At the judgment seat of Christ, fire will prove the true value of the believer’s good works. “Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work” (1 Corinthians 3:13). The fire is the Word of God. “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). “So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:12). “For not even the Father judges any one, but He has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22). Jesus was very clear when he proclaimed to both believers and unbelievers that “the word that I spoke is what will judge… at the last day” (John 12:48).

With the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the believer serves His Savior seeking always to “approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10). This confidence the Christian possesses, for he knows “that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). The children of God must “hold forth the word of life, so that in the day of Christ,” they will have cause to glorify their Redeemer, because they “did not run in vain or toil in vain” (Philippians 2:16). The Christian is waiting eagerly for “the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:7), andit is Christ who confirms the Christian to the end, “blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:8). “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).  

“The Lord, the righteous Judge,” will award all believers who have loved His appearing on that day “the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8). Therefore, it is extremely vital that the Christian conducts himself “in fear” during the time of his stay upon this earth (1 Peter 1:17). “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24). No believer should be careless in watching his witness of life and lip before others, because who wants to lose what he has accomplished and not receive a “full reward?” (2 John 1:8). Jesus has promised that He “is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude 1:24).

The mystery of the creation and consummation of the church, which had not been revealed in ages past, was given to the Apostle Paul and others in the New Testament to share to the world. Jesus Christ will be joined to His body, the church, in order to execute the judgement of God upon Satan and his angels, as well as the wicked world. The Day of Christ is that specific period when the Lord Jesus completes His work in the church so that it may be ready to reign with Him. “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? ... Do you not know that we shall judge angels?” (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

Christ transforms the Church into His likeness and catches it up to meet Him in the air. He then judges the church, which is the primary feature of the Day of Christ. This day belongs exclusively to the church of God. In His glorious likeness, the church shall carry out the administration of the kingdom, including the judgment of Israel, the nations and the angels. So, to all believers who are members of the body of Christ, “may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Rob Zapotoski,
SMS International Field Representative