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The Meaning of the Judgment (Bema) Seat

Both Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:9 speak of the “judgment seat.” This is a translation of one Greek word, the word bema. While bema is used in the gospels and Acts of the raised platform where a Roman magistrate or ruler sat to make decisions and pass sentence (Matt. 27:19; John 19:13), its use in the epistles by Paul, because of his many allusions to the Greek athletic contests, is more in keeping with its original use among the Greeks.

This word was taken from Isthmian games where the contestants would compete for the prize under the careful scrutiny of judges who would make sure that every rule of the contest was obeyed (cf. 2 Tim. 2:5). The victor of a given event who participated according to the rules was led by the judge to the platform called the Bema. There the laurel wreath was placed on his head as a symbol of victory (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24-25).

In all of these passages, “Paul was picturing the believer as a competitor in a spiritual contest. As the victorious Grecian athlete appeared before the Bema to receive his perishable award, so the Christian will appear before Christ’s Bema to receive his imperishable award. The judge at the Bema bestowed rewards to the victors. He did not whip the losers.” We might add, neither did he sentence them to hard labor.

In other words, it is a reward seat and portrays a time of rewards or loss of rewards following examination, but it is not a time of punishment where believers are judged for their sins. Such would be inconsistent with the finished work of Christ on the Cross because He totally paid the penalty for our sins. Chafer and Walvoord have an excellent word on this view:

With reference to sin, Scripture teaches that the child of God under grace shall not come into judgment (John 3:18; 5:24; 6:37; Rom. 5:1; 8:1; 1 Cor. 11:32); in his standing before God, and on the ground that the penalty for all sin—past, present, and future (Col. 2:13)—has been borne by Christ as the perfect Substitute, the believer is not only placed beyond condemnation, but being in Christ is accepted in the perfection of Christ (1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:6; Col. 2:10; Heb. 10:14) and loved of God as Christ is loved (John 17:23).

Again, Chafer writes concerning the Bema, “It cannot be too strongly emphasized that the judgment is unrelated to the problem of sin, that it is more for the bestowing of rewards than the rejection of failure.”

The Time of the Bema

This event will occur immediately following the rapture or resurrection of the church after it is caught up to be with the Lord in the air as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.https://bible.org/

I will only say that judgement comes. But there will by no General Judgement. There all be judgement of the saints, all of who are saved, but who have been given one of 5 crowns, (or no crowns). These will be tried by fire, whether wood, hay, stubble, brass, silver, or gold, but all are save. Then there will be the judgement of the wicked who have rejected the call of the Holy Spirit and refused His grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Those will be judged at the Great White Thrown Judgement (Rev. 20:11).....and the books were opened....the Book of Life (saints) and the books were opened and they were judged according to what was written in the books according to their works. (law)

There is no General Judgement because the Bible speaks of judgement being is the Air (Matt. 25: 31-46) The Judgent Seat of Christ, The Throne of Glory, The Great White Throne.

There are five general aspects which differentiate them. These include the subjects of the judgement (i.e. believers) , time, Place, (i.e Calvary), Basis of Judgement (i.e.Christs finished work), Results (i.e.Justicication of the believer).

The above examples are not, in any way complete, but are simply examples.

I have to go now. Thank you.