Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:17-19).
Many commentators misunderstand what John is saying.
Many, if not most, commentators believe that there will be only one eschatological judgment—that is, one judgment of all people after this life is over.
They call this one judgment final judgment. See, for example, a 1985 sermon by Dr. John Piper on this passage at desiringGod.org. (See here.) He says that “the day of judgment” refers to final judgment, when we will find out whether our destiny is the kingdom or hell.
Most think that Jesus will evaluate our works, and that if our works are good enough, then we will be granted access to His kingdom. If not, we will be sent off to the lake of fire.
In John 5:24 the Lord Jesus promised that those who believe in Him will not come into judgment. Yet John speaks of the believer’s “day of judgment.” So how do we explain this discrepancy?
John 5:24 is all about everlasting life. The believer “has everlasting life” and “has passed from death into life.” The middle statement about the believer’s not “coming into judgment” concerns judgment concerning everlasting life. Believers will not come into judgment to determine our eternal destinies.
The eternal destiny for every believer is set the moment we believe. See John 3:16 and John 5:24.
While most commentators think that the Judgment Seat of Christ is another name for the Great White Throne Judgment, they misunderstand. The JSOC occurs before the Millennium and is for believers only (Luke 19:16-26; 2 Cor 5:9-10). The GWTJ is after the Millennium and is for unbelievers (Luke 19:27; Rev 20:11-15). At the GWTJ, those not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15). Even at the GWTJ, no one will be condemned due to his works. The issue will be his failure to believe in Jesus Christ during this life.
The believer’s day of judgment refers to the Judgment Seat of Christ, the Bema. Compare 1 John 2:28, where John uses the same boldness language in reference to His coming. When Jesus returns after the Tribulation, He will judge all church age believers in order to determine their eternal rewards.
The reference to perfect love is a bit misleading. Mature love would be a better translation. We all fail to love others all the time. But the more loving we are toward other believers, the more boldness we experience as we think about the Rapture and the Bema.
Here are some passages you might want to study for further insights into the Bema:
- 1 John 2:28.
- Matthew 6:19-21.
- Luke 19:16-26, the Parable of the Minas.
- 1 Cor 3:10-15.
- 2 Cor 5:9-10.
- 2 Tim 4:6-8.
Keep grace in focus and you will remain certain that you are eternally secure and will remain highly motivated to love God’s children.
