Brian Propst

March 21, 1997

East Carolina University

 

"The Beginning of the End"

"Hello fine, young American citizens. We are Soup and Lars. Would you like to hear an adventure?" was being played on the cassette player in the car.
"Say yes because I know you want to."

It was bright and cool. The streets shimmered as the sun was setting just beyond the horizon. Kids were still out playing kickball and riding bikes as he
drove through the neighborhood. Spring was here and it brought happiness and enjoyment. A perfect day for most people, but not for Brian. He was the
kind of person who loved the rain, and that was the type of weather that made him happy. But there was no sadness in his heart because tonight was the
big night. And all he had on his mind was the love of his life, his ruby. 

It was six fifty-seven p.m. "I’m gonna be late" he murmured. Time always seemed to be a little bit of a problem for Brian. He thought he could always wait
until the last minute to do something and he’d be okay. Continuing down the main road, he made a couple turns and traveled onward. Everything was
good. Everything was beautiful.

Meanwhile, miles away, Emily was awaiting her arrival anxiously downstairs. She was enjoying the company of the television while expecting him to show
up any minute. She never had in mind what would happen tonight.

For now Brian was almost to her house. It was just past seven. He straightened his bow tie and stepped out of the car. He closed the door and started
walking towards the door. He looked up to heaven and asked again, "God give me strength tonight."

As Brian rounded the walkway and was about to ring the doorbell, he felt someone touch his back. He turned around and, to his bewilderment, there was
no one there. This seemed odd. He stood there for a minute thinking.

Almost as if he was in a daze, Brian felt like he was all alone. And like that, all became unclear. "What?" he repeated. 

A short gust of wind blew. Leaves fell.

. . . . Time. . . . Then he looked around as the voices of angels sang. But he did not move and he did not breathe. Then the winds picked up. Clouds
started forming in the sky out of nowhere. And with that, he turned around and walked right inside. 

"Brian?" out called Emily, "Is that you?"

"Emily, this is weird, come outside and look at this." He said.

"What is it-"

"Just come and see."

In the seconds that had passed, the sky turned to the darkest orange one had ever seen. Planets, once never visible, could now be seen. Saturn’s rings
and all the many moons started to fall. And as if things hadn’t become weird enough, just as fear entered both of their bodies, they looked into the
distance, and behold, a white horse. A strong looking man was riding it, wearing only but a robe, and had a bow in his arms. Lightning crashed, and the
rains started to fall all so suddenly.

"Something’s wrong." Emily said as she clutched his arm. Brian nodded. The wind became fierce as Brian’s jacket flapped back and forth.

"What is going on? What is going on?" she yelled.

"I don’t know." he said in a lower voice than hers.

And just before they turned around to go inside, two more horses appeared to their amazement. One was black, and one was red. 

The earth started to shake. The cracks of earthquakes popped up right before their eyes. At that point, Brian grabbed Emily’s hand and brought her inside.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The noises were becoming unbelievably loud. As he slammed the door behind him, he took Emily in his arms and kissed her. Then she looked into him
and said, "I love -"

A bright burst flared.

All was quiet. Brian found himself in an unknown plane of existence. "No!. . . . where am I? . . . . H e l l o o o o o . . . . " And as tears began to roll down his
cheek, Brian screamed, "God help me!!!" He fell to his knees and put his hand over the back of his head. In an everlasting field, he waited and waited.

"Do not be afraid," An unusual voice spoke. "You are home."

"What?" Brian said .

"Home."

And with that, he knew exactly where he was. He looked up and saw an angel, glowing with glory.

"Who are you?" Brian asked softly.

"Gabriel. I am Gabriel. The seals have been broken for some time now. Seven years have passed."

"Where is she?" He asked.

"She is near, my child."

Brian rose up and smiled. For he knew the truth was being told. He took a deep breath and said, "Everything’s fine now isn’t it."

"Yep." Gabriel said, "Everything’s good."

Brian nodded. And then he turned around and before himself, he saw a city of gold.

Gabriel assured Brian that "God will wipe away every tear from your eyes. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. And there shall be no
more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Brian was carried away up the high mountain to the great city. Having the glory of God, her light gleamed and was like a clear jasper stone. There was a
wall with twelve gates and twelve foundations and twelve angels at each of the three gates on each side.

As Brian and Gabriel neared the city, a man appeared before them and said, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the
Last."

With that the three entered from the south and inside was a pure river of life. And there standing was the most beautiful woman Brian had ever seen. He
embraced her and lifted her up.

She smiled and said, "I’ve been waiting for you. I never finished what I was saying before. . . . I love you."

"I love you too Emily."

T h e - E n d .