The Third Heaven Series Boxed Set: Books (1-3)

by Donovan Neal

  Dissolution

  Death to a celestial being is called dissolution.

  The Kiln

  A furnace from which El created all celestial life and the former storehouse of the Stones of Fire; the living elements of creation. At the heart of the Kiln was the Primestone which represented the ultimate test for angelic kind. Note that this chamber was destroyed in the battle between Lucifer and Michael, and the Lord now holds the Primestone.

  Elomic Command

  A vowel, consonant, or phrase allowing the power of God to be invoked.

  The Abyss

  A gulf of nether sometimes referred to by your kind as Limbo or by daemon-kind as "the wilderness". It is a realm that separates the Third and Second Heavens. Failure to bridge the realms without a Ladder or direct intervention from El can cause one to be entrapped within the winds of the nether. The winds are referred to as the Maelstrom. Kortai builders frequently build near the edge of the Maelstrom, expanding the landscape of Heaven. The Abyss is also referred to as the "bottomless pit." Mortals cannot pass through the Abyss without shedding their corporeal shell. Only Death or direct translation by God allows passage past the Abyss into the spiritual world of Heaven.

  Waypoint

  A designated area where travel between two points was allowed by God. Failure to utilize a

  Waypoint could displace the Third Heaven with the second or vice versa, causing untold

  destruction.

  Grigoric Trance

  A vision allowed by God to some Grigori who are able on occasion to see one generation ahead into the future.

  Manna

  The food that angels consume. Grown only in the fields of Elysium, it must be shipped to the four corners of Creation to supply angels with sustenance. When harvested, it instantly grows back. During the exodus of the children of Israel, the nation was temporarily fed this food. (Exodus 16:15).

  Kenosis

  Kenosis is the act of self-emptying by Yeshua to put himself in a position where he is totally yielded and dependent on the Father. In time, the people of God will write of this paradox in their holy book. (Philippians 2:7)

  The Chief of Eyes

  An honorific title given to the head of Grigori. This leader possesses the ability to undertake a Grigoric trance to see a generation ahead in time.

  Redactors

  A group of Grigoric enforcers who have powers to enforce changes to the book of Life. They are able to remove tomes, and pens, thereby strip fellow Grigori of their powers. They were instituted after the fall of man due to Satan’s libel of El to man.

  Creatures

  Cherubim

  A type of angel having great power; but not necessarily governmental oversight.

  Seraphim

  A heavenly creature designed to serve as a voice to the holiness of God; also called a "burning one" a creature of great power. There are 4 in existence, and they stand before the temple of God.

  Virtue

  A living sentient aroma that lives before the throne of God and perfumes the throne.

  Ophanim

  A heavenly creature designed to serve as a guard to the presence of God.

  Zoa

  A heavenly creature designed to serve as a guard to the secret things of God.

  Stones of Fire

  A living sentient element which can be molded in the Kiln to create celestial life. They are also called Kilnstones or Godstones.

  Shekinah Glory

  The residue of God's breath, equivalent to the exhaling of a human's carbon dioxide; a living

  cloak of breathing light that envelops and irradiates the person of God; Primarily a localized

  phenomenon. Those that come near the Lord are irradiated by the Shekinah leaving an afterglow

  on their own person for a temporary period. The Shekinah can manifest wherever the holiness

  and righteousness of God exist.

  Angelic Rankings

  Chief Prince

  El's designated angelic leader over all Elohim

  The First of Angels/The Sum of All Things

  An honorific title given to Lucifer

  High Prince

  Seven angels in existence who speak collectively for all their kind. (Collectively, they are called the Lumazi and sometimes referred individually with that honorific title.)

  Archon

  A sole high-ranking governing angel who directs a specific assignment or regions of a

  territory(s). Sometimes referred to by humans as archangels. The highest ranking angel over an assignment

  Principality

  A sole mid-ranking governing angel who administers more than one territory

  Powers

  The lowest ranking governing angel overseeing one territory.

  Prime

  A non-governing angel, representative of a particular virtue. (i.e. love, justice, etc.) After the fall, some angels were designated as prime evils.

  Minister

  A non-governing angel who serves the cause of El

  Daemon

  A fallen non-governing angel who serves the cause of Lucifer, daemons are the regurgitated souls of Hell. Released by he who holds the keys to Death and Hell. They are but shadows of their former angelic selves and thrive off men as their Kilnstones have been digested by Hell that they now seek to inhabit the souls of men that they might live.

  Specter

  Fallen Grigori, sometimes referred to by humans as Ghosts.

  Shaun—tea'll

  A group of angelic warriors dispatched to dispense the judgment of the Lord

  The Third Heaven

  Realm of the Dead

  by

  Donovan M. Neal

  © 2016 Donovan M. Neal

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed "Attention: Permissions Coordinator," at the email below:

  tornveil@donovanmneal.com

  Ordering Information:

  Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the email above.

  Orders by U.S. trade bookstores and wholesalers. Please contact Lightning Source: Tel: (615) 213-5815; fax: (615) 213-4725 or visit https://www.lightningsource.com/.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Dedication

  I dedicate this book to those who dare to dream and see it through to completion. May your imagination ever lead you to new realms.

  Scriptures

  2 Cor 12:2

  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

  1 Cor 2:7, 8

  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

  Matt 12:40

  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

  1 Cor 15:1-4, 45

  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. 45And so it is written, the first man Adam was
made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

  1 Peter 3:18-20

  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

  Acknowledgments

  To the Lord Jesus Christ, who for some reason loves me.

  To the Pastor of Labor of Love Church, Charles Hawthorne, who nurtured my pre-existing love of the Bible.

  To my children: Candace, Christopher, and Alexander – you can do great things!

  To the authors, comic books artists and writers, game developers and filmmakers who have come before, and who unknowingly have breathed on the embers of my imagination.

  To all my beta readers and friends who shared both critiques and encouragement.

  To my editor Debra Owen who helped me put the polish on my draft.

  To my wonderful wife Nettie, who cheered me on when I had nothing and said, "Wow!" after reading the prologue of my first novel. I can never thank you for the wonderful love and support you have shown towards me. I love you more than words can express.

  Preface

  Dearly Beloved,

  If you are reading this book, you have taken the journey with me into what is now book three of The Third Heaven series. As always, expectations run high when people experience entertainment, and thus I provide a disclaimer for those who seek perfect alignment with their understanding of Biblical theology.

  In no way should one read this fictional account and come away believing one can postpone their obedience to the Gospel in this life. The Bible consistently teaches that no one will be permitted a second chance. This earthly life has been provided by God for all human beings to determine where they wish to spend eternity. That decision is made by each individual based upon their personal decision made towards the person of Christ. Once a person dies, his eternal destiny has been sealed. He is "reserved for judgment." (2 Peter 2:4; cf. vss. 9, 17) . His condition will not and cannot be altered (Luke 16:25-26; Hebrews 9:27).

  This novel, therefore, should not be taken as prescriptive or doctrinal in any sense. It is simply a story, albeit one with a Christian worldview...a story based on Biblical texts to create a tale of wonder. Consider this a work of Biblical fan fiction, if you will. Approach it as one might approach Star Wars for example. In Star Wars you suspend belief regarding the physics of how ships in that story fly. I would ask you to apply the same mindset here. If you can approach the novel on these terms, you will enjoy the demonstrations of God's mercy, love and severity. If you approach the book looking to see how much the story doesn't conform with scripture you will miss the greater lessons resident in the story itself that are indeed scriptural.

  Be warned, there are descriptions of torture in this book. Describing the pain of the damned was a prayerful and uncomfortable endeavor that may spill over. This is a darker book because we are entering the darkness of sin and death. Rest assured, we will emerge into the world of light.

  It should be known that Christians differ on what happened during Jesus' three days in the grave. This tale is highly speculative in that regard and is merely this authors continuation of the story from book two in this series.

  What did Jesus do while he was in the grave three days? Perhaps this book could be used as a catapult in biblical discussions with others regarding the subject.

  For the sake of entertainment and Biblical discussion, behold, this author's speculative version of what has been classically called---the harrowing of Hell.

  Enjoy,

  Donovan Neal

  Table of Contents

  Preface

  Prologue

  Chapter One: Know Those That Labor Among You

  Chapter Two: Murmurs, Secrets and Plans

  Chapter Three: Complicity

  Chapter Four: The Withering

  Chapter Five: Freedom is Not Free

  Chapter Six: “To boldy go…”

  Chapter Seven: A gulf to cross

  Chapter Eight: Entrapment

  Chapter Nine: Trials

  Chapter Ten: Crucifixion

  Chapter Eleven: Saved by Hope

  Chapter Twelve: The Second Death

  Chapter Thirteen: Triumphant

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  Thank You

  About the Author

  Prologue

  The Distant Future

  Michael ruminated on the loss of Raphael and muttered El's words to himself..."I AM the Resurrection and the Life." He lifted his head to look upon his grinning brother. A brother who sweltered in the blistering flames, grinding his teeth, struggling to prevent the release of his own screams, straining to speak with composure above the anguished cries of the damned that echoed throughout the air. Michael smiled and rose to his feet, his royal white and gilded robes gleaming in brilliance. His halo flared with reflected sunlight as he spoke with authority to Satan.

  "Dost thou think me so small that ye could tempt me to raise arms on thy behalf? Thou art eclipsed in the sins of thy past, overrun in the pit of fire. Thou art lost, forever refuse to the universe, the choir master of screams, the conductor of wails, and thy music the harmony of gnashing teeth."

  Michael raised his voice as awareness came over him that soon their conversation would come to an end, and it would cease as it was always destined - with victory for El. Thus, Michael released himself from the hurt of past wounds, to speak to his living apparition of guilt in the person of his brother.

  "Those in Christ once had a saying about thee, my brother. A saying I find fitting to speak to thee now for though thou hast spoken much, thy words are bereft of power. Thus, hear the words the Clayborn have said of thee, a proverb from those whose victory hath now overcome the world, and let it be an echo for eternity in thine ears, 'When the Devil seeks to remind you of your past,' Michael paused and stared deep into Lucifer's eyes. Remind him of his future.' Therefore, I call Heaven and Earth against thee and rehearse in thy hearing both past and future, for it was not I who smote the mountain of God, nor I who sought to strike down the Author of Life. It was not I who sought to put the Lord to death or make death itself a rabid pet to be unleashed upon the world of men. No, Lucifer, it was thee!" Michael shouted above the cries of the damned. Their wails sailing across the sweltering sky.

  "And what future dost thou see before thee now, oh Son of Perdition? What future dost thou see in the eons to come? Tell me, Lucifer, what glory dost thou see before thee now?"

  Lucifer stood silent, and his face was stern, then opened his mouth to speak. "I..."

  "SILENCE!!" Michael roared.

  Lucifer stood stupefied, unable to speak, as though an invisible force constricted his vocal chords.

  "Thou art no longer allowed to breathe lies into the Earth's air. I forbid it."

  Lucifer struggled to open his mouth, but remained gagged. He glared as Michael continued in his berate.

  "What words can come from thee, but lies and provocation? Thus, let me proclaim thy future, oh ye that would be King. Behold your chaise that burns with fire...a bed of flame padded by thine evil, engined by the lust of thy compatriots and fueled by the passions of dreams and purposes counter to God. This is what I see for thee, Lucifer...flames, imprisonment, forever to broil for thy collusions. To swelter in the work of thy hands, and grill in the sins of thy making. Behold, now, the end of thee and the reaping of what thou hast sown!"

  Michael waved his hand rearward, and Lucifer scowled as he looked beyond his brother at the approaching slow march of a dark figure. Fire and plumes of smoke trailed him, and the air itself separated into its component parts and screamed in hissing wails of decomposer in the wake of the creature's shadow.

  Lucifer knew only one being
in all of creation had such an effect on the Earth.

  Charon.

  Chapter One

  Know Those That Labor Among You

  Suspended in a lattice of flame, Talus awoke. Smoke wafted into his eyes. It burned and grated against his red, swollen pupils as ash clawed against his corneas. Darkness surrounded all he surveyed, and the ever-present stink of charred flesh invaded his nostrils.

  Blinking to clear his vision, he saw a figure standing before him. A sole source of light within the living flames of Hell. A source that purported to be God. A lying light that mouthed consolation to his pain. A deceptive balm to ease the excruciating spasms that sought to tear the fiber of each muscle and limb from his torso. For thirty years, he had listened to the unbroken song of lies mixed with truth. For thirty years, Lucifer cackled, tempting him repeatedly, and had now come once more to begin anew his interrogation.

  "Worship me," Lucifer said.

  Talus's eyes were glazed over, and his defiant silence echoed in the room.

  "What is thy name? What is thy rank and title?" queried Lucifer.

  Talus raised his head slowly and spoke in agony, "I am Talus, Chief Prince of House Arelim."

  Lucifer smiled and spoke to Charon who stood by his side. "He is ready. Let Hell feast upon his stone at this level." Lucifer then spoke to Talus. "What is thy mission to Earth?"

  Talus replied, "To rescue the renegade, Iblis."