JUDGMENT DAY. Tell me I’m not the only person who’s ever wondered the logistics of it all? Have you? The whole process is intriguing to me. While Jesus Christ is the Great and Eternal Judge of the quick and the dead, I wonder how much judging will actually be done by Him. What if all the judging has already been done by you?
One night while thinking of this intriguing, perhaps frightful day, the following scene developed in my mind. I stood in a long line of heavenly spirits waiting in nervous anticipation as we approached the majestic gate of heaven. As each anxious person inched closer and closer to their judgment, they recognized the Savior standing brilliantly in radiant white. One by one they came to the front of the line and were embraced by Jesus.
The closer I moved to the front of the line, the more aware I became of the loving and tender attention Christ showed each person as He welcomed them into His presence. I saw Him listen carefully to every word spoken. I watched as He tenderly beheld His brothers and sisters and gently took their hands into His.
As the line continued moving forward, I was now just a few feet away from the Savior and had a clear view of all the proceedings. I saw each person stand before the Savior and, in turn, hand Him a measuring stick. I was confused and worried since I hadn’t brought anything with me. “What could it be for?” I thought. I looked down at what I knew to be empty hands, but was stunned as I lifted up my arms to see a measuring stick of my own.
As I intently watched the next few people in line shuffle their feet forward, I noticed each had a measuring stick of different length. Some were very long, others so small they fit in the palm of their hand. The measuring stick I held was long and heavy, and the closer I got to Jesus the more burdensome it was to carry.
The Savior then said, “It is not I who judge you. You bring today your own measure. Your whole life determined how you would be judged. Every judgment you made, and how you made it, has led to this day. You did not extend mercy to those who harmed you. You did not seek to understand others, but eagerly cast stones. You were quick to pass unrighteous judgment, your heart struggled to forgive others, and justice was your only friend. You will be judged by the same measure with which you measured your fellow men.”
I bowed my head and stared at the floor in stunned shame. I could not deny anything He said. Jesus held in His hand the measure which I used to judge the world, and now the weight of that judgment was to be placed upon my own head.
The way you live your life today determines how merciful the Lord will be with you tomorrow. In life it is necessary to judge others, but how righteously we make those judgments determines our own fate. Judgment day may be a far distant event, but the results of that judgment are being decided today, not just by our actions but by how mercifully we view others.
Thank you for sharing this Ben!
You’re welcome Enoch, thanks for reading! Please come again!
Thank you for opening my eyes that I might see and my heart that I might feel the needs of others and be more open to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost. I needed this today!
Thanks for taking the time to comment Julie – it means a lot! Glad this could help you in some small way. 🙂
Thanks for your article. I’ll try to exercise “righteous judgment.” P.S. The title is misspelled with two e’s in “judgment”….picky, picky
Wish I had found you earlier! this would have been a great add to my Seminary lesson on judging. I’m on your email list so I won’t miss a thing!
Dean, I’ve read this 200 times and never saw that. I think I need you as my editor. Thanks for being picky, things like that are important to me too!
So nicely imagined and eloquently written. Thank you for sharing, uplifting, inspiring, reminding and teaching…
My pleasure. I appreciate the kind words.
Doesn’t that stink when you find things too late! Hopefully you’ll have another chance to use it. Thanks for the comment (and for teaching seminary!)
Ben,
I was touched by how you wrote this article.
I liked it, a lot!
This exactly how I picture this in my mind too.
It is how we lived on this earth, and our words and acts will judge us.
I hope that our Savior will say to me: ” Your kindness and empathy outweighs your many faults.
Have a good one Ben.
That was beautifully explained in a way that I have tried to imagine it, most definitely your’s was perfect. I must ask for strength each day to forgive and forget as well as casting stones. I have alot of work to do from here on in. Thanks Ben
This is so good. I know that at times when I have held onto a grudge, then I have thought of all things I will need forgiveness for and I think to myself, “Where do You get off judging him?”
I love how you put this day into perspective. I have had many an experience with people who are in a hurry and are rude to others and leave a trail of anger. I see the hurt in so many peoples eyes as they go through the day thinking no one notices them, especially our elderly. There are times I see someone and my heart and eyes just well up and I have to go and speak with them even if it’s just a “Hello”. This story is a good reminder of what is truly important in this life, each other and how we share the light of Christ we have been so blessed to have. What is the greatest gift? It is charity and that is the pure love of Christ.
Regina, I couldn’t have said it any better than you just did! Thanks for your comment.
I do the same thing. The hard part for me is, I’m not trying to! I have to hit myself on the side of the head sometimes and say “Stop thinking that way!” It’s like for some people it’s just automatic to not give people the benefit of the doubt. Ah well, something to improve on I guess.
I’m glad you liked it. I hope I’m able to practice what I’ve preached as well 🙂
Marie, I’m sure you’re doing fine! We all can be better, BUT, as long as we are trying and relying upon the Lord to carry us along – in the end it will all work out.
1 month ago I lost my voice in rs. About 10 or 15 before church was over. I had my boyfriend to church with me. I lost my voice all together and I had couple people help me find my dad. My father and Bishop gave blessing at church and my boyfriend watch the whole thing. When I got home with my parents I call him. I had my voice back. On top he seen a the holy ghost when some one real sick. Plus he and I been dating over 2 months he going be baptized in August 2,2014 at 5 pm. He has been learning alot since I came around to his parents house with mission there. He is very nice guy. He learn very fast too. I am proud of him. Ever on learn in there on way teach different people about books of Mormon. I love it. We learn and grow help help other people also. To teach them anyway we can. Love one another.
I was so impressed with this imagery… I imagine the day too but cannot quite fathom what it might be like.
The message is so clear however not to be judgemental. Yes we have to judge but we are not to be judgemental of others.
Thank you for sharing
Thanks for you comment Sarah! Judgment day is going to be a interesting one for sure. 🙂