Heavenly Echoes (Sequel to Banner of God)

HEAVENLY ECHOES

       Rose was silent for so long, that Helen was disappointed.

       “Was that all?” she asked.

       Rose acted startled as if she had been jerked back from some far distant place. “What? Oh, no. But gradually all light receded until even the shiniest feathers on the most colorful birds were no longer visible to the naked eye. With this absorption of blackness came a profound silence that held us captivated for what felt like an hour, although it may have been much shorter.”

“Then very rapidly, angels flew towards us, starting like a pinprick in the distance and rushing forward until their gilt-edged wings and shining raiment filled the screen. Even as they were appearing, vibrant, peach, reds and golds saturated the sky around and behind them sometimes bringing glistening splashes of color to their otherwise silvery-white attire. The majestic angel on the right held aloft a scroll which was being unrolled as it rapidly stretched from hand to hand around the semi-circle. By the time it reached the angel farthest to the left, words in shining gold were revealed against the parchment that was brighter than snow on a mountain.

 THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT

 CONVERTING THE SOUL.

As we tried to grasp the enormity of that seemingly simple message, the angels were continually chanting the same words; THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT

 CONVERTING THE SOUL.

The whole scene vanished and the firmament was filled with a throne of such dazzling whiteness and rainbowic beauty that my faltering tongue could never do it justice. Centered on the throne, the whiteness intensified, revealing a shape like a Man, or rather -- God, making me feel deeply insignificant. I became very much aware of a Man standing before the throne.  Although greater than life size, He seemed more –Human—and therefore approachable; and since He emanated compassion like an aura, my terrified feelings were hushed. 

         This powerful Person had one hand on the kneeling penitent at His side, and the other one graciously reached out to touch the Heart of God. Although we could not make out who the penitent sinner was, I believe everyone there would have been able to see themselves as the one-- if their eyes would have been opened.  The angels, which we hadn’t been noticing recently, could now be heard singing faintly…the testimony of the Lord is sure… Do you know what that means, Helen?”

A trifle belatedly her friend shook her head. She had been so involved in listening that the question had taken her off guard.

        “If the Son of Man testifies before the Judge His word is sure—undeniable; not to be argued against.”

Helen nodded.

“And,” Rose continued, her eyes shining, “When He touches us, He also touches God, so wisdom can flow through Him to us…like a current, ‘making wise the simple.’”

“Praise the Lord,” the girls breathed spontaneously.

“But that’s not all, Helen. That’s not all, at all!  Shining ribbons in all the colors of the rainbow and then some rippled and danced before the throne each displaying one of the verses in the Magnificent Nineteenth Psalm.

“Out of the corner of my eye I glimpsed an immense pot of gold. It was filled to the brim with coins that appeared to be of purest gold. I did see, however that each coin was stamped, not with its monetary worth, or even the image of the Great King; but words, just words; I saw:  ‘movies, photography, skiing, fashions, quad-ding, internet, education, hockey,  travel, books’ and many other coins tumble out as the vessel was slowly tipped by an invisible hand. As the coins poured out in a steady stream they melted and glistened until they appeared to be a wave of the sweetest, golden honey that flowed away into nothingness.

Although I didn’t want to be distracted from gazing in adoration at the Holy Scene before me, I did wonder why such precious seeming treasures melted away and became invisible. Just then the angels burst into loud, joyous singing:

AND THE THINGS OF EARTH WILL GROW STRANGELY   DIM IN THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY AND GRACE

                       

Rose’s voice was hushed, as though she was still gazing at sights invisible. “Although we may never see such a Panoramic Display again, I do want to go where such Beauty and Glory and Wonder will never cease.”

“Amen.” Helen’s response was deeply fervent.