Guilty

Archie Williams was twenty-two years old when he was arrested. Months later, he was found guilty of having committed a terrible crime and was sentenced by the State of Louisiana to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Thirty-six years later, he was freed.

New evidence revealed that what Mr. Williams had claimed since his arrest was true. He did not commit the crime of which he had been accused.

Mr. Williams had been wrongfully convicted.* The Bible speaks of a last-day judgment when it says in Revelation 14:7, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come.” The whole world will be arraigned before the judgment bar of God. In the case of God v. The People, there is no question about the guilt or innocence of humanity. The Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). What hope is there for the guilty sinner? Every person alive has sinned against God, and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

We are guilty of crimes we did, in fact, commit.

But in heaven’s judgment, every inhabitant of the earth is entitled to legal representation. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He assumed the role of heavenly High Priest, and in heaven’s final judgment, He is our Mediator before God. “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. … Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14–16). In the judgment of earth’s last days, we are invited to come with confidence to Jesus, our heavenly Intercessor. Jesus willingly took our punishment when He died on the cross. He now offers us His pardon for sin. You may come to Jesus confident you will obtain mercy and grace. The judgment is good news. We may be forgiven and cleansed. Jesus appears “in the presence of God for us.” Jesus invites you to come to Him and be saved.