LXVII

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

PSALM 46:10

DESTINY KNIGHT-STORM

“I suppose you all are wondering why I invited you here for lunch,” Zella said with an excited smile as she addressed the four of us ladies sitting at her kitchen table. There was her best friend Willa, Amy Easton, Sevenia, and me. She placed a platter of sandwiches and a pot of vegetable soup on the table. Then she nervously spread her hands. “I guess the best way is to just come out with it. I said yes to Seven last night.”

“Yes to what?” Willa asked. Willa looked a lot like the actress Megan Fox. She was a former adult model and dominatrix prostitute. Although we have become really good friends over the past few years, she wasn’t one my girls. By that I mean it wasn’t my aunt’s and my ministry to women in adult entertainment that brought her to the Lord. It was an amazing young man named Billy Booker.

(Willa and Billy’s story is told in the e-book by Johnathan Embers called ‘Billy Bob Booker and the Hooker.’)

“To marrying my dad!” Sevenia exclaimed with a look of awe on her face. She sprang to her feet, grinning, and hugging Zella. “You’re actually gonna be my step mommy.”

Zella hugged her tightly, laughed and pressed her lips into Sevenia’s short tangle of auburn hair.

“When’s the big day?” Amy asked as she flipped a pile of her red-gold over a shoulder. Her one blue and one green eye twinkled with excitement.

“This Sabbath,” Zella said.

“What?” I heard myself say.

“You’re getting married in four days?” Willa laughed. “You’re almost eloping.”

“I guess a little,” Zella shrugged. “That’s why it will be a pretty low key and informal event. You know me, Willa. I don’t like to be the center of attention.”

“As pretty as you are, I never understood why,” Willa joked.

Zella smiled shyly and waved a hand at Willa.

“What about your baptism?” Sevenia asked.

“Actually we’re gonna do like Willa did a few years ago,” Zella explained. “You weren’t here then, Sevenia, but Willa was baptized during the morning service and then married that afternoon.”

“How exciting,” Willa declared. “I’m so happy for you, Zee. Until my kids were born, getting baptized and then married was the best day of my life.”

“So, here’s the thing,” Zella said with a smile. “Willa has been my best friend for many years now. She was also the first person that showed me what a transformed life looked like. In the time that followed between Willa’s conversion and my own, I have become close friends with you other three ladies as well.

“Until I agreed to marry Seven, I thought it would be appropriate to have Willa baptize me since she was my first introduction to Christ. Even though I left Him knocking at the door of my heart for a few more years. But now, Willa, I’d like to ask you to be my matron of honor instead.”

“Yes,” Willa replied with an ear to ear grin. “I’d be honored to be your matron of honor.”

“And Amy,” Zella continued. “Would you be my honorary bridesmaid?”

“I too would be honored,” Amy replied with a huge smile.

“Sevenia and Destiny, would you both baptize me, like you did Heather?”

“I’d be delighted,” I grinned.

“Yes, of course,” Sevenia, said, going to Zella and hugging her again. “Mom.”

“Daughter,” Zella whimpered. “I love you. I love each and every one of you.”

Zella received a chorus of ‘I love you’ in return.

On a cozy winter sabbath, Captain Kirk (AKA Pastor Samson) gave an extraordinary sermon on surrendering one’s life to Christ. He made such a tremendous point of reminding everyone that Christ is alive! He spoke eloquently of Jesus as mankind’s High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, making intersession for us at this very moment. He quoted several passages from the book of Hebrews.

Since I always have my note pad with me at fellowship, I wrote them down. (Hebrews 2:17, 3:1, 4:14-16, 5:5, 7:25, 8:1-6, 9:11-14, and 24-28, 12:2, 8). After his sermon, Sevenia, Zella, and myself climbed into the church’s baptistry. There was a chorus of Amens, along with clapping, as Zella emerged from the water. This act symbolizing Christ’s resurrection and His follower’s newness of spiritual life.

After church and a meal, we prepared for the wedding. Boys will be boys. Seven and his best men, Brock and Dirk, returned to the sanctuary wearing tuxedo t-shirts. All of our jaws dropped.

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Zella said sternly with hands on her hips, even though a smile played at her lips. “I know this is informal, but I’m not marrying you in this beautiful wedding dress while you’re wearing a tuxedo t-shirt.”

Zella and Willa were virtually the same size, and Willa insisted Zella wear her wedding dress for this mostly impromptu wedding. I noticed Amy’s and my husband snickering. Seven put on a suit jacket and asked. “Is this better?”

Brock and Dirk about fell over themselves laughing. I noticed Zella having major trouble keeping a straight face even as she declared. “No, fool, it’s not!”

“Okay, we’ll go get our proper clothes on now,” Seven said before he kissed Zella. “By the way, this was Brock’s idea.”

“Hey, wait a minute,” Brock defended. “I was joking when I suggested it,. You were the one that knew of a place that sold them and insisted we go buy a few.”

The guys returned in proper suits ten minutes later. The ceremony went off without a hitch, and I’d never seen Seven so happy, or Zella for that matter. I was overflowing with happiness myself until we prepared to leave Cotton Creek Cove. My Aunt Belle stopped Brock and me before we climbed into our car. A look of concern was stamped on her face. “What is it, Auntie?”

“It’s your dad,” she replied, referring to her younger brother. “He’s dying.”

“What!” I replied, dumbfounded as an electric sensation coursed through my body.

“Your stepmother just called me,” Aunt Belle said as a tear popped from her eye and rolled down her cheek. “A few weeks ago he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He only has at the most a couple weeks, but more than likely only a few days.”

“Wow,” was all I could manage as my legs suddenly felt weak.

“Honey,” she said softly. “He’d like to see you.”

I hadn’t seen my father in years. I could count on one hand how many times I had spoken to him via phone in the last decade. My Aunt Belle was the only one that was aware of the ugly secret between my dad and me. To be honest, I don’t think my dad even knew I was aware of the diabolical thing he did to me when I was a little girl. He thinks my anger and distance over the years had to do with his treatment of my mother and their subsequent divorce. Then his anger over me becoming an adult entertainer. But he was wrong.

“I don’t want to see him,” I whimpered as I hugged myself. I felt my legs get weak and wondered if I should sit down. Then I felt that incredible man I married put his strong arms around me and spoon me into himself.

“I got you,” Brock assured me when he whispered into my ear.

“Yes, you do,” I replied quietly, relishing the comfort of his reverse embrace.

It had been almost fifteen years since he had spoken those words to me for the first time as he engulfed me in a snug embrace. It had been moments after he rescued me from almost being brutally raped and likely murdered. In seconds that day, I had gone from supreme terror to overwhelming relief and comfort wrapped in his arms, saved from sexual violation and possibly an extinguished life.

Afterward, we ended up going our separate ways. The authorities suggested we leave the Twin Cities if possible. My attacker had heavy gang ties. Not just street gang, but mob or drug cartel or some such. So Brock ended up in Miami, and I ended up in Los Angeles. Coincidentally, we ended up crossing paths at a church in Iowa ten years after my attack. We have been in each other’s lives ever since that fateful day at Cotton Creek Cove Fellowship.

“Honey,” Aunt Belle said as she lifted my chin to look her in the eyes. “Does Brock know about your situation with your father?”

“Just my Heavenly Father,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Not my earthly father of lies.”

My precious Aunt Belle forced her own smile. “Don’t you think it’s time you do? Then you can discuss with him how you want to handle your current situation with your dad. But keep in mind what Jesus said to those that were crucifying Him. ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do’.”

“But I have forgiven him,” I replied, defensively.

“In here?” Aunt Belle asked as she tapped my chest at my heart.

After considering her council for a moment, I reluctantly squirmed from my husband’s arms and looked at him. I always marveled at his warm, gentle, light brown eyes. They were such a contradiction to his powerful body and all his scars, especially three prominent facial scars. He would have had a pretty boy face similar to his cousin Seven if it weren’t for the scars.

I touched the scar that curled from his lips like a ghoulish smile. He had never told me how he got it, just as I had never fully explained my relationship with my dad. Don’t ask, don’t tell, I guess. I looked into his eyes again. He nodded. You know you’re soul mates when you can communicate without speaking. I gave him a genuine smile, grateful that I had been blessed with a spouse I considered the better half. Then I too nodded.

DESTINY KNIGHT-STORM’S NOTES FROM SEVENIA’S 11^th LESSON

AN AMAZING HEAVENLY CITY

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, you will be also.” (John 14:2, 3)

Who is the builder of this amazing city? God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:16)

The Bible says God is building a city for His people.

Where is this incredible city? “Then I John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.” (Revelation 21:2)

How does the Bible describe this colossal city?

1.Name: The city is called “New Jerusalem.”

2.Size: “The city is laid out as a square; it’s length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs.” (Revelation 21:16)

The city is perfectly square. Its perimeter is 12,000 furlongs—equivalent to 1,500 miles. It is 375 miles long on each side.

3.Walls: “The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. The wall was made of solid jasper.” (Revelation 21:17, 18)

This wall is 216 feet high and surrounds the city. The wall is made of solid jasper, with a radiance and beauty beyond description. Imagine that! Nearly 20 stories high and solid jasper.

4.Gates: “It had a great high wall with twelve gates…. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west… The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.” (Revelation 21:12, 13, 21)

5.Foundations: “The wall of the city had twelve foundations… decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth an emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:14, 19, 20)

This city has 12 full, complete foundations—each one made of precious stone. Every color of the rainbow is represented, so at a distance the city will appear to be resting on a rainbow.

6.Streets: “The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” (Revelation 21:21)

7.Appearance: “The Holy City, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband, shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it is wide..” (Revelation 21:21)

The city, with all of its precious stones, gold, and shimmering beauty, will be lighted with the glory of God. Its breathtaking majesty and purity is compared to “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

What phenomenal feature of this grand city assures every citizen eternal life and health?

“In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2)

The tree of life bears 12 kinds of fruit, is in the middle of the city, and brings unending life to all who eat from it. Even its leaves contain wonderful sustaining qualities. This tree will yield a new crop of fruit each month.

Will this amazing city actually descend to this earth? “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

“The righteous will be recompensed on the earth.” (Proverbs 11:31)

Yes, this regal city will come down to this planet to become the capital of the earth made new. All the saved will have a home in this city.

What will happen to sin and the unsaved? All the proud, yes, all that do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming will burn them up. (Malachi 4:1) The elements shall melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10) You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet. (Malachi 4:3) Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)

God will cleanse the earth from sin; he will also, with deep sadness, cleanse the earth from those who would continue in sin. Then God will make a perfect new earth. The holy city will be earth’s capital. God has promised that sin will not rise up again. (See Nahum 1:9)

What exciting promises has God made to the people who enter His new Kingdom?

1.The Lord, in person, will live with them. (Revelation 21:3)

2.They will never become bored. There will be pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

3.There will be no more death, pain, tears, sorrow, sickness, hospitals, operations, tragedy, disappointments, trouble, hunger, or thirst. (Revelation 7:16, 21:4, Isaiah 33:24, 65:23)

4.They will never get tired. (Isaiah 40:31)

Every person will be physically whole. The deaf will hear, the blind will see, and the paralyzed will run. (Isaiah 35:5, 6, Philippians 3:21)

5.Jealousy, fear, falsehood, hatred, envy, impurity, cynicism, worry, and all manner of evil will not exist in God’s kingdom. (Revelation 21:8, 27 22:15) People will no longer be burdened with the worries and cares which damage and distract them. There will be no more anxiety and depression. Time will become eternity, and the pressures of deadlines will be gone forever.

How will the earth differ from the earth today?

1.Vast oceans as we know them today will be gone. (Revelation 21:1) Today, oceans cover about 70% of the earth’s surface. This will not be the case in God’s new kingdom. The whole earth will be one huge garden of unsurpassed beauty, interspersed with lakes, rivers, and mountains. (Revelation 22:1; Acts 3:20, 21)

2.Deserts will be replaced with gardens. (Isaiah 35:1, 2).

3.Every animal will be tame. No creature, wolves, lions, bears, etc. will  prey upon others, and little children shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6-9, 65:25).

4.There will be no more curse. (Revelation 22:3). The curse of sin, as detailed in (Genesis 3:17-19), will be no more.

5.There will be no more violence of any kind (Isaiah 60:18). This includes no more crime, storms, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, injuries, etc.

6.Nothing defiling will be found (Revelation 21:27). There will be no more drunkenness, taverns, alcoholic beverages, brothels, pornography, or any other impurity of any kind in the new kingdom.

When loved ones are reunited in heaven, will they recognize one another? “Then I shall know just as I am also known.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

The Bible clearly teaches that the saved who have died will be raised to life, and join the saved who are living, and enter God’s new kingdom together (Isaiah 26:19; Jerimiah 31:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). It also teaches that loved ones in God’s new kingdom will know one another, just as people recognize each other on the earth today.

How will people spend their time in the new kingdom?

They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; and they shall not plant and another eat… And my elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands (Isaiah 65:21, 22).

The saved will build their own homes in the new earth. (Each person will also have a city home built by Christ—see John 14:1-3). Real people do real things in heaven, and they will thoroughly enjoy it all.

What else will the saved do in paradise?

1.Sing and play heavenly music (Isaiah 35:10, 51:11; Psalm 87:7; Revelation 14:2, 3).

2.Worship before God’s throne every week (Isaiah 66:22, 23).

3.Enjoy never fading flowers and trees (Ezekiel 47:12; Isaiah 35:1, 2).

4.Visit with loved ones, ancestors, Bible characters, etc. (Matthew 8:11; Revelation 7:9-17).

5.Study the animals of paradise (Isaiah 11:6-9, 65:25).

6.Travel and explore without ever becoming weary (Isaiah 40:31).

7.Listen to God sing (Zephaniah 3:17).

8.Experience their deepest desires (Psalm 37:3, 4; Isaiah 65:24).

9.And the greatest joy of all! Enjoy the privilege of being like Jesus, seeing Him face to face, and even traveling with Him! (Revelation 14:4, 21:3, 22:4; 1 John 3:2).

Can human language fully describe the glories of our home in paradise? “Eye has not seen, nor heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Not even in its wildest dreams can the heart of mankind begin to comprehend the wonders of God’s eternal kingdom. The paradise that Adam and Eve lost will be restored. (Acts 3:20, 21).

Is this kingdom being prepared for you personally? “Whosoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). “To an inheritance incorruptible… Reserved in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:4). “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

How can you be assured of a place in this great and glorious kingdom? “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in.” (Revelation 3:20).

Not everyone that says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21).

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates of the city.” (Revelation 22:14).

“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12).

“The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7).

Give your life to Christ and abide in Him so that He can cleanse you from sin and the desire to sin. It’s that simple! When you abide in Him, Jesus gives you the power to do His will and to keep His commandments out of loving obedience.

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things.” (Revelation 21:7).

A person is prepared for heaven when heaven is in the heart.