(只允许在中国，没有中国以外, Serving the Mainland's Three-Self Patriotic Church)

“Truly, truly I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened...”
—JOHN 1:51

The sound was ancient and terrifying. Startled, I spun around to see a colossal battering ram relentlessly moving under its own power across a desert basin.’ Its wooden wheels were at least sixty stories high, and they groaned and yawned under the extreme weight they bore. Blasphemies were carved into its black battering arm, the end of which was the iron head of a goat.

Although it moved slowly, people on the desert floor seemed helpless to avoid its path; they were crushed as it rolled over them. Screams filled the desert valley and ricocheted off distant rock formations, filling the desert basin with terror.

Slowly the battering ram topped a sandy hill and began to pick up speed going down the other side. Breathless from shock, I clawed with my hands and dug with my feet into the deep sand of the hill in order to reach the top and watch its path.

It picked up tremendous speed as it plunged down the other side of the hill into a deep valley. In its path at the bottom of the hill was a walled city. Both city and wall were the color of the sand and seemed to be half sunk into it, almost reclaimed by the sand from which they had come. In faded lettering on the side of the wall, I could read: THE CHURCH.

The battering ram was massive, and the adobe wall of the city did not look strong. With brutal impact, the goat’s head smashed into the wall and continued through it. It plowed through houses and buildings, losing little of its speed. When it broke through the wall on the opposite side of the city, it slowed to a stop, settling into the sand.

A strange silence fell.

Occasional screams broke this silence. They came from those who had been mutilated or from those who recognized that a loved one had been killed. But stranger than the silence was the fact that few sought to escape across the rubble of the wall—few.

Then slowly, all by itself, the battering ram turned and began to start up the hill again, moving in my direction. The goat’s head on the end of the ram was laughing, exhilarated, as if drunk with blood.

I thought it might see me, so I left the top of the hill and began to run in the opposite direction. As I ran, I frantically scanned the desert basin for a hiding place. I could hear the huge wheels laboring as they carried the battering ram toward the top of the hill again.

Suddenly an angel began to fly beside me.

“Where can I hide from the battering ram?” I shouted as I ran.

“The battering ram rolls relentlessly over all the earth now. Up high,” the angel said, “up higher than it can see is the only safe place. Let me show you.”

The Escape

With a wave of the angel’s hand, a stairway appeared, touching the earth and reaching beyond my view into heaven. I moved to the base of the stairs and looked up. I was still heaving from running.

The angel flew beside the stairs, higher than its base on earth, and waved me upward: “Come on!” the angel shouted. “The ram is coming, and we don’t want him to see this stairway. Come on!”

There were no hand rails on the narrow stairs. The stairs were clear like glass, which can be slippery. I could hear the battering ram rolling; although I was still panting, I began to run up the stairs.

“Faster!” the angel called.

I kept my eyes on the stairs. In his hands the angel had a scarlet cord fastened to the stairs at the bottom. I could hear the battering ram getting closer, but the angel pulled the cord and brought up the first section of the stairway, like attic stairs that can be lowered and raised.

“Hurry!” the angel urged.

I continued to run up the steps, breathless. The angel pulled the thin rope, and another section of the stairs rose.

“Keep climbing,” the angel said, although now his tone of voice was less urgent.

With a mighty effort, I completed the stairs and turned to make sure I had indeed escaped. The battering ram was directly below, rolling beneath us as the third section of the stairs was pulled up.

“You were safe after climbing the second set of stairs; but to be really safe, you needed to pass the third,” he said.

As the battering ram rolled past, I tried to catch my breath and settle myself. Only then did I look around.

“Where am I?” I asked.

Paradise

“Paradise,” the angel smiled, as he tied the cord holding the stairs to a docking post. A sign above the post read STAIRPORT. I looked out over the most beautiful park I had ever seen.

There were gentle rolling hills, beds of subtly colored flowers, and grass as uniform and green as the rolled lawns of English manor houses. A walking path crossed this part of the park. There were also quiet pools, a stream, and luxuriant trees that on earth would have provided shade, but there was no shade or any shadows here. A soft light emanated from everything growing.

Beautiful, I thought.

“Yes, isn’t it,” the angel answered.

I did not seem surprised that he read my thoughts. I turned to look at him; only then did his appearance register with me. He looked to be six feet two or six feet three inches in height and in his mid-thirties, if I were gauging by human years. He had brown curly hair and wore a brown, transparent, full- length robe. Underneath the thin brown robe, I could see that he had on blue-and-white-striped work overalls, the sort one might obtain in the store of a farming community. The thought struck me that the brown over-robe was so thin that it was probably cool to wear when working.

A coil of rope crossed his shoulder and chest, circled in a wide loop near his waist, and returned across his back to the shoulder again. He wore a white belt, from which hung a white tool pouch. This pouch looked a little like the hand tool belt worn by telephone repairers. He was unlacing a pair of silver-tipped, brown, high-topped work boots as he spoke to me.

“No shoes up here,” he smiled. “This is holy ground.”° I looked down at my own feet and saw that they, too, were bare.

He stood up, putting the boots under his arm. “You’re safe here,” the angel continued, “All of that is down below.”

“What was that?” I asked.

“The great enemy of our Lord and of His church.”

“But it was destroying the church,” I exclaimed.

The Two Churches

“Some of it may be destroyed—that which calls itself the church,” he continued. “It has a sign saying it is the church, and many live behind that sign. But the church—the real church—escaped; the real church is alive and can run faster than any battering ram can roll. It’s clumsy, really; but if you are dead stones, if you are not alive, then of course it is more than any man-made structure can resist. However, the real, living church of Jesus Christ can hide in caves, float on the water, or climb into Paradise.” A member of the real church will know where the hidden stairs are located. That person can call for help, and we will let down the stairs so that he can escape. The real church is more agile than the battering ram. Living stones have feet.”

Then, like someone who had just remembered his manners, he said, “Would you like some refreshments? It would help you.”

“All right,” I said, trying to get my bearings.

A tray of fruit floated to us.’ “Here you are,” the angel said, gesturing toward the tray, “a choice.”

I reached to make a selection of fruit. Some varieties I had seen on earth, and some I had not. All were without blemish. We both made selections and began to eat.’

“You need to get acquainted with the locations of the hidden stairs,” he continued.

“Is there a map?” I asked.

“No,” the angel laughed. “The map is in the Spirit. By following His leading, He directs you to the hidden stairs.”

I glanced toward the stairport. “These stairs look like glass,” I said.

“Light,” the angel replied.’ “Nice, aren’t they?”

“Do people ever fall off these stairs?”

“Not if they keep their eyes on Jesus,” he chuckled, “but I wouldn’t advise looking over the side. You might get wobbly doing that.”

“This is good fruit,” I exclaimed.

“Yup, everything’s good up here,” the angel said, mimicking a cowhand.

I laughed, bemused. He was not anything like my idea of an angel. “What is your name?” I asked him.

The Angel Azar

“Azar’ the angel said, “I’m the one who answers when you call for help.”

“Is there only one of you?” I asked.

“You mean for the whole earth? Oh no, I couldn’t take care of the whole earth. We’re assigned to a small number to whose call we will respond, more or less according to lifestyle. Sometimes a stunt person will need one of us all by him or herself, but usually we can handle five. The boss chooses who they will be.”

“The boss?” I said.

“Well, our immediate boss, not the Lord; no, I mean the angel in charge of helps. While you are living on earth, I’m the one who will answer your call for help. So don’t take up mountain climbing,” he laughed.

He amazed me.

“Had enough fruit?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you,” I said. The tray of fruit disappeared.

The Suggestion

“Now,” the angel continued, “you can return the way you came. The present danger is past, but I would suggest that you take the path to the throne room. You must be here for a reason, but that knowledge has not been given to me.’ Your Father can tell you why you have come.”

“My Father?” I said, glancing out into the park, lost in reflection. It seemed inconceivable, not only that I was in Paradise, but also that I could go to see my heavenly Father as a child might go to see an earthly one.

“Certainly,” he said, reading my thoughts. “Just take the path.”

“Does this path lead to the throne room?”

“All paths here lead to God. They are not like the paths on earth.”

I looked toward the path as if it were a distant horizon too far away to reach.

“Go on,” he laughed. “Go see your Daddy. I’ll be here when it’s time for you to return.”

I turned to search his face.

“Don’t you want to know why you’re here?” he asked.

“Yes,” I laughingly exclaimed.

He threw up his hands and shrugged, as if to say, “Well?”

“Thank you,” I said earnestly.

He smiled at me and spoke quietly, “The Creator of the universe desires your company. Don’t keep Him waiting.”

I smiled and showed him that I was stepping onto the path.

He called after me, “I’ll be here when it’s time to return.”

I waved to him, acknowledging that I had heard. Then, somewhat breathlessly, I set my face toward the throne room.

Chapter 2
Sandcastles

Much to my amazement, the path on which I had begun to walk seemed to be in motion, like a conveyor belt or a moving sidewalk. I looked down at my bare feet standing on its smooth, advancing surface.’

It was then that I noticed another pair of feet beside mine. I was not traveling alone. I looked up into the face of a large angel.

“Hello,” he said formally.

“Hello,” I answered. He was about seven feet tall, with blonde hair that seemed to have lights in it. Perhaps the light was within him and shone out through his head and then his hair. I could not tell. His face was grave with the demeanor of authority.

He wore a long white robe and had large, strong, white wings.

“Who are you?” I continued.

Angel of Promises

“I am a messenger,” the angel replied.

I could feel power emanating from him. “What kind of messages do you deliver?” I asked.

“Promises,” he said. “I help to bring God’s faithful promises to mankind.”

“That’s a big job,” I quipped. (I was hoping he’d become less formal.)

“Very,” he nodded stiffly.

He didn’t. So, I thought, perhaps all angels are not alike. This spirit is very serious, like an ambassador. Suddenly I remembered that he knew what I was thinking. “Have you been delivering promises on earth?” I asked aloud.

“Yes,” he said, pausing to weigh his words, “yours.”

“Mine!” I exclaimed.

“Yours,” he reiterated. “When you came into the kingdom, the Lord told you that you would see into heaven, did He not?”

“Yes,” I answered vaguely, looking out over the passing landscape. I was searching my memory. “That was years ago.”

The Promise

When I came to the Lord twenty years before, it was a time of miracles. At that time He spoke to me several promises that related to my life on earth. Although I did not keep these pledges in the forefront of my thoughts, I realized that He was fulfilling most of them daily. But this one promise, this amazing promise, had not been fulfilled. At first [looked and longed for its fulfillment; after a time, however, immediate demands crowded out anticipation until truly I had forgotten. “Nothing happened” I continued, “and...” My voice trailed off. I started to say that I had forgotten.

“However, God has not forgotten,” he said, “and the fullness of time has come.”

I hardly heard him for I was trying to piece together the past with this present.

“Being ignorant of God’s ways does not negate their functioning’ he said. “Of course, great unbelief does hinder.”

“But what does it mean?” I asked, searching his face.

“I do not have the authority to tell you. Ask your Father. The Revealer of Mysteries will reveal this mystery to you.”

I was lost in the wonder of it, so he continued, “Our God is faithful and true, and He loves you.”

It seems that at times of great impact or distress, one can think of the most unusual things. Suddenly I wanted to know his name. “What is your name?” I asked.

“Seek for me in Scripture. Your Father wishes you to grow in confirmation from the written Word of all that you see and hear. Seek for my name,” he said, and then he was gone.

The Tour

Before I could adjust to his sudden disappearance, I heard the distinct sound of a voice projected through a megaphone, as on a bus tour: “Pleasant hills, soft turf, cool streams...”

I turned to see a winged angel deftly weaving in and out of people farther ahead of me on the moving path, sort of like a ticket collector on a merry-go-round. He too had on a white robe, but on his head was a blue hat on which was embroidered TOUR GUIDE. Around his waist was a silver belt from which hung a silver coin exchanger. However, I never saw him ask anyone for the price of the tour. His voice was high and as loud as a barker at a fair; he was pointing out areas of interest in Paradise. “All streams flow from beneath the throne. All proceed from the same source,” he said, weaving through a group of people. “We’ll stop here so that you can enjoy this site.”

The moving path stopped, and people farther up the line got off to look at the view. The tour guide turned to answer someone’s question, so I too got off, walked over to a stream, and sat beside it. It was the first time I had been able to look more closely at the flora of Paradise.

The grass looked like grass, but its properties were undeniably different. You could walk on it, and it would return to its former position once the pressure had been removed from it. ‘° There were several, formal plantings of flower beds near the stream, but again, these were not flowers as we know them on earth. They were perfect.

I stretched out my whole body at the water’s edge and put my hand into the stream. Cool. But, is it water? I asked myself. No, I thought, I believe it’s light. A group of angels passed overhead. They were flying in a wedge formation like a flock of geese. When I returned to look at the water, another face was looking into the stream with me.

The Sand pile

“Hello,” a child’s voice said.

I turned and sat up to face her.

“Are you on tour?” she asked.

“Have you just begun the tour?” she questioned.

“Yes, I think so. Why?” I asked.

“I wanted you to come play with me,” she said.

“Play with you?” I said incredulously.

“In my sand pile,” she said. “Can you come?”

Just then the tour guide walked over to us, and I stood. I was torn between getting to know this small spirit and continuing my tour.

“May I go with. . . what is your name?” I asked her, bending over to question her as one might question a child.

“Crystal Clear.”

“May I go with Crystal Clear for a few minutes?” I asked the tour guide.

“Oh, all right,” he said. “Meet us at the almond grove when you finish.”

“How will I find it?” I asked.

“Crystal Clear will show you the way.”

“Yes, I will,” she said excitedly. “Come along with me.”

The Lesson

Suddenly we were on a vast shore line, but there was no sea. It looked as though the beach was still there, but no ocean. In the sand were all manner of red and blue children’s buckets and shovels.

“Haven’t you always wanted to build a sand castle?” she asked. ‘

I chuckled, “Well, not really, Crystal Clear.”

“Yes, you have,” she continued. “Think about it. You’ve wanted to build on earth, and all of that is sand.’ When the tide comes in, it goes away. Even the tools for building remain longer than a sandcastle, for the tools are from God. But if you use them to build on sand instead of in eternity, what do you have? A waste of time,” she shrugged. “You have wanted a sandcastle. It’s silly really, isn’t it?”

“I suppose so,” I said quietly. I did not want to admit it, but she was right. I had wanted a home and financial security and to accomplish something—for God, of course—but I had tunnel vision for the life on earth. I had Christianized the gospel of the world and bought into my own packaging. It was a bitter thing to hear that the focus of my life had been fleshly and worthless to God, and that I had not gotten away with it.’

“Do you want to play?” she continued cheerily.

I felt a little sick. I thought I would change the subject. “Why such a large sand area?” I asked.

“Many want to build on sand, so we let them. It gets it out of their systems, you know. Maybe if you build on the sand right now, you would feel, ‘I’ve done that.”

“It seems a silly thing to do,” I said stonily.

“Well, yes, it does. However, building on the earth is really the same: silly toys that are long forgotten here, toys that do not even gather dust in the attic but disintegrate and are totally forgotten here—a waste of God’s precious time,” she said much too breezily.

I had the taste of a copper penny in my mouth.’ “Is it all right if we do not play today?” I asked.

“Oh, all right,” she said. “Do you want to join the tour?”

“I don’t know,” I said dazed. I felt as though I had been hit by a truck. “I like your name, Crystal Clear,” I said acidly. “It’s apt.”

“Maybe a little rest,” she said, as if she had not heard my remark. “Now, remember to come back to see us. We love you here; do keep in touch.” She held up her tiny hands, and I held up mine to reciprocate. Light came from hers into mine and knocked me softly backwards.’

I lay on the air, as someone might lie on a gurney while being wheeled through hospital halls. My arms were across my chest, and I floated down the path like a patient returning from surgery.

Chapter 3
Angels in Training

An angel began walking beside me as I floated down the path.

“Whom do you seek?” the angel asked.

“I thought I was going to see my Father in the throne room,” I answered.

“He is everywhere, but this is not the throne room.”

The Terraced Waterfall

I had floated to the edge of a pool; I began descending to rest on the grass. The pool was at the base of a high, terraced waterfall. Lavender flowers and hanging greenery grew on the ledges of the fall. A fine mist hung over the pool, caused by the impact of the falling water.

“What is this place?” I asked.

“One of the gardens,” the angel said. “It’s peaceful here. Why don’t you rest,” he suggested, and then he was gone.

There was something soothing in the sound of the waterfall, something restful, but there was also someone humming a lovely melody. The sound vibrated through me, touching every part of my body. Then a high voice began to sing:

At the song’s end, slowly a figure formed from the mist of the waterfall. I sat up to watch this unusual sight.

Heather of the Mist

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I am Heather’ the figure said. “I tend this part of the garden. Sometimes the path leads beside still waters or into perfumed gardens,” she smiled.

I lay back on the grass, for I was weary and still recovering from my experience at the sand pile.

She continued after a pause, “Do you wish to grow in spirit or in the natural?”

“In spirit, most of all,” I said.

“Then cultivate obedience,” she said.’“Your Father loves you. I know that, or you would not be here. You would not have access to Him nor be able to enter these perfumed gardens.”

“Tell me of these gardens,” I said.

“There are many, each filled with untold delights. I suppose, being on the path, you always expect to arrive in the throne room?” she asked.

“Yes, I do.”

“But your Father wants you to see more of His beautiful land.”

The Question

Suddenly I sat up, looking at her intently. “Heather, what do you do here?”

“We grow in God. Also, I tend this small part of the garden. But we do not toil here. We live for what you would call spiritual growth.” Then returning to the subject she was addressing before my question, she swept her hand in a wide semicircle.

“The areas to visit are without end and beyond compare.”

“I seem to be alone here,” I said, “but I know there are others.”

“Yes, but your Father is answering your prayers to grow and learn. He decides how each child should be taught,” she smiled. “For you there is private tutoring here. One on one. Ask what you will.”

“I’m so at peace in this place,” I shrugged. “I find it difficult to think of things to ask.”

“I’ve heard that,” she mused.

I could think of one question only, for which I felt I already knew the answer, but I asked: “Do you have fellowship here?”

“Yes, we are happy. Actually, there are many of us around, but I alone am sent to you, so you see only me.”

“Why are you called Heather?” I asked.

“For the flowers that grow in the midst of the falls,” she smiled, looking up at the high, terraced garden.

The Angel Clara

“Hello, Ann,” A woman’s voice spoke from behind us. “Heather,” the voice continued, as we turned our faces toward her.

“Clara,” Heather responded; she quickly rose to face her. Heather turned to me. “This is Clara, who is very beloved of us here.”

I rose to my feet also. “Hello, Clara,” I said. She was absolutely the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. This angel looked very womanly and had a soft light coming from her head area. The light seemed to gather into streaks of light as it radiated outward from that glow. She parted her botticellian, golden-red hair in the center and caught it in a multiple bun arrangement at the nape of her neck. She wore a white, draped garment similar to the designs adopted by Roman women before the time of Christ. The garment was gathered and belted beneath what would be the bust area in a human. Her eyes were an intense blue.

Clara’s Invitation

“I’ve come to take Ann to a training session,” Clara continued.

“What kind of training?” I asked.

“Of the healing angels,” she smiled.

“Oh,” I said softly, for she amazed me by speaking of an area that was of great interest to me. “I would like that, but. . . ,“ I grappled for the words as well as for direction, “I’m on my way to the throne room.”

“This is on your way,” she smiled. “Your heavenly Father is offering you this opportunity.”

I looked to Heather for guidance. “I would go if I were you,” she affirmed. “Would you like to drop by?” Clara asked. “Yes,” I said enthusiastically.

Clara laughed. “Thank you, Heather. She seems wonderfully refreshed.”

“Yes, thank you, Heather,” I added, turning to her, but already she was fading into the mist of the waterfall, smiling and holding up her hand to acknowledge our departure as she disappeared.

We too left suddenly.

The Annex

Immediately we were outside of a very large building that had a small sign over its double doors: THE ANNEX. It was a short distance from an equally large building that had a sign written in a language that I could not read.

I thought to myself, I wonder if travel is at the speed of thought here?

We entered the building.

It was a huge auditorium much the same as the municipal auditoriums in major cities. There were a number of tiers, as well as the main floor. Angels filled the building. They all wore white armbands with a large red cross on each band.’° They seemed to be attending a lecture.

Their instructor was on an elevated platform before a gigantic, clear board that looked similar to lucid plastic. He held a long pointer with which he would add colored-light illustrations to the board by touching it. He did not draw or write, but pointed only; they appeared on the board complete in their design.

Clara began to make her way to the front of the auditorium. The angels remained attentive, but they moved aside so that we could pass down the aisle. We stood near the raised platform, and I could see the instructor more clearly.

He had a crew cut and wore white armbands with a red cross on each band. He also had stripes on his sleeves.

Angels of Healing

I turned to look at the faces of the angels. They looked like the United Nations of angelhood, representing many nationalities.” I supposed that the Lord would send them on assignments all over the world. They were very intent upon the lecture.

The instructor continued, “You realize that you play a very important role in verifying our Lord’s victory in the area of health. The enemy will use any wile to attempt to bring into a place of unbelief those to whom our God assigns you. He is a master of unbelief. He has succeeded mightily with humankind in general and with the elect specifically. It is often easier for the redeemed to believe our Lord will provide for them financially than to believe He wants His people well. The healing revival is about to begin.’ Instead of one, we will be assigning two of you to each person slated for the gift of healing.’

“We want you to learn to work together now. We have some badges for you to fasten to those receiving this gift.”

He held up a badge. It was green with red letters: ONLY BELIEVE.

“We have a large number of the redeemed who will be here later, who will act like believers on earth.’ Don’t be discouraged by what they say to you. They are here to show you exactly what you might be facing with your charges. Some of the replies they will give you will seem fantastic, but they are usual. You will be able to see how effectively the enemy has eroded belief in the Lord’s gracious provision of health. Work through this dismay now. We’ve given you a ‘buddy system’ for this revival. There are to be many, many with the gift of healing this time around. Any questions?”

“When will this be?” an angel shouted from far back in the hall.

“The Lord God, the Almighty, knows this. You just get ready!” he called to the angel asking the question. “He did say, ‘Soon’; I can tell you that much. That is the reason for this mobilization and intensification of training. Any other questions?”

There was general silence.

“All right, I want you to rally back here after your work with the redeemed. Do not, and let me repeat this, do not individually question the redeemed so that you ‘bone up’ before this workout. We want the full impact of their answers to hit you together. If there are no other questions, you are dismissed.” There was a great deal of movement as the angels rose and began talking to one another while leaving. Clara and I started up some stairs toward the top of the platform. The instructor was clearing the transparent board as we reached the top.

The Angelic Instructor

“Hello, Clara. Who is this with you?” he teased, as an adult might tease about a child whom he knows well.

“I believe you know Ann,” Clara said, playing along.

His eyes twinkled. “Yes, I do know her. If I hadn’t told the trainees to refrain from cramming for this exam, I could have had Ann give them some of the answers they will hear on earth.”

“Now, Chabburah,” Clara smiled, shaking her head as one might when indulging an inveterate jokester. I knew what he meant, however, so I changed the subject.

“What are the stripes on your sleeve?” I asked.

“By His stripes we are healed,” he smiled tenderly, looking at the stripes.

Clara continued: “We’re taking a tour. Do you have any suggestions?”

“The hanging gardens...” he began.

“No,” she laughed, “concerning the healing angels and the revival that is coming in the area of healing.”

He looked at a slate in his hand with mock seriousness. “Well, I see here that Ann is slated for a couple of my finest angels.”

“Me?” I questioned. “Is it possible?” I knew that God gave this giftedness to some of His children. In fact, I had stepped into a stream of such a gift at one time. It was as though God healed everyone for whom I prayed. This amazing and utterly supernatural anointing lasted for several months, and then it was gone.’ Why He gave it and why the anointing lifted, I never understood. Since that time, there were more questions than answers in my mind.

Classes

The instructor did not respond to my inner dialogue, but continued, “Clara, I would suggest that she begin classes soon. She’s almost a classic example of ‘gelatin belief’—’touch it and it shakes.’ I’m going to teach these classes myself,” he continued. “She can study this series at home as a correspondence course, but since she’s here right now, she could tour the warehouse.”

Clara turned to me. “Would you like that?”

“Yes,” I said. “If the Lord is going to use me to pray for healing in others, I.. . well, I need to learn all that I can.”

“All right,” he said. “You can get a head start by touring next door; we’ll page you when you’re to begin your course at home. How’s that?”

“That sounds good to us,” Clara said, “We’ll begin right away. Thank you.” She began moving us toward the stairs of the platform.

“Yes, thank you,” I said.

The Request

He called alter us, “Now don’t talk to any of the students on your way out. You might tempt one of them to stumble and ask you questions,” he chuckled. Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, he called to us.

“Wait a minute. This is really an excellent opportunity. You’re here, and...” I could not understand what he was saying. “Would you be willing for the students to question you in order that they might hear your reasoning?” he asked. “Sometimes it’s difficult for the redeemed believers up here to remember why they thought as they thought while on earth. Would you be willing?”

“Mercy,” I laughed lightly. “Am I so tough?”

“No, no, no,” he said, putting down his slate and crossing to place his hands on my shoulders. “You’re just. . . typical of the reasoning given on earth.”

“If it would be helpful to you and the others...” I said.

“It would,” he replied. “Good! You and Clara tour next door. We’ll page you there,” he said, going back to the large board. But almost immediately he whipped around again to look at us. “Now, don’t ask Clara about healing,” he smiled.

“We want a raw example for them.”

“Okay,” I laughed.

He went back to his board, and we started down the stairs.

Immediately we were at the back of the large auditorium and exiting the double doors.

As we stepped from the building, we could see thousands of angel trainees sitting on the lawn in twos with one or two of the redeemed. They were in deep discussions.

I looked up at the sign over the doorway of the building toward which we were walking. I could not read it before, but now, much to my amazement, it appeared clearly: BODY PARTS.

Clara opened the door, and we stepped inside.

Chapter 4
Healing Angels

He warehouse was large, as large as the auditorium we had just left and as white as a “clean room” at a research facility. It seemed unusually bright in the building, as though the contents were either preserved or incubated in light.

‘This building holds an inventory of available parts of the human body,” Clara said.

There were bins upon bins of parts of all colors and sizes.

The Warehouse Workers

Angels in white were working inside. These angels were the size of humans and had no wings. Each wore an arm band with the same red cross on it. One of these angels walked over to us. “We’re pleased that you have come to visit the parts department, Ann.”

“How do you know me?” I asked.

“We know everyone slated for the gift of healing:’ he smiled. “You need to know that these are available.”

He walked with us down the wide, center aisle. As I looked at the bins, I wondered what it might be like to have the gift of healing for the remainder of my life. Through the written Word, Jesus commands us to heal the sick and raise the dead, but I was not among those through whom He was fulfilling His own command consistently. Healing seemed as general a commission to Christians as “go ye. . . ,“ but many of us saw little of the early church’s power to heal physically. I had always made excuses for others and myself, but secretly, I wondered why.

The angel continued, “We’re ready here. The Lord has made ample provision. Please enjoy your tour.”

“We will,” Clara said.

“Yes,” I said, somewhat distractedly.

He bowed slightly from the waist and stepped backward before returning to his work.

The Page

There were so many questions I wanted to ask Clara. Suddenly a piece of paper floated before our eyes and paused in the air. It read, “Please return to the annex.” Then it zipped away.

“This is sooner than I thought,” Clara said.

We turned and began to walk toward the door of the warehouse. In hushed tones I said, “Oh, Clara, this is getting really exciting. I’m going to be able to help these angels. What an honor... what a gift!”

“Yes,” she agreed.

“And just think, I might see some of these angels with other people during the revival,” I mused.

We exited the warehouse and began to cross to the annex.

I was reiterating to myself, “. . . to assist angels.” Then I addressed Clara again, “. . . because you angels are so helpful to us, but rarely do we get the opportunity to help you.”

She gave a wise smile that seemed to indicate that this was not true but did not want to dampen my enthusiasm.

Angels Who Have Their Stripes

We entered the annex. Again a crowd of angels filled the room. A group of angels was on the platform. They wore no arm bands but had red stripes up and down the sleeves of their garments. We stood in the back of the hail.

“These are angels who have their stripes:’ Clara said. “The Lord assigned them to believers during the last healing revival.”

“There aren’t many of them,” I said.

Clara sighed, “No, only a few on earth were given the gift of healing in great measure. These believers were meant to train the many; instead, most of them erected tents and held the gift for themselves. The gift was used, but since they did not train others, it was corrupted and became a means of enriching themselves personally.”

She glanced out over the large auditorium and smiled as she continued, “This roomful is only one group of trainees. Others are at other levels of training; some have their stripes already and are beginning to join those to whom the Lord assigned them. Many of the redeemed on earth have been taking a correspondence course, most without knowing it. The believer needs to complete the course before he receives the two assigned angels. So, everyone is in training right now, aren’t they?”

“Is this correspondence course the same that I’ll take?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said. “It is study concerning healing in the Word.” She then turned her attention to the angels on the platform.

There was a great deal of light coming from these angels. One was speaking. “The Lord wishes those of us who were used in the last revival to hold a reunion on earth before the beginning of this outpouring of the Holy Spirit. You might say that we are bringing closure to that which was. We are being honored by the reunion being the commencement celebration that will usher in the next great move of our God for healing.”

Another of the veteran angels interjected, “We know what your next question will be: ‘When?”

There was a chuckle of laughter from the trainees. “We don’t know when, but the Lord has said, ‘Soon.” I whispered to Clara, “What beautiful angels.”“Yes,” she said.

The Former Outpouring

Another angel on the platform spoke. “That which occurred during the last great outpouring of the Spirit for healing was very painful to all of us.” They shook their heads, sadly looking at one another.

“Corruption crept in,” another said, “elusive sin by elusive sin. Finally, most had corrupted the gift beyond the recognition of those of us who were serving them.”

“Mankind may be deceived by outward show,” another angel said, “but we saw all that happened. God is not mocked.”

They paused a moment; the gravity of that which had occurred was still painful to them.

The first angel spoke again. “In this coming revival the gift will be so widespread that the corruption due to pride and power is less likely to occur.”

To his statement, another angel added, “But watch for these: pride, the lust for power, greed, and sexual lust.”

“It will not be the lesser demons you will need to battle, but demons as strong as you and rabidly determined because the time is short,” the first angel said. “We’ll turn the meeting over to Chabburah again,” he concluded.

The angels seated in the auditorium stood before the angels on the platform and blew toward them. I supposed that this was some form of a standing ovation.

“Thank you,” they smiled.

Chabburah spoke to them briefly. Then they left the platform. Chabburah came to the center of the platform. “Remember, these friends will be available to answer questions and assist, not only now, but when the revival begins.”

The other angels were touching the angels with stripes as the latter walked through the crowd. As they passed, they saw me and acknowledged Clara. The last angel stopped before me. “Hello, Ann,” he said, touching my right shoulder. He looked into my eyes and then looked at Clara, smiled, and left.

“Stretch a bit,” Chabburah said, “for Ann has come to be with us.”

Preparing to Teach

Clara began to move us to the front of the auditorium. The angels smiled as we passed. They were moving about and talking among themselves.

Chabburah was waiting for us on the platform, smiling, following us with his eyes. “There you are, Ann,” he said effusively.

“This was very quick,” Clara remarked.

“She was about to ask you questions,” he shook his finger at me, as one would to tease a child. “Come over here,” he added. “I have seats for you both. Sit down and make yourselves comfortable.”

Then he turned to the auditorium. “All right, take your seats,” he said to those who were talking. “You can talk later.” He gestured toward me. “Ann is with us. She has graciously accepted an invitation to answer any questions you might have concerning her or humans in general.”

I tugged at Chabburah’s robe. “I don’t know everything,” I whispered to him.

Everyone laughed.

He smiled, “We know you don’t know everything. We don’t either, so we’re all in good company. I’ll just step back over here and let you begin.”

Teaching the Angels

I did not know how I expected the meeting to be conducted, but I certainly did not expect to be handed “the floor.” I was stiff as I began. “In the first place, it is such a blessing for me to be able to assist you. Hmmm...” I did not know where to start, so I just jumped in. “Well, most people on earth do not believe in divine healing.”

A mumble ran through the auditorium.

I continued, “Even those who are saved have a difficult time believing.”

There was a very loud reaction. The amazement was such that I looked at Chabburah. He urged me to proceed.

“Even those who have seen divine healing have difficulty believing all the time.”

There was general, loud alarm throughout the auditorium.

“Hold it down,” Chabburah said. Then to me he said, “Why don’t you suggest that they ask you questions?”

“Would you like to ask questions?” I asked rather meekly.

Angelic Questions

An angel rose from his seat and spoke loudly, “Don’t they believe the Word?”

“The unbelievers don’t, of course. Some believers do, but many believers really do not.”

There was a stunned silence in the auditorium. I looked at Chabburah. “Give them time, Ann,” he said. “They’re shocked.”

“Some believers, you see, think that parts of the Bible do not apply today, that certain sections were for long ago,” I said.

An angel near the platform said in a normal voice that carried because of the silence, “But the Word says that The Eternal is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Why would they consider the Word apart from Him? He is the Word.”

There was a great deal of general agreement among the angels.

“Well,” I shrugged and laughed, “they do.”

“Do you?” another asked.

“I believe in healing, and I believe that the Lord promises health and that He has paid for healing for believers, but I do not understand it.”

“It is a covenant promise,” another angel said, rising from his seat. “By His stripes He has knit you back or mended or joined you again to Him who is divine health. It is sure.”

“But often people are sick,” I said.

Another angel rose. “It’s a covenant promise, as has been said. One needs to abide in Christ.”

“Of course, if a person deliberately abuses his earthly vessel. . . ,“ another said.

“Forgiveness needs to be absolute,” another added without standing. “Break the knitting together with Christ, and some sort of illness will result.”°

“As night follows day,” they all said. You could tell they were members of a class. They all laughed.

I interjected, “But most who will receive this gift will not be abiding by the covenantal agreements won by Jesus. How can this be?”

Grace

Again they all laughed, responding in unison, “Grace.”

Chabburah explained, “There is coming an outpouring of grace as the Holy Spirit moves in power in the coming revival.” As he spoke to me, he added, “Are you tiring, Ann?”

“Yes, this is all so much,” I chuckled wistfully.

“Students,” Chabburah said, “that is enough for today. Let’s stand and give Ann a big hand.” The angels stood and cheered as they clapped. “All right, all right,” he said, “settle down. You’re dismissed.” He turned to me, “Thank you, Ann. That was wonderful. These students thought they could not be shocked again.”

“Why didn’t they blow toward me as they did toward the angels who were here before me?” I asked.

He gave a mighty laugh. “It might have killed you,” he said.

“They were passing the breath of God to them. That’s the highest compliment they could pay the angels who were lecturing. The angels, being spirit as they are, could receive it. They breathed it in. The breath was as food to them. Although you are in spirit here, some experiences would be beyond your capacity at present.”

He put one hand behind Clara and one hand behind me as we started down the steps to leave. I could tell that he was strengthening me as we walked. At the bottom of the steps stood two blond, rather nervous-looking angels.

The Twins

“Chabburah,” one said, “we’d like to meet Ann.”

“Of course,” he said with great understanding, almost tenderly. “Ann, these are the angels whom the Lord has assigned to you for the revival.”

These angels looked seven feet tall, young, eighteen to twenty years old; they appeared identical. “You look like twins,” I said.

“Yes,” the other said, “I’m Rapha, and he’s Raphashanah.” Raphashanah said, “Thank you for sharing with us. We need as much understanding as possible before we are on the job.”

“Thank you for saying that:’ I said. “I became tired, and Chabburah felt that was enough.”

“It was most helpful,” said Rapha.

“I’ll be taking classes; maybe we could talk more then,” I added.

They looked at Chabburah. He nodded yes. “Yes,” they smiled broadly, “we’ll talk more then.”

“You students are going to miss your next class if you don’t hurry,” Chabburah said to them.

“Very well,” they smiled, “we’ll see you later:’ and ran off.

“I’m staying here, Clara,” Chabburah said. “And thank you, Ann. That was most helpful. Now, don’t forget, we’ll send a page to you when class is to begin.”

“I’ll be ready,” I said as I hugged him. I had never hugged an angel. They do not feel exactly the same as flesh and blood on earth. Not as solid, I suppose is the best way to express it, but substantial.

“See you later, Clara,” he said.

“Yes:’ she replied.

“Good-bye,” we both said, and we started to walk away from the platform. Suddenly we were at the back of the auditorium and exiting the doors. By stepping onto the path, we were quickly quite a distance from the two buildings.

He Comes

Immediately ahead of us on the path was a burning light. Hundreds of spirits surrounded this brilliance, darting in and lifting out like eagles catching heat currents. They were flying with the light as if escorting it. So bright was this great light that it reduced the spirits to silver outlines of themselves in its radiance. It reminded me of figures passing in front of bright headlights on a dark night, although here there was no surrounding darkness. Everything paled that was near this intense brightness.

Clara spoke to me. “He is coming:’ she said. “He comes for you, Ann.”

Both of our faces were catching the glow of His radiance. My heart leaped within me, yet a peace settled over me like warm oil.

Clara continued, “We will be with one another later. All of your attention needs to be given to Him now.” She smiled toward the light and vanished.

Chapter 5
The Lord Jesus

He was coming —my Beloved, my Friend. My breath was knocked out of me, and my knees went slack as He came closer. Then, like a tree overtaken by a dust cloud from a wind flurry, the cloud of His glory engulfed me. The spirits still were darting in and lifting out on the periphery, but I could see only Him.

Remembering

I had seen Him standing in the sanctuary of a church several times before over a period of years. The last time was two and a half months earlier. He was standing twenty-four feet high in the sanctuary of a church where the pastors met for citywide prayer meetings. It was Yom Kippur. For four years we had labored in the citywide prayer movement of that metropolitan area, and we had returned to the city for a Bible conference after being gone for a year.

At that time He stood in the sanctuary, a rainbow encircling Him, clothed in a shimmering, multicolored cloak.’ The light radiating from Him looked alive. Suddenly He telescoped to the size of a man and spoke.

“Look at Me,” He said. His eyes, though far away, suddenly were near and riveting, as if aflame.

As I looked into His eyes, the robe of vibrating colors passed through His body, came to me, and encircled my body. I could feel it as well as see it.

Then, without walking, He came forward until He passed right into my body. He was facing the back of my head, and I was facing the back of His. He turned around within my body, and we were both facing in the same direction, both wearing the cloak. After this I had the even stranger sensation of having someone look out of my eyes—Jesus, not I, was looking out of my eye sockets.

Suddenly He moved forward out of my body, leaving the cloak on me and returning to the place from which He had come. In an instant He disappeared, and I was left wearing the shimmering, multicolored cloak.

The Desire of All Nations

Now He was standing before me in Paradise.

How can one describe “the Desire of All Nations”? Far more than the impact of His physical appearance, He embodies life. His eyes are clear blue but as deep as a bottomless pool. It seems that if you could travel into those eyes, you would understand all mysteries, that in plunging toward the bottom of that deep pool, you would pass the answers to all things.

He embodies love, light, and truth. A kaleidoscope of understandings flooded my spirit, computing faster than lightning, causing me to react as Job reacted when the Lord confronted him—I could only cover my mouth.

He stepped up to me.

He was smiling broadly, as a childhood sweetheart that you knew you would always, always love, but that you had not seen since childhood. The years dropped away as you saw Him, and you were right—you would always, always love Him; no one could ever take His place.

He took my right hand in His left, which strengthened me. “Come,” He said. Immediately we were flying.

The Mountains of Spices

Paradise began to pass beneath us. The spirits accompanying Him flew to the side and behind us. We were flying up to an astonishing mountain range. The color of each mountain varied. As we drew closer, I realized that the first mountain emitted an aroma.

“Where are we, Lord?” I asked.

“You have often called Me to the mountains of spices,” He said. “We are here.”

The Father’s Delight

“These are for your Father’s delight,” Jesus said, “and for the delight of His children. They bring joy.” Without turning His head to look at me, He asked, “Do you wish to bring joy?”

“Yes,” I answered.

Jesus responded, “Obedience brings joy to My Father, holiness of heart, thankfulness, truth with mercy. Each is like a spice. Each has a fragrance. Collectively the aromas are pleasing to My Father. The aromas speak of Me to Him, not just one spice but the aroma of the blend as one passes from mountain to mountain. Together they witness of Me, and this pleases My Father. Also the aroma of these spices coming from His adopted children speaks of Me, and He is pleased.”

As we passed over each mountain, wave upon wave of the most tantalizingly delicious smells washed over me. Then some of the particular spices growing from each flew up into my free arm and hand. As we passed over the twelfth mountain, my arm and hand were full of the complete complement of aromatic spices from the mountain range; the smell was beyond Compare. I breathed in deeply and felt permeated with the aroma, I could almost taste the fragrance.

Suddenly I wanted to give out that which had come to me. I flung the spices up into the air, and they became white doves.

“My covenant of peace,” Jesus said.

Before my eyes I could see the whole earth as if I were the distance of a satellite from it. The doves flew and became flames of fire resting over the whole earth.’°

The picture before my eyes so intrigued me that I did not realize that the spirits had disappeared and that Jesus and I were coming down into a walled garden.

The Walled Garden

The enclosure seemed to be a private garden.” It was not extremely large, but it was large enough to have a variety of trees as a part of its planting: the pomegranate, myrtle, and cedar; the balsam, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, and aloe.

The garden was in the full bloom of spring with narcissus and jonquils in the beds and vines of yellow jasmine and purple wisteria intertwined on the stone wall.

There was a three-tiered fountain in the center of the garden with a bench near it. The bench was under a very large apricot tree, which resembled more an oak than a fruit tree. It was in bloom also and exuded a lovely, invigorating scent.

Our feet came to rest on the ground near the fountain.

“What a lovely garden:’ I said.

“Yes,” He smiled, allowing His eyes to scan the area lightly. “I enjoy walking here.”

Suddenly into my mind came a phrase from the Song of Solomon: “Until the cool of the day when the shadows flee away. “ It was cool here, and certainly there were no shadows. Did that song speak of Paradise?

We began to walk

A Garden for Lovers

The path circled the garden, with plantings and beds near the wall as well as on the opposite side of the path in the center of the garden. Camphire (henna) was blooming there, and the star-of-Bethlehem, blue flax, and the scarlet lily were blooming in beds near it.

“Who tends this garden?” I asked. “You do,” He answered.

“I tend this garden?” I exclaimed with astonishment.

“Yes,” He replied.

I looked over the garden. I felt that I had been here before, but the feeling was an elusive impression, rather like trying to piece together a dream when you only remember snatches of it. I could not bring it into clear focus.

“Would You tell me of this garden, Lord?” I asked finally.

“Each such garden is different. Each is unique, and I delight in each.” He paused before speaking again. “Do you enjoy being here?” He asked.

“Yes, it’s...” I could not find the words.

“Yes:’ He agreed.

We came to a spring that flowed from a rock in the garden. Spanning the water was an arch of a bridge that seemed only wide enough for two people. As I thought about it, the bench near the fountain also seemed only wide enough to seat two. Perhaps this was a garden for lovers. As we crossed the bridge, I could smell the scented calamus that grew on the banks by the water.

His Burden

“Do You become tired?” I asked.

“There is a burden in My heart for mankind,” He replied. “I will bear this burden until all is completed, but this is not like the body fatiguing and needing rest. No, I do not tire as those who are housed in the flesh tire.”

“Do You get lonely?” I asked.

“I long for completion, but that is not loneliness.’ Loneliness comes from unfulfilled desires, passions that cause one to seek to live in the future through a desire for fulfillment. I live in the present. I am concerned with that which is now. All things are complete here. . . although incomplete moment by moment. I long for the completion of this gift to My Father, that He may be glorified as well as pleased.’ He loves having His children around Him. What satisfaction is greater: a crown upon the head, a smile in the heart, a joy that is beyond compare”

We passed beds of saffron and nard. I remembered that on earth these were of great worth.

He continued, “The eyes of those in Satan’s kingdom are blind to My Father, as well as to Me, but they are open to and aware of their subsistence coming from the evil one. He too has gifts, and he displays them. The harlot stands in the doorway and beckons the naive: ‘Come in; my bed is scented with all manner of spices and balms. Your sleep will be sweet.’

“But it will not be sweet. A thousand torments embrace the one on that bed; a thousand heartaches that can never be satisfied lie with the naive on that bed. True love springs forth from God, a never-ceasing fountain fed by springs of living water within the Godhead.’ I am that Spring. I am that Fountain. I AM.”

By now we had circled half of the garden and were back at the center fountain. We sat on the bench.

“Lord,” I said, “show me something precious in Your sight.” He opened His hand, and in it was a tear. “In this tear is a world, a universe, an infinity of love. In this tear is the DNA, as it were, of a loved one’s spiritual genes. In this tear are salt and light. I can look into this tear and see the face of God, for it is clear. I can look through it to Him who births the universe. This tear is very precious to Me.”

We both looked at the tear, and then He closed His hand and continued, “Close your eyes and hold out your hand.”

I closed my eyes, and He placed into my hand something smooth.

“Now open your eyes.”

A New Name

I opened my eyes and my right hand to look at a smooth, white stone with the name Anna engraved upon it.

“Your new name,” He said.’ “I am adding the breath of life to your name. Here you will be called Anna.”

“Anna’ I said to myself.

“Now, Anna, My sister and My love, our names have been joined in covenant.”

“Thank You,” I said, holding the stone to my heart.

“I have been waiting for you, Anna. The loneliness you experienced is nothing compared to the heartache I experienced as I waited for you, seeing you run after all manner of idols to seek satisfaction.” He looked out into the garden. “How I called to you.” There was pain in His voice. “Year after year you dallied, and I grieved, waiting for you to realize that no one can, nor ever will, bring you life itself but Me alone.”

His words struck me to the heart. “My Lord and my God’ I said quietly, “no one has ever loved me as You have...” I was choked with emotion. Slowly I continued, “Nor ever desired my company as.. . ,“ but I could not finish.

“None of flesh and blood can, Anna, for you belong to Me.”

He looked me in the eye, and His eyes pierced through me. “I created you for Myself, and only I can satisfy you truly and fully.”

A Gift to God

I did not know what to say. I searched, trying to think of some reply. Finally I asked, “If I am created for You, Lord, what can I do for You? How . . . ,“ I groped for the words to convey that I wanted to give a gift to Him. “How do I give something to You?”

He searched my face for a moment and then smiled. “Sing for Me, Anna; that would comfort Me.” He leaned back against the large, apricot tree and closed His eyes.

I did not know what to sing. I swallowed hard. Then I looked out over the garden and prayed within myself. Soon, without knowing what I would say, I began to sing:

I had never heard that song before. At its completion I sat amazed. My right hand came up to cover my mouth.

That Which Is Coming

There was a long pause after the song ended. Finally He spoke, “Before the cock crows, Anna, three stages of betrayal will have been accomplished against Me in the world. Betrayal is multiplying, and many will be seduced by their own fear and need for survival. They will betray to save themselves.”

“Lord, unless You give us the grace, we will all betray You. Who is strong enough to think he can stand? You must strengthen us. Unless You rise up to pass these tests. . . ,“ I was momentarily speechless at the thought, “...who would not, for the slightest reason, betray You? Help us! Rise up within us, Lord. Do not let us sin against You.”

He opened His eyes and turned His head to look at me. “I have heard this, Anna.” He continued to look at me silently, as if meditating upon my features. Then He sat up straight and said, “Walk with Me to the gate.” He rose from the bench and helped me to stand also. We walked silently to the golden filigree gate. The two doors of the gate opened as we approached. We walked out, and He closed the gates, looking into the quiet garden within the wall.

“It is very beautiful here,” I said, also looking back at the garden.

The Golden Key

Jesus turned and handed me a golden key to the gate’s lock. “Here is the key’ He said. “Go in whenever you like.” The key was large and antique in design. It hung on a red cord. “Here,” He continued, and He dropped the cord with the key on it over my head.

“Will You meet me here?” I asked.

“Unlock the gate, and I will meet you here,” He smiled.

I looked again at the garden.

“Whenever you wish,” He repeated, “meet Me here.” And then He disappeared.

I looked down at the white stone in my hand and the golden key resting on the area of my heart.

It was then that I heard the sound of singing, faintly at first. It was the sort of singing you might hear if your mother was making bread in the kitchen on a cold winter’s day. I turned toward the sound and saw a bright light. In the center of this light sat a group of spirits.

The path lay right near them. I stepped onto the path to approach them.

Chapter 6
The Eagle’s Nest

The light was white and intense as the “incubating” light in the parts department. Within the light, four spirits sat together working. Intermittently each would reach up and take a blue ribbon from the air as it floated into the light. The ribbons also seemed charged with light as the spirits began to roll them onto large, silver spools. Then, with the ribbons wrapped, they would place the spools onto equally large, silver spindles that were suspended in midair.

Spirits of the Spools and Spindles

These spirits were not solid in appearance. They were closer to being transparent, but a bluish-silver light outlined their forms. Their shape was that of human beings. However, the light in which they worked made it difficult to see their facial features distinctly.

They did not seem to notice me as they sang together while they worked:

Then, without turning, they acknowledged me. “Hello, Anna,” a spirit spoke from all that light. “Watching?”

“Yes,” I said.

“We are getting the ribbons together for sewing. They represent the various streams that flow from the great river of life and back into it, even as the waters on earth flow in and out but do not overwhelm the land.”

“These streams are God’s people,” another spirit said. “They come from Him and flow back to Him, the great Source.”

“But they need to be sewn together,” another said, looking toward me as if suggesting my participation.

“I’m not a very good seamstress,” I laughed lightly.

“The needle here is the sword not of man. The streams are being sewn together by the Spirit of God Himself so that the Father might rejoice to see His city filled with those who love His Son and one another. Even the city itself is made glad.”

“You are called to sew with such a needle, Anna’ the first spirit said. “That we do know.”

“We are placing the spools of ribbon on spindles so that they will unravel easily when ready to. be brought together,” the fourth spirit added.

“Is there some significance to placing them on spindles?” I asked.

Oil From Heaven

The spirits smiled at one another and sang:

One of the spirits turned to me and said, “These ribbons are being placed on spindles for you and others who will use the sword as a needle to prepare for the gusher.”

Then they sang:

“Your Father has the answers to the questions in your heart,” the third spirit smiled. “We are those who wrap the spools and put them onto the spindles.”

Ribbons of Blue

“They are all blue ribbons,” I said.

“Yes, each became a stream when revelation came concerning a great truth about our God. But a truth about Him is not Him,” the first spirit added. “Although the ribbons are being wrapped on individual spools, they are about to be sewn together into a river like the river of life from which they came.”

“As we see the Lord bringing into completion all things relating to these times and seasons, we rejoice to be a part of His great roundup,” the second spirit smiled.

The White Eagle

Suddenly the wings of a large bird passed over me.

The spirits to whom I was speaking looked up and rose to their feet immediately. I too looked up and saw a large, totally white Eagle. He was powerful, fierce, and majestic in flight. I had never heard of a completely white eagle.

“Stretch out your hands,” He said as He began His descent.

The spirits bowed toward the Eagle. I did not know what to do but to stretch out my hands. The Eagle, as large as I, backed into me so that His eyes and beak were where my face was. Then just as quickly He was before me again, with His eyes piercing into mine.

I gasped.

Just as quickly, the Eagle changed into the Lord. He said, “This is so you may know that ‘the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Then He became the white Eagle again. “Come,” He said.

I put my arms around His neck, and we flew upward. I did not even think to say good-bye to the spirits who were wrapping the spools. As I lay down with my arms around His neck and my head near the back of His head, I could feel the motion of flying beneath me. His feathers were snowy, and His scent made me want to bury my face deep within His feathers. Beneath the white feathers the great Eagle’s skin looked like pure gold.

His Nest

We came quickly to an outcropping of rock near the top of a mountain. An eagle’s nest was positioned on this rocky thrust. The nest was large, perhaps five feet across, and made of strong tree branches. I climbed from His back and stepped down onto small, downy feathers within the nest. The white Eagle perched on the nest’s rim.

We were on earth.

The view of the circling mountain range and valley below was breathtaking, but I did not know where we were. The air was clean there, and the view from such a high ledge was sweeping in its expanse. The mountains and the valleys were lush and green. There were passing clouds and shadows from the slant of the sun. Beautiful—but it was not Paradise.

As I viewed the surrounding mountain range, a string of very large paper dolls floated by.

The great Eagle spoke, “So much of what is happening now in the body of Christ is like paper dolls—one copying the other.”

The paper dolls disappeared, and an eagle of pure gold flew by. “I am looking for an eagle of gold, Anna—rare beyond measure.” As He spoke, power like a surge of electricity ran all over the eagle of gold. It became pure white, like the great white Eagle. “The golden eagle becomes like Me,” He said.

Then a line of large, paper, cut-out eagles floated across the mountain range. They were hooked together as the floating paper dolls had been.

The White Eagle’s Invitation

He continued, “There are many eagles, for I am generous with the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ But, Anna, I am giving you an invitation to become an eagle of gold.”

Suddenly I saw a rocket blast off from the earth and shoot into heaven. The great Eagle continued, “The golden eagle’s nest is in heaven. The golden eagle does not even eat earthly food. It feeds above. The paper doll eagles catch fish, kill snakes, chase rabbits; but the eagle of gold breathes the ether above. It does not seek after or eat carrion. The golden eagle eats from the hand of God until it looks and smells and is like Me—pure white. There are many that look like Me, but you must eat from the hand of God to be like Me.”

His eyes were aflame now. “Will you fly with Me, Anna, over streets of gold? Will you fly with Me over lakes so clear that the bottom is as the top? Leave the snakes, the bugs, the rabbits running rabbit trails. Come with Me and feed from the hand of God.”

I paused to consider my answer—and He was gone.”

Back in Paradise

I found myself back in Paradise, seated alone on a high hill.

Did I pause too long to contemplate, weighing His passion against my inertia? Was I fearful? Of what? What kept me from leaping up in my spirit and shouting, “Yes! I accept the invitation! Take me to Your resting place above and make of me an eagle of gold. I want to eat from the hand of God. I yearn for the intimacy You are offering.” Why did I hesitate?

Now from that place of solitude on the hill in Paradise, my heart cried out, “O God, I long for You alone. Do what You will with me, for I am Yours. Yours alone! Yours alone!” There was such longing in my heart’s cry that I expected to see Him charging over the hilltop on a white horse in response, but He did not.

Instead, silence.

Passing Praise

Then, almost imperceptibly at first, I heard voices in the distance singing praises to God. The music came closer, but I could see no one. Instruments joined the song that now sounded as if it were being sung by a multitude of voices. The praise was rolling along like a flash flood in a wadi. Although I could see no one, the praise seemed to be passing before me on this hill and moving in the direction of the path below. My ears caught the words of the singing:

Then I saw one angel after another join themselves to this praise, seemingly riding along on it. They would rise when the music would rise, and sank down when the music lowered, like the tail of a kite. Evidently they could see the praise, although I could not, because they looked as though they were touching it and being carried along.

Then, from near me on the hill, came the clear, pure sound of a flute. I turned to see an exquisite angel dressed in green playing the instrument. Her eyes were closed in worship, and I knew that the music she was playing was joining the praise passing before my eyes.

Chapter 7
Obedience

The angel sat cross-legged on the ground playing a golden flute. Her hair was a rich auburn and plaited into seven large loops that were interlaced with gold. She wore a gossamer, green under tunic bound with a golden girdle, and a cloak with long sleeves, which was also green.

Within the sleeves of the outer garment were oversized pockets containing all manner of instruments used in the arts— all of gold. There were various musical instruments, paint brushes, musical scores, ballet shoes, a quill pen—all within the sleeves. Her neck and hands had a slight tint of gold and so did the small portion of her bare feet that I could see.

Secured around her head was a golden cord; in the center of the cord was a small golden box. The box was in the middle of her forehead and similar to a frontlet for the housing of Scripture.

Eventually she lowered the flute and opened her eyes peacefully, as one might who is still rapt in contemplation. Then turning her face toward me, she smiled. “Praise Him,” she said. Her voice was gentle and melodious, and her eyes a limpid green.

I was too disquieted in spirit to share her peace, for thoughts were racing through my mind—with no resolution.

The Angel Judy

She smiled again, knowingly this time, but did not address my private conflict. “I am Judy,” she said, “one who praises.”

“Hello, Judy,” I said without much enthusiasm, “I am Anna.”

“I know who you are,” she smiled, “for I am assigned to you to assist you in praise of our God.”

“Assigned to me for praise?” I asked. Then excitedly I gestured toward the space in midair, “I saw...”

“Yes,” she said, “angels traveling on praise.”

“Traveling on praise?”

“Yes,” she reiterated, placing the flute into one of her oversized pockets.

“I do not understand.”

“Praise has in it part of the heart and part of the spirit sent forth, and so it is tangible to us in this world of true light, life, and spirit. To us here, praise is as substantive as a trolley on earth, you might say. You join yourself to it, and it will carry you along. It can take you for a ride,” she laughed liltingly, “and the one joined to it adds to it.”

I turned my eyes to look out over the valley. How could this be? I questioned within myself. Then I began to think, Yes, yes, I can understand that. I know that f someone leads worship with an anointing on earth, it can lift you in spirit to that person’s level of praise. The other’s anointing carries you with it, and you add your voice to the worship being raised to God. Yes, I can see that.

“Since all such praise travels to the Father,” she continued, “it is like catching a ride on a passing trolley and enjoying the ride to the throne room. If the angels do not ride all the way there, still they have added an imprint to the praise. Therefore, they too have participated, if ever so briefly.”

The sound of a single violin began to pass by. The violin was playing a tender, unaccompanied melody. A single angel was traveling with the adoration being expressed through this instrument and was adding to it.

“Some praise on earth is like a quiet stream, as is this,” she smiled.

From a distance I could hear the sound of many voices singing. The sound was moving swiftly in our direction.

“Some worship is like a tidal wave,” she said. “All of it gives to the angels a joy they would not have if mankind did not lift up praises to God.”

The sound was coming more quickly now, rolling toward us. As it drew nearer, I could sense my spirit rising to join such exalted worship. It lifted us spontaneously to our feet. Judy raised her hands, tilted her head back, and joined the song:

In an ecstasy of devotion, Judy rose into the air from her place on the hill and began to move toward the passing praise.

“Take the path to find the Lord,” she called, and she was swept along in the tidal wave of worship surging toward the throne.

The disappearing praise continued to engage my spirit. Finally I opened my eyes and realized that she had given me the answer I needed. I hurried down the hill to the path and began running in the direction of the vanishing praise.

Obedience

As I hastened, I heard the voice of Jesus say very clearly, “Obedience, Anna.”

I stopped in my tracks.

He continued, “I delight to show you your heavenly home, but for your safety, you must be trained in obedience. There are grave dangers. All doors to the enemy must be shut.”

As I stood in wonder at the gravity of what He had said, an angel appeared on the path beside me.

The angel began talking to me as though he were continuing some conversation we had already begun, gesturing with his hand toward God’s park. “All of this is for the children of God, but you, Anna, have chosen to eat from the hand of God. You must love your Father enough to choose obedience rather than gratifications on earth.’° Choose Him minute by minute. You are careless with His gifts, and you are careless with His love for you.”

His over familiarity stunned me, as well as his knowledge of a decision I had only recently made; but yes, I was careless. As the Lord had drawn me into a deeper walk with Him, those things permissible a year or even a month ago were now no longer allowable. Somehow I could no longer get by with them, but I still lapsed into many of these faults.

The Thought Life

My sins now were in engaging my mind in some area where I was not called, or in letting my mind dwell on the past, or in making a judgment that was out of my boundary of responsibility.

My life had become very constrained indeed. If I walked without turning to the right or the left, I remained in the flow of God’s grace. Any thoughts that were “vain in their imaginations” caused my mind to run in grooves around a track.’ Such thoughts were driven by tormentors it seemed.’ But I found that I could stop them by repeatedly catching myself and halting the train of thought as I began to think on such vain thoughts.

Of course, these thoughts would tiptoe back in, needing to be run out time and time again. Therefore I was halting them and throwing them out, standing against them with my will, as if my shoulder were against the door of access.

Still I was careless, as he had said, and was mentally running around many tracks in torment and weariness until each thought was taken captive to Christ. Earlier in my life with Christ, my mind could usually do as it pleased, but not now)

Narrow and narrower was the way, but in this obedience to

His Word was life.

The Angel Shama

Without missing a beat, the angel on the path beside me said, “I am Shama.”

I saw no reason to give my name, for he seemed to know almost as much about me as I did myself.

“Shall we walk?” he continued.

Almost stumbling, I moved forward.

He had long, straight, silver hair that was caught at the base of his head and hung down his back. He was very muscular, and although his hair was silver, he looked perhaps forty. He wore a full-length white robe, which looked as though it had been stained with blood or the juice of red grapes. This stain was on the hem of the robe and on the cuffs of the long sleeves, discoloring the garment to the knees and elbows.

As we walked up the hill, he continued, “There is a type of suffering in obedience, but the rewards far, far outweigh the pain.”

The Prototypes Above

From the top of the hill, we could see a broad plain below.

Herds of various kinds of creatures were grazing; among them were prehistoric animals.

My hands went to my face in amazement.

“Heaven itself is like an ark, Anna,” he said. “These animals do not have resurrected bodies but were part of the heavenly kingdom before the earth was created.”

“Magnificent,” I whispered.

“Aren’t they?” he said, observing the scene. Then, almost with a sigh, he continued, “Let’s return to the path.” He was slightly ahead of me going down the hill, and he assisted me with the incline.

“Do you have hair?” I asked him.

“It looks like hair:’ he said. “We are creatures of light. We are spirit, Anna. We are not flesh and blood as humans are. Some of us in service to the King look like humans, but some do not.”

We returned to the path and continued to walk. “We can change our appearance,” the angel said, “whereas you cannot. We are known by the essence of what we are, not by our outward appearance. On earth this is often reversed, is it not? Humans often dwell upon appearances.”

“You seem to know me,” I queried.

“I know you better than you know me,” the angel laughed.

The Stained Robe

“Why is your robe stained at the bottom and on the sleeves?”

“I am called to assist in child training—the kind that squeezes the child—like being in a wine press. These,” he looked down at the stains, “are visible signs of the child’s development. The more stains, the greater the work has progressed within the child. Obedience is not learned easily, Anna. Some on earth never learn it.”

“Are you an angel assigned to help train me?” I asked.

“I am assigned to you.”

“Helping to train people in obedience cannot be a pleasant job.”

The angel replied, “It is of great significance to the Father and absolutely necessary. By this time in your life, my robe should be entirely stained and my face and hands dripping, but there are only stains on the hem and sleeves. So may I suggest that you are hindering your growth through known disobedience. Immediate gratification can never replace serving the Lord with a whole heart. Such obedience releases joys untold.”

Repentance

I looked out over the landscape, letting the truths he was sharing work within me. “I have sinned,” I said quietly. I did not wish to seem glib, but I did wish to show a willingness to repent promptly. “I ask the Lord to forgive me.”

He put his arm around my shoulder and jostled me, as a coach might a football player. “And you know He does. This is a good day for new beginnings,” he smiled. Then he removed his arm and looked ahead solemnly.

“I thank you for your patience and for helping me. I can see you are a powerful angel. If you were a human, I would say you ‘worked out.”

“We do ‘work out,” he laughed heartily, “but our workout comes from wrestling with humans. I look as I do because you have given me so much resistance through your flesh. So’ he laughed, “you might say I do ‘work out.’ I would suggest that you turn this very day so that my workout is less strenuous. Delight yourself in God, Anna, and reduce my exercise program,” he smiled.

Then he sobered rapidly. “Nothing, no one can compare to Him,” he said. “Speaking for those of us who are assigned to you,” he continued haltingly, almost as if he was going to reveal something deeply personal, “we would like to get a little closer to God.” He almost stammered, “If it were only us, we would; but much depends upon you concerning that.” He seemed so embarrassed by what he had said that he vanished.

The Eagle Returns

Before I could puzzle over what he meant, I saw the white Eagle fly across the path. My heart leaped when I saw Him. I began to run after Him, calling, “Lord! Lord, please come back, please.”

He must have heard me, for He made a wide bank in flight and landed before me. I was so overjoyed to see Him whom my heart adores that I hugged Him around the neck, clinging to Him. “I want to fly with You. I want to eat from the hand of God.”

He became the Lord. I buried my face in His shoulder. He held me, returning my embrace, more like a lover than a friend. This amazed me. Did He long for me as I longed for Him?

“Forgive me, Lord,” I said. “I want to be with You. I long for You. I want to be and do whatever You want, as long as we are together.”

“Anna,” He said, pulling me away from Him so that He could look into my eyes, “do you trust Me?”

“Why, yes, Lord,” I answered, surprised.

“Then come.”

He became the white Eagle. I quickly climbed onto His back, and He began to fly. I put my arms around His neck and buried my face in the fragrant feathers of His head.

He flew. . . and flew. . . and flew. . . until He flew into deep darkness.

Chapter 8
The Corrupted Strata

I could not discern if it was densely dark or if it only seemed that dark because we had come from a place so permeated with light.

The sheepfold

The white eagle flew down into a walled-in area that had a shelter within it. The wall was of uncut stones and fairly high. On top of the wall were branches brandishing large, painful- looking thorns.

It was a sheepfold.’ It was Christ’s outpost in that corrupted strata occupied by Satan. The enclosed area had but one gate. It appeared that the thorns were not so much to make entry by the demons impossible, but to serve as a warning. NO TRESPASSING—a visible command from Christ Himself. The sheepfold was His territory.

It occurred to me that perhaps one of the reasons the crown of thorns was crammed into Jesus’ skull before His crucifixion was as a private slap in the face from Satan, for the sheepfold was crowned with thorns. Christ had dared to establish a place of safety within the enemy’s hostile kingdom. That crown of thorns was an affront before His crucifixion; now, after His resurrection, it was an ever-present reminder of Christ’s victory and His eternal lordship.

The white Eagle changed into the Lord.

There was scant light except for that which came from Him. “Stay with Me’ He said. He had a tall staff in His hand.

By the gate were two pairs of porpoise shoes that were dyed red. He put on a pair, and so did I.

“Touch nothing here, Anna; all is defiled.” We walked out the gate into the darkness. Jesus Himself was the light on our way.

Weeping and sardonic laughter came from the darkness. They were human voices, but they sounded as if they were coming from animals. Alarm gripped me. I stayed close to the Lord, walking in His footsteps. Although it was dark, I began to see dimly.

The Outskirts of the Strata

The surface on which we were walking was dank and sticky. There was a slight suction created on the bottoms of my shoes as we walked, as though I might become glued to the spot if I did not keep moving. Huge, slimy creatures would half roar, then lift themselves up and move threateningly toward us. They looked like giant slugs, but acted more like bull seals protecting their territory. They tried to frighten us, but they ended up bowing before Jesus, a begrudging acknowledgment of His lordship.

The River of Filth

We came to a levee that sloped down to a black lagoon. The water was filthy, sluggish, and stagnant. The smell was putrid.

Jesus helped me into a long pirogue. I sat down, but He stood and poled us across this narrow waterway with His staff. The water boiled and emitted steam every time His staff plunged into it.

Jesus said, “This is a river of filth. As the river of life is clear, so this one is putrid and defiling. It issues from the mouths of sinful man. As rivers of living water come from the belly of My righteous ones, so out of the blackened heart, through the mouth, comes this watery filth.”

I could see creatures lying on the banks and hear them breathing. They appeared to be crocodiles, but they made blowing sounds through their nostrils like hippos.’° Their eyes shone in the dark.

The Chained Ones

Caves lined the levees, and an occasional cry or moan came from them. I felt that the sounds I had heard when we walked through the gate came from these caves. They looked like dungeons with demons guarding the entrances. But who or what was imprisoned there?

The demons uttered low, guttural chuckles at the obvious pain of those imprisoned. They enjoyed someone else’s pain.’

“Observe the misery,” the Lord said. “My people participate in this, enjoying the downfall of another, laughing at the mistakes of others, and holding them in their chains instead of setting the captives free.”

I looked toward the dark entrances of the caves. Within these dungeons the enemy held captive certain areas in the lives of humans on earth. Christians, instead of helping to set the captive free, were tightening the chains of condemnation that held them in bondage. Christians were siding with the jailers against the Lord by nullifying the provision of forgiveness and reconciliation that He had made for them through His shed blood.

The Levee

We stepped onto the opposite bank and began to walk up a wide path to the crest of that levee. Moans came from every demon we passed. Christ’s appearance among the demons tormented them, and they ran away from Him.’

“Light is very painful to them,” Jesus said, indicating the fleeing demons. “They suck up darkness and breathe out venom—lost, corrupted forever, darkness inside and out. These who once ate the food of angels, these who stood in My Father’s light, these who knew the companionship of the trustworthy—now they slither and cringe from the light, cursing the darkness and cursing the light—they are doubly damned. They eat vomit—three or four times over.” (I felt that He was equating vomit with slander.) “In community with those of their kind, they laugh at each other’s misery and deny each other relief—turning, forever turning upon one another, therefore always alone.”

“Leave us,” a voice said, and a hyena giggled.

As we topped the levee, the land as far as I could see was slimy mud, a murky wasteland.’

“Wet,” Jesus said, “for they fear the fire. They are tormented even by dry places.”

Numerous dead trees stood within the mud.

“The trees are a memorial to the vile groves of false gods. Here these trees are seen for what they actually are: broken, bare, without life—the home of snakes and birds of prey.”

Counterfeit Unity

Indeed, black snakes were in these dead trees, as well as covering the brackish mire. They were hissing and writhing, constantly moving over one another as if mating.’ A false unity, a joining in the black mind, I thought. It occurred to me that as the Lord is bringing together a oneness in Himself, so the devil is birthing a counterfeit unity.

Jesus spoke, “The spawn of demons. How Satan promotes his imitation fruit. These goad tormented souls to vomit forth slanders, lies, and cursing—rivers of putrid water in which the demons swim.”

His ear caught the sound of a cry from a cave by the lagoon. He turned His head to hear, saying, “There are labyrinths also within some believers: dark corridors where the light has not shown, hutches that have not been delivered from darkness. But the true light is ready to travel every corridor and touch every dark corner so that all within each believer may be of the light. Darkness is heavy with sin; it is dense and murky. My freedom is light. For the redeemed, all within them must be delivered over to light. Light must flood every corridor, and every lurking malady must be healed.”

Jesus then took my hand, saying, “Come.”

The Demonic Temple

Suddenly we were within some sort of huge temple.’ Large, gray concrete pillars supported this main area. The room was hazy with incense, and the cloying odor of blood was mixed with that smell.

Around the perimeter were several stories of rooms, some closed and some open. They looked like caves of horn.’ It was possible to reach only the lower rooms by foot; all the others required flight, like bats.

There were six staggered levels of rooms on the left side: six at the back and six on the right side. But how many cave rooms were there in all, I could not tell.

I could see black creatures covering the walls of the hollow rooms that were open. They looked like dark, unhealthy jellyfish, each with only one eye. These were like a fungus on the walls. Their eyes were constantly looking to and fro. Nothing escaped their notice.

Stolen Treasure

The Lord spoke, “The enemy has hidden stolen treasure within the darkness of these rooms. Prying eyes guard this treasure. These spies are rewarded for their vigilance. The infested caves are a vortex, throbbing with suspicion. Here there is fear of exposure—the opposite of covering—because of love. The time has not yet come, Anna, to release these captives from the caves [meaning the stolen treasure], but all that is of Me and is Mine will be cleansed and come to Me.”

I did not understand what He meant. He continued, “Just as tears and prayers can be stored above, so can praise be taken captive by the evil one and stored in caves of horn. The enemy bathes in stolen worship—renewing himself in that which belongs to God, putting his hands all over that which is sacred and secret. Since Satan cannot create but only imitate and defile that which belongs to God, his greatest joy is to desecrate that which is of the Light. My Father will one day have all that belongs to Him. The temple vessels were captured and hidden away in Babylon, desecrated by being mocked and used to toast false gods. Just as these were returned and reconsecrated to God, so all that belongs to My Father will be cleansed and consecrated to Him alone.’ The enemy is in dense darkness, doing that which is foul in order to relieve his pain, but instead only multiplies his pain. But My Father will set free all that belongs to Him. He will cleanse it from the filth of deception and idolatry corrupting it so that it might rise to Him.”

I saw demons flying into these caves of horn to defile the hidden things of God there, like spiders sucking the life out of their captured prey.

Promised Day of Deliverance

He spoke to the mid-heaven, “O promised day of deliverance, a time has been appointed, and you will be free.” He turned back to me and said, “When He raises His sword in heaven, praise will be released like a bird from a cage, never to be imprisoned again.”

The Demonic Masquerade

We began to hear a drone, like that of bees swarming or flies gathering on a dead carcass, coming from a distant area of the temple. As those creating the monotonous sound drew nearer, I could hear the hypnotic rhythm more clearly. They were chanting a mantra.

Suddenly they burst into view. It was a large and lavish procession accompanied by loud, discordant music.

The massive concrete columns within the temple obscured our presence from those entering, so we stepped out of view.

Dancers and musicians came before a woman splendidly dressed. Jewels adorned her long robe and crown. She held innumerable chains in her hands just as a person would hold dog leashes. Shackles were around the necks of demonic beings she held captive, who bowed continually, kissing the ground where she walked. They looked like naked humans.

Her retinue was very large and seemed to comprise those from various nations, perhaps every nation. She turned in our direction. Her eyes were red with false fire; when she opened her mouth, fire came from it. We were too far away for the fire to touch us, however. When the fire ceased, honey dripped from her mouth; those in chains licked up the drops that fell to the ground.

She went up by stairs to a high throne in this incense-filled hail. When she sat, her attendants wrapped the long train of her robe around her feet. The train looked like a python. Those in chains groveled on either side of her throne.

False Homage

The kings of the earth came with presents for this woman. They also brought jugglers, prophets, and magicians to entertain her and her court.

The prophets were almost as showy, jumping around and speaking great boasts concerning her and others present.’ Those gathered would laugh and throw money to these false prophets.

The showiest of all, however, were the magicians, who looked extremely grave, wise, and dignified; they performed mighty signs and wonders. Everyone clapped and bowed before them in awe.

Each king would take a golden coin from this woman’s tongue like tokens taken while standing in line at a store counter. A number was on each coin. They would return them to her later as she went from side room to side room, servicing these kings like a prostitute with many clients.

The woman’s face was old and caked with makeup, but from a distance she looked beautiful and splendid. She was drinking from a jewel encrusted cup, and her eyes looked glazed.

“Who is this?” I asked the Lord.

“The false church,” He replied. “She makes herself a queen, and those enslaved eat of the honey from her mouth. She has given herself to every demon. She services them.

Many will go with her.”

I looked at her, horrified.

“I have brought you to see the false masquerading as the true,” He said. “Mark well the content. Mark well the consequences and outworking of the decision to embrace the darkness instead of the light. All manner of corruption breeds in darkness. Come’ He said, and once again He became the white Eagle. “We go now to the bowels of the dragon.”

Chapter 9
The Bowels of the dragon

The white eagle flew into a darkened tunnel that seemed to be a passageway through a mountain, but the walls were like part of a living organism, resembling an intestine. The sides of the walls seemed packed with fecal matter, and the stench was nauseating and overpowering.’

An Attack: The Flesh

Although I was with the white Eagle, the filth and blackness shocked me. I was afraid. I tried to maintain some sort of spiritual equilibrium, but fear began to paralyze my faith.

Hopelessness, oppression, and despair were within the very walls of this tunnel. I knew that Jesus was protecting me, but the presence of evil was suffocating.

Then, like a trapped animal, my mind began to search for an escape: Where am I going? Why am I here? What if I fall off in this place? How can I get out of here?

Once doubt had gained an entrance, panic soon followed, bypassing all assurance of the Lord’s protection. Now, thoughts like wild dogs began to lunge at me. Did they come from within or from the tunnel? I did not know, but I was frantic with fear: I won’t make it; I can’t hold on. They’ll hurt me. They’ll kill me!

If the Lord had not shielded me, I believe these thoughts would have torn me to shreds. I clung to the white Eagle. “Jesus, Son of David,” I cried, “have mercy upon me.”

I could not tell what happened, but slowly the sense of almost being eaten alive lessened. Jesus, my Savior, had come forth in me. He had shown mercy.

I was in shock, though, and dazed, rather like a person who has been attacked by a pack of ravenous wolves and escaped only with her life. I was left weakened and trembling, badly shaken.

The Lord strengthened me, and I sighed, relaxing my grip somewhat. He would protect me. He would not let me fall.

“I am all right,” I sighed. “I am all right.” My trust in God had returned.

Then silently, more like vapors than thoughts, insinuations reached for me like tendrils of smoke.

An Attack: The world

It has always seemed strange to me that after a severe attack by the enemy, the most dangerous period of time appears to be after the battle is over and the victory secured. Perhaps one is vulnerable because of weariness, allowing vigilance against attack to be relaxed. But stranger than this is the fact that after the heat of battle, I always forget this truth.

I forgot again.

The insinuations reaching for me were disarmingly subtle; they made the world, which is Satan’s heaven, seem to be all that I could ever desire or should ever desire. Promises sweeter than honey enveloped me, promises of having Satan’s heaven now and God’s heaven later.

Suddenly the tunnel lost its stench; instead, it emitted a tantalizing fragrance. I thought to myself, Why am I doing this? I can have anything I want simply by applying myself I don’t need to live like this. In fact, I’m tired of living like this.

I began to think of ways to make money—and not just to make money, but to make a fortune. Only a fortune can lift me above this sort of trial, I thought. Only a fortune can give me luxuries commensurate with my taste, which deserves to be expressed and enjoyed. There is so much beauty in the world, and I want to surround myself with this loveliness. There ‘s nothing wrong in that. I can do it with hard work. All I need to do is to center myself upon this goal and head for it, give myself to it... head for it and give myself to it... head for it and give myself to it...

“Wait, wait,” I said to myself. “This isn’t right. Giving myself to a life of accumulation, just satisfying my senses, can’t be right.” Such an idea was a siren song whose allure, if it did not bring shipwreck, certainly would have seduced me into a spiritual limp. Deadly.

“No!” I said silently. “Choose you this day whom you will serve, and I choose Christ. I choose Christ,” I cried aloud.

The vaporous fingers ceased reaching for me and silently slid away. Again, the Lord strengthened me. I sighed deeply as before, relieved.

An Attack: The devil

By this time I thought I saw some light at the end of the tunnel. I started to become anxious for relief. I wanted out. Out.

Then, as if in my own voice, I heard, “Jesus may love you, but it’s a strange sort of love that would bring you into a place of such great danger. And I can’t see that He’s protecting you as He should. Of course, if He’d told you beforehand what you would be facing.. . but He didn’t. If you could acquire more knowledge yourself, you wouldn’t need to rely upon Him for protection. You could protect yourself. You deserve better than this.”

There it was: pride, presumption, unbelief, accusations against the Lord’s loving kindness, and an invitation to be independent of Him, better than Him—in other words, rebellion. All of these were the deep things of Satan.

“Oh, God,” I said within myself, “forgive me. That I would think I could do anything by myself, when I know that apart from You there is no life. I love You, and I know that You love me. You alone are the victor, You alone. You alone will do all and be all and are all; I trust You, my Savior and my Lord, my God in whom I trust.”

With great passion I cried out within the tunnel: “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!”

The Gigantic Cavern

Joyously the white eagle burst through the far mouth of the tunnel. Now we seemed to be flying inside a gigantic cavern within that mountain, but I could not be sure, for I was unable to see the top. Within this cavern, if it was a cavern, the atmosphere was gray and deathly still, but electric, as it might be in the eye of a hurricane.

Tunnels honeycombed the encircling mountain, both up high, as was the one we had traveled, and at the base.

Satan’s Palace

Just ahead of us was another mountain rising from within the center of this cavern. It looked as though it was made of shiny, jagged coal. On its top was an exquisite palace, as perfect and lustrous as a jet gemstone. A thick, yellow liquid oozed from beneath the structure and slid down the mountain. The air reeked of sulfur.

At the base of this mountain, large red dragons luxuriated in a cesspool moat, as wild beasts might cool themselves in muddy water on the Serengeti.” Their heads rested against the base of the mountain. Slight fire would come from their nostrils; when this fire touched the yellow liquid sliding down the mountain, a flame would ignite but quickly go out. They rolled their eyes up at us, but we must have been outside of their designated patrol area, for we did not raise their ire enough to protect the castle.

The palace itself was ingenious in design—imaginative and tasteful, but dark, cold, uninviting, and foreboding.

“Satan’s mountain and his palace,” the white Eagle said.’ He continued to fly toward it.

Attack of the Harpies

Suddenly, dark angels by the thousands poured out from the tunnels and began encircling us, like bats leaving caves at sunset. They had the heads and torsos of women and the wings, tails, legs, and clawed feet of rapacious vultures.’

“They cannot touch us,” the white Eagle said. “Remain calm.”

These harpies would pass by us closely, crying and taunting, but they never obstructed our view of the palace nor hindered the white Eagle’s relentless flight toward it.

The Prince of Darkness

High in the black palace at a lightless window, a solitary figure appeared, looking at us.’ From a distance, one could sense his power, authority, and extreme loneliness. ‘Yes— loneliness—separation, isolation, and a cold, cold heart.

He looked like a Spanish prince. He wore an elegant black velvet robe encrusted with jewels; he was tastefully and perfectly groomed. He was handsome, almost perfectly handsome, with shiny black hair and dark intelligent eyes.

He waved his hand, and the harpies flew away as quickly as they had come, retreating into the honeycomb of tunnels. The sound of thousands of leathery wings dwindled away, leaving the cavern quiet in comparison.

After that he continued to stand unmoving at the window, his eyes fixed upon us: lonely, like a king who is also a rejected lover.

I thought to myself, There he is: he who was so full of light that he was named ‘the shining one ‘—now ‘the prince of darkness,’ he whose executive ability still is such that he manages a vast, global empire of deceit, seducing the whole world.

Seeing his impeccable, ageless beauty, I could not help wondering what he must have been like before his fall, for he was created sublime in order to hold the most exalted position in the heavenly court. He was “the anointed cherub who covers.” I wondered if once there were three cherubs guarding the throne of God, one on either side and one above? Was that why he was created so beautiful, wise, and powerful? To guard the throne from that elevated position?

He walked amid the coals of fire, sharing the very heart of God, intimate with the Godhead. Did he betray the One who loved him by striking at Him from above? Is that the reason he boasted that he would exalt his throne above the stars of God?’

There he is, I thought to myself, still superior, but superior now only in evil, and because of his vaulting pride, isolated— beyond mercy’s reach and beyond asking for it.

The white Eagle turned from the palace and began to fly back toward the tunnel.

Taunts of the Black Raven

A huge black raven suddenly appeared beside us.’ Its feathers were a brilliant ebony, and its eyes flashed a fiery red. “Why have You come?” hissed Satan. “Does it please You to shame me before my subjects? Does it please You to bring love and warmth here to torment us? You are cruel !“

The Lord said nothing.

“Don’t You miss me?” Satan continued. “Did You come here because of Your loneliness for me? Would You like to come here more often to be with me, just to see me?” The raven cracked a hard, cruel laugh. “You miss me and love me still’ he exulted. Then in tones venomous with bitter scorn, he mocked:

“You are a fool to love me even now, Jesus of Nazareth.” The Lord’s silence infuriated the raven.

“Don’t come back to shame me before my subjects! I am king here. Stay away! I don’t love You, and I wish all manner of exquisite torments upon You to express my contempt. Stay away!” Satan spewed vehemently.

Having said that, the raven made a sharp turn and flew back to the palace.

The white Eagle continued through the tunnel from which we had come. A void, deathly silence was in that darkness now.

Return to the sheepfold

He flew to the sheepfold and stopped before the gate. I climbed down from His back. He became the Lord again with His shepherd’s staff in His hand. He opened the gate and led me inside.

We both removed our shoes and stood barefoot within the sheepfold. I was shivering, and He put His arm around me.

“It is all right, Anna,” He said. “You needed to see that Satan is cruel. Rest now.”

Warmth began to flow into me, and I tried to breathe deeply, settling myself.

“Why did You show me these things?” I asked.

“To you it has been granted to know,” He said. “Mark well what you have seen and heard.”

The Vision of Judgment

“look” he continued, gesturing toward the ground in front of us within the sheepfold. The area opened to reveal the world spinning some distance beneath us.

As I looked at the globe, I heard huge footsteps, as if giants were walking, shaking the earth.’ The ground of earth trembled, and mountains began to break apart.

“Look again’ He said, gesturing above Him.

Heaven opened, and I saw something dropping from the center of the bright angels.

“What is it?” I asked.

“A plumbline,” He answered. The weighted plumbline dropped from heaven through the sheepfold to the earth.

“Our great God has relented twice before, but now He has dropped the plumbline.”

As the plumbline reached earth, great rejoicing began in heaven. It was as though every created being there was singing, and the sound began to shake the celestial realms:

His righteousness is from everlasting to everlasting. His judgments are sure and will be withheld no longer.

As the thunderous rejoicing increased, fire came out of heaven and traveled the plumbline, passing before us and sweeping down the line to the earth. Suddenly the whole world was aflame.

The False Church Judged

As the chant in heaven continued, Jesus spoke, “Edom will be judged. To the world she looked pure, but she will be stubble before the wrath of God. The children of the living God will see Him on His holy mount. But to the church of Edom, He will hide Himself in darkness, never to reveal Himself again.

“The mountain of Edom will melt like wax before the flame of the Lord, but the righteous will thrive amid the flames. Indeed, the righteous will be a flame before the Lord.

“The righteous will be counted as nothing by the enemies of our God. They will be mocked, a crown of thorns pressed into their brows, but God, our God, will consume the thorns with His fire and heal their wounds with His balm.

“The plumbline has dropped. The earth shakes as giants walk the land. God’s power will be seen. No giant can stand before His power. No giant can walk into His flame. The righteous will look up and rejoice with the whole assembly of heaven. In one mighty chorus they will proclaim His righteousness and His power. His justice will prevail, for the plumbline has dropped and will not be removed.

“Fear, O you who lie with the adder, you who drink the venom of vipers. The day is coming and now is when the Word of the Lord will cut you in two, and you will writhe in the agony consigned to those who embrace idols.

“The heavens proclaim His righteousness and His throne; like a great rock, He will fall upon the wicked. The righteous will look upon His face, but deep darkness will shroud Him from the eyes of Esau.

“Woe to those who embrace idols. They couple themselves with demons. Fire has traveled the plumbline. Lightning has flashed from His hand. Indeed, the world will see it but will remain deceived. When giants walk the land, the mountains tremble; but when God walks the land, the mountains melt.

“As the chant of God’s righteousness goes forth in heaven, there is a splitting, a separation, a falling away, and a letting go:

ruin follows the reverberation of that refrain. Division that could not be measured until the plumbline dropped from heaven to earth. All of heaven has joined in the song, and all of earth will hear and not hear. Judgments are in the land. The righteous will grow in righteousness, and the wicked will gnash their teeth and curse God.

“Hold fast to God, Anna. Hold fast to God. Once He relented, even twice, but now judgments have begun with the household of God. The righteous will shine like the sun, and the corrupt church, rich though she be, bedecked in beautiful gifts from God, will be stubble before Him. For He will relent no longer, and the mountain of Esau will be leveled. A man will kick at the dust of that mountain and say ‘Where is she? Not even a mound as high as an ant hill remains. Where is she?’ Her rocks and earth will have been ground to powder and blown away. In her place there will be a desert wasteland that none will turn aside to see because nothing will remain.

“The mountain of the Lord: the righteous will see it and be glad. They will join in the mighty chorus of heaven. They will walk the streets of gold and feed upon the manna.’ They will stand beside the plumbline and not be ashamed. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne, O righteous God.

“O Just and True, mankind has thought itself more just than

You; but to the righteous You will reveal Your righteousness, and

to the just, You will reveal how just You have always been.”

Join the Chorus

The Lord continued, “Join the chorus of the sons of God. Proclaim His righteousness forevermore. Let the sound of our cry fill the sky. Let the sound of our cry fill the earth. Join the rejoicing as the chant goes forth, falling with a weight mightier than giant’s steps, falling with the weight of the throne of God Himself.

“Rejoice, O heavens; weep, O world. Rejoice, O righteous, and tremble, O flesh. For fire has come from heaven, traveling the plumbline, and only the Son of God will pass through this flame. Rejoice, O heavens, and be glad, for judgments have begun; the final redemption is near. Our God will settle all accounts. The plumbline will not be removed until all lines up with the Son of God. Rejoice!”

The Lord turned to me and said, “Mark well what you have

seen and heard, for these things are and will be; no hand will

stop them. Come.”

He took my hand, and together we followed the flaming

plumbline into heaven,

Chapter 10
The Throne of God

As we rose, the light became multicolored, vibrant, alive almost. The sound of the chant intensified a hundred-fold as we followed the flaming plumbline into the third heaven:’

His righteousness is from everlasting to everlasting.

His judgments are sure and will be withheld no longer.

Jubilant Celebration

When Jesus appeared on the “sea of glass,” a great shout went up; those singing burst into spontaneous rejoicing at the sight of Him. We had entered the third heaven at what seemed to be the back of the throne room.

The redeemed began to dance as one—sidestepping in a swift, gliding movement, as dancers on earth might in an old- fashioned courante. The movements were vigorous and joyful. Those passing near us would reach out a hand to touch Jesus; He reached out to touch hand after hand of those passing by in the dance. All were laughing. I was certain the dance was spontaneous. The redeemed were dancing by the power of the Holy Spirit, thousands upon thousands led by the Spirit Himself.

Jesus glanced over at me. “I am needed, Anna,” He said. He motioned for someone to draw nearer to us. It was the large formal angel whom I had met on the moving path. As the Lord spoke to me, He was still smiling and touching the hands extended to Him. “Epaggelias will be with you.”

The Angel EpaggelIas

So that is his name, I thought to myself, smiling inwardly.

The angel bowed from the waist to Jesus. The Lord smiled at me, reached over and squeezed my hand, and was gone.

Epaggelias and I continued to watch the exuberant dancing.

“You have come at a joyous time,” Epaggelias said.

“Why?” I asked.

He answered, “We rejoice daily for those who have recently come into the kingdom, but this celebration is in response to your Father’s proclamation that a great ingathering is about to commence. His children are filled with thanksgiving to Him for His faithfulness, for He is about to do a quick work and redeem many of their brothers and sisters through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

“That is exciting,” I smiled. “Thank you for telling me, Epaggelias.”

He bowed in acknowledgment and smiled in spite of himself, for it was a private joke between the two of us that Jesus had just given me his name.

The thousands of dancers gathered into circles, each circle containing about twenty-four dancers. They began circling and weaving in and out within the rings. Some were laughing, but everywhere there was rejoicing. They began to sing as they danced:

Again and again we sing of His glory,

Again and again rejoice in our God.

All were executing the same movements, twirling and whirling within the circles, and singing the same song everywhere on the sea of glass.

Silent Worship

Then, as by the spirit’s leading, the music slowed to a sigh, a pause, a selah. The redeemed paused also, silently with arms raised, abandoned to God. I remembered Psalm 65 where it states, “There will be silence before You. . . praise in Zion, O God.” Silent worship.

After a long pause, a slow, stately melody began. Besides the tone of the instruments I recognized, some of the music was being played on instruments I had never heard. Perhaps they were from other cultures or of ancient design. In harmony with the instrumental music was another lovely sound. It was not singing, nor was it being played by musicians. What was it?

Dance of worship

The redeemed responded to the music by beginning a majestic dance of worship. The movements were regal and noble, and they executed them with great care and intensity. Perhaps a pavane is the dance on earth most closely resembling this worship of the redeemed. I felt they were dancing to express their respect. Their dancing was homage. The change of pace allowed me to get my bearings.

The Throne of God

The throne room was as brilliant with light as satan’s kingdom had been dark.

The surface on which the redeemed were dancing was a pavement of light that looked like a translucent blue. The area was as immense as a huge plaza. At the far end of this expansive “sea” was a dazzling white light, in the center of which was the throne of God.”

A great yearning welled up within me, and a whisper involuntarily escaped: “Daddy.” His presence drew me with the cords of love. Epaggelias looked down at me and smiled.

The Father’s being is manifested by light of an indescribable whiteness. His uncreated glory radiates outward in all directions to form a great sphere of awesome colors.’ From a considerable distance this radiance looks like an eye with a dazzling white pupil. Perhaps the sphere is due to the reflection upon the sea of glass. I could not tell. But I remembered that often the early church had mosaics or frescoes of the “eye of God” in its buildings.’ Standing on the sea of glass, I wondered if they were seeking to depict the glory of the Father as well as His omniscience.

The splendor of His person radiates out into bands of color, like a bow whose hues blend from white to yellow, to gold, to the Shekinah reddish-gold, and on through the color spectrum of reds, purples, blues, and ending with green.’ The rainbow on earth is a type of “My God’s bow.”

Moving closer to the Throne

Transfixed, I was lost in the wonder of Him. Epaggelias touched my shoulder to draw my attention to that which he was about to say. “Come with me,” he said, and with that he began to move toward the throne area. We began to pass through those worshiping, sometimes ducking beneath a dancer’s arm as we made our way forward.

The light into which we were entering began to intensify, as well as the sense of power. As we moved nearer to the throne, the radiance looked more like the waves of light in the aurora borealis when it forms an arc of lights across the sky.’

The blazing light was not blinding as would be the earth’s sun if you gazed at it. One could experience, feel, and even look at this light.’

Angelic Praise

Thousands of angels were circling above the throne area, and thousands more seemed to be arriving to join them.

Countless numbers of angels were already within the bow of the corona around the throne. Each group wore the color of that particular hue. They were making musical sounds by flying at different levels and speeds and patterns.’ Just as a whirling stick might make a different sound—increasingly higher or louder by the speed with which it is whirled—so these angels in their flying brought forth various sounds of praise. The tones that their flight made were different from singing or the playing of instruments. This must have been the musical sound whose origin I could not detect earlier, rare in its beauty.

They seemed to be unbelievably happy, swimming, as it were, in the glory of God. I too felt this joy; forever would not be long enough to praise Him and to receive His joy back from Him.’

At times some angels would fly together, producing a tone different from the sound of those in flight in a single color.

One With Praise

The melodies, like the light in the throne room, went right through me. The music of praise entered me and passed through me, and I became one with the sound. It was as though I became praise. I remembered that in the Book of Psalms David said, “But, I prayer”—meaning that he was prayer. So it is with praise in the throne room.

Epaggelias paused amid the dancers and spoke, “The harmony, the unity, and the desire of these here to give to the Father His due—constantly giving of themselves and receiving more of Him when they praise and adore—bring forth a sweet music.”

“Yes,” I agreed.

We watched and listened a moment before moving forward again.

As we drew nearer to the throne, it was as though I began to see praise.’ It was translucent, almost invisible, but I could see it. It seemed to have different properties. Some kinds of praise were like fabric, some like particles. Thanksgivings looked similar to bird flights of light.

Praise Purified

The angels in flight gathered some of the praise from the sea of glass and wove it into their praise within each color of the bow (that is, the radiance around the Father) before it went to Him. Some worship went to a small altar on which there appeared to be smoldering coals. I wondered why some went one way and some another.

Epaggelias addressed this unspoken question. “Some praise is already in harmony with heavenly praise, but some must pass through the fire,” he said.

Angels of His Presence

Angelic beings in pale lavender were at this small altar. Their robes were embroidered with deep purple and gold on the sleeves and hem, and they were bound with golden girdles. The palms of their hands were also tinted with the purple color. I felt that they must be angels of His presence. They took great care with all that was going to the Father. There was a delicacy in handling that which belongs to Him, like a shepherd encouraging and assisting a newborn lamb. Whether being woven into the angelic harmony within each color of the radiance, or like a homing pigeon, drawn into the coals on the small altar—all, all goes to Him. Nothing is carried away nor stolen.

Interwovenness

I became more aware of the pleasant fragrance around the throne area and of the interwovenness of sound and color and smell. These cannot be woven together on earth the way they are blended here in heaven. We below can experience them simultaneously, but above they seem to have the same properties. It is more like water being poured into water. Water, having the same properties, can be mixed. So it is here with sound, light, and fragrance. It seems strange to see sound, hear color, and for smell to have a tangible quality to it; yet in heaven it all seems natural and right and even obvious.

Seven Great Flames

There were seven great flames of fire, seven torches, before the throne.

Epaggelias spoke, “These are manifestations of the Holy Spirit. They burn before the throne continually. He reveals Himself here [above] and on earth. The Lamb embodies these, and the Spirit takes of Him. Of the created, heavenly hosts, the seraphim, burning in holiness, most closely resemble these lamps of the Spirit. They burn above, and the lamps burn before [the throne].”

Seraphim

I looked up to see heavenly beings burning right above the most intense light of the throne. Each had six wings. Now and then I could see their faces or the movement of their wings. They burned like blow torches. From them came the sweetest and purest music I had ever heard.

The Twenty -four Elders

In the midst of the intensely white light of the throne area, there stood twenty-four very tall beings with crowns on their heads.° Each wore a chain with a single gold medallion hanging from it. The hair on their heads was white, and they were full of light. I could sense that they were ancient, wise, and bore much authority.

Epaggelias led me into a clear area nearer the throne.

Four Living Creatures

Within the greater light, I could see four living creatures.’ Each was whiter than white, so full of light were they. Each had six wings. One looked like a calf, one like a lion, one like an eagle, and one like a man. Their heads and their feet, paws, hoofs, or claws were golden. They were full of eyes, awesome and very beautiful.

The living creature of light that looked something like a man wore a transparent garment with a collar that came up high from the neck to the ears. This collar looked like an open fan of white lace interwoven with golden thread. A golden yoke and front panel completed the center of the robe. Through the gossamer fabric of his clothing, I could see that his body was covered with eyes. Beneath the wings of each of these living creatures were hands.

When the redeemed dropped to their knees during the dance, these four bowed before the King. Within their hands they held golden bowls that they presented before the throne.

Epaggelias spoke to me: “These represent four great divisions of animate creation.” The Word says that all things are to praise Him. These are the remnant of creation that fulfill that Word. That which they do is attributed to all that God has made.”

“Why do they have golden heads?” I whispered.

“Gold shows their place among those representing creation before the throne,” he answered. “It is a precious metal on earth and representative of Christ here, so their color reflects that which is precious: worshiping God. God deals with the remnant. These four are a certain remnant. Before the throne, God the Almighty, the glorious One, is being praised and worshiped by His creation. The white represents the innocence of all He brought forth originally. It reminds Him that what He created was created pure and uncorrupted in the beginning.”

Concluding the offering of Praise

The offering of worship and thanksgiving by the redeemed was drawing to a close. As one, the redeemed saints stepped forward, their arms around each others’ waists. They knelt on their right knees before the throne, bowing their heads in reverence. The twenty-four ancient ones and the four living creatures knelt, saying amen at the conclusion of the dance.

The myriads of angels praising Him aloft within the radiance stood still. They looked like thousands upon thousands and tier upon tier of organ pipes as far as I could see.

In the silence that followed, God spoke.

Chapter 11
The Father’s Lap

Beautiful, children,” God the Father said. “Now rest.” Those who had been dancing broke formation and began talking among themselves in small groups. The warmth of their fellowship was as children around an open fire in the presence of a loving father.

Epaggelias leaned over and spoke to me. “Now watch,” he said.

The Children’s offering

An angel began to play a simple melody on a recorder as hundreds of children came before the throne.’ Angels and the redeemed carried the very young in their arms. They led other children by their hands.

The children took small bouquets of flowers to Jesus and to the Father. Jesus kissed each child, and both He and the Father talked with them. Huge hands of light came out from the throne area as the Father received the flowers. He touched every child and blessed each one. “Thank you,” the Father said to each child, calling each one of them by name.

Epaggelias continued to me privately, “These are ones who died young.”

Instantly I knew that some of the children had died through miscarriage, and some had been aborted; how I knew this, I do not know.

Epaggelias continued, “They are raised to maturity here. Both angels and their own brethren—the redeemed—are their tutors.”

I looked from the children to search Epaggelias’ face. He saw my perplexity.

“Anna, many of the mysteries of our God are unfolding now. For some the book of understanding is open.” He looked back at the children. “Our God can speak to the spirit of a child from conception. Its spirit can respond from the beginning of life in the womb.”

I too looked back at the children. I suddenly realized that John the Baptist had responded to the Spirit of the Lord from the womb. If the Holy Spirit can search the mind of God Himself, as the Word says, of course the Spirit can communicate with a child’s spirit even before birth.

The children who had been aborted presented small branches of henna as a way of showing the Father that they had forgiven those responsible for their deaths and also asking Him to forgive them as well.

As I watched, the magnitude of the fairness of our God overwhelmed me. He had given each child the opportunity to come to Christ, and all who had chosen Him were here.’°

Epaggelias spoke, “None are lost from the hand of Jesus, Anna. None.”

Song of the Seraphim

As the children began to leave, the seraphim sang:

While looking at the intense light of the Father, my eyes had become more accustomed to the brilliance, I suppose, for as the children began to clear the throne area, I could see more of the throne itself.

The Throne

Beneath the armrest of the throne on either side were two very large cherubim.” They were looking out at me through the blazing light. Each cherub seemed to be a composite of the four creatures represented in the living creatures. Each had the face of a man, the wings of an eagle, and one portion of each body was that of a lion and the other part that of an ox. They guarded either side of the throne of God. They were exquisite and so impregnated with light that they were like lightning with a pale lavender light defining their shape.

The throne on which the Father was sitting was bejeweled with intangibles: righteousness, justice, holiness, mercy, and other virtues.’

The Priceless Above

Epaggelias spoke as he saw me gazing more intently into the light surrounding the throne, “It is the things that are not that are in heaven, Anna.”

I felt that he meant the things that are not tangible.

Epaggelias continued, “The priceless is uncreated. These the enemy wants, for their value is beyond gold. He will give mere gold and silver for them, but it is not a fair exchange. Wisdom, prudence, joy, peace, truthfulness, faithfulness— these adorn the throne of the almighty One. Mere jewels cannot compare. The streets here are gold, but faith is a jewel beyond compare, mercy a commodity more precious than diamonds.”

I looked into the awesome light of our God. “Daddy,” I whispered again.

The Father

Within the resplendent light, part of my Father’s form could be seen.’ I could see what appeared to be His feet and that which looked like a garment falling in drapes to the sea of glass. Flashes of lightning were in this garment.’ Within the searing light, I could see something of His hands and the loose sleeves covering His arms. Above His waist, the light emanating from Him was so blinding in its intensity, purity, and holiness that I could see no further.’

As Jesus was handing the last baby back to an angel who would carry it from the throne room, my Father spoke to me.

“Anna, My child,” He said.

Jesus turned to smile at me. Epaggelias gestured for me to move forward, closer to the throne.

Standing Before the Father

I did so, rubber-legged, moving nearer to that all-consuming light. After I got to the area where the children had been, I dropped to my knees and bowed my face to the sea of glass.’

Jesus stepped over to me and helped me to rise, strengthening me as He did so. “My sister is here to see You, Father.”

As I rose to my feet, the Father’s arms of light came out from all that splendor and picked me up, lifting me high into the air. The action seemed as natural as a father picking up his child.

Our Father Lap

I was so overwhelmed with love and gratitude and relief, that without thinking, I held up my arms and buried my face into the light. The response was like that of a child who would bury its face in the parent’s clothing.

“Daddy,” I said, sensing peace, unbelievable peace.

“You are precious to Me, Anna.”

“I love You, Daddy.”

“And I love you, Anna,” He said, drawing me closer. As we sat there enjoying one another, He began to address my innermost thoughts.

Hope

He said, “those who are called to draw near to Me will share in My peace.’ But only those who have hope have peace, continual peace.° If hope is gone, the soul is tossed to and fro seeking safe harbor, Anna. I want My children’s eyes set on Me, hoping in Me, not looking at the passing panorama of earthly events being played out before them. I want them to look beyond, to look up, to see at last the distant shore toward which they are sailing, filling their hearts and minds, their eyes and ears with Me. This will bring the hope that gives peace.”

I sat up and looked into the greater light of the area that would be His face if I could have seen it.

Deeper Into God

My Father continued, “If they delight in Me, Anna, their desires will carry them deeper into Me. Then, as they are drawn into Me, so will they leave the earth’s orbit in greater and greater degrees. Soon, like gravity, the pull from My realm, the desire for Me—to know Me and to experience the eternal while in the temporal—will become so strong that they will be set free from earth’s orbit and will be drawn more and more swiftly into Mine.’ I do not wish to dwell in a dark cloud any longer. I want My children to know their Father. I want them to see Me and hear Me, for I am a loving Father to them, Anna, and I care for every breath they take. Truth, who is My Son, came into the world. Many have ‘seen’ and walked out of the prison doors. But My Son came to reveal Me. Now that revelation will become present reality. The unfolding, the accomplishment of that earthly mission, which began with the unveiling of My Son, will reach a present clarity unaccomplished before.”

Vision of Troubled Waters

I saw a hand moving back and forth in a pool of water, disturbing any clear reflection from being seen.

“As the waters of mankind become more and more troubled,” my Father said, “the spiritual pool will become clearer.” (Then I saw a hand held over a clear pool and reflected perfectly within the water.) “My children will know Me. Will you help Me, Anna?”

Offered a Responsibility

“If you need me, daddy:’ I said.

“I have raised you up in this hour to see into the heavenly realm, to fly in the rarified air with the white Eagle, to rest in the Eagle’s nest, and to taste of the delights that are to come by eating from My hand so that you may eat and others digest what you have eaten.”

“How, Daddy?”

“By giving them hope by allowing them to see and experience through your eyes and experiences. I will say through you, ‘Hope,’ for I am doing a new thing in these days; all who hunger and thirst for Me will eat and drink. You will be My chancellor.”

“Like of the exchequer?” I blurted out before I knew it (for I had only heard the term mentioned in these days on the British Broadcasting Corporation).

“No,” my Father laughed, “My secretary.”

“Oh,” I said relieved, for I thought I might be able to handle a secretarial assignment—with the Lord’s help, I quickly added to myself.

Letters From Home

My Father continued, “You will tell of what you have seen and heard. You will reveal My heart and give hope by revealing ‘home’ to others. Your words will be like letters from home to those in the field. When a soldier is on the battlefield, a letter from home telling of the people and places of home gives the soldier great hope. He keeps going because he longs for home and realizes that he is greatly loved. Hope, Anna, is a gift to mankind. Without hope, they languish.”

“Why have You chosen me, Daddy?”

“Because you are simple, Anna, and know little. Before the foundations of the world, I called you, not because you are wise or intelligent, but because I delight in you. My Son delights in you. The Holy Spirit delights in you. And I have brought you to Myself this day to ask for your help.”

Yes

“Of course I will help You,” I said, “but Daddy, please help me to refrain from sinning against You. I want to represent You truly. Please keep me pure so that I might not defile this gift or the trust that You have placed in me.”

Only in Him

I continued listening to my Father speak to me. “In Him, Anna, in My Son. I trust only in Him. It is His life, His ministry, and the work of the Holy Spirit through you. My dear child, you are completely untrustworthy?’ As the life of My Son increases within you, it appears that you are more trustworthy, but actually, it is only Him; it always will remain only Him.”

He paused briefly before continuing. “Now, Anna, you must give yourself time to be with Me. Chancellors must grow into their duties and anointing and authority. My child, My heart is turned toward the children. Show them My heart that they may turn toward Me.”

He picked me up from His lap and placed me before Him on the sea of glass as He said, “Now, stand before Me.”

The Awesome Convocation

Within the throne room something tremendous seemed to be happening. From all directions there was a great gathering of angels converging upon the throne area. Some that were flying had wings; some did not. There seemed to be myriads and myriads of angels aloft within the throne room, and those within the radiance joined them.

A ripple of sound began near the throne and moved out through the angelic ranks. As the tone increased, singing began until it reached a crescendo at the outer edges of the heavenly host who was in flight. It was as though whatever originated near the throne passed through the others, allowing the singing to swell and then be released outward. The sound was exhilarating:

I had never been a part of anything so powerful. It took my breath away. At the end of the proclamation, the elders threw down their crowns and fell on their faces before the throne, and so did the four living creatures and all the redeemed and angels who were on the sea of glass within the throne room. I too fell on my face before God, for who could stand? The angels aloft held their places at attention.

Then one lone shofar blew.’ It seemed that the sound echoed throughout heaven. As the sound died away, fire and peels of thunder and lightning began to belch from the throne.

God Almighty spoke, “Stand to your feet, Anna.”

I stood, but I was trembling. Everyone else stood also.

(The redeemed joined in the chorus.)

Praise Your holy name, hallelujah,

Chapter 12
The Installation

The thunder and lightning increased within the throne, and fire streaked upward at times.

The Witness of Two

Jesus spoke: “Father, she is Mine and belongs to My kingdom. She is ready to fulfill the commission You have given to her.” He stepped toward me. “I verify this commissioning, for this is the witness of two. Both My Father and I witness to this.”

The Golden Chain

My Father’s huge hands of light came from the throne area and placed upon me a large golden chain made of twenty-four linked medallions. An even larger center medallion hung over my heart. As I looked down at the chain, I realized that beneath the chain I was wearing the multicolored robe given to me by Jesus earlier.

My Father’s Name

Then my Father touched my forehead with His hand. It burned like a brand. “My name is on her forehead,” He said in a voice that sounded like mighty, rushing waters. He reached out again with a scepter and touched my shoulders. “She is My chancellor.”

Jesus acknowledged, “I bear witness to this.”

The Spirit, who is invisible, spoke from the left side of my Father, “I bear witness to this.”°

Impartation by the Ancient Ones

Then another voice spoke. “Do you trust God?”

“I do,” I answered, turning to look at one of the twenty-four ancient ones around the throne.

“Come here,” he said. He put his hand upon one of the golden medallions on the chain and spoke with great authority and solemnity: “All the gifts and graces given to me, I now impart to you.” Then he motioned for me to pass to the next ancient one, and I did.

Each one of the ancients asked me the same question as the first. Each placed his hand on a different medallion of the chain with the same impartation.

“Your Heart Belongs to Me”

Then my heavenly Father spoke again. “Come here,” He said.

“Look at the insignias.” The gold of the twenty-four medallions was shining like diamonds under an intense light. “The gifts and graces that are Christ are yours,” He said. Then He put His hand upon the center medallion and said with great tenderness, “Your heart belongs to Me. Your heart belongs to Me. Your heart belongs to Me.”

The Finger of God

After this He touched my eyes with His forefingers. It was like lightning shooting through me. “The finger of God has touched your eyes, Anna.” Then He put the lower part of the palms of His hands upon my eyes, and the power almost bent me over backward.’ He moved His hands and placed His fingers into my ears; another bolt struck me, then one on my nose. “Open your mouth,” He said, and He touched my tongue, searing as a coal from the altar.’ “Lift your hands,” He continued. Lightning shot into my fingers and palms. He placed His hands on my shoulders, and then He crossed His hands and laid them on my shoulders again.’ He moved to my heart and diaphragm, my thighs and knees; then God stooped over and placed His hands on my feet. Power shot into them like nails.

The Sword Not of Man

“I am giving into your hand this day the sword not of man.’ This sword is two-edged. It can bar or open the way to the tree of life.” He spoke to someone near. “Bring the sheath to her.”

A large, powerful angel knelt and gave the sheath into the light surrounding the throne. Two cherubs were on either side of the angel. These cherubs must have been over eight feet tall. Each had two faces. One cherub had the face of a man in front and a lion in back. The other had the face of an eagle in front and of an ox in back.° Each had two wings with hands under their wings. Their legs were straight like a man’s but ended in hooves. Taupe-colored feathers covered their bodies like fish-scale mail. They were full of eyes around their bodies and within their wings. I had seen no celestial beings that held such terror as well as majesty.

“Step forward:’ my Father said. “Let Me buckle this on you.” The scabbard was very fine, pure gold and hung on the left side. “Now, the sword,” He said.

From the Light that is my Father came the most beautiful sword. It appeared to have a blade of white gold or diamond with a golden handle that was jeweled. I could see through it. It was all light and fire, and it hovered in the air. Jesus stepped forward, and He and my Father put their hands on it. It glowed even brighter. It was as though lightning and thunder or an explosion went off within it. They then removed their hands, and a beautiful sound of music or singing came from it.

“Grasp it,” my Father said.

“Anna:’ Jesus said, “let Me help you.” He came to my right side and put His hand on mine; together we reached for the sword. It leaped into my hand. Jesus smiled at me. “You may wield this sword because we are one. This sword is sheathed on the outside, but it is also hidden within for the hand and the mouth.”

Suddenly, the sword became a red quill pen and an inkwell full of golden ink. Jesus continued, “The Holy Spirit writes for the Father. The Holy Spirit is ever proceeding, never initiating, Anna.” Pure, pure water with flicks of fire in it began to flow from the pen. “He writes for Me and for the sake of the kingdom.” The pen and inkwell changed back into the sword. Jesus continued, “With the sword not of man, chains will be cut asunder and yokes of iron severed.”

Jachin and Boaz

My Father spoke. “Jachin and Boaz will go with you now,” He said, referring to the two cherubs. “They guard the sword. They are very powerful and most loving; they will be your friends.” He addressed the cherubim, “Guard well.” They bowed and then turned around and bowed again. Their bodies had two fronts and no backs. Then my Father spoke again, “Now, Anna, the mantle.”

The Mantle

From the left side of the Father, where the Holy Spirit had spoken, came forth a shimmering mantle that hovered in midair. Jachin and Boaz moved over to stand on either side of it. The mantle was both visible and invisible, like a gossamer, with thousands of lights within it. The material was like breath, but breath that was full of living light.

“The mantle that you are to wear,” my Father said, indicating the cloak.

The Whirlwind

I slid the sword into its sheath in order to put on the cloak. I expected Jachin and Boaz to help me, but instead, a huge whirlwind stirred before the throne. The garment swirled up into the whirlwind. The angels aloft joined with it by flying within the whirlwind, around and around.

“The Holy Spirit bestows His own mantle,” my Father said. As the cloak began to come down, there was lightning within it. Light changed and pulsated around it, and the Holy Spirit began to proclaim through the singing of the angels:

The Holy Spirit’s Song

As the mantle neared the sea of glass, what seemed to be electricity was popping and arcing within the cloak; colors were rippling within it like the changing colors of a certain type of jellyfish in the ocean. The two cherubs stepped to the side to make room for the mantle. It was suspended in midair in front of me.

“What do I do?” I asked.

“Wait, Anna,” my Father said.

There was silence in heaven. It was as though everything held its breath. Everyone in the throne room was silent. Gradually, with a gentle, pleasant breeze, the garment moved toward me. I held out my arms as if someone were going to help me put on a coat. The mantle was shimmering. It was like breath. As I slipped into it, however, I realized that I became transparent, invisible in certain areas. The only parts of me that could be seen were my hands, my feet, and my head.°

Before I could think about this further, Jesus said to me, “Anna, take these.”

“What are they?” I asked.

The Shoes

“Shoes of porpoise,” he said.’ I felt this was a play on the word “purpose,” but I did not know why.

I looked at them. They too were gossamer. They laced up the front like high-top work shoes that covered the ankle, but there were no soles in the shoes. “They have no soles,” I said.

Jesus smiled, “No, the Godhead is to be the expression of the soul.” (He seemed to enjoy His pun.) “These shoes keep your feet naked, touching the holy ground above, but leave you unjustified before mankind. You will be invisible to man but intimate with God. These cover the ankle and the heel also. Invisibility will work the cross in your life to the point that there will be no exposed heel nor any strength in the natural man displayed.”

I sat on the sea of glass to put them on. “These are the strangest shoes I have ever seen,” I said.

“Yes,” Jesus answered. “Few want to wear them. They are out of style.”

“Will they stay on?” I laughed.

“Yes, unless you yourself take them off. You can expose your walk before mankind, but there will be no life in it. The worm of death will crawl in and out of that exposure, Anna.”° Then He asked, “Can you walk in the fire of invisibility that mankind will not give you glory? Few alive today will wear these shoes, for they want their glory from mankind instead of God.”’

I finished lacing the shoes and stood. The tops of my feet were invisible. “Lord,” I asked seriously, “am I going to be able to do this?”

“No,” He smiled, “but I will, if you will let Me.”

I searched His face. “I believe,” I said softly. “Help my unbelief.”

A Burning Flame of Love

Suddenly, the throne became a towering column of fire, roaring louder than any forge on earth. I involuntarily stepped backward, for the fire seemed hotter than the furnaces that melt iron ore into molten magma.

“Anna:’ my Father said with a voice of thunder, “can you live within the fire?”

“Father,” I said hesitantly, “I cannot wish for painful experiences, but I can wish for You. Give me the grace to desire You more than life itself.”

Huge hands of fire reached out to me. “Come,” He said.

With a big gulp, I began to move forward slowly.

Jesus took my hand. “I will go with you,” He said gravely.

Suddenly, when Jesus took my hand, my yearning for my Father grew more intense. I began crying out in my desire for more of Him: “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” As I began to call to Him, it was as though God opened Himself with a great, silent cry or hunger on His part to have me closer also. It was as though we were instantly sucked into Him.

We were standing amid coals that were white from the intense heat. I too began to heat up. The light was so bright that I could barely see Jesus for the glory within the blazing, white haze.

Fiery Comets

Then fire resembling great, flaming comets began to hit me from all sides. Two hit my eyes, and my eyes burst into flame. As these fiery missiles assailed me, my Father began to speak, “The fire of My holiness, the fire of My love, the fire of My compassion, the fire of My wisdom, the fire of My understanding, the fire of My knowledge, the fire of My zeal, the fire of My purity, the fire of My mercy.

My fingers went to my burning lips. “Prudence,” He said. “Breathe in.”’ I sucked in fire. Fire now was outside and inside of me.

The Beautiful and Terrible Eyes

In the midst of the coals of fire, I saw two huge eyes aflame:

beautiful, terrible beyond description. The eyes looked at me. I could not turn my own eyes away; they were so awesome in both beauty and dreadful wonder.

“Your eyes are beautiful,” I said. “I wish to see as You see.”

“Fix your gaze upon Me,” He said, and His eyes came into mine and then back again. I continued to look and burn until I felt as though my eyes were burned out of their sockets.

He spoke, “Let Me look through your eyes. Let My heart look with mercy upon My children and upon the lost. Let My lips speak.”

Passionate, all-consuming love welled up within me. “Make me a burning flame of love for You,” I cried from the depths of my being.

The Lord In His Glory

Suddenly Jesus was standing directly in front of me within the coals of fire. Brilliant, white light was coming from Him; tongues of fire radiated out from Him at intervals. His eyes were aflame also. He spoke, “As My heart is represented by the garden in Paradise, each believer’s heart is likewise represented as a locked garden wherein we meet. The Father’s heart is represented by these coals of fire, aflame with love. The heart of our Father is pure, aflame, and holy. You must be invited to walk amid the coals of fire, for although our Father loves all, not all are invited within. For those whom He invites, complete oneness is the only thing that will satisfy: consuming and being consumed, where all sin is unthinkable and painful in the extreme. Like a moth to a flame, one is drawn closer and closer into holiness. Any thought of darkness that hinders perfect union with Light—any wavering in obedience, any thought that is not love—becomes painful; for to that degree, the perfect oneness with the Father is disturbed. Love desires more and more of the Beloved. There is pain in separation.

Darkness causes blockages, but love seeks more and more of the Light—more, ever more, until the child also is a walking flame of love in constant communion with Love Himself.

“My heart yearns in ever increasing multiplications for My Father. His love consumes Me, and I hunger and thirst for more.

“Let this desire so be in you—that His goodness draws forth thankfulness and praise, that His mercy draws forth adoration, that His holiness draws forth worship, that like a true child of the Father, Love begets love and trust.”

With that, He took my hand and led me out of the coals of fire.

Jesus led me back to the great assembly. As we emerged, my Father stood and proclaimed, “Let it be recorded. She has passed through the coals of fire; My name is on her forehead. She is My chancellor.” He placed His hands on my shoulders and turned me around to face those on the sea of glass.

“I accept this responsibility,” I said.

“So be it,” He said.

Then all of heaven broke into high praises of God for His faithfulness—music and choirs, fragrances and colors, with angels beyond number bowing before Him who sits on the throne. Joy abounded.

Quietly I told Jesus that I was not sure of all that my new duties entailed.

He leaned over and whispered, “Write what you have seen and heard.”

“Oh,” I nodded.

A lively circle dance began, and the angels came down from their stations above and joined in the circles with the redeemed: Mahanaim.’

As I stood there, two angels brushed me off with their wings, for I was covered with ashes. I felt a bit fuzzy also, as though I had gone through something and had not recovered or stabilized. My eyes felt stretched.

The Gift of a Venerable Angel

While the celebration continued, my Father spoke to me privately. “Anna,” He said. Jesus and I turned to face Him. “I have a gift for you.”

A large, old-looking angel came to stand beside me. He seemed slightly blue because of the blue light emanating from him. He had a partially bald head and a very long white beard. He wore a full-length, sleeveless mantle woven with various shades of blue. Underneath was an even deeper blue robe. Light flashed within the cloak.

“This is a friend of Mine, Anna,” Jesus said to me. “He has come to train you.”

My Father said, “Elijah is a gift from My hand. He is beloved of Me and revered among the angels. He will be with you now during your journey on earth.” He said to the angel, “Elijah.”

Elijah knelt before the Father.

“Will you help to train My daughter?” my Father asked.

“I will,” Elijah replied.

“My friend,” Jesus said. Jesus took Elijah by the hand, raised him to his feet, and He kissed both of the angel’s cheeks. “This is my Anna, Elijah,” Jesus said. “She is beloved of Me.”

“Hello, Anna,” the angel said and took my right hand into his hands. “I am honored to be of assistance,” he said. “It is my desire to serve the great and living God.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I hope to be a good student.”

The Father’s Exhortation

“Anna,” my Father continued, “My people wait for the hope that will seal My covenant of peace. Are you ready?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Well then, My Anna,” He said, “let us bring them into the throne room and into My heart.”

His glory came from Him and kissed my forehead.

Jesus leaned over and kissed my hand. “I am with you,” He said, looking deeply into my eyes.

“Thank you,” I smiled, continuing to gaze at Him whom my heart adores.

He squeezed my hand.

Departure

Then Elijah and I bowed and turned to leave. Before we reached the area where the dancing was taking place, I turned again to look at my Father. The mercy, splendor, and faithfulness of our God overwhelmed me. I choked a little as I said, “I love You, Daddy.”

“I love you, Anna,” my Father replied.

I smiled again and began to walk from the throne room with Elijah. Epaggelias followed right behind us, and Jachin and Boaz dropped in behind him and slightly to either side.

As we walked through the dancers, the redeemed acknowledged our passing. Their looks were warm. I was as comfortable as being among loved ones on earth and more so. What a family, I thought to myself. What friends.

Clara waved to me from among those dancing. I looked for other angels that I knew now, but there were so many of them circling around that it was difficult to distinguish quickly one face from another.

On the Path

Almost immediately we were walking on the path in Paradise.

“Another promise kept’ Epaggelias said, speaking aloud to himself.

I turned my head to look at him.

He chuckled to himself, “My, He is faithful.”

Jachin and Boaz showed respect for the depth of Epaggelias’ gratitude. They nodded solemnly.

Questioning Elijah

“Elijah’ I said. He looked at me.

“Why did the Lord give me a new name?”

Elijah answered, “Because you are new. Your mission, your call, your direction on earth have changed. You are called now to reveal the Father’s heart, and I am to be of assistance to you in doing this. So few understand, Anna, but they long to understand.

“The world is too much with the children of God. It is as though the earth, from which their frames are made, has too much of a hold upon them. Truly their vessels of clay should not dictate the course of the lives of the redeemed, but they seem to have difficulty separating the vessel from that which the vessel contains—seepage. It is as though their clay is still wet and has seeped into their souls.

“Anna, there is a spirit in the land that distracts continually from the true. Because of this, our God is sending again the spirit of Elijah.

“The greatest need is still to know the Father. He must reveal Himself in greater measure before the end of these times. I have come to help reveal the heart of the Father to the children, for His heart is for them, and to prick their hearts to seek Him in order that they might know Him. The Father has brought you forth at this time to be one” (I felt that “among many” was implied) “to reveal His heart.

“When the spirit of Elijah is in the land, there are judgments, droughts, and visible confrontations with the enemies of God. As it was with those who worshiped Baal, always there will be violent confrontations and great exhibitions of God’s power; but first, Anna, the Father’s children must have a greater certainty of His love.’ They must be rooted and grounded in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and their eyes looking above and fixed on Him.

“You will enjoy revealing the Father’s heart, and I will enjoy assisting you.”

The Dark Cloud

I asked, “What is the dark cloud about which my Father spoke, Elijah?”

He replied, “The dark cloud that surrounds God is actually the dense oil of the Spirit, a great good, a visible sign of the magnitude of the anointing, incomprehensible to mankind and therefore seemingly dark.’ To the majority of mankind, He is hidden in darkness. Light that they cannot see emanates from Him. To many of His children He seems hidden, but the fire of His love is burning through the density of that oil now and will allow His children to see His love, His mercy, and His fatherly compassion, as well as the startling reality of His holiness.

“This fire will burn all that is wood, hay, and stubble in the lives of His children. They must desire the fire and long for His holiness. His heart is turned toward them, and the fire of His love will reveal this. The hearts of the children will long to turn toward Him, to walk through the fire of purification, and to rest in His arms. As the enemy hates the fire, so must God’s children love it, for in and through the fire, they will see God.”

At the Stairport

We had arrived at the stairport. Elijah smiled at me, “Are you ready to go to work?”

“Yes:’ I smiled in return. I took his hand in mine. “Thank you, Elijah, and all of you,” I said, turning to Epaggelias, Jachin, and Boaz. “Thank you. I bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

“Thank you, Anna,” they replied together. “We receive that.” We stood there awkwardly.

“Now what do I do?” I asked.

“You return,” Elijah chuckled.

“And what about you?” I asked.

All four faces of Jachin and Boaz said, “We go with you, Anna. Remember?”

“Oh,” I said perplexed, “right.”

I turned to walk toward the docking station, and they disappeared, though I knew they were with me.

Azar Reappears

Azar appeared, leaning on the docking post. “Ah, here you are—well, parts of you anyway,” he smiled, referring to my visible head and hands.

I looked down at my cloak and shoes. I could see right through them to the path.

He began to remove the red cord from the post. “And your Father has revealed to you the reason you came?” he grinned broadly.

“Yes,” I smiled, and then the wonder and mystery of it all swept over me. “Yes,” I repeated with a greater sense of awe.

“Are you ready to return then?” he continued, trying to help me gather my scattered focus.

“Oh, yes,” I said, suddenly realizing that I needed to concentrate on the task before me. I moved toward the stairs.

“Remember not to look down over the sides of the stairs when going back. It takes a little getting used to, but we need to learn sometime, don’t we?” He sounded ever so like a nanny. He began to let down the stairs.

“Thank you for your help, Azar.”

“That’s my name:’ he chirped. “Still I hope we don’t see each other too often. Naw, just kidding,” he said. “If you slip on the steps, I’ll steady you.”

I laughed at him, shaking my head.

“Give me your hand,” he said, leading me to the top of the stairs. “Now be careful with the first step. Light isn’t slippery, but it does have a different feel from materials on earth, you know.”

He held my hand until I had taken the first step and then the next.

“All right!” he cheered, and began whistling through his teeth and clapping loudly as one would at a sports event. “Take care, luv.”

The Descent

I could not help but smile, even while steadying myself on the stairs. As I began to descend, he called after me, “Remember the stairports are all over the world and ready for your use.”

“Thank you,” I called back to him loudly; I lifted my hand without looking back. I could sense that he was watching me the full length of the stairs. He continued to hold the end of the cord.

When I reached the bottom, I turned and waved, although he was only a speck. The cord tightened; the stairs in its first stage retracted, then the second, then the third, and disappeared.

On Earth Again

I was back at the location from which I had escaped. Ear away in the distance, I could hear the sound of a fierce battle in progress. Quickly I clawed my way to the top of the sandy hill again. I wanted to see if any of the city remained after the battering ram’s attack.

Where the walled city had stood, now there was only debris, scattered stones, and pockets of burning. Still I knew that the stones, the living stones of Christ’s true church, were safe.

They may have climbed some stairway, or hidden in caves, or floated on the water; but the living stones had survived.

I stood there a moment looking at the devastation before me. Then I looked up, cocked my head to one side, and smiled.

“Reporting for work, Daddy.”

Afterword
How It Happened

“You will receive a visitation.” With these simple words our lives were blasted from one realm into another, although we did not realize it at the time.

My husband and I received this promise at a dinner party a few days before we left the city. Four years before, the Lord had brought us to that large metropolitan area after my husband’s retirement from the pastoral ministry. We brought together pastors and intercessors—crossing denominational lines—in a citywide prayer movement.

After the Lord raised up leadership from among the pastors we turned the prayer ministry of the city over to them. At our last citywide gathering with the ministers, they laid hands on us, blessed us, and sent us out to serve the larger body of Christ.

“You will be in a cabin at the season of Hanukkah when you receive this visitation,” the dinner guest had continued. He was a friend of ours who had an internationally recognized prophetic ministry. Although we had known him for several years, he had never spoken words from the Lord to us personally.

I had seen angels intermittently while we were in the city and had even seen the Lord several times from a distance, but a visitation was far beyond anything my husband or I had ever experienced. To say the least, we were skeptical.

However, our God is merciful as well as full of surprises.

On the eve of Hanukkah, 1994, in a cabin on a lake in Texas, suddenly, the heavens opened as the Spirit ushered me into the very throne room of God. I saw with such startling clarity that I could not deny what I was seeing. Everything I saw and heard was different from what I had thought: more extraordinary, yet comfortable. It seemed as though I were at home.

I began to visit heaven on a daily basis. Although at first the visits were tiring, I was careful to journal them. I do not think of these visits as visions, for I believe that what I saw is actually there. John told of such an experience in Revelation 4:1. John reported what he saw and heard when he was summoned to heaven in the Spirit.

There were visions also. This book begins with a vision. Visions seem to be a pictorial language—visual aids representing truth from God in which one may or may not participate. One example of the visions given to John while he was in heaven is Revelation 9:17.

When I shared these revelations with my husband, the Lord allowed my husband to experience what I was experiencing by being there.

Then on January 1, 1997, the Lord asked us to compile a book from some of the early revelations and to include an addendum containing scriptural verification and illumination concerning all that was seen and heard. He asked us to complete the entire manuscript in one year.

This book is in response to the Lord’s request. My husband and I can truly say that we do not believe this book is our own. We have never served the Lord in any way that has been so completely Him. Everything in this book is true. If there are errors in the way things are described, the errors are entirely our doing.

All those who are born again in Christ Jesus sit with Him, in spirit, in heavenly places. However, He has been gracious to allow some of us to see into that realm, according to His Word in John 1:51.

Moreover, we found that these revelations were not for the two of us alone, as we had first thought, but for the body of Christ, of which we are members.

We, who are bondservants of Christ, bless you in His name.

—ANNA ROUNTREE

There is an extensive notes section presented in the book, but not given here.