Savior’s
Day
Ron
Schwartz
The purpose of this novel is to encourage and
challenge all who love God. It is not the author’s intention to use this novel
to establish doctrine, and effort was taken to avoid controversial issues.
The story you are about to read is a fictionalized account of the
Scripture. Since God, in all His infinite wisdom, has chosen to keep the true
story from us, we can only wonder what really happened . . .
“The demons of darkness, of which I speak, are so
hideous that many beings fail to recognize just how intelligent they are. Their
wings make an unmistakable flapping sound as they beat the air, like the steady
methodical pulse of a snare drum drawing near. This combined with the deep
groans and snarls resonating from their throats make these hideous creatures
sound as if they are tormented souls, forever cursed to the fires of hell.
I have seen these creatures in almost every possible
size. Their shapes vary, but each is unmistakable: fire-red in color, batwinged,
and hideous in every sense of the word. But the most conspicuous feature of
these creatures is their indescribable, earpiercing screams. Resembling war
cries, at least one always precedes their appearance. I have come to know it all
too well.
Sometimes they come alone, sometimes in groups of
four or more, but be not mistaken, they will always come. Sometimes they fight
viciously amongst themselves like wild dogs fighting for the last morsel of a
carcass. Their animal-like instincts cause them to behave as if they have been
maddened by the scent of blood. But their anger is self-perpetuating, and
nothing in this world can give them peace. It is as if these creatures are
destined only to live out their miserable
existence in a meaningless rage. They are birthed
from the loins of hell, and there ultimately will they return.
Each night they come and always without any warning.
Inasmuch, I must always be ready and on my guard, for I never know from
where or at what time these creatures will strike. While everyone else is
asleep, I wait with my sword in hand. I am commanded to stand here, and so here
I will stand, beside this little boy's bed. His name is David ... and I'm his
angel."
Guardian Angel Tarmont, 1991
The
Enlightenment
To the best of my
knowledge, he was known only as the Magician. I met him during my stroll down
Vine Street while attending a conference in Los Angeles. At the time, I was
still a preacher at a small Baptist church in Arkansas. I was raised on a
country farm, so my tour of the inner city was most enlightening. The suburbs
seemed to run on forever, and the traffic was as thick as molasses on a cool
autumn morning. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for what happened that
day.
At first glance, there
didn’t seem to be anything unusual about the Magician. He appeared to be doing
some simple card tricks, entertaining a small crowd of pedestrians. If not for
the cards in his hand, I certainly wouldn't have guessed he was an entertainer.
He wore faded blue jeans, a T-shirt, and some old tennis shoes. The
military-style haircut, youthful face, and dark eyes made him look like he was
probably in his twenties.
I believe, however, that it
was the faces of the people gathered around him that first drew my attention.
They were more than just entertained. They were amazed. No, they were scared. I
was about to pass by, but something in their faces caused me to slow to see what
was happening.
“Okay, tell me which card
you signed your name to and are holding in your hand,” the Magician said to
the young man standing before him.
“The three of
diamonds.”
“I’m confused,” the
Magician replied. “Why are you holding an unsigned ten of clubs?”
The young man turned the
card over in his hand and then dropped it as if it had burned his hand. He gaped
wide-eyed at the Magician, apparently unable to speak.
The Magician held out his
open hand. “I want my three of diamonds back.”
“I-I-I d-d-don’t have
it.”
“Yes, you do. It’s in
your wallet.”
The young man slowly
removed his wallet and opened it up while the Magician casually looked on. He
searched through his money, then, as though handling a bomb, gingerly unsnapped
the part that held photos. Suddenly, he dropped his wallet. There, in the first
window for everyone to see, was the three of diamonds with his signature on
it.
It was just slight-of-hand,
I told myself as I continued on past the group. Then I heard a voice that sent
chills down my spine. An unearthly voice, unlike anything I had ever heard
before, nor will I ever forget.
“You have no stomach for
my magic, little man?”
The voice was deep and
raspy, almost mechanical. It was like listening to the sound of a multitude
talking in unison.
I wheeled about only to be
met by a sight that made my legs weak and my bones shake. I lost my strength and
dropped to my knees, while I vainly attempted to catch my breath. Even though my
mouth formed the words to shout warnings, no sound came from my lips. I was
totally and uncontrollably gripped with fear.
Only a short distance away,
towering over the Magician was a hideous monster of enormous size and power. It
appeared to be part reptile and part human. Smooth, red, scaly skin covered its
entire body, right down to its long serpent's tail that thrashed about.
Standing nearly three stories tall, it had immense bat-like wings
outstretched, spanning both sides of the street. Moreover, the crowd gathered
was completely oblivious to the impending danger.
My fear and panic were
indescribable. Aside from this monstrous creature, I was aware of nothing else
except the trembling which overcame me.
“I’ve one last magic
trick. I’ll focus my energies to make myself levitate.”
Unable to move, I knelt
only a few feet away and watched in disbelief. I was completely helpless to warn
anybody of what was really
happening. The monster shifted back and forth and growled as it beat its chest.
It seemed tormented and impatient. Finally, as the Magician lifted his arms, the
monster reached down with massive
talons extended and effortlessly lifted the Magician
up, and then set him down again.
Some of the people ran,
terrified. Some cowered, screaming. I just knelt there, still frozen in fear.
The creature leaned down
over the Magician until its massive face was only a couple of feet away from
mine. I could make out every detail of that repulsive gargoyle face. Its large
broken nose and well-pronounced chin gave it a most threatening smile. Two large
horns protruded out of the forehead and extended slightly upward.
Even at this distance, I could feel its hot breath blasting my face.
It examined me closely with
its glowing red eyes. Then it abruptly straightened and roared. What was it that
kept it from killing me? Why did it suddenly back away?
It was then that I became
aware of the fact that I was not alone. Other beings were standing near me. They
were about eight or nine feet tall and looked almost human. They wore bright
white robes and some carried swords at their sides. Without giving it much
thought, I knew what they had to be.
There were angels all
around me.
One of the angels moved to
stand directly in front of me. He reached out to take my hand. My fear was gone
instantly, and I found myself on my feet again.
“I have come to help you
understand the evil that is come to your land in these last days.”
And that’s how it all
began.
Who am I? My name is Paul
Barnes, and this is the story of my experience. Every word of this account is
true, regardless of how impossible it may sound.
It
began long ago, before the creation of this world, before heaven became divided.
It was a time
when
all that was of the universe was the Kingdom of God…
1
The
Fall
Michael moved swiftly away
from the Throne Room of the Almighty, his brilliant white linen gown flowing
from his neck down to his feet. Once in the outer hall, he lifted his two great
wings and darted away like a lightning streak across the sky. He landed at the
outer gate near the place where Joatham stood guard. Joatham was one of
Michael’s closest lieutenants and a fellow member of the Guild of the Sword.
Michael commanded the Guild
of the Sword and had given its name to describe the portion of the heavenly host
under his command.
He was one of the Lord’s
three archangels, a specially created angel who was entrusted with a particular
anointing. This anointing gave Michael intelligence that allowed him to serve as
Counselor to the Almighty. The Lord referred to his three archangels as His
Witnesses, or Anointed Ones.
Each archangel had a
specific duty to perform. Michael was an archangel of incredible strength and a
warrior’s heart. He was given command over the Armies of God, and it was his
charge to guard the Lord’s dominion. This mighty archangel wielded a single
broad sword that he kept in a golden sheath until such time as needed.
Michael approached Joatham
and lifted his mighty wings.
“Come with me. Lucifer
has once again missed his appointed time with the Almighty. This time, the
Almighty has sent us to bring him in.”
“Do you know where he
is?”
“You have to ask?
Probably at his amphitheater bragging of his beauty once again.”
Joatham checked his sword,
and then flew upward after Michael. Both of them had been expecting this.
Lucifer, as of late, had been acting very strangely. Although he had become
increasingly arrogant, he now seemed completely preoccupied with himself,
missing more and more of his scheduled symphonies for the Lord. And now it had
come to this.
Since time and distance
have no measure -- no real meaning in the dominion of the Lord -- it would be
impossible to explain the duration of Michael and Joatham’s trip. Suffice it
to say that they landed near Lucifer’s amphitheater, the place provided by the
Almighty for Lucifer and his angels to meet regularly for practice.
“...I say we don’t
belong here!” Lucifer’s voice boomed throughout the amphitheater. As Michael
stepped into the amphitheater, Lucifer stopped, his eyes narrowing.
“Look around at each
other,” he demanded, his eyes never leaving Michael.
If Michael felt any fear,
he disguised it well. He strode confidently down the center aisle up to the
raised platform. The amphitheater’s transparent crystalline structure
sparkled, reflecting the Glory of the Almighty on every side.
“Consider our beauty, our
music! We are special beings! We are not destined for servitude as others that
have no comeliness!”
Again, Lucifer stared
directly at Michael, but Michael seemed unmoved.
“The Almighty desires our
presence around Him continuously, for even He is incapable of the melodies we
weave!”
At last, Michael stepped
onto the stage. A single glare from his piercing eyes sent the nearby angels
scattering in all directions. No
one wanted to be on the wrong side of Michael’s sword. Even though Michael had faced Lucifer countless times before,
he never ceased to be awestruck at Lucifer’s beauty. Like Michael, he was an
archangel. But Lucifer had his own special anointing from God: he was the
Captain of Lord’s Symphonic Orchestra.
Lucifer’s spectacular
garment flowed from one brilliant color into another and glittered with a myriad
of precious stones. A variety of wondrous instruments were fastened to it:
horns, bells, cymbals, drums, and numerous stringed instruments. As he moved,
the most exquisite melodies followed him. He was truly worthy of admiration. His
angels were likewise adorned with beautiful garments and wondrous instruments.
But Michael threw off his admiration. He drew himself up into his most
intimidating stance. “The Almighty requires your presence.”
“Well, of course He
does,” Lucifer jingled sarcastically. “He invariably wants me before Him.
But does He really think that I will continue to submit myself to His every
whim?”
Lucifer turned to the
assembly before him. “What did I tell you? The Almighty has sent Michael with
a special invitation for me. Do you
see? This is just as I told you! No other beings are as gifted or as desirable
as we are. Our presence is always in demand. Yet we are mistreated! We are
treated like slaves! We deserve better! The tyranny must end!”
Michael stepped closer to
Lucifer, speaking firmly in a low voice that only Lucifer and those closest to
him could hear. “Come now, or I’ll end it for you. I’ll see to it that
you’ll have sung your last tune.”
Lucifer wheeled around, and
his musical instruments sounded in dissonant chords. Then he scoffed in
Michael’s face. “You threaten me with your sword? Should I shiver with fear
before you now? You and I both know that you cannot so much as lift your nose in
my direction without answering to your
Lord.”
Haughtily, he turned back
to the crowd. “Yes, I will go. I will go to the Almighty and present Him with
a test that He cannot answer. For us, it will mean freedom. Come! Follow me!”
With that, he lifted his
glorious wings upward and vanished in a brilliant flash of white. Michael raced
ahead to catch up with him, and ultimately landed in near-perfect unison with
him. Their feet touched down in the
gallery outside the Throne Room which was known as the Great Hall. The pillars
on each side of the room seemed to extend upward forever. All along the walkway
to the throne, Michael’s angels stood guard, each one armed with a tremendous
sword at his side and a javelin in his hand.
Before them lay the Throne Room of the Almighty. Brilliance unmatched by
any other shone forth from the throne. Michael immediately dropped to one knee,
inclining his head in reverence. Lucifer, unmoved by the glory around him,
strutted arrogantly forward toward the Almighty’s throne as if it were his
own. If he had any respect for the Lord, it was overshadowed by his defiant
demeanor.
The Almighty’s voice
boomed from the glowing cloud of glory centered around the throne. The glory of
the Most High pulsated with each word spoken. “Why hast thou ignored My
summons?”
Lucifer remained unmoved by
the spectacle. He stood boldly before the Almighty, his head held high and his
hands clasped behind his back. Michael’s presence, on the other hand, gave
deference to the Lord. Still holding his head low, Michael slowly stepped
forward and knelt near where Lucifer stood. Lucifer glanced at Michael with
disdain, and then turned his gaze toward the throne. “Yes, well, I was
busy,” Lucifer replied curtly.
“What is it, My child?
Why dost thou try My patience?”
“Your patience?
It is my patience
that You should be concerned about.”
“Explain thyself.”
Lucifer turned to pace the
floor, still holding his hands behind his back. “I am tired of being at Your
beck and call, as if my time is Yours to consume as You please. I’ve had quite
enough of Your demands.” He stopped and again fixed his gaze on the Almighty.
“It must end if You want to continue receiving music from me or any of my
legions.”
“You seek to negotiate
terms of service to Me?”
Lucifer stopped as if
considering the matter, then nodded.
“Yes...” Then he
continued to pace. “That is exactly what I want. I want to negotiate terms:
when and how often we will make music for You.”
Michael stood up to block
Lucifer’s path, stopping him in mid-stride. His right hand was laced firmly
around his great sword, ready to use it if necessary. “That is quite enough! I
will not allow you to mock the Almighty!”
Lucifer grimaced and turned
toward the Lord. He gestured disgustedly toward Michael with one hand. “Is
this really what You want of me? To be just another slave like this one? Is that
what You’re looking for?”
A brilliant flash of light
split the Throne Room as Michael drew his sword high into the air.
“No, Michael, not in my
Throne Room. Not here.”
As Michael grudgingly
returned his great sword to its sheath, the Lord turned His attention back to
Lucifer. “It is clear that there is no place here in My kingdom for thee.”
“Then what will You do
with me? My essence is eternal, just like Yours. I cannot be made simply to
disappear.”
“That is true, My child.
So, behold, I create a pit of darkness as bleak as thine own arrogant heart. It
is a kingdom for thee to forever rule. There will I place thee and those who
follow thee, and from thence thou shalt make thy music for each other. Thy pride
hast defiled thy strains and contaminated thy beauty. Thy darkened hearts have
deceived thee into believing that thou art equal unto Me.”
Lucifer seemed unmoved by
the Lord’s proclamation. He stood erect and unwavering by the terrible
judgment declared against him. He pointed an accusatory long slender finger at
the Almighty. “So it’s true, then! All You want are mindless slaves!”
“My servant Michael is
not a mindless slave.”
“Then You must punish
him, too!”
Michael was visibly shaken
by Lucifer’s assertion. The challenge to his impeccable character was
inconceivable. That this belligerent fool dared to drag him into this rebellion
was more than he could contain. “My Lord, I beseech You! Do not allow this
vanity to continue! Let me end this charade with one mighty turn of my sword.”
“Be patient, My child
Michael, for Lucifer’s accusations must be answered. Go on, Lucifer. Explain
thyself. Why must I punish Michael for your actions?”
“Look at these pathetic
creatures! The only difference between me and them is that I tell You my
thoughts and feelings. They are just holding it in! I am expressing what every
being here feels. We are sick of forced servitude!”
Lucifer took a step
forward. “They’re afraid of You. See what happened when I told You my
thoughts? You have created a sort of... of... hell... for me and my legion. You
threatened to banish me. You spoke condemnation to us. They know they’ll be in
for the same judgment, so don’t expect them ever to speak their minds.”
Michael could no longer
hold back. “He does not speak for me and my Guild, my Lord.”
“I believe You, Michael,
but the accusation must be addressed.”
“I demand a trial!”
Lucifer laughed derisively. “If You are indeed to be my judge, condemning me
to this Outer Darkness, then I demand a righteous verity! I demand righteous
judgment! I contend that, since I am no different from any other of your slaves,
this discriminative judgment against me is unfair, unrighteous.
Furthermore, I contend that there is no being here qualified to prosecute
me, since all these beings have similar hearts, including Yourself. You cannot
sit in judgment over me since You would have done the same as I if You were put
in my place. If it were not for fear of You, every one of Your slaves would
follow me from this room. Yes, I refuse servitude to You, but so would they if
it were not for Your intimidation. Prove that I am wrong if You can!”
“You have My attention
now, Lucifer. Continue,” the Lord prodded.
“Well,” Lucifer
sniggered as he glanced back at his legions flowing into the room behind him,
“I am afraid that what I have asked cannot be proven, so I guess we will have
to suspend this trial.”
“Really?”
“Yes!” Lucifer snapped.
“I demand proof! Simple proof that I am any different from the rest of Your
slaves, and justification that You are fit to sit in judgment of me.” Lucifer
gave a smug smile.
“But since they cannot
show me their hearts, I am afraid we are at an impasse.”
Having said what he came to
say, Lucifer turned to leave. Michael
stood near, one hand still clutching his sword, angrily watching Lucifer walk
away.
“Lucifer, I have not
dismissed thee,” the Lord’s voice rumbled.
A worried look took the
place of Lucifer’s former impudence, and he slowly turned back to face the
Lord. The cloud surrounding the throne darkened and churned.
“I am not about to allow
such accusations concerning My servants to go unchallenged. Thou hast proposed a
test. A test to show the true hearts of My servants. A test to show which of My
servants is worthy to be a part of My kingdom, or more.”
Lucifer spread his arms
wide apart. “Yes, of course, but such a test is impossible. How can you show
me their hearts?”
“I am not without
cunning. I have marvels thou cannot begin to understand. Thy guile is designed
to trap Me in an unsolvable maze, but thy craftiness shall be thine own undoing.
For what thou hast meant to use for evil, I will use for good.”
“Behold!” the
Almighty’s voice boomed. A single formless orb appeared in the heavens. The
Spirit of the Lord rose from the throne and moved upon the shapeless mass.
Slowly, it began to spin upon its axis. Michael, Lucifer, and the other angels
drew near to the spectacle. What were the Lord’s reasons for such a creation?
What was His interest in such an insignificant shapeless object? No one seemed
to know.