Yes, appearing before the bema seat of Christ is for believers to receive rewards based on their works done in the body.
According to Les Feldick, the bema seat is a seat of rewards, not a judgment for sin or a determination of eternal destiny. Believers will be examined for their life's work as believers to determine what reward they will receive (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). This provides an incentive for believers to labor and please God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 — States that all believers must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive things done in the body, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 — Describes the testing of believers' works by fire, distinguishing between enduring works (gold, silver) and those that burn (wood, hay, stubble).
2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "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 verse indicates that believers will appear before Christ to receive according to their deeds done in the body. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says, "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. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." This passage speaks of a testing of works, leading to reward or loss, but still salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that the bema seat is a seat of rewards, derived from the Olympic Games where judges determined winners. It is not a judgment for sin, because sin has been paid for at the cross and is under the blood. Instead, it is a time when believers are examined for their works as believers—what they did with their life after salvation—to determine their reward. This provides an incentive for believers to work and live for God's glory, not for salvation but for reward.
Les explains that the term "bema" comes from the Greek and refers to the seat of judges in the Olympic Games, where they determined the order of finishers. He says the King James translation "judgment seat" is unfortunate because it implies a judgment for sin, but it is actually a seat for rewards.
No. Les clarifies that believers will never face their sin at the bema seat because sin has already been judged at the cross and is under the blood. The bema seat is solely for determining rewards, not for dealing with sin or determining eternal destiny.
Les teaches that at the bema seat, believers' works will be tested by fire—whether they are gold, silver, precious stones or wood, hay, stubble. This test reveals the quality of each believer's work for reward, and it is an incentive to labor for the Lord.
Labor to Be Accepted of Him
Les explains that Paul's labor was to be accepted of Christ, not for salvation but for reward, and that we should also labor accordingly.
The Bema Seat Origin
Les explains that the bema seat comes from the Olympic Games where judges determined winners, and that it is a seat of rewards for believers, not a judgment for sin.
Reward Determination
Les emphasizes that the bema seat does not involve eternal destiny but determines how much reward a believer receives, encouraging believers to work for glory and reward.
Works Done in the Body
Les quotes 2 Corinthians 5:10, explaining that believers receive for things done in the body, whether good or bad, but this is about reward, not salvation.
Greek Meaning of Bema
Les clarifies that 'bema' is the Greek word for judgment seat, originating from the Olympics, and that it is a seat of reward for believers.
No Sin at the Bema
Les reassures that believers will never face their sin at the judgment seat of Christ because sin was judged at the cross; the bema seat is only for rewards.
Works Tested by Fire
Les describes how believers' works will be tested by fire at the bema seat, revealing whether they are gold, silver, precious stones or wood, hay, stubble.
Seat of Rewards vs. White Throne
Les contrasts the bema seat as a seat of rewards with the great white throne judgment for the lost, emphasizing that the bema seat is only for believers.
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 that establishes the purpose of the bema seat: receiving according to deeds done in the body.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15: 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. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
This passage describes the testing of believers' works for reward or loss, while confirming their salvation.
Ephesians 1:9: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Les references this verse to show that Paul's labor was to be accepted of Christ, not for salvation but for reward.
No. Les Feldick teaches that salvation is settled the moment a person believes, and the bema seat is only for determining rewards, not eternal destiny.
No. Les explains that sin has already been judged at the cross and is under the blood, so believers will not face sin at the bema seat.
Les teaches that works done for God's glory and out of a desire to please Him will be tested by fire. Works of lasting value (gold, silver, precious stones) will receive reward, while those of no value (wood, hay, stubble) will be burned.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens to Believers at the Bema Seat?