Nine Days in Heaven: A True Story (17 page)
“It will always be like this until men and women finally turn to the Lord. He is the only sure stronghold when you are in trouble.
“The voice that declared that man could not help man was the voice of Truth. Truth always tries to show men and women their true condition and to present the truth of salvation through the Lord Jesus.”
3
The angel then turned his attention away from the children and looked up to the higher heavens. His voice was meek but fervent: “Father of all, let Your Spirit inspire these young minds with understanding. Let them benefit from what they have seen concerning the effects of sin and the wonders of Your love in Your way of salvation. Support them with Your grace as they now watch the trials of their Redeemer at the hands of those He tried to save.
“E
NDOW THEM WITH SUPPORTING GRACE
WHILE BEHOLDING THE TRIALS OF THEIR
R
EDEEMER, INCIDENT TO HIS MISSION
,
AND HIS PASSION WHILE SUFFERING THE
CRUELTY OF THOSE HE SEEKS TO SAVE
.”
“Grant that they may be prepared well, so that they can advance to the heaven of youths, where Your glory is revealed in even greater love and blessing.
“You have entrusted Your angels with the care of these little ones. They delight in leading them higher, so that Your glory may be reflected on them in a way that is pleasing to You. Let Your will be done by these angels so that the spiritual understanding of the children will increase and the love in them be released. In this way Your name will be glorified in them for ever. To us who minister Your grace, You are all and in all.”
The guardian angels and instructors responded, “Evermore, amen, evermore, evermore, amen,” and the heavenly atmosphere echoed it until the sound finally faded away in the distance.
Support From
the Word of God
1.
Remember that this was written well before the advent of movies or television. Marietta takes the next paragraph to explain a process that was probably analogous to what today we see on a 3-D screen or perhaps a stage performance.
2.
This is a direct quote from Jeremiah 13:23: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.”
3.
Of “…
truth…
” Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
T
HERE WAS A SHORT PAUSE, AND THEN A DISTANT VOICE SAID
, “Y
OU
will now learn of the events that took place when God came to earth as a man to change the destiny of your world.”
The glory of God lit up the sky, and a choir playing golden lyres sang loudly, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill to men. I bring good news! It will give great joy to all the people! ‘Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’”
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Beneath a pale light the city of Bethlehem came into view. This was the birthplace of the Redeemer. What a tremendous contrast it was in comparison to the home of the infants in paradise. These children lived in the glory of divine life, attended by angels, blessed by the Redeemer, and greeted by heavenly choirs. In stark contrast, they looked now upon the dreary world surrounding that marvelous event, the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus! The untold goodness and love of God were revealed through Him. Yet here He was, a baby in the arms of his lowly mother, Mary. Both the children and the watching angels were deeply moved to witness the humble circumstances of His birth.
After a short pause an angel said, “This is the birthplace of the Redeemer, whose glory illuminates this temple. He took this humble form for you and, in so doing, has made it possible for you to have homes in heaven, if you trust in His grace and be obedient to the law of redemption. Adore Him, for He is worthy!”
“We will adore Him forever,” said the chief guardian, and the children echoed, “We will adore Him.” Then again, all fell silent.
The scene then focused on Mary. She was resting against Joseph, who held her close to him while she gently cradled the baby in her arms. Standing nearby were a few Israelites, their eyes fixed on the babe and His mother. Around them were countless angels—invisible to human eyes. They were holding crowns in their hands, but their harps lay at their feet. A cloud of glory rested above them, and a voice came from it, saying, “This is My beloved Son.”
A
ROUND THEM WERE AN
INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS
,
BUT INVISIBLE TO MORTAL VISION
.
The angel spoke again, “Today, God’s love for man is revealed. Man has fallen because of sin, but now salvation has come. You will see Justice and Mercy enter the scene
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to debate the destiny of fallen men and women. Justice will speak out against sin so that God’s righteousness is upheld. On the other hand, Mercy will plead for the sinner who suffers continually because of sin.”
“Let us bow down and adore the God of our salvation,” said the chief guardian. As the children responded, another voice said, “It is good for you to worship at the birth of the Savior. Let all heaven worship in this way.”
I was reflecting on the worshipers’ devotion, when the chief guardian said, “We will rise now. Look, the next scene is appearing.” Lifting her eyes to the higher heaven, she continued, “Be our help, Father, so that we may understand what heaven is revealing for our instruction, so that we may know Your love and be prepared to do Your will forever.”
Led by their guardians, every child responded, “Amen.”
Support From
the Word of God
1.
The details of this paragraph are found in Luke 2:9–14:
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
2.
“
Justice and Mercy enter the scene…
” Justice and mercy are two important attributes of God. Here in the story they are personified initially; i.e., they appear before us as unique persons.