T-2.VIII The Meaning of the Last Judgment
1. One of the ways in which you can correct the magic–miracle confusion is to remember that you did not create yourself. ²You are apt to forget this when you become egocentric, and this puts you in a position where a belief in magic is virtually inevitable. ³Your will to create was given you by your Creator, Who was expressing the same Will in His creation. ⁴Since creative ability rests in the mind, everything you create is necessarily a matter of will. ⁵It also follows that whatever you alone make is real in your own sight, though not in the Mind of God. ⁶This basic distinction leads directly into the real meaning of the Last Judgment.
2. The Last Judgment is one of the most threatening ideas in your thinking. ²This is because you do not understand it. ³Judgment is not an attribute of God. ⁴It was brought into being only after the separation, when it became one of the many learning devices to be built into the overall plan. ⁵Just as the separation occurred over millions of years, the Last Judgment will extend over a similarly long period, and perhaps an even longer one. ⁶Its length can, however, be greatly shortened by miracles, the device for shortening but not abolishing time. ⁷If a sufficient number become truly miracle-minded, this shortening process can be virtually immeasurable. ⁸It is essential, however, that you free yourself from fear quickly, because you must emerge from the conflict if you are to bring peace to other minds.
3. The Last Judgment is generally thought of as a procedure undertaken by God. ²Actually it will be undertaken by my brothers with my help. ³It is a final healing rather than a meting out of punishment, however much you may think that punishment is deserved. ⁴Punishment is a concept totally opposed to right-mindedness, and the aim of the Last Judgment is to restore right-mindedness to you. ⁵The Last Judgment might be called a process of right evaluation. ⁶It simply means that everyone will finally come to understand what is worthy and what is not. ⁷After this, the ability to choose can be directed rationally. ⁸Until this distinction is made, however, the vacillations between free and imprisoned will cannot but continue.
4. The first step toward freedom involves a sorting out of the false from the true. ²This is a process of separation in the constructive sense, and reflects the true meaning of the Apocalypse. ³Everyone will ultimately look upon his own creations and choose to preserve only what is good, just as God Himself looked upon what He had created and knew that it was good. ⁴At this point, the mind can begin to look with love on its own creations because of their worthiness. ⁵At the same time the mind will inevitably disown its miscreations which, without belief, will no longer exist.
5. The term “Last Judgment” is frightening not only because it has been projected onto God, but also because of the association of “last” with death. ²This is an outstanding example of upside-down perception. ³If the meaning of the Last Judgment is objectively examined, it is quite apparent that it is really the doorway to life. ⁴No one who lives in fear is really alive. ⁵Your own last judgment cannot be directed toward yourself, because you are not your own creation. ⁶You can, however, apply it meaningfully and at any time to everything you have made, and retain in your memory only what is creative and good. ⁷This is what your right-mindedness cannot but dictate. ⁸The purpose of time is solely to “give you time” to achieve this judgment. ⁹It is your own perfect judgment of your own perfect creations. ¹⁰When everything you retain is lovable, there is no reason for fear to remain with you. ¹¹This is your part in the Atonement.