| SHERMAN, Ill. (BP) -- Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois was a defendant in a high-profile legal case where, once again, a politician was convicted on criminal charges. What really sealed the governor's conviction: Blagojevich's own words allegedly attempting to sell an appointment to the U.S. Senate. Blagojevich had no idea that his telephone conversations were being recorded. What the governor thought he was saying in private was eventually presented to a jury in a public trial. Historically, criminal trials were not always public. The founding fathers of our country, however, were keenly aware of the abuses associated with secret trials, including the English Star Chamber and the Spanish Inquisitions. Thus, under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution you have a right to a public trial. The U.S. criminal justice system has flaws, but it strives to give an accused, not a perfect trial, but a fair trial. Having trials open to the public furthers this goal. One day each person will stand trial in God's courtroom. Some will be surprised that these trials also will be public. God wants to establish to all of humanity that He is righteous and fair, and His judgments are perfect and flawless. Thus, God is likely to accomplish these goals if the trials are public. The most detailed descriptions of the trials that will take place in God's courtroom are set forth in Daniel 7:9-11 and Revelation 20:11-12. The prophet Daniel, for instance, stated that "myriads upon myriads" were standing before God at the Great White Throne Judgment (Daniel 7:10). In Daniel's day, if a person wanted to describe a vast number of people, millions or billions, the phrase "myriads upon myriads" would be used. It is the type of phrase to describe the sands on a seashore. Attending these public trials will be the largest gathering of people ever assembled in human history. Continued... |