The Questions Answered

I just recently discovered the show "Who do you think you are?" and have been more intrigued and inspired than I expected.  The premise is simple: Each week the focus is on following one celebrity uncovering stories of their ancestors.  My first thought was, "I don't care much about Rosie O'Donnell or Gwyneth Paltrow or who they might think they are."  Fortunately, each celebrity is really just a conduit for learning about the rank and file everyday people from which they (like all of us) are descended.

The stories are sketched out in family tree graphics, documents, old photographs, and local scenery.  Literal paths are followed, old documents discovered, buildings and graveyards visited, and a real and deep sense of individuals and their stories long past are conveyed with amazing clarity.  I've been led to tears, laughter, and gasps of surprise at discovering who these people were, what they lived with and through, and how their experiences affected them and the generations to follow.

And then I got to thinking about the Millennium when we'll have a chance to ask, and have answered, all our questions about sin and salvation, and about who made it and why.  I used to imagine us "saints" standing around at clever, translucent, heavenly podiums laden with ponderous books; layers of holy ink and parchment that we'd flip through for a thousand years, trying to judge the fairness of God's judgment by plodding through millions of written histories.  Not very imaginative was I?

But then the light came on in my head.  If we puny humans could figure out a way to present in an illuminated and beautiful way, the stories of people past; then how much better could our wise and genius Heavenly Dad come up with to share the story of the great controversy; from beginning to end!?

The Recording Angel is surely equipped with more than just ink!  I imagine a whole host of the Heavenly Press Corps with video cameras, and 3-D technology, IMAX capabilities, and probably even smell-o-vision--present through the ages, capturing the story of our hero (Jesus) and what he's done and for whom he's done it in the all-encompassing effort to save us and to vindicate His Father's name.

In my mind's eye I can see the heavenly television monitors all aglow as they put together the life story of each and every individual ever born on earth.  Each life episode is laid out with truth and love--to be shown during that thousand years of judging.  Those who accepted Jesus will have stories short and sweet, as the confessed and forgiven failures have been faithfully blotted out; and only the reflection of The Son will be seen in their lives.  And I imagine, the sad stories of the lost will only serve to reveal again and again the relentlessness of God's love and his countless attempts to save them.

That's a show I can look forward to watching.  Where all my questions will be answered and the desire of all ages will be met.

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." ~ John 17: 3