The Bema Seat judgment, where, when, who and what.

Bema is a Greek term meaning "judgment seat," a seat usually resting on an elevated platform. This will be after the Rapture of the Church and a time of judgment for what we did/ did not do during our life. I cannot begin to imagine what the setting around the bema seat will be other than overwhelming. Months after completing Ezekiel 1 I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the description of God’s throne.

Those appearing before the Bema Seat judgment have been justified by the shed blood of Jesus. What is at issue is the degree of our sanctification; did we hold fast/ endure to the end. This will determine what rewards and inheritances we received. Those facing this judgment include:

Those who passed believing in Christ, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

The Raptured Church: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (G726) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

As to the judgment:

1 Corinthians 3:11-13, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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.

Matthew 25:30, “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Is this the fate of one who is justified but one who did nothing with it? Is this outer darkness for those who barely made it into heaven, but are not in proximity of Jesus?

As for rewards and inheritance, those who are deserving will be given crowns and rule and reign with Jesus. As for me, all I desire is to be in his worship choir and to be allowed to dance across universe singing His praise.

G726

ἁρπάζω

harpazō

har-pad'-zo

From a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications): - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

Now it gets a little hazy for me. Blood sacrifices did not remove the sins of the Old Testament saints, justified by their faith in a future and better resurrection. One view is that the blood of Christ atoned for them and they were taken to heaven with Jesus after the crucifixion.

Also, there are the tribulation saints who were beheaded for their faith and their refusal to take the mark or to bow down before the beast. Is there a special judgment for them as soon as they shed their earthly tent?