“If we flatten it out like Johnny says, then clouds would be there as normal. While we’re in cube state? I’m not sure. I’m not sure about the sun, moon and many other things, but in time …”
Jack looked to the mountains. It felt like home. He hadn’t noticed it when he walked on the ball called Earth and he knew he wouldn’t notice walking on a cube called the New Earth. He was impressed with Johnny’s idea of the cube eventually flattening out. He could visualise that. A large and barren land, a field of broken things, covered with beauty he couldn’t imagine. Would he even be aware if it happened?
The mountains were covered in trees, and there was no pollution. Trees contributed to cloud cover. He had no idea where that thought came from. More words came to mind. The desert will blossom, streams will be flowing. The eyes of the blind shall be opened. The deaf shall hear. Lame men leaping. The mute singing.
Above all, he knew that God had everything under control. With that complete trust, all other thoughts and feelings swept away.
42 - River of life
A flowing river of life. Jack thought of the old Earth, the old life, the things he loved. They were all here with him.
He angled his head, taking in what was before him, a near impossible task. Not to mention the millions of people. Maybe billions. Now Jack fully understood the greatness of his God, he was filled with awe.
The large screen focused on the river flowing from the throne of God. Beautiful lands surrounded the river, and a magnificent tree was the centre of focus. Jack scanned the people surrounding him. Someone in the distance triggered an echo of a memory, a fragmented memory, a memory with no context. He sensed it was a memory he didn’t need. The person turned towards Jack and gave him a smile. A genuine smile.
“Jack, we’ve all been hurt by someone or something, and we’ve all done the same to others.” His angel appeared next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Jack felt an energy. “You’ll encounter many people you’ve hurt, but you won’t experience those memories as negative emotions—those connections are gone. Here, forgiveness rules. The fruit of the Spirit rules. The fruit has matured here. All people have the characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The way it was always meant to be.”
In his heart, Jack knew it all stemmed from love—a word that brought so much complexity and confusion to the old world. Many searched for love but ignored what God had told them: God is love. He was surprised by how easy his mind had transitioned into the new world. The old was gone and would soon be remembered no more.
“You will remember what needs to be remembered—the perfect has come.” The angel squeezed his shoulder. “It was the nature of the beast, so to speak. It was a war down there. Much confusion, many traps. You had an enemy that was out to destroy. We helped and protected you where we could.”
Yes, there was a new thought pattern. Only good things came to mind. Good vibrations. Other thoughts fizzled out and he couldn’t place them in context, but there was no concern because he knew adjustments were taking place in his mind. It was like this new body was being tuned in to another world. Well, it was.
“In many ways, your thoughts were in a battle with thoughts that were not your own. Such thoughts and whispers were planted by the unseen enemy, who delighted in hurting others. Know that those who have been hurt and found the Lord have also been healed. Your memories of each other will not include bitterness or resentment. They are emotions God did not bring. Your mind no longer entertains such thoughts. Those who plant such thoughts, and the things that make you susceptible to such thoughts, are not in this kingdom. The negative thoughts trying to enter your mind are mere memory fragments. They will soon be erased completely as your mind is restored and renewed.”
Wow, the workings of the mind. Jack looked around the eatery. Everyone he could see looked content. He knew his angel referred to things that opened up the mind to the evil in the world. The drugs, the alcohol, all eagerly embraced by a lost world in search of meaning. In search of love. What was going to happen next in this amazing place? He sensed movement under his arm, so he raised the arm to see words displaying on the table.
Information graphics displayed various quotes.
The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
As we move away from the city to your places of resident normality will return. No need to record or note time. When light shuts down for the day, sleep. When light returns, awake. Your body will be in tune.
Your place of abode has been prepared for you. You will soon travel there. You will all be busy. Some will be building ancient ruins, some building cities, some building nations. You will be busy. There are crops to plant, vineyards to be cared for. God knows your calling, your gifts. Many did not find this in their old life. It will soon be revealed to you. Contentment will be yours. The curse has been removed.
The ancient prophets are here, the apostles are here, the saints are here. In time, this will all make sense. Your senses can’t be overwhelmed by what God has planned.
You will be able to walk the streets, walk the nature paths, hike. Ride a bicycle if you wish, ride horses if you wish, steer a boat if you wish, drive a vehicle if you wish.
What power source did vehicles in this new world use? He looked forward to digging deeper in understanding even about how his new body was powered. He let his imagination run wild. Perhaps were cars powered by their own cells. Adventus had travelled a vast distance. What was Adventus’s power source?
He looked again at the large tree. He was told it was for the healing of the nations. Warfare had ended. Conflict had ended.
They were now clothed in God. So different, so good.
43 - Different pathways
Thomas Wiley made his way back to Noosa after being released from the correctional centre. He felt for the police officers who believed he belonged behind bars, not on the street. The looks on their faces said it all. But Wiley suspected the magistrate was a member of one of the local chapters, so had no surprise in being let off with a short stint in the centre. Besides, he felt like a new person. A change had come over him. He couldn’t explain, but he’d had a change of heart. His dad put him up in a converted garage at the rear of his house.
Wiley hadn’t been sleeping well. He’d been lying in bed talking to God and fighting off demons—which turned out to be possums screeching during their battles with other possums. He imagined demon warfare would sound similar. The dark circles under his eyes told him he needed to deal with the possums sooner rather than later.
Sheila lived nearby, and he’d visited a few times. He currently sat in her kitchen, having one of her remedial herbal teas—chamomile, fresh from the garden. He sipped his tea as he watched her gather other delights from her garden. The tea was already working—he felt good. He folded his arms on the table and used them as a pillow for his head. The rotating washing machine vibrated the timber table and up through his arms added a further calming effect. He closed his eyes.
He reflected on the time he was under the table with Sheila. The earthquake, the realisation she’d turned in the direction of Jesus, his feeling about that. But things had changed.
He opened his eyes. Odd. Sheila was talking with someone in the garden. He stood up and walked over to the window and looked in her direction. He still couldn’t see anyone. She turned her head toward the house and gave Wiley a smile. A strange smile. Her eyes were watery. He heard a loud noise, an unusual sound, almost like a trumpet.
Sheila vanished.
He rushed to the door as the huge shadow came over the yard. He stepped out, looked up, fell to his knees, and punched the damp grass with his fists. He had returned.
What was going on? Had he been dreaming? Was he still dreaming?
Slowly standing, he looked up at Adventus. It was moving gracefully, with shafts of light shooting up as it passed. Was this the gathering of believers in the sky he’d heard about?
Sheila had talked to him about the Passover. It had seemed relevant at the time seeing Easter was upon them. He’d brought up the topics of aura glasses and green people. Sheila compared the green people to the blood painted on the Israelite’s doorframes, a seal or marking for the believer. The green people were being collected.
He went back inside, and the loneliness overcame him. He sat down closed his eyes and placed his head in the palms of his hand. Tears came to his eyes. He wanted to sleep. To escape.
He has returned. Jesus has returned.
Wiley’s eyes were heavy. He sensed a presence, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Dad!
He needed to be with his dad. He opened his eyes, stood up and rushed out of Sheila’s house. He paused and looked back at the house. Was there someone there? No time to ponder, he just wanted to run.
* * *
