Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their witness of Jesus and because of the word of God, and who also had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

— Revelation 20:4

9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

— 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

— 2 Timothy 4:8

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

— Hebrews 4:16

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Those who belong to Christ by faith “must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” This suggests a separate examination by Jesus of His people’s lives, probably prior to their reign with Christ in the millennium. Jesus will reward abundantly what He Himself has worked into His people’s lives. As in their earthly lives, every resurrected believer will be able to confidently approach God’s throne of grace. Those who trust in Jesus face no condemnation, for Jesus carried the full weight of His people’s sin on the cross.

Nothing is more important than our response to the Savior. God in Christ will judge all who had no use for Jesus when they were alive. He will hold people responsible for ignored opportunities to hear and believe the gospel. Because of their unbelief, these dead do not participate in the first resurrection. The unbelieving dead, given up by the sea and Hades, rise at the end of the millennium to face judgment based on what they have done at the great throne.