Sheep and the Goat judgment and the Great White Throne Judgment 525 - 3 - 1

Per CM, this judgment of the Gentiles described by Joel 3:1–17 is the very same judgment as that described in Matt 25:31–46, the judgment of the Sheep and the Goats.

In Joel 3:1-8 God will gather the Gentile nations to the Valley of Jehoshaphat and will judge them there for their treatment of the Jews. Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia plundered and enslaved God’s chosen people, in turn, they will themselves be enslaved.

Joel 3:9-16 is a call to the Gentile nations to prepare for war in the valley of decision. And then “the Lord will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.”

Years ago, I was involved in a few online chats room where I had many opportunities to defend the faith. Unbelievers twisted Matthew chapter 25 to be interpreted as Christians must support all, including the Gentiles. I pointed out that Jesus spoke of my brethren, the Jews. Further, that the judgment of the Sheep and the Goats will dealt with how one treated the Jews.

Matthew 25:40, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Jesus was born a Jew, raised a Jew and after death was buried as a Jew. His brethren were and are the Jews!

The outcome of the Sheep and the Goats Judgment of the Gentiles who survived the Tribulation will be Matthew 25:33, “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” The sheep enter the Kingdom and the goats, the everlasting fire.

The Judgment of the Great White Throne takes place after the Millennium and deals with the “wicked dead,” those not found written in the book of life. This judgment holds no hope for those who died rejecting the gift of justification provided by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross or for those judged as goats. Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

As for “how an unbeliever can escape both these judgments,” only by being a believer at the time of death or at the Rapture, to appear at the Judgment (Bema) Seat of Christ. This will be a time of judgment for what we did/ did not do during our life, what we did during our sanctification, how well did we hold fast/ endure to the end. This will determine what rewards and inheritances we received.

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 together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Rewards (Crowns) as We enter Heaven 542 - 14 - 4

As we enter into heaven and stand before Jesus on the Bema judgment seat we may or may not receive rewards for what we did during our lifetime. The question is, were we a metachoi. According to CM there are at least five crowns to be rewarded according to what one did during his or her incarnation.

• The Crown of Life is promise for those who have “suffered for His sake.”
• The Crown of Righteousness is promised to those who loved His appearing.
• The Crown of Glory is promised for those who “fed the flock.”
• The Crown Incorruptible is promised for those who press on steadfastly.
• The Crown of Rejoicing for those who win souls.

The Crown of Life is unlikely as I haven’t suffered for Jesus other than facing ridicule by my family. With the exception of my mother, I feel like I have to be very discerning in what I say to family and friends. This seems almost trite, however, having to downplay my passion for Jesus and for studying the Word of God is very distressing to me. However, my distress is nothing in comparison with the suffering throughout the world as Christians are being imprisoned, tortured and slaughtered. The Voice of the Martyrs website provides painful detail of this persecution throughout the planet.

http://www.persecution.com/

I do expect a Crown of Righteousness to offer to Jesus as I’m eagerly awaiting the Rapture and being in His presence. The expression “The God-Shaped Hole in the Human Soul” certainly applies to me. I consider myself to be a sojourner who never really fit into this world. The Bible says it best, "In this world but not of it."

I have donated monetarily to feeding the flock, however, the Crown of Glory is likely more for feeding the flock on the Word. I use the Internet for social networking and maintain a blog; both used as witnessing tools. Whether or not these attempts to feed the flock result in bringing anyone into the kingdom is unknown as these are impersonal in nature. I also witnessed in person whenever possible. I don’t really expect a crown of glory for this limited effort.

The Crown Incorruptible could possibly be a reward as I do press on steadfastly in becoming a better Christian apologist. After more than 2 ½ years of studying at KI, my family finally is beginning to understand that I’m expending great effort doing something I feel compelled to do; feed on the word.

To me, the Crown of Rejoicing goes pretty much with feeding the flock so not very likely a reward as I cannot make headway even with many members of my own family. I continue to pray for friends and family, however, I leave it to the Holy Spirit to convict them.

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?