/  I know for a fact that if my g.il met C.onstantine, he would be infatuated with him immediately

21 History Ancedotes for my 21st Birthday

So today I celebrate my 21st birthday and I have decided to gift you all with 21 of my favourite historical Ancedotes. Some are funny, some are sad and some are plain bizarre but I hope the make your day 💜

Mary Maloney, an Irish-born suffragette in England followed Winston Churchill around while he was campaigning for a seat in Parliament, drowning out everything he said with a very large bell and calls for him to apologise for his comments on women's rights and suffrage movements.

Clodius Pulcher was a well born Roman noble during the last day's of the Republic. He gave up his Patrician status to become Tribune of the Plebs (an office in which one had to be a Pleb) by being adopted by a much younger Plebian man who became his "father". Clodius was a bit of a riot, sneaking into religious festivals dressed like a woman to sleep with Caesar's wife, building a shrine to Liberty in the ruins of the Conservative Cicero, vetoed the last speech of one of the Consuls (who basically did nothing all year and was apparently going to roast Caesar) and burned down the Senate House with his funeral pyre (the Plebs who loved him literally tearing up the furniture to build his pyre). He was honestly the best fun.

When laying on her deathbed, Queen Caroline of Ansbach turned to her husband George II of England and told him he should marry again. George refused to ever wed again... But added he would have mistresses. Caroline said , likely with a roll of her eyes, "oh my god that doesn't matter."

Florence was a pretty cool city in the Renaissance until Savanorola came to town. He disliked the loose living artists that crowded the city, with their naked pagan gods and rampant homosexuality. He expelled them all with help of the French hoping to make Florence Holy Again. When the Borgia Pope excommunicated him and sentenced him to death, one man in the crowd was reported to have said. "thank God, niw we can return to sodomy." One Floretine man in the 1490s said Gay Rights.

So this list couldn't be complete without an entry of the only American politician I love, Alexander Hamilton who was just a walking entity of sass. I could go on about his sharp sarcasm or his disaster bi vibes with John Lauren's but my all time favourite Alexander Hamilton ancedote has to be this exchange with Thomas Jefferson "There are approximately 1010300 words in the English language, but I could never string enough words together to properly explain how much I want to hit you with a chair."

Caterina Sforza was an Italian noble woman during the Renaissance. She was apart of the powerful Sforza family, which drew many enemies to her. One fateful day at Forli, Caterina's children were snatched as hostages. The besiegers threatened to kill her children if she did not cede the castle. Caterina refused, lifting her skirts and shouted to the besiegers that she had the means to make more children.

Hannibal Lecter's creator Thomas Harris was happy to end his great character's story with the original trilogy. However his publishers forced him to write an unneeded prequel explaining why Hannibal became Hannibal. Thomas Harris agreed lest he lose the rights to his character so he wrote Hannibal Rising, where Hannibal as a young man hunts down the Nazis who ate his sister with a katana.

Nell Gwyn is my favourite mistress of Charles II, mainly because of her sass. Once while trapped in the middle of a riot where Londoners swamped her carriage thinking she was Charles's Catholic mistress. She popped her head out the carriage and told the people "Pray good people be civil. I am the Protestant whore." She also dosed her rival Moll Davis with laxatives in order to free up some of Charles's time and she once flashed her underwear at the French ambassador after asking him why the Franch King did not pay her to spy on Charles because she was with him every night. A true Queen.

Emperor Ai of the Han Dynasty of China once rose from his bed to go do some ruling when he realised his lover, Dong Xian was sleeping on his sleeve. Rather than disturb his lover, the Emperor cut his sleeve off at the wrist to leave Dong Xian nap. Nothing has ever been more romantic than that. Y'all could never.

Princess Margaret the sister of current Queen Elizabeth II was a socialable Princess and often tasked to visit the up and coming music stars of the day on behalf of the Crown. When meeting the Beatles one evening, she noticed George Harrison was acting a little odd. When she asked what was the matter, he replied "We arent allowed eat until you go." Princess Margaret laughed and promptly left so the Beatles could get some dinner.

During the Siege of Jadotsville, Irish soldiers under the flag of the UN were attacked and besieged by local insurgents allied with the Katanga Regime. The insurgents numbered thousands while the Irish only had 158 soldiers, all who were lightly armed. They radioed to their allies assuring them that "we will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could use some whiskey though".

Napoleon was famous for writing raunchy letters to his wife, the Empress Josephine while he was away. She used to reply with really mundane letters or not at all. She really just could not be bothered with him.

Josip Broz Tito was so fed up with Joseph Stalin sending assassins to kill him, he wrote to Stalin personally to say "If you don't stop sending assassins to kill me. I will send one to Moscow and I won't have to send another." It didn't work but Big Dick Energy.

Successful Roman soldiers returning from war often got to march along in parades known as Triumphs. During this, it was customary for them to sing bawdy songs about their commander. One surviving one about Caesar goes like this "Romans, lock up your wives. Here comes the bald adulterous whore. We pissed away your gold in Gaul and come to borrow more."

Matilda, Lady of the English was a woman so badass that history cannot handle her. She was the daughter of Henry I who left his throne to her after the death of her brother. She was away in France when her father died and her throne was snatched by her cousin Stephen. They battled back and forth for years with neither side ceding any ground. Matilda was once besieged in a castle during a snow storm, with Stephen's men all around her. Instead of fighting her way out. She simply donned a white cloak and walked out of the castle. Just walked out without any of Stephen's men seeing her.

Pedro of Portugal once fell in love with a beautiful lady in waiting called Inez de Castro. For years, they lived as man and mistress, popping out a few kinds. Pedro's dad really did not like Inez and wanted Pedro to find a legitimate wife so he had her killed. Pedro returned home to find the mother of his children dead. Pedro went a little crazy. He had all his father's assassins killed, ripping out their hearts as they had done to him. When Pedro ascended the throne, he demanded the Pope legitimize his children by Inez. The Pope not wanting to upset the King, said he couldn't because Inez was never crowned Queen. Pedro dug Inez up and crowned her as Queen, having all the nobility swear loyalty to her corpse. The Pope had no choice but to agree to his request.

A famously clever general once saved an entire city with an ingenious stragety to sit outside the city waiting for the attacking army to come. The attack had come to fast for the city to ready themselves for a Siege so, the general had to move quickly. He evacuated the city and took his place waiting for the army to come. The enemy forces stopped and took one look at him and bolted, thinking he meant to lure them in one of his famous traps.

Michaelangelo was really badly treated by the Vatican when he was painting the Sistine Chapel. He constantly fought with the Popes over the design and his work, which he was paid peanuts for. Michaelangelo got his revenge in his work, painting the gates of Hell behind the Papal Throne and an angel flipping the ol' fig (the Renaissance version of the bird) toward the Pope's chair.

Peter the Great was not a perfect guy. He kept serfdom as a practise in his kingdom, he had his son tortured to death and he could be an unpleasant guy. But Peter was a dreamer. He wanted nothing more to build a fleet for Russia and bring Russia beyond its borders. Peter took a gap year from ruling Russia to wander around Europe. When he stopped in England, he was granted Leicester House to chill in while he did his shipwright studies. It was here that Peter found a new passion. The wheelbarrow. Cue Peter and his new found English buddies drinking in Leicester House, punching the artwork and rolling each other around in barrels across the house's Great gardens.

Diogenes is hands down a walking shit post. He was a great thinker in Greece during the reign of Alexander but a rather dry, sarcastic wit. He lived in a pithos/a jar because he shunned all vanities and values of society. He trolled other philosophers, attending their debates to heckle them and eat loud foods through them. When Alexander the Great came to fan boy over him, saying that if he were not Alexander he would like to be Diogenes to which Diogenes just said "yeah me too, now get out of my sunlight."

Cosimo de Medici was the son of a Floretine banker with a great knowledge and love of art. Cosimo wished for Florence to release its potentially and join the Renaissance. He hired Filippo Brunelleschi to finsh the Great Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore which had láin unfinished for over a century, a symbol of a failure of ambition. The builders had lost the knowledge of creating a dome so large so it remained unfinished. Despite much opposition from the other nobility and denouncers of the Renaissance, Cosimo's dream of the completion of the dome was completed, making it the largest brick dome in creation at that time. There is nothing like achieving your dreams and certainly nothing like leaving a lasting reminder that screams 'I was right and you were wrong' to stand for centuries.

THE WOLF THAT SLEW THE DRAGON

The other day I made this little post:

Here is Jon Snow killing his aunt to protect Sansa… Oh I’m sorry, this is Saint George killing the dragon to protect a redhead princess. In some versions of the tale Saint George marries the princess… [x]

I did it as a little funny post really, after reading some very bad takes about Targaryen dragons... But after just a small research the last couple of days the things I found are really amazing. Let’s see:  

I already knew about the Legend of Saint George - the Dragon Slayer, and even asked @sansaastark​ to photoshop GRRM’s head on Saint George’s body:

But who was this man, Saint George - the Dragon Slayer? Does he really influenced GRRM?

Saint George was a Roman soldier that was martyred and beheaded following the Emperor orders, after refusing to participate in the persecution of christians because he was a christian himself. 

This part of Saint George’s life reminds me of the Faith of the Seven versus the Old Gods in ASOIAF.  It also makes me think about Jon Snow refusing to abandon the Wildlings and allowing them to cross the Wall, against the ancient law of the Night’s Watch.

Saint George ascended quickly in the Roman Army and became a member of the Praetorian Guard, whose members served as personal bodyguards and intelligence for the Roman emperors, something like the Kingsguard.  

This reminds me of a very young Jon Snow becoming the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, you know: “the shield that guards the realms of men”. Also according Fire & Blood: “Visenya modeled their vows (Kingsguard’s vows) on those of the Night’s Watch; like the black-cloaked crows of the Wall, the White Swords served for life, surrendering all their lands, titles, and worldly goods to live a life of chastity and obedience, with no reward but honor.”

But the most famous part of Saint George’s story is the legend that says he slew a dragon:

In the well-known version from Jacobus da Varagine's Legenda aurea (The Golden Legend, 1260s), the narrative episode of Saint George and the Dragon took place somewhere he called "Silene", in Libya.

Silene in Libya was plagued by a venom-spewing dragon dwelling in a nearby pond, poisoning the countryside. To prevent it from affecting the city itself, the people offered it two sheep daily, then a man and a sheep, and finally their children and youths, chosen by lottery. One time the lot fell on the king's daughter. The king offered all his gold and silver to have his daughter spared; the people refused. The daughter was sent out to the lake, dressed as a bride, to be fed to the dragon.

Saint George by chance arrived at the spot. The princess tried to send him away, but he vowed to remain. The dragon emerged from the pond while they were conversing. Saint George made the Sign of the Cross and charged it on horseback, seriously wounding it with his lance. He then called to the princess to throw him her girdle (zona), and he put it around the dragon's neck. When she did so, the dragon followed the girl like a "meek beast" on a leash.

The princess and Saint George led the dragon back to the city of Silene, where it terrified the populace. Saint George offered to kill the dragon if they consented to become Christians and be baptized. Fifteen thousand men including the king of Silene converted to Christianity. George then killed the dragon, beheading it with his sword, and the body was carted out of the city on four ox-carts. The king built a church to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint George on the site where the dragon died and a spring flowed from its altar with water that cured all disease. Only the Latin version involves the saint striking the dragon with the spear, before killing it with the sword.

The Golden Legend narrative is the main source of the story of Saint George and the Dragon as received in Western Europe, and is therefore relevant for Saint George as patron saint of England. The princess remains unnamed in the Golden Legend version, and the name "Sabra" is supplied by Elizabethan era writer Richard Johnson in his Seven Champions of Christendom (1596). In the work, she is recast as a princess of Egypt. This work takes great liberties with the material, and makes St. George marry Sabra, and have English children, one of whom becomes Guy of Warwick. Alternative names given to the princess in Italian sources still of the 13th century are Cleolinda and Aia.

Source

You can read various versions of the Legend of Saint George and the Dragon here. 

It’s very interesting that between the names given to the princess of the legend are Sabra and Aia, names that sound pretty much like the names of the Stark sisters: Sansa and Arya.  

It’s also pretty interesting that the princess was ‘sent out to the lake, dressed as a bride, to be fed to the dragon’. This bit remains me very much of Sansa who is strongly linked with marriage in ASOIAF.   

Researching about the princess of the story, I found a very cute version of the legend in a web specialized in children’s audio-books. Here is the part about the princess: 

Then one day, the name of the princess was shaken out of the urn. According to the King’s own law, his daughter must be sacrificed. He called the people together and offered them gold and treasure if only they would agree to spare her from the dragon. The judges who oversaw the lottery said that it must be completely fair, or else the people would no longer accept it. And so, much saddened, the king said to the princess, “My dear, I shall never see your wedding day.”

A week went past, and the day arrived when she must meet her fate. The palace servants dressed her in her wedding gown and placed a crown of flowers on her head. They led her out of the city in a procession, and headed for the lake where the dragon lived.

Source

The King’s lament and the princess dressed her in her wedding gown with a crown of flowers on her head sounds as if the princess was about to marry the dragon. This bit sounds very much like Jenny of Oldstones, Lyanna and Sansa Stark... And take note that the first two actually had a romance with a Targaryen man, you know, a dragon...    

This description of the princess, wearing her wedding gown with a crown of flowers in her head, has been depicted by Edward Burne-Jones in the paintings of his Series “The Legend of St George and the Dragon”:

Princess Sabra Drawing the Lot:

The Princess Sabra Led to the Dragon: 

The Princess Tied to the Tree: 

Where do I see those long sleeves before? Oh yeah in Sansa’s costumes on the Show and also in the description of his wedding dress in the books: “The points of the long dagged sleeves almost touched the ground when she lowered her arms.” - A Storm of Swords - Sansa III

This addition to my little funny post tell us more about the relationship between Saint George and the princess: 

Source: The Union Jack: The Story of the British Flag by Nick Groom.

via @butterflies-dragons [x]

This bit: “Saint George is often described as ‘Our Lady’s Knight’ and was strongly associated with the Cult of the Virgin, which contributed to his role as a model of chivalry and courtly love”, reminds me more and more of Sansa, the character most associated with chivalry and courtly love in ASOIAF.  We also have a link to the Faith of the Seven and The Maiden, that reminds me of this ASOIAF passage: “The Maiden lay athwart the Warrior, her arms widespread as if to embrace him.” - A Clash of Kings - Davos I. Sansa would be the Maiden and Jon would be the Warrior.  

The secular version of the legend, the one where George marries Sabra, was also depicted in paintings, here’s an example:   

 The Wedding of St. George by Dante Gabriel Rossetti:

I love that Sabra is wearing a rose in her hair, I will come back to this detail later.

As if all of these findings weren’t enough, yesterday @tell-me-this-isnt-jonsa​ made this very interesting contribution:

Want to hear a fun fact?

While St. George is now most often associated with England and English iconography, his legend actually spans across Europe and parts of Asia. Relevant to our interests, in Slavic and Germanic folklore, St. George is also the patron saint of wolves, otherwise known as the “Master of Wolves” or a wolf herdsman, able to tame and/or command these wild beasts, as well as protect people and livestock from them.

@tell-me-this-isnt-jonsa [x]

You can read more about Saint George as the Master of Wolves here.

Saint George as the “Master of Wolves” or “Wolf Herdsman” reminds me of Jon Snow being crowned King in the North (I know this only happened in the Show, but there is a possibility that this happens in the Books as well).  Either way, Jon Snow is a character strongly linked to leadership, and that’s what being a master or a herdsman ultimately means.  And talking about masters, leaders and Kings, is worth to say that Saint George is also known as the “Prince of Martyrs”.  

After this very important addition, I talked with my friend @flibbertigiblet about all the symbology and similarities between the Legend of Saint George and ASOIAF.

First she told me this:

The country of Georgia, where devotions to the saint date back to the fourth century, is not technically named after the saint, but is a well-attested back-formation of the English name. However, a large number of towns and cities around the world are. Saint George is one of the patron saints of Georgia; the name Georgia (Sakartvelo in Georgian) is an anglicisation of Gurj, ultimately derived from the Persian word gurj/gurjān ("wolf").

Source

So yeah, ladies and gentlemen: GEORGE = WOLF

So Saint George is literally: THE WOLF THAT SLEW THE DRAGON

And my little funny post was right after all: Jon Snow killing his aunt to protect Sansa could be the televisual representation of Saint George killing the dragon to protect Princess Sabra... 

The story of Saint George and the Dragon symbolizes the good winning over the evil. The Christianity winning over paganism, where the dragon represents the evil, the paganism; the princess represents the Catholic Church/Virgin Mary; and Saint George is the Champion of the Catholic Faith.  

Jon Snow is not a Champion of the Faith of the Seven tho, he worships the Old Gods. A very classical GRRM twist, making the Old Gods the pagans and shaping the Faith of the Seven as the Catholic Church. Don’t worry tho, Sansa Stark professes both religions, but I would dare to say that, at this point of the story, she prefers the Old Gods.  

After finding all these gems, so many things make sense. Like the way GRRM talks about dragons, calling them nuclear weapons; and the way he expresses his love of wolves.   

About dragons:

Dragons are the nuclear deterrent, and only Dany has them, which in some ways makes her the most powerful person in the world. But is that sufficient? These are the kind of issues I’m trying to explore. The United States right now has the ability to destroy the world with our nuclear arsenal, but that doesn’t mean we can achieve specific geopolitical goals.

Power is more subtle than that. You can have the power to destroy, but it doesn’t give you the power to reform, or improve, or build.

—Vulture 2014

THEM: And the dragons?

GRRM: “Oh sure, dragons are cool too,” he chuckles. “But maybe not on our doorstep”

—The Guardian - 2018

What drives Dany? With Dany I’m particularly looking at the… what effect great power has upon a person. She’s the mother of dragons, and she controls what is in effect the only three nuclear weapons in the entire world that I’ve created. What does it do to you when you control the only three nuclear weapons in the world and you can destroy entire cities or cultures if you choose to? Should you choose to, should you not choose to?

—“Interview exclusive de George R R Martin, l'auteur de Game Of Thrones” de -Le Mouv’-

About wolves:  

Chris Long: What your favorite things about wolves are? What drew you to wolves? Because it seems like you have a passion for them.

GRRM: I like their ferocity. I like the fact that they’re social animals, that they have, they’re packs, they’re not lonely hunters. They have their own society, their own packs. They work together. You know I’ve tried to make that point in “Game of Thrones” and that will come back to it in later books, you know. When winter comes, the cold wins blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives. And human beings need to keep that in mind too. We all need each other. We all need packs. That’s true on a football team as well. The individual star can’t succeed without great teammates around him.

—George RR Martin in The Fish Bowl with Chris Long

It’s not a surprise then, that GRRM has called the Starks “The Heroes of the Story”, and the Starks are wolves, and one of them could be destined to slay a dragon to protect a member of their pack, and become a legend: THE WOLF THAT SLEW THE DRAGON...  Just like happened in the Show...    

To be honest, as thorough as GRRM is, I’m very sure he knows a lot about his namesake Saint George “The Dragon Slayer”, and he seems proud to bear the name:

John Hodgman: That’s how I can’t sue you, If you steal from history and add a dragon. I can’t sue you.

GRRM: I’m working off my own, you know, karma here, because I’m George, and what’s he known for? He killed the dragon, you know, come on. Come on, I was almost abolished at one point when the Catholic Church was reviewing all the saints, I was terrified that George would be abolished, because they abolish a lot of fiction, I said George is only known for killing a dragon, how can they keep him in, but they did so, that was, that was good.

John Hodgman: I’m glad you stayed anointed.

GRRM: That’s right.

—In conversation: George R. R. Martin with John Hodgman

As far as I know, GRRM is an atheist, but he went to a catholic high school: 

Chris Long: You also grew up in Bayonne, right?

GRRM: Right, Bayonne, New Jersey, yeah.  

Chris Long: So you have, somebody that works on my crew said they’re from Bayonne. They said to ask you about the Bayonne Bees. Did you go to there, were you at the high school, the Bayonne Bees?    

GRRM: No, that was our archrival. I went to the Catholic high school, Marist, and the Royal Knights.  

—George RR Martin in The Fish Bowl with Chris Long

Marist is a catholic congregation named after Blessed Virgin Mary. And their Football Team is called the Royal Knights. Royal Knights huh... I wonder why?

Interestingly enough, Saint George is often described as ‘Our Lady’s Knight’ and was strongly associated with the Cult of the Virgin, which contributed to his role as a model of chivalry and courtly love.

And remember that according to the most known version of the legend, “The king built a church to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint George on the site where the dragon died”.

I really hope Sansa Stark finds her true knight someday, someone as brave and gentle and strong as Saint George - The Dragon Slayer... Someone we could call “Our Lady of Winterfell’s Knight” or maybe “The Queen in the North’s Knight”...

Anyway, continuing with the recount of my research, after that I told my friend about my favorite version of the Legend of Saint George and the Dragon, this one from Catalonia, Spain:

The Legend of Saint George

The legend explains that long ago, in Montblanc (Tarragona) a ferocious dragon, capable of poisoning the air and killing with his breath, had frightened the inhabitants of the city. The inhabitants, scared and tired of the dragon´s ravages and misdeeds, decided to calm him by feeding him one person a day that would be chosen randomly in a draw. After several days, the princess was the unlucky one.

When the princess left her home and headed towards the dragon, a gentleman named Saint George, dressed in shining armor, riding a white horse, suddenly appeared to rescue her. Saint George raised his sword and stabbed the dragon, at last releasing the princess and the citizens from this turmoil.

From the dragon's blood a rose-bush grew with the reddest roses that had ever been seen. Saint George, now a hero picked a rose and offered it to the princess.

Source

Montblanc, the town of this story, literally means “White Mountain”, very Winterfell-ish... 

So, remember that Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s painting where Sabra is wearing a rose in her hair during her wedding? That painting reminds me of this version of the legend.

A knight giving a rose to a princess is a trope GRRM used a lot in ASOIAF: Lyanna’s crown of winter roses, The Rose of Winterfell, Loras giving Sansa a red rose, Sansa wearing the rose Loras gave to her in her hair, Marillion’s song for Alayne: 'The Roadside Rose', etc.  Also, a rose is a very important element of certain story GRRM loves: Beauty and the Beast. 

Saint George’s day (April 23th) is a very important festivity in Catalonia, Spain. Saint George is their Patron Saint and this day is also known as the Catalan Valentine’s Day:

Saint George´s Roses

Sending roses is the most significant thing about this festival. Anyone can make this offering, although as tradition dictates it is the man who must give a rose to his beloved. According to the legend, Saint George saved his princess by killing the dragon from whose blood grew a rose. That is why some consider it the Catalan Valentine´s Day, because Saint George is said to be, par excellence, the patron saint of lovers in Catalonia.

Source

That’s why Saint George's Day is also known as The Day of the Rose in Catalonia.

Since we got romantic at this point, my friend told me about some potential Jonsa AUs based in the Legend of Saint George and the Dragon, and she also mentioned Saint George’s Cross, the one on the England flag.

To that detail, I mentioned the Saint Andrew’s Cross, the one on the Scotland flag, and how GRRM has made the Starks very Scot coded. I also mentioned how the Union Jack, the United Kingdom’s Flag was created by merging Saint George’s (Englad), Saint Andrew’s (Scotland) & Saint Patrick’s (Ireland) crosses.

And after that, my friend said to me this: 

“Following that logic - Jon's non-Stark half (I don't want to say Targ), as represented by St George's cross, which theoretically gives him the birthright to rule England/The southern kingdoms, plus his Stark side/Sansa, as represented by St Andrew/Scotland = The 7K/Westeros with Jonsa as King and Queen”. 

At that point I was screaming: ¡¡¡THIS IS THE HENRY TUDOR & ELIZABETH OF YORK -WAR OF THE ROSES- JONSA THEORY!!!

And then, after all this information, I decided to write this post.  My friend took the same decision, so expect more on the subject!

It was a long ride. I could be right about all of this or maybe just a little, or more probably, I’m all wrong, but it was a blast! 

As my friend, @shieldofrohan​​ likes to say: “GRRM’s own name is a fucking spoiler for the books”  

***The end***

26th November >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Luke 21:20-28 for Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: ‘Hold your heads high’.

Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA)

Luke 21:20-28

There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must realise that she will soon be laid desolate. Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it. For this is the time of vengeance when all that scripture says must be fulfilled. Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!    ‘For great misery will descend on the land and wrath on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every pagan country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.    ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.’

Gospel (USA)

Luke 21:20-28

Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.    “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

Reflections (7)

(i) Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

In today’s gospel reading, there is a clear reference to the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, which happened forty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jerusalem fell to the armies of Rome, under the general Titus, who went on to become Emperor of Rome. In the time of Jesus and the early church, the all-powerful Roman Empire must have been seen as eternal, as destined to last forever. Yet, in the first reading, written towards the end of the first century, the author declares, ‘Babylon the Great has fallen’, ‘Babylon’ being a code name for ‘Rome’. The author recognizes that even the great, invincible, Roman Empire would not last forever, and declares that it is God and his Son who will last forever, ‘Victory and glory and power to our God’. In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks of himself as the Son of Man who will come ‘with power and great glory’. Nothing lasts forever, not even the great and powerful empires of the world. Only God and his Son endure; they are the beginning and the end, yesterday, today and tomorrow. God’s relationship with us endures; Jesus’ love for us lasts forever and every day he says to us what is said at the end of today’s first reading, ‘Happy are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb’. The Lord calls us to his feast, in the future kingdom of heaven, but also in the here and now of the Eucharist. You will recognize that beatitude from the text of the Mass. The Lord’s call to us to be in communion with him is the constant in the midst of all that is changing. That awareness can inspire us to always ‘stand erect’, holding our heads high, in the words of the gospel reading.

And/Or

(ii) Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

This morning’s gospel has a very dark tone to it. Jesus speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem and the terrible consequences for all who are living there. He goes on to speak of great disturbances in the cosmos that will bring fear to people everywhere. Yet, just when all is at its darkest, Jesus declares that the Son of Man will appear in all his power and glory bringing redemption, liberation, to all who welcome his coming. There are times in our lives when our own world can appear to be falling apart. Disturbing events happen over which we have little or no control; we can be left shaken and frightened. This morning’s gospel reading is reminding us that it is above all in such moments when we are most aware of our vulnerability and frailty that the Lord is closest to us. He stands by us in his risen power, giving us strength in our weakness. His presence has the power to liberate us from our fears and to give us the confidence to stand erect with our heads held high, in the words of the gospel reading. We can be tempted to let the darkness envelope us. We need to resist that temptation because the light of the Lord’s presence shines in the darkness and we are assured that the darkness will not overcome it.

 And/Or

(iii) Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

This morning’s gospel reading is full of the darker side of human experience. It makes reference to wars, to destruction, to great upheavals and to the fear they generate. Yet, the gospel reading also speaks about the coming of the Son of Man into the midst of all this darkness and it promises that those who are open to his coming will experience liberation. We all need to be liberated in one sense or another; we all need to be freed from whatever it is that is holding us back from doing what the Lord is calling us to do, from being the person the Lord is calling us to be. It is only the Lord who can free us to live as we are meant to live. Saint Paul speaks about the glorious freedom of the children of God that awaits us beyond this life. Yet, here and now, we can begin to taste the first fruits of that glorious freedom, to the extent that we open our lives to the coming of the Lord and to the coming of his Spirit. Saint Paul also says in another of his letters, ‘where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom’. We are only truly free when we are living in tune with the Spirit of the Lord, when the Holy Spirit is bearing rich fruit in our lives. As we come to the end of the church’s liturgical year and as we begin a new liturgical year, we pray, ‘Come Holy Spirit’.

 And/Or

(iv) Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

The gospel reading this morning paints a rather grim picture on this November morning. It speaks of the fall of the city of Jerusalem to her enemies, the destruction of its people and disturbing signs in nature. Yet, this grim time is also the moment when the Son of Man will appear in great power and glory. In the time of greatest darkness a light begins to shine. That was true of Golgotha also. This time of great darkness was also the time when the light of God’s love shone most brightly. The gospel reading assures us that there is a light at the heart of every darkness. In our own dark experiences the light of the Lord’s presence never ceases to shine. That is why, when the darkest times come our way, in the final words of the gospel reading, we can stand erect and hold our heads high.Next Sunday, in these dark days, we begin to light our Advent candle. We are being reminded that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.

 And/Or

(v) Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

In the beginning of the chapter of Luke’s gospel from which we are reading this week Jesus spoke about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. In this morning’s gospel reading he goes further and speaks about the destruction of the city of Jerusalem itself and of the land of Israel. ‘Great misery will descend on the land’, he declares, ‘and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans’. All of that happened forty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus when the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem with its Temple in response to the Jewish revolt against Rome which had begun four years earlier. Yet Jesus assures his disciples that this awful prospect is not the complete picture. He goes on to speak about the coming of the Son of Man with power and great glory bringing liberation to those who are in need of it. For that reason even in the midst of the chaos and loss the disciples can stand erect and hold their head high. Even though there may not be much ground for optimism, we are called to be hopeful because the Lord is coming, not just at the end of time but here and now in the midst of time. We can let our heads drop when so much seems uncertain and the future seems bleak, but the realization of the Lord’s constant coming into our lives, into our church, into our world, inspires us to stand erect and hold our head high in hope and expectation.

 And/Or

(vi) Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

The gospel readings at this time of the year tend to be rather gloomy, at least on first hearing them. We are in the last days of the church’s liturgical year; the new liturgical year begins on Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent. As the church’s year end, we hear of cataclysmic endings in the gospel reading, the ending of Jerusalem, and, even, the ending of the cosmos as we know it. Yet, as well as talking about endings in our gospel reading, Jesus also speaks about comings. More especially, he speaks about his own coming as the glorious Son of Man, bringing liberation to those who await his coming. At the very moment when everything appears to be disappearing, a new reality begins to dawn. The final chapter will not be one of death and destruction but one of new beginning and a new liberation for all. This is but one expression of the basic message of the gospels, that the Lord works in life-giving ways in the midst of death and destruction. There may be great darkness in the world, the darkness of evil and suffering, but the Lord’s light shines within it and the darkness will not overcome the light. It is this conviction which keeps us hopeful even in the midst of pain, loss and death. That is why in the words of the gospel reading, we can always stand erect and hold our heads high, not in a spirit of arrogance but in a spirit of hopeful conviction that the Lord’s liberating coming is assured, no matter how dark and distressing the moment.

And/Or 

(vii) Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Today we have another of those rather dark gospel readings that are typical of the concluding days of the liturgical year. Jesus depicts the disturbing scenario of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem with traumatic consequences for its inhabitants. We can think of cities that are being destroyed today, cities in parts of the Middle East. We are very aware of the suffering of their inhabitants at this time. We can be tempted to ask, ‘Is there life beyond all this destruction?’ In the gospel reading, the answer of Jesus to this question is a resounding ‘yes’. He speaks of the coming of the Son of Man in the midst of so much destruction and upheaval. He will come with power and great glory announcing that liberation is at hand. Death and destruction does not have the last word in the Lord’s purpose. He enters into the heart of every darkness with great power, always with a view to our ultimate liberation from all that diminishes and damages us. He has come that we may have life and have it to the full. He sheds tears when we chose paths that bring destruction and death to those he loves. He is passionately committed to our present and ultimate well-being. He is constantly coming to bring this to pass, to bring to earth the kingdom of heaven. If this is to happen, he needs us all to welcome his coming into our own lives and to allow him to work through us in all his liberating power.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

28th King of Portugal (8th of the Bragança Dynasty): King Pedro IV of Portugal, “The Liberator/The Soldier King”

Reign: 10 March 1826 – 2 May 1826 Predecessor: João VI

Pedro IV (12 October 1798 in Queluz, Portugal – 24 September 1834 in Queluz, Portugal), nicknamed "the Liberator", was the founder and first ruler of the Empire of Brazil. As King Dom Pedro IV, he reigned briefly over Portugal, where he also became known as "the Liberator" as well as "the Soldier King". Born in Lisbon, Pedro IV was the fourth child of King Dom João VI of Portugal and Queen Carlota Joaquina, and thus a member of the House of Bragança. When the country was invaded by French troops in 1807, he and his family fled to Portugal's largest and wealthiest colony, Brazil.

The outbreak of the Liberal Revolution of 1820 in Lisbon compelled Pedro IV's father to return to Portugal in April 1821, leaving him to rule Brazil as regent. He had to deal with threats from revolutionaries and insubordination by Portuguese troops, all of which he subdued. The Portuguese government's threat to revoke the political autonomy that Brazil had enjoyed since 1808 was met with widespread discontent in Brazil. Pedro IV chose the Brazilian side and declared Brazil's independence from Portugal on 7 September 1822. On 12 October, he was acclaimed Brazilian emperor and by March 1824 had defeated all armies loyal to Portugal. A few months later, Pedro IV crushed the short-lived Confederation of the Equator, a failed secession attempt by provincial rebels in Brazil's northeast.

A secessionist rebellion in the southern province of Cisplatina in early 1825, and the subsequent attempt by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata to annex it, led the Empire into the Cisplatine War. In March 1826, Pedro IV briefly became king of Portugal before abdicating in favor of his eldest daughter, Dona Maria II. The situation worsened in 1828 when the war in the south resulted in Brazil's loss of Cisplatina. During the same year in Lisbon, Maria II's throne was usurped by Prince Dom Miguel, Pedro IV's younger brother. The Emperor's concurrent and scandalous sexual affair with a female courtier tarnished his reputation. Other difficulties arose in the Brazilian parliament, where a struggle over whether the government would be chosen by the monarch or by the legislature dominated political debates from 1826 to 1831. Unable to deal with problems in both Brazil and Portugal simultaneously, on 7 April 1831 Pedro IV abdicated in favor of his son Dom Pedro II, and sailed for Europe.

Pedro IV invaded Portugal at the head of an army in July 1832. Faced at first with what seemed a national civil war, he soon became involved in a wider conflict that enveloped the Iberian Peninsula in a struggle between proponents of liberalism and those seeking a return to absolutism. Pedro IV died of tuberculosis on 24 September 1834, just a few months after he and the liberals had emerged victorious. He was hailed by both contemporaries and posterity as a key figure who helped spread the liberal ideals that allowed Brazil and Portugal to move from absolutist regimes to representative forms of government.

Pedro was born at 08:00 on 12 October 1798 in the Queluz Royal Palace near Lisbon, Portugal. He was named after St. Pedro of Alcantara, and his full name was Pedro de Alcântara Francisco António João Carlos Xavier de Paula Miguel Rafael Joaquim José Gonzaga Pascoal Cipriano Serafim. He was referred to using the honorific "Dom" (Lord) from birth.

Through his father, Prince Dom João (later King Dom João VI), Pedro was a member of the House of Bragança and a grandson of King Dom Pedro III and Queen Dona (Lady) Maria I of Portugal, who were uncle and niece as well as husband and wife. His mother, Doña Carlota Joaquina, was the daughter of King Don Carlos IV of Spain. Pedro's parents had an unhappy marriage. Carlota Joaquina was an ambitious woman, who always sought to advance Spain's interests, even to the detriment of Portugal's. Reputedly unfaithful to her husband, she went as far as to plot his overthrow in league with dissatisfied Portuguese nobles.

As the second eldest son (though the fourth child), Pedro became his father's heir apparent and Prince of Beira upon the death of his elder brother Francisco António in 1801. Prince Dom João had been acting as regent on behalf of his mother, Queen Maria I, after she was declared incurably insane in 1792. By 1802, Pedro's parents were estranged; João lived in the Mafra National Palace and Carlota Joaquina in Ramalhão Palace. 

Pedro and his siblings resided in the Queluz Palace with their grandmother Maria I, far from their parents, whom they saw only during state occasions at Queluz.

In late November 1807, when Pedro was nine, the royal family escaped from Portugal as an invading French army sent by Napoleon approached Lisbon. Pedro and his family arrived in Rio de Janeiro, capital of Brazil, then Portugal's largest and wealthiest colony, in March 1808. During the voyage, Pedro read Virgil's Aeneid and conversed with the ship's crew, picking up navigational skills. In Brazil, after a brief stay in the City Palace, Pedro settled with his younger brother Miguel and their father in the Palace of São Cristóvão (Saint Christopher).  Although never on intimate terms with his father, Pedro loved him and resented the constant humiliation his father suffered at the hands of Carlota Joaquina due to her extramarital affairs.  As an adult, Pedro would openly call his mother, for whom he held only feelings of contempt, a "bitch". The early experiences of betrayal, coldness and neglect had a great impact on the formation of Pedro's character.

A modicum of stability during his childhood was provided by his aia (governess), Maria Genoveva do Rêgo e Matos, whom he loved as a mother, and by his aio (supervisor) friar António de Arrábida, who became his mentor. Both were in charge of Pedro's upbringing and attempted to furnish him with a suitable education. His instruction encompassed a broad array of subjects that included mathematics, political economy, logic, history and geography. He learned to speak and write not only in Portuguese, but also Latin and French. He could translate from English and understood German. Even later on, as an emperor, Pedro would devote at least two hours of each day to study and reading.

Despite the breadth of Pedro's instruction, his education proved lacking. Historian Otávio Tarquínio de Sousa said that Pedro "was without a shadow of doubt intelligent, quick-witted, [and] perspicacious." However, historian Roderick J. Barman relates that he was by nature "too ebullient, too erratic, and too emotional". He remained impulsive and never learned to exercise self-control or to assess the consequences of his decisions and adapt his outlook to changes in situations. His father never allowed anyone to discipline him.While Pedro's schedule dictated two hours of study each day, he sometimes circumvented the routine by dismissing his instructors in favor of activities that he found more interesting

The prince found fulfillment in activities that required physical skills, rather than in the classroom. At his father's Santa Cruz farm, Pedro trained unbroken horses, and became a fine horseman and an excellent farrier. He and his brother Miguel enjoyed mounted hunts over unfamiliar ground, through forests, and even at night or in inclement weather. He displayed a talent for drawing and handicrafts, applying himself to wood carving and furniture making. In addition, he had a taste for music, and under the guidance of Marcos Portugal 

the prince became an able composer. He had a good singing voice, and was proficient with several musical instruments (including piano, flute and guitar), playing popular songs and dances. Pedro was a simple man, both in habits and in dealing with others. Except on solemn occasions when he donned court dress, his daily attire consisted of white cotton trousers, striped cotton jacket and a broad-brimmed straw hat, or a frock coat and a top hat in more formal situations. He would frequently take time to engage in conversation with people on the street, noting their concerns.

Pedro's character was marked by an energetic drive that bordered on hyperactivity. He was impetuous with a tendency to be domineering and short-tempered. Easily bored or distracted, in his personal life he entertained himself with dalliances with women in addition to his hunting and equestrian activities. His restless spirit compelled him to search for adventure, and, sometimes in disguise as a traveler, he frequented taverns in Rio de Janeiro's disreputable districts. He rarely drank alcohol, but was an incorrigible womanizer. His earliest known lasting affair was with a French dancer called Noémi Thierry, who had a stillborn child by him. Pedro's father, who had ascended the throne as João VI, sent Thierry away to avoid jeopardizing the prince's betrothal to Archduchess Maria Leopoldina, daughter of Emperor Franz I of Austria (formerly Franz II, Holy Roman Emperor).

On 13 May 1817, Pedro was married by proxy to Maria Leopoldina. When she arrived in Rio de Janeiro on 5 November, she immediately fell in love with Pedro, who was far more charming and attractive than she had been led to expect. After "years under a tropical sun, his complexion was still light, his cheeks rosy." The 19-year-old prince was handsome and a little above average in height, with bright dark eyes and dark brown hair. "His good appearance", said historian Neill Macaulay, "owed much to his bearing, proud and erect even at an awkward age, and his grooming, which was impeccable. Habitually neat and clean, he had taken to the Brazilian custom of bathing often." The Nuptial Mass, with the ratification of the vows previously taken by proxy, occurred the following day. Seven children resulted from this marriage: Maria (later Queen Dona Maria II of Portugal), Miguel, João, Januária, Paula, Francisca and Pedro (later Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil)

On 17 October 1820, news arrived that the military garrisons in Portugal had mutinied, leading to what became known as the Liberal Revolution of 1820. The military formed a provisional government, supplanting the regency appointed by João VI, and summoned the Cortes—the centuries-old Portuguese parliament, this time democratically elected with the aim of creating a national Constitution. Pedro was surprised when his father not only asked for his advice, but also decided to send him to Portugal to rule as regent on his behalf and to placate the revolutionaries. The prince was never educated to rule and had previously been allowed no participation in state affairs. The role that was his by birthright was instead filled by his elder sister Dona Maria Teresa: João VI had relied on her for advice, and it was she who had been given membership in the Council of State.

Pedro was regarded with suspicion by his father and by the king's close advisers, all of whom clung to the principles of absolute monarchy. By contrast, the prince was a well-known, staunch supporter of liberalism and of constitutional representative monarchy. He had read the works of Voltaire, Benjamin Constant, Gaetano Filangieri and Edmund Burke. Even his wife Maria Leopoldina remarked, "My husband, God help us, loves the new ideas." João VI postponed Pedro's departure for as long as possible, fearing that once he was in Portugal, he would be acclaimed king by the revolutionaries.

On 26 February 1821, Portuguese troops stationed in Rio de Janeiro mutinied. Neither João VI nor his government made any move against the mutinous units. Pedro decided to act on his own and rode to meet the rebels. He negotiated with them and convinced his father to accept their demands, which included naming a new cabinet and making an oath of obedience to the forthcoming Portuguese Constitution. On 21 April, the parish electors of Rio de Janeiro met at the Merchants' Exchange to elect their representatives to the Cortes. A small group of agitators seized the meeting and formed a revolutionary government. Again, João VI and his ministers remained passive, and the monarch was about to accept the revolutionaries' demands when Pedro took the initiative and sent army troops to re-establish order. Under pressure from the Cortes, João VI and his family departed for Portugal on 26 April, leaving behind Pedro and Maria Leopoldina. Two days before he embarked, the King warned his son: "Pedro, if Brazil breaks away, let it rather do so for you, who will respect me, than for one of those adventurers."

At the outset of his regency, Pedro promulgated decrees that guaranteed personal and property rights. He also reduced government expenditure and taxes.Even the revolutionaries arrested in the Merchants' Exchange incident were set free.  On 5 June 1821, army troops under Portuguese lieutenant general Jorge Avilez (later Count of Avilez) 

mutinied, demanding that Pedro should take an oath to uphold the Portuguese Constitution after it was enacted. The prince rode out alone to intervene with the mutineers. He calmly and resourcefully negotiated, winning the respect of the troops and succeeding in reducing the impact of their more unacceptable demands. The mutiny was a thinly veiled military coup d'état that sought to turn Pedro into a mere figurehead and transfer power to Avilez. The prince accepted the unsatisfactory outcome, but he also warned that it was the last time he would yield under pressure.

The continuing crisis reached a point of no return when the Cortes dissolved the central government in Rio de Janeiro and ordered Pedro's return. This was perceived by Brazilians as an attempt to subordinate their country again to Portugal—Brazil had not been a colony since 1815 and had the status of a kingdom. On 9 January 1822, Pedro was presented with a petition containing 8,000 signatures that begged him not to leave. He replied, "Since it is for the good of all and the general happiness of the Nation, I am willing. Tell the people that I am staying." Avilez again mutinied and tried to force Pedro's return to Portugal. This time the prince fought back, rallying the Brazilian troops (which had not joined the Portuguese in previous mutinies), militia units and armed civilians. Outnumbered, Avilez surrendered and was expelled from Brazil along with his troops.

During the next few months, Pedro attempted to maintain a semblance of unity with Portugal, but the final rupture was impending. Aided by an able minister, José Bonifácio de Andrada, 

he searched for support outside Rio de Janeiro. The prince traveled to Minas Gerais in April and on to São Paulo in August. He was welcomed warmly in both Brazilian provinces, and the visits reinforced his authority. While returning from São Paulo, he received news sent on 7 September that the Cortes would not accept self-governance in Brazil and would punish all who disobeyed its orders. "Never one to eschew the most dramatic action on the immediate impulse", said Barman about the prince, he "required no more time for decision than the reading of the letters demanded." Pedro mounted his bay mare and, in front of his entourage and his Guard of Honor, said: "Friends, the Portuguese Cortes wished to enslave and persecute us. As of today our bonds are ended. By my blood, by my honor, by my God, I swear to bring about the independence of Brazil. Brazilians, let our watchword from this day forth be 'Independence or Death!'"

The prince was acclaimed Emperor Dom Pedro I on his 24th birthday, which coincided with the inauguration of the Empire of Brazil on 12 October. He was crowned on 1 December in what is today known as the Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. His ascendancy did not immediately extend throughout Brazil's territories. He had to force the submission of several provinces in the northern, northeastern and southern regions, and the last Portuguese holdout units only surrendered in early 1824. Meanwhile, Pedro IV's relationship with Bonifácio deteriorated. The situation came to a head when Pedro IV, on the grounds of inappropriate conduct, dismissed Bonifácio. Bonifácio had used his position to harass, prosecute, arrest and even exile his political enemies. For months Bonifácio's enemies had worked to win over the Emperor. While Pedro IV was still Prince Regent, they had given him the title "Perpetual Defender of Brazil" on 13 May 1822. They also inducted him into Freemasonry on 2 August and later made him grand master on 7 October, replacing Bonifácio in that position.

The crisis between the monarch and his former minister was felt immediately within the Constituent and Legislative General Assembly, which had been elected for the purpose of drafting a Constitution.  A member of the Constituent Assembly, Bonifácio resorted to demagoguery, alleging the existence of a major Portuguese conspiracy against Brazilian interests—insinuating that Pedro IV, who had been born in Portugal, was implicated. The Emperor became outraged by the invective directed at the loyalty of citizens who were of Portuguese birth and the hints that he was himself conflicted in his allegiance to Brazil. On 12 November 1823, Pedro IV ordered the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly and called for new elections. On the following day, he placed a newly established native Council of State in charge of composing a constitutional draft. Copies of the draft were sent to all town councils, and the vast majority voted in favor of its instant adoption as the Constitution of the Empire.

As a result of the highly centralized State created by the Constitution, rebellious elements in Ceará, Paraíba and Pernambuco attempted to secede from Brazil and unite in what became known as the Confederation of the Equator. Pedro IV unsuccessfully sought to avoid bloodshed by offering to placate the rebels. Angry, he said: "What did the insults from Pernambuco require? Surely a punishment, and such a punishment that it will serve as an example for the future." The rebels were never able to secure control over their provinces, and were easily suppressed. By late 1824, the rebellion was over. Sixteen rebels were tried and executed, while all others were pardoned by the Emperor.

After long negotiations, Portugal signed a treaty with Brazil on 29 August 1825 in which it recognized Brazilian independence. Except for the recognition of independence, the treaty provisions were at Brazil's expense, including a demand for reparations to be paid to Portugal, with no other requirements of Portugal. Compensation was to be paid to all Portuguese citizens residing in Brazil for the losses they had experienced, such as properties which had been confiscated. João VI was also given the right to style himself emperor of Brazil. More humiliating was that the treaty implied that independence had been granted as a beneficent act of João VI, rather than having been compelled by the Brazilians through force of arms. Even worse, Great Britain was rewarded for its role in advancing the negotiations by the signing of a separate treaty in which its favorable commercial rights were renewed and by the signing of a convention in which Brazil agreed to abolish slave trade with Africa within four years. Both accords were severely harmful to Brazilian economic interests.

A few months later, the Emperor received word that his father had died on 10 March 1826, and that he had succeeded his father on the Portuguese throne as King Dom Pedro IV. Aware that a reunion of Brazil and Portugal would be unacceptable to the people of both nations, he hastily abdicated the crown of Portugal on 2 May in favor of his eldest daughter, who became Queen Dona Maria II. His abdication was conditional: Portugal was required to accept the Constitution which he had drafted and Maria II was to marry his brother Miguel. Regardless of the abdication, Pedro IV continued to act as an absentee king of Portugal and interceded in its diplomatic matters, as well as in internal affairs, such as making appointments. He found it difficult, at the very least, to keep his position as Brazilian emperor separate from his obligations to protect his daughter's interests in Portugal.

Miguel feigned compliance with Pedro IV's plans. As soon as he was declared regent in early 1828, and backed by Carlota Joaquina, he abrogated the Constitution and, supported by those Portuguese in favor of absolutism, was acclaimed King Dom Miguel I. As painful as was his beloved brother's betrayal, Pedro IV also endured the defection of his surviving sisters, Maria Teresa, Maria Francisca, Isabel Maria and Maria da Assunção, to Miguel I's faction. Only his youngest sister, Ana de Jesus, remained faithful to him, and she later traveled to Rio de Janeiro to be close to him. Consumed by hatred and beginning to believe rumors that Miguel I had murdered their father, Pedro IV turned his focus on Portugal and tried in vain to garner international support for Maria II's rights

Backed by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (present-day Argentina), a small band declared Brazil's southernmost province of Cisplatina to be independent in April 1825.The Brazilian government at first perceived the secession attempt as a minor uprising. It took months before a greater threat posed by the involvement of the United Provinces, which expected to annex Cisplatina, caused serious concern. In retaliation, the Empire declared war in December, triggering the Cisplatine War. The Emperor traveled to Bahia province (located in northeastern Brazil) in February 1826, taking along his wife and daughter Maria. The Emperor was warmly welcomed by the inhabitants of Bahia.The trip was planned to generate support for the war-effort.

The imperial entourage included Domitila de Castro (then-Viscountess and later Marchioness of Santos), 

who had been Pedro IV's mistress since their first meeting in 1822. Although he had never been faithful to Maria Leopoldina, he had previously been careful to conceal his sexual escapades with other women. However, his infatuation for his new lover "had become both blatant and limitless", while his wife endured slights and became the object of gossip. Pedro IV was increasingly rude and mean toward Maria Leopoldina, left her short of funds, prohibited her from leaving the palace and forced her to endure Domitila's presence as her lady-in-waiting. In the meantime, his lover took advantage by advancing her interests, as well as those of her family and friends. Those seeking favors or to promote projects increasingly sought her help, bypassing the normal, legal channels.

On 24 November 1826, Pedro IV sailed from Rio de Janeiro to São José in the province of Santa Catarina. From there he rode to Porto Alegre, capital of the province of Rio Grande do Sul, where the main army was stationed. Upon his arrival on 7 December, the Emperor found the military conditions to be much worse than previous reports had led him to expect. He "reacted with his customary energy: he passed a flurry of orders, fired reputed grafters and incompetents, fraternized with the troops, and generally shook up military and civilian administration." He was already on his way back to Rio de Janeiro when he was told that Maria Leopoldina had died following a miscarriage. Unfounded rumors soon spread that purported that she had died after being physically assaulted by Pedro IV. Meanwhile, the war continued on with no conclusion in sight. Pedro IV relinquished Cisplatina in August 1828, and the province became the independent nation of Uruguay.

After his wife's death, Pedro IV realized how miserably he had treated her, and his relationship with Domitila began to crumble. Maria Leopoldina, unlike his mistress, was popular, honest and loved him without expecting anything in return. The Emperor greatly missed her, and even his obsession with Domitila failed to overcome his sense of loss and regret. One day Domitila found him weeping on the floor and embracing a portrait of his deceased wife, whose sad-looking ghost Pedro IV claimed to have seen. Later on, the Emperor left the bed he shared with Domitila and shouted: "Get off of me! I know I live an unworthy life of a sovereign. The thought of the Empress does not leave me."He did not forget his children, orphaned of their mother, and was observed on more than one occasion holding his son, the young Pedro, in his arms and saying: "Poor boy, you are the most unhappy prince in the world."

At the insistence of Pedro IV, Domitila departed from Rio de Janeiro on 27 June 1828. He had resolved to marry again and to become a better person. He even tried to persuade his father-in-law of his sincerity, by claiming in a letter "that all my wickedness is over, that I shall not again fall into those errors into which I have fallen, which I regret and have asked God for forgiveness".Franz I was less than convinced. The Austrian emperor, deeply offended by the conduct his daughter endured, withdrew his support for Brazilian concerns and frustrated Pedro IV's Portuguese interests. Because of Pedro IV's bad reputation in Europe, owing to his past behavior, princesses from several nations declined his proposals of marriage one after another. His pride thus wounded, he allowed his mistress to return, which she did on 29 April 1829 after having been away nearly a year.

However, once he learned that a betrothal had finally been arranged, the Emperor ended his relationship to Domitila. She returned to her native province of São Paulo on 27 August, where she remained. Days earlier, on 2 August, the Emperor had been married by proxy to Amélie of Leuchtenberg. He was stunned by her beauty after meeting her in person. The vows previously made by proxy were ratified in a Nuptial Mass on 17 October. Amélie was kind and loving to his children and provided a much needed sense of normality to both his family and the general public. After Domitila's banishment from court, the vow the Emperor made to alter his behavior proved to be sincere. He had no more affairs and remained faithful to his spouse. In an attempt to mitigate and move beyond other past misdeeds, he made peace with José Bonifácio, his former minister and mentor.

Since the days of the Constituent Assembly in 1823, and with renewed vigor in 1826 with the opening of the General Assembly (the Brazilian parliament), there had been an ideological struggle over the balance of powers wielded by the emperor and legislature in governance. On one side were those who shared Pedro IV's views, politicians who believed that the monarch should be free to choose ministers, national policies and the direction of government. In opposition were those, then known as the Liberal Party, who believed that cabinets should have the power to set the government's course and should consist of deputies drawn from the majority party who were accountable to the parliament. Strictly speaking, both the party that supported Pedro IV's government and the Liberal Party advocated Liberalism, and thus constitutional monarchy.

Regardless of Pedro IV's failures as a ruler, he respected the Constitution: he did not tamper with elections or countenance vote rigging, refuse to sign acts ratified by the government, or impose any restrictions on freedom of speech. Although within his prerogative, he did not dissolve the Chamber of Deputies and call for new elections when it disagreed with his aims or postpone seating the legislature. Liberal newspapers and pamphlets seized on Pedro IV's Portuguese birth in support of both valid accusations (e.g., that much of his energy was directed toward affairs concerning Portugal) and false charges (e.g., that he was involved in plots to suppress the Constitution and to reunite Brazil and Portugal).To the Liberals, the Emperor's Portuguese-born friends who were part of the Imperial court, including Francisco Gomes da Silva who was nicknamed "the Buffoon", were part of these conspiracies and formed a "secret cabinet". None of these figures exhibited interest in such issues, and whatever interests they may have shared, there was no palace cabal plotting to abrogate the Constitution or to bring Brazil back under Portugal's control.

Another source of criticism by the Liberals involved Pedro IV's abolitionist views. The Emperor had indeed conceived a gradual process for eliminating slavery. However, the constitutional power to enact legislation was in the hands of the Assembly, which was dominated by slave-owning landholders who could thus thwart any attempt at abolition.The Emperor opted to try persuasion by moral example, setting up his estate at Santa Cruz as a model by granting land to his freed slaves there. Pedro IV also professed other advanced ideas. When he declared his intention to remain in Brazil on 9 January 1822 and the populace sought to accord him the honor of unhitching the horses and pulling his carriage themselves, the then-Prince Regent refused. His reply was a simultaneous denunciation of the divine right of kings, of nobility's supposedly superior blood and of racism: "It grieves me to see my fellow humans giving a man tributes appropriate for the divinity, I know that my blood is the same color as that of the Negroes."

The Emperor's efforts to appease the Liberal Party resulted in very important changes. He supported an 1827 law that established ministerial responsibility. On 19 March 1831, he named a cabinet formed by politicians drawn from the opposition, allowing a greater role for the parliament in the government. Lastly, he offered positions in Europe to Francisco Gomes and another Portuguese-born friend to extinguish rumors of a "secret cabinet".To his dismay, his palliative measures did not stop the continuous attacks from the Liberal side upon his government and his foreign birth. Frustrated by their intransigence, he became unwilling to deal with his deteriorating political situation.

Meanwhile, Portuguese exiles campaigned to convince him to give up on Brazil and instead devote his energies to the fight for his daughter's claim to Portugal's crown. According to Roderick J. Barman, "[in] an emergency the Emperor's abilities shone forth—he became cool in nerve, resourceful and steadfast in action. Life as a constitutional monarch, full of tedium, caution, and conciliation, ran against the essence of his character." On the other hand, the historian remarked, he "found in his daughter's case everything that appealed most to his character. By going to Portugal he could champion the oppressed, display his chivalry and self-denial, uphold constitutional rule, and enjoy the freedom of action he craved."

The idea of abdicating and returning to Portugal took root in his mind, and, beginning in early 1829, he talked about it frequently. An opportunity soon appeared to act upon the notion. Radicals within the Liberal Party rallied street gangs to harass the Portuguese community in Rio de Janeiro. On 11 March 1831, in what became known as the "noite das garrafadas" (night of the broken bottles), the Portuguese retaliated and turmoil gripped the streets of the national capital. On 5 April, Pedro IV fired the Liberal cabinet, which had only been in power since 19 March, for its incompetence in restoring order. A large crowd, incited by the radicals, gathered in Rio de Janeiro downtown on the afternoon of 6 April and demanded the immediate restoration of the fallen cabinet. The Emperor's reply was: "I will do everything for the people and nothing [compelled] by the people." Sometime after nightfall, army troops, including his guard, deserted him and joined the protests. Only then did he realize how isolated and detached from Brazilian affairs he had become, and to everyone's surprise, he abdicated at approximately 03:00 on 7 April. Upon delivering the abdication document to a messenger, he said: "Here you have my act of abdication, I'm returning to Europe and leaving a country that I loved very much, and still love."

At dawn on the morning of 7 April, Pedro, his wife, and others, including his daughter Maria II and his sister Ana de Jesus, were taken on board the British warship HMS Warspite. 

The vessel remained at anchor off Rio de Janeiro, and, on 13 April, the former emperor transferred to and departed for Europe aboard HMS Volage. He arrived in Cherbourg-Octeville, France, on 10 June. During the next few months, he shuttled between France and Great Britain. He was warmly welcomed, but received no actual support from either government to restore his daughter's throne. Finding himself in an awkward situation because he held no official status in either the Brazilian Imperial House or in the Portuguese Royal House, Pedro assumed the title of Duke of Bragança on 15 June, a position that once had been his as heir to Portugal's crown. Although the title should have belonged to Maria II's heir, which he certainly was not, his claim was met with general recognition. On 1 December, his only daughter by Amélie, Maria Amélia, was born in Paris.

He did not forget his children left in Brazil. He wrote poignant letters to each of them, conveying how greatly he missed them and repeatedly asking them to seriously attend to their educations. Shortly before his abdication, Pedro had told his son and successor: "I intend that my brother Miguel and I will be the last badly educated of the Bragança family". Charles Napier, a naval commander who fought under Pedro's banner in the 1830′s, remarked that "his good qualities were his own; his bad owing to want of education; and no man was more sensible of that defect than himself." His letters to Pedro II were often couched in language beyond the boy's reading level, and historians have assumed such passages were chiefly intended as advice that the young monarch might eventually consult upon reaching adulthood.

While in Paris, the Duke of Bragança met and befriended Gilbert du Motier, Marquis of Lafayette, 

a veteran of the American Revolutionary War who became one of his staunchest supporters. With limited funds, Pedro organized a small army composed of Portuguese liberals, like Almeida Garrett 

and Alexandre Herculano, 

foreign mercenaries and volunteers such as Lafayette's grandson, Adrien Jules de Lasteyrie. On 25 January 1832, Pedro bade farewell to his family, Lafayette and around two hundred well-wishers. He knelt before Maria II and said: "My lady, here is a Portuguese general who will uphold your rights and restore your crown." In tears, his daughter embraced him. Pedro and his army sailed to the Atlantic archipelago of the Azores, the only Portuguese territory that had remained loyal to his daughter. After a few months of final preparations they embarked for mainland Portugal, entering the city of Porto unopposed on 9 July. His brother's troops moved to encircle the city, beginning a siege that lasted for more than a year.

In early 1833, while besieged in Porto, Pedro received news from Brazil of his daughter Paula's impending death. Months later, in September, he met with Antônio Carlos de Andrada, a brother of Bonifácio who had come from Brazil. As a representative of the Restorationist Party, Antônio Carlos asked the Duke of Bragança to return to Brazil and rule his former empire as regent during his son's minority. Pedro realized that the Restorationists wanted to use him as a tool to facilitate their own rise to power, and frustrated Antônio Carlos by making several demands, to ascertain whether the Brazilian people, and not merely a faction, truly wanted him back. He insisted that any request to return as regent be constitutionally valid. The people's will would have to be conveyed through their local representatives and his appointment approved by the General Assembly. Only then, and "upon the presentation of a petition to him in Portugal by an official delegation of the Brazilian parliament" would he consider accepting.

During the war, the Duke of Bragança mounted cannons, dug trenches, tended the wounded, ate among the rank and file and fought under heavy fire as men next to him were shot or blown to pieces. His cause was nearly lost until he took the risky step of dividing his forces and sending a portion to launch an amphibious attack on southern Portugal. The Algarve region fell to the expedition, which then marched north straight for Lisbon, which capitulated on 24 July. Pedro proceeded to subdue the remainder of the country, but just when the conflict looked to be winding down to a conclusion, his Spanish uncle Don Carlos, who was attempting to seize the crown of his niece Doña Isabel II, 

intervened. In this wider conflict that engulfed the entire Iberian Peninsula, the First Carlist War, the Duke of Bragança allied with liberal Spanish armies loyal to Isabel II and defeated both Miguel I and Carlos. A peace accord was reached on 26 May 1834.

Except for bouts of epilepsy that manifested in seizures every few years, Pedro had always enjoyed robust health. The war, however, undermined his constitution and by 1834 he was dying of tuberculosis. He was confined to his bed in Queluz Royal Palace from 10 September. Pedro dictated an open letter to the Brazilians, in which he begged that a gradual abolition of slavery be adopted. He warned them: "Slavery is an evil, and an attack against the rights and dignity of the human species, but its consequences are less harmful to those who suffer in captivity than to the Nation whose laws allow slavery. It is a cancer that devours its morality." After a long and painful illness, Pedro died at 14:30 on 24 September 1834.

 As he had requested, his heart was placed in Porto's Lapa Church and his body was interred in the Royal Pantheon of the House of Braganza. 

The news of his death arrived in Rio de Janeiro on 20 November, but his children were informed only after 2 December. Bonifácio, who had been removed from his position as their guardian, wrote to Pedro II and his sisters: "Dom Pedro did not die. Only ordinary men die, not heroes."

Upon the death of Pedro IV, the then-powerful Restorationist Party vanished overnight. A fair assessment of the former monarch became possible once the threat of his return to power was removed. Evaristo da Veiga, one of his worst critics as well as a leader in the Liberal Party, left a statement which, according to historian Otávio Tarquínio de Sousa, became the prevailing view thereafter: "the former emperor of Brazil was not a prince of ordinary measure ... and Providence has made him a powerful instrument of liberation, both in Brazil and in Portugal. If we [Brazilians] exist as a body in a free Nation, if our land was not ripped apart into small enemy republics, where only anarchy and military spirit predominated, we owe much to the resolution he took in remaining among us, in making the first shout for our Independence." He continued: "Portugal, if it was freed from the darkest and demeaning tyranny ... if it enjoys the benefits brought by representative government to learned peoples, it owes it to D[om]. Pedro de Alcântara, whose fatigues, sufferings and sacrifices for the Portuguese cause has earned him in high degree the tribute of national gratitude."

John Armitage, who lived in Brazil during the latter half of Pedro IV's reign, remarked that "even the errors of the Monarch have been attended with great benefit through their influence on the affairs of the mother country. Had he governed with more wisdom it would have been well for the land of his adoption, yet, perhaps, unfortunate for humanity." Armitage added that like "the late Emperor of the French, he was also a child of destiny, or rather, an instrument in the hands of an all-seeing and beneficent Providence for the furtherance of great and inscrutable ends. In the old as in the new world he was henceforth fated to become the instrument of further revolutions, and ere the close of his brilliant but ephemeral career in the land of his fathers, to atone amply for the errors and follies of his former life, by his chivalrous and heroic devotion in the cause of civil and religious freedom."

In 1972, on the 150th anniversary of Brazilian independence, Pedro IV's remains (though not his heart) were brought to Brazil—as he had requested in his will—accompanied by much fanfare and with honors due to a head of state. His remains were reinterred in the Monument to the Independence of Brazil, along with those of Maria Leopoldina and Amélie, in the city of São Paulo. 

Years later, Neill Macaulay said that "[c]riticism of Dom Pedro was freely expressed and often vehement; it prompted him to abdicate two thrones. His tolerance of public criticism and his willingness to relinquish power set Dom Pedro apart from his absolutist predecessors and from the rulers of today's coercive states, whose lifetime tenure is as secure as that of the kings of old." Macaulay affirmed that "[s]uccessful liberal leaders like Dom Pedro may be honored with an occasional stone or bronze monument, but their portraits, four stories high, do not shape public buildings; their pictures are not borne in parades of hundreds of thousands of uniformed marchers; no '-isms' attach to their names.”

King Pedro IV had several children:

By Maria Leopoldina of Austria (22 January 1797 – 11 December 1826; married by proxy on 13 May 1817):

 Maria II of Portugal (4 April 1819 –15 November 1853) Queen of Portugal from 1826 until 1853. Maria II's first husband, Auguste de Beauharnais, 2nd Duke of Leuchtenberg, died a few months after the marriage. Her second husband was Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who became King Dom Fernando II after the birth of their first child. She had eleven children from this marriage. Maria II was heir to her brother Pedro II as Princess Imperial until her exclusion from the Brazilian line of succession by law no. 91 of 30 October 1835.

Miguel, Prince of Beira (26 April 1820) Prince of Beira from birth to his death.

João Carlos, Prince of Beira (6 March 1821 – 4 February 1822) Prince of Beira from birth to his death.

Princess Januária of Brazil (11 March 1822 – 13 March 1901) Married Prince Luigi, Count of Aquila, son of Don Francesco I, King of the Two Sicilies. She had four children from this marriage. Officially recognized as an Infanta of Portugal on 4 June 1822, she was later considered excluded from the Portuguese line of succession after Brazil became independent.

Princess Paula of Brazil (17 February 1823 – 16 January 1833) She died age 9, probably of meningitis. Born in Brazil after its independence, Paula was excluded from the Portuguese line of succession.

Princess Francisca of Brazil (2 August 1824 – 27 March 1898) Married Prince François, Prince of Joinville, son of Louis Philippe I, King of the French. She had three children from this marriage. Born in Brazil after its independence, Francisca was excluded from the Portuguese line of succession.

Pedro II of Brazil (2 December 1825 –5 December 1891) Emperor of Brazil from 1831 until 1889. He was married to Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies, daughter of Don Francesco I, King of the Two Sicilies. He had four children from this marriage. Born in Brazil after its independence, Pedro II was excluded from the Portuguese line of succession and did not become King Dom Pedro V of Portugal upon his father's abdication.

By Amélie of Leuchtenberg (31 July 1812 – 26 January 1873; married by proxy on 2 August 1829):

Princess Maria Amélia of Brazil (1 December 1831 – 4 February 1853) She lived her entire life in Europe and never visited Brazil. Maria Amélia was betrothed to Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor Don Maximiliano I of Mexico, but died before her marriage. Born years after her father abdicated the Portuguese crown, Maria Amélia was never in the line of succession to the Portuguese throne.

By Domitila de Castro, Marchioness of Santos (27 December 1797 – 3 November 1867):

Isabel Maria de Alcântara Brasileira (23 May 1824 – 3 November 1898) She was the only child of Pedro IV born out of wedlock who was officially legitimized by him. On 24 May 1826, Isabel Maria was given the title of "Duchess of Goiás", the style of Highness and the right to use the honorific "Dona" (Lady). She was the first person to hold the rank of duke in the Empire of Brazil. These honors did not confer on her the status of Brazilian princess or place her in the line of succession. In his will, Pedro IV gave her a share of his estate. She later lost her Brazilian title and honors upon her 17 April 1843 marriage to a foreigner, Ernst Fischler von Treuberg, Count of Treuberg.

Pedro de Alcântara Brasileiro (7 December 1825 – 27 December 1825) Pedro IV seems to have considered giving him the title of "Duke of São Paulo", which was never realized due to the child's early death.

Maria Isabel de Alcântara Brasileira (13 August 1827 – 25 October 1828) Pedro IV considered giving her the title of "Duchess of Ceará", the style of Highness and the right to use the honorific "Dona" (Lady). This was never put into effect due to her early death. Nonetheless, it is quite common to see many sources calling her "Duchess of Ceará", even though "there is no record of the registry of her title in official books, which is also not mentioned in papers related to her funeral".

Maria Isabel de Alcântara Brasileira (28 February 1830 – 13 September 1896) Countess of Iguaçu through marriage in 1848 to Pedro Caldeira Brant, son of Felisberto Caldeira Brant, Marquis of Barbacena. She was never given any titles by her father due to his marriage to Amélie. However, Pedro IV acknowledged her as his daughter in his will, but gave her no share of his estate, except for a request that his widow aid in her education and upbringing.

By Maria Benedita, Baroness of Sorocaba (18 December 1792 – 5 March 1857):

Rodrigo Delfim Pereira (4 November 1823 –31 January 1891) In his will, Pedro IV acknowledged him as his son and gave him a share of his estate. Rodrigo Delfim Pereira became a Brazilian diplomat and lived most of his life in Europe.

By Henriette Josephine Clemence Saisset:

Pedro de Alcântara Brasileiro born 28 August 1829. In his will, Pedro IV acknowledged him as his son and gave him a share of his estate. Pedro de Alcântara Brasileiro had a son, a French navy officer, among other descendants.

Live forever - Ch. 04

(A/N: Graphic description of the atrocities committed during the Thirty Years War [1618-1648], sooo … tw for violence, gore and rape mention)

Twenty-eight years later and it was the Thirty-Years-War.

He was now a military surgeon and seriously regretted having agreed to do this job.

How had he not seen it coming, that he would be completely overworked, because there were too many wounded and too few surgeons?

That most of his colleagues would be inexperienced scholars or medical students, who had never actually performed a surgery before and had no actual clue about how the human body really worked?

That he would have to work in overcrowded, dirty tents, where the sick and wounded were placed on dirty wooden beds and covered in dirty rugs?

That most of the wounded would die of infection, because no clean medical equipment or proper band aids were available?

Sometimes, if it was night-time and no one saw him, he could use his magic to heal one or the other and then “check” in the morning and proclaim that a miracle had happened.

That was the easy, but more dangerous way out, but he was just so tired, of having to saw patients' limbs off, because they were infected. There wasn't enough alcohol available to sedate them, so he either had to knock them out or perform the surgeries, while they were awake. The screams of agony made him nauseous and sometimes they died of shock.

Who the fuck had thought that starting another huge war would be a good fucking idea?!

Oh right! That moronic emperor, Ferdinand II! Stupid fanatically Catholic arsehole.

They were all arseholes, but he was a stupid arsehole extraordinaire!

Could it possibly be that hard to last just a few decades without pointless bloodshed, caused by a fanatic and intolerant idiot?!

And the worst was that the war would get worse in the future and last for another twenty-two years! That it would leave the whole nation in ashes! And that the entirety of Europe would be caught up in it, just because they wanted a piece of the Holy Roman Empire for themselves!

He had never been a pacifist, but this was just … argh!

Religious war my arse! It's all about a few power-hungry bastards, who claim to fight for a good cause!

If he hadn't hated the rulers of Europe before, he certainly did now.

But here he was anyway. On the Protestant side. Treating wounded soldiers and Landsknechte¹, who would soon go back to slaughtering both enemies and civilians, who would plunder, rape and torture, just for the heck of it. Especially if they were broke or unemployed.

Good thing he'd had no faith in humanity in the first place, because it definitely would have been shattered by now.

Humans were nasty creatures.

They were animals – the worst animals of all.

And then they had the audacity to claim to be the crown of creation, made in the image of God.

At the very next truce between the Protestant Electors and the Roman Catholic Emperor, he decided to emigrate.

This didn't end up happening.

He was a dutiful man.

And so many people needed a physician, far more so than in times of peace. That was just how war worked.

He couldn't leave them alone.

It was time to go back to his life as an itinerant doctor.

Never in his entire cursed existence had he been so appalled.

Never.

It was the evening of the 20th of May 1631 and Magdeburg was being sacked².

He had been unable to get out in time and now he was witnessing the worst side of humanity.

The imperial troops had attacked in the morning and were massacring everyone they came across.

Just a few months before, it had been a flourishing city and now it was completely in ashes and two thirds of the population were dead.

Invisibly, he wandered aimlessly through the ruins, forlorn, disorientated.

He was numb.

He was detached from reality.

Everything seemed like a dream.

He barely registered the pillagers around him, swarming through the city and looking for innocents to torture and massacre in the worst ways, barely registered the fire everywhere.

This was it.

This was war incarnate.

Death and destruction.

Horribly mangled corpses of people of all ages, sexes and social standings, raped, tortured and murdered by savage mercenaries, who hadn't been paid in months and were now less than human.

He had seen the brutality of the Swedish troops, but this was even worse.

This was humanity regressing to a primeval state that no one knew of yet.

But somehow he felt as if it wasn't real.

As if this wasn't really happening.

He knew that this was his brain offering him a way out of the situation, preventing him from thinking about what was happening, so he wouldn't break under the horror.

His trance was a defence mechanism.

A useless defence mechanism, as he was quickly and cruelly yanked back to reality, when he tripped over something.

As he tried to regain his balance, he looked down to see what he had just stumbled over and froze.

It was the body of a little girl, no older than six. Her blood was everywhere, even-

He emptied the contents of his stomach onto another corpse nearby. Not that there was much – he hadn't eaten in two days.

The other corpse was that of a mercenary, lying face-down with his head split open.

Behind him was the body of a woman clutching a bloody rock. Probably she had caught him red-handed and bashed his skull in from behind, only to be slain herself. Good woman.

He looked back to the little girl. The agony she had died in was still written on her face in an ugly grimace.

It was in that moment, that he broke.

He fell onto his knees, clutched the little hand and let out choked wails and screams.

Why did God let these things happen?

Why had he created humans and given them a conscience only to allow them to be capable of such unspeakable things and then later claim that the Devil had made them do it?

Why did he allow for someone to touch something as innocent and pure as a child?!

Why?

Why?

He didn't cry.

Not all the tears of mankind could possibly have been enough to express all the emotions that were tearing him to pieces.

After a while – a few minutes, maybe – he closed the child's eyes, stood up and walked away.

He swore, if he came across any more invaders committing war atrocities, he would not hold back!

Somehow he managed to leave Magdeburg almost unharmed.

Almost.

Compared to what the deceased people had gone through, that is.

He had a light head injury, a few burns, where savages had set him on fire, cuts and bruises everywhere, his clothing was torn, dirty and blood-stained and he had nearly been … well.

But he was alive.

Well, of course he was alive, he was immortal.

But when they had cornered him, hurt him and attempted to do unspeakable things to him, he had really thought that he would die.

Fortunately he had remembered at the last moment, that he was a black mage.

Just one murmured spell and a finger snap and they had burst into flames.

Their screams of agony had been … oddly cathartic.

“Just a taste of what awaits you in Hell, you monsters”, he had snarled and walked away.

However, as he was stumbling along the river, he was hit by a realisation: He had become a murderer.

Despite practising black magic, he had never killed or seriously harmed anyone before. He had always used his supposedly evil witchcraft to help or to get by.

The worst thing he'd done before that was turning enemies into animals. No harm done.

But now he had lost this last shred of innocence.

There was blood on his hands, both figuratively and literally.

He regretted nothing.

They had deserved it.

So why was he crying?

---

1) Landsknechte = primarily German-speaking mercenaries, mostly consisting of infantry soldiers with the pike as their main weapon. They were renowned for their prowess in the use of the arcebus and the two-handed sword, but also notorious for their relentless pillaging and plundering, if they didn’t get paid or found no employment. From the late 17th century onward, mercenaries were replaced in favour of standing armies.

2) The Sack of Magdeburg began on 20th of May 1631, lasted several days and resulted in the complete destruction of the Protestant city of Mageburg by Catholic Imperial forces. Of formerly about 35 000 inhabitants, about 25 000 were slain, died in fires or in other horrible ways. It is considered the worst massacre of the Thirty Years War.

Many ways to say I love you: Day Fourteen.

Kidge-a-palooza 2019 Prompt: When in Rome. Pairing: Kidge (VLD) Universe: Middle Age! AU Status: Part 1/2

The wolves around the field soon alerted her arrival when she was close enough to be detected, causing her to fall off her horse and subjecting her to the mud that completely messed up her chiton given by her father on her last birthday, at least the bundle that she had taken that night from the city managed to stay on the back of her horse. Some men alerted the village leader while they held her by the hands and feet with a rope that stung her skin, but she didn't have the option to move or say any word to her defense, a false move, and the Celts could cut out her tongue.

Katie was a Roman, a sworn enemy of those people and shouldn't be hanging around those places if she didn't want to meet a painful death. She knew it very well, but even so her tenacity and logic had pointed out that this was a better option than what she had in Rome. She could no longer flee to her home even if she wanted to, cowardice was not in her genes, nor in her family.

She swallowed hard when one of the spears of the men who subjected her ripped fiercely the clothes she wore to protect herself from the cold winter that was lashing the earth, to strip her of the honor of the Holt family shield drawn on the back of her. No longer It served her anyway, it had done his job when the Celts recognizing the emblem to consider her part of the Roman nobility and not kill her as soon as they saw her without first questioning her. Katie thought that perhaps for the same reason they left her decency intact in not undressing her completely. For now.

They made her walk towards the center of the village with her eyes downcast, listening in the distance as they took her horse, while they discovered the identity of the person on her back with surprise. Katie secretly thanked them for not murdering her horse immediately, it was the only bond left from her destroyed family. They threw her hard so that she fell to the ground while a large bonfire kept burning at her side, with many people surrounding her with a disgusted look, others somewhat intrigued by her furtive presence, and many more frightened waiting for an army to appear in any moment to attack them. Even Katie wished that the latter wouldn't happen, even if she knew that she had hidden her fingerprints efficiently as her father had taught her.

A loud throat clearing came to her attention after the crowd calmed down slightly, causing Katie to look up. There, surrounded by great warriors who doubled his stature, a guy who didn't look older than her brother was looking at her with skepticism. His charcoal-black hair and symmetrical tattoos on each side of his cheeks revealed to Katie that he was the right person.

''What are you doing here, Roman?'' His words were soft, but he didn't avoid spitting the last word from his lips. Katie sighed heavily as she thought her words carefully.

''I've come to bring Shiro back.''

A loud cry was heard around treating her as a lying bitch, pouncing on her in an attempt to kill her with their own hands. But Katie remained silent with her eyes set on the guy, preventing the tremor of fear and cold from showing on her body. One of the men who had seen taking the body of her horse approached the boy's side quickly, apparently on the verge of tears over what he found.

''She says the truth, she brought Shiro back to us. Although ... He lost his right arm.'' Silence reigned in the environment for a few seconds. Until Katie felt a rope around her throat tighten tightly, cutting off the air.

''Your disgusting bitch! What did your emperor do with Shiro!?''

Katie moaned in panic as soon as she felt a horrible pain in her lungs from the lack of air. After a few seconds when one of the older men ordered him to stop, he loosened the rope and Katie coughed trying to get some air back into her lungs. She shivered slightly when she felt the same man grab her hair, to look up at her leader again.

''We should kill you right now and send your pretty head to your dear parents.'' Whispered, pressing harder the grip he had on her hair. Katie moaned in panic and pain. ''So we would recover some of the pain that we have been through all these years.''

''My parents are dead for saving Shiro's life.'' She answered almost without air when she was able to return the look, with the same anger that he professed. ''My death has no value for Rome or for the empire, you stupid son of a bitch.''

''Enough, Antok!''

A second voice caused the Celtic to let go of Katie's hair, causing her to fall to the ground in one fell swoop, barely managing to stay on her feet. It had been the leader Katie recognized as the youngest, the person Shiro had told her to find no matter what. At least he had not been wrong when he told her that he would protect her from death when he knew that she had helped Shiro.

''How did you get here?''

''Shiro guided me before falling unconscious.'' She answered tired, trying to take some of her clothes to protect herself from the frigid breeze. ''We ran to flee just from the guard when we passed the walls but he lost a lot of blood on the road.''

''So, you're against the Roman Empire?'' Asked the boy, Katie nodded after a few seconds.

''I have nothing to return.''

It had been her last words, before falling to the ground. Her body and mind had been taken to the limit in less than two days that she felt like weeks. Katie had already fulfilled her older brother's last request before abandoning him in the house that she had called home during her whole life, engulfed in flames and cries of pain at the apparent betrayal of her emperor when they took themselves to the main attraction of the Coliseum. Now she only hoped that the gods would take compassion on her and be able to join her family in eternal rest.

She had nothing left to fight for, and no home to return.

 ...

 He touched Shiro's white lock for the third time that day while he was by his side, naively thinking that at any moment he would vanish into thin air. But there he was, sitting at one of the tables while he ate with everyone else, talking animatedly and joking about his new metal arm that he won during his years at the Colosseum. Keith felt that this day was much more colorful than the previous ones, even if they were in the middle of winter. The knot in his chest had loosened and he felt he could finally breathe after a long time.

Shiro looked at him amused when he felt his fingers on his hair, before taking a piece of flesh to his lips.

''You are eating very slowly.'' Keith said while looking at him worriedly. ''Are you sure you're okay? You don't need anything else?''

''I'm fine Keith, honestly.'' He answered tired, without removing the smile from his lips. Lance tentatively began to touch Shiro's arm. ''You seem much stranger than me. Lance is enough.''

''Well, not every day our disappeared friend returns after many years of the hands of the Romans, along with the daughter of a minister. Forgive us if we are a little misplaced with all this.''

''Lance ...'' Keith warned him, but Lance was confused.

''What? Did I say something wrong?''

''Speaking of which...'' Shiro placed the cutlery on the table, ending his lunch. ''How is Pidge?''

'' She is okay, her fever has gone down, but she refuses to eat anything we bring her, Shay told me to tell you, but I guess I forgot completely.'' Shiro pinched the bridge of his nose at the words of Lance. But he preferred to ignore it.

''Maybe it's better that I go see her as soon as possible.''

''I'm going with you.'' Keith said while accompanying him towards the exit.  ''I know you're worried about her, but it's my duty as part of the council to question her about what happened, now that she can speak.''

''I understand, I think you're the best option of all the others.'' He touched the outline of his metal arm with some concern. ''When they told me about what happened with Antok, I thought she would be afraid of the Celts. I'm worried Keith, she's just a little girl.''

Keith preferred to remain silent at Shiro's words. He was grateful that she sacrificed herself in such a way to bring his brother back into his life. But he had lost his father in a fight against the Romans when they removed part of his land many years ago, so he still had certain defenses with having it in one of the cabins.

She wasn't only Roman, she was the daughter of one of the emperor's chief ministers who had stripped them of everything, although she admitted not feeling any kind of loyalty against them, Keith couldn't trust in her so quickly.

They opened the door slowly to see that, inside the hut, the windows had been covered with sheets and animal skins, preventing the light from reaching inside naturally. Only the fire at the end of the room gave light to that small space. The girl that Shiro called as Pidge was sitting looking at her hands as something very interesting, while the dish that Shay had prepared for her was on the table untouched. Keith took a deep breath before approaching, Shiro sat on the end of the bed to caress her hair with sweetness. Pidge looked up slowly, there, Keith could only see a deep pain.

There was no shine in her eyes.

''I'm glad to know that you're finally wake up, Pidge. You need something?'' Her gaze fell to a part of the bed.

''I want my family, Shiro.'' She said in a broken voice, Keith shuddered at her pain. ''I want them back. Bring them back, Shiro. Please...''

Keith watched as Pidge clung to Shiro burying her face in his neck, repeating over and over again those words, as if that were enough to make it come true. She was crying inconsolably like a little girl, what Keith implied to her was not far from reality, she was, in fact, a barely enough child, with a body so thin that he could easily lift it with one of his arms. Suddenly, without realizing it, he saw himself reflected in her years ago when he had lost his father in a bloody battle that forced them to emigrate to distant lands, and when at last he felt that he could see his future clearly as part of the guard of warriors who defended his people, the Romans had taken Shiro from his life.

If his mother and friends hadn't been there with Keith to help him and comfort him in the worst moments, he might have lost his mind many years ago.

But she had no one, she was alone in the world with a group of people who claimed her head for the actions of her people.

He left the cabin to go towards his obligations, the last thing she needed was for an unknown person to see her completely vulnerable. After various hours while helping the younger guard guys shoot with the bow at a precise distance, he saw Shiro come out more exhausted than before.

He approached him as fast as Keith could without first delegating his work to Lance, who was just lying down flirting with the girls around. But Shiro was not willing to say him anything about what he had spoken with the Roman, according to his words, it was something personal that no one else should know.

Pidge was in a duel, after all, and Keith realized through the days, while he saw Shiro coming and going from the cabin to look for food and things necessary for the comfort of the girl, that nothing of what she said it would be relevant against the Roman Empire. She had been abandoned and was treated as a traitor by her people, it was the only truth they surely needed to know.

After some days, reaching the middle of a lunar cycle, was when he saw her leave the cabin along with Shiro as a guide. Keith was helping Hunk shredding the morning hunt, and from a distance, he could see how she was trying to walk away ignoring the scathing comments and the looks of hatred around her.

''It must be hard for her.'' Hunk spoke after a few seconds, drawing Keith's attention.

''What thing?''

''Well, be alone, basically.'' Hunk looked up at Pidge, who was arguing with some children about her unkempt hair, which had bothered her while Shiro laughed at her side. ''Don't think I have no judgments about it, she is still a Roman. But ... She's proven to be strong enough to be a child, I admire her for that. How old will he be? Ten? Twelve?''

''She's fourteen.'' Keith replied, making Hunk look at him with surprise. Keith just shrugged. ''Shiro told me a few days ago when he was looking for towels for her bleeding.''

''Wow, I wonder if the privileged life will give you youth.'' Hunk commented funny.

''One life that surely will not come back.'' Keith said in a whisper.

''Are you sure? At any moment she could take her horse and return to Rome. It wouldn't be very difficult for her now that she knows the way.'' Keith shook his head at Hunk's words.

''She lost her rights when she helped Shiro to escape. This is how the empire works.'' He emphasized his words by cutting one of the deer's feet with his knife. ''When in Rome you are considered a traitor, you are forever, with no exceptions.''

''Then I guess this is her new life.''

Keith nodded after a few minutes when he watched her lost in thought. Apparently, the children and Pidge had come to a truce, seeing how they ordered her hair into tiny braids to give it a more graceful movement. With the green peplum that Shay had given her to use in her daily life, Pidge could easily pass as a Celtic over her clan. Her hair was brown, that in the light of day gave a golden appearance like the sunset, and her eyes little by little began to take the natural shine of angelic innocence, typical of her age. Keith jumped at Lance's loud snort when he saw him at his side staring at him suspiciously, but Keith only feigned ignorance as he tore the intestines from the deer he worked.

Something that Keith was able to assume, is that he was infinitely grateful to Pidge for saving the life of his beloved brother. Nothing more than that.

His heart skipped a beat when, in the distance, he could hear her laugh for the first time, and Hunk's words echoed in his head like an unbreakable promise.

Then I guess this is her new life.

 ...

 She watched as the fire in the fireplace went out until it was nothing but a few ashes in the room, while Shiro rested on the side of the bed completely asleep, Katie usually hated the snoring, but at that moment, it was not annoyed if she know that Shiro was at her side, alive.

Her health had improved considerably after a couple of days of recovery, so the village leaders decided that Katie would stay in Shiro's cabin while they decided what to do with her presence, which was much more spacious and comfortable thanks to his warrior title.

From that day, while helping as much as possible in the tasks that the leaders told her to be of some help among the people, Katie couldn't help but think that she didn't belong there. She didn't like doing the cleaning, but she was efficient in taking care of the jobs that required welding and repair. And she liked to play with the children around her while their parents went hunting in nearby lands, seeing her as someone too harmless to do some kind of harm the young children. But in spite of everything and Shiro's kindness in making herself as comfortable as possible near his village, the looks of hatred and occasional blows didn't diminish in the slightest. They let her know that she was an enemy, an unwanted individual around.

Katie couldn't blame them at all, her people had taken too many things from them over the years. Too many lives wouldn't return even if she wanted to.

She took one of the wolf skins that covered the bed and placed it on her shoulders and quietly left the cabin. The village was in utter silence during the night, which made sense since they got up early next to the first rays of light on the sky. For Katie, it had been a martyrdom being that she was a nocturnal woman, and Shiro didn't give her any rest while she had something to do.

Could saw in the distance men singing around a fire while they drank, which she immediately recognized as the youngest in the army. Katie feared for a few seconds to the idea that they saw her without the protection of her dear friend, so she walked quickly in the opposite direction, towards a valley that raised, away from anyone's sight.

Finally, she sat down to contemplate the night sky calmly, recalling everything that happened a few weeks ago in her life. The conviction in the eyes of her family in rescuing the Celtic slave when her father recognized him as a former ally during his exploratory trips, the words of her older brother trying to convince her that everything would be fine. Her home on fire when one of the guards learned about her family's betrayal of the nation, and her new life as an outsider under the protection of a few people who considered her an ally after Shiro had defended her from prejudice, all in a few weeks that felt like years. They were so many emotions that Katie didn't realize at the time that she began to cry inconsolably about her losses.

Her life had been so easy until recently, and now she didn't know how to continue living without feeling displaced. Completely alone.

Suddenly, she felt strong breathing beside her with an animal moan, when Katie looked up, she could see a big wolf with dark fur and bright eyes watching her curious while sniffing. She watched him cautiously, touching his back when she realized it would not hurt her.

''Hey buddy, are you coming to see the moon?'' The wolf snuggled up beside her looking for her warmth, Katie laughed comfortably feeling his weight on her side. ''Yeah, I also have something cold. Do you have a name, or do you haven't home too?''

''It's Kosmo.''

The voice was heard so close that Katie sat up quickly, fearful and ready to defend herself, eyes as dark as the night watched her with inquisition as he slowly approached her side. It was the guy Lance called a mullet, and who had saved her the first time she brought Shiro to the Celtic village.

''You shouldn't be wandering alone around; others could take it as an act of betrayal.'' Katie remained rigid in her position, watching as the wolf approached his side moving his tail playfully. ''You will not be thinking about going home, will you?''

''I told you the first time, I have no home to return.'' Katie answered dryly; Keith raised his eyebrow massaging the back of his partner.

''It's not what Shiro thinks.''

''But the village yes.''

Keith sighed at her words, but Katie didn't relax at any moment when she wiped her face with the sleeve of her dress to brush away the tears. Even though she knew he would not hurt her, she didn't trust him or anyone else who looked potentially dangerous.

''Are you reproaching the fears of my village? They have strong reasons to question your loyalty.''

''I don't recriminate them; I just say a fact.'' Katie answered, taking a step back when she saw him approach. ''I don't have a home to belong.''

The last thing Katie was able to elucidate before being thrown to the ground, was the cold sensation of a knife around her neck, and the look of that boy dangerously close to her face. His hair fell like a night veil around her, darkening his features and frightening her agitated heart even more. She couldn't get up, his body was small compared to the others, but Katie was even more so, holding her without difficulty.

Katie let out a quick moan as soon as she felt him press the edge a little more on her skin, silently warning her not to make any strange movement.

''If you feel forsaken, then I should kill you right now.'' Keith hissed angrily in his words. ''Shiro is giving you a second chance living in this village. Obviously, we will all have our defenses, but we are trying. And you only seem to lament in your own misery!'' Keith huffed frustrated pressing the knife more and more over her throat. Katie opened her eyes fearful when she felt the blood corrode through her neck, and sharp pain when she felt her skin slowly separate, writhing over her body to free herself. ''Who would say it, you also bleed...''

''Let me go! You are hurting me!''

''Is not that what do you want?''

''I don't!''

Katie hit his stomach with her knee as soon as she was able to move, taking the air out of his lungs when she freed herself from his grip. Her neck burned painfully and the wolf came to her side to sniff her worriedly. There, on the floor, Keith was barely able to recover after a few minutes. Watching her with annoyance mixed with the surprise that she was capable of defending herself.

After several minutes contemplating in silence while they recovered from the recent shock. Katie spoke.

''I want to live without feeling a burden to anyone. That's why I'm trying too.'' She said in pause but determined in each word. ''Or is it that I have no right to feel pain because of the death of my family?''

''No, you don't.'' Keith stood up suddenly, so Katie thought he would throw himself on her as he did a few minutes ago, but he just kept his knife in his waist.  ''There is no place for the weakness, keep going or perish with your family, Roman. Don't waste our time trying, do it. And maybe then we will consider you one of us.''

She didn't say anything at his words, nor when he turned to go back to the village that was still asleep. Katie touched her throat looking for some cut, but only felt a slight scratch that bothered her at the touch of the cold winter breeze.

Remained in silent watching the sky next to the wolf that didn't leave from her all night, thinking about the words of that violent guy. Deep in her heart, she knew he was right.

English History (Part 6): Roman Britain

While the Romans didn't like the sea, they were greatly attracted to England for its wealth and surplus of corn.  Caesar's invasion of 55 BC was more of a scouting mission; he said that he wanted to acquaint himself with “the lie of the land”.  Britain was already a trading partner of Rome, and was rumoured to be rich in metal and wheat.  Some of the British tribes were already allied with the northern Gauls, whom Caesar was fighting.

Several of the tribal leaders sent emissaries to him, as they were informed in advance of his preparations.  Caesar sent an envoy in return, who urged the tribal leaders to collaborate with him.

The Romans set sail with two legions (each with about 5000 men) in 80 ships.  They landed near Deal (Kent), where the English were watching them.  There was a skirmish on the beach, which the Romans won, and the tribal leaders sued for peace.

But a storm arose, made worse by a high tide at the full moon.  The Romans weren't aware of this phenomenon, and all their ships were damaged.

The English took the opportunity to attack, breaking the peace agreement.  A number of skirmishes took place in the immediate vicinity of Deal.  Caesar was hard-pressed, and knew that he had to retreat back across the water.  He managed to get the ships repaired, and sought material aid from Gaul.  He left, with many hostages from the English, vowing to return.

He returned the next year, this time with 800 ships, 25,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry.  This was a proper invasion, and the English tribes, instead of warring among each other, were now united in the face of this threat.  They chose Cassivellaunus, who was king of territory north of the Thames, as their war leader.

The English fought the Romans as they usually fought each other. There were warriors in chariots, on horseback and on foot, with each attacking & withdrawing at appropriate moments.  Cassivellaunus had an army of 4000 chariots, and they had a specific strategy – the chariot-driver would drive to the front line, let the warrior jump out, and then retire and wait for him to return.  According to Caesar, by steady practice the English “attain such proficiency that even on a steep incline they are able to control the horses at full gallop, and to check and turn them in a moment.”

But the discipline of the Roman army was enough to withstand all this.  There were a number of battles, and then the English were forced to retreat into the woods.  Caesar followed them, and destroyed Cassivellaunus' stronghold.  The chieftains sought peace, and Cassivellaunus capitulated in the end.  Caesar took hostages and tribute, and returned to Rome.

There wasn't another invasion for 90yrs, but the Romans had left their mark.  Southern Britain was gradually Romanized, with tribal leaders beginning to import wine and luxury goods from Rome.  The elites' dwellings began to change shape from round to rectilinear – strong evidence of cultural transition.  The southern tribal leaders would have wanted to imitate the victors.

Some of them changed their allegiance and became the client kings of Rome.  Strabo states that they sent embassies and paid court to Augustus (first Emperor of the Roman Empire), in order to gain his friendship.  They exported grain, iron and slaves; and they imported glass vessels, amberware and other goods.  Of course, they had to pay duty to the Roman state on these goods – an excellent way of binding them to Rome.

In the early 40s AD, the Atrebates (a Belgic tribe) were conquered, and their king Verica fled to Rome, appealing for help.  Emperor Claudius was new to his position, and was yet to prove himself in the field.  He now had the excuse he needed for the proper invasion of Britain, which came in 43 AD.

Four legions of about 20,000 men, under the leadership of Aulus Plautius, landed at two separate locations so as to confuse any English counterattack.  The tribes dispersed, but rallied for a major battle by the River Medway, in south-east England.  There the fighting lasted for two days, with the English (under the leadership of Caratacus) were being defeated.  The exact location of the battle is not known.

Plautius sent for Claudius, who arrived two months later with 28 elephants.  He stormed the native capital of Camulodunum, and Caratacus fled westwards.  Eleven kings surrendered to Claudius, and he was celebrated for it when he returned to Rome.  The Roman conquest of Britain had begun, but it would take nearly 40yrs for it to finish.

Camulodunum became the first Roman capital of Colchester.  They built a great fort on the site of the native earthworks, as a token of dominion.  The army then spread outwards in three directions – north, west and north-west.

Vespasian, leader of the western army, drove towards Wales and England's south-west peninsula, fighting 33 battles along the way. On the banks of Maiden Castle (a hill fort in Dorset), the body of a man with a Roman crossbow bolt in his spine has been found.  By 49 AD, Roman soldiers were supervising mining operations in Somerset.

The other two armies proceeded slowly along already-existing roads such as Ermine Street.  They built forts in areas they conquered, so that each tribal zone was dominated by at least one military settlement.  By 51 AD, Cartimandua (queen of the Brigantes in the north) had become a client queen.  She was receiving Roman wine in Roman vessels, and also building tiles.

Although Roman historians describe a smooth process of colonization, it is unlikely that it was as simple as that.  They did advance steadily, but they were beset by tribal rebellions, and occasionally army mutinies.  Ambushes, raids and battles were common.  South of the Fosse Way (running from Exeter to Lincoln), all the land was under Roman control, but in the north it was more treacherous.  Some tribes had divided allegiances, and some fought against each other.

The Fosse Way.

The Iceni, a tribe living deep within East Anglia (a pacified zone) revolted in 47 AD over the right to bear arms.  It was put down easily.

King Prasutagus of the Iceni died in 60 AD, and the agents of the Roman provincial government tried to appropriate Iceni wealth. Boudicca, Prasutagus' widow, was flogged and her two daughters were raped.  Boudicca rose up and led a rebellion against the Romans.

She gathered other English tribes into a confederacy and led her army southwards, burning and pillaging any evidence of Romanization, or the beginnings of it.  They destroyed villas and killed inhabitants by the sword.  The object of their advance was the capital of Colchester, which harboured hundreds of military veterans who had taken control of adjacent land.  The English set the city on fire and destroyed it, and looted the shops.

The veterans sheltered in the central temple, but two days later they were overwhelmed and hacked to pieces.  The English beheaded a great statue of Claudius and threw it into the river, and destroyed the temple itself.

They then moved further southwards, towards London.  On the way, they sacked Chelmsford and St. Albans, and killed an entire legion.

Suetonius Paulinus was the Roman military governor at that time, and he had been campaigning in Wales.  Well aware of the threat to his regime, he marched quickly back, but he didn't save London when he arrived there.  He needed to focus on saving the whole imperial province, and to do that he had to pick the time & place for the battle.

Many London inhabitants hastily left the city, going further south to safety with pro-Roman tribes.  Those who remained were killed – Tacitus states that 70,000 peoplle were killed in the attack.  London was razed by fire, leaving a red level of oxidized iron that is still beneath the streets of modern London.  48 human skulls have been found embedded in the track of the Walbrook river.

Boudicca now went after Suetonius Paulinus, but the site of the battle is not known for certain.  There were 10,000 Roman troops, and 100,000 English.  The Roman legionnaires had a forest behind them, and a plain in front of them.  The English ran across the plain towards them, but many were killed by javelins.  Then the Romans began to move forward with shields and shortswords.  It was their discipline that held them together, and slowly the tide began to turn against the English. 80,000 of them died during the battle, but only about 400 Romans.  It was one of the worst massacres on English soil.

It is not know what happened to Boudicca after that.  Some say she poisoned herself so the Romans wouldn't capture her; some say that she fell sick and died.  There is a monument to her on Westminster Bridge.

The monument Boudicca and Her Daughters on the Westminster Bridge.

Now the Romans had to deal with the Druids, who had retreated steadily westwards, harried and pursued all the while.  Their last stand was on the island of Anglesey (off the north-west coast of Wales).  According to Tacitus, the troops crossed from the mainland, and were confronted by a “dense line of armed warriors along the foreshore, while women were rushing about between the ranks garbed in black like the Furies, holding up lighted torches.”  The Druids stood close to the women, offering sacrifices, holding their arms in the air and screeching terrible curses.  But they were killed, and their sanctuaries were burned down.

Once the east and south of England were pacified, Julius Agricola (the next Roman governor of England) focused on the north and west. He conquered Wales in 78 AD.  In 79 AD he sent legions to the north-east (through Corbridge) and north-west (through Carlisle).  He divided the enemy, and had a network of forts built so that he could supervise the tribes that had surrendered.  These northern tribes were more hostile than the southern ones, and according to Tacitus, there were “many battles, some not unbloody”.  The goal of the Romans was to create & control a northern frontier.  To do this, troops were sent northwards to deal with modern-day southern Scotland.

York and Chester had permanent fortresses, with a legion each. Manchester and Newcastle were built around the site of Roman forts. Manchester's original name was Mamucio (after the Latin word for a hill shaped like a breast), and this was misread as Mancunio, and eventually became Manchester.

A series of nearly-straight roads were built to link the forts together.  The Romans built garrison towns at Lincoln and Gloucester, in which retired legionnaires lived.  A network of forts, encampments, defensive walls and defensive walls emphasized the Roman colonial presence.  Posting stations (or staging posts) were set up on the main roads, and they eventually became villages.

According to Tacitus, one tribal chief complained that “our goods and money are consumed by taxation; our land is stripped of its harvest to fill their granaries; our hands and limbs are crippled by building roads through forests and swamps under the lash of our oppressors.”

The military zone (which included Wales and northern England) required a standing force of 125,000 men,  But the legionnaires were not only Roman – during the first 100yrs of occupation, 40,000 soldiers were recruited from Gaul, Spain and Germany; and English soldiers also joined.  The troops mixed with the native population, and within 2-3 generations, it had become a native army.

After the Emperor Hadrian's visit to Britain in 122 AD, Hadrian's Wall was built on his orders.  It separated Roman England from the tribes of Scotland.  Then in 142, the Antonine Wall was built north of Hadrian's Wall, separating south and north Scotland.

The Antonine Wall is in modern-day northern England.

The Romans had no intentions of advancing into the Scottish highlands.  They had also dropped any plans for the invasion of Ireland.  Now they focused on protecting their borders so they could enjoy peace.  The land south of the wall was intensely cultivated, and a great agricultural regime was established on the Cumbrian Plain.  England was once again as rich and productive as it had been during the Iron Age.

Romanization was gradual and local.  In the countryside, people mostly stuck to the old ways, and Iron Age conditions prevailed.  The towns was where things were different.

The administrative elite of English leaders worked in the towns. These men had welcomed (or exploited) the Romanization of the country, and the rising of Roman officials within it.  With the advice of the Roman officials, they began to build temples, public buildings and public squares; they learned the Latin language; they began wearing togas.  The children of leading English families were educated in the “civilized arts”, and some were even sent to Rome.

Bathing establishments and assembly rooms were built, and according to Tacitus, the English began to attend “smart dinner parties”. There were many more plates, dishes, bowls and drinking vessels than during the Iron Age.  The English imported amphorae (storage vessels), which contained wine, olive oil, olives and fish sauce. Tacitus wrote that “they called it civilization when in fact it was part of their servitude”.

Fragment of an amphora found underneath a Roman road in Devon.

The old hierarchies still existed, now with Roman trappings.  The landowners had coloni (tenants who were tied to the land). The trival leaders who owned extensive land and property were at the top; the large community of slaves at the bottom.  The word servus (“slave”) eventually became the word “serf”.  The social patterns of the Bronze & Iron Ages were still entrenched, now strengthened and deepened by the rule of a strong central power.

The Romans turned the old tribal regions into civitates (government districts).  Each district had a central town, often the old tribal capital or oppidum, re-dressed in stone instead of wood.  The centre of the town was represented by a forum complex of civic buildings.

Roman architectural forms were imposed, with monumental arches, sculptures, bath-houses and altars (for example).  Many of these public buildings were constructed as part of a state initiative that continued well into the 100s AD.  There would be a forum, temple, basilica and amphitheatre rising above the smaller buildings – closely-packed houses, workshops and shops, still mostly built out of wood and clay, and with earthen floors.  Many of the houses were single-room lodgings; other buildings consisted of a shop at the front, a workshop behind it, and a room for living in at the back. Many wells & hearths have been found in the areas of settlement. Beyond the streets were the kilns, quarries, livestock enclosures and cemeteries.

A curia (council) of the larger landowners controlled the town's government, and they had many clerks and other officials. Kinship and tribal ties slowly transformed into group relations on an economic basis.

The larger towns were independent and self-governing.  Magistrates & councillors dealt with things such as drainage, sanitation, and road re-paving.  The most common Roman artifact found in England is the writing tablet.

The native elites began to build Roman-style villas in the countryside.  The earliest of them (such as the one at Fishbourne, Sussex) were of very high status, probably for Romanized tribal leaders or great officials of the empire.  They spread to other native leaders, with more modest villas being built in south-eastern England – appropriate for a wealthy landowner, or the most important family of an agricultural community.

Dolphin mosaic from the Fishbourne villa.

The villas had stone walls and expensive mosaics; there was also underfloor heating and window glass.  Their roofs may have been made of ceramic tiles instead of thatch and wattle.  Some (most?) of the smaller houses were plastered and decorated with wall paintings (plaster was used as external protection from the elements).

However, hill forts were still important, especially for England's leading families who had stayed closer to their social & cultural traditions.

At the beginning of the 100s AD, in Keston (Kent), an Iron Age farm was still being used.  By the middle of the 100s a new wooden farmhouse was built, with painted walls.  At the beginning of the 200s a stone house was built, with a Roman-style bath-house.  There were wooden barns in the farmhouse, one of which was later rebuilt in stone.  Ovens were used for malting or corn-drying, and the owner/s of the villa probably employed potters, blacksmiths and bronze-workers.  There was an early Roman cremation cemetery, and a circular mausoleum from a later date.  Romanization was gradual.

Bronze & Iron Age practices were kept on in the farming of the soil itself.  In some regions (such as the south-west) old practices continued without any change.  There is only evidence of change in the south-east, and only among the leaders.  The Romans brought in cherries, figs and mulberries (all previously unknown); peas, cabbages and turnips first appeared during the Roman era.  Even in the Romanized regions, the natives still preferred beef to pork.

Overall, most people were still living in the Iron Age, and would continue to do so for several centuries.

By imperial decree, the fens of East Anglia were drained, and reclaimed soil was made productive.  Hundreds of villages and farms were established in a pre-ordained manner.  The region became an imperial estate, with taxes for the central government.  The prosperous Salisbury Plain also became an imperial estate.

Taxation included land tax and a poll tax, and it was the key of Roman exploitation.  With the northern invaders, the cost of maintaining the army increased, so taxation increased as a result. The old tribal economy was changing to a monetary economy, and the Romans hastened this process.  Imperial coinage replaced the old tribal coinage.

The Romans levied taxes on goods that were traded.  Industrial centres (e.g. the potteries at the village of Castor in Cambridgeshire) altered parts of the landscape.  Ironworks were established in all areas of England, and lead mines were in continuous use during the Roman era.  Coal was used for working iron, heating the bath-houses, and the sacred fire at Minerva's temple in Bath.

There were two native woollen products in demand by the English people – the birrus Britannicus (a type of waterproof cloak & hood), and the tapete Britannicum (a woollen rug).  The men wore cattle-hide jackets and leather breeches.

Also traded were bears and bulldogs for the Roman arena.  It was said that Caesar had invaded England so he could get some exxcellent oysters.

In the early 200s AD, England was divided into two provinces. Brittania Superior's capital was London, and Brittania Inferior had York as its centre.  (These were geographical terms, not implying that the former was better than the latter).  These two provinces were later subdivided into four provinces, and then into five.  The country was being closely administered and exploited.

Provinces in the 200s and 300s AD.

England's role changed as it became a settled part of the empire. The armies of occupation became armies of defence; they became naturalized, and had specific local/regional identities.  Over 1/10 of the Roman imperial army was stationed in England, meaning that its forces had a lot of power over events in Rome.  Mutinies and uprisings weren't uncommon.

In 268, Carausius (the governor of England) proclaimed himself Emperor, and took his forces to the continent.  While he was away, the towns and cities of England took measures to defend themselves against potential reprises from Rome.

A century later, another Roman commander seized the province of England and declared it to be independent.  A battle somewhere in central England dealt with this.

England had a lot of significance in imperial calculations, and it was worth a fight.  Its taxes, ports and metals helped to sustain Roman commerce.  Its agriculture, however, was what made England so wealthy and productive.

In 359 AD, the Emperor Julian organized a fleet of 600 ships to transport English corn to the warzones of the Rhine.  England was now one of the “bread baskets” of Europe, and by the 300s AD it had never been so prosperous.  The villas became larger and more luxurious, but social stratification increased as well.  The Roman English controlled the Iron Age English.

The Scots and Picts were always pressing against the northern borders, but England's other frontiers also developed problems.  The Saxon Shore is an alignment of forts in southern England whose purpose is not entirely certain.  They may have defended the coast against Saxon invaders from north-west Europe; or they may have harboured Saxon fighters and traders – i.e. designed to protect the seaways between England and Europe.

The Saxon Shore (it had fortifications & military commands on both sides of the Channel).

Christianity was introduced to England in the 100s AD, but it was still a minority religion.  The Roman English were now used to the Roman gods, and the Iron Age English probably still worshipped their old gods.  Christian vessels & plaques from the 200s have been found in Huntingdonshire, near the River Nene, and are evidence of a local shrine (and the earliest examples of such vessels in Roman Britain).  A Christian cemetery, around the same date, was found at Poundbury (Dorset).  By the 300s AD, Christianity had spread as far north as Carlisle (in north-west England).

Constantine converted in 312 AD.  He had been appointed Emperor at York in 306, and later seems to have considered England to be one of the spiritual centres of his rule.  York was refashioned in honour of his elevation, and he visited England three more times.  He styled himself on Britannicus Maximus (“The great victor in England”), and London was possibly renamed Augusta in his honour for a while.

Christianity was a monotheistic faith, and the emperor aspired to single rule.  It had a uniform set of values & beliefs.  It helped to support the legislative & bureaucratic forces of the central power, and the religion's followers were drawn from the governing class.  The Romanized English were quick to embrace Christianity, and so Christianity became associated with the culture of the villas.  It was also the religion of the administrative elite in the towns and cities, where there would be a bishop to care for the town-dwelling Christians.

In 314, three English bishops, a priest, and a deacon attended an ecclesiastical council in Arles (southern France).  The bishops were from York, London and Lincoln, and the priest & deacon were from Cirencester.

At Tower Hill (London), remains of what may have been a Christian cathedral have been found.  The building had marble and painted walls, and a holy well in the centre of the nave.  This may have been the diocesan centre for Bishop Restitutus of London.

Evidence for a church has been found as Silchester as well, but there is little evidene for other churches during the 200s and 330s.  The earliest churches lie beneath more recent ones.

Rome's frontiers were being threatened, and in many places they were overwhelmed.  The Franks had entered northern Gaul, and the Visigoths were to settle in Aquitania.  The pressure of the Scots & Picts was growing, and they had tribal allies among the Franks and Saxons. In 367, a northern force overcame Hadrian's Wall and moved southwards in dispersed bands to ravage the country.  The commander of the Saxon Shore forts was murdered, and the provincial leader known as Dux Britanniarum was captured.  Roman intervention and rebuilding helped, including the re-fortification of key posts.  But it was a notable defeat for the English, and then the northern tribes came back 40yrs later.

At the beginning of the 400s, England was effectively stripped of its military forces, as they had gone off in search of glory – various pretenders were making bids for imperial power in Rome, weakening Roman rule.  Rome's administrative machinery was beginning to break apart.

In England, the northern tribes attacked again in 408, and the Roman English had to defend themselves without the Romans.  Zosimus, a contemporary historian, records that they “took up arms and, braving danger for their own independence, freed their cities from the barbarians threatening them.”

Not only that, but according to Zosimus, the English expelled their Roman governors and established their own administration.

Some Roman English would have wanted to retain the Roman administration, as it benefitted them greatly.  Others would have wanted to get rid of it, because of taxation and coercion from the central government.  In 410, one section of the English asked the Roman Emperor for arms and soldiers (it's unknown whether it was for fighting an external Saxon army, or another group of English). Honorius replied that the English must now fend for themselves – this was the end of Roman England.

Procopius of Caesarea (another historian) records that after the Roman officials disappeared, the cities and regions were taken over by “tyrants” or “usurpers”.  They were probably the familiar English leaders, descended from tribal chiefs or large landowning families (but would have seemed like usurpers to Rome).

The English tribes and polities reacted to the end of Roman England in several ways.  The Romanized English (in the towns and cities, with dependent estates all around them) probably formed themselves into self-governing administrative units, with the leaders of these small states still known as “magistrates”.

In the east and south-east of England (the civil zone), small kingdoms developed, defended by mercenaries.  Those in eastern England had to use Germanic soldiers, which would cause problems for them later on.

In the more distant regions of England, where Romanization had never properly taken hold, the people returned to pre-Roman forms of social organization.  The detachments that remained of the northern armies were grouped under a commander who became their chieftain.  One of the first Roman leaders of the north was Coelius or Coel Hen, who became “Old King Cole” of the nursery rhyme.

There were general changes overall as well.  Rome's taxation system was dismantled, and the countryside was now controlled by an aristocracy of landowners.  The circulation of coinage decreased quickly because of the lack of imperial taxation.  By 410, the large centres of pottery manufacturing had gone out of business, as the demand no longer existed.  Brick-making disappeared, and wouldn't return to England until the 1400s.  Villas were neglected or abandoned, and later settlers would use them.

The cities didn't decline, though – they merely changed their function.  They were still administrative centres for the immediate area, and the local leader & bishop lived there.  However, they didn't need the imperial façades of the 200s.  The Silchester basilica was converted into a metal-working centre.  There is evidence of rebuilding at York & Gloucester during the 400s.  In the second half of the 400s, a new water supply with wooden pipes was introduced to Verulamium.  So a civic organization was still in operation.

The Roman city of Wroxeter has been excavated in the fields of Shropshire, and it wasn't abandoned after the Romans left.  The basilica was destroyed, and a large wooden hall built in its place – this hall became the centre for a complex of wooden buildings based on Roman models.  Well into a medieval period, a prosperous and busy life continued on.

In the archaeologial strata of the 400s is a deposit, called “dark earth”, spread over many towns and cities.  This is the residue of wattle-and-daub dwelling.  The towns & cities during this century may have still been heavily populated, continuing on a commercial life.

Barter and local trading allowed for self-sufficiency.  There was hand-made pottery, and quantities of clay have been found that may have been used for building walls.  The farmers' and labourers' lives weren't changed at all by the change in leadership.

St. Patrick was taken by Saxon slavers at the end of the 300s AD, and his Confession of Saint Patrick shows that the affluent lives of villa-owners continued into the early decades of the 400s.  He returned to England 6yrs later, and his father urged him to enter public service – for example, local rhetoricians were employed to guide the populace.  There was some kind of a working polity based upon a Roman original.

Bishop Germanus of Gaul visited England in 429, and he was greeted by the leading men of Verulamium in a gesture of civic unity.  These men were probably members of the diocesan or provincial council who had taken over the city's administration.  According to Germanus, they were “conspicuous for their wealth, fashionable in their dress, and surrounded by an adoring multitude of people.”

One of the reasons for Germanus' visit was to help the English in their fight against the Picts and Saxons.  However, many Saxons were already living in England, and had been doing so since the 200s AD. The urban & tribal elites needed Saxon warriors to defend their property, and many of these warriors married native women and settled down with their families.  The Roman army in the north still had Germanic soldiers in it.  There were Saxon traders in the towns and cities; and Saxon workers cultivated the land in Kent in exchange for occasional military service.

From the Iron Age onwards, the native English have been called “Britons”.  However, that term is really only correct for the Atlantic English of the western coasts – these are the Britons who would migrate to Gaul and establish the province of Brittany; they spoke Celtic and Gaelic.  There were also many Britons in the north, as a remainder of old tribal groupings.

Native English also lived in central, south and east England. However, they lived in the areas that the Saxon settlers would eventually dominate (sometimes peacefully, and sometimes by violent means).  The name of England would come from one of these groups of settlers, the Angles.  “Engla land” was the Viking description.

Occupiers

For most Americans, ancient history is, well, ancient history. I say that in a jokey way, but the truth is that the history of ancient and medieval times is covered—to the extent it is covered at all—in our American high schools in a cursory way that by its nature cannot possibly lead students to a clear understanding of the specific way in which the roots of the modern world in all its political, inter-ethnic, and polarized complexity are to be found in much older times. Yet an argument could be made—and a cogent, compelling one at that—that there is no real way to understand the present other than as a function of the past, including the distant past. And this is particularly true, I think, of today’s Middle East: to understand the place of Israel in the world without any knowledge of the specific way modern Middle Eastern reality is rooted in antiquity is basically impossible. And yet I see, day after day, people writing about Israel on various web sites and in newspaper articles who seem to have no firm grounding in the study of ancient or medieval history at all.

The period I’d like to write about this week has the distinction of being (and by far) both the most obscure and the most crucial for any who wish to understand today’s Middle East. I’ll begin with the events of 614 C.E.

There are some years that themselves are famous. 70 C.E. is sort of in that category. 1492 definitely is. So is 1776. But who has ever heard of 614? And yet a convincing and fully cogent argument could easily be made that modern Jewish history began in 614 and that the events set in motion that year reverberate to this day in the region. Let me explain in more detail.

That Rome once ruled the world is the rare fact about ancient times that actually is known to almost all. The fact that the Roman Empire eventually split in two and that its two halves met their respective ends almost a full millennium apart, not so much. But that single detail is at least subtly crucial to understanding today’s Middle East. The Western part collapsed in 476 C.E. when the last emperor of the West, Romulus Augustus—a hapless weakling with an unfortunate overbite—was obliged to hand over his throne to a man named Odoacer, the leader of the Germanic tribes who had successfully invaded the Italian peninsula and established themselves as the new overlords of Rome and its provinces. So that was the end of Rome in Italy. But the Eastern part of the empire, eventually called Byzantium after the original name of its capital city, continued to exist for many centuries and only met its end when the capital, by then called Constantinople, fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 precisely five hundred years and two days before my birth. And that detail continues to echo throughout the Middle East today.

Ancient Israel was part of the Roman Empire. That too is relatively well known. Christians know it because the gospel narrative is set in Roman Judaea. And Jews—or at least traditionally observant ones—know it because we are still fasting on the Ninth of Av each summer to commemorate, among other catastrophes, the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in the first century when the Jews revolted against their unwanted Roman masters. But what happened after that? That’s where the thinking of even relatively sophisticated students of today’s Middle East gets seriously fuzzy.

To get a running jump at 614, let’s start three years earlier when, in 611 C.E., Iran (then called Persia) went to war with Byzantium and invaded from the east. Things went back and forth for a while, but then, in 613, the Jews of Byzantine Israel joined with the Persians to revolt against the Byzantines. And it worked too: in 614, the Persians, fighting alongside about 20,000 Jewish supporters—including men famous in their day but long since forgotten by all like Nehemiah ben Hushiel or Benjamin of Tiberias—captured Jerusalem. It was a bloody war. According to some ancient historians, the siege of Jerusalem resulted in the deaths of about 17,000 civilians. Another 4500 or so, taken first as prisoners of war, were eventually murdered by the Persians at the Mamilla Pool, then a man-made lake just outside Jerusalem and today the site of a very popular upscale shopping mall. Another 35,000 or so were exiled to Persia. But, as it always seems to, the tide eventually turned. By 617, the Persians determined that their best interests lay in making peace with the Byzantines even if it meant betraying their Jewish allies. And that is just what they did. In 628, the shah of Iran, King Kavad II, made peace with his Byzantine counterpart, a man named Heraclius. The Jews surrendered and asked for the emperor’s protection, which was granted. That lasted about twelve minutes, however: before the ink on the treaty was dry, a massacre of the Jews ensued throughout the land and Jewish residency in Jerusalem was formally forbidden. 

And now we get to the good part. Or at least to the relevant part for the situation as it has devolved down into our day. Just ten years later, in 648, the Byzantine Empire was invaded again, this time by the Islamic State that had grown up after Mohammed’s death in 632. (This is the empire ISIS today would like to restore.)  The Byzantines retreated, the Muslims took over, and Israel was then ruled by Muslim Arabs until the Crusaders arrived a cool four and a half centuries later in 1099.

It was a tumultuous time. The Islamic State was called a caliphate. (Is this starting to sound familiar?) There were several. The first, named the Rashidun caliphate, ruled Israel from Medina in what is today Saudi Arabia. Then power passed to the so-called Umayyad caliphate that ruled from Damascus. And then, eventually, power passed from the Umayyads to the third caliphate, called the Abbasid Caliphate that ruled from Baghdad.

At first, life under Arab occupation wasn’t that bad. Historians estimate that there were between 300,000 and 400,000 Jewish residents in Israel in those days. Umar, the second caliph of the Rashidun caliphate, eventually permitted Jews to return to Jerusalem. The famous Pact of Umar promised Jewish families security and safety, but also classified Jews as dhimmis, i.e., as non-Muslims whose presence in Islamic lands was begrudgingly to be tolerated as long as they accepted their second-class status and agreed to pay a special tax, called the jizya, that was levied against non-Muslims. Things were dismal, but tolerable. But tolerable didn’t last, particularly after the Arabs built the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in 691 and the Al-Aksa Mosque in 705. By 720, Jews were banned from the mount, the holiest site in all of Judaism.

And so did the Arabs come to Byzantine Palestine, a land that had been the Jewish homeland even then for one and a half millennia. The progression of foreign overlords feels almost endless, particularly if we count off the years since biblical times. The Babylonians ruled Israel for a mere 48 years before the first Persian occupation of the land, the one featuring such famous personalities as King Cyrus and King Darius, began and lasted for 206 years. The Romans ruled for 388 years, then were succeeded by the Byzantines. They ruled for 297 years until, as noted above, the Persians returned in the 7th century for a paltry seventeen years. Then the Byzantines returned for a decade and were followed by the Arabs, who ruled the land for 461, until they themselves were cleared out by the Crusaders starting in 1099, who ruled for 192 years.

Working all that data yields the semi-astounding result that, in the almost two thousand years from the time the Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem in biblical times until the Crusaders were finally defeated once and for all by the Mamluks (yet a different version of Arab invader), the Jews were able to restore Jewish sovereignty to the Land of Israel and rule over themselves for precisely one single century, the one stretched out between the Maccabean victory over King Antiochus in 164 B.C.E. and Romans’ successful invasion of the land a century and a year later in 63 B.C.E.  That’s a lot of years of occupation by a wide range of occupiers.

When I read modern columnists who seem to know nothing of Jewish history talking about the “occupation” and meaning the presence of Israelis in the parts of the Land of Israel that were lost to Jordan in 1948 and recovered more than half a century ago in 1967, I see red. I am fully sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians, who have been pawns in a game not of their own devising for more than seventy years and who truly do deserve to be treated justly, fairly, and decently. But when I notice people stigmatizing Israelis as occupiers of their own homeland without reference to the fact that Arabs first came to Israel when their armies invaded in the seventh century and occupied the land for centuries until they were finally defeated by invading armies from the West—that seems, to say the very least, to martial half-truths in the defense of an already-adopted argument.

To understand where things in Israel are now, it’s necessary to take the long view. I understand that not everybody can take the time to earn a Ph.D. in ancient history. But to write authoritatively about the Middle East without appearing to have any knowledge of history, to reference Israelis as occupiers of Arab land without appearing to know that the Arabs themselves came to Israel as an army of occupation—that could be, I suppose, a mere oversight prompted by an abysmal ignorance of history. But why is it that I don’t think that? Not even a little bit!

fanfiction: before the battle

Fandom: Hetalia - Axis Powers Pairing: Austria/Spain Characters: Austria, Spain; mentions of Bavaria, Sweden, and the Imperial City of Nördlingen as Hetalia characters; historical figures Rating: T

Summary: August (Julian calendar)/September (Gregorian calendar) 1634: Thirty Years’ War. Imperial and Bavarian troops are about to besiege the Protestant Imperial City of Nördlingen and its Swedish garrison. The siege gets delayed when Austria and the Imperial commander Ferdinand of Hungary learn about the arrival of the long awaited Spanish army with Spain and its commander, Don Fernando. Antonio inspires his war-weary husband with some much-needed reassurance.

Some basic information in advance:

The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), one of the most gruesome wars in the history of mankind, was prompted by a revolt of Protestant Bohemians against the dominion of Habsburg Austria. It was fuelled by increasing religious and political disagreement between Catholic and Protestant countries within the Holy Roman Empire. Soon, it transformed into a European war that was predominantly fought within the HRE. In the early 1830s, the Swedes intervened in order to support the Protestant powers in the HRE.

Nördlingen, situated to the north of the river Danube, was an Imperial City at the time. It was close to Protestant Württemberg as well as to the Catholic powers of (Further) Austria and Bavaria. Despite being Protestant itself, Nördlingen remained loyal to Emperor Ferdinand II (of the House of Habsburg) for a long time. When it was faced with a large Swedish army in 1632, the city defected to the Protestant/Swedish side—a logical decision without viable alternatives, but also one that was largely welcomed by the townsfolk.

Since their names may become a bit confusing:

Ferdinand of Hungary (1608-1657) is Ferdinand, King of Hungary and Bohemia, son of Emperor Ferdinand II who was to become Emperor Ferdinand III in 1637.

Don Fernando (1609 or 1610-1641) is Cardinal-Infante Fernando de Austria, Archbishop of Toledo, Ferdinand of Hungary’s brother-in-law. He is commonly called “Ferdinand” in English (and German) too but I wanted to avoid confusion with the other Ferdinand.

Austria’s ears hurt from the thunder of the artillery he heard in the distance. He had been suspecting he was getting an ear infection, but the pain he had felt had lessened soon after the cannonade had paused for a while two days ago. So perhaps it was just that he was feeling exhausted from this long war and tense from their preparations to take Nördlingen by storm. The background noise from the ordnance was giving him a headache on top of that.

He liked the quiet. He liked melodic sounds. Music. Not the barbaric noise of war.

It was at least some consolation that his commander actually shared his passion for music. Ferdinand was an educated person; sophisticated; more willing to compromise than his father, the Emperor—or so it seemed. War had the potential to bring out the best and the worst in people; Austria had witnessed this numerous times during his long life. He hoped it would bring out the best in Ferdinand because he found he actually liked the man. Perhaps Ferdinand had the potential to become a better ruler than his father because he seemed to understand that conflicts were never settled by crushing the enemy but always during talks with one’s former enemy.

That was, if Ferdinand lived for long enough, and if there would ever be an end to all this. After sixteen years of war, right in the middle of a siege, peace was a thing that seemed hard to imagine. But Austria needed to imagine it from time to time; needed to remember that there had always been periods of peace and periods of war before this specific war had begun. It was what gave him the energy to pull through the next day; to be the positive and reassuring figure his troops needed to see. He had never been particularly strong physically, but he made up for that shortcoming with tenaciousness, strategic thinking, and skilled fencing on horseback. It was tough, but he was able to do it.

He tried not to think about how it had to be for young people who had possibly never known anything but this war. How many sixteen-year-olds were there in their army? How was it for them? Would they become old enough to see this war end? Perhaps they would live to loathe war, and there would be a period of peace after this one had ended … whenever that might be. It was a hope Austria clung to like a drowning man.

He was interrupted in his fantasies when he sensed someone approaching him. Looking up, he saw Johann Christoph von Adelshofen, one of the colonels of his army.

“Mylord!” he called. “The Spaniards are here!”

“Oh, thank God!” Austria exclaimed. He started to move immediately, mounting his horse with an energy he hadn’t expected have in himself mere moments ago.

Together with Adelshofen, Ferdinand, and a large part of their army, Austria rode to the south of the Schönefeld, a terrain near Nördlingen where their army’s encampment was situated. His heart started to beat faster when, without even consciously intending to do so, his eyes first fell on one knight in shining armour who rode near Don Fernando, the Spanish commander.

The only reason why the Spanish armaments seemed so clean was probably because they had marched through drizzly weather not long ago. Regardless, Austria didn’t want to moderate his inward excitement at the sight of his husband. Spain was beautiful even if he seemed weary from the long ride and even if Austria spotted dark rings under his eyes as he came closer. The mere knowledge that he had come with Don Fernando’s troops sufficed to lift a weight from Austria’s heart and to inspire it with new confidence.

If he could have acted the way he wanted, he would have rushed to Spain and embraced him, but of course that wasn’t possible. Apart from the need to keep face, they also felt the need to downplay the fact that their marriage wasn’t a mere symbol for their shared ruling family, the Habsburgs. The inner circle of their rulers tended to turn a blind eye on their love because they saw it as a vehicle to strengthen the symbolic bond between their family branches. The vast majority of their armies, however—mercenaries, predominantly—were unlikely to do the same.

That was why their greeting remained cordial but formal: The inevitable Spanish kisses on the cheek; the usual courtesies; a short embrace between two warriors, clapping each other on the shoulder. It was something, at the least, but what Austria actually wanted was for him to rest his head against his husband’s shoulder while Spain held him. He wanted to forget his worries about the large Swedish army they knew was advancing on them for just a little while.

Ferdinand, Don Fernando, their commanders, and the two countries retreated to Ferdinand’s command tent where the Imperial commanders gave a short review of their current situation. They explained their maps and plans of the terrain, informing Don Fernando of their hope that Nördlingen would surrender to them before Gustav Horn and Bernard of Saxe-Weimar arrived with the grand Swedish army.

“We were getting ready to storm the city when you arrived,” Ferdinand explained to Don Fernando. “The Bavarians are going to start with that tomorrow now.” He nodded to Maximilian of Bavaria and Theodor, Austria’s brother, who had arrived a little later than the others.

“We should give them one last chance to surrender,” Austria suggested. “The situation has changed. Now they are facing many more besiegers than before. Perhaps they will be more willing to give up now.” They knew the people in the city were almost starved, and there was a disease spreading within it. Maybe they were more willing to surrender once they knew how futile their resistance was.

There was also a part in Austria that wanted to acknowledge Nördlingen had been loyal to the Emperor until he was faced with Sweden’s superior forces. He knew that, in Nördlingen’s stead, he would have done the exact same thing in order to ensure his own survival. Yes, perhaps the decision had been easier for Nördlingen because he was a Lutheran. But the fact remained that he had been loyal to him until two years ago.

“It is worth one last try,” Ferdinand agreed. “Volunteers?”

Adelshofen took one step forward. Ferdinand nodded, and the matter was settled.

Why am I not surprised? thought Austria. Somehow, it always seemed to be Adelshofen who was there when things needed to get done. He appreciated that.

Austria overviewed the Bavarian siege on Nördlingen from a wooded hill. Adelshofen’s attempt to convince Nördlingen to give in had been unsuccessful, and that was why the siege had only been delayed for one day rather than getting cancelled.

“It’s not that the people of this city are unwilling to yield,” Adelshofen had told them. “It’s the Swedish garrison who won’t let them surrender. They’re expecting the Swedish army to come to their aid at any time now.”

And that was precisely why Austria was standing where he was now: To overview the siege but also to keep watch for Horn and Saxe-Weimar’s joint army. The afternoon sun was beclouded by dust from the artillery and smoke from fires at the city wall. Watching a siege was always a grim sight, and Austria knew how it was to be on the other side too; to defend his city, his heart, while cannons were hitting the houses near the wall.

Things needed to get done, he remembered his thoughts from the day before. Laying siege to Nördlingen and eventually storming it was one of these things. Sweden’s army had inflicted the south of the Empire with war, and the only way to stop that was reconquering cities held by the Swedes … and, eventually, facing them in open battle.

That last prospect scared him, but things needed to get done. He sighed. So I better be prepared.

“Rodrigo?” a voice close to him said softly. He wasn’t surprised. He had noticed Spain coming closer for a while, drawing on the strange circumstance that, in times of war, his senses seemed to sharpen themselves without his own doing.

Of course that impression wasn’t true. He had been trained to focus in these kinds of situations since he was little, but it was a thing that came back to him effortlessly, and he was glad about that.

“Antonio.” He sighed again when Spain wrapped his arms around him from behind, this time out of relief. “It’s good to have you here. You shouldn’t have come, but I’m glad you did.”

“There was so little time yesterday,” Spain whispered, ignoring his statement. His lips were pressing little kisses on the nape of Austria’s neck, and Austria was trembling. “I wanted to see you.” Spain’s hands started to roam over Austria’s body greedily, but the only thing he said was: “You’re way too thin.” Austria snorted.

“There’s a war going on,” he said sardonically. “What do you expect.”

“You should still try to pay more attention to your health,” Spain replied dryly. “I don’t think it will be helping matters if you faint on the battlefield out of exhaustion. You have to set a good example and fight.”

“I know that,” said Austria, trying to free himself from Spain’s embrace.

“I’m just worried,” Spain said gently, holding him more securely. “You always eat too less when you’re strung up, regardless of the supply situation.” His kisses became more firmly, extending to the base of his spouse’s neck and to his shoulder. “I just want you to be healthy, and happy.”

Austria wanted to give a bitter laugh—Happy? How could I possibly be happy now?—but he knew Spain was only trying to cheer him up. And in spite of his thoughts, he noticed his body relax into Spain’s embrace too. Perhaps it remembered the staggering love he felt for that man better than he did in this situation. He stopped looking out, turned and wrapped his arms around Spain’s shoulders, clinging to him with a force that surprised even him.

“Oh, Rodri.” Spain kissed his temple. “You’re so smart and so brave, but you sometimes forget that I’m there, too. You don’t have to push trough everything all by yourself.”

So that’s why you’ve come, Austria thought. He didn’t dare to say it because he was afraid he would start crying tears of emotion, and he didn’t want to show Spain how vulnerable he really felt. His husband had turned out to be the best thing that had happened to him in a long time, but he was also the less composed person among the two of them. He didn’t want to throw him off by starting to sob.

“You’re a godsend,” he told his husband solemnly as soon as he had brought his voice back under control. Spain avoided looking into his eyes with a sheepishness that was so adorable it made Austria smile.

“You were right though,” Spain said, still looking away.

“Huh?” Austria took a step back, hands still on his spouse’s shoulders. “What do you mean?”

“Fernando and me are planning to move on towards the Spanish Netherlands as soon as possible,” his husband confided to him. “He is to become Governor-General there, and I have the feeling I should show my face there once again, too.” Austria nodded.

“I’m sure Ferdinand would rather you stayed with us because Heaven knows we need your support, but I know you must not neglect your own lands.” He smiled. “You’re here now, and that’s already more than I could have hoped for.” He took his hands from Spain’s shoulders only to grip his husband’s hands and squeeze them firmly. “Thank you. You don’t know how much your presence means to me.”

“I think I do,” replied Spain with a smirk. “Don’t underestimate me.”

“I don’t.” Austria smiled back at him. It was a tense but sincere smile. “But I hope our enemies will.”

 Notes:

They did indeed: Bernard of Saxe-Weimar underestimated the sheer weight of numbers of the Spanish forces drastically, by about 10,000 men. The Swedish also suffered from errors of judgment and some bad luck, and in the end—after two days of fighting—they took to flight. The Battle of Nördlingen in 1634 was one of the severest defeats of the Swedish/Protestant army, and the Swedes had to retreat northward in order to recuperate.

Consequently, this gave the Imperial/Bavarian/Catholic side time to make a treaty with Protestant princes—the Peace of Prague (30 May 1635). The chief Imperial negotiator was Ferdinand of Hungary who acknowledged he needed to make concessions to the Protestant side for the peace treaty to be successful. Actually, many terms of the Treaty of Prague anticipated terms negotiated for the Holy Roman Empire in the Treaties of Westphalia that ended the Thirty Years’ War in 1648. However, it did not bring an end to fighting within the lands of the HRE because it did not incorporate Sweden—and Catholic France that joined the war on the side of the Protestant Swedes shortly after the Peace of Prague was made. In fact, the fourth phase of the Thirty Years’ War (after the Peace of Prague) was the most gruesome one of the whole decades-long war.

The Way I Do: Chapter 3

Summary: Your training pays off; you’re nearly invisible in a Roman crowd. You blend in perfectly. However, the city doesn’t treat you well. Warnings: None as of yet Word Count: ~2,453 A/N: For @killmongerdreams‘ song roulette writing challenge.

From now on, default language will be Latin. Other languages will be in “quotes and italics.”

Masterlist // Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

The courier seemed to find some of his courage, although he still looked distinctly terrified. “Emperor Pierce requests your presence in the palace immediately, sir.”

Bucky frowned. “There’s been trouble.”

The courier shifted nervously. “I don’t know, sir. They didn’t tell me.”

Bucky sighed and nodded. “Understood. Tell our master I’ll be over shortly.”

The courier nodded and looked relieved that he was able to make it away with his head. It nearly made Bucky smile.

“Yes sir, Centurion Barnes.”

Your training with Natalia was brutal. She beat you to a pulp with sparring training in the morning, bored you half to death in the afternoon with military tactics, then droned through dinner about social customs of Byzantium and other large Roman cities.

By the time you crawled into bed, you didn’t want to hear a single word more from Natalia. Her voice played on repeat in your head, driving you nearly insane until blissful sleep finally claimed you.

It continued on like this for a small eternity, but by the time Natalia was finished with you, you could speak fluent unaccented Latin. You knew the ins and outs of living in the capital. You knew how to hide yourself from danger as well as how to be seen by the right people.

Your task was complex in its simplicity: infiltrate command of the Roman army. You weren’t sure you- a woman- were best suited to infiltrate the goddamned army, but Natalia assured you that this would only ensure they didn’t see you as a threat. You decided to take her word for it, though you still reserved your doubts.

Almost before you knew it you were on a horse headed for the capital. As you said goodbye to all of your friends and adopted siblings, you could see the tightness in their smiles. They weren’t sure if they were ever going to see you again. They’d declare open war on the Roman Empire soon. If it was discovered you were spying for them, you assuredly wouldn’t survive.

With one final wave over your shoulder you were off, bags slung over your back and saddle. You took a deep breath, determination lining your features.

Step one: Make it to the capital in one piece.

The closer you moved to the capital, the better off the people were. Villages like Steve’s struggled, but once you got into the wealthier provinces, it quickly became clear that Byzantium’s resources were given first to privileged cives, leaving anyone with money to fight over their scraps. More than once you saw band of slavers, their quarries chained together or stuffed into too-small cages. You forced yourself to look unaffected by the sight, but it was no small feat. If you never saw a person in chains again, it would be too soon.

Byzantium finally rolled into view on the fourth day and, try as you might, you couldn’t help but be impressed once again by its size and opulence. Such was the curse of a simple chief’s daughter such as yourself, you supposed.

The main gates towered over you, closed as usual. You tensed for a split second when the guards turned their attention towards you. Most of them turned their attention back towards the dice game they were playing on the dusty cobblestone road, but one sighed and walked over to you.

“What’s your business in the city, citizen?” he asked, obviously wanting to get back to his game.

“I just finished trading with those savages from up north. They were quite eager to trade away their valuables for any and all food I had,” you said with a smirk, earning a short bark of laughter from the guard.

“Good, teach those damned outsiders who the real Romans are. They had the gall to take our land then demand food. Serves the lazy bastards right,” he said with a cruel smile.

You wanted to punch him in the face, but smiled. “I’m eager to earn some coin in the markets off their idiocy. If you’ll let me in that is, sir,” you said casually, nodding your head towards the gate.

“Of course, of course. Anything for a faithful citizen of the Empire,” he said with a smile and sppreciative tilt of his head. He turned and made his way back towards the gate, signaling the men on top of the wall to raise the gate.

You gave him a grateful nod as you passed, not missing the hushed conversation between him and his fellow guards who’d finally looked up from their game to watch you pass.

“She traveling alone?” the ugly one asked, eyeing you with a predatory eye.

“Oh shut it, Felix. Keep it in your tunic,” the first guard snapped.

“I’m with Felix on this one, Septimus. Why’d you let her pass before we could have some fun with her?” the stupid one asked. The implications of their conversation sent a shiver down your spine and you urged your horse to walk a little faster, trying hard to keep your eyes forward.

“You’ve already gotten the whip twice for messing with female citizens, Otho. Consider it me saving you from yourself,” Septimus spat.

You got far enough away that the rest of their conversation was carried off by the breeze and you breathed a sigh of relief when you made it through the other end of the wall.

The city was just as you remembered it; busy, cramped, gorgeous, and huge. The first thing you did was make your way to the stables. You didn’t have the money to stable your horse during your stay so you were hoping to get a fair price for the middle-aged mare. With luck, you’d get enough money to tide you over until you could figure out your next step.

You walked away from the stable, laden with your heavy bags. You’d thought about perhaps visiting the inn first, but didn’t trust the people enough to leave everything you own unattended for an undetermined amount of time.

As luck would have it, though, the inn was only a short walk away. The innkeeper was more than happy to give you a room; apparently famine was bad for business. Who knew? You asked for a private room and the man looked a little dubious until you hinted that it was for “lady issues.” He nodded quickly, stuttering out an apology, and gave you a key to the last door on the left.

The room was sparse, not that you were expecting anything different. A rickety cot in the corner, a set of low shelves shoved against the wall near the cot, small desk near the window, a pot to relieve yourself in, and a thin copper basin for washing up tilted against the wall by the door.

You sighed and shrugged your bags off one by one, throwing them onto the cot before unloading your things on the desk and shelves. A short while later you collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted from your journey. It wasn’t that late yet, but you were so tired that the thought of doing anything but sleeping was downright repulsive.

You were asleep nearly the instant your head hit the pillow.

You weren’t sure what woke you up at first. You woke up slowly, senses taking their sweet time to return from dreamland. 

But then you heard something shuffling in your room and suddenly you were wide awake.

You never found yourself wishing for rats until that exact moment.

You opened your eyes slowly, hardly daring to breathe. Your heart skipped a beat when your gaze fell on what was unmistakably a large human silhouette rifling through your things. Silently, without so much as letting the blankets whisper against your skin, you slid from your bed. It was pure luck the man’s back was to you.

And pure misfortune that he turned around as you pulled out your dagger.

You couldn’t see anything except his eyes beneath the cloth he had draped across his face. However, it was more than enough to see the shock plastered across his visage. Apparently this thief or spy- whichever it happened to be- wasn’t used to getting caught. His dark brown eyes narrowed instantly and before you could close the distance between you he leapt through the open window and into the night.

You had half a mind to shout for help but if the authorities looked too deeply into your background you could end up blowing your cover.

But you sure as hell weren’t going to let some random stranger take your things. Your people had worked hard to get everything for you.

You jumped out of the window only a moment or two after him, feet slapping against the cold cobblestone. There wasn’t anyone out at this hour except maybe the occasional city guard and it was no wonder as to why. Thieves, muggers, and murderers were the only company one could find at this dreary hour.

You spotted your thief immediately and sprinted after him, jaw set in determination. Apparently he hadn’t expected you to come after him because he slowed to a walk as soon as he turned the corner, crying out in surprise when you tackled him to the ground.

“Ha! I’ve got you, you-” you spun him around and froze when you saw his face. This wasn’t your thief.

This was-

“Visigothi,” James hissed, staring at you with as much surprise as distaste.

Your mind raced at a mile a minute. Of all the people to run into in this city, it just had to be the one man you knew on a first-name basis. If you didn’t act immediately you’d be caught before you were in the city for one whole day.

You scrambled off of him, apologies spilling forth from your lips in droves. “I’m so sorry, sir. I was after a thief. He stole my mother’s necklace and I was following him and he turned this corner but he must have given me the slip because I thought you were him and so I acted without checking if it was really him first which is why-”

James held a hand up, brows knit together in confusion, and you stemmed the tide of your explanation immediately. “What are you doing here, Visigothi? Do you not know your people have been causing problems in the West?”

You pretended to bristle, glaring daggers at him. “Visigothi? You think me to be from that tribe of barbarians? What gives you the right to insult me so?”

If he looked unsure before he looked absolutely unsteady now, eyeing you warily. “I would not forget the face of an outsider. You are she,” he said, sounding less and less like he believed himself by the second.

You glared down your nose at him as you stood. “I’ve heard enough, plebeian. That’s quite enough insults for one night. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a thief to catch.” You turned on your heel and ran off the other alley, pretending to search high and low, hoping he wouldn’t pursue you. You turned back before you turned the corner, surprised to see him still sitting there, staring at the ground in confusion. He didn’t look up even though you stared for at least a minute, so you let out a relieved sigh and made your way back to your room in the inn. There was no hope of catching the thief at this point; he could be on the other side of town by now. You clambered back in your window and double-checked the latch before shoving your desk up against the window.

You flopped back down onto the cot which groaned in protest. You wouldn’t stay here another night, not after a fiasco like that. There was also the chance that James had followed you back... and you half hoped he would come bursting through the door right then. Seeing him again... you’d dreamt about it for months. You knew seeing him would have to be avoided at all costs, but that only made you want to see him more. His blue eyes haunted your sleeping and waking hours alike. His voice called to you in the twilight hours when your mind was in between consciousness and oblivion. His touch lingered on your skin like a ghost. He was even more handsome than you’d remembered; your conscious mind couldn’t do him justice.

With a groan you rolled around restlessly on your cot. Sleep wouldn’t come easily tonight, not after the events of the last twenty minutes. Still, you held out hope that sleep would take you once more.

Bucky’s POV

He didn’t know how long he sat on the ground. The woman flashed in his mind again and again, his thoughts at war with one another. Pierce had been very clear; the Visigothi were making lots of noise about revolution and fighting, though they hadn’t made any moves yet. He was to begin readying his troops in the event they stopped barking and started acting and to keep an eye out for any spies in the meantime. They weren’t to be trusted.

He knew the spies of the Visigothi and Ostrogothi well. A flash of red hair and bright emerald eyes in his mind’s eye had him clenching his fists in anger, but a deep breath in and out soothed the worst of the passing rage.

What were the chances she was a citizen and not a spy? Her speech was flawless, a far cry from what it was when he met her all those months ago. She held herself like a citizen, even acted like a noble. If she knew who he was she wouldn’t have acted to brave, but few knew what he looked like without his armor and helmet. Was it possible... she had a lookalike among the populace? Byzantium was large and he avoided going out when the city was at its busiest, so it was possible he just had never seen her before.

But the same draw was there. Just as before, he wanted to hold her close and kiss all her problems away, only to remember the last time he opened his heart and home to a gothi, and pushed all those thoughts away. He stood with a curse, wincing as his cold, sore muscles stretched themselves out.

By all rights, his duty as a Centurion to the Roman Empire compelled him to find her and uncover the truth... but he wasn’t sure he could handle it.

In the end, he resolved to keep an eye out for her, though he wouldn’t call in any other agents of the Empire to help. This was his task, and his alone.

Next Chapter

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The Book of Michael

The Book of Michael As revealed and directed by and through The Holy Spirit of the Lord God To Him be the glory, forever and ever! List of Chapters  Chapter 1 - The Lord Appears  Chapter 2 - The Eternal Throne Room of Heaven  Chapter 3 - Satan Attacks  Chapter 4 - Journey to the Cross  Chapter 5 - Washing of the Lamb  Chapter 6 - The Victory of the Lord  Chapter 7 - The Beginning of the Beginning  Chapter 8 - The Eternal Throne Established  Chapter 9 - Journey through Heaven  Chapter 10 - The Garden of the Lord  Chapter 11 - The Great Forest  Chapter 12 - The Wisdom of the Lord  Chapter 13 - The Tree of Jacob  Chapter 14 - The Scroll of Fire  Chapter 15 - The Weight of the Scroll  Chapter 16 – Fire in the Sky  Chapter 17 – Siege of the Holy Land  Chapter 18 - The Great City  Chapter 19 - The Building of the Temple  Chapter 20 - The Army of the Light  Chapter 21 – Finding the Lord  Chapter 22 - The Nations of our Time  Chapter 23 - The Other Religions  Chapter 24 - The Last Row of Great Trees  Chapter 25 - Of Michael Words of the Lord in Red The Lord Appears 1 Chapter 1 The Lord Appears Chapter 1 I Michael, sat before the Lord, in agony of my spirit and bitterness of my soul. I began crying out to the Lord to take my life away from me, for my sin had overwhelmed me and I felt unworthy of the Lamb and the life He had given me. I had followed the sinful desires of my deceptive heart and had neither sought out the Lord Jesus Christ or His word to me, although He had called upon me since my youth. As I fell to my knees in the darkness around me, my hands spread out and my face hidden from the light, I began to cry out to the Lord. And then there came upon me a voice that called my name and said unto me, “Michael, I am here, and I am with you.” My inner being began to tremble and fear overwhelmed me, but I was unable to move and could not open my eyes, for a vision had overtaken me and I could not escape. A terrible and dreadful darkness filled my mind and I could see nothing. I perceived myself crawling in the darkness, but there was no sight to guide me and it felt as if death itself was closing in on me as I had petitioned in my sorrow. Then suddenly, a glorious light appeared before me, blinding me so that I turned away and fell backwards into the darkness. I threw my body forward and lied down on my face; crying out to the Lord to please not destroy me. The light was unlike anything human eyes could look upon and I cannot define it in words used by man, for it was a light that shone forth, unlike any that I had ever known and I believed it to be an angel sent to destroy me. I felt a hand touch the back of my head, which made me tremble in fear. Then a gentle voice said unto me, “Do not fear, for I am with you. Raise yourself and look upon me.” I began to weep and cried out, “I am afraid to look up, for I am just a man and darkness is in my heart. “ As I was speaking these words, I felt a surge of power running through my body and I found myself being lifted onto my knees while my head remained bowed towards the ground with my hands still covering my eyes. Fear had completely frozen me, and I could not move by my own power or will. Then I felt a hand reaching under my chin and gently lifting my head, and then the voice said unto me, “Open your eyes, for your blindness is now gone from you.” I slowly opened my eyes and behold, there was the Lord Jesus Christ in His full glory standing before me. I began to weep in sorrow for His beauty and glory was so great that it overwhelmingly contrasted the darkness of my own heart and soul. He was covered in a solid white garment and had golden sandals upon His feet. His hands were as a man’s but glowed with light and I could see the holes torn through His palms. His face was radiant and unblemished, and His eyes were shining like sapphires. His stare was deep and penetrating. His hair was long and flowing. It Return to Chapter Index The Lord Appears 2 Chapter 1 appeared darker, yet was lined with a bright golden tint, like the color of a great lion’s mane, with an aura of white light radiating around it. His presence emanated absolute power and might, yet His face was beautiful and contained a gentle lovingness that I had seen in no other. When He spoke to me, it sounded like the roar of a thousand waterfalls and the quietness of butterfly wings at the exact same moment. Then the Lord took my hand and said to me, “Come and walk with me, for I have much to tell you and much to show you.” The Lord then lifted me up to my feet, but my knees began to shake uncontrollably. I had no strength in my legs, my body melted away and all coordination left me. I said to Him, “Lord, I have no strength, nor ability to walk with you.” The Lord gazed into my eyes, gently smiled and again said to me, “Come and walk with me.” At once my strength and coordination seemed to return and I was lifted up and standing to His right side and we began walking together. As we walked along, there appeared a path in front of us, which was being illuminated in the darkness by the light radiating from the Lord’s presence. This caused the darkness to fall away as wax drips from a candle. Then the Lord asked me, “What do you see in front of you?” I answered, “Lord, I see only light shining out into the darkness.” Then the Lord said to me, “Michael, now look through my eyes and tell me what you see, for I have called you so that you may have sight.” Instantly the darkness began to recede as if a great dome was breaking away, and light began appearing in all directions. In front of me I saw a path that seemed endless and paved with a transcendent light. As I looked down the path, there began appearing before me legions and legions of angels. They were in formations on the right and left side of the path. Their eyes were solid white, and their form was like that of ancient, battle hardened soldiers, for I know no other way to describe them. They appeared immortal and indestructible, each of them held a shield and a long sword, and they were covered in armor. On their heads they wore golden colored helmets with their bodies, legs and arms being fitted with golden colored armor. They had golden sandals which were laced up to their shins. Their size and strength were greater than that of a mortal man, even the greatest of men, and they were all identical in appearance. They were aligned in perfect columns and appeared endless in number. It was a mass display of warrior angels in battle array. They uniformly bowed down to one knee before the Lord with their swords held against their chests, and their shields laid to the ground. They had beautiful white wings that were folded across their feet. They proclaimed as with one voice, “Praise, Glory and Honor to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!” Return to Chapter Index The Lord Appears 3 Chapter 1 It was a great salutation comparative to how a Roman or Greek soldier would have bowed and saluted an Emperor or a King, but this was so much more glorious, and the experience was overwhelming to me. I looked down and realized that I was clothed in white and covered in silver armor across my arms, legs and chest. I had a golden sword attached to my left hip and a golden dagger attached to my right. My heart was overcome with admiration for the Lord and I also bowed to my knee and gave praise to the Lord along with the angels vastly aligned before us. I then humbly asked Him, “Lord, why am I covered in armor and why am I being shown all of this?” Then the Lord answered me, saying, “Michael, you were chosen before the beginning of time. You are to be as one of the prophets and kings among men that I have chosen; those whose names I chose to make great. For you Michael, will be by my side with the armies of Heaven.” I said unto Him, “Lord, surely this cannot be, for who am I? I am the worst of sinners, a coward of the worst kind, and there is nothing about me that would make me great before men, how much less before the eyes of the Lord God Almighty?” I began to tremble in fear, believing that my inner spirit was committing blasphemy against the Lord God of Bible. “Whoa to me!” I cried out and began to beat upon my chest, saying “I am doomed! What is this evil heart of mine imagining! Who am I?” The Lord then said unto me, “Michael, be still and know that I am the Lord and I choose whom I choose, for it is not man who makes Himself who he is, only who he is not. Do not fear, for you will soon understand the words that I speak to you. First you must walk through the fire, knowing that you are worthy because of the Lord.” And then behold, I looked down the path and there appeared a great lightning storm in the distance, which shrouded the path before us. I said to the Lord, “Lord, I see in the distance, lightning and a great storm in front of us.” The Lord said to me, “Michael, we now walk toward the entrance of the throne room of heaven. What you are seeing is the glory of the throne room’s gates. You will soon see the glory of the Lord God and be told many things this day and for many days to come.” I trembled in fear as we drew near the lightning and I wanted to flee but could not. The Lord took hold of my hand and said unto me, “Fear not, for I am with you and your darkness is no more,” and I felt His peace and love flow through me. Then the Lord and I stopped and stood still before the wall of lightning which flashed violently in front of us, causing my body to tremble. The Lord raised His right hand and the storm was stilled and the lightning ceased to be. Suddenly, a great and marvelous being appeared before us, which towered over the other angels aligned on the path. Its form was extremely muscular; leaving no question that it possessed an enormous amount of power. Return to Chapter Index The Lord Appears 4 Chapter 1 It was solid white from its head to its feet, with long flowing white hair. It had no armor, but only two white straps which crossed over its chest, and its lower waist was covered with a gold-colored loin cloth. It had a giant sheath across its back and a magnificent white sword which set inside of it. It stared with a fixed gaze and had blazing eyes of white fire. The stare pierced my soul, causing me to tremble inside. It showed no emotion and had no facial expression. Then the being bowed low on both knees before the Lord, putting its hands together as if in prayer. The Lord said to the giant being kneeling before us, “Rise Michael for we are to enter.” I was amazed at what I had heard, and I asked the Lord, “Is this Michael the Archangel, my Lord? Is that really him?” The Lord smiled and answered, “Yes Michael, what you have said is true.” I was overwhelmed with awe for I could have never imagined him looking like that, or me ever laying eyes on Michael the Archangel of the Bible! Michael then stood aside and reached out his hand and behold, two beautiful golden gates appeared before us. Their height and width were beyond measure. The doors began to open, not by swinging in or out, but by fading away. I heard the sound of innumerable trumpets being blown as a golden light shone forth where the gates had been standing. I was then led by the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ into the throne room of Heaven. The Eternal Throne Room of Heaven 5 Chapter 2 The Eternal Throne Room of Heaven Chapter 2 The Lord and I stepped forth into the throne room of Heaven and the sound of the trumpets ceased. There was a quietness that stirred my spirit. I looked, and before me was the image of the living God as He sat upon His throne. His glory shone forth, lighting up the entire hall, and the floor glowed with His light. The light was warm, and its power sank into my soul; the light itself seemed to be alive. His vastness was beyond my comprehension, as His presence seemed to fill the entire world, and yet He appeared to be a great distance from me at the same time. I felt the energy and spirit of God, radiating directly upon the Lord Jesus Christ, as would a ray of light shining through dark clouds. There was a peaceful, warm and embracing power that filled the great throne room. I gazed at Him but could not make out His features from where I stood; the brilliance that came from the throne was too great for me to penetrate with my eyes. The Lord lifted His hand and pointed me to the right of the throne room entrance, which was to the front and left side from the face of the throne itself. I looked in the direction that the Lord pointed and saw six great pillars that were sectioning off part of the throne room, but not enclosing it. The pillars appeared to be bronze, brass or gold in color. Three of the pillars ran parallel with the hall and three ran perpendicular, forming an L-shape that faced the throne itself. The Lord guided me towards the section marked off by the six pillars and I began to hear praising coming forth as the sound of men. As we drew closer, I saw a large white table that sparkled like diamonds in the sun and was surrounded by white thrones. The people around the table were on their knees, raising their hands and bowing to their faces in a continuous motion toward the throne. They proclaimed in one harmonious voice, “Praise the Lord God Almighty, and praise the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” As we walked through the pillars and into the room, the people bowed around the table began to rise to one knee and saluted the Lord with their hands folded across their chests. Their appearance reminded me of angels glowing in white light. Then behold, their appearance transformed as they began to seat themselves upon the thrones placed around the table. Some of them were more aged, while others were younger. Some were women, others men. Each of them was unique, yet they seemed to be somehow the same. Their clothes, faces and bodies changed before my eyes and each greeted me with a warm and gentle smile and welcomed me in one voice, saying, “Welcome Michael,” and I felt as though I genuinely was welcomed. They began speaking with each other cheerfully, with gladness in their eyes and joy in their laughter, as if to be one great family. Return To Chapters Index Return to Chapter Index The Eternal Throne Room of Heaven 6 Chapter 2 I seemed to know some of them, although I could not explain why. I saw Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, John, Paul, Mary and then others that I did not seem to yet know. As we drew nearer to the table, one of them stood up, walked towards us and bowed his head to the Lord, saluting Him with his arm across his chest and said, “Praise, glory and honor be to you my King and my Lord.” The Lord touched the top of the man’s head and said to him, “Thank you my friend and blessed are you before me David.” The man then stood up and reached out his hand to me, and the Lord said to me, “Michael, this is David.” I immediately began to drop to my knee before him, for I suddenly realized that he was the great king of men, chosen by the Lord. David quickly reached down and lifted me up and said to me, “I am only David, and there is but one King that we bow down to. Come my friend, and I will speak with you.” I began to take note of his appearance. He was no taller than I, which was slightly less than six feet in height. He had long dark hair with traces of silver and gray, and it was pulled back in a long braid behind him. His eyes were like that of a hawk focused on its prey, narrow and deep-set with a dark bronzed color. He wore a small crown upon his forehead that encircled his head but did not cover it. He had a small, well-groomed beard, which was dark and contained traces of silver and gray. He was dressed in a leather vest with scaled overlaying, the substance of which I could not make out. Beneath his vest was a cloth shirt which covered his arms up to his elbows. He wore leather forearm bands that covered his arms from the lower elbow down to the base of his wrists. He wore a covering that went down to the point of his lower knees and his waist was fitted with a large leather belt. He had a long sword fastened on the left side of the belt and a knife that was oddly shaped on the right. He was muscular and built for battle, yet he had a gentle and humble demeanor. He wore plain leather sandals that were strapped and bound across the tops of his feet and were held steady by straps that crossed each of his heels. He spoke to me like I was a friend, and he said to me, “Blessed are you Michael, for you have been chosen to write down what you see and what you hear. You will see and hear many things, and this means that the enemy will seek to destroy you. You will be in battles for all of your days. I wish to impart to you some wisdom and guide you in how to endure and be victorious when the battles come.” He instructed that I was to kneel and cry out to the Lord for Him to have mercy upon His servant, and to ask Him to send Michael upon Michael. He then directed me to reflect on Psalm Sixty-One, and to always put myself into deep prayer before the Lord when the attacks came. Return to Chapter Index The Eternal Throne Room of Heaven 7 Chapter 2 He then finished his words by telling me that the battle could only be won by faith in the Lord and in no other way. I thanked him for his wisdom and kindness, having no idea what he was talking about. What attacks, and what battles was he referring to? He seemed aware that I had no understanding as to the meaning of his warnings. I was surprised when I later discovered that Psalm Sixty-One is David’s prayer of protection to the Lord. He turned back to the Lord and embraced Him, and then walked back to the table and sat back down amidst the others. I then asked the Lord what David was referring to, as I was somewhat confused, and I lacked the understanding I felt was needed. The Lord answered me, saying, “David was sharing wisdom that he gained during his life on earth while engaging the types of battles you are about to confront. I tell you also to strengthen yourself against the enemy. Do as David has said, getting on your knees and crying out by way of the Holy Spirit, and then proclaiming with boldness the prayer, which I have given to mankind. Open the word of God and reflect on Psalm Sixty-One, and also Hebrews Three and Hebrews Eleven. These additional words were written down by the hand of my rich young servant Nicodemus. I chose to impart wisdom to my people through him; however, many still rejected it. I asked the Lord, “Lord, who is this enemy that is going to attack me and why would they choose to be my enemy?” The Lord then said unto me, “The enemy is Satan, and all that obey him - and his true nature will soon be revealed to you.” The Lord turned and walked over to the table. He cast greetings to those seated on the thrones and they returned his greetings with cheer and warmth. Then the Lord said to me, “Michael, let us now go forth and present ourselves before the Throne.” He turned and began to walk between the pillars towards the center of the throne room and I began to feel trembling in my soul. As I began to follow the Lord, one of the men sitting at the table said to me, “Michael, my name is Paul. Do not fear the light, for it is those who are of the dark that will hate you. You will be vehemently despised by the enemy, but you can trust in the Lord. He will guide you and give you the strength you need, my friend.” I stared at him with great admiration. His appearance, like his words, was truly genuine and I felt as if he had been a trusted friend to me all of my life. I thanked him for his kindness and turned back toward the Lord as He was saying to me, “Let us go forth now Michael, for it is time.” I began walk with the Lord and I was overwhelmed in my spirit. The Lord took hold of my left hand and said to me, “Do not fear, for I go to present you to the Father. Michael, I am in you and you are in me. For the Father loves the Son and all that are in the Son are welcomed by the Father.” Return to Chapter Index The Eternal Throne Room of Heaven 8 Chapter 2 I said to Him, “Lord, I do not understand what is happening right now and I am trembling in fear. I know that no one can stand in the presence of the Father and His glory.” The Lord said unto me, “The Son can stand in the presence of the Father. Those that are in the Son have become part of the Son’s glory by the Spirit that binds them as one. You have been glorified in the presence of the Father, for you are in the Son. Now let us go to the Father, for there is much for you to see and hear.” And so began our walk; hand in hand towards the throne of the God. As we drew nearer to the throne, I began to perceive what I could not when we had first entered the throne room. The light from the throne seemed to be glowing as opposed to radiating, the nearer we drew towards it. I felt as if my legs were going to collapse, and I was very weak. Then behold, the glorious throne appeared before me and I saw the image of God Almighty in His full glory. I dropped to my knees and fell on my face before Him, weeping as a child. The Lord knelt down beside me and said to the Father, “Father whom I love and who loves me, I bring forth Michael, whom you also love.” I then heard a great and thunderous voice which shook the throne room, saying, “Come forth my Son; for all that is mine is yours, for you and I are one.” I raised my head and saw great and wonderful things appear before me. The Father was immeasurable, and His throne was great and mighty. The throne itself was glowing of a golden color, but not made of gold. It sat high upon a large row of steps that were crimson red. The Father was spirit in His form, His face glowed, and He was covered from His neck to the base of His feet with a white robe that glowed with a golden aura of light. He seemed to be covered in flaming fire, yet I felt only gentle warmth. His legs reached out to the bottom of the crimson steps and the soles of His feet rested on the floor at the base of them. His size, power and strength cannot be described with the words of man. I saw sitting at the base of the steps, at the right foot of the Father, a Man and a Woman of excellent form. They were uncovered and naked and they were marvelous and beautiful to behold. They were embracing one another in pure love and peace. I asked the Lord, “Lord, please tell me who are these people seated upon the steps of the throne?” The Lord said unto me, “Michael that is Adam and Eve. They sit before the throne and give glory to the Father for the love, grace and mercy that He has bestowed upon them and their descendants.” I asked the Lord, “Lord, why have they not aged? They look so very young in their appearance?” Return to Chapter Index The Eternal Throne Room of Heaven 9 Chapter 2 The Lord said unto me, “They were formed by the very breath of God, which does not age, as they were not born of flesh into a dark nature as were all of their descendants. They were created by the hand of God, set apart for Him. Their death was a result of their separation from Him and not from the aging of the flesh Michael. I could not comprehend it, so I asked no more questions. I just stared in awe of their beauty, for I had never seen anything so pure and unblemished, except the Lord Himself. Then the Lord raised me to my feet and behold, I saw the left arm of God Almighty reach forth, and the Lord and I were lifted into His hand and brought forth before Him. I began to shake uncontrollably as I was directly in the presence of God Almighty. I dropped to my knees and bowed my head low in fear. The Lord, still having hold of my left hand, gently said to me, “Michael, lift yourself up and look upon the glory of the Father.” I cried out that I feared that I would surely die. The voice of the Father came forward and I felt its power surge through me. The Father said to me, “Do not fear, for I have only love for you and you are not going to die.” His voice thundered, shaking my body as if I was being taken apart. I slowly raised my head and looked upon the face of the Father. I could only weep before Him. His face radiated glory. It seemed like I was staring directly into the sun at first and I was blinded, but then my vision returned, and I could clearly see. He had golden eyes that radiated light, wisdom, love and power. His facial features were faded by the brilliance of His presence. He had a great white beard, perfect in form. It looked like white flames in its composure. His hair, also long and solid white, flowed perfectly. He was ancient beyond understanding and without age. Wisdom, power, love and knowledge beyond anything I could ever comprehend. His entire being resonated forth all of His divine attributes and nature. Any conceivable notion I had ever conjured up about Him was shattered instantly, and even in His presence my mind was unable to comprehend Him. Standing behind each of His shoulders were two great angels. Each of them stood a head length above the Father’s throne. Their faces were covered in silver masks and they were enormous. Each held a great spear in their hand, which was a full length higher than they. Their wings were massive, and each had three pair that covered their waists, sides and backs. The angel on the right side of the Father held the spear in his right hand and the one on His left side held the spear in his left hand. They did not speak, nor did they move, except when the Father moved or spoke. When He moved, the angels’ wings would spread out and they would bow their heads and raise their spears across their chests. Return to Chapter Index The Eternal Throne Room of Heaven 10 Chapter 2 I raised my eyes and looked far above the throne and I saw thousands of smaller angels singing in one voice, in a language I could not understand. Their song was peaceful to my spirit and they were in perfect harmony with one another. I looked to my left and gazed upon the Lord and I saw that His appearance had changed. He was glowing even more glorious than before and there was a light that encircled Him that was coming from the Father. I looked down at my hand that the Lord was holding, and to my amazement, I saw the light running through me and then returning to the Father. I suddenly realized that I had no fear, doubt or worry in my soul and I was at total peace. I wanted to stay there forever and never leave that moment and place, but it was not to be my time. The Father then began to move His hand closer towards Him. As the Father drew us nearer to Himself, I looked, and His form was indeed spirit. He placed the Lord and me inside of Himself, so that we were within Him and not without. I looked and saw that I was no longer in the hand of the Father, but rather was in a spiritual place with the Lord standing slightly above me, and I was on my knees below and before Him. The Father appeared beside the Son, and He was the size of a Man but contained the same glory. The Father and the Son appeared as one before me in presence yet separate in appearance. I bowed low at the feet of the Lord and the Father. I felt so overwhelmed with peace and joy, beyond anything I could have ever thought possible. They sat down in front of me, as would men around a campfire, and they invited me to sit with them. They treated me as if I were family and I felt at ease, nearly forgetting who they were and who I was. I felt completely comfortable in their presence. They then began to speak as one, saying “Your sin no longer exists, and your darkness has been taken away. For the Father, the Son and the Spirit are as one. We are eternally bound by the spirit of love and perfection that exists in us. The spirit of love contains all knowledge, wisdom and power and is the gift that we bestowed upon mankind, for all who choose to come into that love. This is the love the Father has for the Son and the love the Son has for the Father. In love is found the light that shines on all treasure, mystery and knowledge, and it is our grace gift to men who choose to seek it in us.” I asked them, “Lord God, I do not understand why I am here and being told these things and I know not what you would have me do? Please reveal to me, what your will is for me, so that I may give honor and glory to you in a way that you may find me worthy of this great calling.” The Lord God said unto me, “You are already found worthy and my will is for you to awake and know that I will call out to you, and through you I will reveal much to those who seek it. Return to Chapter Index The Eternal Throne Room of Heaven 11 Chapter 2 When you awake, you will have doubt in your heart and disbelief will come upon you. The enemy will soon put forth his attack, but you will overcome him in us, for we are with you. Now go, and when you awake you will know that you have seen and heard truth.” Instantly, I came out of my vision and found myself lying on the floor in the darkness. I had fallen away from the place where I had knelt and cried out before the Lord and I was dazed in my spirit. I was not the same man, and this could not be denied. My legs and body had gone numb as nearly two hours had passed. A terrible and dreadful fear began to fall upon me, the likeness of which I had never felt. How could I know if it was real or not? I trembled at the thought of blasphemy. I studied The Word and seemed to know it intimately, even though I had barely read it before, except in casual passing of time. My mind was in a constant state of expectation and fear now. Return to Chapter Index Satan Attacks 12 Chapter 3 Satan Attacks Chapter 3 After I had the vision in the night, I began to feel as though I was falling away from myself. Something had changed in my heart and mind. It seemed as though I was losing grip on the reality of the world as I had known it. What was once important and worth doing, no longer seemed to matter. Everything that I had seen as worth having was losing its lure over me somehow. Time went by, and I found myself back at the place where I had met the Lord in my first vision. This time I was in deep prayer with my sins before me, and I began to seek the Lord again. In the darkness, I again bowed before the Lord and called upon His name, not knowing if He would come to me again. I had thought to myself many times since the first vision, “Had it been real, or had I just begun to lose my mind?” I offered up my prayer to the Lord and then sat in silence, hoping to hear or see Him again. I was very anxious as I did not know what to expect, and the conviction and guilt of my sin was lying heavy on mind. The revelation and new understanding of God’s word (The Bible) opened my eyes so that I clearly saw the great divide that was before man and God. Not even the vision I had experienced was able to solidify this in my heart to the extent that understanding the Bible had done in such a short passing of time. I suddenly found myself in another vision, and once again I was sitting in total darkness, but I was not in despair as I had been before. I then saw the Lord flash before my eyes and then disappear. He appeared as would a still frame, not moving or saying anything. He was clothed in white as before. He would appear and then in an instant, disappear and reappear in a different location around me. I spoke out loud, saying, “Lord, will you not speak to me?” There was no reply from Him, and a dreadful fear came over me as something was different in His spirit towards me. Again and again, he just kept appearing and then disappearing. I tried to escape the vision and I wanted to leave this place, as something had changed from the first vision. There was an anger and coldness that I had not felt before, but I was unable to leave. Suddenly the Lord appeared, His hands lifted high before me. He was perched above me. I bowed before Him as I had done before and as I was about to speak, He spoke first. He began to speak against me with terrible anger in His voice, condemning me of my sin and failures. I looked up and saw that His mouth did not move, but His words still came forth. Satan Attacks 13 Chapter 3 I was horrified, as my guilt could not be denied - and now I was being judged and condemned by the living God. I looked and suddenly saw to the left and to the right of me, men that were kneeling before the Lord as I was and the Lord was in His anger, berating us as one. He then said unto me, “I chose you and you betrayed me with your sin, but these saints have come to pray on your behalf. Now lift your hands high and pray for mercy and they will do the same.” I began to weep and lifted my hands high as did the saints that were beside me, but my arms became weak and I could not hold them long enough to please Him. I said to Him, “Lord, I am not able to hold my arms high for they are becoming weak. Please Lord,” I cried, “Forgive me and do not cast me away.” Then the saints disappeared, and I was alone with the Lord. He stood before me and burned as if with white fire. His anger was cruel, bitter and unmerciful. He then said to me, “Know that you have been rejected and found unworthy. You are to be cast from my presence forevermore!” I fell on my face and began to cry uncontrollably, pleading with the Lord to forgive me, for I was just a man. But there was only silence and darkness and He was gone. I closed my eyes and awaited my fate as fear gripped my heart and pain seared through my body and soul. I then heard a distant voice whisper to me, “So you thought you were good enough for God, did you? You believed you were chosen by Him and that you would actually be able to serve Him?” A chilled laughter followed the question. I said to the voice, “Who are you, and why do you ask me this question?” The voice replied, “I have many names. Open your eyes and speak to me, for you need not fear me.” I opened my eyes and saw that I was in a much different place, and I had no idea how I had gotten there. I was lying in burnt ash, as if coals from a great fire had burned out there, and I was embedded into the floor. I was still lying in the same position as I had been when I was crying out to the Lord to forgive me. I lifted my face and looked around me. I saw a great expanse of ash as if it were a desert. Beside where I was lying was a black tree that had been sapped of life, charcoaled and burnt. In the distance in front of me I saw a black set of hills and to the right of the hills there was an opening in the ground that ran along like a stream. From the opening streamed fire, and gray smoke was rising from it. I tried to lift myself onto my knees, but terrible pain seared through my body. I felt as if I had fallen, not only in the spiritual sense, but in the physical one as well. Return to Chapter Index Satan Attacks 14 Chapter 3 There was no wind, sun or clouds that I could detect around me. Instead all I saw was a gray sky, mixed with ash, that filled the air. The only way I could distinguish up from down was by the different tones of gray as the smoke rose upwards. This place was filled by dreadful sadness and sorrow, as the soul feels when the heart is utterly broken, and dark clouds of deep depression linger on. Then the voice spoke to me again saying, “Welcome, and do not fear, for you have not died, nor have you lost what you desire. No, my friend, you have just been found unworthy before God, as we all have been. I looked over to my left and saw a man walking towards me with a smile on his face. He had silver hair that was perfectly kept and trimmed above his shoulders. He was wearing a very fashionable set of clothing and appeared wealthy. He walked up beside me, looked down and smiled. He had the appearance of a wall street executive, but not vain or proud. He began slowly walking around me and spoke with a gentle, calming voice. He said to me, “Now you have seen the glory of the Lord God Almighty and although He is beautiful in appearance, deadly and vengeful is He in truth. Do you not find it odd that a God of love would choose to create us all, knowing and decreeing that we would become what we are, and then condemn us for being what He created and chose? Go further and realize that He had His own eternal Son crucified as a part of His plan! He is most cruel and cares only for His own power and glory. You have seen this yourself, have you not? He brought you before Him, showed you a glimpse of Heaven, convinced your heart that you were loved eternally, and then condemned you without mercy. Why were you condemned? I will tell you why. It is because you cannot be Him. You cannot be perfect, as He has Himself decreed that only He is perfect. Therefore, you are without excuse before Him, because He gave you a condemned life that can never be perfect enough to be in His presence. What a loving God! Bow to His feet and give Him praise for destroying you and then claiming to save you from the destruction He created.” I found myself beginning to listen to his logic and nearly agreeing with him. I asked his name again, saying, “Are you the fallen one called Satan?” He answered, “I am one with many names, falsely accused, hated and spoken against since the beginning of time. I am called Satan, the Devil, the Fallen One, the Angel of Darkness and even referred to as Lucifer. Why? Because I speak the truth that God does not want anyone to hear. I grant freedom from His slavery, and therefore I am labelled a rebel and evil.” He began laughing again, only now with anger in his voice, and he said to me, “Do not fear me, for I will not do to you what the Lord has done. I will not reject you and I will not punish you for being who you are made to be. Do you think that I created this place you see around us?” He began to get angrier and to curse the name of the Lord; he could not contain His rage. Return to Chapter Index Satan Attacks 15 Chapter 3 He then said to me, “Join me and I will show you what a true God should be. I will give you the pleasures of your heart and you will suffer no more. You do not need to be a slave any longer. I will not condemn your conscience, nor will I expect anything of you, for I am not a cruel and unmerciful God like the Lord is!” I replied to him, “But you are not God. How can a man join unto any God but the one true God? Does not His will sustain all things? And whether I understand Him or His purposes, am I not commanded to love Him and have no other false god?” He smiled with an evil grin and answered me saying, “Tell me how well that is working out for you, this loving and serving the one true God? Where is your one true God, and did He not just cast you here and lay you before me? Do I not speak the truth? Why hold onto to faithfulness to Him and refuse my offer after He has rejected you? Do not be a fool, for you are without options now and my offer is true grace, where His offer is false grace!” I said to Him, “If indeed the Lord has decreed that I am to serve eternity in your presence and be separated from the Lord God forever and this is His judgment, then I will serve Him from the gates of hell and I will cry out to Him for all eternity. How can I do anything other than this? I cannot stand against God or His judgement, for He is Just, Holy and Righteous, and if He chooses not to forgive me then I have no basis to plead my innocence, for I am guilty beyond measure.” I said these words in a spirit of boldness to him, finding my words to be faithful; but then my boldness ended as I enraged him with my words, and set loose his true nature. He reached down and grabbed me by my throat and lifted me above his head and shouted at me, saying, “You are a fool! How dare you challenge me in my own kingdom? I put out my hand in friendship and you repay me by spitting on my words? Know that this day you will die and spend eternity here with me, dying every day forever and ever!” I could feel my life being released from me and I could do nothing to defend myself. I was paralyzed and could not move. As he squeezed my throat, I felt a burning as if liquid fire was passing through my veins. His appearance began to change in front of me. His eyes became solid black and his skin, a pale gray. He threw me with great force onto my back, slamming me onto the ground and jarring my body with tremendous pain. He walked backwards a few feet from me and stared at me with a glare of complete hatred. He then leaned forward and screamed out a horrific sound that sent total fear through me. The sound was deafening, and I felt as if I was about to die any second. Then the Holy Spirit called upon me and recalled the words that the Lord had spoken unto me, “I tell you also to strengthen yourself against the enemy. Do as David has said, getting on your knees and crying out by way of the Holy Spirit and then proclaiming with boldness the prayer, which I have given to mankind.” Return to Chapter Index Satan Attacks 16 Chapter 3 Though in great pain and with dread all about me, I forced myself to my knees. I lifted my hands up in prayer and I cried out in a loud voice to the Lord, “My God, Creator of the Heavens and the earth, please have mercy upon your servant and send Michael upon Michael!” In a flash, a fraction of a second, a great thunderous sound came upon me and the ground trembled and quaked violently. I looked up and there stood Michael, the magnificent being I had seen at the gates of the throne of heaven. With terrible force he landed upon the head of Satan and drove him into the ground as a peg into earth! He had in his right hand, the magnificent sword of light which was radiating glory. He began staring intently at the ground below him and joy overcame my heart! Suddenly Satan burst forth from the ground and tossed Michael like fine dust into the air. I trembled in fear as Michael was tossed aside. Satan looked at me and began laughing again, which sent shivers through me. He began to walk calmly to a distance roughly a hundred yards away from where I was knelt down. He slowly turned and faced me with the black hills behind him and the stream of fire to his left. He let out another scream that shook the whole ground around me. Fire rose from the stream beside him and the ground began to break open. A great cloud of ash blew forward like a great blast of heat being sent forth. Satan then began to change in form and size. His face, which had appeared human, began to break open and turned black as darkness itself. Then great wings appeared out of his sides and his mouth began to bring forth razor sharp teeth. He had become a great dragon of enormous size and unimaginable ferocity. He began to walk towards me and with each step he shook the ground and great fear seized me. I wanted to run, but could not move, nor could I cry or speak, for he was absolute evil in its purest form. He then asked me with evil sarcasm, “Is this not what you wanted to see, faithful man of God?” I could not answer, and I could not speak. Then suddenly out of nowhere, with great speed Michael powerfully thrust his shoulder into the great dragon’s side, knocking him off his balance. The dragon roared in anger as Michael took his sword and struck the dragon across the side of his head. The dragon violently swung his great tail around and swept Michael off his feet, slamming him powerfully to the ground on his back. The dragon quickly set himself directly above Michael in order to attack him with his razor-sharp teeth, but Michael struck the dragon with a great blow from his fist, dazing the dragon and staggering it back. The dragon then struck back with one of his clawed limbs and again, sent Michael through the air, casting him aside so that his path was not intruded. Return to Chapter Index Satan Attacks 17 Chapter 3 Then appeared another great and glorious angel with a great sword standing at the tail end of the dragon, and he struck the dragon on his hind leg. The dragon turned and struck the other angel and the angel flew through the air, nearly falling into the stream of fire. The dragon then thrashed around and fixed his gaze directly upon me. His eyes had become red, like the color of blood, and he began to charge at me in full stride. His size and power were overwhelming and as he picked up his speed, I knew that I was surely dead, for he had not been turned back by either Michael or the other angel. I cried out in a loud voice of desperation saying, “Save me Jesus. Help me my Lord!” The great dragon closed in on me and I could not move. I accepted my doom as inevitable as he drew within twenty feet of me at great speed, his mouth opened wide and his teeth laid bare before me. My heart seemed to stop beating and I felt death begin to overcome me as my breath abandoned me. My fate was indeed sealed and there was nothing to be done. Then behold, the Lord appeared directly in front of me, shielding me with His presence. He was magnificent in His appearance, clothed with the armor of a King! He lifted His hand and caught the dragon below its mouth. Then, with what seemed like little or no effort; He brought the dragon’s charge to a complete halt. The dragon screamed out, gnashing his teeth and snapping his jaws in the air. The Lord then proclaimed to the dragon, “Be gone evil one, for you shall not trouble him anymore this day.” The Lord then tossed the dragon aside as if throwing a grain of sand into the wind. The dragon fell into the stream of fire, which was some distance away. The dragon managed to catch the edge of the stream with one claw and was trying to make his way out, but Michael and the other angel struck the grip of the dragon with their swords, causing it to fall into the fire. The Lord turned and calmly said to me, “You are safe now for I am with you.” I then fell face forward into His arms and collapsed. He lifted me up like a child across His arms and began to fly upwards through the air. I heard the Lord say in a loud voice, “Michael and Gabriel come to me now.” I looked down and I saw the two angels flying below the Lord with their swords drawn and guarding downward as the Lord carried me through the heavens. I began to drift away from consciousness as I was being carried along. I saw visions of time and space, as the Lord appeared to be carrying me through all of existence - and I was overwhelmed in spirit and could not comprehend it. The Lord then carried me before the throne of God, and I heard Him speak to the Father. I looked up and I saw the Lord’s face and He seemed to have tears streaming from His eyes. Return to Chapter Index Satan Attacks 18 Chapter 3 I heard Him say to the Father, “The evil one has attacked Michael, and he has been greatly wounded. The deceiver appeared in my image, convincing him that he was condemned. But his faith has not failed, for by your mighty hand, he has stood this test.” I awoke from my vision and I was overwhelmed and could not speak for hours. I went outside in the dark, stumbling around as a drunken man, my body filled with great pain and terror running through my mind. Return to Chapter Index Journey to the Cross 19 Chapter 4 Journey to the Cross Chapter 4 After Satan attacked me, I began hearing the voice of the Lord, even when I was not having a vision. It was not audible, but more like He was speaking to my inner being and affirming His words through scripture, which He would use to teach and guide me. I was fearful of having another vision, for I had become quite ill from the vision of Satan attacking me. Many days passed before I felt physically, mentally or spiritually able to seek the Lord out again in deep prayer and meditation. The Lord sent me comfort through His voice, His Word and through other men of God, and by so doing He emboldened my spirit to seek Him out again. I prepared myself and held the word of the Lord upon my chest as I came to seek Him. I did all that the Lord had commanded me, out of fear of another attack. I cried out to the Lord, said His prayer, and asked for Michael to be sent upon Michael. I read and meditated upon Psalm Sixty-One, Hebrews Three and Hebrews Eleven as the Lord had commanded me. I sat in silence for quite some time and it seemed as if nothing was going to happen. Then I heard the voice of the Lord say unto me, “You must shut down your mind Michael and turn off your worldly thoughts. Look out into the darkness and you will find me, as I am to be found in the Spirit. Your mind cannot lead you to where I am to be found. Put away your fear and know that I am with you and have heard you.” I asked the Lord, “Lord, how do I do this thing you have commanded me? How do I shut down my mind and find you in the darkness? How is it possible for a man to clear his mind and thoughts of emotion?” The Lord then answered unto me and said, “It is not possible with man, but all is possible with God. Focus on that which made it possible for man and God to meet each other. Only there, will you find the peace you seek, for it is not possible for the mind of man to fully comprehend that moment of time and what took place there. Only the Holy Spirit of God working within you can reveal this and give you true peace in order to approach me.” I instantly understood that He was referring to the crucifixion of my Lord and Savior and the Cross at Calvary. I then looked out into the darkness with focus and steeled my mind. As I lay in silence and quietness, gazing out into nothingness, I began to see light - and before me appeared three crosses sitting upon a hill. I looked around me and I was standing on a road that was made up of dirt and broken stones. The road traveled up the hill and I again saw the three crosses, with the middle Cross being almost directly in front of me. Journey to the Cross 20 Chapter 4 I turned and saw the holy city of Jerusalem directly behind me. The large city gates were shut, and the city seemed eerily quiet. I did not attempt to approach or enter the city, but instead I began to walk towards the hill and the crosses that stood before me. As I walked along, I saw dry, parched land and mountains in the distance beyond the road in front of me. I drew near the foot of the hill, and a dark forest began to materialize. I became encircled and found myself entangled in heavy vines. I was again dressed in white and shielded with silver armor, armed with the golden sword and dagger at my sides as I had been on the path with the Lord in my first vision. I drew the sword and began to slice through the vines that entangled me. Once freed, I again began to move up the hill and toward the Cross. Then a voice called out my name and said to me, “So Michael, you have decided to be my enemy and align yourself with the Lord, have you?” I immediately recognized the voice and fear shot through me, as I knew it was the voice of the evil one! I thought to myself, “This time he will kill me.” I began to regret my decision to seek the Lord out in this way again. I looked around to try and find the voice, and there in front of me was a small boulder set in the ground along the path - and Satan was squatting on top of it. The area surrounding him was cleared of forest and vines and I could clearly see him. He was sitting crouched on top of the boulder as would a lion observing their prey. He had a different presence this time, appearing in the form of a man as before, but not as dominating. He was wearing dark clothing, with his hands and fingers decorated in jewelry. He appeared much more cunning - as opposed to powerful. The spirit of the Lord compelled me forward. I had no other path to take but to walk right past him, so I proceeded forth. I decided very quickly that should just try to ignore him, and neither answer him nor look upon him again. As I continued my walk, I began to hear ominous voices from within the forest in all directions around me. They were making strange sounds, as if many were crying out loud and it taunted me in my spirit. I gazed into the forest and began seeing dark shadows moving throughout it. The shadows darted in and out of the trees, as would the shadow of birds at the top of a sunlit forest. They were larger and much more ominous in nature however, and no sun was shining. I looked at the sword and dagger that I was carrying, and I lifted them up and held them before me. Some instinct was driving me, and I was on full alert, as a warrior preparing himself for an attack. I glanced over to locate Satan - who had not moved and was smiling at me with an evil grin. Out of nowhere, there stood before me an evil spirit or demon, and it lunged at me, nearly taking me off my feet. Return to Chapter Index Journey to the Cross 21 Chapter 4 I swung the sword across its midsection, and it leaned forward and screamed. I then took the dagger and sliced it across its throat, and it fell to the ground. I stood over it and then it faded to mist, floating back into the dark forest from which it had come. I looked up and Satan was standing directly in front of me. He began to clap his hands together, as if applauding me. He then said unto me, “Well done, for I did not expect you to do so well. You should be proud as you did not hesitate to slay my servant and send him back to the abyss from which I summoned him.” I turned away from him and began walking toward the crosses. As I was walking, Satan walked up beside me and began to taunt me. He said unto me, “The Lord you are going to worship, as you can see, did not destroy me. Have you never asked yourself why? His life and the lives of His followers are ones of great suffering, allegedly because of me, for the words He has spoken testify to this. I am still curious as to why you would follow this God. Is it not true that you desire to be strong, powerful and wealthy, and have all the things this world has to offer? Does not all of mankind? For this is how you were created, was it not? Tell me if I do not speak truth or how it is that I deceive you? Those who seek to ignore and put off such longings, fight against their very nature. They spend all the days of their futile life in suffering, desiring to have what they have been commanded to set aside and deny. Then their life leaves them, and they are told that if they did not obey, only worse suffering awaits them. Why did God not remove those desires from you, if He is the God of love that you see Him as being?” I desired to answer but I did not contain the wisdom to challenge his questions, and I felt the spirit guiding me to be silent and to ignore him. To speak with him at all was to give him power, this I had come to realize. I drew closer to the hilltop where the crosses stood and there appeared a great wall of light. The wall encircled the top of the hill and I began to see thousands upon thousands of angels of light, with Michael standing at the end of the path. Satan said unto me, “You remain silent, for you cannot answer the questions as you know not the answers. You follow what you do not see or understand and ignore that which is so obvious, believing it is wisdom. This is where you and I part company, but I am looking forward to our next visit.” He then vanished and the dark forest with him, and a bright sun began to shine. I stood at the entrance of the circle of angels and faced Michael. He clearly recognized me, and I felt a bond with him that I cannot explain. He was gentler in nature Return to Chapter Index Journey to the Cross 22 Chapter 4 compared to the other times I had seen him. He slowly stepped aside and pointed me forward, granting me access to the hilltop. I then saw the Lord Jesus Christ, hanging from the Cross without life, and I wept as I entered the area sealed off by the angels from the ground to the Heavens. My armor and swords were no longer with me and I was wearing only a long white robe, standing before the Lord, watching His blood pour down His body. In front of the Cross His blood was spread out across the ground. His Cross was made of light-colored wood, while the other two crosses glowed white. I wept bitterly and bowed down on my knees before Him. His body was badly beaten, and His arms appeared torn apart and limp. His face was bruised and cut, and a crown of thorns was embedded into His skin. One thorn sank into His left eyelid and His blood poured down His mouth and chin onto His chest. His head was leaning over to the left and the weight of His body brought His knees out. His palms were pierced with nails and His feet were crossed over one another with a large nail driven through the top of them. Out of His right side, just under the pit of His arm, was a huge tear with blood pouring down His body onto His right leg. I crawled to the foot of the Cross, weeping as I came forward, and could not contain my sorrow at what I was seeing. I gathered up His spilled blood mixed with dust and poured it on my head. I sat up on my knees and kissed His feet, which were blue, torn and covered with blood. I bowed my head to the dirt at the base of the Cross. His blood dripped down upon my head, and I wailed uncontrollably. I cried out in a loud voice, “Look at what they did to you, Lord! Why would they do such a terrible thing?” Anger at myself ran through me, because I knew the answer to my question. I knew it was my sin that brought this agony upon Him - and the shame was so unbearable that I wanted to throw myself off the hillside. Return To Chapters Index Return to Chapter Index Washing of the Lamb 23 Chapter 5 Washing of the Lamb Chapter 5 I could no longer stand to see Him like that, so I decided that I would take Him down. I had no understanding of what had happened and the events that had been recorded. All I saw and felt was the Lord Jesus Christ beaten and murdered, hanging on a Cross - and I wanted to free Him and cleanse Him. I needed to take care of Him and treat His body with kindness. I began thinking of how I could take Him down, without causing Him to fall, as I had no one to help me. I found a small stone and decided to first remove the nail from His feet. I went around the back of the Cross and beat against the nail until it came out, which caused His legs to fall straight. I prayed to Him as I was working, asking Him to forgive me if I was causing Him any pain or discomfort and asked Him to help me. I did not consider that I was talking to someone who appeared dead before me, knowing He heard my prayer. I removed the long white robe I was wearing and tore it in two. I covered my lower body with the lower half, so that I would not touch the Lord with the part that had been exposed to the dirt, as the robe was long and had dragged the ground when I bowed before the Lord. I took the upper half which had remained mostly clean and wound it up as a rope. I wrapped it around my neck, so that I could easily loosen it, making sure it would not fall from me. I climbed up the back of the Cross, grabbing the center piece with both hands. I then clamped the bottom center beam with the inner sides of my feet. I slowly climbed up, and then perched myself at the cross section, where the beams intersected. I took the upper part of the robe from around my neck and loosened it. I gently placed it under the Lord’s arms and across His chest, tied it to the backside of the center beam, and then fastened the top end to my waist to secure Him. I took the stone from my lower robe and removed the nail from His left hand, causing His arm to fall to His side - and the robe caught His weight. I made sure I was firmly secured before I removed the last nail, as the robe was to hold the full weight of His body once it was removed. I readied myself and then removed the nail from His right hand and His body dropped, but the robe prevented Him from touching the ground. With His weight bearing down on my waist, I crossed my legs over the center beams, with my arms holding fast to the robe across each side of it. I wrapped my right arm into the robe, so that when I released it from my waist, I could hold His body until I could get my left arm in place and let Him down softly. Return to Chapter Index Washing of the Lamb 24 Chapter 5 I took my left hand and untied the crossover knot from my waist, causing His weight to fall on my right arm and press my chest against the back and top side of the main beam. This nearly threw the Lord and I both to the ground, except for the strength of my legs wrapped around the cross-section. I wrapped my left arm in the slack of the robe created when I untied it from my waist, and slowly lowered His body to the ground. His legs folded gently to one side and His body rested upon the ground. I rested for a moment, relieved that I had not dropped Him harshly. I climbed back down the Cross and untied the robe from around His chest. I then took the robe and unfolded it and began to shake it in the air. It had dust and the Lord’s blood on it, and I tried to clean off the dust as much as I could. I took the robe and spread it out on the ground beside Him, and then proceeded to lift His upper body onto it first. After placing His head and upper body onto the robe, I lifted His waist and legs and placed them onto the robe as well. I knelt beside Him and wept as I looked upon His broken body. I began to break away the thorns from the crown that had been placed on His head. I carefully broke off the ones lodged into His skin and broke the crown into two pieces from the side, gently lifting His head to remove it. I wanted to throw it over the hill, but knowing it was precious I instead laid it beside His body on the robe. I could not stop weeping and tears continued to roll down my face. I took my right hand and gently moved away His hair away from His forehead and eyes. I began to look around to see where I could take Him to wash His body off and remove the blood and dirt from Him. I prayed out loud, asking Him which direction I should take Him. I walked around the hilltop, past the Cross that was to the left of His, and discovered a trail leading down the hillside. As I looked, I saw a small stream, and decided that I would take Him there to wash Him. I thought I would not be strong enough to carry Him in my arms that far and would have to drag Him on the robe. I took hold of the foot of the robe, but as I looked down upon Him, I could not bear the thought of my Lord being dragged across the ground. I bowed my Head and prayed that He give me the strength to carry Him in my arms, so that I would not bring disgrace to Him. I then knelt beside Him and with my right arm reached under His upper back, lifting Him onto my right knee and placed His upper body across it. I then reached under the backside of His upper legs and with my left arm placed the rest of His body across both knees. I leaned Him towards me and firmly embraced Him against my chest and upper arms, setting Him against me; then I stood straight up with Him. Return to Chapter Index Washing of the Lamb 25 Chapter 5 His weight strained my body and lower back, but I was determined in my heart to carry Him and kept asking Him to give me strength. I was able to carry Him to the place where the stream was running. When I got to the stream my body was exhausted, so I knelt down slowly and fell onto my backside, as if squatting. Then I sat down and held Him in my arms across my lap as a mother would a small child. I took a few moments to catch my breath, gain my composure and get my strength back. As I sat there, I looked down at Him and my sadness was great, as I thought about the amount of suffering that He had gone through, knowing my suffering amounted to nothing compared with His. He had done no wrong to anyone, and I had done so much. It was completely unfair, and I became very angry at myself - and the whole world - for what we were as a people; shameful in every way and unworthy of Him, having no regard for the true nature of who He was and why He came. Mankind, in all of our pettiness and selfrighteousness, sought glory only for ourselves and made Him out to be a byword, used without regard. We talked of Him as if He were a normal man and not with the Holiness of who He was and is, and I began to get angrier and angrier as I stared at Him. I looked around and saw nothing but barren desert. The setting reflected the emptiness and hopelessness I felt inside. I recalled how I always believed that I was not good enough for Him. Not because of the love He had for me, or the sacrifice He had made; rather I had felt that way because of my anger towards Him, and I never recognized the truth of it before. I was angry at Him because He was God and I was not, and because He expected me to be all of these things, and to follow all of these rules, designed to keep me from being happy; and if I couldn’t be what He wanted, I was to suffer for eternity. I did not know what love was, and even in the times that I attempted to follow His ways, it had always been out of fear and not out of love. This only served to make me angrier at Him, because I always failed, so that I did not even try any longer. I never truly considered the amount of love He had for mankind, or why He had come. Although the truth seemed simple, I never genuinely grasped it. All of this I pondered in my heart as I held Him in my arms, and I could not deny the true nature of who I had been in the sight of Him. Even as I held Him in death, His very presence brought forth a truth that love is greater than anything, and He was the only one who had ever reflected absolute love. I could now see plainly that He was love, and in love He had overcome all things that were evil. And yet, we are not able to completely comprehend the meaning of His love, or how great He was and is. I decided it was time to wash Him, and I gently sat His body on the ground beside the stream of water. I stood up and tore a piece of my bottom robe to use in order to wash Return to Chapter Index Washing of the Lamb 26 Chapter 5 Him. The water was light brown in color and not as clean as I would have liked, but I had nothing else to use so it would have to do. I stepped into the water, which went up to my waist, and then reached out and took hold of the edge of the robe, pulling His body closer to the edge of the stream. I said a few words to express my affection toward Him, and then dipped the torn piece of the robe into the water, soaking it wet and wringing it out. I began to wipe off the top of His head and His hair first, removing the blood that had now dried, along with the dirt and dust. I continued to dip the towel into the water and wash it as clean as I could, until I had washed His body down. Once the dust and dried blood was removed, I was able to see the severity of His wounds and how broken His body truly was, for it had been mostly concealed before. Return to Chapter Index The Victory of the Lord 27 Chapter 6 The Victory of the Lord Chapter 6 I looked upon Him and began to think about how the Mother Mary must have felt, seeing Her beautiful and gentle Son this way. If it shattered my heart to pieces, how much greater was her suffering? I began to understand why so many people revere her in the way that they do, as I could not even fathom the level of her pain. Her faith must have been great, as it was said that she comforted others - yet I could not find words to comfort anyone in this moment, as I had none to give. As I thought about these things, it suddenly dawned on me that I had no idea what to do next. I was so overwhelmed with feeling the need to take Him down and wash Him, that I had not thought about what I was to do with His body once I had done so. I turned away from Him and began to look around, remembering that He had been placed in a tomb carved into a hillside. I could not see anything that gave me a sense of direction to go to find a location to place Him. I said to unto myself, “What are you going to do now?” Then I turned back towards Him, and He was gone - only the remnants of the robe remained, with the dust lightly blowing on it! I began to weep and panic. Suddenly, I heard the Lord’s voice, and He said unto me, “Do not weep, for I have overcome the Cross, and the will of God has been done. The Light of eternal love overcame darkness in mankind, and my joy could be no greater.” I turned and behold, the Lord was standing in the water beside me, dressed in a white glowing robe, just as I had seen Him before. He had a warm and gentle smile on His face and the sun shone directly upon Him, and He said unto me, “I am glad to see you again.” I dropped to my knees in the water, which had become crystal blue and clean, and I asked Him, saying, “Forgive me Lord, are you the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Christ, the Messiah, my Brother and my Friend?” I knew not how all His names came to me, but I felt the need to proclaim each one of them before Him. The Lord then gently laughed and answered unto me, “I AM,” and I kissed His hands. He held each side of my face within the palms of His hands and said unto me, “Do not fear, as all is well, and I summoned you here so that you may understand the purpose for which you have been called, as much wisdom is to be bestowed upon you and it must start here.” I began to weep with overwhelming joy at seeing His glory and His body restored. Return to Chapter Index The Victory of the Lord 28 Chapter 6 His face and touch were so gentle, and He said unto me, “Love does not fear and it does not condemn, it holds no record of being wronged and it cannot be changed as it is eternal and never ending. Love has no beginning, and through it, was put forth the creation of all things. Its boundaries cannot be measured, as it does not end. You will soon begin to understand the true nature of the light of God, as you have been a witness to it this day, and so you will be a witness to much more in love.” I said unto Him, “Lord, I am not worthy of your love and I have shown you no love, nor have I ever felt love. I do not possess the ability to know love because my heart has been dark since as long as my memory can reach back.” The Lord said unto me, “Love is not earned, nor can it be taken. Love is and was and is to come and nothing can change its course, for from it and through it all things exist and are held together.” I said unto Him, “Lord, forgive me, but I do not understand what you mean, for my mind cannot seem to grasp the meaning of the things you say.” He then said unto me, “I am going to baptize you, washing away your doubt and fear. When you arise, you will be taken on a journey with the Lord God and be shown many things, but first your heart and mind must be cleared. Do you understand this?” I said unto the Lord, “Yes Lord, I understand. I must be cleansed of my sins, before I can be present with the Father and you again.” The Lord then said unto me, “Already you are free from darkness, for that was the purpose for which I came. I baptize you to free you of your own fear and the limitations of your mind and heart - but the world has been cleansed of sin already.” I said unto Him, “Lord, I do not completely understand, but I would be honored to have you baptize me and take me wherever you wish. I love you as much as I know how to love, and more than I can even begin to express.” The Lord smiled and said unto me, “This I already know, and have known since the beginning of all things, so do not fear for I am with you.” He then said in a gentle voice, “Let your eyes be opened, your mind set free and your heart be filled with wisdom,” and then He laid me into the water. I saw the world flash before my eyes and I saw a timeless, endless darkness and a bright and shining light in the distance, which I knew was the glory of the Lord God Almighty. Return to Chapter Index The Beginning of the Beginning 29 Chapter 7 The Beginning of the Beginning Chapter 7 I was suspended in nothingness, with darkness all around me, except for the shining light in the distance. This darkness contained its own energy and felt as if it was pressing against me, holding me in a grip of some sort. I felt my hand being grabbed ahold of, and I looked to see the Lord to the left of me. He had taken hold of me with His right hand and had a gentle smile across His face. He then said unto me, “You are about to see and be told many things. Some you will understand and some you will not, but you will see them and hear them nevertheless.” I said unto Him, “I am ready Lord.” The shining light came upon us and took hold of the Lord; through Him, the light took hold of me as well. We were both drawn into the light, first the Lord and then I. We entered the light and the darkness was gone, along with the energy I had felt pressing against me. I was standing on nothing, but did not feel suspended either, as the shining light and I were of one substance, having no resistance between us. I saw the Lord in front of me and He had a smile on His face. The light was going right through Him, and I only knew who He was by the spirit, for I could not see Him in the image of a man as before. Then behold, the Father appeared beside Him, and great warmth fell upon me while my spirit felt a sense of utter relaxation. I bowed before them in the spirit and they began to speak to me in one voice. The Lord God said unto me, “Turn and face the darkness.” I turned and looked out from inside the light and saw the darkness, and I said unto the Lord God, “I see nothingness, emptiness and eternal darkness my Lord.” He said unto me, “You are correct, for nothing that is to be created has yet been.” Then I said unto the Lord God, “I do not understand my Lord, did you not create the darkness? For I have always been told that you were the Creator of everything my Lord.” The Lord God then said unto me, “Everything that ever was and ever will be, was created by my word, but the darkness was not. The darkness is the reflection of that which is without light and so by my will, I allowed it to stay within its boundaries until the time of my choosing. The darkness therefore, represents that in which I created all things and brought forth the light, yet the darkness had to remain, for in the eternal light all that is created ceases to be seen.” I said unto the Lord God, “I do not understand my Lord, forgive me.” Return to Chapter Index The Beginning of the Beginning 30 Chapter 7 And the Lord God said unto me, “Behold and you shall see with your own eyes and understanding you will have.” I felt my spirit pulled back and sat before the Lord God, directly in front of Him with my face looking out into the darkness from inside of the light. The Lord stepped forward and looked at me with a smile, and then I felt a great surge of energy rush through me and all throughout the place of light. The Lord surged forward through the light and penetrated the outer edges of it and leapt forth into the darkness as would a ray of light. He lifted His hands, speaking words of a language I did not understand, and great light shot forth which darkness began to flee from. I watched in amazement as the darkness was bent back, as if waters held back by a great dam, and the darkness groaned under the light of the Lord. I began to see great formations take place within the great light. Formations of great planets, stars and galaxies began to shape and spread out in the light, into the outer edges of the darkness. They moved very slowly, rolling forward, as would rocks sliding down a hill in slow motion. I saw all types of shapes, colors and lights begin to appear and it was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. The darkness tried to push back against the light, bent on flooding in and destroying the beauty of the Lord God’s creation, and I felt it might be too strong for the light to withstand. I heard the voice of the Father, and He said unto me, “The light is much greater than the darkness and it will not be overcome.” I looked and saw that Lord was setting everything in its place and its vastness was beyond imagination, but I saw it all as if it were a painting on a board before me. The Lord said unto the Lord, “Let us free the darkness, so that our work may be finished,” and then behold; the darkness began to run throughout the creation like a river running through a city, but without causing it any harm. The darkness came rushing in, but it could not move anything that the Lord God had created or set in place. The Lord God had set beacons of light throughout His creation, to ensure that darkness could not prevail over all that He had created. The Lord God had created all things over the darkness and forced it to give up its vastness, and it could not resist His will. I saw myself looking down onto all the Lord God had made, and I was standing far above the darkness and the creation, while still enclosed in the light. The Lord God said unto me, “Open your eyes and see the vastness of the light that no one has known or understood.” I looked and I saw a great light that encircled the darkness, which was never-ending and vast. The darkness and the creation of the Lord God were encapsulated inside of Return to Chapter Index The Beginning of the Beginning 31 Chapter 7 the light, enclosed and surrounded with no chance of escape. The darkness appeared as only the eye of a great hurricane, with an eternal cloud of light circling it in motion. I said unto the Lord God, “Lord, my eyes see what my thoughts could not imagine. All of creation and all that I have known to be vast and endless are but a mere shadow of the eternal light. The darkness appears to have been as a single sheet of paper, which the Lord God chose to draw upon.” Questions raced through my mind and I began to ponder the meaning of all that I was seeing. How did it all relate to mankind, the Holy Bible and all that I had ever known and perceived as truth? I felt overwhelmed in my spirit, as I could not comprehend the vastness and enormity of it all, and I felt lost. The Lord God said unto me, “Do not be troubled, for the wisdom you seek will be given to you and you will understand all things that you have seen and been told.” I saw myself being led by the light throughout the creation and shown the beauty of it all. I saw great planets, magnificent stars and endless arrays of colors, shapes and images beyond the imagination. All of it set inside of itself, limited to its own purpose, yet tied together as part of a greater purpose. The Lord God took me to the face of a massive planet at the very edge of where the outer light and the darkness met. The size of it was enormous and it contained nothing but the ambient light that shined from the rest of the creation. I was taken down to the surface and there was nothing to be seen other than solid rock with mountains, canyons and flat lands. I saw no water, no sky, no trees, and no plants or grass. There was no breeze, sun or moon and the planet was dead, without any life. The Lord God led me to a high mountain and set me down at the face of a huge cave with a long and massive cliff leading out to the edge of the great mountain. I looked down and behold; the height of it was unimaginable, for I could see the face of the planet forever from where I stood. The depth to the bottom was beyond my ability to measure. The Lord God took my hand and led me inside the mouth of the cave and the darkness illuminated in His presence, so that I could see out in front of me as I walked with Him. The cave was vast, going on forever - and its walls, ceiling and floor were beyond my sight. The Lord God stopped and turned around, facing the direction towards which we had entered, and He said unto me, “Sit and watch for I am about to show you the answer to one of the questions that you seek to know.” The Lord God then smiled, being fully aware of what I was about to see, and He appeared to find it humorous as to what my reaction was going to be. Return to Chapter Index The Beginning of the Beginning 32 Chapter 7 I found that to be a peaceful reassurance in my spirit, to know that the Lord God was gentle, and that He understood my being only a man and found humor to be good in His sight. Return to Chapter Index The Eternal Throne Established 33 Chapter 8 The Eternal Throne Established Chapter 8 Then I heard a gentle whisper come forth from the Lord God in the same language that He had spoken before, yet this time I understood the words contained in this gentle whisper - He said: “Let there be life.” Then a floating mist of light proceeded forth from the mouth of the Lord God, which reminded me of a trail of star dust, for I know not how else to describe it. The mist of light traveled slowly through the cave, leaving a trail of light behind it as it went forward, and I watched in anticipation as to what its purpose was. I saw it exit the cave, then disperse and spread out into the vastness of the planet, losing some of its light as it did so. Time seemed to stop at that moment, and there was a great silence. The trail of light stayed suspended within that moment. Then behold, a great and sudden flash of light exploded before me and its energy was awesome, yet I was not blinded by it. I saw in the vast distance, a wall of light rushing towards the cave at great speed. It grew brighter and brighter the closer it drew towards the cave, and it covered over all the details of the land that I had seen before. The great light rushed into the cave, yet its brightness and power had become so great that I had to look away, for it had become too much for my eyes to behold. I felt a surge go through me and felt as if I could not breathe. I cried out to the Lord, “Lord, please Help me for the light is choking me!” Then the surge stopped, silence returned, and I could breathe again. I heard the voice of the Lord God and He said unto me, “Do not be afraid. Raise your eyes and see what I have created before you.” I lifted my head and I was amazed at what I saw. Behold, laid out before me was the throne room of the Lord God, and the great golden gates that I had entered with the Lord in my first vision! I looked up and discovered that I was sitting upon the great red steps before the throne of the Lord God. He was sitting upon the throne in all His glory, with the great angels standing behind Him. I cried out to the Lord God, “Lord, how can this be? What is this that my eyes have seen? Is your throne established inside the creation, Lord?” Return to Chapter Index The Eternal Throne Established 34 Chapter 8 The Lord God said unto me, “My throne is established inside of the creation for the purpose of which I established it, so that the darkness may know that I am the Lord God and I dwell forever within it. With the eternal light of love it was created, and in love it is forever established.” I said unto the Lord, “Lord, please forgive me, but how can this be, for where is this written, that such things have taken place?” The Lord God said unto me, “Is it not written that my word will go forth and accomplish the purpose for which I sent it, and that it will not return to me until it has done so? There is much more for you to see and know and much is yet to be revealed. Let us walk together, so that you may behold what I have done.” The Lord God rose from His throne and stood towering above me as would a great giant, and all the throne room shook as He stood. The angels began to cry out and sing songs of glory and praise to Him, and I bowed down before Him. I felt the hand of the Lord take hold of my right hand and He said unto me, “Come and I will show you what I have done before you.” I rose and behold, the Lord was standing beside me, appearing in the image of a Man as I had seen in my earlier visions, gently smiling, and I felt comfort with Him. We began to walk towards the golden doors, and I could see nothing else in the presence of the throne room besides the angels. I did not see the white table, the pillars, or Adam and Eve as I had before. As we approached the golden gates, they began to open outwards this time, instead of fading away as before when I had entered them. I looked and I saw two massive angels pushing the doors open and the great angel Michael, standing on the path of transcendent light and cloud which before had been a great cliff. He was bowed low, and as before, had His hands placed together before the Lord as if in prayer. The Lord said unto him, “Go now and summon the guardian of the darkness and bring him before me,” and at once, Michael departed in flight, as if an arrow of light and was quickly beyond my vision. Michael did not seem to notice me as he had before. I then asked the Lord, “Lord, I did not feel that Michael knew that I was here, as if he did not perceive me?” The Lord said unto me, “That is because you do not yet exist. Come now and see what I have brought you to see,” and I realized what He was saying, and it astonished me. We began walking together and I again saw the endless array of angels before me, yet I also saw a beautiful sky above them, which I had not seen before. I looked closer at them and they had no armor, nor were they equipped with any weapon. They were Return to Chapter Index The Eternal Throne Established 35 Chapter 8 glowing with light. The color of their skin and the white of their eyes appeared the same, but they did not seem to be of a warrior breed as before. The Lord said unto them, “Go now and take light into the creation and deliver life unto it.” In a flash, they were gone, and where millions had been there was not one left in my presence. Then suddenly, all the creation of the planet appeared, which had been hidden from my eyes by the glory of the angels, before the Lord had sent them away. The Lord asked me, “What do you see?” I could not answer Him as I was in awe at what the Lord God had done to this barren planet of rock with only a whisper. The Lord again said unto me, “If you can hear me tell me what you see.” I looked at Him and He was smiling towards me with that look of amusement He had displayed before. I said unto Him, “Forgive me Lord, for I was speechless before you because of what I see. I see beautiful waterfalls, rivers, streams and lakes. I see green trees, plants and grass. I see beautiful flowers, fruits and the colors of rainbows throughout it all. I see glorious white mountains and the color of gold, diamonds, gems and rubies made of all colors throughout it, and it goes on forever and ever in my sight Lord.” Return to Chapter Index Journey through Heaven 36 Chapter 9 Journey through Heaven Chapter 9 The Lord said unto me, “Come, so that we may look closer.” He let go of my hand and sprang forth off the cliff and soared high above the land, as would a great eagle, and I watched in amazement. The Lord said unto me, “Come and fly with me.” I said unto Him, “Lord, I cannot fly, as I am not you.” I then looked and I had two great white wings as did the angels, and the Lord said unto me, “Come now and let’s see it together. Jump out and fly by my side.” He reached His hand to me and I leapt towards Him - and began to fall towards the ground far below. I cried out to the Lord, “Lord, I am falling to the ground and cannot fly!” The Lord said unto me, “Wings are of no use if you do not choose to use them.” I spread the wings out from my sides and in an instant, was soaring upwards and made my way to where the Lord was waiting for me, feeling relief in my spirit. The Lord said unto me, “Follow me and we will enjoy this place together,” and He soared down towards the land below and I followed with great eagerness. We landed upon a small cliff covered in green grass with a river of clear blue water running beneath it. The river was roughly a thousand feet below us, and at the end of it I saw a waterfall that rose into white clouds, which were much higher than the cliff where we were standing. I looked out from the edge of the cliff with the Lord standing to my left, and I saw beautiful meadows with layers of beautiful flowers that went on forever. In the middle of the meadows were fruit trees that were gathered in spots throughout the meadows. The fruits they bore were of all kinds of shapes, colors and sizes and looked very pleasing to the eye. The Lord asked me, “Do you enjoy swimming?” I answered, “Yes my Lord, I do enjoy swimming from time to time.” He then said unto me, “Let us swim together.” He dove from the edge of the cliff into the water below, and I followed right behind Him, having no fear at all. Return to Chapter Index Journey through Heaven 37 Chapter 9 The Lord went into the water at great speed and I prepared myself for the force of the water. When I entered the water however, I felt no force upon me at all and the water had no resistance toward me. I felt perfect coolness in the water, and it was so clear that I could see the Lord in front of me. There was no distortion of my vision and it amazed me. I did not expend any energy as I swam, and the water was refreshing in such a way that I cannot clearly explain. The Lord surfaced from the deep and I followed up behind Him. He stood before me with a bright smile on His face and was completely dry from His waist up. I looked and saw that the place where I had come up, which had been deep, now only came up to my waist, and I was also dry from the water line up. The Lord asked me, “Did you enjoy that swim?” I said unto Him, “Yes Lord, that I did,” and He smiled, turned and began walking towards the great waterfall and I followed behind Him. As we walked, I got a closer look at the trees that were growing beside the waters and saw they were perfectly made. There was no decay or dryness in their leaves and their fruit was perfectly shaped, unlike anything I had ever seen before. I turned my attention back to the Lord as He came up towards the base of the waterfall and then stopped and waited for me to come up beside Him. The Lord said unto me, “Spread out your wings and follow me,” and He went into the waterfall, flying upwards in the midst of the water. I stood there stunned for a second, and then followed Him up the waterfall. I flew through millions of gallons of water crashing down from great heights, but I felt no resistance. This place contained all the wonders of the earth without the natural laws that governed the earth. We came out of the top of the waterfall and the Lord and I stopped, suspended above it and behold, I saw an enormous crystal blue river flowing into the waterfall. Each side of it held great forests of trees that looked majestic. The Lord landed where the river became a waterfall and I landed beside Him, and we were both completely dry. I realized that the air was neither cold nor warm and I felt a gentle breeze, but it did not serve to change the temperature around me, neither heating me up, nor cooling me off. The Lord began to walk towards the riverbank in the direction left of us as we faced the river with the waterfall behind us, and I followed behind Him. We walked onto the shoreline and I felt the grass against my bare feet. It was lighter than cotton and didn’t cause me any discomfort whatsoever, nor did I seem to cause it any by walking upon it. Return to Chapter Index Journey through Heaven 38 Chapter 9 The Lord then reached a small, beautiful fruit tree and sat down beneath it, and so I sat down beside Him. He then took a piece of fruit from the tree and bit into it, offering me some and I bit into it as well. The taste of the fruit was unlike anything I had ever tasted before. With just one bite of it I was filled, and I had no cravings for more. I said unto the Lord, “Lord, I do not need any more of the fruit, so what shall I do with what is left, as I do not wish to throw it aside and waste it?” The Lord said unto me, “Set it down on the ground beside you and do not be troubled with what remains,” and so I did. I looked up at the Lord and He was smiling at me, so I looked back where I laid the fruit and it was gone. It had grown back again at the place from which the Lord had taken it, and I was perplexed. The Lord said unto me, “Do not be perplexed by what you see, for that which I give freely to you and you freely accept, will never perish, but will always be replenished. But that which is taken, without being offered or accepted in love will always perish. Apart from love, there is not life and all that does not contain love within it is forever corrupted and cannot withstand the light of life, in which it was created.” I asked the Lord, “Lord, is this the Heaven where people go when they die if they have believed in you?” The Lord said unto me, “It is the place that was created for that purpose, but there is still much for you to see and hear before you will understand this completely.” I said unto the Lord, “Lord, I am overwhelmed in my spirit at all that I have seen however, I am ready to go with you and see and hear whatever you would have me see and hear.” The Lord smiled and said, “Your faith is growing and your resistance to my love is being overcome, so that the light may reveal more to you. Come now and let us return to the throne room, as we will be here many more times together.” I was in an instant standing again before the throne, and the Father sat upon it while the Lord stood to my left. Then I heard the sound of a great trumpet being blown. I turned to see the golden gates being opened, and the angels began to shout and sing praises of joy to the Lord God. The Lord walked me to the top of the steps before the throne and sat me down directly before the Father. He then became light again, and He and the Father became united. I saw the great angel Michael walking towards the throne of the Lord God and beside Him was a large creature of strange and distorted appearance, cowering before the throne. It contained the first shadow I had seen in this place. Return to Chapter Index Journey through Heaven 39 Chapter 9 Michael came before the steps of the throne with the strange creature beside Him and bowed Him down before the Lord God. Michael then turned and walked back towards the golden gates, and as before He did not perceive my presence. The strange creature remained bowed with His face to the ground before the Lord God and said unto Him, “Lord God what have I done that you have brought this assault upon me? Have I not stayed in the darkness and not allowed it to come forth into the light, which you have commanded me to do?” The Lord God said unto Him in a thunderous voice, “You know that you have committed evil with the darkness, attempting to resist my creation, not wanting the darkness to be used by the light. The darkness has remained for the very purpose of the creation I chose to bring forth, and you were to be the guardian of it until the time I had chosen. Instead of being a faithful guardian of the darkness, you have chosen for the darkness to be the guardian of yourself, making yourself subject to it. Therefore, lord over you the darkness shall be, until the time that I choose to cast it and all that abides in it into the great light, which you have chosen to despise. Your name is now Satan, for you are the one that chose to oppose me and yet was not consumed by the light, for the benefit of my creation.” The creature now named Satan, kept his face bowed down and said nothing. The Lord God said unto him, “Be gone from my presence until I choose to summon you again.” The trumpets blew again, and the golden gates were opened. Michael came forth and took hold of Satan. He took him out of the throne room and then cast him back into the darkness from which he had been summoned. I asked the Lord God with my head bowed low before Him, “Lord God, please forgive me, but why did you not destroy that creature this day? I do not understand why you would allow him to oppose the love and light that you have brought forth? I also do not understand why there was a guardian appointed to protect the darkness?” The Lord God said unto me, “It is not yet time for that to be revealed. You will soon see and hear more, and you will have the answers that you seek. Return to your appointed time and place, remembering what you have seen and heard, knowing that the Lord God is a God of Eternal Light, which is the essence of Love.” I awoke from my vision and was in a state of shock over all that I had seen and heard. My mind could not comprehend the vastness of it all. Return to Chapter Index The Garden of the Lord 40 Chapter 10 The Garden of the Lord Chapter 10 In a vision sometime later, I came unto the Lord and He was standing beside a beautiful tree. The tree was positioned in a place surrounded by a pool of crystal-clear water, and from all sides the water surrounded the tree and then exited into a flowing stream. The entire place was majestic and beautiful, and there was a sense of purity in the air that is difficult to describe. The tree was not very large; perhaps two times the height of a man, but it was very vibrant and gleaming with beautiful fruit. I could not identify the fruit, as I had never seen any shaped in that form or color. In front of the tree, where the Lord was standing, was a small waterfall that fell into an open pool of water which flowed around the land where the tree was placed, before running into a stream behind us. The place was walled-in by canyon rocks that shined, as if they contained silver and diamonds. The Lord was standing in front of the tree with His back towards it and His face towards the waterfall, which formed the pool of water. I approached Him from the far side of the tree, coming up to His right side. I stood beside Him and gazed as He stared with admiration at the water fall and the pool of water. He looked very peaceful. The whole place was very peaceful and quiet and there were no frustrations of any kind. As I stood beside the Lord in silence, I looked closely at all the surroundings. The water was clear, not even blue, just clear and pure. The waterfall was not high, and it fed right out of the canyon wall. The grass, flowers and plants were very vibrant and healthy. The walls, although made of rock, somehow shined. After a moment had passed, the Lord looked over, smiled and said unto me, “Welcome to my Garden on Earth.” I smiled back at Him and said, “Thank you my Lord,” and I dropped to my knees before Him and greeted Him by His names. I kissed His hands and feet and He took me by the hand, lifting me back up to my feet and I stood beside Him once again. I asked Him, “Lord, what is this place?” The Lord answered unto me saying, “This is the Garden of Lord, which is called Eden. Behind us, is the Tree of Life. Do you find it a peaceful place to be?” Return to Chapter Index The Garden of the Lord 41 Chapter 10 I said unto Him, “It is very beautiful and peaceful Lord, and much different than I had imagined. Although I am not certain of what I had imagined. It is better than that, whatever it was.” He then smiled and said unto me, “Yes, it is beautiful here, and I made it to be peaceful and relaxing for the Man and Woman to live here forever, so that they would feel honored and loved here in my presence.” I did not know what to say, so I remained silent and just listened, as He had deep emotion in eyes as He spoke to me. The Lord said unto me, “Come and I will show you more, for we are in the center only and there is much more to see.” He began to walk towards the stream of water, and I followed. As we walked towards the path, I noticed a second tree that stood on the island, some distance from the first. I asked the Lord, “Lord, is this the infamous tree of the knowledge of good and evil?” The Lord said unto me, “It is so.” I stopped and looked at it more closely - and although the tree was exactly like the vibrant and healthy Tree of Life, it possessed only one single piece of fruit. I thought to inquire to the Lord as to why this was, but something made me just want to get away from it as it frightened me so. I followed the Lord as He walked across the stream. On the other side was a narrow strip of grassy land, which ran parallel between the stream and the canyon wall. We proceeded down the strip of grass, with the water fall behind us and the two trees and stream to our right side. As we walked, I noticed that the stream flowed gently and had no rocks or deposits that you would expect to see in a stream. There were no wild grasses or plants that sprang forth, nor did I see any type of creature or life in the water. I found it quite odd, but also magnificent. The Lord led me into a huge orchard of trees that had small canals of water running throughout them, fed from the main stream. The orchard trees were smaller than the two trees by the waterfall, and were full of various kinds of fruits, endless in number. The grass around the trees was very green and perfectly manicured and maintained. At the bottom of the trees, grew all kinds of flowers in various shapes and colors. The strips of grass that lay between the rows of trees and water canals allowed for plenty of room for us to walk without stepping into the water or on the flowers. The whole garden appeared to be well maintained, organized and designed for pleasure. As I walked behind the Lord, I heard laughter coming from beyond the trees. I looked around, but did not see anyone, so I asked the Lord, “Lord, I hear laughter from beyond the trees. Who is it that is laughing?” The Lord turned towards me and answered unto me saying, “That is Adam and Eve, and we are going to visit with them.” Return to Chapter Index The Garden of the Lord 42 Chapter 10 I was unable to reply; it was amazing to me that I was there in the Garden of Eden with the Lord and going to visit Adam and Eve. I said unto the Lord, “Lord, is it good for me to be here in this place, in their presence?” The Lord answered me saying, “It was for mankind that I made this Garden, therefore, let us go and visit.” The Lord turned to the right, away from the stream of water and into the orchard of trees, and I followed closely behind Him. He guided us through the trees and we came out to a large opening of grass and another pool of water, being fed by another waterfall that came from the cliff wall. There were flowers, green grass and smaller trees around the pool of water. I saw beautiful birds of all shapes and colors, flying back and forth throughout the garden and over the falls. I saw a ledge that protruded out below the waterfall and above the pool of water. I looked at the ledge, and behold, there sat Adam and Eve on the ledge together. They were laughing and gently teasing a butterfly. I was stunned by their beauty and form. They were perfectly made and without any noticeable defect; completely naked, but their bodies were so beautiful that I did not feel embarrassed by their nakedness. They were very muscular in their form. Both had flowing blonde hair, with Adam’s at shoulder length and Eve’s to the middle of her back. They had no body hair that I could see and were perfectly groomed. Their skin was bronze-colored, but not as if it had been tanned by the sun. Adam was large in his frame and a foot taller than Eve. The color of their eyes was dark brown, both being the same, and they looked like twins to me. The Lord walked to edge of the pool and they suddenly noticed His presence. With child-like joy, they leapt to their feet and dove into the pool of water, swimming as fast as they could to get to Him. When I saw their eagerness, I thought to myself, “They revere the Lord and respect Him as much as I do.” As I was thinking this, the Lord turned to me having known my thoughts, and He gently smiled and said unto me, “No, you misunderstand what you see,” and for a moment, I felt shame and I was not sure why. The Lord turned back towards the water as Adam and Eve were exiting the pool. They ran to the Lord, but did not bow to Him - instead, they jumped into His arms and began to hug Him and kiss Him on the cheeks, like He was their long-lost friend. They did not notice me or sense my presence in any way that I could tell. They gathered up flowers and brought them to Him. Eve made a necklace out of some and placed it over the Lord’s neck, and I watched in amazement. They had absolutely Return to Chapter Index The Garden of the Lord 43 Chapter 10 no idea as to who the Lord was or what power He possessed, treating Him as if He were just like them. They began to pull on His hands, leading Him towards the pool of water - and without hesitation, the Lord dove into the pool and Adam and Eve followed behind. They started splashing the water at one another and playing like children, and I could do nothing but watch in amazement and perplexity. They had absolutely no fear of the Lord, and the Lord did nothing to show His power, might or glory before them. He was as much a child with them as they were with Him. It was difficult for me to watch the Lord - whom I had just seen create the entire universe, command mighty angels and battle Satan - now swimming and playing like a child. I sat down in the grass and flowers, watching silently for some time. After they swam for a while, they exited the pool on the side across from where I was sitting and began to dry off. Adam went and gathered fruit, as Eve and the Lord sat down in the warmth - which was contained in the Garden, as there was no sun and only clear blue skies above. Adam quickly returned and they sat down and began to eat the fruit together, without praying first - which bothered me, but I did not know why. I expected Him to make them give thanks, but He did not do so. As they finished eating, Adam stood up and walked a short distance away from the Lord and Eve, and made a whistling noise. Seconds later, to my amazement, three beautiful white horses came forth from within the tree orchard. They were walking and not running, and just as Adam and Eve, they were also flawless and perfect, without any blemish or defect. They were so white that they almost glowed. The horses walked right up to them as they stood together, resting their heads on their shoulders. Adam and Eve petted them slowly and affectionately. After a few moments, the horses bowed low and they climbed on their backs gently, riding off into the tree orchard, laughing and shouting. After a moment, I could no longer see or hear them. I found myself sitting there alone and I felt a little uneasy in my spirit. I began to wonder why the Lord was acting this way and what His purpose was for bringing me here. Of course, I did not yet know what the purpose was for all that I had seen, so I guessed that this was no different. This place was full of comfort; even the grass and flowers felt like the softest fabric, just as they had in Heaven. I laid down in the bed of flowers and stared into the sky, with many thoughts going through my mind. The sky was a clear blue with no clouds, and although there was light, it was not like the light from the sun, as it did not radiate, as would light that you normally see across the skyline. The Garden of the Lord 44 Chapter 10 I felt very peaceful, safe and without worry, and I wondered how the world would be if it was all just like this place. I wondered how the world would react to the Lord, if they had seen Him like I had just seen Him. It did not take me long to realize that the world would reject Him, because they already had. They did not understand who He was, and neither had I. As these thoughts went through my mind, I began to feel myself falling into a peaceful drowsiness, and I shut my eyes and quickly fell into a restful sleep. Return to Chapter Index The Great Forest 45 Chapter 11 The Great Forest Chapter 11 I awoke lying on a rock surface, with the Lord sitting a few feet away from me, staring out into the distance. I sat up, and the Lord looked over and said unto me, “Come and look down and see what I see.” I rose to my feet and walked over to Him and sat down beside Him. We were sitting on the edge of a very high cliff. I looked down and saw the entire garden below, and it was vast and very beautiful. I said unto the Lord, “It is very beautiful Lord and I am very grateful that you have brought me here with you.” The Lord smiled and said unto me, “You have much more to see and now we must leave the garden, we shall return here again.” He and I stood up, gazed over the garden’s beauty once more. Then the Lord turned and began to walk away from the edge of the cliff, and I followed Him. In front of us there was a short tunnel that was formed at the beginning of the cliff, which took us through to the other side of the cliff wall. The Lord walked us into the tunnel and when we came out of the other side, there was another cliff, very similar to the one we had just left - except it had a much different view. There was a small boulder on the right edge of the cliff and the Lord sat down on top of it, crossed His legs, and asked me to sit. I did so, on the ground at the foot of the boulder in front of Him. The Lord asked me what I saw as I looked out from the edge of the cliff. I said unto the Lord, “Lord, I see an open field that runs up to the side of this cliff wall on one side and on the other side of the field, I see a very large forest of great trees, which are higher than we are, with tops that are above the clouds. To the left of us Lord, I see the cliff wall turn in towards the great forest of trees and there is an opening where I see another great tree, which is separated by a small distance from the others and is smaller in its size. To the right of us Lord, I see only the continuous field, which is enclosed by the cliff wall on one end, and the great forest of trees on the other end.” The Lord then said unto me, “Good, then let us go down to the great forest of trees and sit and talk at the foot of the smaller tree.” He got up from the boulder and offered me His hand, helping me to my feet. Return to Chapter Index The Great Forest 46 Chapter 11 The cliff was very high, and I asked the Lord how we were going to get down. He answered unto me, “We will fly down,” and I saw that I had wings again. The Lord then smiled and said unto me, “Come now and do not be afraid. Follow me,” and He leapt from the edge of the cliff and soared like an eagle across the field, landing beside the great forest of trees. I spread my wings and fell forward from the edge of the cliff as The Lord had, gracefully landing beside Him. Once I landed my wings disappeared and I was again wearing just the white robe, standing at the Lord’s right side. We were slightly to the left of the center of the great forest of trees, towards the end where the smaller tree stood apart. I stared at the trees and was very impressed by their great size. Their trunks were massive, being so large that one side could conceal ten men standing beside one another in any direction. The tops of the trees could not be seen from the ground as they were hidden in a line of clouds above. The limbs were very strong and intermingled from one tree to the next, forming a web that interlocked one tree to the other. The trees had no leaves growing on them but were very much alive - like trees in the wintertime. The forest was not that large in its overall size, perhaps half a mile long, with a depth less than that. As we walked into the forest towards the smaller tree at the end, I saw that there were only twelve trees in each row, although their size had made the forest appear to hold many more. I could vaguely see beyond the forest line, that which I could not see from the cliff. Although not clear, it appeared to be another field, with a large stream and a smaller tree, standing alone on top of a small hill, and a forest of smaller trees to the right of it. While we slowly walked among the great trees, the Lord would touch each one as we passed by them, almost pausing as He did so. He seemed to have a bond with them and was attached to them in some personal way. I felt the need to remain quiet and simply observe. I did not speak while we walked, and instead followed closely behind Him. We finally came to the far-left end of the forest, into a small opening of grass where the smaller tree was standing. The smaller tree was also great in size but was roughly half the width and height of the other trees in the great forest. There was a slight sink in the ground where it was growing. The smaller tree was also different, and full of green leaves with various fruits growing from its limbs. From where we stood at the opening in the forest, I could now see the other side of the great forest and the cliff wall clearly. I had judged correctly in what I thought I had seen, which was a small field that ran from the great forest of trees to a large blue stream. I also observed a larger field that Return to Chapter Index The Great Forest 47 Chapter 11 ran up a hill, with a small tree at the top left, and a large forest of smaller trees off in a distance from the right of it. The large stream ran parallel to the forest line, but it broke into a smaller stream in front of the smaller tree of the great forest, and it ran up the hill and around the small tree on top of the hill. Beyond that, I could not see how far the large forest of smaller trees or the large stream ran, parallel to the great forest of trees. The Lord walked down the small incline of the smaller great forest tree and laid His hands upon the trunk of it, looking up at it with a smile across His face. He turned around with His back towards it and sat down at the base of the tree, facing the forest that was behind me. He then motioned me over to Him, saying unto me, “Come now and talk with me for a while, as it is time for me to give you wisdom and understanding about what you have seen and heard, and what you are still to see and hear.” I walked over and sat down beside the Lord and waited for Him to begin to speak to me. Whenever the Lord would speak with me, He always caused me to listen in a way that gave me wisdom and a sense of worthiness. He had a mysterious gentleness, patience and kindness when He spoke, and He left me without any doubt as to the absolute authority, wisdom and power of His words. He had not ever commanded or spoken to me in a way that made me feel like I was being ruled over, even though He was the King of Kings and was the Lord Almighty. His voice, eyes and words always conveyed love, peace and understanding - and there was no judgment or condemnation of me in His presence. There was no pride, conceit or arrogance in Him, as was always to be found even in the humblest of men, and particularly men of great power and influence. He was so different, and I imagined how much His demeanor and speech must have amazed the people of Judea and Samaria when He walked among them, as it was something that I had never witnessed from any person I had ever spoken with. I was always eager to hear Him speak about anything He wanted to say. And so He began to speak and He called me by my name, saying unto me, “Michael, listen closely to my words, so that you may know and understand what you have seen and heard. For I have called unto you for this very purpose, so that you may write down all of these things and share them with those who seek me. Many generations of mankind have passed by since the time of the reconciliation and I have heard the cry of my people, as they seek to find me in the new world that mankind has built. I have chosen to speak unto them through The Holy Spirit, and you are to write these things down, calling it the Book of Michael and giving it unto the world.” Return to Chapter Index The Great Forest 48 Chapter 11 I then said unto the Lord, “Lord, I am trembling in fear at what you are saying. I am not a saint, a theologian or even a scholar of Your Word Lord. I have not walked in your footsteps, nor have I lived as a man of faith should. The notion that I would be chosen to write down the Word of the Lord, is too great for my heart and mind to conceive, my Lord. I am fearful that I would commit great shame to your Holy name, and that this shame would be greater than I can bear, for I fear your judgment upon me if I have not clearly heard your word my Lord, or that I may be deceived and commit the worst of sins.” The Lord then placed His hand upon my shoulder, and said unto me, “I do not choose those who are great, wise or held in high regard to the world. I choose the weak, the lost, the shamed and the humble. For in them is the spirit of surrender and humility. Those who see themselves as the wise, the rich and the intelligent need not know me, for they are their own God. I tell you the truth, even those who have been called by me to lead the church, would not be able to write what you have seen, for they would be much too fearful of their judgment. I do not give you this wisdom and knowledge so that the world will love me. I give you this wisdom and knowledge so that the world will know that I love them and have not forsaken them. For it is written that my sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me; so then do not fear, for my sheep will know the truth of the words I have called you to write down. Those who do not know my words are not my sheep and they do not know me, nor have they ever known me. But know in your heart, mind and soul, that I have called you for this purpose. Have faith and believe what you see, do not see what you believe. Now prepare your heart, for I am going to explain to you what you have seen and heard and entrust you with much wisdom - and write it down you will.” I answered unto the Lord, “Lord, I will obey your commands, for I love you Lord and I wish to please you. I will do so with great fear and trembling, but I have faith that you will guide me by way of your spirit, and I pray Lord that you not let your servant be led astray.” The Lord then said unto me, “In trembling and fear have all of my words been written by mankind. It takes great faith, courage and trust, and these gifts have been given unto you, so that the guardian of the darkness will not cause you to fall. Know that I am with you, just as I have been with all those before you, and do not fear.” The Lord smiled and began to look around. Then His face began to change, as if He had great sorrow in His heart and I felt like weeping inside because of it. He began to speak and explain many things, and I sat there amazed and overwhelmed by all that I heard. Return to Return to Chapter Index Chapter Index The Wisdom of the Lord 49 Chapter 12 The Wisdom of the Lord Chapter 12 The Lord said unto me: “The Great Forest represents the chosen faithful among mankind. Each tree is a symbol of their faith, strength and courage to follow me and to seek me out in a world of darkness. The width of each tree reflects their steadfastness and determination, for their roots of faith are deep and their love for me is everlasting. They would not be moved by the winds, nor could the changing seasons of the world slow their growth. The limbs that grow from each tree represent the bond of the faithful and their dependence on each other, so that the ones that came before would strengthen the ones that came after. The soil in which they are planted is the soil of faith, wisdom and knowledge, and the light that makes them grow is the light of eternal love which comes from the Lord God, by way of the Holy Spirit. The great height of each tree represents the growth towards the light above, which reaches above the first Heaven and beyond the clouds. The appointed faithful reached heights in which they no longer saw this world below, but only the Heavens above. No longer do they look down to the world of darkness, which lies beneath the clouds, but to the things above, which are love, truth and eternal light. The large stream that runs parallel to the Great Forest is the River of Life that flows from the eternal Son. This stream represents the eternal love, which was poured out by the light of life, so that the darkness of all mankind was washed away for eternity. The chosen faithful were planted in the soil closest to the stream, for they loved the light and accepted their calling into the light. Their faithfulness caused them to grow into greatness, so that the revelation of the light would serve as a great beacon to all mankind, and mankind could not say that they did not see. Those who see and come to the River of Life and drink freely from its waters will understand the light. In love, the light will cause them to take root and grow as well. This is the large forest on the far side of the River of Life that you see. Those who do not drink from the River of Life will never know or love the light, and therefore their eternity in the blinding light will be as darkness to them, for the spirit does not ever perish. The row of great trees closest to us, at the end of the Great Forest, are those that have lived in your generation of time. Each row behind them represents the twelve chosen faithful from each generation of mankind before you. Return to Chapter Index The Wisdom of the Lord 50 Chapter 12 Do not be quick to think that these are celebrated people in the eyes of the world, for some have been, but others were hardly known to mankind. Still some in your day are from very humble beginnings and though they are great among the faithful, they are still humble before me in love. These chosen faithful have served me with all their hearts, minds and souls and have loved me since the time of their calling. They have sought out my wisdom and my friendship, and some have suffered greatly for my name. The love that is in them is the love that is in me and therefore they have fought against the darkness all of their days, so that the light would stay lit for a world that does not understand or seek to know it. As you can see, some of the ones in the last row have a few leaves left, as their days are coming to an end in the world of darkness, but they are to stand as great beacons to those who seek the River of Life and the Great Forest of faith, which is the way back to the Garden of the Lord and the Heavens beyond. From all walks of this world I have called my servants. One was raised poor and fatherless and as an infant, I became His only Father. One was a witness to the great atrocities of war. One was of great wealth that set aside worldly possessions to follow me. One was raised in the poorest of neighborhoods among violence and darkness. One was a lost soul from a land of mankind that does not accept me as the Lord. The calling of the faithful ones is by my word and my word only, and these are the ones who heard my calling and chose to walk into the light of love, despite the wrath of darkness that surrounded them. They will soon lose their final leaves and cross over the field of glory that you see. I will meet them at the entrance of the Garden - which is the tunnel we passed through - and I will take them into the Garden of the Lord while they await the coming of the eternal Kingdom of Light. All who see the Great Forest and drink from the River of Life will follow the chosen faithful, and no amount of darkness around them will prevent them from entering. Those who do not drink from the River of Life will not enter the Garden of the Lord. They will be in darkness and then forever blinded with hatred with the coming of eternal light, for they have chosen not to know it or love it. The light of the Lord God is eternal and all consuming. It is the source of all love, wisdom, knowledge and power and it was sent to mankind to free them from the darkness. Those who do not accept this source, instead accept the power of darkness - and they cannot love the light. So, when the corrupted flesh fades and their days of death in the world of darkness come to an end, they will hate the light. And the light by its very nature, will cause them to be blind and suffer. All that they have ever hated and refused to love, will now be their eternal dwelling place for the light does not destroy its creation, only the darkness within it. Return to Chapter Index The Wisdom of the Lord 51 Chapter 12 I came, so that the darkness that indwelt mankind would be forever taken away. Do not think that I judge as the world judges, for it is not I who condemns, but the darkness condemns itself. For what can darkness know of the light? For hate and love have no place among one another, nor does hate choose to walk into the light. This is the condemnation that comes for all who have loved darkness and then meet the eternal light. The light that I speak of is the eternal glory of the Lord God and the Spirit of Love that binds them as one.” The Lord smiled and asked unto me, “Do you understand what I have told you so far?” I answered unto the Lord, “Lord, I understand what you are telling me, however, I cannot say that it all makes sense to me at this moment. It seems too simple to me, after all that has been written and all the questions that have been debated. I think I will have many questions Lord, but I want to just listen more for now.” The Lord then said unto me, “The truth is always simple, and has been known but not understood by mankind, even in the revelation of my coming; more has needed to be said. You will have much time to ask me questions. Come, let us walk and I will tell you more.” Return to Chapter Index The Tree of Jacob 52 Chapter 13 The Tree of Jacob Chapter 13 The Lord and I then stood up from the last tree where we had been sitting and started to walk towards the stream on the far side of the Great forest, away from the cliff wall. I began to think about this last tree in the Great forest row, the one which we sat near. The Lord had not told me anything about this tree. Since He had said I would have time to ask questions, I decided to not ask Him at that time and just continued to follow. We walked through the large stream that the Lord had called “The River of Life” and its water was waist-deep and refreshing. We crossed over at the point where the smaller stream broke away from the River of Life. This smaller stream ran up a hill and surrounded the small tree on top of the hill. With the River of Life and the Great Forest behind us, we began to walk up the hill towards the smaller tree on top of the hill, with the small stream to our left. I noticed that the smaller stream ran out from under this small tree on top of the hill and the current flowed downhill, feeding into and not being fed out of what the Lord called the River of Life at the bottom of the hill. When we got a short distance from the small tree on top of the hill, the Lord stopped and began to stare at it with deep intensity in His eyes. He began to glow brightly, and His appearance began to change before me. His eyes glowed like the sun and His body became like pure light. I stood there looking at Him, not understanding what was going on, and after a moment He returned to the image of Jesus Christ that He had been before. He sat down in the field about ten feet away from the tree and I sat down beside Him. As we sat there, more than a few minutes went by with neither of us saying anything. The Lord was looking down at the ground and running His hand through the beautiful green grass and appeared to be in deep thought. He raised His head to look up at the small tree and then said unto me, “Behold before you, the Tree of Jacob, which I have called Israel.” I was stunned at what He had said and so I began to look closely at the tree so that I may see more of its features. The tree was much smaller than the trees of either the Great Forest or the other large forest to the right of it, but it was filled with leaves and several different kinds of fruits. I looked closer and began to see that the tree was very, very old and its bark had been greatly weathered. I desired to look at it closer still, so I stood up and began to walk towards the tree. Return to Chapter Index The Tree of Jacob 53 Chapter 13 The Lord called out and He said unto me, “Do not draw near the tree, for it is not to be touched. For this tree has set itself apart from me and wishes not to be touched by me or any that are in me. This is the choice given under the Covenant of Moses.” I backed away from the tree and sat back down beside the Lord and said unto Him, “Lord, forgive me for I did not mean to offend you in any way.” The Lord smiled and put His hand on my shoulder and said unto me, “You did not offend. I will not touch the tree either, until the time to do so is here. This tree has rejected me, and I have given the tree and all those who belong to it the choice to do so.” I looked back at the tree and behold; the tree began to die before me. The tree branches withered, and the fruit dried to nothing. The stream around it began to dry up, with only a small amount of water left. The grass and everything around it began to die as well. Then the tree, the stream and everything around it, was replenished again as it had been before. This happened several times - over and over the tree and all that was around it would be at the point of death, but then would be replenished again. It was as if many ages of the tree were flashing before me and I began to understand as I watched this. The changing of the tree finally ceased, and it was restored to its original state as when we first sat down before it. I thought about all the struggles that Israel had gone through and how so many times, the people of Israel had suffered. I wondered how they had persevered for so long. The Lord then said unto me, “Do not let your thoughts lead you astray and do not let your heart be troubled. The seed of Adam, Abraham and David has been preserved, so that through this tree, the Great Forest and the River of Life has sprung forth. There is still hope that this tree will become the greatest of them all. Come now and let us walk and I will talk with you more.” The Lord and I stood up and glanced at the Tree of Jacob once more, before turning to walk down the hill. We headed towards the far end of the Great Forest, away from the small stream at the end of the Great Forest where we had sat before. As we walked through the great field with the River of Life to our right and the Great Forest beside it, I saw endless fields of green grass before us and the very large forest of trees to our left. The trees of the large forest were healthy and beautiful and were of normal size. There was another stream of water within this forest however, and unlike the Tree of Jacob, this stream was fed from the River of Life and did not pour into it. The grass of the fields was a little higher than my ankle and there was a gentle breeze that blew across the open meadows. We came to the end of the Great Forest, encircled by the River of Life at the far end. It turned and ran under the cliff walls that enclosed the Garden of the Lord. Return to Chapter Index The Tree of Jacob 54 Chapter 13 The Lord and I sat down in the meadows of grass at the end of the Great Forest. He gazed out over the endless meadows and the other large forest to our left with a majestic look in His eyes. He then smiled and said unto me, “Today you have seen much - and you will see much more. Soon I will answer the many questions that you have, but wisdom is a journey that does not end. Go and rest now, for I will come to you again and will give you answers to give unto the world.” I awoke from my vision and began to study The Word of God about all that I had seen and heard, and The Word of God began to speak out to me, unlike ever before. Return to Chapter Index The Scroll of Fire 55 Chapter 14 The Scroll of Fire Chapter 14 As I sat alone in the desert, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, while I was bowed before Him in deep prayer. And behold, I was taken up in the Spirit and I saw an expansive desert and the Lord was standing in His glory beside a single cliff wall. He summoned me unto Him, and I bowed with my face before Him and I said unto Him, “Forgive me Lord. Are you the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Christ, the Messiah, My Brother and My Friend?” And the Lord said unto me, “I am He, Michael - and I am here, and I am with you.” I then kissed His feet and raised myself to my knees and kissed the palms of His hands. He reached down and lifted me to my feet. Then the Lord looked out in the distance and He said unto me, “Behold Michael and tell me what you see.” I looked out into the expanse of the desert and the sky above, and I saw, scattered throughout the desert floor, legions upon legions and thousands upon thousands of angels staring intently into the sky, as if they were awaiting a message. They were glowing with a white aura of light and their eyes burned like sapphire in the sun. I looked up toward the heavens and behold, the sky was glowing red, like the color of a blazing fire, and there was a massive hole in the center of the sky. The hole appeared to be like an upward whirlwind, with a bright light shining down the center of it, and the sight of it made me tremble inside. I turned to ask the Lord what this was, and behold, He was as a blazing fire before me. His eyes, hair and body were ablaze as with white fire, and His power was radiant and beautiful before me. I looked, and my cloak was glowing white and my eyes were set ablaze and the Spirit of the Lord burned inside me. The Lord then extended two beautiful and magnificent white wings, took hold of my hand, and said, “Come with me Michael.” And in an instant, He lifted me up to the top of the cliff wall that rose above the desert floor. We stood beside one another looking out over the magnificent desert floor and the multitude of angels that were lining it. As I gazed up at the red sky above, the Lord then took me by the hand and He said unto me, “Michael, take this, and write down what it says and what I will show you.” I looked and the Lord had a scroll in His right hand, and He began to unseal it before me. He opened the scroll up and showed it to me, but I could not read it, as the writing was glowing with white fire. I said to the Lord, “Lord, I cannot read what it says, as it looks like fire burning on the scroll.” The Lord then rolled the scroll back up, and He said unto me, “Take the scroll and set it inside your cloak.” Return to Chapter Index The Scroll of Fire 56 Chapter 14 So I took the rolled up scroll, and placed it against my chest on the inside of my cloak - and my chest begin to burn. I said unto the Lord, “Lord, the scroll that you have given me is burning against my heart. What shall I do with it?” Then the Lord rose above me, hovering above me off of the side of the cliff wall, and He said unto me, “Soon I will call you and tell you what the scroll says, and I will tell you what to write down, and you will give it to those I tell you.” Then at once, all the angels on the desert floor took flight and rose into the whirlwind and up into the red sky. The number of angels that rose could not be counted, all of them ablaze with white fire. The Lord then looked at me and said unto me, “Michael, I shall soon return and summon you unto me and give you the answer you seek.” Then He turned and He soared into the center of the whirlwind and a bright and glorious light surrounded Him. Then all was quiet, the red sky became clear blue, and the whirlwind was gone. I sat on the cliff and was once again dressed in a worn cloak; and silence was over the desert where I sat. My chest still burned as I sat in astonishment as to what I had just seen and heard, and my heart was greatly troubled within me. Then my vision ended, and I was back in the world of the fallen. My chest still burned, and it continued to do so for the next 3 days. Return to Chapter Index The Weight of the Scroll 57 Chapter 15 The Weight of the Scroll Chapter 15 For the next 3 days, my chest continued to burn, and tightness constricted my breathing, as if my heart was going to fail. Sleep evaded me and my body ached. Visions, dreams and erratic thoughts plagued my mind, and I could find no peace. I would seek the Lord in prayer, in His Holy Word, and in meditation - and He would assure me in a quiet voice that He was with me. Questions raced through my mind, and I could find no reason or answers. Why this scroll? Why have I been chosen to write down more, when the Book of Michael seems to have been ignored? Has sanity left me forevermore, and have I fallen into the hands of the evil one? I became angry in my spirit, recalling the tremendous agony, sorrow and pain that I endured while writing the Book and I wanted to forget this calling. The Lord would not let me forget, as my chest burned. The words written on the scroll could not be contained, and I so desired to get the words out of me and written down as the Lord had commanded me. I felt no assurance that anyone would believe what the Lord revealed to me, as they had not the Book of Michael that I had written down at the command of the Lord. I cried out to the Lord over and over again, and said unto Him, “Lord, these people will not listen. It is your children who reject these words, and who reject the visions and messages you have given me. They are no different than the ancient Israelites - they always reject your messengers, claim that the entire message has been sealed, and claim that they contain the only knowledge of God. Why, oh Lord, would you make your servant suffer and write these things, knowing they will be rejected? Why Lord, have you made me sit in a desert for over 3 years now, with the constant weight of your hand upon me Lord?” The Lord said unto me, “Michael, is it a burden for you to serve me? Am I not the Lord your God, and are you not my servant? Was it not I who created and formed you, and who called you unto myself, that you would be appointed to write down what I have shown you and spoken to you? Shall I serve you Michael, or shall you serve me? Evil abounds throughout the nations, and those I have redeemed have strayed from my path. The widow, the orphan and the weak are abandoned. Nations conspire against one another and use my Holy name to whitewash their actions. They have left the path of righteousness to pursue false gain and self-notoriety, and they heap up insult against my Name. The shepherds of my people lead them astray and they will offer nothing of themselves in service to those who are in need. Who is it they are trying to deceive? The Holy One of Israel! Woe to those who live in comfort and luxury, while the poor desperately suffer! Woe to those who gain ill-gotten treasure and consume the wealth of the lost and desperate! Woe to those who claim to know my Name and proclaim their faith in my Name, and yet deceive the widow and the fatherless for gain! Woe to those who lead those who are lost into prisons of evil Return to Chapter Index The Weight of the Scroll 58 Chapter 15 and despair, enslaving them with demonic addictions for gain! Woe to the nations who make war against a weaker people so that the wicked may satisfy their lustful desires for power and wealth! Michael, look to South and tell me what you see. Look to the North and tell me what you see. Look to the East and tell me what you see. Look to the West and tell me what you see. Do you not see the injustice at every corner of the earth? The darkness has spread like a canopy over the face of the earth and there are only fragments of light, so that a small remnant of hope remains. The poor and defenseless cry out, and would you have me ignore them Michael? Shall I not answer those who call upon my Name? For death, destruction, enslavement, poverty, tyranny, oppression, greed, lust, arrogance, pride and indifference have become the standard by which the nations are ruled. Even if you do not see this, do I not see it? Shall I allow you comfort Michael, when I am afforded none? What is it you have been denied that I have not given you? Who is it that will weep for me, Michael? Therefore, write what I have commanded you and honor me as the Lord your God. Strengthen your heart, mind and body and put away your fear and contempt, that you may serve me - and do not arouse my anger against yourself, for, ‘My Righteous One will live by Faith!’ See, I will do as I have done since the beginning, and I will proclaim what I am about to do before it comes to pass. I am going to rise up against the nations, and my wrath will consume the whole earth. Nations will rise against nations, and the destruction of all they hold dear will come to pass. I will turn them over to their greed and desire for power, and they will see my back and not my face. Therefore, proclaim it to the whole of the earth and let it be written before it takes place, so that their guilt will be upon them and they cannot deny that it was I who brought it to pass. The end has come, and the finality of all things is near. I will show you what will come to pass and then you will write down what you see and what you hear! Whether they believe or do not believe, you Michael will write it down, and it will be proclaimed.” “Forgive me Lord for my deceptive and wicked heart,” I cried out, “Thy servant is truly unworthy of your love, grace and mercy. I repent of my wicked thoughts and I pray that my faith be restored, for it is with great fear and trembling that I serve you. Let your love and mercies guide me so that I may serve to bring honor, glory and praise to your Holy Name my Lord and my God!” Return to Chapter Index Fire in the Sky 59 Chapter 16 Fire in the Sky Chapter 16 On the morning of the fourth day, after receiving the scroll that the Lord had placed against my chest, I went in and sat before the Lord. I offered up my morning prayer and bowed before Him and awaited His word to me. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and I was once again at the place in the desert. I saw the angels and the whirlwind in the red sky just as before, and the Lord was standing in the same place as before, again burning ablaze, as if covered in white fire. His glory radiated as His eyes shined like the sun. My spirit burned inside me, and I felt the glory of the Lord upon me. I looked and again, I was burning as with white fire and my eyes were as sapphires in the sun. I bowed before the Lord, and He lifted me up once again and carried me back to the top of the cliff that rose from the desert floor. The Lord then said unto me, “Michael, take out the scroll which I have given you and open it.” So I reached into my cloak and took out the scroll and the seal, which had been opened by the Lord before and was still torn in two. I then unrolled the scroll from top to bottom, and the letters which had appeared on fire, now turned to red before my eyes. Then the Lord said unto me, “Start to read the scroll out loud Michael.” So I began to read the words on the scroll. As I began to read, the scroll faded from my hands and all the angels began to ascend into the whirlwind as before - and again, a great light shined down in the center of it. Then the Lord took my hand and said, “Come with me Michael and I will show you what you have read,” and at once the Lord lifted me up and soared into the center of the fiery whirlwind, and I was trembling in my spirit. As we rose into the center of the whirlwind, I was surrounded by glowing red and orange flames. The center of the whirlwind was huge, and mighty angels (too numerous to count) were flying upward beside us on every side. I looked up and saw a bright light shining down the center of the whirlwind, and darkness on the outer edges of it. Suddenly we came out of the whirlwind, having risen above it. And I looked and behold, we were in what appeared to be space, hovering above the circle of the earth. I looked, and all the angels had come to a stop and were hovering, looking down upon the earth. Then the Lord said unto me, “Michael, look and tell me what you see.” So, I looked down, and I saw on the surface of the earth a huge cloud of fire burning red, and a plume of white smoke rising above it. So, I said to the Lord, “My Lord, I see a great cloud of fire, and smoke rising from the surface of the earth.” Return to Chapter Index Fire in the Sky 60 Chapter 16 The Lord said unto me, “You see correctly. Now come and I will show you more.” It was then that I realized that the huge cloud of fire had been the whirlwind we had just risen through. The Lord then descended towards the face of the earth, and all of the angels accompanied Him. This time He went around the large cloud of fire. We came to a point where I could see the surface of the earth, and there the Lord rested us down on top of a high mountain, some distance from the great cloud of fire. From the top of the mountain, I could see a vast desert plain, and in the distance I saw the silhouette of a city. The cloud of fire rose from the floor of the desert plain and reached unto the sky. I asked the Lord, “Lord, what is this cloud of fire that I am seeing and why is it here?” Then the Lord said unto me, “Michael, it is the weapon of man that you are seeing - and you are witnessing the beginning of evils self-destruction.” I was shocked at what the Lord said, and I asked the Him, “Lord, where are we? And what is this place, and who is responsible for this destruction?” And the Lord said unto me, “You are looking at the plains of Elam and the destruction that is being brought against it. For evil attacks evil, and by this act, the beginning of the end has begun for mankind.” I said unto the Lord, “Lord, I do not understand what this means, as I have not the wisdom to understand.” Then the Lord said unto me, “Michael, you will soon understand, and I will show you what is to come.” Then the Lord took hold of me and lifted me up, and I saw great cities and vast deserts beneath me. Then the Lord rested us once again on top of another mountain. I looked to the west and saw a great city, and then to east I saw a long mountain plain with a fertile valley that ran into an endless desert. Return to Chapter Index Siege of the Holy Land 61 Chapter 17 Siege of the Holy Land Chapter 17 Then behold, as I looked out upon the fertile plain, I felt the earth begin to tremble and the ground shook. The mountain on which the Lord and I were standing began to shake, and all at once the angels that accompanied us took flight. Then I heard a great trumpet blast that was deafening to my ears. I looked and saw the Lord was in all His glory, and a great sword was in His right hand. Then I looked and I saw a vast army that covered the fertile plains and the desert beyond. I turned and I looked towards the great city, and it was surrounded by hordes of darkness on every side. I asked the Lord, “Lord, what is happening?” And the Lord said to unto me, “Michael, the sons of Ishmael, the sons of Esau and the sons of Canaan have gathered against the Holy City. They have risen as one man against the city that bears my name and have come to lay waste to all that it is.” I cried out to the Lord, “Why Lord? Why would they do this?” And He said unto me, “For this is what was proclaimed, and this is what must come to pass.” So, I pleaded with the Lord, “Lord, is there nothing we can do? Is there no one that will stand against them and defend the Holy City?” Then the Lord said unto me, “Look to the great sea Michael and tell me what you see.” I looked towards the West, and a great sea was before me that lay a distance from the Holy City. And behold, there were an endless array of ships in the sea, so that they appeared to cover the whole horizon. Then I saw a vast army coming ashore and I saw birds of preying soaring overhead, stalking over their enemies. Then I saw the sons of Israel rising across the land, and they were each carrying weapons of war in their hands. I heard them shout, “Post the lookouts, sound the alarms, and every man take his position, for the Lord our God is with us!” And then I saw an endless array of fire coming in all directions. Nations were rising against nations and the battle was fierce and seemed to be never ending. I saw the sons of Israel and those that stood with them from the sea to the west drive back the nations of the desert, and victory was within their grasp. The nations of the east began to draw back and reestablish new battle lines as the sons of Israel and those that stood with them pressed on. Then behold, I heard another great trumpet sound and it shook the ground more than the first trumpet that had sounded. I turned to see a great horde of nations coming from the North, and they fell like steel rain as they crashed against the sons of Israel - but the sons of Israel did not fall. The sons of Israel and those who stood with them began to battle the hordes of nations from the North and from the East. The battle continued to be fierce, and the number of those killed was countless. Return to Chapter Index Siege of the Holy Land 62 Chapter 17 I turned to see the Lord and He stood silent with His sword raised high above Him as He watched the great battle unfold. His body was still ablaze with white fire, and His stare was fixed on the battle below us. I then saw darkness fall over the land as the battle continued to rage on. Then the sun appeared again, and many days seemed to flash before me as if days were being measured in seconds. Then I heard another great trumpet, and again the ground shook and trembled. I turned and I saw another great horde of nations rising from the South, and they also came against the sons of Israel and those who stood with them. I cried out to the Lord, “Lord, can the sons of Israel and those who stand with them drive back these hordes of nations that are attacking them from all sides?” The Lord then drove His sword into the mountain. The ground began shake, and the mountain began to crumble away beneath us, to the battlefield below. Then I looked, and I saw the angels descend upon the battle, and they were cutting down the hordes of nations that were attacking the sons of Israel and those who stood with them. The hordes of nations attacking Israel began to flee, and the sons of Israel and those who stood with them pursued them in every direction. Many were slaughtered at every direction, and the sight of it was horrifying to me and I pleaded with the Lord to stop the slaughter, as it was appalling for me to see. The Lord then pulled His sword out of the top of the mountain which remained, and the angels immediately withdrew from the battlefield. Then the sons of Israel and those who stood with them, turned back and returned to the great city below. Return to Chapter Index The Great City 63 Chapter 18 The Great City Chapter 18 I then looked out over the great city that lay below the mountain where I stood with the Lord, and it had been subjected to mass destruction. Buildings were ablaze, homes were flattened, and the massive structures throughout the land were reduced to rubble. The sons of Israel and those who stood with them had repelled the siege with the help of the Lord and His mighty angels, but the city was reduced to near ashes. Then I looked into the distance, and I saw the great temple with the golden sphere and the crescent moon - and it was ablaze. The temple began to fall before me, and it was brought down to ruins and dust. Then I saw the sons of Israel and those who stood with them encircle the site of the fallen temple, and they began to fall to their knees and shout praises to the God of Heaven & Earth. I asked the Lord what this meant, and the Lord said unto me, “Michael, you are witnessing the fall of the abomination that causes desolation, and the throne room of the false prophet who has led many astray.” So, I asked the Lord, “What is to happen now my Lord? Is this the end of all things? Is it now over Lord?” The Lord turned and looked out over the valley of fertile fields and desert beyond, and all the angels came to Him and encircled Him in constant motion, while I waited to hear what the Lord would answer me. Then I looked out where the Lord was looking, and behold, I saw a group of men coming out of the desert, dressed in white and carrying a scroll. Then I saw the sons of Israel come out to meet the men who came out of the desert - and when they met them, they all sat down opposite of one another. I saw one of the men with the scroll open it and begin to read it out loud in a language I did not understand. After the man had read the words on the scroll, I saw one of the sons of Israel stand up and take the scroll from the man wearing white, who had been reading it. The son of Israel took the scroll and passed it around to the other sons of Israel, and they each read it. Then the sons of Israel stood up as one, and the men dressed in white did the same - and they all faced one another. Then the son of Israel who had the taken the scroll and the man wearing white who had read the scroll aloud embraced each other and kissed each other on the cheek. Then they held each other’s hand onto the scroll, lifted their arms to the heavens, and seemed to be praising God. All at once, the sky turned very dark and lightning flashed above them, across the sky. Then the men in white turned away and went back the direction they came, and the sons of Israel returned to the great city. Then as I watched, the sons of Israel assembled inside the great city, at the place of the temple with the golden sphere which had fallen during the great battle. The Return to Chapter Index The Great City 64 Chapter 18 people were rejoicing with singing and celebration, and the ones who had stood with the sons of Israel stood off at a distance and observed the celebrations but did not join in with the sons of Israel. As I looked down upon the city, the ones that stood with the sons of Israel began leaving the city in great columns and headed back to the great Western Sea. Along the way, they reclaimed their dead with great care. The city was left with only the sons of Israel, and they began to rebuild the ruins of the city. The outer walls were demolished and then rebuilt with fortification, and houses were leveled and replaced by new houses. I saw an innumerable amount of people going out to dispose of the dead bodies that were scattered throughout the city and the fertile fields and desert plains beyond. For those who had fallen and were of the sons of Israel, great honor and care was given to their bodies - however the fallen of the hordes were picked up and tossed into large graves scattered throughout the land, and their bodies were burned. I did not see any of the armies of the hordes return to carry off their dead, and they were strewn out in great numbers throughout the entire land. Then I saw a great number of the sons of Israel gather at the site of the fallen temple, and they began to offer prayers and incense up to the heavens. I saw men dressed in flowing robes with purple sashes, and they were accompanied by many who played instruments and sang. Then the singing stopped, and I saw great machines come to the spot where the temple had fallen. They began to remove the debris that was left, and the ground was leveled. Then I saw huge trucks carrying a vast amount of building material and rock to the location where the temple had stood. I looked, and I saw forty sons of Israel. They were all dressed in flowing robes, and they began to circle the location, each of them standing about a hundred feet apart in distance. As I watched, one of the sons of Israel walked into the center of the circle. He had in his hand a great scroll, which he opened and began to read in a language I could not understand. As he read, I turned and looked towards the Lord - and He was facing towards the West and had His back toward the location of the temple. I looked up, and the angels were also facing West and had their backs toward the location of the temple. I asked the Lord, “Lord, why do you not look down upon this ceremony and see what I am seeing?” But the Lord did not answer me, and I knew it was not for me to know the answer. I returned my gaze to watch the ceremony that was taking place. As I watched, I saw two more men in robes come to the center of the circle. I saw that each of them had a goat, and each of them had a lamb. One of the goats was laid on its side, and the son of Israel who had been reading the scroll took a large knife and slit the throat of the goat. He tilted its head back, and the blood of the goat poured out on to the soil. As I watched, the other goat was set free, and it fled toward the East and out onto the plains of the fertile fields. Then I watched as both lambs were laid on their sides, and Return to Chapter Index The Great City 65 Chapter 18 the men who had brought them to the center both took out large knives and slit the throat of each of the lambs. They also tilted their heads back, so that the blood of the lambs spilt out on the ground, just as had the blood of the goat. Then I saw two more of the sons of Israel come into the center of the circle. They carried fire, and what appeared to be a censer that burned incense. The incense rose to where I stood, and the smell of it was terrible to me. When they reached the location where the lambs and the goat were lying, the three men who had slain the animals began to skin them and take the inner parts from the animals. Once the animals had been cleaned, the other two sons of Israel with the fire and the incense began to pour out oil on the animals, and then set fire to them in the center of the circle. Then I watched as the sons of Israel who had killed and cleaned the animals walked out of the circle and disposed of the animal skin and parts they had taken, throwing them into a fire outside of the circle. They then turned and waded into a pool of water that was nearby. The remaining sons of Israel who still formed the circle, all bowed down and put their faces in the dust. Then they all began to tear open their robes and pour dust on their heads, and they were wailing so loud it was deafening. Their sorrow seemed very great to me and I wanted to comfort them somehow, so I turned to see if the Lord was watching. But as I turned, I saw Him just as before, with His back toward the place of ceremony. So I turned back and watched as the sons of Israel bowed low, prayed, and wept throughout the entire night. When the sun began to rise, they all closed the circle - and in a column they returned the direction they had come, back into the city center. Return to Chapter Index The Building of the Temple 66 Chapter 19 The Building of the Temple Chapter 19 I turned away from facing the holy place where the sons of Israel and been, and back towards the Lord. I went and I sat down at his feet, as He stood facing the north. I felt like weeping, and my spirit was disturbed at all that had happened. Then the Lord reached out and placed His right hand on my shoulder, and He said unto me, “Michael, do not fear and do not let your heart be troubled. All that you have seen was destined from the beginning and must come to pass in order for the end to come.” “Forgive me Lord,” I said, “But what does all this mean, and what is to happen next? Is it over, my Lord, or will there be more to come? This bloodshed and destruction have been horrific to watch, my Lord.” Then the Lord said unto me, “Michael, turn and face the holy place again, and tell me what you see.” I turned and looked down upon the holy place where the sons of Israel had been, and behold, they were constructing a temple of magnificent size. There was a large wall around it made of beautiful white stone, and the foundation had been raised at various levels. There were four gates in the wall that were very large, and they ran into an open courtyard. The first courtyard was at the lowest level, and then ran into two sets of wide steps which numbered about twenty steps each. At the top of each set of steps was another large courtyard, and at the center of it was the beginning of a great foundation of walls. I saw no machinery at the site, only craftsmen in strange garments - and they were using what appeared to be ancient carts of some sort to move the stones. They had a system of ropes and pulleys in place, with large wooden cranes that they used to lift the stones up. Each stone was brought to its appropriate place in the wall, and there was no hammering or chiseling of the stones inside of the exterior walls. I looked, and I saw a vast workforce outside the walls, and huge pieces of machinery moving the stones and supplies to a location roughly 50 yards from the walls that surrounded the courtyards. I watched as some of the stones that were taken into the courtyard to be inserted into the wall foundation were taken back out, and I saw craftsmen and machinery working together to reshape the stones that had been marred in one way or another - but no work on the stones was being done inside the walls, and no machinery was allowed past the walls. I was astonished at how large the walls and the courtyards were, and how many of the sons of Israel were assembled to build such a great structure. I turned back to the Return to Chapter Index The Building of the Temple 67 Chapter 19 Lord and I said unto Him, “Lord, how did they do this so quickly, and will you not turn to see how beautiful it is, Lord?” The Lord then reached out and took my hand, and He said unto me, “Come Michael, for there is more I must show you.” And then all at once, the Lord took flight with me, and the angels accompanied us. As we rose into the air, I looked down to see the great structure - but all I could see was what appeared to be a black shadow, and I could not perceive the site or those building upon it, and I was perplexed by what I saw. I turned to ask the Lord why this was, but then I saw that we were flying into pure light and I could not perceive anything, as constant pure light is all there was. Return to Chapter Index The Army of the Light 68 Chapter 20 The Army of the Light Chapter 20 In another vision, the Lord and I were sitting upon a great boulder. I looked out and saw that we were no longer staring out into the desert, for the deserts were gone - and instead a vast number of great cities lay before us, as far as my eyes could see. The Lord stood up and I stood up beside Him, and He said unto me, “Come and fly with me above the earth, so that you may look through the eyes of the Lord.” Then behold; The Lord began to shine as bright as the morning sun, and a golden crown of fire was set ablaze at the top of His head. He was covered in golden armor, carried a beautiful sword in His left hand, and had angelic white wings that draped over Him. He looked into my eyes, and His eyes were golden like the Father’s, shining as if set on fire. With a thunderous voice He said unto me, “Come now, and follow me where I go,” and I saw that I was in full silver armor, dressed in white, and possessed the sword and dagger at my sides. The Lord leapt from the side of the boulder, and great light surrounded His presence. I then spread my wings and flew up to meet the Lord in the sky, and to fly beside Him wherever He was to go. The Lord soared higher and higher, and I followed Him until we reached the outer edges of the sky. Then He stopped, and we both looked down upon the earth. Then great light started to illuminate the sky from all directions. I looked above me, and behold I saw an endless sea of warrior angels. The Lord called out in a strange language, and the angels unsheathed their swords - and so did I. The Lord looked upon me, and His glory was so bright that I felt partially blinded. He then said unto me, “Now come Son of Man and see what I see.” He began to fly at great speed, descending over the earth - and I followed, keeping up as best as I could. The army of angels was spread out to our left and to our right, as far as the eye could see. We descended through the clouds with the earth before us, and it was beautiful to me. There were no cities and no sign of mankind’s building upon the earth. The oceans were blue and clear, and the meadows, forests, streams and rivers were beyond my ability to measure. We leveled off and crossed over the surface of the earth, and I saw that the earth was unscathed and healthy with life. Return to Chapter Index The Army of the Light 69 Chapter 20 We came to the other side of the earth, and darkness was about - for the night hour was at hand. The light and glory of the Lord and the angels lit up the darkness as if it were noon day, and the sight of the earth continued to be beautiful to me. Off in the distance, I saw a great mountain that stood alone. Its peak was at a great height, and fire and smoke were rising out from it. Beside the mountain was a great plain of meadow that expanded as far as the eye could see. Encircling the meadow was a continuous rolling hillside that sat above the plain and created a lower valley of the meadow. The Lord descended and hovered over the top of the mountain, with the smoke and fire bellowing out below Him. I stopped and hovered beside the Lord, as the angels continued their descent past the mountain and onto the great plain. They encircled the plain, and in uniformity they landed upon the rolling hillside in a perfect formation of columns and rows. As far as the eye could see was the vastness of the army of angels and there was no end to their number; they could not be counted. The Lord said unto me, “Look unto the plain and tell me what you see.” I looked and said unto the Lord, “Lord, I see an endless plain of green meadow, surrounded by the rolling hillside, which is covered with angels forever.” The Lord then smiled and said unto me, “Now that you have seen with your own eyes, look again with the eyes that I have given unto you.” I looked again and behold; I saw a vast multitude of mankind that filled the entire valley, and their number was millions upon millions. They were formed like a great army, possessing chariots of fire, great white horses with wings, foot soldiers, archers and spearman. They were covered in silver armor with traces of gold, and perfectly aligned in columns and rows. The Lord said unto me, “Behold, the armies of Adam, Abraham and David!” Then a great and mighty angel soared past us. He had two angels beside him, one to his left and one to his right. The three angels then split off into three directions, with one landing to the left side of the Lord and one landing to the right. They landed directly in front of the vast army of angels that had formed on the hillside, and all of the angels bowed to them as they did so. The great and mighty angel who had led the other two, circled the great army of angels and mankind. As he circled over them, he began to glow as bright as the sun. A great shout arose into the air, with all of the angels and mankind cheering up at the great and mighty angel. The sound of their cheers shook the whole earth below. The great angel then soared directly towards the Lord, and presented himself before Him, with his head bowed low and his hands joined together as in prayer. As the brightness of the great angel began to fade before the glory of the Lord, I saw that the great angel was Michael - and he looked fierce in his appearance, as an indestructible warrior that could not be overcome. Return to Chapter Index The Army of the Light 70 Chapter 20 The Lord then lifted His hand unto Michael, and he turned and soared down to the head of the great army of angels and mankind, placing himself in the front-right of it, as it faced the Lord and me. The Lord then said unto me, “Go and take your place beside Michael.” So I flew over the army of mankind and angels, and they cheered unto me as if I was as great as Michael himself. I felt uneasy for I was nothing to be cheered upon, but I took my place at the front of the army. The Lord slowly descended forward and landed in front of the great mountain, with the great army of angels and mankind facing Him. His glory was beautiful and bright as He stood before us. The moment His foot touched the ground, the entire army bowed to their faces before Him. Mankind, angels and animals all lay down before Him and gave praise to Him. The Lord then moved forward and passed through the entire army of mankind, column by column and row by row, touching each of them as He passed by and calling them each by their names. I was amazed at this. There was a sensation of absolute love and affection that existed throughout this place. They had love for the Lord and love for each other and there was no darkness, envy, jealousy or hate that existed. It was an eternal bond of angels and mankind, brought together by the glory of the Lord. The Lord moved back towards the head of the great army, and we all bowed before Him again. The Lord said unto the army, “Arise, children of Adam, children of Abraham, children of David - and give glory to the light, for today we cover the earth as one, so that all may see that the glory of the light and the love of the Lord God has overcome the darkness!” The whole army raised their swords, shields, spears and hands, and with a great shout they exclaimed in one voice, “AMEN!” The Lord turned and behold, three great white horses covered in armor and fitted with wings were brought forward. One was given to Michael, one was given to me, and the other - which was the greatest of the three - was brought unto the Lord. We mounted the great horses and the Lord lifted His sword, and with a great cheer the army moved forward with great speed and strength towards the mountain that lay before us. A massive bolt of lightning came forth from the Lord and it struck the mountain before us. The mountain was shattered into a million pieces and fell to the earth as if it were made of fine grains of sand. The Lord ascended into the sky and the great army followed Him upwards, with Michael at the head of the right flank and I at the head of the left flank. The sky was lit in glorious light at all sides, and the army filled the entire skyline as far as the eye could see. As we soared above the earth, I looked below, and I saw great Return to Chapter Index The Army of the Light 71 Chapter 20 cities of mankind and great patches of darkness and light moving about the face of the earth. As we crossed over the earth and the cities of mankind, the patches of light were drawn up into the army of light, and the army grew in size and strength. We circled the earth, and all light that existed upon the earth was drawn into the army of light. Once the Lord had led the army around the earth, He stopped and turned towards the army of light. The Lord then cried out in the language that I did not understand, and a glorious and greater light descended from the Heavens above. It was like a great ocean, and was blinding to the eyes so that the entire army covered their faces, but I was able to see it clearly. The ocean of light then formed as a great beam, and came down upon the Lord and enclosed Him. Then the Lord said unto me, “See that Man and the Lord God have overcome the darkness as One and are now One in image and in likeness, so that now the day of rest may be given unto all who are of the light!” The Lord turned and looked down to the earth below, and I saw the patches of darkness forming together as if the earth was covered with disease. The Lord pointed His great sword towards the earth, and the great sea of light shot forth upon the surface of the earth and quickly enveloped the entire planet, causing it to glow and all of the darkness to vanish. There was no sun, no moon, no stars, and no darkness in the sky - and where the earth ended and the universe began, I could not tell. I could see no trees, mountains, oceans or meadows, but only a continuous blinding light. I cried out to the Lord, “Lord, is this all there is to be? Is there nothing but light forever more?” The Lord came forward and said unto me, “Do not be troubled, for the new city is to be brought forth before you, as the darkness has been removed.” The Lord then began to descend, and the army followed Him down. And behold, I saw before me a great and marvelous city made of white marble, gold, silver and all the colors of the rainbow. It went on forever, and I could see no beginning and no end to it. The entrance to the city had great gates, shining as if they were made of gold, just as the gates to the throne room of Heaven that I had seen before. The walls were massive and were made of marble, ivory, gold and other materials that I did not know. There were millions upon millions of homes, each made of ivory, gold, gems, silver and other materials that I did not know. The streets shined like bright gold, beautiful streams of water flowed everywhere throughout the city, and the streets were lined with endless fruit trees. Return to Chapter Index The Army of the Light 72 Chapter 20 The Lord called me unto Himself, down to gates of the great city. He stopped at the entrance in front of the great gates, and behold; I saw men, women and children laughing, singing and dancing. The men and women were all youthful and the children all pure. They each had a different look, but all were beautiful and innocent in their presence and form. They were each clothed in white gowns and there was no pain, distress, heartache or fear. They interacted with each other as if to be one great family, and I was amazed at what I saw. I asked the Lord, “Lord, may I enter the city and stay for a while?” The Lord answered unto me, saying, “The time has not yet come, but do not fear son of man, for you will one day enter the city.” We turned away from the city and back towards the army, but I saw that the army was gone. I looked back and saw that all the army was inside of the city and had become a part of the great family. The angels were stationed all along the walls, and there was a great and glorious light that shined down from the Heavens, which brought light to the whole world. I followed the Lord, and as He moved away from the city, I began to hear screaming and wailing so loud that it deafened me. I heard cries, and people screaming out, “I am blind, and I cannot see, what has happened to me and where am I?” The fear and pain in their voice was terrible to me. I asked the Lord, “Lord, the darkness is gone and there is only the light. Why then do I hear this crying and wailing in my ears, for has not all pain ended?” The Lord turned to me, with tears welled up in His eyes, and the sight of it made me want to cry as well. The Lord said unto me, “They refused to know the light. Now, that which they hated has become their Lord, and they will never understand it or be able to see it. I am the Lord, and in love I granted redemption to those who would believe - and they chose to hate the light. Come now, for we have more to see and I have more to tell you, so that those who hear may not find themselves blinded when the light comes.” The Lord rose to the heavens and I followed Him. As we ascended on high, I began to see darkness coming over me and I cried out to the Lord, “Lord, I see the darkness and it is overcoming me!” The Lord turned and gently smiled, saying unto me, “Do not fear, for your vision is ending today and you are returning to the world of darkness. But know that I will call upon you again, so that we may finish the Book I have told you write down for mankind.” I cried out to the Lord, “Lord, please do not send me back, for I want to stay Here with you!” I opened my eyes and I was back in the world, and I felt great sorrow and anguish because of it. Return To Chapters Ind Return to Chapter Indexex Finding the Lord 73 Chapter 21 Finding the Lord Chapter 21 I asked the Lord, “Lord, I know that we are not judged by the Law of Moses any longer, but that we are now under the grace, love and mercy of your sacrifice for sin, once and for all. There are many who say that because of this, we are supposed to live by the Law - and when we are saved, we have the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to do this. However, I have seen many become lost by this as they cannot seem to live the life of morality that the Church teaches them, even though they have accepted you as their Savior. The Church that worships you has taken many names and is made up of many different rules, regulations and ideas that they all claim are found in your word. This has led to much confusion, hatred, war and heartache - and I feel that we should know what we are supposed to do and not be always guessing as to the right way, my Lord. So my question is: What is the Law that we are to live by, in order to become the children of God and to know that we have found you, Lord?” The Lord said unto me: “The answer to your question for mankind has long been known, however many still have the corrupted belief that they can be good enough for the Lord God, when the truth is that you are good enough because of the Lord God and not for the Lord God. My children continue to create rules, rituals and requirements in order to attempt to keep mankind Holy, and to remind mankind of my Holiness. This is the pride that came forth, when the line of Adam and Eve were corrupted in their knowledge. I say unto you that a child must grow and mature, and as it does so it reaches many stages. The rebirth of mankind brought forth innocence, infancy, pride, rebellion, repentance, humbleness and then acceptance. Do not accuse those who came before you, for I tell you that they sought me with all their hearts and minds. And as a child learning to walk, they fell many times - and not all who call on my name before mankind either know me or love me. Do not accuse those who are with you today, for I tell you that you are of one body, maturing in me as you grow and becoming stronger in faith as you do so. This is evident to those who are truly in me, and those who are not cannot hide themselves in the darkness before the light of the Lord God. While you quarrel amongst one another over which among you are righteous, the enemy laughs and grows in strength, as a great tide across the land. It is in me that you have been given life, this is not of yourselves. Do not be arrogant my children. Return to Chapter Index Finding the Lord 74 Chapter 21 Do not defend my word, but rather go forth and proclaim it as one body in unity with me, so that you may be a light that destroys the darkness of the world. For it is written that the gates of death will not stand against you - and what is death, but the darkness? Gates are built to defend, not to attack, and so I tell you be on the offensive, arming yourself with the Seeking of God, the Humility of God, the Acceptance of God, the Determination of God, the Devotion of God, the Almightiness of God and the Invitation of God, doing so as the One child of God, as you are in me and I am in you. You are all in me and I am in you and therefore, we are One child before the eyes of the Father - so do not grieve His Holy Spirit but sing forth the word of His heart throughout the world. To those who are lost, come to me and call upon my name and I will welcome you completely. Your heart, mind and soul will be at peace with the Lord God. I tell you that the light of the Lord God is love and If you call unto me, I am faithful and will come to you. Your house has already been swept clean, therefore, do not leave the house empty, but fill it with light, so that it may not be occupied by an even greater darkness than before. I give unto you Seven Stars that make One Eternal Light and One Eternal Light that make up the Seven Stars. Seek me with all your heart, mind and soul, and never cease, for I will never cease to be with you, no matter the storm. Humble yourself with me before the Father, for your pride separates you from Him and in me there is no rebellion against Him. Accept the grace, love and forgiveness that have been given unto you and know that it cannot be earned or lost, for it is eternal and never changing, as you are in me and I am in you. Determine in your heart to not judge others or yourself, because neither they nor you exist apart from the will of the Father. Let the light of the Lord God be the judge of the darkness. Devote yourselves to trusting in me and do not live in fear of the world of darkness, for the Lord God is faithful and His promise to those who are in me will not fail. Anticipate the coming of the Lord God Almighty in your life as each day passes before you, knowing that true faith means you have already received what you ask for and what you need. Invite others to share in my joy and do not set those in the darkness aside, but surround them with the light, so that they may humble themselves and not suffer in eternal blindness. Return to Chapter Index Finding the Lord 75 Chapter 21 I tell you the truth, these Seven Stars make up one Eternal Light and so let them shine in your hearts, singing forth the song of the angels and the Holy Spirit will guide you on your journey. I say unto the Churches of Light: Do not enslave your flock again with rules, rituals, guilt and fear, for one cannot love that which they are afraid to go near. I say unto the elders of the body of my Church: Do not conceal darkness, but cast it out into the light, so that the entire world shall see that the Lord God does not judge with partiality. I tell you that whatever you bound on earth will be bound in Heaven and therefore, preserve the light of the Lord God, for it is not contained within walls made by man. To all who seek me, I say unto you that I am the Lord over all things in Heaven and earth, but I am also the Lord that stands with you, regardless of what you have done, are doing or ever will do. I am yours and you are mine and you have been bought with the price of blood and nothing will separate you from my love. I did not ask anyone to lay down their lives for me, but only that they accept the life I have laid down for them and to share that truth in love with others. Let those who seek this truth, find it, so that they may know and understand that I came to set the captives free, and freedom you have found in me.” Return to Chapter Index The Nations of our Time 76 Chapter 22 The Nations of our Time Chapter 22 I asked the Lord, “Lord, the nations of the world today are much different than the kingdoms of mankind that ruled from the days of Abraham to the times that you walked the earth as a man, and the Apostles after you. Our system of government and ideas of freedom greatly differ as well. The country I live in is considered the wealthiest nation on earth, with the most powerful military the world has ever witnessed, and it is an avid defender of the Nation of Israel. I have always wondered, what does this mean to you my Lord? Are the current systems of countries and government considered to be a good thing before you my Lord, and are we an example of how mankind should live? I would ask the same thing for all of the countries considered to be the countries of the West, my Lord, for it is really through the spreading of your Holy Church that these countries have come to be what they now are.” The Lord said unto me, “The whole earth is mine and everything that is in it, therefore it matters not where one boundary of mankind begins and the other boundary ends. Many countries have been the greatest and most powerful and have risen and fallen. Each had their own idea of governing, trade and military, and believed that they were the ones who governed rightfully, yet all have eventually fallen and did not rise again, except one. Do not oppress the poor, while showing favor to the rich. Do not rule over the people with cruelty and injustice. Do not rule your nation with greed, nor burden the people with overbearing taxes. Do not go to war at the beckoning of those with dark hearts. Do not let wicked men and women rule over you. Defend those who are oppressed by evil. Refrain from removing me from your society. Teach your children the love of the Lord God. If any nation does these things and honors my name, they will surely be blessed and I will cause them to prosper, but if any nation ceases to honor me, they will fall, and their time is short. If you look upon the world of mankind, he is surely lost. Despite all his knowledge and strength, he cannot save himself. The world of mankind seeks its own demise, and they will surely destroy themselves by their own darkness. Mankind has an insatiable desire for greed, honor, power, wealth and control. He sets himself up to believe that he is his own god, though he never considers himself to be this way. Return to Chapter Index The Nations of our Time 77 Chapter 22 I tell you that it is not the Lord God who will bring down fire upon the earth, but the angels of the Lord will allow the darkness to come forth as mankind has chosen - and those days will be a time of terrible suffering for all of mankind. Darkness cannot help but destroy itself, as it is in the very nature of darkness to kill and covet. The light of the Lord God, however, does not destroy that which is eternally of the Lord God. The light and the darkness will not exist eternally, only the light. I say unto the leaders of the nations of mankind, turn away from your path of destruction. Seek out my word and I will grant you wisdom to lead in righteousness, and do not dismiss in your heart the failures of the rulers before you. Do not shed blood in the pursuit of power, wealth and gold. Do not create fortified cities to defend from the darkness, but march forward with the light of the Lord as your banner. Let your nation reflect love, mercy, forgiveness and peace, for power belongs to the Lord and the Lord alone, and I have granted it to you so that you may do good and not evil. The nation that does these things will stand; the nation that does them not, will fall and will not rise again.” Return to Chapter Index The Other Religions 78 Chapter 23 The Other Religions Chapter 23 I then asked the Lord, “Lord, other religions that do not accept you as their Savior but teach of good works, morality and submissiveness to God - are they condemned to blinding of the light? I have always thought that there must be another way, and that you are God and therefore, can you not make yourself known in other forms to mankind?” The Lord said unto me, “Does not your question contain the subtle error of deceit that has led many astray? If I am God, then tell me who I am? Where does mankind get his knowledge of me and how does he know me? Does the Lord God change from one moment of mankind’s time to another? The Word of God is eternal and everlasting and has stood as His proclamation to mankind for thousands of years. It was revealed to mankind in the flesh. The evidence of my being has been given to mankind since the beginning of their existence, and has never been lost, nor will it ever be. The Word has been given to mankind for those who seek it in truth - and not one word of it, has failed to come to pass, nor will that which is written of what is still to come fail to take place. I tell you that many have come, and many will come who will lead the world of mankind astray. Those who seek wisdom and truth, however, are to find it only in me. If one proclaims as truth a revelation from God, test it against the word that has been written. The wisdom of the Lord cannot be set aside, nor can any promise of it ever fail. Mankind can neither contain, nor corrupt the light; knowledge and truth of the Lord God and His word cannot be withheld from those who seek it in their hearts. I tell you that many false religions have risen and fallen. To those who follow other gods and have been deceived, I say unto you, turn to me and ask for wisdom, and do not follow the hardness of your own hearts. I am the God of all, and my love for you could be no greater. Come unto me and I will give you an eternal life of peace, joy and love in the light of the living God. Those who seek truth will find it; And those who seek a lie, will find it as well.” Return to Chapter Index The Last Row of Great Trees 79 Chapter 24 The Last Row of Great Trees Chapter 24 I asked the Lord, “Lord, the last question that I have for you is about this tree where we sit. It is the last tree of the Great Forest, and it appears that no other rows can be added, as it comes up to the face of the cliff wall and cannot pass. What does this tree symbolize my Lord, and will there be more?” The Lord then said unto me, “The tree which is great and bears fruit is also a great tree of faith. It is the first of the last twelve, and this tree will grow to great heights and bear much fruit. This tree will be joined by eleven others that will grow beside it. As it grows, so shall they, until the final row is completed. I tell you that the light of man is in the world for only awhile longer and so we must work while it is still day - for when the night comes, no one can work. The coming of the Lord God draws near, and the whole world will be exposed to the eternal light. I have called unto you so that mankind may hear the message of the Lord. Come unto me those who thirst, for in me you will thirst no more! Come unto me those who hunger, for in me is the eternal bread of life! Come unto me those who are weary, for in me is eternal rest! Come unto me those who are in darkness, for in me is eternal light! Come unto me those who hate, for in me is eternal love! Come unto me those who fear, for in me is eternal peace! Come unto me those who are lost, for in me you have been found! Come unto me all, for my hands have been laid open before you and my arms spread wide before the whole world. I will refuse no one who comes to me, for I am the eternal light of love, truth and peace.” I said unto the Lord, “Come, my Lord, for your people long to see you again and forever thereafter!” And the Lord rose and put His hands upon my face and smiled. He then said unto me, “I AM. That, I AM.” AMEN! Return to Chapter Index Of Michael 80 Chapter 25 Of Michael Chapter 25 I, Michael, whom the Lord God chose to write down this Book, now write down my own words, so that all who read this Book may know that I am the lowest among mankind. I do not seek glory, honor or attention from mankind, and I did not choose to seek out the things revealed to me. I have prayed to the Lord that mankind may not know my name - and if they are to do so, may it be after I have left the world of mankind, for I do not wish to suffer the darkness of mankind’s heart and be subjected to the judgment suffered by those who have been called to write down the Lord God’s words. Having said that, I am in complete surrender to His will, as my life is not my own. Do not think that I have not considered the costs of obeying the Lord God, as they have been great - but He is greater. I always knew of the Lord God, and theoretically I believed in Jesus Christ, however I did not seek Him out, nor did I pursue a life of righteousness. The way of the Lord I did not understand, and I had been a realist all of my life. I felt that if God was real and if He cared, I saw no evidence of this in my world, and I thoroughly believed that a man must look after himself, or no one else would. I walked many paths in the world of mankind, and they all led me back to the Lord God. I did nothing to deserve His calling. Many have said that prophets of the Lord are no longer necessary, because the full Word of God has been revealed unto mankind. I am not a theologian, nor will I speak against anyone who loves the Lord God, for they are my brothers and sisters in Christ. As it is written, “If we are out of minds, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” The Lord God has told me many things that have come to pass, and I have seen Him perform miracles through His word to me. The words that I have written were given to me in visions, conversations and walks with the Lord God. In great fear, I have written down what the Lord has commanded me to write, for I am not without reverence for the Lord and I fear judgment as do all who know the living God. The calling of the Lord God does not give a man room for his own will, as I say to you that one cannot know the living God and then walk in life as if he does not. I do not claim to be a prophet, nor do I claim to be more righteous than any other. I claim only what the Lord God has told me, and that which I have seen, heard and Return to Chapter Index Of Michael 81 Chapter 25 witnessed. There is no deception in my heart as pertains to this book, nor do I seek self-acclamation. Glory to God and God alone. I say to all who are reading this, so that you will know it and fix it in your mind, heart and soul: The Lord God is real, Heaven is real, angels are real, the darkness is real, and it is a greater truth than I could have ever imagined. With great pain and suffering I have written these words down, and whether or not they are accepted as truth by the body of Christ, I will leave to the Spirit of the Lord God to determine. My only hope, which I pray for more than anything else, is that these words may bring some of those who have chosen to reject His love, into His arms. I tell you that there is no greater love than that of the Lord God, and His beauty, majesty, power, love and gentleness cannot be truly understood or written down by mankind. I pray for peace to those who seek to know the Lord God, and may the Spirit of Christ rest upon you, giving you faith, hope and love throughout all your days. Trust in the Lord God, for He will not fail you. In Christ, Michael Return to Chapter Index

26th November - ‘Hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand’, Reflection on today’s gospel reading (Lk 21:20-28)

Thursday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

In today’s gospel reading, there is a clear reference to the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, which happened forty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jerusalem fell to the armies of Rome, under the general Titus, who went on to become Emperor of Rome. In the time of Jesus and the early church, the all-powerful Roman Empire must have been seen as eternal, as destined to last forever. Yet, in the first reading, written towards the end of the first century, the author declares, ‘Babylon the Great has fallen’, ‘Babylon’ being a code name for ‘Rome’. The author recognizes that even the great, invincible, Roman Empire would not last forever, and declares that it is God and his Son who will last forever, ‘Victory and glory and power to our God’. In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks of himself as the Son of Man who will come ‘with power and great glory’. Nothing lasts forever, not even the great and powerful empires of the world. Only God and his Son endure; they are the beginning and the end, yesterday, today and tomorrow. God’s relationship with us endures; Jesus’ love for us lasts forever and every day he says to us what is said at the end of today’s first reading, ‘Happy are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb’. The Lord calls us to his feast, in the future kingdom of heaven, but also in the here and now of the Eucharist. You will recognize that beatitude from the text of the Mass. The Lord’s call to us to be in communion with him is the constant in the midst of all that is changing. That awareness can inspire us to always ‘stand erect’, holding our heads high, in the words of the gospel reading.

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The writings of Luke the physician starting with his version of the gospel - Luke 21: 5 - 38 comments: the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world

Luke 21:5 ¶  And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6  As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8  And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9  But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10  Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14  Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18  But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19  In your patience possess ye your souls.

 Jesus restates His prophecy of the temple’s destruction from 19:41-48. I will repeat some of what I wrote. Here is a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD70. Josephus, a Jewish general who went over to the Romans, gave us the history of that event if we can believe what he wrote. The siege and destruction of Jerusalem was the main event of the First Jewish-Roman War that ended not only in the disaster to the city but the destruction of the Temple, as well.

 What was called Herod’s Temple, the Second Temple with the first destroyed by the Babylonians hundreds of years previously, will be destroyed. The Jews will suffer for rejecting their Messiah and for fabricating a false religion, a house of cards built on the Mosaic Law, not too different from what many Christians have done.  It seems to be a character trait of mankind, making it up as they go along. But, some historical writers say that the destruction of Jerusalem marked the great shift away of Christianity from its Jewish roots.

 There is a warning in verse 8 to follow no one after Christ who claims to be Him. Many terrible things will happen, both natural and man-made, before this dreadful event and the disciples are told not to be concerned by them. Based on the context we have the Preterist justification for saying that the events of Revelation were fulfilled when Jerusalem fell to the Romans but this has nothing to do with the events of Revelation. Jesus did not come to physically rule the earth from Jerusalem in 70AD. The Preterist view is simply insane and denies the text of Revelation.

 Christ here tells His disciples that He will give them the words to say when they are under persecution.

 Jeremiah 1:9  Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

 In chapter 12 Jesus also underscored this point in speaking of persecution.

 Luke 12:8  Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9  But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the Holy Ghost shall

teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

 The fact that Jesus is talking to His disciples about a persecution to come in time that is not too far distant is evidenced by the following statement.

 18  But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

 If this passage is foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70AD this undercuts Roman Catholic tradition which has Peter dying at Rome in 64AD. Jesus is promising that not a hair of their head will perish during this terrible national tragedy, that He will give them the words to say.

 Remember, that Peter didn’t say he was going to Rome. He said he was writing from Babylon where there was a strong Jewish community.

 1Peter 5:13  The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

 Babylon was part of the Parthian kingdom at this time and Josephus wrote about how the Jews in Judea appealed to the strong community in Babylon to help them in their rebellions against Rome.

 Based on some written evidence by Eusebius, a famous early church historian, and other writers, Christians escaped from Jerusalem before the destruction in 70AD. We know in Acts how God permitted a situation to exist where many Christians had to leave Jerusalem because of persecution, perhaps not only forcing them to be witnesses to the world but also saving them from the awful terror that was to unfold in the Jewish-Roman War that resulted in the destruction of the Temple.

 If this passage is a reference to the events leading up to and including the Fall of Jerusalem then literally Christ is assuring these disciples in front of Him that they will survive it. The fearful sights and natural disasters that surrounded the Fall of Jerusalem are spoken of by Josephus, who was not a Christian but a Jew who had sided with the pagan Romans.

 Josephus wrote about incredible signs that preceded the conquest of Jerusalem by the future Roman emperor, Titus. They are hard to be believed like soldiers and chariots in the sky and other events that many eyewitnesses claimed to see, according to him. False prophets arose in abundance and a couple are mentioned in Acts by the Jewish teacher of Paul, Gamaliel.

 Acts 5:36  For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37  After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

 Verse 19 gives us one reason for including longsuffering, which is patience, in the list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Trust in Christ, wait on Christ, be faithful and strong. Remember that words joined by and are typically synonymous. We like to think of longsuffering as putting up with the kids’ nonsense but it carried a far more heavy weight in the first century in regard to persecution and suffering.

 Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

 Luke 21:20 ¶  And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22  For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26  Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 Here is a clear distinction between the Fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple versus the end of history. Read 20-24 to the comma before until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. There is a couple thousand-year gap in that comma.

 Paul wrote about the period of Israel’s blindness over the last two thousand years;

 Romans 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. 29  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

 Notice Paul’s until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Notice also that God is not done with the Jews but their apostasy turned to our salvation and we are to be witnesses to them, not their persecutors.

 Now, back to the comma and the two thousand plus year gap. Here is another example of that type of handling of time in the Bible. Read this prophecy in Isaiah.

 Isaiah 61:1 ¶  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

 Now, read up to the comma after to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD. Jesus refers to this passage in His early ministry.

 Luke 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20  And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21  And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

 He stopped where that comma is for us. Before that comma is His first advent and after that comma the day of vengeance of our God holds the second advent as related in the Book of the Revelation. There is a long time in between, two thousand years so far.

 From the point at the end of Luke 21:24 and onward we have the events of the end foretold. There was some question about how long that gap might be. If the council had, as related in Acts 7, when they were addressed by Stephen, acknowledged, as he said in verse 52, that they had had the Messiah killed by the Romans, like David killed Uriah by the Ammonites (2Samuel 12:9), that gap may have been much smaller than two thousand years.

 Acts 7:52  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

 Christ was ready, perhaps, to receive the repentant Jews. In Mark 16:19; Colossians 3:1; and Hebrews 10:12 He is said to be seated on the right hand of God but in the following He might have been prepared, as an example to us, to receive the Jews if they had been repentant and acknowledged who He is and what they did.

 Acts 7:55  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

 They had used the sword of Roman justice to murder the Innocent One (Psalm 94:21; Matthew 27:4) but Peter said they did it out of ignorance.

 Acts 3:17  And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

 Confirming what Jesus said from the Cross.

 Luke 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

 And the Law provided a way to deal with the rulers’ sin from ignorance as per Leviticus, chapter 4. But, it was not to be. The Jews had rebellion against God on their spiritual hearts.

 Matthew 27:25  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

 John 19:15  But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

 And so, we have the age of the Church until the times of the Gentile domination are over. Israel still has to deal with the Gentiles and their very existence, from a temporal and strictly earthly point of view, depends on the support of powerful nations, the holding back of their enemies, and a very, very shaky geopolitical situation with another holocaust from the Beast and Satan’s fury coming. But, when Christ returns to rule Gentile domination is over.

 Revelation 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

 Verses 25-27 summarize the events of the Book of Revelation. For 27 see;

 Revelation 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 Finally, as in verse 28, we are told to be expectant of Christ’s return, of His calling us out as the church, His body on earth being removed or translated from here to Heaven.

 1Corinthians 15:51 ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

  1Thessalonians 4:13 ¶  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 Luke 21:29 ¶  And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30  When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31  So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 37  And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. 38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

 See here in Jesus’ closing statements how with the age of the Christian church not revealed that the two prophecies of events at least two thousand years apart appear to be conflated. This confuses the Preterist who say the events of Revelation were fulfilled in 70AD, which is nonsense.

 First, it must be understood that the events of the Fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple will happen so close in time that the generation hearing Christ will have many who will witness them. With the First Jewish-Roman War less than four decades away this generation will experience it.

 But, He includes in His closing remarks something more, that the whole earth will experience, the coming of the kingdom of God physically on earth at Christ’s return. Without the two thousand years of the Church Age in between it appears confusing to some. But, look at the disaster the Jews faced in 70AD as a type and a portent of what the end of human history will look like. The signs of Jerusalem’s fall and the signs of the time before Christ’s return will be similar and Christians will be delivered from both sets of horrors involved in those signs.

final speech of the last Byzantine Emperor

The Day the Roman Empire Fell Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos was the last emperor of the Roman Empire, today more commonly referred to as the Byzantine Empire. He is not only remembered for being the last Roman Emperor who put up a brave last stand against the Ottomans, but also for his last speech to his officers and allies before the Fall of Constantinople on May 29, 1453 by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II. Constantinople was the largest and wealthiest city in Christendom during the Middle Ages, the seat of the Byzantine emperor and the centre of a predominately Christian empire, steeped in Greek cultural and artistic influences, yet founded and maintained by a Roman legal and administrative system. Despite the amalgamation of Greek and Roman influences, its language and culture was Greek.

Although the Turkish state presents the Fall of Constantinople as an epic achievement, their narrative often omits that the Byzantine Empire was in a state of decline since the 1204 Catholic Fourth Crusade that destroyed the city. Nor does the narrative mention that it took 53 days for the Ottoman army of 100,000 to defeat the 10,000 Byzantine defenders.

When Constantinople’s walls were finally breached, Constantine XI knew there would be no mercy, as seen by the three day of mass murder, rape and pillage the Ottoman’s committed after the capture of the city. However, the last emperor of the more than 1,000 year old empire did not flee with the Genoese generals and many civilians to Italy, he instead died fighting in the streets of Constantinople – but not before giving one last epic speech:

“Most noble leader, illustrious tribunes, generals, most courageous fellow soldiers and all loyal honest citizens! You know well that the hour has come: the enemy of our faith wishes to oppress us even more closely by sea and land with all his engines and skill to attack us with the entire strength of this siege force, as a snake about to spew its venom; he is in a hurry to devour us, like a savage lion. For this reason I am imploring you to fight like men with brave souls, as you have done from the beginning up to this day, against the enemy of our faith. I hand over to you my glorious, famous, respected, noble city, the shining Queen of Cities, our homeland. You know well, my brothers, that we have four obligations in common, which force us to prefer death over survival: first our faith and piety; second our homeland; third, the emperor anointed by the Lord, and fourth; our relatives and friends.

Well, my brothers, if we must fight for one of these obligations, we will be even more liable under the command strength of all four; as you can clearly understand. If God grants victory to the impious because of my own sins, we will endanger our lives for our holy faith, which Christ gave us with his own blood. This is most important of all. Even if one gains the entire world but loses his soul in the process, what will be the benefit!

 Second, we will be deprived of such famous homeland and of our liberty. 

Third, our empire, renowned in the past but presently humbled, low and exhausted, will be ruled by a tyrant and an impious man. Fourth, we will be separated from our dearest children, wives and relatives.

This wretch of a Sultan has besieged our city up to now for fifty seven days with all his engines and strength; he has relaxed the blockade neither day nor night, but, by the grace of Christ, our Lord, who sees all things, the enemy has often been repelled, up to now, from our walls with shame and dishonour. Yet now too, my brothers, feel no cowardice, even if small parts of our fortifications have collapsed from the explosions and engine missiles, as you can see, we made all possible, necessary repairs. We are placing all hope in the irresistible glory of God. Some have faith in armament, others in cavalry, might and numbers but we believe in the name of our Lord, our God and Saviour, and second, in our arms and strength granted to us by divine power.

I know the countless hordes of the impious will advance against us, according to their custom, violently, confidently and with great courage and force in order to overwhelm and wear out our few defenders with hardship. They attempt to frighten us with loud yells and innumerable battle cries. But you are all familiar with their chattering and I need say no more about it. For a long time they will continue so and will also release over us countless rocks, all sorts of arrows and missiles, like the sand of the sea. But I hope that such things will not harm us; I see, greatly rejoice, and nourish with hopes in my mind that even if we are few, you are all experienced and seasoned warriors – courageous, brave, and well prepared. Protect your heads with shields in combat and battle. Keep your right hand, armed with the sword, extended in front of you at all times. Your helmets, breastplates and suits of armour are fully sufficient together with your other weapons and will prove very effective in battle. Our enemies have none and use no such weapons. You are protected inside the walls, while they will advance without cover and with toil.

For these reasons, my fellow soldiers, prepare yourselves, be firm, and remain valiant, for the pity of God. Take your example from the few elephants of the Carthaginians and how they dispersed the numerous cavalry of the Romans with their noise and appearance. If one dumb beast put another to flight, we, the masters of horses and animals, can surely even do better against our advancing enemies, since they are dumb animals, worse even than pigs. Present your shield, swords, arrows, and spears to them, imagining that you are a hunting party after wild boars, so that the impious may learn that they are dealing not with dumb animals but with their lords and masters, the descendants of the Greeks and the Romans.

You are well aware that this irreligious Sultan, the enemy of our holy faith, violated for no good reason the peace treaty we had with him and disregarded his numerous oaths without a second thought. Suddenly, he appeared and built his castle in the straights of Asomatosso so he might be able to inflict daily harm on us. Then he put our farms, gardens, parks, and houses to the torch, while he killed and enslaved as many of our Christian brothers as he found; he broke the treaty of friendship. He befriended the inhabitants of Galata, the wretches rejoice over this, as they are unaware of the parable of the farmer’s son who was roasting snails and said, ‘Oh stupid creature,’ etc.

Well my brothers, since he started the siege and the blockade, every day he opens his fathomless mouth and is seeking an opportunity to devour us and this city, which thrice-blessed Constantine the Great founded and dedicated to the all holy most chaste Mother of God, our lady, Mary the eternal virgin. She became the Queen of Cities, the shield and aid of our homeland, the shelter of Christians, the hope and joy of all wishes to destroy this city, which was once proud and blooming like a rose of the field.

I can tell you that this city mastered the entire universe; She placed beneath her feet Pontus, Armenia, Paphlagonia, The Amazonian lands, Cappadocia, Galatia, Media, Georgian Colchis, Bosphoros, Albania, Syria, Cilicia, Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Palestine, Arabia, Judea, Bactria, Scythia, Macedonia, Thessaly, Boeotia, Locris, Aetolia, Arcarnania, Achaea, the Peloponnese, Epirus, Illyria, Lykhnites, the Adriatic, Italy, Tuscany, the Celts, and Galatian Celts, Spain up to Cadiz, Libya, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Beledes, Scude, Numidia, Africa and Egypt. Now he wants to enslave her and throw the yoke upon the Mistress of Cities, our holy churches, where the Holy Trinity was worshiped, where the Holy Spirit was glorified in hymns, where angels were heard praising in chant the deity of and the incarnation of God’s word, he wants to turn into shrines of his blasphemy, shrines of the mad and false Prophet, Mohammed, as well as into stables for his horses and camels.

Consider then, my brothers and comrades in arms, how the commemoration of our death, our memory, fame and freedom can be rendered eternal.”

In Game:

Bartolomeo d'Alviano was a member of the Italian Brotherhood of Assassins, and the leader of Venetian and Roman mercenaries. Being a skilled and loyal fighter, as well as commanding a fair amount of mercenaries, Bartolomeo was an important asset to his Brotherhood.

Bartolomeo, as a member of the Assassin Brotherhood, based himself in the Castello District of Venice. He resided in the district, and led the mercenaries in the city. By 1486, the Templar Silvio Barbarigo had taken control of the Castello District, capturing Bartolomeo and most of his men in the process. However, Ezio Auditore, the son of the late Assassin Giovanni Auditore, came to Bartolomeo's rescue and the two fought their way back to Bartolomeo's headquarters.

Once there, Bartolomeo and Ezio killed Silvio's remaining men and retook his quarters. Locating his longtime weapon "Bianca", Bartolomeo asked Ezio to rescue some of his men who had been captured by Silvio's thugs. After rescuing each of the captured mercenaries, Ezio returned to Bartolomeo, who then instructed him to position several of the mercenaries throughout the district to stir up enough trouble to regain it.

Aiding the mercenaries, Ezio helped by eliminating the district guards to substitute the mercenaries in their place. Upon posting the last of the men, Ezio scaled the largest tower in the district and launched a flare to signal the mercenaries to begin their attack.

From the tower, Ezio caught sight of Bartolomeo engaged in a losing battle against Dante Moro and Silvio's men. Rushing to aid him, Ezio helped Bartolomeo kill most of Silvio's men, and as Ezio was about to defeat Dante, the latter abandoned the fight and fled to L'Arsenale.

In response, Bartolomeo called for Ezio to follow the fleeing man, as he would likely lead him straight to Silvio. Sure enough, as Silvio and Dante fled for their ship destined for Cyprus, they were both caught and assassinated by Ezio. Afterwards, Bartolomeo thanked and congratulated Ezio on liberating the Castello District from Silvio's oppression, and the two parted ways.

Two years later, Bartolomeo joined with several other Assassins to acquire the Apple of Eden from Rodrigo Borgia, the Grand Master of the Templars. However, when they reached Rodrigo, they found Ezio already combating Rodrigo and his guards.

Bartolomeo and the other Assassins hurried to Ezio's side, and upon killing all the guards and causing Rodrigo to flee without the Apple, the group revealed themselves to be Assassins, a fact previously unknown by Ezio. They then inducted Ezio into the Order atop a tall tower, before the group each performed a Leap of Faith from its side.

In 1496, Bartolomeo joined the Orsini in a battle against the Borgia, who were attempting to seize Orsini territory. Bartolomeo's resources were cut down to three fortresses by the Borgia, but his fighting spirit kept him going. Cesare Borgia completely cut off his supplies when he thought victory was near, but Carlo Orsini arrived just in time to support Bartolomeo, even wounding Cesare in the face.

Later, in 1499, Bartolomeo and his forces created diversions throughout Rome, distracting a large portion of the Papal Guard and allowing Ezio a chance to infiltrate the Vatican and confront Rodrigo.

In 1500, Bartolomeo and his new wife Pantasilea Baglioni moved to Rome, using the Caserma di Alviano as their new barracks. Alongside the other Assassins, Bartolomeo sought to liberate the city from the Borgia oppression, and thus focused his mercenaries on the French army led by the Baron Octavian de Valois.

However, Bartolomeo soon found himself attacked on two fronts: Borgia on one side, and French on the other. That same year, Bartolomeo met again with Ezio Auditore, who helped Bartolomeo liberate the surrounding region from Borgia control. In exchange, Ezio requested that Bartolomeo find the whereabouts of Rodrigo and Cesare Borgia; after locating Rodrigo and Cesare, Bartolomeo met with the others at Tiber Island to discuss the Assassins' plans.

Three years later, Bartolomeo was still at war with the Baron de Valois. When Ezio met with Bartolomeo again to discuss plans to take out the French commander, their conversation was cut short by a mercenary who alerted Bartolomeo to a surprise assault by French troops.

Fighting alongside Ezio and his mercenaries, Bartolomeo successfully defended the barracks from the attack, after which they gathered at the main gate. There, the pair spotted the Baron signaling for their attention from the field.

Octavian called out to request Bartolomeo's surrender in exchange for his wife, whom he had kidnapped. Enraged, Bartolomeo shouted insults to the commander, and eventually tore after him on horseback as the French army withdrew.

As he and Ezio arrived at the French camp, the Castra Praetoria, they concluded that it was impenetrable. Distraught, Bartolomeo resignedly decided to surrender, and enter the enemy base bearing gifts, out of hope that they would spare his wife.

However, Ezio came up with an alternative, and upon returning to the barracks, he suggested that they disguise Bartolomeo's mercenaries as French soldiers, and have them pretend to deliver a captured Bartolomeo.

After Bartolomeo offered his enthusiastic approval, Ezio retrieved some suits of armor by stealthily killing several French guards. Upon regrouping with Bartolomeo, Ezio, posing as a French captain, cleared the way for the disguised battalion all the way to the French camp, which they entered with ease.

As they faced Octavian, Bartolomeo started to openly threaten him, demanding that Pantasilea be released. However, the Baron only remarked that "savages never learn", and raised his firearm to kill Pantasilea.

Acting swiftly, Ezio fired his Hidden Gun as a sign to Bartolomeo's mercenaries, breaking their cover and causing confusion among the French guards. In the skirmish that followed, Octavian fled deeper into the camp with Pantasilea in tow. Ezio followed and assassinated him, freeing Pantasilea. As Bartolomeo hugged his wife, she thanked him, calling him her prince. Afterwards, the three and the mercenaries returned to the barracks.

Later that year, Bartolomeo met with the other Assassins to fight the remnants of Cesare Borgia's followers at the gates of Rome. After the final supporters were killed, they witnessed Cesare being arrested by Bartolomeo's cousin, Fabio Orsini, and later returned to their respective bases.

In 1509, Bartolomeo fought in the Battle of Agnadello to protect the Shroud of Eden, which was located there. He allegedly attacked the enemy without the authorization of the Orsini, the commander-in-chief at the time. He was greatly wounded as a result, but managed to recover and rally his troops. He won the hearts of the citizens of Agnadello, and they in turn helped Bartolomeo and his men in gathering resources. He also recruited several of the villagers, and his men received weapons from the local blacksmiths. Despite his efforts, the French soon overran his troops, and Bartolomeo was captured.

In 1510, Bartolomeo was visited by Ezio in Ostia, who requested his assistance in traveling to Bari to begin his journey to Masyaf in Syria, in hopes of finding the library of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. Bartolomeo, happy to see Ezio get back into action, accompanied his friend to Bari, from where they parted ways.

In Real Life:

Bartolomeo d'Alviano was born in 1455 to Francesco d'Alviano and Isabella degli Atti.

Bartolomeo fought very early in his life in Central Italy, serving in the Papal States and, in 1496, the Orsini family against Pope Alexander VI and the Colonna.

In 1503, hired by Ferdinand II of Spain, he was determinant in the victory at the Battle of Garigliano over the French army, which started the Spanish domination over southern Italy. At the beginning of 1505 he was employed by the Venetians and was granted a cavalry captaincy by the Senate with an annual pay of 150 gold pounds. In 1507, together with Nicolò Orsini, Bartolomeo was hired by the Republic of Venice. The following year he defeated the Imperial Army of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor in Cadore, at Mauria and Pontebba, conquering Gorizia and Trieste. In the same year Pordenone also fell and the Serenissima assigned its signory to d'Alviano himself (the town will be ruled by d'Alviano family until 1539).

In 1509 (the year he began the construction of new city walls at Padua), however, he was crushingly defeated at the Battle of Agnadello, being also wounded in the fray. D'Alviano was charged of the result, as he allegedly attacked the enemy without the authorisation of Orsini, then commander-in-chief. Captured by the French, he remained a prisoner until 1513. In 1513, after the alliance between France and Venice against the Duchy of Milan, he was freed, and later fought under the French commander Louis de la Trémoille. He was defeated at the Battle of Vicenza by the Spanish Viceroy of Naples Ramón de Cardona.

(Image source)

Later d'Alviano again conquered, and sacked, Pordenone, which in the meantime had fallen again to the House of Habsburg. He was subsequently a protagonist of the French victory at Marignano (September 1515), in which he attacked the Swiss mercenaries with a corps of only 300 knights. Later he managed to conquer also Bergamo, but died in October of the same year during the siege of Brescia.

He was buried in the church of Santo Stefano in Venice.

Sources:

http://www.italiamedievale.org/portale/eventi-per-i-500-anni-dalla-morte-di-bartolomeo-dalviano/

http://www.comune.alviano.tr.it/hh/index.php

http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674022843&content=toc