Operation Dark Angel: The Rise of Nicolaitanes (Apocalypse Series Book 1)

by Pam Funke

  Due to being a news reporter, Gage was very inquisitive. He walked back slowly trying to figure out what just happened. Not just the bit with the missiles, but with the voice as well. Something was seriously wrong with the world today, although this was nothing new. Today seemed especially horrifying. Especially, when highly-esteemed men started hearing things. Thank God Byron was not around to hear Gage—Byron would have thought that Gage had lost his mind. What would Gage think of him then? Oh no, he could not risk having his best friend and colleague thinking that he, Gage Cameron, had had a moment of insanity. He was Mr. Cool, Calm, and Collected. No, he could not let Byron know what had happened to him as he would think that he was nuts. Maybe I am. Gage decided to keep the bit with the voice to himself, at least for now. Besides, he wasn’t at all sure that he had even heard the voice. He was under a lot of stress, not to mention the disaster that had happened here today. Obviously, the bit with the voice he had imagined. It couldn’t have possibly happened for real.

  ****

  As Gage sat in the rental car, he saw something red floating down out of the sky.

  “What the heck is that?” he wondered leaning forward to see better.

  The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Whatever they were, it didn’t feel like they were something good. Strange. He watched as the red things floated closer to the ground. He had his hand on the door handle and was about to get out of the car to inspect it when he saw the man again.

  “No Gage, stay in the car and leave now. Those spores are deadly. Wash them off the car and keep the windows up. Now go. The Master has much need of you here,” the man said urgently.

  Gage looked at the man standing in front of the car. He wasn’t sure why, but he believed him. He rolled up the window, turned the a/c off and drove away.

  “Why did he feel it was important to save me? How did he know my name? What did he mean the Master has need of me here? Just what is going on around here? Who was that guy?” Gage wondered.

  He turned the car around and headed towards the hotel. A few minutes later an idea came to him and he pulled over to the side of the road to see if there was still a cell phone signal. Luckily there was, he dialed the office of the Prime Minister, in Jerusalem, to set up an appointment to see him. He knew that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was a very busy man, especially now, but he had some questions that he wanted to ask. He needed to get some answers from him. If nothing else, he would have an update as to who was suspected or claiming responsibility for the missile incident and what would be done to retaliate, if anything. He knew that Israel would do everything in its power to defend its borders. There was no way Israel would allow whoever had done this to get away with it!

  “Prime Minister Olmert’s office, Ruth speaking, may I help you?” a woman said.

  “Yes, Ruth. This is Gage Cameron of ICNN news. I was wondering if the Prime Minister might be available to speak with me tomorrow.”

  “As a matter of fact, he is available at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. Shall I pencil you in, Mr. Cameron?”

  “Yes, thank you. Well, I will see you tomorrow then? Bye.”

  “See you tomorrow.”

  “Good. At least, that will relieve me of some of this anxiety,” said Gage.

  Realizing that he didn’t take any footage of the rubble, Gage turned the car around and headed back to Haifa. He sat in the car watching the sky. Where did all that strange red stuff go? He didn’t see any more of it floating from the sky. He rolled down the window and looked at the ground. He didn’t see any of it on the ground either. Maybe I imagined it. Guessing that it was probably safe to get out of the car, Gage grabbed his camera. He decided to take a few quick shots before going back to the hotel. Gage walked around looking for the perfect place to shoot some footage of the area. No one else seemed to be anywhere around. He was alone with the rubble. It was truly a sad sight. Just like that, so many were gone. Why had this happened? Gage knew he should hurry up before the authorities made him leave the area. It still amazed him how they had not already secured the area. He and Byron had gotten there fairly quickly, plus things were handled a little differently here than back in the states.

  After taking a few shots, Gage decided to drive around Haifa to see what he could find. Anything which appeared newsworthy Gage would film and take pictures of. He returned to the car and drove around aimlessly.

  ****

  Byron still wondered who Gage’s contact was. Gage wouldn’t tell him who was giving him the information, but whoever it was, gave him some superb stories. It has to be someone really close to whoever is doing all of this. First, they had gotten the tip about Nicolaitanes Balac’s political successes; then Nicolaitanes being given the presidency; and now the destruction of Haifa. Maybe this was just all a coincidence. Byron was feeling a little tired. He called his wife before going to bed.

  CHAPTER sixty-three

  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called a meeting of parliament. He was very appalled by what had happened in Haifa. He was also very concerned for the rest of the Israel. How had these missiles gotten past the country’s defenses? From what he gathered from intelligence, the missiles had not even shown up on radar. How is that possible?

  He ordered intelligence to go over the footage again and again until they had some answers. He asked if there had been any threats prior to the bombing or if anyone was claiming responsibility. The answers had been no. He even sent out requests to Israel’s allies for help.

  “Now what?” he asked.

  He was going to have to address the country and bring peace and comfort to the panicking people. Ehud wasn’t sure exactly what he was going to say, but first, he was going to have to address parliament. He walked up to the podium and held up his hands.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention now, please,” Prime Minister Olmert said.

  The members of parliament quieted down. They all sat quietly awaiting whatever news the Prime Minister was going to offer. Prime Minister Olmert gripped the sides of the podium for support. This was going to be a hard, emotional speech.

  “It is with great sadness that I come before you today. We have been attacked by an unidentified force for an unknown reason. Why has this happened? I do not know. But I do know this, we are going to find the cowards who have done this evil thing. They are going to pay dearly! We lost so many innocent lives today. We cannot bring them back, but may Allah bring their souls peace. My heart goes out to all of their families; may they be comforted in their hour of grief. Not only am I deeply saddened by what has happened I am also very angry as I know some of you are. Please take comfort in knowing that I am doing everything within my power to deal with this. Now, we must come together as a country. Comfort one another; support one another; talk to your children about it as I am sure they have questions and feelings about this. Be strong for one another. I also want you to keep your eyes and ears open; report anything suspicious no matter how miniscule it may seem. Everyone is important and I want you to know that you matter. Now go home and be with your families. Every moment that you have together is a blessing,” Prime Minister Olmert said.

  Ehud was surprised that he had gotten through his speech without collapsing. He felt sick to his stomach. Though Ehud was very upset right now, he had to be strong not only for his family but for his country as well. He felt completely helpless, but what more could he do? He took a glass of water from his aide then calmly walked outside to address the press and the country. He gave them a more uplifting version of his speech to parliament. Fifteen minutes later, he was finally back in the privacy of his office. He tried to relax a little. Ehud laid his head down on his desk and thought about what to do next. He did not know. He looked over at the phone on his desk and decided to check on his family. He was satisfied with the fact that they would soon be in a safe location. He had sent them out of the country to an undisclosed location. Ehud wasn’t sure why yet, but he did not think that this was over. He had a strange feeling that it was going to
happen again. He hoped that he was wrong.

  ****

  “What did you think of the news report, Nicolaitanes?” asked Tara.

  “I thought it was most interesting for what it was. It could have been more informative.” Nicolaitanes remained emotionless.

  The group talked excitedly amongst themselves. Nicolaitanes sat back and enjoyed their conversations. Mankind is so easy to corrupt. They have a natural desire for evil. They enjoy torturing each other and finding new ways to kill each other. They think everything can be solved with money. It can. This is so easy.

  “Time for a brief recess before Phase Two will begin. Go home to your families and your lives. We need to keep up appearances. We shall gather back here at 2130 hours this evening,” Nicolaitanes said standing up to leave. They all took that as a sign of dismissal and each rose in turn to head home or to their hotel rooms.

  CHAPTER sixty-four

  Richard Smith was excited although he kept it well hidden. He was going to be able to make it to Bible study after all. He couldn’t wait to learn. Besides, he wanted to read some more of his Bible. He had not been able to read in a while and he could not wait to read more. He was aching for more knowledge. He could finally understand how Halle felt. There was just something about God. Richard loved everything he knew about Him. He smiled to himself as he pictured the look on Halle’s face when he finally told her about all of this. She is going to be very happy. Just a while longer Halle, then I’ll call you and tell you all about it. Richard was glad no one had asked him where it was that he was going as they left for their various locations.

  He got into his rental car humming to himself. Richard drove out to the church in Richmond Hill. Since he had arrived a little early, Richard went up to the front of the sanctuary and chose a seat on one of the pews. He took out his Bible and began to read while he waited patiently.

  “Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him,” Richard read out loud.

  How amazing. Here was a man who was unclean and sinful, yet Jesus stops and talks with him and heals him from the unclean spirit. How awesome is that? Why is it that we cannot do that? All we do is judge one another and shun those who are different or in need of help. He continued reading, “Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority, He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

  “I want to be more like Jesus,” Richard said with a smile.

  “Sounds like you’re having Bible study without us,” Pastor Henry said smiling.

  “Pastor, I was just doing a little on my own while I waited. I can’t seem to ever get enough.”

  Pastor Henry was pleased. “Well, I will be sure to give you your fill of the word as I possibly can tonight.” They both laughed.

  Pastor Henry set up his notes and things on the podium while they waited for all who were coming to show up. Fifteen minutes later, after everyone had taken their seats; Pastor Henry began to sing, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

  Everyone stood up and joined in. Richard stood quietly, he felt bad that he did not know the words to the song. He would learn them and any other songs that he could find.

  “I want us to do things a little differently this evening. Everyone come up to the altar and join hands. Please join me for a moment of prayer,” Pastor Henry said stepping down from the pulpit.

  “Heavenly Father, we come before You this evening humble as we know how, thanking You for the opportunity to be here one more time to hear your marvelous word and to learn more about You. Give us the ability to sit still and learn without any distractions. Allow your word to be written on our hearts that we may carry it with us. May tonight’s lesson reach out and touch us in a way that will give each and every one of us the willingness to tell others. Use us oh Lord to do your will. May we each live our daily lives pleasing and acceptable to you. In Jesus’ Holy name, amen,” Pastor Henry prayed.

  “Amen,” the congregation said together.

  Everyone then turned and hugged one another and fellowshipped with each other for a few minutes before returning to their seats. Richard was amazed at how welcome everyone made him feel. He was all warm and fuzzy inside. So this is what he had been missing.

  Pastor Henry returned to the pulpit. “The revelation of Jesus Christ and the end times is our subject for tonight. Please turn with me to the book of Revelation. This is the last book of the Bible in the New Testament for those of you new to the faith,” Pastor Henry said. He looked out into the sanctuary waiting for everyone to find Revelation. When he saw no one still searching in their Bible he continued.

  “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. The book of Revelation is mankind’s warning of what’s to come. God gave us the signs of what to watch for to know when the end is approaching. There will be an end of things as we know it and there will also be a renewal of things. Yes, we are living in the days of the world gone wild and many of us think that things are bad now. Well, it’s time to wake up my brothers and sisters as these are only the beginnings of what is to come.

  In Revelation 1:14-18, John gives us a description of Jesus in which we can picture what Jesus looks like. And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last." I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Not only are we given an empowering description of Jesus, but he also provides Jesus’ divinity. We know that only Jesus died on the cross and rose again three days later. Only Jesus holds the key to death and hades. Jesus is exactly who He said He was, but yet people tried to disprove Him as the Son of God. They tried to disprove that He died and rose again, but yet here we see that He is all those things and more.”

  Pastor Henry paused for a moment and looked at each person’s face in attendance. He wanted to be sure that they understood what he had said thus far. He did not want to overwhelm anyone.

  “We must each repent of our sins and live our lives holy and acceptable to God. We, as Christians, are the lighthouses of the world. We need to allow the light of Jesus to shine through us to the world. Now is the time to get right with God. Now is the time to reach out to as many people as we can, for time, ladies and gentlemen, is running out like the sands of an hour glass. Jesus is coming back like a thief in the night. No one, but the Father, knows the day or the hour. Two will be standing in a field; one will be taken, the other left. Which one will you be? I hope that each of you wants to be the one taken for the one left will endure some serious perilous times. But all is not hopeless for the one left. They will be given one last chance to choose whom they will serve—God or the devil.

  I’m not trying to scare you; I am simply trying to give you the truth. All of mankind will have to make this choice. During this time, everyone will be forced to choose one or the other. In Joshua 24:14-15, it states “Now, therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD,
choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” This is a decision that each and every one of us is going to have to make whether we want to or not. You don’t want the choice to be made for you. I urge each of you not to wait too long to make that decision for yourself,” Pastor Henry continued.

  Richard raised his hand. Pastor Henry raised his eyebrows at him. But he decided to allow Richard to speak, as he knew Richard was new and did not know the proper etiquette yet. He was, however, glad that Richard was truly interested.

  “Yes?” Pastor Henry asked.

  “So, what happens to the ones who are left here and where do the ones who are chosen go?” Richard asked.

  “That is a very good question, my friend. I will explain all of this. Those who are chosen are not really chosen or picked, these are Christians who have chosen and accepted Jesus as their personal savior. They are the ones who have their names already in the Book of Life at this time. In 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 it states “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words,” So to answer your question those who are taken will be with the Lord forever,” Pastor Henry replied.