From the Amillennial point of view, there has been a judgment already.
Earburner, I'm very much amillennial in my eschatological understanding, and that's not true. There has been, however, a
justification given to us, which is
a once-and-for-all declaration of righteousness in Christ ~
not a judgment ~ pronounced upon us by God. For us who are born again, this a past event.
And again, in Revelation 20 terms... because that's where you are whether you mean to be or not... we are now sharing in the first resurrection and are thus blessed by God (Revelation 20), because we are born again... by God's grace saved, and raised up with Christ and seated with Christ in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2). This is our present position and status, and our future is absolutely secured.
The final Judgment ~ the separating of the wheat from the tares, the righteous from the wicked, the sheep from the goats; any of these will do ~ and the judging of all according to what they have done is still yet to come.
We who are Born again, are already participants/recipients of the Gift of Eternal Life, aka the first resurrection, who is Jesus. However, we are still in waiting to be made immortal upon Jesus' return. 1John 5:11-13.
Right, I agree. But this is because of our justification, and or being imputed the righteousness of Christ. Thus when we, along with the unregenerate, those who are not in Christ, are judged according to what we have done, we will "stand" in this final Judgment, which, as I said, is still yet future.
Please notice the simplicity of that truth in the scripture you posted.
Ah, 'simple.' Well, I agree that it is simple, but not simplistic. <
smile> Or anything different than what it simply ~ plainly ~ indicates, which was my point.
There are only TWO "works" which shall deliver only TWO "rewards".
"He will render to each one according to his works:
A. to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life;
B. but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury."
I'm really not sure what you're trying to say here... <
chuckles>
As for works, they are either a) honored by God or b) not honored by God ~ a) honored by God because they are done by those created for honorable use, God's elect, those in Christ (Romans 8-9), or b) not honored by God because they are not done because those folks are not in Christ.
As for "rewards" ~ which I would rather term 'outcomes,' or 'consequences,' or 'effects,' or maybe 'results.' Concerning the final Judgment, yes, there are two, and they are opposite each other. They are rendered by God ~ Jesus, of course, Who will preside over the final Judgment, again, according to their works (see above). And yes, one is much more favorable than the other.
Grace and peace to you.
