The Bema seat is the judgment seat of Christ where believers appear to receive rewards for what they have done as believers, not to have their sins judged.
Les Feldick explains that "Bema" is the Greek word translated "judgment seat" in the King James Bible. It originated from the Olympic Games, where judges sat on a raised podium to determine first, second, and third place. At the Bema seat of Christ, believers will be examined for reward based on their works, while their eternal destiny and sins are already settled by the cross.
2 Corinthians 5:10 — This is the central verse Les cites where Paul says all believers must appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:13 — This verse describes how every believer's work will be tested by fire at the Bema seat.
The Bible says that believers will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ: "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). Scripture also describes the testing of believers' works: "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1 Corinthians 3:13). If the work abides, the believer receives a reward; if it is burned, he suffers loss yet is still saved (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).
Les Feldick teaches that the Bema seat is the Greek word for what is translated "judgment seat" in the King James Bible. He explains that the term came from the Olympic Games, where the judges' seat was called the Bema seat. At the finish line, judges sat on a raised podium to determine who was first, second, third, and so on. He says the Bema seat of Christ is therefore not a judgment for sin or an eternal destiny, but a place where believers will be examined for reward. Les emphasizes that believers will never face their sins at the Bema seat because their sins have already been judged at the cross and are under the blood. He says the Bema seat is only for believers — especially members of the body of Christ — and it determines what reward they receive for how they have lived as believers. He often says that "judgment seat" is an unfortunate translation and that it should really be called the "seat of rewards." Les also contrasts the Bema seat with the Great White Throne judgment in Revelation 20. The Great White Throne is for the lost of the ages, while the Bema seat is strictly for believers and their rewards.
Les explains that "Bema" is simply the Greek word translated "judgment seat" in the King James Bible. It came from the Olympic Games, where the judges' seat was called the Bema seat. At the Olympic finish line, judges sat on a raised podium to determine who was first, second, third, and so on. He also notes that when people visit the ruins of Corinth, guides will point out the Bema seat there.
No. Les teaches that believers will never face their sins at the Bema seat because their sin has already been judged at the cross and is under the blood. He says the Bema seat is not a judgment for sin; it is strictly an examination of what a believer has done with his life as a believer for reward.
The Bema seat is only for believers and determines reward. The Great White Throne judgment, however, is for the lost of the ages — "Cain and everybody else on up that has been rebellious and of no faith" — and concerns their eternal destiny. Les says no believer will be at the Great White Throne judgment because salvation is already settled for those who believe.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Scripture describes believers' works as wood, hay, and stubble or gold, precious stones, and silver. Every believer's work is tested by fire — Les describes this as the spotlight of Christ's fiery eyes — and the outcome determines whether the believer receives reward or suffers loss of reward while still being saved.
Bema Seat vs. Great White Throne Context
Les sets up the Bema seat teaching by referencing Revelation 20's Great White Throne judgment, showing he is coming from the judgment of the unbeliever back to II Corinthians 5.
The Greek Word Bema
Les teaches that Bema is the Greek word for the judgment seat, derived from the Olympic judges' seat, and that believers will come before it for reward, not for heaven or hell.
Olympic Seat of Rewards
Les explains that the Olympic Bema seat was where judges determined first, second, third, and so on, and that Christ's Bema seat will examine every believer's life for reward, not for sin.
Raised Podium at the Finish Line
Les describes the Bema as a raised podium at the finish line where judges determined race placements, showing that the Bema seat determines reward while eternal destiny is already settled.
2 Corinthians 5:10 in Context
Les reads 2 Corinthians 5:10 and emphasizes it is addressed only to believers who will receive things done in the body for reward, and he explains why "judgment seat" is an unfortunate translation of the Greek Bema.
Sin Is Already Judged
Les assures believers they will never face their sins at the judgment seat of Christ because sin was judged at the cross and is under the blood; the Bema seat only determines reward.
Seat of Rewards, Not Judgment
Les says the Great White Throne is for the lost, and the King James phrase "judgment seat" should really be translated "Bema seat" or "seat of rewards."
Works Tested by Fire
Les teaches that at the Bema seat every believer's work is tested by fire — the fiery eyes of Christ — to see whether it is wood, hay, and stubble or gold, silver, and precious stones.
2 Corinthians 5:9: Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
This verse connects believers' labor with being accepted by Christ, leading into the judgment seat of Christ.
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.
This is the key verse Les uses to show that all believers appear before the Bema seat to receive according to what they have done.
1 Corinthians 3:12: Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
This verse describes the different materials of a believer's work that will be revealed at the Bema seat.
1 Corinthians 3:13: Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
This verse shows that every believer's work is tested by fire at the Bema seat.
1 Corinthians 3:14: If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
This verse clarifies that abiding work results in reward at the Bema seat.
1 Corinthians 3:15: If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
This verse shows that loss of reward does not mean loss of salvation; the believer is still saved.
No. Les teaches that believers will never face their sins at the judgment seat of Christ because their sins have already been judged at the cross and are under the blood.
No. The Bema seat is only for believers and determines reward. The Great White Throne judgment is for the lost of the ages and determines eternal destiny.
Bema is the Greek word translated "judgment seat" in the King James Bible. It comes from the Olympic Games, where judges sat on a raised platform to determine places and award rewards.
Yes. At the Bema seat, Christ will examine what each believer has done with his life as a believer and determine what reward he will receive.
Only believers — especially members of the body of Christ — will appear before the Bema seat. It is never intended to determine eternal destiny, since that is settled at the moment of belief.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens to Believers at the Bema Seat?