Children love stories – stories of adventure, discovery, peril, fortune, surprise, mystery – even stories of animals, birds, and other creatures as well. Brian Murray’s newly released book, Seven Eagles, is an exceptionally good book for children and families. It is full of drama, adventure, and intrigue.
It presents the “Last Four Things” – heaven, hell, death, and judgment in allegorical form. It is intended for ages 10 and up, or younger children when read with a parent or grandparent.
The book is well written and features several beautiful illustrations to accompany each chapter. It is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Brian Murray has a lot of experience helping young people grow and mature. He and his wife Teresa have 12 children and presently 14 grandchildren. They are members of the People of God community in New Jersey, USA. Brian has served in leadership roles in this community and the community’s school, Koinonia Academy.
In the epilogue of the book, the author sums up the book’s aim.
“This story was written in Lent of 1997. I edited it as we were approaching Advent of 2023. So much was happening then and is happening now: war in the Mideast, political polarization in our culture, natural disasters, immorality, confusion, disregard for life, and so on.
While it is healthy to consider the four last things at any age, perhaps now it should be an even greater priority. With all the craziness around we could be discouraged, but what I find helpful is that our struggles come down to three temptations, the world, the flesh, and the devil. If, we can come against these three things, as Jesus did in the wilderness, all will be well.
The temptation of the eagles personifies the temptations of our earthly life. How do we resist Satan’s deceitfulness? By calling to mind daily God’s promises, Jesus’ victory over sin and death, and making use of the power of the Holy Spirit who resides in us since our Baptism.
Alone, we lose, but God guides us, and we can call upon our brothers and sisters to pray and encourage us.
The first of the last four things is perhaps the one we fear the most, death. Inwardly I think we all want to live forever. After all, God created us for immortality. When we think about death, we are inclined to rebel. Of course we want to live forever, but not in a world full of temptations and disappointments. We all want something better.
Death can come twice if we are not faithful. The first death is our physical death. It is a passage to the next realm. This happens to all of us. The second death is the one to avoid, and that would be total separation from God: cast into hell. To avoid that death, we need to draw ever closer to God.
When I first started working for an admiral in the navy, I knew it was a privilege. I knew it was the best position in the navy for a cook to serve. I knew the living conditions would be better than living in the bowels of the ship with the other cooks, but I did not know exactly what it would be like, or even if I was good enough. It was an awesome kind of fear. I had to act differently, even when I was “off duty” because I represented something special. I was a member (minor member) of the Admiral’s staff, both on and off the ship, and I needed to carry myself that way.
An offence in that position was far more serious than an ordinary sailor. I had to always remember who I was and who I represented in foreign ports. That same awe needs to be ingrained in me as a Christian. I need to always remember that I represent Jesus and His Kingdom, and I am always on duty. The more I do that, the less fear I will have of death.
It is certainly not all about fear. The more I got to know the admiral, the better I liked him and enjoyed serving him. He was a good man and good to us. I wanted to represent him well, not just out of fear, but out of love and respect.
Similarly, we want to be faithful ambassadors of Christ who loves us so much He died for us and welcomes us into His kingdom. We want to be who we have been called to be. Let me end with this Scriptures from the Wisdom of Solomon and Isaiah, which says it all so much clearer than I can express it.
“God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it. But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation, they shall shine and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.” Wisdom of Solomon 2:21:3:9
On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. Isaiah 25:7-8
Top image credit: Book cover illustrated by Eric Strong © 2026.
Brian Murray is a coordinator in the People of Hope, in Newark, New Jersey, USA.