Nine Days in Heaven: A True Story by Dennis, Nolene Prince

THEREWITH, AND NOT
TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES? ”

    “You, man, have continually violated the law. Do you think you can trifle with it and not suffer the consequences? Don’t you understand that when you oppose the law, destruction must come upon you? The time has now come.”
    As the voice of Justice ceased, a great light flashed over the scene, and a dazzling cloud rapidly descended. From the cloud another being appeared. Her name was Mercy, and her manner was the exact opposite of Justice.
    She was the embodiment of meekness. She halted Justice, who was still advancing toward the fallen group, and embraced him.
    “Why must you be relentless?” she demanded. “Why must this sinner perish? Is there no hope for him?”
    In a voice that shook the heavens above, Justice replied, “No hope can come from his fellow man!” Even the stars trembled, and the earth quaked and reeled as he spoke. “No hope exists in the fallen world,” he repeated, still advancing and poised to strike.
    As the blow was about to descend on the sinner, Mercy spoke again. She bent protectively over the bleeding form and placed her left hand on his heart. Holding back the arm of Justice, she lifted her face and called out to God.
    “Your throne, O God, endures forever. Your Word stands forever. 1 There is no end to Your years. You, O God, are holy. The foundation of Your throne is righteous. It is the glory of the everlasting hills and the defense and safety of the heaven of heavens, where countless tens of thousands of glorified seraphim are gathered.
    “Here, O God, is a man, fallen into sin. We know he has taken Your rule lightly, violated Your law, and challenged Your rightful vengeance. He has trifled with Your will and fought against eternal and unchangeable justice. He has fallen and lies here dying. Yet, O God, You have created him an immortal and spiritual being. He is also a rational being, and therefore he is accountable. Because of sin he now lies on the brink of the bottomless abyss. If he falls, he will suffer pain and grief forever.

“T HE SINNER HATH PRESUMED UPON
THY GOVERNMENT, AND TOUCHED WITH
IMPIOUS HANDS THE FLAMING SWORD ;
HATH DARED VENGEANCE; TRIFLED
WITH THY WILL; AND CONTENDED WITH
ETERNAL AND IRREVOCABLE JUSTICE .”

    “My name is Mercy, and mercy is an attribute of Your throne. Justice and mercy both belong to You, O God! Let Your love descend, O Eternal One.”
    She turned to Justice. “And you, Justice, spare this fallen being! Spare him, even though he has sinned and sold his eternal good for a pittance!”
    At this point Mercy bowed her head, waiting for the decision.
    A voice from the cloud then said, “Mercy, you have pleaded for the sinner, and heaven will listen to you. Justice, delay your execution. Mercy, can you find a ransom for the sinner?” 2 One of the watching angels cried out the answer: “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. 3 He is the righteous one who will pay the ransom and bear their sin.” There was a pause, and a woman approached. It was Mary, the mother of Jesus. She bent down with Mercy beside the dying man and held the baby toward him as she looked reverently up toward the cloud.
    The voice continued from the cloud, “This is My beloved Son. I am well pleased with Him. As it is written, ‘A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, 4 till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.’”
    Then Justice replied, “Has your Son experienced temptation and conquered it? Has He ‘suffered outside the city gate,’ as it is written of Him? 5 Has He conquered death? Can He hold back the storm of sin and death? Can He change the diseased nature of the heart? Can He descend into the vortex of death and stop that mighty current flowing down to the abyss?”

“C AN HE DESCEND THE MAELSTROM
OF DEATH, AND ARREST THE HEAVY
TIDE WHOSE BROAD CURRENT THENCE
ROLLS TO THE BOTTOMLESS ABYSS ?”

    Mercy