Things Hereafter (in Heaven)

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The Father’s House
•  The Lord will lead His saints whom He has “caught up” at the Rapture into “the Father’s house” in heaven (John 14:2-32In 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. 3And 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); Heb. 2:1313And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (Hebrews 2:13)).
•  After the Lord takes His people home to “the Father’s house” on high, He will sit them down at His table and serve them heavenly happiness and unspeakable joy (Luke 12:3737Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:37)).
The Judgment Seat of Christ
•  The judgment seat of Christ will be set in heaven upon which the Lord Jesus will sit as a Judge. He will review each believer’s life. The order of the session will be:
•  Review.
•  Reward.
•  Rejoice.
•  There are two kinds of judges in society. Christ will execute judgment after the order of both. One is a judge in a penal character vested with authority to pass a sentence of judgment on a guilty offender—i.e. a judge in the judicial courts of the land. The believer will never be found before Christ when He judges in this character. It is not the believer’s sins that are in question at the judgment seat; that has been settled once and for all through their faith in His finished work on the cross. Knowing this gives the believer great boldness as he anticipates the Day of Judgment (1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)).
•  He can rest with perfect confidence in the sure Word of God that states that he “shall not come into condemnation” (John 5:2424Verily, 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 condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24); Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)). The other kind of a judge is that of an umpire, having knowledge sufficient to decide on the merits of an object in question—i.e. a judge at an art show. The judge, in this case, is there to appraise and assess the quality and workmanship of the article on display. It is in this second character that Christ is seen as a Judge with believers. God keeps books (records); when a person gets saved He closes the debt side of the ledger and opens the credit side. From that moment forward everything in the life of the believer that is done for Christ will be recorded for future reward. Each believer will be rewarded for faithfulness in their life (1 Cor. 4:55Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)). The judgment seat of Christ is when the rewards will be given out.
•  The believer’s deeds (2 Cor. 5:1010For 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)), works of service for the Lord (1 Cor. 3:9-159For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:9‑15)), motives (1 Cor. 4:4-5,4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:4‑5) Rom. 2:15-1615Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (Romans 2:15‑16)), words (Matt. 12:36-3736But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew 12:36‑37)), and personal exercises (Rom. 14:1-121Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:1‑12)), will all pass into review before the holy eye of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything in their life will be manifested in that day, both before and after conversion, because the Scripture says, “According to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:1010For 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))1
When I stand before the throne,
Clad in beauty, not my own,
Then Lord shall I fully know,
Not til then how much I owe.
•  All that will come out at the judgment seat of Christ will apparently be a matter between each saint and God. It will not be a public exposure before others.2
•  Those things which the saints have done in their lives that are not according to the Lord’s approval will be burnt up and they will receive no reward for them (1 Cor. 3:14-1514If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:14‑15)).
When I stand at the judgment seat of Christ,
And He shows His plan for me,
The plan of my life as it might have been
Had He had His way, and I see
How I blocked Him here,
And checked Him there,
And I would not yield my will,
Will there be grief in my Saviour’s eyes,
Grief though He loves me still?
He would have me rich, but I stand there poor,
Robbed of all but His grace;
While my memory runs like a hunted thing,
Down the paths I cannot retrace.
Lord, of the years that are left to me,
I give them to Thy hand;
Take me, break me, and mould me,
To the pattern Thou hast planned.
•  There are three reasons for the judgment seat. Firstly, it is to magnify the grace of God in meeting the believer’s need. When the Lord reviews their lives and brings to light their sins and failures, He will show them just how great a debt they really had before God.
•  In that day, the saints will learn the true badness of their flesh, and they will also learn how great His grace has been in rising over it all. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom. 5:2020Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20)). Secondly, it is to reveal the perfect wisdom of God in all the ways that He has taken with His people. The Lord will, so to speak, put His arm around the believer and go through his or her life step by step. He will reveal the story of His patient grace, perfect wisdom, and boundless love that has followed them through their whole lives. All of the hard questions that they have had as to why certain things happened to them will be answered then. He will show them the reason why those troublesome and difficult things they passed through were necessary. In the end, they will say, “His way is perfect” (Psa. 18:3030As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. (Psalm 18:30)). Thirdly, it is to determine the rewards of the saints and the place that they will consequently have in the kingdom (Luke 19:16-1916Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. (Luke 19:16‑19)).
•  The results of the judgment seat of Christ will stimulate the eternal praise of the saints of God (Rev. 19:77Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)).
•  Every believer will receive a reward from the Lord. “Then shall every man have praise of God.” (1 Cor. 4:55Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5); Matt. 25:21-2321His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21‑23)) There are, perhaps, 7 crowns that will be given as rewards. The “incorruptible crown” (1 Cor. 9:2525And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Corinthians 9:25)), the “crown of rejoicing” (1 Thess. 2:1919For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? (1 Thessalonians 2:19)), the “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:88Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)), the “crown of life” (Jam. 1:12; Rev. 2:1010Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)), the “crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:44And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:4)), the crown of “gold”(Rev. 4:44And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4)) and the “overcomer’s” crown (Rev. 3:1111Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)).
Worship Around the Throne of God
•  All of the heavenly saints (referred to under the figure of the 24 elders in the book of Revelation) will take their place on thrones around the Lord in heaven. As they look upon Him in all of His creatorial and redemptive glory, they will cast their crowns, and themselves, at His feet in adoration and worship (Rev. 4-5).
The Marriage of the Lamb
•  The marriage of the Lamb (Christ) will take place in heaven.3 The bride is the Church. The guests at the marriage supper will be the friends of the Bridegroom—the Old Testament saints, etc. (John 3:2929He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (John 3:29); Rev. 19:6-106And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:6‑10)).
 
1. Some may wonder why it would be necessary to manifest things believers have done before they were saved, but Scripture clearly states that it will be the “deeds done in the body,” not the deeds done after conversion (2 Cor. 5:1010For 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)). We all were “in the body” before we were converted! The saints will be glorified at this time and will not be defiled when such things are revealed. One of the reasons why the Lord will show us all of our lives, both before and after conversion, is to show us just how great a debt we really owed. It will magnify His grace that has met us in all our need. Also, in order for Him to show us why He allowed those trying and difficult things in our lives, it will be necessary to go back into our unconverted days to give us a picture of what we really were and what it was that He was working out of us. Some of the discipline in our lives as Christians is a result of God’s ways of working out of us those characteristics that have been there since our unconverted days. Interspersed through the record of the believer’s failures (and surely we have all failed), He will find cause to reward His people for the things that they have done for His name’s sake. To think that He will find cause to reward His saints will cause their hearts to be overcome with a sense of His love and grace in a way that could not be reached if all was not revealed. It will result in the highest, loudest notes of praise “to Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Rev. 1:5-65And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5‑6)).
2. “Exposition of Revelation,” W. Scott, p. 381, “Sun of Righteousness,” E. Dennett, p. 37, “Scripture Truth,” vol. 1, p. 318, “Bible Treasury,” vol. 1, p. 243, J. N. Darby, “Collected Writings,” vol. 13, p. 359, F. B. Hole, “Luke,” p. 162.
3. It is difficult to place when this will exactly happen. It will take place sometime after the judgment seat of Christ and sometime before the Appearing of Christ at the end of the 7-year Tribulation period. It could possibly be near the end of the Tribulation.