Old Dog III
The Long Night
Bob Neumann
Several years ago I had an expansive vision, the first of what now has been many. While Some have been different Visions in the same frame, this was the first that expanded as it progressed. Unlike the THUNDERS which are repeated several times with the same beginning and ending, this unlike the Killing of the Bull, The Lily, and others which were one time shots, this was a progressive sequence.
Like many of my visions it begins with the setting sun visible and I am aware of it .years ago it did not seem as significant as it is now…selah.
THE LONG NIGHT
There is a great city and it stands surrounded by a great wall. Upon the wall are scattered men who serve the city. At intervals they are relieved and return to their homes, a warm fire, and the comforts of home. They are members of the local policing force of the city government. Over time I have watched as the seasons change and the city goes day by day.
One day an invading army begins to encamp around their walls. In the LINE of DUTY I sounded the alarm when the enemy was still distant. Yet the city did not stir itself for the threat was still ”days away”. So my warning was not heeded then. Nor was the second warning when all the neighboring cities fell in their sequence. The local militia stood down and their captains scorned my advice.
For I am not of this city. I am a soldier of THE KING. I stand watch over HIS CITY and perform the Duty HE HAS PLACED UPON ME. There are several of us scattered through the city and stationed on the walls. When injustice occurs within the city we rise up and stand IN HIS NAME. Some in local government fear us for we will not be bought. Most despise us for we will not compromise. The city did not rise up to aid their brethren in the outlying villages, towns and cities. They heeded not our call to arms, nor did they respond to the plight of those who sought refuge behind their wall.
Yet my DUTY goes two ways so I petitioned MY KING on behalf of these HIS PEOPLE. Even when the city was completely surrounded by the enemy’s troops the leaders of this city refused to stir their people. Even when some of their own people grew aware of their danger, their leaders and their friends mocked them and ridiculed their lack of faith in their walls.
On the day that the enemy’s banner flew opposite the KING’S BANNER there was darkness over the city. Those few who were faithful to their KING, the ones that were mocked for their ”lack of faith” came to the wall. As it is WRITTEN I told them to return to their households and await THE KING’S CALL. As the sun began to set and deep darkness shrouded the city THE KING ENTERED HIS CITY. No one knew but HIS WATCHMEN.
As the LONG NIGHT fell HE addressed us.
“THE SUN SHALL NOT AGAIN ARISE OVER THIS CITY. A STORM HAS ARISEN
AND NO ONE HAS PREPARED FOR IT. NOW WE MUST PREPARE TO REMOVE MY PEOPLE FROM THIS PLACE OF DANGER.” As HE finished FIVE of our number came forward dressed in black, as ”ninjas”, masked warriors of the shadows; they went over the wall together to cause trouble in the midst of the enemy’s camp. Never to be seen in this city again.
When morning failed to come, many were concerned and came to the city council. Some asked, “WHERE WAS THE ARMY OF THE KING?” and were comforted by the smooth words of their leaders that there was no need to fear. That the walls would hold till their expected help arrived shortly. To solidify their words they assured all that the KING had placed them in charge and they knew best. Little did they know that THE KING stood among HIS PEOPLE and heard their lies. All the people returned to their own affairs except the FAITHFUL REMNANT who now listened to my silence for no soldier speaks when THE KING was there and can speak if HE so chooses. So they who knew the LAW OF THE KINGDOM returned to their homes and waited for HIS CALL.
As the day came to a close and the encirclement of the city had now completed it’s second day. The enemy’s camp was in confusion and disarray. Bugle calls and shouting of orders filled the air much to the delight of many who watched from the wall, assured of their safety. When the deep darkness covered the city THE KING stood again before HIS WATCHMEN. Now five stood with armor and helmets on, visors and night goggles in place. Their weapons sheathed. As one they dropped from the wall into the city. The five of us who now remained went to our places on the walls. As the KING RAISED HIS TRUMPET TO HIS LIPS AND HIS CALL RANG OUT FILLING THE CITY. Those who had waited for HIS CALL rose up and went into the streets where THE GUARD met them, placed them in ranks, and left the city.
As the third day began the deep darkness did not recede, and the people were in panic. THE LONG NIGHT HAD BEGUN and none had noticed. The city’s leaders called upon their militia and the crowds were quieted. Again they spoke in the KING’S NAME claiming WORDS THE KING had never spoken. But now with the mention of THE KING, the crowd did not disperse. Instead the people began to shout and agitate themselves…”Where is our KING? Where is HE when we needed HIM? What has HE done to deliverer us from the enemy? Why has HE HID from us in the time of our need.?”
As the mob grew in size and emotion the leaders who had lied to them, who had spoken presumptuously, were seized by the mob and dragged through the square that stood behind the gates of the city. When these wicked rulers were gathered in the center of the square, and only then did THE KING act as HE signaled to the final five WATCHMEN. AS ONE WE BLEW THE TRUMPETS OF WAR, and the walls of the city and everything in it vibrated.
The rioting mob stood stunned and looked to the wall where the KING STOOD GLORIOUSLY before them. HIS FACE was brighter than the sun at noonday. For the first time in three days the darkness was dispersed. At the sound of HIS VOICE the people trembled and fainted in fear.
“WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE ENEMY ENTERED YOUR LAND? WHERE WERE
YOU WHEN YOU BRETHREN WERE BEING DEVOURED? WHAT DID YOU TO
THOSE WHO FLED TO YOU FOR PROTECTION? WHY DID YOU DENY THEM YOUR HELP IN THE TIME OF THEIR NEED?”
”YOU WHERE MY PEOPLE WHO DWELT IN WHAT WAS MY CITY. YOU HEEDED
NOT THE WARNINGS OF YOUR WATCHMEN THAT I PLACED HERE FOR YOUR GOOD. WHEN THE WARNINGS WERE CALLED YOU WOULD NOT STIR YOURSELVES. YOU FORGOT MY LAW AND HEEDED THE VAIN WORDS OF YOUR
OWN, AND DARED TO MOCK THE WORDS OF MY SERVANTS. SO I LEAVE YOU TO
YOUR CITY. FOR NO LONGER DO I CLAIM IT AS MINE. I LEAVE YOU TO THOSE WHOSE WORDS YOU CHOSE TO HEAR OVER MY WORDS.”
As we stood alongside our KING in full battle armor, visors down and weapons drawn, the KING LOOKED out in silence, HIS ANGER unmistakable. With deliberate slowness HE reached up and pulled HIS VISOR down closing it. Turning to HIS WATCHMEN HE DECLARED: “NONE OF THESE PEOPLE SHALL AGAIN SEE MY FACE.”
All along the walls the hordes of the enemy came quietly over the walls. Looking at us who still stood they waited, afraid for good reason.
When MY KING lowered HIS VISOR the city again was covered in deep darkness. As an enraged beast the mob rose up and tore their wicked leaders into pieces with their hands. While all the city’s remaining citizens focused themselves upon those that deceived and mislead them, the forces of the enemy opened the gates to the city. With the enemy holding the gates to the city the walls now held the people in. No longer did their great and esteemed walls protect them. Instead it prevented their escape and sealed their doom.
“STRIKE MY COLORS, REMOVE MY BANNER FROM THESE WALLS”, HE ORDERED.
As one THE MIGHTY ONE LEFT THE CITY WHO FORGOT HIS LAWS AND TRUSTED IN THEMSELVES. and I followed HIM into battle for the enemy was still in the land. for I am a SOLDIER OF THE KING….