Dr. James E. Martin discusses two end-time judgments mentioned in the Bible: the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment. The Judgment Seat of Christ will occur after the rapture of Christians and will judge works done since salvation, determining rewards but not eternal destiny. The Great White Throne Judgment will occur after the Millennium and judge the unsaved, determining their final destiny in the lake of fire based on absence from the book of life. While debate exists on details, the Bible clearly teaches all will face judgment and preparation now determines the outcome.
3. In life there are many things to which everyone learns
to adapt. While many of these things are often
unpleasant, they are, nonetheless, necessary. This is
especially true in the life of a military member.
Whether you are just beginning or ending your military
career, you can, no doubt, relate to many which you
would eliminate if it were possible.
One which remains in my mind is the practice of
“open ranks inspections.” It seems like every day or so,
there was a new occasion for someone to inspect the
troops. None of us could see the need, but I am sure
there was some reason.
There is another reality to which I would like to draw
your attention. This is the absolute certainty of other,
much more crucial inspections which all will some day
face. You may be saying to yourself, “Not me. I have
finished that forever.” At the risk of being considered
narrow- minded, let me remind you that the Bible
teaches that some things are irrefutable. One of the
many of these truths is that there will be an
“inspection” process in the life of everyone. Your
choosing to ignore the truth will not make it
disappear.
In the few words to follow, I ask you to please put
aside your own, preconceived ideas about the matter
and hear what the Bible clearly teaches about this ever
important topic.
“But the LORD shall endure forever: he hath prepared
his throne for judgment.”
Psalms 9:7
4. The Bible speaks of judgments in reference to the nation of
Israel; the judgment of nations; the judgment of sin; one’s
self-judgment; etc.
The judgments which I am most concerned about in this
particular tract, are those known as end- time judgments,
two of which I wish to draw to your attention. These are the
judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and the judgment
at the Great White Throne. A careful study of Scripture will
reveal that these are not the same judgments at all. There is
some distinction between the two in reference to topics such
as: Who is being judged?
•Are they at the same time?
•What is the criteria for judgment?
•What will be the outcome?
•Where will it take place?
The Judgment Seat of Christ is similar in some ways, yet
clearly distinct from the Great White Throne Judgment. The
former is a judgment that will involve only those who are
Christians when they get to this appointment. Only those
who have trusted Christ for salvation, prior to this time, will
be at this judgment. It is referred to in many different
passages of Scripture.
The criteria for judgment is one’s works that have been
done after salvation. Eternal destiny is not in view at this
judgment. Rewards will either be given, or lost here,
dependant on what one has done in service since salvation.
The Lord Jesus Christ will be the Judge here and there will be
no appeal. There is no higher court to which one may go.
Heaven is the destination here; that was never in question.
Crowns, or rewards for service are the topic in view at this
particular judgment.
5. Brief Summary:
Time: After the church is raptured
Place: In Heaven
Judge: Jesus Christ
Subjects: Christians (All the body of Christ)
Basis: Works done since salvation
Results: Rewards, or loss thereof
The following is Scripture to back this up:
“ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;
that every one may receive the things done in his body,
according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
II Corinthians 5:10
“Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall
declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire
shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”
“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but
he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” I Corinthians
3:13,15
The second judgment referred to in the Word of God
that I would ask you to consider is one that is known as the
Great White Throne Judgment. It gets its name because of
where the judgment occurs. This is probably the one that
many refer to when they speak of judgment in general.
They tend to lump all judgments into this one and come
away with the idea that all judgment will happen here. This
is totally ignoring the fact that some judgment has already
occurred (the judgment of sin on the cross, for instance.)
6. The Great White Throne Judgment is similar to the
Judgment Seat of Christ in some regards, yet is very different
in others. The main difference is in reference to who the
subjects of judgment are. Although taught in many places,
the primary reference concerning this judgment is Revelation
20. Only the unsaved will appear at this judgment. It will
occur after the Millennium (the literal 1,000 year reign of
Christ on the earth.) This, therefore, places it much later in
time than the Judgment seat of Christ.
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on
it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled
away; and there was found no place for them. And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:11, 15
Christ is Judge here as well, but the subjects are different. A
record of one’s name in the book of life is the criteria. Final
destiny is, here, specifically stated. Their rejection of the
Savior’s offer of eternal life, while living, places them here at
this judgment.
Much more could be said in regards to this, and other
judgments that will be in everyone’s future. While it is true
that some of the things mentioned have been debated by
scholars for years, the fact is clear that judgment is certain.
7. Whether or not we are able to pinpoint
precisely all of the details regarding every
single aspect such as: who, when, where, etc,
the points to which you should pay attention
are simply these:
•Judgment is as much a part of the nature of
God as is His love
•All will be involved in one or the other of the
two main judgments addressed in this tract
•There will be no appeal when sentence is
pronounced
•Preparation now will determine the outcome
of both.
