The midnight hour was upon me. I was discouraged after a long tour of duty in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Coral Sea. Months of nervous excitement as a Navy chaplain, 17 memorial services for fallen pilots and physical weariness had brought me low.
I was in desperate need of rest, physically and emotionally.
My body was feverish and my mind laden as I lay in bed that night. Then the heavens seemed to open. In my mind’s eye, I saw myself as a spectator peering down on military parade grounds near the flag pole. Then it seemed that I became part of the action, for I was on the parade grounds awaiting “colors,” the flag-raising ceremony. It was 7:45 a.m.
As the senior chaplain of the base, I was at officers’ call with the department heads. The commanding officer was giving the orders of the day, which in turn were passed down through the ranks. The commanding officer was the Lord Jesus Christ! He was addressing the senior officers.
To the senior medical officer, He said, “After quarters, you may secure the dispensary, Doctor. We will not need your services any longer, for there shall be no more pain, sickness, death nor crying here. I shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
He then approached the public works officer. “Secure the watch, Commander. Hang up your hat. The lights of this city will never fail. I am the light of the city.”
Next, He turned to the aircraft squadron commanders and said, “Gentlemen, park your aircraft outside the city walls and secure the watch. I have fought the last battle and all enemies have been defeated. There will be war no more.”
Finally, He addressed me and said, “Secure the watch, Chaplain. Your job is done. All personnel here are redeemed. You are a kingdom of priests unto your God.”
The bugler sounded “first call to colors.” It was now 7:55 a.m. The Navy band was standing by to play the national anthem and the Marine guard was standing by to raise the flag.
At 8:00 a.m., the bugler sounded again and we snapped to attention. There was a throne on the parade grounds. The commanding officer approached the throne on a white horse as the Marine guard raised the bloodstained banner of Jesus Christ. It would now fly forever.
The Navy band struck up the national anthem of heaven:
“All hail the power of Jesus’ name,
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown Him Lord of all.”
The commanding officer then spoke to the Marine guard: “Lash the flag to the pole. It shall never be hauled down. There is no retreat here, and night shall be no more.
“Secure the bugler. Taps will never be sounded here, for there is no sunset or death.
“Secure the guard. There is nothing to guard, for evil has been put away. The gates of the city shall never be shut.”
Then the Marine guard approached the throne with a great jeweled crown, placed it on the head of Jesus and saluted Him, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
The scene came to a close as words from the book of Revelation scrolled down the screen:
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:1-4, KJV).
The curtains were drawn. I lay in my bed and wept for joy, for I had been given a screening of the final victory of the King of Kings.
My health returned and I arose the next morning with new zeal and courage to serve the living Christ. I am encouraged to know that Jesus is alive and in command.
He said, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:16-17). {eoa}
The late Stanford E. Linzey Jr., was a World War II hero, having survived the Battle of Midway aboard the USS Yorktown as an enlisted sailor. He later served as the first active duty Navy Pentecostal and Assemblies of God chaplain, and the first to attain the rank of Captain. He was the husband of Charisma author Verna Linzey and father of James F. Linzey, who served with distinction as an Air Force and Army chaplain and as the chief editor of the Modern English Version Bible, published by Charisma Media.
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