The Tapes Of Our Lives

This was a Bible study borne from a question the previous week. I had been taught that in heaven, "tapes" or replays of our entire lives would be seen "on a big screen", for everyone to watch. Apparently this was a new theology to my small but attentive audience, and they called me on it.

So I did research on that idea, and it turns out, maybe yes, maybe no. Some people rejected the idea that forgiven sins would be revealed, but the Scripture is the Scripture. It says what it says, no matter how uncomfortable it is.

Anyway, what follows is the outline of that study.

(1) There will be a judgement for everyone.

Romans 14:12 - So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

(2) Christians will have a different judgement than unbelievers.

REV 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

(3) Our judgement will be based on what we did with what we had (the "believers’ judgement").

Matthew 12:36 - But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

James 3:1 - Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

1CO 3:10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

(4) God will reveal our lives, good and bad parts.

Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

1 Timothy 5:25 - In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.

1 Corinthians 4:5 - Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

(5) We do not have to fear our judgement.

1 John 4:17 - In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.

So…

Perhaps our lives (“the tapes”) will not revealed to everyone. But we will certainly be judged by God nonetheless, and our lives will be revealed to someone.