The judgment seat or bema was a well known concept in ancient Rome. We will then, as well, be called to account. His shout “come up my love my fair one and come away,” brings “the up-calling of God in Christ Jesus” to its fullness and we are raptured home. However, I would not recommend this book for new or untaught believers.As Christians we have been “called out of darkness into His marvelous light.” The world grows darker, and at any moment the Lord may come to the air. ![]() It is profitable reading for well-grounded Christians. ![]() I came away with a desire to be more caring, generous, and sensitive. In spite of these reservations, I like this book. Yet the Scriptures link spiritual growth to feeding on and heeding the Word (1 Cor 2:14–3:3 Heb 5:12-14). Many of the most highly rewarded saints seem to have little knowledge of the Word of God. There is an anti-intellectual feel throughout the narrative. This is better, and hopefully the author’s true position. Yet a few sentences later the angel says, “ Believing Israelites who lived before our Lord’s death and resurrection will be raised to live again to join in the kingdom” (p. Stevenson also introduces some confusion about how Old Testament people were saved when, after realizing that only New Testament believers are present at the bema in his dream, he asks a leading angel, “What…of all the millions who were surely faithful in Old Testament times?” (p. In addition, it makes missions and evangelism of questionable value since we may make people accountable to believe in Christ who otherwise could have been saved in some other way. If that is what he means, that is a major departure from the biblical position (compare Acts 4:12 and 16:30-31). He seems to be suggesting that people can get into the kingdom without believing in Christ. Still I remain in the dark on this issue” (p. More than ever before, I know God’s love, mercy, and justice, and I am sure whatever God does will be consistent and in harmony with those attributes. The author expresses uncertainty about the fate of those “whose only exposure to Christianity was of a degraded, twisted, or hypocritical type. That said, I did, however, have some reservations. Though Stevenson does not clearly present what we must do to be saved in this book, he does make it clear that salvation is a gift and that works cannot save us. Janitors might be leading rulers in the coming kingdom. There is also a touching call to see people from a different perspective. Throughout the narrative Stevenson powerfully promotes the need for humility in light of our coming judgment. The narrative flows well, especially after Dan wakes up from his dream. This book is well written and enjoyable to read. Dan’s decision that pleasing the Lord mattered more than earthly success built on dishonesty and sham ultimately leads him to give up a lucrative job. And he repeatedly prays, asking God to show him what to do and say. He faces hard choices at work the very day after the dream. ![]() It presents a much-neglected truth: that the Lord Jesus will judge believers for how they lived.ĭan Mathewson, the leading figure in this novel, becomes a man of prayer after dreaming about the Judgment Seat of Christ. There is much I like about this book besides its cover. The cover of this book is a beautiful painting of one believer in the midst of a multitude appearing before the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory. Gainesville, TX: Fair Haven Publications, 2000. The Bema: A Story about the Judgment Seat of Christ.
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