Mount Zion Revisited is a Roman à clef, [novel with a key].
The book relates the story of a religious order in Peru, that was weakened and divided, when "the love of many grew cold." (Mt. 24:12) Finally it collapsed and was totally destroyed, for the iniquity of its people. Amid this shipwreck, two souls were saved by a miracle, a man from North America, and Isidra, a woman from Cuzco, who was visited by Christ himself. Although suffering tremendously from the bad effects of incompetent leadership and his own post traumatic stress, the American man managed to survive, with special help from on high, and the afflicted, abused woman from Cuzco received a prize beyond all human estimation, a happiness that will remain always new for the endless ages of eternity.
15 short chapters. Available free in PDF and TXT format.Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job,
and have seen the end of the Lord: that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. --- (James 5:11)
Mount Zion Revisited. --- PDF format -- Download PDF
• Errata: When it reads: "Reverend Gauthier celebrated the Lord's Supper," it should read, "Reverend Gauthier celebrated the traditional Mass." Future editions will incorporate this correction.
To download and save a book for future reading, please right click on the link and choose the option to 'Save Link As' or 'Save Target As'; then choose the folder on your computer, normally the desktop, where you wish to have the downloaded book.
The books are provided free of charge. -- Mirror Site with photo and caption for Ch. 13. Romans 12:16 - - . . .
Short Works by Charles Reed
• Three Days of Darkness and the Scriptures
• A Prophecy Fulfilled
• Norwich and the Scriptures - The World Ends Every Day - History Will Repeat Itself -- A Mystic for Our Times Julian of Norwich
Every time that a soul dies and enters into eternity, time is ended for that soul. All his opportunities for choosing between good and evil have ended. He has made his final decision, to be either for Christ or against him, and he or she will face the consequences of that decision for all eternity. When a person dies, time ends for him. The world, with all its vanities, defects and sins, no longer exists for him, it has passed away. Christ the supreme Judge comes in glory to pronounce the sentence. "Come, blessed, or depart, accursed." (Matthew 25).
The coming of Christ to judge the soul is always glorious, no matter whether the soul dies in grace and is saved, or dies in sin and is condemned. Our Lord said to a soul: "Remember, daughter, that I have taught you always that, on the last day of time, My Justice will be exalted and glorified as much by the just who are saved, as by the reprobate who are condemned forever in the eternal fire with the fallen angels." (April, 1970. Mexico City)
Selection. Chapter 13.
Chapter 13
Bernardino Enters the Fold
Wherein is Related How a Little Creature Was Rescued from Where It Was Scattered on a Day of Clouds and Darkness (Ezek. 34:12)After Sebastian left the community in Lima, he traveled to Arequipa in the south and obtained a job in a factory with a meager salary. If it had not been for the special grace and help from on high, he would have fallen into despair. Only the reading of the book of Job and other holy writings helped him now. It was no exaggeration to compare him to a shipwrecked person. After a few weeks he was able to recover from the shock and to begin a new chapter of his life. A casual acquaintance to whom he explained his misfortune told him: “If God closes one door, he will open another.” This sentence helped to fortify him, and give him strength, so that he would be able to persevere until the end. If God was trying him so much, perhaps that was an indication that he had designs for his future. A cross could be a sign of predestination.
One night he was praying. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any who understood. (Ps. 14:2). Sebastian was listening to what God the Lord would say, if he promised peace to his people. (Psalms 85:8).
He offered petitions to the Lord and addressed him as follows: “Dear God, you know how the leaders transgressed, and I also made tactical blunders and grave omissions. You have seen the misfortunes that followed. Please forgive me; I did not do it on purpose.
Did you allow me to perceive and feel intensely the passion of your Son, because it was my lot to suffer the like myself?”
The Lord whispered, “Yes.”
“Did you allow me to see your vineyard destroyed, so that I would understand how grief-stricken your prophets and your Son were?”
The Lord murmured, “Yes.”
“Did you allow me to lose everything, to be criticized and humiliated by my acquaintances, so that I would be like Job?”
The Lord replied softly, “I allowed that times without number.”
“Dear Lord, please remember that you gave Job twice as much as he had before. Please keep in mind that you blessed the latter part of his life more than the first, and that he had sons and daughters. Will I ever have adoptive children?”
There was no answer. The mouth of the Lord was mute.
Sebastian dreaded such silence. He knew the cause of it. “With what measure you mete, it will be measured to you again.” (Mt. 7:2). He had not spoken kind words to his neighbor. He had refused to speak kind words to Sam. Now God did not speak kindly to him. He was being disciplined.
He continued his sorrowful petitions. “Dear Lord, the leaders and myself committed so many sins, omissions and transgres-sions, that we were deprived of our privileges. I deserve to suffer these things, because I have sinned. If you want me to die childless, I accept. But please cover me with the blood of your Son, and let me live in mount Zion, the assembly and church of the first born, that I may dwell with the spirits of just men made perfect. I did not make my errors, transgressions and sins on purpose. I did not do it on purpose!” He could not continue his petitions any longer, overwhelmed with anguish.
He offered his laments and prayers to God often. They were like a medicine for his poor, sick, undernourished soul, a balm of Gilead.
The Lord looked down upon the petition of his poor servant, and sent invisible angels to console him. For he proposed to arise and to have compassion on Zion, for it was time to show favor to her; the appointed time had come. (Psalms 102:13)
Though he kill, yet he makes alive again: (Deut. 32:39); though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion. (Lam. 3:32). Though he have torn, he will heal us. (Hos. 6:1, 2.)
--o0o--
Once there was a lost soul. He lived like an animal. (Psalms 49:20; Eccl. 3:19). He dwelled in spiritual darkness for 38 years. (Mt. 4:16).
Then a miracle happened. He was listening to a radio program. The preacher said that if you were alone and forsaken you should accept Jesus and he would save you. And thus he accepted Jesus into his heart and wept. He wept intermittently for an entire week, experiencing a conversion of love and repentance. Thus the lost sheep entered into the fold of the good Shepherd, and went in and out, and found pasture. (Jn. 10:9).
Bernardino (for such was his name) worked in the same factory in Arequipa where Sebastian worked. He was small of stature, slightly chubby but not fat, slow and bear-like in movement, dark brown eyes, tenor voice, and a pale olive complexion.
They became acquainted, and Bernardino told Sebastian about his past, how he had been converted. Sometimes they did short Bible studies together. Bernardino showed him a photo of his wife and four children. They lived in Iquitos, in the north of Peru, and since his salary was small, he was unable to travel and visit them, but they kept in contact with phone calls and greeting cards. He was sad, because he had not seen his family for two years. Bernardino told Sebastian much about his past life, nearly every detail. But Sebastian could not reciprocate. He also related details about his past, but only a few. He was embarrassed. It was shameful to be a former member of a congregation that had failed.
However Sebastian did confide to Bernardino that he was unable to have children physically; he wanted to have adoptive children. Bernardino likewise confided that he did not possess a father. So they made an agreement: Bernardino would be his adoptive son.
They also determined to choose an animal name for Sebas-tian. The reason for their decision was as follows: If the heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Ps. 19:1), the wonders of the animal kingdom reveal even more his divine attributes and perfections. Therefore the Lord said to Job: “Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; let the fish of the sea inform you; they all know that the hand of the Lord has done this. In his hand is the life of every creature, and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:7).
They reviewed four kinds of animals: sheep, oxen, lions and bears. Sheep, mentioned so often in the Scriptures, evoked Christ's merciful care of his flock. But sheep were disqualified, because Sebastian's countenance bore no resemblance to the face of a sheep. Oxen worked hard and suggested fruitfulness, but they were rejected for the same reason: there was no resemblance to Sebastian. Lions evoked courage, heroism and majesty. However, such imposing beasts were too aggressive, and did not harmonize with Sebastian's character, for he carried meekness to the extreme. Bears were not heroic, like lions, but they evoked humility, for it is written: “Mind not high things, but condescend to the lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.” (Rom. 12:16) Bears also suggested how people pray when under stress. (Isaiah 59:11).
Therefore they unanimously decided that Sebastian would receive the nickname polar bear, and Bernardino would be called little bear. The names harmonized with their appearance. Sebastian was tall, large but not fat, with a bear-like, weather-beaten, rugged face, having a white beard with two black stripes, pale brown eyes, dark hair and a bass voice. They were pleased with the new name, and praised the Lord for having brought them together. Once Bernardino commented, “Now I am the only family you have.” And it was true. Sebastian had lost everything.
The other workers in the factory noticed the nicknames and were pleased with the idea of choosing animal names for humans; therefore Sebastian decided to start a game, named “zoo” (jardín zoológico) in which any factory worker could participate. The rules were as follows. Anyone who wanted to become a member of the zoo had to wait 24 hours, during which he was called “unknown animal.” (animal desconocido). During the waiting period he would choose his own name or it would be chosen by the director (oso polar), or the sub-director, osito (little bear). If possible, the name should harmonize either with the physical appearance of the member or with a character trait similar to what various animals symbolize. If the name was chosen by the director or anyone else, the one receiving the name had to verify that it was not offensive to him. If one person were permitted to call another an offensive name, then it would no longer be a game.
The “zoo” game was a relief for the sometimes exhausting and depressing atmosphere in the factory. Those who participated derived entertainment and pleasure from their nicknames. A short worker who weighed about 200 pounds was called armadillo. A tall, fat worker who walked slowly and swayed from side to side, while using a cane, was called elephant. (He chose the name himself and was very pleased with it.) A short, bird-like man who worked next to Little Bear was named sparrow. One worker whose hobby was jogging and running was named race horse. One worker with very dark skin chose as his name silver-back gorilla, another, the name chimpanzee. A worker of extremely short stature was named mosquito.
For years Sebastian had wanted to have adoptive children, and now the Lord fulfilled one of his wishes. By means of the “zoo” game and through their Bible studies and conversations, he and Bernardino had some relief in their afflictions. They could even spread a little joy to the factory workers.
It is written that the Lord fulfills the desires of those who fear him. (Ps. 145:19). Sebastian blessed the Lord for his kindness in granting one of his desires. It was as if the Lord had told him: “I have not forgotten you.” (Isaiah 49:15).
He and Bernardino could not have much of a family life, for Bernardino lived in another part of the city far away, and they met only in the factory, where it was noisy and crowded. But they did what was possible. Sebastian even memorized the names of Bernardino's children. For Bernardino's 41st birthday, they had a small party at the factory.
On one occasion Isidro, one of Bernardino's four brothers, brought news of the death of their mother, Isidra, who lived near Cuzco. The notice afflicted him greatly, but he was consoled with the knowledge that now her trials were at an end, her exile was finished. Isidra had suffered much from the adversary, and she was now among those who are led to the living fountains of water, whose tears are no more. She had fought the good fight, she had finished her course, she had kept the faith. Now the Lord, the righteous judge, had given her a crown of righteous-ness. She had entered Zion with songs, and with everlasting joy upon her head. She had obtained joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing had fled away. (Isaiah 35:10) Sebastian did not know her eternal and final destiny from a revelation, but he knew some details of her life and holy death, and was capable of making accurate guesses. The end of a man or a woman reveals what they are really like. At the end the truth comes out.
Cuzco was close to Arequipa, and Bernardino was able to attend the funeral. By now Sebastian had become acquainted with some of Bernardino's siblings, in particular with Maria Luisa. One day when Sebastian was alone with Maria Luisa by chance, she told him of a strange event that had happened to her mother, that no one knew about. Maria Luisa was illiterate. Therefore Sebastian decided it was his duty to write down the mysterious event that she related, in case someone needed to know about it in the future, but at that time he told no one, not even little bear. What had happened to Isidra was so strange, fearsome and wonderful, that it could only be enveloped with silence in the beginning.
Six months after Isidra's passing and holy death, Bernardino received sad news: because of an administrative change at the factory, he had to move to Chiclayo, in the north of Peru. Both he and Sebastian were on a low income and were not able to travel much. So that meant that they would not be able to visit each other for long periods of time. Sebastian had brought forth an adoptive child, only to be separated from him.
When Bernardino was converted and was associated with Sebastian, it was almost as if God had said: “Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40:1)
Throughout this short history, it is evident how much the souls of the just were encouraged and sustained by the "exceed-ing great and precious promises" of Scripture (2 Peter 1:4) and of revelations. If Sebastian had not clung to these promises, he might have fallen into despair and even into eternal condem-nation. “Unless thy law had been my meditation, I would have perhaps perished in my affliction.” (Psalms 119:92) He had seen other souls shipwrecked, and now he himself was shipwrecked.
Many centuries ago in England, an afflicted soul was encouraged with the following promise:
“Another understanding is this, that there be deeds evil done in our sight, and so great harms taken, that it seems to us that it were impossible that ever it should come to good end. And upon this we look, sorrowing and mourning therefor, so that we cannot resign us unto the blissful beholding of God as we should do. And the cause of this is that the use of our reason is now so blind, so low, and so simple, that we cannot know that high marvellous Wisdom, the Might and the Goodness of the blissful Trinity. And thus signifies He when He says: Thou shalt see thyself that all manner of thing shall be well.” As if He said: Take now heed faithfully and trustingly, and at the last end you shall verily see it in fulness of joy.”
When Sebastian lived and worked in the factory in Arequipa, when he despaired even of life and had the sentence of death in himself, (2 Corinthians 1:8), this sacred promise helped to revive him. Therefore he determined to write a short work, Norwich and the Scriptures, to remind himself in written form of those life-giving words.
Sebastian had endured years of misery and humiliation. Per-haps now there would be a transformation.
During the night of Bernardino's departure to Chiclayo, Sebastian offered prayers of thanksgiving and petition. “Dear Lord, thank you so much for having sent this precious soul into my life. Please protect his life. Please, please do not let it be harmed or ruined, like the other souls who were wrecked and destroyed. Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts. (Psalms 74:19). Do not let Satan ruin him. Please do not let the horrible events of the past happen again. Please forgive me my transgressions. I did not do them on purpose. I did not do it on purpose.” Here he stopped, continuing only with unspeakable groanings. (Romans 8:26).
His sin was always before him (Psalms 51:3), impressed indelibly upon his memory, there to remain forever.
Chapter 14
Mount Zion Revisited
Wherein Is Related How They Were Wise in Their Own Conceit, and How Each of Them Turned to his Own Way (Prov. 26:12, Rom. 12:16, Is. 53:6)
= = = = = = = = = = =
