Without knowing how it happens, John finds that he is lying on the floor of the church, and he feels something foreign possess his body. He is filled with a bitter anguish, and an evil voice tells him to rise and leave the church forever, but John finds that he cannot rise; instead, he feels himself falling away from the light.
John sees Gabriel looking at him with hatred and recalls that he had seen Gabriel naked, just as Noah’s son had seen his father naked, and John wonders whether he, too, would be cursed as his predecessor had been. John then experiences several visions culminating in his journey to a river and a glimpse of God. John is saved, and he opens his eyes to the light of a new morning. He realizes that these people who surround him are protected by God just as he is now, and Elisha calls out to John to tell of his experience.
John finds himself unable to speak because of the joy that fills him, and the congregation begins to sing for him and his new found salvation. He knows he is an equal among the others, and when he finds himself in front of his mother, she says how proud she is of him. Gabriel, on the other hand, is stony faced while John searches for words that will bring the two of them together. He quotes part of Gabriel’s own sermon of salvation to him, but Gabriel is unconvinced and unmoved. Florence ends the standoff between the two men by embracing John.
The churchgoers move out into the dirty streets and head for home in small groups. The older women discuss the events of the service and congratulate Elizabeth. They interpret her tears to be proof of her happiness and pride. They are not. Elizabeth is crying for John and the trials that he must face and for her lost love, John’s biological father, Richard.
While Elizabeth talks to the other women, Florence speaks with Gabriel about John’s salvation and future. She brings up the death of Ester and tells Gabriel that he can’t fool God the way that he fools mortal men. Florence brings out Deborah’s letter, which she has had for years and which tells of Deborah’s suspicions of Royal’s paternity. Florence then chastises Gabriel for his treatment of the dead woman. Gabriel counters that he has sought and received forgiveness, and it is not Florence’s place to pass judgment on him. Florence promises that before she dies she will make the truth known to Elizabeth so that Elizabeth will know that she is not the only one who has sinned and that John is not the only illegitimate child.
Walking down the street where he grew up, John sees that it is different than it was before his religious conversion and knows that it will never be the same. The same people are there and the same things happen, but he is different. He is free. He begins to cry again. Elisha gives him words of encouragement and admits, after John asks, that it was he, Elisha, who leaned over the suffering John and prayed for him. Elisha tells John that salvation is a constant and difficult struggle, but one need only to call upon Jesus for help. John asks Elisha to pray for him.
Everyone says their good-byes and separates until Sunday morning service. John turns and smiles at Gabriel who does not smile back. And then John speaks, “I’m ready. I’m coming. I’m on my way.”
