“He’s going to do something with the pig he rode?” Judd said.
Mr. Stein pursed his lips.
Chaim continued, contrasting Carpathia’s rantings with the way God had displayed his glory. “God appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai when the Ten Commandments were handed down. He appeared again when Moses dedicated the Tent of God. And finally he showed himself at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple on this very site. Should God choose, he could reveal himself even today and crush under his foot this evil enemy. But he has an eternal plan, and Antichrist is merely a bit player. Though Antichrist has been granted power to work his horror throughout the world for a time, he shall come to a bitter end that has already been decided.”
Vicki Byrne was riveted to the radio coverage from Israel. The news anchor explained that the audio was being taken from the video feed and broke in to talk over the man named Micah.
As Mark drove south, Manny Aguilara, the new believer who had escaped the Global Community, studied a map. Their plan was to rescue Morale Monitor Claudia Zander with the help of one of Manny’s gang friends.
Between Carpathia’s pig ride down the Via Dolorosa and his assault on the temple, Manny told his story. Vicki was astounded when she heard how Manny had been placed in a cell next to Zeke Sr.
“Sure, I went to church with my mother when I was little. But when it came time to choose between the gang and God, the decision was simple. The gang gave me money, protection, and friends. It made sense to me back then.”
“Did you ever try to get out?” Vicki said.
Manny shook his head. “I thought about it once or twice when things heated up. The police would get close or somebody would get shot and I’d wonder if it was worth it, but getting out is more dangerous than staying in.”
“What do you mean?” Vicki said.
Manny pointed to a tattoo on his face, a small x. “I got this when I joined. Everyone knows you’re part of the gang by this. They fear it. But try to leave, and your own gang wants you dead. Then other gangs come looking for you. It’s easier and safer to stay in.”
“Did anybody ever try to kill you?” Mark said.
Manny looked at the floor. “Our gang was into drugs. We had our territory and no one was supposed to cross the line. Our rivals violated the boundary, so our leader said I should go along to help end the problem.”
“What do you mean, end the problem?” Vicki said.
“Usually you take a couple of guys and talk with the people, to scare them. But things had gone way past scaring. The disappearances changed everything. I don’t know how to explain it, but we had lots more business and the violence was getting worse.
“The meeting with this rival turned ugly. Hector pulled his gun first, so it forced me to as well. Four people died that day.”
There was silence in the car. Finally, Vicki said, “Four died because of a territory dispute?”
Manny nodded. “Sounds stupid now, but back then I dreamed about killing or being killed. Dying was just part of life.”
“And you think one of these gang guys will help us?” Mark said.
Manny hesitated, then nodded. “The leader, Hector.”
As they drove on, Vicki thanked God that Manny’s life had changed. She knew they would be in great danger and was glad people were praying for them back in Wisconsin. The kids had set up a room where at least one person would be praying at all hours.
Now, listening to Carpathia on the radio and the voice of his right-hand man, Leon Fortunato, Vicki snapped back to reality. Leon had joined Carpathia in the temple and weakly said, “You, my lord, are the good spirit of the world and source of all good things.”
Judd stayed close to Mr. Stein, asking questions when there was a lull in the action. He knew Carpathia wasn’t finished defiling the temple, but he couldn’t believe it could get worse.
“I don’t understand how these people are going to get away from here,” Judd whispered. “When is Operation Eagle going to begin?”
Mr. Stein looked concerned. “That is my question as well. We must take advantage of this window and put out a call to everyone to flee before Carpathia attacks.”
Jewish priests filed by them, and Mr. Stein called out for Rabbi Ben-Eliezar. They were making such a commotion, still chanting, that the man didn’t hear. Mr. Stein turned to Judd. “Stay here. I will talk with the rabbi and return.”
Judd nodded, leaned against a stone, and surveyed the crowd. At times the noise was deafening, with Carpathia supporters trying to shout down the Orthodox Jews. Others who had taken the mark, Morale Monitors and soldiers, could barely stand. That seemed to give energy to the anti-Carpathia group, and they grew louder and more menacing as each minute passed.
Judd took a breath and prayed silently. “God, you know how much these people need to know you. You know how powerful the evil one is. I pray you would remove the blinders from those who haven’t taken the mark yet. Help them see the truth about Jesus. And help us get out of here alive.”
Lionel stayed with Sam as the crowd turned into a mob. There was so much noise around them—shouting, arguing, and people throwing dirt and stones—that the two had to huddle in a corner.
Sam finally stood, his face streaked with tears. “We’ll never know if Daniel truly believed in God or not. Carpathia took his life in front of all these people and we’re not doing anything.”
Lionel put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Calm down. We’re going to get out of here.”
“Is that what you want to do?” Sam said, pulling away. “You want to be safe?”
Sam suddenly glanced up. He whispered something under his breath as Lionel came out from behind their shelter and looked at the huge monitor nearby. Nicolae Carpathia approached a curtain that stretched out of the camera’s view. Lionel noticed the crowd had quieted, mesmerized by what was on the screen.
“He’s in the Holy of Holies,” Sam whispered. “He’s ready for the final defilement.”
Carpathia grabbed the handle of a long knife he had tucked in his belt and dramatically raised it over his head. He reached as high as he could and plunged the gleaming steel through the veil. The fabric ripped as he pulled the blade all the way to the floor. Nicolae pushed each side of the curtain back, revealing the altar and the massive pig from the day before. There was no saddle this time. The pig struggled and tugged at ropes held by two men. Lionel wondered if this animal sensed evil.
Sam clenched his teeth. “I can watch this no longer. I have to do something!”
“Sam, wait!” Lionel said, trying to grab the boy’s arm, but it was too late. Sam disappeared into the crowd of priests and Carpathia loyalists.
Vicki listened as the reporter in Jerusalem tried to describe the scene. Before he mentioned the pig, she heard it squeal in the background and guessed what was about to happen.
“Pull over right here,” Manny said suddenly. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and squirmed in his seat.
“We’re not that close, are we?” Mark said.
“Just pull over.”
Mark parked on the darkened street and turned off his lights. Manny switched the radio off and sat back.
“What’s the matter?” Vicki said.
“I didn’t tell you the whole truth,” Manny said. “In fact, I lied.”
26
LIONEL raced into the crowd and caught up with Sam as the boy fell to the ground and buried his face in his hands. Lionel knelt beside him and put a hand on his shoulder.
“Look!” a man behind them shouted. “He’s preparing the sacrifice!”
The holy men cried out, tearing their robes as Nicolae approached the huge pig. In the street, the animal had been slow and seemed drugged. Now it was thrashing around, squealing, and straining at the ropes. Two men struggled to hold it as Nicolae laughed. He jumped at the animal and slipped, the pig dodging him.
“Want to play?” Nicolae howled. Then he leapt onto the pig’s back, sending the animal to its knees. For the next
few seconds the pig tried to knock Nicolae off, but it was no use. Finally, Carpathia plunged his knife into the animal’s throat.
Nicolae fell to the ground, a flood of blood soaking his clothes. The pig went wild, thrashing and pulling its handlers. As the blood flow slowed, the pig fell and Nicolae cupped his hands under its neck. Lionel had to look away.
The crying and wailing of the holy men reached a crescendo and one priest screamed, “He has thrown the animal’s blood on the altar!”
Lionel couldn’t watch the gory scene that followed, but he could hear Nicolae trying to butcher the animal. Lionel turned to Sam. “Come with us. We’re leaving soon.”
“I must stay with my people,” Sam whispered. “These men need to know that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. How will they know if someone doesn’t tell them?”
“I understand, but—”
More shouts from the crowd stopped Lionel. He stood for a better view of the screen. Nicolae had given the order to take the pig away and bring in his image. The holy men went berserk.
Carpathia washed off the blood and dried himself. Someone off camera handed him the shimmering white robe, silver sash, and gold sandals he had worn the day before. He put them on and looked at the camera. “Now, once my image is in place, we are out to Solomon’s scaffold.”
Suddenly the camera switched to a brown-robed man, shaking his head. The holy men around Lionel seemed hopeful again. Lionel studied the camera shot to try and figure out where Chaim Rosenzweig was, but the man’s face filled the screen.
“Is this not the most vile man who ever lived?” Rosenzweig said. “Is he not the opposite of whom he claims to be? I call on all who have resisted or delayed in accepting his mark and plead with you to refuse it. Avoid the sentence of grievous sores and certain death.”
“What do you mean, you lied?” Vicki said.
Mark clenched his teeth. “This group is built on the trust of its members, and if you’ve—”
Manny held up a hand. “Let me explain.”
“You’ve got thirty seconds,” Mark said.
“What are you going to do, shove me out on the street?” Manny said. “Is that how you treat a fellow believer?”
“People who lie to us can’t be part of the group,” Mark said. “It’s as simple as that.”
“Just let him talk,” Vicki said.
Manny sat back and took a deep breath. “When I spoke with Hector on the phone … I wasn’t honest about what he said.”
“You told us he would help us see if Claudia was legit,” Mark said.
“You have to understand. My life has changed so much. When you helped me escape, I thought about all my friends who don’t know God. That’s everyone I know.”
“What did you lie about?” Mark said.
“Hear me out,” Manny said. “I was in jail because the Global Community knew I was involved with the shooting of those four people. They promised if I testified against Hector and a few others that I wouldn’t see jail time.”
“So you told them what they wanted to hear?” Vicki said.
“No. I didn’t tell them anything. Maybe I should have. I don’t know. I was more scared of Hector and the others than the GC. The point is, after I prayed and asked God into my life, I haven’t been able to get Hector and the others out of my mind. Once we made it to Wisconsin, I figured I’d never have a chance to see the gang again.”
“So you used this situation with Claudia to make contact,” Mark said. “You’ve put us in danger.”
“When you explained about this girl, I thought it would be the perfect way to help you and reach out to my friends.”
“What did Hector say when you called him?” Vicki said.
Manny frowned. “He didn’t believe me. I told him I was free and he said it was a GC trick, that they were using me.”
“Did you explain about Claudia?” Mark said.
“Hector blew up and said he would see me dead if I came back.”
Mark rolled his eyes. “Great. Then why are we going there?”
“I know it sounds weird, but if I can see them one more time, I know I can get them to understand.”
Vicki put a hand on Manny’s shoulder. “We both understand how much you want to reach out to your old friends. All of us have felt that way.”
“Yeah, but putting us in this situation isn’t right,” Mark said. “You could have the best intentions and go in there and—”
“I’ve been praying and asking God to get them ready,” Manny interrupted. “I heard Dr. Ben-Judah or someone say that people’s hearts will be hardened. I’m hoping I can get to the gang before any of them take Carpathia’s mark.”
“This throws everything off,” Mark said. “How are we going to get to Claudia?”
“Please,” Manny said, “take me to the gang. I’ll go in alone. And I promise you, someone will help us.”
Judd watched in horror as the angry mob reacted to Nicolae. The Temple Mount was near a riot with loyalists yelling support for the potentate and crying out in pain because of their sores. Christ followers and Orthodox Jews protested, while many undecided were caught up in the turmoil.
Judd wondered what it would take to convince the undecided about the potentate’s identity. He had committed murder in front of the world and was acting like a wild man, calling for people to sacrifice offerings to him and saying the temple was his house.
Judd looked for Mr. Stein amid the group of priests but couldn’t find him. Men with long beards fell to their knees, crying. “He would sacrifice a pig in the Holy of Holies and cavort in its blood?”
Another priest climbed to the top of the steps. “Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword! He has killed an innocent man in cold blood, and we demand his blood!”
A few men without Carpathia’s mark came outside to move the golden statue. The holy men called for quiet as Nicolae’s face appeared on-screen.
“Why worship at an altar of brass?” Nicolae sneered. “If this is indeed the holiest of holy places, every worshiper should enjoy the privilege of bowing to my image, which our Most High Reverend Father has imbued with the power to speak when I am not present!”
A murmur ran through the crowd, and Judd saw scores of priests running for the stairs. When the workers were ready to carry the golden Carpathia statue inside, a crowd surrounded them.
Mr. Stein rushed back to Judd’s side. “I talked with Ethan briefly, and he said he would meet with me later if possible.”
“Did you expect this?” Judd said, nodding to the ugly scene on the stairs.
Suddenly gunfire rang out and Judd hit the ground. Protesters surrounding the statue pulled back, cursing and waving their fists. The statue was moved inside to the Holy of Holies.
The human storm finally erupted. Morale Monitors and Peacekeepers, many too weak to lift a weapon, were attacked by the mob and trampled. A few managed to get off a shot or two, killing several protesters. Judd stayed down as a bullet struck a rock nearby. The shots sent the people into a frenzy. Medical tents fell, the guillotine was smashed to pieces, and GC vehicles turned on their sides. Several TV monitors crashed to the ground, scattering shards of glass.
“Kill Carpathia!” someone screamed.
“Death to the monster!” another said. “I hope he dies and stays dead!”
Judd noticed one TV monitor that hadn’t toppled. Carpathia stepped back, his eyes wide. He said something Judd couldn’t hear into the camera. Seconds later Mr. Stein pointed to the temple entrance where cabinet members, including Leon Fortunato, joined Carpathia. Rioters yelled.
Nicolae tried to speak, but the noise was too great. Finally, someone found a microphone that weakly amplified his voice through the remaining speakers in the outer court. Judd thought the man would try to soothe the people, but Nicolae raised a hand and said, “You have breached the covenant! My pledge of seven years of peace for Israel is rescinded! Now you must allow me and my—”
Thousands hollered, overwhelming the
potentate’s voice. Holy men pressed close to the temple entrance, keeping Carpathia and anyone else from exiting.
“You think Fortunato will call down fire like he did yesterday?” Judd said.
Mr. Stein pursed his lips. “I pray no more will die before they have a chance to hear God’s man again.”
Carpathia tried to capture his followers’ attention. “My brothers and sisters of the Global Community! I will see that you are healed of your sores, and you will again see that it is I who love you and bring you peace!”
A young voice shouted, “You’ll not leave here alive, pretender!” It was Sam, halfway up the steps of the temple.
The mob shook their fists and cheered, repeating Sam’s words, laughing, screaming more death threats at Global Community leaders.
Leon Fortunato braced himself against a wall and said something to another GC cabinet member. Everyone behind Nicolae looked like they were at a funeral, and Judd wondered it if might be their own.
Piercing the din of the crowd came the voice of the man in the brown robe. Everyone hushed and remained riveted on him. “Yes,” Mr. Stein said softly as Chaim began.
“It is not the due time for the man of sin to face judgment, though it is clear he has been revealed!” Dr. Rosenzweig said to the crowd. People murmured as Chaim walked through the main group of protesters. Out of respect, people took a step back as he ascended the temple steps. Judd thought it amazing that Nicolae had used a microphone and he could barely be heard, while Chaim spoke in a normal tone and everyone understood him.
“As was foretold centuries ago, God has chosen to allow this evil for a time, and impotent as this enemy of your souls may be today, much more evil will be perpetrated upon you under his hand. When he once again gains advantage, he will retaliate against this presumption on his authority, and you would do well to not be here when his anger is poured out.”
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