Jack closed his fists. He wanted to smash Jonas’s head against the mirror, but his years of hardening constraint against those that tested his boundaries were at work. The law would deal with this. “You just confessed to a crime, Jonas.” Jack held up the handcuffs. “We’re placing you under arrest.”
“You won’t need those. I’m happy to go with you. I’m happy to be a spectacle when I know half the boys out there will applaud my actions.” As Jack ushered him towards the exit door, Jonas paused and looked at them both. “You two must be amber people.”
The comment took Jack by surprise. How deep did this ‘amber’ society go?
* * *
It was two in the morning, and the large office area was mostly in darkness. The tapping of keyboards and the occasional soft obscenity flowed from the work areas of a few tired officers, their locations indicated by fluoro lights bringing their desks out of the shadows. Most officers were exhausted after what must have been the busiest day of their working lives as they tried to deal with a society that seemed to be deteriorating to a level that they’d never seen before.
Evil and the persecution of Christians were beyond belief. He was glad he’d had a quiet few months to get settled back into home life, because nothing was normal today. Erica understood. She possessed what she would refer to as peace beyond understanding, but Jack still asked the uniformed officers on patrol to keep an eye on his house.
Jack finished his report on Jonas’s arrest. He needed to escape from his computer and deal with the anger he felt towards Jonas. He stood and moved into the meeting room. Maybe seeing what was happening in the world would calm him.
The news showed on the large screen, streaming the events in Jerusalem to the world. The sun was setting, throwing magical colours onto the walls of the narrow streets. The bodies of the two witnesses still lay on the road. A drone must have been hovering to capture that image. There was a barrier around them, keeping those who wanted to gawk over a dead body at bay. They’d now been dead for three days. The men still hadn’t been formally identified—either they were men from outer space, or their true identities were being kept secret. Just like on that old TV show, the truth was out there, somewhere, but could be hard to find. He gave a sigh. Crazy world.
The screen showed people celebrating the death of the two strange men. Such actions never ceased to amaze Jack. As the story of the two men concluded, other so-called newsworthy items appeared. One in particular concerned him, the reports of the build-up of the military in the Middle East.
The screen showed a landscape of fertile land stretching for miles—a patchwork of farming, in yellows, greens, and browns. He was surprised by the view, as he’d imagined the Middle East as a dry and barren place. The reporter spoke about the place name, Jezreel, being a valley planted by God.
The caption below the image stated it was a file copy. It must have been old, because the image that replaced it showed the Valley of Jezreel with a dull greyness about it. A massive military build-up was underway—a mixture of humans and technology, large and small.
“Israel is being blamed for the damage caused by the two witnesses: everything from locusts and murder hornets to the deaths of millions by fire and famine, pestilence and pandemic,” the reporter said. “So Israel was about to be obliterated. Or is this military build-up in preparation for the alien invasion? It may even be for a battle with God”.
Jack stood up and rubbed his neck. Anxiety crept in. And fear. Time to get home—it looked like some strange events were in play and he needed to be with his family. Work could wait. He was fortunate to live in Australia, the great southern land. A land of extremes—bushfires, droughts, and floods—but isolated from countries that wanted to destroy each other. Such thoughts didn’t take his anxieties away, as Australia was still within reach of an enemy.
He picked up the remote to turn the television off just as the reporter spoke again.
“The Valley of Jezreel is also known as the Valley of Megiddo, which was previously known as the Valley of Armageddon. The city of Megiddo has seen more battles than any other location in the world. The hill you see behind me has been created by many generations rebuilding on the same location—excavations have uncovered twenty-six layers of settlements. Christians relate Megiddo to Armageddon.”
Jack pressed the off button and walked out of the room.
He’d heard that last word many times when end-of-the-world scenarios cropped up.
Armageddon.
And he was sure it would tie in with the asteroid. Adventus still showed clearly in the sky but was stationary. For now.
36 - A visitor
Erica waved Jack goodbye, then stood, looking out her window.
Jack had got some sleep, but he still looked tired and was still upset about what had happened to Catherine. Erica said a quiet prayer, asking the Lord to sustain and protect Jack and bring healing to Catherine. Erica knew he was concerned for her and Johnny’s safety. She assured him she was safe, as someone bigger and mightier than him was looking after them. He knew what she meant.
Some men were huddled together on the road, occasionally looking towards the house as if debating something. They reminded her of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She smiled, because they took God seriously and so did she.
One of the men broke from the group and headed towards her door as the others dispersed. She turned to go to the door, but he already stood in front of her. She was startled, but not scared.
“Hello, Erica.”
His eyes were rivers of peace. She wasn’t sure if she was meant to bow before this man. This being.
He shook his head, as if he knew her thoughts.
“I am just a messenger. A fellow servant like you.”
Her thoughts were jumbled. Had he walked through the wall?
“Yes, Erica. I am a messenger from the Lord. Something only the Lord can do will happen to you and Johnny soon, and to all believers.” He smiled a graceful smile.
She was fighting off her natural fears, her instinctive response to a supernatural being. But he looked so human, so lifelike. He didn’t mention Jack, but she wasn’t concerned. Trust ruled in her heart.
“It is all written, and it will not be in secret. You will hear and the world will hear the trumpet, and in the twinkling of an eye you will be changed.”
He sensed her fear.
“Nothing to be fearful about. You will be like me. Flesh and blood will not enter the kingdom of God. Your body will be made fit for heaven, fit for the kingdom.”
“Like you?”
He smiled and gave a gentle nod.
“Why are you here?”
“To protect you.”
“What from?”
“The persecution that is coming. My presence here is enough to ward off evil. It is the same for all believers. The two witnesses will soon be raised to be with the Lord. The time is close. Evil is taking one last opportunity.”
