Rewards or burned stubble that is the question

The other day I wrote a WFTD and referenced the judgment at the Great White Throne of Judgment. I did not make it clear that this judgment is not for Christians, but is for those hapless souls who have not accepted Christ as their Savior. A friend of mind correctly wrote to remind me that Christians will not face this judgment:

“The great White Throne Judgment described in Revelation 20:11-15 is for the unsaved only and occurs at the end of the millennium just before we, (the saved) enter the new Jerusalem, (heaven)….the judgment for the saved occurs right after the Rapture while those left on earth are undergoing the seven years of tribulation, when the Anti-Christ comes to power. This judgment is referenced in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:12…where we will be judged for what we’ve done for Christ since we were saved.”

I was well aware of this, but apparently was not careful the way I wrote about this subject the other day and for that I apologize.

The Rapture entails Jesus Christ returning for all of His children. The Lord Jesus Himself will descend from heaven and with Him will be His angels. Then a shout from the voice of an archangel and with the sound of the last trumpet of God in a twinkling of an eye all Christians will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord and His heavenly host in the air and thus we shall always be with the Lord. First the earth will give up all of its dead in Christ and then they will be followed by those of us who are alive. We will trade in our corruptible bodies for incorruptible “glorified” bodies. Our natural bodies will be exchanged for spiritual bodies no longer descended from the man of dust Adam, but descended from heaven in the image of the heavenly Man Jesus Christ. Mortality will be replaced with immortality.

It is at this point that the Bible declares that the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory”, will be brought to pass. The Bible declares victory and God’s plan for our immortality and reunification will be implemented. This is a comforting thought is it not? Paul said it right when he wrote: “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We, (Christians) must then all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may account for the things done in the body. We will be judged, but fortunately our salvation will not be at stake. The Bible mentions that each one’s work will become clear because it will be tested by fire, (some believe this to be the discerning gaze of Jesus Christ). Everything done in God’s name will be tested by God Himself; if the work endures we will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss of reward, but he himself will be saved, “yet so through fire” (1 Cor. 3:15). Those of us who work hard for the Lord should be greatly encouraged. Paul encourages us even further to be steadfast and immovable knowing that our labor is not in vain for the Lord.

I have heard people smirk as they boast about not caring if they receive a reward or not, “all they want is a ticket into heaven”. I sometimes wonder if such thinking comes from someone who is truly saved. The Bible makes it clear to me that if you are truly saved you will have works. “Show me your works and I will show you your faith”. Works do not get you into heaven, but it would be pretty hard to be a believer and not have any good works to your credit, deathbed confessions aside. If you truly love the Lord you will want to obey His commands and thus have good works.

Only non-Christians will be left on earth after the Rapture. Imagine the terror of those left behind. CNN will be working overtime trying to explain away the Rapture and report the cataclysmic events unfolding as unrestrained evil is loosed and unparalleled horror is poured out on the earth. Anti-Christ will rule for seven years of horrible devastating tribulation. Those left on earth will suffer terribly only to face God at the Great White Throne of Judgment and its fearsome eternal implications as described the other day.

You have a choice. Won’t you join Christ and take part in the Rapture and therby avoid all the terror to come to unbelievers by simply trusting in Jesus and asking Him to forgive you your sins. Then you must turn from sin as best you know how and follow Christ. If you do that, you will have some good works and at the judgment Seat of Christ you will receive your reward that will not be burned up, rather like fine gold will be eternally shining

1 Cor. 26
The last enemy that will be
destroyed is death.