The Day Before Last
Revelation 10
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.
2 He was holding a little book, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,
3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.
4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."
5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven.
6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay!
7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the book that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little book. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."
10 I took the little book from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.
11 Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."
When the Earth's last day is come, I'll already know. And as for my personal part in the affairs... I shan't wield a trumpet, nor a flaming sword, merely His Word. There's a version of events John wrote down which isn't entirely false (although he did have rather an... artistic flair before Serendipity approached him). So take what's there with a pinch of salt and a shot of tequila, is my advice.
But really, I doubt that was what you wanted to know. Not the beaurocracy, not the sevens of sevens, not the sheep and goats. If you do, I know a few people who would be more than willing to give you something closer to the actual truth. But enough of that. That's Rufus and Serendipity you want.
What would I, personally do? I'd look all over the Earth, the imperfect, swirling, humanised morass one last time. I would say what I had to. I would do what I was asked. I would join my brothers... and talk to those who... still didn't want to come home. If there were any. And I sincerely hope there won't be.
It will be sad in a way, watching it all go, but in a way it won't. Heaven is so much... more. And it won't take long for that to be humanised either, I doubt.
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.
2 He was holding a little book, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,
3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.
4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."
5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven.
6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay!
7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the book that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little book. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."
10 I took the little book from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.
11 Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."
When the Earth's last day is come, I'll already know. And as for my personal part in the affairs... I shan't wield a trumpet, nor a flaming sword, merely His Word. There's a version of events John wrote down which isn't entirely false (although he did have rather an... artistic flair before Serendipity approached him). So take what's there with a pinch of salt and a shot of tequila, is my advice.
But really, I doubt that was what you wanted to know. Not the beaurocracy, not the sevens of sevens, not the sheep and goats. If you do, I know a few people who would be more than willing to give you something closer to the actual truth. But enough of that. That's Rufus and Serendipity you want.
What would I, personally do? I'd look all over the Earth, the imperfect, swirling, humanised morass one last time. I would say what I had to. I would do what I was asked. I would join my brothers... and talk to those who... still didn't want to come home. If there were any. And I sincerely hope there won't be.
It will be sad in a way, watching it all go, but in a way it won't. Heaven is so much... more. And it won't take long for that to be humanised either, I doubt.