Neil FiskNeil's wife
A man born with a shortened leg who is consumed by grief after his wife's death. He desperately tries to find a way to genuinely love God to be reunited with her, ultimately becoming a light-seeker, dying in a crash, and going to Hell despite achieving absolute devotion.
Janice ReillyInspirational speaker and Pilgrim
A woman born legless after Bardiel's visitation who became a speaker for the disabled. After Rashiel miraculously restores her legs, she goes on a pilgrimage to return the gift and is eventually struck by Heaven's light.
Ethan MeadLibrarian and Witness
A librarian who witnesses Rashiel's visitation and believes his destiny is tied to Janice Reilly. He leaves his wife to accompany Janice on her pilgrimage and witnesses both Neil's descent and Janice's transformation.
Claire
Benny VasquezEyeless Devotee
A minor celebrity whose eyes were erased by Heaven's light, granting him a state of blissful, absolute devotion that Neil tries to understand.
Tony CraneSupport group member
A man whose wife died in a visitation who now exhibits groveling devotion to God and advises Neil to do the same.
Robin PearsonBereaved widow
A woman who committed suicide to rejoin her husband in Hell after realizing a nurse had lied about his soul ascending during Makatiel's visitation.
Phil SoamesSupport group member
An attendee who points out the logical paradox that loving God solely as a means to reunite with a deceased spouse is not true devotion.
Valerie TommasinoSupport group member
An attendee who advocates the humanist position, refusing to love a God who inflicts arbitrary pain.
Sarah's parentsIn-laws
Sarah's parents who live in a suburban colonial and cruelly blame Neil's lack of devotion for their daughter's death.
NathanaelAngel
The angel whose visitation in a downtown shopping district caused miracles but also resulted in the death of Sarah Fisk.
RashielAngel
The angel who restored Janice's legs and whose visitation Ethan Mead witnessed in a parking lot.
BardielAngel
The angel whose appearance during a hailstorm caused Janice to be born without legs.
MakatielAngel
The angel during whose visitation Robin Pearson's husband was afflicted with stomach cancer and died.
BarakielAngel
A seething mass of silver flames that Neil pursues in his truck at the holy site, resulting in his fatal crash.
Barry LarsenSerial killer
A serial rapist and murderer who saw Heaven's light while disposing of a body and whose soul was accepted into Heaven.