The Bible speaks of three future, Divine judgments of humans. Two of these judgment take place after death. Hebrews 9 says no one will escape God’s judgment. “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) One judgment is of those who die without having received Jesus as their Savior and is called the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11). The other is called the Judgment Seat of Christ, or The Bema Seat.

The Judgment Seat of Christ is a judgment of Christians, which raises a lot of questions. Will the Christian be judged for his sins? Will the Christian be judged for unconfessed sins? If the Judgment Seat of Christ is not a judgment of sin, what will be judged? Will anyone at that judgment not make it into Heaven?

Second Corinthians 5 gives this judgment its name, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) The verses immediately before this statement are clearly addressed to Christians. This means every Christian will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged by Him. Because this is a judgment of Christians it cannot be an examination of sin. God promises that at salvation a person’s every sin is forgiven. “Their sins and lawless deed I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17) If God promises that at salvation He will take away a person’s sin and never again bring it to mind, then a later judgment of sin is impossible. The Judgment Seat of Christ cannot be a judgment of sin.

First Corinthians 3 appears to be discuss the same Judgment Seat of Christ when it says, “Each one’s work will become clear; for the day will declare it because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work of what sort it is.” (1 Corinthians 3:13) The judgment seat of Christ is a judgment of work done for Jesus. The quality of the Christian’s work for Jesus will be evaluated. Christian work that is ultimately worthless, whether it be selfish, mean-spirited, proud or self-reliant, will be burned up. That which is truly worthwhile will remain.

At that judgment rewards will be given and taken away. (2 John 1:8) However, even Christians who have no rewards enter Heaven. “He himself will be saved, yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15) The reception of rewards at the Judgment Seat will have not cause anyone to boast in their rewards. All will recognize the rewards they received is only because of the grace of God. Revelation 4:10 shows believers laying their crowns at God’s feet in recognition that He alone is worthy of praise.

The Bible does not say exactly when the judgment seat of Christ takes place. Certain indications suggest this judgment happens sometime after the individual’s death and before the full inauguration of Christ’s millennial kingdom. Though a person’s eternal state will not hang in the balance, the Judgment Seat will be a time of great seriousness. Those who have done little for Jesus will be ashamed. Therefore, all Christians must live to please God now so they will be ready for the day when they stand before their Savior and give account for how they have served Him. (2 Corinthians 5:9)