Chapter Twelve

Gabriel and Michael studied the map displayed on the table. Jeremy listened and watched as they moved it around and examined each region of the heavenlies. He was surprised at the shear number of demons, scattered strategically in each region.

“I assume Satan will have many diversions planned. He needs to lure the angels away from their normal stations,” Michael said.

“That does not concern me as much as where they are planning to attack,” Gabriel said.

“Or who,” Jeremy said.

“Exactly,” said Gabriel.

“Or who he will send,” said Michael.

“I am sure Anselrio will be involved in some way. Who do you think he will send to torment Zechariah?” Gabriel said.

“Are you sure it is Zechariah he plans to torment?”, Michael replied. “Let’s step back for a moment and give this some thought. His goal is to prevent the Lord from accomplishing His will. So, what does he really know about what the Lord is doing?”

“We have to assume he was at the Temple when the Lord commissioned Jeremy and myself,” Gabriel said.

“Yes,” Michael replied. “And we really don’t know what the Lord allowed him to hear or see.”

“Then we must assume that he saw and heard everything,” Jeremy said.

“Go on,” Gabriel said.

“We have to assume he knows that we are being sent to Zechariah, that his wife Elizabeth will bear him a son, and that his son will prepare the way for the Messiah. He will either have to stop the message or prevent the child from being born,” Jeremy said.

“And what does that tell you my friend?”

“This is much more than one battle. Until the child is born, the plan is at risk,” Jeremy said. “Isn’t Zechariah serving at the Temple this week? The first thing I would try to do is to prevent him from getting back home.”

“Zechariah does not have to travel far between the Temple and his town, but there is still the possibility for him to be attacked. He normally travels with ten to fifteen other priests, but still, he is old and cannot fend off attackers very easily,” Michael said.

“Then there is always the possibility of disease, a wild animal, some freak accident like falling off a spooked donkey or mule,” Gabriel said.

“Do you think he will even believe you Gabriel?” Jeremy asked.

“Ah, well Jeremy. People do respond in some very surprising ways when I reveal myself to them. I have not decided how to inform him yet. You did not hear this when the Lord spoke to me but I am to speak to Zechariah while he is at the Temple. He will be chosen when they cast lots to determine who will burn incense in the Holy Place during the prayers on Tuesday this week. He and his friends have just arrived at Jerusalem and are headed for the Temple as we speak. I have sent Amzi and Toah to protect him until I arrive.”

“Destroy the priest, destroy the child,” Michael said.

“Satan may know who I am to speak to, but he does not know when,” Gabriel said.

“I am sure he knows you are here at Ellendon Fortress and will have more than enough demons waiting between us and Jerusalem,” Michael said.

“So where would you attack me?”

“You are going to have to take a direct route from here most of the way to get there in time. I would think the first attack would be in the Region of Glendon,” Michael said.

“First attack?” Jeremy said.

Gabriel and Michael exchanged glances. Gabriel chuckled and smiled at Jeremy.

“I am expecting at least three attacks. The first, just to slow me down. A small band of demons, not too powerful, but enough of an attack that I will be delayed and that the second and third groups of demons will have time to get in place,” Gabriel said.

Then Michael spoke up, “The second attack will be intended to completely prevent him from reaching Zechariah at all. Satan knows that is unlikely so he will stage a third attack for the same purpose.”

“Finally, we will have to get past Krendal and his minions afflicting Israel,” Gabriel said. “How many angels should we pull together Michael?”

“I have already put out a call for one hundred Legions,” Michael said.

“Five hundred thousand angels?” Jeremy said.

“I intend for them to form a corridor for you and Gabriel to pass through. One that will allow you to travel unhindered all the way to Jerusalem. Myself and my warriors will be travelling with you to fend off any that get through the outer corridor. I believe that at least ten legions can be a moving force that also guards the inner edge of the corridor.”

Gabriel pushed the map around a little.

“Satan will expect something like that. And, he will try to attack us on the way and we will need the corridor. But we need to anticipate every move he could make. Look at the map Michael. He is already beginning to attack from the north,” Gabriel said.

“Berazel,” Michael replied. “A diversion?”

“Yes, and no.”

“Gabriel, what are the green dots?” Jeremy asked.

“You noticed that did you,” He replied. “Envy. He fills his demons with a temptation. Those are envy. They, mind you, will not fight with swords, but with their wills. They shall attempt to make our angels envious of Satan’s fallen angels. Try to get them to defect,” Gabriel replied.

“He most surely will send demons filled with pride for you my young friend. It is always his first temptation for new Archangels,” Michael said. “And for you, I am sure he will not just send one. How have you seen me resist pride Jeremy?”

“With humility and praise.”

“And the word of God,” Michael added.

“What do you mean?”

Michael looked at Gabriel and walked around the table caressing the edge with his hand.

“We have sheltered you from much Jeremy. Fighting with swords is much easier than fighting with your will. You cannot defeat you enemy, only the Lord can defeat them. He gave you an anointing, he filled your spirit with power, power to resist, but also, power to inflict. We have a very short time to train you to use it effectively,” Gabriel said.

Michael stopped directly across the table from Jeremy and looked him right in the eye.

“You’re in the big leagues now Jeremy. The kid gloves are coming off and you are going to have to take some abuse in the battle you have not encountered before. The Lord has great confidence in you, but, never forget that the nature of everything has changed for you.

“It is imperative that you stay humble and mindful of the enemies strength,” Gabriel said.

“I know he can be a strong adversary.”

“No, it is not the presence of strength you need to be mindful of. It is the nature of his strength,” Michael said.

“How do you think he really got all the fallen angels to join forces with him?” Gabriel said.

“I’m not sure,” Jeremy replied.

Michael continued to round the table and came up alongside Jeremy. Gabriel pressed in close from the other side.

“He is a liar and a deceiver,” Gabriel said.

“He targeted specific angels to begin with. Those in positions of influence,” Michael said.

“Then, once he had them, he convinced them to enlist others,” Gabriel said.

“Every single angel was approached. Every single angel heard the same deceptions,” Michael said.

“But that is not what turned their hearts against the Lord,” Gabriel said.

“It was a battle for their wills not their minds,” Michael said.

“Satan new if he could get a hook into their will, then he would have their minds also,” Gabriel said.

“He imposed his will upon them. He twisted them and subdued them with the sheer force of his will against theirs,” Michael said.

“And once he had them, he then taught them to do the same,” Gabriel said.

“This is why the Lord filled you with His strength,” Michael said.

“Only His power can overcome,” Gabriel said.

“The moment you attempt to defeat Satan with your own strength, he has you. It will only be a matter of time,” Michael said.

“He is tenacious, he just does not give up until he knows you cannot be turned,” Gabriel said.

“That is why the Word of the Lord is so important Jeremy,” Michael said.

“He simply cannot stand for long against someone speaking the truth with faith,” Gabriel said.

“But he will try to twist it, to pervert it, to impose his own interpretation upon it’s meaning,” Michael said.

“To create doubt,” Gabriel said.

“And once he has created a sense of doubt,” Michael said.

“Then he will try to bend your will, to turn your heart against the Lord,” Gabriel said.

“But you must not resist him with your own words or your own strength,” Michael said.

“You must affirm your faith in the Lord. Affirm that you are His servant. That you worship Him and Him alone,” Gabriel said.

“He cannot resist that. And the strength of the Lord will grow inside you with each affirmation,” Michael said.

“You will overcome any attack Jeremy, but never forget who is God and who is not,” Gabriel said.

“And who will try to deceive you into believing that the Lord is the deceiver,” Michael said.

Gabriel turned around and leaned back on the table. Michael crossed the room and poured himself a glass of wine.

Jeremy put a finger on the map and moved it around a little, watching the lights move in a circular pattern.

“The Lord really thinks I am ready for this,”

Gabriel leaned towards Jeremy and looked him in the face, “Without a doubt. And so do I.”

“Here, here,” said Michael.

Jeremy looked up into Gabriel’s eyes. The confidence he saw there made his heart skip a beat. He quickly embraced his new friend.

Michael beamed with pride. He had trained Jeremy for quite some time. He took another drink of wine and set the goblet on the wine cart.

“I’ll be back. I need to check on a few things.” Michael said. “Jeremy, why don’t you go visit with Jabon for a while. I think he would enjoy a few more stories about how you can out fly the mighty Gabriel.”

Laughter filled the air as the three of them exited the Captains Quarters.

© 2011 John Pearson All Rights Reserved.