Repentance

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Chapter 81

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In the next morning, John the Baptist came to preach on the outskirts of a town, holding a wooden staff in his right hand while his own mouth opened, speaking loud enough for people to hear nearby, "O' people, heed my words! For there is a light that guides our path toward salvation," he declared passionately as he continued towards the community itself.

"He who bears the mark of God shall be spared by the judgment of God itself. All sins be cleansed through His Sacrifice alone," the prophet exclaimed loudly as he walked further to civilization before landing himself in a crowd of people moving alongside him.

Many of the people passed him in the streets, not bothered to listen to his antics, while some curious Christians and religious folks came to hear him talk more in detail about his message, "Has man become corrupted by sin? Are you willing to repent and beg forgiveness from Our Almighty Lord above?" He raised his hands skyward as he spoke, gazing at the clouds floating through the cloudless blue horizon.

Shinthia, a beautiful woman wearing a white dress and a green shawl, stopped when he saw the old preacher. "Are you a baptist?" She approached him cautiously, looking over her shoulder to see if her father was following after her, making her nervous that her father might scold her for socializing with an unknown man.

"I am," John turned and nodded, "do you desire to be baptized?" He offered kindly, motioning for her to come closer so that he may perform the ritual if she wanted him to, "for the flesh is weak and subject to corruption, but the Spirit is divine and holy," explaining patiently so as not to frighten her away from him.

Thinking it over, she pondered if she really needed to be cleansed. "Um, I..." She hesitated momentarily, biting her lip with uncertainty. Not sure whether she wants to undergo this baptism nonsense, "What is it exactly for?" I'm not trying to sound rude or anything; I'm just inquiring as to what exactly will happen to her if she accepts his invitation.

The old man chuckled amusedly at her innocence. "My child, through the divine authority that has been bestowed upon us, I am able to purify your soul through spiritual waters, washing away sin and evil from your soul if you wish to follow me," he elaborated simply with a sincere smile displayed on his face.

Nervously, she glanced back once more to ensure that nobody noticed where she was. "Alright, I guess it won't hurt to try," she said, nodding in acceptance, which caused the baptist to beam excitedly at this, for new converts are always appreciated among other fellow believers who follow their beloved father.

While the curious onlookers decisively walked up to them with the desire of being baptized despite having different backgrounds that included a blacksmith's apprentice, a merchant, and many more, as they crowded around the old preacher, ready to accept their roles as new faithful servants.

Sighing deeply, John held his wooden staff up high and closed his eyes to concentrate for a few seconds before opening them. "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore, produce fruit worthy of repentance! Don’t think to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now, the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire." The speech resonated throughout the area as it spread throughout the surrounding areas.

Lowering his arms, he turned to look around the engrossed crowd. "I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire," his words echoed in the air as they reached into the ears of others who listened intently.

As he was about to continue, his eyes widened when he felt the holy presence approaching him, turning around to where the source is and saying, "Make way and let him come!" John gestured frantically to everyone around him while pointing in the direction behind him, causing people to move aside.

Revealing no one other than Seth and his following companions, who were confused by the situation, "Are you John the Baptist?" He approached the old preacher with curiosity as to how he recognized him and said, "I wish to be baptized," requesting as he stood in front of the shocked preacher.

John's jaw dropped at this, unable to believe that he's meeting the savior of mankind in person. He had gotten vague dreams about him but never expected it to be today. "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?" Surprise was evident in his voice as he tried to contain himself from jumping out of sheer joy despite having some doubts.

Seth smiled at the request. "Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness," he confirmed, causing the preacher's eyes to widen in realization of what that meant, as the importance of this event outweighs everything else combined.

Glancing over the holy man's shoulders, John can see the three companions, who are considered friends by him, accompanying this Son of God as they stood there silently, waiting patiently for his answer to what was to happen next, while the crowd also spoke to one another about the scene before him.

Not wasting any more time, John the Baptist straightened himself and kneeled in front of the King, "As you wish, my Lord, let this old preacher offer his humble service for the sake of the one who has descended down upon us," accepting his duties wholeheartedly, for it is an honor of great magnitude to be chosen personally from Him.

Standing up, he turned around and looked at the gathering crowd. "Pick up your crosses if you wish to follow us and witness the ultimate act of faith, for the messiah himself is going to be baptized!" He declared with a strong voice that echoed in the wind while everyone fell silent at the announcement.

Some of the Christians were doubtful or even angry at Seth for proclaiming to be the chosen one; their expressions hardened as they looked between each other, wondering if they should follow his command, but seeing as no one was arguing or complaining aloud, most decided to give this newcomer a chance.

Everyone followed the duo as Seth and John made their way outside of the settlement, inevitably reaching a river, where they eventually went towards the banks and then began wading through its waters. They stand effortlessly in the current, only reaching up to their stomachs.

Although some remained outside of the said river, they were still questioning whether this was real or even worth it in the first place. One of them was Seth's friend, who watched the people who had followed the duo into the waters like sheep.

The river is crystal clear; its waters reflect the sun's rays and make the sky look like a mirror. The reflection of the sky on the surface of the river is so pure that it's almost impossible to distinguish where the sky ends and the river begins. Its gentle current moves through the depths of the river with a grace and tranquility that are unique to only the most serene and peaceful places in the world.

"Are you ready?"

John the Baptist turned and looked at the holy man with determination shining brightly in his eyes before receiving a firm nod as his only response to his query. "Place your hands together on your chest," he instructed gently, and the young man did exactly what he told.

Causing John to move closer before using his available hand to grab Seth's back head, "it is time." As he said those words, he firmly pushed the holy man's head under water, dunking him below for a moment until resurfacing for a few seconds. "Receive the divine blessing from Father above," John whispered into Seth's ears.

The proposed messiah was soaked with water, a mixture of wet clothes and skin covered in damp dirt, while standing straight with hair dripping onto the soil. However, nothing changed as far as appearances go, but inside, he can feel his spirit renewed with strength he never knew existed as it surged through veins, empowering him with great energy.

Slowly, Seth closed his eyes before letting out a sigh of relief, opening them once more as he turned and walked out in the direction where his friends were waiting, their faces full of bewilderment at the experience he had just been through.

But as soon as he got out of the waters after being baptized, the heavens above opened; a shining light emerged from the sky, like a portal to another dimension, a gateway to another plane of existence beyond their understanding. The dazzling light that emanated from the spirit was so brilliant and powerful that it pierced the very fabric of space and time. The heavens split open, revealing a tunnel of pure white energy that descended down from the clouds, creating a beacon of hope and guidance that drew all eyes upward.

The sight of the heavens shining was breathtaking, indescribable, and unforgettable. The beauty of the shimmering lights was so overwhelming that it caused a collective gasp of awe and wonder from all who witnessed it. The sensation of the light was indescribable, as if it were enveloping their entire bodies and minds in its warm embrace.

Then the spirit of God descends down as a white dove, radiating holy energy and heavenly light with his pure white wings. The aura radiated around the spirit, blinding all who saw it, while the mighty presence that followed the appearance was intense, catching everyone's attention, even the old preacher's attention, stopping their tracks completely as they eyed onto the entity.

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

A voice so gentle, angelic, and kind yet masculine, followed by other languages, voices, and tones speaking after it—a phenomenal spectacle that no human could comprehend for its ethereal nature, surpassing all reality as known.

It was as if time itself had come to a halt, as if the world had ceased to exist around them. Their thoughts, their feelings, their experiences—everything was erased in an instant. There was no fear, no sorrow, no pain, or suffering. There was nothing but complete happiness and love. The voices sounded foreign to all except for the holy man himself, as they were speaking to him directly.

His eyes locked onto the figure above that hovered in the air, a dove who Seth knew all too well. "Father," tears swelled up in his eyes at finally seeing the divine spirit once more. "How long have I waited for you?" A single teardrop rolled down his cheek as he wept at this act.

As the dove flew through the air, circling the young man several times before flying off into the distance, the heavens above closed in response as well. The tunnel of light dissipated, the energy faded from the surroundings, and the spirit vanished from their sights.

Those who were with him had their jaws dropped from what they had just seen. No words were needed to describe what had transpired before them, as they were still struggling to come to terms with their own emotions that swirled inside them.

Before long, John the Baptist, followed by everyone regardless of their backgrounds, surrounded the holy man with the realization that this is indeed the prophesied messiah, the chosen one who is destined to grant them entry into heaven, as he and the rest bent their knees while Seth's friends watched in shock at everything that had happened.

"You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand, and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in heaven."

John's words rang true, for it is the duty of this holy man to lead all people to righteousness and salvation, to save their souls from perdition. With his holy mission given to him by God, Seth will save this world of its sinners and bring them eternity of paradise in heaven.

Seth nodded, smiling gracefully. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven," he recited beautifully of his own words, ringing through the air like the trumpet of an angel, touching the hearts of all who heard them and filling them with relief.

“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Shinthia stood up and asked, “Look, we have left everything and followed you." Her voice quivered in anticipation while looking at the holy man, who stared back at her with a warm smile gracing his lips as if a loving father gazing down upon his children. "What is it that is necessary for us to do in order for us to gain eternal life?"

He said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s kingdom’s sake, who will not receive many times more in this time and in the world to come, eternal life." After saying these words, Seth brought hands together on his own heart and pressing onto it firmly.

"And above all things, be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms."

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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.043 © 2017-2024 [en] | Anvil Time: 22:07, Nov 28 2024