CHAPTER 23
WHEN JASPER NOTICED federal vehicles approaching, the Angels told him what their intentions were. “They come to arrest you Ceramecians.” Government officials escorted by the police, came to the Atmospheric Air Scrubber.
Jasper told the Ceramecians to run and hide. It was a moment of pure panic. The police shut down the generator, confiscated the horses and cows and arrested Jasper. As always, Jasper never tried to get away. Taken to the police precinct, Jasper was questioned and charged with theft, breaking and entering, along with disturbing the peace and the list went on and on. His charges landed him in jail, but the Angels insisted, he had nothing to worry about.
Sure enough, a crew of federal specialist bailed Jasper out of jail providing he would cooperate with them. His wrists hurt from the hand cuffs. The Angels told Jasper this was a good deal. Jasper wasn’t scared of them at all as the Angels quickly explained their intentions. All the feds wanted was to understand the Atmospheric Air Scrubber. This was what the Angels wanted all along. Entering the vehicle without a second thought, they drove Jasper back to the Half-Way House where they asked him for a tour of his giant air filter creation. Jasper was happy to take them through the upper levels. They had many questions but the old structure of the building had become hazardously weak due to the constant water scrubbing system. This water damage basically rotted the inside of the entire Half-Way House.
Jasper was offered a job with the government, providing he worked with them and share his ideas, but Taila warned Jasper, “These people will keep you on a very short leash, Jasper, you’ll have to forfeit your freedom for money and public recognition.” Jasper wasn’t interested in any of the government’s offers. Though Jasper firmly declined their generous offers, he requested permission to anonymously stay at the new Atmospheric Air Scrubber. This towering new Atmospheric Air Scrubber was the government’s prototype baby. It was being assembled on the other side of Kingston for the next few weeks but construction of it was tightly secure. It was important the new Atmospheric Air Scrubber wasn’t promoted so that when it was completed, the announcement of it would be a surprise to the world. North America fought to be the leaders in the battle against climate change.
With the days that followed Jasper began to meet with increased opposition. Comments were made that Jasper had stolen everything he used to create his giant air filter. Then news exploded in the media of claims by the Ceramecians reporting that Jasper had special abilities for communication and could actually speak to Angels. This idea was met with ignorance. The public simply dismissed the absurd possibility as delusional thinking. In an instant, Jasper’s iconic popularity lost validity and plummeted.
When Jasper was questioned about such allegations, on various media networks he told them the truth. “I do talk to Angels. They have taught me so much and I’m a better person because of them.” When Jasper said this, most people who supported him were disappointed. In an instant, people decided Jasper was their least favorite, simple minded hero. Because of his humbled nature, self-depravation, handy caps and his rough appearance, critics assumed Jasper had the mind of a twisted drug user and portrayed him as mentally incompetent.
Respected scientists went on record to say there was no way the Atmospheric Air Scrubbers could do anything to help against greenhouse gas emissions at all. Other’s said Jasper was just trying to create a giant hoax for fame and to make fools out of millions of people.
Then news came from around the globe of another building that had been converted into an air filter in the Jewish home land of Jerusalem. It was almost an identical replica of Jasper’s design. This second filter wasn’t as popular as Jasper’s and the popular idea dwindled as quickly as frustrations rose.
Only days after this report, a group of experts hired by an up and coming president election jumped onto the band wagon. He set out to take Jasper’s design and build an air filter that was three times the size and amalgamated the latest state of the art technology in air filtration systems. This new hopeful presidency wanted to be the one to lead the world in a campaign to save the planet. Other nations of the world also shared the same competitive aspirations.
From this, the entire idea of cleaning the air with such ‘Atmospheric Air Scrubbers’ became a terrible political race. The world that was supposed to work together with the idea of healing our planet, had actually brought the nations of the world to the brink of an ugly and competitive war. What started out as a good hearted idea, slid into a tail spin of egotism, a race for the bragging rights as to who would be the planet’s next savior. All of this erupted into an overwhelming conflict of power.
Starr told Jasper, “This is the work of the Insufferable Six and we don’t have time enough to retaliate.”
Then a brilliant environmental spokes person; a celebrity, decided to map out the cause and effect of the events which led them to such a dangerous time. He questioned what was leading the earth into such fearful times as they neared world war three. This one brilliant person back tracked everything that happened to the moment of Jasper’s first televised interview. The in-depth study also revealed how Jasper’s hereditary blood line took him back to Jewish ancestry. It was the Jews who meticulously followed Jasper’s design and came up with the first real Atmospheric Air Scrubber replica. Jasper didn’t even know he had a Jewish back ground. His parents never mentioned it.
The media twisted this detail so the people believed Jasper had been working undercover with Jewish authorities to hatch a plan which would ultimately throw the world into aggressive warfare. Not long after, Jasper was accused of recruiting their own citizens to use them against the State. He was labeled a con artist and a terrorist. As crazy as the accusations were, the people of the world believed everything the media reported.
Jasper pleaded for people to listen to his side of the story but before he was granted the opportunity, his voice was silenced and his statement was cut before it reached the media. Besides, no one wanted to hear Jasper speak in his own defense anyway, because to their understanding, Jasper wasn’t to be trusted anymore. He was a criminal, not only to the State but the entire world, and he was destined to pay for his crimes.
Unanimously, people agreed, Jasper must be held accountable for his terrible acts of treason. With Jasper locked up within a maximum security prison, a rumor began to circulate and was believed that if Jasper died, the war would die with him and no more lives would have to be lost. When pictures of Jasper, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, was plastered throughout social media, it was an image that fixed the opinion in the minds of the people that Jasper was guilty. Jasper’s name became known as the most deceptive and cunning name in the history of the world because he single handedly directed the earth to global conflict.
Watching the news footage on the television from his prison cell, Jasper didn’t grieve. He spent every waking hour with his loving friends, the Angels, who never once left his side. They spoke of many things that continued to open Jasper’s eyes spiritually, to countless truths. And when Jasper asked questions about Heaven, the Angels answered with great detail and Jasper’s faith was strengthened. As for the Angels, the more they answered Jasper’s questions about Heaven, the more they longed to return home.
Elana would have to remind the others; “How can we be homesick we’ve wanted this for so long? We’re living the dream. The dream we spent so much time longing for in Heaven. The dream of going to earth and to help even just one person, where we might contribute in some way to lead earth toward a better tomorrow.” The other Angels agreed with Elana and were encouraged by her.
For hours on end, Jasper knelt and prayed for the people of the world. While under the outstretched wings of the Angels, Jasper heard their Angelic voices full of their own prayers.
Outside Jasper’s cell, he could see Demonic creatures pacing back and forth. They were drooling and licking their chops in hungry anticipation of Jasper’s demise. By the look in their eyes, Jasper could see how desperate they were to take hold o
f his defenceless spirit and sink their teeth into him.
The Ceramecians tried to do everything in their power to help Jasper from the outside, but it was a very dangerous time for them all. They learned about the power and influence of the people’s strong opinions. Jasper had warned them of an insufferable evil that would attempt revenge this way; corrupting the hearts and views of the people of the world. People weren’t willing to trust and accept Jasper’s account or Tanya’s journal, no matter how convincing the story was about Angel interaction. There were more closed doors than open minds. Leaderless, the Ceramecians persisted, but weren’t able to hold their cause together. Each of the Ceramecians, forced by circumstances, eventually scattered like leaves in the wind.
“Violence thrives off violence.” Wilson told Jasper. With first-hand experience, Jasper knew all too well just how true the Angel was.
Before Jasper was led to his trial, his parents and sister came to visit him. They were still under the impression that Jasper was still blind and insane. Jasper’s family and friends identified him on nationwide television, as their Jasper who went missing. After Jasper’s family told their version of the depth of his problems, even the last of Jasper’s loyal news media supporters decided he was a fake or as he put it, “a false prophet.”
Behind a wall of bullet proof glass, Jasper’s mother couldn’t let her eyes leave her son. He not only captivated her with a sense of wonderment, but she was deeply worried for him and where all of his actions along with the hype might lead him. Her son, Jasper, was still alive though he had survived a difficult life on his own. ‘If only,’ Jasper’s mother thought, ‘I could find some way to protect my son and make everything alright. Then things could go back to the way they were.’
Jasper’s younger sister had wide eyes of wonderment and hope. She looked across to Jasper who was behind the separation glass. Lifting a telephone receiver to her ear, Emily began to speak. Jasper took his receiver on his side of the glass and held it to his ear. “Jasper?”
“Yes, Emily?” Jasper acknowledged with a calm and peaceful voice. His white eyes staring off into nothingness again.
“Do you remember how we used to play as children?” she asked him, smiling as she clearly remembered those times.
“Of course I do. We always played well together. At school there were so many other kids but we always spent our time with each other. Christmas, family get-togethers or even when we had no one else around to play with. I was the superhero and you were the damsel in distress. I remember saving your life countless times.”
Emily began to cry as she shared the same good memories. “Jasper? Is there anything about your past you’re having trouble remembering?” Emily was having trouble speaking with her throat all choked up.
“I remember everything, Emily, and I love you just the same as I always have.” Jasper told her confidently with such love in his voice. Emily almost dropped the receiver as her emotions overwhelmed her.
Jasper’s father didn’t want to beat around the bush. He dived right into the conversation, taking hold of the receiver. “What’s happened, Jasper? Why do you do these things? Do you know what people are saying? Do you realize just how much trouble you’re in?”
“I understand, Dad... I’m not crazy.” Jasper spoke with such assuredness that his mother began to weep. She began to believe there might be some hope for her son yet, until Jasper said, “It’s the Lord God Almighty who’s directed my steps.” Jasper’s mother almost had a break down. His father slapped his hand to his fore-head. This wasn’t the way they’d ever talked in their family. Jasper’s sister, Emily, buried her head into her mother’s shoulder and hugged her. “No, now, listen.” Jasper tried to calm them. “What have I done? I’ve helped people in need. I may have had a role to play in solving the world’s problem with global warming, but I could never have done any of these things before, when you all thought I was normal. It wasn’t until I fell from the church roof and bumped my head, when you all thought I’d suffered brain damage; when I was blinded, that’s when I began to see. If you’re now blind to how much better my life is, then maybe you’ll understand through my death.”
“Don’t talk like that!” Jasper’s mother shot back into the receiver, then she wiped her nose with a handkerchief.
Jasper’s father paused and took a good long look at his son. One might think he had done some serious deep thinking in the past few days, but Jasper saw the Angel, Starr bend forward over Jasper’s father and kiss his head. The darkness that held his father’s head so tight, finally let go and released him, “Don’t you see?” His father said with a big smile on his face, a bright aura of light formed around his head. “This is Jasper. He hasn’t changed at all. This is my boy. He is more special than ever. My boy, Jasper.” placing his hand on the glass, he wept as Jasper, on the other side of the glass, did the same. It was a difficult moment for everyone, but it was a time where they began to understand one another and grew closer as a family.
Then the guards came, “Time’s up!” they said before they took Jasper to his judicial trial.
During the proceedings, when Jasper was questioned on the stand, the clever prosecutors twisted every word he spoke. Every answer Jasper gave was used against him.
On matters of Global Warming versus Jasper’s Atmospheric Air Scrubber, Jasper suggested the Government could have done more to contribute all along but they simply chose not to.
“Are you trying to get us to believe this government is evil?” Came the strong words of the prosecutor. The question raised a few chuckles from observers.
Demons wrung their hands together in anticipation of Jasper’s answer to the loaded question, “No, not at all.” Jasper quickly corrected, “The government has done a lot of good for our nation. What I’m saying, however, is that this government turns a blind eye to the errors of its ways. It fails to see the much needed path it must take for change if we are to survive in the coming age.”
“Perhaps, Jasper, it’s you who’s turning a blind eye to the errors of your ways. I mean, it is you on trial here, isn’t that right? Not the government.” Everyone laughed, “One man, against the government? Yeah, okay. You? According to the information you’ve provided, you don’t have a home, do you? You don’t have any money, so you don’t pay taxes. By all rights, I would say, you’re a bum! Am I right? Nothing but a homeless bum!”
“Order!” the Judge shouted again, slamming his gavel down. But the prosecutor continued. Even Jasper could see the Judge was having trouble keeping a straight face. Through a smirk and a poorly concealed chuckle the Judge added. “I won’t have you heckling the accused!”
Jasper could see he wasn’t going to get anywhere with these people, if he acted anything like the prosecutor.
Demons partied within the court as the people took great personal enjoyment in cutting Jasper down. He prayed the jury would be more understanding. Certain everyone had decided the outcome of the trial long before the final day of judgement, Jasper hoped for some Angel of truth to inspire new insight.
The Angels warned Jasper that the people of Ceramecy would be in danger of persecution to the point of death, but Jasper wanted to protect them. He insisted he take all of the responsibility for everything the accusers had on him, providing they leave the innocent Ceramecians alone. In desperation, Jasper wanted to protect his people, so he decided to reply to the prosecutor with his own voice. “Do you know why it is so hard to believe in God? It isn’t only because he is unbelievable, but because people carry a great sense of conviction along with their own deep rooted conflicts concerning the decisions they’ve made. God has plans to lead you people but you don’t hear him when he speaks to you. Open your eyes! Awaken and submit to God. Then you will live free in peace, faith and love.”
Through the indictment, the evidence and witness testimonies were stacked against the overwhelmed Jasper. At the end of the longest trial of media based history in the city of Kingston, the jurors found Jasper guilty on all acco
unts of deception with the intent to start global chaos and cover everything with clever pious lies throughout the inquest.
Jasper’s mother and sister cried out, when the judge’s devastating verdict was the maximum sentence of the law; the penalty of death by lethal injection.
There came a great up roar from the witnesses. Jasper’s parents and sister were mortified and screamed out in anguish. Guards had to come and settle them down.
Jasper’s friends were also shocked and upset. Randy, Janet, Bobby, Megan, Tessa, Pastor Reed, Tanya and even Ned, couldn’t believe what was happening. As the activity of the court began to ease and calm down, Pastor Reed felt the Spirit of Holiness come upon him. He stood up on his chair and shouted out, “Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay his life down for his friends!” His statement was so meaningful for him that he wailed out a terrible cry with tears flooding down his cheeks. Jasper turned for a moment and smiled to the Ceramecians as he was led out of the courtroom in chains. Many others were touched by a spirit of emotion and cried also.
While Jasper was escorted down a long hallway to a room, Pastor Reed was stopped by a reporter who was speaking to a news anchorage camera, “Oh, here’s one of Jasper’s followers. Excuse me sir? You’re an acquaintance of Jasper?”
“I certainly am, ma’am.” Pastor Reed stopped to answer her.
“Could you tell us a little something about what it was like to be led by such an eccentric person like Jasper?”
“Sure, first of all you should understand, Jasper isn’t like anyone you have ever met in your life. He is special. Special to the Lord, but also special to speak to one on one. He will say things that you won’t expect. He sees all things differently than any regular person does. We preach love and trust, because we want everyone to love and trust one another and we ourselves, are living proof that God answers the prayers of a generous heart. If you preach the greatest truths but don’t live them, you’re not only the greatest hypocrite, but the most tormented soul.” The Pastor answered.
“And the Angels that Jasper spoke of; can you tell us anything about that?” The reporter pressed.
Pastor Reed wasn’t sure how to answer this, then descriptive words he had been working on began to surface, “Love is like an Angel; it goes where it pleases and pleases wherever it goes.”
At the center of the room was a comfortable leather chair with straps hanging down either side of it. The Angels let Jasper and the guards enter the room first. Standing in front of the leather chair was the Spirit of Death. “Jasper...” he hissed. This was its morbid and intimidating way of greeting Jasper, but Jasper was strong and full of great faith, he didn’t shy away from the Spirit of Death. Last of all, the Angels entered the room. The six of them solemnly surrounded Jasper. They understood, death was never an easy transition.
Starr told him, “Be strong for us, Jasper, and most of all be strong for the Lord, for death is just the beginning of life eternal.”
Joel reminded Jasper, “We will be there waiting for you, on the other side.”
Jasper declined the option of a final full course meal. Rather, he told the people whom entered to perform the death, “I am thankful that you shall be my deliverers.”
The people did their best to ignore him. To them, Jasper was already dead.
The Angel, Wilson, told Jasper, “Don’t fight Death. Death is merely the passing from one reality to the next. When you wake up, all of this you think is so real will seem like a half forgotten dream.”
The caring eyes of roger were striking, then he said, “Like a butterfly, you too will come alive like us. Your chrysalis is your death.”
Elana’s comforting country voice spoke, in a peaceful manner, “Just let go, Jasper. Just let go. It is to your honor to leave this world and cross over to the next.”
The agents who were to perform Jasper’s sentencing asked if Jasper was interested in making one last statement. He told them, “It would be wise for you all to believe in the power of the Almighty Lord. I know where I will be soon and you will be left behind to figure it all out. I pray you do.” Jasper quoted the scriptures of Jesus, “If you seek to save your life you will lose it, but if you will lose your life for My sake you will find it.”
Trying to reach out to the guards, they merely shared the same faithless and unbelieving opinion as always. To them, Jasper was a crazy man who had nothing credible to say. In fact all he did say just made the meaning behind the words seem ridiculous. No one would see him for anything more than a worthless criminal who deserved to die. Through the love of Christ who was merciful to him, who granted him a second chance at life, Jasper found it in his heart to love and care for the people who would soon rob him of his young body.
Noticing someone lift something that was to be used to gag him, Jasper quickly said, “I welcome death. You see, I know that to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord.” Then Jasper spoke out to the Angels, “You have made a saint out of me, a sinner.” Then Jasper began to pray, “Lord, forgive my unbelief. Please help me never to leave or forsake you, Amen.” At that moment they gagged him and strapped him to a bed. This was Jasper’s final statement. He felt he had nothing left within him. From here, everything would be left in God’s capable hands. Jasper received the dose of lethal injection from a small hypodermic needle.
At the very second the sharp thin needle penetrated Jasper’s flesh, the Demons crowded in and bit their fangs into his flesh.
The spirit of Death came for him at last. The dark tattered robe of this dark agent opened wide to receive him. Color and light was sucked out of Jasper, along with his life, or so he perceived. Only ash remained.
After light overtook him and delivered him, Jasper found himself in a cold dark place. Even after he passed away, he could feel that glorious light. A great being of light called to him. “Welcome home, Jasper.” it said.
‘Who was this exquisite Angel?’ Jasper wondered. Then it was clear. It wasn’t just one large Angel, it was the light of his six Angelic friends who became strong enough to push back the darkness, protected Jasper’s naked soul from attack. He felt their warmth and security. It was all he trusted at first. The Demons had a particular craving for Jasper, but he knew, as long as he was with his friends the bite of the enemy would leave no mark, their fatal venom would haven’t be toxic.
In the midst of the six Angels, Jasper rose up from the leather chair to find he was transparent and bathing in the depth of light. Feeling peace, love and security, Jasper had become a spirit of light amongst his six Angelic comrades.
Experiencing higher brain function with an inept ability to recall memories to such vivid recollection, Jasper could relive any moment of his entire life. With all this, an understanding of numbers, emotions, life, relationships, stars, time, music, spirits and the interconnective universe, invaded his mind with pristine clarity. Jasper became a spirit of light. Though this was who he’d been all his life, he was now suddenly conscious of it. In spirit, he was profoundly connected to all things and everyone.
But best of all, he could see clearly again.
Still dressed in the shimmering armor of the Lord, Jasper moved about and phased through objects and people in the room. He was solid, but the material things of earth were now the spiritual objects. The room was of some other strange reality, like a different dimension. Finding his new reality wasn’t some far off idea anymore. He was on the other side. Like waking from a long sleep, the spiritual existence was so real. Then he realized, it was his old life that became the dream-like memory of his past. Remembering his time on earth was like remembering an insignificant story he’d been told. Heaven became his new significance. All the good and the bad didn’t matter anymore. The struggles he fought so hard for became so vein and trivial.
Jasper was directed to Heaven in the company of his six Angel friends. There was no comparable feeling as he was lifted toward the magnificent gate to Heaven. On approach toward the upper clouds of his new hom
e, an experience came over him like recalling a suppressed memory. He longed for this for as long as he could remember. It was Heaven where he’d always belonged and where he would always remain forever more. But before he passed through those incredible gates, he began to wonder, ‘Shouldn’t we first tie up a little unfinished business?’
This concerned Jasper, and he said, “I think we are going the wrong way! We should all go to Hell?”