[Raptor]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

Did you read that link to the Bible.org article on rewards & bema?

Yeah. Some thoughts....

• it over emphasizes the application and scope of the athletic games view - The athletic games bema is a metaphor and we have to be careful how much weight and scope you give the metaphor when you are defining the real thing
  
• seems to ignore some crucial verses and words and downplay other verses/words - these other ones are very important and useful to get a more accurate and complete picture
  
• consequences of sin and disobedience are relagated to "this life" only - no view of the coming age. Just this life and then eternal heaven
  
• no view of consequences during the millennium - they conclude, either: rewards then joy in heaven OR loss of rewards, some momentary shame, joy in heaven
  
• no mention at all concerning the possibility of missing the marriage feast/being part of the Bride or not ruling and reigning with Christ, or not inheriting the kingdom
  
• it directly and explicitly contradicts verses about this subject concerning many things, like severe discipline