Dream Train (eBook)

Chapter One –
THE TRAIN

Sleep remained elusive from me for several days. Exhaustion accompanied me all the while. At last, I nestled into a bed, kept my eyes closed, and plunged into a deep slumber. Not long after, I began an incredible dream. I pictured a great train, unlike any I ever viewed in my life. This transport functioned as part of a massive system of trains, all designed by a Master Engineer. The train made dozens of stops, no, make that hundreds of stops, all along life’s way. The ultimate destination that one could reach on this locomotive existed as a place of eternal splendor. Most people called it the Shining City.2 This location occupied a realm where the wicked ceased from their troubling and the weary soul finds rest.3 The Shining City held a reputation of being absent from grief – a place where death itself dies. The most beautiful of scenes, the loveliest of sounds, the most delicious of tastes, the most pleasant of aromas, and the most fulfilling of activities awaited those who arrived by train at this promised land.

The Shining City and the train itself came into existence through the creative powers of The Conductor and His Son.4 (I know that the “conductor” on most trains refers to someone who collects fares and sells tickets. However, in my dream the porters took care of this task.) The Conductor on this transport functioned as the engineer, the One who guided the passengers to their intended destinations. No one ever saw Him on the entire trip; however, passengers could talk with Him from one specific car. Some did not believe He even existed, but how could the train drive itself – especially with a record of no accidents or derailments since the initial journey began?

Although no one had seen The Conductor, people did behold His Son, The Prince. Thousands of years earlier humanity appeared in jeopardy of eternal loss because of their evil ways. The most wretched of all sicknesses – the cancer of sin in the soul – plagued every person on the planet. People became sinners by choice and by nature. Without a sinless Savior, men and women faced a destiny of doom. However, The Conductor loved His creation so much He sent His Son to our world to rescue and redeem us.5 The Son of God became the Son of Man so that sons and daughters of men could become sons and daughters of God. He descended so we could ascend. He faced temptation so we could overcome. He suffered so we could be healed. He became poor so we, through His poverty, might be made rich.6 He died so we could live. (I remember thinking that the Bible declares Him to be King from eternity and at His birth, but in my dream, people knew Him as The Prince – The Crown Prince, whose coronation would occur at the consummation of all things in the Shining City.)

There is someone else you should know about. I never even knew His name if He had one. I just referred to Him as My Companion. He is the one who persuaded me to board the train in the first place. He accompanied me throughout my life. His voice always urged me to do right, and He felt grieved when I chose to do wrong. He always spoke well about The Conductor and The Prince.7 As a matter of fact, I came to find out on the railway journey that His voice sounded just like theirs. I never saw Him either. Some may think He was simply an imaginary friend. However, I never would have boarded the train without His gentle leading. I needed Him near me to counter the diabolical presence of another sort.

The Tempter also traveled with us on this extraordinary journey. He constantly lurked in the corners and the shadows, always ready to pounce on me at an unsuspecting time. His voice repeatedly spoke the opposite of what My Companion said. The worst part of the devilish fiend is that he could disguise his identity. During the stops when we exited the train, he often tried to roar at me like a lion. But once back on board, he would dress up like a messenger of light.8 He hated The Conductor, The Prince, My Companion, the porters, and the passengers. He endeavored to coerce the travelers to board other trains, which he promised would take them to paradise, but instead led to perdition.

The porters served as “unsung heroes” on the train. They selflessly waited on the passengers to help meet their needs and ease their burdens. I never even learned most of their names. Many of them were not as educated as some of the passengers and some of them even worked other jobs as well. They did far more than punch tickets and take up money. Their primary duties included explaining things from The Schedule to the people. Not only did this document feature a list of all possible stops along the journey, but The Schedule also contained 66 books The Conductor provided for the travelers’ guidance. The porters knew this writing well and were always available to inform and inspire us from it.

As for the train itself, some components seemed common to what I knew, while others differed greatly in my dream. At least eight different cars made up this locomotive.. First, the Coach Car, where hundreds of people could sit for long periods of the excursion. This larger-than-real-life car featured some seats for two people facing forward, but also bigger compartments where as many as three people could sit on each side facing each other like in a stagecoach in the days of the old west. The Dining Car featured a large area with multiple tables for passengers to eat as many as three times a day. The food always tasted delicious. A large banner hung over the entire car which read:

“Come and dine the Master calleth, come and dine, you may feast at Jesus’ table all the time; He who fed the multitudes, turned the water into wine, to the hungry calleth now, Come and dine.”9

The Lounge Car became a popular place for most of the passengers. It, too, occupied a huge area with all kinds of comfortable seating available. People could play games, sing together, read The Schedule or other books, or just sit and talk. Special events often took place there. Another huge banner stretched above this long room saying:

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms.”10

The Chapel Car usually opened only on Sunday for the Lord’s Day Chapel. Porters and passengers joined together to receive instruction and inspiration for the journey. A different subject received emphasis at every gathering. The service sessions were offered at multiple times on each Sunday to accommodate more people. The room itself featured simple furnishings; yet had a sacred sense one could feel upon entrance. On the left side of the wall a scripted banner waved from above:

“The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ the Lord, she is His new creation by water and the Word; From Heaven He came and sought her to be His holy Bride, with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.”11

On the right side of the wall a similar banner unfurled containing these words:

“’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb; ‘tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb.”12

The Communication Car served as a place where passengers could go and speak directly to The Conductor. In addition, one could listen in on the praise, prayers, and petitions of others. People could converse with The Conductor corporately or privately. Another giant sign stretched out above this car. The message fit the activity of this place:

“Take time to be holy, speak oft with Thy Lord; Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.”13

The train included a Baggage Car, of course, although I never saw it. Upon arrival, the porters took our minimal possessions that pertained to the necessities of life, and they put them away for us. At night we slept in the Sleeper Car. This long area consisted of many berths like the top of a bunk bed, only a little larger. This message greeted us at the door of this car:

“Blessed quietness, holy quietness, blest assurance in my soul, On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks to me, and the billows cease to roll.”14

I wished that sign had been true for me. Alas, I slept very little the first several weeks of the journey. However, the fault certainly belonged to me alone. The train had an unusual policy. You could bring anything you wanted on board; however, anything beyond the necessities that were stored in the Baggage Car had to be kept with you in your sleeping berth. I amassed a great number of packages, boxes, and bags filled with the world’s charms. I would get off the train at almost every stop, including places like Ambition, Prideville, and Success City. I always returned to the train with my arms full. Consequently, I could not sleep at night because I had no room to move around in my bed.15 I even carried some of the items around with me to the Dining Car and the Lounge area because I deemed them too valuable to leave in my berth. The weight of all this luggage proved unbearable at times.

Lest I forget, the train also featured a caboose at the end. (I know they are mostly...