Chapter 2: The Illusion of Separation

V. The Meaning of the Last Judgment

¹ The Last Judgment is one of the greatest threat concepts in manʹs perception. This is only because he does not understand it. 

Judgment is not an essential attribute of God. Man brought judgment into being only because of the separation. After the separation, however, there was a place for judgment as one of the many learning devices which had to be built into the overall plan. Just as the separation occurred over many millions of years, the Last Judgment will extend over a similarly long period, and perhaps an even longer one. Its length depends, however, on the effectiveness of the present speed‐up.

² We have frequently noted that the miracle is a device for shortening but not abolishing time. If a sufficient number of people become truly miracle‐minded quickly, the shortening process can be almost immeasurable. It is essential, however, that these individuals free themselves from fear sooner than would ordinarily be the case, because they must emerge from the conflict if they are to bring peace to other minds.

³ The Last Judgment is generally thought of as a procedure undertaken by God. Actually it will be undertaken by man, with my help.

It is a Final Healing, rather than a meting out of punishment, however much man may think that punishment is deserved. Punishment is a concept in total opposition to right-mindedness. The aim of the Last Judgment is to restore right-mindedness to man.

⁴ The Last Judgment might be called a process of right evaluation. It simply means that finally all men will come to understand what is worthy and what is not. After this, their ability to choose can be directed reasonably. Until this distinction is made, however, the vacillations between free and imprisoned will cannot but continue.

The first step toward freedom must entail a sorting out of the false from the true. This is a process of division only in the constructive sense, and reflects the true meaning of the Apocalypse. Man will ultimately look upon his own creations, and will to preserve only what is good, just as God Himself looked upon what He had created and knew that it was good.

⁵ At this point, the will can begin to look with love on its own creations because of their great worthiness. The mind will inevitably disown its miscreations which, without the mindʹs belief, will no longer exist. The term “Last Judgment” is frightening not only because it has been falsely projected onto God, but also because of the association of “last” with death. This is an outstanding example of upside‐down perception. Actually, if the meaning of the Last Judgment is objectively examined, it is quite apparent that it is really the doorway to life.

6 No one who lives in fear is really alive. His own last judgment cannot be directed toward himself because he is not his own creation. He can, however, apply it meaningfully and at any time to everything he has created, and retain in his memory only what is good. This is what his right‐mindedness cannot but dictate. The purpose of time is solely to “give him time” to achieve this judgment. It is his own perfect judgment of his own creations. When everything he retains is lovable, there is no reason for fear to remain with him. This is his part in the Atonement.

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