Will we "all" stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ?

 

 

 

Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or * * why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before 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.  

Hmmm.....that's interesting. Paul says that the reason we appear before the judgment seat of Christ is so that "every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." He doesn't say the first thing about determining "worthiness" to appear there at all! Isn't that interesting given what he has to say about attaining unto or apprehending the worthiness to be a part of the out-resurrection from among the dead in [Philippians 3:10-14]?

 

Another interesting thing is the following thought.

How can "all" Christians stand before the son of man at the Judgment Seat of Christ if "all" Christians are not worthy to be a part of the out-resurrection from among the dead which will occur before the event of the Judgment Seat of Christ? Hmmm.

{Please see the Strong's definition for the English word {all} and references to the transliterated Greek term {Pas} at the end of this study.} But generally speaking here is the gist of what  is there.

The word "all" is used in some seven or eight different senses in Scripture, and it is very rarely that "all" means all persons, taken individually.

It is the conviction of this writer that when Paul states "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;" the word "all" does not mean "all" Christians will appear or stand before the judgment seat of Christ at the same time. 

There is overwhelming evidence that Christians who overcome will be accounted worthy to rise and stand at the out-resurrection from the second death and go on to stand before Christ at a judgment called "the judgment seat of Christ" at which point they will be judged and receive their just recompence of reward which each deserves "according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." [Psalm 1:4-6] [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] [2 Corinthians 5:10]

There is also overwhelming evidence that there will be even more Christian's that will not be accounted worthy to rise and stand at the time of the out-resurrection. [Psalm 1:4-6] [Revelation 2:11] [Revelation 20:5-6] But rather they will be hurt of, or held by, the second death until the time of the last great judgment "the judgment of the Great White Throne". If they are held by the second death then they can't possibly be worthy to rise and stand before the judgment seat of Christ because they are twice dead! It is they and a great company of the saved from the one thousand year age of Christ's reign, that we find standing and being judged in verse 12 of Revelation 20.

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

Now we must ask one very important question. If this were a judgment of the un-saved, would their salvation be based upon "their works" or the works of Christ upon the Cross? If you say their works this writer would have to tell you, in response, absolutely not and therefore the Book of Life mentioned in verse 12 can't possibly be any other book than the Lamb's Book of Life and the only thing that really matters to these saved individuals is that their name be written in that book because according to verse 15 "whosoever was not found written in "the book of life" was cast into the lake of fire".

Friend, if you believe you were saved by your own works you are not saved! "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:8-10]

Your works count only after you are saved, never before! That means if you think you were saved by your prayers or your confession or anything else besides the work of Jesus, the Christ upon the Cross then you have placed your faith in your works in vein and you cannot possibly be saved unto everlasting life.

One of the key questions concerning this Great White Throne judgment is exactly who is sitting on the throne of judgment at this time? This writer submits to you that it is none other than Jesus, the Christ Himself and therefore this judgment can also technically be said to be a judgment seat of Christ - it just is not the same judgment seat that the overcomers were judged at one thousand and seven years earlier. 

This is why this writer is convinced that all Christian's will stand at the judgment seat of Christ - only not "all" at the same time.

That said, let us turn our attention again to the Holy Writ.

in [1 Peter 4:17-18] the scripture says: For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

First let me remind the reader that this verse is not referring to being saved unto everlasting life but is rather referring to being saved unto kingdom life which are two very different things altogether. Being saved unto everlasting life has to do with "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved". This aspect of our over-all salvation is also known as spirit salvation for we are born again of the Spirit of God and made a new creature in Christ Jesus if we have believed.

The aspect of our salvation that his verse is referring to is our soul salvation [Hebrews 10:39] [James 1:21] [1 Peter 1:9] which has everything to do with whether or not we will be accounted worthy, at the out-resurrection from the second death and the judgment seat of Christ, to enter into the kingdom of Christ and to rule with Him as Priest Kings during the millennial reign of Christ.

But just as important as determining what aspect of our salvation Peter is referring to is the question in verse 18 and that is "where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

It is at this point that another question must be asked. Can Christian's be considered to be ungodly sinners? And the answer must always be absolutely! Why? Because the Holy Scriptures are chocked full of examples of saved people who lived ungodly lives of sin at certain points of time in their lives. Let's begin with Cain who murdered his brother, how about King Saul or King David and we could go on and on but let's suffice to say that saved people can be considered to be ungodly sinners.

So, "where indeed, shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Well, the Spirit of God gives us the answer in Psalms chapter 1 where we find these verses:

[Verses 4-6] The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in [the judgment], nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

Note: The bracket's are placed there by this writer, not the Psalmist, to emphasize that this judgment is a particular judgment not just any judgment.

First let's get one thing straight - there are numerous judgments mentioned in the Holy Writ. So why would the Psalmist choose to use the terms "the judgment"? It would have to be because the Psalmist had a very particular judgment in mind which was inspired by the Spirit of God.

This writer is convinced that the judgment that the Psalmist had in mind here is "the judgment seat of Christ" at which the overcoming saints of the church dispensation are judged.

 

Why? Well look at the text! "the ungodly shall not stand in [the judgment], nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous."

Can Christian's be considered to be ungodly sinners? Absolutely!

Could this verse be talking about the unsaved? Absolutely not! Why? Because, first of all, we know that without a doubt, the Word of God states, in no uncertain terms, that the un-saved will be judged at the Great White Throne of judgment. [Revelation 20:13-15] So we know that the judgment spoken of in verse 5 of the 1st Psalm cannot be talking about the Judgment of the un-saved at the Great White Throne.

The Psalmist goes on to say specifically at which judgment this is. It is the judgment of "the congregation of the righteous" and there can only be one judgment wherein the congregation of righteous overcomers of the church dispensation is judged and that is at the judgment seat of Christ which occurs just after the out-resurrection from the second death that we find in [Philippians 3:10-14].

Here are the words of Christ speaking to the Sadducees concerning believers who will be accounted worthy to stand up from among the second death at the out-resurrection from the dead {not the rapture}. [Philippians 3:10-14]

 

[Luke 20]

 

20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, (age) and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Note: The word "world" in the original Greek text is "age" not "world". The next age to come is the one thousand year age of Christ's rule over this Earth from the heavenlies above the Earth.

20:36 Neither * * can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Please notice that the context here is a resurrection and not a judgment, {especially the judgment seat of Christ}.   This resurrection in verse 36 can not be the rapture of the Church for Paul makes it clear in [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18] that Christians who are in the grave and those remaining alive at the time of the rapture will arise to meet Christ in the air {Kingdom of heaven}.  Note: There is no split rapture where some Christians will be taken before the seven years of tribulation begins and then sometime later and after great suffering and martyrdom during the Tribulation, the rest of the believers from the church dispensation will be raptured or translated.    Please notice also that Paul says nothing about being worthy to be a part of the rapture. Worthiness for being raptured was bought for us by Christ at the cross. Hence, all we must do is believe what God said about His darling Son in order to be worthy to be raptured. It is part of the free gift of everlasting life and absolutely assured. Period. Now let us take a look at what our Lord said to the Disciples in [Luke 21] speaking of the same resurrection we find in [Philippians 3:10-14]. [21:36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always * *, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Here again our Lord states, in no uncertain terms, that believers must be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man, {speaking of Himself as the Son of Man}, of course.  Please take note that He said "accounted worthy". You see, being 'worthy' of something and being 'accounted worthy' of something are two very different things. Please keep this in mind as we go along for we will revisit this thought later.   Now let's look at the resurrection that Paul refers to in [Philippians 3:10-14]. This writer is convinced that it is this resurrection that Christ was referring to in [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] is the same resurrection for Paul makes it plain that one must be "accounted worthy" to attain unto the out-resurrection from the dead in these verses.   First notice that Paul emphasizes several times that he is striving to attain unto or apprehend the "resurrection from the dead" in [Philippians 3:11] In other words, he is absolutely sure that he must obtain worthiness ("worthy to obtain that 'age' and the resurrection from the dead"). Notice that Paul says nothing about a Judgment and nothing about rewards. The entire context is surrounding the out-resurrection of the dead which is "the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" described in [Philippians 3:14]  Here is wisdom - behold - The mark is not a judgment but is rather a resurrection!

To be "accounted worthy" to rise and stand at this resurrection is dependant upon the 'works' of  every individual Christian. It is the dying to self so that Christ might live through them. It is not the works of the flesh that is so heavily prevalent in our church today. That is why Christ used the term "accounted worthy". Every Christian is accountable for their obedience to Christ their Lord, but that is not quite the entire idea here. We don't want to get bound up in the Law. You see, human beings may do good works and or bad works but God considers 'all' of our works, both the good and the bad, as filthy rags. He places no worthiness upon any of our own works, period. So we must then ask ourselves, how can I insure that I have works that will count for something in God's mind. Surely we must 'do' something! And that is seemingly the problem. We must be patient and wait upon the Lord to send us those trials in our lives so that we may demonstrate that we can get ourselves out of the way so that God may do those things in us and through us that are required to produce 'fruits of the Spirit of God' at the time. It is in God's good time and not when we think it is appropriate or of our own volition. It is then that we must trust God to have "accounted" our obedience to His calling as good works that are "accounted worthy" to go into the making of our wedding garment which is the key that determines if we are worthy to rise and stand at the out-resurrection from the dead or not. Please read Garments Clean and White for a deeper understanding of this concept. When we can get out of the way and let God work through us, only then can it be said that we are producing much fruit for the Lord.

Christ, in the 21st. chapter of Luke makes it plain that one must be "accounted worthy" to stand before the son of man.

[Luke 21:36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always * *, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

Let's look at that verse again but this time let's rearrange the verse to get more clarification of the emphasis that our Lord is making here.

 

Watch ye therefore, and pray always * *, that ye may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man; and to escape all these things that shall come to pass.

 

The emphasis is on being worthy to stand before Christ {at the Judgment Seat of Christ}. Not to be judged and then found worthy after judgment!

Before we move on let us examine another reference to the word stand or "standeth" found in [1Corinthinans 10:12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

This verse could be arranged like the following as well: Wherefore let him that {thinks to, (or) hopes to stand} take heed lest he fall. The emphasis is on the idea: 'to stand up' and the idea that just because one is saved does not mean that you are actually standing but rather that you are fallen. There is the question of being "accounted worthy" that must be addressed.

Do not think that you will be "accounted worthy" to stand up {be out-resurrected} from among the second dead and go on to receive your reward of the inheritance at the judgment seat of Christ, if you are guilty of any of those examples given in [2 Peter 2 and Jude]. However, if we are guilty of any of those things God has provided us a way to be cleansed and set free from those bonds before we have to be held accountable for them after we die, which would be to late then.

[1 John 1:9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Praise God that He has provided a way for us to confess our sins to our High Priest, Jesus, the Christ, so that we may cleansed of all unrighteousness at any time that we choose to pray to seek forgiveness of ongoing sin in our lives.

Now let's look at another example of the use of the word "stand" in [Revelation 20]

[20:12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 

Here we have a very powerful word picture of a group of believers {the non-overcomers of the church dispensation} being resurrected from the second death to stand before God at the Great White Throne of Judgment. Now I hear someone asking: How do we know they are believers? The answer to which is: verse 13 which deals with all unbelievers. And I do mean 'all'.

Notice from where they are resurrected. In the verses of the Holy Writ the Sea is a symbol of the un-godly nations or all nations except Israel, but notice also the mention of death and hell. My dear readers is there any question in our minds that only the un-believer or the un-saved are destined to go to hell {Hades} when they die and pass from this physical world into the spiritual world of death being separated from the grace and love of God for the everlasting ages because they made that choice themselves? 

And notice too that they are being raised from Hades only to find that they are to be cast into the everlasting lake of fire which is the second death; meaning everlasting separation from God because the second death is a metaphor for the idea of being separated from God. For the non-overcoming believer it lasts for 1000 years but for the unsaved or un-believing it lasts for the everlasting ages. It never ends.

God did not make that choice. They did. And they will! Is it not written: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." [John 3:16]

The choice to believe or not is a personal choice. It is our fault if we choose not to believe!

At the point of physical death un-believers are cast into hell for they are already condemned. [John 3:18] The only reason they are resurrected in verse 13 is because God has pronounced that all men will stand at one judgment or the other and God cannot lie. [Matthew 12:36] [Acts 17:31] [Hebrews 9:27] 

Never does the Holy Writ place believers and unbelievers in the same resurrection or being resurrected at the same time. 

Therefore, verse 12 deals with believers {non-overcomers} of the church dispensation [Revelation 2 and 3] and all who were saved during the Millennial reign of Christ. Then verse 13 deals with all non-believers from the creation of man in Genesis to the final destruction of unsaved men and women in Revelation 20:13-15.

There are other resurrections that come after the one that Christ and Paul refer to in [Luke 20 and 21 and Philippians 3] but none of them have the requirement of being worthy church dispensation Christians to have a part in them.

 

For instance, one does not have to be worthy of anything to stand before the son of man at the Great White Throne. The only requirement there is that of rebellion against Christ as Lord and Saviour which is where [2 Peter 2 and Jude] come into the picture concerning unfaithful, non-overcoming believers of the church dispensation.

 

Both [2 Peter 2 and Jude] are addressing examples to warn believers of the church dispensation and both are referring to apostate false teachers of the church dispensation, but they are not false believers as some would like you to think.

There is no such thing as a false believer or, for that matter, a true believer either. One is either a believer or they are not! We leave all of the fuzzy thinking to the liberals of the world. Now there is a bunch that calls good, evil and evil, good!

 These two chapters plainly state that any and all apostate, false teachers of the church dispensation will be reserved unto judgment under the blackness of darkness of the second death for 1000 years just like the examples, provided in those chapters, have been reserved for judgment under chains of darkness unto the great, and last judgment day of the Lord. 

Chains of darkness are a reference to being held by the second death for 1000 years. [Revelation 20:5-6]

Second death simply means being separated from God for a period of time. For non-overcoming believers that time will be for a thousand years and for the un-saved or un-believers that time will be for the everlasting ages.

 

Both chapters [2 Peter 2 and Jude] are more specifically addressing the fact that apostate false teachers are going to suffer the same judgment day as all of the examples of those who have rebelled against God throughout history, saved or unsaved. These chapters emphatically state that apostate false teachers are to be reserved unto judgment at the last day. The only judgment that occurs after the 1000 year reign of Christ is the Great White Throne judgment.

 

[2 Peter 2] states it like this:

2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

 

While Jude states it like this:

 

1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Notice the very similar language in the two verses that we find in [verses 2:4 and 2:9] above. We have the word "reserved" and we have reference to a  blackness of darkness and then we have a reference to the length of time that these saved but unfaithful false teachers will be held by the darkness. The stated length of time is "for ever" but before we get to excited about these words let us understand the translation of the word "ever" from the original Greek text. The word "ever" is not a reference to the 'everlasting ages' or 'age after age after age' and so on. Rather this word "ever" is a word meaning 'one age'. There are two ages referred to in the Holy Scriptures. The first age is the 'Age of Man' and the duration of the 'Age of Man' is six, one thousand year, days. To understand this concept one must understand what the Apostle Peter had to say about this subject in [2 Peter 3:8]  But, beloved, be not * * ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Therefore, the length of time, from the time of the redemption of our domain, in creation, [Genesis 1] to the last day of the 'Great Tribulation', will be {6 one thousand year days} six thousand years. Or, according to Peter, six days from God's perspective. That would leave only one 1000 year day or one thousand years to fulfill the "Day of the Lord" and that is the last 1000 year age. It is the next age just out ahead of us. Thus, the word "ever" in the context that it is used in [2 Peter 2 and Jude] is a one thousand year length of time. So the second age, which is also the last age, is the 'Lords Day'. It's duration is one thousand years. The word "ever" is referring to this particular one thousand year age according to the context of the verse.  One thousand years is a very long time for the saved but un-faithful false teachers to be held by the darkness of the second death. The only judgments to be convened after that point is the judgment of the saved from the tribulation period [Revelation 20:4] and the Great White Throne Judgment. [Revelation 20:11-15] The judgment of the saved but un-faithful, both small and great, can be found in [verse 12 of Revelation 20] which is after the 1000 year day of the Lord. Please read: The Mystery of the Second Death , and The Second Resurrection for more information concerning the Great White Throne judgment. Now I can hear someone saying: but haven't we been taught all of our lives that the saved will not be judged at the Great white Throne Judgment? The answer to which can only be that we were warned throughout Scripture to beware the words of false teachers. Have we not lived our whole lives during the Laodicean Church period? What did Christ have to say to the Laodicean Church?  Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest *, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Let's back up to Jude to see what Enoch had to say.   1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Among them who? All!    All of the saved but ungodly, un-faithful believers and the un-saved un-believers, all un-confessed sinners alike, at the Great White Throne judgment! Is it not written that they would have their part with the hypocrites?

 

In [2 Peter verse 2:17] above, the context is describing the next age to come, which is the 1000 year day of Christ. The verse is describing the state of second death.

Both overcomers and non-overcomers alike will experience the second death since the term second death is a term that is a metaphor for being separated from God for a period of time whether it be for the moment of a twinkling of an eye or for the everlasting ages.

But which Christians will be hurt of - or held by - the second death? The overcomers or the non-overcomers? Christ in [Revelation 2:11] says: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. " Which means that those of the church dispensation who do not overcome obviously will be hurt of the second death. 

 

John, the revelator, in [Revelation 20:6] says this: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

 

Now these believers, "that hath part in the first resurrection", are the martyrs from the seven years of tribulation and therefore they will not be part of the body of believers that will make up the body of Christ (the Church) nor the body of  the bride of Christ from the church dispensation for that dispensation and it's resurrection have come and gone by the time that this "first resurrection" happens. This is the first resurrection to occur since the church dispensation ended and the Millennial reign has begun.

 

These believers will assist in the rule and reign over the terrestrial and therefore the Earthly portion of the kingdom of Christ for 1000 years. But, the fact remains that the second death had no power over these overcomers and that is the point. They are given crowns and what made them worthy to receive those crowns? Certainly not the proceedings which are occurring at their judgment! They are already accounted to be worthy to receive those crowns! They did not have to appear at that judgment to determine if they were worthy! According to John the revelator they were already deemed worthy to appear at that judgment.

Is there anything said about non-overcomers being at that judgment? No? Well, isn't that a bit strange to you kingdom believers out there who think non-overcomers are going to be worthy to appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ? After-all, if we know anything about human nature, there are bound to have been some believers who will go through the seven years of tribulation but will not overcome. Where do you suppose they are if they are not at this judgment? Let us not look to our own understanding but rather the Word of God tells us very plainly in verse 5 where these non-overcomers are.

"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. 

 

Those who are hurt of the second death are held under it's power for 1000 years, hence they are reserved under the power of blackness of darkness for a judgment that can only come 1000 years later. And that judgment can only be the Great White Throne Judgment for those, from the Church dispensation or from the tribulation period, who are hurt of the second death!

 

We know that non-overcoming believers from the seven years of tribulation and believers from the 1000 year reign of Christ will have to stand in judgment after the millennial age is over. Is it not written "it is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgment"? [Hebrews 9:27] Is the term judgment plural here? No! All men are appointed to stand at one judgment or another. Is it not written: "But every man in his own order:" [1 Corinthians 15:23] None will be judged more than once according to the scripture.

 

Why is it such a stretch of the mind that apostate Christians from the church dispensation should have their part with the hypocrites and stand in front of Christ at the time of the Great White Throne Judgment? Is it possible that our modern day preachers are coddling their congregations in unfettered attempts to keep their poor ears from the harsh truth that they are going to be held accountable for their ungodly living?

 

The resurrection of [Revelation 20:12] is the place where apostate unfaithful Christians from the church dispensation, and the 1000 year reign of Christ will stand for their judgment. They are not worthy to stand before Christ prior to that time period.

 

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. [Revelation 20:12]

 

We know that these are believers because judgment begins with the house of God, first of all [1 Peter 4:17-18] and this is the very commencement of the Great White Throne judgment.

 

Then, secondly, there is a book that is present here that is of utmost importance for all who stand at this judgment. It is the Lambs book of life. It is only the saved that have their names written in the Lambs Book of Life and believe you me; if I were to be standing in this throng of believers I would most certainly be happy to see the presence of that book.

 

Now someone asks, how do we know it is the Lambs book of life? The KJV English text only says that it is the Book of Life. 

OK. let's see if we can reason or think this through. Does it make any sense that this book might be the book of soul life. No, and here is why. If a believer is granted Soul life they are worthy to stand up out from among those who have been held by the second death and go on to receive their reward of the inheritance of ruling and reigning with Christ in the heavenlies for the duration of the Millennial reign of Christ and then throughout the everlasting ages beyond [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] and [Philippians 3:10-14] [Revelation 22:5] and that happens (for believers from the church dispensation and from the tribulation period) before the 1000 year reign of Christ and before the Great White Throne judgment.

 

Soul life or Soul salvation means that the Soul has been saved! But, the apostates that will be hurt of the second death will not receive Soul life. Soul salvation is attained at the out-resurrection from among the second dead [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] and [Philippians 3:10-14] for those of the church dispensation and then later in verse 5 of Revelation 20 for overcomers of the tribulation period.

Soul life for the purposes of ruling with Christ is out of the question and past for non-overcomer church dispensation believers! They will be found un-worthy to stand before the son of man at the Judgment Seat of Christ. [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] and [Philippians 3:10-14]

 

No believer who is resurrected after the out-resurrection from the second death of [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] and [Philippians 3:10-14], which occurs just after the rapture of the Church, will ever have a hope of being a part of the Bride of Christ and rule with Christ, as a part of her body, in the heavenly kingdom of Christ. 

The dispensational time period for finding a bride for Christ is past by this time so it has to occur during the church dispensation and is manifested in the kingdom of the heavens just after the rapture of the Church.

The resurrection of [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] and [Philippians 3:10-14] is where the body of the Bride is removed from the body of Christ the last Adam. That is the whole purpose for the dispensation of the church! The Holy Spirit was sent to find a bride for Christ just as in the type when the servant of Abraham was sent to find a bride for Isaac. 

 

It will happen only once in history according to the example or type that God has provided in the removal of the body of Eve from the body of Adam when God put him into a deep sleep just prior to Eve being removed from the first Adam's body. That deep sleep was a type of the second death and Eve's removal from Adam at that time is a type of the out resurrection of the Bride of Christ from the body of Christ {the Church} which is referred to in [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] and [Philippians 3:10-14].

Do you not now believe that all Christians will have to experience the second death? Was  the body of the first Adam not put to sleep in the type? Yes? So too then will the body of the last Adam {the Church} be held in the dark sleep of the second death while the body of the bride of Christ is removed just after the rapture of the Church. Hence, we know equally well that not all Christians will be hurt or held by the second death.

 

The Apostle Paul said it like this:

 

[1 Corinthians 15:51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all * * sleep, but we shall all be changed,

 

Indeed "all" shall not sleep {be held by the second death} but we shall "all" be changed only, not at the same time. 

Notice that Paul said "we".

Some believers will be changed at the time of the out-resurrection from the second death referred to in [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] and [Philippians 3:10-14]. and then afterwards those church dispensation believers who stand up at the sound of the last trumpet, [Revelation 20:12] to be judged at the Great White Throne, will be changed to prepare their bodies to go into the new Heaven and the new Earth; for their names will be found in the Lambs Book of Life. [1 Corinthians 15:42-55] Hence, they shall have 'all' been changed but not 'all' at the same time.

 

For more study on the last resurrection at the sound of the last trumpet please read The Second Resurrection. For more on the study of the second death please read The Mystery of the Second Death .

 

But let's get back to the subject matter of the Book of Life. 

Could this book be the book of physical life wherein is written the names of all who were ever born or aborted? The resurrection that these church dispensation believers in [Revelation 20:12] have experienced is the resurrection wherein the body of each and every believer present has been changed from corruptible to incorruptible. [1 Corinthians 15:53-54]

That body will be a body just like Christ's body when He was resurrected from the grave. Now I ask - why would a book that is concerned with corruptible, physical bodies like ours or like Adam's, be present at this judgment? The answer is obvious. It is not the book of physical life. It is rather the Lamb's Book of Life.

 

But we don't really have to rely upon our own reasoning to know which Book of Life that [Revelation 20:12] is referring to. Why? Because the Word of God tells us which Book it is in [Revelation 20:15] and these verses use the very same English terminology as verse 12 which is the verse in question.

 

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. [Revelation 20:15]

 

Only the saved have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life and that has been so from the foundation of the World. Therefore, since everlasting life is the context of this verse and the following verses then the Book of Life being referred to here is the Lamb's Book of Life.

 

The Lamb's Book of Life is not referred to, as such, but two times in scripture. As we will see from the context (everlasting life) of each of the following verses, the Lambs Book of Life has to be the same book as is referred to in [Revelation 20:12] and [20:15] .

 

[Revelation 13:8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

 

The one being worshipped in this verse is the anti-Christ.

 

[Revelation 21:27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 

The "it" in this verse is the city of New Jerusalem; the everlasting home of the Bride of Christ and even though many believers may "enter into" the city throughout the ages to come, yet none my enter therein never to go out again, but the Bride of Christ. [Revelation 3:12]

But to help us see and believe that the book referred to in [Revelation 20:12] is the Lamb's book of Life, there is one other verse in the scripture wherein this book is only referred to as the Book of Life and again the context is everlasting life.

 

Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was *, and is not, and yet is.

They that dwell on the earth referred to here are the unsaved and by this time they have sadly been deceived by the workings of the anti-Christ beyond any turning back. They will receive the mark of the beast, be resurrected from hell and be cast into the lake of fire at the Great White Throne of Judgment, damned forevermore; for their names, never were, are not, and never will be, written in the book of life referred to here, which is identified by the context as the Lambs book of Life.

Brethren, let us pray for those who we know that have never believed on the Lord Jesus. Many of those are our relatives and friends and I know that none of us would wish everlasting damnation upon anyone, much less our relatives and friends. But if they never come to a saving belief in Christ Jesus that is what is going to happen to them just as sure as you are sitting here reading these words.

Let us also pray that we can, with the Lord's help, overcome the World, the flesh, and Satan. It is our blessed hope that we will appear in Christ's kingdom at the rapture of the church, in clean and white garments that will make us worthy to attain unto the out-resurrection from the second death and at that point go in to stand before the Christ at the Judgment Seat to receive the reward of our inheritance. 

Those garments must be clean and white or at least have very few blemishes or spots in order for our souls to be considered worthy to go into the marriage supper of the Lamb. [Luke 20:35-36] and [Luke 21:36] and [Philippians 3:10-14]

It is not the Judgment Seat of Christ that determines our worthiness to stand up in anticipation of rewards at the judgment seat of Christ; but rather, it is whether we appear at that great gathering in the air {the clouds} dressed appropriately, clothed in garments clean and white, that determines our worthiness to stand up out of or from among, those that remain held by the second death for 1000 years.

How odd it sounds that one must participate in the judgment seat of Christ in order to determine ones worthiness to be judged at the judgment seat of Christ. From where in the Scriptural types is this idea foreshadowed. From what verses does this idea spring forth? Indeed, it comes from men's imaginations and traditions!

If this is the case then how is it that the entire Chapter of Hebrews describes a whole host of the faithful who are already accounted worthy to stand at their judgment to receive their rewards of the inheritance? Is it said of any of those faithful in [Hebrews 11] that they ever stood at a judgment in order to determine whether they were accounted worthy to receive their rewards? No? Then how is it that the Scripture describes how they were found worthy? Is it not by report?

[2] "For by it the elders obtained a good report." Let's look a little further.

[4] "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh (5731) ." 

Who testified? God? {The Greek word for 'testify'" here could also be translated 'gave a good report'} God reported Abel's worthiness.

[5] "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Here we find the same Greek word for testimony.

God reported that He was pleased with Enoch. 

[7] "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." 

One does not become heir of the righteousness which is by faith without a good report from God Himself.

In another place the Scripture reveals that fear is the beginning of wisdom. It is 'experiential' wisdom that allows us to believe God, to have faith in what God tells us in His Word. It is our experience of running the race of faith that allows us to 'obtain the good report' which is the testimony of God that we have been faithful during this life that we live out on this earth. It is by that report from God that we are made heirs of the righteousness which is by faith.

The good report is determined during this time of running the race. It is the faithful running of the race and the good report, that is the thread and needle which is needed to create the clean and white wedding garment that is granted to the wife of Christ in [Revelation 19:7-8].

Please notice that the fine linen of the wedding garment is referred to as the righteousness of saints or the righteous acts of the saints.

Worthiness is not determined at the judgment seat of Christ nor at any other judgment. What is determined at the judgment seat of Christ is the just recompense of rewards; not whether we will be accounted worthy to stand at the judgment seat of Christ. Worthiness has already been determined prior to the judgment seat.

In fact worthiness to stand up at the out-resurrection from among the second dead  and thus deliverance from the second death has also been determined prior to the rapture of the Church. How do we know this? Let's look at [verse 7] again. We can shorten this verse down so that we may focus on the parts of the verse that will help us determine when Noah became worthy or became heir of the righteousness or the promise of kingdom life.

 "By faith Noah,.....moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; .....became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." 

It was when Noah prepared the Ark that he became heir not at some judgment after his life was over! In fact if we look closely at each one of these reports of our hero's of 'the faith' we immediately see that the worthiness of none of these "elders", as the writer of Hebrews calls them in [verse 2], was obtained at some judgment after their deaths but rather was obtained during their lifetimes upon this Earth.

And yet, commentary after commentary, time after time will try to teach us that worthiness to obtain the inheritance is determined at the judgment seat of Christ! 

There is not a shred of evidence anywhere in Scripture that supports this assumption by the traditional commentators. 

When one wins a race does all of those that lost the race appear with the one who won the race when he receives his crown? Right! Not hardly!

For more study on the subject matter of the garments please read Garments Clean and White.

It is my hope that this short study has been a catalyst to those of you who have taken the time to read it. As always it is my hope that these studies will be used of God to stimulate our efforts to grow closer to our Lord and Saviour and be washed in His Word.

 

May the Lord bless and keep you, AMEN

 

{* *}

 

 

Strong's Number:   3956  Browse Lexicon  Original Word Word Origin pa'߼/FONT> including all the forms of declension Transliterated Word TDNT Entry Pas 5:886,795 Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech pas    Adjective  Definition individually each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything collectively some of all types ... "the whole world has gone after him" Did all the world go after Christ? "then went all Judea, and were baptized of him in Jordan. "Was all Judea, or all Jerusalem, baptized in Jordan? "Ye are of God, little children", and the whole world lieth in the wicked one". Does the whole world there mean everybody? The word "all" is used in some seven or eight senses in Scripture, and it is very rarely that "all" means all persons, taken individually.   The words are generally used to signify that Christ has redeemed some of all sorts-- some Jews, some Gentiles, some rich, some poor, and has not restricted His redemption to either Jew or Gentile ...    King James Word Usage - Total: 1243 all 748, all things 170, every 117, all men 41, whosoever 31, everyone 28, whole 12, all manner of 11, every man 11, no + (3756)&version=kjv 9, every thing 7, any 7, whatsoever 6, whosoever + (3739) + 302 3, always + (1223) 3, daily + (2250) 2, any thing 2, no + (3361) 2, not translated 7, miscellaneous 26

KJV Verse Count  Matthew 121 Mark 64 Luke 140 John 60 Acts 156 Romans 61 1 Corinthians 73 2 Corinthians 43 Galatians 15 Ephesians 37 Philippians 30 Colossians 31 1 Thessalonians 18 2 Thessalonians 14 1 Timothy 22 2 Timothy 18 Titus 11 Philemon 2 Hebrews 44 James 11 1 Peter 15 2 Peter 7 1 John 24 2 John 2 3 John 2 Jude 3 Revelation 51 Total 1075