The judgment seat of Christ is for determining believers' rewards, not for judging sin or deciding salvation.
Scripture says every believer must appear before the judgment seat to receive what was done in the body, whether good or bad. Les Feldick teaches that this appearance is not about eternal destiny or sin, because sin was already judged at the cross. Instead, it is a time when believers receive reward for what they have done with their lives as believers.
2 Corinthians 5:10 — Paul directly states that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what was done in the body, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:9 — Paul calls believers laborers, connecting their present work with the reward they will receive at the bema seat.
Paul states plainly: 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). He also calls believers laborers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). Scripture presents this appearance as a time of receiving according to what has been done in the body, both good and bad.
Les Feldick explains that the judgment seat of Christ is the bema seat, named after the judges' seat at the Olympic Games where winners were ranked. Its purpose is not to punish sin or decide salvation; it is to determine each believer's reward. He stresses that sin was already judged at the cross and is under the blood, so no believer's sin will be presented at the bema. Every believer will appear before Christ to give an account of what he or she has done with life as a believer. Salvation, Les says, was complete the moment we believed, and placement in the Body of Christ and under the blood is a once-for-all transaction. The bema seat is therefore not about eternal destiny; the great white throne is for the lost. Les encourages believers to labor now, using 1 Corinthians 3:9, so that they will receive reward for what they have done for Christ.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the judgment seat of Christ is never intended to determine eternal destiny. Believers will never face their sin there because sin was already judged at the cross and is under the blood. Salvation was complete the moment the believer trusted Christ, so the bema is strictly for determining reward.
Bema is the Greek word translated judgment seat. The bema seat at the Olympic Games was occupied by judges who determined who was first, second, third, and so on. Les says the judgment seat of Christ is therefore the seat of rewards, not a great white throne judgment and not a judgment for sin.
Believers receive reward for what they have done with their lives as believers. Les points to the example of the servants who increased what they had been given, showing that faithful service is connected with reward. He also uses 1 Corinthians 3:9 to remind believers that they are laborers and should be preparing for the day they stand before the bema seat.
The great white throne judgment is for the lost, while the judgment seat of Christ is only for believers and their rewards. Les explains that anyone at the great white throne is there because they rejected salvation. The bema seat, by contrast, is a seat of rewards for those who are already children of God.
Reward for Service
Les illustrates that believers have always understood they will be rewarded for service, pointing to Abraham and to the servants who multiplied their talents.
Appearance Before the Bema
Les references the Scripture about appearing before the bema seat and stresses that every believer will appear to receive what was done in the body, whether good or bad. He says this is strictly for reward.
The Olympic Bema Seat
Les explains the bema seat was the judges' seat at the Olympic Games where finishers were ranked, so the judgment seat of Christ is a seat of rewards, not judgment for sin.
Not Eternal Destiny
Les teaches the judgment seat never determines eternal destiny because sin was already judged at the cross; it is only for the believer's reward.
The Greek Word Bema
Les explains the Greek word bema simply means judgment seat and came from the Olympics; for believers it is a seat of reward, not for heaven or hell.
No Sin at the Bema
Les emphasizes no believer's sin will be presented at the bema; it will be a review of works as believers because sin was already paid for at the cross.
Bema Versus White Throne
Les contrasts the bema seat, or seat of rewards, with the great white throne, which is for those who reject salvation.
Laboring for Reward
Les reminds listeners salvation was complete at belief, but believers will give an account of what they have done for reward, and he points to 1 Corinthians 3:9 to show believers are laborers.
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 verse establishes that believers appear before Christ to receive according to what they have done in the body.
1 Corinthians 3:9: For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Paul calls believers laborers, pointing to the work that is evaluated at the bema seat.
No. Les Feldick teaches that no believer's sin will be presented at the bema seat. All sin was judged on Christ at the cross, so believers will never give an account for sin; they will give an account for what they have done as believers.
No. It is not a judgment for sin or eternal destiny. It is for believers only and determines their reward for how they lived after salvation.
Bema is the Greek word translated judgment seat. It comes from the Olympic Games, where judges sat on the bema to determine who finished first, second, third, and so on. Les says the judgment seat of Christ is therefore the seat of rewards.
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