A terrible stench assaulted my nostrils. Looking down, I realized that it was me, for my clothes were covered with filth. Around me stood a crowd of people, all with clothing more or less filthy. But beside each of us stood a bright being in white robes. The smell was overpowering, but the bright creatures did not flinch.
To make matters worse, the sun beat down on us relentlessly, raising waves of almost palpable stench from the crowd. Before us towered a high mountain. The sun was almost directly over its peak, which scintillated with all the colors of the rainbow.
Mopping my brow with my hand, I turned to look in the other direction. Behind us was a low building with a closed door. It looked like it might be cool. I took a step toward it, but my companion said "Wait!"
"Who are you?"
"I am the one who has guarded you throughtt life. Though you could not see me, I was always with you, for the Lord had assigned me to you. I have brought you here now that your life on the earth is over, for you must face him and give an accounting of how you have used it. And I must face him also and give an accounting of my guardianship."
This discourse rendered me speechless for several minutes. I reflected on how I had gotten here. But a short time before, it seemed, I had been lying in a hospital bed after receiving the last rites. I was contented and not afraid of death. Then the lights grew dim and my body numb. I found myself in a long tunnel, being urged forward by some presence. Finally I emerged into this blinding sunlight, covered with filth which I now recognized as the misdeeds of my life, which I could now perceive clearly for the first time. I surveyed myself again and my thoughts turned longingly to the laundries and baths of earth. ...
"Look up," said my companion.
A small cloud had formed on the top of the mountain. Yet it did not cast a shadow or ameliorate the blinding light of the sun. It descended slowly toward the open space in front of us, and as it descended a human figure seated on it became apparent.
"So the world has ended as well as my Life?" I asked.
"No. This is the 'final test'. You and the others gathered here are being given the chance to chose between eternal life and eternal death. The great judgment, when all things are to be revealed, is yet to come. Then your choices will be apparent to all creatures."
The cloud came to rest on the open space, and the personage seated upon it delivered the following oration.
"I have come to give you the knowledge which you will need to make your choices. Though they will be your choices, they will be mine also. Many of you are uncomfortable in this intense sunlight, and your dirty clothing makes your discomfort all the greater. There are two courses of action before you. You can chose to climb this mountain, or you can chose to enter that building which you see behind you. If you chose the mountain, you will find that the sunlight grows ever more intense and you will win every step of the ascent in toil and sweat. But you will also find that as you ascend the filth will fall off your clothing, and the sunlight will become not just comfortable but enjoyable. When you reach the top, you will be so clean and transparent that you will be able to enter into the Sun itself and dwell there in perpetual joy.
"The building which you see looks cool. It is your second choice and may appear easier. But once you turn toward it the sunlight will become intolerable.
"To climb this mountain is to take the path of love which will lead you to Love itself. To enter that door is to reject love. It will not be simply cool, but colder than anything you have experienced. Yet for those who reject love it will be better than the light, which is otherwise inescapable.
"When I was on earth, I spoke often of hell under the image of fire. Now I liken it to coldness. But under either image it is better than the light for those who cannot stand light. It is better for those who have spent their lives rejecting love than to live eternally with Love.
"I have placed before you this day life and death. Chose life, but if you would have death, you need only turn around."
There was a moment of silence, and then the air was filled with ear-spltting screams and curses. I saw that those who had turned around had become so black that they could hardly be seen, except for their shadows. The intense sunlight was obviously causing them great discomfort, for they attempted frantically to strip off their clothing, and rivulets of sweat fell from them to the ground. And then several of them made a rush for the closed door which turned into a stampede. The first to reach it flung it open and darted inside. Those following them pressed on so fiercely that they would have jammed in the doorway had not their companions maintained some semblance of order. The last one to enter slammed the door.
The angels who had accompanied them gathered in a group at the front of the crowd and stood looking disconsolately at the Judge, who returned their gaze sympathetically.
Hardly had the excitement died down than there was a lesser commotion in the crowd. An angel came forward leading an elderly woman, who hung back timidly. She was dressed in the habit of a nun, and on her clothing were only a few bits of dirt. At a nod from the Judge her conductor brushed them off, and her garments became as dazzlingly white as his own. He then led her toward the cloud, but she still hung back. The judge smiled encouragingly and patted a place beside him. The angel conducted her onto the cloud and seated her. Now her diffidence vanished, for she obviously had no thought except adoration.
Descending, her erstwhile companion approached the group of dejected spirits and spoke to them softly. In a few minutes, their faces lighted up.
The cloud now rose, bearing the two figures, and the group of spirits followed in its wake, like a trail of bright snowflakes.
When my attention returned to the crowd, I saw that the sunlight seemed to be particularly troubling to some who were left. Sweat was pouring off them and they were panting heavily. Yet they stood steadfast, facing the sun. Their companions were handing them parasols and leading them aside to where there were rows of benches. Here they sat down, sighing with relief and gripping their parasols.
"Who are these?" I asked.
"These, in their lives on earth, did not believe in Jesus or perhaps not even in God himself. But they determinedly sought truth as they understood it, despite any inconvenience the quest might cause them. Now their understanding has been expanded, but they need time to take it all in. When they have rested, they will join us in ascending this mountain.
"You and the others still standing here must climb this mountain. As you go, and as you overcome the hardships of the climb, the dirt will fall off you. See, just because you have endured standing in the sun, it is already beginning to dry. Brush your hand over your clothing. Some may come off."
I did so, and a few flakes did fall.
The angel continued: "I will stay with you and will help you reach the top. When we arrive you will be so clean and so transparent to the light of eternal Love that you will be able to enter with me into the Sun itself."
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