The Big Decision (cont'd from Mar 18 post)

As I pondered the horrific plight of people whose souls had been reduced to mere capsules, it dawned on me that these were not the only forms of reduction that we had seen.  They were just a more modern and compact version of the pedestals with the stubby antenna-like structures on top that we had seen arrayed between us and the dais at the dingy in-processing station.  But in either case, they faced the same condition of utter monotony, never again to experience any form of human touch or love, not even a smile, only unending isolation and gloom – and no escape, not even the temporary reprieve of sleep that we know in this life.

I was also beginning to wonder at what point we would be expelled from this place since we were still living and obviously did not belong there.  Eventually, our track car rolled to a stop again and we were confronted with this very issue.  The authorities offered to eject us and said that if we continued on it would become more difficult and we would have to prove we were dead.  They already had seats (more like pouches) slung from high above prepared for us to sit in and be lifted out.  Sherril and I had to make a decision.

Our reason for coming on this adventure had been to experience something about Hell that would enable us to be more effective in warning people about going there and explaining how Jesus had provided the way of escape.  Up to now most of what we had experienced had not been much different than what we had already read about.  I felt that I needed to go on but encouraged Sherril to leave.  In her true loyal manner she insisted on sticking with me. 

The decision was made.  We would continue on.  Would we be offered the opportunity to leave again later on?  How would all this end?  We didn’t know.  We just trusted that God would somehow work it out for good – that we had His ultimate protection.

The stage was set now for a long series of tests and trials.  It began with being asked our occupations.  I said engineer and Sherril homemaker.  Each general category of occupation had its own route to follow, and I would begin first, going with the architects and engineers group.  We would be separated for the first time, but I didn’t realize then that it would also be until the end.

Throughout the coming ordeal Scripture verses such as this one would come to mind to sustain me:

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. – John 5:24 

(to be continued…)