A Abba's Apocalypse

by Charles E. Butler

  I quietly and humbly reply, “It’s my honor Lord.” “Your great faith pleases me. I require more bravery of you.”

  I kneel using my right leg while bowing my head. “Yes Lord,” I solemnly answer. “Great tribulation is about to fall on mankind. The things that will happen will change hearts. The fear of these things will shake the world. The fear of some will cause them to die. A final chance at redemption will be given everyone not under the mark. This is the voice of truth.”

  My mind fills with every prophetic passage I’ve ever read or heard. I have spontaneous complete understanding of every verse. My spirit speaks without words, “Lord, I know your words, of these things to come.”

  His Holy Spirit speaks to me, “I will give you my power to overcome any evil, and to defeat any demonic attack. You will witness the ‘good news’ you’ve chosen to put in your heart.”

  Again, He asks, “Will you stand for me? Will you be brave for me? Will you fight for me? Will you trust in me?” A great benevolence snatches me from behind. I am plunge back while screaming to the bright image in the fading light, “Yes, I will Lord!” I wake up screaming “Yes, I will!”

  I find myself sitting in the echo of, “I will;” as these words slowly drift away. “Are you all right Joey?,” Randy asks.

  It’s as if I awoke fully conscious replying, “I’m fine brother.” My soul desperately desires to divulge my revelation, but my spirit tells me to wait awhile. Calmly, I turn and ask Randy how he’s feeling. I peel the Velcro cover back on my watch to see the hands pointing to 7:30. I reseal the cover and notice Amanda remains sound asleep. I think how

  tired she must be. I bet this is the most sleep she’s gotten in some time. Randy’s wrapped blanket reminds me of his need for clothes. Quietly, I journey to the storage closet on the other side of the supply room.

  This is where the pastor stored dry goods. I find a couple pair of mechanic’s suits that might fit both of them. “Here you go Randy. See if this fits you.”

  I swap places with Randy and tell him, “You can use the closet with the sink to change and wash up.” Some rustling sounds coming from the chapel suggesting the brothers are awake.

  Randy muffles between the wipes of his towel, “Thanks Joey, they seem to fit fine.” I grab a food ration and hand it to Randy as I ask, “Do you remember what led to your capture?” A grim look appears as his head slowly shakes side to side. “Don’t worry friend, you can tell me when you’re ready.”

  I grab his shoulder and firmly squeeze saying, “It’s okay.” I motion with my hand for him to follow me, as I move quietly towards the door. We both leave Amanda to her peaceful sleep, while we go introduce Randy. I softly shut the supply room door behind us.

  The Irreverent worship and prayers whisper in unison throughout the hall. Randy and I approach the chapel. “Good morning Scotty.” I ask him, “How did you sleep?” Scotty is standing at the chapel entrance trying to look over my shoulder at Randy. I stoop slightly and introduce them to each other. Randy and Scotty shake hands as Scotty wraps his free arm around Randy. He then ushers Randy into the chapel. Scotty quietly explains what the other brethren are doing and welcomes Randy to join in. His conversation is interrupted by the clicking and popping sound of the overhead chamber door. Scotty and I cautiously stare at the top of the stairs waiting for the descending legs to reveal our guest’s face. In a moment, and at the same time, we both recognize and welcome our dear friend with, “Its Pastor Paul.” Scott goes to

  greet Paul and help him secure the entrance. He informs Paul

  of our new guess, as Randy and I move into the chapel.

  I fold open a couple metal chairs and invite Randy to sit beside me. I try explaining everything that is going on while filling him in the details surrounding “Project T.” His eyes are very attentive to my every word, as he absorbs the ambiance and comradeship going on all around us. Randy’s face is

  overwhelmed with emotion as he fights back tears forming in his glazed eyes. I guess all the compassion is more than he’s felt in quite a while. I wrap my right arm around his adjacent back and say, “Randy, welcome to our brotherhood and family.” These words break the dam holding his tears back. I do the only thing I can and give him a brotherly hug filled with compassion.

  Pastor Paul pulls up a chair right after closing the chapel doors. He introduces himself to Randy, while he opens and clangs his metal chair against Randy’s chair. He bends his arm and stretches his hand open, suggesting to Randy his hand in friendship. “I hear your name is Randy; welcome. I’m regarded around here as Pastor Paul.” Randy slides his shirt sleeve over his eyes, wiping away his tears. Paul sneaks into Randy’s lap a rag that Paul carry’s as a makeshift hanky. Randy accepts his kindness and replaces his shirt sleeve with Paul’s token hanky. Randy gives Paul a slight nod of his head acknowledging his appreciation for Paul’s kind gesture. The other brothers gather near the altar and discuss the recent activity. I go to join them, and give Paul and Randy some more time to finish introducing each other.

  I move in near the group while overhearing their discussion. It seems everyone’s concern is towards the LDs escalating violence. They want to know what is going to happen to us, and to “T.” Kenny suggests we form small groups carrying as much rations as we can, and then leave town. Some brothers want to start some sort of “guerilla warfare” against the LD. One brother states, “I’d rather die by taking a few of them out than by being captured and torture by them.” This is quickly reputed as crazy. Most all agree we

  just don’t have the manpower, skills, and resources to mount any real sustainable attack. The consensus is: we’d be slaughtered or caught and tortured anyways, because we’re not warriors. The group keeps brainstorming ideas to what may be the best solution. Scotty wants to know what we can do to find his partner Joshua; that’s if he’s still alive. Pastor

  Paul joins us by listening in. I know what I have to do, but this will be my cross to bear.

  Paul exclaims, “Brothers, I suggest we pray first. Let us worship our Lord and Savior, and trust in Him alone for our solution! Come brothers; let’s begin with the word of God.” Every brother finds a seat and eagerly waits for what Paul will say. “Please open your Bible’s to ‘Isaiah’ 50:10. ‘Who among you obeys the Lord and fears the voice of His servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God’.” It’s as if Paul’s words are specifically meant for me. But, they seem to be a perfect fit for all of us. Paul says, “Let us worship Jesus.” He leads us in a song we all know by heart; as we sing “How Great Thou Art.”

  “Today there is great fear among us. I know what’s going on. I’ve seen the carnage outside. I know the power of this evil to destroy, what we hold dear. But, I know something else brothers. I know my God is greater than this evil.” Every ear bends towards every word out of Pastor Paul’s mouth. “We must, I repeat, we must trust and rely on our God. For, ‘He will never leave nor forsake us.’ This is His promise. Let us pray together brothers.” These words of encouragement are the perfect food for our starving hearts’. I can feel His holy presence filling this chamber. Fear is fleeing as faith fills the void. My brothers speak their private prayers’ that sing in harmony. This chapel chanting and sounds of whispers might be what a choir of Angels might sing.

  Randy stands and jostles his way past the praying brothers. The pastor notices him winding a path towards him. Randy’s face is filled with urgency as he approaches Pastor Paul. “Can I help you Randy?” Paul asks. Randy’s eyes are

  bulging as his mouth quivers out, “Can you tell me about this god of yours? I’ve heard about him, but I don’t know anything about him.” The pastor grabs Randy and bear hugs him. “Dear brother, this is the first step in finding Him. It is your walk of faith to inquire about Him.” Randy just breaks down and falls on the floor crying. The brothers all come and

  pray over Randy. “I’m nobody,” he cries. “I’ve always refused to believe he exi
sted. I’ve even cursed his name. I feel lost in this world. Can you please help me pastor? I’m so tired of being so scared.” Randy never lifts his head through his conversation. He repents his unworthiness to the floor the whole time. Paul comes down to Randy’s lowly station and whispers to Randy a message. “Yes Randy, God still loves you. He has always loved you; even when you didn’t love Him. And yes Randy, He will forgive you; if you let Him.” That’s all Randy needed to hear. His face turns the deepest shade of red as the whole of his body shakes violently. “Please, oh please God, please forgive me!” Randy rattles out. His request is answered as he’s in filled with the Holy Spirit. He starts yelling praises uncontrollably in the heavenly language that no man can understand.

  Excitement takes over the chamber as my other brothers’ spirits also begin their conversing. Randy’s body flops like a fish on the floor as he asks, “What’s happening to me?” The pastor laughs, “It’s your spirit feeling the Holy Spirit as it speaks a lifetime of longing to God.” Randy is a little frightened by his supernatural occurrence. “You are receiving a special gift not all men are given Randy. This is a very special gift God gives to special people. It’s called ‘being in-filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit’.” “Does this mean I’m, what you call, ‘saved’?” Paul responds, “No Randy; that happened the second you called out to Jesus.” The brothers begin rejoicing as Pastor Paul soundly laughs, “Yes Randy, yes you have become a Christ follower.” Randy weeps louder, releasing a whole life of pent-up emotions. A giant smile forms on his face as his uncontrollable shaking jars free

  his repeated gratitude’s of, “Thank you Lord.” Randy jumps to his feet, and then hops up and down. He laughs and claps, “I feel good!” We give him a round of applause, welcoming our new eternal brother. The pleasure of His power slowly dissipates among us as we return to the order of the day.

  Amanda pokes her peeking head past the chapel

  entrance doors. I am the first to notice her. I walk backwards towards her as I announce, “Oh brothers, I didn’t get a chance to introduce our new sister. Her name is Amanda.” Her facial expression suggests her shyness. Her arms pull tight to her chest and fidget with her slightly fetal body. I grab her hand and pull her inside, as she wiggles her fingers with her free hand, “Hi, I’m Amanda.” I whisper to her as we walk towards the group, “Looks like your overalls fit fine.” She softly giggles, “Yeah, thanks Joey.” Pastor Paul returns to his pulpit and congratulates Amanda for joining us, and then offers her his salutation. Paul asks if several members might retrieve some MRE for our Sunday meal. Scotty answers his request as Kenny follows him to the supply room. We form a chair circle in the middle of the chapel and wait for diner to arrive.

  Randy looks at Amanda as small tears hang in his eyes. He is wearing a smile a crowbar couldn’t pry loose. He tries holding back his joy, but it’s too strong for him to control. His residual giddiness causes him to unintentionally jump up and down in his seat. Amanda smiles and tilts her head, with a smile that questions Randy’s sanity. “I’ve been flying with Eagles,” is Randy’s answer to Amanda’s quirky expression. “You’ve got to try it sweetheart,” he laughs. She shakes her head side to side and smiles a big smile. She leans and hugs him, softly saying, “I’ve been there honey. Congratulations!” Randy looks back and forth while fighting his ability to control his laughter. Every brother falls to the power of Randy’s contagious joy as they all begin in the merriment. This manna is something we have not eaten in quite a while. It tastes wonderful. This is a momentary piece of Heaven that

  each one of us needs so desperately. But, we also know this

  peace will only be temporary.

  Scotty and Ken return with our meals. “Who wants the meatloaf, or the ham & egg special?” Scotty asks. Ken and him pass out selected meals to everyone as a more serious nature manifest itself. “So, what are we going to do now?” Paul request. Most of the brothers speak their concerns about

  going back to their homes. As our conversation continues, the rest of the brothers begin showing up. I look at my watch and see it is now 11:05 am and think about Dave and Moses. He is probably worried to death about me. He and Moses are probably starving too. I am reminded of the need to get more rations. I need to get enough to last a week, and enough for Katie, her kids, and the rest of us. I also need overalls for Moses. I get up to go retrieve the supplies as more brothers arrive and fill the chapel.

  I find everything I need in the supply room. I nearly fill my rucksack. I see a dusty bag of candies sitting on a shelf just in back of this stack of boxes. I think how much Katie’s kids might like this treat, as I pour a handful into my sack. I strap my rucksack on and return to the chapel. I’m back just in time to hear Randy explaining his ordeal leading to his capture.

  “It is a miracle I am here. Thank God for Joey. Two days ago, the LD found me hiding in the abandon radio station in Brookhaven, near the former trash dump site.” Most of us know Brookhaven is the next town south of here. “I lived there over two years. No one ever came around the smelly place. There was no real reason for them to. Everyone knew it could not broadcast anymore. It was miles from town and very isolated. It was the perfect place to hide out. The station had a hidden basement below it. That’s where I actually lived. I found a shortwave radio about a year after hiding out there. I was surprised to find it still worked.” I figure the electronic components were protected from the EMP by being stored way below ground, and shielded by all the concrete. Randy explains how the radio had a built-in hand crank generator. He says, “I would listen only several minutes a day to see if

  there was any useful news from the outside world. I never tried to communicate with it. I was in the Army and know how the enemy can “triangulate” my position. I wasn’t taking any chances of trying to talk on it.” I think how we could use that radio here. “I knew things were escalating. One of the last transmissions I heard was the Fed’s commanding their

  ‘Trinity” troops to hold-off the Irreverent militia until reinforcements arrives. It was happening near Philadelphia.” I think, “This is amazing news.” It is mindboggling to know other brothers have decided to fight the forces of “Trinity.” Randy continues with, “This was also happening outside Indianapolis. Reports suggested they actually over took a Fed military base and supply depot. The militia even stole and used, tanks and APC’s (armored personnel carriers) against the Fed’s. The next thing I heard were feet running down the station steps.”

  All Randy’s previous joy now turns somber. “I still don’t know how they found me. They didn’t even check to see if I had their stupid brand. It was like they knew I wasn’t one of them before they found me. Five LD attacked me. I hit one with a machete before the hoard pounced on me. The blade just bent around his evil head. I felt like I was the rope in a ‘tug o war.’ One said, ‘He’s mine,’ and lifted me up with one arm- like I was butter.”

  “They got me outside and beat me repeatedly. I thought I was going to die, but they stopped just short of it.” All the brothers just shake their heads as Randy continues. “The next thing I remember is hearing screams approaching. I turned my head from out of the dirt, which my face was buried in, to see two columns of bruised bloody bodies bound together being dragged along towards me. I turned my head back and saw the Devil! Yes, I saw what looked like the Devil wrapping razor wire around my lower legs. I was too tired to

  fight him off. I swear though, this guy didn’t look human. He was hideous. I never knew evil before, but I could feel he was evil. He pulled the wire so tight I screamed. He actually

  enjoyed me screaming, and laughed.” Randy grabs his forehead and leans over. “My blood jet out in streams as he began pulling me along to meet the lines of captives. That’s when I again saw the LD who carried me out of the station. But, this time it was like he was the leader. He ordered one of the columns of captives to stop next to me. The LD pulling

  that column said, ‘I see you invited one more to diner. A couple mo
re and we’ll have a banquet.’ I guess they cut arteries in my legs, because it was squirting right into his face. He stuck his tongue out trying to lap it up.” Randy then cries and cries. He gasp for a breath, and then cries some more. He tries to tell us what happened next, but the excitement of remembering has taken the air out of him. We decide to give him a moment to compose himself.

  Many of us stand and move to the hall area. A few stay to comfort their new brother. A debate proceeds as brother discusses with brother about what we should do next. Factions form taking different stances. One group thinks we should just keep doing what we have been. Everyone should remain separate to protect the brotherhood from being totally captured. Another sect still wants to split the remaining supplies, and take their own chance of surviving. One more group wants to form our own militia, or send reinforcements to help the existing militia currently battling “Trinity.” The last group wants to wait and recon for possible other Irreverent still in the area, and then join forces to form our own militia. Brother Gary comes out to give us some new information that Randy just told them. “Randy said there were 60 or 70 people tied to him. He said they only took about nine of them away to torture, before they chained and nailed them to telephone poles. The rest were brought to the abandon department store just outside town. The worst part is, they are mostly women and children. We all change our perspective with this new information. I know what the signs

  on the poles above Randy and Amanda really mean now! The LD intend on using our people as ransom to capture more

  Irreverent. I’ve seen this happen before. It usually works in war. Gary explains how Randy heard the LD leader promise his prisoners they’d take the brand and worship “Trinity,” or he’d cook and skin each of them alive; starting with the children first. Frenzy takes over the brothers. It seems many of them know some of the captives. And, none of us are willing