The Judgment Seat of Christ Part 2
A couple of articles ago, I was discussing the judgment seat of Christ, and how this judgment is something that all believers will face. However, I have left it hanging as to when this judgment occurs. The last article addressed how the Old Testament prophesied a coming kingdom, in Revelation a kingdom is also prophesied (the Millennial Kingdom), and that these two must be one and the same. Further, I made the point that when Jesus talks about "the Kingdom of Heaven", it would appear that he is talking about this very kingdom. In other words, the Old Testament Kingdom prophesied, the Kingdom preached about by Jesus in the Gospels, and the Millennial Kingdom in Revelation are all one and the same. With that in mind, let's examine some of the parables Jesus preached.Matthew 25:14 - 30 (NIV) - "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22 "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 "'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
When we consider this parable, it is imperative that we correctly identify the various characters. Perhaps the most common (and in my opinion, incorrect) interpretation relates this to Jesus' dealings with unbelievers. After all, verse 30 talks about throwing out the unfaithful servant into darkness, "where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Typically, this is stated to be hell, the destination of the unbelievers.
The problem with this interpretation is that then we find that we acquire our salvation by our works. We have to work hard enough to escape the punishment of hell. This is completely contrary to the Gospel of Grace. Our salvation is NOT based on works, but entirely on what Christ has done on our behalf. Our ONLY part in the salvation process is whether we believe in what Christ did.
So - we have to back up and attempt another interpretation. I think everyone would tend to readily agree that the man going on a journey represents Christ. The journey, in fact, began when he ascended to heaven. At that point, he promised to his disciples that he would send them a "gift", and 10 days later the Holy Spirit came upon them. It would seem, then, that the servants in the parable would represent believers, and that the talents given to the servants would represent the gifts that God has given each of us.
As we continue to read through the parable, we find that "after a long time", the man returned from his journey and met with his servants to "settle accounts" with them. This seems to correspond with the Judgment Seat of Christ. As we look at the settling of accounts, we see that each servant received what was due him, whether it was good or bad, which is exactly what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:10. Additionally, Luke 19 carries the account of a similar parable. In this parable, the master goes away to receive a kingdom, and when he returns, the faithful servants are told that they will rule over cities in the new kingdom. It seems evident that Christ is talking about the millennial kingdom, and so therefore the judgment seat of Christ must occur prior to the establishment of that kingdom.
So - at this point I have made arguments to the effect that all believers will face the judgment seat of Christ, prior to the establishment of the millennial kingdom. At the judgment seat, we will receive what is due us, for the works done while here on earth. If we have done well, we will receive good things; but if we have not been faithful, we will receive some sort of punishment for our lack of obedience. The form that this punishment will take will be discussed at a future point in time.
Thoughts? Opinions? Criticisms? I welcome your comments!
Posted On Oct 10, 2005 at 9:25 PM
On Oct 15, 2005 Brian's wife wrote: What does 2 Corinthians 5:10 say? It is easier to follow your line of thought when you include the text of the Scripture passages as well as the reference. Not all of us have Bibles next to our computers.
Brian Replied: 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
OK - I'll try to do better in the future!
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Brian's BlogMost articles on this blog describe what is known as "Kingdom Theology" - they deal with the doctrine of the Millennial Kingdom.If you are just finding this Blog, I would suggest that you start with the first article, rather than picking up in the middle. Enjoy your reading! ABOUT ME Current PostsA scriptural scavenger huntWhat do we want to be remembered for? How do we measure our churches? The Parable of the Sower What is Worship 
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