Parousia

By Coulter Prehm

Ruth had no idea that moving to the mountain town of Santa Fe would position her not only to become intimate with the God of love but also to be used as an instrument of His glory in order to see the city transformed. Along with a group of unlikely companions, Ruth is carried by God on a whirlwind adventure in which miracles are commonplace, angels are active, and the end goal of every pursuit is to grow in love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512728217

Coulter Prehm

Coulter (Colt) Prehm (b.1984) is a writer, minister, painter, and above all else, a lover of God. Through teaching around the world in churches, conferences, and seminars, and by living as an example, Colt imparts passion for God to everyone he encounters. He believes we can know God in ways most have never dreamt of before, and he longs to see others pursuing God with all of their being. He and his wife, Liz, are walking together on the journey of learning to love.

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Copyright © 2016 Coulter Prehm.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-2822-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-2823-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-2821-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016901141

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/29/2016

CONTENTS

Foreword

It’s Time

Providence

The First Time

And There Were Two

Stepping Out

Clear Commission

Making Disciples

The Dream

Times of Testing

The Kingdom of God is Not Mere Words

Burning Ones

Suddenly…

Powers of the Age to Come

The Power of the Testimony

Hidden Treasures of Darkness

Seeking and Saving

Sitting at His Feet

Assembly of the Parts

A Life Required

And To Each a Gift

Epilogue

This book is dedicated to all of my fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters; those who do the will of our Father in Heaven.

FOREWORD

T here are many experiences that draw us nearer to the Lord Jesus Christ throughout our journey of faith. I pray that reading this book may be one for you.

I was raised in a Christian home and have exceptionally few bad memories of my childhood. It truly could not have been better. This does not mean we didn’t encounter hardship and trials, but as a God-fearing family, we seemed to be able to overcome by hope and flourish through faith. Although this statement can be made by many Christians regarding their early years, it is no secret to the church or the world that most Christians wander from following the Lord for a time after their youth; many fall away completely. This fact has haunted previous generations and has caused leadership to seek out a remedy to solve the problem of young believers stumbling into sin and rebellion. I believe I know the answer, but it is not a quick fix nor is it able to be rapidly applied to the Church at large. The solution to this problem is for Christians to once again become intimate with the God of Love and be willing to yield their lives completely to His control. This may be the cure to every issue the Church is facing.

Intimacy with God cannot be handed down from generation to generation or person to person. True intimacy must be cultivated by each person individually, and the key to finding God in this way is to seek Him with all of one’s heart. To love the things of the world is to hate God, and even Christendom is full of those who choose the pleasures of the material realm over the ways of the One we worship. We are all guilty of this at times. The Body of Christ is in need of a great company of believers to arise who have tasted the powers of the age to come and are willing to step out onto the waters in faith in order to offer themselves as an example and platform from which the following generations can spring forth. Although intimacy cannot be handed down, example, vision, anointing, and instruction very much can be. Young people, believers and unbelievers alike, are desperate for mature Christians who have drawn close enough to God to inspire others to forsake all in becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. By grace, I desire to be that kind of example and to help prevent followers of Christ from stumbling off the narrow way.

I, like many who have gone before me, chose to indulge in worldly passions for quite a season before the Lord retrieved me from the pit I had thrown myself into. I will not go into depth about what my life was like before returning to Christ as it is neither appropriate nor relevant for the moment. That person that I was has died, and I do my best to not resurrect him. In the midst of my rebellion Jesus came and met me. He granted me visions, encounters, and dreams of events and places beyond my imagination, and He has been faithful to lead me into truth (however limited) regarding relationship with Him and what is possible for any who will dare to believe and to follow. He desires to reveal to us glory that is unprecedented and power that trumps even the parting of the Red Sea.

Some do not believe that God does radical miracles through His people anymore and argue that the time of signs and wonders died with the original apostles. This is simply not true. There are more miracles occurring in the world today, this day, than happened from the entirety of time spanning from Adam to Jesus. More dead are being raised today, more healings, more deliverances than ever before. I have personally seen blind eyes open and deaf ears hear. We have witnessed cancer being healed, AIDS cured, and broken hearts restored. Truly we serve a God of glory and might. I pray, if you disagree with what I have just shared, that you would be able to keep an open mind and heart and be willing to receive new truth and revelation from Jesus on this subject, should He choose to release it to you.

The Parousia, or coming of the King, is at hand. Jesus Christ has not only come before and will come again; He is coming now. He is accessible to those who trust in Him and is manifesting Himself to those who have committed their lives fully to His service and care. This book is meant to reflect that truth and cause each of us to question how fully we know Him and what is the true depth of our faith. As you read the following pages, discover yourself within the lines. Which characters do you relate with? What experiences of theirs would you most desire to have? Allow their journeys to become yours and enter not only into the story but into a new level of faith as well. As you read of their encounters and lives, I pray that the God of all grace would grant you to know Him more personally for He desires that each of us would draw nearer to Him.

You will notice as you read that I have chosen to make Jesus the narrator of this story. Although I believe these introductory words at the beginning of each chapter are inspired by Him, they are not meant to be equal to Scripture and I do not consider them infallible or to be of use in regards to establishing doctrine. Only the Word of God, The Holy Bible, is without fault, and if you disagree with anything that I have penned, speaking first person for Jesus, I would challenge you to search the Scriptures for yourself and reach your own conclusions. Do not hastily take my word for truth, nor that of any other man, but seek the Holy Spirit for the answers to your questions.

The events within these pages have been inspired by actual events and the lives of real people who laid down their own dreams and desires in order to take hold of all that God had prepared for them. Just know… nothing is impossible with God.

-Coulter Prehm

Parousia [par-oo-see’-ah]

coming; especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation. (Parousía) is a technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, ‘a royal visit’

IT’S TIME

You must follow me. –John 21:22

I had been watching her longer than she could have ever imagined. Every moment she would ever live, I already witnessed before she took her first breath. Do not be surprised at this. I am all in all. I always know the end from the beginning. I knew this day would come, when My beloved and I would get to gaze into one another’s eyes truly for the first time. I had waited eons for this moment. Before she was ever fashioned in her mother’s womb, I knew that one day our hearts would beat as one, that our spirits would be joined. I held My breath as I waited for her to notice Me.

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You’re here… Ruth’s voice trembled as she whispered the words, barely audible above the crackling of the fire. Her heart raced in her chest, hair stood on end, eyes watered, and her breath became quick and shallow. She was completely overwhelmed by the raw, electric power that began rushing through her entire body at the mere sight of Him. She literally felt the need to scream as delight and wonder overcame her; she trembled instead. She felt herself being gently yet powerfully ushered to the floor by an invisible force which had taken hold of her body. She quickly yielded, having no desire to resist, and found herself prostrate on the ground at His feet, only vaguely aware of the cold tile pressed against her cheek. From this humble position, she raised her eyes to look up at Him, and as she did, power once again pulsed through her members, and she was undone with awe and elation. She laid there weeping with joy and would have been content to remain in this position worshipping Him forever.

It had been six weeks since He last appeared, and she had not been sure when she would see Him again. Certainly she had not expected Him to come so soon. Two times, He visited her in dreams, and once, six weeks ago, she and a handful of others had met Him in the flesh. Tonight Ruth was very awake the moment she caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye and looked to see a beautiful, now familiar, man seated on the single step that led up into her kitchen. The light of the flames in the fireplace reflecting off of His olive skin mingled with the heavenly glow emanating from every inch of His body and indicated that in this moment, heaven and earth were truly colliding. His presence was the definition of Glory and Beauty: the visible image of the invisible, incomprehensible God.

It is time. You must come with Me now. He spoke with a brevity and finality that penetrated her very spirit, and she knew that her life would never be the same again. As He finished this sentence, the power of His presence which had pressed her to the floor lessened slightly, and she sensed strength returning to her arms and legs.

Ruth rose slowly to her feet and bowed her head to Him one more time in honor and adoration before lifting her face to meet His gaze. She was still shaking inside as she took His hand and allowed Him to lead her outside into the night. Just months ago, an ordinary October night marked the initial visit and Ruth couldn’t help but re-live, in a moment, everything that had happened leading up to this moment of encountering the Living God.

PROVIDENCE

The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. -Psalm 145:15-16

A ll throughout her life, Ruth trusted Me more than she ever realized. I would speak to her often in the same way most would say their conscience leads them. She would follow Me anywhere I led her, and there were countless instances where she avoided major disaster because of her obedience to My voice. This small voice is how almost everyone hears Me without ever realizing they are picking up on the voice of God. I Jesus, am speaking to you the reader right now through ink on these pages. Can you hear Me whispering to your heart? In the story that is about to unfold, I desire to help you learn to hear My voice and follow My leading. I have so few people who actually know My voice that there aren’t as many around as I would like to teach others how to be led by Me or be in relationship with Me successfully…but there are a few. This is one of the reasons Ruth is so special to Us. We always knew that a day would come when she would be so close to Us, so intimate with Us, that we would be able to speak directly to and through her. Our desire is that we would be able to be this close with everyone, but the reality is that few ever want to get this near to Us. People will insist on staying close enough to the Fire to keep warm, but far enough away to not get burned. For My children to follow Me is to forsake everything that they have in the natural realm. We watch as people constantly try to argue their way out of this reality; try to rationalize their dependence on material things. The actuality is that without being willing to give up everything, it is usually not possible for anyone to truly know Us. It would be easier for a camel to squeeze His way through the eye of a needle. I gave My life; I gave all for you. I require the same in return.

Ruth had become too comfortable in her life in the Midwest, so We encouraged her to head out of town, away from the only family she had. If she hadn’t left, her destiny would not have been fulfilled. We always knew this was so, and the time she would leave her home had been scheduled since before she was created. We even lined her up a wonderful place to live before we sent her. This is where her journey to discovering Us and herself really began.

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Originally from Iowa, Ruth relocated to the high desert of New Mexico and in comparison with the well-manicured lawns and split level homes common in the Midwest, every place in the City of Holy Faith seemed a bit out of sorts at first. Two women strolled the historic plaza downtown for a little break one afternoon. Ruth, in her tight Levis and jean jacket, and her mom, sporting a drifting yellow sundress, both stood out clearly as tourists sauntering the city streets and gaping at the picturesque, eclectic community that is Santa Fe. The sun danced off the adobe buildings and the trees lining the plaza. Natives, tourists, and transients all sprawled out on the lush green grass under the trees, the surrounding arid landscape making it seem like some of the only grass in the whole city. Although a turista for the moment, Ruth’s heart was already beating with excitement under the dangly necklace of silver, copper, and turquoise stones she was wearing today. She had just purchased it from the native people who sat in a line displaying their wares on brightly colored blankets under the awning of a historic building lining one end of the plaza. A little ‘housewarming present’ for myself, she thought as she selected it from the inventory of an aged woman whose face was worn by time and sun. This was to be her new home. All I want is a little spot where I have some room to paint, read, and relax, she voiced to her mom just moments before while she stared up at the billowing New Mexico clouds that dotted the royal blue sky. They spent the last three days searching for a decent apartment without much luck. Elizabeth, who had been Ruth’s adopted mother since she was born, had come to Santa Fe in order to help her daughter find a place to live. Ruth needed a little help too; after all, Ruth was only eighteen years old and had decided to put college on hold, at least for a few years, to see if she could make it in the art world. The lives of famous draftsman, painters, and sculptors always fascinated her. A rare freedom marked the existence of these men and women devoted to creativity, and Ruth longed for that liberty to be her reality. Drawing and painting had been her passion since she could remember, and she wasn’t willing to give up her hope of living as a painter and exchange it for long hours in the corporate world quite yet. With galleries and artisans in plentiful supply, and with a bold, nearly reckless confidence instilled in her by her mother (despite her lack of prodigious skill), Ruth felt that Santa Fe could be the perfect environment for nurturing her dreams to fruition.

We’ll be lucky to find somewhere with room for the bed and her couch both at these prices, Elizabeth muttered to herself under her breath, let alone space for her to be painting at home. For months leading up to this visit, the two spoke of and imagined the right place for Ruth. Ruth’s mom, consistently and privately given in prayer, had been asking the Lord for a house originally. She even voiced how she had been praying to Ruth on a regular basis, determined that God should get the credit for the wonderful place she was sure they would find. Although expectations had been high, after several days of checking newspapers, the internet, and talking to whatever locals they could, both were beginning to believe that an actual house was out of their budget and that a cheap apartment may be the only option within reach. Another thought crossed Liz’s mind periodically as they searched, with her living so far from me, I at least want a place where she will be safe. Even if I have to work a few more hours a week to pay for it, I’ll make it happen. Finances had been tight for her and Ruth for quite some time. Four years after adopting their daughter, Liz’s husband was killed in a car accident and with a shortage of family around to help the two, fractured and alone, they learned to make it on their own. The loss had been overwhelming. Nothing could have prepared Elizabeth for the horrible loneliness and inescapable emptiness that came in the place of her mate, and although she smiled in public, she wept in private for years. Liz had just conceded to the notion that they had been unrealistic in the kind of living quarters they could expect to afford when a Hispanic man, maybe around sixty years old, greeted them on the street as they stopped at a coffee stand for a pick-me-up.

How are you girls doing today? he asked with a kindness in his voice that seemed in contradiction to his rather rugged and unkempt exterior. The man wore a tattered old fedora from under which his slightly greying, shoulder length hair was visible. A thick mustache obscured his upper lip entirely his face and arms were dark brown, evidence of much time spent under the New Mexico rays. He seemed fit for his age. His arms were hardened by many years of apparent hard labor and his eyes glowed with a deep amber hue when they caught the light of the sun.

We’re fine, replied Elizabeth for both of them, a bit tersely and feeling worn out from the long day. Looking for a place for my daughter Ruth here to live, but not having much luck. She pretended to look in her purse for something hoping that the man would notice her lack of interest in chatting and walk away.

Well, I came over because I had a feeling you could use a little help. I guess I was right, he tipped his hat, smiling. My name is Arranta, and I have just the spot you are looking for.

You have a place for rent? the women both asked incredulously and in unison.

Yep. I have the perfect place. It’s not for rent. You could live there for free though.

Okay. C’mon Ruth. Liz was looking distrusting as she tugged on her daughter’s arm and motioned for them to walk away. I don’t know what this is about exactly, sir, but we are not interested in any ‘free’ housing. She was suspicious instantly of the man’s proposal though, in her heart, she wasn’t sure why. He seemed genuinely kind and gentle, but the prospect of free housing seemed too good to be true. More likely a trick or a trap rather than generosity, she thought. As if the man had read her mind, he instantly responded,

Not a trick nor a trap ma’am. Would just be glad to help you out. She was blown away. How did he know? He had spoken this last sentence with a slight swagger in his voice, as if he had truly heard those words race through her brain and was letting her know. Somehow she suddenly felt assured and comfortable with this stranger.

Where is this place you claim to have? she asked.

Just outside of town. About ten miles from here. I’ll take you out there if you’d like.

Why free? What’s the catch?

No catch. I own a few of these places around the area and need someone to tend to the property, keep the place up in summer, make sure the pipes don’t freeze in the winter. It’s that simple. No strings attached.

Although it was evident that Elizabeth’s demeanor had completely changed, softening in the past few moments, Ruth was still not totally convinced that this guy wasn’t some kind of stalker trying to lure them out into the middle of nowhere. She listened to the conversation unfolding with a feeling of trepidation.

We’d love to take a look at it then, Elizabeth responded, her face suddenly brightening. Is it ok if we just follow you out there, Arrr…ran…ta…? His name sounded as Spanish as he looked, though she had never heard it anywhere else before. She had no experience with Spanish and pronouncing some of these people’s names was difficult. She felt embarrassed that with so many Spanish speakers in the US, she hadn’t taken the time to learn even a little.

Perfect, Arranta responded. You’re gonna love the place! he said with a wink.

We’ll be right behind you!

As they walked to their car to follow Arranta who jumped into his beat up, blue and grey, sun-damaged Dodge, Ruth could no longer contain herself.

What are we doing, mom!? She blurted out the words. I thought two minutes ago you were trying to get us away from this guy, and now we’re hopping in the car to follow him ten miles away from where anyone can even hear us scream? She was really only half serious. Arranta had seemed like a nice guy, but she was half serious.

Don’t be so dramatic, Elizabeth chided with a little grin. "Maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to give up on our hopes and my prayers. I did ask the Lord for a nice house for you, not an apartment. I know I tried to drag you away, but something happened when we were talking to him that I can’t really describe. This is going to sound a little strange, but it was almost as if he read my mind a minute ago, and when I looked up at him