A New Peace
The Voyage: Chapter Three
The Plan
Raj smiled at Abu as he set down a large plate of pomfret before him. The succulent fish was one of his favorites. As always, Abu joked, “It’s angel-fish”. Raj laughed, because really it was. It was known by that nickname on Earth and not just for the angels around him in Heaven who seemed to like the specialty too. Angels did not eat the same as humans since they had their own food. Also, there was an orange liquid that they carried with them in a flask, sipping from it off and on. However, they did try out anything offered to them and would sometimes eat personal favorites when meeting with humans.
Raj was just finishing the huge platter when he spied Jesus coming into the room, his arms full of scrolls. Jesus dropped the scrolls down on an empty table and turned towards Raj. He gestured and Raj hurried to go over and join him. Jesus had one of the scrolls unrolled and laid out on the table when Raj reached him. Raj and Jesus stood side by said and looked down at the unrolled parchment. Across the top someone had scrawled THE PLAN in black marker.
Jesus said, “This is a basic outline. I will fill you in later on the specifics but all these events are to occur simultaneously in Heaven, Earth, and Hell. Your job is to take the plan and explain it to humans and to angels on Earth and in Hell. Gabriel and I will be working here in Heaven at the same time.” As he spoke, he gestured with his head towards a big angel standing behind Raj.
Raj turned around and saw that a crowd had gathered behind them. Both angels and people were peering over their shoulders at the scroll on the table. In the middle of the crowd, right behind him, was a tall, broad angel with golden hair. Raj realized it was Gabriel. He looked up into his face and saw that Gabriel was regarding him seriously. Gabriel smiled and inclined his head. Raj impulsively stuck out his hand and took Gabriel’s massive hand with his own. The two shook hands, looking at each other with interest. Raj felt a wave of emotion pass into him at the touch of the large angel’s hand. A sense of security and assurance flowed into him. He knew without a doubt that all was right and true around him and that what they were doing was the best thing to do in that instant. He knew their actions would lead to the best possible results. With a sense of renewed power he turned back to Jesus and the plan laid out before them. Of course he would act as messenger! It was an excellent plan. Yahweh knew what he was doing. He realized that Gabriel had the ability to transfer faith with his touch.
“What is in the other scrolls?” he asked Jesus.
“Most of them are maps of space. One is a chart with the military line of command in various armies. Another has communication policies and points of contact. One is a strategy map showing all the bases in Earth’s solar system.”
Jesus tapped his finger on a tightly rolled scroll with a red string around it.
“This one is a map of Heaven, Mid-Heaven, and Earth’s armies. We will work out Hell’s forces later.”
Raj felt stunned. Last time they had been in Hell he hadn’t noticed any armies. In fact, if there had been troops he would have feared them if their attitudes were anything like most of the humans he had encountered there. And now Jesus wanted to position an army there?
Jesus laughed and glanced over at Raj. “There have been big changes since you were last there. Come with me. I need to show you something.”
Jesus led Raj to the end of the table and then passed through the crowd, smiling and nodding at people as he went by. Once clear, he reached out and took Raj’s hand and placed it on his arm. “Remember. Don’t let go.”
Suddenly, they were moving swiftly from Heaven into space. Raj recognized the rushing stars from the journey when Jesus took him through the Earth into Hell. He wondered if they were returning to Hell but Jesus stopped at a distance out from the Earth. Raj saw a timeline stretching off from left to right and surrounding the Earth. He remembered that he had seen it on his first trip with Jesus.
Jesus pointed and said, “Focus, just there.”
Raj looked where Jesus was indicating. As he focused, his vision zoomed in on one point in the timeline. He narrowed his eyes and they seemed to draw closer until the scene solidified. He saw two angels standing on a field, facing each other. A short distance behind each of them were other angels with swords. It looked like a meeting of two military forces.
Jesus spoke beside him and Raj jumped with surprise. “This has already occurred. We are looking in the recent past. This is Michael, the Commander-in-Chief of Mid-Heaven’s army, and Cristi, the Commander-in-Chief of Earth’s army. They have just declared peace between the two armies. Listen.”
The two angels faced each other, somber looks on their faces. Then, Michael leaned forward and threw his arm around the muscular angel across from him. “Welcome back, Tziri!” he cried as he embraced him.
“Thank you, Michael. It’s been a long, tough road. We are ready for service.”
Cristi turned and scanned the horizon to the left and to the right. “All troops are fully stocked and everyone has been put on high alert. Sentinels are posted in a grid above, ready to raise the alarm when needed.”
Raj followed Cristi’s gaze and saw military camps dotting the atmosphere. He saw flying blue pennants in the distance and saw a thick sprinkling of tents in every encampment. Near each campsite was a shimmering village. His vision sharpened wherever he placed his gaze. He could see laborers in the villages. They looked hard at work, providing resources for the troops. He was a little shaken when he realized that the camps had always been there around the Earth, as well as the army. He never saw them. No one had ever mentioned them. What had been their intentions towards the Earth?
He looked inquiring at Jesus but quickly looked back in order to examine the two large angels more closely. He wanted to be sure and remember what he was seeing. He decided he would observe now and ask questions later. Cristi was dressed in light colored, loose fitting linen. He had a short leather apron around his waist. The apron had metal studs on it and something that looked like chain mail hanging from the studs. Cristi had a rugged look. Michael wore similar attire but no apron. His blouse and pants were a darker color, something closer to a light brown. He had wavy dark hair and a powerful build. He looked similar to Gabriel but their skin tone and hair color was different.
Suddenly Raj felt a wave of power pass over him. It didn’t come from the scene before them. Someone was approaching the place in the timeline. Whoever it was came swiftly down through the atmosphere and landed in the grass by the two angelic beings. All the angels on both sides looked at him with respectful attention and Raj realized that he was looking at Jesus’ father, Yahweh. He looked like a man or an angel but it was apparent from the look on the faces of those around that he was much more.
Yahweh smiled. “Hello Sons. I have been eagerly awaiting this time. I am pleased with the Peace Treaty and the alliance of all my armies. There is still much preparation needed, but I assure you, Gabriel and his army are ready to lead.” He looked at the soldiers assembled behind Cristi and spoke directly to them. “Welcome back. I appreciate your efforts towards reconciliation with humans.” Turning to all of them, he gestured towards the Earth. “There is a bigger war than they have ever imagined. We need everyone to unite and do their part. Battles are approaching swiftly. And, as for the humans,” he said with force, “Let’s get them into space!” With a final nod at the combined group, he raised in the air and sped towards the Earth, quickly disappearing from the edge of Raj’s view.
Raj let out a gasp. He suddenly realized that he was holding his breath and grasping Jesus’s arm so tightly that he was almost wringing it. He loosened his grip and looked over at Jesus inquiringly. Jesus glanced back and said, “Wait.”
Raj set his gaze back on the scene before him. The two groups were intermingling now and he could hear a low murmur coming from them. He saw some hugs and handshakes between the two clusters of angels, while others were talking. He looked back at the leaders and Cristi was showing Michael a sideward leap and flourish with his sword and Michael was nodding. Then, Michael held out his sword and made a circular movement that was so fast it was almost a blur. Cristi laughed and held out his sword in response but before he could demonstrate his technique another visitor approached the mingled group.
The being who landed on the field was also shaped like a man, but he was huge. Also, he shimmered as though he was partly solid and partly spirit. Swirling around his center was something that looked like a solar system, with stars and planets and other heavenly bodies.
“Hello,” he said.
The angels smoothly moved back into formation and Michael and Cristi stepped forward to greet him. Suddenly, the voices began to recede. Raj could no longer make out the words or see anyone clearly. Jesus was pulling back, and the two started back towards Heaven.
“Who was that!” Raj asked. He felt stunned. Was this alien life, then?
“Someone from space who is friendly. He is a guardian of the Milky Way. I wanted you to see the Peace Treaty between all the Sons of God. The soldiers under Cristi have been in rebellion. They were formerly called demons.”
“I thought demons were guards in Hell?”
“Yes. The guards are part of Hell’s army. Timothy, the Captain of the Guards, is directly under the command of their Commander-in-chief, Cristi. All the Sons of God on Earth and in Hell have repented and returned. They still act as guards but there have been major changes in Hell too.”
Raj looked at Jesus’ face. He looked serious but relaxed. He was still speaking. “You needed to know about the Peace Treaty. Also, you have help from other entities in space, such as Cosmo, who you just saw. This is how the plan will proceed. In Heaven, Gabriel and his angels will assist with preparing Heaven for humans who die in the conflict. They will spearhead spreading the word to all the nearby universes. Michael will help Cristi’s forces as they move among humans to attempt to influence them toward right thinking. For instance, no more terror, no more murder, no more abortion. This is important. It is a crucial element if they are going to be prepared to take on space travel and face the real War. Every person counts. Timothy, in Hell, has already created gathering spaces for supporters among humans and angels. There are training rooms for those who are willing to engage. He is establishing classrooms for teaching our laws, such as the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and how to live at peace with God and one another. Some have still not figured it out.”
“I can imagine they must not have. What about me, Jesus? What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to coordinate between Heaven, Earth, and Hell. You have been to every realm. That is useful. You will travel easier.”
Raj imagined himself speaking in a church. His mind boggled at the thought. “Why don’t you just tell the Church?” he asked.
“Because they have an agenda already. They don’t realize that I am speaking today about new things. Space travel is new. They need to know what is out there. They are awaiting my return – my arrival, but they don’t know that we need to be ready immediately for what is coming.”
“What is coming?”
“Space, and war. Interaction with others from faraway places. I want you to teach people to pay attention to the Sons around them and to my Father and to Holy Spirit. There is a lot that humans need to learn and recognizing the spiritual world around them is the beginning. They need to sharpen their senses and see and hear in the spiritual realm. There is a lot to be done.”
“I want you to help the Sons of God understand how to relate to humans and how to make themselves known in a friendly manner. They have viewed humans as adversaries for so long that they need to back off from many wrong attitudes. They have always been a little afraid of humans, even as they despised them, and envied them. Now they must work together.”
“Okay,” Raj said just as they were landing back in the spacious dining room in the outskirts of Heaven. “But I really don’t know how to go about this.”
Jesus smiled. “Use social media,” he said.
A Short Rebellion
Jesus turned and took a step forward. “I will tell you more later. Something has come up. I just heard there has been a brief rebellion.”
Raj wondered how Jesus had ‘just heard’ since no one had approached them. Quickly he interjected, “A rebellion! Can I come too?”
“Sure. Grab on.” Extending his arm again, Jesus immediately launched up and out of the room with Raj precariously clinging to his sleeve. The pace of their flight was much swifter than the two previous journeys the two had taken together.
“There!” Jesus increased his speed until Raj couldn’t make out a single detail in the surroundings. They traveled in a blur of light, until the two braked to an abrupt landing by Cristi who was standing with sword drawn. Blood was dripping from about half way down the big angel’s sword and his expression was grim.
“Gather round!” he was shouting. “We are preparing,” he roared as the angels streamed towards him, his voice projecting far into the distance. “There was no good purpose for this rebellion. The Peace Treaty is binding and unanimous. There is no time for this territorial wrangling. No human is threatening you. We have work to do.”
The Sons of God looked grave as they moved in to tightly surround their combative leader and listen to his words. They looked at Raj and Jesus so Raj realized they were in the present moment because they could see him. “The same end will come to anyone else who tries to interfere with our progress,” Cristi said, quieter now, holding up his bloody sword. “Be territorial for Earth, not for your own private space. We are all going to have to work together. Humans are not our enemies.” He glared at the surrounding crowd and many nodded or inclined their heads acquiescently. “We. Have. Work. To. Do,” he repeated with emphasis. He turned his head towards Jesus and all eyes followed his.
Jesus spoke up, with a nod towards Cristi. “While you are gathered here,” he began. “I want to comment on your relationship with humans. They have as much to learn about interaction with you as you do with them. Most of them can’t see you any clearer than you can see them but they will learn. What is coming is going to be a great shock to them. Many of them are not even aware of your presence, let alone beings from outside their universe. I want you to set aside your aggression when you interact with them. A simple rule: no swearing.”
“Are you serious?” cried one voice from the crowd. Raj turned with everyone else. The crowd parted slightly and he glimpsed a Son slightly unfurl his wings with a gesture of frustration – or disdain – Raj wasn’t sure which. “What are they – babies?” he ejected.
Jesus laughed. “No more than you,” he said. “But certain words signify aggression to many people. Better to avoid them until they realize you have changed. Unless you can’t handle that? Babies?”
Raj saw amusement on the faces of many of the tall beings. He felt the aggression that emanated from them, much more than the angels he was familiar with from Heaven. He wondered what they thought of him being in their midst.
Jesus spoke up again. “This is Raj. He will participate in coordinating your rehabilitation with Earthly beings. If you have any questions about humans, feel free to look him up. Give him every aid that he needs. He will be meeting with you later with details of the plan that has the focus on Hell and the Earth. Be ready.”
Raj saw that some were kicking a ball around as they broke up and moved swiftly away. As they moved they kicked the ball at each other and it flew back and forth almost too quickly to follow. The game, if that is what it was, looked like a mixture of soccer, dodgeball and hacky-sack with the objective being to slam another with the whirling orb, which was almost impossible to do because of the perfect control of the winged beings. As Jesus and he turned and began to ascend, Raj felt the ball bounce off his back and he heard laughter. He chuckled and tightened his grip on Jesus’ arm.
Raj smiled at Abu as he set down a large plate of pomfret before him. The succulent fish was one of his favorites. As always, Abu joked, “It’s angel-fish”. Raj laughed, because really it was. It was known by that nickname on Earth and not just for the angels around him in Heaven who seemed to like the specialty too. Angels did not eat the same as humans since they had their own food. Also, there was an orange liquid that they carried with them in a flask, sipping from it off and on. However, they did try out anything offered to them and would sometimes eat personal favorites when meeting with humans.
Raj was just finishing the huge platter when he spied Jesus coming into the room, his arms full of scrolls. Jesus dropped the scrolls down on an empty table and turned towards Raj. He gestured and Raj hurried to go over and join him. Jesus had one of the scrolls unrolled and laid out on the table when Raj reached him. Raj and Jesus stood side by said and looked down at the unrolled parchment. Across the top someone had scrawled THE PLAN in black marker.
Jesus said, “This is a basic outline. I will fill you in later on the specifics but all these events are to occur simultaneously in Heaven, Earth, and Hell. Your job is to take the plan and explain it to humans and to angels on Earth and in Hell. Gabriel and I will be working here in Heaven at the same time.” As he spoke, he gestured with his head towards a big angel standing behind Raj.
Raj turned around and saw that a crowd had gathered behind them. Both angels and people were peering over their shoulders at the scroll on the table. In the middle of the crowd, right behind him, was a tall, broad angel with golden hair. Raj realized it was Gabriel. He looked up into his face and saw that Gabriel was regarding him seriously. Gabriel smiled and inclined his head. Raj impulsively stuck out his hand and took Gabriel’s massive hand with his own. The two shook hands, looking at each other with interest. Raj felt a wave of emotion pass into him at the touch of the large angel’s hand. A sense of security and assurance flowed into him. He knew without a doubt that all was right and true around him and that what they were doing was the best thing to do in that instant. He knew their actions would lead to the best possible results. With a sense of renewed power he turned back to Jesus and the plan laid out before them. Of course he would act as messenger! It was an excellent plan. Yahweh knew what he was doing. He realized that Gabriel had the ability to transfer faith with his touch.
“What is in the other scrolls?” he asked Jesus.
“Most of them are maps of space. One is a chart with the military line of command in various armies. Another has communication policies and points of contact. One is a strategy map showing all the bases in Earth’s solar system.”
Jesus tapped his finger on a tightly rolled scroll with a red string around it.
“This one is a map of Heaven, Mid-Heaven, and Earth’s armies. We will work out Hell’s forces later.”
Raj felt stunned. Last time they had been in Hell he hadn’t noticed any armies. In fact, if there had been troops he would have feared them if their attitudes were anything like most of the humans he had encountered there. And now Jesus wanted to position an army there?
Jesus laughed and glanced over at Raj. “There have been big changes since you were last there. Come with me. I need to show you something.”
Jesus led Raj to the end of the table and then passed through the crowd, smiling and nodding at people as he went by. Once clear, he reached out and took Raj’s hand and placed it on his arm. “Remember. Don’t let go.”
Suddenly, they were moving swiftly from Heaven into space. Raj recognized the rushing stars from the journey when Jesus took him through the Earth into Hell. He wondered if they were returning to Hell but Jesus stopped at a distance out from the Earth. Raj saw a timeline stretching off from left to right and surrounding the Earth. He remembered that he had seen it on his first trip with Jesus.
Jesus pointed and said, “Focus, just there.”
Raj looked where Jesus was indicating. As he focused, his vision zoomed in on one point in the timeline. He narrowed his eyes and they seemed to draw closer until the scene solidified. He saw two angels standing on a field, facing each other. A short distance behind each of them were other angels with swords. It looked like a meeting of two military forces.
Jesus spoke beside him and Raj jumped with surprise. “This has already occurred. We are looking in the recent past. This is Michael, the Commander-in-Chief of Mid-Heaven’s army, and Cristi, the Commander-in-Chief of Earth’s army. They have just declared peace between the two armies. Listen.”
The two angels faced each other, somber looks on their faces. Then, Michael leaned forward and threw his arm around the muscular angel across from him. “Welcome back, Tziri!” he cried as he embraced him.
“Thank you, Michael. It’s been a long, tough road. We are ready for service.”
Cristi turned and scanned the horizon to the left and to the right. “All troops are fully stocked and everyone has been put on high alert. Sentinels are posted in a grid above, ready to raise the alarm when needed.”
Raj followed Cristi’s gaze and saw military camps dotting the atmosphere. He saw flying blue pennants in the distance and saw a thick sprinkling of tents in every encampment. Near each campsite was a shimmering village. His vision sharpened wherever he placed his gaze. He could see laborers in the villages. They looked hard at work, providing resources for the troops. He was a little shaken when he realized that the camps had always been there around the Earth, as well as the army. He never saw them. No one had ever mentioned them. What had been their intentions towards the Earth?
He looked inquiring at Jesus but quickly looked back in order to examine the two large angels more closely. He wanted to be sure and remember what he was seeing. He decided he would observe now and ask questions later. Cristi was dressed in light colored, loose fitting linen. He had a short leather apron around his waist. The apron had metal studs on it and something that looked like chain mail hanging from the studs. Cristi had a rugged look. Michael wore similar attire but no apron. His blouse and pants were a darker color, something closer to a light brown. He had wavy dark hair and a powerful build. He looked similar to Gabriel but their skin tone and hair color was different.
Suddenly Raj felt a wave of power pass over him. It didn’t come from the scene before them. Someone was approaching the place in the timeline. Whoever it was came swiftly down through the atmosphere and landed in the grass by the two angelic beings. All the angels on both sides looked at him with respectful attention and Raj realized that he was looking at Jesus’ father, Yahweh. He looked like a man or an angel but it was apparent from the look on the faces of those around that he was much more.
Yahweh smiled. “Hello Sons. I have been eagerly awaiting this time. I am pleased with the Peace Treaty and the alliance of all my armies. There is still much preparation needed, but I assure you, Gabriel and his army are ready to lead.” He looked at the soldiers assembled behind Cristi and spoke directly to them. “Welcome back. I appreciate your efforts towards reconciliation with humans.” Turning to all of them, he gestured towards the Earth. “There is a bigger war than they have ever imagined. We need everyone to unite and do their part. Battles are approaching swiftly. And, as for the humans,” he said with force, “Let’s get them into space!” With a final nod at the combined group, he raised in the air and sped towards the Earth, quickly disappearing from the edge of Raj’s view.
Raj let out a gasp. He suddenly realized that he was holding his breath and grasping Jesus’s arm so tightly that he was almost wringing it. He loosened his grip and looked over at Jesus inquiringly. Jesus glanced back and said, “Wait.”
Raj set his gaze back on the scene before him. The two groups were intermingling now and he could hear a low murmur coming from them. He saw some hugs and handshakes between the two clusters of angels, while others were talking. He looked back at the leaders and Cristi was showing Michael a sideward leap and flourish with his sword and Michael was nodding. Then, Michael held out his sword and made a circular movement that was so fast it was almost a blur. Cristi laughed and held out his sword in response but before he could demonstrate his technique another visitor approached the mingled group.
The being who landed on the field was also shaped like a man, but he was huge. Also, he shimmered as though he was partly solid and partly spirit. Swirling around his center was something that looked like a solar system, with stars and planets and other heavenly bodies.
“Hello,” he said.
The angels smoothly moved back into formation and Michael and Cristi stepped forward to greet him. Suddenly, the voices began to recede. Raj could no longer make out the words or see anyone clearly. Jesus was pulling back, and the two started back towards Heaven.
“Who was that!” Raj asked. He felt stunned. Was this alien life, then?
“Someone from space who is friendly. He is a guardian of the Milky Way. I wanted you to see the Peace Treaty between all the Sons of God. The soldiers under Cristi have been in rebellion. They were formerly called demons.”
“I thought demons were guards in Hell?”
“Yes. The guards are part of Hell’s army. Timothy, the Captain of the Guards, is directly under the command of their Commander-in-chief, Cristi. All the Sons of God on Earth and in Hell have repented and returned. They still act as guards but there have been major changes in Hell too.”
Raj looked at Jesus’ face. He looked serious but relaxed. He was still speaking. “You needed to know about the Peace Treaty. Also, you have help from other entities in space, such as Cosmo, who you just saw. This is how the plan will proceed. In Heaven, Gabriel and his angels will assist with preparing Heaven for humans who die in the conflict. They will spearhead spreading the word to all the nearby universes. Michael will help Cristi’s forces as they move among humans to attempt to influence them toward right thinking. For instance, no more terror, no more murder, no more abortion. This is important. It is a crucial element if they are going to be prepared to take on space travel and face the real War. Every person counts. Timothy, in Hell, has already created gathering spaces for supporters among humans and angels. There are training rooms for those who are willing to engage. He is establishing classrooms for teaching our laws, such as the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and how to live at peace with God and one another. Some have still not figured it out.”
“I can imagine they must not have. What about me, Jesus? What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to coordinate between Heaven, Earth, and Hell. You have been to every realm. That is useful. You will travel easier.”
Raj imagined himself speaking in a church. His mind boggled at the thought. “Why don’t you just tell the Church?” he asked.
“Because they have an agenda already. They don’t realize that I am speaking today about new things. Space travel is new. They need to know what is out there. They are awaiting my return – my arrival, but they don’t know that we need to be ready immediately for what is coming.”
“What is coming?”
“Space, and war. Interaction with others from faraway places. I want you to teach people to pay attention to the Sons around them and to my Father and to Holy Spirit. There is a lot that humans need to learn and recognizing the spiritual world around them is the beginning. They need to sharpen their senses and see and hear in the spiritual realm. There is a lot to be done.”
“I want you to help the Sons of God understand how to relate to humans and how to make themselves known in a friendly manner. They have viewed humans as adversaries for so long that they need to back off from many wrong attitudes. They have always been a little afraid of humans, even as they despised them, and envied them. Now they must work together.”
“Okay,” Raj said just as they were landing back in the spacious dining room in the outskirts of Heaven. “But I really don’t know how to go about this.”
Jesus smiled. “Use social media,” he said.
A Short Rebellion
Jesus turned and took a step forward. “I will tell you more later. Something has come up. I just heard there has been a brief rebellion.”
Raj wondered how Jesus had ‘just heard’ since no one had approached them. Quickly he interjected, “A rebellion! Can I come too?”
“Sure. Grab on.” Extending his arm again, Jesus immediately launched up and out of the room with Raj precariously clinging to his sleeve. The pace of their flight was much swifter than the two previous journeys the two had taken together.
“There!” Jesus increased his speed until Raj couldn’t make out a single detail in the surroundings. They traveled in a blur of light, until the two braked to an abrupt landing by Cristi who was standing with sword drawn. Blood was dripping from about half way down the big angel’s sword and his expression was grim.
“Gather round!” he was shouting. “We are preparing,” he roared as the angels streamed towards him, his voice projecting far into the distance. “There was no good purpose for this rebellion. The Peace Treaty is binding and unanimous. There is no time for this territorial wrangling. No human is threatening you. We have work to do.”
The Sons of God looked grave as they moved in to tightly surround their combative leader and listen to his words. They looked at Raj and Jesus so Raj realized they were in the present moment because they could see him. “The same end will come to anyone else who tries to interfere with our progress,” Cristi said, quieter now, holding up his bloody sword. “Be territorial for Earth, not for your own private space. We are all going to have to work together. Humans are not our enemies.” He glared at the surrounding crowd and many nodded or inclined their heads acquiescently. “We. Have. Work. To. Do,” he repeated with emphasis. He turned his head towards Jesus and all eyes followed his.
Jesus spoke up, with a nod towards Cristi. “While you are gathered here,” he began. “I want to comment on your relationship with humans. They have as much to learn about interaction with you as you do with them. Most of them can’t see you any clearer than you can see them but they will learn. What is coming is going to be a great shock to them. Many of them are not even aware of your presence, let alone beings from outside their universe. I want you to set aside your aggression when you interact with them. A simple rule: no swearing.”
“Are you serious?” cried one voice from the crowd. Raj turned with everyone else. The crowd parted slightly and he glimpsed a Son slightly unfurl his wings with a gesture of frustration – or disdain – Raj wasn’t sure which. “What are they – babies?” he ejected.
Jesus laughed. “No more than you,” he said. “But certain words signify aggression to many people. Better to avoid them until they realize you have changed. Unless you can’t handle that? Babies?”
Raj saw amusement on the faces of many of the tall beings. He felt the aggression that emanated from them, much more than the angels he was familiar with from Heaven. He wondered what they thought of him being in their midst.
Jesus spoke up again. “This is Raj. He will participate in coordinating your rehabilitation with Earthly beings. If you have any questions about humans, feel free to look him up. Give him every aid that he needs. He will be meeting with you later with details of the plan that has the focus on Hell and the Earth. Be ready.”
Raj saw that some were kicking a ball around as they broke up and moved swiftly away. As they moved they kicked the ball at each other and it flew back and forth almost too quickly to follow. The game, if that is what it was, looked like a mixture of soccer, dodgeball and hacky-sack with the objective being to slam another with the whirling orb, which was almost impossible to do because of the perfect control of the winged beings. As Jesus and he turned and began to ascend, Raj felt the ball bounce off his back and he heard laughter. He chuckled and tightened his grip on Jesus’ arm.