—A parable, told by Jesus4/97DO/TS 3131

(Please also see the illustrated version coming soon in a Hope TK.)

1. In the Kingdom of Love there was once a fine youth with a good heritage and heart. He was happy and content, and had many friends. He was fulfilled, as were his brothers and sisters, in carrying out the affairs of the kingdom at the bidding of the king and queen.

2. Wherever this lad would go about taking care of the business of the kingdom, he had on his arm a basket full of precious treasures, gold and jewels, which he had received from the king and queen. The king and the queen were the caretakers of the gold mine of the kingdom, and every day they would go deep into the mine, where they would spend long hours in quietness and prayer.

3. There they would commune with the great God of the Universe‚ the One Who ruled not only their kingdom, but all the kingdoms of the world. They would talk with Him and ask Him questions, and they would listen carefully to His answers. As they communed together in quietness and faith with the Creator, He would place Heavenly treasures in their hands, more precious than earthly gold or silver‚ more precious than all the gems of the world. He would load the queen and the king with so many Heavenly treasures!

4. Every day the king and queen would come out of their gold mine heavily laden with treasures, which they would distribute to the children of the realm. They explained to the children that these were very special treasures, and that if they would always carry them with them‚ value them greatly and hold them close to their hearts and minds, they would be a source of great wisdom, guidance and supply. They would have the answers to all their questions and would never get lost as long as they held these treasures close to their hearts.

5. These were very special gifts from the king and queen that no one else had. It was a very great privilege and honor to receive these treasures from the Creator's hand, and it gave the king and queen great joy to pass them on to their children.

6. Many youths rejoiced at receiving these treasures, and they held them close to their hearts continually, never letting them out of their sight. They didn't always understand the promises or the instruction clearly, and they didn't always see the value of the treasures immediately, as it was sometimes hidden from their eyes. Nevertheless, they guarded their treasures and didn't let one fall to the ground or get lost, because they believed the words of their king and queen—that these were gifts from the Creator, the most precious things on Earth.

7. But the Kingdom of Love had a vicious enemy, an evil sorcerer who was always lurking around‚ watching the young people‚ trying to find a way to trick and deceive them, seeking to rob them of their riches. He was the enemy of the precious treasures they loved!

8. This evil sorcerer would not steal away the treasures himself, because that would be too obvious and blatant an attack. It would have immediately alarmed the young people, and they would have been able to recognize that something was amiss right away. They would have then gone on an all-out attack to find their treasures and recover them.

9. Instead, the evil sorcerer would try to enter their fellowship and cleverly lie to them about the value of their treasures. He was an expert at causing them to doubt and analyze and be skeptical. He knew that if he could plant even tiny doubts‚ that they would grow and grow‚ and his job was done! Eventually he wouldn't even have to steal the treasures; the young people would just throw them away of their own accord!

10. But the really smart ones would guard their baskets and fight the sorcerer. They'd sock him and hit him and push him back and resist him and stand up to him whenever he would come around to try to convince them that their treasures were not valuable.

11. One day a young man—Seekman was his name—looked inquisitively at his basket of treasures. They were of all different shapes, colors and sizes. Some of them were very beautiful, but others seemed strange and uncomely to his eyes. Some were shiny and brilliant and gem-studded; others were plain, and still others seemed rather ugly to him.

12. As he was in an analytical frame of mind, questioning and wondering about the value of these treasures‚ the evil sorcerer sauntered over and said‚ "What do you think people are going to think of you if they see you walking around with that strange basket? Look at that gem on top—it's so different from what all the other Christians have. It's so radical, instructing you that you need to be completely apart from the System, apart from the ways of the world‚ that you need to be dropped out in order to be part of God's elite army. What will people think when they see that you live communally‚ that you don't go to a secular school, that you devote all your time to Godly education, that you don't listen to System music or plan to pursue what the System considers a reputable and profitable career? Don't you think people are going to look at you as being rather extreme?

13. "Do you really think it's necessary to be completely dropped out—to be that different?" the evil sorcerer queried. "Don't you think this treasure that's instructing you to be such an iconoclast and such a testimony against the System is a little extreme? What will all the kids of the world think? Aren't you worried about the opinions of man? Maybe you should just get rid of that one. I mean, you still have a lot more, and that one's not really necessary. After all, there are a lot of Christians who don't have that particular treasure or follow those particular beliefs. Yes, I know they are Scriptural‚ and Jesus did say 'Come out from among them and be ye separate‚' but wasn't that a long time ago? Why don't you just get rid of that one?"

14. Seekman looked at the treasures in his basket and thought, Yeah, that's right. I don't think I like this one. After all, it's kind of ugly. As he pondered the lies and doubts of the evil sorcerer, he thought to himself, This doesn't look like a treasure to me. It doesn't seem to have any value or be worth anything. In fact, I think it makes my basket look too strange; it makes me look too different. What will people think? I'd better get rid of this one.

15. So he went straight to the king and queen and gave them the treasure, saying he didn't want it marring the beauty of his basket. The king and queen tried to explain to him the value of this treasure that he was returning‚ and repeated what the great Creator had said when He had placed it in their hands. But Seekman was not interested‚ he already had his mind made up. And besides, he was so rich and he had so many treasures, he didn't feel he needed this rather ugly one.

16. A while later, as he was looking at his basket again, he saw another treasure that seemed rather ugly, too. He thought to himself, Hmm, do I really need this one, too? It's marring the beauty of my basket like the other one did. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't know if I even like it, as carrying it around requires a lot of love and a lot of sacrifice. It makes me have to think about other people and their needs. So I don't know about this one. Besides, nobody else in the world does it.

17. Lurking in the shadows, the evil sorcerer again saw an opportunity to have another conversation with the young man, since his last visit had been so successful in getting him to throw away the first treasure.

18. "I don't know about this Law of Love idea of loving and caring for one another," the sorcerer sneered, "or even how your older brothers and sisters try to 'go for the gold' and enjoy the freedom of the Spirit. Come on, isn't that a bit much? Don't you think that's asking a lot of them—so much sacrifice‚ so much trust and faith? Look around you. You don't see other people living like that. Surely it wouldn't do you much harm to get rid of that little jewel, that little treasure. After all, everybody else seems to be doing fine without it. Why don't you just forget about this Law of Love which says to 'love your neighbor like yourself and lay down your life for your brethren.' It's too much work! You got rid of that other treasure‚ and it doesn't seem to have hurt you‚ so why not get rid of this one too?"

19. This time, the young man listened attentively to all the evil sorcerer had to say. Because he had believed him earlier, it was becoming easier to accept his reasons and logic. It made sense to his natural mind. Seekman wasn't particularly interested in doing and living the instruction of that particular treasure anyway, because going out of his way to give love to others was pretty difficult and often made him uncomfortable; it cost him so much of his own pride and selfishness. So he was susceptible and receptive to the lies of the evil sorcerer and his way, which seemed so much easier than the way of sacrifice‚ faith and trust.

20. So he again returned to the king and queen what to him was an uncomfortable, unnecessary jewel. And though they once again tried to explain to him the words of wisdom and love that were passed on to them from the Creator when they received the jewel, Seekman would not listen. He would not believe it, for he already had his mind made up that the jewel was ugly, useless and unnecessary, and that it marred the appearance of the basket he carried.

21. Before he had started listening to the sorcerer and returning the first jewel, he had looked at his jewels with faith and admiration, prayerfully asking the Creator to help him understand their full value. But now he looked at them skeptically. He would analyze them and try to find fault with them, and the more he did, the easier it was for the evil sorcerer to come by for another chat.

22. In the beginning, the boy had been very leery of the evil sorcerer. He knew in his heart that what the evil one was saying was wrong and dangerous. He knew he should fight it and resist it and refuse to talk to him. But instead of walking away and telling the dark figure that he didn't want to hear what he had to say‚ each time he'd listen to him a bit longer. Each time he'd pay a little more attention, and take his words and counsel to heart a little bit more. The more he did this, the weaker he got‚ and the less he was able to resist the evil sorcerer. The more he listened, the more sense the evil sorcerer's words seemed to make.

23. At first he had been able to easily recognize that what the evil sorcerer said was wrong, wicked and divisive. But the more he talked with him and listened to what he had to say, the harder it was for him to discern between right and wrong, the truth and the lie. Pretty soon he got so used to the evil sorcerer's doubts and lies that he wasn't feeling much conviction at all. His heart was becoming harder and harder, and colder and colder toward the king and the queen.

24. He finally got to the point that he couldn't even recognize when it was the sorcerer talking or when it was his own thoughts. He thought that it was just him thinking and analyzing things on his own. He didn't even realize he was entertaining doubts and lies that had been planted in his mind by the enemy of the realm. He didn't realize that the whole goal of the evil sorcerer was to get him to doubt the value of the treasures and all the information they contained. That was the sorcerer's entire purpose.

25. By and by, Seekman continued to examine his treasures and ponder the beauty of them, when he noticed yet another one. It wasn't really ugly, but it was a little strange, a little misshapen. This particular treasure smelled richly of roses, and it was warm and glowing. Each time anyone held this treasure‚ it left a sweet substance on their hands, like honey, which would make them strong if they ate it. This particular treasure contained the secrets of how to have a very close relationship with the Creator Himself.

26. The king and queen had told Seekman that this jewel was very rare and precious; that few people had ever discovered it‚ and that if someone received this jewel by faith, they could receive many precious promises. But this wasn't really his idea of anything very beautiful. It was odd and different, and it took a lot of faith. They had told him this treasure was of great value, and that it promised him protection and supply and guidance; but he couldn't possibly see the value of it. I don't really need this one either, he thought to himself. It's very odd, and pretty worthless if you ask me. I'll just toss it aside. And so he did.

27. He then picked up another large and complicated treasure from his basket. He had to really study it to see all of its different angles and facets. If he could receive it with faith, this treasure instructed him how he could hear from the spirit world, from the great Creator and His helpers. He had at his disposal the answers to all of his questions. But oh, it was so heavy! It was weighty and cumbersome. He said to himself, Oh, surely I don't need this big old heavy thing! It doesn't look so valuable. It's just taking up a lot of space and weighing me down. I don't see how it's going to bring me any wisdom or riches or guidance. I'll just toss it aside! And so he did.

28. He picked up another treasure with mirrors on its many sides. As he looked in the mirrors, he'd see his own reflection. This particular treasure was to help him see himself as he really was. It was especially designed to help him grow in his weak areas, to help him examine his own heart. But as he looked at this piece with its many mirrors and reflections, he thought‚ Ugh, I don't need that! I don't want that. I'm fine! Everything is fine. I don't need to have this thing exposing my weaknesses. I'm okay as I am! It's getting in the way and it's making me feel uncomfortable and I don't like it! I don't want to think about those things, so I'll just toss this one aside‚ too! And so he did.

29. Then he picked up another treasure that was a glorious, sparkling crystal lens. It was a bit heavy, but through this lens he could see way into the distant future. He saw all kinds of sights and sounds, pictures and revelations. But he thought to himself, Why do I need to bother carrying around this heavy lens? Why do I need to concern myself with these pictures of the future? What has that got to do with me? I don't need to see that far ahead. I don't need that. I'll just toss it aside! And so he did.

30. Again he looked in his basket of treasures and there was a beautiful, golden, sparkling book! He opened the book and the pages were of shimmering gold. Each time he turned the page there would be new instruction. Each page was on a different subject—one on music‚ one on witnessing, one on childcare, one on home care and business, and many pages on love, prayer and praise. There were many pages on unity, patience and perseverance, and on healing‚ endurance and mercy. But he grew weary with so many pages, and after a little chat with the sorcerer about it, he thought, This is such a weariness. This is such a bother. So many pages, so much instruction! I've read lots of it before. I'll just toss this one aside. And so he did.

31. By now his basket was getting much, much lighter, for he had done away with many of the treasures. Left in the bottom of his basket were various treasures of different sizes and shapes. There were many precious metals and jewels: gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other very rare gems that most people had never seen before.

32. But as he looked at these treasures he thought to himself, These don't look so valuable to me. I don't think they're even real gems or real gold. I think it's all just fake! I think they're just trying to trick me by getting me to carry around all this junk. They say it's so valuable and so needed and so priceless, but I got rid of those other ones and it didn't hurt me any. So I don't think I need these either. I don't believe these are going to bring me any riches or power or instruction or supply my needs. I think they're just fake, phony imitations‚ so I'm going to get rid of them! I'm going to toss these aside‚ too! And so he did.

33. Now Seekman had a good friend named Lytical. He and Lytical talked together a lot, and whatever Seekman did, he told Lytical about. So when Seekman had thrown away his first treasure, he told his friend about it, and explained to him the reasoning that the sorcerer had given him. Lytical, as his name implies, was very analytical. He liked to think and analyze things a lot, and what Seekman told him sounded reasonable and seemed to make sense. So he threw away his treasure too.

34. From then on, each time Seekman would throw away one of his treasures, he would tell Lytical about it, who, being of the same mind, would likewise throw away his treasure. He too began to look at them as rather ugly, meaningless and cumbersome, and thought that life would be so much easier without them. They so often seemed to get in the way of what he wanted to do or the way he wanted to be, and he agreed with Seekman that he was better off with a lighter load.

35. Soon Lytical was following closely in Seekman's footsteps‚ and they had begun discarding their treasures together, and having lengthy conversations about the treasures and their lack of usefulness or reasoning. The sorcerer would often join them for such chats, but they were unaware of his presence‚ as the words that he spoke seemed to them to simply be their own thoughts. Eventually, their baskets were empty.

36. Seekman started to have a sinking feeling inside of him. He wasn't sure what it was, but it seemed to be a sort of emptiness that wouldn't go away. He tried to brush it aside and keep his mind busy with entertaining activities, but he still could not shake it. So he decided to talk about it with another good friend of his named Faithful. Faithful was very devoted to his treasures, and worked hard at keeping each one polished and shiny through constant use and reference. When he saw that Seekman's basket was empty, he was deeply concerned, and told Seekman that his empty basket was no doubt the source of the empty feeling that he felt inside.

37. Seekman became more and more anxious about this sinking feeling inside, and finally took Faithful's advice to go ask his Creator what the problem was. It was then, as he humbly and desperately came before his Creator to find help‚ that Seekman's eyes were opened to what was really happening. All along he had thought that he was being smart and reasonable‚ and doing things the logical way, what seemed right to his own reasoning. But when he came before his Creator with an open heart‚ it was as if the scales fell from his eyes‚ and he was able to see that those thoughts were actually lies of the sorcerer. He could see the deception with which the evil one had entangled him and deceived him into throwing away his treasures.

38. In despair, Seekman cried out to his Creator, asking Him if there was a way back, if he could somehow undo the thoughts in his mind and regain the treasures that he had lost. He worried that all was lost, and that since his basket was now empty, he was beyond the point of no return. But the Creator lovingly and patiently spoke to him, and showed him how he could regain that which was lost by returning to where he had rejected each treasure, and again gathering it into his basket. Finally aware of his sorry state and repentant of the error of his ways, Seekman set out to gather the treasures he had discarded.

39. This was not an easy task for Seekman, and it seemed that each step he took required much faith and perseverance, and much help from his Creator. His good friend Faithful accompanied him, and tried to assist him when he could. But many steps Seekman had to take alone, and they were difficult steps indeed. The sorcerer would often come around in a desperate attempt to dissuade Seekman from going back on him, but though he was sometimes tempted to waver, Seekman remained resolute in his mission. This time he was determined not to be deceived by the sorcerer again. When the fiend would come by, Seekman would rebuke him, stop his ears and cry out to the Creator for assistance. Whenever he did so, the Creator supernaturally shut the mouth of the evil one.

40. Still, the treasures were not easy to gather again. The first one was especially difficult and heavy to lift. Yet, once he had done so, he began to feel a small measure of peace in his heart. The emptiness that he had felt so strongly before had now lessened. The next treasure that he came upon was also heavy, but a bit lighter than the first. As he spent much time studying each treasure that he took into his basket again and gazing upon it, he began to gather strength with each one, until collecting the treasures became easier and easier. Each one seemed lighter than the one before, until his basket was again full, and he carried it with ease.

41. It had been a long and sometimes difficult road, but thanks to the Creator's strength and help, and the encouragement of his good friend Faithful‚ that which Seekman had thrown away was restored. His joy and the happiness that had eluded him when his basket was empty were also restored to him‚ and he was able to once again enjoy the pleasure of the treasures along with his companions of the kingdom.

42. Eager to share the good news of his new experience, Seekman sought out his friend Lytical, with whom he had discarded his treasures. He was very sorry to have led his friend astray, and was eager to help him, too, to see the error of his way and once again gather the precious gifts he had despised.

43. But by this time Lytical was getting used to an empty basket, and had no desire for the treasures any more. He had felt the same empty feeling that Seekman had felt, but had brushed it aside and listened to the voice of the sorcerer, who advised him that if he ignored it, it would soon go away. It hadn't yet gone away completely‚ but he hoped that it would in time.

44. When Seekman joyfully told him the truth of the matter and pleaded with him to also begin the task of gathering his lost treasures, Lytical refused. "It's too much hard work‚" he responded. "Besides, I'm feeling quite comfortable with the way I am and the way I think. I don't believe what you or anyone else has to say about the treasures anymore. It's all a myth, only believed by ignorant people who believe with their hearts instead of reasoning with their minds."

45. Seekman tried in vain to convince his friend, but Lytical was too far gone and refused to change. It was a sad day for Seekman, for though he had regained his treasures, yet his friend Lytical seemed set against the path of repentance, forgiveness and restoration.

46. Finally, Lytical, with his basket of treasures empty‚ went to see the king and queen of the Kingdom of Love. When they saw his empty basket of treasures they said, "Son, what have you done with the treasures of the kingdom?"

47. "Oh‚ I don't need all that junk!" Lytical replied confidently. "It's not really necessary. It's not really valuable. It was just weighing me down and holding me back. That stuff's not true treasure and it doesn't really have any value, so I just got rid of it."

48. The king and the queen tried to explain to him again about the value of the treasures, but he would not receive it. They again told him how they had been given to them from the hand of the Creator, but he would not believe it. They pleaded with him! They wept! They implored him to reconsider and to gather the treasures into his basket again. But no, he would not listen, because he had come to the conclusion that what they had told him was a lie.

49. "I didn't see the things you said come to pass. I didn't feel any special power. I didn't see any great riches or supply of my needs. I didn't see that the treasures were leading me and giving me guidance. Besides, I got rid of one and it didn't hurt me any, so I figured if I could get rid of that one, then why not all of them? If one was a counterfeit, then they all must be counterfeit!"

50. The king and the queen patiently tried to reason with the young man‚ explaining again and again about the gold mine where they had received the treasures‚ and all that the Creator had told them about their value and importance. But Lytical had made his decision. He argued, "I have not seen the promises. I have not seen the power. I have not seen them lighten my way. I have not seen them lightening my load. I have not seen the supply of my needs."

51. So Lytical, disbelieving and full of doubt, left his empty basket at the feet of the king and queen and walked away into darkness. There was nothing the king and queen could do, for he refused to pick up his basket. He refused to gather the treasures. He refused to see their value. He refused to believe that the king and queen spoke the truth. He refused to believe in the existence of the royal gold mine and that these treasures were received from the hand of the Creator.

52. Tossing out one treasure that seemed strange and odd and useless and unneeded had seemed harmless enough to Lytical. But then he figured that if he could do without one, he could do without another, and another, and another. And if one was counterfeit and false and useless and of no value‚ then who was to say the others weren't as well? Where could he draw the line? He had tossed away all the riches‚ power and promises, and the only thing left was to doubt not only the value of the riches, but the word of the king and queen, the existence of the gold mine, and the Word of the Creator.

53. Both Lytical and Seekman thought they were making wise decisions. They thought they were being smart and thinking for themselves. They thought they were being wise to analyze, but they were wrong. They were not wise, but foolish, and their first and greatest mistake was to listen to the evil sorcerer. Though the king and queen had tried to tell them that the intent of the evil one was to get them to doubt and forsake all their riches, they weren't on guard, they weren't watchful. They didn't take the warning seriously enough. Instead, they thought it wouldn't hurt if they just listened to the evil sorcerer a little bit. They were curious. And besides‚ they wanted to be independent, and they didn't like the king and queen telling them what to do. They thought they were pretty mature and grown up now‚ and they could make their own decisions about what they wanted to believe or not believe. They thought they ought to give the evil sorcerer a fair shot, and at least listen to his reasoning and what he had to say.

54. But what they didn't realize was that giving the evil one any place by listening was their first great mistake. When they listened to the lies of the evil one, and didn't resist them or rebuke them, then the lies took hold in their hearts and minds. One lie led to another and then another; one doubt led to another, and so on. If they had rebuked the evil sorcerer and sent him away right in the beginning, instead of listening to him, they would have been much better off and much stronger. Even if they had questions about the treasures, they could have asked the king and queen or wise men of the kingdom, or they could have communicated with the Creator Himself. They could have continued to grow strong and been very fulfilled in the Kingdom of Love.

55. Instead of recognizing that the evil sorcerer was lying, they eventually thought the king and queen were lying. They became completely confused and deceived. As soon as they received the lies as truth‚ they began to believe the truth was a lie. Before they began listening to the evil sorcerer‚ they would never have even imagined telling the king and queen that they were lying. They would never have even conceived of doubting the existence of the great Creator. That was completely out of the question. But the more they entertained the doubts of the evil one, the further away from the truth they got. Eventually, they couldn't even recognize that the evil sorcerer was making them doubt the truth.

56. But what the king and queen told them was true. They had not lied. The king and queen did indeed communicate with the Creator, and what they received from Him were indeed treasures of great value that very few people had been privileged to receive. All the instruction they received and passed on to their children was the truth about how to live in love, how to win the world‚ how to sacrifice and care for others, how to know the Creator and be close to Him, how to receive His answers‚ instruction and guidance from the spirit world, how to live apart from the System, and how to spread the message of the Kingdom of Love.

57. While Seekman found his way back by calling out to the Creator for help and the truth, and was able to regain his treasures, unfortunately Lytical did not, and remained tricked by the evil sorcerer. He did not resist and rebuke him as he should have. He listened to his lies and doubts until he eventually received them and accepted them as his own. They became his own thoughts, and he didn't even know he was parroting the evil one's thoughts anymore.

58. In the end, Lytical was not the testimony that he could have been. He no longer had the strength and anointing and power that he could have had. He was weak and sickly and could no longer do the work or job that the Creator had intended for him to do‚ because he wasn't receiving the power‚ promises and benefits that had once been at his fingertips through the many jewels in his basket. He could have grown up to be a strong teacher and wonderful sample of the truth, but instead he had become contaminated and weakened by the lies and doubts of the evil one.

59. There were other youths of the kingdom, like Faithful, who faithfully guarded and tended their baskets of treasures. They spent every opportunity looking at their treasures and examining them and marveling at them. They constantly talked about their treasures with one another and showed them to each other. They were overwhelmed with their beauty—even though some of them were a little strange, and some were cumbersome and large and weighty and had many angles, and some reflected and exposed their own weaknesses and shortcomings, and some were heavy with much instruction, and some were puzzling with their insight into the future.

60. Still, these youths treasured every piece and guarded them and took care that nothing dropped to the ground. They believed the words of the king and queen, that each treasure was from the hand of the Creator, each one was the truth. They could not say that one was more true than another, that one was true and one was false, that one was of value and one was worthless, because they knew that they all came from the same source, the hand of the Creator, given to the king and queen in the deep places of the royal mine.

61. These young people knew that there were many promises attached to the treasures—promises of supply, power, anointing and understanding. Little by little, as time passed, the young people saw these promises fulfilled in their lives. Some were fulfilled sooner than others, because some promises took more patience and faith. But as they faithfully studied and guarded their jewels, more and more they started to see the promises fulfilled! Some were fulfilled immediately, and others took much, much longer. But they knew and had faith that each promise was from the hand and the mouth of the Creator, and that He could not lie.

62. They knew that the king and queen were simply passing on, as channels‚ the words and instruction and promises from the Creator. So whether they saw the promises fulfilled immediately or not‚ they still continued on in faith. For they had seen some of the promises come to pass, and they knew that it was just a matter of time before they saw them all come to pass!

63. With time, their baskets of treasures grew bigger and bigger and bigger! But as the baskets grew bigger, the young people grew stronger, so they were able to carry the baskets with relative ease. The treasures led them in pleasant paths of abundance and supply. They lay beside still waters‚ where they drank deeply of the cool waters and were refreshed. They went from strength to strength. They were victorious over the attacks of their enemies, and they militantly fought back when the evil sorcerer tried to deceive them into belittling and forsaking their treasures.

64. They were blessed with great love‚ power and unity. Their voice of testimony was heard not only throughout all the kingdom, but throughout all the world! They had anointing upon anointing, and power upon power, as they walked bravely into the Last Days‚ always guarding their treasures and keeping them close to their hearts.

65. With time, they proved that what the Creator said was true! At first they believed by faith‚ but with time they had evidence and proof that the king and queen were the channels, the mouthpieces, the prophet and prophetess passing on the very Words of God. What they said to do worked; what the Creator promised came to pass!

66. Before long, the young people found themselves in the midst of a dark, stormy night. It was cold and rainy and the wind was howling. It was a time of great confusion and persecution. It was the Great Tribulation. There was great darkness and noise and the sound of many waters. The earth rumbled under their feet.

67. Though there was danger on all sides, they clearly heard the voice of the Creator say, "Don't worry, My children, for I will protect and keep you. Though you feel weak in yourselves, I will make you leaders of My people. Many will flock to you, for they will see your strength‚ power and faith. They will know that your connection with Me is strong, that you know My Word and My ways‚ and that you hear My voice. So fear not for the evil you see and the danger which shall surround you. You have nothing to fear, for I will keep you in the hollow of My hand. Many will come to you to be enriched and strengthened, to draw from the truth of the treasures of My Word that you have loved and valued all your lives. It shall become known that you, My little ones, the children of David, are the leaders of the Endtime, the avant-garde, the officers, the commanders. You shall lead My people in times of trouble, and you shall bring them through to great victory, because of your great faith and your deep knowledge of Me and your intimate relationship with Me."

68. "But how shall we find our way, Lord?" said the young people. "How shall we lead Your people? How shall we have the strength and wisdom and the power and vision, when we ourselves are so weak and so small? How can You entrust us with such a great privilege and honor as that of being Your Endtime leaders?"

69. Then it was that the enormous baskets of treasures that they had been carrying and guarding and protecting for so long were moved by the hand of the Creator. Before their eyes the treasures lay one upon another, until they built a glorious golden halo which hung right above each of their heads. Out from this halo came golden beams of light that encircled each of them. They were surrounded by a golden glow, a protective shield that gently, brilliantly pulsated. That which they had cherished, pondered upon, marveled at, studied, loved and valued with all their hearts‚ the treasures that they had received from the king and queen, became the foundation‚ the building blocks, the material from which their supernatural anointing for the Endtime was built.

70. Because they had believed and received by faith the Words of God found in these treasures, because they had been faithful and diligent; because they had been loyal and obedient to the message of the Kingdom of Love, they had proved themselves worthy to receive the mighty anointing from the hand of the Creator. It was set above their heads in the form of a golden halo, and enveloped them as a golden hue representing His supernatural protection, strength, wisdom and power.

71. It was their years of faithfulness to the kingdom and the truth that prepared them for this final challenge. It was during their years of study, when they strengthened their faith and learned to know the Creator intimately, that they were tried and tested and prepared for their special place of honor. It was their years of dedication, of loving the Creator, the king and queen, each other, and loving the treasures‚ that brought them together in such unity that their testimony went throughout all the Earth. Those of many faiths came to sit at their feet‚ to be fed and to have their wounds tended.

72. These young people became the leaders‚ shepherds and prophets of the end, because they refused to listen to the lies of the evil sorcerer. They fought him and rebuked him. They kept their eyes on their loving Creator. They kept the basket of treasures‚ the Words from their queen and king, close to their hearts constantly.

73. All their years of faithful study and accepting the Word by faith, of putting it into practice the best they could, and helping others to do the same, paid off in the end. It was the days and years of preparation that provided these young people with the training they needed for the awesome role that they would fill in the Endtime. The more they cherished the Words of life, the more they believed and received these riches, the stronger they became, until they were a mighty army going forth to conquer. They were majestic and beautiful, and they were proud to be children of the Kingdom of Love.

74. Will you be as the wise young people—or as Lytical, the foolish young man? Will you be as those who wisely guard and love the treasures? Or will you be as those who foolishly doubt, reject and discard them piece by piece, point by point, until you doubt the channels, the existence of the gold mine, and the Word of the Creator Himself? The choice is yours! One road leads to the way of victory and triumph, and the other road leads to the way of obscurity and darkness. The choice is yours.

Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family