Chapter 21: Armies of Heaven

    Aidan, Suzie, and Brooks were on the run from Deceivers demons and finally reached the city. The demons had shifted into a large black cloud that zoomed after them. The Guardian angels unsheathed their long swords and held them up. A light filled the entire city and the black cloud stopped. 

    Suzie could see the horrifyingly ugly demons with their animal faces all distorted and zombie-like. She shivered and Mishka hugged her comfortingly. Then Suzie turned and realized that there were many people

standing outside their homes and shops, staring at the demons. One woman screamed and then the town was thrown into utter chaos. 

    "We need to calm them down. Their fear will only make the demons stronger," Elliot said.

    So they all went around and calmed the people telling them that it would be all right and that they were protected. But some of the citizens just wouldn't listen and didn't believe that there were angels protecting them for they couldn't see them. 

    Meanwhile, Deceiver strode up to his army and asked, "Why have you stopped?"

    "The Enemy's armies are coming. And we cannot stand in their way," responded one of the demons.

    "Nonsense! I can sense the fear of the people. Their unbelief will cause the angels to falter and their defenses will not hold. Push against them until they break."

    Suddenly, the sky opened up and thousands of angels poured from the heavens. Brooks looked up and asked the angel next to him, "Are they the army of God?"

    "They are." he responded.

    The light blinded the demons and Deceiver so they 

had to turn away. 

    "Now do you see the angels?" Mishka asked a defiant woman.

    "No, just a bunch of light that seems to be consuming the black cloud," she responded harshly, but her eyes looked curious.

    Aidan and Elliot watched as the demons were so burned by the miraculous light that they had to retreat back to the depths of hell. Soon, only Deceiver stood. 

        Chapter 22: The Voice of God

    Deceiver stood staring up at the opening in the sky and yelled, "If you are so powerful then why don't you kill me? I am your enemy and deserve to die! Why don't you strike me down, here and now? Do you want sickness, and death, and hatred, and confusion on your "beloved children"? If not then why am I still here? You know yourself that I will not be saved, I will always be evil!"

    There was silence, then a voice like the mighty oceans, like the heavens themselves speaking to one who

shakes in their coming. 

    "I am God!" it said. "I am and always have been. You, Lucifer, a once shining angel, have asked a question that many ponder. Why is there still sickness and hatred and lying and evil in the world if I can make it all go away. Because, from the beginning of the world, I have given man a choice. I am not like the other gods that others worship, I do not want to force people to love me. But instead, I want them to make the choice to love me and follow me. Yes, there are times of testing for all of us, some more severe than others. But that is only a pruning of their faith. If a farmer is 

growing an apple tree, then he will prune back it's small branches so that it gives better fruit. I have recently been pruning three of My children, Aidan, Brooks, and Suzie, and their friend, my daughter, Mishka. I allowed them to be tempted by you. But they have not faltered and have grown stronger in their relationship with me, and their relationship with each other." Then the voice seemed to switch and then it was talking to the three siblings and Mishka. "Aidan, you have a kind heart and a fire in your heart that you will use to bring more to Me. Brooks, you communicate easily with people and know many things, but I tell you today that you will know 

more and have a deeper understanding of spiritual things. And Suzie, you are hardworking and creative, you will do great things for My kingdom someday. An finally, Mishka. I saw how pure your heart was once you accepted Me and asked me to heal your father. And I tell you that you have been faithful and you father has been healed. You have been wandering for a long time my child, you have been confused by the world and everything it says you are. But now you know that you are My child, beloved by God. I want you to share this with your family." Then, the voice was gone and the angels departed.

           Chapter 23: The Church

    Several years, four to be precise, have passed and all four siblings were meeting to celebrate their finding of faith. Yes, I said four siblings, that wasn't a typo, because just last year, Brooks and Suzie had gotten a sister in law, and Aidan, a wife. Mishka was happy with her new family and loved her husband. Aidan had stayed back in India and started a church with his uncle and Mishka. Elliot had recently moved on to other parts of India to minister and Mishka and Aidan were made the pastors of their local church. There were many converts