Gabriel's Story - 22 Nov 19

Hold your feathers, Turkeys. It’s about to get real.

The ragtag group stood in the corner parking lot smoking and complaining about the day’s events. It was hard to believe that Sunday had been their favorite day at one time, but now it was their busiest. Before they were forced to take sides, Sunday was a day of rest. After they’d been cast out, it became a reminder of everything they’d sacrificed supporting the Angel of Light. Where before they talked about the beauty of creation, now they fought to destroy it.

Agares leaned against the Dollar Store waiting. He expected Abaddon to report by now, even with a few of their brothers to deal with. Abaddon was a senior commander and Agares hadn’t seen anyone arrive that should give him much trouble, unless he was distracted. When his Captain rounded the corner at a full sprint and only slowed to a trot when he saw his master, Agares knew the scene in the church wasn’t what they expected. Abaddon slowly approached the Prince of Hell, hoping not to incur his wrath straight away. When he didn’t even acknowledge Abaddon’s arrival, the Captain knew he was disappointed.

“Prince Agares, I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.” He bowed his head and knelt in reverence. Glancing to his left and then to his right caused his battalion to do the same. Only after each of the more than thirty demons had bowed in homage did Agares speak.

“What happened in the church, Abaddon?” His tone revealed more derision than concern.

“There were three of them, Master. And the woman stayed to pray.” Abaddon didn’t risk looking up. He steeled himself for the blow he knew would come.

Agares stared down the road at the back of Cathy’s car, shrinking as it headed south. He waved his hand at two large demons standing on the periphery and immediately they set off in chase. They couldn’t touch her, but they might find a susceptible target to cascade into her, if they were lucky.

“Who were they?”

“Soldiers. Commoners. I don’t know their names.” He looked up too early. The back of Agares’ hand struck him square in the face, breaking his nose – again. He didn’t bleed. Demons don’t bleed. But he still felt the pain. He’d need to bleed a follower or convert a new recruit to get it to heal. Undeterred he stood straight, painful face and all, and continued his report.

“As you know, Master, it wasn’t the strength or skill of the soldiers that slowed me down, but the prayers of the saints. This new one, Gabriel, he doesn’t even know the power within himself but he’s still formidable. The Spirit in him is relentless.”

“And he saw you today, yes?”

“Yes, Master. He’s shaken, but that just makes this one dangerous.”

“Why?”

Abaddon took a half step backwards before answering. “Because the Spirit talks to him.”

“So. The Spirit talks to all of them. What makes this Gabriel any different?” Agares stood tall, no longer leaning on the Dollar Store wall, and leaned over his Captain. “What makes him dangerous?”

Abaddon broke protocol and stood as tall as Agares, looking him square in his red and black eyes. “Gabriel listens.”

***~~~***

“Come over here and have a seat, Gabriel.” Sean looked neither tired nor surprised at the attack. On the contrary, he appeared energized.

Gabriel walked over and sat beside Sean on the pew just outside the sanctuary entrance. He looked around, but didn’t see the angels he knew were there. Did they only show themselves when evil was afoot?

“What are you thinking?”

Gabriel wasn’t sure what he was thinking. His mind was racing. He had so many questions and while he trusted Sean knew the answers, he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear them from him. He settled on what he thought was an easy answer that he didn’t need to hear from the voice. “Why doesn’t that demon speak to me? Why does it speak at me?”

“Great question, and very astute.” Sean opened his Bible to Romans and started reading. “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.” He put his Bible down and sighed.

“Gabriel, that voice you hear is the Spirit of God speaking to you. He’s always there, always speaking. We don’t always hear Him because we’re not always in line with God’s will.”

“Ok, that much I get. But why talk to the Spirit and not try to influence me?” He put his hand on his chest. Gabriel, like most people, associated his heart with his soul.

“Well, he is trying to influence you. He knows he holds no power over the Spirit who lives within us, but by speaking to Him, Abaddon thinks he can scare you or make your faith falter. That’s his only play. After thousands of years he can’t understand that it’s a losing play.”

Gabriel looked out the windows at the trees blowing in the distance. He watched cars roll slowly by and wondered which of them carried an invisible rider. His perspective was forever changed. “Why can’t I see them all of the time? Why was I able to see them this morning? Honestly I was seriously in the dumps, nowhere near ‘in line’ with God’s plan. I was vulnerable.”

Sean didn’t answer right away. Gabriel guessed he was listening to his own Spirit for an answer.

*** ~~~ ***

Agares pushed his Captain aside. He didn’t need to hear any more. If this Gabriel was actually listening to the Spirit inside him, then the Prince had a problem on his hands. First it was the little lady, then the new preacher. Now just some guy in the congregation. It meant that God was moving in the little church.

And Agares had to stop it before word reached Legion.