The Path (Fire on the Mountain Series) (7 page)

“That must have been hard,” someone said. “Having to go back and get us after already getting through part of it.”

“It was discouraging at first, but I am already thankful. I may need you more than you need me. We need each other, and it will always be easier with others,” I began. “The fellowship and adventure we will experience here will make even life on the luxury cruise ship seem boring and insignificant.”

Then a voice I did not recognize began to speak from behind me:

“The mighty men of Israel who served King David were fashioned into the fellowship they became through the trials they went through together. You too are being fashioned into the fellowship of warriors you are called to be in this wilderness.”

I turned to see who was speaking, but did not recognize him. It was a young man who seemed about sixteen years old.

“That’s a good insight,” I said. “And who might you be?” I asked.

“My name is Mark. I was told I would find a company of great warriors on this path and that I was to join you.”

“I would not call us that yet,” I replied, “but I think we are warriors in the making.”

“You must be the ones I’m seeking because this is where I was told to find you. May I join you?”

It seemed everyone chimed in at once with, “Of course you can… Please do… We are happy to have you…” Then the introductions began. Mark may not have looked very exceptional, but he did have an extraordinary presence and the demeanor of a seasoned veteran even though he was so young. The welcome he received was warm, but one got the feeling that if he had met with resistance, he would have been just as comfortable.

“Have you been to the mountain?” I asked Mark.

“No, but I have fought many battles, and it is the purpose of my life to make it to the mountain,” he responded. Then he looked at me and said, “Sir, I interrupted you. I’m sorry. Please continue.”

“It was a welcome interruption,” I answered, “and a good example of what I was talking about. I was telling them about how facing trials together will forge us into the fellowship we are called to be. Your example of King David and his mighty men was perfect. Do you have more you can tell us about this” I asked.

“Those who have never tasted of this fellowship cannot understand it, but the bond forged in battle and adversity is like no other,” Mark began.

“You are quite young, but you speak as if you have already experienced this. Tell us a little about yourself,” I said.

“I am young, but I have a lot of experience. I have tasted of this kind of fellowship. Three friends and I determined when we were twelve years old that we were going to be the best disciples that the Lord ever had. The resistance we received from just about everyone, including our teachers, parents, and even our pastor, surprised and deeply hurt us, but we were determined to keep our vow.

“When we started having visions and dreams, mostly about the mountain of the Lord, we foolishly tried to share them with others. They were not ready. We were separated from each other, tested by psychiatrists, and finally sent to different boarding schools for troubled youth. Even though we were separated like this we have been able to stay in touch. I expect to meet them either on this journey or on the mountain.”

“How did you get out of the school?” I inquired.

“Most were in these schools for crimes, drugs, or being in gangs. They did not take to me very well, but I was still determined to keep my vow to be the best disciple of Christ I could be. I had to escape or I do not think I would have lived much longer. Then I was told that I would find you here.”

“Who told you that?” someone in the group asked.

Mark looked to me as if he needed my permission to answer this question. I nodded for him to go ahead.

“An angel told me in a dream,” Mark answered.

There was silence for a long moment before Mary spoke up:

“So you saw an angel? What else did he tell you?” Mary inquired.

“He told me about some of you,” Mark began. “Is your name Mary? You must be. There is no one else here that fits your description.”

They were all silent for a moment as they tried to remember if anyone had called her “Mary” since Mark had joined them. They were all quite sure they had not, when Mary continued:

“And what did this angel tell you about me?”

“That you have a lot of questions. Most are good, and that you will be given answers to them, but some are from a cynicism that could sidetrack you if you become impatient or arrogant,” Mark said, looking Mary straight in the eyes.

Mary and everyone else knew that there was no way Mark could have known this having just met them. It was exactly what Mary needed to hear. After another long moment someone else asked:

“Did he say anything about any of the rest of us?”

“He did,” Mark replied. “I wrote them down, and can share them with you. Some of these things are personal though, and I don’t want to embarrass anyone. For most I would rather wait until it seems the right time. There is one person here that you should all know about, and I think it would be good to share what I was shown about him,” Mark said, as he looked to me to see if he should continue.

“Please do,” I said.

“There is someone here who has known many great leaders, even world leaders. He now sees himself as a failure and not a leader. He has had some failures, especially in relationships, but he is not a failure. He will be a great leader on the mountain. He will help many others become leaders and avoid the failures he has been through. In this group, he will be like a compass for us. He will be used to get us through some great difficulties in this wilderness and will help us keep going in the right direction. I was to tell him that the Lord has never been disappointed with him and that his future is bright.”

Everyone looked at William, who had tears running down his face. They all knew Mark could not have known this and that it had come from above. After a few moments Mary spoke up again:

“Mark. What did the angel look like?”

Mark instinctively looked to me as to whether he should answer, which did not set well with Mary. I was pondering how important the Voice had said Mary’s questions were, and that it was important how I answered them. As I paused, Mary spoke again:

“Why does he have to get your permission to answer?”

“He doesn’t,” I replied, “but there are some things that are sensitive and need to be shared at the right time. I appreciate Mark having the maturity to consider the counsel of others about what he is to share.”

“You’re right,” Mary confessed. “I was out of line. I’m sorry.”

“Mary, I do not want to inhibit your questions,” I responded. “You have to determine if you are asking any in impatience or arrogance as Mark had the warning for you, but you need to be free to ask them.

“Nor do I want to inhibit Mark or anyone else from sharing what you think is appropriate. You all must be free to do this because you are all going to be shown things about one another that will not only be helpful, but necessary for this journey.

“As for your questions, they say the only dumb question is one that is not asked. I’m not totally convinced of that, but questions indicate caring, so I hope you and everyone else always feel free to ask them.

“I also think that Mary’s question about the angel is one of the important ones that we all need to talk about. Mark, what did the angel look like?” I asked.

“He looked like a young man, maybe even my own age. I thought it was a person until he disappeared right in front of me,” Mark answered, and then looked at me as if he needed some understanding of this himself.

“In Scripture we see that this is not an uncommon experience with believers, and it will be common here. We do often entertain angels and are not aware of it because most of the time they appear as just another person. I am not sure why they do this, but I suspect it is to keep from alarming us too much, which we would be if we saw them in their true form. It seems that as we mature, they do start appearing in their real form.”

“Have you seen many of them?” someone asked.

“I have and you will, if you stay on this path,” I continued. “They are ministering spirits who serve the heirs of salvation. Those who are on this journey will almost certainly see them, and often. In fact, you will be the exception if you don’t. This is important to understand, because it is something we must get used to and not be overly infatuated with it.

“We should give honor to angels as the messengers of the Lord, but we only worship the Lord. We will have plenty of time to talk more about this, but for now I think we need to get moving again.

“Mark, we’re all thankful to have you join us. Please take your liberty to share with anyone whatever you think is appropriate that you have been shown about us.”

As the group started down the path, I told them I would catch up with them. I stayed behind because I had seen the Voice nearby. I knew I would not have seen him if he did not want to be seen, so I knew he had something important. I walked over to him and he began:

“I see all who take this journey, but I have never seen a group quite like this one before,” the Voice said.

“I’m still wondering if that is that good or bad,” I commented.

“We’ll see,” he responded. “One thing is for sure, it will not be boring for you! You like to say that you may die of a lot of things but boredom won’t be one of them, but I think you may soon be asking for a little boredom.”

“I guess we will see,” I responded. “How did you know I often used that remark? I have not used it in this wilderness.”

“I am but one of the ‘great company of witnesses’ who have been watching these times unfold and watching those of you who have been given the honor to live in them. The righteous and prophets of old desired to see these days, and they are now seeing them. You live before an audience far greater than you could imagine,” the Voice replied.

“That adds even more gravity to this situation,” I responded.

“If your eyes were open as they should be you would see the great host of heaven that is with you. Right now you could not bear the gravity of these times, but you will grow in stature and vision until you can,” the Voice added resolutely.

“It is all I can do now to keep my attention on this group, so this is just as well I guess,” I responded. “I want to get to the place where I can handle it all, but with all the years and experiences I’ve had, I feel almost like a new believer just starting out again. I know I have a great deal more to learn.”

“This is true. You have been through much, but there is more for you to grow up into than what you have done so far. This must also be done in a much shorter period of time, so it will be intense. From now on, every day you will be stretched,” the Voice said.

“I’m sure a lot of that stretching is going to come from this group,” I said. “There is something very remarkable about them. I need to thank you for bringing me back for them. I did not appreciate it at the time, and I never thought I would be excited to be going through this place again, but I am very glad to be with this group. I now know that to get the full benefit of this wilderness I need to experience it with others.”

“That’s
koinonia
,” the Voice added. “It gives us a little insight into why the Lord came to the earth for all of us. I have experienced much of heaven, but of all of God’s creatures there is something remarkable and interesting about people. The Lord loves to be with us. Angels do too. One of the main attractions of man is the ability to have
koinonia
. You have a hard job ahead of you, but it can be worth it.”

“I am enjoying it so far, but you don’t think I’m called to be a professional wilderness guide do you?” I asked.

“No, that’s my job. I’m the voice in the wilderness. Your place is on the mountain. What did you think of Mary’s questions?”

“I didn’t think any were out of line. I think she brings a lot of life with her questions. She is probably asking what everyone else is thinking,” I answered. “Were those last ones ‘the big ones’ that it is so crucial that I handle rightly?”