Deception on All Sides
On the day of truth, those who appeared in a particular light in this world will be exposed to a completely different light: they will be exposed for what they were rather than what they pretended to be.
This world is a world of deception and delusion. People are free to do one thing in reality here but realize that they are doing something entirely different. They may be pursuing a policy of personal advancement and self-aggrandizement, but they use slogans that make it appear as though—far from serving themselves—they are only out to serve others. They make out that their actions are for their nation’s good, whereas they are the sole beneficiaries of their policies. Everyone twists words to his advantage, making the cruelty and injustice he inflicts on others appear like justice and humanism. Those with the law on their side have a license to act as they please: if the law sanctions their misdemeanours, no one can say that what they are doing is wrong.
This is the way with people of the world. As for people who call themselves religious, the course that they follow is not very different. They have attached the label “religion” to a few lifeless dogmas; they have assigned the highest rewards to some mechanical rites and ceremonies; they make ritualistic religion appear like real religion; they give themselves credit for practising religion, whereas in fact, what they are practising is religion made by man, not the religion revealed by God.
The “God” that they have invented for themselves is one that they do not need to fear. They have appointed for themselves a prophet who will intercede for them and save them from damnation, no matter how they act on earth. The Afterlife they claim to believe in is where Heaven is for them, and Hell is for others. When they pray, they are a picture of humility, but their prayer does not prevent them from being proud and malicious when they leave the house of worship. When they fast, they abstain from food and drink but do not bother to refrain from lying, deceit, and injustice. They have made religion a topic of argument and disputation and have forgotten that religion is something to be practised, not just to be talked about. Then, to crown it all, they claim that they are performing “missionary activity”, whereas what they are doing is seeking to consolidate their power and prestige.
However, counterfeit gold is only considered gold until it has been put to the touchstone test. So, it is with deception that man practices in this world. It can only prevail until the Day of Reckoning comes to pass when God’s truth eliminates all falsehood, and His justice end all injustice. Man is free in this world because he is being tested. He can do as he pleases as long as his trial period lasts. However, when it comes to an end, he will find himself powerless. He will want to speak, but words will desert him. He will want to run away, but his legs will not be able to carry him.
That will be the day of truth. Man will shed the camouflage that hides his actual state on that day. Everyone will appear as he or she is. It will be a revelation when the pretences that people put on fade away and reality comes to the fore. Only God knows a person’s actual state; it will be plain for all to see in the next world. Those who appeared in a particular light in this world will be exposed to a completely different light: they will be exposed for what they were rather than what they pretended to be.
