Staff Writer - Carol Cato
Revelation 20:11-15 Many books are opened, one of them being the Book of Life. The dead are judged according to their works. Those not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire.
Mike, Jane & Ken had all died and woken again to the most beautiful place they had ever imagined. The sound of angelic singing in the distance was mesmerising. They found themselves in a hall with many people.
In front of them was a massive screen, everyone was watching something, but they were too far away to see what was being screened. Suddenly they heard a mighty scream, a man pleaded for his life – it was such a spine-chilling scream that couldn’t be ignored.
A person dressed all in white spoke with the crowd and informed them about their death, that they were in a holding area before judgement – they were waiting to meet the Creator to see if their fate lies in heaven or in the pits of hell.
At this point, Mike felt a pain in the pit of his stomach as he recalled the events of his life. Jane and Ken were a little more comfortable, but still they searched their minds for anything that would stop them entering the Kingdom, however, they had not seen each other.
The crowd in front quickly disappeared; they were almost to the front. Jane and Ken now were able to see each other but were not allowed to get close or to talk. Mike was called first, he was told to look at the screen and not directly at God because the glory that shone around God would blind him. On the screen appeared a movie of Mike’s life, from his birth up until the moment he was shot dead a few yards from his mother’s home.
As the movie rolled, God said to Mike, “I gave you a talent for singing, your voice was meant to bless others but instead you used it to sing insulting songs about women.”The movie showed every occasion and misdemeanour which Mike thought he had got away with, from being unhelpful to neighbours in need, stealing bikes, to shooting Johnny.
Mike realised that God had seen it all and now he would be punished. As he waited for the verdict, tears came to his eyes when he saw how he had wasted his precious life.
God turned to Mike and said “my verdict, Mr Michael Anthony Black, is you are NOT GULITY, your name is in the Book of Life.” Romans 10.9 Mike could not believe what he heard. God spoke again, “while in prison you heard the testimony of the ex-prisoner, you heard me call you, John 15:16, and you answered and asked to be saved….my son I am happy to Welcome you Home.”
Jane, watched Mike’s life on the big screen and thought she would be ok. Her life was also played out for all to see. God said “Jane, you have used all the talents given to you. You taught Sunday school and served the church faithfully. Outwardly you pointed the way for so many people.
But yet you prayed diligently every morning and evening for the things you wanted but not about my Will. You had forgotten your salvation, I looked into your heart and see revenge, and your thoughts are of how to get back at Ken and Shelly.
The anger and bitterness cloud your mind from me that was why you lost my protection.”Psalms 31:20, God continued, “At the time of your death, you did not ask for your own forgiveness, nor had you forgiven Ken and Shelly.” Mark 11:25 “Miss Jane Ann Reid, my verdict is that you are GUILTY of sin – God said, “I do not know you”, then closed the Book on Jane’s Life. Psalms 69:27-28 .”
As Jane was led away, she screamed and pleaded with God, “but I taught in your name, I showed people the way, my name should be in the Book of Life”. Luke 13:24-30.
Ken had been watching what happened to Jane and blamed himself for her fate. It was now Ken’s turn to meet God. He walked up to the throne and looked at his life on screen. He saw all the criminal acts he committed before giving his life to Christ, everything was laid bare in front of him.
His heart sunk at being reminded of the things he had done. He felt ashamed and worried when his story of his relationship with Jane and his affair with Shelly was shown. Shelly was not the only woman Ken had cheated with.
At the time he had convinced himself that because he wasn’t sleeping with them that he wasn’t doing anything wrong, but still he had lied to them. He didn’t get the chance to tell Jane that he loved her and wanted to marry her; if he did she may have forgiven him.
Judgement Day. Photo courtesy sueliz1.wordpress.com
God said to Ken “You have used the talents given to you; you were a businessman and gave back to the needy and directed many people to me. But you did not always live your life right; even though you did not sleep with these women you lead them on and lied to them.”
Then, God said “Mr Ken Marcus Roberts, I find you NOT GUILTY.” Ken fell to the ground in tears. “Before you went on holiday with Jane, you knelt in prayer and confessed all to me. You asked for forgiveness and I forgave you. Welcome Home my son you can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The moral of this story is to look within your heart and to forgive with love. Jane did not gain her reward in Heaven because she carried a grudge in her heart and prayed for everything, but not forgiveness.
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