In times of personal crisis, I have a recurring dream or nightmare or image that sticks in my mind. I see myself standing, essentially, before the Throne of God, with the finger of God pointing down at me in accusation and Judgment.

It may sound clichéd, but I assure you, it is a very real experience. In times when I feel as if everything in life is going against me, I can vividly visualize myself standing before the most ominous, awe-inspiring, terrifying seat of judgment imaginable. Think of the most intimidating figure of authority you have ever been confronted by in your life and then imagine what the authority over them might be like—the authority figure that holds them accountable—infinitely more ominous and intimidating.

I see myself standing in abject awe and mortal terror as a massive finger points down at me from the remote reaches of that throne of judgment. I hear a rumbling voice thundering in the distance, asking me, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

What this experience brings home to me is that the universe is not blind causality—that beyond space and time, beyond everything, there is an Ultimate force of authority—an authority that no one can escape, that everyone must confront, sooner or later, whether it may be in this life or beyond.

In response to this inquisition from on high, I find myself thinking of all the things that I could possibly say to justify my existence—and I find myself reflecting that nothing I could possibly say about my life could measure up to the awful finality of the judgment of God. I find myself feeling as though I were indicted by the tribunal of the Reign of Terror, sentenced to be beheaded at the guillotine—or by the Spanish Inquisition, condemned to rot in some abysmal dungeon for eternity.

I reflect that even the greatest humanitarian or wealthiest emperor who ever lived would be as nothing more than some miserable worm writhing in futility before this awesome throne of accusation and indictment. That it is inevitable and inescapable for every one of us—that no Human soul can ever possibly escape the inevitability of confronting this seat of ultimate, final judgment.

And, furthermore, I reflect that nothing that anyone could possibly say or do can in any way justify oneself before the throne of God. One might be the most powerful, wealthiest, strongest, greatest human being who ever lived, but before the throne of God, none of it means anything. One is no more than a worm before the majesty of God and there is nothing one can say or do to justify oneself before the awe-inspiring perfection and impossible standards of God.

And then, in sheer desperation, I admit that I am a sinner, guilty of any number of errors, failings and shortcomings—only too human in my mind, but impossible to justify all the same.

Finally, at a loss over what to say or do, I quote the Bible—that in the name of Jesus Christ, my savior, the Son of God, I have the assurance of salvation. It is a last ditch attempt on my part—maybe this will work, if nothing else will.

And, after a moment's pause—a moment that seems like an eternity—I feel the awful weight of accusation and condemnation let up. I feel a sense of relief and release and sense that way up on high, God is smiling and nodding. I see the finger of accusation retract, transforming into a gigantic thumbs-up sign.

The ominous voice rumbles again. "You are free to go! You have answered correctly." And I feel the light of renewed life shine down into my life once again. I feel as though the awful certainty of condemnation has been lifted and I have been released once again to experience a renewal of life.

I then begin to reflect that this is the essence of my Christian Faith. This is the key to salvation, to eternal life—that when one is confronted by the inevitable finality of judgment, the only escape is to testify to one's faith in Jesus Christ and experience the mercy and grace of God. Everything else in life is merely human philosophy or culture or art or mythology. The only reality, in the face of ultimate judgment from on high, is to testify to one's faith in Christ.

What strikes me about this whole experience is how real it is to me. It is not some sort of psychological contrivance concocted by my subconscious as a dramatization of the conflict of guilt vs. redemption. Rather, it strikes me as being a real experience with very real, tangible consequences in my life.

All I can say is that if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, there is only one escape that I know of—and that is to testify honestly to one's faith in Jesus Christ upon admission of one's personal fallen, sinful human nature. That is the only assurance one has of appealing to the grace and mercy of God in the face of judgment. You are welcome to try some other course of action if you think it might fare better, but I wish you good luck! The only sure, certain way I know of finding deliverance in the face of ultimate judgment is by calling upon the name of Jesus Christ and the assurance of personal salvation.

To be sure, all this sounds trite and clichéd—who hasn't heard all of this a thousand times before? That old story about judgment and redemption that any number of Bible-thumping evangelists have preached to our deafened ears over the years. And yet—it is not until one actually "experiences" what this really means—that is to say, in one's imagination or mind's eye, at least—that one can fully appreciate the meaning of this truism.

So take this as a helpful hint from someone who is letting you in on a secret that some day might well save your soul—when you face the throne of final judgment, whether literally or figuratively or in your imagination, appeal for mercy in the name of Jesus Christ. Nothing else can save you from that ultimate judgment!

Wishing you the very best,

Uday Gunjikar,
Founder and CEO,
Horizon Cybermedia, Inc.