The Greatest Invitation

By Doris Harper

On the journey through life,

it cannot be told where the road on earth ends

and the highway to heaven begins.

All of heaven is watc

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Sep 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781637697696

Doris Harper

Doris Harper, a native of North Carolina, writes gospel, country, ballads, and children's songs since the age of fifteen. Both vocalist and guitarist, Doris blesses many with her talents. In 1999, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Doris, infusing her with His power and love, forever changing her life! In 2004, Jesus gave Doris a night vision. He told her, "I have a great work for you to do." Shortly after, Doris began writing The Greatest Invitation.

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THE

GREATEST INVITATION

BY

DORIS HARPER

The Greatest Invitation

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2022 by Doris Harper

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Public domain.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without written permission from the author. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Cover design by: Doris Harper

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 978-1-63769-768-9

E-ISBN: 978-1-63769-769-6

Universal Call

"Blessed are they which are called unto

the marriage supper of the lamb."

REVELATION 19:9 (KJV)

Special Dedication

All crowning glory, honor, and praise go to You, Heavenly Father! And to Your Son, Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior!

And to Your Holy Spirit, abiding Comforter, Guide, Counselor, and Teacher!

And to all Your holy angels who ministered to me along the way! Bravo! Hallelujah! I shout from the depths of my heart and soul. Thank You for blessing me and making this Great Work tireless, exciting, spiritually energizing, and immensely gratifying from start to finish.

Thank You, Holy Father, for giving me the glorious night vision from Jesus Christ when He commissioned me, saying, I have a great work for you to do. And I answered, Yes!

Thank You for the anointed dream You gave my son, Luke! The dream revealed the book months before I began writing with accurate confirmation.

Thank You, Father, for the prophecy given to me by Pastor Dr. Roger Medlin. He anointed my head with oil, and I was overtaken by the mighty power of God! A tangible, gentle substance entered the midst of me. In time, I realized God had deposited within me the writing of the story, The Greatest Invitation!

Thank You, Holy Father, for these three divine gifts! They helped to provide me with godly endurance to press on when facing spiritual and physical battles during the time of writing. These divine gifts strengthened my faith, causing me to overcome every obstacle! Thank You for all the prophecies! Words of knowledge! And spiritual revelations You poured into me as I wrote The Greatest Invitation.

Thank You for all the humor! The wisdom! The divine, holy imagination! And the wellspring of blessings, which poured onto others as I was writing. You caused me to laugh and cry, and you filled me with suspense concerning the supernatural events. You gave me more compassion for people everywhere in the world.

Being Your scribe for this great work has been indescribably, gloriously wonderful!

It was like listening to You tell me this beautiful story in an unheard voice but distinct and clear as a ringing bell. It was as if you were whispering the story in my spiritual ears each time I sat down to write. I found myself accompanying You on uncharted journeys, going to places far and wide, meeting people from continent to continent as You presented them with Your Greatest Invitation!

Heavenly Father, from beginning to end, You heard me pray, Holy Spirit, you hold the words from the Father’s heart; I simply hold the pen. My highest goal is to please and honor You!

I will eternally thank You for calling me to do this great work!

I want people to know, You are a wonderful Savior! Friend! And Father!

Living in Your love, grace, and faith!

Your daughter and scribe,

Dori Dove (Doris)

Acknowledgements

I wish to recognize and thank those who contributed their help while I was writing The Greatest Invitation .

I thank you, Luke, my son, for urging me to start writing the story. Your prophetic dream helped anchor my faith tremendously as it unfolded in accuracy and content. You stood by me and helped me in so many other ways like teaching me how to navigate on Word to work on my manuscript. Thank you for your prayers and support and belief in this work and me!

When I began writing in 2005, I had so many family members who encouraged me. As I fed you tidbits of the story, your reactions always filled me with faith to continue writing. I want to thank all of you. You mean so much to me!

Thank you, Judy, for your constant encouragement.

Thanks to my sister, Brenda, for always being there for me.

Thanks to my son, John, for keeping my heart lit with enthusiasm and encouragement.

Thanks to my daughter-in-law, Christie, for all the work she did for me on Facebook and the great job she and John did with the beautiful background for my picture.

Thank you, Chad, my dear son, for believing in me!

Thanks to Jessi, granddaughter, for your willingness to help me!

Thanks to my daughter-in-law, Marie, for giving me a Brother typewriter.

Thank you, Alex, my daughter-in-law, for teaching me how to make corrections on the manuscript!

Thank you, Diane, my sister-in-law, for your anointed prayers and belief in this work and me!

Thank you, Jonathan, my son, for all your prayers, the contribution of money, and standing in faith by my side!

Thanks to Hannah, my daughter, for believing in me!

Thanks to Anna, my daughter in Arizona, who strongly believes in me!

I have honored many in my family by working you into this great story. Look for your place among the pages of The Greatest Invitation.

A heartfelt thank you to my former pastor, Dr. Roger Medlin, for your prophetic utterance, Sister! Great wealth is coming to your house! I received a night vision from the Lord Jesus Christ in 2006, saying, I have a great work for you to do. This great work is a great wealth! There is no greater wealth on earth than to be called to do work for the Lord!

Thank you, Kathy, for your heart of faith!

I want to thank Susan Fulk, my friend, for allowing me to work on my story while I cared for her parents. They too made it into the story.

Thanks to my friend Susan Roach at Progressive Insurance and her faith in my writing and me!

Abundant thanks to you, Jessica Arnold, Master Librarian and Manager of Gibsonville Library in my hometown here in North Carolina, for all your help with the layout of my manuscript and setting me up to edit. I am grateful to you!

With great appreciation, I wish to thank you, Stacy Baker, Trilogy Acquisitions Executive, for issuing me a contract to publish my work with Trilogy Publishing in February 2021! I cherish our partnership.

I also wish to thank my personal physician, Dr. Edwin Avbuere, and his staff, Derek Johnson RN and Jasmine Williams AMA, for celebrating in heart with me.

Also, I wish to thank my pulmonary physician, Dr. Vineet Sood, for sitting and listening to me and helping me understand my feelings during the season of trials through the 2020 COVID pandemic.

Looking into the future with abundant faith and hope, I wish to thank all the people who will be reading The Greatest Invitation. May the Lord bless each of you with His wellspring of joy and everlasting life! Shalom!

Author,

Doris Harper

Fictional Disclaimer

The Greatest Invitation is a dramatization inspired by biblical parables found in Matthew 22:1‒14 and Luke 14:16‒24 (KJV). Characters and events, geographical locations, names of people, and angels are fictionalized for dramatic purposes of the story. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely fictional. However, events and people noted in Bible texts are factual.

For the purpose of the story, I dramatized biblical events and dialogue between characters in the Bible and people on earth. All fictionalization is created by the author’s Godly imagination. All quotes from the biblical texts are true. The opinions expressed are those of the characters and should not be confused with the author’s except when conveying biblical truths and values.

Table of Contents

Universal Call

Special Dedication

Acknowledgements

Fictional Disclaimer

Foreword

Parable of the marriage feast

Parable of the great supper

Parable of the ten virgins

Introduction

Ch. 1: The King’s Great Invitation

Ch. 2: The Great Assignment

Ch. 3: The Palace Print Shop

Ch. 4: Bebe the Hooker

Ch. 5: Angel on a Mission

Ch. 6: Vagabonds & Secondhand Roses

Missions without a Mission

Ch. 7: The Beautiful Exchange

On the Jericho Road

Ch. 8: From Ashes to Beauty

Ch. 9: The Red Zone

Ch. 10: Gather Bad and Good into the Wedding

Ch. 11: The Greatest Invitation Refused

Ch. 12: First Report to the King

Ch. 13: From Birth to Betrayal

Age Twelve

Age Eight

Ch. 14: Ward of the State

Ch. 15: Dr. Detropimus On Call

Ch. 16: Multi-Millionaire Architect Fred Jones

Ch. 17: Hosea Mandera—Eight-Year-Old Gang Member

Based on similar events

Ch. 18: Making the Right Decision

Ch. 19: The King Envisions Multitudes at the Banquet

Ch. 20: Forgotten Angel

Ch. 21: Jimmy Dunbar, Lost Child Generation

Ch. 22: The Escape

Ch. 23: The Pink Slip

Ch. 24: I Just Want to be Happy

Ch. 25: Hosea Arrives in Miami

Ch. 26: Sin’s Forgetfulness

Ch. 27: Miserable and Rich

Ch. 28: Bill Broadneck, Banker, Politics, Thugs & Drug Cartels

Righteous Complaint about the Prospering Wicked

Ch. 29: The Little Black Book

Ch. 30: The Heavens Reveal God’s Glory!

Ch. 31: Angel Interception

Ch. 32: Red Alert!

Ch. 33: Vicious Assault on Servant Angels

Ch. 34: Second Report to the King

Ch. 35: Day of Vengeance

Ch. 36: Final Report to the King

Ch. 37: A Beautiful Stroll with the King

Ch. 38: The Son Rejoices over His Bride

The Song of Solomon

Ch. 39: Shepherd and Shulamite

Ch. 40: The Shulamite Extols Her Shepherd

Ch. 41: What Is Cooking?

Ch. 42: Beautiful Kingdom Land

Ch. 43: The Great Banquet

Ch. 44: Behold the King!

Ch. 45: Behold the Bridegroom!

Ch. 46: The Great Banquet Supper

Ch. 47: The Bridegroom Serves His Guests—Part I

Ch. 48: The Bridegroom Serves His Guests—Part II

Ch. 49: The Great Wedding of Bridegroom and Bride!

Ch. 50: Salvation

Your Personal Invitation

Holy Spirit Baptism

Heaven?

Directions to the Kingdom

Tribute of Scriptures

I. Commission

II. Compassion

Iii. Concern

The Last Enemy Is Destroyed

Angels

Banquet

Classical Premillennialism

Kingdom of God

Servant

Specific Bible References, Abbreviations, & Translations

About the Author

Bibliography

Reference Materials Bibliography

Foreword

The Greatest Invitation is a biblical novel with its roots grounded in two famous parables found in Matthew 22:1‒14 and Luke 14:16‒24.

In both parables, Jesus gives a portrayal of heartwarming and consequential results from either accepting or rejecting the king’s Greatest Invitation requesting Come; for all things are now ready (Luke 14:17, KJV).

The invitation brings people face to face with angels. Dramatic and startling events occur. Some to the good of mankind and some to the bad. Many people make excuses not to come to the wedding banquet with opposition and mockery. Vile cohorts of the king’s arch-enemy attempt to kill his angel legionaries! The king declares war!

A metamorphosis transformation is experienced by many! Saving grace reaches the lost just in time before Satan snatches them down to hades!

Excitement fuses with joy in the hearts of the citizens of heaven as preparations for the wedding day get underway. Chefs, bakers, and cooks create a mouth-watering smorgasbord for the banquet supper.

Seamstresses are surrounded by colorful rolls of exquisite material. Threads fly to and fro in their hands as they sew tablecloths, napkins, and linen curtains for the amphitheater. Heaven is filled with music as orchestra and choir practice daily! Every hand is busy! Every heart is light! Every work is magnificent! On earth below, it is business as usual among billions who come and go.

Upon entering the world of the twenty-first century, where knowledge is increased with advanced technology, servant angels find people wiser but weaker.

Most people are unaware of the Greatest Invitation and oblivious to this end-time prophetic event, giving little or no thought to their eternal future!

Corporate America as well as global neighbors, work in trades and professions while a staggering number of people have not worked in years due to a worldwide economic recession. The unemployment rate reaches an all-time high in North America. In other countries, it is worse!

People commute daily across rails, interstates, oceans, and sky. They resemble toiling, tiny ants running busily in single file and double lanes as they go back and forth in unending work like the constant traffic in the world. Most people labor under an organized regime but without a caring leader. They rely solely on their natural instincts for direction in life. Whatever seems right to them is what they do.

Individual ways of life are as numerous as the stars! People search for happiness all around them but seldom become satisfied. They enjoy fleeting moments of pleasure each can afford in the world.

Servant angels witness prophecy being fulfilled as they travel through a world ravaged by war and upheaval! Fear is on every side as nations rise against nations in drug-related, racial, political, and holy wars! From all that is happening, hearts fill with uncertainty and a sense of hopelessness for the future. There is no peace to be found in the world!

Hidden agendas of secret political creeds become apparent as national and world leaders in government vow violence and poverty laws as a means of sabotage to peoples’ rights and freedom.

False religions are mandated to be taught in every public school and college, repudiating the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! This evil, diabolical infiltration under the guise of a political, formal system is spreading rampantly throughout nations around the world by ungodly men and women occupying seats of control in government.

Presidents, kings, and monarchs sign anti-constitutional coalitions to undermine the security and sanctity of every political and godly institution in the world, working surreptitiously for the destruction of mankind! These men and women form bonds of adversity that strengthen enemies abroad as disconfirming laws are passed, which hammer away at the core of our godly constitution, founded by godly men on sound, biblical principles.

Israel, the Holy Land God loves, stands as a target every day in the explosions of nuclear weapons! Make no mistake! Those opposing Israel oppose God Almighty!

Servant angels cry, God forbid! These holy agents witness great disregard for the Word of God across the world. The Bible and prayer are cast out of education systems, courtrooms, and society as a detestable and hated thing along with the Ten Commandments!

In place of decent morals, children are taught at a young age in school that an intimate, marital relationship between men and men and women with women is acceptable, encouraging them into a life of perversion and damnation.

In the paper, on news media, or down at the corner store, people talk of nothing but what is wrong in the world today! Starvation, incurable diseases, and human trafficking infiltrate the globe of humanity!

Radical Islamic terrorists slaughter untold millions of innocent people and soldiers who oppose their false god, Allah. Fueled with unrelenting hate, Islam leaders, along with other unholy national governments, use their political power to destroy nations by using their own laws against them. They pervert truth and morality into hypnotic lies, seducing and being seduced just as Hitler did when he ordered the holocaust of over six million Jews! Cunningly clever and spiritually wicked, these power-thirsty mad men and women diabolically worm into the interior of nations, working to destroy from within. Their goal is to swiftly usher humanity into a one-world union under the leadership of the antichrist to gain control of mankind!

Are we nearing the great tribulation? Or is it already here? The world as we know it is on the brink of destruction. The good old days are gone! Alas! Alas! servant angels cry.

End time signs are clearly seen as tsunamis wipe out entire villages. Thousands upon thousands are killed. Wildfires burn up billions of dollars in homes, businesses, and cities, bringing near extinction of thousands of forested land and animals along with countless lives. Earthquakes destroy whole cities taking lives of millions each year. Floods, hurricanes, and tornados wreak havoc around the world, harboring no respecter of persons or places when they rip through cities and rural areas, devastating everything and everyone in their path.

Air, agriculture, and water pollution rapidly increase, threatening mankind’s survival.

The ecological system is set off balance, making conditions in the world environmentally unsound. No one knows where to begin to stabilize it. New incurable diseases and viruses cause multiple deaths of hundreds of thousands each month worldwide, plaguing humans with fear and panic.

The heat index rises higher in climates unaccustomed to heat waves in North America. Long droughts and scorching heat wither heads of grain and vegetable crops, causing price increase. Clouds gather overhead promising showers of desperately needed rain only to vanish in mocking fashion.

Winds cease to blow for long periods of time, intensifying exhausting heat waves, making it difficult to breathe. Once beautiful, scenic oceans churn angrily, vomiting up pollutions of spilled oil and caustic debris onto foamy shores.

Sudden economic collapse has resulted in bankruptcy and foreclosure of national banks and major corporations across the world. Millions of people have lost homes, businesses, churches, and schools. Health pandemics and financial recessions have caused loss of jobs, medical services, food, shelter for the homeless, and humanitarian aid to domestic and foreign countries. This, the first phase of global famine has only begun!

There is another famine that reaches around the world. It is a famine for the unadulterated, uncompromised Word of God! Churches, synagogues, and Bible colleges plenteously dot communities throughout nations worldwide.

Missions cross sea to sea. Christian literature lines shelves in bookstores. Airwaves signal multitudes of preaching voices around continents twenty-four/seven via satellite. While these avails, there are little demonstrative, life-changing results occurring in the hearts of people! While universal catastrophic and declining spiritual and natural conditions prevail, multitudes upon multitudes are in the Valley of Decision (Joel 3:14, KJV).

All of these are signs of the end time. But take heart! The greatest harvest is at hand! (Matthew 13:39, KJV).

Servant angels work at lightning speed, taking invitations to invited guests. They use every means of persuasion to unmask the minds of the blind, causing them to recognize their spiritual deficit and urging them to receive the king’s invitation!

Night has fallen, and gross darkness covers the world. The door to the wedding banquet will close soon, and those loving this present world will be left behind for rejecting their invitation! (Matthew 25:10; Luke 12:36, KJV)

As dreams of a healthier and better future begin to fade from the hearts and minds of people on earth, The Greatest Invitation comes as a Godsend!

PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE FEAST

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, ‘see, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Then he said to his servants, the wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.

So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, friend, how did you come in without a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, bind him hand and foot and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Matthew 22:1‒14 (NKJV) T.N.O.B.

PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER

Then he said to him, a certain man gave a great supper and invited many and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused. Still another said, I have married a wife and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind. And the servant said, master, it is done as you commanded and still there is room. Then the master said to the servant, go out into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you, that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.

Luke 14:16‒24 (NKJV) T.N.O.B.

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard, ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Matthew 25:1‒13 (NKJV) T.N.O.B.

INTRODUCTION

Today the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is nearer than ever before, creating the catalyst for which this great work is launched.

The story of The Greatest Invitation is a biblical novel with allegorical style. It involves natural and miraculous events happening between the palace of heaven and earth. It is characterized by angels and humans, a certain king and his son, along with sinners and saints. The Greatest Invitation is founded upon two famous parables written in Matthew 22:1‒14 and again found in Luke 14:16‒24. It is deeply rooted in biblical truths and godly principles to glean from and grow spiritually in wisdom and understanding. It shines light into the hearts and minds of people.

In this story, the king invites mankind to come to the banquet supper and wedding of his son. He sends forth Servant Angels on an assignment to take The Greatest Invitation to all. On their journey, they find guests from all walks of life. Many accept the king’s invitation with joyous reception! Others are not interested in attending as they are busy with their earthly life, buying, selling, building, and tearing down.

Miracles happen! Chains of bondage break! Weak become strong again! Banners of victory wave in the hands of guests at the banquet from people of every tribe, tongue, nation, and kingdom who accepted their invitation!

When I read The Greatest Invitation story, I am engulfed with a wellspring of joy. Jesus Christ our Lord is nearer, dearer, and sweeter to me than ever before! The Greatest Invitation story draws me close to the Heavenly Father and lets me know He is not far, far away but intimately closer than ever!

I hope everyone will joyously anticipate receiving their own personal invitation from the King of Glory! Come to the Great Wedding and Banquet Supper as Jesus’s honored guest!

In The Greatest Invitation, there is joy! Sadness! Triumph! Tragedy! On the journey through life, it cannot be told where the road on earth ends and the highway to heaven begins! All of heaven is watching… and people are waiting on… The Greatest Invitation! Shalom.

Ch. 1

The King’s Great Invitation

The king sits down at his royal desk and opens the top drawer. He takes out the specially prepared parchment made of finest white linen. He picks up a gold quill pen and dips the tip into an inkwell of gold ink. Carefully, he forms each letter in his own, kingly script.

As he pens the Invitation, he softly whispers words of love into every line on the beautiful scroll. His holy nature penetrates the linen parchment with unfailing grace and mercy. Subduing, compassionate power surges from his heart onto the Invitation as he speaks the breath of life into every linen fiber.

The king traces his fingertips along the edges of the scroll, releasing a shimmering band of gleaming gold. Sweet, healing oil flows from his hands onto the parchment in great power!

With devotion and fatherly love, he looks over his majestic masterpiece, finding immense pleasure and deep satisfaction. Radiant, shining light streams out of his eyes, setting the scroll aglow! Let all Invitations be filled with my power, healing, and love! he decrees.

He opens the center drawer and takes out a gold tie string made of fine linen. He neatly rolls up the scroll and ties the gold string securely around it.

The king rises from his royal chair and walks over to a small cauldron filled with a mixture of pure gold and wax. He dips a slender spoon into it and brings up a measured amount. He tilts the ladle over the center seam of the parchment and pours the gold wax over it, sealing the scroll.

He lays the Invitation down on his royal desk and waits for the wax to form a soft mold. When it is ready, the king removes his Kingdom Signet Ring from his right hand and presses the Cross Insignia into the wax, authenticating the Invitation with his supreme authority in the kingdom.

The king holds the scroll in his left hand and covers it with his right hand and decrees, May eternal life and every good gift belong to all who accept my Invitation! Upon breaking the golden seal, may shattered lives be changed by astounding miracles for those welcoming me in their hearts!

From this prototype, all Wedding Banquet Invitations are designed, printed, and sealed with the king’s Royal Signet Ring.

Never was such a beautiful and miraculous Invitation made like the king’s, nor ever shall be again!

Ch. 2

The Great Assignment

The king waves his hand toward the gold, arched doorway in his royal chambers, summoning, Gabriel, Come at once!

Upon entering, he bows before the king.

Arise, Gabriel, I have an important message for you to deliver, he says. "Tell the servant angels, ‘it is time for the Greatest Invitation to go forth to all people dwelling on earth.’ Bring them here at once, for the fields are ripe unto harvest."

Thy request shall be done, my king, replies Gabriel. He bows again and quickly leaves the king’s royal chambers on his way to the servant’s headquarters.

Hail, fellow servants! The king requests your service. He has instructions regarding invitations to the royal wedding banquet to give you. We must leave at once! he commands.

The mighty host of servant angels follow Gabriel to the king’s palace up the flight of stairs and wait outside his chambers.

O, king! Thy servants are here as you commanded, reports Gabriel, bowing before him.

Welcome, valiant ones! Please come sit with me, says the gracious king, extending his arm toward a long, broad, gold table.

Kneeling servant angels rise to their feet and take seats around the beautiful table, sitting in gold chairs covered with fine, red linen and edged with gold tassels.

Scarlet red linen curtains sway gently in the morning breeze flowing through the spacious, open window. Interwoven gold threads sparkle in the light on the curtains as they move about by a wistful wind.

The king’s lovely handmaidens place goblets of refreshing fruit drinks on the table. Smiling modestly, they set warm bread, fig cakes, butter, honey, and cheese before the king’s servants.

Eat and drink! Enjoy yourselves, says the king, taking his seat at the head of the table.

As they delight themselves with the king’s hospitality, an unusual excitement muses in their hearts, filling them with great expectation as they fellowship around the king’s table.

When servants have eaten and drank pleasurably, the king expresses his reason for the meeting. Captains and officers of your bands, the time has come for your invaluable service. You are here today to receive instructions for the delivery of wedding invitations and notifying guests, ‘To come to the wedding of my Son’ (Matthew 22:2). You will give lifesaving scrolls to every person on earth. You must deliver these invitations in a timely manner! he exacts. No matter how small or great a person’s lot on earth may be, they must be given an invitation. From youths to aged, a seat is reserved in their honor at the wedding, remits the king. I must warn you! Your jobs will not always be easy but always rewarding, states the king.

Brace yourselves for the unexpected! For not all mankind has the faith of your king (2 Thessalonians 3:2, KJV). Be resolute! Be strong! Be full of courage! Remember, my presence will be with you every step of the way. Do not get entangled with people’s affairs on earth. Stay focused and on target. Nothing less than complete adherence and obedience to my command is accepted! he declares. There is an appointed time and a set day for the wedding. You must always work quickly and unhindered. Make every effort to urge and persuade people to come to the wedding," he says.

Servant angels agree, realizing what a great task awaits them. They, too, anticipate the day of the great wedding for the king’s son.

Rising to their feet, servant angels salute the king and hail forth, Your great commission will be carried out with complete dedication as you wish!

The king stands and commissions them on their journey, stretching his hands out over them, saying, Go with my blessing and prepare the great wedding invitations!

He walks over to his royal desk and opens the top drawer. Take this scroll and make all like it. When your task is complete, bring all the invitations to me for my final blessing, instructs the king.

Leader of the angel band, Stratatarius, shouts, Thy kingdom come! Thy will be done! On earth as it is here in heaven! (Luke 11:2, KJV).

Servant angels bow with their heads on the gold floor praising and worshiping the king before leaving his royal chambers to carry out his urgent request.

Ch. 3

The Palace Print Shop

Stratatarius relays the king’s orders, Fellow comrades, the king has instructed us to prepare and deliver the Greatest Invitation to every person on earth. Our assignment is timely and of the utmost importance! We must begin printing invitations at once at his urgent request. Afterward, we will take them to him for his final blessing. We must waste no time. Let us begin our work!

Like a swarm of honeybees, servant angels start to work, addressing and printing the invitations.

As the steady hum of work progresses, curiosity gets the best of some of the servant angels as they come across different names of invited guests.

You know Fred Jones, don’t you? asks Syrannius. Here and there, heads nod yes.

You all reckon ole Fred will accept his invitation to the banquet? he asks. Malichus looks his way and replies, Fred doesn’t even take a vacation unless there’s money to be made while he’s there. I would say it’s going to be a tough one getting him to attend.

I know that’s right, says Markus. Ole Fred is pretty tight when it comes to taking a day off from work.

What you all are saying is true, but the king has instructed us to leave no one out. Our job is not to determine who will and who will not come to the banquet but deliver each one an invitation. The decision will be left up to Mr. Jones and all others to accept or reject it, Stratatarius states.

The trouper among them interrupts the hoopla with a loud whistle! Wow! Barkus exclaims. Guess who I have the pleasure of taking an invitation to? he spins around in his chair, looking at everyone in sheer delight.

Barkus is the shorter of the servant angels with a stocky build and a lively spirit full of enthusiasm! Comments among his ranks have circulated that he borders on the human side.

Curious about the guest, they stop working momentarily and ask, Who?

In a swooning tone, Barkus replies, The most beautiful and talented woman in the whole world! She’s way past a ten in my little white book!

Now every eye is glued on him. Fellow comrades insist on knowing!

With heightened curiosity, they demand. Well! Tell us who she is!

Barkus raises his eyebrows and says, It’s Ms. Sandra Savonné! That’s the who! If only I wasn’t an angel for just a little while, he dreamily romanticizes, leaning on his folded hands and staring out into space.

Heaven to earth, Barkus! Wake up and quit daydreaming! Get your head out of fantasy land and back to work! We do not have any time to lose, you know! orders Stratatarius.

Alright, alright, but an angel can dream once in a while, can’t he? sighs Barkus.

Not now! Do your job right, and you’ll have plenty of time to spend with Ms. Savonné at the banquet. Now, get back to work, he urges.

Why are you always right, Strat? asks the disheartened Barkus.

I could tell you, but it might fracture one of your little wings, he says, laughing and seizing the moment in fun.

The rest of the servant angels try hard to resist laughing at their comrade’s remark to the shortest angel with the smallest wingspan, but their laughter boils over uncontrollably. The palace print shop fills with roaring hees and haws!

Barkus defiantly stands to his feet. His large, striking eyes roll around at them all. Go ahead! Get a good laugh on me, he says.

Stratatarius pops him on top of his head with an invitation and says, If I didn’t know better, I’d be inclined to think you were human, Barkus.

Wistfully, he replies, Sometimes, I wish I were human. I find people on earth remarkably interesting. But go on! Make all the fun at me you like! I can handle whatever you dish out!

His wings tell a different story, though, as they expand full length flashing neon red! Stratatarius roars with laughter and slaps Barkus on his back, and says, If heaven needed a stoplight, you could fill the job! he grins sheepishly, shaking with laughter.

Barkus’s tightly pursed lips slowly fade into a deep smile. What can I say? Gotta love me, red wings and all! he responds, unable to stay angry. Syrannius hollers out, Let’s show Barkus we love him just the way he is! We wouldn’t want to change one thing about you! he states with a smile.

Totally surrounded in a circle of hovering angel comrades, Barkus yells, Enough! Enough, okay? I’m convinced! Now, get away! I’ve got work to do.

But in his heart, he is soaking up all the attention as his neon red wings retract and cool down to a peachy hue.

All in all, these servant angels are not too much unlike people. Each possesses their own unique personality with different looks, statures, and various speech accents. One such angel is Tortilleus. He too leans toward the human side as his friend Barkus.

In a pronounced Sicilian accent with a smooth, demure manner, Tortilleus elaborates on his assignment. Well, Ms. Savonne is a babe, I must confess! But how does she compare to the beauty queen I’m taking an invitation to? She’s a Sports Magazine swimsuit model! I know you all have heard of her, GloriAnna VanHoustan? Now, whadda ya think about that, Mr. Barkus? he asks.

That’s what I’m talking about, Tortilleus! says Barkus, slapping a high five in the air with him, exclaiming, Yeah! clicking their wings together angel style.

Stratatarius stands and waves his hand to everyone and says, Listen! This is a great assignment we’ve been given! It is one of the utmost and important orders from the king! We do not have the luxury to procrastinate or idle our time away. We must not waste it. We have billions of miles to cover in just a short while and multitudes of guests to contact in a certain time frame. I understand you all are running over with excitement but realize the grave responsibility delegated to us by the king. Let us reaffirm our faithful allegiance to him and to our mission, resolving to stay on course without further interruptions, he commands boldly.

Rising to their feet, servant angels shout! Loyalty to the king! bringing their arms and hands across their chest. We stand true to thy commands, O king! Now and forever!

Back on track, servant angels kick it into high gear and finish their tasks with lightning speed!

It will not be long now until they infiltrate the earth with wedding invitations.

The king summons Gabriel and says, Call the servant angels to come to my chambers at once for their task is fulfilled, he confirms.

Yes, O king! he says, bowing then exiting his chambers.

Hail! Fellow servants, the king wishes to see you at once! he says.

Stratatarius secures the last mailbag and says, Arise and prepare to meet the king! Bring all invitations for the king to pronounce his blessing upon, he orders.

O king! Thy servant angels are here as you requested, says Gabriel.

Give honor to the king! he shouts.

Servant angels kneel with their heads to the floor before him.

The king leans forward in his royal throne with a radiant smile. So! All invitations are ready! he says, applauding them.

Stratatarius turns his head, glancing over to where Barkus and Tortilleus stand, arching one of his brows. Looking back to the king, he responds, Sir, we faced challenges but overcame our obstacles and persevered to the finish line meeting your urgent command, he expresses, bowing reverently before the king.

Yes indeed! deems the king. I commend you for completing your assignment and staying on course. Well done, my good and faithful servants! It is easy to lose track of time when you are having fun, but you are right on schedule, my friends (Matthew 25:21, 23; KJV).

The king opens the mail bags, inspecting the invitations, and says, You did an excellent job! I am incredibly pleased with these! It will be with the same determination that you must complete your assignments on earth as well.

He removes his Kingdom Signet Ring from his right hand and says, After I have pronounced my blessing upon all invitations, I want each one sealed with gold wax and imprinted with my seal of authority from my kingdom ring. This is my faithful oath of promise to those accepting my invitation, placing the ring in Stratatarius’s hand.

It shall be done as you request, affirms Stratatarius.

Before you go, I have some unfinished business which deserves my attention, says the king, with discerning eyes on Barkus. Try not to get infatuated with Ms. Sandra Savonné when you deliver her an invitation to the wedding, hum?

Flustered and embarrassed, Barkus stammers, I… I only… I just… he looks around at the other servant angels for support, but not one of them wants to touch this! Where’s all their love now? he reasons to himself.

The king looks sternly at him and asks, Well? What is it you wish to explain to me?

I… I just wondered for an instant what it would be like to be a human and sort of… kinda have somewhat of a connection with her… er… them, he whispers shyly. I guess I got sort of carried away a little, he confesses, lowering his head. His peachy feathers glow scarlet red now! The more he tries to explain, the redder his feathers become.

The king throws his head back and fills his chambers with contagious laughter.

Everyone laughs! Even Barkus!

My dear Barkus, I already know what you are going to do and say long before you do! I am not angry; I only wish to correct and remind you that angels do not court or marry the human species, no matter how beautiful the woman may be. Do not set yourself up to fail. You would only find disappointment and end up with a broken heart, states the king.

I apologize for my daydreaming, says Barkus. I really let my imagination run away with me, didn’t I? he chuckles.

The king nods his head and turns to look in the direction of Tortilleus. I am also aware that you are not the only one caught up in this romantic fantasy today. Tortilleus, I heard you two swooning over these babes and tens as you referred to them. What do you have to say about this? he asks.

It’s true, he says, looking down shamefully. I got carried away as well as Barkus. Please accept my humble apology. I also forgot that you are always listening and watching over us, he confesses.

I accept both apologies. The two of you step forward, he orders. Nervously, they walk before his throne with their heads bowed low.

The king rises and wraps his arms around them and whispers gently,

You have committed no trespass today. I know the full intentions of your heart’s my friends. All is well, now go in peace and watch out for one another while visiting your guest with an invitation. You are your brother’s keeper.

Matthew 25:35 (KJV)

Basking in his love, both are relieved by the king’s kind rebuke.

He then walks through isle after isle of mailbags placing his final blessing on them. In deep meditation of heart, he infuses faith, hope, love, and miracles into each invitation. He extends bountiful blessings upon the servant angels, giving the last of instructions, saying, When you finish sealing the invitations, take your journey on wings of faith! I will always be near you, so do not fear! Be strong and vigilant! Whoever shows you hospitality and welcomes you into their home is where I bring my blessing. Whoever does not treat you courteously nor welcomes you in their midst, take my blessing and leave at once! They will settle up with me at the last! (Matthew 10:14‒15, KJV).

Declares the king. If you are mistreated, the one doing you harm will have to give an account to me! he says. I will repay all injustice! But render no evil for evil done to you but return good instead, keeping yourselves in the bond of love (1 Peter 3:9, KJV). When you enter towns and cities, and the people refuse to listen to you, depart and shake even the dust off your feet! This will testify against them (Matthew 10:14, KJV; P.B.A). Always demonstrate my power and love wherever you go," he instructs.

Tell them, to whom you are sent, ‘Come! My fatted calf is roasted to perfection! The finest of wine and food is prepared for you! Everything is now ready! Come to the greatest wedding and banquet celebration ever known to man and angels,’ shouts the king (Matthew 22:4, KJV).

The royal chambers of the king fill with glorious praises from the mighty host of servant angels!

Now, I release you into the earth to do my will! Take flight to the world below and deliver my invitation! shouts the king.

Marvelous lights fill the king’s royal chambers with radiant beauty as servant angels continue offering exalted praises to the blessed king.

Arise, all servants of the king! orders Stratatarius. Fulfill our king’s command and carry out his divine orders to the ends of the earth!

Servant angels quickly exit the king’s chambers, returning to the palace printshop to seal and imprint each invitation with the king’s signet ring. Upon completion of this task, all servant angels gather the mail bags and stand in ranks in front of the king’s palace, ready to depart to earth. The entire fleet of servant angels takes flight from the portals of heaven, disappearing into the third, second, and first heaven above the earth’s atmosphere.

Billowing streams of white, vaporous clouds and brilliant, glorious lights paint the skies with unusual colors around the world for all to see! Darkened skies light up in wondrous beauty!

People of every nation, tribe, and tongue marvel at the sight. Pointing to the sky, they ask, What does this mean? A believer and worshipper of God quotes from the book of Joel, And I will show wonders in the heaven, and in the earth (Joel 2:30, KJV).

In other places, people report, This is a sign and wonder that has been predicted long ago. It is written in the holy scriptures that there will be miraculous things appearing in the earth and heavens before the great and notable day of the Lord comes (Acts 2:20, KJV).

The vast hosts of servant angels infiltrate the populous of earth, taking invitations to every tribe, province, nation, and tongue. They go to the uttermost parts of the darkest regions extending invitations to all. No one is excluded for great and small, rich and poor are invited to the wedding and marriage supper of the king’s son.

The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his Son and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; Tell those who are invited, ‘See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.’

Matthew 22:2‒4 (NKJV)

Ch. 4

Bebe the Hooker

It’s the south side of Chicago, and the sun has gone down. Bars and motels line the streets along with coffee shops and restaurants. The night draws out the dark side of people’s lives from the woodwork. Corners and bars fill with prostitutes and drug runners. Fights break out as hookers and drug runners argue over whose turf is whose. Neon lights shine on the crisscross metal coverings over nightclub windows, casting prison bar shadows on the sidewalk below where Bebe works tonight.

She is only one out of millions of youths caught in a cyclonic warp of self-destruction. Her real name is Jenine Estees, the oldest of three brothers and two sisters from an African American single-parent home. More is expected of her as the oldest. She learned to cook and clean at an early age, unable to enjoy her childhood. She does whatever her mother, Nadeen, asks without complaint. Little, if any, time is given to her education.

At age fifteen, she is lost in a maze of failing grades, peer pressure, and very low self-esteem. She cannot see how anything will be any different than it is now. Poverty, hand-me-down clothes, and a weak support system at home make days at school more of