EPISODE (CHAPTER) 1
And These Shall Be Our Apple Tree
Author's Note/Disclaimer: I was surprised to find out that it was from Max Lucado. I saw it online on some site somewhere; unfortunately, the guy didn't properly name his source. My bad. I don't own Anchoring Deep (well, I'm gonna own a copy—I have yet to read it); Max Lucado does. Don't sue me; I just borrowed it. I'm just a college kid who's bored, waiting for school to reopen. And a preacher's kid who wants to do a Christian comic and Christian heroes.
"And so, my friends," Pastor Phil said, "That is the battle that has been raging since the dawn of time. Satan and his horde of fallen angels against God. In closing, let me remind you—let me reiterate—always wear your spiritual armor."
"Boring!" JR Chase said, with a yawn and a stretch.
The youth pastor continued like nothing had happened. "The battle isn't over, kiddos! I assure you, it rages on. We are soldiers of the King. Hence, the attacks. Be prepared. Always, always be prepared."
"I'm outta here," JR said, patting his older brother JF on the shoulder. And true enough, without another word, he was out of there. Quick as lightning.
Everyone whispered and looked at each other.
"What's with him?" Esther Vale said, whispering to her seatmate.
"Ionno," he said with a shrug.
-oOo-
Meanwhile, in an abandoned sawmill somewhere, another meeting was taking place. Black robed and hooded men and women gathered in the old sawmill, chanting in Latin. The priest stood before a makeshift altar. He raised a goblet he was holding in his hands and said, "Take this cup. This is the blood of my enemies, spilled and poured out in my wrath. Do this in remembrance of me."
The members of the coven drank as the wine-filled goblet was passed along from one person to the next. A laugh emanated from the priest's throat.
-oOo-
"The world is goin' to hell in a hand basket, like my granddad always used to say," the youth pastor said, continuing as though JR had not been there to start with, "And you better make sure you're not in that hand basket. Nor any of your friends or relatives. It grieves my heart to know that my mother is in that hand basket. Looks like I haven't done my job as a soldier well. One of which is to rescue others from the shadow and bring them into the kingdom. But I continually pray for her. Let's all do our part, shall we? Let us pray."
JF Chase did not pray with them. He went out to find his brother—and to talk some sense into him.
-oOo-
The priest lifted up his hands, holding up the Host. But there was something wrong about this communion wafer. It was black. His voice rang clear in the empty sawmill.
"This bread is my body made black with sin. Do this in remembrance of me."
One by one, people—all in black hoods and cloaks—lined up to receive the unholy wafer.
-oOo-
"Hey, Uncle Phil," Jesse said, coming up to the youth pastor, "That was a nice devotional. Thanks for sharing it. You know, we really need a wakeup call like that these days."
"True, true," the 60-year-old man said, nodding.
"Where'd you get that, by the way? The…allegory?"
"It's from Max Lucado's book Anchoring Deep. It's from chapter ten. The Golden Goblet."
"Oh, cool. Mind if I borrow it?"
"No, no, not at all. I don't mind."
"Alright. Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Oh, before I forget… What's your dad gonna be preachin' about this Sunday?"
"Um, Acts?"
Pastor Phil chuckled. "I know he's doing a series on Acts. What's he's next sermon about?"
"Oh," Jesse said with a sheepish smile, "Simon the magician."
"Ah," the old man said, "That ought to be interesting. Tell him I love his preaching."
"I sure will."
Meanwhile, in the church yard, the 23-year-old Charles "J.F." Chase pulled his 19-year-old brother by the scruff of his neck and pinned him against the wall at the side of the church building.
"What…were you doing…in there?" he said, slowly, trying to keep his temper in check, "What just happened? Care to tell me? Care to explain, huh?"
"Look! What is your problem?" JR said, pushing the older boy off him, "What do you care?"
"What do I care? What do I care! You're a leader; that's what I care about! A youth leader you dare to call yourself? You better not lead the praise and worship team tomorrow. Your attitude's rotten and your heart isn't right with God. Are you even listening to me?"
But he wasn't anymore. The boy fixed his gaze on the sky. He pointed and J.F. looked over. What he saw made his blood run cold. The hairs on his arms and neck stood on end like a cat's when frightened. He shivered. Everyone was looking up, scared, terrified, amazed. The sky was red as though there was a fire on the horizon. The moon was blood-red. Peals of thunder were heard. Lightning flashed. Christina Nelson, being a former Catholic and now a baby Christian, made the sign of the cross, still not forgetting her old ways. Her best friend Jesse Parker stood behind her, steadying her, supporting her by the shoulders in case she fainted.
-oOo-
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…" the priest and the other members of the coven chanted. They moved in a circular motion around the altar, where a woman lay on it, stark naked.
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…"
The priest poured the wine on the ground.
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…"
Another woman disrobed and lay on the altar as soon as the first woman got off, put her robes and cloak back on, and joined the throng moving around the altar.
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…"
-oOo-
"Holy—" Victor, one of the youth said, covering his mouth to prevent himself from using the Lord's name in vain once more. He bit his tongue.
"What the—?" Edward Prince said.
Jesse looked from the phenomenon in the sky and focused his attention on the cross screwed and bolted to the wall of the church. He thought he heard something. Something creaking. Screeching. It sounded like metal being grated or hacked. Like the sound of fingernails scratching on a chalkboard.
"JF! JR! Watch out!" he said, as he ran toward them and pushed them out of the way of the swinging cross. He ducked and covered their bodies just in time. The screw somehow loosened, sending the cross swinging—upside down.
"Dude," JR said, panting, "What in the world is going on?"
"Like Uncle Phil says, the world is going to hell in a hand basket."
-oOo-
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…"
The priest and the people continued chanting. A man now lay on the altar, also naked.
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…"
Outside, the sky grew redder.
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…"
Another man stepped forward, disrobed, and lay on the altar. More chanting.
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…"
The candles flared.
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…"
-oOo-
The Chase brothers suddenly pulled Jesse toward them and rolled out of the way. Then he knew why. The cross was burning. Every member of the youth group rushed to them. Christina helped Jesse up.
"You okay?" Christina said, pulling Jesse close into a hug.
"Yeah," he said, with a cough, pulling away from her, "I'm fine."
"I don't like this," Esther said, shaking her head, "I don't like this at all."
"Nobody does," Peter Stevens said, interrupting, shaking his head. After the initial shock, they managed to put the fire out. Strangely, the only thing burned was the cross. Nothing more.
-oOo-
"And these shall be our apple tree; let the war on the saints begin…"
Another man was on the altar, naked. He was the third man to step up and lie on the altar.
"Let the gates of hell open wide; let the war on the saints begin…"
The pentagram on the ground glowed red as more libation was poured.
"Let the gates of hell prevail against the Church; let the war on the saints begin…"
The chanting grew louder as more and more men and women stepped up and disrobed, laying on the altar.
"May she welcome her children home; let the war on the saints begin…"
It was a game of chess in which God and the Satan played. But kings and pieces were not the only ones that were at stake. The souls of mankind hung in the balance.
-oOo-
"Where's Pastor Boggs?" someone asked.
"He might've left already."
"Him? Leave?" Jesse said, "I know him really well. He's too curious to leave. If anything, he'd watch this the whole night—or however long this might last."
"Guys," Peter said, in a hoarse whisper, "Over here! Check this out…"
Five of them went with Peter. Jesse, Christina, Jesse's first cousin Esther, Peter's cousin Edmund, and JF. They walked round to the back of the church where they found their youth pastor. And someone else with him.
As they approached, they suddenly stopped and froze. Christina was close to fainting. Had it not been for Jesse, she would have fallen. In front of them were Pastor Phil Boggs and someone not quite so human. Everyone in that little group knew it was an angel although they had never seen one. He was shining like the sun, his hair red as living flames.
This is what the Shekinah must've looked like, Jesse thought.
The angel's wings were so huge they almost engulfed the building of Oldwood Village Church. The angel stood at nine feet, seven inches. His eyes were as glorious as the bright white light that surrounded him. He wore a white tunic, a golden belt, a golden sash, and a sword in his hand.
"I am Michael," the Angel said.
Christina fainted. Jesse was too late in catching her. The others bowed low, faces to the ground, including Jesse—with the exception of Phil. He was standing straight up.
"Rise," Michael said, "Do not worship me. I am a servant of the Most High as you are. Rise. It has begun. The gates of hell have been opened wide. The final war with the saints is at hand."
"What will the Most High have me do?" Phil said, his face set as granite.
"Defend the Church that stands upon the Rock that the gates of hell may not prevail against it."
Phil opened his mouth wide and light entered it. Then just like that, Michael was gone. It was as though Phil had swallowed him up.
Suddenly, he seemed to explode, a blinding light flashing around him. His open mouth seemed to emit light. And his eyes. Nostrils. He was ablaze with resplendent glory. When the light faded, they saw him. Not Phil, but the angel Michael standing there where Phil had been. He was now normal-sized; like a human—Phil's height—six feet, four inches. With another flash of light, his wings folded and disappeared. He was now wearing a bronze breastplate over his snow-white tunic. It was the kind of breastplate used by the ancient Romans.
"Lorica segmentata," Esther whispered, in awe.
On his waist was a belt—the cinculum militaire. He wore caligae on his feet. He still held his sword in his hand. With the other, his helmet.
"Now go," Michael said, his voice resonating, "Protect the Church that stands on the Rock that the gates of hell may not prevail against it."
Suddenly, the five young people could not help but open their mouths as though someone was forcing them open. Then five points of light appeared in the sky. At first they thought they were stars—but the stars could not be seen that night. As they pondered what those lights might've been, the lights grew steadily brighter. It was heading for them. Jesse's brain told him to run. But his body couldn't. The lights reached them, entering their open mouths just as light entered through Phil's open mouth. Now they were replaced by five angels, shining, poised, battle-ready. Another flash of light and their wings were gone, leaving them in their armor. Not all had the same armor or tunic. Adara, Esther's angel, for example, had on a golden helmet, a yellow tunic, a gold belt, a gold breastplate, a gold shield, a gold-hilted gladius, and golden sandals. Amichai, Jesse's angel wore a silver breastplate, a brown leather belt, a silver helmet, red-painted shield, an ordinary-looking gladius, brown leather sandals, and a white tunic. Eyal, Edmund's angel, wore the same armor as that of Amichai. But he wore a red tunic underneath, like that of a traditional Roman soldier. Raanan, JF's angel, wore the same armor as the first two men in the group but had a green tunic underneath. Zeev, Peter's angel wore black armor all over; even his shield was painted black. He wore a black tunic underneath.
"So it begins," Michael said, looking into the heavens.
Amichai removed his helmet and squatted down to scoop the still-unconscious Christina up in his arms.
"With your permission, my Prince," he said, addressing Michael. The chief angel nodded. Carrying the girl in his arms, he flew off to deliver her safely to her home then returned quickly to the others.
"Is this Armageddon, Prince?" Zeev asked.
"No," Michael answered, "Not yet. It is but another attempt by the Enemy to wage war on our King's saints and to harvest many souls to take with him into the burning lake of fire. You must stop him."
All five angels made their right hands into fists and put it on the left side of their breast and bowed.
"El Elyon wills it," they said in chorus.
-oOo-
Not too far off, in the church's parsonage, Reverend Langston Parker and his wife Lisa were having a late dinner after having come from the youth Bible study. It was a habit for them now. They would sit in during the Bible study and observe. They would help out if there were any tough questions from time-to-time. After Bible study, since Mrs. Parker was allergic to pizza, they would go home to have a late dinner. Sometimes with Jesse, sometimes just the two of them. It started five years ago. And nothing could break that dinner—except for phone calls. The Parkers had hoped that tonight would be an exception. Unfortunately, it wasn't. The phone rang and Mrs. Parker called out.
"Jesse? Jesse!" she shouted, "Will you please pick up the phone?" Then she stopped. "Right. I forgot. He's out. I'll get it. Where in the world is that kid anyhow? We're in the same compound as the church building. He should be home by now."
Incessant ringing.
"Relax. He's 20. I'm sure he can take care of himself," Reverend Parker assured her, "Now go get the phone."
Incessant ringing.
"Alright, alright! I'm coming!"
-oOo-
A bloodcurdling scream pierced the night air. Even Amichai and Adara, who were accustomed to hearing such shrieks from demons, flinched.
"It has begun," Michael stated once more, "But take courage. Elyon is on our side."
Adara and Amichai put their helmets on and drew their swords. The rest followed suit. Michael blew his horn, and off they charged, soaring into the air, on the hunt for a demon—or possibly demons. The battle had begun.
-oOo-
Lisa Parker gave the phone to her husband.
"It's Gene," she said, handing the phone to him.
"Pastor Gene?"
"No, 'Old Man Gene.' Gene Garner." The pastor took the phone from his wife.
"Mr. Garner!" Langston Parker greeted, "What can I do for you tonight? How can I be of service? What!"
He scribbled on a Post-It note for his wife to see. Granddaughter. Possessed. Must go. Lisa Parker covered her mouth in shock. In a small town like Oldwood, everybody knew everybody. She knew instantly who that granddaughter was. And Kayla was one of her favorite students. Bright in Sunday School, easily picked up the techniques she taught her during piano lessons, and a very dedicated choir member even at the very young age of 12.
"Alright," Langston was saying, "I'll be there. I'm on my way. Let me just go get my jacket and my Bible." He put down the phone, reassuring the old man of his presence.
"Please tell me that wasn't Kayla he was referring to," Lisa said, her voice shaking, still not over the shock of the news.
"Unfortunately, yes."
"I…I'm coming with you."
"No, you stay here. Wait for Jesse." Reverend Parker knew the story of his wife's encounter with a possessed seminarian, a near-encounter with another, and her trauma afterwards. She had been studying at the seminary with him when there was news of a possessed student that school year. Lisa Parker almost had an encounter with the said student and had almost encountered another. She has been scared of demonic possessions ever since. She had even dropped out of the seminary because of it. She could not handle the shock and requested to drop the day after the incident.
"This is different. I want to be there. For Kayla. I can do this."
"Alright. But stay in the car."
"No," she said firmly, with finality. Reverend Parker could do nothing but to consent. Lisa grabbed her coat and hurried out the door with her husband.
-oOo-
"There it is!" Zeev shouted, his voice ringing above the screams of the possessed girl. He pointed to the Garners' house. He was at Michael's side, both of them leading the charge while the others positioned themselves behind.
"For Elyon!" Michael shouted, and they swooped down.