Chapter 11: THE BATTLE

As I had suspected, it was determined that some of the most powerful gifts were found in the younger people, even some who were very young. Some had already learned to fight very well, using their gifts as weapons. What they lacked in training, they made up for with extraordinary faith.

The young ones did not seem to have any doubt at all about winning the battle or cutting the tree down. I knew the rest of us had very little faith that we would actually be able to do it. We were more or less going out to fight because we no longer had a choice.

I therefore decided to place some of the children and eagles with each group of adults, to fight with them side-by-side. I felt their main leadership at this time would be boldness and courage, which is what we really needed.

The two main words of strategy that I had been given for the battle were to make decisions based on our strengths and not the enemy's. We also could not be distracted from our ultimate purpose-to cut the tree down.

Our greatest strength was the torch and the sword, which I carried, so I knew I had to go first. I did not want to hesitate, so once the people were formed into companies, we prayed, thanking the Lord for all of the great things that He had already done for us, and that He always leads us in His triumph. Then, with a determination to keep thanksgiving and praise in our hearts, we started forward.

I was waving the sword like the rotor of a helicopter over my head. I was also holding the torch as high as I could. I was astounded by the wind that was being generated and knew that my sword could not be generating all of it.

I looked back at the advancing companies, and they had all drawn their swords and were doing the same thing I was. Many of the swords of the adults were chipped and gouged and some were even broken, but they had a brilliance that cast off a great light.

It was now obvious that these swords were living, and they seemed to come more alive from the movement. The more their holders were swinging, the more brilliant they became. The light that was coming from the entire company waving their swords was soon spectacular. As long as we did this, I was sure there was no darkness that it could not penetrate.

The wind that was being created was driving the stench of the rotten fruit away from us. The air became clear and fresh all around us. Just getting out from behind the barricades had done something to release a powerful spiritual momentum, and it was apparent that everyone was feeling it. With each step, the light and wind seemed to increase, as well as our faith. I began to think that I could not have had more confidence had I been leading an army of hundreds of thousands. I knew this little band of a couple of hundred had the power within it to do all that we needed to do.

The eagles had begun soaring above us as soon as we started. As the wind increased, they went higher and higher. After we had advanced a good distance, I was surprised we had not yet encountered the angry mob which had been surrounding the little group.

I was also surprised that none of the evil fruit had fallen on us from the branches of the tree which we were marching under. I knew this fruit was so large and toxic that it would be deadly if it hit any of us directly. However, there was no evidence that any of this fruit had recently fallen anywhere in our path. There were only some piles of what appeared to be a kind of powder lying about here and there, which the wind was blowing away. I motioned for one of the eagles to come down and report what he was seeing.

The eagle said that the evil horde had fled in terror the moment we began to march. I could understand the kind of shock it must have been for them to see this group emerge from the barricades with such light and power. Even so, I could not imagine them not regrouping and attacking us with everything they could. However, they had fled so far that the eagles could not even see them anymore.

I then asked several of them to fly as far as possible in front of us and to the sides, while staying within the fresh air. When they returned, their report was even more astonishing.

The atmosphere that we were creating was killing the branches of the tree and drying up its fruit. This explained why none of it had been falling on us. What was even more amazing was how far this atmosphere we were creating had spread. We would be able to walk without danger all the way to the root of the tree.

Off to the sides, the evil horde had gathered out of reach of the fresh air, but they seemed to just be standing there, dazed and just milling about. They did not even seem to be eating the toxic fruit anymore, and all of them seemed to have the same confused, weak, hungry look.

I gathered the leaders of the little group and explained what was happening. I knew we had to move faster to destroy the root of this tree. They agreed.

We all began to run, and we were able to run like the wind without getting tired. I do not know if I have ever felt such exhilaration. When we reached the root of the tree, the joy was hard to contain for everyone. Even though we had not really engaged the enemy in combat, I wondered if there had ever been a more magnificent charge or a more noble army as I looked at the faces of our little band.

The trunk of the tree was so huge that it took all of us standing at arm's length from one another to surround it. As we did this, we continued to wave our swords. Then, in unity, we all thrust them into the trunk of the tree, and it quickly died.

Its leaves began to fall like snow. The fruit that was in the branches was away from the direction that we had come, and it dried up quickly. The dust of this fruit created a great cloud as it was being blown away by the wind.

Then we all began to hack away at the trunk of the tree until it came crashing to the ground. Some began to cut it up while others went after the roots and the stump. We did not stop until there was only sawdust and firewood left. Where its huge trunk had been was a great crater, but they filled it in, and soon it looked like a freshly plowed garden.

I knew what I had to do. I planted the torch right where this great tree had stood. It took root immediately. It began to blossom right before our eyes. Then fruit appeared. I then gathered all of the people, and the old eagle began to speak to us.

"This victory is worthy of a great celebration," he began. "but we do not have time for that now. Even so, a story must be told so that we will fully understand what happened here." He then looked at me, and I knew what I had to do.

"This terrible thing happened because I used my sword to cut down a small tree but failed to plant a tree of life in its place. The King has shown me mercy by letting me see my great mistake corrected. That has now been done, and fruit of the Tree of Life is already growing where death so recently prevailed. By this we can remember that life is stronger than death.

"The spiritual atmosphere of a good part of this city has been changed now. On the outer edges of it are multitudes of hungry people who are now ready to eat the fruit of this tree. You must take it to them. There will be many great churches here again, all of which will be fortresses of truth and life. You must remember that you are all one."

The old eagle again interjected, "We will have eternity to celebrate our victories here. There will be a great memorial in Heaven to this one. You have learned what many before you learned-that one can put a thousand to flight, and two can put ten thousand to flight (see Deuteronomy 32:30). Now you are going to learn that one can gather a thousand, and two of you together can gather ten thousand.

"You are about to gather a great harvest here. Soon multitudes from all over the earth will also be coming to you. They are coming because of the light, the fresh spiritual air that is here, and the fruit of this tree. They are not coming for you or for me. We did nothing today but believe and obey, and for many of us we only did this because there was no other choice. Let us not become arrogant, but humbled by what happened here.

"Even so, everyone of you must now lead many. You must lead them here to eat this fruit. You must give them swords and teach them the power of the sword. You will have only led them well when they, too, become leaders. In this way the victory will continue to multiply. Always remember what happens when you begin to build barricades to hide behind. Now go and make disciples of the great multitudes who are now wandering around this city! They will now hear the call."