The church will be active after the rapture. Things will be happening in heaven as well as on earth between the rapture and the second coming of Christ.
We will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. This is not a judgment of our sins – they have already been dealt with by the blood of Christ. It is here where our works will be judged and we will receive rewards for those works that survive the fire. The works of our lives that survive the fire are those things that are done for the Lord without any ulterior motives.
The Word talks about five different types of rewards or crowns that we can receive:
- Incorruptible crown. We achieve this by bringing our bodies into submission to the Word.
- Crown of rejoicing. This is for soul-winners. We are rewarded for any seed that we plant, water or harvest.
- Crown of life. We get this when we endure temptations to go back to a worldly life.
- Crown of glory. Whether you receive this is determined by what you do for the body of Christ.
- Crown of righteousness. This will be given to those who love His appearing.
After the judgment seat of Christ comes the marriage supper of the Lamb. We will be dressed according to the righteous acts that we (the saints) committed.
Finally, we will prepare to come back to earth with Jesus as His army.
Key Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 3:11, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 9:25-27, 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:1-4, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Revelation 19:8-9; 11-14
