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Chapter Two: The Test of Souls

The days of Heaven knew no darkness.
No setting sun ever stole away its light.
No weary spirit longed for rest.
For in the presence of the Almighty, every moment overflowed with peace, purpose and perfect joy.
Daniel, Tim, Bobby, Rachel, Cathy, Sidney and Tom continued their lives among the countless hosts of Heaven, serving wherever they were asked and learning from angels whose wisdom stretched back further than mankind could comprehend.
Yet despite all they learned...
one thought refused to leave them.
Earth.
They had watched mankind for what seemed an age.
They had witnessed wars and famines.
Great acts of love.
Terrible acts of evil.
Some men and women faithfully served God throughout lives filled with suffering.
Others denied Him completely, despite living lives overflowing with blessing.
The seven simply could not understand it.
One afternoon, as they stood beside one of Heaven's crystal rivers whose waters reflected the glory of God's Throne, Tim finally voiced what all of them had secretly been thinking.
"I still cannot understand why so many humans turn away from Him."
Bobby nodded.
"They've never even seen the Almighty."
Rachel looked thoughtfully down upon the Earth.
"And yet He loves them more deeply than we can imagine."
Tom folded his arms.
"If I had lived there..."
"...I would never have doubted."
"So would I," Cathy agreed.
"No matter what happened."
Sidney smiled confidently.
"Nothing could convince me that God didn't exist."
Daniel quietly looked towards the Throne.
"If I were born as one of them..."
"...I'd remain faithful all my life."
One after another...
every one of them agreed.
They believed every word.
Not because they were arrogant...
But because they had never known life without the visible presence of God.

Their conversation had not gone unheard.
Nothing spoken within Heaven escaped the Almighty.
Far beyond the seven...
upon His magnificent Throne...
God remained silent.
Not disappointed.
Not angered.
Only loving.
Like a father listening to children who had yet to discover how difficult life could become.
Standing beside the Throne was Michael.
The great archangel had watched countless servants mature beneath God's wisdom.
He already knew what the seven did not.
There were some lessons...
that could never be taught.
Only experienced.
Without turning from the Earth below, Michael quietly spoke.
"They are sincere."
The Almighty answered with a voice that echoed throughout Heaven like distant thunder.
"They are."
"They love Me."
"They do."
"They believe they understand mankind."
Silence filled the heavenly courts.
Then the Almighty said only three words.
"They soon shall."
Michael bowed deeply.
"It shall be done."

Deep beneath the Earth...
inside the kingdom of darkness...
another conversation was taking place.
Satan stood before the mysterious black triangular object hidden within the innermost chamber of his palace.
The strange stone floated effortlessly above the ground, absorbing every trace of light around it.
Dark spirits continually vanished into its surface before emerging again moments later.
It was changing.
Growing.
Preparing.
One of the frog-eyed demons cautiously approached.
"My lord..."
"The object continues to increase."
Satan smiled.
"As it should."
Another demon stepped forward.
"Our agents among mankind continue spreading fascination with visitors from beyond the stars."
Satan slowly circled the floating triangle.
"Excellent."
He watched the dark surface ripple almost like liquid.
"Let them search the heavens."
"Let them believe salvation comes from another world."
"Let them reject the One who created every world."
The frog-eyed demon grinned.
"And when the time arrives?"
Satan's eyes gleamed.
"We shall give them exactly what they have spent generations hoping to find."
The chamber erupted with cruel laughter.
"Our greatest deception..."
"...will not come wearing horns."
"It will arrive clothed in light."
"It will call itself peace."
"It will promise unity."
"It will claim to have created mankind."
The demons bowed in admiration.
Far above...
the Earth continued spinning
...peacefully beneath the stars.
Humanity remained completely unaware.

Days later, a great summons spread throughout Heaven.
Not by messenger.
Not by trumpet.
Every angel simply knew.
The Almighty had called.
Across the immeasurable Kingdom, countless hosts gathered before His Throne.
Daniel and the others stood together among them.
The atmosphere itself seemed filled with holy expectation.
Every eye fixed upon the Throne.
Every knee bowed.
Then...
the Almighty spoke.
"My children."
His voice carried the authority that had spoken galaxies into existence.
"You have looked upon mankind."
"You have judged their weakness."
"You have believed obedience would be easy."
The seven lowered their heads.
Not in shame.
But in reverence.
The Lord continued.
"I have heard your words."
"You believe that whatever circumstances surrounded you..."
"...you would always choose My ways."
Each of the seven quietly nodded.
They still believed it.
Then came the words that caused all Heaven to fall silent.
"So be it."
A wave of wonder swept across the heavenly hosts.
The Almighty rose from His Throne.
"You shall be tested."
"You shall know mankind."
"You shall learn what cannot be taught."
"You shall walk where they walk."
"You shall feel what they feel."
"You shall discover not only whether you obey..."
"...but why obedience is precious."
The seven looked at one another.
None understood.
Not fully.
Yet every one of them smiled.
To them...
it sounded like the greatest adventure imaginable.
Michael stepped forward.
He looked at each of them individually.

Daniel, Tim, Bobby, Rachel, Cathy, Sidney and Tom.

His expression carried both warmth...
and solemnity.
"Prepare yourselves."
"The Almighty's purpose has already begun."
Far below...
in the kingdom of darkness...
Satan suddenly stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
He looked upward...
as though he had sensed movement far beyond his reach.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"They're coming."
One frog-eyed demon looked puzzled.
"My lord?"
"The seven."
"They're leaving Heaven."
Satan's smile became almost joyful.
"Then the game..."
"...finally begins."