As I wrote this story, the question that constantly weighed on my mind was, “Am I truly expressing the heart of God as revealed in Scripture?” While I tried to base most of the narrative on solid grounds, I know that my own perspective inevitably seeped in, and I cannot be certain that everything is entirely correct. This was especially true for the parts told from the perspective of angels or Satan—since I relied on my own understanding of the Bible, there may well be issues or inaccuracies. If any part of this story has troubled or offended you, I sincerely apologize.
Regardless, I did my utmost to ensure that this work would not become a strange tale at odds with the Bible. It was not easy to weave together historical, social, and cultural research in order to bring the Scriptures to life, and I devoted an extraordinary amount of effort to certain doctrinal points that I simply could not gloss over. Since I cannot explain doctrines I do not fully understand, I tried to consult various sources and explain things as simply as possible; still, some explanations may differ from what you have previously learned, and there may be inaccuracies. This is why I have said that you do not need to take my words at face value. My hope was simply that, by considering things from this perspective, we might come to understand God’s heart a little more—but that does not mean my interpretation is necessarily correct. So if you come across something that seems off, I hope you will understand with a generous heart. And if you find errors in my explanations, I would be grateful if you would consider why they are wrong and help enlighten those like me who may not fully understand.
In any case, I have finally reached the end. Sometimes I wish my writing skills were better, so I could have shown you more clearly the God and Jesus I have come to know. But for me, even this much felt beyond my abilities. I could not express everything I intended, but if, through these humble words, you have come to know and love God a little more, that is more than enough for me. That was the reason I dreamed of and began writing this story, and it is what sustained me through twelve years and many moments when I nearly gave up. Though I am unworthy to write about the story of Jesus, I am truly grateful to God for guiding me to the end.
