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We Must All Appear Before the
Judgment Seat of Christ
Bible study on judgment.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well-known to God, and I also trust are well-known in your consciences" (2 Cor. 5:9-10).

To the Hebrews Paul wrote: ". . . it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).

There are many things in life that we can avoid. But, we cannot escape our appearance before the judgment seat of Christ. For people outside of Christ, this is a fearful thought. But for Christians, we look forward to the day of standing before our Lord having been washed in his blood.

What will happen at the judgment? What will it be like to stand before Christ and be judged? What will you do when standing before the Lord in judgment?

After being judged, some souls will enter into the blessed rest of our heavenly Father and some will enter into eternal punishment. Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven with the parable of a marriage feast. At the end of the parable Jesus speaks of the punishment reserved for those who did not respond to the call saying: "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:13-14). In another place Jesus speaks of eternal punishment as the place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.

Punishment of those who are not obedient to the will of God will be greater than we are capable of imagining. There will be "punishment with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (2 Th. 1:9).

Everyone must die. And, everyone must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. But we can all escape the eternal torment of hell through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Peter said: "And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your sojourning here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet. 1:17-19).

Jesus' blood is precious. It is of great value. Because of Jesus and the shedding of His blood, we may escape the eternal torment of hell and live with our God and Savior for eternity.

If we truly understand our impending judgment and the punishment awaiting the unjust, we will diligently seek to contact Christ's blood. And, if we appreciate the extreme value of Jesus and His blood, we will diligently seek after Him. Jesus said: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it" (Matt. 13:44-46).

In one respect, the treasure and pearl of great price are Jesus Christ. Have you sold all that you have to obtain Him as Lord of your life?