Replies to post #5582 on Bible (Bible)

[killianpsi]

lmorovan,

can you support your statement that there will be two judgments with scripture?

Yes.

2 Corinthians 5:10: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.

The term "seat" is the Greek word "bh'ma," pronounced "be-ma." It is where we get our term for this judgment, which some have appropriately called the "Bema" Judgment. The term "bh'ma" literally means "a step, pace, the space which a foot covers, a foot-breath, a raised place mounted by steps
a platform, tribune."

It appears from the original Greek that during this judgment, Christ will not be on His throne, but rather on a platform, as a judge would at a contest awarding the prizes.

You also need to remember that in the original context, Paul was addressing believers. When he said that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ," he was referring to the believers.

Now, in Revelation, we see a completely different picture, one more awesome, and quite frankly, horrifying.

Revelation 20:11- And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

The term "throne" is the Greek word "thronos," from which we obviously derive our term "throne." "Thronos" literally means " throne seat, a chair of state having a footstool."

There are two completely different situations here. In the first judgment, the one to take place according to 2 Corinthians 5:10, Christ is on a platform. It is almost as if at this point He is setting aside His title as King and Judge. Nowhere in that verse does it mention His being on a throne. In the second judgment, in Revelation 20:11-15, Christ is on His throne. There is no room for mercy; for those who are judged will have already rejected the gift of salvation.

Note also the difference in moods. It seems like the Bema Judgment is going to be, I don't want to say more casual, but less fearsome. Revelation 20:11- "...from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." It almost sounds as if at this setting, people will want to flee from Christ.

Why would we want to flee if we are receiving our rewards?

2 Judgments, 2 Greek words, 2 occasions.

[1OFHIS]

lmorovan,

Can you please explain what these verses mean and how you reconcile them to your point of view?

Revelation 20:1-15

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;

3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.

4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

7 When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison,

8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.

9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.

12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.

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.