Pondering on an eternal future

When one has cancer, it's hard to avoid pondering about death, the resurrection and eternal judgment. I'm not afraid of death, nor am I particularly afraid to stand before my Savior at the bar of justice. Actually, I am comforted to know that he will be standing on my side of the bar to plead in my behalf (assuming that I can be classed among the righteous). I love the various titles ascribed to him which apply to this role: Advocate, Mediator, one who makes intercession. In Hebrews chapter 9, we are told that he "[appears] in the presence of God for us." In D&C 29, he says, "I am ... your advocate with the Father."

This particular court appearance may be a little different than what we are familiar with here. I don't know whether Satan will actually be in attendance as prosecuting attorney. He probably won't need to be. Will there be any other detractors there to proclaim our guilt. Or... will we find ourselves faced with those unalterable memories hardwired into our brains that cannot lie, no matter how much we may wish to protest our innocence. In this life, we may be able to justify our actions to ourselves, or delude ourselves into believing that we haven't inflicted physical or mental or emotional damage on others. It won't matter whether our thoughts and actions were deliberate or unintentional. We will see the damage. I'm afraid we may find ourselves like an unwitting witness to the train wrecks we have caused during our lives-- unable to turn our eyes away from the disaster that we know will follow such actions.

Of course, we do have the promise that, if we repent, the slate will be wiped clean. Isaiah promises "[T]hough your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). How very grateful I am for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that makes it all possible. How appropriate that the very one who bore the weight of our sins will be the one standing next to us to plead in our behalf. At the same time, how very humbling-- how apt the mental image, that we will throw ourselves at his feet in gratitude and acknowledgement of his suffering for our sins. How shameful we may feel to admit that there were a few sins we clung to in this life, unwilling to repent as we have been commanded.

In our church, when we teach about final, eternal judgment, there are four general destinations or kingdoms. Three of those kingdoms are kingdoms of glory. The inhabitants of these kingdoms, ultimately have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and gratefully accept his role as Advocate with the Father. Murderers and other hardened criminal types, who nevertheless accept Christ, will find themselves in the telestial kingdom. Good people who lived decent lives, but weren't willing to exert themselves to do everything that God commands, who want to coast their way into heaven, will find themselves in the terrestrial kingdom. Truly committed individuals who submitted themselves to the Savior's rule, complying with every commandment to the best of their ability, and who truly desire to be full, contributing partners in the work of the Lord, will find themselves in the celestial kingdom. The fourth destination is reserved for those who reject Jesus Christ, even at the bar of God, who would rather spit in his face than accept his helping hand-- having chosen darkness over light, they will find themselves forever in the dark.

What I have been asking myself is this: Who do I (you) think will be most surprised to learn of their eternal destination?-- The person who is sentenced to Outer Darkness? The murderer who is allowed into a kingdom of glory-- yes, it will be the lowest kingdom, but it will still be a place of glory? The average Joe who knows he's been pretty good and really is just aiming to be like everyone else, i.e., who isn't looking for anything higher than that comfortable middle terrestrial kingdom. Will it be the person who assumes that they haven't done enough, weren't righteous enough, but finds themselves destined for the celestial (or highest) kingdom? OR, do you think the person who will be most surprised will be the one who cannot envision themselves anywhere BUT in that highest kingdom, the one who has judged themselves, finding fault with everyone else, but see themselves as completely guiltless. You know the type, the kind see themselves as so good, that they're not quite sure that they need Jesus' help at the bar. If they find themselves being sent to the terrestrial (i.e., middle) kingdom, instead of the celestial (highest) kingdom, what will be their response?

Superheroes understand that our eternal salvation requires our very best efforts to keep the commandments of God-- but that we cannot do it alone. Jesus Christ is there to bridge the gap between our efforts and the minimum entrance requirement-- but ONLY if we are willing to submit ourselves to his will, to follow his commands. I hope that my paltry efforts will be good enough. But I cannot envision the Judgment Day with anything but hope and joyous anticipation. I look forward to expressing my gratitude to the Savior for all that he has done for me. I'm also thankful to those wonderful people whose actions have served to prod my very best efforts so that I have hope that Jesus will greet me as friend and family.

What do you think?