Conclusion

The Return

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.

"However, this manner of life will no longer suffice. The times are coming and now are already here when the separation between soul and spirit, between body and soul, together with cleanness of heart, must take place for survival.

"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."