He speaks to them as friends. He is sincere and compassionate and full of hope in what feels like a hopeless situation. “A man named Paul was a Jew just like me and he lived over two thousand years ago. He said, ‘Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.’ Don’t put off what you can do right here. All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved! Now is the time to ask Jesus for salvation.”
“Now’s the time for this,” a man says as he curses and calls Elliott filthy names.
Several in the crowd laugh, but Elliott speaks directly to him. “I was you before all this happened. I never wanted to hear the name of Jesus. We never spoke his name in my home. If I had heard someone say these things I would be as angry as you. You don’t have to believe me. Pick up this book and read what God has said. Beginning in the books of the Old Testament, he told us how everything was going to end.”
Noise picks up down the street as glass shatters at another business storefront. People in the crowd turn at the commotion, and several run toward the newly available treasures. The man hurls more obscenities at Elliott, disgusted by him and his God, and he follows the pack to ransack the next store.
“God knew this is what we would come to because we’re human,” Elliott continues to the crowd remaining before him. “He knew we would shut him out of everything. He knew we would want to rule ourselves and that because of that we would destroy ourselves. Look at us. Look at what has happened to our city and country by those who hate us. And look at what we’re doing to what’s left of our own neighborhood. We’re destroying it and ourselves. All around the world we’re at war with and killing each other. Several of you have been cursing at me for the last couple of minutes, but for centuries now humans have been cursing at God, telling him to get out of their lives. We’ve rejected him and his word and we have rebelled against him. From the very beginning, God said that his spirit would not strive with man forever.” A group of five men gather along the edge of the crowd to listen.
“God’s wrath isn’t like man’s wrath. If it was, we would have been doomed long ago because of the way we have rebelled against him. God is patient; he doesn’t want anyone to die without knowing Jesus, but his cup of wrath is filling up because of our disobedience and sins against him. We read right in the Bible in Hebrews that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. He is good and kind and loving, but he’s also called the lion of Judah for a reason. Lions are dangerous. He loves you so much that he wants you to repent and turn to him.”
“You are an infidel and a liar!” shouts one of the five men who have gathered on the edge of the crowd. His dark face is ridged with lines. “This is the work of the Mahdi.” The bodies of the other four men are stiff with rage.
“The Mahdi, your prophesied redeemer…where is he in this mess?” Elliott says as he motions with his arm out toward the street.
“We don’t know where he is, but he is working to establish his rule. He will remain hidden until he reappears to bring justice to the world,” one of the men says, pushing his way through the crowd.
“How will he do that?”
The men are furious. “We don’t know these things,” another yells. “They are above us. That is up to the Mahdi and Allah.”
Elliott kneels down on the car, facing them as he speaks. “From the beginning, God revealed everything to us about the end. He has held nothing back or kept anything secret. He loves us all so much that he put everything into his holy word that we might know him, that we might know these things, and that we would believe and turn to his son, Jesus.”
“You are oppressing these people,” another yells as they each scream louder. “Your Jesus is a fascist, Islamophobic, Zionist pig.”
Elliott’s voice does not rise to meet theirs; he is calm. “The Bible says that we are all made in the image of God and precious in his sight. He doesn’t want any of us to perish, but to come to him through Jesus.”
The men, revolted by what they’ve heard, curse and roar out, their voices rising with fury. “Our beloved Mohammed said that a word of truth in front of a tyrant ruler or leader is the best form of jihad,” the first man shouts. “Allah will accept this.”
The men scream as they leap for Elliott. He falls backward onto the hood of the car, his heart beating against his ribs, but amazingly, the men don’t land on him or the car. Instead, they flail to the ground like birds shot from the sky, then scramble to their feet, trying to climb onto the wrecked heap. It’s as if they’re grasping at air, slippery with oil, and they shout curses. Elliott is breathless as he stands; some in the crowd begin to snicker at the sight of the men thrashing about against each other.
Incensed, one of them pulls out a gun and aims it at Elliott. “Get down from there, Jew, and face us like a man.”
Elliott’s tone is peaceful, and his eyes are filled with compassion. He is less than a foot away from the man and can see the beads of sweat in his eyebrows and on his upper lip. “I face you like a man. I don’t have a gun. All I have is the truth. Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one…’ ”
The man screams and opens fire at Elliott. The crowd shrieks as the bullets are heard hitting the building behind Elliott. He feels the blood drain from his head, looks down at his chest, and then at the building. The bullets missed him and licked at the red brick, leaving five distinct graze marks on the storefront. The man fires again and again, and each time, the bullets pass by Elliott and ricochet off the brick.
The woman who earlier had shoved shoes into the arms of her child cries, “He’s a man of God.” Others begin to cry at what they’ve just witnessed.
The man with the gun curses and threatens to kill Elliott, shouting words the crowd can’t understand. He and his companions push their way out of the crowd, screaming as they go.
There’s no time for Elliott to say anything more to them because people are gathering closer. His head is throbbing; he is in awe. God filled his mouth with his word and protected him from a murderer’s gun, just as Jesus said he would do. Elliott looks down the street, which is crackling with chaos, and feels his heart swelling.
These are his streets, and this is his mission.
To discover more about the biblical facts behind the story, read Where in the Word? on page 223, or continue reading the novel.
CHAPTER 19
Rome, Italy
With the United Nations gone, the conference of world leaders in Europe has garnered the globe’s attention. All world leaders were invited to participate, but Russia, along with Iran, some African countries, parts of Asia, and many countries of the Middle East have declined. In a great move of solidarity, the nations of Europe (many of which have been left weakened and vulnerable since the global disappearances), along with some countries in North Africa, the United States, Canada, and parts of Western Asia, have joined together. After losing much of their populations, many of them have banded together with three, four, or five other countries to form one nation. Many of these “nations” have now come together to form a ten-nation coalition that is being called the European 10, or E10 for short. The formation of the coalition has been miraculous, to say the least, and has given a breath of hope to the world.
In order to become stronger, the United States has joined the coalition, and US president Banes has, in his words, “Felt enormous relief to hear global leaders speak of peace, security, and restoration for the world. Out of chaos, unity is being developed on a scale the world has never known. We will truly have a global, interdependent society.”
But it is not President Banes, Chancellor Albrecht of Germany, Prime Minister Clattenberg of the United Kingdom, or any of the seven other E10 leaders who has received the most attention in the last couple of days. Rather, it is the counsel secretary of the E10, a man by the name of Victor Quade, who is generating buzz as the E10’s designated spokesperson.
Born to a German father and French mother, and with paternal grandparents in Poland, the thirty-s
omething charismatic blonde had a glorious childhood and education across much of Europe. Quade’s work in the private sector, first in marketing and then in finance, made his climb a natural one from the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of the feeble European Union to the current president of the failing European Council. The single, handsome leader found himself on the news on a daily basis as he began to restore life to the bleeding Union. He was charming and magnanimous on screen, and reporters and viewers alike clamored to hear more from him.
Quade soon learned the fine art of manipulation and extending the hand of friendship and comradery across the aisle to those who had once been enemies in the European Union, brokering deals between fighting factions whose countries had long been in turmoil. He fought for open borders across Europe, maintaining that autonomous nations were foes of global peace.
Quade has long been a proponent of socialized medicine and a common currency for not only Europe but the world. “A piece of paper in our wallets should not prevent us from growing stronger and closer together,” he was filmed saying at a conference years earlier. “The coins rattling around in our pockets should not keep us from helping a brother or sister in need. All that I have is yours,” he said, his voice rising with compassion and humility. “We can only be one in strength, in power, in unity, in kindness, in peace, in security, and in belief if we can share in one another’s burdens and joys. There is no greater way to share each other’s burdens than through the commonality of our monies.”
Quade’s views were met with some resistance, but many leaders and nations were already leaning his way before the havoc of the worldwide disappearances. His proposal for a common worldwide currency not only makes the most sense now but may possibly be the only way to ensure survival.
Reporters and TV news crews from around the world cram inside the grand lobby of the Palace of Justice to record the first statements from the E10 leaders. The Italian Supreme Court normally meets and has its offices here, but the vanishings have set the world on a new path for normal.
“A new international order is emerging that is radically different from anything we’ve ever known,” President Banes says from the podium on the landing at the top of the stairs. “It poses enormous challenges, but now is the time to reorder our world.” The reporters’ clamor echoes throughout the atrium and Banes raises his hands to quiet them.
“How can the E10 do this?” a female reporter from Japan asks, her voice rising above the others.
“That is the challenge, isn’t it?” Prime Minister Sophia Clattenberg says. “The challenge is how to build a world order for the first time in history, one that will cover our entire globe and protect all of our citizens.”
Before allowing any questions, Quade raises his hand, indicating he has something to add, and steps to the podium. “The E10 has a plan. In these coming days, we will forge for ourselves and for future generations a truly global society. Together we will form a global order that will stop war and famine, hatred and discrimination, an order that will eliminate poverty once and for all and standardize medicine for all. A world order that will be based on one currency for all our citizens. A world order that will work together to feed and clothe and provide a safe home for everyone. We are citizens of the world together, and we must act as one. A peaceful and interdependent world will be built from these ashes of crises. We have been thrust into a great position for global unity, and we will all rise victorious.”
“But the world is currently at war,” a reporter yells above the noise. “Many countries are attempting to annihilate each other. What…”
“These conflicts,” Quade says, refusing to say the word war, “will end. Peace and security must be our top priority.”
“Without a stable world, life as we know it is doomed, as a next world war would usher the globe into its final conclusion,” President Banes says. “We are working with all the nations involved to bring an end to these conflicts. We are working on what is called the Pathway of Peace, and it is needed now more than ever. We are aware that the Persian Empire, the Russian Empire, and an Arab caliphate could wreak havoc on our global security, and we extend our hands in solidarity to these leaders to join us. We must focus on peace and safety for the citizens of Earth.”
“What exactly is the Pathway of Peace?” a reporter with long black hair asks from the front.
“We are no longer enemies,” German chancellor George Albrecht says, looking directly into the cameras. “We aren’t looking out for our own best interests. We are all friends and neighbors, brothers and sisters. Peace can be achieved through each of us.”
Reporters raise their voices, questioning how this can done, when Victor Quade steps to the podium again. “Together we will achieve this. Together we will make the world beautiful. Together we will bring safety and security to the globe. Together we will be strong and unified and like-minded. Together we will usher in a peace that the world has never known. No one could do it before us, but this is our time. This is our time! It is our time to change the world!”
Quade’s words rally global support and acceptance as his presence seems to fill each TV screen with confidence and optimism. He sounds as if he’s armed with a vision and wisdom for peace that no man before him has ever had. Perhaps the E10 could possibly outline a plan for what no one has ever accomplished…a new world order and peace for mankind.
CHAPTER 20
Israel
The streets of Jerusalem and all of Israel are empty with the exception of the Israel Defense Forces fighting Hamas and members of the Muslim Brotherhood who have been living safely in Palestine since the two-state solution was signed into place. Zerah and his unit have been charged with guarding the Wailing Wall. The men are diligent at their posts; he assumes that most of their thoughts are as consumed as his, wondering about what has taken place in the world, what Israel’s enemies are planning at this moment, the likelihood that war is imminent, and how their tiny nation will survive. They are facing the worst existential threat of the Jewish nation since its statehood in 1948. They have held off the faction from Palestine, but they know that at any moment Palestine’s allies will see that Israel is still strong and will join the fight for their extermination. Israel pulled down its border walls when President Banes brokered the two-state solution and has lived at peace next to Palestine, but it has been a fragile peace at best, neither country trusting the other; and the Palestinians will not rest until they occupy the entire land of Israel. Zerah’s not sure how much the former walls would help anyway should a war begin. Had the United States not struck Tehran following the attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard would have already been mobilized and fighting against Israel.
The words spoken from members of the E10 have angered Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah Behnam Mahdavi, and he has in the last hour called for the final extermination of the world’s greatest antagonists: the great Satan and the little Satan, the United States and the Zionist dogs of Israel, and the members of the E10. “I have been chosen by Allah to hasten the coming of the Twelfth Iman, our beloved Mahdi, to launch a final holy war against the infidel Christians and Zionist pigs. The day is coming when we will live in a world without America and Israel. We will completely wipe them both from the map!”
Iran’s President Fahim Manesh was filmed saying, “It is time to bring an end to the fat, lazy, apathetic Americans, Jews, and the weak leaders of the E10 who know nothing of sacrifice and courage. We will not rest until your blood runs through your streets. We are united against you, and our holy hatred will spread throughout the world and strike like a serpent.”
Their words add fuel to the already-raging fires of their allies, long bent on the destruction of Israel and the United States. No peace agreement or group of foreign leaders will hold them back now. An attack could happen at any moment, and Zerah has never been so frightened.
“Zerah.”
He jumps at the voice, turning to the soldiers on hi
s left and right, but they’re unaware that anyone has spoken.
“Zerah.”
He pivots, holding his rifle.
“God is preparing you.”
“Blasphemy!” Zerah says aloud, making the soldiers on each side snap to look at him. He looks at them, wild-eyed. “Who has blasphemed the name of Hashem?”
One of the soldiers, a man by the name of Sergeant Jacobs, shakes his head. “No one has said a word.”
Zerah’s breath comes in short spurts. “I thought I heard something.” He shakes it off, breathing out and gripping his rifle tighter. As he turns his attention back to the top of the wall in front of him, he sees that an old man with a long gray beard and a mohair sackcloth robe is staring down at him.
“God is preparing you, Zerah,” the old man says, his voice rushing like a river across the expanse.
Zerah lifts his hand to point, but realizes no one else sees the man. No one hears his voice. He turns to look at Jacobs beside him; his eyes are keen on the wall. When Zerah glances again at the top of the wall, the old man is gone. He exhales, shaking it off as a hallucination. Maybe he is mad, as Rada suggested. But there is a fire within his heart that believes otherwise.
CHAPTER 21
Queens, NY
The darkness outside Emma’s window is frightening beyond description. The lights of the city were always there in the distance, reassuring her that New York was bustling with life. Now it’s black for miles, and terror sticks in her throat at what used to be the sight of it.
“Have you been up all night?” Matt asks when he walks out of the bedroom, making her jump.
She’s been on the sofa for hours, with several lit candles, and reading from Mrs. Ramos’s Bible. She closes the book and looks at him, standing up. “Yes! Matt, there’s so much in here,” she says, holding the Bible. “It’s all in here.”
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