CHAPTER 1

FOUR MONTHS BEFORE DELIVERANCE

Pastor Kirk Samson fell to his knees and pressed his palms tightly over his burning eyes. Was that bright light lightning? Or maybe he was having a stroke? It must be a stroke, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. He felt a gentle, yet firm hand grasp his arm. Startled, he tried to yank free, but was powerless against the grip.

“Who’s there?” He asked as adrenaline coursed through his body. He blinked rapidly and then tried to open his eyes wide. He couldn’t see a thing! His body went rigid from fear. He hadn’t been this terrified since the war.

“You’ll be fine Captain Kirk,” A melodious , otherworldly voice told him. Peace mixed with excitement instantly replaced his fear and terror. He sensed that he was in the presence of a Holy being. “Come with me.”

“Who are you?” Kirk asked with anticipation. Although he did not know his companion, his companion seemed to know him. Only those close to Pastor Kirk Samson called him by his nickname Captain Kirk. The name was from having been an army chaplain, retiring with the rank of captain.

“I am Melanchthon, sent from on high to give you some marching orders if you will.”

“Yes Sir, I will,” Kirk replied with enthusiasm. A grin appearing from within his long white beard and mustache. His wispy white hair fluttered from the soft breeze.

Melanchthon laughed and it reminded Captain Kirk of a stream flowing rapidly over rocks. Not unlike Cotton Creek which snaked through a flowery meadow behind the old barn Kirk had renovated into a church. Melanchthon guided the pastor along the wooded trail he had been hiking on. He helped him sit on a fallen log. Oh yeah, he couldn’t see!

“Melanchthon?”

“Yes.”

“It seems your presence has blinded me.”

“My apologies.”

“I trust it will be…”

“Temporary, yes. After our business is through, I will walk you home. Have your wife brew you a cup of Chamomile tea and you may tell her of our visit. I know she is your best friend and confidant. Pray together earnestly about your mission. After I take you home, your sight will return within an hour. You can also cancel your eye surgery scheduled for  next week.”

“But I…”

“Your cataracts have been taken care of.”

“Oh,” Captain Kirk chuckled. “Thank you.”

“Praise God.”

“Yes, praise God, amen!”

“Now, are you ready?”

“You say jump, I ask how high.”

“I like your enthusiasm,” Melanchthon laughed. “But truth be told, by the time of the mission’s completion, your enthusiasm may wain.”

“Thank you for your honesty Sir.”

“I serve God, who cannot lie.”

“What would you have me do, Sir.”

“I appreciate your respect Kirk. But going forward, please call me Mel. It is likely that we will be meeting every now and then.”

Captain Kirk frowned. “So, will I be blinded every time you contact me?”

“Oh, no my dear friend. Once again I apologize for the sudden appearance. Next time I will take cover with flesh and blood, in the garb of humanity.”

“Alrighty then. So what would you have me to do S… Mel?”

“Do you know a man by the name of Seven Sallie?”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t Mel.”

“You will. He has a podcast that centers mostly on religion, politics, celebrity, and current events. He is rapidly gaining in popularity and is becoming a celebrity himself. He is also the cousin of Brock Storm. I trust you know Mr. Storm.”

“I know Brock very well, Sir. I mean Mel.”

“Yes. Seven has been chosen to be a messenger of the last days. He has been selected to be a voice crying in the wilderness of concrete, steel, and human chaos. But there is currently a problem with him, and that’s where you come in.”

Captain Kirk waited, but Melanchthon was silent.

“What’s the problem S… Mel?”

Melanchthon sighed heavily. “He’s a reprobate.”

“Pardon me?”

“He’s a rascal, a sexual degenerate, a booze hound. He’s also stubborn, bullheaded and obnoxious.”

“I see,” Captain Kirk replied cautiously as he wondered what role he was supposed to play with such a man he didn’t even know. Then he remembered the common thread. “You say he’s Brock Storm’s cousin?”

“Yes, but the two clash. They have barely spoken to each other in more than a decade.”

“I see,” Captain Kirk replied again as he refrained from sighing.

“Take heart my dear friend,” Melanchthon reassured with delight in his voice. Captain Kirk felt his hand gently squeeze his knee. He felt energy and comfort surge through his body. He moved to cover his hand over Melanchthon’s. Instead, he felt his own kneecap, even though he still felt the loving grip of the heavenly angel. “The two cousins loved each other like brothers in the past. They just struggle to like each other. If Brock obeys the calling, his role will be as trying as yours, maybe even more so.”

“Are you going to pay a visit to Brock also?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Why?”

“Brock has too much blood on his hands. Don’t get me wrong. His repentance and walk with the Lord is genuine. I was there for the rejoicing in heaven when he finally gave his heart, mind and soul to the Lord. But obviously he still has a horrific battle with human nature and his old ways. As a matter of fact, he is about to have the toughest temptation of his life.”

“What is that, Sir?” Captain Kirk asked anxiously, due to a deep love for his friend. “I mean Melanchthon. Mel.”

“I’m not at liberty to say.”

“What if he fails?”

“Then the mission fails.”

“So, Seven being a great man of God depends on this, um, test that Brock will endure?”

“It will.”

“But…”

“I know, to limited understanding it doesn’t seem fair that Seven’s eternal destiny should also hinge on whether Brock is obedient or not. But life and spirituality has more of a ripple effect than people realize. You will come to know Seven’s history soon enough. He potentially has a heart of gold. But it is currently black. He has been in major rebellion. As a matter of fact, the enemy is giving him great worldly success due to his blasphemous ways. Heaven has borne long with him. His salvation is hanging by a thread and this is his last chance. But it is a big one. He will either succeed in a big way or fail in a bigger way. The reason Brock is key is because he is only one of a couple people, in a world that inhabits billions, that Seven trusts. And that trust existed long before Brock was converted.”

“I see.”

“So, are you in?”

“I’ll do whatever you ask of me Mel.”

“I appreciate that Kirk. But do you want to be a part of this mission? You are an eighty year old man and have done more than your share of living the gospel. Your eyes were fixed because of my appearance, but that in itself was a test. If you weren’t such a man of faith who has logged thousands of hours of prayer in his lifetime, my appearance, such as it was, would have given you a massive heart attack. So, once again, do you want this mission or not? Your name is written in the book of life no matter what you choose.”

Pastor Samson was tempted to ask the fate of Seven if he said no. Surely there was somebody young and faithful that could do a better job than himself. Mary Gold Weston and her husband Jake came to mind. As did Amy and Dirk Easton. There was also Brock’s wife Destiny, her Aunt Belle and Billy Bob Booker . But God and one of his powerful angel’s had visited him personally. He thought of Jesus his Savior and how he could have called thousands of angels to rescue Himself and abort the mission to save fallen humanity. But he didn’t. He sacrificed his life even if Kirk Samson were the only one to be redeemed.

“I’m more than willing Melanchthon,” Captain Kirk answered. “You say jump and I ask how high. The only question is if these old bones will cooperate.”

Melanchthon chuckled and once again it was like a rippling, soothing stream of water. “All things are possible with God. Just stay connected my friend. And yes, God could have used anyone of the people you were thinking of in your place. But God has chosen you.”

“I’m honored and privileged.”

“You will also need to be prayerful and patient. After Brock’s trial, there are still some things that need to play out in Seven’s life. It all depends on how fast the enemy prospers him. It may be weeks, or it may be months. Then Seven will have his first test on his road to redemption or perdition. That will simply be whether or not he let’s Brock take an active role in his situation. Now, I’ve told you everything I can for the time being. Are you ready?”

“You say jump, and I’ll leap as high as these old bones will allow.”

“Let’s get you home then,” Melanchthon sang. “And let the Seven Sallie mission begin.”