Chapter 10
DANIEL FOUND THIS SITUATION STRANGE and he asked his guide, "Who are you and how do I know I can trust you?" He wanted answers and wanted to know if this was real or if he hallucinated.
"You know the answer in your heart." The guide spoke in his deep voice.
"I know I can trust you and I believe God is allowing me the insight to see the Bible and know it in a all-encompassing, fully comprehensive manner. I prayed for a fuller understanding of the Word for years and know this is the answer to my prayer. It's rather crazy, but is still an answer to prayer." He felt peace as he realized he was assured it was true. "But, who are you precisely?"
"This is the tricky part, Daniel." The male paused and then said, "I'm a fellow follower of Christ and am a disciple, like you. I was asked to speak with you because you'll believe me more than anybody else. I'm you--after you join the Lord in His Kingdom, years from now."
Daniel's first inclination surprised him and he felt he could trust the voice. However...
"I know you want me to prove it. So, here you go. I know you threw your first Bible into the lake in anger." The voice stopped speaking for a moment.
Daniel cringed at the recollection. He was hurt and he took it out on God. It was not one of his finest moments.
"You threw it into the lake in anger after Lisa Smith broke up with you." The voice explained to him.
Of course Daniel was so ashamed he never shared that story with anyone. "Very well, then."
"Have faith. Believe. Trust in God. Remain in the Word and pray at all times or without ceasing. These are the secrets I have for you to live the best life possible on earth and in preparation for heaven." The guide replied before Daniel had the chance to ask the question.
"That's good to know." Daniel told himself or the guide. "Thanks."
"I mean it. 24/7 of prayer and remaining in the word. No excuses." The guide stressed to him. "Now, go and abide in the Word. Literally." He chuckled and seemed to find himself amusing.
Daniel knew his guide was gone now or was at least silent. He sensed this was the case, after all.
Now, who was this man? Daniel wondered as he saw another blur which headed toward John the Baptist, but he knew it was Jesus as well. Hence, he was confused. How could he know who the new blur was? He felt like he had a split personality or mind and one acted on its own accord and one acted as he wished.
Wait a minute. Was this what the guide meant by he would be able to be one of the people in the Gospel of John and he would be able to think his own thoughts at the same time he was one of the people in the Book? He had the sense this was the case.
HE WAS THE LAMB OF God? Of course He was. He now understood in this moment all the bizarre things the cousin of Jesus, John the Baptist, shared with him in the past. He was indeed the Lamb of God. He didn't doubt the man was the Lamb of God, his teacher, the One he sought, and the One he wanted to follow.
Erin also had no doubt in her own mind Jesus was the Lamb of God even as she thought with either John of Zebedee's mind or out of Andrew's mind plus her own. It was an odd experience, sure, but she could think just as clear with both the minds--her own and whoever she was in this accounting. Consequently, she knew she really was living in the Word and witnessed it firsthand. she would never be able to look at the first chapter of John in the same way again.
Then again, how could she ever live in the same manner? She saw with her own eyes the Lamb and Son of God. She saw the Word in the flesh.
She had no choice. She had to follow Jesus (John 1:37). Her heart compelled her to do so.
Erin would have fallen to her knees if she wasn't experiencing this moment through another's eyes. Jesus looked at her. Jesus looked AT her! He saw her. He noticed how she followed Him, or rather how the disciple followed Him. Needless to day, she was astounded.
God saw her with human and divine eyes. She was seen. She was seen by the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. She was seen.
Glory!
Then, she stayed the day with Jesus. Not a moment. Not a speech. A day. Wonder of wonders!
By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy
Review of Christopher Rice's "The Heaven's Rise"
11 years ago
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