CSE Blogs

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: July 17, 2007
To: Naboth
First Read: 1 Kings 21

God:  Still amazed at how it all happened, aren’t you, Son?

KH:  Stunned would be a better word, Lord. What a system!

God:  Come with Me, Son. We will go visit some folks who know exactly how you feel…

KH:  Where are we, Lord?

God:  Ancient Israel, Son. Those two men talking are citizens of Jezreel. They are cousins. Just listen for a few minutes…

Athili (AT):  Hey, Jacob, did you hear about what happened to Naboth?

Jacob (JA):  No. What happened? He was fine last week when I saw him.

AT:  He was arrested, tried, and convicted of blasphemy against God and the king! He is being stoned this afternoon!

JA:  That’s not possible. I’ve known Naboth for years. He is a good man and always tries to obey the Lord and the Law. Where did you hear that story?

AT:  It’s in the Jezreel News Journal.  That’s a very conservative paper in his own town. I’m sure they wouldn’t print anything that was not true. They said there were two witnesses who testified that they heard him. He must be guilty! I can’t believe that I was fooled by him all these years, too.

JA:  I’m sorry, but I still don’t believe it. I’ve known him too long. Did he admit his guilt during his trial?

AT:  No. He didn’t even testify in his own defense! His son said that he was innocent and was framed by the king and queen, themselves! He says that his dad thought the entire trial was a sham proceeding and that for him to even say a word would make their “trial” seem legitimate. He said that under our system of laws the burden of proof was on the accuser to prove he was guilty, not the accused to prove his innocence.

JA:  Who were the witnesses against him?

AT:  They were known liars who were men of Belial, but the paper said their stories agreed they heard him blaspheme. It makes me wonder who else is a phony in the church.

JA:  I still think the paper is lying as well as the two witnesses. God told us not to bear false witness (Ex. 20:16) and that a false witness should be punished (Deut. 19:16-19).

AT:  There is no way the entire jury could be wrong. These jurors were all intelligent, respected members of the community. They heard all the evidence and voted that he was guilty.

JA:  They did not hear all the evidence! They never heard Naboth testify. They only heard what the king wanted them to hear. I still smell a rat. Do you know where Naboth’s vineyard is?

AT:  No. Where?

JA:  Right next door to the palace. I bet the king wanted it and Naboth wouldn’t sell, and the whole thing is a set up. Everyone fears wicked King Ahab and his extra wicked wife Jezebel. She is ruthless! I wonder if any of the town elders or jurors in the trial were threatened or intimidated by them somehow. Powerful politicians have been known to do that kind of thing, you know.

AT:  I can’t believe you would say that! We live in the greatest nation on earth. God Himself told Samuel to anoint King Saul and King David. The king’s heart is in the hands of the Lord (Pro. 21:1). There is no way God would let them do any wrong. I’m going to believe the system of justice God gave us. And I trust the paper.

JA:  I’m going to watch and see if they try to seize Naboth’s property next. That will reveal a lot to me!

Next Day

JA:  Hey Athili! Look at this memo I found in the trash last night.

AT:  What does it say?

JA:  It’s from Queen Jezebel to the elders of Jezreel:

To the esteemed elders of Jezreel: If you love your country now is the time to stand up! One of your very own respected citizens, a friend and neighbor to all of you, has committed a grievous sin that must be dealt with swiftly and severely. Naboth has blasphemed both God and the king in violation of Exodus 22:28. He must be dealt with publicly so all will fear God and the King. Naboth is one of those crazy patriots who believe we are still governed by God’s Law and the covenant made with King David and King Solomon. He has no respect for the authority of the current king that God has raised up to rule the land. We all know that the word and wishes of the king is the highest law. Naboth is a threat to our national security. Imagine the chaos if his wild ideas of old fashioned patriotism spread! I am sending two of my most trusted servants with this top secret memo. They will testify that they heard Naboth blaspheme with their own ears and saw him do it with their own eyes! Please receive them on my behalf, and be sure to point out Naboth to them when the trial starts.

Elder Caleb:  Dear Queen Jezebel, We received your note. We understand what you want and will certainly do as you say. We don’t want any trouble with the king or queen as the God ordained rulers of our land. We do have a minor concern though. If these men are to testify that they saw Naboth do this, why do we need to point him out to them?

Queen Jezebel:  I’m sorry, that was a slip on my part. Of course they know him, but we can’t be too cautious on matters like this. We need to be sure that we convict the right man. We certainly wouldn’t want to condemn an innocent man!

Elder:  Yes, Your Highness. Consider it done as you wish.

See! I told you I smelled a rat!

KH:  God, why do You allow this injustice to go on?

God:  I knew you would ask. Here is a copy of the note I gave Naboth as he sits in prison awaiting execution:

Dear Naboth, (1 Kings 21:1-26; 2 Kings 9:21-26)

I heard your prayer asking why all this happened to you. I know you are stunned by the great injustice that has been done. Please allow Me to explain a few things to help you.

1) You have done nothing wrong, Naboth. This is not a punishment for some secret sin as reported in the papers.
2) You did what was right. The vineyard was an inheritance and is for your family forever (Lev. 25:23-28). It was not to be sold.
3) Ahab has power as king. His wicked wife has power as queen. People need rulers. They are ordained by Me (Rom. 13). People in positions of power have a great temptation to become proud and corrupt. They are used to getting what they want when they want it. It is a sad fact of life that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
4) Ahab and Jezebel did the wrong. They coveted your property in violation of Exodus 20:17. They lied in violation of verse 16. Next they will commit murder in violation of verse 13. They willingly rejected your words that I had forbidden you to sell the land (1 Kings. 21:3).
5) I keep careful record, Naboth. I will deal with them severely (2 Kings. 9:26)!
6) You and your sons will suffer and die because of their sins.
7) Fear not. Millions of innocent people have and will suffer for the sins of others. You see it all through history from Abel, the prophets, Jesus, the 11 disciples, to people under Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Islam, the Inquisition and the list goes on for miles. Don’t worry, I will richly reward those who suffer for righteousness sake (Mt. 5:11). I have it all recorded. I know it looks unfair to the righteous now, but you haven’t seen it from My side yet. I’m working on a much bigger picture! All of this life is a job interview for the real life to come. Your earthly time is nothing compared to eternity (Rom. 8:18).
9) Ahab pouted when he could not get his way. All spoiled brats do that.
10) Jezebel had complete confidence that her corrupt political system could convict an innocent man (1 Kings. 21:7), and it did. You had no chance of winning in her court. She is one of those rulers that tried to rule without paying attention to My laws. I’ll take care of it, Naboth.
11) Rulers like Jezebel will lie, make up evidence, and intimidate to get their way. Winning is everything to them (1 Kings 21:8-10)…For now.
12) The average jury member will believe their own government officials rather than their own neighbors they have known for years. Few have the courage to stand up to the system.

Don’t be disheartened, Naboth. I have perfect records. Your name will be famous among billions for the next 2,800 years in My Word as well as in the 1,000 year kingdom and then on into eternity. You did what was right, Son. Rest in that. I’ve got your back.

KH:  Thanks, Lord. I worry too much, don’t I?

God:  Yes, you do, Son. Relax. I’ll take care of it all.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: June 8, 2008
To: Chris
Subject: What’s wrong with this?

Chris: Hey, Kent, have you read the book by Max Lucado called Six Hours One
Friday?

KH: No, what’s it about?

Chris: It’s awesome! I’d say it’s a good devotional to keep us focused on Christ’s death
on the cross and what it can do for us today.

KH: I love reading Max Lucado’s books. He’s a very gifted author, but I have some
serious cautions first.

Chris: Like what?

KH: Well, let’s start with the title. Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, not Friday (p.
20).

Chris: What? Everyone celebrates “Good Friday” before Easter when we celebrate
Jesus’ resurrection.

KH: You can’t die on Friday, spend three days and three nights in the tomb and be
gone when they arrive before sunup on Sunday morning. Do the math. Even my recently
departed good friend and hero, Henry Morris, falls for the Friday-crucifixion teaching in
his Luke 23:54 footnotes in the Defender’s Study Bible. I love Dr. Morris’ work and
really love, and even sell, the Defender’s Study Bible. I have used it for years and don’t
know of a better study Bible, but he can make mistakes. Max and millions of others
accepted the incorrect Catholic “Good Friday” stuff.

Chris: But the Bible says they had to get his body off of the cross because the next
day was the Sabbath (Mark 15:42, Luke 23:56). That means it is Friday.

KH: What day of the week is April 14?

Chris: What?

KH: Does April 14 fall on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or what?

Chris: It changes every year.

KH: Exactly. The Passover (Exodus 12) was April 14, which could be any day of the
week. The Jews have lots of “Sabbaths.” Their rest could be a day or a whole year
(Exodus. 23:11; Lev. 25:5), and some could fall on Monday or any other day. Jesus was
crucified on Wednesday. Thursday was a Sabbath connected with the Passover, then
Friday was a day of preparation (Matthew 27:62; John 19:42), so they were too busy
preparing for the Saturday Sabbath to go to the grave. They rested Saturday and went to
the grave before sunup on Sunday morning (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John
20:1). Do the math. He was in the grave Wednesday night, Thursday night, and Friday
night. That’s three. He was in the grave all day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. That’s
three. He rose Saturday night and was gone when they arrived Sunday morning.

Chris: Wow, I guess I never checked it out before (Acts 17:11). What else should I
watch for in his books?

KH: Well, he’s Church of Christ, so he probably believes you must be baptized by a
Church of Christ preacher to be saved. Unless he disagrees with COC headquarters,
salvation is by faith plus baptism in his theology. I get along fine with Church of Christ
people, and I don’t question their sincerity or love of God for one second. I think some of
their doctrine is wrong on a few key issues like this, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy
and learn from books like this. I will know what false teaching to watch for. When I go to
the pantry to get green beans, I like all the cans to have labels. It’s the same with
churches. I like denomination labels. They tell me what is supposed to be inside and
help me know what to watch for.

Chris: Any other cautions?

KH: Well, he uses the NIV, Living Bibles, and The New Jerusalem Bible. All of those
are good translations of a bad book, the Alexandrian cult bible from Egypt. I don’t fight
people on the Bible version issue. I used others myself for many years, but I have been
dragged slowly, with mind and eyes wide open, into the KJV camp.

Chris: I use the NIV. What’s wrong with it?

KH: That would take hours to thoroughly explain, but I give a short explanation on
Seminar Part 7 and you can read lots about it in books like New Age Bible Versions
or other books we carry. There are real serious problems with your NIV. I’ll show you.
Read Acts 8:37 to me.

Chris: “As they traveled…”

KH: No, that’s verse thirty-six. Read thirty-seven, please.

Chris: I can’t! It’s gone!

KH: How about Mark 9:44?

Chris: That’s gone too.

KH: There are about two hundred verses and vital parts of hundreds more that are
gone. You can order a pamphlet listing many of them from CSE. Check the Lord’s
prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 in your version compared to my KJV.

Chris: The last half of verse thirteen is gone in mine! Why?

KH: It’s a good translation of a bad book. Check out www.avpublications.com for
more on that, but since Max uses the NIV, is Church of Christ, and fell for the Catholic lie
of the Friday crucifixion, I don’t get as excited as some about his books. I’ll still read it
though. I’m a “read-aholic.”

Chris: OK. Thanks…

KH: Thanks, Chris. There are some awesome stories in there. Several make me cry.
He has a gift for using words; I really enjoyed it. Some of his spiritual insights are also
amazing. I would encourage people to read it, but always be like the Berean believers,
Chris. Learn to eat the meat and spit out the bones, or you may choke on something.

Chris: Thanks. Good advice.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: April 1, 2009
To: Zartha
First Read: Daniel 6:1-18

Kent Hovind (KH): Hey Lord, I need help understanding something.

God: Sure, son, I can help. I understand everything.

KH: Well, today is National Atheist’s Day – April 1.

God: Yes it is, son. A man who claims he does not believe in Me is a fool (Ps. 14:1; 53:1).

KH: I know that Lord, but based on all the stuff they post on the internet, they are sure rejoicing over my being in prison. Why do they seem to prosper and my wife and I languish in prison? It doesn’t seem fair! All we have tried to do is serve You for 40 years.

God: Oh My dear son! You haven’t seen the end yet (James 5:11; Ps. 73:12-20). Let’s go for a walk. I’d like you to talk with Zartha. He will help you understand…..

KH: Wow! This place is beautiful! Where are we, Lord?

God: This is the palace in ancient Persia, son. Today it is called Iran. There are a lot of top government officials having a victory celebration party in there now. Go talk to the man with all the gold rings. That’s Zartha (at Dan. 6:17).

KH: OK Lord,… Excuse me, sir. What’s going on here?

Zartha (ZA): Oh, it is so exciting! We are celebrating our great victory! Come join us. This is a great day for Persia!

KH: Well, thanks for the invitation. Who are you?

ZA: I’m Zartha, one of the 120 princes that rule over Persia.

KH: What are you celebrating?

ZA: We all came here along with 2 of the 3 Persian presidents to celebrate our great political victory over our enemy Daniel. It was a lot of work but we won! He’s dead!

KH: Wow! What did he do to you?

ZA: Well, it’s a long story. It is not so much what he did. It is more what he stood for.

KH: I’d love to hear it from the beginning if you don’t mind.

ZA: Oh, I don’t mind at all! This will be one of the great stories of history! It needs to be told to all generations. Millions will copy our example how to beat their political foes.
Let’s see, Cyrus, the king of the Persians (Dan. 10:1; II Chr. 36:22; Ezra 1:1; Isa. 44:28) had been the enemy of Nebuchadnezer king of Babylon for many years until he conquered him a few years ago. He took all the survivors captive. One captive was Daniel. He was about 90 years old and had been a high ranking official in Babylon noted for his great wisdom and loyalty to the king and his God.

KH: That sounds like a good thing.

ZA: I suppose it could be but he took it too far. Anyway, King Cyrus made his loyal general Darius the Mede king over the Chaldeans (Dan. 9:1; Ezra 4:5; Neh. 12:22). One of the first things Darius did was to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces and appoint a prince over each one.

KH: One of whom would be you, right?

ZA: Right. Then, to keep us honest, he set three presidents over the princes so the king would not have any damage (Dan. 6:1-2).

KH: That sounds like a wise way to structure a kingdom that is culturally diverse to be sure things run smoothly.

ZA: It was all working fine till the king thought to make old Daniel head over everything (Dan. 6:3).

KH: What’s wrong with that?

ZA: What’s wrong with that! He’s a stickler for details. He thinks everyone should obey the law, even us! He kept track of every penny! We knew we would not be able to continue our long standing practice of skimming money off the top to support our life style (1 Tim. 6:10) so we had to find a way to take him out (Dan. 6:4).

KH: Honest politicians don’t last long in my country either. So, how did you get him?

ZA: We understood the rule “know your enemy” so we studied him for a long time. We couldn’t find any dirt on him (Dan. 6:4). Then, in a flash of inspiration, one of the princes noticed his inflexible devotion to his God and the king’s great vanity for himself and suggested we use the two to trap Daniel. It was brilliant and simple. We wrote up a law for the king to sign and told him that “all the presidents of the kingdom” and all other rulers agreed that it was a good law to honor him. He fell for it!

KH: If Daniel was one of the presidents, it was a lie to say that “all the presidents” agreed wasn’t it?

ZA: Sometimes, in politics, it is necessary to lie to get laws passed and accomplish political goals or, like in this case, to get rid of enemies.

KH: They do the same in science books to get kids to believe in evolution in my country. Corrupt and jealous politicians used lies and the law to convict and kill Socrates too.

ZA: Who?

KH: Oh, that’s right. He won’t be born for about 100 years in Greece. My bad. Anyway, once you knew you had trapped a Godly innocent man with a corrupt law what did you do?

ZA: We hid outside his window before his regular prayer time and waited. Right on schedule, he opened the window and prayed to his God (Dan. 6:10). We told the king and had him arrested. The king was upset! He tried to figure out a way to release him (Dan. 6:14) but we know how to write laws to eliminate our enemies that stand in our way. There was no way out for the king. So, about an hour ago he was thrown into a den of lions. I can almost hear the bones crunching now! What a glorious night this is for Persia! Let’s go join the party.

KH: Thanks but I need to go now. Enjoy your party.

ZA: Oh, we will!

God: Well, son, you know how the story turns out. But, tonight Zartha and his friends are having a party, King Darius will be up all night regretting what he did (Dan. 6:18) and Daniel is trying to rest in a smelly den of lions. I’m using this to reach everyone involved and will use this story to reach the entire world.

KH: How is that, Lord?

God: Well, Zartha and his friends don’t know it yet but I keep track of every sin everyone commits. When I get fed up, I pull the plug. I was giving them this one last chance to repent of their evil ways and do right – they missed their chance. The lions will eat well in the morning (Dan. 6:20-24). King Darius will be a much more humble and cautious leader for years to come because of this. He will have a great respect for Me and help cause the wall and the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem (Ezra, Nehemiah). Millions will read this story for generations and will reflect on their actions. Even some of your enemies that rejoice in your situation are quietly searching their souls over what they did to you or have said about you. Some will repent and some will not (Act 17:32-34). You have read about the gnashing of teeth that awaits them haven’t you (Mt. 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk 13:28)?

KH: Yes, Lord.

God: This story is My written warning to any who make or enforce laws anywhere on earth. I will be the final Judge and I don’t miss a thing! Politicians, judges, lawyers, and prosecutors will read this story and search their souls to see how they measure up. Some will choose short term “victory” over their enemies and use lies to condemn the just (James 5:6), some will repent and do right.

KH: What if they don’t read it, Lord?

God: Ignorance of the law is no excuse, son. I gave the law and a great company published it all over the world (Ps. 68:11). Your situation will all work out for My glory like Daniel’s did. Take a nap, son. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: April 25, 2009
To: Meshach
First read: Daniel 3:30 – “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.”

KH: Hey Lord, do You have a minute?

GOD: Son, I have all the minutes. I created time. It has no effect on me (Gen 1:1). I’m eternal (Dt. 33:27; Isa 57:15; 1 Tim 1:17). Plus, I already know what you want to ask Me (Isa 65:24; Mk. 2:8).

KH: You do?

GOD: Yes, Son. You want to ask Me what went wrong in Richard’s court case.

KH: Yes, Lord. He was convicted of making a bad bank loan even though it was made 16 months after he quit working at the bank! It’s crazy! Everyone on the case knew he was not guilty, yet the judge sentenced him, and the 11th circuit refused to overturn it on appeal, and didn’t even give a reason. Now he must spend a fortune to appeal it to the Supreme Court where they only decide to hear about 1% of the cases that are presented to them, and they don’t have to give a reason for declining the other 99% either.

The issues don’t matter. Guilt or innocence doesn’t matter. Has the world gone crazy? Has truth fallen in the streets in America, too (Isa. 59:14)?

GOD: It has, Son, but this case is not about Richard. He is My son and has my promise of eternal life (Jn. 3:3-16). His case is all about Me trying to reach some of the judges and prosecutors involved in his case. I love them and want them to be saved too.

You need to talk to Meshach. He can help you understand this from a whole new angle. Let’s go for a walk, Son…That’s him, Son, go talk with him.

KH: Wow! Lord, this looks like a palace and he looks like a powerful prince of some kind.

GOD: He is a mighty prince of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful king (and one who did not fear Me) on earth. Meshach wasn’t always a prince though, Son. He will explain it all.

KH: OK, Lord…Excuse me, Mr. Meshach, sir. May I ask you a few questions?

Prince Meshach (PM): Sure, Kent, go ahead,

KH: Can you explain what happened to make you a prince?

PM: Well, it’s a long story.

KH: I’d love to hear it if you don’t mind.

PM: Oh, I love to tell what God has done for me! I was born and raised in Israel. When I was a teen, our king was wicked so God gave our entire nation into the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar here in Babylon (II Kn. 24-25; 1 Chron. 6:15; Jer. 27-39; Dan. 1:1-6). Several of us Hebrews decided we would not defile ourselves with the king’s meat so we requested a diet of vegetables and water (Dan. 1:12).

KH: Like the Garden of Eden diet (Gen 1:29)?

PM: Exactly. Anyway, God honored our desire to not defile ourselves and we were the best looking slaves of the bunch after just 10 days (Dan. 1:12-21). We were in training to be wise men of Babylon when the king had a strange dream that no one could interpret so he decided to kill all the wise men – including us – in the land.

KH: Sounds like the king gets upset when he doesn’t get his way!

PM: That’s for sure! We prayed with Daniel (Dan 2:17-18, 23) and God revealed the dream to Daniel. He was promoted to Vice-King and asked for us three friends to be promoted as well. We went from slave to prince in a flash.

KH: That must have felt weird.

PM: God is good at that stuff. He did the same for Joseph in Egypt (Gen. 41) and for the entire nation of Israel (Exodus 12). Everything was going along fine until the king got this bright idea that he was a god and we all needed to bow down and worship a statue he set up. We refused (Dan. 3) and boy did he get angry! People who get the idea that they are God are not good people to make angry!

KH: That’s for sure! So what did he do?

PM: He offered us a chance to change our minds but we refused. He was so angry that his face changed. He ordered the furnace to be heated 7 times hotter than normal and for us to be tied up and thrown in. The heat was so great that it killed the huge soldiers that threw us in (Dan. 3:22).

KH: Wow! What did it feel like?

PM: It was strange. We knew God could protect us if He wanted to, but sort of expected to be burned alive that day. Even though we were thrown in, we didn’t even feel the heat or the fall. In a matter of seconds our ropes burned off and Jesus was in there helping us stand up. We walked around the furnace and talked with Him.

KH: What did he say to you?

PM: He said, “Thanks for trusting Me, guys. I know this was a little scary for you to go through but I really love King Nebuchadnezzar and want to reach his hard heart before he dies. Some people like him are especially hard to reach. Their position of power goes to their head. The same thing happened to Lucifer (Ez. 28). Then he used the lie on Eve that she could become like God (Gen. 3:5), and she fell for it too.”

KH: We are still paying for that one!

PM: Amen! Anyway, Jesus explained to us that He was using us to reach the hard-hearted king. He has come quite a ways since we first met him. In chapter 1 he saw that we were different. In chapter 2 he saw that God was with us to give us wisdom. In chapter 3 he saw that we loved and feared God more than him or his furnace. It really shook him up when we didn’t burn or even get hurt by the fire. He could see Jesus walking in the furnace and knew right away who it was (Dan. 3:25).

KH: Most of the new Bible versions claim he called him “a son of the gods.”

PM: That’s crazy! I was there and heard it all. He said, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” You better not trust those other versions.

KH: Oh, I don’t! But it is hard to tell that to some people in my neighborhood. So, what happened next?

PM: Jesus showed us around inside the furnace. He said, “See children, I can protect you from the very worse the world has to offer. No one else can say they have seen the inside of a furnace like this. We walked to every corner just to show the king that Jesus has control of all of it, not him, and to show us that He can handle anything!

KH: So what did the king do?

PM: He looked into the furnace and called out our three names and asked us to come out (Dan. 3:26).

KH: Didn’t he invite Jesus to come out?

PM: Ha! No. He specifically did not invite Him to come out into his kingdom!

KH: Many people have a healthy respect for Jesus at a distance like that, but do not want Him in their little kingdom either. Nothing has changed.

PM: He is getting closer though. He at least recognizes that we are servants of “the most high God” (Dan 3:26). That’s a long ways from where he was a few years ago. I don’t think he is ready to admit that He is the ONLY God yet.

KH: I think one more encounter with God will do that (Dan. 4)!

PM: I hope so. God must really love that man. He lets us suffer to reach him.

KH: Well, I guess God sees a bigger picture. You guys already have eternal life so little pains and problems down here don’t really matter much in the grand scheme of things (Rom. 8:18).

PM: I agree. I’d do it all again if I had to. We changed the king’s word. That had never been done before (Dan. 3:28). Plus we moved him a little closer to accepting God. That’s worth a lot!

KH: It sure is. Thanks for the update Meshach. I hope you like your new position as prince of Babylon.

PM: Thanks, I’m sure I will. Life is funny sometimes. I went from happy child to slave to important officer to condemned criminal to prince. I think that’s enough for one lifetime. I’m ready to relax and enjoy life for awhile. Even though the king isn’t saved yet, he at least stopped everyone from talking against God (Dan. 3:29).

GOD: Let’s go home, Son…Did that answer your question?

KH: Yes, Lord. I hate to see Richard suffer longer, but if this all works to bring his judges or prosecutors closer to You, it is worth it.

GOD: Yes, Son. I’m not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). Even though it may look from the outside that their heart is hard when they do things that are evil and wrong to My children, I see the hearts and know what is really going on inside them. When you suffer wrong, just patiently take it for My sake, Son. I’m using you as part of a bigger plan (Mt. 5:11-12). Go play some volleyball now. I’ll take care of Richard’s case and yours. I’ve got your back.