Bible Study Seattle

To most people Christianity is this: believe in Jesus and go to heaven upon death. But what about this:

“For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God.” Romans 14:10

“Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

Here Paul gives a time for the judgment – when the Lord comes.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

“The sins of some people are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.” 1 Timothy 5:4

Here Paul is saying some people sins won’t be evident until after their death, i.e. when they stand again during the reign of Christ.

“And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

Here Paul tells us the judgment is after death.

“Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment.” James 3:1

Here James reminds us Christians that christian teachers will face a stricter judgment.

“For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17

Judgments begins with believers! If Christians go straight to eternal life in heaven where is the judgment? There is none! Therefore this teaching believed by 99.9% of all Christians is wrong! The truth is we will all be judged starting with believers. This can be seen in the life of David. He was forgiven but still had to bear the fallout of his sins. So with us. We will all be humbled. Think of Job! If such a righteous man had a stern talking-to from God, what will be our fate? We will all have to face those we have wronged. It is the only way forward. David was given three choices:

“Now God was displeased with this thing, so He struck Israel.  David said to God, “I have sinned greatly, by doing this thing. But now, please overlook Your servant’s guilt, for I have behaved very foolishly.”

The Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, “Go and speak to David, saying, ‘This is what the Lord says: “I extend to you three choices; choose for yourself one of them, which I will do to you.”’”  So Gad came to David and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Take for yourself three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord: a plague in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout the territory of Israel.’ Now, therefore, consider what answer I shall bring back to Him who sent me.”  David said to Gad, “I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great. But do not let me fall into human hands.” 1 Chronicles 21:7-13

David chose wisely. He chose God’s judgment over man’s. Once we repent the results will be glorious:

“Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold to Egypt.  Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to save lives.” Genesis 45:4-5

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic like calves from the stall.” Malachi 4:2

Indeed! Many lives will be saved (and extended) and we will dance with joy after our judgment. Look what happened after Job’s judgment:
“The Lord also restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased double all that Job had.  Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all who had known him before came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they sympathized with him and comforted him for all the adversities that the Lord had brought on him. And each one gave him a piece of money, and each a ring of gold.  The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys.  He also had seven sons and three daughters.  He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch.  In all the land no women were found as beautiful as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them inheritances among their brothers.” Job 42:10-15