How was the bema seat used in the Olympic Games?
At the Olympic Games, the bema seat was placed at the finish line. From that raised podium, the judge sat to determine which runner was first, which was second, and which was third, serving as the seat of judges who reached such conclusions.
Les explains that the term translated “judgment seat” is more correctly the Greek bema seat. He notes that visitors to the ruins of Corinth are often shown the bema seat, which was a raised podium and the seat of judges where they came to various conclusions. In the Olympic Games, Les teaches, the bema seat was set at the finish line as the runners came by, and the judge sitting there determined who was first, second, and third. This illustrates that the bema seat judgment does not involve eternal destiny, which is settled for the believer, but determines how much reward. Believers are not to sit idle; they are to get busy and work for God’s glory and for personal reward.