The following incident was related to the writer, who was struck with the illustration afforded of the eternal righteousness of the holy God who cannot behold evil nor look upon iniquity.
In a very large modern factory, designed and laid out as nearly perfect as the plans and thoughts of men could make it, there were more than a thousand men employed, each one contributing his quota to the final product for which the factory was justly famed, and which was placed on the market that it might bring due return to the proprietors of the factory, and wages to the men employed.
This factory is so well organized that every individual worker has his exact duty to perform, and nothing else, so that when every man is obeying his specific instructions and working diligently, there is a steady flow of finished product proceeding from the factory, and everything is in order.
One day, at the end of the working shift, as the men were passing the time-office, on their way to their respective homes, the timekeeper called out to one of the men and invited him into the office; when there, the timekeeper handed the man an envelope with the remark that in it was his week's wages, and he need not come again to the factory.
The man began to expostulate, but the timekeeper would not waste time listening, and told him that all he need know was contained in the envelope. The latter then opened the envelope and found therein three things,—his week's wages, his dismissal, and a photograph. The first two items he could understand, but the third, the photograph, puzzled him for a moment; it was a photograph of himself, showing him talking to another worker in the factory, his own work for the moment being neglected.
Ah! now he remembered, it was that football match which had so filled his mind since he had witnessed it, and he only stopped a minute or two; but the authorities were not concerned about the brevity of the stoppage, to them the repercussion of that stoppage was felt throughout the whole factory, hence their arrangements for ensuring an uncontrovertibly record of the misdemeanor. When the delinquent recognized the photograph, and his mind 'grasped the import of it, he had not a word to say, and accepting the situation, having no other choice, he passed out: the judgment was righteousness.
Does not this scene in the timekeeper's office remind one of that "uncontrovertibly record" that is written in those books which are not opened until the dead, small and great, stand before the great white throne of judgment. (Rev. 20: 12.).
Everyone who stands before that throne of judgment is in eternity, for at that moment there is neither earth nor heaven (see verse 11.), and his life on earth is completely recorded in those books which are opened in order that he may be judged according to the righteous judgment of Him who sitteth upon the throne. The individual records will be as faithfully reproduced, as the sunlight recorded on the camera plate the faithful record of the incident in the factory referred to.
Everything done in this life is shown in its true light and motive before that great white throne. There Truth will prevail; there will be no perversion of justice before that judgment seat. Everyone standing before that great white throne will have participated in the second resurrection, which the Lord calls the resurrection of damnation (John 5:2929And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:29).).
This is the judgment of the great white throne, as recorded in the Word of God; and their silence confesses that the judgment is righteous.
Thank God, there is no need for anyone to stand before that throne of judgment. God is holy and cannot look upon iniquity nor behold evil; God is also love, and is not willing, that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He sent His beloved Son into this world to bear the judgment of our sins, so that we might never appear before that terrible judgment, seat. The Lord Jesus took our place, and on Calvary's cross our sins were laid on Him, and He endured their judgment in His own blessed Person.
Now everyone who accepts the Lord Jesus as his Substitute in the sight of God, is passed out of judgment into life, that is, eternal life in a glorious risen Christ. Will you not accept Him now as your Savior?
"Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation." 2. Cor. 6:2.