When Brother Branham was taken »beyond the curtain of time« he saw the Bride in Paradise in a preview. He was told, "When Jesus comes you will be judged." Surprised he asked, "Will Peter and Paul also have to be judged?" The answer was, "Yes, they will also be judged!"

In this circular we shall not deal with the different judgements, for instance when the Son of man shall come and judge the nations (Mt. 25:31) or before the commencement of the Millennial reign (Rev. 11:18; 20:4) or the Final Judgement. Here we need to stress the fact that all, even those belonging to the Bride, will have to appear before the judgement seat of Christ.

The apostle Paul includes himself when he writes about it: "But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ …" So, then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom. 14:10-12).

"Wherefore, we labour that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:9-10).

The Bride does not appear at the »White-Throne-Judgement« which is in connection with the second resurrection. That is clearly spoken of by our Lord with the following words: "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 judgement, but is passed from death unto life." (Jn. 5:24). Many believers thought that they will therefore not be judged at all, assuming that they will not have to give an account to themselves, to others and not even before God about what they have done in life. Therefore some even do not have a minimum of the fear of God. The scripture reference of Rom 14; 2 Cor. 5 and others should teach us a very severe lesson. "… and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (Jn. 5:29). Before the saints will judge the world and angels (1 Cor. 6:2-3), they themselves will have to be judged. Anything that was not settled in our life will have to be clarified there. Even for every wrong word which we uttered, hurting someone or causing trouble, we shall give an account. "But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgement." (Mt. 12:36).

The apostle Paul brings this theme to the point: "For I know nothing against myself, yet am I not hereby justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore, 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 Cor. 4:4-5)

When Brother Branham had that special experience he, in reference to the proclamation of the Gospel comparing himself with Peter and Paul, could make the statement, "I have preached the same Gospel, I baptised the same way. If they will go into Glory with their group, I will go in with mine." That is the assurance of a true man of God and his testimony.

The apostle Paul writes to his co-worker being thoroughly penetrated by the fear of God, "I charge thee, therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom  … Henceforth 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 Tim. 4:1 + 8)

Right after our Lord spoke about the coming of the Bridegroom and the marriage in Mt. 25:1-13, from verse 14 He continued with the parable of the servants who received the different talents. At the end their Lord reckoned with them. The faithful ones received the reward and went into the joy of the Lord. "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." (Mt. 25:23). First the Lord calls us to give an account, and thereafter we are to enjoy the marriage. Paul wrote, that every work will be proven, "If any man's work abide which he hath built upon it, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet as by fire." (1 Cor. 3:14-15)

There will even be differences in Glory. "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead." (1 Cor. 15:41-42a)

"And they that be wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." (Dan. 12:3)

Apostle Paul encourages those who were participating in God's work: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58). What about those who do not participate in the work of the Lord at all?

The Lord will reward the faithful. He will wipe all tears from their eyes and He will hand out the crowns. Nothing will be left unclarified for eternity. About this topic much could be written. May we run the race in such a way that we shall be crowned as victors (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Having the near coming of Jesus Christ in view all who are part of His Bride should examine themselves and not leave any room for the accuser of the brethren at all. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).

We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, make all things right with God and men. Nobody should wait until cases as with Ananias and Sapphira happen. Judgement begins at the house of God. We should not permit ourselves to be taken away thinking to be well-pleasing unto ourselves. Only if Christ really is manifested through our lives, we shall then appear with Him in Glory (Col. 3). Let us not be the object of self-deception. "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." (2 Pt. 3:14). What fear of God should come upon the believers after we are made aware of the fact that we shall be judged according to our words and deeds!

Thus saith the Lord: "Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Rev. 22:12). Can we stand in His presence the way we are now? Can we truthfully say, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."?

When Brother Branham was taken »beyond the curtain of time« he saw the Bride in Paradise in a preview. He was told, "When Jesus comes you will be judged." Surprised he asked, "Will Peter and Paul also have to be judged?" The answer was, "Yes, they will also be judged!" 

In this circular we shall not deal with the different judgements, for instance when the Son of man shall come and judge the nations (Mt. 25:31) or before the commencement of the Millennial reign (Rev. 11:18; 20:4) or the Final Judgement. Here we need to stress the fact that all, even those belonging to the Bride, will have to appear before the judgement seat of Christ. 

The apostle Paul includes himself when he writes about it: "But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ …" So, then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom. 14:10-12).

"Wherefore, we labour that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:9-10).

The Bride does not appear at the »White-Throne-Judgement« which is in connection with the second resurrection. That is clearly spoken of by our Lord with the following words: "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 judgement, but is passed from death unto life." (Jn. 5:24). Many believers thought that they will therefore not be judged at all, assuming that they will not have to give an account to themselves, to others and not even before God about what they have done in life. Therefore some even do not have a minimum of the fear of God. The scripture reference of Rom 14; 2 Cor. 5 and others should teach us a very severe lesson. "… and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (Jn. 5:29). Before the saints will judge the world and angels (1 Cor. 6:2-3), they themselves will have to be judged. Anything that was not settled in our life will have to be clarified there. Even for every wrong word which we uttered, hurting someone or causing trouble, we shall give an account. "But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgement." (Mt. 12:36).

The apostle Paul brings this theme to the point: "For I know nothing against myself, yet am I not hereby justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore, 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 Cor. 4:4-5)

When Brother Branham had that special experience he, in reference to the proclamation of the Gospel comparing himself with Peter and Paul, could make the statement, "I have preached the same Gospel, I baptised the same way. If they will go into Glory with their group, I will go in with mine." That is the assurance of a true man of God and his testimony. 

The apostle Paul writes to his co-worker being thoroughly penetrated by the fear of God, "I charge thee, therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom … Henceforth 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 Tim. 4:1 + 8)

Right after our Lord spoke about the coming of the Bridegroom and the marriage in Mt. 25:1-13, from verse 14 He continued with the parable of the servants who received the different talents. At the end their Lord reckoned with them. The faithful ones received the reward and went into the joy of the Lord. "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." (Mt. 25:23). First the Lord calls us to give an account, and thereafter we are to enjoy the marriage. Paul wrote, that every work will be proven, "If any man's work abide which he hath built upon it, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet as by fire." (1 Cor. 3:14-15)

There will even be differences in Glory. "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead." (1 Cor. 15:41-42a)

"And they that be wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." (Dan. 12:3)

Apostle Paul encourages those who were participating in God's work: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58). What about those who do not participate in the work of the Lord at all?

The Lord will reward the faithful. He will wipe all tears from their eyes and He will hand out the crowns. Nothing will be left unclarified for eternity. About this topic much could be written. May we run the race in such a way that we shall be crowned as victors (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Having the near coming of Jesus Christ in view all who are part of His Bride should examine themselves and not leave any room for the accuser of the brethren at all. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14). 

We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, make all things right with God and men. Nobody should wait until cases as with Ananias and Sapphira happen. Judgement begins at the house of God. We should not permit ourselves to be taken away thinking to be well-pleasing unto ourselves. Only if Christ really is manifested through our lives, we shall then appear with Him in Glory (Col. 3). Let us not be the object of self-deception. "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." (2 Pt. 3:14). What fear of God should come upon the believers after we are made aware of the fact that we shall be judged according to our words and deeds! 

Thus saith the Lord: "Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Rev. 22:12). Can we stand in His presence the way we are now? Can we truthfully say, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."?