Died several times

When he died for the first time, he didn't really know what had happened. Darkness simply enveloped him, that was all. He was suspended somewhere in space, waiting. Time passed, and time seemed to drag on. Finally, he realized what had happened. "So this is what the world on the other side looks like," he thought, once he knew. And then he began to recall his life and everything that had happened in it. It wasn't a particularly noble life, for the man in question was a petty thief. He stole food from small shops, sometimes took someone's wallet from their pocket. "I could have done worse," the thought naturally followed his memories, but after a moment, he realized something else: "It could have been better!" It could have been, but it wasn't.

His sojourn in the darkness lasted for centuries, or so it seemed to him. He was terribly bored, recalling his earthly journey for the umpteenth time. He was so bored that he no longer even regretted his misdeeds.

At a certain moment, everything began to change, the darkness taking on shapes and colors, until finally, the man was no longer suspended somewhere in oblivion, but standing amidst the ruins of a castle, lit by torches. An angel was heading towards him. He didn't resemble the angels he had seen painted on church walls. He wore no armor, no sword scabbard hung from his belt, he wasn't particularly tall, and most importantly, he lacked wings. Despite all these shortcomings, the deceased knew the approaching figure was a cherub, for he radiated an aura of purity and nobility that only angels can possess. "

Welcome to our waiting room," the cherub said as he approached. "

Waiting room? I've been waiting here for centuries," the deceased replied.

"The place you were in was purgatory."

"Purgatory? So now I'm going to heaven?"

"Oh no, purgatory was only meant to prepare you for judgment." I think you've had enough time to reflect on your earthly life. "

I've had more than enough, but I don't feel ready to stand before the Most High yet.

" "Not yet? In three hundred earthly years, haven't you had time to prepare for judgment?"

"I've been in nonexistence for three hundred years!?

" "Yes, and yet you haven't been able to prepare for meeting the Father?"

"No." "

I'm sorry, but since I've already let you into the waiting room once, I can't send you back to purgatory. However, if you're not ready yet, I'm forced to send you back to earth. Just remember, when you die next time, you'll be judged from your new life, not your old one."

The deceased was given a second chance, but when he returned to the waiting room, he again replied that he wasn't ready. This happened several more times until he finally died for the last time. It was his eighth death throughout his existence.

Although the last time the angel hadn't told him it was his last chance, the deceased felt he couldn't answer, "I'm not ready yet."

And in his mind, he wasn't. When he first left this world, he had been a petty thief; now he was ending his life as a hired killer. Even though he knew he had to live with dignity to prepare for the meeting with the Most High, he couldn't change. "

Welcome back," the angel said, then asked, "Are you ready?

" Although the deceased's entire body screamed "No," he still gathered himself and said,

"Yes." Then he lowered his head. "

Then go to meet the Father."

As soon as the angel uttered these words, a long corridor appeared behind him. The cherub stepped aside to allow the deceased to pass. The deceased, on the other hand, moved forward with his head lowered and a gloomy expression on his face. He walked until he finally disappeared from the angel's sight.

"Why do they all think they are unworthy?" the cherub said into the void.