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Bill Fiess

The doctrine of the Judgment-Seat of Christ may well be the most neglected doctrine in the church today. Yet it is presented in Scripture as the greatest motivation for a believer to live a holy life (II Cor. 5:10-11, I Pet. 1: 13-21). It also provides a beautiful balance between the believer's justification, which is by grace through faith ö not by works (Eph. 2:8-9) ö and the believer's sanctification, which involves faithfulness and obedience and good works (Eph. 2:10). Failure to observe this Biblical balance has brought tremendous confusion throughout the centuries.

 There are basically two judgments mentioned in Scripture with respect to the individual (John 5:29). One is for the believer and the other for the unbeliever.

The Great White Throne Judgment

This judgment is mentioned specifically in Rev. 20:11-15 but is alluded to throughout the Scriptures (Eccles. 12:13-14). It only includes unbelievers (vs. 14-15). Notice that these individuals are evaluated on the basis of their works (vs. 12,14). But all of their works are found wanting (vs. 15; Rom. 3:23) and all are cast into the Lake of Fire. The only means presented in the Bible for obtaining eternal life is faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:17-18; 20:30-31) Thus faith is the condition for being in the Book of Life (vs. 15).