A View From the Edge of Heaven

“Raphael, there you go again! Always standing at the brink!”

“Ah, Yuriel, I can never get over the view from here! You can see all of creation from this spot.”

“All of creation? Not hardly! All you can see from here is that playground the Creator made. What’s it called again?”

“The ‘Universe’.”

“Yes, that’s it.”

“Ahh, but it’s so magnificent, isn’t it? And it does seem to be one of His favorite spots, after all.”

“Hmm. Well, I suppose it has been a while since I’ve taken a look that way. So. Show me what you are staring at so intently down there.”

“I’m looking at that little galaxy over there. Do you see it? I think something important is going on.”

“Raphael, there are literally billions of galaxies out there. You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“Heh-heh. I guess you’re right. Well, it’s hard to describe, actually, but it’s that milky white one over there.”

“Hmm. I still can’t make it out. So, what makes you think anything’s going on there?”

“The captain has been dispatching squadrons down there all morning — Look! There’s one set to go right now! They’re mustering over there at Gabriel’s Gate, over there on the right.  Keep your eyes on them and you’ll see what I’m talking about.”

“Wow, Raphael. That’s not just a squadron. That looks like an entire battalion! I think you’re right — something big must be stirring. Hey, there they go! My, they sure are fast aren’t they? It’s difficult to keep your eyes on them. Oh, I see now. They are headed over to — wait! They’re travelling to that galaxy?”

“Yep, that’s the spot. Troops sent there all morning. Do you know the place?”

“Know the place? I’ve been there! That’s the place we call the ‘stain’. Selaphiel and I were posted there on an assignment ages ago. There is a tiny little dustball in that particular galaxy — it’s called ‘Dirt’ or ‘Earth’ or something like that. A horrid speck of a place. It’s crawling with little germs they call ‘people’. Such a nasty rabble. Worst post I’ve ever had, to tell you the truth. I was thankful when it was done. I’ll tell you, Raphael, that little stain is the filthiest place in all of creation. They must be sending a cleanup crew down there to finally wipe that planet clean. And none too soon, I’ll tell you. I’m surprised they’ve waited this long.”

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, Yuriel, but I’m afraid that is not what’s going on.”

“It’s not? How do you know?”

“Like I said, I’ve been keeping my eye on this place for some time now.”

“Have you, now? Whatever for?”

“Well, it’s been said (and I have this on very good authority), that His Royal Highness has — (come over here, so I can whisper) — His Majesty has grown particularly fond of that little ‘speck’, as you call it.”

“What?! That’s prepostorous! That gritball is the most despicable and vile spot in all creation! The King wouldn’t be caught dead there (if you will pardon such an unspeakable expression).”

“Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous. But it’s true. Gabriel himself was sent there not too long ago.”

“The Captain of the Guard? Down to the speck? What business could he possibly have down there?”

“I understand he was sent there with an urgent communiqué for one of the inhabitants of that place.”

“A message for the stain-people? What did it say?”

“Oh it was all top secret, of course. Strictest levels of security. But I am fairly certain the message originated from the highest levels.”

“Is that so? What makes you so sure?”

“Well, ever since I first noticed the heightened activity down there, I was eager to find out more. (I long to look into these things, you know.) So anyway, a short time ago  I began scouring the communication logs (don’t let on about this, now, will you?); I was studying the old archives, reading every message I could find that was ever sent down there.”

“You had clearance for this?”

“Well, that’s the thing: there’s been a whole chain of communication that was sent down there without any security locks. Some of the messages were lightly encrypted, of course, but with a bit of cross-referencing it wasn’t difficult to work out the gist of the content.”

“And what did you uncover? Warnings of coming judgement, no doubt.”

“Indeed, many of the messages were of that sort. But not all. Here — take a look for yourself. I’ve got a copy of one of them right here.”

“Let me see that. Hmm. ‘For unto us a Child is born; Unto us a Son is given. And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. And of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end’.”

“Astounding, isn’t it?”

“Raphael, that’s, … well, I’m speechless. I can hardly believe it. These titles — why they seem to be speaking of the Royal Highness Himself. Are you certain this is a genuine message?”

“It’s straight from the Top. It was clearly designated as a Word from the Lord.”

“But how can that be? ‘A child’, it says ; a ‘Prince of Peace’, an un-ending kingdom. Who could it be speaking about?”

“I wish I knew. If only we had more informa– Wait a moment! Look! There’s more commotion going on at the gate.”

“Another dispatch.”

“Yes, and it is the largest one yet. Do you recognize anyone among them?”

“Well, let me see. They don’t have any weapons, so it’s not the infantry. I think it might be — Oh my!“

“What? What is it, Yuriel?”

“It’s the Royal Color Guard!”

“What? Why, they’re only dispatched when the Majesty Himself is accompanying them.”

“Yes — the personal regiment of His Majesty’s Only Begotten Son. But I don’t see Him among them.”

“Well, I’m not surprised about that. No one has seen him anywhere — ever since Gabriel took that top secret message that I told you about.”

“This mystery grows deeper every moment.”

“Look, Yuriel! There’s more troops deploying now — at the rear of the guard.”

“No, Raphael… Those are not troops.”

“They’re not? Who then?”

“It is the Royal Vocal Ensemble.”

“A choir? What on earth are they needed for?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. I wish I could get a closer look.”

“Here, I can help with that. Let me zoom in. There, that’s better. Look, you can see it now: the deployments all seem to be congregating in that one valley down there.”

“Yes. I can see a small building… and animals. (Ahh! Those animals! The only unstained creatures on the planet, dear things!)”

“There’s some people there, as well. I can see two of them…Wait… no. Do you see what I see? There’s a third one with them — he is much smaller than the others. Do you see him, Yuriel? … Yuriel?… Yuriel! What’s the matter? — what are you doing?”

“Get… get on your knees, Raphael… Do you not see what is happening? Do you not hear the holy choir singing even now, calling all of Heaven to give Him glory?… Do you not recognize His Royal Highness?”

“Do you mean — our Creator? That’s Him? But how could… why would He…?”

“Hush, Rafael! I cannot answer your questions. All I know is … our Great High King is there. And He… He is a child. Bow, Rafael. Bow lower than you have ever bowed before. And give Him glory…. Glory in the Highest!”