“When my sword has finished its work in the heavens, then watch,” Jesus said. “It will fall upon Edom, the nation I have completely destroyed. The sword of the Lord is drenched with blood. It is covered with fat as though it had been used for killing lambs and goats and rams for sacrifice. Yes, the Lord will offer a great sacrifice in the rich city of Bozrah. He will make a mighty slaughter in Edom. The land will be soaked with blood and the soil enriched with fat.”
Now the army fell like red sticks. Lionel couldn’t tell whether Christ’s judgment was coming from the air or from the earth as men and women who had pledged their lives to Carpathia were cut down.
An aircraft of some sort screamed in and landed at the other side of the slaughtered army. It was a jet helicopter, and someone mentioned it was for Nicolae.
The firing stopped. Except for the chopper, everything was deathly still. The craft lifted off and headed north, leaving the remnant to stare out on the valley of blood.
Sam touched Lionel’s shoulder. “Look! The Lord Jesus is coming down.”
The King of kings landed and dismounted from his white horse. He walked through the battlefield, the hem of his robe turning red from the blood of the enemy.
The army of heaven that hovered above him began to speak in unison. “Who is this who comes from Edom, from the city of Bozrah, with his clothing stained red? Who is this in royal robes, marching in the greatness of his strength?”
Jesus answered, “It is I, the Lord, announcing your salvation! It is I, the Lord, who is mighty to save!”
“Why are your clothes so red, as if you have been treading out grapes?” they asked.
“I have trodden the winepress alone; no one was there to help me,” Jesus said. “In my anger I have trampled my enemies as if they were grapes. In my fury I have trampled my foes. It is their blood that has stained my clothes. For the time has come for me to avenge my people, to ransom them from their oppressors.
“I looked, but no one came to help my people. I was amazed and appalled at what I saw. So I executed vengeance alone; unaided, I passed down judgment. I crushed the nations in my anger and made them stagger and fall to the ground.”
The conversation continued back and forth until Jesus turned toward the remnant in Bozrah. “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Let those in Jerusalem escape, and those outside the city should not enter it for shelter.
“For those will be the days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. … So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!”
Judd watched Jesus sink from view, then looked at Vicki. The light of Jesus was still there and, he assumed, could be seen all over the world. But they couldn’t see the Lord anymore.
“What do you think’s happening?” Judd said.
“Not sure,” Vicki said. “But there’s no doubt he’ll be heading this way soon. If Tsion was right, Jesus will overcome the enemy as he reaches Mount Megiddo. Then he’s coming here.”
“But Jerusalem’s going to fall, right?” Judd said.
Vicki nodded. “I’m just not sure what that means. The GC will take the Temple Mount, but whether they kill everybody or not …”
Judd glanced at the guards standing nearby. These soldiers had been as fascinated with the return of Jesus as anyone.
“What’s that guy over there doing?” Vicki whispered. A soldier had run in from the direction of the Temple Mount and now spoke with a higher ranking official. They gestured toward the prisoners, and Judd strained to hear their conversation.
“… and we’ve now surrounded the entire city,” the soldier said. “Our forces are massed from west of the Dead Sea to the Valley of Megiddo.”
“We’re in good shape then,” the officer said.
“Except for the casualties in Edom—”
“Stop!” The officer drew close and warned the soldier not to talk about any loss of life on the Unity Army side.
“Sorry, sir,” the soldier said. “But you need to know about the unrest.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Our troops are hungry. There are rumors that there are no reinforcements—”
“They’re wrong!” the officer shouted, his face turning red with rage. “And don’t count our southern troops out yet.”
“—and you know how long it’s been since we’ve been paid.”
“A Unity Army soldier doesn’t perform this work for the pay. We serve in the interests of peace, and that is our payment. We ultimately serve the risen Lord Carpathia.”
“Yes, of course, sir. Still, you can understand why they’re upset. And now, with having to take prisoners …”
The two men looked at the holding area.
“I don’t like the way they’re looking at us,” Vicki said.
Judd put an arm around her. “It’s okay. Jesus will be here soon.” But inside, Judd agreed with her. He didn’t like the looks of this either.
For the next few hours, Lionel and a million others followed Jesus, who was again riding his horse. The people ran through the desert at lightning speed, watching Jesus ahead of them and the heavenly army above.
Lionel’s heart leaped when Jesus spoke, his voice sounding as if he were standing right next to him. “I am the King who comes in the name of the Lord. I mediate the new covenant between God and people. I personally carried away your sins in my own body on the cross so you can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
“I am the true bread of God who came down from heaven and gives life to the world. So let us celebrate the festival, not by eating the old bread of wickedness and evil, but by eating the new bread of my purity and truth.”
Lionel had read the Bible for many years and recognized the things Jesus was saying as words taken directly from Scripture. Still, hearing Jesus speak thrilled him. Just when Lionel thought things couldn’t get any better, Jesus spoke directly to him.
“Lionel, I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true. I assure you, I can do nothing by myself. I do only what I see the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, I also do. I am the stone that the builders rejected and have now become the cornerstone.”
All Lionel could do was say, “Thank you” each time Jesus spoke to him. He couldn’t think of anything else, and it seemed to make Jesus smile.
“Where are we going?” Lionel said to Sam.
“Wherever Jesus leads,” Sam said. “I don’t pretend to know what’s going to happen, but if we follow the Lord, we will be in just the right place at the right time.”
Lionel couldn’t get over the sight of old men and women running so fast. In Petra these people had walked slowly, hunched over, some using canes, others walking from rock to rock, careful of their footing. Now they were upright, running faster than Olympic athletes.
They continued north, following Jesus, listening to his words. A portion of Carpathia’s army fell dead as Jesus passed them.
“Lionel, take my yoke upon you,” Jesus said. “Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”
As the group moved farther, the Unity Army seemed to be dug in and waiting. The GC no doubt believed they would have a great victory.
The remnant bypassed Israel, far to their left, and headed toward Megiddo, or the Valley of Armageddon. At one point, Jesus said, “I give you eternal life, Lionel, and you will never perish. No one will snatch you away from me, for my Father has given you to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take you from me. The Father and I are one.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Lionel recalled the verse that said, �
�If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” He had never felt the truth of it so clearly.
Jesus seemed to go ahead of them faster, leaving the remnant behind. Lionel and the others slowed, then stopped north of Jerusalem. No one seemed tired, but it was clear that Jesus wanted them to stay.
“Looks like we won’t need to do any more work for Zeke,” Sam said.
“I have to tell you,” Lionel said, “I didn’t like our jobs very much.”
“What do you think you’ll be doing once the kingdom begins?”
Lionel shrugged. “Whatever needs to be done, I guess. I’m not picky.”
Sam looked away. Lionel asked if something was wrong, and Sam nodded. “I was just thinking about my father. You’re going to see your family again. I’ll see my mom, but not my dad.”
Lionel put an arm around him. “I understand. I had an uncle who I tried to talk to after the Rapture. He knew the truth, but he died before he could pray.”
“How do you know for sure?” Sam said. “Were you with him?”
“No, Judd and I found him—”
“Then he could have asked God’s forgiveness.”
“You don’t know my uncle André,” Lionel said.
Lionel fell silent as Jesus spoke again. “No one has ever seen God. I, his only Son, who am myself God, am near to the Father’s heart; I have told you about him. I am called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give me the throne of my ancestor David.”
Another voice came from heaven. “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.”
Sam’s eyes grew wide. “You think that was God the Father?”
“I can’t imagine who else,” Lionel said.
Jesus answered: “The law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness come through me. Now, Lionel, may the God of peace, who brought me from the dead, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you all that is pleasing to him. Amen.”
On the last word, the people fell to their knees, praising God. Lionel kept his head down, thanking God and worshiping him.
Then the noise of battle wafted over the desert. Jesus spoke, and even from this distance Lionel heard soldiers wailing.
A few minutes later, another great flock of birds appeared in the sky. Lionel guessed this was not good news for Nicolae and his army.
44
THE TEMPERATURE dropped quickly around Lionel and the others, then returned to normal. News reached them of a great hailstorm—with chunks of ice weighing a hundred pounds or more—that had fallen on the massacred Unity Army. Water mingled with blood, creating a red, gooey liquid that was four feet deep in some places.
Fresh from battle, Jesus addressed the remnant. “You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. These people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. But you belong to God; that is why those who know God listen to you. That is how you know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.
“Dear friends, continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God—for God is love. God showed how much he loved you by sending his only Son into the world so that you might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that you loved God, but that he loved you and sent me as a sacrifice to take away your sins.
“Lionel, since God loved you that much, you surely ought to love each other.”
As Jesus spoke, people slowly turned toward Jerusalem. Jesus moved ahead of them, his horse galloping onward until Lionel lost sight of him.
Judd watched the soldiers huddle together to stay warm through the icy blast. When things warmed, a number of citizens strolled through the thousands of soldiers. Rebels still held the Temple Mount as far as Judd could tell, but the Unity Army seemed content to let them have it for now. A radio crackled with news that the potentate was on his way, and soldiers snapped to attention.
Soon loudspeakers boomed Nicolae’s voice through the area. “As we approach what many have referred to as the Eternal City, I am pleased to announce that following our victory here, this shall become the new Global Community headquarters. My palace shall be rebuilt on the site of the ruins of the temple, the destruction of which is on our agenda.”
Carpathia continued, predicting a total takeover of Jerusalem. Judd couldn’t believe it when the man referred to Jesus as “this one who flits about in the air quoting ancient fairy-tale texts.” Nicolae predicted Jesus would die. “He is no match for the risen lord of this world and for the fighting force in place to face him. It does not even trouble me to make public our plan, as it has already succeeded. This city and these despicable people have long been his chosen ones, so we have forced him to show himself, to declare himself, to vainly try to defend them or be shown for the fraud and coward that he is. Either he attempts to come to their rescue or they will see him for who he really is and reject him as an impostor. Or he will foolishly come against my immovable force and me and prove once and for all who is the better man.”
Though Judd expected this speech of Nicolae’s to encourage the troops, the soldiers nearby seemed unaffected. No yelling, screaming, or shouting Nicolae’s support.
“My pledge to you, loyal citizens of the Global Community,” Carpathia said, “is that come the end of this battle, no opponent of my leadership and regime will remain standing, yea, not one will be left alive. The only living beings on planet Earth will be trustworthy citizens, lovers of peace and harmony and tranquility, which I offer with love for all from the depths of my being.
“I am but ten miles west of Jerusalem as we speak, and I will be dismissing my cabinet and generals so they may be about the business of waging this conflict under my command. The Most High Reverend of Carpathianism, Dr. Leon Fortunato himself, will serve as my chauffeur for my triumphal entry. Citizens are already lining the roadway to greet me, and I thank you for your support.”
A few minutes later, drums and trumpets sounded in the distance. Vicki, who had buried her head in Judd’s chest, looked up. “Carpathia has mocked everything God’s done. This is his version of the triumphal entry.”
“Let him enjoy it,” Judd muttered. “He doesn’t have much longer.”
A young officer spoke to his superior. “Sir, we could present these prisoners to the potentate for execution. Those without the mark could be beheaded in front of him as a sacrifice.”
The commanding officer glanced at the prisoners, then waved a hand. “That can come after the victory.”
“They’re going after the rebels at the Temple Mount,” Vicki said. “Sounds like Carpathia’s gonna lead the charge.”
“Let him come,” Judd said, sneaking a peek at the sky. Jesus and his heavenly army were nowhere in sight.
Lionel and Sam joined the others on a hill overlooking Jerusalem. The sky cleared as Carpathia paraded through Jerusalem.
Someone pulled out a handheld TV and caught GCNN’s coverage of Nicolae riding a stallion, his sword raised in the air. He swung it, and the troops around him whooped. “Follow me to the Western Wall and make way for the battering ram and missile launchers! Upon my command, open fire!”
Lionel couldn’t help thinking of Judd and Vicki. Though he knew they would see each other again soon, he hated the thought of them being killed in Jerusalem. “Lord Jesus, protect my friends until we see each other again.”
Since Jesus had appeared, Lionel’s attitude toward prayer had taken on a new dimension. Instead of just saying, “Amen,” Lionel looked up and listened for an answer.
Vicki heard the oncoming army and shuddered. The others in the holding area moved toward the barbed wire.
“Don’t get any ideas
,” a soldier said, waving an Uzi at them. “I’ll mow all of you down.”
Some civilians stood on a wall behind them pointing and cheering as hundreds of horses clip-clopped their way toward the Temple Mount.
“Here he comes!” a woman shouted, then broke into a not-so-stirring rendition of “Hail Carpathia.”
The woman stopped when Nicolae shouted orders. Mounted soldiers urged their horses forward but they reared and bucked, spinning into each other. Some ran headlong into the wall. One horse and rider headed straight for the barbed-wire enclosure. The armed guard fell under the horse’s hooves while the animal flung itself into the makeshift prison.
Quickly, the prisoners climbed over the downed wire, only to be met by three Unity Army soldiers holding guns. Vicki and Judd took a step back, still inside the prison.
“No!” Vicki screamed as the soldiers aimed their guns.
But before they could shoot, skin dripped from their arms and their eyes melted. The once-healthy soldiers were now simply uniforms full of bones. Seconds later the same thing happened to the horses. Their flesh and eyes and tongues dripped away like candle wax.
Vicki was too stunned to move. She had read verses in Revelation that said this was going to happen. She had even seen people die from the horsemen of terror and stung by the demon locusts, but she had never seen anything so gruesome. Without a shot fired or a missile launched, the Unity Army melted into the street.
“Look over there,” Judd said.
Leon had his face in his hands and knelt. Nicolae Carpathia, God’s archenemy, ordered Leon Fortunato to his feet. “Get up, Leon! Get up! We are not defeated! We have a million more soldiers and we shall prevail!”
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