Whether you are a Christian, Jew, Muslim, or profess another religion, you have heard of “Judgement Day”. No, not like in the Terminator series of movies! It’s when we stand before God to answer for our deeds and thoughts in life. Was I good enough? Did I help enough people? Was I a drain on those around me? There’s just us, a defense attorney, the prosecution team, and the judge. Wow, that Judge has some desk! How will this play out? (This is the revised and expanded version!)
The Players
- The Prosecuting Attorney is of course, Satan. He is often referred to as “the accuser”.
- God is the Presiding Judge. He is the one we stand before in judgement. I can’t even look at Him!
- You and I are the ones on trial. We are so depressed because we have seen the charge sheet and groaned!)
- There’s the bailiff and we don’t like the look on their face!
- We do have a defense attorney, hopefully!
The evidence against us is compiled into a thick book. Unfortunately, there are very few redactions. (Parts where our thoughts or behaviors were blacked out so that they could not be read). It’s true that the whole book uses boldface print, making everything we did or did not do stand out.
Careful inspection reveals that it reads like a diary, organized by the date. Everything is written here! Too much is written here! As a (short) example:
The Evidence
Yes, Satan wrote the things we wish were not in the book in red (the color of Hell) so that they are impossible to miss. He is doing a great job as the accuser. After all, he has had a lot of experience doing this and has had a lot of success. He has that “evil grin” on his face, as he presents his case with confidence.
Over and over he calls the judge’s attention to the red print. This is taking forever! The Judge looks down with a face that can best be described as “disapproving”. He does NOT look happy. As you look at your copy of the book, it seems that every single page of that book has some red print on it. In fact, some pages have no black print at all.
His case is very convincing! Finally, he sits down gleefully saying, “The Prosecution Rests Your Honor.”
We are in deep trouble! How can there be a viable defense against him! We are overcome with guilt. He has done a great job and it seems hopeless. We hug in despair. This would be a very good time to have a GREAT defense attorney!
There AreTwo Possible Ways This Continues!
There are really three possible endings. We don’t really need to read about what happens if you don’t have this specific Defense Attorney.
First Possible Ending
Someone sitting next to us stands up, and starts talking to the Judge, “Your Honor …” Who is this? He acknowledges that everything Satan said is true. (We tremble at that. He is supposed to be defending us! What is He doing!) He agrees that the book is an accurate account of the life we have lived. We are so overcome by our Defense Attorney, we miss a lot of what He says until He prompts the Judge to take another look at the book.
The Judge looks down at the book and His facial expression changes. We look down at our own copies and notice that everything is still there. However, the red text is … blotted out, unreadable. It is covered in a blood-red background. You can’t see or read the parts that Satan highlighted in red anymore. The Prosecuting Attorney can barely stifle his disappointment as He reviews the same page. Our Defense Attorney stands up saying, “Your Honor, when we look at their lives we see that blood, My own blood, covers all the things to which Satan pointed. It is clear that these two innocent people belong in Heaven. “The Defense Rests Your Honor”.
The Verdict
The Judge makes a comment about all the blank space. Then, with a welcoming smile, looks at us as He hits the desk with His gavel, says, “I find the accused innocent of all accusations. My verdict is ‘Not Guilty’. Case Dismissed, Welcome to Heaven.”
We look at each other with tears in our eyes. Hugging, we say at almost at the same time,
“Wow!“
Second Option
Someone sitting next to us stands up, and starts talking to the Judge, “Your Honor …” Who is this? He acknowledges that everything Satan said is true. That the book is an accurate account of the life we have lived. We are so overcome by our Defense Attorney, that we miss a lot of what He says “May we approach the bench, Your Honor”?
The Judge motions with His hand, and both attorneys approach Him. You can see they are having a very serious discussion. After a while, the prosecuting attorney is having trouble staying calm, as he is very, very excited. You can see it in his face and hear it in his voice.
Finally, the Judge says, in a voice that all can hear, “Are we all agreed?” In a voice revealing delight, glee, and excitement, the prosecuting attorney says, “Yes, Your Honor! I agree!” Then the defense attorney says, in a calmer, more loving voice with a twinkle in His eye, “Yes, Your Honor, we are agreed.”
The attorneys both return to their desks, while the Judge pauses for a few minutes and finally says:
The Verdict
“After a conference, both attorneys have agreed to a deal. I have thought about this deal, and also agree to it.” (The Prosecuting Attorney lets out a not-very-quiet “Yes!” followed by “Excuse me Your Honor” when the Judge gives him a stern look.
“My verdict is guilty as charged of all offenses. However, the punishment will be dealt to the defense attorney while the accused are acquitted of all punishment and guilt. Looking at us He says. You may enter My Heaven.”
The Prosecutor is almost dancing with glee, looking at the Defense Attorney, and says, “I finally stopped you! I got you! The wages of all those sins is death!”
Jesus, smiling because He knows something that Satan doesn’t, responds with, “Yes, the wages of sin is death. As you said, it will be my death.” Then, turning to you and me says, “Welcome to My Father’s Heaven.”
We look at each other with tears in our eyes. Hugging, we say at almost at the same time,
“Wow!“
Whichever ending you prefer, the end result is the same!
Articles With Alternative Views:
- A Possible, Alternative View of Passion Week.
- What John 3:16 Does Not Say
- The Gospel According to Lucifer
- Earning God’s Love and Respect
- Judgment Day!
- God’s Voice
- Scripture Mistakes!
- Third Commandment
- Alpha and Omega
- Deadly End or Dead End?
- Names of God
- Who’s the High Priest
- A Creation Story
Please comment and/or respond to what you heard inside of you as you read this! Let’s share!
To see and use Personalized Scriptures, visit YouIntheBible.org and enjoy!