What Is the Bema Seat of Christ?

The Bema Seat of Christ is the judgment that believers will face after the rapture or resurrection. The word 'bema' comes from the Greek word for a raised platform where judges sat to render verdicts. In the New Testament, it was used for the platform from which officials addressed crowds, rendered verdicts, or awarded prizes. The Bema Seat is described in several key passages. Romans 14:10-12 states, 'But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ... So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.' Second Corinthians 5:10 is the most detailed: '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.' The Bema Seat is distinctly different from the Great White Throne Judgment described in Revelation 20. The Great White Throne is for unbelievers, resulting in eternal condemnation. The Bema Seat is for believers only, and its purpose is not to determine salvation but to evaluate service and assign rewards. At the Bema Seat, every believer will give an account of how they used the life, gifts, time, and opportunities God gave them. Paul compares the Christian life to building on a foundation of Christ. Some build with 'gold, silver, precious stones' — works of lasting value done for God's glory. Others build with 'wood, hay, stubble' — works that look impressive but will not survive the fire of divine evaluation. 'Every man's 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 a believer's work survives, 'he shall receive a reward.' If it is burned, 'he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.' The believer's salvation is never in question at the Bema Seat. Even those whose works are burned will be saved. But there will be degrees of reward, and the possibility of 'loss' — not of salvation but of the rewards that could have been earned. This prospect should motivate every believer to faithful, selfless service for Christ. The goal is not to accumulate treasures for selfish pride but to hear the Master say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.'