“I know the cruelty of the world puzzles you,” the man said. “At times, the world appears meaningless and you question everything. Those who suffer can be healed by God. Suffering is not caused by God. If man acted out of love, those things wouldn’t happen.”
The man was right. Men and women caused the suffering.
The man stood. “We have to give the world back to God. You have to give your heart back to God.” He put out his hand. “Hopefully, I’ll see you in the New Jerusalem.”
“Yes, I think I need a holiday.” That was a dumb response, but Jack had no idea what or where the New Jerusalem was.
The man picked up his placard and put it over his head. He looked at Jack. “It’ll be a good one. A good holiday for you. No more death, no more mourning, no more crying, no more pain, no more tears.” He pointed towards the people. “I’ve many more to share with, and time is running out.”
Placard man started walking off but stopped and turned back to Jack.
“Remember. Time is running out.”
Jack half expected him to vanish in a puff of smoke.
Jack’s heart was heavy and his mind all over the place. A single thought was making its way through the haze. He needed to go home and protect his family. This situation was now out of the ordinary. Spaceship or God. All out of the ordinary. He needed to focus on what was happening in the world and his family.
As he headed back to his car, he thought about God. He thought about Erica and Johnny and Cath. He thought about Jesus and his role in all of this, about God, the creator of all things, and about the alien craft. He said a little prayer as he walked. He hadn’t prayed for a while and it was a different prayer. Jack did believe. He told God he believed, and that he was sorry.
A peace came upon him.
People were still crowded around the large screen. Adventus was moving. He headed towards the stairwell and made his way down the stairs towards his vehicle. A stranger was leaning on his vehicle.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“Hello, Jack.”
“Do I know you?”
“Sort of. Been your close companion for a while now. The boss sent me to you sometime back, back when you were running that investigation on the island. You remember Churchie and his ability to see the unseen world? Your heart was touched then, but you’ve been a wee bit stubborn.”
Just a another strange happening to add to the day. “I remember Churchie, but my detective skills have let me down, as I don’t remember you and I haven’t noticed you shadowing me.”
The visitor smiled. “Maybe it’s because I’m good at concealment."
“You are.” Jack sensed he wasn’t talking to a normal person here. But the man also wasn’t a complete stranger, as he knew some of Jack’s past.
“I’m glad you said your prayer on the way back to the car. The Lord’s been waiting for that. He’s been standing there knocking for a while.”
Was this man an angel? A messenger? “Why are you glad?”
"Because I can now reveal myself to you. But enough of this talk. We have urgent things to discuss.”
“Urgent?”
“Your name is written in the book.”
“What book?”
“The Book of Life.”
Jack was confused but not concerned. He pulled out his keys.
“You won’t have time to get back to Erica before the event occurs.”
“What event?”
“The event Catherine was invited to. The event your family is going to.”
Peace flooded Jack’s heart.
“You need to go back and sit on that bench again and wait.”
Jack knew that was what he had to do. He sensed authority, but a pleasing authority. An authority he trusted.
“Okay, I’ll do that. Thank you for this meeting. You coming with me?”
“Not now. But we’ll meet up again soon.”
Jack nodded and put his keys back in his pocket and was about to start heading back.
“Before you go, Jack, there’s one last thing I’m sure you’d like to hear.”
Jack wasn’t sure what was coming.
“You’re no longer an amber person.” With that, the visitor was gone.
39 - The trumpet call
