The Judgment Seat of Christ

Christians will be judged on the basis of their actions while they were living on the earth:

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. 2 Corinthians 5:10

This judgment is not for eternal salvation. True Christians will already have secured eternity with God. This judgment will be for the purpose of either rewarding or withholding rewards based on our earthly service to God.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Jesus Christ will test our actions and motives, and reward us as appropriate. Again, the last verse here indicates that even if we receive no rewards, we still maintain our heavenly status for eternity.

We're not told specifically what these various rewards will be. Some rewards may simply be commendations from Christ (Matthew 25:21, 23). Other rewards will be in the form of special crowns to be worn (1 Corinthians 9:25, Revelation 3:11, 1 Peter 5:4, 1 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, Philippians 4:1). Still other rewards will be positions of authority or leadership (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 20:6, 22:5, 1 Corinthians 6:3). Whatever they are, we can be sure that they will be wonderful rewards from a wonderful and loving savior.

We are also not told specifically when the Judgment Seat of Christ will occur. Although it may be a moot point of mixing time with eternity, it seems only natural that it will immediately follow the rapture, during the time of tribulation on earth.

Owen Weber 2009