More DEEP Week thoughts

Hello all, in light of my two previous posts regarding DEEP Week, I have been receiving requests to discuss further the Bema judgement, the rewards thereof, and where all of this can be found in Scripture. So here goes...

The word "bema" (pronounced bay'muh) is a Greek word meaning judgement. It is used by the Apostle Paul when he explains one of the events that will occur for all of the members of the church of Jesus Christ when they arrive in Heaven (2 Cor. 5:10). The concept of the Bema Seat comes from the ancient olympics where a judge would sit on the Bema Seat at the finish line. The judge's purpose was to determine what position the runners came in - first, second, and so on-and then to give out the appropriate rewards. That is the imagery behind what is known as the Bema Seat.

We understand that this particular judgement is not punitive in nature because we know that our salvation comes by Christ's death and our faith in His shed-blood alone. The salvation judgement (or punitive judgement) will come in the form of the reading of the names from the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 21:27) Therefore, we understand that this "Bema", as Paul called it, is not something that will be used to condemn us. After all, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1), but rather, the Bema will be an opportunity for Jesus to take a measurement of the deeds done while in the body, whether good or bad, to reward us accordingly.

A description of what this "Bema judgement" will look like can be found in 1 Cor. 3:12-15. This is the point at which the DEEP Week material stopped providing information regarding the Bema, per se, and moved toward life application of the concept of having such a measurement of one's deeds...which has left several to ask me the question:

What kinds of crowns will be rewarded to us from the Bema?
Well, I'm glad you asked. There are actually five different crowns to be awarded that day. Here is some information on them:

1. The Crown of Righteousness
This crown will be given to those who have lived a good and righteous life for God.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

I believe there are two perspectives of the word "righteousness" in the Bible. The first perspective is that we have now all been made righteous before God the Father as a result of Jesus dying on the cross for all of our sins. The righteousness of Jesus has now been imputed to us.

However, the second perspective of the word righteousness refers to us living a good and righteous life for God the Father with what time we still have left down here. There are Christians who are righteous before God the Father as a result of being saved through the blood of Jesus Christ - but they are not living righteous lives in their actions, words and behaviors.

No one is perfect. We all have our character flaws, weaknesses, and certain temptations that we have a hard time in dealing with. God is not looking for total God-perfection, but He does call for our obedience.

The Bible says that all men have sinned and have fallen way short of the glory of our God. But what God does want from each one of us is at least some kind of concerted effort to try and live our lives "right." Clinging with the utmost obedience unto scripture. That is "righteous" living. We all know right from wrong! God just wants each one of us to choose to do the right thing when faced with the opportunity to stray from Him. While there is grace for those who sin, there is the crown of righteousness for those who, in large part, do not.

2. The Incorruptible Crown
Bible scholars feel this next verse implies that some will be given what could be considered a "victor’s crown." And this crown is called incorruptible. The New King James Version calls it an "imperishable" crown - the Original King James Version calls it an "incorruptible" crown. Either way, it will be a crown that will last for eternity.

The subtitle of this passage in the New King James Version is called "Striving for a Crown." The apostle Paul goes on to state that those who run in any kind of a race, all run with the goal of obtaining some kind of prize. He then goes on to state that those who run a race in order to win the prize are temperate in all things. In other words, there is a lot they have to give up in order to be in proper condition to run that race.

Professional athletes are a good example. They have to go through training camp to get ready for the season. They have to watch their diets and weight in order to be able to successfully compete in the sport they are in. They have to give up a lot of their social life in order to stay in good shape. In other words, they do not live normal lives like the rest of us do.

Paul then goes on to state that the people who run in these types of races and are forced to be temperate in the way they live their lives, all do it to obtain a perishable crown. Paul then tells us that we should all run the race of this life to receive what will be an incorruptible or imperishable crown that obviously can only be given by God the Father in heaven.

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an IMPERISHABLE CROWN. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

The point to get is that God calls some people to do things that will require some sacrifice and temperance in the way they will live and conduct their lives. I believe God is telling us in this passage that if He does put this kind of special call on your life that will require you to give up many of the normal things of this life - that you will be greatly rewarded for this sacrifice once you enter into heaven. This verse also seems to be implying that these people will also receive this imperishable crown for the sacrifices they were willing to make for God in order to successfully complete the call and mission God had called them to do.

Bottom line - run whatever race or call that God has set out for you. Run that race with certainty, purpose and intensity. Run that race to win. Run that race to be the best you can be for God at the position that He has called you to be on His team. Be willing to make whatever sacrifices it may take to successfully complete the mission and call God has set out for you. If you are willing to do this for the Lord, you just may receive an "incorruptible victor's crown" for going the extra mile for God and accomplishing for Him what many Christians would be to lazy to shoot for.

3. The Crown of Life
This next crown has been called by many the "martyr's crown." Jesus Himself says that He will give this crown to those who undergo severe hardship, testing, tribulation and/or physical death on His behalf.

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the CROWN OF LIFE." (Revelation 2:10)

The Bible doesn’t say anything about whether or not these 5 crowns are ranked in any way as to which is greater. However, if they are ranked in any way by God the Father in heaven, then I believe there is a very good chance that this next crown will be ranked #1 out of the 5 crowns available to all believers for special service.

I do not think there is any question that being willing to die for your faith in God and Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice! It is the greatest act of bravery and courage that you can show God the Father. And I believe that all of the Christians who have been martyred for their faith in God and Jesus throughout history will be given this crown of life.

As an aside, I've also wondered if this verse may be applying to all of the soldiers, policeman, firemen, etc. who have lost their lives in a combat situation for either our country, fighting to save someone from a burning fire or a policeman trying to save someone else’s life. I believe there is a very good chance that this verse does apply to all Christian men and women who have lost their lives trying to save someone else.

Jesus says that when you are trying to do something to help out the least of your brother and sisters, that you are doing it also unto Him (Mt. 25:40). If that is the case, then I believe God the Father will be honoring each of these men and women’s death as a true martyr’s death, and thus will be rewarding them accordingly once they enter into heaven.

4. The Crown of Rejoicing
This next crown has been called the "soul winner's crown." The apostle Paul is calling those that he has saved his "joy" and his "crown of rejoicing." The word "crown" seems to be implying that God will be giving a crown to those who have been instrumental in getting other people saved and led to Him through the blood of His Son.

"For what is our hope, or joy, or CROWN OF REJOICING? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy." (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

If you compare this level of service with some of the other levels that will be rewarded with crowns, there is no doubt in my mind that God will be rewarding those who will try and get others saved with this special crown.

As I have said numerous times in my other posts, working for God to try and get other people saved is the greatest thing that you can do for another person while living here on this earth. When you get someone else saved and brought to the Lord - you have just been the vessel used by God to give that person eternal salvation and eternal life.

The Bible does not say how many people you actually have to be instrumental in getting saved in order to be able to receive this crown. My guess is that it will be relative. God will simply be judging you by your willingness and desire to be used by Him to witness to others.

5. The Crown of Glory
This next verse is telling the elders of the church to "shepherd" the flock of God. Shepherds lead the flock into the ways and knowledge of God. They are teachers. These could be the Sunday school teachers, the pastors and ministers who teach the Word of God in their ministries or people appointed by God into the office of a teacher. I also believe, however, that this crown will be awarded to those lay people who chose to use their influence and resources in a way that consistently benefits God's flock. Here's the verse:

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the CROWN OF GLORY that does not fade away." (1 Peter 5:1-4)

I believe God will be giving His teachers and shepherds this crown due to the extreme importance of bringing up others into the knowledge and ways of God. Once you get saved, this is just the beginning. God wants you to grow in His knowledge and grace by serving Him and studying the Bible to become as much like Him as you possibly can be.

I believe God is always calling people to use as teachers and shepherds to help care for His flock...and perhaps even you...God can lead just a few people for you to work with on a one-on-one basis or an entire church...once again, I think the numbers will be relative in the eyes of Christ.

I hope this clarifies a few things and shows you where all of this can be found in scripture. In the meantime, grace and peace to you.