FULLVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH WEDNESDAY NIGHT 6:00 P.M.

BIBLE STUDY REVIEW- The Church- the Rapture-Rewards- New Kingdom

What Is the Church? The church can be understood in two ways: the visible and the invisible. The visible church is comprised of all who claim the name of Christian and who gather together for worship and participation of the sacraments: the Lord's Supper and Baptism. The visible church contains both believers and non-believers. In other words, there are people in the visible church who are not really saved.

What Is the Church? The members of the invisible church are the actual body of believers who are truly regenerate and have trusted, by faith, in the true Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The true Christian is indwelt by the Lord Jesus (John 14:23) through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Christian church is figuratively said to be the body of Christ. (Rom 5:12; 1 Cor 12:13)

WHY RESURRECTION OF THE BODY? The scheme of human redemption necessarily embraces the resurrection of the human body. Its provisions extend to the body, as well as to the soul. Both body and soul are God’s. both bought by the blood of Jesus. “Ye are not your own, but are bought with a price; therefore glorify God with your body and your spirit, which are God’s.” (I Cor. 6:19, 20).

WHEN WILL THE CHURCH BE JUDGED? God has a prophetic program for the church beginning with the rapture. After the church is caught up to meet the Lord in the air, the judgment of the believers will follow at the judgment seat of Christ. The judgment seat of Christ is for believers only, and it’s not optional. No believer is exempt. Every believer will stand before the Lord to give an account of their lives to Him.(2 Cor 5:10) The Old Testament believers will be resurrected and rewarded after the Second Coming, which takes place at the end of the 7-year Tribulation (Daniel 12:1-3).

When Will the Church be Judged? Jesus will return to earth after the Rapture, and after the Tribulation. The Judgment Seat of Christ takes place up in heaven while the Tribulation is in process down on the earth below. By the time Christ returns to earth to set up His kingdom, the Judgment Seat of Christ will have been completed for all church-age believers. By this time the Judgment Seat of Christ has already taken place. The Church has been prepared to return to earth with Jesus and to participate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, which will take place on Earth during Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.

The Judgment Christians can Expect The Scripture seems clear that believers in Jesus in this present Church Age will not experience a judgment of condemnation. (Jo 5:24; Rom 8:1) All Christians will appear before the bema seat of Christ. Here they will be evaluated for the works they have performed “in their bodies” during their lifetime on earth. Their salvation is not at stake; their service is. (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10)

The Judgment Christians can Expect If a Christian’s work survives the fire of Christ’s evaluation, it will remain for all eternity, and he himself will be rewarded for his efforts (1 Cor. 3:14). If a Christian’s work does not survive the fire, he will suffer loss. Though his work may be burned up, the believer himself will be saved.(1 Cor 3:15)

What Rewards will Christians be given at the Judgment Seat of Christ? The end result of the Judgment Seat of Christ will be that the Church will have been gloriously prepared to serve as the Bride of Christ throughout the rest of eternity. Jesus will have sanctified and cleansed her and will be able to present her to Himself in all her glory, having not a spot, wrinkle or blemish of any sort. (Eph. 5:26-27) It is believed that a great part of the reward that we Christians can expect for faithfully serving Jesus in this life is an enhanced opportunity and sphere of authority to serve Him in the next life.

There are Five Rewards or Crowns The Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) – for those who practiced self discipline and self-control. The Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) – for those who are eagerly looking for the Lord’s appearing and are living a righteous life in view of this fact. The Crown of Life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) – for those who have faithfully endured and persevered under trial. The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19) – the soul winner’s crown which is given to those who win people for Christ. The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:1-4) – the shepherd’s crown for pastors, elders and church leaders who lovingly, graciously and faithfully shepherd and oversee God’s people.

Judgments to occur in the future: The judgment seat of Christ: Resurrected and raptured believers in heaven. (2 Cor 5:10) The judgments of the tribulation period: These terrible judgments are pictured as seven seals opened, seven trumpets blown, and seven bowls poured out.(Rev 6-16) The judgment of the nations: After the tribulation, the Lord Jesus will sit in judgment over the Gentile nations. They will be judged according to their treatment of Israel during the tribulation. (Mat 25:31-46; Rev 18) (GotQuestions.org)

Judgments to occur in the future: The judgment of angels: Christians will judge the fallen angels. Satan’s hordes of demons will be judged by the redeemed ones of the Lamb. Some of these demons are already imprisoned in darkness and awaiting judgment, according Jude 1:6, due to their leaving their proper dwelling place. (1 Cor 6:2-3) The Great White Throne Judgment: This final judgment of unbelievers for their sins occurs at the end of the Millennium, before the creation of the new heaven and earth. At this judgment, unbelievers from all the ages are judged for their sins and condemned to the lake of fire. (Rev 20:11-15) (GotQuestions.org)

Judgment of Unsaved The judgment at which non-Christians appear, the “Great White Throne” judgment, is a judgment of condemnation and eternal punishment (Rev. 20:11-15) I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. (Revelation 20:12)

HOW DO YOU ANSWER THIS? We all have an appointment to stand before God someday to be judged. We cannot escape it. The only question is, which judgment will we face?

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT “THE VIEW”

Church Semi Annual Meeting Tonight after Bible Study @ 7:15 pm in Annex Bldg

Rev. Ronald Purifoy will deliver the message