© 1998 "Yes Lord" Ministries
Leader's Notes
for
Revelation Lesson 8
(the Bema Judgment of Believers)
Open with Prayer and, as usual, you do the praying.
Begin with an Overview of what this discussion time will cover: I began by saying: "In our discussion tonight, we are going to look at the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ. But, first to get this in proper perspective, let's be sure that we are clear about what Judgment the Bema Judgment is and what it is NOT."
There are going to be 3 judgments in the future. They were listed for you in your homework
(Ask your group:) What are they ? And they should tell you:
Leader, at this point, draw a time line at the BOTTOM of your visual aid, and place the 3 judgments on it. Your time line could look something like this: (Again, I am sorry for all the dots but that is the only way I can keep some internet browsers from crunching all the letters together. So, you, of course would NOT put the dots between the words on your time line. Sorry.)
..
_____+<_______________________> 1 (_______________) 2 ! ___________________ ! 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
......Cross........The Church age....... Bema....The 7 years... JON....The 1000 years.....GWT......Eternity
I used colors on my time line.
The Cross was RED. And the line before the cross was BLUE.
The part of the time line for the Church age, indicated by the < ___> was GREEN and I wrote the words "The Church Age" in Green. Bema was also written in Green. (Since it is the Judgment for the believers, the Church).
The line (____) and the words, "the 7 Years" were in BLACK.
"Judgment of Nations" was written in ORANGE and the time line for the 1000 years !_____! was also ORANGE as were the words, "The 1000 Years".
The Great White Throne was written in PURPLE as was the part of the time line for Eternity. The word "Eternity" was also written in purple.
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As I wrote these things on the time line, I told the class that:
1. The Bema is what we will be studying in our discussion tonight. It is the Judgment of ALL Believers. .
2. The Judgment of the Nations. (JON) This is the Judgment where the sheep are separated from the goats and has to do with who will be entering the 1000 year Millennial reign of Christ on Earth. We will study it in a future lesson.
3. The Great White Throne Judgment. (GWT) This is the judgment that almost everyone knows about. But it is NOT for Believers. This is the judgment of the Lost, the Unsaved, the Ungodly. Everyone at this judgement ends up in Hell. We will study about this judgment in more detail in the last lesson of our study.
Begin your Visual Aid:
Then, I drew a green circle around the word, BEMA, and said, "The Bema is what we will be studying tonight."
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Then, I wrote, in GREEN, the word, BEMA #986 at the top of the visual aid and said: "The word, Bema, is a Greek word. It is # 986 in the Strong's Concordance. But, our Bibles usually don't say "Bema", they usually give the English Definition of Bema which is ????
Wait for someone in your class to say " The Judgment Seat" and when they do, write that, also in green, on the Board Next to the word Bema.
Then, if they haven't already said it, ask: "and Who is the one who will do the judging?? = Christ.
Then write the words, of Christ, on the board.
Then, tell your class we will have 4 columns... as you put the first column on the Board and title it, in BLUE, "BASIC FACTS." Don't title the other 3 columns yet... just let them know there will be 4 columns...
Your Visual aid will now have the time line at the bottom and the title at the top and will look ike this:
____________________________________________________________________
BEMA (#986) .... The JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
BASIC FACTS
..............leave lots of space here .... I just crunched it up to save paper on your print out......
...............................your time line is at the very bottom of the chart.....................
Now, write "When is it?" under the heading "Basic Facts" and begin to ask your class questions and, as they give you the answers, write them on the visual aid, under the first column, in Blue.
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Your first question, obviously will be: "When is the Bema going to take place?" = after the rapture. Write "after the rapture" on the Vis. Aid. If they don't give you this answer and if you need to give them a nudge in this or any answer, always refer them to a scripture verse so they can see that the Bible is providing all these answers. In this case, you would then say something like: "what did we learn in 1Cor. 4:1-5?" .....(there we are told that "wait till the Lord Comes,. He will bring to light what is hidden...) Then ask, "when is it that the Lord comes?" They should tell you = at the Rapture.When they do, write it on the Vis. Aid. Now your Vis Aid should now look like this:
BEMA (#986) .... The JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
....BASIC FACTS
When is it? After Rapture
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...............................your time line is still at the very bottom of the chart.....................
Then write: Where is it? ... and ask them that question. They should tell you = in heaven... or at God's throne.. Or some similar answer. Write that on the vis aid.
Then continue on.... writing the question on the board... and getting the answer... and from time to time, discuss their answers briefly and appropriately by expanding upon what they have said. For example, when discussing "Who Attends?", be sure they understand that this is for the Church, for ALL believers, and that means that they will be there, too.... etc.
When discussing the question: Who does the Judging?, Be sure they understand that JESUS IS GOD! Jesus is NOT just a good man or a prophet or another angel or etc. Jesus IS GOD! The two passages, I Cor. 5:7-10 and Romans 14:10b-12 prove that. Spend some time here so they understand that Jesus IS God!!! You might use Math as an example. ie. If A=C and if B=C, then A=B. So, if the Bema is the Judgment seat of Christ and if the Bema is the Judgment seat of God. Then, Jesus must be God! Hmmmm. Imagine that!
And when discussing "Why?, ie the Purpose of the Bema, be sure they understand that this has NOTHING to do with salvation! Their salvation has already been assured. This judgment is to determine their rewards for the works and deeds they have done (more about that later) and to determine their assignments in the 1000 year reign of Christ and during eternity. Point out that a person once said (I forget who it was, but the statement is great) that "if we are spectators now in our Christian lives, we will be spectators for eternity!" Wow! What a thought. And how true!
Spend about 5 minutes on this first column. When you finish this column, your visual aid should look something like this:
BEMA (#986) .... The JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
....BASIC FACTS
When is it? After the Rapture
Where is it? In Heaven
Who Attends?
........ALL the Believers in the Church
Who does the Judging? = Christ (2 Cor 5:7-10)
.........= God (Romans 14:10b-12)
..............and JESUS IS GOD !!!
Why? What is the Purpose?
........What it is NOT for = NOT for Salvation
.......What is it for?=
...........To Determine Rewards for Faithful service
......................... And
...........To determine future assignments
.................For the 1000 years and
.................For eternity
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...............................your time line is still at the very bottom of the chart.....................
Then, write the Heading of the 2nd column on the visual aid in BROWN and everything that you will write in this column will also be in Brown. The heading of this column is WHAT IS JUDGED.
Then say: "Ok, we have seen that this Bema Judgment is for Believers, and is not for salvation but has to do with rewards and assignments.... so... what IS being judged?
They should tell you "Works" or "Deeds". When they do, write it on the vis aid under column 2.
Then spend some time making sure that they understand that these works and deeds are NOT to EARN salvation but are what we do AFTER we are saved. Ephes 2:8-10 explains this and is VERY important... so spend some time on this passage... pointing out that we are NOT saved by works... BUT THAT we are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to DO good works, which God prepared for us to do." Be sure they understand that AFTER we are saved, we are to DO the good works that GOD wants us to do. God knows what He wants us to do... and gives us the talents and the Spiritual gifts to DO the works which He ordains for us to do! What a God! He does everything! He saves us! He gives us works to do! He gives us the opportunities to do them and He even gives us the abilities we need to do them! What an awesome and wonderful God we serve!!!
And, while you are at this point, also be sure they understand the difference between a talent and a Spiritual Gift..
A talent is given to you when you are born as a baby into the world..... and includes such things as being able to sing, play a musical instrument, be good at math, have artistic ability, able to write poems or novels or etc, to be good with your hands at carpentry, etc.....
Whereas a Spiritual Gift is given to you at the time of your Spiritual Birth, ie. At Salvation... and includes such things as gifts of Mercy, Teaching, Evangelism, etc.....
Also. Be sure they understand that Spiritual Gifts are NOT Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.... ). The Fruit Of the Spirit are for all Believers and every believer should have ALL of the fruit... but not every believer has EVERY spiritual gift.
Spend about 2 or 3 minutes or whatever brief time you need to make all of this clear...but do NOT do a big teaching on spiritual gifts and etc. The MAIN point you are trying to get across is that we are NOT SAVED by Works but we are saved to DO works.... and God knows the works He wants us to do and will tell us what to do... and He will give us the opportunities and the abilities we need to DO the works.
You will then ask, "What is Judged?" ... and they should say (unless they were all asleep!)... The WORKS we do! And you will say YES and will write "Our Works are Judged at the Bema"
Your vis aid will now look something like this: (The info in column 1 is, of course, still on the vis. aid. I am just leaving it out here so you can notice what is in the second column.)
BEMA (#986) .... The JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
BASIC FACTS..............................WHAT IS JUDGED
Works / deeds
(Ephes 2:8-10)
We are saved to DO works.
Our WORKS are judged at the Bema
...............................your time line is still at the very bottom of the chart.....................
Continuing on under column 2, you will write: "How Described" on the Visual aid and ask the class how these works were described = gold, silver, precious jewels or precious stones, wood, hay, straw or stubble. Write this on the board as they give it to you. Then spend some time discussing what kinds of works would be gold, silver, precious jewels... etc..
Then write, "How Judged?" and ask: "how are these works judged?" = by FIRE. Write this on the board. Then discuss how Jesus was described in Revelation. Be sure they recall that Jesus had eyes like blazing Fire.....(Rev. 1:14) hmmmmm.
Ask, "what is it specifically that Jesus is judging concerning our works?" They should tell you, it is our MOTIVES for doing the works.... (you may need to refer them to 1 Cor 4:1-5 as a hint). Then write "motives" on the board (or some similar phrase such as "our motives are judged") Spend some time here (3 or 4 minutes or more) discussing motives and what they have to do with a work being declared gold, silver, costly stones vs. wood, hay, or straw. This is a VERY important concept. So discuss what happens when fire is put to Au (gold), Ag (silver), costly stones or wood ,hay, straw .... You might even briefly discuss how gold and silver are refined.... (ie heated with fire and the dross / impurities comes to the surface, is skimmed off... heated some more, etc)....
Then continue on... write "Use of What is given us" on the vis aid and say..." We are not only judged on the motives of our works, but also on the use of some things that God has given us to do these works. What are some of these things?." They should tell you (or you give them some clues and hints so that they will)..... our Talents, our Spiritual gifts, our TIME, our OPPORTUNITIES. Write these on the board as they give them to you and discuss each briefly with emphasis on our use of Time and Opportunities. Have them tell you how these can be used correctly or incorrectly. Spend a few minutes here, also, as this is another important concept.
At about this point in time you can discuss the Servants described in the Parables of the Talents and the Pounds. Point out that they were given time, opportunities, the abilities (money, etc.) to use... discuss such things as... what did they do with these things ... and what was the response of their Master when he returned concerning what they had done with what was given them. Etc. This is an important area of discussion in your lesson... so spend about 5 minutes or so discussing these things. Be sure they see the application to their lives today. Remind them that these are, of course, parables, and one does NOT build Doctrine based only on parables.. BUT that Parables are VERY important in teching concepts and truths. So, let these parables teach us. ...
By now your second column should look something like this:
________________________
... WHAT IS JUDGED
(Ephes 2:8-10)
We are saved to do works.
Our Works are judged at the Bema
How Described? Gold, silver,....etc.
How Judged? By Fire
Motives ! Are KEY !
Use of What is given us.
......Talents
......Spiritual Gifts
......Time
......Opportunities
__________________________
Then.... begin Column 3... which will be written in PURPLE... put the heading of this column on the board as you say it: "WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES "
Then say: "What are the consequences?" What is the result of the judging of our Works and motives for doing them? What will we receive or not receive?
The class should tell you....something like: "Rewards , Awards, Assignments" Write these on the board as they do... (if you have to give them some hints or scripture references, be prepared to do so).
Then say: "Yes, we receive Rewards and Awards... let's look at some of them. You had a long list of scriptures in your homework which talked about these. What are SOME of the rewards that will be received....?
The class will probably begin with the Crowns. IF they do, write the word, "Crowns" on the visual aid and... then begin by saying... "Yes, and there were how many crowns? = 5.... then say let's look at the Crowns.....what are their name?" As they give you the names of the crowns, write them on the vis. aid... and as they give you each one, discuss it briefly as you write it on the board, asking them questions about each crown based on the scriptures they studied.... Don't write down everything they tell you, of course, but do record on the visual aid the name of the crown and to whom it is given.
After you have finished discussing the crowns (spend about 3 or 4 or 5 minutes on the Crowns), then say: "And what other rewards or awards are given at the Bema? And Write "Other Rewards" on the Visual aid. Then say: "We had a long list. For example, what did 2 Tim 2:12-13 tell us? = Reign with Christ ! Write this on the vis aid.
And what else? Go through some of the rewards that they studied... and put several on the board. You do not have to put all of them on the board... but a representative few... such as: (Daniel 12:3) for Soul winners; (Matt 10:42) For those who give to those in need; (Matt 25:23) to servants who administer their trust faithfully and correctly; (Mark 9:41) for those who give to anyone (saved or lost) in the name of Jesus: (Luke 6:35) to those who love their enemies and do good... ; (John 4:36-39) to the sowers and reapers; (Romans 2:6-11 and Ephes 6:8) to those who do good; (1 Cor 3:8) to those who plant and who water; (Col 3:23-24) for serving at your job as unto the Lord.
As you write these various things on the board.... discuss them briefly... don't just write them and go on...for ALL of these rewards / awards are important! Spend about 3 or 4 or 5 minutes on these 'other rewards.' (ie. the rewards /awards that are in addition to the crowns)...depending on how much time you have in your class. (We usually have about an hour and a half for our discussion time, so feel free to adjust your time accordingly based on how much total time you have.)
Anyway, Your 3rd column should now look something like this:
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES
Rewards / Awards / Assignments are given
....................CROWNS:
1. Crown of Righteousness
.........Given to all who long for His (Jesus) appearing
2. Incorruptible Crown (that will last forever)
.........Given to those who run the race and win (not disqualified)
3. Crown of Life
.........Given to those who persevere under trial and stand the test
4. Crown of Rejoicing (Soul Winner's Crown)
..........Given to Soul Winners
5. Crown of Glory
..........Given to Elders, Shepherds of God's flock (pastors, teachers), Overseers (deacons, etc)
.................OTHER REWARDS
Reign with Christ
for soul winners
for giving to those in need
for servants who faithfully administer the trust given them...
for loving your enemy...
to Sowers and reapers
for doing good
for serving at your job as unto the Lord
Now, it is time to begin Column 4... you will want to allow at least 5 or 10 minutes to this column and you need to make all this information, which we have learned about the Bema, practical to our lives today! So, write, IN GREEN, as the heading of the 4th column, SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW?
Then, say to your group: "Well, we have seen that there IS a Bema Judgment coming for ALL believers.. And that includes you and me... and this judgment is going to be based on what we have done with our time, our talents, our spiritual gifts, our opportunities, our money, our ...well.. Our everything......
And, we are going to be judged by The Lord Jesus Christ. And He is going to be looking at our works and our motives and attitudes....and....
So....What should we do NOW in order to get ready for that Judgment????
As the class responds, write their answers on the vis. aid. The class should tell you such things as: "We should run the race to win, throw off every weight, confess sin, check our attitudes and motives, Lay up treasures in heaven, Work as unto the Lord..."
Of course, as each of these responses is given, spend a few seconds or a minute or so, discussing each and emphasing the significant aspects..... by asking questions such as: "what kinds of weights do we need to throw off? How are they pulling us down? Why is it so important to confess sin? What does sin do to our walk with the Lord? What does sin do to our works? How do we lay up treasures in heaven? Be specific? Name some treasures? How do we work unto the Lord? Does this mean at our careers and jobs, too? Explain.
After you have finished this part of your discussion time, your 4th column should look something like this:
SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW?
Run the race to win
throw off every weight
confess sin
check our attitudes and motives
Lay up treasures in heaven
Work as unto the Lord
____________________________
Now, it is time to bring your discussion to a close. I ended by saying something like:
Well, this has really been a Very interesting lesson! We have heard that there was going to be a judgment... and now we know that there really IS going to be one... for US... for those of us who believe in Jesus. And, at that Judgment, our works, attitudes, motives, EVERYTHING will be looked at and tested by fire!
Of course we do NOT want our works to burn up. We want to be able to hear our Lord say to us, Well done, thou good and faithful servant....
So... now that we know that there IS going to be a judgment, we would be wise to start laying up treasures in Heaven.... for the glory of God... and because there are things that God really wants us to do!
So....let's do as Paul said and make it our goal to please Jesus... in all that we do....knowing that we must all appear at the judgment seat of Christ....to receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad..... knowing that each of us WILL give an account of ourself to God.... and knowing that The Lord will bring to light EVERYTHING that is hidden and that He will expose the motives of our hearts.....
It is not God's desire to see our works be burned up when tested by His fire! He would prefer to be pleased with our works and deeds and to reward us.... indeed, He intends for us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world and to do good deeds....because these bring Glory to Him and praise to Him and will bring more people into His Kingdom!. That is WHY God has told us about the Bema. ... so we will know that it is coming and so that we will be better prepared for it, knowing that He IS going to test ALL of our works, motives, attitudes, etc....
We are God's chosen servants. We should serve Him now...and through all eternity as faithful, loyal, and obedient servants. Let's make that our goal and ambition from this moment on. Let us truly make Jesus the Lord of our life! He has saved us by grace....and created us to do good works.... let us do them....For Him.
Then Close in Prayer: My closing prayer was something like this:
"Let's Pray:.....
Thank You, Lord, for saving us... for loving us... and for giving us opportunities to show this love back to you by doing the Works that you assign to us. Help us to be faithful and to not fail you in the trusts you have given to us. We ask you to search us and reveal to us every offensive thing that keeps us from serving you with the correct motives and attitudes. You alone are worthy of all praise, Glory and honor. We love you and want to be your obedient, faithful, loyal, and trustworthy servants now and forevermore. Go with us this week as we go into the various places and opportunities that you will provide us... help us to remember that it is YOU for Whom we are working and not ourselves. And, help us to remember that EVERYTHING You have given us (money, houses, land, jobs, whatever...)... that ALL are Yours and are merely entrusted to our keeping as they were to the servants in the Parables of the Talents and of the Pounds. These things are not ours. We are merely Stewards of what You have entrusted to us. We give You permission to use them and us for Your purposes and glory this week and in all the days, weeks, months, or years which are left in our lives. Thank You Father, for allowing us to be Your Children, Your Servants, Your Ambassadors...... In Jesus' name. Amen.
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Then Dismiss your class as usual..... spending time with those who need it as they leave. And be sure to send an Email or a snail mail card or letter or make a phone call to any who may have been absent. Remind them that we only have 3 more lessons and this course will be over!
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