“Together they will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets. They will fight because the Lord is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame.” // Zechariah 10:5

I see a messenger in the distance. Behind the assailing army, he carries a golden scroll. Screaming out, he yells something to me, but I can’t hear him over the noise of the battle. My brothers and I are surrounded by the enemy, in the midst of combat. He runs toward me at full speed, parting through battle lines and jumping over men. He wears the same soldier’s uniform as I do. As he reaches me, there is a break in the fighting. Though just feet away, the enemy halts and every eye is on us. Sweat drips down his neck. He too has dirt on his face and dried blood on his hands. I wonder what he has been through to get here and deliver his message. He hands me the scroll, smiling wide in a knowing way. How unreal it is to see the beauty of a smile in a place full of death. I had begun to worry, but now that he’s here, the tightening of my insides takes flight. I don’t read the message, but attach it to my belt. It’s not a truth to understand with my mind. It is much deeper. It is a truth to be possessed, to be carried always. Behind all the eyes set upon us, each man’s mind tries to put together what is happening. Both sides attempt to make sense of it. No one understands. It seems the messenger is the only one who knows what knowledge the scroll contains. There will be a time to read the words, but it is not now. His knowing smile is enough for me and together, the warrior-messenger and I lead the next charge, though he is always one step ahead of me, and the fighting resumes. All I know, is that I must keep fighting.

We the few, stand in the gap against hoards of millions. We fight for freedom. Because we know, if we aren’t the free, we are the slaves. An intense flame burns within us. We fight as free men who defy the tyranny of the ruler of the world. With a forked tongue all he asks, is that we bow before him. He promises riches and pleasures innumerable. He motions behind him to the countless legions of his followers, a display of his power. But all I see are slaves. He says we have nothing to gain by resisting his mighty hand and everything to lose if we do not join him. He believes he is a god, untouchable. We know he bleeds like the rest of them. And staring into the eyes of the Devil himself, we don’t lose focus. Our objective is not to battle darkness, but be the light of the world. And we will not delay. This is but a skirmish in the true battle of eternal significance. We will not be deceived by his distractions. He is an unworthy opponent, stripped of his honor. We are free men fighting to free the slaves, fighting to remain free ourselves. Victory road is a long, narrow way, not easily traversed. Full armor is worn here. There is a reason you were given a sword. To stay the path, you must fight to remain standing. You will have to slash down many forms of the enemy. He comes at you in waves when you are weak, attacking you from a different angle each time. Do not let him through or he will drag you away. Your battle cry must be louder than his manipulation, lest your head fill with doubt. But take heart, you are not alone. We stand with you in this. At point is the One who beheaded death and trampled the Snake once before. Known now, is the way to glory. Together we will overcome, unlocking secrets to unshackle our brothers. This will not go unnoticed. We will be seen. We will be heard. What will we be when the end comes for us? Slaves or free men.