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Help me understand what is being said in Matthew 7:19 vs 1 Cor 3:11-15. In Matthew, I know the Lord is speaking of false prophets, but in doing so, He seems to be giving us the definition of a “good tree”. It brings forth good fruit. And if it does not do that, it will be cut down and cast into the fire. I take this to mean if a believer (a “good tree”) doesn’t do any good works (“good fruit”), he will end up in Hell. But in 1Cor 3:15, Paul is saying that if a believer doesn’t have any good works (they were burned up), he will suffer the loss of rewards (at the Bema seat?) but will still be saved. Thank you in advance for the help.

Can you help me to understand what happens to the people that lived before Abraham? I understand the difference between the Church and Israel and even the nations as it pertains to end times but where do the Old Testament people before Abraham fit in? If you could expand on this to cover were they will live, New Earth, New Jerusalem, Israel or New Heaven? Also what judgment will they be in the Bema seat, Sheep and the Goats or the Great White Throne?

I believe that The Great White Throne Judgment is the only judgment for the sinners from Adam til the end. And that The Judgment Seat of Christ is for rewards for the church. Is there any other judgment for rewards for the saints of The Old Testament, the Tribulation period or the 1000 years reign?

I read an article about the rapture and the author mentioned the Bema Seat. He wrote:

“Those who have lived carnal lives and are not walking in the will of God will lose rewards at the bema, or judgment seat of Christ. The believer must do his or her best to live the way God expects of His children while still in this mortal flesh. The child of God should take this truth very seriously. How he or she attempts to walk righteously here on earth will determine his or her eternal service status when they look into their Lord’s omniscient eyes.”

What is disturbing me is this “determined eternal service status”. Is there any hint in the Bible for the validation of this statement? I’m not happy that I will probably lose rewards but I sure don’t want to be “doomed” to an eternal kind of state or status, whatever it is, that is unchangeable. It would be depressing that despite I’m in heaven, there won’t be a chance or a single ray of hope to change our state or status if this kind of things really exist. What is your opinion on this?

I believe as you do that when we become a Christian, all of our sins, past, present and future are under the blood of Christ. That being the case, what will we be judged for in heaven with all of our sins forgiven and forgotten?

I was thinking recently about the fact that by doing good things here on Earth, we build up rewards for ourselves in heaven. Then I thought about what you said regarding our inability to recall our time on Earth while in Eternity. If this is so, wouldn’t the people who suddenly appear in Eternity look around and realize that some have more rewards than others? Then isn’t it natural to question why? And not remembering their Earth lives, they won’t be able to answer the question. What happens then? Do they just disregard it or will God give an answer? I’m pretty sure we won’t be fat, dumb and happy in Eternity so we would need an answer somehow. Which brings us back to not remembering Earth. So how would this be answered?

Since we’re living in the End Times, there are times I wonder if the things I’m doing matter at all. I know I should be a good steward of the gifts and blessings God has given me, but sometimes I get discouraged. I’m a 20-year-old college student, and when I think that the rapture is going to happen soon, I sometimes wonder if the things I’m doing for the future even matter at all if they never come to fruition. Honestly, the sooner we go to Heaven, the better it is. But I also feel sad at times when I think that I won’t receive any rewards at the Bema Seat. I haven’t lived life out as long as others nor do I feel like I have done much for God’s Kingdom.

I recently had a discussion with my wife about how my “works” will be rewarded in heaven. We are both born again Christians and believe faith in Christ is the only way into heaven. Since my wife and I are one flesh, will God offer His reward as a package deal?

I understand that no works are required for our salvation, but Romans 14:12 says that “each of us will give an account of himself to God”. Is this an accounting of our works, or will we simply stand in Christ’s salvation?

I was wondering about Col 3:23-25. It says that whatever we do should be done unto the Lord to receive a reward, but whoever does wrong will receive for the wrong he has done because there is no respect of persons. If whoever means whoever, then does that mean believers will receive for the wrongs they have done?