Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Debra331 - 7 months ago
    What is the Bemus Seat?
  • Jesse - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Hello Debra331,

    We read about this in 2 Corinthians 5:10. What you are referring to is the Bema Seat of Christ. It is called the judgment seat of Christ in this verse, and the Greek word is BEMATOS, or BEMA.

    2 Corinthians 5:10 says that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. That is what is called the Bema seat. This is not the Great White Throne Judgment where non-believers will be judged.

    We are also told in 1 Corinthians Chapter 3, as well as Romans 14:10 "Why do you judge your brother, or why do you set at nought your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat (the Bema seat) of Christ."

    The Bema seat was the platform that some of the Roman officials would sit on as they were meting out judgment. But it's more known for the stand in which you come to at the Olympic games after you run your race to get your prize.

    We see in the Olympics, the first, second, and third place athletes, they get up on this stand and they give them a medal. And they stand up there and play the anthem of the person that came in first place.

    That is the Bema seat. But please know that this judgement (Bema Seat of Christ) is for believers only. It's not the judgment of heaven and hell. We (those who belong to Christ) are already assured of heaven in Christ. But we will be judged, and that judgment is described for us in 1 Corinthians Chapter 3.

    There will be a type of fire that we will pass through and that which is not of Christ will burn, and whatever is left is the reward. Again, what emphasis do you put on the human? Only the things of Christ will last!

    I hope this helps, God Bless!!!
  • Momsage - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Hi Jesse: I do want you to know I have only had a chance too read a small part of your postings because I have to work on them to put them in order before I can print them but I'm working on it. I have enjoyed what I have read so far.

    As far as this posting goes why do you say: "That is the Bema seat. But please know that this judgement (Bema Seat of Christ) is for believers only. It's not the judgment of heaven and hell. We (those who belong to Christ) are already assured of heaven in Christ. But we will be judged, and that judgment is described for us in 1 Corinthians Chapter 3."

    Since in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:10 it says "all" and "everyone" do you believe Paul was just talking about believers because he was talking to the Corinth and Roman churches?

    God Bless :)
  • Jesse - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Hello Momsage,

    Thank you for the question. The bible does teach that every single person who has ever been born into this world will one day stand before God to be judged. There will be a judgment for all believers which is known as the Bema Seat judgment of Christ, and then there will be another judgment called the Great White Throne judgment which comes after the thousand-year reign of Christ, and this judgment will be for all those who have rejected Christ.

    I think what throws a lot of people off is the word "all," and it is assumed that everyone (both the wicked and the just) will all stand before God together at the same time. But this is not true. If we examine Revelation Chapter 20 closely, especially Revelation 20:13-14, we can see that these are the wicked who are judged and cast into the lake of fire.

    Revelation 20:13 says that death and Hades both delivered up the dead that were in them. Right now, there are no believers in Hades. They were released with the Lord's message to them. After Jesus died on the cross for them, He descended into the lower parts of the earth, and all the believers that were in that part of Hades (Abraham's Bosom), they were taken with Christ.



    But the non-believers were left there. The only ones in Hades right now are the ones who rejected Christ. And that's where all non-believers go today, until the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ.

    So, to answer your question, do I believe Paul was talking to believers only in 2 Corinthians 5:10 when he said all? My answer to that is yes. If you begin at Verse 1 of 2 Corinthians Chapter 5, and read all the way through in context, this can only be referring to believers.



    But yes, we will all be judged, either at the Bema Seat judgement of Christ to determine our reward as believers, or later on at the Great White Throne Judgment, only to be judged and cast into the lake of fire, which is literally Hell.

    Again, thanks for the question and blessings to you also!



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