Understanding the Two Judgments of God

In this study, we look at the two judgments of God – and why both of them flow from His love.

Featured image: The bema (judgment seat) in ancient Corinth, Greece. This historic platform helps picture the “reward seat” of Christ described in 2 Corinthians 5:10.

Understanding the Two Judgments of God

Acts 17:11: Please learn to do your own Bible studies like this one. Watch the companion video on YouTube.

Introduction

In the Bible all agree that there are many judgments that have been carried out and several are to come – see for instance: this overview of Bible judgments

PS: I am not in agreement with everything on this site at all – for instance, they are cessationists – which means they believe God has chosen to no longer heal the sick, cast out demons, prophesy, and raise the dead. That is from the pit of hell. But some things are ok, like this article. Always test all things against the fullness of Scripture.

Particularly there are 2 interesting judgments to come. The second of the 2, I firmly, and Biblically, believe, is only for believers and is first about rewards for what we have done out of love and is based on how much we have truly used our talents for love who is the Father, the Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God is our Friend of friends and He is love, justice, truth, and humble gentle mild power. It is also loving righteous discipline of rebukes and punishments both done physically and spiritually and carried out both by allowed demons and by Holy Spirit or angels. It is very serious. It has real eternal implications – both good and bad – but this judgment is not about going to Heaven or hell.

Please look up the Scriptures quoted below yourself – for context and verification – for instance by using BlueLetterBible.org along with the commentaries on www.BibleHub.com. Those 2 are presently my preferred online Bible study tools. I love the commentaries on BibleHub – but please remember that unfortunately 99% of those commentaries are written by cessationists, not continualist scholars who did not believe in and therefore did not practice the power of the Holy Spirit – therefore in those areas especially – they are 100% off.

A testimony that a part of my journey towards freedom from porn – was this prayer – which I have learned from Rick Joyner: “God – will you judge me now with the judgment that I will receive at the end of my life – the judgment from the Judgment Day – the Bema Seat Judgment? Could you evaluate me now and show me where I am living below the true level of my capacity of love, my talents, my calling? So that I can be freer now from misconceptions, limits, fears, demons, etc.?” I believe this is one of the wisest, most humble, most humbling, and strongest prayers we can pray. For we are cleansed to be free – through the judgments of God. God judges only to help us, to cleanse us of believing and acting on lies, that destroy us and our intimate friendship with the Father. His true judgments are loving and sets us free from lies that keep us from effectively being disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples. So, let’s welcome and invite and ask for the judgments of God over our lives – so we are corrected and can correct our course accordingly as soon as possible.

The Holy Spirit (or an angel) then spoke to me, as I was seeking to obey these Scriptures:

Matthew 6:6 – But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Luke 5:16 – Jesus would often withdraw to desolate places and pray.

– previously, I experienced that it was simply not working – and super-hard. When I asked God why I was struggling with deep normal friendship and real genuine intimacy with Him, He literally spoke in my thoughts and said: ”But Peter, you have decided not to give the most intimate part of your heart to me”. I realized that that decision was the stupidest decision I had ever made – and I started owning it and repenting from it – breaking that deep inner vow. Read and hear the full story of my complete freedom from porn (since 2021) here: 

Read or watch the full testimony:

• Read the full testimony (Word)
• Watch the testimony on YouTube

My story represents a judgment for the person, who is born-again, but needs deep correction – to the true love and purity of God. That is a Bema-Seat judgment. I am free today – more free and more mature than I have ever been. And I am bearing more fruit than I have ever done before in my life.

Is this understanding and sharp distinction between the first and second judgment super-important? 

Yes! All of the letter of Paul to the Galatians is about this – and Paul is FIERCE!! Galatians 1:8-9 – 8 But even if we or an angel from Heaven should preach a gospel (good message) other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel (good message) other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

No good deeds added to salvation and going to Heaven!

This is about adding any good deed whether from the Law of Moses or a command of Jesus to salvation by grace alone – not by good works, good deeds.

This is what we need

Galatians 2:16 – We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 3:5 – So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

And throughout large portions of many of the letters of Paul, he addresses righteousness, full adoption as sons of God by faith in the cross and the blood of Jesus alone – and so does Jesus, very clearly – and then the second judgment – of the good deeds after that.

Should we do good deeds as Christians? Can we just do anything we want – and it doesn’t matter?

This is such an important distinction and differentiation to know – which 100% corresponds to the good old Biblical words and doctrines of:

Justification by faith alone AND THEN Sanctification – which is the outworking of salvation and our continual life journey of broken obedience to the entire fullness of the will of God.

So, do we need to, must we do right, to love, to forgive, to bring justice, to live holy, not sin, repent and turn and live humbly obeying the commands of God? Yes – due to the character of God, the will, and command of God, the enablement of God by His Spirit – because it is possible and doable to change and repent and be delivered from evil spirits, and due to the second judgment – where God will evaluate us based on what we have done with what He has given us.

Platform 1 — Judgment 1

The Great White Throne Judgment of Christ. 

Heaven or hell – the foundation. Cross nr. 1 – the cross of Jesus!

• (1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 2:2) Cross number 1 – the cross of Jesus. He gave it all and paid with His perfect life to forgive us all sins completely forever. He gave Himself out of pure love for us – wholeheartedly He loves us forever. And because of that – we are saved.
• (John 3:18-21, John 3:36, John 5:24, 1 John 5:12) Heaven or Hell for eternity – determined only by whether you have let yourself be totally forgiven by God the Father (Acts 13:46). Daddy. (John 1:29, Revelation 13:8) Through Jesus Christ dying for you, taking your sins on Him on the cross.
• (John 3:5-7, Romans 8:9) Are you saved = born-again by the Spirit of God? Do you therefore have the Spirit of God in you – or not?
• (Ephesians 2:8-10) By faith alone, by grace alone, through Jesus alone, on the cross alone, by the blood alone.
• (Hebrews 12:22-24, Hebrews 9:21-28) The New Covenant of His blood alone – not done by us in any way. Jesus fixed it all for us on the cross directly with the Father and defeated death, hell, sin, and the grave for us. We just need to receive it by any act of faith in the body.
• (Hebrews 10:14) Fully made perfect – by no deed of ourselves – at all forever! A truly free and perfect gift. Justification by faith. Righteousness by faith.
• (Hebrews 5:8-9) Jesus obeyed unto death through the greatest unjust suffering ever seen – and we just choose to receive and are perfect in His eyes (not in the reality of the life in the flesh (Romans 7:18-19). An action by faith of reception of perfection for free – by grace only (John 1:12-13).
• The blood of the New Covenant, the cross of Jesus, faith, not works. (Romans 4, Genesis 15) Abraham fell asleep as God did the covenant with Himself – Abraham just believed – and God counted it to him as righteousness. This is obedience of faith for salvation – not by works.
• (Galatians 1:6-9) It is a perfect and complete sacrifice. If we add to it – we immediately annul and cancel it completely!! We call the cross of Jesus and the life of Jesus – not good enough. That is theology from hell. Paul rips it apart with very strong language in Galatians.
• (Matthew 20:8-16) All get the same reward = Heaven.
• (Ephesians 1:4-14, 1 Corinthians 3:11) Step 1 in healthy discipleship! This is the foundation level of truth of the “Mountain of God” – on which all other truth levels are built and laid.
• (2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13-14) It is I am the righteousness of God through Christ in me. I am blessed. He is a curse. (2 Corinthians 8:9) I am rich, for He became poor. (1 John 3:1) I am fully a child of God. 
• (1 John 4:19) God loved us FIRST! (Romans 5:8-9) While we were still sinners. (Romans 2:4) The kindness of God leads us to repentance and salvation.
• So, if you mess up and sin – you are still going to Heaven if you still believe in Jesus (Acts 4:12) – for it is not by works – whether good or bad. But there is a second judgment discipline and no rewards for sin (Ananias and Safira (Acts 5:1-11) + many are sick and have fallen asleep ((1 Corinthians 11:27-32) (died) due to sin). This discipline happens both in this life and in the next.
• (Galatians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 3:17) I thank God for the perfect salvation given by faith through grace – what a wonderful freedom that I am never rejected due to Jesus.
• (1 Timothy 1:18–20, Hebrews 3:12-15, Hebrews 6:4-6, Matthew 13:18-21, 1 Tim 4:1, 1 Timothy 5:15) It can be lost only by specifically and willfully choosing to deny the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ – not by struggling with and at times – even on repeat – losing the fight against other sinful acts. If you are losing battles with repeated sin – please do this: repentance, inner healing, and deliverance.

All the identity statements are true “I am in Christ” – simply as a gift (choosing to obey and live it out – acting on it – is Platform 2): Read the “I am in Christ” statements

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The No-Go of Mixture

Galatians 1:6-9

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different good message – 7 which is really no good message at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the good message of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from Heaven should preach a good message other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a good message other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

Why? Our good works say to Jesus: No – your life, cross, and your blood was not enough. Your perfection and love didn’t cut it. Let me add some of my good stuff or subtract with some of my bad stuff first.

We need to stop being double-minded – where we mix up what is true – and what is a lie (James 1:5-8).

Here are some of the bad deeds or the good deeds commanded by God, from Platform 2 – that are often mixed into Platform 1.

• Struggling with, fighting against, and then losing to do sinful acts (1 John 1:6-10, 1 John 3:6-9, James 3:2)
• Baptism
• Communion
• Church membership
• Ministry and calling from and for God
• “Succeeding” in life
• Praying / Reading enough
• Giving money

To add anything to platform 1, judgment one, the Blood of the New Covenant, is an act of pride, based on lies, rebellion, suspicion, and doubt – it is demonic and accursed.

We therefore do all we do based on the already complete love, adoption, sonship, perfection, being made righteous. Never in any way the other way around. This is beautiful love and freedom.

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Platform 2 — Judgment 2

The Bema Seat = The Judgment / Evaluation Seat of Christ

Rewards of actions of love – only based on first passing the test of judgment 1 – and it is based on the justice of God compared to what can fairly and within justice and realism in free-will obedience to love – be expected from us!!

Cross nr. 2 – our daily cross!

Since all these Scriptures (see below in the chapter on Scriptures on the “JUDGMENT 2”) speak extremely clearly about the reality, necessity, and blessing of the 2^nd judgment – then this list of actions as a believer are in that category.

• (Luke 9:23-24) Cross number 2 – the cross we pick up daily. We respond to His cross – by seeing and receiving His love proven undeniably for us there – and we then freely choose to lovingly follow Him – in love taking up our cross – dying to ourselves – living wholeheartedly for Him.
• (Philippians 1:21-27) Sanctification. Discipleship. Gradual growth into all that we have already been given.
• (Matthew 28:20) Obedience to all other commands of Jesus – apart from simple reception of the fullness of salvation – being born-again.
• (Matthew 9:35-11:30 & Luke 10 – the entire New Testament) This includes baptism in water, communion, footwashing, healing the sick, rasing the dead, speaking in tongues, casting out demons, evangelism, tithing, giving, serving, fellowship with other Christians, loving God, people, and ourselves. Etc.
• (Revelation 12:10-11) We now obey Jesus to the death – and obey every single command as He lived and commanded all His disciples.
• (John 14:15, 1 John 5:1-5) Obedience for outlived discipleship. Works of faith obedience – based on perfection – living out that perfection – while yet – (Philippians 3:12-14) never obtaining it – but striving for it.
• (1 John 2:3-6) He commands it in love – and I do it.
• (Philippians 2:6-13) We obey all His other commands – apart from just the command to receive salvation by faith through grace with no works.
• (James 4:7, James 4:10) Here all areas of life specifically come under the Lordship of Jesus as we grow throughout our lives.
• (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Matthew 5:19-20) We lose rewards we could have received when we complain, grumble, sin, act out what is not loving, obedient, faith. But we do not lose our salvation in Platform 1 if we do these things. We only lose our salvation if we will no longer receive the FREE forgiveness and grace of Jesus Christ!

(Revelation 2:4-5) One of the problems in many churches – is that the glory of this truth of repentance, humility, and obedience – including deliverance and renunciation is preached wayyyy too little compared to how often Jesus preached it and how often He did deliverance – and Paul preached it and did it – so obedience to all the commands of God has gone too low.

The Extremely Subtle Danger of Mixture

It can look great to mix the 2 for you have Christians scared out of their heads for salvation (Heaven or hell) if they do not fully obey. So, they work SUPER HARD and ARE “SUPER PRODUCTIVE” – but the motivation is 100% off!! That’s how the JW’s run it, as well as many sects – and even “radical” / “narrow road” born-again perfectionist Christians – who have not yet understood these things!

That faulty theology produces stress and works based salvation and it produces a lot of hectic Christian activity. But it is fortunately not fully Biblical nor healthy – it is what Paul calls a “perverted good message” (Galatians 1:7). Condemnation, insecurity, shame, guilt, rejection, and fear drives you to work hard to obliterate the fear, guilt, rejection, and shame. But it is wrong motivation – from hell! Fear of losing your salvation drives you to work hard – and religiously it can look amazing. Your “stats” of Christian performance are great – but you are really an orphan – trying to deserve and prove and work your way into Heaven. So sad and heretical – while you are doing it with the best intentions – the foundation is – fortunately off. The truth is so much better than you think. How can I say that?

Jesus said: (John 14:16-18) I will not leave you orphans – I will send you the Holy Spirit.

Romans says: (Romans 8:15) By the Spirit – we cry – Abba Daddy!

Our identity is that the heart of God the Daddyo is 100% for us – always! The cross of Jesus proves that – forever.

Finally getting – understanding – and practicing this – fully set me free from rejection, leading to self-pity, leading to porn addiction. And I needed deliverance from spirits “helping me” confirm that evil cycle of hellish beliefs of rejection, self-pity, and self-satisfaction. I am now completely free.

Scriptures Sorted and Divided into the Two Judgments

Having clearly shown that there is a solid Scriptural basis for 2 different judgments – it is time to sort them out clearly – to avoid confusing and wrong interpretation.

… and there are some Scriptures that are a mix of the 2!

Let me also say – that it is important to understand – that up until this second in my Bible study I have only been focusing on believers. Those who do not believe will be judged and condemned to hell because of the evil, bad, egotistical, unloving things they have done. So for an unbeliever it will sound like they are going to hell for not behaving right – which they are – but the perfect solution to that is not to fix the wrong with doing the right thing (even though it is right to do right and we should do right and loving things – so by all means – I say – to all people – do right, good, and loving things) – but the perfect right solution – is to receive forgiveness through the bloody cross of Jesus Christ.

None of the lists of Scriptures are complete – but should give you adequate understanding of the principles to tackle other Scriptures as they come up. I do tackle some of the clearest – as well as those who are most often misinterpreted.

Certain Scriptures have a mix of 4 angles on these final judgments – it is important we do not mess them up and mix them together into one. I have attempted in the Scriptures below to categorize them into these 4 categories – which are all clear from the fullness of Scripture:

• Yellow is the 1^st judgment of either Heaven based on Platform 1 or hell for all.
• Green is the 2^nd judgment for unbelievers not passing the judgment of not having accepted perfection by grace through faith in Christ and then getting judged for the sins they have committed for unbelievers
• Turquoise is the 2^nd judgment of inheritance / rewards or no rewards / inheritance for believers. Platform 2.
• Pink is the mix of where there is a judgment of all deeds done – also this deed done – the act of deciding to receive Jesus – or not – by all

Judgment 1

HEAVEN OR HELL, BORN AGAIN OR NOT, 100% PERFECT = JUSTIFIED THROUGH THE BLOOD OR NOT) SCRIPTURES

Are you a born again Christian or not? Do you believe in the grace of God by faith alone? This is called: The Great White Throne Judgment = is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life – or not?

1. The Book of Life

Either we are found in the Book of Life or not by grace through the blood of the New Covenant through choosing to repent from works to get perfected. The gift is perfect. The package is ready for all – undeserved. Given out of the bleeding emotional heart of God. How do we receive the gift? By with our mouth – saying yes to it – and by acting on it by obeying God. We choose to have faith in the blood of the new covenant – through which Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin. And then – after that freely received gift, which cost us nothing – we give our sin away to Him, we are then saved and we go to Heaven – and there – in Heaven, we are judged with the purpose of reward from God by our deeds of love and obedience – based on what we were truly given.

Revelation 20:11-15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Justification by faith alone

We, every disciple, yes, every person on earth, must have a thorough theological understanding of justification by faith alone. Here is a fuller teaching on it: Read the fuller teaching on justification by faith alone

Below are just a few of the Scriptures that build the solid foundation of that teaching – and justification by faith is all in platform 1 to the left in the table above

What we must understand is – that there is an action of humble faith where we choose to receive the free gift of grace for salvation to be born again. 

John 1:12 – As many as received Him – He gave the power to be children of God.

John 3:3-6 – You must be born again by the Spirit.

Romans 10:9-10 – If you confess with your mouth, and you believe in your heart – then you will be saved. God will not decide that for you. 

1 Timothy 2:4-6 – God has already decided He wants all to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:9 – Those who have the Spirit of God – are children of God. Those who do not have the Spirit of God are not children of God.

Eph 2:8-9 – It is not of works it is by grace – that no-one can boast. Eph 2:10 – This then leads to good works – based on us already being completely loved and forgiven. The same here: Rom 3:22-26.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – He became sin that we would become the righteousness of God in Him.

Paul adamantly separates the 2 judgments and what it takes to get the Spirit and be saved here: Galatians 2:16 – this fits with Jesus saying the same here (John 16:9) And Galatians 3:1-6 1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain–if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

And, yes, that there is another judgment nr 2 of our works here – where we are saved through faith in Jesus even though we are not perfect (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) – and Jesus says the same here: Matthew 5:19-20.

There is one “action” – that saves. It is an action of simple child-like trust, humility, repentance from good works to fix it ourselves – works of pride and unbelief (belief in the lie that God doesn’t already love us). It is to by humbly repenting and receiving the free gift of forgiveness and salvation – and to continue to live in and do that – every millisecond.

Then there is the action of choosing to continue walking in that salvation (1^st judgment) – which can be denied and lost again (the faith in the cross, the forgiveness) – and then the action as well to repent and let the work of God and will of God and obedience to the loving commands of God – go into every area of life. The degree to which we have done that – according to our abilities – we will then be rewarded (2^nd judgment).

Please remark – “according to what they had done” in Revelation 20:13b above for believers – is for rewards for what they did in true love, in Christ, according to how much they used their abilities. For those who choose to not repent and believe the good message of love and forgiveness – the bad deeds they have done condemn them to hell – even though they have also done good deeds.

2. John 3:3, John 3:5-6, John 3:14-18

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” … 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. … 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

3. John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

4. John 1:11–13

John 1:11-13 

11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

5. John 5:24

Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

If this is the only Scripture, we read – there is NO other judgment than the first… But that is the judgment of condemnation or exoneration – of “from death to eternal life”. But so many other Scriptures and quotes from Jesus – even in the Sermon on the Mount – point to a “judgment of rewards and inheritance” as well.

6. John 16:7-11

7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Verse 9 above means: There is, really, in the eyes of God now, just ONE SIN – and that is to not believe in Jesus. Why? For if you believe in Jesus – you are 100% clean in the eyes of God and the Holy Spirit now moves into you – because you are as clean and perfect as God is (100% clean). He now lives in you, you are the temple of God, and He gives you new life as a child of, a son of God. Paul the apostle and the letter of Hebrews as well as all other letters teaches this clearly and it is known as “righteousness by faith”. We, who receive the love of God through Jesus, are now born-again – for we are pure in the eyes of God – just as pure as Jesus, as God Himself. We are now holy ground. Therefore, the Holy Spirit of God can come live in us and we have peace with God through faith alone through Jesus who reconciled us 100% to Himself. Now, because of that status, we obediently and humbly in brokenness and repentance – and willingly – must live out the love, honor, holiness, and power of God as true kids and best friends with Daddyo – this brings great rewards in the second judgment. This fits with all the rest of Scripture.

7. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 – eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord

8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the good message of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

When you believe in Jesus – you have full access to all of Heaven forever by grace and faith.

If not, we are thrown into the lake of fire prepared the devil and his angels.

This one is about eternal condemnation into hell – or salvation into Heaven.

8. John 5:28-29

28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out–those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

Here, we must take – “done evil” as that the evil they have done – is to not decide to repent (think differently = right) to the goodness of God – and have not chosen to humble themselves and receive the mercy, grace, and forgiveness of God. This action of faith and confession and reception for salvation has not been done. The good choice here to take and execute on – which is to receive Christ and His payment, is to actively receive the atonement for all sin through Jesus. This good that we need to do – leads to us “rising to live”.

9. Platform 1 identity in Christ

Remember – THIS platform is Platform 1 – THIS is our given perfect identity bought through the cross, Jesus eternal blood in the mercy seat in Heaven, the rejection of Jesus by the Father as He BECAME sin, BECAME a curse – so we through faith, repentance, and humility get free adoption, love, acceptance, perfection, justification, righteousness, purity, honor, and holiness IN CHRIST.

How do we accomplish living in this? Simply through receiving it by faith!

John 3:14-21 NIV

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

10. Matthew 7:21–23 — A Controversial Passage

Now comes a very controversial one – and yes – this Scripture is in exactly the right category.

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

So many think this Scripture goes under category 2 – what truly born-again Christians must do – they must somehow “mystically” get to achieve – attain to, so something extra, to get to this unknown high holiness and intimacy level of them somehow being “known” by Jesus to be saved and go to Heaven. This wrong categorization and interpretation, sadly, and wrongly, leaves many truly born-again Christians in doubt of their salvation even though they are doing awesome (yet always imperfectly) – casting out demons, prophesying, moving in miracles etc. (the Charismatic – Continualist interpretation). THIS leads to legalism – do good enough – then get to Heaven! Instead of freedom. You are 100% loved and intimately known from the inside out by a perfect justice-keeping God – and going to Heaven – absolutely not (!!) deserving it due to good deeds! Therefore, I encourage you: as an intimate friend of God, go, love, and do miracles.

But let’s read and study the actual words of Jesus – with cross references. Notice Jesus says 3 things that let us know this is not about struggling truly born-again Christians:

• “Will (not) enter the kingdom of Heaven” (it doesn’t say – “shall inherit…” which is about rewards)
• “I NEVER KNEW YOU” – “never” is an eternal statement by the eternal God who knows what He is saying – and Him knowing us is not dependent on our good deeds! That is based on the Spirit of God living in us!
• “Away from me, you evildoers!” – it cannot be “in Heaven” = the second judgment of a low position – for point one says – “enter the kingdom”.

Commenting on each of those points and verses

Matthew 7:21 – Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.

“Will not enter” – See point 1 above. Also see below in Point 17 in the section on Judgment 2 / Platform 2 for my interpretation of the difference between Platform 1 = will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven VS Platform 2 = will not inherit or rewards in the Kingdom of God / Heaven as seen in for instance these 5 Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:21, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Peter 1:3-4

“Doing the will of the Father” – We need to see clearly what the will of God is: John 6:38-40 – 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” 

Matthew 7:22 – Many will say to me on that Day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’

Because of the wrong interpretation of this passage, many born-again Christians, sadly, stay away from going for miracles – for what if that leads me astray!?!! Makes me prideful?!?! And, even worse, many cessationists (the supernatural power gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased) see these verses as the confirmation that the continualists (the gifts are to be proactively trained, sought, and practiced – demonstrated as Jesus clearly commanded for all His disciples) are wrong and deceived and not even going to Heaven! How very wrong the cessationists are in this specific area.

Matthew 7:23 – Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

What does God “knowing us” mean? It means that He lives in us by His Spirit. Jesus said in John 10:14-15 – 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:27-28 – 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” 1 Corinthians 8:3 – Whoever loves God is known by God. Romans 8:9b – If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Galatians 4:6 – Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” (Daddyo) John 17:3 – Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:26 – I have made you (Father) known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. That He, the Holy Spirit, lives in us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) – is equal to God knowing us – just like Adam “knew” Eve (Genesis 4:1) – and they became “one flesh” (Ephesians 5:31-32, Mark 10:6-8) – and that deep true unity and intimacy in the holy of holies (Hebrews 10:19-20, 2 Corinthians 13:14) – through the veil – past the curtain that was torn (Matt 27:45-51) – produced eternal fruit (John 13:35, John 15:1-17).

If someone is truly born-again (even though they are struggling in life as Christians) – will Jesus then say: “I NEVER knew you”? & “Away from me evildoer”? & “You will not enter Heaven”? No! If someone is born-again by the Spirit – and therefore – they are made perfect in His eyes, even though they are not perfect in the flesh (none of us are). Jesus said: “It is finished!” The work is done! We are given perfection for free.

The Right Interpretation of These Verses

There is salvation, forgiveness and perfection – and we are born-again by the Spirit of God through nothing but choosing to hear, repent, humble ourselves, and receive forgiveness established only through the blood of Jesus. People can do all sorts of spiritual exercises – but it must be based on the blood of Jesus only. If not – great danger and deception is real – for the foundation is off.

So, who is this for? This if for the spiritist mediums and healers who readily talk of Jesus and do things in Jesus’ name and are dealing with “spirits”, moving them around, healing, cleansing houses – yes, even in the name of Jesus – but who are not – never were – born again by the Holy Spirit. This is not for Christians. 

Please look up these cross references which refers to those who know “all” about the spirit world and are very sincere that they have been working for “good”, for “god”, for love, for “Jesus” – and they have all this spiritual power – but they were never born again and perfected by the cleansing blood of Jesus.

Examples of people who use the name of Jesus and think they are going to Heaven are:

• In John 10:1-21  we see Jesus is the only way into the Kingdom of Heaven. He is the Gate – but others enter in other ways – but they are thieves and robbers – and are cast out! 
• In Acts 19:11-20 we see the 7 sons of Sceva were casting out demons but were clearly not personally born-again Christians.

AGAIN: Who is this Scripture for, then? 

Occultists. Reiki healers. Spiritist mediums. Necromancers. New Agers. Gurus. Witches. Warlocks. Astrologers. All who move in the supernatural power of God – even using the name of Jesus – and who sincerely think they are doing good and going to Heaven (if there is one) – but are not truly born-again by the blood and death of Jesus. They are using the name of Jesus – calling Him “Great Master”, “Lord Meytreya”, “Lord, Lord”. They are the 7 sons of Sceva. They are the sorcerer, Bar-Jesus, Elymas on Cyprus (Acts 13:6-12).

What should people practicing the “alternative” supernatural – and who sincerely think they are doing the right thing do?

According to this Scripture. You who are doing this should: 

• Matthew 7:21 – Do the will of Jesus’ Father in Heaven – which is found in John 6:38-40. It is to look to Jesus and believe in Him.
• Matthew 7:23a – Get to truly know Jesus by being born-again by the Spirit of God. I never knew you. See: John 10:14-15 – 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:27-28 – 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
• Matthew 7:23b – Stop doing evil – meaning: Get forgiven by Jesus through the cross – and He will forgive you all and cleanse you of all unrighteousness, evil, and selfishness – all sin will be cleansed off of you – even in His perfect righteous judgment.
  • Then follow and love Him with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mark 12:30), Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and man, and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). Then continue in the true love and power of God – not the power of demons.

Here are some very clear testimonies about people who are in or who used to be in the New Age / Occult / Satanist movements also proving this interpretation of this Scripture is correct as they were using “God”, “Lord”, “Jesus”, “the Bible”, “love”, “vibrations” and were seeing spiritual power manifest to heal, prophecy, and deliver – but it was empowered by lying demons who came as deceiving “spirits of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14):

• Michael & The Witch “The Demon Killed My Father” | Julie Lopez – Watch on YouTube
• EX Witch tells all! Incredible story you must hear! – Watch on YouTube 
• Preaching The Gospel To A Psychic! – Watch on YouTube
• Tarot Cards, Curses & Witchcraft Exposed: Ex-Satanist John Ramirez Tells All On World of The Occult – Watch on YouTube 

11. Matthew 20:8-16

8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

You go to Heaven – no matter how long you have been a Christian! Same for all. In verse 16 – says: You can have been a Christian you whole life and done “nothing” good – and be last in judgment 2 – compared to one who has been a Christian for a short time and lived fully radically for Jesus. That one will be first – over the one who has been a Christian for a long time.

12. The love of the Father

Mark 14:36, Matthew 27:45-47, Galatians 4:6, Romans 8:15

Platform 1 – IS THE LOVE OF THE FATHER!

Judgment 2 — Platform 2

The Judgment Seat of Christ – (the Bema Seat)

Only placed after Platform 1 is passed. Platform 2 only stands right on top of Platform 1.

The second judgment is an evaluation of what you have done with what you were given

It is 100% – based exactly on what Father has given – not what you do not have. So, how much did you love with the understanding of love that you had? If you pass number one and go into Heaven forever, you will immediately be evaluated in the second one. The Scriptures around it are sometimes really mixed up by leaders and preachers. There is disagreement among good sincere Christians around this second judgment – but there shouldn’t be. It is plain enough when you study it in depth. There can also be confusion between the 2 judgments because unbelievers are also judged according to their deeds – and those actions condemn them to hell (Revelation 21:8 & Revelation 20:11-15). If we are not forgiven all by grace through the cross – our actions will then either save us (impossible due to our sinful nature and actions) – or justly condemn us. Believers are also judged according to our deeds – but all sinful deeds are judged and condemned and paid for in Jesus on the cross. What is left to evaluate is a reward for the good things we have done through Christ’s love and it is compared to how much we were given of the love of God – so the evaluation is 100% fair and individual (Matthew 25:14-30). Of course, we as believers will not get a reward for what we did that was not truly done in the love of Jesus Christ. I, myself, had a period in my life – from 2004 till 2021 – where I spent scary amounts of the time watching porn and playing video games. How I got out is a story of humility, repentance, responsibility, revelation, and deliverance from evil spirits – based on pressing into intimacy with the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. I will get no reward – no inheritance for the time I watched porn – while I was a believer. I will get an inheritance and a reward in Heaven (and on earth) for the time I have truly loved God, and others as myself!

This second judgment is not one about Heaven or hell or about condemnation. It is about rewards for an evaluation of the Christian life lived. It’s about the decisions we make in terms of whether we pick up our cross or not – denying ourselves, loving obedience, daring to step out in faith and believing – living for, through and in the love of Christ or not.

Is it still good, right, loving, and honorable to do good even though you do not believe in Jesus? YES! Does God see it? YES! Does it save you? NO. Only Jesus does. But does it position you to receive Jesus if it is done right – not out of pride, fear of people, to look good and better than others?

See the story of the gentile Roman military man, Cornelius – who was honored and blessed with Peter coming to speak to them of Jesus and salvation due to his prayers and gifts to the poor!! 

Acts 10:1-4 – 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

Tribunal For Rewards For Born-Again Christians

The Greek word “bema” (βῆμα) in the context meaning the evaluating and rewarding believers in Heaven is found 2 places in the Bible (Romans 14:10-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10). It is a tribunal for rewards. In the large Olympic arenas, there was an elevated seat on which the judge of the contest sat. After the contests were over, the successful competitors would assemble before the bema to receive their rewards or crowns. The first priority and heart of this type of bema judgment seat is not the type of a judicial bench where someone was condemned; it was a reward seat at a sports event like the picture in Philippians 3:10-14. Likewise, the Judgment Seat of Christ, the second judgment, is not first a condemnation judgment and casting away to hell, but a ranking. Since it is for born-again Christians, it is a judicial bench for our level of rewards. Yes, reprimands are given – but not to qualify for the race. We, who are born-again, are “in” the race and are not thrown out even though we might end up last (Heaven is ours already). The Christian life is a race, and the divine umpire is Jesus Christ. After the race is over for each believer, and we have crossed the finishing line (our death or His return), He will gather every member before the bema for the purpose of examining each one and giving the proper reward to each according to how they ran. This is exactly what the writer of Hebrews and Paul was writing here: Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Cor 9:23-27, Philippians 3:10-14.

A very wise prayer to pray is, therefore

God, judge me now with the judgment that I will receive on that final judgment Day where my life will be evaluated and weighed on the scale of love by you. So, show me now where my blindness is to your truths, love, justice, and mercy, show me where I am disobedient – so I can correct it now – and thereby love and serve you, others, and myself better – bringing more glory to you while on earth. This will obtain for me – a better reward, a better eternal inheritance – to your glory!

1. Treasures in Heaven

Matthew 6:19-20

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Reward for giving on earth and thereby gathering more treasures in Heaven!!

2. Luke 14:12-14 AMP

12 Jesus also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or wealthy neighbours, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. 13 “But when you give a banquet or a reception, invite the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind, 14 and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (the just, the upright).”

Please read the story in context. Do something loving and self-sacrificing and: “Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
The Resurrection of the Righteous is for believers – for only those cleansed by the blood of Jesus are righteous. The Resurrection of the Righteous is also the Day of judgment.

Have you ever held a party like this one? Let’s do that – exactly as Jesus describes!

3. Reward for Enduring Persecution

Jesus talks about a great reward awaiting us in Heaven when we endure persecution and suffering for our faith, and unjust treatment because we believe in Him.

Matthew 5:11-12 NLT

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in Heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Luke 6:22-23 New International Version (NIV)

22 Blessed are you when people hate you,

    when they exclude you and insult you

    and reject your name as evil,

        because of the Son of Man.

23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in Heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

4. We will be rewarded according to how we have built our lives after being saved

1 Cor 3:11-15

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their 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 person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

This is one of the clearest Scriptures on judgment of how we build our lives – first on Christ – the foundation – and then on top of that and that we get a reward for doing it right and a judgment of no reward for doing it poorly.

It is very clearly not a Scripture on Heaven or hell only – even though it is about the Day = Judgment Day. It is about rewards and an evaluation / judgment (not condemnation to hell – despite non-perfection – and non-love – which is sin) of how we have built our lives as believers.

5. Appearing Before Christ’s Judgment Seat

Each one of us must appear before the judgment seat (BEMA) of Christ for a verdict on what we have done.

2 Corinthians 5:7-10

7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

100% a judgment seat – where we, who are believers, receive a reward for the good we have done in the body = in this life as believers – or a bad / lacking reward.

This can not be the White Throne of Heaven or hell – because that is only an either Heaven or hell judgment. This can only be a judgment of our good or bad deeds done while we are alive on earth as believers.

6. Each must give an account of our behavior to God

Romans 14:10–12

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat (BEMA) of God; 11 for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

If there was only one judgment and that is about whether we go to Heaven or hell – why should we need to give an account of ourselves to God? This judgment will for instance come if we “despise our brothers and sisters” or if we pass final judgment of them – and do not see them and judge them as “in Christ” – in a process of freedom with which we can help them!

The argument and reason here for a believer (they are brothers and sisters in faith) to not judge and not to treat them with contempt is that we as believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We lose this way of arguing to believers which Paul uses – if we do not believe that there is a final judgment coming of our deeds as believers.

7. Evaluated According to What We Were Given

In the context of judgment day, we will be evaluated, and deeds will be compared to what we were given.

Luke 12:40-48 & Matthew 24:45-51

40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Verse 46 is by far the most difficult to fit into Platform 2. But we are helped by the continuation of the sentence in verse 47 – for it is a servant who knew what was right – but didn’t do it – they will be beaten with many stripes. So here we have the words: beating (many or few – fits perfectly with this Matthew 5:19-20 and 1 Corinthians 3:11-15), cut in two, assigned their portion with the unbelievers. The assignment with unbelievers here cannot be hell – for a servant. It must be the judgment of: many beatings, suffer loss, outer darkness, worthless servant. Again this story is found in Matthew 24:45-51 – and in verse 46 we see this consequence: He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This resembles point 8 below. Where there is a sharp distinction between “outer darkness” for a servant who is in Heaven – and the enemy – who is “killed in front of the master” = hell.

This is how to have the attitude that brings us to repent and get a good second judgment

James 4:7-10 

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Bottom line here: As totally forgiven believers – there are consequences to behaving like an unbeliever both in this life and the next! This is so clear in Scripture. Even Ananias and Saphira were KILLED by the judgment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11)! It is not hell – but it is a just – a righteous evaluation and then the lack of rewards, it can be sickness, it can be death, it can be various kinds of destruction.

Only Jesus has done this perfectly. But we do get more or less rewarded according to what we have done with what we have been given. Let us repent from our hearts to deep true trust, intimacy and faith, to deep true fullness of service.

8. A difficult but fully possible interpretation

Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-26 – the parable of the talents / minas

The outer darkness mentioned here is not necessarily hell – but could also more probable be a judgment of rank, an aristocracy of sorts: how close are you to the bright throne of Jesus in Heaven – among the cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1-2)? Outer darkness is illustrated as this: There is a light bulb (Jesus) in one end of a large otherwise dark room. Then the outer darkness will mean the end furthest away from that light bulb. It corresponds to: Those who are first, will be last, and the last first (Matthew 19:30). Both on earth and in Heaven (Mark 10:28-31). There is a ranking from close to the throne where Jesus is – to far away – yet in Heaven – according to what we have done with our talents – like how well we have preached and lived (Matthew 5:19).

It is all about attitude towards the heart of God!!

In Luke and Matthew you have those that did well – and then the one servant that did bad – and in Luke you have the enemies, “the subjects”, who killed the servants and the son of the Master – only they are to be killed: Luke 19:27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them – bring them here and kill them in front of me.

Are there other Scriptures speaking into this “ranking” in Heaven? Yes – many!

Ranking in Heaven according to Jesus

Matthew 5:19-20

19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of Heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 20:23

Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.

Revelation 3:21

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Did you make it into Heaven by the skin of your teeth = all you did was burned up in the judgment of how you chose to live as a Christian (please read: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)? Then you will be in “outer darkness” outside the inner circle of the thrones around Jesus. But not “outside” Heaven = in hell = killed, destroyed. Yes, you are in Heaven for ever and you have won the victory forever and in that sense – you are always close to the Lord forever. But you will bring nothing or almost nothing other than yourself into Heaven if you have totally missed the mark with your life choices as a Christian. This would be for a person who received 1000 talents and only used 1 – building only with hay, straw and stubble.

Therefore – “outer darkness” here is not hell – but it is to be in Heaven – but having received a very small reward for what you did while on earth.

9. What is the reward? Crowns, seats close to the throne, and responsibility

Revelation 2:10

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

James 1:12

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

1 Cor 9:23-27

23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Revelation 4:10-11

10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

The crown of life awarded to those who love Him. Jesus is crowned with many crowns (Revelation 19:12) – a reward for His suffering (Hebrews 2:9). There is a reward in terms of the suffering we endure and the fruit we bear and the lives we influence for Jesus. And there is a reward by following the principles of life and positivity and wisdom of God for this life. And there is a reward from God for choosing to love Him with all we have despite our tough situations.

10. 1 Corinthians 4:5

Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Here Paul is talking the final and complete judgment of a person’s life. That is reserved only for God. But we are to help people – also by saying: no, this is wrong – stop it. For much more on correcting others correctly (Matthew 18:15-20) – see this:

Go deeper on correcting others correctly:

• Read the Word teaching
• Watch the YouTube teaching

11. Rewards in the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 6:1, Matthew 6:4, Matthew 6:5-6, Matthew 6:17-18

1 “Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in Heaven . . . 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you . . . 5-6 don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them . . . pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” …  17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

This is not Heaven or hell – because if it is – then getting to Heaven would be based on our good deeds. The second judgment, however, is based on our deeds as believers – for only we believers have God as Dad. Then there is a reward for us choosing to do good deeds, prayer, and giving in the right way – for God only. And, by the way – the rewards are given and shown – over time – both here on earth – and in Heaven (Matthew 19:27-29, Mark 10:28-30, Luke 18:28-30).

FOUNDATIONS: Just A Little Encouraging Insert

This is part of the foundational teaching for disciples to get and understand. This is essential and part of core teaching and to prepare us well for the evaluation we will receive one day.

Hebrews 6:1-2

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

12. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

God judges and evaluates our lives absolute accurately and knows if there is evil – and how much of it is mixed with good – in our lives! We will then, at the time of judgment, each receive our praise from God. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 – People perish because they did not receive the love of the truth. The opposite is here – and hell is the destination: Revelation 21:8 – Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 

13. Matthew 16:27

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

A judgment of the deeds done for all – both Christians and pre-Christians. The understanding here is that the Christians will go free of the condemnation – but will enter into “reward mode”.

14. Hebrews 11:6

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

This does not have a qualifier whether it is now or in Heaven. In Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 

15. Matthew 5:18–20

Matthew 5:18-20

“For truly I tell you, until Heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore, anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of Heaven.”

There is a requirement of absolute perfection to go to Heaven – and then there is a “being called “least” or “great” in the Kingdom of Heaven = gradual reward as well.

16. Inheritance and rewards in the Kingdom of God

Sinners Will Not Inherit / Get Levels of Rewards in The Kingdom Of God

Fruit of the flesh lists in Galatians & Corinthians

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:5

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

The key to the correct understanding here is

Colossians 3:23-24

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

With verse 24 – it fits perfectly with: What do we get for giving up everything to serve you? (Matthew 19:27-30, Mark 10:23-31)

Therefore – with absolute confidence in the Scriptures interpreting Scripture: Let the word “inherit” be translated = “no reward in the 2^nd judgment when doing the sin”. The Bible is its own best dictionary definition.

Peter talked about inheritance in the very same way

1 Peter 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in Heaven for you.

1^st Platform vs 2^nd Platform words

1^st Platform: Heaven and hell – are absolute opposites: In – vs out. Death vs life.

2^nd Platform: Think of percentages. You outlived the fullness of your talents given to you by God 50%. They are reward or punishment – but still inside. They are gradual rewards. Some good – some bad. Still servants – but maybe we are not “first” – as people here on earth think – but we are last – after the true, completely perfect Judge brings his evaluation.

17. Ephesians 6:8

The Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

This reward system is built into – yes – created into us – hard-wired into us people as right, and honoring, and worth changing our behavior for. People run for rewards and recognition in sports, in the work world etc. We should honor and reward each other. We should thank each other.

18. 2 John 8

Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.

19. The Sheep and the Goats — Matthew 25:31–46

This is probably one of the most difficult passages relating to this topic. It seems like: If you take care of people in prison – then you will go to Heaven. Good works secures your spot. If you haven’t done these good works (it doesn’t really matter in this story what you believe – only what you do) – then you are going to hell with satan and his demons…

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Interpretation

We have established securely and firmly that it is by grace through faith, through the blood of Jesus alone, through free forgiveness, through the cross alone that we qualify for Heaven eternally, we receive freely – freedom, healing etc. And this perfection stands – even though we sin as Christians. Yes, people are justly and truthfully and lovingly judged to hell – doomed and condemned if we do not believe in and receive Jesus! Only He removes our guilt fully (Colossians 2:13-15). We do not go to Heaven by doing good things. But we must, should, are commanded to do good, and it is right, good, honorable, loving, and needed to do good – and to do the miraculous in Christ by the Holy Spirit. This must flow from the life of a true follower of God. Deep inside we long to be supernatural action heroes – like Jesus!

The thief on the cross did not first clothe, feed, help anyone – yet he went to Heaven (Luke 23:42-43).

Faith Without Works is a Dead Faith

But as stated in James 2:17 & James 2:26 – faith without works is dead. Our faith in Jesus must, has to, it will – show up in our actions – otherwise we need to seriously question that faith – and deepen and strengthen it and embolden it – so we actually live it out in action. How – spend time with people who are doing it – have boldness and let them show you how to act it out and bear fruit. Faith is not just meant to be a one-time confession or a mental exercise. That is not real faith. Love and faith are proven in obedient suffering action. Jesus did that for us and commands (rightfully so) that we return the love He first showed us on the cross. We are blood bought disciples. Through injustice, suffering, persecution – He proved His love for you and me.

20. This is a complete outworking of platform 2 and how it is to be used practically

Revelation 3:14-22

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Words like these resonate throughout all the other Scriptures above: I love you – but hate your sin. I want you to win. Let me purify you. Repent – change. Decide to do what is right – now. Wake up! Judge yourself accurately. Buy gold (not straw). Hear, read and do.

21. Outer Darkness and the Second Judgment

A very clear Scripture, where we have crying and casting out into outer darkness and weeping when we all realize how much more we could have done. This will be for a brief moment of regret – and then there will be an eternal feast and joy.

Matthew 8:12 ESV

The sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Summary of Both Judgments

Based On All These Scriptures

The one who has loved the most – using the full amount of their talents (which only God can fully know) the one who is truly the most loving, truly the most humble, who truly bears much fruit in comparison to the talents they have received, gets a reward in Heaven for that.

We are not saved through ANY of our own good deeds. This wrong doctrine must be destroyed completely. But when we believe – the reality of that true faith is then proven in action. That true faith in the heart – the more we truly actually really believe – will change our actions. And the actions of a true believer will look like this: giving clothes to the needy, giving hospitality to strangers, helping and healing the sick in the power of the Holy Spirit, visiting those in prison, feeding the hungry (Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 10, & Luke 10). As James 1:27 says: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. So, true faith leads to action of helping the needy and living holy and operating in the power of the Holy Spirit – just like Jesus and His followers. No difference from then till now.

A Request From Pre-Believers

That we as Christians take responsibility for doing what’s right! We need to understand and have an honoring of good deeds – by all people. By all people – whether they believe or not. Not just a “who cares” – I’m forgiven! Yes! 

Important Understanding To Judge Ourselves And Others Correctly

One might have gotten 1 talent – and fully uses that. Another 50 talents and only uses the 30. The reward for the one using 1 talent fully will be bigger than the one who got 50 – but uses 30!

So, be careful to compare in the right way – you compare yourself against yourself – and compare yourself against Jesus – and then grow – go for it!

God IS Love – And So Are These 2 Judgments

Background and a positivity “disclaimer”: In all this talk about judgment, it is important to hold on to the truth, that God is deep intimate broken relational real friendship love. God wants all to know Him and His deep intimate friendship love. So, the Bible is clear. It’s so important that part of true love is also truth, righteousness, judgment, and consequences. Judgment from God is always based on love and is meant to produce freedom from bad habits through the friendship of love, judgment is there for cleansing from evil and to get us out of the deception of rejection from the Father. Rejection – that the Father fully or partially rejects you – is an eternal lie from the pit of hell. We need to fully repent from believing and the executing on that lie.

The purpose of good judgment is to lift us up so we become all we can be, the purpose is clean pure relational love. God judges – not to condemn, but to help us be free to live truly free, strong, without illusions, limitations, sins, and false beliefs and doctrines, yes, without sin (as much as possible) – and without rejection, self-pity, and self-satisfaction. He judges us to grow us, to help us, to help us see and know and live by truth and not lies – as His best and intimate friends. So, we should invite God to judge us, invite God to show us where we are off. Because the judgments of Jesus are so good and loving, and we need them.

We do have a choice and a responsibility on this earth. And it really matters what we choose. It clearly carries real eternal consequences even inside Heaven for us and others. And yes – all goodness is based on grace and it is based on surrender to intimate friendship with the Father, of grace, love, and humility.

Summing Up

According to Scripture – this second judgment of rewards is only for Christians – when they have entered Heaven forever by grace and faith alone – there is still an evaluation: what have we done with what we have been given? An evaluation comparing our calling, gifts, talents, love received, love given, freedom received, understanding received, humility understood to what we actually chose to live out etc. It’s an evaluation where all – everyone but Jesus will fall short of what we could have done in this life – but where some will have used almost all their talents for God in this life – and others who were given a level of opportunity will not have used almost anything of what they were given. The result after the second judgment is not Heaven or hell – nor eternal shame. But there will be an initial short time of realization and deep regret for all – and that will be when we realize that we could and should have lived more in, through and for the love of Jesus than we have. There will be some who have looked like awesome Christians on earth – but in God’s eyes they are living out so much less than they should – and others that don’t look good in our eyes – but in God’s eyes they are living at the maximum level of love that they can in comparison with how much love / how many talents they have been given at that time.

The end result of all of this is that this is another great motivation for those who know the truth of this judgment – to live lives of total dedication to Jesus – as best as we possibly can to pursue Him, know Him, live by His loving life principles and serve Him – like He said – with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul. and all our strength. This is in order to bear as much fruit as we can for Him – and fulfilling His prayer for us: Your will be done – on earth as it is in Heaven. So that more people will find intimate friendship with the Father, and go to Heaven as a result of the decisions we make, the life we live, the love we give, the words we speak, how we prioritize our time.

Why Focus On This?

There are many more reasons why we should do this, than to do well in this judgment that is coming – but it is part of the picture, and it is wise to seek to know the whole counsel of the Word of God. Other motivational factors we should have to pursue loving God, people and ourselves with our whole heart, mind, strength and soul is that His love compels us, we have received it for free, give it for free. We are forgiven by grace and faith alone – and that is the BEST news there is. It is the most amazing life to live in the will and calling of God – maximizing our lives for Him – and many other reasons – one of them being that there is also a judgment where we – out of love for God, people and ourselves – should want to have done our very best.

The Great Cloud of Witnesses

The heroes of the faith in Heaven are all cheering you on. God – who is both Judge, Father, Helper, Best Friend, Our Biggest Cheerleader, our Daddyo, our Forgiver, our Master, our Creator, etc. SOOOOOO wants us to succeed. Our Best Friends (Daddyo, Bro’, Helper) – want us to win – and to win the prize! Why do the winning teams in sports win prizes? Because it is built into us from God – it is hard-wired into our systems to want to succeed, and win, and make a difference. We love awards. It is good and right to get awards. It is good and right to go for awards.

Let me end by these verses – which I hope will now make sense to you even more than it might have done before. Using the tools of truths of Platform 1 and Platform 2 – this should now make sense to you:

Romans 2:4-10a

4 Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour, and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honour, and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Hebrews 12:1-3

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Materials for Further Study

Books

• The Final Quest trilogy — Rick Joyner
• Driven by Eternity — John Bevere
• Your Eternal Reward — Dr. Erwin Lutzer

Online sermons

• Robert Morris teaching from Gateway Church
• Robert Morris teaching, part 2
• The Bema Seat of Christ

Online articles

• GotQuestions: The Judgment Seat of Christ
• All About God: The Bema Seat, part 1 and part 2
• Koinonia House: Bema Seat study
• Living Proof: What Is the Bema Seat of Christ?