Judgment Seat of Christ (Believers): June 2008
Table of Contents
The Judge’s Voice
He is coming! Oh, how solemn
When the Judge’s voice is heard,
And in His own light He shows us
Every thought and act and word.
Deeds of merit, as we thought them,
He will show us were but sin;
Little acts we had forgotten
He will show us were for Him.
Food — What is needed to sustain life naturally and spiritually.
Spiritual Food
The Judgment Seat of Christ
“We shall all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ; everything must be brought out there. But even so, I am like Himself. What is He going to judge? How do I get there at all? Because Christ has come and fetched me. So that when I come to appear before the judgment seat of Christ, it is because Christ has so loved me that He has come to fetch me there, and in what condition? I am in glory before I get to the judgment seat. We shall be manifested, but manifested before Him who is in the presence of God as the warrant of our salvation. Everything will there be brought out and with immense profit and gain to us. We shall know right and wrong then, as we are known.” J. N. Darby
The Judgment Seat of Christ
“Why are we made manifest at the judgment seat of Christ? It is that there, for the first time, we may know His grace fully, as we cannot know it now. All our ways will come out before Him from the cradle to the glory, and more than that, all His ways with us, and then what a burst of praise that will never die away will come from our hearts. It is needful that it should all come out there in order that His grace should have its full place in my heart at last.”
J. A. Trench
The Judgment Seat of Christ
“We all,” says the apostle, “must appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:10). This statement includes both believers and unbelievers, although there is a long intervening period between the judgments of the two classes. But it is with believers that we are now concerned. Their appearance before the tribunal of Christ will take place between His coming and His appearing. Caught up to meet the Lord in the air, they are then like Christ, will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2), and will be with Him forever (1 Thess. 4:17). The place to which they are taken, and in which they will be with the Lord, is the Father’s house. This we know from the Lord’s own words, “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). There the blessed Lord will take all His own and will present them faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24). He and the children God has given Him will with overflowing joy appear before His Father and their Father, and His God and their God! And with exceeding joy will God Himself behold the fruit and perfection of His own counsels, the redeemed all conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren! (Rom. 8:29).
The Character of the Judgment
A few preliminary remarks should help greatly in understanding the character of the judgment.
The believer will never be judged for sins. In 2 Corinthians 5 it is not the sins but the deeds done in the body that are judged. Indeed, to suppose that the question of our guilt, our sins, could be again raised is to overlook, not to say falsify, the character of grace and the work of redemption. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into [judgment;] but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). “By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:14). The question of sin was settled and closed forever at the cross, and every believer is before God in all the abiding efficacy of the sacrifice there offered, yea, accepted in the Beloved. Even now, therefore, we are without spot before God, and our sins and iniquities will be remembered no more (Heb. 10:17).
This truth is also seen when it is remembered that we shall have our glorified bodies and be like Christ before we are manifested before His judgment seat, for the resurrection of the saints who have fallen asleep in Christ, the change of the living, and the rapture of both into the presence of the Lord will precede His judging. This is unspeakable consolation, for being already like Christ, we shall have full fellowship with Him in every judgment He passes upon our works, and we shall therefore rejoice at the exposure and rejection of all that resulted from the flesh in our lives down here, and not from the Holy Spirit. This answers the question sometimes put, whether we shall not tremble and be ashamed as all the deeds of our Christian life are brought up and shown out in their real character? Indeed, as another has said, “We are in the light by faith when the conscience is in the presence of God. We shall be according to the perfection of that light when we appear before the tribunal of Christ.” It is a solemn thing, for everything is judged according to that light, but it is that which the heart loves, because, thanks to our God, we are light in the Lord!
The Deeds Done in the Body
Bearing these things in mind, we may consider more closely the nature of the judgment itself. It is not we ourselves who have to be judged, nor, as has been explained, will our sins reappear against us, but, as the Scripture itself says, “We must all appear [be manifested] before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether . . . good or bad.” The body of the believer is the Lord’s, a member of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 6:15-19), and therefore is to be used in His service for the display of Christ Himself (Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 4:10). Hence the apostle’s earnest expectation and hope was that Christ would be magnified in his body, whether by life or by death (Phil. 1:20). It is on this account that we are responsible for the deeds done in our body, so that while we are perfected forever through the one offering of Christ, there cannot be any further imputation of sin to us.
Every act of our lives, not just acts of service, but every deed that we have done will be manifested, tested and judged at the judgment seat of Christ. The good will be seen, and declared to be such. While these were surely produced in us and by us through the grace of God and the power of His Spirit, they will be reckoned in His infinite compassion as ours, and as such we shall receive the recompense. The bad things, however fair they appeared here, will also be seen and recognized in their true character, and belonging to none but ourselves, a product of our flesh, and will receive their just condemnation. We will rejoice to behold everything that had dishonored our blessed Lord, though done by ourselves, receive its righteous judgment. The time for concealments will then be gone, for that which makes everything manifest is light, and then everything will be searched and tested by the full blaze of the light of the holiness of that judgment seat.
Our Responsibility
It is worthy to consider whether this truth occupies its due place in our souls. Knowing grace and the fullness of redemption, there is a danger of overlooking or forgetting our responsibility. But this should never be the case, and the prospect of the judgment seat of Christ is intended to exert a most practical influence on our souls. The very connection in which it is found shows this to be the case. “We are confident,” says the apostle, “and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him [acceptable to Him].” (2 Cor. 5:8-9). The prospect braced up the soul of the apostle, stimulating him with unwearied zeal in all that he did to seek only the approbation of Christ. In fact this is precisely what it does for us, enabling us to bring all our actions into the light of His presence now, and helping us to do them for and unto Him. Herein is found our strength. Satan is very subtle and often tempts us to be men-pleasers, but when we remember that all will be manifested before the judgment seat, we are impervious to his snares, knowing that if we commend ourselves to others, it may be at the cost of displeasing Christ. And what is the profit of practicing deception, whether upon ourselves or upon others, when the nature of all that we do is so soon to be exposed? To be acceptable to Christ will be our present aim in proportion as we have His tribunal before our souls.
E. Dennett, adapted from
The Christian Friend 5:13
Present and Future Judgments
All final judgment is entirely committed to the Son. “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father” (John 5:22-23). The Father “hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is Son of Man” (vs. 27).
The Father’s Present Judgment
As regards our time in this world, the Father does judge (1 Pet. 1:17): “If ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” This judgment is carried into effect in the holiness of His nature against evil, and in His fatherly care of us in holiness. For this reason we have to judge ourselves, and if we do not, we are judged of the Lord. There is His government in this respect — the “chastening of the Lord” (Heb. 12:5).
The Son’s Future Judgments
Christ judges the quick [living] and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. Now is not the time of Christ’s judgment; rather it is the time of grace to the world. Of course God can interfere in judgment, supremely if He pleases, but this time is the time of His grace. When Christ appears and establishes the kingdom, it will be the time of judgment. When Christ appears for His kingdom, judgment and righteousness will go together in the earth. “He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world [habitable earth] in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained” (Acts 17:31).
When the Lord judges the dead, He does not come at all. “I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened” (Rev. 20:11-12). Here there is no coming to the earth. Christ sits on a great white throne, and heaven and earth flee away. His kingdom is given up to God after this judgment is executed, but not till then. (Compare 1 Cor. 15:24.) But there is another judgment, that of the quick or living, for which Christ does come. That time will be like the days of Noah and Lot — there will be eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building, marrying and giving in marriage. That day of judgment will come upon them as a thief in the night — quite a different scene from the great white throne.
The Saints With Christ
in Judgment
When Christ comes in judgment, there will then be those who are “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe” (2 Thess. 1:9-10). At this judgment, the holy angels come with Him, for “the Son of Man . . . shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26). However, He brings His saints with Him too: “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4). “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him” (1 Thess. 4:14). This truth of the saints coming with Christ when He appears to judge the quick [living] is fully taught in Scripture. Even in the Old Testament we read “And Jehovah my God shall come, and all the saints with Thee” (Zech. 14:5), so also in Jude: “The Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all” (vs. 14-15).
Warrior and Sessional Judgments
Before the millennium is set up, God will also gather all nations and will bring them into judgment. The parable of the sheep, goats and brethren (Matt. 25) describes this judgment of the nations, although this is not the destruction of the beast and his armies and the false prophet. This latter is executed by Christ as coming from heaven and as a warlike judgment. “And in righteousness He doth judge and make war” (Rev. 19:11). It is the destruction of those who, animated by Satan, rise up against Him. But besides this warrior-judgment, there is a sessional judgment — the judgment of the sheep and the goats. After the destruction of the beast and Antichrist, Christ will take the throne of Jehovah on the earth at Jerusalem, for Jerusalem is to be called the throne of Jehovah (Jer. 3:17), and judgment will proceed from His throne.
At the end of Matthew 23, the Lord, addressing Jerusalem, declares her house is left desolate to them, and He declares they would not see Him henceforth till they said, “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” The Lord then (in chap. 24:1-31) gives an account of all that was connected with the testimony among the Jews till He came — when “they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” He then exhorts His disciples, and in three parables presents the responsibility of Christians in His absence, showing that the putting off of His own return would lead the public ministry of the church to hierarchical oppression and worldliness, as has happened. Then the historical part is resumed in chapter 25:31. “When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him.” This will not be a transient act like a flash of lightning, but “Then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations [the Gentiles].” Israel and Christians have been already spoken of. The gospel of the kingdom had gone out (ch. 24:14) as a testimony to all nations (all the Gentiles). And now the end was come; the nations were judged (the quick) according as they had received these messengers of the kingdom. It is a mistake to say that there are two classes here. There are three — the sheep, the goats and the brethren. The goats had despised this final message of the kingdom and were condemned. The sheep had received the messengers and were blessed; their treating the brethren so was as if they had treated Christ in the same way. Those judged are the nations (or Gentiles) upon the earth when Christ comes. Christ as King will sit and judge the Gentiles — an event often spoken of by the prophets.
The Judgment of Us
How far, and how, does judgment apply to us — to the heavenly saints? First, from the judgment of the quick [living] and the dead they are clearly wholly exempt — when He appears, they shall appear with Him in glory. They come with Him when He comes to execute judgment (Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4; Rev. 19). This is confirmed by the striking scene in Revelation 4, where the throne (not of grace, but) of judgment, of thunderings, lightnings and voices, is set in heaven.
We must recognize that we are all subject to condemnation, and liable in ourselves to judgment as responsible to God. That is a great foundation truth which is at the basis of salvation as well as of wrath. Nothing must be allowed to weaken that, and also, “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12). We shall all be manifested “before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body” (2 Cor. 5:10). But the Christian has, through grace, anticipated this. He has recognized by divine teaching that condemnation is his own portion; he knows that in him, that is in the flesh, dwells no good thing. He has recognized, by a divine work in his own soul what sin is before God, as the judgment seat will show it. But then he has also recognized that He who is to judge the quick and the dead has also stepped in as a Saviour before He becomes a judge and has borne his sins in His own body on the tree. The sins, for which himself would have had to be judged, have been borne already by another, and the work which has put them away is done and cannot be repeated. When he is manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, he is before Him who Himself put them all away.
But, further, in what state does the Christian appear before the Lord? He is raised in glory. No judgment can apply to him which can affect his being in glory, for he is in it already when he appears there. We are “conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). What is judgment, if we are completely like the judge, and He Himself our righteousness? And the knowledge of this is applied to our present happiness in this world. “Herein has love been perfected with us that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, that even as He is, we also are in this world” (1 John 4:17 JND).
The Terror of the Lord
In 2 Corinthians 5, the apostle first looks at the proper portion of the saint, not as death and judgment, or even as death and happiness. It is mortality being swallowed up of life — the mortal body being changed into glory, without death necessarily intervening at all. But death and judgment are fallen man’s portion, and if death did intervene, his confidence remained unmoved, for he had divine life. If he were absent from the body, he would be present with the Lord. Then he considers judgment — calls it the terror of the Lord, looks it fully in the face and states that we shall all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ. Then what — does he tremble or think of himself? In no wise, rather he persuades men. Its terror produces no effect of terror at all on his own mind. It was a judgment which, as such, affected others. It had however a powerful influence on his heart and conscience. Others were not free as he was. The thought of that day stirs up the love of Christ constrainingly and he persuades men who were not ready for it; but then, secondly, it brings him into God’s judgment as a present thing in a sanctifying way. We are, says he (not shall be), manifested to God. And this is a most important effect — the bringing us practically into the presence of God to judge ourselves, and to do so as to good and evil, as it will be judged of in that day. Such then was the effect on Paul: no terror for him, but a stimulus to his seeking unconverted sinners and to keeping his soul in the presence and fear of God.
Reward Not Condemnation
Another expression in this passage calls for remark — “to receive the things done in the body.” The expression, “judgment,” is carefully avoided, even when in a certain sense there is such. Man would soon turn it into a question of the acceptance of the person. As regards the wicked, I need not dwell on it. They will receive the things done in the body — it will be their condemnation; but as regards the saints, they will also receive the things done in the body. As regards acceptance, we are in Christ, all having Christ for our righteousness. But saints have the privilege of service, and in the work of the Holy Spirit by us there is a difference. We do receive through grace the reward of labor, and every man his own reward according to his own labor. Scripture speaks of receiving a full reward. The Thessalonians will be Paul’s joy and crown of rejoicing, not ours, as the fruit of his labors. If we have built with wood, hay and stubble, all will be lost, though we are saved. In a word, righteousness is in Christ, the same for all, but service is rewarded.
When this takes place, we shall be in glory, and we shall not even have the nature, the flesh in which we sinned. We shall know as we are known, and give an account of ourselves to God, a review of our whole life and all God’s blessed ways with us, see it all as God sees it, and wonder at the all-perfect grace which has led us onward from our birth. Now when I look back, I adore God’s grace. Then I shall know as I am known, and see the thousand instances of how His eye has watched over me to bless me. We are manifested thus now, even in thinking of it. We shall give an account then, in fact; but it is when we are glorified, and brought to be with Christ by Himself forever.
In summary, then, there is a judgment of the quick [living] when Christ comes and a judgment of the dead afterwards before the great white throne. There is a continuing judgment when Christ returns, in a more general sense, of power associated with righteousness governing the earth, during the millennium. For the saints is no judgment at all: Christ comes to receive them to Himself, and raises them in glory to have them with Him. But they do give an account of themselves to God when in glory, and receive the reward of service, though it be grace that has wrought it in them.
J. N. Darby, adapted from
Collected Writings of JND
Men That Wait for Their Lord: Luke 12:38-40
In Luke 12 the Lord is unfolding the principles which are to guide His people in an adverse world while He is away. The first great principle is, that “There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid that shall not be known. Therefore, whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops” (vss. 2-3).
The Sinner and the Saint
This is a very solemn truth — the world is walking in a vain show and things are kept secret now, but a day is coming when everything shall be brought to light. I do not know how far our hearts like to think that everything will be brought to the light. If we shrink from the thought of its being brought out there, if we dread the thought of all being revealed then, it proves either that our conscience has not been brought into the light yet, or that we are not walking according to the light now. If that is the state of your soul your conscience is not practically right in the sight of God. If, as a sinner, your conscience is yet unpurged, there is nothing that can do so but the blood of Christ. But, as a Christian, when I stand in the light of God, I judge the evil in the light now, instead of its coming out afterwards, when we shall all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ.
As a sinner, you may be able to say, “I am a poor sinner, and the cross of Christ just suits me.” That will do very well. But can you say, “I am a poor sinner, and the judgment seat of Christ just suits me?” No, you say, that will not do. But when you have by faith passed the sentence of the day of judgment upon your own soul, and applied to yourself the truth, “There is none righteous, no not one,” and have seen that “they that are in the flesh cannot please God,” you then see what sin is before God now, as the judgment day will show it. When you have learned the blessed truth that He who is to judge the living and the dead has Himself come in to be the Saviour, and has borne your sins in His own body on the tree, before He becomes the Judge, you then know that when you are manifested before the judgment seat of Christ you are before Him who has Himself put all your sins away.
The efficacy of redemption is the whole thing. The Judge has charged Himself with the sins, and as He is the Judge, He must deny Himself if He imputes them to you who have believed. The work which has put them away is done, and cannot be repeated. This is what gives, not just hope, but “boldness in the day of judgment.” Some people have hope, and think it is more humble. If there is judgment at all there must be condemnation, but if I am justified there is no judgment for me, for how do I arrive before the judgment seat of Christ? He has said, “I will come again, and receive you to myself.” He so loves me that He is coming Himself for me, and He shall change my vile body that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, so when I go up before the judgment seat of Christ it will be in and like that Christ who has loved me and given Himself for me! — who has come Himself to take me to be with Him forever!
As to judgment, there is no such thing for the saint. We shall know even as we are known, when we shall be in glory, conformed to the image of the Son; when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. What is judgment if we are completely like the Judge, and He Himself our righteousness?
Loins Girded and Lights Burning
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord.” This is what gives the proper character to the Christian’s place while here below — Waiting for Christ! The one true proper hope of the saint is the coming of Christ to receive him to Himself. Death is not properly the Christian’s hope. The hope is “not that we would be un-clothed [without the new body], but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” Mortality is not swallowed up of life when I am dead. Because of this hope, we are to be “like unto men that wait for their Lord.” You are to have your eye on Christ as coming to receive you; that is to be your character — waiting — so that when He comes you may open to Him immediately.
In Matthew 25 you get the account of the virgins not watching. Wise and foolish — they all went to sleep; they did not watch. Two things characterize the true servant after the rejection of Christ — “loins girded” and “lights burning,” that is, expectation of His return and service. There ought to be a full, distinct, unqualified profession in us, shining as God’s lights in the world. While we are here in this world we must have our loins girded. It is our place to serve. This is not the place for rest, but for watchfulness. We must watch over our every thought while here. But, what is Heaven? Heaven is where I can let my heart go! That is an immense comfort. Here I must have my loins always girded; here my condition is that my heart is kept in order by the Word of God; here I am waiting for Christ who has set Himself apart as the heavenly Man in the glory that He may be the object before our hearts. I am waiting for one who loves me and is coming Himself for me. He does not send for me, He comes! We are to have our hearts ready to receive Him. A man who has his hand on the handle of the door is ready to open it the minute the knock comes, and this is what we should be. This has nothing to do with prophecy.
The coming of the Lord is the hope of the Christian for himself. Until the Lord comes, our place is watching, and He says, “Blessed are these servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you that He shall gird Himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” He says to us, “You have had your hearts on the stretch, and you were right to have them on the stretch, but I bring you to a place where you are to sit down, and it will be my delight to minister to you.” I not only get the blessing of being in the Father’s house, but I get the blessed Son of God ministering its joys to me. What a picture of the love of Christ! Love delights to serve, and here this Blessed One says, “I will gird Myself that I may serve you.” Christ took the form of a servant when He became man. Is He going to give up being man? Never. And He never gives up serving either. He took another service on ascending to heaven — to wash our feet. He has the first place in everything, and the first place in service too. He is not going to give it up, He is the servant forever! And we who serve and watch for Him here, during this little while of His rejection, will then find our reward in rest and in the feast at which Jesus will gird Himself to serve us.
This One Thing I Do
If we are faithful to Christ, we may meet with much evil to oppose us. But if we suffer for Christ’s sake, let us be meek as Christ was meek, in the midst of it all. He causes the wrath of man to praise Him, and restrains the remainder. All man’s wrath against Him only brought out the full and blessed accomplishment of God’s own purpose. What do I see on His riding into Jerusalem? — that until you get peace in heaven you never will get peace on earth. In the present state of things we want the whole armor of God, for spiritual wickedness is in the heavenlies. May we each say with Paul — this one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
If the Lord were to come this night, could we each say, “This is my Lord, I am waiting for Him?” Have you so known the virtue of Christ in redemption that you have nothing to fear at His coming, or are you allowing the spirit of the world to come in and hide your affection and devotion to Him? If He were to come, would the joy of your heart be to open to Him immediately? I have joy from Him till He comes; I have joy with Him when He comes again.
Words of Truth N3:161
God’s Approval
“And, behold, there are last which shall be first; and there are first which shall be last” (Luke 13:30).
We know that it is God’s estimate of our life and service for Him that will matter in the giving of rewards. Man may make judgments in this world, but Paul could say, “It is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment” (1 Cor. 4:3). He recognized that God would take into account, not only actions, but also the motives behind them, which only He could fully know. Likewise, the Lord Jesus made it clear that those who have the first place in this world may well fall short in God’s estimate, while those who seem last down here may be given a great reward.
David’s Mighty Men
I believe we see this principle illustrated in the list of David’s mighty men in the Old Testament. At the end of his life, David takes account of those who had served him well and mentions by name those whose character and courage was especially noteworthy. In particular, I would like to look at the three men who have the first place in that account, and to see from Scripture why they have that place. I suggest that there is instruction for us, in the reasons for David’s high commendation of them.
These men are named in 2 Samuel 23:8-12: Adino the Eznite, Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, and Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. In the first place, it is worth noting that, except in the similar list of David’s mighty men in 1 Chronicles 11, none of these three men seem to be named anywhere else in the Word of God. Neither during David’s time of rejection, nor in all his subsequent wars as king, do we find mention of the names of these men. Yet they are given first place in David’s list.
I suggest that there are several reasons for this. First of all, it is evident from the description given in both 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, that these men possessed unusual courage. They faced incredible odds in battle and had to stand alone at times. It is recorded of Adino the Eznite that he slew 800 at one time. Others like Eleazar stood and defended a field of barley when the men of Israel had gone away, and Shammah defended a field of lentils when others fled. (It is clear from the account in 1 Chronicles, and beautiful to see, that David stood with Eleazar in defending the field.) Such courage is outstanding, and by itself would certainly insure their inclusion in David’s list. However, it is also clear that their courage was born, not merely of natural ability and bravery, but of faith in God and what He could do on their behalf. Of both Eleazar and Shammah it is recorded that “the Lord wrought a great victory” (2 Sam. 23:10,12). No doubt they had seen David kill Goliath with only a stone and a sling, because he trusted the Lord, and they were encouraged to do the same. Humanly speaking, odds of several hundred to one would be impossible to overcome, yet God gave the victory.
The First Place
However, I believe that there are at least two other reasons why they are given the first place. Following this account of courage in regular warfare, we find another very touching incident, and although the names of these three men are not specifically mentioned, it appears to be that they were the ones involved. When David was in the cave of Adullam, hiding from Saul, he longed for a drink of the water “of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate” (2 Sam. 23:15). Without telling either David or anyone else, these three men “brake through the host of the Philistines” (2 Sam. 23:16) in order to get the water from this well for David. Such was their love and devotedness for David that they risked their lives in order to get the water that he longed for. It is recorded that David would not drink of it, but “poured it out unto the Lord” (2 Sam. 23:16). He valued this act of devotion so much that he himself made a sacrifice to the Lord of the water.
The Right Balance
In terms of New Testament truth, I suggest that these men exhibited, at least in type, the necessary balance in their lives, in worship and service. As to worship, their hearts held David in such high esteem that no effort and risk were too great to give him, during his time of rejection, that which was his due as the rightful king. There was no command, no compulsion — only an expressed desire. But for those who were devoted, their affections for David made them risk their lives to fulfill that wish. Later, when he was king, the water of that well would be easily available, but there was a tremendous cost to get it during his rejection. So it is with worship today. There are hindrances from the world, the flesh and the devil, yet the praise rendered during this time of the Lord’s rejection has a special quality. In heaven there will be no hindrance — “In heaven more sweet and loud” (Little Flock #80) — but God values highly that which is given under difficult circumstances, and perhaps involving a great cost.
As to service, they were exemplary in their willingness to risk their lives in battle, even if it were only a field of barley or lentils that was in question. It was part of Israel’s heritage, a part of the land God had given them, and they refused to let go even a small part of it. So today, we have been given the precious truth of God concerning His beloved Son and His purposes concerning Him. We have been given the privilege of being living witnesses in this world and of preaching the gospel. Some may run away, thinking the gospel and the truth not worth such an effort, but God values those who will defend what He has given us, for it all speaks of Christ. As with these men, He will give the needed strength, if we look to Him.
Such a balance may well be something that we covet, within Christianity. Many believers are faithful in service, yet perhaps lack that devotedness in worship. Others may value highly the privilege of worshiping “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), yet be lax when it comes to service. The believer who is really devoted to the Master will not lack either one in his life. We see an imbalance in some of the others who were associated with David. Abishai, for example, excelled in bravery, and on one occasion he too took on three hundred men, and won a great victory. However, he did not share David’s heart and had to be restrained several times because his energy and zeal ran ahead of the mind of God. Others, like Jonathan, loved David “as his own soul” (1 Sam. 18:1), yet lacked the energy to leave Saul’s court and follow David into a path of rejection. May we, who have the light of Christianity, profit by these examples, and seek, by grace, to be diligent in both worship and service, and in that order! In worship, we honor the One who is the rightful King, but who is now rejected in this world. In service, we pursue His interests down here and seek to defend His glory, while pointing others to Him. Both are necessary.
Self-Denial
Finally, it seems that these three men were content to do their work and live their lives in the background, having a heart only for David. They did not, like Joab, seek a high position and public recognition, nor did they trumpet their exploits, as did Saul and others. As a result, their names are mentioned only in David’s account of his mighty men. (In the same way, it is striking that Joab’s name is absent from the list, although he was captain of David’s army during the whole of his reign. Yet his armor-bearer, who again is not mentioned anywhere else, is there). Again, let us be content to seek only the glory of our blessed Master, for surely He alone is worthy of all honor. In a coming day, at the judgment seat of Christ, He will be pleased to recognize and reward all who have done so! W. J. Prost
We Shall See As Never Before
When we stand in the light of the judgment seat of Christ, we shall look back with an enlightened gaze over the whole of our career, and see, as we never saw before, our mistakes, our follies, our sins, our infirmities, our mixed motives. But we shall see also, as we never saw before, the fullness of the grace of God, and the efficacy of the blood of Christ. C. H. Mackintosh
The Exaltation of Joseph
The vestures used to exalt Joseph give a beautiful picture of the coming glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the bride given to be associated with Him. The years prior to this moment were a time of proving the faithfulness of Joseph through circumstances and trials in his father’s house, in the house of Potiphar and in the prison house. Joseph was the one above all the others in his father’s house whom the father could love with confidence. But this prompted his brothers to sell him as a slave, then dip the coat of many colors in blood and send it back to the father. Again in Potiphar’s house his faithfulness was the means of advancing him to be overseer of the whole house. But he was betrayed by Potiphar’s wife. His very moral purity was slandered, and the garment which was torn from him was used as a token of evil, causing him to be sent to prison. While in prison Joseph’s behavior gained the favor of the keeper, so that he entrusted everything into his hands. All these experiences were a proving ground for the time when God would exalt him over the whole land. His practical righteousness in such adverse circumstances proved that he was well suited for this great position.
When the butler remembered his faults, Joseph was presented to Pharaoh as the one who interpreted dreams. As Scripture had stated previously, “the Lord was with Joseph,” so now he is able for the situation. He was able to interpret the dream to Pharaoh in such a way that Pharaoh said to him, “Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled.” He recognized in him the moral qualities necessary for one to be entrusted with all the wealth of Egypt.
Pharaoh “arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; and made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee” (Gen. 41:42-43). The fine linen is most significant for it is a reflection of the fine moral qualities that Joseph had. The gold speaks of divine righteousness as the linen does of practical righteousness. So in the coming day when Christ is exalted, these two characteristics, which the Lord Jesus manifested in His life on earth, are what will array Him with power and authority in the place of exaltation at His second coming.
The Bride Arrayed in Fine Linen
The contemplation of this gives added meaning to the scripture in Revelation 19:6-9, where we have the bride of Christ “arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” The bride having the same moral qualities as the Bridegroom makes for a wonderful relationship. She is able to properly represent and glorify Christ. The clean and white fine linen portrays the public display of His approval concerning the practical righteous acts done while here on earth. It is here in this world that we are subjected to all kinds of trials and tests which prove what we are really like. May the Lord give us to be more like Him.
The judgment seat of Christ will no doubt be the means by which the bride is made ready for the marriage of the Lamb. At the judgment seat all the things done in the body during our life here on earth come before the Lord for review. All that has His approbation is rewarded. All that does not is burned up. For the believer it is a judgment of works, not of persons. How good it will be to have something to adorn that marriage supper. May the Lord who called us to Himself “make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:21).
D. C. Buchanan
The Terror of the Lord
“We must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ.” This includes saints as well as sinners. Not that all will stand before the Lord together, nor with the same issues. Those who believe in Jesus are at peace with God through His work, are in the possession of eternal life in His Son, and are thus beyond judgment. Christ cannot judge His own handiwork. But all must be told out, that we may know the real truth as to His grace and as to ourselves, and that any rewards that are due for faithful service may be given out by the Lord. But how solemn it will be for some to stand before Christ! What confusion of face — what eternal ruin! In all the nakedness of nature, without a rag in which to appear, without a single plea — only to be righteously expelled from Him into eternal woe!
The thought of it quickened the apostle, and became a second motive for service and ministry. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men.” Does it act thus with us, beloved brethren? Satan seems determined in our day to remove this motive for service altogether. Never have the terrors of the judgment been so softened, not to say openly denied. But this is to act falsely with men, and to become tools of the enemy. Paul had the future, with its tremendous and appalling issues fully before his eyes, and it had the effect of making him even more zealous in his labor for Christ among men.
W. W. Fereday, adapted
The Glory of His Grace
At the judgment seat of Christ we see the very essence of grace. The judgment of sin was borne by this blessed One on the cross. He has given us to trust in Himself. He has made us His, and now He has set us in this world for Himself. When this scene is over, He brings us before His judgment seat, and He goes over what we have done in this world; He goes over what His own Holy Spirit has done through us in this world. Then He counts it to us, and in the greatness of His grace, He says, “I will reward you for it’” — for what His own Spirit has done through us. Was there ever grace like that?
P. A. H., adapted
How Much I Owe
“When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon radiant sun,
When I stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o’er life’s finished story
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.”