Sword of Truth

Visit Seventy-six (2004 Easter Story)

Jardish is sitting cross-legged and leaning back against a palm tree. He is watching a distant figure approaching from the east just this side of the edge of time.

His thoughts are interrupted by Immish, “Do you see him, my brother?”

The warrior replies, “Yes… Another one comes… what do you think… Human or Demon?”

“Too soon to tell for certain,” Immish squints his eyes as the smoke from the abyss fires snake across the plains of Armageddon and obscures the distant figure. He continues as the figure grows larger from its advance through the desolate area toward the Gate, “It won’t be long before we’ll know for certain.”

Soon the figure is close enough for identification. Jardish says, “It’s one called woman… a human. What do you think?… purified or tainted?

Immish replies, “Don’t know for certain, but my guess… tainted.”

Jardish watches the tall, young woman approach their guard post east of the Gate into Eden. He says, “She does look proud… very confident… very self-assured. I tend to agree with you, my brother.”

Jardish rises to his feet and the two guards wait for the intruder to reach them. Jardish is holding his sword at the ready and Immish is holding a large book. The woman climbs up the rocky path toward the light coming from beyond the golden gate. She shields her eyes from the light from God’s heart that illuminates Eden’s endless realms.

The two angels confront the woman. Jardish asks, “Where are you going, woman?”

The woman replies, “Inside… the light. I need to go inside to the warm light. I’m cold.”

Immish says, “You can’t go inside unless your name is in the Book of Life. What is your name?”

The woman replies, “My name? My name is Martha… Martha McQuins. Check your book… I’m certain I have a reservation.”

Immish opens the book and flips pages until he comes to the correct page. He says, “I’m sorry, Martha McQuins… Your name is not here.”

“It should be… How do you get in that book… You don’t think I’m good enough to be in that book? Why… I’ve done so many good things in the…the… from over there…” She points back to where she came. “We…. I gave to charities… a lot of money to a number of charities. And… I was high up in a woman’s organization for our rights. And I did meditations every day and followed those star charts. I even marched against that bad war… you know the one in that little country… something… Nam. There... you can see that I deserve to be inside.”

Jardish laughs and then he says, “None of you deserve to return to Eden. If your name is not present in the book, then you do not possess God’s gift of life.”

The woman becomes very angry as she yells at Jardish, “I will go inside! You can’t keep me out!”

She starts toward Jardish. He holds up his sword and it erupts into a tongue of flame.

The woman screams and suddenly her young smooth skin turns wrinkled and hard. Her beautiful continence is transformed into a hideous image of a decayed and corrupt life.

She stumbles backward from the flames. Her skin texture and beautiful appearance return once again. She says, “There… that’s the way it should be. I don’t want to go in… you cause me to become what I was when I was over there… back to where I was… in the world. The cancer had caused so much damage. I have been healed from that horrible disease.”

Immish says, “Keep traveling the way you were going. You will be contacted on your eternal destiny, a place that you decided was home long ago. I believe it will be a warm place… not one you will enjoy, but it will be warm.”

The woman looks longingly toward the light once again. She turns and slowly trudges down the hill and turns toward the west where the thickest smoke and flames can be seen. The two angels return to their guard duties.

Soon another figure approaches the Gate. It is a man human. He is young and handsome with a tall powerfully built body and dark skin and hair.

“My name is Frederick K. Stone,” he says. “I’m certain my name is in your book.” He exclaims when Immish shakes his head, “What! Do you know who you are talking to!?

Immish replies, “Frederick K. Stone?”

“That’s correct, my smart friend. I have been involved in evangelical work all my born days. There were many souls added to The Supreme Father’s kingdom because of my work. I know I will be granted entrance into that holy place because of who I am…and… I will be asked by the Supreme Being to lead my followers who preceded me here or will be coming soon. I will receive the honor and glory due a person of my statue in life.”

Jardish asks, “But the most important question is: do you know Jesus?”

“Jesus? Of course, I know Jesus… A great man… His example and leadership is the basis for all spiritual guides. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

“You should have met him before stepping into this dimension. You had plenty of opportunities. It’s too late now.”

Stone asks, “Too late… What do you mean, ‘too late’?”

Jardish replies, “You have to move on… You cannot enter.”

“I’m not letting a lackey keep me from my destiny… my reward. Get out of my way!”

As the man reaches out to push Jardish out of the way, Jardish holds up the sword. The sword erupts instantly into a brilliant flame.

The man throws up his hands in defense and he turns his head from the intrusion of truth into his soul. He screams and yells, “Get that away from me!! I’ll go! I’ll find a place that longs for my talent and abilities.”

Immish says, “Keep traveling the direction you were going and you will be contacted. I’m sorry your choices have resulted in this judgment.”

Stone says, “Don’t feel sorry for me… I’ve always done all right for myself. The Supreme One… the true and only Guide will find me and beg me to enter his kingdom.”

Jardish says, “I’m certain you will get your just reward.”

********

Immish looks toward the East and remarks, “I don’t see any coming at the moment. There certainly have been a large group coming our way. What do you think?… 100?…200?”

Jardish replies, “I think it is more like 2000. And not a purified one among them all. It’s tragic… I don’t like to see the tears in our Lord’s eyes. He tried so hard and gave so much to reach these humans… to make a way for them to return to Him, to return to the beautiful Garden He created for them. How could they reject His Love?”

“Another is coming,” Immish says. “I believe it’s a human… a man human.”

Jardish squints his eyes and says, “He’s an old one… Look how he limps. What do you think?”

Immish scratches his chin and looks toward the figure coming closer to their location. He says, “I see no reason to change… I believe… tainted. What do you think?”

“Same.”

The old man limps up the path toward the two angels. His face is weathered and wrinkled, but his eyes are sharp and clear.

Jardish steps in the old man’s path and holds up his hand. He asks, “Where are you going, old man?”

“I’m looking for heaven… I’m looking for home. Is this heaven?”

Immish says, “It is…” He asks, “Are you worthy to go into heaven?”

The old man eyes fill with tears at the question. He says, “Oh no… I deserve the second death… I deserve the correct punishment of Hell. I don’t deserve God’s Love or heaven.”

Jardish looks at Immish. He asks, “Then why should we let you in… in to heaven?”

The old man proudly says, “Jesus said… I could go to heaven.”

Jardish smiles and he winks at Immish, He asks the old man, “So you know Jesus? When did you meet Jesus?”

“It was one Easter service when I was twelve years old. I asked Jesus to come into my heart and… He did. He forgave me of all my sins… past, present and future. I don’t deserve the gift of his salvation, but He gave me this precious gift. He died in my place… his sacrifice paid my debt that was due because of my sin.”

Immish asks, “What is your name, old man?”

“Will Garrison…”

Immish checks the pages of The Book. He looks up, smiles and then says, “You are correct, Will. Your debt was paid in full and your name was written down.”

Jardish holds up his sword as Will starts toward the Gate. The sword of truth erupts into a tongue of flame. Immediately, Will is transformed from a tired and wrinkled old man to a young man, revealing the true image of one of God’s children.

“I’m glad you have come home, Will.”

At the sound of His voice, Will turns and immediately recognizes his savior. He runs into the open arms of Jesus. He exclaims, “Thank you! Thank you, Lord, for your love.”

Jesus says, “And thank you for your faithfulness, Will. Come with me to your just reward. The tree of life awaits you, my son.”

Jesus has His arm around Will’s shoulders as they walk through the Gate. He continues, “Oh, I have something for you, Will.” Jesus holds out his hand.

Will exclaims, “Oh, Lord! My harmonica!”

“Yes… I’ve always enjoyed your music, Will.”

As they go through the Gate, Will begins playing his harmonica. Jesus says, “That’s one of my favorites too, Will.”

********

After he drove the man out,

he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden

cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and

forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 3:24

Inspired by the life and witness of Reverend J.W. “Brother Bill” Hamilton. We all miss his preaching, his counsel, his friendship and, of course, his music.