a reward. If any man's work
shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved,
yet so as by fire. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God
destroy." (1 Cor. iii.)

That day is revealed in fire, (Divine judgment,) and gold, silver,
precious stones--those works which are of God--alone can stand the
test. All others burn like "wood, hay, stubble."

Look forward a little. In the light of these Scriptures, see one
standing before that Judgment Seat. He once hung by the side of the
Judge Himself upon a cross on earth. See his works being manifested.
Is there one that can be found gold, silver, precious stones? Not one.
They burn; they all burn: but mark carefully his countenance as his
works burn. Mark the emotions that manifest themselves through the
ever-deepening sense of the wondrous grace that could have snatched
such an one as is there being manifested from the burning. Not a sign
of terror. Not a question for a single instant as to his own salvation
now. He has been with Christ, in the Judge's own company, for a long
time already, and perfectly established is his heart, in the love that
said to him long ago, "This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise."
Now as all his works burn, the fire within burns too, and he is well
prepared to sing "unto Him who loves us and washed us from our sins in
His own blood." And yet stay:--Here is something at the very last. It
is his word, "Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation, and we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of
our deeds, but this man hath done nothing amiss. Lord, remember me
when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." Gold! gold at last! as we may say;
and he too receives praise of God. Yes, not one that shall have the
solemn joy of standing before that tribunal but has, in some measure,
that praise. For is it not written, "then" (at that very time) "shall
every one have praise of God." "This honor have all his saints."

Where and when does this judgment of our works, then, take place? It
must be subsequent to our rapture to the air of which we have spoken,
and prior to our manifestation with Christ as sons of God. For by all
the ways of God, through all the ages, those scenes could never be
carried out before an unbelieving hostile world. Never has He exposed,
never will He so expose His saints. All will be over when we come
forth with Him to live and reign a thousand years. "The bride has