Twenty-six
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Twenty-seven
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”AWAKEN, YE GARDENS!” the trumpet had called,
“THE TIME OF THE KINGDOM IS HERE!
AWAKEN , YE GARDENS, YOUR SHEPHERD DOES CALL
TO GATHER YOUR GARDENS TO NEAR!”
I heard many singing – so joyous the sound! –
and I found I was singing too.
We voiced in one language, our purpose the same
to praise the Plant Special we knew!
And He was before us, His robe purest white,
as white as the hair of His head.
His body was fine bronze, His countenance, strong!
“I WELCOME MY SHEEP FROM THE DEAD.
RECEIVE NOW YOUR BROTHERS WHOSE BODIES YET LIVED,
TRANSFORMED IN A TWINKLING OF EYE.
YOU ALL HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL, BELIEVING MY WORD.
THE WRATH OF GOD PASSES YOU BY.”
We thundered elation, our hope was fulfilled
by Him who is faithful and true.
We escaped the judgment now being poured out
on men who rejected His due.
The thorns that remained behind screamed out their fear.
By leader of weeds they all swore
that they would oppose the great day of the Lamb.
… Our King sat His steed, dressed for war!
I never imagined … I could not conceive
the forces which heaven had sealed.
They rode out in trumpets, the banners held high,
our Lord with the Sword He would wield.
The nations were raging, their armies amassed.
They knew no more they were deceived.
The sea of the mighty with weapons unsheathed,
all doomed! For His grace they had grieved.
(I’d seen many programs. I read many books
of ways in which the world could die:
calamitous turmoil as all that men knew
was wasted before their own eyes.
Yet, no man’s description could even come close
as tally rose higher of dead
while in Armageddon confusion was path
for bathing the field crimson red.
So foolish, the scoffers who would not believe!
We all were warned time and again
that mercy was leaving, with only the wrath
of God against weeds to remain!)
Twenty-eight
Triumphant returned our Lord King and His host
with all that is His now subdued
to His name and glory, in which we would share
the thousand year reign to ensue.
Our King called the elders to taking their thrones,
and we had our turns before them
to receive the crowns that our Love had secured
and rule over cities of men
for on the earth scrambled the ones who remained
with no means or method to live.
To rebuild and raise up a future of hope
was what only heaven could give.
“It’s so good to see you!” said elder as I
approached to receive from his hand,
“Our Lord kept you well from the name and the sign
of enemy who roamed the land.”
“I rejoice His mercy to stand in this place
and wear the victorious wreath,
but I do not understand head and hand clear
of symbol that worshipped the beast.
Please give me of wisdom.” I asked him to show;
he smiled and proceeded to tell,
“All men speculated through His history
the mark that would sent them to hell.
“The enemy could not create what’s unique
so distorted copies would do.
As Son sent His Spirit to lead within men
their spirits, the devil did, too.
The Spirit of Father had led to His own.
The enemy’s spirit did same.
To follow the leading of whom a man chose
determined his wearing which name.
“The Father held promise of a future hope,
the enemy promised it fast,
and patience rewarded the faithful to Truth
who knew that the present would pass.
The first sin and evil was self above God:
that self knew more than the Divine.
To hold to world methods promoting that lie
meant receiving that wicked sign.
“Now, go and rejoice for the Groom has prepared
your place at His table to eat.
Put on of your white robes as bride without spot,
and wipe foe from soles of your feet.”
I turned and joined in on the chorus of praise,
and saw the best thing I could see:
My Lord, with a smile, and endearment eyes,
had His arms stretched forward to me!!!
Twenty-nine
Rebuilt, and peace ruled for the millennium.
We led men in songs of the Lord,
receiving His prosper for nations we tend
all sharing, with no need to hoard.
The gardens of men begot gardens of men
while generations lived and passed,
but time has a way of removing an edge
where vigour would not be held fast.
We led in the worship and treks to our Lord
yet zeal, son to son, set to wane.
What once was a truth was now called folklore
and men began seeking their gain.
So they became ripe for the final revolt,
deceived by the enemy’s ire
when freed from his prison to gather the world
for final judgment … and for fire.
Thirty
The books were all opened, the councils were sat,
and judgment was being proclaimed.
Those names that were found written in the Lamb’s Book
were given His garments unstained.
(So many were written! I’d known a few!
Our paths had crossed in many weeds!)
And here was the proof for the rejection of ways
who scoffed at the truth of the Seed:
cast out to the flames that would never be quenched!
To never again see His face!
I wept for their loss and I fainted to fall
when strong arms held me in embrace.
I looked up to give thanks, then saw it was Him!
“MY BROTHER, WHY IS IT YOU CRY?”
I knew that He knew but I needed to say,
so I spoke while He dried my eyes,
“My Lord, I do worship our Father and You.
My garden could not stand of me.
But I grieve so many did not heed Your Light.
The world weeds would not let them see.”
He looked at me fondly – the warmth I embraced’,
“I LOVE YOU AS I LOVE THEM ALL,
AND I AND THE FATHER GRIEVE GARDENS WHICH LOST
BUT CERTAIN WERE THEY IN THEIR FALL.
“THE TRUTH THEY WERE GIVEN. UNHEEDED IT WENT.
TO FATHER, I AM THE LONE DOOR.
HE GAVE THEM DECISION TO ENTER OR NOT,
AND NOT MEANT TO NOT, EVERMORE.
“NOW GO IN, MY GARDEN, ETERNITY WAITS.
IMMORTAL AS ANGEL ARE YOU.
YOUR GARDEN PERFECTED IN BODY OF YOUTH.
NOT HUNGER, NOR AGE, WILL IT DO.”
I entered His Kingdom – His city of gold!
Perpetual Light shining Love! –
with all other gardens of Special Plant’s care
to shine Paradise from above!
The End? – not yet
