The Treasure Discovered
Forever Man—Book 4
by
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The next several hours we sat near the burning fire and exchanged pleasantries. I watched the old Sage’s face as he talked. The campfire reflected off his white hair and beard as he remarked how magnificent Asahel and Jack appeared. I smiled watching my companions at the edge of the firelight. Asahel was grazing upon the lush grass while nearby Jack chased an unseen insect.
I spoke to Michael of the Caretakers and how amazed I was the way the Word of God worked concerning them. Since their modest beginnings a thousand years earlier, the Lord selected common men and women to compose His written Word … and written in a way that all men could understand.
Then, in the last one hundred years the development and use of a printing machine had made mass production of God’s Word a reality. With all the good news, I had a concern. With the number of written copies of God’s Word growing, a problem had arisen. The established, man-made church started persecuting those caught with a copy of the Word of God or Holy Bible as it was called. If a person was not a member of the established church, it was death for them. Michael listened intently, a look of sadness upon his face as he listened to the church’s persecution against believers.
Seeing the sadness in Michael’s eyes, I paused from my narrative and remarked, “It seems you are pained by what I have said?”
Michael answered, “It is the way with man. During the time our Lord Jesus walked the earth and preached what we call the Good News, it was the established, man-made church who sought his death. Over the ages it has been those who were chosen to be God’s people who have rebelled against Him.”
Then in a distant voice Michael continued, “Even beautiful angels have opposed a loving and caring God. It was Lucifer who led a rebellion against I Am. In their error they have been cast down to the earth and await final judgment.”
The next several minutes Michael and I sat quietly around the fire. We kept our thoughts to ourselves.
Finally, I broke the silence between us, realizing the purpose for our meeting, “We have met for a reason … you have a message for me.”
Michael looked intently into my eyes and said, “Dark days lie ahead for you, Christian.”
“What is going to happen?”
“I cannot say …”
Again silence fell between us as I sat contemplating Michael’s message.
Michael watched me. He appeared distant as he chewed upon a morsel of meat. Coming out of his reverie he added, “Christian … I will not be able to come to you to offer help or hope. The trial ahead … you must endure alone.”
“You can tell me no more?”
“You will come through the approaching trial … a better man … and prepared for the adventure afterwards that will send forth God’s written Word into the world.”
Isat quietly peering into the old man’s eyes.
Michael then tried to offer me more encouragement saying, “The Master has His reason and we are but instruments to His will. Remember:
“’And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, Roman 8:28 [KJV] to them who are the called according to His purpose.’”
Before we parted, he reminded me, “After your trial has run its course, we will meet again.”
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As Christian listened, he was again taken aback by Michael’s response to the man who, for more than twenty-five years, had tried having him destroyed. Livid with anger, Christian shouted out, “Kill him! Why spare one who is a minion of Satan? Send him into the abyss to join with his companions!” With a look of irritation, Michael replied, “For one, I did not send the beasts into the abyss. I do not have the power to do so. And two, who are you or I to pass judgment upon a man? And yes, he is a man, a deceived man. The Word of God has a plan for Damon Weirguld, and his plan for him must play itself out!” Christian shrunk back after Michael’s rebuke, though in his heart, he was not sure he was satisfied with Michael’s answer. Christian’s thoughts went back, and he rehashed all the evil that Damon had perpetrated upon him for the last twenty-five years. Even now, the man’s hatred for Christian was evidenced by his attack. Knowing what Christian was thinking, Michael responded, “Yes, he has, but Damon was created to do just as he has done. If not for his actions, the Word of God would not be where it is today. It is just as the religious leaders during the time of Jesus. They performed just as the Word of God knew they would. They demanded that Jesus be sent to the cross. What appears to be evil in your eyes does not mean that God needs your approval to carry out his plans. Sometimes, it is the very things we strive against that God uses to advance his Word!”
About the Author
Ed Booth is a mechanical engineer living in Central Florida with his wife, Sherry. Ed has worked in the mining and mineral processes industry as an operator, manager, and engineer for thirty-plus years. Writing is a way to express his faith in Christ. The Forever Man series is his first endeavor into the fictional writing field.