second most mentioned prophecy in the Bible is?
The second most frequent prophecy in the Bible is The Day of Judgment.
When we think of all the mean people around us that will get judgment, it doesn’t bother us, but nobody likes to think that one day we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to account for how we lived on this earth.
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,”Hebrews 9:27 NKJV
Each of us has two appointments, neither of which we can put in our diaries, because we don’t know the date of either. One of them is the day of our death, and the other is The Day of our Judgment, and it won’t be on the same day.
“Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31 NKJV
God has noted every injustice of the wicked — If He never punished evil doers, He would not be a good and just God.
That is why there must be a Day of Judgment! Because He is a good and righteous God!
If God were to close His eyes to all the evil and sin committed in the world, we could not be able to call Him just. God is Father, King, and righteous Judge! His justice demands the Day of Judgment!
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7 NIV.
One day there will be a reckoning, for everything we sow, we shall reap.
“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.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV.
The Bible is very clear that one day there will be a reckoning according to how we lived and according to the works we perform through our bodies.
Today we will look at the Day of the Final Judgment. What will it be like? Who will be the Judge?
The 2 Types of Judgments in the Bible
In the Bible, we find two types of judgments that will occur in two different locations and at different times. One is called ‘The Judgment Seat of Christ,’ which is in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, and will be the judgment of all born-again believers who served the Lord on this earth.
The Bible also speaks of ‘The Great White Throne’ (Revelation 20:11-12), where all those who were not born again and who did not accept the work of Christ’s Cross will be judged.
Let’s read about the Judgment Seat of Christ:
“9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 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. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”
1 Corinthians 3:9-15 NIV
The Apostle Paul is saying that after the rapture, believers will stand before Jesus at The Judgment Seat of Christ.
The Greek word used here for ‘judgment seat’ is Bema (βῆμα – Greek). A ‘Bema’ is a platform used for marathon athletes to receive their rewards. At this judgment seat, all the runners of ancient Greece would ascend to receive their crowns and prizes for having completed the marathon.
This judgment seat will not decide who will be saved or condemned. All who appear at this Judgment are already saved! We will simply be there to receive our rewards for our faithfulness and service.
How do we know that all who are there are saved?
Because all those who are there built their lives on the foundation, which is Christ. They all repented of their sins, confessed Jesus as Lord, and built their lives in Christ.
The Apostle Paul says that many of these Christians used different materials to build their lives.
“12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 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.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 NIV.
Everything you are doing in your Christian life will be tested by fire. All your work, your motivations, the reason behind you doing things.
“If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.” 1 Corinthians 3:14 NIV.
If you built using gold, silver, and costly stones, the fire will not destroy it, for you were sincere, you had good motivations, you invested your time in the Kingdom of God, you invested your finances, and all of this the fire does not burn down, it only purifies!
If you built on the foundation with wood, hay, and straw, what do you think will happen when the fire tests your works? It will burn everything, and nothing will remain.
The Apostle Paul said that some of those who will appear before Jesus will have their works completely destroyed. Nothing will remain but the foundation, which is Jesus; however, the foundation which is Jesus will be sufficient to save that person.
“If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Cor 3:15 NIV.
In this text, it says that our works will be tested! However, the Bible says that we are saved by faith, not by works! Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV.
Salvation is by grace, but for everything else that comes after our salvation, there will be a reckoning. You are not saved by doing good works, but you will be rewarded for all your works before God. Many on the Day of Christ’s judgment will cry in repentance for not having invested their lives in the Kingdom of God.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21 NIV.
The Bible says that God will call some ‘good and faithful servant’ and others ‘wicked and lazy servant’. How do you want to be called by God?
For every investment you have ever made in the Kingdom of God, you will be rewarded. You who have invested in people, visiting others, preaching the gospel, making disciples, investing your finances, being faithful in your tithes and offerings, God will reward you for all your works. Everything we do, say, and think will be put to the test before Jesus, for He sees and knows everything.
There is another Judgment in the Bible, which is the ‘Great White Throne’.
11“Then I saw a “Great White Throne” and Him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from His presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 15Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-12, 15 NIV.
This is the judgment called ‘The Final Judgment” and it will happen 1007 years after the rapture. (That is, after the Millennium). However, remember that all the dead who believed in Christ will rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and the living who were ready will be raptured and they will all be with the Lord when this Judgment takes place.
At this judgment there will be all the rest of the human population who did not participate in the first resurrection, those who were not raptured, and all of these will be judged according to their works.
“Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15 NIV.
Justice is the foundation of God’s throne, and if God does not punish the wicked, He will never be a just God! That is why there must be a Day of Judgment.
God will do justice and judge the wicked who walked in disobedience to His law and His word.
Your only chance to escape this judgment is if your name is written in the book of life!
Many began serving Jesus in the past; they were passionate about Jesus, but today they longer love Him as they once did. The Bible says that the Christian life is like a race, a marathon, and only those who reach the end of the race will receive the prize.
Jesus said: “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13 NIV.
You need to be faithful to God until the very last minute of your life!
Jesus said: “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Revelation 3:11 NIV.
Jesus said, if you do not stay alert, you can lose your crown! Say with me: I will keep my crown, and no one will take it!
The good news I have for you is this:
Jesus was condemned in your place, Jesus paid the price of your condemnation, Jesus died and went to hell because of you, to pay your debt and to free you from eternal condemnation.
Your only chance of not being condemned in this judgment is by living for Christ!
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NIV.
My sin and your sin can lead you to eternal death, but God has eternal life for you!
What will happen to true Christians on the Day of Judgment?
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1 NIV.
Jesus will be the judge on the Day of Judgment; it will not be God (the Father), it will be Jesus, and Jesus will say: Father, there is no condemnation for this one here! For he served me and was faithful to me!
“Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.” II John 1:8 NKJV
It’s not enough to start well, you have to finish well! Many have strayed from God, many are at home and do not want to be involved in God’s work anymore. Be careful! Do not let coldness take hold of your heart. Because this day is approaching!
The Rapture is very near; I believe I will be alive to see this happen. If I die, there’s no problem at all, as I will participate in the same way and my soul will be raptured. This encounter is not far off for you, whether in the Rapture or in death, for we will all be in His presence! Amen!
Live for this day! Live for Him!
Everything you achieve on this earth: all your possessions, your car, house, money, none of it will have any value in eternity; live so that you may receive a full reward! Live for His glory until the hour when the Trumpet will sound and you are called to be in His presence.
Today is the day for you to make things right with God; perhaps you are far from God, living a life of sin, perhaps you are not even prepared to die or to face the Final Judgment. God loves you, He has good plans for your life, and He is calling you to live for Him!