Hate is a very strong word, but possibly on this occasion it will not suffice. Madeleine knew instantly that she had been persistently lied to and mocked. Jezebel and her band did not respect her methods; they did not leave her class to spread them, and the five hundred did not remain to learn more. Jezebel and her company had come to her class with only one objective in mind: to lead as many of her class members as was possible to precisely where they now were, attending these meetings.
Once they had succeeded they were perfectly happy to leave, probably to target some other teacher in the same way. They didn’t care in the slightest that her class was gradually diminishing and eventually there would be nothing left.
If a glare could cut a spirit in two, Madeline would have sliced Jezebel neatly in half.
She did not hear a word that was spoken by Ham or Troy, she just sat there and hated Jezebel. When Jezebel spoke, every word ground her soul as if it was being rubbed against a cheese grater. Each shout of acclamation by the crowd was as a nail into her heart.
She wanted to stand and hurl abuse at Jezebel but she found that she couldn’t, she was frozen stiff. So she just had to sit there, still, and endure the worst torture of her existence, at least to that time.
At the end of the session she had to be assisted from the building in a hate-induced daze.
She remained in that almost coma-like state, and would not communicate with anyone for days. She even missed a class.
Jerome worried about her to an extent, but he didn’t care that much. Besides, at least he got some peace for a change.
53 lost
Another few weeks having past, and on the very same day upon which Michael was attacked by first division, Rachel had planned to meet her love in the library closest to their abodes. Michael was late so Rachel took time to read on her favourite subject which was the kingdoms of higher order.
She loved to study the exalted beings on those spheres, and the summary of the mortal lives that they had lived in order to get there. She was inspired by their stories. The things that they had endured, and the way they had conducted themselves throughout their lives, the people they loved and served, and the way in which they acted when no one else was watching. She observed the sorrow that these souls felt when they slipped up, and admired their determination to do better next time.
In each of these souls there was a complete absence of personal hypocrisy, and a continual humble recognition that they could and should do better. For each such being there was an implicit understanding that mortality was a test to be passed, not a pleasure cruise to be savoured. Rachel had studied many souls over the course of her time in the Kingdom but on this occasion she focused her attention on one Sileme Breet.
The details of Sileme’s life on earth, as contained in the book Rachel was studying, was only a brief overview, such that no detail was given of the evils of earth. Nevertheless, there was still enough fibre in the account to enable Rachel to get a feel for Sileme’s sufferings and trials, and the glory she had earned thereby.
During her mortal journey, Sileme had been married and raised a family of two sons and three daughters. She loved God and her neighbour and was quick to help others. She most always spoke kindly and softly to her children and was an example of strength, kindness and humility. She was modest and virtuous, thereby being a wonderful example to her daughters of what they should become, and to her sons of what they should seek in a wife and future mother of their own children.
Sileme achieved all of these things in the closing act of the earth upon which she had dwelt. A time when morals were collapsing and evil was becoming the norm. A time when ‘good was called evil and evil was called good’. A time when being a virtuous, humble mother was no longer valued, and it was considered far preferable for a female to be a sensual celebrity or an assertive corporate tiger, with minimal children and a large pile of compensatory assets. Sileme was able to teach her children good things that equipped them to live exemplary lives in difficult times.
Rachel wept as she read that Sileme’s husband, her chosen soul mate from the beginning, had let her down. He wasn’t necessarily a bad man, he just didn’t exercise the strength that she did, and it cost their family dearly. The agony of that betrayal, and the divorce that followed, constituted Sileme’s personal ‘Gethsemane’. She experienced nothing worse during mortality, notwithstanding the terminal illness that she suffered through in her old age.
Sileme never remarried but Father and Mother had someone in mind for her when she had passed away. He was a wonderful man who had also been betrayed during his lifetime but had endured it well, and had not allowed that experience to tarnish his future dealings with others or with God.
The lesson Rachel took from the account was that all things will be made right for those who suffer on account of the actions of others, and endure it well. Rachel admired Sileme’s character, and the extent of her growth following mortality, and she hoped that one day she might earn the same opportunities, once she had successfully completed her own work in mortality. All of these things were revealed to Rachel in the book of Sileme’s life.
The history was enthralling and Rachel was so engrossed that when she eventually finished the final page she found that the library was due to close and still there was no sign of Michael. She waited for half an hour outside, all the while assuming that Michael had been detained by some service to another. As this half hour gave way to an hour however, another thought began to take shape in her mind. Her optimism began to falter and fear arose in her heart that perhaps Michael had been delayed by something other than a good deed.
She tried to calm herself from these fears and, leaving the library, walked slowly back to her abode, hoping that a relaxed stroll may assist her frame of mind. It didn’t and increasingly a feeling of foreboding came over her. She thought of the fact that Michael was teaching a lesson at the other end of the Kingdom that day, and she also recalled the attack on Kieran and Johan. In times past she would not have been concerned for his wellbeing, but the Kingdom had changed, and despite all of the good still present, there was now some evil. Indeed, Michael had recently expressed concern to her about how the area in which he had been teaching was gradually changing for the worse. After a further half hour of these thoughts, and with no sign of Michael at his abode, she was beside herself.
From there she travelled speedily to Samuel’s place, hoping that Michael would be there. Samuel was home and she asked him immediately whether he had seen Michael. Instantly, Samuel sensed her distress and asked her what was wrong.
‘Michael was supposed to meet me at the library hours ago and I’m really worried about him,’ was all Rachel could blurt out before she burst into tears.
Samuel was distressed by Rachel’s state, in the same way all males feel distressed and helpless when a female cries. He tried clumsily to comfort her, as males do, but it took some time as she was very emotional. Ultimately though, Rachel calmed down enough to recount what she knew. After a brief account of the circumstances, Samuel had gleaned enough detail to consult with Father, following which he gathered a sizable search party.
Unfortunately, although Rachel was aware that the class was well away from their current location, and that it was a place in which dwelt both light and darkness, she did not know anything further. Therefore, the search was going to be very difficult.
The initial search party was almost one hundred thousand strong, and the numbers swelled continually as more and more spirits became aware of the situation. Still there was so much ground to cover and by day's end, Michael had not been located.
By the second day Rachel was absolutely distraught. She had joined the search initially but could not continue as it was too upsetting. Sarah, Ariel and Tara left the search also to comfort her.
‘Rachel, he will be fine, please know that,’ said Tara, trying to comfort her friend.
‘I’m trying to know that, but if he could return to us he would, so there must be something s
eriously wrong,’ replied Rachel.
It was difficult logic to argue against but Tara knew that she must try and comfort her friend.
‘Even if he can’t come to us now, I’m sure that will soon change and he will return to relieve you of this burden,’ she assured her sister.
‘Tara is right Rach, sometimes we are tested, and have to go through difficult times, but so long as we are not in the wrong, the end will be fine,’ Sarah assured her greatest friend.
This was good counsel, and the time that Rachel had just taken to study Sileme’s life did provide her some comfort in this regard. Nevertheless, before long Rachel’s fear for Michael again got the better of her and she began to pace like a caged tiger.
‘I’m going to see Mother and Father,’ she said when she could take no more.
Seeing the state of their friend, they all agreed that this would be wise and they escorted her to their parents' abode, remaining outside while Rachel went in. She found both of her parents at home and was glad to receive their audience.
‘Rachel, we are glad you have come to see us. This time must be very difficult for you,’ said her Mother.
‘Mother, you know what has happened. Is Michael alright?’ she asked immediately, not able to constrain herself.
‘He has endured much, Rachel, but you can have faith that he will be fine,’ replied Mother. Rachel immediately took comfort but was disturbed at the thought of Michael ‘enduring much’.
‘Are you able to tell me where he is?’ she asked.
Her question was not a demand; it was a gentle enquiry by one with implicit faith. One who was willing to accept whichever answer was given.
‘Rachel, this challenge is an opportunity for many of our sons and daughters to grow. Your faith will grow as you endure this trial and focus upon our assurance that Michael will ultimately be fine. Many of your brothers and sisters will grow as they labour to find Michael, and their faith will increase when they see him restored whole after a time. Ariel, Tara and Sarah will grow as they comfort you and share in your pain. For this reason we will not reveal his location, and we will allow things to take their natural course,’ replied Mother.
‘Importantly Rachel, through this trial, Michael will learn something that will assist him, and others, in combating the evil that he has just endured,’ explained Father.
‘I understand, but I wish it wasn’t so,’ answered Rachel quietly. Despite her faith, she just wanted to be reunited with her love and to minister to him.
‘Rachel, none of us ever wants to pass through trials, but it is the fast track to growth. We love you and are so proud of you. Already we can see how well you will endure this trial, and the many other trials that you will encounter in the future,’ assured her Mother.
Further words of comfort and affection were administered by two loving parents who felt more of Rachel and Michael’s pain than even they did.
Rachel left strengthened and prepared to recommence the search.
54 jubilant
When first division left Michael, they were jubilant. They had exacted revenge on one who richly deserved it. The colonel’s pride had been restored to all of its former glory, and his men now had a new level of respect for him, having felt in battle the heightened level of aggression that his encounter with Michael had invoked. While his men were ecstatic, there were two things troubling the noble leader.
The first was the fact that Michael had somehow repelled them just as it appeared that they would completely destroy him. Whilst he was not the brightest of sparks, by any stretch of the imagination, he did manage to deduce that there was something in this that did not bode well for the future. His second concern was more immediate. Since his promotion to colonel, he had been 'favoured' to interact with Lucifer on a few occasions, and consequently he had already learned to fear him, principally due to his unpredictability. One never knew whether Lucifer would reward or punish. So, on the one hand he was excited that Lucifer may reward him handsomely for this victory, but on the other hand he feared that he may be punished for overstepping his authority.
His sensitivity to Lucifer’s whim and fancy was heightened by the fact that he now had so much to lose. He could think of nothing worse than to be demoted from his esteemed office. In a very short time, his brittle self-esteem had attached itself entirely to his position of authority. After much toing and froing he made his decision. Ultimately his fear overcame his optimism, as is common for the wicked. He resolved that Lucifer must not know of their victory until such time as he was able to ascertain that it would be a reward, and not a punishment, that would be forthcoming. Before they arrived back at barracks he commanded his troops to gather round so that he could put this proposal to them.
‘Men, we have won a great victory today,’ he started.
In response to this statement his men cheered so loudly that an outsider may have been deceived into thinking that the regiment had won a battle in which they had been hopelessly outnumbered.
Once they had settled from this raucous show of emotion he set to work on them.
‘Despite this, I suggest that we keep this victory quiet for a little.’
There was strong dissent to this suggestion, particularly from the major.
‘That’s ridiculous! Why wouldn’t we want to publish our victory so that we can be rewarded?’ the major said sharply, already eyeing off an appointment as colonel of one of the other divisions.
‘Because we may be punished, not rewarded,’ the colonel replied aggressively.
‘Why in heaven would we be punished?’ replied the major, almost as aggressively.
‘Because Lucifer may feel that we should have cleared the attack with him!’ screamed the colonel, gnashing his teeth and getting right in the major’s face.
The major was infuriated but backed down, having just experienced the full aggression of his leader in battle.
Having obtained his purpose, the colonel caused each of his troops to swear an oath that they would not reveal anything of the attack. The colonel himself, as their commanding officer, was to decide when and if to report the matter. Not trusting the integrity and good character of his division, the leader did what all tyrants do to maintain control, he issued a threat.
‘Alright men, I expect your obedience. Rest assured that if any of you do not keep this covenant then you’ll be dealt with in a manner that would make even Snab shudder.’
Snab wasn’t on the mission, being totally incapable of it, but the point was well made and the unit knew precisely what their indiscretion could cost them. With the matter settled, the colonel returned to barracks with his division, feeling somewhat comforted. During his debrief with the generals he advised them that nothing unusual had taken place during the course of the mission, and this was the message that the generals conveyed to Lucifer.
55 the search
Not long after the search had entered its fourth day there was a breakthrough. A member of the mathematics class that Michael taught was located, and she apprised the search party of the unusual group that had attended the class just four days prior. From her description of the events that had transpired it appeared that Michael may have met with foul play. By this time there were millions of spirits scouring the Kingdom in search of Michael, and once this manpower could be concentrated in and around the region where Michael was last seen, it did not take long for him to be located, still lying where he had fallen.
After an assessment of him was conducted he was conveyed home to Rachel. She received him with mixed emotions. She was elated that he had been found, but distressed to see him in his present state. He had never lost consciousness, as spirits do not, but rather had been stunned by the attack. He had recovered some small portion of his senses, whilst lying there for so long, but not enough to enable him to fly home or even walk to find help. Being returned to Rachel and his friends quickened his recuperation and within another four days he had substantially recovered.
Recovering was a trial i
n itself. The more that he regained his senses, the more he remembered. This caused him to fear that others of his brothers and sisters may be forced to endure an attack in the future. The only thing worse for Michael than enduring that which he had just endured was the thought of a brother, or particularly a sister, having to suffer as he had. These fears had slowed his recovery initially but this was more than compensated for by Rachel, who did not leave his side. Her concern and service were of a kind that only angels can administer. She heard his every mutter and tried to anticipate his every thought. Consequently, she detected many of his needs before he even spoke them. Rachel’s kindly words and deeds mended his soul and gave him fresh hope.
Despite all that she was doing for him, Michael did not feel that he could share his experience with her in detail. Rachel was the one that he was closest to, but his concern for her sometimes prevented him from sharing all of his fears. He provided her with enough detail concerning the incident to appease her, but no more. He was already concerned that she was beginning to fear the gathering darkness within the Kingdom, and that this was cutting, ever so slightly, into her faith. After a few days, Samuel came to visit with his friend once again, and Rachel and Sarah left them alone for a time.
‘I’ve been meaning to ask exactly what happened to you Michael, but I haven’t wanted to do so in the presence of Rachel,’ said Samuel.
‘I know precisely what you mean. I’ve been very reluctant to share too much with her. She is so pure that she is taking all of the unsavoury developments within the Kingdom very hard.’
Michael then explained to Samuel what he had endured, sparing very little detail. When he had finished, Samuel looked deeply concerned.
‘I suggest that we counsel with Father. I can’t help thinking that these types of actions will not be allowed to continue for long and I can only hope that he will have some suggestions for us,’ he said.
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