A Prophet Rises to His Glory

CHAPTER 29

The evil plan of Herodias comes to fruition as she forces her beautiful daughter, Salome, to seductively dance for her stepfather Herod Antipas in return for the head of Yochanan the Baptizer. The spirit of Yeshua comes to Yochanan while he is in prison and shows him exactly what is currently transpiring that will bring about his demise. Just as the guards come to take Yochanan, Yeshua takes his spirit from his body, and he is instantly transported to Heaven, thwarting the guards’ attempt to behead him alive.

 1 On the following day, it came to pass that as the afternoon waned and they neared Capernaum, Yeshua suddenly stopped walking, and bowing his head and covering his eyes with his left hand, he began to cry.

 2 Miriam and the disciples all went to him with great concern, and Miriam embraced him, saying, “What is it, Yeshua? What has happened that grieves your heart so greatly?”

 3 Yeshua kissed her lightly on her forehead, his tears falling onto her, and said, “I grieve to my depths because at this moment, the mold has begun to be carved in the evil mind of Herod’s wife Herodias, and on the morrow, Yochanan, my friend of friends and brother of brothers, will pass from this life.

 4 And though I know it is as it must be and that we will be together again soon and be brothers forever, I still ache to know his pain and that of Martha and his children and the loss for all the world when he is no more upon the Earth.

 5 I rejoice for the brightness of the Sun to which he goes, but weep also for the world that will be darker without his light.”

 6 Then pulling Miriam away slightly, he held her with a hand on each of her arms, saying, “We will spend the night tonight at Capernaum, and tomorrow at first light, we will journey to the castle above the springs with the children. Your sister and family will need you.”

 7 Then turning to his disciples, he said, “Miriam and I must make haste to the south and will be gone for at least a moon on matters of family, for Yochanan, the mighty prophet of Elohim, rises to the heavens tomorrow.

 8 Though I know each of you would desire to come with us, please take this time to be with your own wives and children, for once we return, all things will quicken and only then will you realize how precious this time with your loved ones will have been.”

 9 The disciples nodded solemnly in agreement, and after bidding good-bye to Yeshua and Miriam, each made their way to their own home and families.

 10 After coming home to their children and family, Yeshua spoke to Miriam quietly, saying, “I need to go up into the hills, and I must go alone. Please do not wait up for me, but prepare for our journey tomorrow.”

 11 Miriam was curious about Yeshua’s request, and she asked, “Of course, I will do as you ask, Yeshua, but have you not said that I should witness all things? How can I be a witness if I am not with you?”

 12 Yeshua answered her, saying, “I will not be there to witness; I go now to Yochanan, and as I go, you cannot yet follow. But I will return before the daybreak tomorrow.”

 13 With a nod and a smile of understanding, Miriam embraced her husband and watched him depart for the hills from which they had just descended.

 14 As darkness fell, Yeshua sat upon the ground at the top of a bare knoll overlooking the lake with his eyes closed.

 15 Nearby, a lion growled quietly, and from the underbrush down the slope, it moved silently toward Yeshua.

 16 Only when it was very close did Yeshua open his eyes, and he held out both hands inviting the lion to come to him. It stood and stared at him for many breaths and then came into his arms.

 17 Yeshua embraced the head of the large male lion and ran his face through its mane, saying, “Thank you for coming, my friend. Please remain here with my body and watch over it while my spirit goes to my brother.”

 18 Then Yeshua lay upon the ground, and the lion lay beside him against his body. And unseen to any eyes, Yeshua’s spirit rose from his body, and in a heartbeat, he stood before Yochanan.

 19 Though Yochanan was in a prison cell in the castle of Herod above the Salt Sea, because of Herod’s fascination with him, he was afforded more comforts than was accustomed to prisoners, and his cell had a bench and table and bedding to sleep upon.

 20 Yochanan was in prayer upon his knees when the spirit of Yeshua appeared before him, and so real it was that Yochanan shouted with joy and went to embrace Yeshua only to discover it was his spiritual form, without physical substance.

 21 Yeshua spoke to him, saying, “Namaste, brother, I have come to be with you in your time of deliverance from your persecutions and your ascension to the Celestine Light of the heavens.”

 22 Yochanan stared at him somewhat in wonder, saying, “I have longed to see you again, Yeshua, but this is your spirit before me. How is it that your spirit can appear and speak to me while I am still in the flesh? Is this a vision I am being carried away into?”

 23 Yeshua answered, saying, “Only the eyes of the most virtuous can see the essence of a holy spirit while they are still in the body. None can claim more virtue than you, my brother.”

 24 Yochanan was embarrassed and said, “You of all who know me know well enough that though I have virtues, I also have many faults. Am I truly worthy to see your spirit even to the point that we can speak? It would not seem so to me, but as you will, so be it.”

 25 Yeshua looked into Yochanan’s eyes with love and compassion and said, “This is the day you have known would come, when you shall be undone by the spite of a woman. Everything is as it must be, and I could be no other place than with you on this day.

 26 Though you leave the Earth, the essence of your light will always remain across many religions. Even as you have kindled the Celestine Light in many souls while you have been in the body, so you shall continue to bring forth the light in many more for all time.

 27 Whereas both good and bad will be spoken of me, your name and the works you have done will be known only for good among men, save a few, for all time.”

 28 Yochanan let out a big sigh, saying, “We have known this day would come for some years, and in truth, it is not hard to leave this wicked world except for those I leave behind that I love and will miss greatly.

 29 But I know that it will be but a blink of an eye before we are together again forever in paradise. Knowing that is a great comfort that calms the turmoil of parting.”

 30 Yeshua nodded saying, “You will only be parted in the body, which is not much different than what has been since you have been preaching and now in prison.

 31 But more than when you were in the body, your spirit will be able to commune with the spirits of those you love, and in many ways, you will be closer to them each day than you have ever been able to be during your ministry.

 32 As long as their heart still loves you and they think of you in their thoughts, your presence will be felt most profoundly, and they will know you are the Angel of Light, who watches over and counsels them always.”

 33 “Should I do anything more to prepare for what is to come?” asked Yochanan.

 34 “You have been prepared since our last days together in the wilderness. But let us now look upon that which is even now transpiring so you will know with a certainty who is at fault and who is not.”

 35 Then the spirit of Yeshua waved his hand and the stone wall became as if a large portal into another room, and in the room, they saw the fate of Yochanan come to pass.

 36 As they looked into the room, they saw Herodias, the wife of Herod Antipas, speaking harshly to her daughter Salome, who was fair and lithesome, saying, “You will do what I require, daughter, or I shall see you married off to a loathsome man to live in wretchedness and squalor all of your pitiful days!”

 37 Salome prostrated herself at her mother’s feet, pleading, “Please, mother, do not make me do this horrid thing. I do not wish to dance for Herod. I am not a harem slave. It is not proper for a man other than the one I love to see me displayed in such a manner.”

 38 Herodias kicked her daughter away from her, and she lay sprawled on the floor, looking up at her mother and searching her eyes.

 39 “You will do more than dance, daughter. You will dance seductively. I will instruct the servants to keep Herod well supplied with potent wine before you dance, and foolish as he is under the wine, you will be able to elicit promises from him with each sway of hip and, if necessary, shed of clothing.

 40 “No, mother! No!” Salome pleaded. “You will make me into a whore. Why O why? What have I ever done to you to make you hate me so?”

 41 Herodias answered, “I do not hate you at all, as long as you do as I desire; I merely want revenge on the baptizer, and Herod turns a deaf ear to me on this because he fears a revolt by the commoners if he puts the baptizer to death.

 42 But with your beauty and sexuality on display and Herod’s head fogged by wine, you will be able to get him to give you the head of the baptizer on a platter!

 43 He will not want to do it, but it is his birthday and there will be many nobles in attendance. If you get him to make an open promise to you in front of the nobles, he will not be able to withdraw his promise when you ask for the head of the baptizer.”

 44 At the words of Herodias, Salome let out a terrible shriek of agony, weeping, and said, “Please, do not tell me to do this. I will be cursed forever if it is because of me the baptizer is killed! Your feud has nothing to do with me. Please leave me be, please. I beg you.”

 45 Herodias strode up to Salome, and pulling her to her feet by her hair, she slapped her twice across the face and then pushed her again to the floor, saying, “You will do as I command, you insolent wretch! Everything you have is because of me, and you cannot even begin to imagine how horrible your life will be if you do not exactly fulfill my desires.”

 46 Salome lay in a heap, crying, while Herodias continued to speak vilely to her, saying, “If you so love the baptizer, whom you have never even met, more than me, your own mother, then consider your punishment if you refuse to do as I command. I will disown you. You will be dressed in rags and locked in the dungeon for six moons with only bread and water for food and whatever bugs and rats you can catch.

 47 When you come out you, will serve as a whore for Herod's soldiers for another six moons. After that, I shall find a most loathsome man to give you to, but I'm sure he will not want to marry such refuse, so you shall be a slave till your last breath.

 48 Or you can choose to continue to live a life of ease and privilege, to marry a nobleman within the same six moons, and to always have the finest clothes and food and servants at your call.

 49 Your fate is in your hands and yours alone. Decide now!”

 50 Salome pulled herself up to her knees, and exhaling a deep breath, she said unto her mother, “May God forgive me, for I will never forgive myself. I will do as you demand. Too meek am I to withstand the tortures you present today even though I know my actions will inherit many more torments in the world to come.”

 51 Then the scene faded and the wall became a wall again, and Yeshua asked, “What do you think of what you have just seen, my brother?”

 52 Yochanan was obviously disturbed, and he answered, “Whatever happens, please do not take vengeance on that girl. It is obvious she is being forced down a path her own good virtue would never choose.

 53 But as for her mother, how can someone so callously discard the lives of others, both her daughter’s and mine? Is she possessed of a devil?”

 54 Yeshua answered, “It is the way of many people in power, that they are possessed by a devil of their own creation inside of them inciting unrighteous dominion over others, but it is only their own darkness, which they have embraced instead of their own light.

 55 Verily, that which they have given in darkness in life shall be meted out in darkness to them in the next life.”

 56 “What will become of them still in this life? Will the people rise up in revolt as Herod has feared?” Yochanan inquired.

 57 “No, they will not,” Yeshua answered. “At least not because of taking your head. But Herod will not keep his kingdom in a way that is pleasing to Rome, and he and Herodias shall be exiled into the wilderness of the Western Empire and shall die in obscurity and poverty.”

 58 “And what of Salome?” Yochanan asked. “Surely she deserves more happiness than she has received in the house of her mother.”

 59 “Salome shall repent of her weakness, and it shall become her strength. And she will find the light, Yochanan. She shall become one of us.”

 60 “That makes my heart glad,” Yochanan replied. “And now I have another important question for you, Yeshua, which is what shall become of my family when I am gone?

 61 I know that by the law, we are not brothers of blood, but I wish for you to marry Martha, that she will be within the Community of Light and have the continual friendship of her sister Miriam in this time and in the coming years.”

 62 Yeshua nodded in understanding, saying, “You know it would never be a marriage consummated with intimacy, but you are wise to suggest it, as my own time in this world is also short, and it would be a way to ensure our wives could remain with each other, without a husband, in the Community of Light, and also continue to receive support from their family and Lazarus.”

 63 For the next several hours, Yeshua and Yochanan continued to talk, reminiscing about times past and speaking with excitement about times to come, both in the world and in Heaven.

 64 Meanwhile, the evil designs of Herodias were coming to pass even as she desired.

 65 As Herod’s birthday party progressed, Herodias made sure the servants kept him liberally supplied with wine, and she had asked many of the nobles to toast him often so that he always had reason to drink again from the cup.

 66 Now Herod Antipas had often lusted after his stepdaughter Salome, the daughter of Herodias, but she, knowing his lecherous designs, had always managed to stay far away from him and see him but seldom and then always in the company of others.

 67 But on this his birthday, because of the threats of her mother, she came to him in his court dressed provocatively and asked him if he would like her to dance for his birthday.

 68 Hardly believing his good fortune, Herod readily agreed, and Salome began to dance a seductive and beautiful dance to simple music, even though her heart ached beyond measure to do so.

 69 Herod was spellbound watching her. His mouth gaped open, and even a little drool escaped and ran down his chin.

 70 Suddenly, Salome stopped dancing and came up to Herod, asking, “Did you like my dance, Herod?”

 71 Herod replied, “It was entrancing, please do continue.”

 72 Salome looked apprehensively to her mother and then said to Herod, “What will you give me, Herod Antipas, if I dance more for you?”

 73 Herod and all the nobles laughed at the boldness of the girl, and Herod asked, “What is the worth of a dance that stirs the loins of men from a daughter of nobility like you? Make your dance even more seductive. Make us want to take you on the floor, and I will give you anything you ask that is in my power to give.”

 74 Then Salome danced as she had been taught to dance for the husband she hoped to have someday—slow and sensuous, tantalizing, showing parts of forbidden flesh and then covering it again as quickly as it had been shown.

 75 When she was done, there was great applause and many men ready to seek her in marriage.

 76 Then she approached Herod and asked, “I am ready for my reward now, Uncle.”

 77 Herod was somewhat giddy, thinking she would ask for some trinket such as girls desire, and he looked forward to giving it to her in front of all the nobles and said, “Ask your desire, beautiful one, I am here to fulfill it as I promised.”

 78 Salome tried to ask the terrible thing her mother had demanded, but when she made attempt to speak, her voice became mute. Though she moved her lips, no words came out.

 79 Her mother Herodias commanded a servant to bring her a cup of water, and after drinking it, Salome was sad to see she was able to speak, and she bowed her head and asked in a quiet voice, “Bring me the head of Yochanan the Baptizer.”

 80 Hearing her words, Herod was shocked out of his drunkenness! “What did you ask?” he inquired, hoping to hear something different than he had heard.

 81 Salome looked nervously at her mother and then back again to Herod, repeating in a louder voice so all nearby could hear, “Bring me the head of Yochanan the Baptizer.”

 82 Herod looked over at Herodias, and knowing how much she hated the baptizer, he suspected she must be behind her daughter’s request.

 83 He did not wish to kill Yochanan, for he admired his boldness and feared a revolt from the people.

 84 Nevertheless, he could not easily back away from his promise given in front of so many nobles and wealthy citizens. Therefore, worrying less about the commoners and more about his peers, he ordered his soldiers to go to the prison and immediately bring him the head of Yochanan on a platter.

 85 Now all that had transpired had been watched in the portal in the wall by Yeshua and Yochanan, even as they had watched Herodias force her daughter to carry out her evil desires.

 86 Yochanan was therefore prepared as the soldiers approached and was even a bit jovial, saying, “Perhaps, this would be a good time for a heavenly vanishing.”

 87 Both Yeshua and Yochanan laughed, and as the door to the prison opened, Yeshua said to Yochanan in seriousness, “My spirit will always be with you, my brother, even as yours will be with your family and friends. Come with me now, for you need not suffer the pangs of death.”

 88 Yochanan gave a great smile, understanding the words of Yeshua, and the soldiers entered, having heard his laughter, asking, “What are you laughing at, idiot? This is the day of your destruction.”

 89 Yochanan looked at them and smiled, saying, “You are so wrong, friend. This is the day of my eternal life.”

 90 Then Yochanan’s earthly body fell to the floor and breathed its last breath. And Yeshua reached forth his hand and grasped the hand of the spirit of Yochanan and led him into the Celestine Lights of Heaven.