I was wondering that everything I did in my life - all of it - from birth to death, will be narrated by God unabridged during my judgment. Even the tiniest error I did years ago can become extremely heinous in my moral standards today.
I’ve often said the night my father died, he appeared in my room. He started with an apology, we argued and conversed, and then he disappeared with one almighty terrifying scream.
However for much of the time he appeared to be looking over my head. When I turned around to see what he was looking at, all I saw was the wall. So it seems I was only allowed to see him.
While he was doing this, there were two main expressions on his face. One was a look of awe, as though he was looking at something absolutely beautiful. At other times he hid his face behind his hands as though he couldn’t bear to look at what he was seeing.
As far as I’m concerned, when he had the expression of awe on his face, I think he was seeing God and / or angels. When he was hiding his face behind his hands, with almost a grimace on his face as far as I could see, I think he was seeing less honourable aspects of his life.
I think we see our life played back to us in a very short time.
Now, having said that, I’m pretty sure he went to hell, going by the terrifying scream. To the best of my knowledge he made no confession or repentance, and died in his own flat. In fact his body wasn’t found for four days. I think he’d have had quite a number of mortal sins to his credit. I know my father had his life played back, but as I said, he wasn’t a saint, to put it mildly.
So in the case of someone who is condemned, I think they see their life played back to them. I’m not sure about those who are “saved”. I still think there’s some sort of accounting, as I also think there are rewards and differing stations even in heaven. As Christ said …
Matthew 25:23 (NIV)
"His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
… and as far as I’m concerned, this refers to heavenly responsibility, which is where the protestants get it wrong as far as saints are concerned. The saints have proven themselves to have been faithful in a few things, and they are then put in charge of many things, as per Christ’s promise via the parable.
But for this to happen, there has to be some sort of judgement which distinguishes the worthy from the not so worthy. Hence I still think we’re judged, and our life will be played back to us.
Which is going to be embarassing in a few places…for me, anyway.