Judgment Seat of Christ vs Great White Throne Judgment

Greetings! The judgment seat of Christ mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and the judgment seat of God mentioned in Romans 14:10 are both different from the Great White Throne Judgement in Revelation 20:11….and for good reason, which will be explained.

The “seat” mentioned in Romans and 2 Corinthians comes from the Greek word “bema” and it merely denotes a raised platform. More importantly, at this particular judgment there are ONLY saved believers present! This is the time, after we saints have either been resurrected or those still alive have been transformed to our new bodies, that each one of us will have our works/behavior as Christians judged. It is described further in 1 Corinthians 3:8,13-15 (New American Standard):

“13. each man’s work will become evident ; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15.If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss ; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (End of quotation)

Notice that at this ‘judgment’ it is a matter of whether ‘rewards’ will be received or not….the individual’s life and being saved are NEVER in question; whereas, at the Great White Throne Judgment it is a question of LIFE or DEATH!

No acts BEFORE we were called and saved will be considered….those previous acts  were totally done away with and paid for at our conversion because of Christ’s sacrifice!

This is the occasion when each Christian will either be rewarded in some fashion or lose some reward(s) in some fashion. THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR ANY OF US AT THIS TIME! We will be in our overwhelmingly joyous and glorified state with our Christ-like celestial bodies (Philippians 3:21) which we will inherit as being in the “first resurrection” (Revelation 20:5).  This “judgement” is a time when we are evaluated in TOTAL LOVE by God and Christ to either lose or receive rewards accordingly. We will wholeheartedly agree with the outcome and accept any gain or loss with gratitude.

Conversely, a true believer/saint will NEVER appear before the Great White Throne Judgment….we will have already inherited our glorified bodies (Philippians 3:21; Revelation 20:5). Only non-believers (those who have never heard of Christ as well as infants and babies) and unbelievers appear before the White Throne.

See you later,

Fred

Angels…..And Your Wing Size Is?

Greetings….actually, many seem to believe Christians will be fitted for wings after they pass those pearly gates. Not true…..whew!!!…..and, thankfully so.  Let’s see what the Scriptures say we will look like and the gear we will be packing, along with some interesting information about “angels”.

First off, 2 heavenly beings are definitely characterized as having wings…..Cherubim (Exodus 25:20) and Seraphim (Isaiah 6:2-3). To the best of my knowledge, they are never said to be “angels” or “messengers” and are the ONLY ones noted as having wings among the celestials.

Secondly, I know of no verses that indicate “angels” (“messengers”) have wings……they are described as “spirits” (Hebrews 1:14) who can take on various forms.

Thirdly, the only reference resurrected Christians are said to be like angels is in Matthew 22:30, and that, only in the sense that we will not marry, like them, in our glorified existence.

Finally, what exactly will we look like? It is clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:48-49 and Philippians 3:21 that we will be found in a celestial body after the resurrection in the same image as Christ Jesus, Himself!  What He looks like, regarding the composition of the body, we will appear as, also…… glorious, celestial beings, WITHOUT wings!!.

Please also reference the Post on “Our Glorious New Bodies”.

Hope to see you later.

Fred

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