The Bema: A Story about the Judgment Seat of Christ

Christian Fiction

This is the book that inspired the life-changing drama that has been presented in churches across America. In the tradition of Jerry Jenkins' and Tim La Haye's Left Behind series, The Bema describes what Left Behind left out: what happens to Christians who are caught up in the rapture. Based solidly on biblical and theological research, this fictional account imagines what it will be like to experience the rapture of the church, see what heaven is like, meet your guardian angel, and appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive your eternal reward for the way you have lived your life. If you have read non fiction books about the Judgment Seat of Christ like Your Eternal Reward by Erwin Lutzer or This Was Your Life by Rick Howard and Jamie Lash, you will especially appreciate seeing this Bible doctrine dramatized in your mind when you read The Bema.

Devotional Experience

Most people who have seen the drama or read the book are profoundly affected by its message and give more thought to spiritual growth and Christian service. When THE DAY finally comes and you stand in the presence of the resurrected Christ to see with His eyes a review of your life, nothing that you thought was important will matter then. Only what you did that was pleasing to Christ will determine how you will be rewarded in eternity. On THE DAY you will wish you had done more to serve Christ and less to gratify your own selfish desires. By identifying with the experience of the main character, Daniel Matthewson, you will see how much more you could have had in eternity if you had been more serious about living the Christian life.

Message of Hope

The good news is that it is not too late. You still have time to live for Christ, to earn heavenly rewards that will last for eternity. Identifying with the main character will help take your eyes off the cares, pleasures and distractions of the world and re-orient your life around service to Christ and being pleasing to Him. Also, it is a great read. The story is so riveting you will not want to put the book down until you have read to its startling end.

Originally from Hamilton, Ohio, Tim Stevenson moved south to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and still lives in the area today.

He earned a degree from the Cox School of Business at SMU with a second major in English, and was planning to launch a career in business when his life was suddenly changed. Previously a hostile, angry skeptic of religions in general, and of Christianity in particular, Tim emerged from a period of intense investigation convinced that Jesus Christ is the way, truth, and life. He became a Christian at age 25, and entered the ministry six months later.

He spent the next 15 years working for two nonprofit public service organizations, serving as vice president of the first, and executive director and board chairman of the second. Then he became senior pastor of a church in the Dallas area, where he continued for 13 years.

In 2006 he decided to specialize in leadership development full-time. Tim earned a certification in Sherpa Executive Coaching, leading to a position as director of leadership development and coaching for physicians and executives at a large healthcare company. In that capacity, he also began writing his e-newsletter, Leading Insights, with over 175 articles to date. In 2013 Tim returned to independent executive coaching and leadership training and founded Stevenson Leadership Coaching. In 2014 he was named a Master Sherpa Coach, only the 7th person in the world to be so honored. Leading Insights articles and more professional information can be found at his website: "Stevenson Coaching."

Tim has written 9 published books to date, including one work of fiction: The Bema, an account of a man's transportation to the heavenly realm, where his life is reviewed by the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bema has also had a fruitful life as a drama, with several stage adaptations being performed around the world.

In 2016 Tim published BETTER: The Fundamentals of Leadership. Whether you are the CEO of a giant corporation, manager of a small office, or aspire to lead a volunteer group, BETTER presents the principles you must know and do if you want others to follow you. It is available on Amazon.