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Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!
Here's something I quoted earlier that I now have a comment on. (I'm reading some of Hoyt's book on the subject of the Bema and also a book by Lutzer on the same. Both books published recently)
I would say that WL definitely tended to go with #1, with the last sentence being quite applicable in his teachings. Emphasis on fear. (WL might not have taught that sins were on display at the Bema though.)
What I see is more in line with #3, that is, rewards (gold, silver, stone) but also the realization of a loss of rewards (wood, hay, stubble) There will be much joy to go around, but also sorrow that individual believers weren't faithful in more things. I've also wondered if we will see clearly all the opportunities lost - lost opportunities to share Christ, therefore the kingdom work suffered . . . and also possibly the angst that others didn't come to Christ through us.. . ?)
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Thanks StG,
The judgement seat of Christ is not to display and assess sins.... they are under the blood and as the first of four blessings of the new covenant God does not remember them anymore (Hebrews 8:12) .
Rather, the BEMA is to receive reward or punishment for works, deeds, and behavior after becoming a christian. For instance, lack of forgiveness, exacting payment from others and throwing others into prison though your payment was forgiven by the Lord, burying your talent and being an unprofitable servant.. etc. etc. All those are matters of determining an entrance into the manifestation of the kingdom... not salvation. That is what most christian theology misses... the kingdom and its manifestation and the requirements to enter... it is not a matter of fear.. it is a matter of attainment of the standards He has set to rule with Him. We have a clue to this when the thief on the cross repented and asked the Lord to remember him when He came into His kingdom. The Lord accurately and wisely said that on that very same day the repentant thief would be with him in Paradise (the pleasant part of Hades where Lazarus was in the bosom of Abraham)... but He did not confirm the thief would join Him in His kingdom. The calls to the overcomers in Revelation 2 & 3 are also instructive in this matter. Not all will overcome but to those that do He will reward... including to shepherd the nations (Revelation 2:26-27) a clear reference to the time the Lord Jesus rules on the earth for 1000 years.
So, no, Brother Lee did not teach the BEMA was to rehash sins that the Lord has long forgotten and issue a reward or punishment based on those. If God were to do that He would be unrighteous.... and we know that He can never be unrighteous else the universe as we know it would collapse and we wouldn't be here chatting about it.
Drake