Chapter 8
The Gathering
Cole got right to work by calling his congregation and arranging for them to take as many of the homeless as possible. The Mission started filling up individual rooms to as many as ten to a room, depending on their age. When the rooms filled up, the kids slept in the Mission halls and in the chapel. Over a hundred children slept in each hall of the facility. With the basement, chapel pews, and the floors, it was estimated another 2000 could fit snugly. What started out as only ten to twenty a day were now hundreds. The Mission became a layered sardine can for preserving the kids. First, the main floor, then each floor until all ten floors were completely occupied. The kids wanted to play and go outside so it took real work for the Holy Spirit to keep this many kids cooped up and undercover.
Previous to the Mission filling up this fast, the angels put up quarantine signs, warning everyone not to come near. Nash didn't have to lie. Within 24 hours, there were five adult nonbelievers with full-blown cases of tuberculosis. Soon there were no adults staying at the Mission. Aaron kept his promise, and the children weren’t touched.
Aaron decided it was time to talk to the children. He wanted to explain to each of them what was happening. Aaron went to the different groups of children, starting with the youngest. He spoke confidently but sternly and pulled no punches. He made sure every child could see his eyes as he appeared with full-dress wings displayed—they were absolutely fascinated and enthralled.
They didn’t make a sound after he said, "Children listen to me. We are in the midst of a great battle right now. I have two legions of angels like myself fighting in the heavens above us. We are trying to keep Apollyon and his dark angels from finding out what we are
doing in Nashville. We brought you here to protect you from them. My legions have held them back so far; but if he knew you were hiding here, he’d send more legions from all over the world to stop you from getting away. He knows how important you are to our Lord and Master." Aaron strode down the hall as he let his wings brush against the children. As he passed by, they giggled and oooohed.
"You must not draw attention to yourselves. You must not let anyone know that you are here. Do you understand? Raise your hand if you understand" They all held their hands high into the air.
"I want you to know that we’ll leave this building at a moment’s notice. Cole here is from the Kings Episcopal Church two blocks down. He has arranged for at least 150 cars and vans to take you to "God’s Mountain to Sanctuary." You will be safe there, and yes, you will be able to play outside in the country."
Aaron turned and pointed to an angel walking through the hall door. Aaron said, "I've brought my very old friend," spoke Aaron as he pointed to a powerfully built black angel. His hair was as white as winter's snow, and his white shorthaired, Terrier beard was neatly trimmed.
"This very good friend taught me much about war and battle. He taught me to care for you children like our Lord and Savior does. His name is Isaac."
Isaac stepped forward and gently strolled through the children: stopping periodically, touching, kissing, and hugging them as he went. The children flocked to him and stroked his feathers while some pulled on his sword sheath.
They were amazed, and, yes, quiet. Isaac spoke softly to the children. "I'm Isaac. I'm over 10,000 years old, in earth years. I was with God when the Garden of Eden was created. I saw the tower of Babel rise and fall, and, yes, I was a personal protector and help to
Noah. I helped him get all those animals. You don't think he could have done it by himself?"
The children said, "Noooo," together in answer.
"Think children, how could Noah get an elephant from Africa, nonetheless two? I brought them to him. Listen to me, children, I have many stories to tell you, all true, many are not written in the Bible; because if they were, all the libraries in the world could not contain them. When the time comes, I want all the five- and-six- year-olds to follow your line leaders out the side door by the kitchen where cars will pick you up. You will run straight out the door into your assigned cars with the help of many angels. You must do exactly as I say. You will lay down flat, and your driver will hide you under some blankets. You can’t talk or make a sound. If you understand, raise your hands again." They raised their hands as he continued, "You will be able to get out of the cars at the top of God's
Mountain. If you have to go to the bathroom, you need to make sure you go right before you leave."
The children from the other floors came together, packed tightly crowding into the halls, and peeked around the doors. A seven-year-old raised his hand and asked, "What about the rest of us? What do we do?"
Aaron said delightedly, "I'm so glad you asked. As you know, the first group is the youngest. The next two floors include the seven- and eight-year-olds. You will be going with another friend of
mine. Lillie, would you come forward?"
Lillie moved gracefully through the children. She had brilliant, rainbow colors that flowed from her body and feathers, and her colors changed as her emotions and concentration changed. Her eyes were rainbow-colored star eyes, and she had a magical look that was unlike the other angels because her calling separated her so. The children noticed and were soon to find out why.
A small child said, "I didn't know girls can be angels. Do they do all the cooking?"
Lillie turned; her dark olive skin was illuminated by God's glory. Her hair was a Gypsy-Irish black and hung to her shoulders, layered with a feathered look around her face. She was intoxicating to look at, even for children. Smiling at the young boy and patting his head, she spoke in a beautiful Celtic accent, laden with the Irish brogue, almost a singsong way.
"There aren't as many of us as there are Aaron’s powers, but we are called heir-servants angels. We do something very special because we care for God’s families on earth. We live among men and help God give special care for very important believers, especially when they have children. We are always around taking care of their needs: God's ministers, preachers, evangelists, musicians, writers, and teachers. We sometimes stay with families all their lives. Yes, we are excellent cooks."
The boy, asked, "You have a funny name. It sounds like the flower, and you’re colored different than the others. Why?"
Lillie was filled with God’s patience. She could answer questions for hours. It was part of the talent God gave angels like herself. When she answered his question, she looked squarely into his eyes and paid absolute attention to him. She was not distracted in the least.
"Actually, my 'calling name' is Irish. You might call it a nickname. It is because of my accent that I adopted it for myself thousands of years ago. My colors are the colors of a true servant. I was not created by God the Father to fight battles. My colors are a way of identifying my kind to others, even the dark angels, that I am no threat to them. It is like carrying a Red Cross symbol. I'm excluded from all heavenly battles and war."
A little girl pushed her way through the crowded children to Irish’s side. She asked, "Do humans ever know you’re an angel?"
"Some figure it out, but not normally. We can make ourselves get old and change as we need to."
Irish’s mind drifted momentarily as she was remembered some of those families and how she had loved them all. What great things their grown children were now doing for God, and she couldn’t help but feeling pleased.
An eight-year-old boy asked the hardest question. "Do you ever marry humans?" Irish blushed. Her colors were shaded with a red hue, and her embarrassment was obvious. Aaron listened intently for her response, but she couldn't lie.
"Yes, we’re not encouraged to, but from time to time are allowed to. We sometimes become the helpmates for believers after their loved ones die. Even those like Aaron and Isaac have married humans before. Well, not Aaron, but I heard he came close once."
It was Aaron's turn to blush this time. He stepped in, "It doesn't happen with Powers very often, not as much as with heir-servants,
like my Irish. After all, we are very busy in battle and war, like they are in taking care of believers."
Nash noticed Aaron's "my Irish" comment and wondered, "Are they an item?"
He didn't have to wait too long to know the answer. He saw Aaron move beside Irish and heard him whisper in her ear, "I love you above all others."
Irish smiled knowingly and whispered while standing tiptoed, "And I you."
Aaron was also thinking about Irish as his dearest love. They played their parts rather well for now, but they both knew that they would be together in the New Jerusalem. They had sworn an angel oath to each other long ago. When that time came, they would spend eternity together raising their own "powers" and "heir-servants" for God’s glory. God always told them that the New Jerusalem is a place where angels and man could be with each other openly, but not until. Still, God allowed love to blossom, and His grace didn’t even restrain true love even between angels and man. When angels and humans had children, they were referred to as nephilims—dark—or light.
Irish started giving instructions, "All of you coming with me will wait until the little children are gone. We want the little children to have more personal care. That's why they have other angels assigned to help them. Our group will be seven- to eight-year-olds. We are also going to be picked up at the side door. Ten musician groups have donated their buses. You will wait at the door until each bus pulls up, then make a dash for it. Remember, no noise. Each bus should hold 75 of you, easily."
This took care of 1500 (seven- to eight- year-olds), and over a thousand little children, depending how they packed them and what kind of vehicle was used—2500 to go.
As Aaron made his way up the building, each floor’s children were a little older. "Since all you (nine- to- twelve-year-olds) are more grown up, we've decided to let you make the journey in ten church buses, four from Kings Episcopal and six from the Lord’s Chapel. There are 1200 of you guys. We have been able to paint the windows and, believe it or not, have changed the church writing on each bus to read the Tennessee Criminal Rehabilitation. You will get an escort from here under our own angel police guard.
Two angels stepped forward. They were surprisingly younger looking than the others. They looked to be only teenagers themselves. Aaron introduced them, "Here is our own special Teen Squad, but don't let their looks fool you. They are both over 5000 years old and are seasoned veterans of battle. They will escort you on motorbikes all the way to the mountain. We feel that you are able to keep your cool without being seat belted, which means there will be room for 50 seated and another 25 in the aisle floors. We'll have pillows for the aisle sitters and a rotation schedule to keep you from being uncomfortable. Your two escorts are named Trinity and Triune. They were created the same day and have been inseparable ever since.
Finally, they came to the older kids, separated by sex. There were about 1200. The older kids’ average age was 14 with a broad mix of 13- to- 16-year-olds.
Aaron pulled Nash aside for a moment, "Nash, there are going to be some independent stragglers coming in from other places, not a part of us. To be honest with you, I'm not exactly certain how we’re going to handle our older kids, but don’t worry, we have some good ideas. We’ll let you know." Aaron immediately turned to the task at hand, leaving Nash with a puzzled look on his face.
Aaron's presence made a profound impression on the teenage boys. They were old enough not to believe if they wanted. Nash used this time to witness of God's mercy and salvation. They watched Aaron striding through them, and he purposely pulled out his giant sword and used it as a walking stick. His massive muscles quivered and rippled, and the kids fell to their knees in awe as they listened to Nash’s preaching. All of them either gave their life to the Lord or renewed it.
The girls were struck with Aaron's beauty. This time Aaron left the door open at the end of the hall. He asked Enya and the kids to keep close to the hall walls. Irish came flying in like a great, beautiful, multi-colored swan coming halfway up the floor hall. Girls were ducking out of the way as she turned carefully, tucking her feathers neatly beside herself, not hitting a one. Irish talked about the glory of heaven and about being in the presence of God. The Holy Spirit touched them all and melted the girls’ hearts. Enya preached to them Jesus and Him Crucified, and none of the girls refused to surrender or renew to the Lord.
Finally, Nash was able to corner Aaron for a minute. "Aaron, you were saying that we don't have a solution for the older kids?"
"Not exactly, but we do have an idea, and it should work. Give us some more time. The worst thing about the older kids is that they are the most valuable to Apollyon for obvious reasons."
Aaron was looking down the street at the local Greyhound bus station. "Don't worry, Nash. Should means a lot coming from us. I've got a plan. I really believe, as the others do, that we can pull it off."
Nash patted Aaron on his winged shoulder. "If anyone can, it will be you guys. What is it you want me to do?"
Aaron looked seriously at Nash, "Nash, as I told you before, you're going to go through a lot soon. I want you to fast and pray for God to strengthen you for what lies ahead. Enya and the rest of us will take care of the kids."
There goes that warning again thought Nash, not liking Aaron's bedside manner. Nash felt an old, carnal panic rise up in him. Every time Aaron mentioned this, it gave him the "willies." He nodded and returned to the chapel.