God's Judgments…Why are There TWO, and When Will They Take Place? What's On This Test Anyway? Check This Out.

It seems that the closer we get to the end-times, people’s interest begins to increase. They no longer are satisfied with the “Big Picture” of the end times; they want to start learning the specific details.

I appreciate your comments and desires to clarify the details of the “Judgments” that will occur in the last days. I too am interested…VERY INTERESTED in these details, and will provide them to you.

Just as you would be studying for a college exam, I’m certain that one of the reasons that the Judgment is such a curious topic to you is to what to know when it occurs as well as what you will be judged upon. Additionally, there is the additional stress of knowing that GOD will be your judge. So, let me help you “Prepare for these Finals.”

Let’s begin by learning about a brief overview of the last 7-years upon the earth: The 7-year Tribulation Period, and Millennial Reign. Understanding these different events allow us to place the Judgments into the timeline to help us make sense of when they will occur.

End Times Timeline

1. The 7-Year Tribulation Period Begins

• Triggered by a peace treaty or covenant confirmed by the Antichrist (Daniel 9:27)
• Divided into two halves: 3.5 years each

2. The One World Government & One World Religion Begin

• Early in the Tribulation, a global system of control and false religious unity arise (Revelation 13:1–8; Revelation 17)

3. The Rapture (at 3.5 Years – Midpoint)

• Believers are caught up to meet Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 12:5–6, possibly symbolic)
• Resurrection Begins for these people.

4. The Judgment Seat of Christ BEGINS

• Only for believers and followers of Jesus Christ.

5. The Mark of the Beast Introduced (3.5 Years In)

• Mandatory allegiance to the Antichrist through the mark (Revelation 13:16–18)
• Economic and social control enforced

6. God’s Bowls of Wrath (Second Half of Tribulation)

• Poured out on those who accepted the Mark (Revelation 16)
• Terrible judgments: sores, seas turning to blood, scorching heat, darkness, Armageddon preparation

7. Second Coming of Christ (End of the 7 Years)

• Christ returns bodily and visibly with His saints (Revelation 19:11–16)
• Antichrist and False Prophet are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20)

8. Battle of Armageddon

• Nations gather at Megiddo to fight Christ (Revelation 16:14–16; Revelation 19:19–21)
• Christ defeats them with the sword of His mouth

9. Judgment Seat of Christ Concludes (For Believers)

• Rewards given based on works (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10)
• This judgment is for faithful service, not salvation

10. 1,000-Year Millennium Reign

• Christ rules on earth with peace and justice (Revelation 20:1–6)
• Satan is bound during this time

11. Great White Throne Judgment

• Final judgment of the wicked dead (Revelation 20:11–15)
• All not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire

You will notice the “Judgment Seat of Christ” Begins during the Rapture of the Church, and that this Judgment is for the Believers of Christ. Believers are resurrected during the rapture, and then brought to God for this Judgment.

Let’s get into the details, for this is the judgment that will likely include you, the studiers, and followers of Jesus Christ.

The First Judgment: Rewards for the Faithful, Not Punishments.

Closely tied to the first resurrection is what many refer to as the first judgment — formally known as the Judgment Seat of Christ (bema judgment). This is not a judgment for salvation or condemnation but a review of believers’ works to determine rewards. This judgment is for the Believers of Jesus Christ ONLY.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV)

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest… If any man’s work abide… he shall receive a reward.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:13–14 (KJV)

This judgment begins after the rapture, and is for believers only. It determines their roles in Christ’s kingdom and the rewards they will receive.

When does it occur? Begins during the Rapture of the Church and concludes after the Battle of Armageddon.

It important understand this this doesn’t happen all at the same time. The reason that this judgment will occur over a period of 3.5 years is due to the believers in Christ that will still being on the earth after the Rapture of the church.

This judgment is ONLY for followers of Christ, and despite what you might have been taught, ALL “Potential” believers of Christ will not be lifted up during the Rapture. Let me explain further.

The Bible teaches that the rapture involves the catching away of true believers in Jesus Christ during the great tribulation (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, 1 Corinthians 15:51–52). However, it does not explicitly list groups of “followers of Jesus” who will be left behind. Still, from a biblical perspective, we can identify types of individuals who claim to follow Jesus but may not be included in the rapture according to the KJV and broader biblical context.

Here are some categories of people who may be left behind, based on KJV scripture:

1. False Converts (Profess but do not Possess)

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…”
— Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)

These are individuals who claim to follow Christ but have never truly been born again. They may be religious or active in church, but Jesus says He will declare, “I never knew you.”

2. Lukewarm Christians

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
— Revelation 3:16 (KJV)

The church of Laodicea was materially rich but spiritually bankrupt. Many believe this represents the end-times church that is comfortable, worldly, and not truly surrendered to Christ. They may miss the rapture due to their spiritual complacency.

3. Unrepentant or Hypocritical Believers

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.”
— 1 John 1:6 (KJV)

Some people profess Jesus but live in willful sin, rejecting conviction or repentance. Their lives show no fruit of salvation (see Matthew 7:16). These may be left behind as a wake-up call during the tribulation.

4. Foolish Virgins (Parable of the Ten Virgins)

“They that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”
— Matthew 25:1–13 (KJV)

This parable speaks of ten virgins, five wise and five foolish. All were waiting for the bridegroom (symbolizing Jesus), but only the wise who had oil in their lamps (often interpreted as the Holy Spirit or a prepared heart) went in. The others were left behind.

5. Those Who Trust in Works or Religion Instead of Grace

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works…”
— Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)

Many think they are saved because of church membership, tithing, good deeds, or religious traditions, but they have never trusted in Jesus alone for salvation. They will not be taken in the rapture unless they are truly born again (John 3:3).

6. Cultural Christians (Christian in Name Only)

These are people who identify as Christian for social, cultural, or family reasons but have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Summary (KJV-Based Truth):

Only those who are:

• Born again (John 3:3)
• In Christ (Romans 8:1)
• Indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9)
• Walking in faith and truth (2 Corinthians 13:5)

These are the people who will be included in the rapture.

Those who merely profess Christ without possessing Him — those who are deceived, lukewarm, hypocritical, or religious without faith — may be left behind to face the tribulation, where they will still have a chance to repent, but under severe persecution (Revelation 7:14).

So, since the Judgments starts during the Rapture, and there are still OTHERS left upon the earth that will eventually qualify for the First Judgment, God has allowed for them to eventually be included in the First Judgment. In God’s wisdom, He Is Fully Aware that some who are left to go through His Wrath might very well repent of their ways and choose to follow Jesus Christ. For, this is one of the purposes of the 3.5 years of the “Great Tribulation,” to bring people to Christ… “The Hard Way!”

Many, if not most of these people, will not leave the earth, (be killed), until Jesus returns for the battle of Armageddon, when all mankind will be “removed” from the earth. Some of these people that I mentioned will now qualify, and will be included in the first, or “Judgment Seat of Christ.” It will be at that time that they are resurrected and judged, just like those during the rapture.

There is also another GROUP of people who will not qualify for the Rapture, but will eventually qualify to be included in the First Judgment. They have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Let’s learn about this group.

Jewish People Who Accept Jesus During the Tribulation

“I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus… and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
— Revelation 20:4 (KJV)

Many Jews will come to faith during the Tribulation, especially after:

• The rapture confirms the truth
• The Antichrist breaks his covenant (Daniel 9:27)
• They witness the horrors of judgment and the preaching of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Revelation 7:4–8)
• They finally recognize Jesus as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10)

When Jesus returns at the end of the Tribulation, a surviving remnant of Jews will recognize Him and be saved by faith. These Jewish believers, even if martyred, will be Judged in the first judgment, and will be raised in the first resurrection and reign with Christ during the Millennium.

So, after the Rapture, you can see that there will still be some people on earth who will later qualify for true believers of Jesus Christ. And since they now qualify for the First Judgment, it can not happen at the same time of those who were Raptured. That is why this “Judgment will occur over the span of 3.5 years.

“The dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up… to meet the Lord in the air…”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (KJV)

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
— Revelation 22:12 (KJV)

This brings up the second, and most important point…What will we be judged on?

The First Judgment: Rewards for the Faithful

The first judgment — formally known as the Judgment Seat of Christ (bema judgment) is not a judgment for salvation or condemnation but a review of believers’ works to determine rewards. Did you catch that? You will not be judged for anything concerning your salvation, nor will you be judged on any of your works that would lead to condemnation. Well then, What’s left then to be judged on?

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV)

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire… If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:13–14 (KJV)

This judgment begins with the rapture, and is for believers only. It determines their roles in Christ’s kingdom and the rewards they will receive, not punishment for sin.

This is so important to clarify fully. What Will Believers Be Judged On?

Believers will not be judged for their sins — those were paid for by the blood of Christ (Romans 8:1). Instead, they will be judged on:

1. Their works done for Christ (1 Corinthians 3:13)
2. Their motives (1 Corinthians 4:5)
3. Their faithfulness with what they were given (Luke 19:17)
4. Their use of spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10)
5. How they built upon the foundation of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11–12)

This judgment results in rewards such as crowns, rulership from Christ Himself.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
— Matthew 25:21 (KJV)

Here is an example of the crowns that you could receive based upon your works:

Crowns That Believers May Receive (KJV)

1. The Incorruptible Crown – for self-discipline and victory over the flesh (1 Corinthians 9:25)
2. The Crown of Rejoicing – for bringing souls to Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
3. The Crown of Righteousness – for those who love Christ (2 Timothy 4:8)
4. The Crown of Life – for those who endure trials and persecution (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10)
5. The Crown of Glory – for faithful religious leaders, and teachers (1 Peter 5:4)

These crowns are eternal rewards given by Christ for faithful service and love.

Can I get a RESOUNDING AMEN to God’s Plan for His followers?? AMEN!!!!!!!!

Now, let’s learn about the second Judgment, “Great White Throne Judgment”.

The Great White Throne Judgment (often mistakenly called the “great thorn judgment”) is described in the King James Version (KJV) in Revelation 20:11–15. This is the final judgment of the unsaved dead after the 1,000-year reign of Christ (the Millennium).

At the Great White Throne Judgment, God sits on a majestic white throne. The dead who remain, small and great, are resurrected and stand before Him. The books are opened, including the Book of Life. People are judged according to their works recorded in the books. Anyone not found written in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire—this is the second death.

Key Scripture (Revelation 20:12, KJV):

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

This judgment is for unbelievers only, as believers have already been judged and saved by grace through faith in Christ.

Notice the key to both of these judgments is, “Is the person a believer and follower of Jesus Christ or Not?” If yes, they qualify for the first judgment and receive rewards based upon their works. If the answer is no, they are cast into the lake of fire…It’s really that simple.

So, now you know the details of the two judgments. Your assignment is to devote and give your life to Jesus Christ. Turn towards Him, and become a “New Version” of yourself (Born Again). Commit to walk with Him daily by trying to be your very best.

Repent for the things that you have done wrong and ask for His forgiveness, develop a faith in Him, and His teachings, and finally TRUST that He will see you through the difficulties of the first 3.5 years of the tribulation period, as well as the rapture.

My friend, DO THIS TODAY! Do not wait so that you will have to learn the Hard Way, by enduring the final 3.5 years of the Tribulation period. For during this time, life will be HARDER THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE!!!!!

There is so much peace in God’s plan. There is so much comfort to know that we are going to ACE the Final Exam. And… There is great anticipation to live a GLORIOUS life with Jesus Christ after this mortal life is over. You think that Hawaii is beautiful??? You have no idea what your new home and environment will be like, as our minds can simply not comprehend…It will be THAT GOOD!!

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May you Trust God to be with you today, and always. Much Love and Prayers headed your way.

River Wilde