The Judgment Seat of Christ Purpose- Mark 12:10, What is the the Bema?

Jesus Christ Is the Chief Cornerstone: Mark 12:10 

"Have you not even read this Scripture:

Jesus is the cornerstone, the critical, foundational stone, and the "builders" are the religious leaders who deemed him worthless.

Jesus is the capstone, the essential foundational element in God's plan, despite his rejection.

God made Jesus the chief cornerstone, the head of the corner, sitting at the right hand of the Father, of whom we shall all appear before; Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

What are the Nature and Purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ? Understanding the Bema

The judgment seat of Christ in Particular:

A. The meaning involved.

Meaning of Bema: A Seat of Rewards, Not Condemnation

      The Greek word "bema" (translated "judgment seat" in the KJV) was a familiar term to the people of Paul's day. Dr. Lehman Strauss points out that the "bema" seat is a place of reward not judgment: 

Olympic Arena Analogy: How Ancient Greeks Understood the Bema

      In the large Olympic arenas, there was an elevated seat on which the judge of the  contest sat. After the contests were over, the successful competitors would assemble before the bema to receive their rewards or crowns. The bema was not a judicial bench where someone was condemned; it was a reward seat. Likewise, the Judgment seat of Christ is not a judicial bench...

Divine Umpire

The Christian life is a race, and the divine Umpire is watching every contestant. After the church has run her course, He will gather every member before the Bema for the purpose of examining each one and giving the proper reward to each. (Lehman Strauss, God's Plan for the Future, Grand Rapids:Zondervan, pg.111) 

Paul's Athletic Metaphors

Hebrews 12:1 and the Great Cloud of Witnesses

The Apostle Paul seemed to have such an Olympic arena in mind when he penned Hebrews 12:1:

Running with Patience the Race Set Before Us

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1

This amazing human being was many things. He was a missionary, a soul winner, a pastor, a great theologian, a tentmaker, etc. But in his spare time, he also seemed to be a sports lover. Often in his writings, Paul used sports as an analogy to get his point across. For Example:

Wrestling, Boxing, and Racing: Paul's Sports Analogies in Scripture

1. Wrestling (Ephesians 6:12)
2. Boxing (1 Corinthians 9:26; 2 Timothy 4:7)
3. Racing (1 Corinthians 9:24,26)

Here in Hebrews 12 Paul chooses the third analogy --- that of a footrace. J. Vernon Mcgee draws out a number of metaphors:

Four Stages of the Christian Life: Soldier, Believer, Athlete, and Citizen of Heaven

The Christian life is likened to a Greek race. Along the way the Christian:

as a soldier is to stand, 

as a believer he is to walk,

and as an athlete, he is to run.

One day he will fly -- space travel to the New Jerusalem. (Studies in Hebrews)

King Herod's Throne-like Seat in Caesarea: Historical Context for Paul's Metaphor

At the time Paul wrote, King Herod had built a throne-like seat in the theatre in Caesarea (his headquarters) where he sat to view the games and make speeches to the people. 

The Purpose of the Bema Judgment: What It Is and Isn't

B. The Facts Involved.

     Many New Testament verses speak of this (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Galations 6:7; Colossians 3:24-25; Hebrews 10:30).

C. The Purpose Involved.

     1. What it is not.

            The purpose of the bema judgment is not to determine whether a particular individual enters heaven or not, for every man's eternal destiny is already determined before he leaves this life. 

            The purpose of the bema judgment is not to punish believers for sins committed either before or after their salvation. The Scriptures are very clear that no child of God will have to answer for his sins after this life (Psalm 103:10-12; Isaiah 38:17; 44:22; Micah 7:19; Hebrews 8:12; 1 John 1:7).

     2. What it is.

            What then is the purpose of the bema judgment?  In 1 Corinthians 4:2 Paul says that all Christians should conduct themselves as faithful stewards of God. The apostle Peter writes it a similar way (1 Peter 4:10). 

Believers as Stewards: Accountability for Our Privileges and Responsibilities 

            In the New Testament world, a steward was the manager of a large household or estate. He was appointed by the owner and was entrusted to keep the estate running smoothly. He had the power to hire and fire, and to spend and to save, being answerable to the owner alone. His only concern was that periodic meeting with his master, at which time he was required to account for the condition of the estate up to that point.

            With this background in mind, it may be said that someday at the bema judgment, all stewards will stand before their Lord and Master and be required to give an account of the way they have used their privileges and responsibilities from the moment of their conversion. 

God's Three-Fold Relationship with Believers

            In conclusion, it can be seen that:

Past: God dealt with Us as Sinners

         a. In the past, God dealt with us as sinners (Rom 5:6-8; 1 Cor 6:9-11;Eph 2:1-3).

Present: God deals with Us as Sons

         b. In the present, God deals with us as sons (Rom 8:14; Heb 12:5-11; 1 John 3:1-2)

Future: God Will Deal with Us as Stewards

         c. In the future, God will deal with us, at the bema, as stewards.