This post is actually a short story I wrote some time ago. It is much longer than my typical post but I hope you will take the time to read it. The goal and purpose of this story is to share the gospel through many different aspects of life and to encourage believers to be faithful and to be actively working for the kingdom.
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What if the spiritual realm were visible to us? What would it be like? Would it change the way we live? Would believers and unbelievers go about life any differently? We perceive the physical realm but the spiritual realm goes unnoticed. They’re both just as real as the wind. We can see the results, but the wind itself we can not see. What if we could see the spiritual realm? Just imagine… a line that separates good and evil, righteous and unrighteous, holy and unholy; Those who believe on one side, the holy side and those who disbelieve on the other.
God, seated on His throne, several believers at the foot of His throne, worshipping, praying, basking in His glory. In the distance a believer dangerously walking near the line, gazing across at all the worldly pleasures, his eyes not on Christ but on the enticing things of this world. God looks on with grave concern. Across the line one can see unbelievers completely engrossed in the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the boastful pride of life( I John 2:16 ). So involved and distracted that they rarely look up and consider the cross, the meaning of life or the existence of God. Perhaps afraid to stop for fear of what they may be faced with, the reality of life, eventual death and the thereafter. In the far distance sits another throne, a very large ornate throne, one covered in jewels, gold and all precious things, a throne where you would expect a very good and powerful king to sit. However when you gaze upon the one occupying it, its nothing short of utter disappointment as it is occupied by the Prince of the Air, the Prince of this World, the Prince of the Devils. Between the two, life is played out like pawns on a chess board. Except that these chess pieces move about freely of their own accord. And so we begin.
Backslider longingly looking towards the pleasures of the world, walking ever so close to the ‘Line’. God looks on, lovingly concerned for Backslider’s spiritual condition. He motions for Hesitant Believer to go and confront Backslider. But Hesitant Believer doesn’t want to offend him or hurt his feelings by confronting him about the dangerous position he is in. He doesn’t want to tell him that he’s way off track that he needs to turn his gaze back to Christ and fix his eyes on Him. He’s afraid of appearing ‘holier than thou’. Hesitant Believer shakes his head and returns to prayer but it isn’t quite the same now. The closeness, the intimacy with God isn’t as precious. There seems to be a bit of separation. God then motions for Obedient Believer to go and rescue Backslider. Obedient Believer has also been observing Backslider, being very concerned about his present condition, he has been praying for him to return. As a result when God motions for him to go and speak with Backslider he immediately jumps up and goes to him.
When Obedient Believer approaches, Backslider initially welcomes him and is happy to have a companion. But when he begins to confront him about his dangerous situation, Backslider becomes defensive and does his best to assure Obedient Believer that he is in no danger, he is in complete control of the situation and there is nothing to worry about. There is nothing wrong with looking. Obedient Believer continues to admonish him, imploring him to turn his gaze back to Christ and fix his eyes on Him. He prays with him and then sorrowfully departs back to the Father. When he arrives at the throne the Father immediately calls for him to lift his eyes and gaze upon Him. He assures him that he is not the one being rejected but rather God himself. He wraps his arms around him and thanks him for his efforts and his prompt obedience and assures him that he did exactly what was asked of him and must leave the rest to God.
Throughout the entire confrontation, off in the distance a believer could be seen is his lazy boy recliner looking on. Concerned about Backslider and hoping Obedient Believer could persuade him through the word of God to return but never getting out of his lazy boy to come along side of Obedient Believer. Although he did say a prayer for him he just couldn’t quite get up and participate.
Meanwhile after being instructed by God to go and witness to the lost, Persecuted Believer promptly obeys and is proclaiming the word of God to several unreceptive and somewhat hostile lost souls. While he is sharing with them concerning their lost condition and their need for Christ they are jeering, mocking and laughing at him. Persecuted Believer continues to share the word of God with them out of obedience to God and his love for the lost, imploring them to believe. In the midst of this a large shadow is seen falling across them and everyone stops to see what is happening. It is then that they realize that Satan himself is standing and motioning for the lost souls to attack. Like hungry lions pursuing their prey they charge Persecuted Believer, grab him, drag him down and begin to beat him mercilessly. Persecuted Believer, in spite of the beating, looks to the throne of God and sees him standing, lovingly watching with such concern and compassion that it is enough for Persecuted Believer to endure anything they could do to him. When they stop, they believe him to be dead and proudly return to Satan to seek his approval and praise.
It is then that the shadow begins to retreat as it is overtaken by a great and stunning light as God is seen approaching. Everything stops as if frozen in time while God walks over, picks up Persecuted Believer and carries him back to the throne. He then lays him down, pulls out a basin and a towel and proceeds to clean his wounds, tenderly washing each one. After some time Persecuted Believer is revived and sits up but rather than hearing those words he longed to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matt25:21). He hears God say to him “Your time has not yet come. Return and continue to labor. “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matt 9:37). After some time of resting and recovering both spiritually and physically Persecuted Believer rises and returns.
Throughout this entire episode Lazy Boy Believer is on the edge of his chair, completely shocked by the brutal beating of Persecuted Believer. He is crying out at the atrocity but can’t seem to pry himself out of his chair to help, to pray, to get involved. He is overjoyed when he sees God carry him to the throne and to see him recover. He then feels relieved and somewhat justified in his actions… or the lack thereof.
Meanwhile Encourager notices Fearful Believer cowering in the corner after seeing the beating of Persecuted Believer. He didn’t know that following Christ would cost him. He didn’t know he would have to pay a price. Encourager, in his loving gentle way, proceeds to explain that living life on the holy side of the line doesn’t mean it is any easier than before. It is not a bed of roses for those who have believed. The rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matt 5:45). Fearful then asks why the unholy in many ways have a very soft and easy life full of all sorts of pleasures while the holy have trials and tribulations. Encourager explains to him that it is not the unholy that need the testing of their faith (James 1:3). It is not the unholy who need to be chastised (Rev 3:19). It is not the unholy who need to be refined by fire (Zec 13:9). God out of His great love for us desires to perfect us, to remove the dross and prepare us for eternity. Encourager invites Fearful to stay with him so he can teach him and encourage him that he may be strengthened in the inner man through God’s Holy Spirit. (Eph. 3:16)
Following the violent beating of Persecuted Believer, a lost soul could be seen approaching the Line and peering across, wondering, thinking, contemplating life, death and the existence of God. Hesitant Believer hears God call for him to go and witness to this lost and seeking soul. But with the beating of Persecuted Believer fresh in his mind he tells God that he needs more time in prayer. He’s not quite ready yet. Laymen then sees God motion for him to go. He also has just observed the beating that Persecuted Believer received but does as his Master bids him and approaches the Line. He is pleasantly surprised as he asks Inquirer if would like to cross the ‘Line’? The lost soul is eager to cross and pleads with Layman to tell him what he must do to cross over. He explains that he has tried to be as good as he could but still finds himself on the wrong side of the line. He has tried giving large sums of money to the poor and various charitable organizations all promising him that he would cross over only to find out that he is still on the wrong side. He has attended all sorts of religious meetings and joined several groups all promising him that he would make it to the other side only to find it all a lie. He can see people on the holy side and is confident that there has to be a way but he can’t seem to find it. Layman proceeds to explain to him that there is nothing he can do in his own strength to cross over. He is absolutely helpless. He can’t work his way over, he can’t buy his way over and he can join every religious group out there but still he will not cross over. There is only one way. He must believe in Jesus Christ. He tells him that ‘there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’ ( Acts 4:12 ) Layman asks him if would like to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior. Inquirer can’t believe that it is so simple. He can’t believe that it is simply through believing in Christ. It doesn’t seem right. After all he has been through he is somewhat conditioned into believing that he has to do something, that he has to clean himself up, that he must show himself worthy. But on the other hand he has tried all those things and they have gotten him nowhere. Inquirer chooses to believe the simple gospel message and trust in Christ for his salvation. As they pray together the line retreats around them and as the Lost Soul opens his eyes and finds himself on the righteous side of the line he can’t help but cry out in praise to God and rushes to the throne where he kneels with his face to the ground and continues in praise and thanksgiving to God. All heaven rejoices.
Hesitant Believer then realizes that God was trying to train him by giving him an opportunity to witness to a very receptive lost soul. He then regrets his disobedience and the missed opportunity to lead a seeking soul to Christ and gain eternal rewards. He confesses his sin of disobedience and vows to obey next time.
By now Persecuted Believer has recovered and returned to active service for the Lord. The first thing God asks of him is to return and witness to those lost souls who mercilessly beat him and left him for dead. As Persecuted Believer looks steadfastly into the eyes of God he finds strength, comfort, love and assurance. He then turns and approaches the line. Lazy Boy Believer can’t believe he is returning to those who violently beat him and calls out for him to stop. He can’t understand why he would return to face those who treated him so cruelly. But Persecuted Believer remains focused, resolved to obey his master. He recalls a time in his Master’s life when he had to tell one of His disciples “ get behind me Satan”, when he was tempted to disobey His Father. As the lost souls see him approach they look back to Satan and see him motioning for them to attack. As they begin their charge, one of them runs ahead and suddenly turns and stops the others. He approaches Persecuted Believer and asks him if what he saying is really true? He listens as he explains how he can cross over the Line. After it is all explained to him he then feels ashamed and insists that he can’t possibly cross over because of the horrible things he has done. Persecuted Believer explains to him that Jesus died for all men and that he forgave those who cried out for his crucifixion. If he could forgive them he can forgive you. Lost Soul was completely overwhelmed by the grace, mercy and love of God. To think that God could and would forgive him was more than he could comprehend. Lost Soul eagerly prays with Persecuted Believer. When he opens his eyes he finds himself on the righteous side of the “Line”. He can’t believe how light and clean and new he feels. He breaks out in songs of praise to God.
Lazy Boy Believer then feels ashamed for his lack of faith and shies away from looking at God.
There are many very near the line that go by the name Deceived, who live in very nice neighborhoods, full of nice people who do such nice things and attend lovely little churches. These church goers are very kind and polite, contribute to charities and help those who are down on their luck. By all appearances you would think that this lovely little neighborhood was on the righteous side but herein lies the deception. Satan is the great deceiver and this is his masterpiece. Satanic camouflage! It is in this area that many churches exist. Once churches on fire for Christ, they have long since lost the faith, being deceived, they where led astray (II Peter 2:1-3). They allowed false teachers to sway the church in the wrong direction and are now on the dark side. Deceived believes he is on the righteous side. He believes he knows the way. He thinks he is good enough to get into heaven. Both Persecuted Believer and Laymen have tried to tell him that there is only one way and it is through the blood of Jesus Christ. They have told him that we are saved “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5) They have told him that Jesus shed His blood; He died to redeem us, to buy us back from the marketplace of sin. He paid the price for us. But Deceived trusts in his church, his works, his niceness, his goodness to get him to heaven. Ultimately, he believes his way is a better way than God’s way. Persecuted Believer tells Deceived that if God created eternal life and heaven, doesn’t it make sense that He alone would determine how to get there? Who are we to make up our own way that has no basis in reality? He wrote the rule book. Heaven belongs to God and God says that Jesus Christ is the only way. He said ‘I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the Father but by me.’ ( John 14:6 ) These churches are as Jesus said ‘white-washed tombs’. They look good on the outside but are full of dead mans bones on the inside. ( Matt 23:27 )
From where he sits Lazy Boy Believer can see one wandering through life without aim or purpose. He has no direction or vision; in danger of perishing. He goes by the name of Drifter. He seems to be completely unaware of the precarious position he is in. He seems to drift through life without a care in the world. Lazy Boy Believer has considered getting up and talking with him about his precarious position but has decided that maybe he’ll do it tomorrow. Meanwhile Christian has also been carefully observing Drifter and is very concerned. He senses God’s prompting and goes and warns Drifter that he needs to wake up and take life more seriously. He warns him that the line is not straight or stationary. He informs him that it has twists and turns and sharp right angles to trip up the unsuspecting and yes it moves. Rather like a slithering serpent. That’s why it is so dangerous to live so close to the line always gazing over to the worldly side. Drifter is surprised and unbelieving. Intentional Believer continues to warn him that when one lives so close to the line, walking along and peering over at the things of the world, one does not notice when the line takes a sudden change of course and almost without knowing it, the line is crossed. Not a sudden falling away but rather a drifting.
God has many kingdom workers, each with different gifts and abilities. In fact all who live on the holy side are kingdom workers. One who is especially knowledgeable in God’s word is Proclaimer of Truth. He is observing a seriously disturbing site. One can be seen boldly teaching everyone he comes in contact with that there is no holy side. It is all a deception, a mere illusion. He goes by the name of Philosopher and is a very proud and haughty man. He has studied all the various philosophies known to man and is convinced of his beliefs. He boldly teaches that there is no afterlife, when we die it all ends. Proclaimer has been conversing with him telling him that he is wrong. There is a spiritual realm where God dwells and if we don’t make peace with God in this life then we will dwell in utter darkness and torment the rest of eternity. Philosopher scoffs at Proclaimer and refuses to believe him. Proclaimer explains to him that truth does not change. He then attempts to convince him saying, “If I choose to believe that gravity does not exist and step off the rim of the Grand Canyon what happens? Does gravity still exist? It most certainly does. My denial of the truth does not nullify the truth! My refusal of the truth does not make the truth non existent. In the end I find out truth does exist and I only hurt myself in my refusal to believe it. If something is true, it is true regardless of my response to it. If truth exists then I must seek it out and adjust my life around it. Truth doesn’t change to suit me, I must change to respond to truth. Gravity exists and if I know what is good for me I must change my life to respond to that truth. One thing is sure my beliefs will change, I will believe in gravity. The only question is when? Will I believe before it’s too late or will I believe on my way to the bottom? Will I believe in God before it is too late or will I wait until I stand in judgment before Christ? Jesus said “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me..” ( Rev 3:20 ) Philosopher appears to consider his words momentarily but then perceives that he is showing weakness and quickly shrugs it off and holds fast to his beliefs or rather unbelief. His pride seems to have won the day.
There is another well educated and intelligent man that goes by the name of Naturalist. He has spent his entire life studying the sciences and the natural world. He is amazed at how everything functions so well together and how all of life and the world itself are so intertwined. He recognizes cohesiveness in nature, an interdependency and realizes that there must be a central unifying element that is responsible for the whole of nature but assumes it to be ‘Mother Nature’ herself. He has been taught throughout his entire life that it all came into being through the evolutionary process and that is what holds it all together.
Encourager decides it is time to speak to Naturalist and tell him about the one who created it all. As he begins to approach Naturalist he sees Lazy Boy Believer in his chair watching. Encourager senses God’s prompting and invites him to go along. It took some persuasion but in the end he was moved by the kindness of Encourager and gets up out of his chair and tags along even though he felt very nervous and hesitant. When they greet Naturalist he is busy observing a chrysalis that is in the process of opening and watching as a beautiful butterfly emerges. They initially asked many questions about it and learned much from him.
Encourager then begins to explain to him that this whole world was created by God and is held together by Him. He is the central theme through all of nature. He brought it all into existence from nothing. He is the one behind all the questions evolution can’t answer. He then asks him who taught the birds to sing, the flowers to bloom and the stars to shine? Who placed the sun the exact distance from the earth to make it a planet suitable for life? Who created the vast diversity of life on the coral reef and made it incredibly beautiful and all interdependent on the other? Who created our eyes that permit us to sense the presence of objects miles away? Who gave us a mind capable of processing, reasoning and understanding? It is too incredible to have happened by chance. Naturalist seems to ponder these questions momentarily but then simply responds ‘Isn’t evolution an amazing thing’?
Well Lazy Boy Believer forgets himself and begins to explain that Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth and lived among us as a servant of men, lowly and poor. But similar to the caterpillar crawling into its cocoon Jesus died and was buried and was resurrected the third day as the victorious Son of God. He died to pay the penalty of death we each have as sinners separated from God. If we believe in Him as our savoir He will forgive our sins and we will be born again just as that butterfly. Naturalist admits that he has never heard this before and will need time to consider it. It does seem to provide answers to many questions that science can’t. After talking with him further Lazy Boy Believer and Encourager depart thankful that God is working in Naturalist to open his eyes to the truth. Encourager then commends Lazy Boy Believer for being obedient to God and coming along. He was able to reach Naturalist when he wasn’t. Encourager then gives him a new name of Courageous Witness. He never returns to his chair but remains active in the work of the Lord.
After seeing Lazy Boy Believer get up out of his chair and get involved in the work of the Lord, Hesitant Believer is encouraged to do the same. If God is faithful in helping him, surely He would do the same for himself. Hesitant Believer then senses God directing his attention to one named Indecisive. He prays for courage and God’s guidance and wisdom and then begins talking with Indecisive concerning the truth and believing in Christ for his salvation. Indecisive appears to believe everything he is telling him, that God became man in the person of Jesus Christ, that he lived a sinless life on this earth and died in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. He seems to agree that He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. Indecisive also realizes that Jesus is offering him salvation from his sins if he simply believes, if he trusts in Christ for salvation. However Indecisive can’t seem to bring himself to make the commitment and place his trust in Jesus Christ. Hesitant Believer implores him to believe, telling him that ‘today is the day of salva… ‘
At that very instant Hesitant Believer was snatched away! Raptured! It’s too late! There is no more time. Indecisive is shocked and horrified. He knows what happened. He knows it is too late. He knows what the future holds and he’s terrified! The great tribulation has come!
The End… has begun!
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