Crowns
The purpose of the Judgments is for introspection and to confirm the receiving of the Crowns of reward as listed in this section.

There are requirements to collect your reward from God and the main one is that you are a heartfelt repenting born-again believer in Jesus Christ.

Our salvation is based on our confession of Jesus Christ as Lord for the forgiveness of our sin plus nothing.

The crowns are a reward for living a righteous life according to the precepts set out in the Judgments.

Even though a Christian enters into His rest by faith plus nothing it is possible that if we haven’t learned from the judgments we may have regrets or loss of rewards or crowns.
Taking personal responsibility for our Christian walk by making an assessment or judgment of our Christian life will ensure rewards on entry to heaven.

ICorinthians 3:13 each one’s work shall be revealed. For the Day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try each one’s work as to what kind it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he built remains, he shall receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work shall be burned up, he shall suffer loss. But he shall be saved, yet so as by fire. (MKJV)

CROWNS

1 The Crown of life
2 The Imperishable Crown
3 The Crown of Rejoicing
4 The Crown of Righteousness
5 The Crown of Glory
6 The Crown of Patience
7 The Soul-winner’s Crown

1 Crown of life

The Crown of life can be divided into two parts.

i/ Tribulation of a physical nature where pressure is placed upon the believer to give up the Faith.

Revelation 2:10 Do not at all fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the Devil will cast some of you into prison, so that you may be tried. And you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. (MKJV)

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation, because having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (MKJV)

ii/ Temptation that leads to a physical transgression, which is of course spiritual separation from God.

1Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it. (MKJV)

If we overcome temptation and persecution we will receive the Crown of life.

2 Imperishable / Incorruptible Crown

The Imperishable Crown is for those who show the fruit of self-control with things which are not of benefit for the Christian.

1Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those running in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. 25 And everyone who strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Then those truly that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. 26 So then I run, not as if I were uncertain. And so I fight, not as one who beats the air. 27 But I buffet my body, and lead it captive, lest proclaiming to others I myself might be rejected. (MKJV)

Temperance in all things is required because it can lead to the breaking down of the fabric of life and then with further indulgence to the breaking down of the spiritual life too.

Mark 8:34 And calling near the crowd with His disciples, He said to them, Whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, he shall save it. (MKJV)

Not only is it temperance but it is leaving the way we lived life as a non-Christian and taking on the life that Jesus has set before us.

3 Crown of Rejoicing

This crown is for those who no matter what is taking place around them they continue to rejoice in the Lord, for they know their eternal promise and the know the things of this world are passing away.

1Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are you not even to be in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy. (MKJV)

It is for the Christian who does not base their faith on feeling, but on the Spirit and the truth of God.

Psalm126:6 He who goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (MKJV)

Happiness is a feeling which is dependent on a happy thing happening. As we know happy things don’t happen all the time and this can allow disillusionment.

Joy is the key factor because it not based on a feeling but on knowledge of God and His wonders. It is a knowing in your spirit that you will see and are seeing His glory.

Rejoicing now as we walk in this life will mean we will receive the Crown of Rejoicing.

4 Crown of Righteousness

The Crown of Righteousness is for those who have their eyes set on Jesus and keep true to the path that is set before them, not looking back to where they have come from but where they are going.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said to him, No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (MKJV)

Keeping Faith in one God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit is essential. There can be no assimilation or integration with other gods.

2Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day; and not to me only, but also to all those who love His appearing. (MKJV)

As we have looked at Jesus and followed His example we have been changed into His likeness. We are also the righteousness of God in this world and therefore we will receive the same crown as He has.

5 Crown of Glory

This crown relates to the heart of a person. Do they have the heart to serve others?

1Peter 5:1 I exhort the elders who are among you, I being also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. 2 Feed the flock of God among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; nor for base gain, but readily; 3 nor as lording it over those allotted to you by God, but becoming examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, younger ones, be subject to older ones, and all being subject to one another. Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble. (MKJV)

It is for those who point people to the word of God for their answers to meet their needs.

Luke 22:26 But you shall not be so: but the greater among you, let him be as the lesser, and he who governs, as one who serves. (MKJV)

Also what is required to receive this reward is an understanding of submission to leadership, walking in a humble spirit.

Mark 9:33 And He came to Capernaum. And being in the house, He asked them, What was it that you disputed among yourselves in the way? 34 But they were silent. For in the way they had disputed among themselves who was the greatest. 35 And He sat down and called the Twelve and said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all. (MKJV)

Leaders also need to be aware of self so that they can receive this crown. They are not to rule the people like a king, but to serve the people helping them to find the answer which can only be found in God.

6 Crown of Patience

Waiting is a difficult thing but as we wait for the things of God, He will give us strength to deal with waiting.

God is never late and He is never early. He is always on time.

The temptation of not waiting is associated with being undisciplined.

Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which will come upon all the habitable world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly. Hold fast to that which you have, so that no one may take your crown. (MKJV)

The things of the Spirit have been settled in heaven and all we need to do is to conquer our impatience and wait.

Revelation 6:2 And I saw. And behold a white horse! And he sitting on it had a bow. And a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer. (MKJV)

7 Soul-winner’s Crown

The exact term of “Soul-winner’s Crown” does not appear to be in the Bible, but the principle is expressed in these verses.

Revelation 14:14 And I looked, and behold, a white cloud. And on the cloud sat one like the Son of man, having a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand. (MKJV)

We first see Jesus with a golden Crown and the sharp sickle which is the tool of the harvest and the symbol of the end time’s harvest.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he who takes souls is wise. 31 Behold, the righteous shall be rewarded in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner. (MKJV)

The Soul-winner’s Crown is for the wisdom of going out into the entire world and winning of souls.

Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches of wisdom; the foolishness of fools is folly. 25 A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies. (MKJV)

Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man who is a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners. But wisdom was justified by her children. (MKJV)

Luke 7:35 But wisdom has been justified by all her children. (MKJV)

God is well-pleased by the fact that people are being led into the Kingdom. He regards anyone who has the desire to see people saved as wise and therefore they will be crowned now and in eternity too.

8 Final Comment

We have seen from the first part of this chapter it is better to judge ourselves using the word of God as a benchmark to avoid God’s judgment and that if we do that we will receive rewards and not regrets.

Rewards are not here to motivate us to doing things. This should come from the love we have felt from God and the love we feel for Him, plus the desire to let others know about this love.

The crowns are there to show us if we follow the teaching of God that He is well pleased and that if we study what the crowns mean we can have this reward now. They are there to show us the quality of life we can live right now we don’t have to wait to get to heaven.
Jesus said, “I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10: 10 MKJV) The more is abundance in the quality of life.

7. Augustine’s Photocopied Error by Dr Ian Traill

5. Judgment of Self

The lists of Judgments we find in the Bible are not there for man to justify himself, because we are justified in Jesus Christ plus nothing.

This list of judgments is for personal reflection and to help in the regeneration process. These are tools for introspection and meditation with the Holy Spirit.

As mentioned earlier we will look at these judgments in more detail now.

2.1 A Personal Judgment
2.2 A Judgment of our Relationships
2.3 A Judgment of our Conversation
2.4 A Judgment of our Faithfulness
2.5 A Judgment of our Inner Motives
2.6 A Judgment of our Spiritual Condition
2.7 A Judgment of our Works
2.8 A Judgment of the Shepherds

We believe in Jesus and we are going to heaven, but as we see from the list above judgments will still fall upon a believer. The outcome could be reward or possibly regrets. Some are looking for approval or acclamation to feel accepted. Therefore by seeking such notice they hand over to someone else their walk with Christ for assessment.

Have you ever asked questions such as?

1. Is a pastor the best Judge of me?
2. Is my youth leader the best Judge of me?
3. Is a policeman the best Judge of me?
4. Is the judge in the court the best judge of me?
5. Is my boyfriend the best Judge of me?
6. Is my girlfriend the best Judge of me?
7. Is my mother the best Judge of me?
8. Is the lady in the church the best Judge of me?
9. Is my enemy the best judge of me?

• We could have more but that’s not the point.

1. Is God the best Judge of me?
2. Am I the best judge of me?

When you look at this list there are a lot of people who can get in the way of you and God. They may have an opinion or a different perspective, but really that counts for nothing.
Some may want to help, and with all the right intentions, but the problems don’t go away.
Those between you and God need to be careful when entering into your problem area.

They need to ask themselves and you need to know if their advice is based on the word of God.

A. Some come with philosophy and that is not the word of God.
B. Some come with their formula and that is not the word of God.
C. Some come with their rules and that is not the word of God.
D. Some come with their problem and that is not the word of God.
E. Some come with other religious teachings and that is not the word of God.
F. Some come with fortune telling and that is not the word of God.

Hosea 4:12 My people seek advice from their wooden idols, and their rod declares to them. For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to go astray, and they have gone lusting away from under their God. (MKJV)

The advice of the world leads to death.

Proverbs 5:11 and you moan when your end comes, when your flesh and muscle are eaten away, 12 and say, How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised correction; 13 and I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor bowed down my ears to those who taught me! 14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. 15 Drink waters out of your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well. 16 Should your overflowing spring be scattered abroad as rivers of waters in the streets. (MKJV)

This is a warning for all believers to consider but we needn’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. It is important to seek good Godly advice and that doesn’t mean going to anyone in the church, but seeking someone who is more mature in the Lord.

Before you make the decision to ask someone for advice look at the fruit in the person’s life because a good tree will have good fruit.

Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (KJVA)

Once you have sought Godly advice you will find it comes down to you and God alone in your room to find the answer. It must just be you with God and His Word because you are the one who must live with the outcome of any decision.

Warning of putting yourself in God’s hands

If a believer asks the question: “Should I place myself in the hands of God for a judgment or assessment of my life?” The answer is NO, if you do this you are embarking upon a journey of loss, because the judgments are already settled and therefore God cannot change.

If a non-believer asks the question: “If I put my life in God’s hands for judgment of my life will I end up in hell?” The answer is YES, that’s true, if you have not taken responsibility for your sins and repented.

It was settled before the incident in the Garden and it is settled in eternity. What is required is for man to take steps towards responsibility for his or her sins. Then once this has been done repentance is necessary to finalize the transaction with God.

We need to take responsibility now for our Christian walk. We need to let the word of God, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, wash and refresh us.

A good place to start is to become the judge of our own life so that we don’t hand over the responsibility to anyone. Therefore we don’t have to wait for God to make a decision, knowing that God has already done that. The word of God is the mirror for us to look into.

2.1 Personal Judgment

Romans 14:12 So then each one of us will give account concerning himself to God. (MKJV)

We are only responsible to give a report about ourselves and not for others. We will not be required to give a report on other people so we don’t need to do that now either. Therefore we don’t need to talk about others unless we are exhorting, comforting and edifying them.

Discernment is a gift from God and therefore we should treasure the things we discern, taking these concerns to God in prayer and not the world. People only take things to others to build their own support network for self-justification.

We must judge ourselves.

2.2 A Judgment of our Relationships

The Bible is all about relationship from cover to cover it shows us how to get along with our fellow man.

Romans 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? Or also why do you despise your brother? For all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (MKJV)

If you have un-forgiveness and wrong attitudes towards your wife, husband, children, your earthly family, your Christian family or your enemy you will be judged.

Romans 14:13 Then let us not judge one another any more, but rather judge this, not to put a stumbling-block or an offense toward his brother. (MKJV)

An excessive religious fever may cause some to stumble. We need to seek God to help us to be real to people.

Romans 14:15 But if your brother is grieved with your food, you no longer walk according to love. Do not with your food destroy him for whom Christ died. (MKJV)

Attitudes that give the impression we think we are better than others needs to be brought into line.

When people say we need to love the unlovely we should remember we were once the unlovely. This attitude has a smattering of pride.

James 1:26 If anyone thinks to be religious among you, yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is vain. (MKJV)

Vain means a waste of time or a characteristic of false pride or unproductive effort, a fruitless life, which is a vain attempt towards faith. You can be religious by going to church and doing all the things others do but you are wasting your time if your tongue is saying bad things about others.

We must judge ourselves.

2.3 A Judgment of our Conversation

The words we use are important. Do they bring life or are they unwholesome words which are laced with filth and lead to death?

Matthew 12:36 But I say to you that every idle word, whatever men may speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned. (MKJV)

We need to control the tongue and not use words of blasphemy such as using the Lord’s name as a swear word, and not to use swear words in general.

Ephesians 4:29 Let not any filthy word go out of your mouth, but if any is good to building up in respect of need, that it may give grace to the ones hearing. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed until the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and tumult and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. (MKJV)

A person being a whisperer, full of envy, malicious, quarrelsome and deceitful, the Bible states they are worthy of death.

Romans 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; being full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, evil habits, becoming whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, perfidious, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them. (MKJV)

The language we use will reflect upon us. If it brings life to all around us, it will also bring life to us. Inversely, if it is not good it will bring death.

We must judge ourselves.

2.4 A Judgment of our Faithfulness.

As a servant of the Lord and others we need to maintain a life pattern which will be helpful to others. Matthew 25:19 to 45 gives an excellent outline of the faithful steward.

1. Punctuality… keeping to arranged time
2. Reliability… dependability to do what is expected
3. Perseverance… determined continuation with something
4. Responsibility… provide an answer to all
5. Accountability… responsible to give an account to superiors

Our faithfulness is right throughout our whole life. Are we spiritually faithful to loved ones? Are we physical faithful?

We must judge ourselves.

2.5 A Judgment of our Inner Motives

All we need to do to please God is believe in Him who sent His Son calling on the name of the Son for our salvation and nothing more.

He loved us first, we respond to His action with a desire to help others find the way. This is heart-felt unction to function.

2Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive the things done through the body, according to that which he has done, whether good or bad. (MKJV)

We are not to judge others. That is up to God and we need to be careful here. It is God who will look upon our hearts to see what our motivation to do things was. Are we doing things to help others or are we doing things to get man’s approval.

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (MKJV)

We will all appear before Him and everything will be revealed for what it is. Some will hear, “enter good and faithful servant” and others will hear, “away from Me; I know you not.”

We must judge ourselves.

2.6 A Judgment of our Spiritual Condition.

Some have come to the cross of Jesus and repented and then turned and walked away. After some time they have fallen into sin again, losing their eternal salvation. It was paid for once and for all but if the dynamics of salvation are not followed loss will be incurred.

Hebrews 4:11Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (MKJV)

Repeated sin can cause the heart to harden and it makes it more difficult for one to repent and then a fall has taken place.

We are called to read the word of God, talk with God and go to church as a good starting position to work out our faith.

a. Reading the Bible helps us to know what we can do.
b. Learning by listening to good teaching will secure us in our walk with Christ.
c. Talking with God will help to develop God awareness and therefore we will be led by His Spirit.

We need to keep an eye on what we allow into our life because if we allow temptation to be entertained it can become sin and the final outcome can be disastrous.

We must judge ourselves.

2.7 A Judgment of our Works.

We don’t need to do work’s to get to heaven, but we do them because we want to do them. God may stimulate us to do something but it is still our choice.

Are the works we do because we see others doing them and we think that is what God wants us to do?

Some may see programs which were God-inspired for another person or church and some think it’s OK just to copy it.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive the things done through the body, according to that which he has done, whether good or bad. (MKJV)

The work we do should be based on the example of Jesus Christ and by the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is clear from the scripture below that some works will be burnt up and destroyed.

1Corinthians 3:11 For any other foundation can no one lay than the one being laid, who is Jesus Christ. 12 And if anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, 13 each one’s work shall be revealed. For the Day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try each one’s work as to what kind it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he built remains, he shall receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work shall be burned up, he shall suffer loss. But he shall be saved, yet so as by fire. (MKJV)

The most important thing for us to do when looking at a program, which is working in another location, we think that might be suitable for us, is to go to God in prayer.

Our life should be a God-driven life and we should endeavour to follow His leading so our works will not be worthless.
(1 Corinthians. 3:11-15)

We must judge ourselves.

2.8 A Judgment of the Shepherds.

The shepherd or the leader of a group will be judged twice, once for their own Christian walk and secondly for the teaching and the leading of others.

This is a personal judgment for the Shepherd but more importantly the follower too. The follower needs to take responsibility for their own walk with God, because we can’t say as Adam and Eve did, “it’s his fault I’m in trouble”. We need to read the Bible and the Shepherd needs to point us in that direction too.

James 3:1 Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment. (Darby)

The leader will receive a crown when Jesus returns if his or her heart has been true to the calling of God and not self-promoting.

1Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory. (MKJV)

It is not only the words spoken by a leader that are important but their actions. Most people in general only hear what they see.

Hebrews 13:7 Remember those leading you, who have spoken to you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct: (MKJV)

It is how you respond or react under pressure that will have an impact upon your sheep, so all the areas of judgment we have mentioned in this lesson are of double importance to the leader because of the judgment they will receive.

If the leader is leading in accordance with the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit no one has the right to speak against their leading.

We must judge ourselves.

Final word on Judgment

We must judge ourselves and not leave it to another, for others don’t have to live with the outcome. Taking responsibility for our Christian walk rests with us.

God has already set in place His judgments and these cannot be changed. The only thing that can be changed is our standing, whether we want to stay in sin or not. Whether we want to adjust our thinking to bring it into line with God’s word, knowing God’s judgments are final. Our judgments with Godly leading can avert a final destruction or lose under

God’s judgments.

God does not want to judge any of us. He wants us to assess our own condition. Of course He has given us His guidelines to follow.

He wants us to build a life that will not be burnt up in the fire but come out as pure gold. A life built with reflection on the judgments of God, is the life that will receive the crowns mentioned in the Bible and explained in the next post.

We must judge ourselves.

From

7. Augustine’s Photocopied Error by Dr Ian Traill

Judgment of God

As the term implies there is a judgment of God in every action and inaction based on the facts of any situation. This in turn brings about the eternal legal and literal standing of a person and nation.

God has set out the price for any disobedience as we will see in chapter seven. As we look deeper at this subject we will see the judgments and the outcome. Please note, as we look at the eternal outcome or the sentencing based on disobedience or sin, that this could be changed, be it by the individual and/or nations but there are some time restraints.

2Peter3:7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (NIV)

Deuteronomy 32:35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” 36 The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. (NIV)

There are two states we can look at. One is simply the judgment of the law of the land, the other is the judgment of God, but God’s judgment can be broken into five parts.

1 Judgment on sin
2 Judgment of the saints
3 Judgment of the nations
4 Judgment of the sinner
5 Judgment of Self

1 Judgment on Sin

It is the judgment on sin from God that had happened at the beginning of time that changed the whole legal position of man. With Satan’s fall, followed by Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God by eating the fruit, it was only the verdict and punishment that was to be handed down.

Subsequently to avoid the punishment all they needed to do was to take responsibility for their actions by the act of repentance.

God had passed judgment on sin so we can see if man had eaten of the Tree of Life he would never have to face any of his own actions. Finally, he would have no need of God.

2 Judgment of the Saints

Judgment of the saints is to confirm our passage into heaven based on our confession of Jesus as our Lord and God, and with the act of a heartfelt repentance. This needs to be this side of death or the resurrection whichever comes first. It’s too late after death or resurrection. The prayer of forgiveness is the legal requirement to break the curse of sin and death over our life. Remember, we are already legally seated in heaven. That means our new spirit is pure and has no sin, and therefore it can be with God. It will be music to our ears when God says. “Well done good and faithful servants, enter into My rest.” (Matthew 25: 23).

“Judgment of the saints”

Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Also please understand there is another aspect to this judgment, which I have listed below, the judgment which will come upon the believer. Please note this does not affect our salvation, which is purely based on the belief in Jesus plus nothing.

When we talk of the judgment of the saints, who do we mean? We mean all who are in the Lamb’s Book of Life. This list is only a guideline for the Christian walk and not for the purpose of condemnation, for there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ.

A list of Judgments
A Personal Judgment
A Judgment of our Relationships
A Judgment of our Conversation
A Judgment of our Faithfulness
A Judgment of our Inner Motives
A Judgment of our Spiritual Condition
A Judgment of our Works
A Judgment of the Shepherds

The purpose of these Judgments is for personal reflection to aid in receiving the Crowns. (I Corinthians 3:8-15)

3 Judgment of the Nations

This judgment is at the beginning of the 1000 year reign of Jesus in Revelation 20: 4.This takes place after the saints’ judgment and before that of the non-believers!

This is something that could take a lot of explanation and is a very interesting study in itself. But at the moment I will keep it short because it is the judgment of the saint and sinner, which I want to cover in more detail. But let me say every power and principality will have to give an account for its action in the past in regards to Christians and the People of Israel. This will all take place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:1-2 11-12) at the throne of Jesus.

One point, which is very important, is that every action big or small will be judged. Nations need to repent too.

4 Judgment of the Sinner

This judgment is of the unrepentant sinner which means all the unsaved people, those who haven’t called on the name of Jesus. This includes those who say they have lived a good life and they don’t need God.

This is where the non-believer will come to the Judgment Seat. When they approach the throne of God, they will see their own sin. The sinners will be self-condemned and they will look upon Jesus at this point. They won’t hear God say, “Enter.” They will turn and go into the pit of hell and be in torment for eternity.

This happens at the end of the Millennium where the non-believers or sinners will be self-condemned when looking upon God’s holiness and they will see their sins. Also at this time those who have become believers and calling on the name of Jesus in the Millennium will also be judged and given their reward. (Revelation 20: 12)

The White Throne Judgment or the Second Judgment is for those who are not written in the Book of Life. (Revelation 20: 14-15) Another way of saying this is to say it is The Judgment of Self-Condemnation.

The legal position of the saint and the sinner is clearly set out in the Word of God. The saint is literally in the world, even though he or she was acquitted of sin. Their sin has been superseded by what Jesus did on the cross plus nothing. Now the saint is legally in heaven.

The sinner is literally and legally in the world without passage into heaven. Legally they are on their way to hell.

Even though the second or final judgment comes at a later date it could be superseded now by the accepting of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for all mankind.
This only applies to those who are living and those who are born after the first, and before the second resurrection. Once you have physically died without accepting Jesus as your Saviour it’s too late. You don’t have the right of appeal after your death. Therefore today is the day of salvation.

Titus 2: 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (NIV)

Before we can receive the grace of God we are all in the state of fallen man, and under the curse of sin. In the world when you commit a crime and are found guilty, you must pay the price. We deserved the punishment for our sins and to spend eternity in torment. So for us to receive the grace of God someone had to pay and that someone was Jesus.

Legally we were dead in our sins, but Jesus has legally paid the price for our redemption. All we need to do is appeal to God to forgive us. Then we are legally and literally free from our past sins, our present sins and our future sins. This has happened by God’s free gift and the amazing thing is we did not need to do anything to warrant God’s benevolence towards us.

This is the same God from the Garden of Eden, and all Adam and Eve had to do was to say, “Sorry” and God would have forgiven them. But their act of disobedience caused them to harden their hearts.

It was because of this hardening of their hearts that their literal and legal position changed. They were legally and literally in the Garden, but now they were literally and legally outside the Garden. They could not come back into the Garden. Only God could bring them back legally.

Ephesians 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

Finally, on the subject of Judgment, it is easy to see the judgment of the world’s legal system. It is literally and legally on the same plane. Do the crimes, do the time, or live an honest life and stay out of trouble.

On the other hand, the spiritual dynamics of judgment are different. You are literally on this earth, but legally you are in heaven.

It is in the world where we can change our spiritual standing. We need to do our business with God while we are in this life. After death and the resurrection there is no appeal. Your outcome will be sealed by the action or inaction of your free will towards Jesus Christ. If you are a non-Christian, today is the day of salvation. You need to take a step of faith in Jesus.

Man could avoid the final judgment if he would only compare his life to the word of God and be his own judge. God has made His judgment and it cannot be changed after the resurrection of all mankind nor can it be changed in the grave. God is your worst judge.

If you are a Christian you need to use your time on this earth to share the saving grace of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible, so that others do not have to face the terrible Day of Judgment.

“Let’s not be a Church of regrets, but be a Church that gets.”

5 Judgment of Self

Is on the next post.

7. Augustine’s Photocopied Error by Dr Ian Traill

The Precipice – a manual on prayer and fasting.

When we may be on the precipice of a possible fall and our brain is exhausted or we need change in our lives, we will search our hearts for answers and call out to God.  It is the heart that cries out to God for change, in love, hate and a myriad of emotions which are involved in the development of our relationship with God and our fellow man.

All of us have faced challenges whether on a personal level or in a group situation such as the family, church, work and so on, and as Christians we ask God to help us. We may do that by prayer on a daily basis, but in some very difficult or stressful times we may go into a fast to see the hand of God moving in our lives and hearts.

Love is a Choice and a Feeling

God’s love does change when a person becomes a believer, but it does not increase for some and not for others! We will see that there is a difference between the love God has for the believer and the unbeliever.

Choice

In John 3:16, God’s action to love (agapao ) everyone as a prize, and desiring them unconditionally.

Agapao love does not equate to happy. God is not happy with everyone, because not everyone is calling on His Son’s name.

God shows no impartiality in the magnitude of His unconditional agape love. He agape loves us all 100 per cent and you cannot get any more. Agape love is a dear love based on a decision of the mind. God must agape us. Agape love is God’s obligated demonstration of love to all mankind.

John 15:13 No one has greater love (agape) than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (MKJV)

Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love (agape) your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, (MKJV)

Feeling

Phileo in the Greek is to approve, like, sanction; to treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend and show signs of love. God is pure. If we believe in Jesus, God loves (phileo) Jesus (1 John 5:2) and us completely (John 16:27) and we are treated affectionately, romantically sanctioned.

John 16:27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from God. (MKJV)

In John 16:27 the Father’s love is “phileo” in Greek, which is a love with strong emotions, to treat affectionately. God phileo loves us tenderly, because we are committed disciples who love His Son (John 5:20; 11:3; 11:36; 12:25; 15:19; 20:2; 21:15-17).

1Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love (phileo) the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. The Lord comes! 23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 Let my love (agape) be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (MKJV)

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love “phileo”, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent. (MKJV)

Unconditionally obligated, God (agapao) loves everyone in the world. God conditionally (phileo) affectionately loves the believer in reciprocation to the believer’s call for salvation in the name of Jesus. After our adoption by God to become His sons (teknon) by His faith, He then calls us philoteknon which is, dear intimate sons and friends. When we in obedience to His Word follow His direction, He is then well pleased (eudokeō) in us and then He officially grants us authorization by saying, “He is well pleased in us.”

It is the acts of agape love that we should show to the world, but it is by our free will in obedience to His Word, God will be (eudokeō) well pleased in us. He does not say I love you more.

We may grow in a phileo affectionate feeling love towards others we serve and fall deeper in love as time passes.

In John 3:16, God loves (agapao) everyone, but after we responded to His calling His love will change to the demonstrative love (phileo) (John 15:14) as we become His friends and sons (philos and teknon) simultaneously. When we are saved at that moment of our prayer of repentance and consecration at the Cross of Jesus we become His (philoteknos) loved sons. Nothing after our salvation can gain more agapao or phileo love from God. God may at times be well pleased (eudokeō) in His loved sons (philoteknos) as we walk obediently to His Word. We then embark as sons of God to minister to the whole world as special loved believers (1Peter 2:9) but not every believer fits into the five ministry gifts God gave to the Church.