All born again believers in Christ will face a judgment immediately after their physical life is over. This judgment is referred to as the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema Seat of Christ. This is NOT a judgment of salvation as the born again have "settled out of court" via trust in the blood of Jesus Christ to pay for all of their sins. Colossians 2:14 talks about how Jesus took our sins and "nailed it to the cross" thus blotting out our transgressions forever. No, this is not a judgment to see how bad we have been; it is a judgment to see how good we have been.
2 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad". Notice the Apostle Paul includes himself by use of the word "we" in this scripture. The greek word is Bema seat.
The concept of the Bema Seat comes from the ancient Olympics, where a judge would sit on the Bema Seat at the finish line. The judge's purpose was to determine what position the runners came in-first, second, and so on-and then to give out the appropriate rewards. That is the imagery behind what is known as the Bema Seat.
1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."
1 Corinthians 3:12-15, "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." Your gold, silver, and costly stones are works done for the glory of God, with the right motive, and in dependence upon the power of the Holy Spirit. The things you did for selfish motives will be examined and burned. You will not be rewarded for those.
Heaven will not be the same for everyone. Just as runners in the Olympics received different levels of medals, we will receive differently based on how we have lived after we have been saved. Jesus Himself said "Lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven." If Heaven is the same for everyone, then Jesus' statement makes no sense whatsoever. The Bible talks about different crowns we can earn by being disciples of Christ and doing good works for the kingdom. They are as follows and can be found in the listed scriptures:
CROWN 1 - Crown of Righteousness earned by loving the Lord's appearing. This is an easy crown to earn. - 2 Tim 4:8 "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
CROWN 2 - Incorruptible crown— Disciplined Bodies/Self Control - 1 Cor 9:25-27 "And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
CROWN 3 - Crown of Life — Endured patiently through trials - James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him." Rev 2:10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
CROWN 4 - Crown of Glory — Godly leaders (teacher's crown) -
1 Peter 5:2-4: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away
CROWN 5 - Crown of rejoicing — Soul winners crown - 1 Thess 2:19"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
Daniel 12:3 "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse of Heaven; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
Although this is a judgment of rewards, many will go through feelings of sorrow as they miss out on rewards they could have won but did not, things will be brought to recollection of people they could have witnessed to but did not, opportunities to do good for the Kingdom's sake but did not, etc. James talks about this in his epistle in the famous scripture that talks about faith without works is dead. James 2:14 "What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" Note the word profit is used which proves this is not a salvation verse. Salvation is a free gift which can not be bought or earned through works. What James is saying is when we get to the Judgment seat of Christ, and we have a life of faith without good works to show it, we will not be saved from the shame and sorrow of being exposed as a wordly, carnal believer instead of one who was a disciple of Christ, a true Christian.
So everyone needs to get ready for the Judge, Jesus Christ. As believers we must all stand before Him and give an account of how we lived on this earth. The question is, will you be able to give a good account or will Christ see you as "no count"?
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