"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Matthew 6:21
"But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
- Romans 14:10-12
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." - 2 Corinthians 5:10
Every Christian will be judged according to his or her works and will be rewarded accordingly. Before we start this lesson, I want to make it perfectly clear that the verses above are not about salvation. We are saved because of His finished work on the cross (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 2:8-9). Unless a person has accepted Christ and is sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13), we cannot do good works. It is by revelation of the Holy Spirit through God's Word that we can do works that are considered good in His sight (Eph. 2:8-10, 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
The Apostle Paul wrote that "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). The Judgment Seat of Christ is not about punishing Christians, but for rewarding us for our works. Jesus said "and, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).
The Judgment Seat of Christ will be a time of joy for some and sorrow for many. Every work that we have done for Jesus will be tried by fire (1 Cor. 3:13-15). Fire is used for both purification and destruction. Precious metals such as gold and silver are refined by fire to remove impurities. Anything that was not for Jesus (represented by wood and hay) will be burned up. There will be many that will be ashamed at His appearing (1 John 2:28).
By looking at 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and Revelation 4:2, it would appear that we are judged at the time of the Rapture. Whether or not we are rewarded at the Rapture or during the 7-year Tribulation, when we return with Jesus, we are already wearing our glorious apparel which means that we have been rewarded by Him prior to returning to Earth (Rev. 19:8).
There are many different rewards that we will receive at the Judgment Seat. Jesus will give accolades (Matt. 25:21, 1 Cor. 4:5). Jesus will give treasures (Matt. 6:20). Special blessings will be given (Rev. 2:7 and 2:17). He will grant authority over His Kingdom (Matt. 24:45-47, 25:21 and 23; Rev. 2:26).
Jesus will also reward us with various crowns:
The Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor. 9:25). This crown is given to people that suppress their fleshly desires.
The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19, Phil. 4:1). This crown is given to those that have witnessed and led people to the Lord.
The Crown of Life (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10). This crown is for Christians that have overcome trials and tribulations.
The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8). This is the crown given to those that are constantly longing and looking for His appearing.
The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4). This particular crown is given to elders. People that have fed His flock.
All of these rewards are freely available to every Christian. The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Holy Spirit that is in us (Rom. 8:11)! When you are in love with Jesus, the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25) will naturally be made manifest. When you spend time in His Word, you will do the good works that come with rewards (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
When we see Him, we will lay our rewards at His feet (Rev. 4:10-11). Never ever forget that we do not deserve anything. Jesus gave us life. Jesus gave us His Word. Jesus died on the cross for us. Our rewards are our way of thanking Him even though nothing we will ever do can compare to what He did for us (Gal. 1:10-11, 2:21).
Please spend time reflecting on His love for us here because what He did for us is far more valuable than any piece of gold or any crown. Also, please reflect upon His grace. The Creator of all freely gave us life eternal (Rom. 6:23) and wants to reward us!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." - 1 Peter 1:3-4