Death: Then What?

Death: God’s Judgment

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, (Hebrews 9:27 ESV)

The Bema Seat of Christ: Judgment of Christians

11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15 ESV)

As a believer in Christ Jesus, you cannot work to your salvation, for Jesus laid the foundation with His shed blood at the cross. What you are to do is build on the righteousness in Christ in your life and proclaim Jesus to the world. In doing this you build up rewards such as gold, silver, and precious stones. They represent your rewards for living the Christ-like life. Then there will be times you act in the flesh. This may be when you do God’s work but not with the right heart. This is when the work you do for Jesus becomes like wood, hay, and straw. On the day that you stand before the LORD, the Day of Judgment, all your work will be revealed. The loss you suffer will not be your salvation for that is secure. Most likely the loss will be to know God to be displeased with some of your Kingdom work or lack of this same work.

10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God.

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Rom. 14:10,12 HCSB)

The Great White Throne: Judgment of Unbelievers

10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:10 NKJV)

12  And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. (Revelation 20:12 NASB)

At the great white throne and tribunal of judgment (see verse 11), Jesus will sit and judge those who have died and those who are still living. Young and old, rich and poor, good and bad, all will stand before Him. The grave will give up the dead, the seas will return those seemingly lost forever, and hell will give up its souls for this final judgment. In this talent or deeds will not be taken into account for when the book of life is opened and they hear their name not there, then they will be judged by the law, for only Jesus can pass the test of the law, thus, they will be condemned and cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Those whose name is in the book will find eternal joy with God.

For Thought:

1. There will a day of judgment for all. As a Christian, will the work you presently do be a reward of gold, silver, and precious stones or will your work burn as wood, hay, and straw.  

2. Do you realize that the Christian and the unbeliever will not be judged together because of the finished work of Christ?

3. Knowing what lies ahead for the unbeliever are you ready to actively tell others of Jesus and the life eternal they may have through faith in Christ and what awaits them it they deny Jesus and not follow Him?

In Prayer:

As you seek time with God today, ask forgiveness for how passive you have been towards others regarding their salvation and ask the Father to show you how you can serve Him so He may be pleased with you. When you seek this and begin to tell others of Jesus and who the Son of God is, then you will find both the joy of seeing others receive Christ and the knowledge of God’s pleasure in what you do.