by Jill Austin
Celestial music of flutes, harps and stringed instruments waft down from the throne room. Hovering angels join with the heavenly choirs. The unearthly music has a life of its own. It penetrates her body, infusing strength and renewed hope.
Looking behind Master Potter, she sees two ministering angels. The first holds a golden bowl and has a linen towel draped over his arm. The other holds a golden tray with alabaster vials containing exquisite fragrances of flowers, sweet spices and oils. She also recognizes the small honey cakes that Valiant gave her at the start of her wilderness journey.
With great distress she cries out, “I had no idea this was waiting here for me. It’s beyond anything I could ever imagine. If only I’d followed the star a little bit longer, I would have saved myself so much pain. I could have been here with You ten years ago. I missed You so much. I’m so glad to be with You again. Oh, Lord, forgive me. Please forgive me.”
A sick feeling rises in her as she waits to hear His response. Gently, He strokes her face and speaks the words her painful, tattered soul needs so badly, “I’ve missed you so much, Beloved. I love you, dear one.” He sits her up and puts His strong arms around her. Reveling in His warm embrace, she weeps even harder.
“I’ve longed to see your beautiful face, Beloved.”
Looking down at her bloodstained dress from Deeper Life, she bows her head in shame. Sobbing even harder she cries, “How can You say I’m beautiful? Look at me. Look at what I’ve become. I left Your house all healed up, and now I’m broken again.”
Master Potter’s eyes are filled with tears. “Beloved, it wounded My heart when I saw you suffering. How I wanted to spare you! I called to you many times, but you would not come.”
Touching His face with her bruised hand, she wipes the tears from His cheeks and cries, “Oh Lord, I’m so sorry. I did hear Your call, but didn’t realize how much I hurt You until now. Please forgive me.”
“I do forgive you. I know this was a painful journey for you also.”
The ministering angels come forward and Master Potter takes off her dented armor piece by piece and hands it to them. He pours precious oils into the golden basin of living water; then taking her old friend Soaking Love, He begins to cleanse her wounds.
HER HEALING BEGINS
Reclining on the couch she begins weeping.
“They lied to my children and took them away. All I wanted from them was to be accepted and loved. They’re evil and cruel. I hate them all. They practically killed me out in the desert.”
“Beloved, I understand. I, too, was taken outside the city and judged for things I didn’t do. I was beaten and cruelly betrayed as you were.”
“I hate them—all of them—for what they’ve done. They’ve destroyed my life.”
“Beloved, your hatred will destroy you. Forgiveness has greater power than vengeance. Pastor Beguiler and Enchanter deceived them too. Let Me show you how I see them.”
PRISONERS OF RELIGIOUS COMPROMISE
Suddenly the religious commune materializes in front of her eyes. The illusion of abundance and wealth gives way to a barren wasteland of poverty and need. The oasis mirage fades and she sees a slave camp.
“Beloved, do you see the pain and devastation of their lives? They’re prisoners and don’t even know it. My heart aches for My people to come back to Me. Will you show them mercy and forgive them?”
She watches as beautifully dressed people she has known for the past ten years change into tattered beggars fighting over a cup of water. Shadowy demonic figures move around stirring division and hatred. Her eyes are opened to the reality of their tormented condition, and she is saddened by the misery and hopelessness of their religious compromise.
Tears well in Master Potter’s eyes as He tells her, “Beloved, they were also rescued from the Potter’s Field and began the journey across the wilderness, but they never came back. By refusing to continue through the wilderness, they exchanged My leadership for an illusion of comfort and ease.”
For the first time ever, she begins to see the anguish Master Potter feels for them. She realizes they are His beloved children, too. Touched by His deep sense of grief and loss, she cries out under conviction, “Lord, I forgive them. Will You forgive me for hating them?”
As the vision of the commune continues, she sees shimmering angelic beings moving throughout the people and tents. Master Potter says, “It’s the enemy’s prison, but My forces have been there all the time, waiting to show the way out to those who are willing. You could have left anytime.”
She realizes that she was as deceived as they were. “You’re right; I was a prisoner too. What appeared to be glamorous in the beginning turned out to be a prison. I can’t believe I was seduced by the wealth and power of the Beguilers. I had warning signals all along, but I didn’t want to give up the affection, attention and power. I’m as guilty as they are. Please forgive me for doubting You. I’m so grateful to have gotten out. Now I understand how much I hurt You when I did the same thing.”
“I will always forgive you, Beloved. You can never exhaust My abundant unending supply of mercy, and by forgiving them you have chosen the way of My heart. When you extend mercy it releases not only them, but also you, from judgment.”
Master Potter takes off the bloody bandage applied to her head by Amazing Grace. “Beloved, your forgiveness has enabled Me to heal these wounds.” Taking Soaking Love, He gently washes the cut on her head and applies a healing salve scented with the fragrant lily of the valley and aloes as He sings over her.
WHAT ABOUT MY CHILDREN?
Beloved becomes panic-stricken. “Lord, what about my children? My children live in that slave camp. You have to rescue them. They’re being raised by deceived and disillusioned people—many who hate You!
“Enchanter lied about me and made them think I’m no good. He sacrificed his own daughter—he doesn’t even admit Purity is his! What is to become of her? They’ll never know the truth.”
Beloved’s mother-heart aches as she sees Purity and Crusader sitting side by side holding each other and weeping. Their sobs cause an unbearable anguish in the depths of her soul. She clutches her chest and cries out, “My babies! My babies! Save my babies. They’re so innocent. Why do they have to suffer?”
“In the midst of the storm they will find Me. I will not abandon them. I promise you I will protect them. Your children have a destiny in Me, but you have to trust that I’m going to work this for good.”
Through her tears she sees two huge guardian angels appear behind them, with fiery swords drawn ready for battle. As she watches, they unfurl their huge glistening wings and extend them into a canopy of light and protection over the children.
Amazing Grace appears, wrapping his comforting arms around them. He whispers gently in their ears, “Master Potter loves you both so much and so does your mother. Never forget that. Even though you feel alone you’re not abandoned.”
He brushes the hair back from her daughter’s face. “Remember, Master Potter named you Purity, not Promiscuous.” Turning to Crusader, he says, “Remember your mother, as she really is someone who loved you and wanted to protect you. Someday you will see her again.”
As she watches, the children get down on their knees and pray. “Lord, we want our mommy back. Please keep her safe. Don’t let her die in the desert. We love her so much.”
GRIEVING HER LOSS
Master Potter holds Beloved in His soft robes while she grieves the loss of her children. “You’ve taught them well how to love Me and come to Me with all their problems. You must continue to believe that I’ll take care of them and that I have a destiny for them. You need to release them into My care, Beloved. Every part of your life needs to be given to Me, especially the great losses and the shattered dreams.”
Sobbing, she admits to herself that she has no other options. “Lord, I give them to You. What else can I do? Take care of my little ones. I know the only safe place for them is in Your embrace.”
He gently
takes off her worn sandals and uses Soaking Love to wash her feet. He massages her sore muscles and applies more healing salve to her cuts and blisters. “Beloved, I feel your pain for your children. I share it with you. I will help you bear this burden.”
“Thank You, Lord,” she says as He wipes away her tears.
“There is one thing you can do. It’s the key to your children’s well-being.”
“What is it, Lord?” she asks with excitement.
“First, let Me tell you what it’s not. It’s not worry and complaining,” He says with a grin. “It’s your prayers on their behalf. I know that on the earth it sometimes feels like your prayers are floating in the atmosphere. You wonder if they’re really making a difference. Such questions and doubts come from the enemy. I’m going to give you a wonderful gift. I’m going to pull back the veil and give you a glimpse of what goes on in Heaven when parents pray.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
OPEN HEAVENS
Beloved looks up, and the atmosphere of the tent begins to change. She’s drawn upward into this whirlwind of glory, passes through the pillar of fire and soars to the Gates of Heaven. She feels no fear as she’s carried in Master Potter’s arms into this realm of unspeakable beauty.
As they pass through the ancient gates, the throne room appears before her. She sees vistas of celestial colors and surges of brilliant light. The uncreated, glorious Father, clothed in radiant garments of light, sits on a fiery, sapphire throne, surrounded by a rainbow. Dazzling white purity of unspeakable holiness emanates from Him, and resurrection glory swirls around His throne.
Beloved counts seven lamps of fire burning and moving around the throne and sees something like a sapphire sea of glass, like crystal.
Without warning, tremendous surges of lightning, sounds and peals of thunder burst forth from the throne. These explosions of indescribable splendor and raw transcendent power reflect His fervent passion. Flowing from His being are music and messages that change time and eternity.
Surrounding the great throne are 24 elders in white robes, wearing crowns. Each elder holds a harp and a golden bowl representing heavenly worship and intercession.
In the center and around the throne are four living creatures full of eyes and blazing with fire. These burning ones glisten with dazzling light as they fly around the face of God. Raging infernos of glorious worship, they’re consumed and alive with the fire of His presence. Lightning and fire shoot back and forth among them in magnificent splendor.
Night and day, they never cease their adoration and ministry as they gaze upon and unfold His beauty. Overcome by each revelation they cry, “Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty.” They release the new vision of His beauty to the 24 elders, who fall down and cast their crowns at His feet, saying, “Worthy are You, our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
They join all of creation in worshiping the One who sits on the throne. Millions of words and harmonies become one magnificent song! A symphony of sounds never heard by human ears echoes throughout the throne room. Beloved sees multitudes from every tribe and nation consumed with glorious worship and alive with the fire of His presence. As far as her eyes can see, glorious angels bow low in worship, crying out, “Holy, holy, holy.”
A GOLDEN CENSER OF INCENSE
As Beloved watches in stunned amazement, a powerful angel, his entire being shimmering with divine light, stands at the golden altar before the throne. He holds a golden censer.
Master Potter says, “Now listen.” Suddenly, the worship fades into the distance, and she hears a crescendo of thousands of voices in all languages passionately pleading for salvation, healing and deliverance for their children.
“Lord, please save my child. She’s not following you.”
“Oh, Lord, my husband is drinking too much and is abusing the children terribly. Please help us.”
“Father, the doctors say he’s only got a month to live. Heal him, Lord. We need a miracle.”
Tears fill Beloved’s eyes as she listens to the desperate pleas for these hurting children.
Beloved is gripped as she watches the Father give the angel a great quantity of incense. The steadfast angel adds it to the prayers of the parents upon the golden altar, which is in front of the glorious throne. The fiery smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rises up out of the angel’s censer. Swirling before God as a sweet-smelling fragrance, it mingles with frankincense and other rare aromas.
Then the mighty angel fills the golden censer with fire from the altar and throws it to the earth, answering the prayers.
With each utterance of prayer, power is released in the heavenlies, bringing answers on earth. Thunder rumbles and lightning flashes as mercy, justice and loving-kindness are poured out from the throne, bringing vengeance on the enemy. The release of salvation, deliverance and miracles forces the demonic to retreat.
“Beloved,” says Master Potter, “the purpose of an incense offering was to please God in the hope that He would respond with favor regarding the requests or needs. When the Father adds the incense to the prayers it signals His willingness to answer.”
FIERY IMPARTATION
Back on the couch again, Beloved is too stunned to speak. She merely looks toward Heaven and back to Master Potter. He smiles. Touching Beloved’s spirit, He gives her an impartation of intercession for her children. Surges of anointing go through His hands into her spirit as deep groans of fervent prayer begin. Sounds of travail, birthing and groans she’s never before heard go out into the heavens and war for her children, calling forth their destiny.
As her words burst forth in her prayer language, angels carry these precious petitions up to the golden altar where they are mingled with incense and are received by the Father. Finally, after several hours, Beloved’s heavy burden for Purity and Crusader lifts.
“Beloved, the very heart that you have for your children is only a infinitesimal reflection of the vast oceans of love that the Father has for them. Yes, you birthed them, and you’d sacrifice anything in this world for them. But He created them and painted the entire universe just for their pleasure. His love knows no bounds.”
Taking her face in His hands He solemnly tells her, “You are not in this battle alone. Do you understand that the Father does not take your prayers lightly?”
Beloved, still overwhelmed, smiles sheepishly. “I do now.”
Master Potter takes a golden chain with a small flask of delicate perfume attached and places it over her head. Opening the vial she responds, “Oh, it smells wonderful. This smells like Heaven.”
“Beloved, this fragrant oil is frankincense—it represents deep intercession. It is one of the smells of Heaven. This necklace is a symbol for you, a reminder of what you just saw. Never stop praying for your children. The Father always hears your prayers on behalf of His young ones.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
FORGIVENESS
Solemnly, Master Potter tells her, “There is one more very serious matter to be addressed.” Beloved looks apprehensive.
“You need to forgive Enchanter.”
Shock and indignation tear through her soul as she sits up on the couch. “How can you expect me to forgive him?”
“Beloved, I forgave—”
“That’s different; You’re Master Potter! You’re the Son. He lied to me! From the day I met him he was unfaithful! He was abusive and cruel to the children and to me. He twisted and perverted everything when he called me a whore in front of the whole commune and our children.”
“Beloved, I do understand your suffering and betrayal, but no matter how unfair, no matter how painful it was, you still need to forgive.”
“And what about that 14-year-old girl I caught him with? He needs to ask for my forgiveness, but I know he never will. So why should I even bother? I hate him! He instigated the mob to run me out of the commune to protect his reputation. I still have the bruis
es to show for it! I’ll probably never recover! My vessel is too broken!”
“Beloved, this is a great test of your heart. It was abusive and he was wrong. But, I begged you not to go there. What happened was part of the consequences of your disobedience. Aren’t you glad I forgive you?”
“Yes, but it seems like Enchanter gets off free.”
“Hardly, Beloved. Enchanter sold his soul for demonic power like his father and grandfather before him. He’s like Madam, part of the same demonic network that carries out Satan’s work in this area. I had a calling for his life too, and it grieves Me to see what he has become. Don’t be deceived, for judgment always comes when there’s no repentance.”
“I still hate him.”
“Hate and bitterness fuel the demonic. No matter how evil and cruel all of this is, it has to go to the Cross or your wound will continue to fester. It will become an open invitation for demons to attack you. Surrender is your key. If you want to live as I live, Beloved, you must let go. Otherwise, your unforgiveness of Enchanter will destroy you, not him.”
“I can’t forgive; it’s too hard. I’d rather die. I want to see justice done.”
“Then you will never fulfill your destiny, Beloved. I’m training you as one who can bring salvation and deliverance to many who are ensnared by this network. Part of your destiny is to become a powerful warrior bride to do battle for souls on My behalf. If you cannot forgive, the enemy has you bound and gagged. I’ll still love you, but he will be victorious in your life, and My purpose in creating you is thwarted.”
