Here I go.
I rotated the numbers on the little combination bike lock I must have put on it the night I stuffed the book in there. I took off the lock and then unzipped the suitcase, flipping up the lid in one rapid movement. I paused, drinking in the beauty of it with my eyes.
It was so incredible. There hadn’t been a lot of time to admire and appreciate the craftsmanship the first time I had seen it. But somehow, it looked newer, even cleaner than it had before. Had it been disguised to avert attention? If I recalled correctly, it had looked extremely old, tattered and even brittle along the spine. It had been well preserved, but it had definitely looked ancient. Now the condition was immaculate.
I reached in and gently lifted out the book and sat it in my lap as I had that night at the antique shop. It was heavier than I remembered. It felt about thirty pounds or more. And it looked physically bigger, nearly twenty-one inches by about sixteen inches and at least five or six inches thick.
The thick leather cover wasn’t the flat coffee color it had been before. It was now a swirl of golden brown that glistened as though it had been dipped in clean oil. Trace colors of green, purple, dark blue, red, and opalescence shone from it. The exterior texture was mostly smooth, almost soft, but hard, impenetrable. There were ripples on it that made the cover look textured almost like large palm size scales.
Secured onto the corners of the cover, both front and back, were pristine brass brackets that protected the edges from wear. These too were no longer dirty or old in appearance. Before they had been a tarnished green, yet now, they were so spotless and shiny I could see my reflection in them.
The strange writing on the cover was slightly raised above the skin in what felt like a different material all together, more metallic. However, it transitioned seamlessly from the text to the skin of the cover. It was baffling since the writing was obviously made of a different material. It was some unknown metal I couldn’t identify. I’d say it resembled platinum rather than white gold, but it was almost translucent due to its purity. It was simply beautiful.
I suddenly became aware of how quiet the house was. I was alone in the physical sense. However, I didn’t feel like I was alone in the spiritual sense. I felt as if a host of observers were watching me from overhead and all around. Their presence seemed to crowd in on me, pressing. It was a hard sensation to explain. It wasn’t paranoia. It was simply discernment. This moment was being witnessed. Not by a physical human being and not by some spy camera somewhere. It wasn’t even being observed by anything evil I could sense. No, the feeling told me in this moment, my destiny had taken over, and both heaven and earth were stopping to notice.
My left hand lifted of its own accord and pressed into the lock on the book. I felt the lion head press into the cool metal, and then I felt the mouth open and the lock shift. My hand moved to the right, and the inside of the lock rotated with it. As the mouth closed and seemed to shudder, as if it was speaking silent words, heat spread from the skin on my palm out into the rest of my hand until it felt like it was being held in fire. The lock vibrated; then, I heard two pops.
I removed my hand to see the lock had expelled two clasps, one on top and one on bottom. I repositioned the book and squeezed down on the two clasps and the lock gave way and released.
The air sparkled with little crackles of energy and a deep rumbling vibrated the space around me as the pressure in the atmosphere changed. Nothing in the room was moving or shaking as I suddenly saw in my mind a duplicate image overlying every physical thing in my room, causing a glimmering and a vibrating shifting above it all. The air crackled and with the last rumble it all lay quiet and still.
What did that mean? What just happened?
“Fear not, Melanie Olivia Bishop. I come in the name of the Lord,” a strong thunderous voice said from behind me.
I spun around and looked up, immediately shielding my eyes from his glorious light. I couldn’t look at him. He shone like the sun. I was only able to notice in that brief glance the angel standing before me was as tall as my ceiling and his wings were lifted out as if to take flight or just having landed. I recognized him, but he wasn’t the Archangel Michael. This angel was just as tall and powerful looking, but whereas Michael had hair the color of platinum, this angel’s was a shining golden blond.
“You’re not Michael. Who…who are you?” I asked in a trembling whisper as I bowed my head down to the floor, not in worship, but in reverence.
“You are correct. I am not my brother, Michael. I am Gabriel, messenger of the Most High God,” he said with authority. Every word echoed through the room and vibrated through me as if the room was a dome, and I was a prism of crystal.
“Michael isn’t the messenger then?” I asked, curiosity cutting through my shocked senses.
“Michael is God’s head of battle. The greatest warrior of us all. Greater than any warrior of heaven or of hell. I am God’s messenger, his mouthpiece of old before he sent the Holy Spirit to speak within his Earthly children,” Gabriel said as he stepped forward to stand within inches of me.
I could have reached out and touched the hem of his long robe if I had been bold enough. Instead, I cradled the book in my lap and kept my eyes averted.
“What message does God have for me?” I asked quietly.
“Melanie, look at me,” he said ever so gently.
I slowly raised my head and did what he asked of me. I had my hand up to shield my eyes, but he had toned down his glorious rays by the time I reached his face, and I lowered my hand slowly.
Gabriel was beautiful. His golden blond hair flowed around his shoulders in big waves, and his crystal blue eyes seemed to dance and glitter with sunshine. His face was serious, but not fierce, and I felt peace rest upon me like the warmth of the sun heating my face on a cold winter day.
He smiled down at me as he saw my response to his peaceful presence. And then, he slowly knelt down in front of me. I still had to look up even with him kneeling. He was so big.
“Wow,” I breathed.
I watched him with surprise as he reached out and held his hand over the cover of the book watching my face as he did it. I sat lost in his eyes, unable to speak. They shone with such brilliance and purity, and I felt so calm and safe in his presence.
Then, he lowered his eyes slowly to the book and tilted his head as if considering it. He tentatively rested his hand on the cover of the book and closed his eyes. He moaned quietly, and his brow furrowed. He did not speak for a moment but kept his eyes closed, listening to what I couldn’t hear.
Then he spoke ever so quietly. “You have altered time and space and set into motion that which must begin before the beginning of the end. Th universe has felt this day coming for many millenniums, and it submits its destiny to the Creator just as you have.”
Each word he spoke made me tremble. I could feel his magnificent power rushing from his hand into the book and into me. My body jittered with the raw power as it coursed throughout my entire being and back into the book.
He opened his eyes and looked deeply into my shocked face. He pulled his hand back from the book and a blue fire danced on his fingertips for a moment and then went out.
“Fear not. Fear not the call of God on your life. Fear not for that which draws your spirit to him and leads you down this path he has chosen for you. You are being watched this day by a cloud of witnesses. The saints have interceded for you, and today, they worship the Most High and pray ever the more. HaMashiach Yeshua, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, also prays for you this day.”
At the mention of that name, I lay prostrate before him. I felt compelled and drawn to bow down as completely as possible, not before Gabriel, but before the Son of God who sent him. I lay prostrate before my God.
“HaMashiach Yeshua,” I whispered and broke into a sob.
Then, a blinding light filled the room. Brighter than sitting in the center of the sun. I once more shielded my eyes and hid my face away, but the light was everywhere. I felt t
he Lord’s presence then, an overwhelming love and a peace that surpassed all com- prehension. I could hear Jesus walking up to me. I felt his arms embrace me, and I lay sobbing as I felt his awesome grace fill me up and overflow out of me until I was so full of both joy and peace and a healthy fear of my sins, I lay trembling before him, the book pressed beneath my body, forgotten.
I tried to lift my face, but I could not move. I was paralyzed in the presence of the Son of God. I could smell his sweet aroma, like a honeysuckle and perfumed rain. Pure, refreshing, and giving me life. I breathed him in and felt such purity wash through me.
I so desperately wanted to look up, but I could not look upon his face. I could not lift my eyes to see his radiant glory fill the room and embrace me. I knew he was still there. The room was still so bright even through my closed eyes, the brilliance threatened to blind me. The pureness of his light held within it a heat that danced around me alive with the potential of creation itself crackling the air.
“Lord. Oh my Lord,” I whispered.
I heard his feet as he passed by me, and then I felt the light fade, and his presence fade away with it. I lay sobbing and trembling on my belly, the book pressed firmly beneath me was growing hot.
“Please…don’t go,” I tried to request, but my voice broke and barely a whisper escaped my lips.
I lifted my head to see Gabriel still kneeling down, his head bowed down in adoration as well but with his hands held up to make a cup. Something liquid gold glimmered within his hands. I could smell vanilla and cinnamon, and some other faint floral smells, but I could not identify them. It reminded me a little of something you smell a lot around Christmas.
“He has left you a gift,” Gabriel said slowly standing up. He lifted his head, and lifted his wings high up with a bold abruptness to spread out wide and touch both side walls of my room.
“Why did he have to go? Why could I not see him?” I asked, getting up into a sitting position once more. I suddenly felt so sad at having missed my chance to see my Lord with my own eyes. After all he did to save me throughout my life, I had never been able to see him face to face to say thank you. My eyes began to swim with more tears. I felt so disappointed. Not that I wasn’t grateful to have felt his presence and seen his radiant light through the shelter of my hidden face, but one glance was all I wanted.
“Your time to see him has not yet come. Not everyone will get to see him before he has returned to claim his bride, the church. Patience, my young Melanie. For now, focus not on what you have missed but what you have been honored to receive. For the Lord has left you a portion of his anointing, little one,” Gabriel said, holding his hands up to the sky as if in offering and looking up.
“Stand up, Melanie. Stand and receive the gift of the Lord’s anointing,” he commanded.
I did as he said. I left the book forgotten at my feet and stood before him, afraid but not scared. Afraid of not being worthy of this gift. Afraid of failing.
“I say again, Melanie Olivia Bishop. Fear not.” His words broke through my thoughts and shook me. He had known what I was afraid of. Maybe he could see it on my face? Or could he hear my thoughts?
No, only I know the thoughts of man and can see into the depth of their hearts. Neither angel nor devil nor any evil thing can read your thoughts or know what you truly hold within your heart. The voice of the Lord was a gentle whisper through my mind in answer to my silent thoughts.
Gabriel held his hands out above my head, and I closed my eyes. I felt the anointing as it hit my head, a hot thick oil. It ran down my head and down my face. It filled my nose and mouth and went deep into my belly. I felt it spread over my shoulders and run down my body until every pore was coated in its hot thickness. I felt bathed as if I had been dipped into the hot oil and even my feet felt covered in it.
My body tingled, and the heat grew hotter, then slowly receded into a quiet hum along my skin. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at my hands. They were dry. I reached up and felt my hair; it too was dry. The anointing had been a tangible manifestation but a spiritual phenomenon as well. There was no physical evidence of it left upon my body or my clothes, yet I still felt it clinging to me like a second skin.
“That which the Lord has given to you is a part of you. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. Walk thou in his ways and let his Holy Spirit guide you. I am God’s messenger of old, but his Holy Spirit, which came after HaMashiach Yeshua, lives in you. I also give you this,” he said, his voice thunderous again.
Gabriel twisted his hand as if he was grabbing something out of another dimension and a necklace appeared in his palm. He held it out in front of me, his huge fingers nearly swallowing up the chain. There was a delicate two-sided medallion that dangled at the end. It spun left, then right, left, then right as if being flicked though he merely held the necklace still.
I stepped closer to see the medallion better but didn’t dare touch it. Gabriel smiled, a slightly amused look in his eyes as he placed the necklace gently around my neck. The chain was a delicate gold chain and looked like it would break with the slightest tug.
“Thank you,” I said humbly. “What is it?” I asked, glancing up to him.
“This necklace is a symbol of how you must live your life. A reminder of the call of destiny God has placed on you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.”
I reached down and held the small medallion out to look at it. It was gold and about the size of a penny but had six straight edges. On one side was an elaborately carved flaming sword, and on the other, a decorative cup overflowing, the liquid inside pooling around its base. Though the images were small, they were incredibly detailed.
“I am to live my life by truth and mercy,” I recited back.
“Truth,” Gabriel said, and he touched the side with the flaming sword.
“And mercy,” Gabriel said, flipping it over with his huge hands so I could see the cup on the other side.
“Why a sword and a cup?” I asked.
“The sword of truth, HaDavar Elohim, is the word of God. The sword symbolizes not only God’s spoken word, but the words you speak. Life and death are in the power of the tongue for your words are a double-edged sword. Speak truth. Live your life by truth. The truth will set you free.”
He flipped the medallion over again and held it up on the palm of his hand as he searched my face. I had the uncomfortable feeling as though he was trying to read my thoughts. I met his eyes but couldn’t help but squirm a little; then I looked down at the medallion he held before me.
“The cup is mercy. The cup of life is offered to all those who would accept him. For it is by the grace and mercy of God that sinners are lead unto repentance. But they must choose him. He will not force anyone to partake. Once accepted, as you did when you were little, his blood will then cover you. And to be covered by the precious blood of the Lamb is to be paid for in full. For you were first born into sin and were therefore a child of the enemy. Christ’s blood has paid the debt your sins collected against you and has bought you back from the enemy. Once you are bought, you are ready to be purified and refined in the fire. But fear not, for God chastises those he loves so that you might grow in righteousness and in goodness. He is not willing to leave anyone lost in the sin in which they have come to him. For it is only through grace that you are saved and not by works. No one is able to earn their salvation. It is a free gift from our Lord.”
“Oh,” I answered lamely. “Is it okay to wear this out of the house? Or…”
Gabriel’s big bright smile stopped me. “Of course you may wear it when and where you wish. Others will not see it for what it is. They will be blind to its true origin and nature. Let it be a reminder for you to keep truth and mercy close to your heart,” Gabriel said softly.
He released the necklace, and it dangled harmlessly on my neck. It was so light that if I didn’t reach up to t
ouch it, I’d have thought it had disappeared.
I stroked it with the tips of my fingers and felt its slight warmth on my hand.
“Does it… do anything I should know about?” I asked tentatively, thinking about the lion on my palm.
“Nothing you need to worry about right now. It does not have any mystical powers, if that is what you mean,” Gabriel said with humor in his voice, wiggling his fingers at me as if pretending to do hocus pocus.
Since when did angels crack jokes?
“Hmm. Okay, thanks,” I said with my eyebrows raised. “No mystical powers. Got it. I was wondering since my hand does this weird—”
Gabriel held up his hand to stop me. I clipped the next words off immediately biting my lower lip. “Speak not of the key. Not ever. It is for you and you alone,” Gabriel said in a hushed whisper.
“Sure. Yes. I mean, no! I won’t. I promise,” I said hastily.
“Good. Now I must go. Peace be with you.” He stepped back and flexed his wings again in a display to make even the most beautiful eagles jealous.
“Wait!” I shouted. “I’m sorry. I mean…Can you please answer one more question? Just one more!” I pleaded, stepping up closer to him.
“I am the messenger, Melanie. I can only answer which I have been sent to speak of.”
“Please…What is this?” I reached down and snatched up the book. “The book, I mean? What is it, really? I know it’s more than just some mysterious old book. I can feel it. I just…I don’t know what it’s for or why I was sent to find it. Please. Can you tell me?” I asked earnestly.
Gabriel smiled and placed his large hands on top of mine where they were clutched tightly to the cover. He leaned down to speak to me gently. “Open it and see,” he said simply.
“But—”
“Open it and see. You do not need to know all the answers in one breath of air.” He paused, considering for so long I thought he wasn’t going to speak. He closed his eyes again, as if listening. I almost interrupted him with pleads to tell me something, anything at all, when he finally spoke again.
Broken Seed Page 24