Chapter 11: THE RETURN.

WE BURST INTO Heaven like the dawning of the first day.

Thousands were standing on the sea of glass. Those nearest the throne stepped back to allow us clear access to our Father. There was great delight in Christ's return-clapping and cheering and some twirling about.

Once our feet touched the crystal sea, we knelt quickly before the Father. Now Jesus' armor shone with incandescent brilliance. My own armor-that which could be seen beneath the drab camel-skin mantle-also shone with a dazzling light.

As we knelt before the throne, wave upon wave of power and color rolled across all present and continued onward past the throne room. The power was electrifying. The color washed into my mouth and eyes as if invading every part of my body. It was a strange and exhilarating experience.

Jesus placed the egg on the sea of glass before our Father: "Returned," He said.

Ruach miraculously appeared. Angels removed the wheat-colored outer garments as He rejoined us.

"Where have you been?" I whispered.

"In you," He whispered back.

"Come," our Father said, "let Me see you." He spoke this to the beneficence as if it were a child.

We remained kneeling before the throne.

Our heavenly Father picked up the egg. A patchwork of discarded snake eggs encased the contents. In His hands, the covering burned away, and the contents shone with a brightness that was difficult to express-because of its absolute purity.

"What is this?" I asked Ruach.

"Surpassing Grace," Jesus answered. "It was in Eden when the garden was closed. During the flood, it was stolen-only to be returned now."

"It is good to have you back," Ruach said. "The redeemed have need of you."

Our heavenly Father held Surpassing Grace before Him, like a daddy holding up a young child. He moved it closer to His face. "Welcome home," He whispered to it.

Those on the sea of glass were enjoying this reunion. He lowered the dazzling light onto His lap. That seemed to be a cue for us to rise.

All of us kept our focus on the returned beneficence. I began to think about it. Both this grace and the world were new at the same time. In many ways, the beneficence, being locked away, had remained new. It never moved beyond the power and untouched glory of the earth's first age. Even though immensely young, it was likewise immensely powerful because of its purity.

"Even though you have just returned," our Father said, "We must send you out. My children have need of you." He lifted Surpassing Grace before His face and blew on it. Then, instead of releasing it, as I thought He would do, our Father passed it into Himself. This caused an explosion that shook Heaven. Out from Him came shiny golden particles that He blew across what looked to be the earth. It was a remarkable experience.

I thought to myself, "How fortunate I am to have seen this dispersion and, even more, to have been a part of the returning of this unbelievable gift that our Father is giving to my spiritual brothers and sisters."

All of this happened so quickly I barely had time to think.

Jesus smiled at me and squeezed my hand as He returned to His place at the right-hand side of the Father. Ruach bowed at the waist and resumed His position at the left of the Father. The twenty-four Elders, the four living creatures, the cherubs, and seraphim bowed to Them as They took Their proper station by the Father.

I was left standing alone before the throne in our Father's glorious court.

"Thank you, daughter," my Father said.

"Thank You, Daddy, for entrusting to me so important a task."

"Well, now," my Father began. "Are you ready to turn the cloak I gave to you?"

I dropped to my knees again. "Daddy," I whispered. "May I speak to You?"

He leaned forward. "Speak."

"Daddy, I'm so honored to have been given Your mantle, but may I leave it as it is with the drab side out?"

"Drab?" He laughed. A ripple of twitters moved across the sea of glass.

"Well. I started to describe it-then thought better of it.

"That's alright, Anna. Proceed."

"Daddy," I sighed. "May we keep the hidden person of my heart between You and me?"

He sat up straight again.

"I am too weak to be known. Let me be hidden in You." I laughed. "I am not being noble, believe me, just-well, realistic."

"Father," Jesus said as He stepped forward. "Allow My sister her request: hiddenness. Her armor is ready and tested for battle. Being unknown and in the place of prayer would help Our cause."

"I concur with this request," the Holy Spirit said. "I have overseen her training, and she is ready for battle."

"You have those who stand with you in this, Anna." There was a long pause.

"Hiddenness it is," my Father said. It was as if those on the sea of glass exhaled. He continued, "I have kept for Myself thousands who stand with you, unknown, unrecognized by the world and ready to battle through prayer and a godly life. Do you wish to stand with them, Anna?"

"I do, my Lord."

His hands of light came out, and He placed them on my shoulders.

"Receive," He said. The power pouring through Him into my shoulders was so great that I was glad I wasn't standing. When He lifted His hands, I felt a bit woozy.

"Stand, Anna," my Father said.

Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit rushed to my aid, seeing that I might need help in standing. Each grabbed an arm and lifted me. I was dizzily happy-but trying to clear my head.

My Father continued: "Anna, look to your right."

I did so. It was as though I could see the whole world; millions of Christians clad in armor were standing in readiness.

"Look to your left," He said.

I saw millions more-ready, firm in their resolve.

"Look behind you." The sea of glass was filled with the redeemed in the same armor as mine, smiling-linked in purpose and solidarity.

I looked up to see the thousands of angels flying above our heads. These had shields and javelins.

The shofar and thousands of trumpets began to blow.

Jesus said: "We are mustering the troops, Anna."

As I looked, the solidarity and singleness of purpose took my breath away. Here were my brothers and sisters through the ages-all of us-not a single child of God lost, not a single blood-washed believer in Christ missing. Our hearts beat as one: we were of one purpose, one of heart, given to one Commander. satan had not stopped our God from building His army, silently, by ones and twos, hidden from sight.

"Are we that near the time of battle?" I asked.

"That near," the Holy Spirit said.

"Daughter, it is time for you to return," my Father said.

"But Daddy, what do You want me to do?" I asked, looking over the marshaled troops.

"Listen for My commands."

I smiled: "I can do that."

My Father rose to His feet. There was absolute silence in Heaven.

A brilliant light shone about Jesus.

"Behold!" my Father thundered as He gestured toward Christ: "The Warrior King comes!"