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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Rapture - Chapter Two
I ended the last chapter with the challenge to be an over-comer. We are working on the theory that not everyone who names the name of Christ is going to go in the Rapture of the church. The Rapture is only for the over-comers. The Partial Rapture theory basically says this: only the Overcoming Christian will go in the Pre-trib rapture of the church.
The first rapture of the church takes place at the beginning of the tribulation (pre-trib), however, there is also a mid-trib rapture as well as a post-trib rapture for those who did not go in the first rapture. The primary point is this; the bible does not teach that going in the rapture is inclusive with salvation. That is what we have to get out of our thinking. There is no guarantee anywhere that says simply because you are saved you are automatically going in the first Rapture of the church.
Daniels vision of the 70 weeks is what we=2 0base most of our eschatology on. The first 69 weeks bring us up to the Crucifixion of Christ. After the crucifixion is the church age or the day of grace. That is where we are today.
The beginning of the 70th week starts off with the Pre-trib rapture of the church. Then we come into what we call the Tribulation period. In the middle of that period of time there is a mid-trib rapture, and then at the end of the tribulation is another rapture (post-trib).
Immediately following the last rapture is the Second coming of Christ where Christ comes to set up his Millennial reign on earth.
Let’s look at some issues regarding the Tribulation period. One of the things we see in the scriptures is that every time God did something significant He gave a warning to His children. For 120 years Noah preached about the judgment that would come while he constructed the Ark on dry ground, and suddenly 7 days before the flood, God warned him. Lot knew the day before Sodom was to be destroyed. God does set signs in the sky that we can read.
Did you know that when it comes to the Tribulation period it would have been impossible for it to take place prior to the last century? The bible clearly describes a nuclear war during that period of time and obviously nuclear capabilities were non-existent last century. One survey of children revealed that the two things children fear the most is the lost of their parents and secondly, nuclear war. Never before in th e history of man have so many rouge nations had nuclear weapons. Everybody knows Iran is heading in that direction, North Korea has them already.
In the National Geographic magazine, back in the 1970’s, there was an article of a time when our Air force detonated the first hydrogen bomb in the air. Did you know that there is what’s called the Van Allen radiation belt around our earth? It is a revolution of energically charged radioactive particles, trapped by Earth's magnetic field. The belt's presence was confirmed by the Explorer I on January 31, 1958, under Doctor James van Allen of whom the belt was named after.
When the first hydrogen bomb was exploded they had to make sure that it was set off at an altitude to where the mushroom from the bomb would not get caught-up into the Van Allen belt, because that would have circulated radiation around the earth for an undetermined amount of time. If that had happened the Air force said, the sun would have been blotted out, it would have been dark in the midst of daytime, and at night the moon would have looked like red human blood. The tribulation period is not going to be a nice time on earth. Many of the things we are concerned about today are going to happen during this time.
Revelation 6:9-14 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. (10) They called out in a loud voic e, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (11) Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. (this is the mid-trib rapture of the Christians who did not make the first rapture – who have already died as martyrs) (12) I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, (13) and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. (14) The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
Last week I told you that the abomination of desolation is when the Anti-Christ sits in the temple of God and proclaims himself to be God. That happens right in the middle of the tribulation period. Directly after that we would enter into the second half of the tribulation which will have such great distress that it will be unequaled, never to be equaled again.
Matt 24:21-22 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-and never to be equaled again. (22) If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
So our20time line is that of the tribulation period. When the sun will not shine in the middle of the day, because of a nuclear holocaust and the moon will be red like blood. When the Air force detonated the hydrogen bomb the Navy was in the Pacific Ocean to observe the event. When the plane was about to drop the bomb something malfunctioned and the bomb went off much sooner than it was supposed to have. Because of that, it missed the van Allen belt by a very small margin, however the Navy men who were observing this from the ship found themselves needing to run for cover because 40 and 50 pound chunks of ice were falling out of the sky. Revelation 6:13, “and the stars in the sky fell to earth.”
We must keep in mind that John the revelator who had the vision on the Island of Patmos, which became the book of Revelation would have had no idea of what a hydrogen bomb is or nuclear war. I would imagine that 40 and 50-pound chunks of ice falling from the sky, the darkened sky (remember the sun would not shine during this time) would look like stars falling. I believe the revelator witnessed, in the spirit, a nuclear war.
No one knows about that day or hour. The exact day of the rapture cannot be known, not just because God has hidden it from us but because it would be physically impossible.
Matthew 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
It would be physically impossible for the rapture to happen at the exact same hour world-wide. In our world there are always two days taking place at the same time. What is Sunday morning here is Monday morning someplace else. Have you ever flown across the International Date Line. I did once when I flew to Korea. It was quite interesting because I left Korea on a Thursday morning to come home, spent about 20 hours getting home, and yet I got home just an hour or two after I left on Thursday morning. When it was Thursday in Korea it was only Wednesday here.
Even within our own nation we have a several-hour difference. It’s 9:00am here but it’s only 7:00am in California – and it’s already 10:00am in New York, but it’s only 5:00am in Hawaii. However, I have a plan. If we believe the rapture will happen to everyone on the same day. Then that means it will happen in the Orient before it happen here. In that case, we really should work out a deal with the church in Korea. Since they are a day ahead of us we should arrange with some non-gospel preaching church (people who are not going in the rapture anyway) to call us on the day the rapture happens over there. We would have about 24 hours to repent and get ready.
Luke 17:34-35 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. (35) Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.
0A
This indicates two different time zones, some in bed and some working. This also indicates that not all Christians are going in the rapture. Two people in the same bed and to women in the field together indicate a sameness as far as who they are. However, only one of them goes. Jesus is coming back the issue is not really on when he is coming back as much as it is – are we ready for His return. But, what do we have to get ready for if the rapture is inclusive with salvation? Why does the Bible give so many warnings to the church to prepare for His return?
Judgement Seat of Christ
Last week I talked about the parable of the Talents which is mentioned directly after the parable of the Ten Virgins which indicates that not everybody who is in possession of the Lamp (salvation) is going in the rapture. In the parable of the talents those who did good with their talents were rewarded.
Matthew 25:20-21 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things is a direct reference to ruling with Christ in the Millennium. There is no o ther practical purpose of this parable but to prepare us to reign.
In our time-line, it’s after the rapture that we experience the Judgment Seat of Christ. It will take place before Christ's second coming at the end of the Tribulation to establish His earth rule in the millennial kingdom. While the Tribulation is going on here on earth we will at one point go through this judgment. I don’t know if this only happens once or if each group of believers go through it at different times. Keep in mind this takes place in heaven, which means you made it. We don’t have to fear this judgment as far as our salvation goes. This is a judgment of our works.
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.
The Greek word for judgment seat is bema and it means, a step. This is also referred to as the Bema seat of Christ. It’s a raised place mounted by steps. This, to a lot of people, could look devastating to say the least, I mean the picture of us walking up some steps to stand before Christ to be judged is pretty intimidating isn’t it, but the good thing about this is it is for believers only. This is not a judgment of the believer's sins, since we have been washed clean by the Savior's blood, and God remembers them no more.
This is for the works the believers accomplished for God while on the earth, to find out whether they are good or bad. All believers must stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ to receive the things done in the body whether (good or bad), we see by this that there will either be rewards or loss of rewards at this time. The rewards will be given for the believer's Faithfulness to the Lord.
The word (Bad) in Greek is (Phaulos) and refers to that which is worthless in the sight of God, thus it is referenced to the (wood, hay, stubble) which will be burned up by fire, thus a loss of rewards. This is the carnal Christian.
The word (Good) in Greek is (Agathos) This is work done by the believer who's walking in fellowship with the Lord and is controlled by the Holy Spirit. This is the overcomer.
Continuing with the Judgment Seat of Christ. Yesterday we looked at the purpose of the Beam Seat. It is a judgment that specifically looks at our works while we were on earth.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, (13) his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. (14) If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. (15) If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
What do we think these rewards in verse 14 will be? Do we think they are like the kind of trophies we see lining the shelves of earthly champions. Would that even matter to us once we are in heaven? Or are these rewards assignments of rulership in the Millennium? Do you remember how the parable of the talents ended?
Matthew 25;21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
The law of mutual resemblance says this; scripture interprets scripture. Rather than speculating on what the rewards handed out at the Judgment Seat of Christ are – let’s just allow the scripture to interpret itself. According to the parable of the talents, the rewards are positions of ruler-ship in the Millennium and they are according to our works.
1 Corinthians 3 verse 15 talks about a man’s works burning up at the Judgment Seat of Christ. If a man’s works burn up, if what he did on earth did very little to glorify Christ, if his works were made of wood, hay, or stubble, it’s going to burn up, he will receive no rewards, But he himself will be saved. Even the carnal Christian has the hope of eternity but he will not reign with Christ. He did not live as an overcomer. Verse 15 indicates that the carnal Christian is saved because of the mercy of God but he barely escaped the flames of hell because of his lifes tyle.
My grandfather on my Mom’s side got saved on his death bed. Just weeks before he died a minister visited him and led him to the Lord. I loved my grandfather but my most vivid memories of him are of him sitting in the pool hall in Utica, South Dakota, a cigar hanging out of his mouth with smoke wafting upward, a bottle of whiskey by his side, while playing cards with his friends. He was a wonderful man but he was not a godly man by any means, yet he got saved just weeks before he died. When his works pass through the fire, I image most of them are going to burn up – but he himself will be saved. He barely escaped the flames of hell.
However, because his works will burn he will not be given a place of rulership during the millennium.
I believe He will be part of the rest of the dead who did not come to life (on earth) until the thousand years were ended.
Revelation 20:5-6 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. (6) Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection.
Who are the rest of the dead? It’s those who were saved by grace but lived foolishly. They will not rule with Christ however, after the Millennium they will come to life and live forever with Christ. There are many carnal Christians who have already died and are in heaven but being in heaven today does not mean they will come=2 0back and rule with Christ. They will stay in their current state until the Millennium is over.
If we look back at Revelation 20:4 we find it is talking about the martyred saints who were beheaded in the tribulation. They were the carnal Christians who missed the rapture and then proved their overcoming status by dying as martyrs.
Missing the rapture does not mean they were not saved – it meant they lived foolishly. God gives them one more opportunity to gain an overcoming status by dying for their faith. If they prove their overcoming status by dying (beheading) they gain the right to rule with Christ – however, the rest of the dead – those who died as a carnal Christians do not come back to earth until the Millennium is over.
The rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ are meant to provide a powerful incentive for an obedient life today. Once a person grasps the idea of earning a place of ruler ship in the Millennium his whole purpose for living an obedient life on earth today will move from a legalistic perspective to a grace perspective.
Some might say, “didn’t you just state that we have to earn a place of ruler ship? Isn’t that legalism?” Not at all, legalism is an attempt to earn salvation and we are not talking about earning salvation at all. We are saved by grace we are talking about earning a place of ruler ship. It comes down to this; salvation is by grace, ruling with Christ is by wo rks. That is what the whole Judgment Seat of Christ is about.
We either have to accept this theory or we have to say that all the admonitions to live an obedient life are because salvation is earned by being good. If salvation is by grace alone (and it is) then why are we constantly warned about living in obedience to Christ? Why does Jesus give 5 warnings to the church to get ready for his return? What is there to get ready for if salvation is by grace? We are being challenged to get ready for the Rapture – to live a life worthy of ruling with Christ one day.
In light of all of this there’s little wonder that the apostle Paul rigorously disciplined himself so that he would not be disqualified from the reward of reigning with Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (26) Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. (27) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
In verse 27, is Paul preaching works? Is he saying that if he doesn’t live right he won’t qualify for salvation? Is Paul the Apostle saying that unless we beat our bodies and make them slaves we will be disqualified for salvation? Or could it b e that the prize he is referring to is that of ruling with Christ? If he is not referring to qualifying to ruling with Christ then he is preaching a gospel of works.
The word “disqualified” in the Greek word, adokimos which is taken from "bad metals" and denotes that which will not bear the "test" that is applied to them. Bad metals are those found to be base and worthless, and are therefore rejected and cast away. It seems that Paul is referring to the judgment seat of Christ and how his works will pass through the fire. He is expressing his desire to bring his body under submission so that after having preached to others his works will not burn up. Keep in mind that just a few chapters earlier (1Cor 3) Paul wrote about the Judgment Seat of Christ so the idea of being disqualified (works burning up) is still fresh in his mind.
This is a reference to ruling with Christ. Paul was not worried about losing his salvation – he was disciplining himself to make sure he lived an overcoming life. The judgment seat of Christ can be a time of great regret, or it can be an occasion of supreme joy.
The first rapture of the church takes place at the beginning of the tribulation (pre-trib), however, there is also a mid-trib rapture as well as a post-trib rapture for those who did not go in the first rapture. The primary point is this; the bible does not teach that going in the rapture is inclusive with salvation. That is what we have to get out of our thinking. There is no guarantee anywhere that says simply because you are saved you are automatically going in the first Rapture of the church.
Daniels vision of the 70 weeks is what we=2 0base most of our eschatology on. The first 69 weeks bring us up to the Crucifixion of Christ. After the crucifixion is the church age or the day of grace. That is where we are today.
The beginning of the 70th week starts off with the Pre-trib rapture of the church. Then we come into what we call the Tribulation period. In the middle of that period of time there is a mid-trib rapture, and then at the end of the tribulation is another rapture (post-trib).
Immediately following the last rapture is the Second coming of Christ where Christ comes to set up his Millennial reign on earth.
Let’s look at some issues regarding the Tribulation period. One of the things we see in the scriptures is that every time God did something significant He gave a warning to His children. For 120 years Noah preached about the judgment that would come while he constructed the Ark on dry ground, and suddenly 7 days before the flood, God warned him. Lot knew the day before Sodom was to be destroyed. God does set signs in the sky that we can read.
Did you know that when it comes to the Tribulation period it would have been impossible for it to take place prior to the last century? The bible clearly describes a nuclear war during that period of time and obviously nuclear capabilities were non-existent last century. One survey of children revealed that the two things children fear the most is the lost of their parents and secondly, nuclear war. Never before in th e history of man have so many rouge nations had nuclear weapons. Everybody knows Iran is heading in that direction, North Korea has them already.
In the National Geographic magazine, back in the 1970’s, there was an article of a time when our Air force detonated the first hydrogen bomb in the air. Did you know that there is what’s called the Van Allen radiation belt around our earth? It is a revolution of energically charged radioactive particles, trapped by Earth's magnetic field. The belt's presence was confirmed by the Explorer I on January 31, 1958, under Doctor James van Allen of whom the belt was named after.
When the first hydrogen bomb was exploded they had to make sure that it was set off at an altitude to where the mushroom from the bomb would not get caught-up into the Van Allen belt, because that would have circulated radiation around the earth for an undetermined amount of time. If that had happened the Air force said, the sun would have been blotted out, it would have been dark in the midst of daytime, and at night the moon would have looked like red human blood. The tribulation period is not going to be a nice time on earth. Many of the things we are concerned about today are going to happen during this time.
Revelation 6:9-14 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. (10) They called out in a loud voic e, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (11) Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. (this is the mid-trib rapture of the Christians who did not make the first rapture – who have already died as martyrs) (12) I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, (13) and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. (14) The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
Last week I told you that the abomination of desolation is when the Anti-Christ sits in the temple of God and proclaims himself to be God. That happens right in the middle of the tribulation period. Directly after that we would enter into the second half of the tribulation which will have such great distress that it will be unequaled, never to be equaled again.
Matt 24:21-22 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-and never to be equaled again. (22) If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
So our20time line is that of the tribulation period. When the sun will not shine in the middle of the day, because of a nuclear holocaust and the moon will be red like blood. When the Air force detonated the hydrogen bomb the Navy was in the Pacific Ocean to observe the event. When the plane was about to drop the bomb something malfunctioned and the bomb went off much sooner than it was supposed to have. Because of that, it missed the van Allen belt by a very small margin, however the Navy men who were observing this from the ship found themselves needing to run for cover because 40 and 50 pound chunks of ice were falling out of the sky. Revelation 6:13, “and the stars in the sky fell to earth.”
We must keep in mind that John the revelator who had the vision on the Island of Patmos, which became the book of Revelation would have had no idea of what a hydrogen bomb is or nuclear war. I would imagine that 40 and 50-pound chunks of ice falling from the sky, the darkened sky (remember the sun would not shine during this time) would look like stars falling. I believe the revelator witnessed, in the spirit, a nuclear war.
No one knows about that day or hour. The exact day of the rapture cannot be known, not just because God has hidden it from us but because it would be physically impossible.
Matthew 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
It would be physically impossible for the rapture to happen at the exact same hour world-wide. In our world there are always two days taking place at the same time. What is Sunday morning here is Monday morning someplace else. Have you ever flown across the International Date Line. I did once when I flew to Korea. It was quite interesting because I left Korea on a Thursday morning to come home, spent about 20 hours getting home, and yet I got home just an hour or two after I left on Thursday morning. When it was Thursday in Korea it was only Wednesday here.
Even within our own nation we have a several-hour difference. It’s 9:00am here but it’s only 7:00am in California – and it’s already 10:00am in New York, but it’s only 5:00am in Hawaii. However, I have a plan. If we believe the rapture will happen to everyone on the same day. Then that means it will happen in the Orient before it happen here. In that case, we really should work out a deal with the church in Korea. Since they are a day ahead of us we should arrange with some non-gospel preaching church (people who are not going in the rapture anyway) to call us on the day the rapture happens over there. We would have about 24 hours to repent and get ready.
Luke 17:34-35 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. (35) Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.
0A
This indicates two different time zones, some in bed and some working. This also indicates that not all Christians are going in the rapture. Two people in the same bed and to women in the field together indicate a sameness as far as who they are. However, only one of them goes. Jesus is coming back the issue is not really on when he is coming back as much as it is – are we ready for His return. But, what do we have to get ready for if the rapture is inclusive with salvation? Why does the Bible give so many warnings to the church to prepare for His return?
Judgement Seat of Christ
Last week I talked about the parable of the Talents which is mentioned directly after the parable of the Ten Virgins which indicates that not everybody who is in possession of the Lamp (salvation) is going in the rapture. In the parable of the talents those who did good with their talents were rewarded.
Matthew 25:20-21 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things is a direct reference to ruling with Christ in the Millennium. There is no o ther practical purpose of this parable but to prepare us to reign.
In our time-line, it’s after the rapture that we experience the Judgment Seat of Christ. It will take place before Christ's second coming at the end of the Tribulation to establish His earth rule in the millennial kingdom. While the Tribulation is going on here on earth we will at one point go through this judgment. I don’t know if this only happens once or if each group of believers go through it at different times. Keep in mind this takes place in heaven, which means you made it. We don’t have to fear this judgment as far as our salvation goes. This is a judgment of our works.
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.
The Greek word for judgment seat is bema and it means, a step. This is also referred to as the Bema seat of Christ. It’s a raised place mounted by steps. This, to a lot of people, could look devastating to say the least, I mean the picture of us walking up some steps to stand before Christ to be judged is pretty intimidating isn’t it, but the good thing about this is it is for believers only. This is not a judgment of the believer's sins, since we have been washed clean by the Savior's blood, and God remembers them no more.
This is for the works the believers accomplished for God while on the earth, to find out whether they are good or bad. All believers must stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ to receive the things done in the body whether (good or bad), we see by this that there will either be rewards or loss of rewards at this time. The rewards will be given for the believer's Faithfulness to the Lord.
The word (Bad) in Greek is (Phaulos) and refers to that which is worthless in the sight of God, thus it is referenced to the (wood, hay, stubble) which will be burned up by fire, thus a loss of rewards. This is the carnal Christian.
The word (Good) in Greek is (Agathos) This is work done by the believer who's walking in fellowship with the Lord and is controlled by the Holy Spirit. This is the overcomer.
Continuing with the Judgment Seat of Christ. Yesterday we looked at the purpose of the Beam Seat. It is a judgment that specifically looks at our works while we were on earth.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, (13) his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. (14) If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. (15) If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
What do we think these rewards in verse 14 will be? Do we think they are like the kind of trophies we see lining the shelves of earthly champions. Would that even matter to us once we are in heaven? Or are these rewards assignments of rulership in the Millennium? Do you remember how the parable of the talents ended?
Matthew 25;21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
The law of mutual resemblance says this; scripture interprets scripture. Rather than speculating on what the rewards handed out at the Judgment Seat of Christ are – let’s just allow the scripture to interpret itself. According to the parable of the talents, the rewards are positions of ruler-ship in the Millennium and they are according to our works.
1 Corinthians 3 verse 15 talks about a man’s works burning up at the Judgment Seat of Christ. If a man’s works burn up, if what he did on earth did very little to glorify Christ, if his works were made of wood, hay, or stubble, it’s going to burn up, he will receive no rewards, But he himself will be saved. Even the carnal Christian has the hope of eternity but he will not reign with Christ. He did not live as an overcomer. Verse 15 indicates that the carnal Christian is saved because of the mercy of God but he barely escaped the flames of hell because of his lifes tyle.
My grandfather on my Mom’s side got saved on his death bed. Just weeks before he died a minister visited him and led him to the Lord. I loved my grandfather but my most vivid memories of him are of him sitting in the pool hall in Utica, South Dakota, a cigar hanging out of his mouth with smoke wafting upward, a bottle of whiskey by his side, while playing cards with his friends. He was a wonderful man but he was not a godly man by any means, yet he got saved just weeks before he died. When his works pass through the fire, I image most of them are going to burn up – but he himself will be saved. He barely escaped the flames of hell.
However, because his works will burn he will not be given a place of rulership during the millennium.
I believe He will be part of the rest of the dead who did not come to life (on earth) until the thousand years were ended.
Revelation 20:5-6 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. (6) Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection.
Who are the rest of the dead? It’s those who were saved by grace but lived foolishly. They will not rule with Christ however, after the Millennium they will come to life and live forever with Christ. There are many carnal Christians who have already died and are in heaven but being in heaven today does not mean they will come=2 0back and rule with Christ. They will stay in their current state until the Millennium is over.
If we look back at Revelation 20:4 we find it is talking about the martyred saints who were beheaded in the tribulation. They were the carnal Christians who missed the rapture and then proved their overcoming status by dying as martyrs.
Missing the rapture does not mean they were not saved – it meant they lived foolishly. God gives them one more opportunity to gain an overcoming status by dying for their faith. If they prove their overcoming status by dying (beheading) they gain the right to rule with Christ – however, the rest of the dead – those who died as a carnal Christians do not come back to earth until the Millennium is over.
The rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ are meant to provide a powerful incentive for an obedient life today. Once a person grasps the idea of earning a place of ruler ship in the Millennium his whole purpose for living an obedient life on earth today will move from a legalistic perspective to a grace perspective.
Some might say, “didn’t you just state that we have to earn a place of ruler ship? Isn’t that legalism?” Not at all, legalism is an attempt to earn salvation and we are not talking about earning salvation at all. We are saved by grace we are talking about earning a place of ruler ship. It comes down to this; salvation is by grace, ruling with Christ is by wo rks. That is what the whole Judgment Seat of Christ is about.
We either have to accept this theory or we have to say that all the admonitions to live an obedient life are because salvation is earned by being good. If salvation is by grace alone (and it is) then why are we constantly warned about living in obedience to Christ? Why does Jesus give 5 warnings to the church to get ready for his return? What is there to get ready for if salvation is by grace? We are being challenged to get ready for the Rapture – to live a life worthy of ruling with Christ one day.
In light of all of this there’s little wonder that the apostle Paul rigorously disciplined himself so that he would not be disqualified from the reward of reigning with Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (26) Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. (27) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
In verse 27, is Paul preaching works? Is he saying that if he doesn’t live right he won’t qualify for salvation? Is Paul the Apostle saying that unless we beat our bodies and make them slaves we will be disqualified for salvation? Or could it b e that the prize he is referring to is that of ruling with Christ? If he is not referring to qualifying to ruling with Christ then he is preaching a gospel of works.
The word “disqualified” in the Greek word, adokimos which is taken from "bad metals" and denotes that which will not bear the "test" that is applied to them. Bad metals are those found to be base and worthless, and are therefore rejected and cast away. It seems that Paul is referring to the judgment seat of Christ and how his works will pass through the fire. He is expressing his desire to bring his body under submission so that after having preached to others his works will not burn up. Keep in mind that just a few chapters earlier (1Cor 3) Paul wrote about the Judgment Seat of Christ so the idea of being disqualified (works burning up) is still fresh in his mind.
This is a reference to ruling with Christ. Paul was not worried about losing his salvation – he was disciplining himself to make sure he lived an overcoming life. The judgment seat of Christ can be a time of great regret, or it can be an occasion of supreme joy.
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