Nine Days in Heaven: A True Story (20 page)

…
MY WONDER WAS EXCITED WHILE
SEEKING FOR A REASON SUFFICIENT TO
INDUCE ANY ONE OF THAT LITTLE COMPANY
TO WITHDRAW FROM IT THAT HE MIGHT
BETRAY INTO THE HANDS OF HIS ENEMIES
,
A
B
EING WHOSE PRESENCE THUS INSPIRED
HOPE, LOVE, REVERENCE AND ADORATION
.

While I was pondering these things, the angels began to instruct the infants.

“See the contrast of good and evil. Those men who shared the Passover meal with the Lord were His disciples. The Lord knew His time had come, and He knew who would betray Him, so He prepared them for the trial and the things that would follow. The one who secretly withdrew was Judas Iscariot, who betrayed His master for thirty pieces of silver.

“Children, watch this scene more closely as it continues, and see the two great principles of good and evil that operate in man in his fallen state. You will see them very clearly as the story unfolds.”

Judas then appeared, entering the council chamber where the chief priests and elders of Israel were gathered. They were plotting to capture and kill Jesus and bring scorn and dishonor on Him.

But now Judas was a different person! His spirit had changed dramatically since the Last Supper. His face was contorted with rage, and his heart was full of malice and treachery.

A pale light lit up over his head, revealing a group of demonic spirits urging him on. They displayed every facet of the evil nature of their master Satan, that archfiend, the destroyer of peace. Satan is the instigator of crime, the enemy of all that is good and right, luring the souls of men and women to him. And so these demons poured out their fiendish and hellish temptations and filled Judas with their hatred for the Son of Man.

The priests rose as Judas entered the council chamber.
14
They greeted him with malicious smiles, and the chief priest addressed him:

A
S HE ENTERED THE MIMIC SANCTUM
,
THE PRIESTS AROSE, AND WITH SMILES
,
SUCH SMILES AS MALICE, WITH A HOPE
OF REVENGE INSPIRES, GREETED HIM
.

“Welcome, Judas. You have shown yourself to be a friend of all that is right—a friend of God’s ancient temple and the Law of Moses, and a friend of the people of Israel.

“We want to talk to you about this so-called king of the Jews, this man Jesus. We believe you have been close to Him. He has deserved death for a long time because of His unauthorized teachings. He has sought the destruction of this beloved city of Jerusalem—the city especially favored by God—and even prophesied the destruction of the great temple!”
15

The priest raised his voice.

“He said He would put down our authority as leaders, change laws and customs, and establish His kingdom on the ruin of Jehovah’s kingdom. Hah! He even called Himself God!
16
He is a blasphemer against high heaven and mocks the throne of the Eternal!”

The chief priest became more agitated, and his voice quickened as he strode up and down.

“He called us hypocrites and blind leaders of the blind,
17
when it is God Himself, by His own right hand, who has appointed us as teachers in Israel! This fellow acknowledged that we priests have the keys of the kingdom, but He dared to suggest that we deny entry to those who want to enter,
18
because we are ‘depraved’ and ‘love power.’”

His face turned crimson.

“He also said we will not be given eternal life because we love sin. Surely He deserves to die!”

All who were present shook their fists and shouted their agreement.

“He is attracting the gullible and ignorant and those who are dissatisfied with the temple,” continued the priest. “And by His peculiar ability to work wonders He has been able to deceive many who are worthy of a better calling. Hah! They will soon discover His true character.”

He looked sideways at Judas. “It will go well for the first one who exposes Him and enables us to bring Him before the people. The nation will give this person great honor, and lasting blessings will be on his head.”

“…
AND WELL SHALL IT BE FOR HIM
WHO FIRST DISCOVERS TO US THE TRUE
CHARACTER AND RESORT OF THIS VILE
DECEIVER, AND SHALL ENABLE US TO
BRING HIM BEFORE THE PEOPLE
.”

The associate priests all nodded their heads in agreement.

This was enough to inspire Judas to be that person. So he put forward a proposal to deliver his master into the hands of a group organized by the priest. He made only one condition, which he appeared to have considered previously. He demanded thirty pieces of silver for his efforts.
19

It was evening, and I saw Jesus walking slowly with three of His disciples. His face was filled with sadness. They stopped, and He said, “I am overwhelmed with grief. Stay here and keep watch with Me. Watch with Me, and pray also so that you will not fall into temptation.”
20

Then He went a little farther and fell on the ground. As He bowed down on the cold earth in the deepest agony, He prayed even more earnestly, and His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
21

Above Him the heavens opened, and many thousands of angels appeared. They veiled their faces as they bent over the Garden of Gethsemane. All was mournfully silent, as they observed the sufferings of Christ the Lord, the Divine Man, the one whom the Scriptures describe as “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
22

A cloud descended and stopped over the Savior. In it were Justice and Mercy, watching the scene below with intense interest.

After a time the Savior prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
23

At this, Mercy said to Justice, “Here is the ransom.”

Jesus prayed once more, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Then a mighty angel descended and stood by Him, strengthening Him.
24

Mercy then said to Justice, “Look, here is the offering.”

Standing up, Jesus discovered His disciples asleep.
25
He spoke to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest.” Then he turned, “But look, the time has come! The Son of Man has been betrayed into the hands of sinners!”
26

My guide then spoke to me. “You have just seen Jesus set the supreme example of humility and submission. He has taken on the burden of human trouble because of His love for mankind. By the power of this love they can be lifted out of their degradation and given homes in heaven—homes of righteousness and peace.

“F
ROM HIS SYMPATHY WITH THE
DERANGED AND DYING RACE, HE AGONIZED
BENEATH THE BURDEN OF HUMAN WOE
.”