Chapter 3 Prophecy
Who alone knows these things? Who can truly know the future? Mankind has always sought to know the end. To know what will be and keep the end at bay, to put all factors in their favour if possible. From knowing the times and the seasons in order to plant crops and yield plenty, to knowing what fortune and ill omen might come by seeking the stars and the signs of the times. Solomon is said to have such powerful insight, one of alleged divine origin, greater than anyone past, present or future. He for all his wisdom, written and implied saw it fit to fear God and submit to his ways as his cause and source for prosperity. Some or rather most magi attribute it to his 72 Contracts. Magi seek to gain a fraction of his power, making deals with spirits and beings beyond humanity either by cooperation, submission or subjugation. Solomon as he who sees all this World has to and will offer, experiencing every pleasure under the sun from women to wealth and power, he deemed all meaningless. As The Teacher in Ecclesiastes, he saw one fate overcomes all, Death.
For all Magi's respect and focus in Solomon, he is not the only one to receive Wisdom and Revelation from the LORD. The Word of God has been received and proclaimed through millennia across generations among His people, the Jews or Hebrews. A notable example is the Hebrew prophet Daniel who became the chief of the Magi of Babylon, as it's king and queen recognize him as one whom the spirit of God rests, receiving insight and interpretation of dreams as well as visions of future empires tied to the fate of his exiled people and the kingdom he lives in. He read the prophecy of his predecessor Jeremiah pertaining to the end of their exile and took action. Interceding for his people's sake, he waged war upon the heavenlies with assistance from Gabriel and the Archangel Michael, the one who watches over Israel, for 21 days and nights against the Principality over Persia. Visions and interpreted dreams pertaining to the end of days, the 4 great empires that came to be, the modern age where knowledge grew vast and wide, and the coming of the Son of Man are simply some of Revelations he has received and preserved for the future generations.
He saw the one whose Kingdom is without end. One who is greater than Solomon. The one who will come before the destruction of the temple of the LORD to atone for His people and the world. He who will put an end to sin, atone for the wickedness, to bring everlasting righteousness whose dominion is without end, now and forevermore.
The Son of Man from the Ancient of Days with an Everlasting Covenant.
- ? ? ?
In the middle of the night, I find myself awake and unable to fall asleep. I turned on the lamp beside my bed. A subtle sense of unease fills my being.
One without any cause I can think of.
It is a small room. On my rented bed there is window at my left alongside a coffee table. Simple, small yet cozy/
Finding nothing else to do I took out my pen and a notebook.
The sack bag had some reading materials to pass the time.
It is a replica. One I had as a child. An ancient manuscript written at a period of 1500 years, more than 2000 years old. Making it between 3500 years in age or 2700 based on some studies. One of the most well preserved and verified supernatural documents even by mundane means.
Blue ink. A children's bible based on vegetables. I gave a chuckle that faded into the very same unease I felt before.
I remember the laughter and the cold rage within those amber eyes. Priest from the moonlit world are built different, huh?
Was I overreacting for getting out of that "church"? Maybe. But I am getting out of dodge. Holy Grail Wars are serious business.
So here I am, trying to piece together the tattered remains of my pride, that it simply took simple mocking laughter for me to turn tail and run to question all I believe in.
It was embarrassing.
It was terrifying.
I wanted to punch him in the face and kick him in the jewels to shut him up.
Not to mention that audaciously dressed woman that seem to blink in and out of existence from the corner of my eye every time I speak in Jesus name. Creepy.
I was not sure if I was going crazy so I kept quiet.
Closing my eyes and trying to focus on other things to pass the time, I prayed.
"Heavenly Father, I need your assurance. To strengthen my faith. Whatever it is you want to say to me, speak Lord, for your son is listening, in Jesus name I ask, amen."
No, seriously I need a word. I have always been blessed with a peculiar Luck. Most of my deliveries ended well. I never had trouble putting food on my stomach at least once a day despite my inexperience. This is the first time my client actually died, being unable to collect.
What is in a man is revealed at times of distress or pressure. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, one acts.
Perhaps not to the point of being the cry from the depths of one's soul at times of life and death but something quite amazing all the same.
What one speaks and writes, in some manner one has to believe it. A pale reflection of a person. Do you prefer to lie? To keep your word than to trick or mislead? Do you speak with conviction or half meant humorous words?
Magi had similar principles in incantations. A self induced hypnosis to believe what one is speaking is what shall be.
In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth with nothing but His and Words and power. His Word is who He is. His Word is Power.
Man were made in the Image of God just as the Earth was once a paradise made in the Image of Heaven.
I felt my blood pumping and I let out a sigh. I feel even more awake.
I can sleep on the flight later.
I opened the book to Jeremiah 17 and read up to 21. Not like I am pressed for time and so what opened is what I read. He's the same God yesterday, today and forevermore.
Whenever I felt like it, I did this as a child. Closing and opening it, reading what I could leaving it to some sort of lots to God after getting the context.
The history of Israel and its current restoration is beyond human means and charisma. Even now the resistance for that small plot of land to be a nation is ridiculous. The amount of U.N. decrees targeted to this singular nation is makes no natural sense.
The Bible is the history of Humanity in Covenant and relation with a Holy God. First to the Jews in Israel and now to the gentiles. A way of life that speaks of a King and a Kingdom from another World. A utopia by which Camelot sought to reach and emulate named the Kingdom of Heaven.
It contains records and directions as to replicate Mysteries observed in history. One may consider it a Magic Crest for the People of God. One written and preserved for more than a period of a millennia yet coherent in its themes and narrative.
There is to be a sign. A guarantee at its culmination. A sure foundation.
A virgin shall give birth and the government shall be on his shoulders. The one who the prophets and the scripture point to and prophesy about.
Jesus Christ is historical fact. Modern historians agree on his existence and death by crucifixion.
The fact that crucifixion was foreseen by King David of Israel as he sang and wrote Psalm 22, hundreds of years before the Romans made it a capital punishment of the worst degree is considered a sign. Many more prophecies that foreshadow his arrival and second coming.
Moses, Jonah, David, Solomon and even Adam who is in the likeness of God shall pale in comparison to the Son of Man at His glory.
The gospel are eye witness testimonies. Testimonies they are willing to die for that do not gain them neither women, fame or money.
To disprove, the authorities at the time simply needed to produce His body. It seems they do not have it.
At the moment former Pharisee and manslayer of Christians, Paul the Apostle, bore witness to a Living Christ enough to leave behind what he had believed and used to have.
A gospel he received from heaven and not of man at the Arabian Peninsula in Mount Sinai.
Highest and best education at the time.
Pedigree being under Galamiel as well as a privileged Roman Citizen under the name Paul, as a Jew bearing the name of the first King of Israel, as Saul.
Slated to be a respected religious authority among his people as one of the chief among their society.
Power, prestige and money all in his hands alongside the zealous sense of being right as a Hebrew among Hebrews.
All he considered as rubbish in knowing Jesus Christ. He knew their Scriptures. He is not ignorant yet even more convinced by his education, seeing the revelation that all their written holy word points to Jesus, Yeshua Ben David, the Son of David as their true King and Messiah.
He staked his all. An educated and well spoken young man chose to believe that man has risen from the grave. One whose religion is rigid to the point of killing anyone who worshiped false gods.
He still moved and miracles still occur to this day. Miracles of resurrection, of healing, of unclean spirits being cast out in Jesus name can be recorded to this day.
"Who the bloody hell am I trying to convince? Where was this recall when I was tongue tied earlier?" I manage to say for all the random things I tried to recall and cram to my doubtful heart.
Good God, I might need a break. My thoughts are all over the place.
I kept reading. A certain statement kept taking my attention. Recalling it again and again even an hour before.
Leave and never look back. Remember Lot's wife.
Hm.
Should I leave now?
No, never mind. The flight is a few later and the sun has not risen yet. The bus leaves a bit sooner but not that urgent.
But if I walked? The air seems cool? No. Never mind. Too much of a hassle and dangerous.
I kept reading trying to put out of my mind the ongoing Holy Grail War, the last thing one needs is to be out on the streets.
The window showed it is still night. The sun not yet at the horizon.
Duck
At the corner of my eye, I spied a speck.
A split second.
-Piercing through the window silently-
I shall fear no evil either the arrow by day nor the arrow by night.
-move
Hm?
MOVE
I moved away from the window turning to the left towards the door outside.
I left the room, not looking back. I ran.
The hallway of the motel exploded into dust and debris.
Behind me explosions similar to gunshots come from projectiles too fast for me to see without me looking back and sacrificing my speed.
I prayed. Muttered near hysterically whatever word I can speak.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
I ran. Away from place that would bury me alive.
"He keeps me and protects me as my shield and great reward."
And I ran. Outside not caring where.
"You shall curse those who curse me and bless those who bless me."
Like a shotgun I fired what I can with my mouth as my mind speaks otherwise.
"No, weaponformedagainst ME SHALL PROSPER!" Christians die and burn like any other man.
Something managed to graze me leg.
"The Lord is my shield and defense." My left thigh got pierced through.
"I shall fear no arrow that fly by day nor the pestilence by my side-" My right shoulder flared in pain.
I ran.
"For you-"
I hear his laugh in my head. A man who once believed and put his faith in a good God.
"For you…"
No longer. My father's deranged experiments and pleas. The current motel without people.
I felt utterly alone.
-You are With me.
I can't even say it with a straight face. My tears have already fallen. I felt pathetic.
I ran behind a tree. I offer my life to you but not like this. Dying unknown in some old town.
"No… No weapon formed against me shall prosper. No tongue that rose in opposition shall prevail. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord."
A servant who ran from giving an answer as to why he believed in a resurrection from the dead.
By which being a servant of the Lord would mean trials and tribulations. The fake priest is right.
I shut my ears.
Every word seemed perfect and fitting as an incantation among magi yet the laughter of that white haired priest keep resounding in my head.
I will die here. Not fulfilling my purpose of being born.
It felt like an eternity yet it seem to have only been 5 minutes.
Unable to accomplish anything. Experiencing anything.
Of my days written in heaven not being fulfilled.
What if God did not answer?
What if this is truly where I end?
"I shall fear no evil" I am plenty afraid.
Is it denial?
I shut my ears with my hands and tried to keep running.
I do not want to prove that fake priest right.
"No."
No. I refuse. I do not want to die a coward. If nothing else I do not want to die unknown like this-!
"OH LORD SEND YOUR ANGELS FOR ME! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" There were no light.
"I PLEAD BY YOUR BLOOD, BY YOUR NAME! SEND FORTH YOUR SERVANTS TO ASSIST ME!" No flashing sounds. No trumpets.
Those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. I believe. No, I now do not have another choice but to believe.
"JESUS HEL-!"
I felt a hit on my left lung.
At least I know where my soul ends up.
It felt like bitter comfort.
At the very least it seems like the archer was polite enough to let me have my last words.
The sound of mighty rushing wind came upon me and I felt something flow.
I woke up to the sound of strings.
A burning sensation on my right hand. My body feeling heavy yet more responsive. I stood to a crouch catching my breath and working through the shock, ready to run for the hills.
I look to my right hand.
2 strokes of blood red hook like 'L's. The middle stroke that appears to be a vertical line appear faded. A sigil or tattoo on a Master's hand.
I recognize them as Command spells. Used to give commands to legendary ghosts partially resurrected to take part as both sacrifice and participant for the wish granting Holy Grail.
Together with the faded stroke they make the appearance of an ember of flame.
In front of me is a figure of a man.
A man wearing a tattered hooded cloak. One indistinguishable to a beggar on the streets. He smells of ash and incense.
Wielding what appears to be a shepherd's staff covered in linen and cloth. The wooden staff with a hook like end is used as a spear.
Skilfully batting away arrow after arrow with his staff despite him looking feeble.
Efficiently. Like that of a precise machine mimicking skilled human movement.
He radiates a subtle sense of wrongness as if taunting the Archer. He lifted his staff towards the direction of the shots.
I waited for a split second-
"Phoebus Catastrophe!"
A green star appeared at the sky. One that turned into a rain of death as shooting stars of arrows appeared.
"The name of ADONAI is a strong fortress, the righteous run towards it and are saved." His voice raspy like an old man's. Tired and weary. Dry.
The cloaked man struck the ground with his staff's lower half resolutely.
It was a name unheard of. It's true pronunciation and meaning lost to time and history at the temple's destruction. Older than the tower of Babel and Kingdom of Uruk when the Languages are one.
"Lord [YHVH]."
I felt myself falling facedown only to be caught by the man under hooded cloak.
I raised my head.
When I became aware I saw our surroundings filled with flames that are fearful to look at. It consumes all. Reaching towards the sky like a tower with us at the center. Falling down from Heaven above towards the ground. Connecting Heaven and Earth.
The arrows did not pierce through.
We'll be safe here. If the stories are truly true, Servants be damned, this should last for the night.
The man carried me at his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. The skin on his arm did not seem to belong to an old man.
"Let's go." The one who sounds like an old man spoke resolutely.
What.
Now the man is running towards the flames-!
No.
No. No. No.
"NONONONO-!"
"May the ADONAI judge me ever so severely if there is anything not pleasing to You, oh Lord." I can only look at the hooded figure's passion on his usually deadpan voice.
"THOSE ARE FREAKING HOLY FLAMESDONT-!"
We passed through. I felt my worries and worldly thoughts fade. I've never felt more fine in my life.
Even the Servant seemed surprised for a moment.
"Huh, I guess I will not be judged today."
I lived and realized that my savior had a death wish he considered to take me along. I then proceeded to black out.
I find myself at a field of sheep. A broken abandoned home that only has it's wall reaching to a man's knees. The boy finds himself at a field of sheep as a shepherd looking after his father's.
He set himself as a door, the sheep asleep within the broken walls.
He was commanded to look after them.
If he didn't know better, he might say his siblings and father did not want him around.
It was always him and their sheep. They sure are soft to be around.
Always alone with the sheep. Is it because it's boring? Tedious?
They are good companions though. Guess, there is also the Holy One of Israel who watches over them but the sheep seemed closer at the moment.
This is simply what it is for now.
His father loved him. He was sure. He gave him this harp, his shepherd staff and rod. He even spared him a sling.
It's not like they'll pretend to forget he's even around… right?
S-Sure people will gossip. Let them.
He is his father's son.
He is not a bastard.
He is a son of Jesse.
Born and raised in Bethlehem.
He is not.
He's never been a bastard.
They're just being mean.
…He's not.
He's not a bastard. It's just gossip.
My father doesn't think so. My brothers too.
They'll know. They do.
I am my father's son. With the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as my witness, this I know.
It's what I know…
I wake up. Finding myself bandaged to barely stop the bleeding. We were in a cave and a campfire is on my side.
The man appeared to be standing guard.
Sitting on the other side of the campfire from mine.
"David, son of Jesse, King of Israel." There was some resistance as if I cannot and should not recall that name being connected to the madman before me.
'A man after God's own heart.'
The man minutely nodded.
"It is good that you recognize me. Tell me your thoughts…"
I felt tension in the peaceful field skyrocket.
"Did you know that according to the Law of Moses, my predecessor, Saul, was judged worthy of death for consulting a witch for necromancy?"
His green eyes glowed ominously in the campfire.
"How do you plead?"
As to any proper reaction of an Old Testament believer in the Law of Moses. BEASTS or Threats to Humanity may be expcetions.
If Shinji knew better or was a Super Apostle, he would've proclaimed the Baptismal Rite in Tongues. The same way as if God Himself was talking through him by the Holy Spirit within every believer in Christ. Archer would have no room for interpretation, she would know and understand down to her very core, no matter how she tries to shut her ears as she literally get's blasted to Kingdom come from within by hearing the Word of God.
A rank above the Unified Language and Medea's Divine Spell Words as it was restored during the Pentecost, to proclaim the good news to any nation and language. Allowing the hearer to percieve their mother tongue being spoken fluently. As long as it is a Servant, a Spirit or something reliant on Mystery, Shinji would've blasted through like a Messenger from Heaven.
Perry Stone Jr. is a witness to a similar miracle attributed to his father. Kevin Zadai also claims to have similar experiences.
A demiservant Saver as long as his Will and Actions align with one whose name is The Word of God. Alongside the same Luck passives as if the Ark of the Covenant is within him like Israel did during their military campaigns.
But, he's not a super apostle nor is he perfected in Love.
He's as vanilla as anyone else well read alongside his magus background.
God bless you readers in Jesus name, have a good day and take care.