Throughout history, rulers would identify the different roles of leadership in a variety of ways. Rulers would wear a certain garment to identify a position or time such as dinner, welcoming other rulers or for battle. Often rooms were designated within the home with furniture that has differing purposes such as a cup of friendship, a rod of correction, a staff of guidance, the dagger – a proclamation of war.. and a chair that identified a role of judgement. This is where the term judgement seat comes from.
Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
This position was seen early
Deuteronomy 33:21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.
Even in Roman rulers
Pilate
Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Gallio
Acts 18:12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
Festus
Acts 25:4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
So understanding what the judgement seat is.. and that the one that makes the judgment needs to be “seated” let’s look at the next event on our chart – The Judgement Seat of Christ
The Judgement Seat of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:10 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.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
The Events of the Judgement Seat
1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 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.
14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The Judgement seat is not dealing with Sin! That was settled at Calvary.
This event according to vs 13 deals with the works, done in the flesh or “what have you done for Christ since you’ve been saved” ~James Coffman
How to keep safe from the Judgement seat of Christ
The Apostle Paul called this event “the terror of the Lord”. It’s not going to be pleasant for most as the sins of the flesh will be revealed and dealt with. Now consider this: Paul, a man that served God, set-up the majority of the new testament churches, revealed the mysteries of the Church, repented daily, lived righteously before the Lord… and HE was terrified of the Judgement Seat of Christ!
So to better prepare ourselves for this event we must daily:
- Examine
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
- Judge ourselves
1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
- Confess
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we do these things we can present ourselves blameless:
1 Corinthians 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
BUT… there is a better way
Psalms 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Proverbs 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
You see the point is to place yourself in a position where you are not in a sinful situation, where you’ve not thought or seen wicked things. Instead think on things that are honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report making no friendship with the world or an angry man.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Would it better to avoid sin than to continue to rely on God forgiveness?
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2a God forbid…