Fiction - Week 9 - A Fiasco in a Restaurant.

All the characters are fictitious and bear no resemblance to any person, living or dead.

A story based on Biblical truth.

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We all sat in the fellowship room of St John the Baptist Church in Egham, a town in Surrey. All we had was a radio perched on a cupboard for our connection with the outside world. The TV standing in the corner was useless except for playing videos. The church never held a TV License. But what we heard on the radio was enough to keep up to date on the latest news bulletins.

So, as I was thinking, two things have occurred simultaneously. One is Russia, with its Muslim allies, racing south through Turkey and Syria to Israel and Jerusalem in particular to rob, plunder and seek revenge for the demolition of the Dome of the Rock. The other was the sudden death of Gaius Caligula. He was shot by a gunman who evaded security.

Russians and Arabs march towards Jerusalem.

The radio then delivered this report:

The gunman who assassinated our leader of world peace, Gaius Caligula, has just been identified. He is Mohammed Abdallah from Syria, whose motive for the killing was his revenge for the demolition of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. He was arrested and detained in Rome. How he evaded the heavy security gates at the entrance to St Peter's Square in Rome has remained a mystery.

Peter Wilkins, who studied Theology at Cambridge before the summer break and the vanishing of millions, didn't believe that security was lax in processing each individual. He had a hunch that all this was part of an elaborate plot. But from whom did the plot, if there was one, originate?

I then asked, Pete, do you think there was someone behind all this?

All eyes were fixed on Peter as he sat in deep thought, recalling a lecture he had attended during his Cambridge days.

Peter then answered, I recall studying Revelation chapter 13. According to the Scriptures, the Antichrist will have a helper. He is known as the false prophet. There is a candidate, not so frequently mentioned, named Elijah. According to my studies, this guy is a Jew from the Tribe of Dan.

Emily exclaimed before asking, Wow! How did you know his ethnicity and even his tribal origins?

To whom Peter answered, Read Revelation chapter seven. In it, all twelve tribes of Israel are listed in the 144,000. But one tribe is missing: the tribe of Dan. But the full twelve are made up by the substitution of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, in Dan's place.

This was substantiated by the set of blessings their father, Jacob, gave to each of his sons shortly before his death. In Genesis 49:17, Jacob calls his son Dan a snake in the grass who will bite the horse's heels, causing both it and the rider to fall backwards.

Finally, Elijah admitted his Jewish origin to a journalist.

Another in the group expressed his surprise. The name Elijah? Wasn't he one of the greatest prophets in the Bible, a man devoted to God and the welfare of the nation of Israel?

Yes, you are right. Peter answered. The true Elijah was not only a great prophet who ministered to Israel, but he, with Moses, appeared to Jesus and three of his disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration. But this fellow, the false prophet, I believe he took the name Elijah as a stage name or pen name. You watch any movie, and no actor would use his own name for the character he is playing.

But this present Elijah, you call the false prophet. What is his role in all this? Emily asked.

Peter answered, The false prophet will assist Caligula in establishing him as the world's true Messiah. According to the book of Revelation, to convince the world that he is God, Elijah will perform some outstanding miracles in Caligula's presence. Most important of all, he will copy the original miracle performed by the real Elijah in the Old Testament by calling down fire from heaven. This will be an attempt to convince Israel that Caligula is the long-awaited Messiah despite his non-Jewish origin. 

Suppose Caligula appears alive and well in Jerusalem. Peter added. Then many, especially the Jews, would not believe that he died at all, but passed through a state of being in a coma and has recovered naturally. In addition, the Russian invasion into Israel has shattered his global peace plan. Caligula will be standing on very shaky ground. Hence the important role the false prophet will play. He would literally lead the whole world to worship Caligula. That's when the judgements on our natural environment will begin. 

Meanwhile, while the conversation in the church was taking place, Phil Banks sat in the train on the London Waterloo to Reading line. Not that he would remain on board until the train terminated at Reading; rather, he was to alight at Egham, roughly halfway on the line to Reading.

He had informed the Government ministers of Caligula of St John the Baptist church in that town, and one of the officials had downloaded the footage onto his laptop. The footage remained encrypted, thus making it unavailable to the public. He smirked as he looked out of the window. He was instructed by the officials not to let anyone know about the mobile phone recording, but to visit the church and reassure the inhabitants that he was their friend and, with Caligula dead, he was now on their side.

Phil alighted at Egham Station and walked the short distance to the church. When he approached it, he saw that the door was shut, but a few cars parked outside, including Steve's Ferrari, indicated that there were people therein. He knocked. 

Everyone in the room looked up, startled. Each held each other's hands tightly, and we bowed in prayer. The knocking continued, but nobody moved. Gradually, I lifted my head and volunteered to peek around the door and see who was knocking.

I approached the door and opened it. Outside stood a recognisable face of my old college friend.

I gasped. Philip Banks! How did you know where to find us?

Please be calm! Phil responded as he raised his left arm to pacify any ensuing panic. Yes, it was true that I respected Gaius Caligula. I really believed that he was solving all the world's problems and ushering in world peace. But he made that vital mistake. He authorised the demolition of the Dome in Jerusalem. It was Islam's third holiest site after Mecca and Medina. I'm not surprised at all that he was taken by an angry Arab.

You all believe in Jesus. I'm aware of that. Don't panic. A few nights ago, I was walking back to my college apartment, and I happened to pass by a grocery store. As one of you talked, you gave this address, and I managed to overhear. 

What is the purpose of this visit? I asked.

Phil answered. Please, I'm your college mate. I was aware of the fiasco we had at that Windsor restaurant. But with Steve gone, you are the only friend left. I'm feeling lonely and in need of some companionship.

Wait there. I told him, but not without a level of nostalgia. I went back inside and informed them of my former college friend. Peter then said, let him in. But we must be cautious of his presence.

I returned to the door and bid Phil in. He walked behind me as I led him into one of the fellowship rooms.

You are all sleeping here? Phil asked as we passed through the makeshift dormitory in the main chapel.

Yes, I replied. All the men sleep here. The women sleep in a separate room. The world outside is now far too dangerous for us to return to our homes, even our college apartments. Caligula has snipers roaming the streets. They are looking out for us, the so-called Haters, for not believing in Caligula's peace plan.

Phil entered the room housing the entire group. I turned to see if there would be any reaction. As Phil saw a black woman in her forties, Emily, as one of the group, I thought I saw him wince ever so slightly, but he made every effort to conceal his real feelings by breaking into a broad smile. Indeed, I knew Phil way better than anyone in the group.

He introduced himself. I'm Philip Banks, Phil for short. I'm a student at the nearby Holloway College of the University of London, and I'm, or rather was, studying Politics. I'm now having doubts about whether the college will ever reopen. It's been shut for over three years. My oh my! Hasn't the world changed beyond recognition? By the looks of it, we are on the brink of war. So much for Gaius' peace plan!

Well, Caligula was assassinated, and the Russians and their allies are heading to Jerusalem as we speak. Peter said.

Haven't you heard? Phil asked. The Russians have paused in their journey to Israel to honour the death of our leader. But by tomorrow, they should be back on the march. Poor Israel! They don't stand a chance!

Don't be too sure about that. Peter replied. If this event is a fulfilment of Biblical prophecy, Israel will be spared by divine intervention. Russia and its allies will suffer a massive loss.

Suddenly, Phil asked, Sorry, but is there a toilet here?

I escorted him to the church bathroom. Here, I watched my college mate retch. I had to be very careful to ensure the safety of our group. Phil was as hostile to any Biblical matters as he was before.

Listen, Phil. I whispered. I know you better than anyone else here. You are still hostile to the Christian faith, aren't you? We are all believers here. Yet you have found us. Be honest. Are you one of Caligula's spies looking for us?

THAT IS AN INSULT! Phil shouted, and was heard by the rest of the group. He lowered his voice. I indeed admired Gaius Caligula. His good looks, his wisdom, his lack of hypocrisy, and his dedication to world peace have won my heart. But now he's dead. DEAD! And I'm shattered. With my parents divorced and moved away, I'm suffering from loneliness and in need of company, especially you, whom I knew from our college years. Some tea and sympathy wouldn't go amiss!

You never told me that your parents were divorced and moved away. I said.

Phil replied, Not long after my father threw Mum's brother out of the house after his insult over Elaine's death, the marriage failed. As far as I'm aware, Mum has gone to live with her religious brother.

Meanwhile, in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, a nurse was keeping watch over Caligula's dead body. She rose up and left the room to make herself some coffee. After she returned with the beverage, she sat down. Suddenly, she screamed and threw the cup to the floor, creating a mess.

She would swear that he saw Caligula's closed eyelids flutter a little.

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To be Continued.

Fiction - Week 8 - A Fiasco in a Restaurant.

All the characters in this story are fictitious and have no bearing on any person, living or dead. 

A story based on Biblical truth.

A note before I go any further: The prophet Ezekiel in the Old Testament foretold an invasion of Israel by Gog, the land of Magog, the prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ezekiel 38 and 39).

Many scholars have identified Magog as Russia, with Gog, sometimes known as Rosh, as the prince of Meshech and Tubal. Many scholars have identified Meshech and Tubal as the cities of Moscow and Tobolsk, respectively.

Some scholars place the invasion either immediately before or after the Rapture; others around three years later; others still identify this invasion as the final Battle of Armageddon, seven years after the Rapture and immediately before the Second Advent of Christ.

This blog is a fictional story, but plausible enough to fulfil real history; therefore, I have placed this invasion roughly three years after the Rapture. However, I'm asking the reader to keep this in the realm of fiction and not to take this story as dogmatic Biblical prophecy, as the timing of this event remains uncertain.

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Among the original dozen occupying the Church of St John the Baptist in the Surrey town of Egham, three newcomers have joined the group after Peter invited them following a meeting at the grocery store.

They were Zadok, Joseph, and Zechariah. These were from the 144,000 Messianic Jews sent from Israel under divine guidance. Under Peter's invitation, they spent only nights in the church dormitory. During the day, they were out evangelising the town's population, pleading with them that it was Jesus Christ who atoned for all sins, and not to follow Gaius Caligula, who had sold them a lie. 

As the rest of the group remained huddled in the church, the radio continued to broadcast world events. Just then, the radio delivered a shocking report.

The Jewish Temple in Jerusalem is well on its way to completion after the demolition of the Dome of the Rock, which stood at the same site since AD 692. However, angry Muslims from Iran, Afghanistan, Libya, and Egypt have arrived at the Russian Kremlin to negotiate with the Premier to invade Israel, especially Jerusalem, in revenge for their destruction of one of Islam's sacred sites.

A deal has been struck between the Russian Premier and the Arabs. The latter will get their revenge while the Russian forces are promised plunder, enough to enrich its economy after a few last years of crop failure. The Premier had doubts whether he could muster a sufficient army after its defeat in Ukraine, but he was pleasantly surprised at the response. The promise of rich plunder will fill empty stomachs.

Caligula had the 3rd Temple built.

I then remarked, I recall a conversation we had while we were driving to Windsor. One of our friends who was taken up mentioned this Russian invasion. I have looked at those two chapters in Ezekiel. It looks as if this prophecy will be fulfilled to the letter - right before our eyes!

Emily then asked, But isn't the world supposed to have obeyed Caligula? To him, there shouldn't be any more wars.

Caligula is only human. I replied. If a world leader, or other world leaders, decide to prepare for war, there is not much he can do about it. Since he ordered the Dome to be razed, the whole of the Muslim community has turned against him. At the same time, Russia is hungry. This makes an ideal alliance for war.  

                                                                      7

As more weeks passed, reports of the completed Temple in Jerusalem were broadcast. It didn't take long for animal sacrifices to resume, after a long break since AD 70, when the Second Temple was razed to the ground by the army of the Roman General Titus.

One morning, I rose and turned on the radio while the others were still sleeping. We were by ourselves again. The three Jews who stayed with us had moved on to preach to the people elsewhere. They were remarkably successful. Many renounced their allegiance to Caligula and turned to Jesus. However, only those who weren't fully convinced of the world leader's truthfulness found faith in God. Those who were convinced of Caligula's faithfulness resisted and turned against the testimony of these Jews and embraced the world leader even further. Tragically, those who decided to stay with Gaius Caligula were the majority of the population.

Suddenly, the radio sent out an urgent message:

The Russian forces, along with their air force and drones, together with forces from Libya, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Iran, are making headway south towards the Middle East. They had already passed through Turkey, and the Turkish forces had joined them. They will be approaching Syria and Lebanon within hours.

The Premier himself remains at the Kremlin. The force, a huge one, is actually racing south as far as their vehicles allow. The rage among the Arabs for the loss of the Dome of the Rock, combined with the poverty-given greed of the Russians, has made this a formidable force moving at speed towards Israel. All the Jewish inhabitants are gathering at the Western Wall, praying in terror, as their defence cannot stand a chance against these hostile Russian and Muslim forces.

All of us had nothing to say or do as we sat in a tight group in one of the fellowship rooms. Instead, we all bowed our heads in prayer. Both Peter and I knew the fate of these troops as they headed towards Israel's northern border. Nothing will go well for them.

Eventually, someone in the group expressed his regret. If only we had believed in Jesus when we had the time! Now we have to face Caligula, and this on top! Yet, he seems powerless to stop the war. His ambition for world peace seems to have been shattered.

You know what that means? I said. 

What? Emily asked.

Peter replied, It means that if the Antichrist's confidence in world peace is shaken, many will turn to Jesus for salvation. Indeed, the 144,000 are making converts in numbers around the world. We need to keep an eye on Caligula. I think it's the time when he will stand at the Jewish Temple and demand to be recognised as the Messiah.

Suddenly, in Rome, a gunman approached Gaius Caligula as he was shaking hands with the crowd during his meeting with the Pope. The gunman aimed his weapon discreetly at Caligula's head and fired. Caligula immediately fell, with blood pouring from his temple.

A medical team rushed to where the world leader lay and examined him. Then the head doctor stood up and announced to the Pope,

Your Holiness, Gaius Caligula is dead.

The body was quickly taken to Gemelli Hospital in Rome. In the theatre, surgeons got to work removing the bullet and patching up the wound before burial. Then he was left lying on the slab in the mortuary. Somehow, the surgeon had a hunch not to bury him, at least not yet. As his body was lying there, the world received the news.

GAIUS CALIGULA IS DEAD! A shotgun wound in his head proved fatal for the leader and advocate for world peace. His body now lies at the mortuary at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

The radio kept on about Caligula's death. Who was the gunman? How did he get past security with a weapon? Questions were asked continuously, and no one seemed to come up with any answers.

Peter called for the attention of all in our group. 

Listen to me! He called out. Yes, Caligula is dead. However, this is a clever plot to let the world know of his passing. Indeed, he may be dead. But according to Revelation 13, he will live again after three days. It will be a counterfeit of Christ's death and Resurrection. Whether he really died or not, that's not for us to say. But, according to my studies, I think that this was a very clever plot. Russia and its allies are rushing to invade Israel. By some divine intervention, no one in that hostile force will make it to Jerusalem, but instead will all die en route.

After that, Caligula will "rise" from the dead and head for Jerusalem. In front of an astonished world, he will stand at the Temple and proclaim himself to be God after annihilating the Russians. That's when every citizen must receive his mark of loyalty to survive. Furthermore, the judgment of our natural environment will begin. The whole planet will be turned to Hell!

Meanwhile, Phil Banks was standing before Caligula's Government department for the UK in London. Standing in front of six men seated at a large desk, and dressed in their business suits, he announced,

I have some information that may interest you. It's about a church in Egham in Surrey. St John the Baptist. There is a group of haters living there. They refuse to bow down to Caligula.

Do you have any proof? One at the desk asked.

Yes, Phil replied. Take a look at my mobile footage.

Phil handed his phone, displaying footage of the conversation between Peter Wilkins and the three Jews. After the footage ended, one of the officers downloaded it to his laptop.

The officer then praised Phil. Well done! That's a good piece of work there. If you give us your address, we will make sure you receive a constant supply of free food and drink.

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To be Continued.

Fiction - Week 7 - A Fiasco in a Restaurant.

All the characters in this story are fictitious and bear no resemblance to any person, living or dead.

A story based on Biblical truth.

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As we sat together in a group of around a dozen people, I couldn't help commenting; How is it that the topic of ancient history has become so popular? In this group, at least three of us have studied it. A mere coincidence? Or is there something more?

No one answered. Instead, I heard something on the radio which caught my attention. I reached up to turn up the volume. The announcement came that Gaius Caligula was standing at the podium in front of the Basilica of St Peter, the same spot where he had stood earlier. From there, he began his speech.

A crowd gathers in Rome to hear Gaius Caligula.

Good evening, Italy and the world. As I have already ordered, the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is ready for demolition, in readiness for the Jewish Temple, after the pattern of King Solomon, to be built on that precise site.

A delegation of angry Muslims has made a journey to Moscow for the Russians to intervene and halt the project. Fortunately, I have already contacted the Russian President about a peace deal. As far as I'm aware, the President, who respects me as a world leader, agreed to keep the peace. As for the dissatisfied Muslims, I have persuaded them to listen to me, as I'm preventing another cosmic abduction like the one which occurred last night. They are now on a Russian plane returning home.

My ambition is to usher in a world peace that is to last a thousand years. This New World Order will have its international capital in Jerusalem. In due course, I will be establishing my central office in the Middle East, preferably in Jerusalem itself. 

As I hold the position of a world leader, I must lay some rules which will be binding to every citizen globally. That is, to look to me for a fulfilled life. I will ensure that you will eat and not go hungry or suffer poverty. I will also establish the Universal Health Service to replace the NHS in the United Kingdom. The American private health insurance system will also be replaced by the UHS, headquartered in Jerusalem. With this new healthcare put into place, every citizen will have access to all institutions free at the point of use. Gone will be the need to sell one's own home to pay fees that the insurance company refuses to cover. 

Therefore, for our world peace to be established, all devotion should be focused on me. We cannot afford dissention, as the saying goes, a divided house cannot stand. Nor a divided kingdom. We must stand as one. This global standing together as one will deter any further cosmic abductions. I have spoken.

Gaius Caligula continued in his speech. Back in 1971, John Lennon released his single "Imagine". It contained the verse:

Imagine there are no countries

It isn't hard to do,

nothing to kill or die for,

and no religion too.

Imagine all the people

living life in peace.

Here, I make one slight change to the 4th line. Instead of "and no religion too", it is now "and one religion too."

Caligula then continued, Religion is a force which binds a society together. But this binding together only occurs if everyone lives and believes in harmony. No more different sects, denominations, or religions. Instead, just one faith. This one faith is to believe in me.

Although all this was coming from a radio perched on a cupboard and had no TV picture, we all could visualise exactly what was going on in Rome. As Caligula paused in his speech, the vast crowd in St Peter's Square raised their voices in a loud cheer. The cheer lasted a couple of minutes until Caligula raised his hand to quell the noise. 

Therefore, to worship Allah, Buddha, Shinto, or Hindu, and especially Jesus Christ, must be made illegal, so that we can build a peaceful, stable society as narrated in John Lennon's song, "Imagine".

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and may the peace of God be with you all.

We all looked at each other. Then all turned to Peter, who was sitting next to me. In my heart, I made a vow, a promise to God. Never would I bow the knee to Caligula. And, despite making it illegal, I will always worship and honour Jesus Christ. After all, it was he who suffered an agonising death on the cross, was buried, and it was he who rose from the dead on the third day. Caligula achieved none of this.

We sat together, and we all promised each other that we would never stray from our faith.

                                                                   6

The days turned to weeks, and weeks into months. I didn't spend all our time confined at St John's Church in Egham, although the rest of the group did. I returned to my college apartment. With a fully functional TV, I had a better reception of the world news than from the radio.

I also devoted myself to the Bible I took from Padula's house, with the Internet. Talking of which, that house didn't stay empty for long. A few days after the Rapture, it was invaded by squatters, and with the original homeowner forever absent, the squatters would never be evicted.

By studying, I slowly learned how to put together the end times foretold by prophecy. Fortunately, I had an academic mind and was able to grasp the complexity of the genome at a level many students would have struggled with. I slowly learned that the days of free grace are over, the Body of Christ, which was the Church, was taken to Heaven, and we are now in the first part of the Tribulation period, centred on Israel. This is the time when one has to have faith and endure severe trials to be saved.

The second half will be worse than the first half. It was then that the full force of judgment would fall on our natural environment, such as the sun becoming fiery hot, water turning to blood, famine, and massive earthquakes. In addition, the whole of humankind would gather together in the Valley of Megiddo for the final battle of all history.

However, as I watched on TV, a large crowd of Jews, believed to be as many as 144,000, had assembled around the Western Wall and beyond. These Jews were an irritation to Gaius Caligula, for each one stood in defiance of the leader's peace programme. They were all dispatched from Jerusalem to spread the message of Jesus Christ crucified. And report after report was broadcast on both my TV here in my apartment, and the radio I left at the church. Some of these Jews were heading across Europe and the UK.

I still managed to buy food for those at St John's Church and myself. However, lately I have begun to see those airport-type security scanners erected at the entrance to all shops and public venues, including doctors' surgeries, clinics, and hospitals. Indeed, this brilliant UHS is for those devoted to Gaius Caligula. Anyone who believes in Christ, in particular, was a sworn enemy of Caligula, according to the news broadcast, and he was termed by him as a Hater. That is, he hates the New World Peace Order. These people who have devoted themselves to Jesus Christ will be barred from using all these facilities.

However, at this moment, the scanners were non-functional, as it was not yet time to set them into operation. As it was, I could still buy food, but I also knew that supplies were running out on an international scale.

Airport-type scanners are being installed at every shop.

However, as the weeks elapsed, I had to spend more and more time with my friends at St John's Church. Not only was food brought in, but the main chapel was converted to a makeshift dormitory. It was decided that the men would sleep in the chapel. The women slept in one of the fellowship rooms. Each returned home to collect their bed mattress. Since these were heavy furniture, each was brought in one at a time by a team. The reason for this setup was that the world outside was becoming more dangerous. Caligula was becoming more hostile against all Christian believers, and the launching of the 144,000 added to his ire.

One day, it was Peter's turn to go and find some food. He had to keep a sharp eye for any of Caligula's agents prowling around. At the shop, he met three men. Each of these men had a special mark on their foreheads.

Who are you? Peter asked, startled. And what is that mark you have on your forehead?

Are you devoted to Christ or to Caligula? One of them responded by asking with a serious tone.

Peter mustered up the courage to answer the truth. As far as he knew, these men could be sporting the Mark of the Beast, that is, the Mark of devotion to Caligula. If that was true, Peter could face arrest on the spot.

I'm devoted to Christ. It was Christ, not Caligula, who atoned for my sins by his shed blood. Peter answered.

All three men smiled warmly, and each held out his hand to shake Peter's. I am Zadok. This is Joseph, and Zechariah. We are Jews devoted to the Lamb of God wherever he goes. We are of the 144,000 sent out from Israel by God to evangelise the world before the judgments begin. The Mark you see on our foreheads is the Mark of God, divinely stamped on us without human hands. Every one of the 144,000 has one. It sets us apart from the rest of the world.

Peter then exclaimed, The 144,000! I'm Peter Wilkins, a post-graduate in Theology at Cambridge University. My studies included Eschatology, and I learned about people like you. That was before the Rapture. Peter shook his head sadly. I have learned that academic knowledge and faith aren't the same. Great men of theological knowledge included Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. All three knew the Bible well, and their writings filled the shelves in many bookshops. Yet, they were the world's most famed atheists.

Peter then asked, Have you a place to stay?

We have just arrived here, a few days after crossing the Channel from France. We are part of a larger unit that arrived here a few days ago. The unit then split into small groups like ours to reach as many people as we can. To answer your question, no, we have nowhere to stay.

Then come back with me. Peter said. A group of twelve is staying at the Church of St John here in Egham. Don't be afraid. We are all believers in Jesus Christ, and we will never bow to Caligula. Do come. We have food and bedding for all of us.

Around the corner, just out of sight from the four believers, Phil Banks recorded the whole conversation on his mobile phone before disappearing.

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To be Continued.

Fiction - Week 6 - A Fiasco in a Restaurant.

All the characters in this story are fictional and bear no resemblance to any person living or dead.

A story based on Biblical truth.

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                                                                        5

The dozen of us huddled together in St John's Church in Egham. I was standing arm-in-arm with Peter Wilkins, who looked to be the self-appointed leader of this group. Others included a black lady in her forties, and other men and women from different walks of life. We were all bound by a common fear, but amidst this emotion, a sapling of hope had germinated.

We all moved from the main chapel to one of the meeting rooms. This one had a TV, but it was installed for video shows only, as the church had never paid for a TV licence. With communication cut off from the outside world, I suggested returning to my college apartment to bring in some food and a radio. Peter agreed, and I set off.

At my apartment, I collected the radio and gathered the groceries, both my own and the items I took from the Padula's house earlier that day. Like this, everyone in our group will have something to eat, and hunger will be kept at bay, at least for now. However, as I passed a grocery store, it was open for business, and there was no airport-style scanner at the door. At least not yet. I entered and bought more food items, especially tinned food, which keeps much longer than uncooked or unprocessed items. Furthermore, while I was out, someone discovered food in the church kitchen, adding to our stock.

Back at the church, the load I carried in brought cheers from the entire group, which encouraged them to keep on trusting God for his provisions. Once we all settled, having placed the radio in a prominent position, I turned it on for any news updates.

Gaius Caligula ordered the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem to be demolished. Last night's catastrophe of so many people vanishing as if suddenly atomised has kept the Arab world locked in fear and submissive to the world leader for protection against a second abduction. Hence, so far, there have been no protests from the Arab world.

Caligula ordered the Dome to be demolished.

There are speculations on Caligula's motive for a Jewish Temple to be built on that site. But does he have a genuine concern for Israel, its history, and the Jews in general? Although, at this stage, most Jews don't see Caligula as their Messiah, as he is a Gentile, and all Jews insist that their Messiah must arise from their own people and nation. There are some, both Jews and non-Jews, who think that the ultimate motive for the Temple to be built is for Caligula himself to stand in it and receive worship as divine. However, the World President strenuously deny this.

But whatever the speculation might be, a barrier now surrounds the octagonal structure, awaiting the bulldozers to raze it to the ground after standing on that specific site since AD 692.

However, not all Arabs have acquiesced. Many are angry. And a delegate has arrived in Moscow for talks of an invasion into Israel. Speculation of a Russian invasion was present in Moscow before the catastrophe, but what some had called the Rapture has set back any thoughts of invading Israel until the dust has settled.

I turned the radio volume down to ask Peter,

I heard a rumour of the Antichrist receiving worship in the Temple of God. Some members of our college Christian Union had mentioned it a few months ago. Do you think there's any truth to all this?

Indeed! Peter exclaimed, as others in the group drew close to hear what the post-graduate had to say. Don't think for a second that Caligula has a benevolent heart. His whole project to rebuild the Jewish Temple is entirely self-motivated. Like the Roman Emperors of old, he too wants worship and above all, deification.

The black member of the group, known only as Emily to the rest of them, said, My son, Richard, was studying ancient Greek and Roman empires at Loughborough University. He attended a Christian Union at his college. Since then, I hadn't heard from him at all. As for his father, he walked out on us to live with his new lover when Richard was ten years old. At college, so he said, he was converted to Christ, and he tried to persuade me to believe too. I was a fool to think that he was merely suffering from trauma caused by our separation. I now believe he was taken up to Heaven with the others.

She broke into fresh tears and wept aloud as Peter approached her in a hug. For several minutes the two were locked in an embrace as she cried copiously. Then she managed to compose herself as she resumed the conversation.

Richard explained about the Roman Empire whenever he arrived home between terms. Its first Emperor, Augustus, I think, brought in the Pax Romana, a lasting peace and freedom from war across the whole of his empire. The inhabitants were so relieved that they wanted to worship a deity. Rather than worship Jupiter or whatever Roman god they had, they decided to worship the emperor himself. He was visible, alive, and conscious. By the time of Nero, emperor worship was already mandatory for every Roman citizen on pain of death.

And now this Gaius Caligula, another in the group, added. Wants to revive this emperor worship. Wow! I can't help but think that this is the old Roman Empire revived.

A young woman in her twenties, standing nearby, known to the others as Jane, made her contribution to the discussion. In my spare time, I too have studied ancient history, especially that related to the Bible. There were four empires - Babylonian, Mede/Persian, Greek, and Roman. All of them had dominion over the Jews and Jerusalem in particular. So I'm not surprised that this Caligula guy has his eyes set on Jerusalem.

Jane, Peter responded, What you just said, you are right. That is the reason why the Church was removed. For Israel to take centre stage. And just as Israel was centre stage in Biblical times, so there is no surprise that while Israel returns to its former glory, a fierce oppressor is rising too. This is the Tribulation period, a time of testing before their true Messiah returns to set up his Kingdom with his throne in Jerusalem.

Peter continued, Gaius Caligula will not only be Israel's chief enemy and oppressor, but ours too. If he wants universal worship, then anyone who refuses to give allegiance to him but has faith in God through Jesus Christ, he will hate and persecute. This is our time of testing. Listen to me! All of you must refuse the Mark Caligula will impose on all citizens worldwide. Yes, we will starve unless we receive food by a miraculous channel. And some of us might. But in this time of testing, we must prove faithful to the One who was crucified, suffered and died for us. 

When Peter had finished, we all bowed in prayer, mainly in thanksgiving for each other's company, for the food we had, and for our safekeeping in a very uncertain world. Furthermore, we prayed that our faith would be made strong enough to endure what might be coming. After prayer, I went to the kitchen to prepare some food for all of us. Emily then arrived to lend a helping hand.

I regarded all those in the church. Each had suffered a terrible shock. Rivers of tears, mostly of regret for not believing in the first place, but also due to the loss of a loved one, like Emily losing her son Richard. As she helped with the preparation, I regarded her, along with the others. The contrast between these people and my former student friends couldn't be wider than the Grand Canyon! No white shirt and tie among any of them, no arrogance or self-assurance. There was no sense of superiority from holding a degree, having plenty of money, or holding a professional career.

In the church kitchen, I reflected on myself. I grew up in Portsmouth, home of the British Navy. Yet, I never had any desire for a career at sea; I shone at school. Even as a boy, I was interested in Biology, and by the time I took my A Levels, I specialised in Genetics.

I could have gone to Oxford or Cambridge to study Medicine, but I chose Royal Holloway instead. A degree in genetics was available at this branch of the University of London. Of all branches of Biology, I preferred genetic research, a career aligned with the NHS to not only find cures for specific diseases, but also to gain knowledge of genetics to discover how these diseases could be prevented in the first place.

Genetic Research was to be my life's career.

Due to my religious upbringing, although I called myself an atheist, in reality, I was more of an agnostic. I wasn't hostile to religion as Phil Banks was. I was already open to a discussion, as I had with both Steve and Roger. I also had discussions with members of the Christian Union at our University. So, what led me to unbelief as a student?

Mainly this: their belief in Divine Creation versus Darwinian Evolution. One of their most pathetic explanations for discrediting evolution was the one about a tornado turning a scrapyard into a fully functional jet plane. Such an explanation was so pathetic and inane! Hence, I developed an attitude against the Christian faith as something to be teased and mocked rather than outright hostility.

And I watched two of my friends, Steve and Roger, taken up to Heaven while I remained behind. Because of my mocking, my unbelief, and my trust in Darwin's theories, I'm still here. And now I have to face Caligula, the Antichrist, whom God rescued his Church from.

Now, there is no future. My future prospects of a career in genetic research were shattered. I have no idea where I will be going, which direction to take. 

Emily and I eventually carried our dinners into the church meeting room. Everyone looked more hopeful at the sight of food. As we ate, I thought I heard something on the radio. I turned the volume up so all could hear. Gaius Caligula was about to say something...

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To be Continued.

Fiction - Week 5 - A Fiasco in a Restaurant.

 All characters are fiction and bear no resemblance to any person, living or dead.

=================================================================

At my college apartment, Phil Banks and I, George Bolton, sat down with our drinks to watch our new European President take up the podium at Vatican City, an independent mini-state within the city of Rome. The current Pope stood near him, offering his support.

Gaius Caligula was dressed in a Roman toga, as he saw himself as an incarnation of the ancient Roman emperor Caligula, who reigned between 37-41 AD, that is, three and a half years before his assassination. He was strikingly handsome, and at once attracted admiration. His idea of wearing Roman regalia was to avoid the business-suit image worn by all politicians, many of whom had lost the electorate's confidence. A vast crowd was assembled at St Peter's Square in front of the Basilica. 

I must admit, Gaius Caligula was good-looking.

Caligula then began his speech. He spoke in Italian, but the many microphones placed in front of him fed into computers that translated it into the language appropriate to each country around the world. Hence, for example, the United Kingdom, Canada, the USA, and Australasia heard him speak in English, while in Spain, along with Mexico and the South American continent, they heard him speak in Spanish.

Good morning, Italy and the world. I believe that every one of you who is listening to me can understand my speech in their own language.

I understand your fear of what has occurred last night, the disappearance of millions of people from all walks of life. I can confirm that they were all abducted by an alien intelligence for transportation to their planet to serve as slaves. And another abduction would have soon occurred had I not stepped in to intervene on your behalf. Last night's abduction began when these alien beings discovered and deciphered the code fixed on both the Pioneer 10 and our Pioneer 11 spacecraft.

An agreement was made between them that no more abductions would be made if I kept my side of the bargain. That is, that I'm not only the President of Europe, but of the whole world. My aim is to unite the world under one Government based here in Rome, with one world bank, and I will set up a governor to represent me in each country. I'm happy to say that the King of England has already acquiesced, and so has the American President. All these took place during the night here in Rome, ensuring world peace while you were shaking in your beds at night, or attempting to carry on with your businesses during the day.

My intention is to bring world peace. This means an agreement with Israel for a Temple to be built on the site of the present Dome of the Rock. The Palestinians and the Arabs would never, for a moment, consider having their sacred mosque demolished. But after what happened last night, every Muslim is now terrified, afraid that they will be next to be taken for slavery. Of all the world's religions, Islam remains intact. Hence, they make perfect candidates for the next abduction. Unless they submit to me. Thus, my orders are for the Dome to be demolished to make way for a Jewish Temple of the same architecture as the one built by King Solomon.

This is Gaius Caligula speaking for world peace and happiness.

I watched Phil gaze at the TV screen with amazement. But I instinctively knew that this "alien abduction" of Caligula was a lie. Yet the masses believed him, including Phil. One thing I knew in my heart was that this sudden disappearance of many, including Steve and Roger, was the Lord Jesus Christ catching away his own. And I was stupid! I was so stupid and gullible enough to believe what these academics were saying: that this Jesus is a myth, and Darwin's evolutionary theories held sway in the scientific world. 

I could kick myself! I was angry at the professors of Holloway College of the University of London. I was studying genetics, and Darwin's theories played a big role in my studies and passing exams. Anything to do with biology, and Darwin steps in. 

I then asked Phil, Do you believe in what Caligula said this morning?

Absolutely! Phil answered. I feel much better after his assurance to the world. At least I won't be caught up in slavery, thanks to his intercession.

I then said, I want to visit a church. I want to see if any others now believe in Jesus Christ.

Phil turned to me with a severe look. If you want to pursue a fairy tale, then go ahead. But leave me out. I have full trust in Caligula. He has already allayed my fears, and I believe in him. As for you, go and find a church. But I doubt that you will find your two friends.

Phil arose from the sofa and made for the door, but before reaching it, he turned.

I guess I'm going to miss you, George. After relating to you my childhood, there is no way I could return to the faith. My bedrock is science.

But weren't you studying Politics? I asked.

Indeed, Phil replied. That's why I believe in Gaius Caligula. My studies have shown that I could trust him.

Phil exited my apartment, closing the door behind him.

I sat alone and meditated. Yes, I was a fool not to believe in Jesus, and to mythologise the Bible, the only source of the truth that explains why so many vanished and where they all went.

I made my way to Steve's car, which was parked outside. There was no pride over the car being a high-end Ferrari. Wealth means nothing now. Indeed, there are trillionaires - not many, but the few who are alive; once they die, not a single penny, cent or dime will be taken with them. Life is vanity!

I drove to Egham High Street from the college student apartments. First, I passed the United Church of Egham. But its doors were shut, and there was no one around. Then, after passing a couple of crashed cars that were not yet cleared up, I approached St John the Baptist Church with its clock tower. This was an Anglican Church, and known to some students. Its doors were open, and it looked as if there could be people inside.

I parked the car in the church's car park, crossed the wide lawn, and entered. A group of people were there, some crying, others engaged in prayer. I sat next to a man who looked a little older than myself, his hands over his face and praying fervently. I decided not to disturb him. I looked around. There was not a happy or smiling face in the group of about a dozen people, maybe more.

St John the Baptist Church, Egham.

Eventually, the fellow next to me stopped praying and looked at me, fear etched across his face. He held out his hand, hoping that a friendly gesture from me might ease his fears, even if slightly.

I'm Peter Wilkins.

George Bolton. I'm one of the students at Royal Holloway, just down the road. I said, introducing myself.

I live here in Egham. Peter said. I attend Westminster College of Theology in Cambridge. It has just closed for the summer, and I have only been back home here a couple of days when - you know.

Yes, I know. I answered. If you are studying theology, how come you are still here?

Knowledge on its own is not faith. I could learn so much as to fill a library, and still remain in unbelief. Now, I believe. If only I believed before the Rapture. The Gospel then was simple. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day, according to the Scriptures. That is 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. If you believed in that before the catastrophe, you would have been saved, there and then. Now, it's too late. I'm not in the Body of Christ. Instead, in this time period, known as the Tribulation, if I endure to the end, then I will be saved. I'm a guest at the Wedding rather than part of his body.

I then asked, If the former Church was the Body of Christ, and you are merely a guest, then who is the Bride?

That's a good question! Peter replied. The Bride of Christ is Israel redeemed. Paul says in Romans that towards the end of human history, all Israel will be saved. In Old Testament prophecy, there are several occasions where God refers to himself as Israel's husband.

With God, everything seems to come in threes! I exclaimed, surprised at my own statement. The Body of Christ, which was the Church, is now in Heaven. Then the Bride of Christ, redeemed Israel, and the guests, us Gentiles who believed, as you say? During this time, you called the Tribulation?

That's right! Peter exclaimed.

Peter stood up and bid me to stand up as well. He rested his hand on each of my shoulders. 

George - is that your name - George?

Yes, it's George. I replied.

We are facing times of severe testing. Peter said, We must endure to the end and resist the Great Temptation. That is, the Mark of the Beast.

Can you explain? I asked.

Gaius Caligula is the Beast, the Antichrist according to the Bible. Peter answered. The day will come, perhaps pretty soon, that Caligula will demand absolute loyalty. He will proclaim himself as God, and the Messiah the Jews were waiting for. He will insist on a mark placed on our forehead or right hand. Every food store, every doctor's surgery, every hospital, every clinic, and every public institution will have an airport scanner erected at the entrance. Anyone without the mark will sound the alarm and be turned away. He wouldn't be allowed to buy or sell, or seek treatment.

Then we will starve to death! I cried.

Absolutely! That's why receiving the Mark for your own survival is called the Great Temptation, or the Hour of Testing. If you decide to take the Mark to eat and survive, any hope of salvation will go. You will be destined for damnation without any chance to turn back. In the present time, there is no assurance of salvation in the same way the Body of Christ enjoyed.

But is there any hope of being saved? I asked.

If you believe the Gospel and refuse the Mark, then there is hope for salvation. However, Caligula will pursue those who refuse the Mark, and will give them the final choice. If he still refuses, he will be executed, whether beheaded, poisoned, burned alive, or face a firing squad. Such a soul will then receive special honour in Heaven.

Then, I noticed that many in the group had been listening to our conversation. They approached us, their faces streaked with tears, and thanked us, especially Peter, for the much-needed encouragement. We all gathered tightly together and prayed. Then we decided that we should stick together and not separate, but give each other support during these testing times.

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To be Continued.

Fiction - Week 4 - A Fiasco in a Restaurant.

This is a continuation from Week 3.

All characters in this story are fictitious and bear no resemblance to any person, living or dead.

I wrote the original 34 years ago, and this version is modified and updated. However, the original 1992 version ended with the line, "I fell into a troubled, haunting sleep." From there, the rest of the story, that is, from Chapter 4 onwards, is original, that is, presently thought up and written here.

=================================================================

I was alone in the empty home of the Padula family, watching their TV left on when the family suddenly vanished, leaving their clothing behind. The house was filled with smoke from the iron left on its wooden ironing board when I entered through the front door. Seeing that the iron was still powered and had smouldered into its chipboard base, blackening it, I disconnected its power source and opened the windows to waft the smoke out.

On the floor, next to the utility, was a pile of female clothing, and on the sofa, a pile of male clothing. Hence, it was easy to imagine a married couple before their disappearance. He was relaxing on the sofa, watching television, while she was engaged in ironing a shirt. Meanwhile, their son, Roger, was dining with the three of us at a Windsor restaurant when both he and Steve vanished, as if their bodies had atomised, leaving their clothing undisturbed.

On the television, whatever programme was on air was interrupted by the BBC Emergency News, with reporter Mike Taylor giving the rundown on how this global catastrophe affected the population, and who was involved.

As I sat, Taylor's report concluded, and the picture switched to the main newsroom.

The global disaster has badly affected transport. There have been at least two airline crashes and a collision between two trains. On the roads, there are huge snarl-ups caused by abandoned cars, especially on trunk roads leading into cities and large towns.

Here is a report from Guy Jenkins, from outside the National Department of Transport Office.

Again, the picture changed to another smartly-dressed reporter standing in front of a traffic pile-up in what is otherwise a busy district of London.

Yes, two passenger aeroplanes smashed back to earth as a result of what we believe to be the sudden disappearance of both the captain and the co-pilot. The first was of Flight 0787, New York to Los Angeles, which fell out of the sky over Arizona, just south of the Grand Canyon National Park. There are no survivors. The second airline disaster was Flight 5467, Seoul to Hong Kong, which dived into the Yellow Sea off the west coast of Korea. Survivors of this disaster are now being rescued from the plane, still afloat, by order of the Korean government.

Although those rescued are injured or merely dazed, all testify to the vanishing of the crew and a large proportion of passengers. If already suspected that those who vanished were all Christians, then this could be the consequence of the world's largest church, which is in Seoul.

Then, other airlines report the sudden vanishing of either the captain or the co-pilot, and the plane was brought under control by the remaining cabin crew member. Up to thirty airlines around the world had a cabin crew member disappear whilst mid-flight. The 32 reported incidents may seem many, but consider that around the globe, there are up to 14,000 flights at any time. The catastrophe, so far, has only affected 0.23% of all flights at that instant.

Back at home, two trains collided on a notorious line between Charing Cross, Cannon Street and London Bridge stations when one of the trains passed through a red signal. A few were injured, but the good news is that there were no fatalities.

The roads everywhere are in sheer confusion. Roads are blocked by driverless cars, and there were a large number of accidents, many fatal. Most of these accidents are on motorways, dual carriageways, and trunk roads. Many other roads up and down the country are virtually impassible, especially in built-up areas. We strongly recommend not driving tonight or tomorrow, but remain at home.

This is Guy Jenkins outside the Transport Office in London.

I felt tears rolling down my cheeks as the television blurted out more and more horrors. I felt particularly for the Arizona air disaster, and for the first time since I left junior school, my lips formed a plea: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...

After I finished praying, the TV then announced, We now turn to Professor Hicks of Oxford University for his verdict on tonight's catastrophe. The TV continued with its non-stop broadcast.

Professor, what do you make of all this?

The newsroom switched to the Oxford studio where a bearded man took to the air.

This, of course, is a mystery. Scientists around the world have already been contacted by us for their opinions. Since the disappearance of many seems to have a supernatural element, theories which all academics would have pushed aside as comic-book nonsense have been reconsidered. One suggested a time-warp, although that doesn't explain why only some, and not all, have disappeared. A few academics think it's some kind of cosmic energy. Another thinks it's caused by a virus or bug, and even another suggests the theories of Erich von Daniken, that is, an alien space invasion. 

This idea of a space invasion has terrified others even more than the original catastrophe. The thought of being transported to another planet as slaves has already brought further fear among the remaining population. Who would be next? For instance, could these hostile aliens have captured the Pioneer 10 plaque, which was launched in 1972 and, by 2026, will have gone beyond the Solar System? Could such an alien starship capture our spaceship and the plaque deciphered? Or, more likely, Pioneer 11, launched a year later in 1973, recently overtook Pioneer 10 and is reaching into outer space faster than the original.

The Pioneer 10 leaves the Solar System.

Both Pioneer spaceships carry identical plaques featuring our Earth, our position in our solar system, and who we are. It would take a civilisation so advanced that interstellar space travel is to them a short walk to a corner shop. For them to seize one of our Pioneers, decipher the code, then snatch us as slaves, may be the cause of this sudden vanishing of many, especially of babies and young children.

The theory behind von Daniken's books, especially "Chariot of the Gods?" does seem to make sense in the way only selected people vanished and not everyone, as if directed by some unknown cosmic intelligence. Although the academic world, for many decades, has said that they have no time to discuss what they believe to be nonsense, some of our orthodox scientists now look at these theories as a distinct possibility.

I have heard enough. Dr Hicks is an eminent physicist who has lectured at our college, and with whom I sat whenever he appeared. A UFO invasion? Is that what he's suggesting? If even he couldn't come up with anything more rational, who else could? Yet his point is that "Selection under cosmic intelligences" did make some sort of sense. The verses I read in the Bible upstairs certainly confirmed that it was the Lord himself who had called his people home.

The Pioneer 10 plaque carries clues to its origin.

I rose, turned off the TV, and left Roger Padula's house after closing all the windows and closing the door behind me. I drove carefully to my college apartment. Then I fell into a haunting, troubled sleep.

                                                                        4

I felt bleary when I woke up the following morning. I made myself a cup of tea, yet I felt the air throb with some expectation. The world outside seemed to have calmed, but I sensed a universal fear. Supposing Dr Hicks was right. A cosmic force snatching away people to relocate them to another place, even another dimension.

But I couldn't help reading Padula's Bible last night. Damn it! I could have taken it with me. The family would never return to claim it. It is as good as mine. But those verses, the snatching away. But not by aliens. And not for slavery. Rather, they were snatched to Heaven to be with the Lord forever, according to those verses. I once talked with Steve. He once told me what his friend Roger said to him. The Rapture! That is what it was. I had Steve's car parked outside. I still had the keys to Padula's house. It shouldn't be difficult to drive the short journey to pick up that Bible and bring it back here for studying. I took a shower, had breakfast, and turned on the TV. News of last night's catastrophe was ongoing, with one reporter after another telling us how bad things are, and when a second snatch will happen, and who else will be taken for slavery on a faraway planet.

I turned off the TV. If these reporters can't come up with the truth - that the Rapture had occurred - then I'm wasting time and electricity listening. It seemed that all who were left behind were being sucked into a strong delusion. A lie that is festering terror. There is not a scrap of comfort in those TV reports.

I left my apartment, taking Padula's front door keys, and made for the car. I had to drive past several abandoned cars as I approached the house, although there were signs of a clear-up already beginning.

Inside Padula's house, I ran upstairs and picked up the Bible from the bedside cabinet. Back downstairs, I collected the unused groceries from the fridge and the larder before any of it went off. I had a hunch that food would get progressively more difficult to get as the weeks ahead rolled.

Sometime after arriving back at my college apartment, there was a knock on the door. Fearing who it could be, I approached cautiously and answered. Outside stood Phil Banks. He looked contrite, and he apologised for being so antagonistic the night before. Like me, he swapped his shirt and tie for a crew-neck T-shirt.

Please come in. I said.

As Phil walked in and sat on the sofa, I offered him a hot drink, which he gladly accepted.

Tell me, Phil, why are you so hostile towards religion or anything spiritual? I asked.

I was brought up as a Roman Catholic. Phil answered. My mother's older brother was very strict with my upbringing. He ruled over our family with an iron fist. With me as a boy, it was church every Sunday. Often, on a Saturday, I had to confess to a priest. One week, I forgot to confess, and when my uncle found out that I took Communion one Sunday without first confessing, he smacked me hard across the face. The slap was loud and painful. 

Also, when I was little, I had an older sister. She was so kind and helpful. She was compassionate and always looked out for me, her little brother. Often, we played together. Whenever she laughed, I felt assured. Those were the times I felt happy.

Then, during her late teenage years, she developed brain cancer. I was by her bedside, along with our parents. When she passed away, I cried and cried all day.

I then asked, Didn't you get any comfort from your parents, or from the church?

Mum and Dad did their best, as they grieved for their daughter. Phil answered. But Mum's brother was as hard-hearted as a rock. Worse than a Pharisee. He insisted that her soul went to Purgatory. When I asked was was that, he explained that Purgatory was a temporary Hell where she would be purged of her sins before entering Heaven.

Phil continued, I then asked him if she would suffer pain there. He confirmed that the pain would be so intense that she would scream. Then he said that it would only be temporary, maybe a few hours, but more likely several years, maybe decades.

That was when Dad lost his cool and threatened his brother-in-law. He ordered him out of our house and told him not to attend her funeral. We never saw him again, but by that time, my heart hardened against all religion, especially Christianity. Mt grief for my sister, Elaine, continues to this day, along with the rage I feel for my uncle. I could never forgive him, nor the Church either.

Could we have the TV on and listen to any news updates? Phil then asked. I wasn't sure about hearing more of what I had heard already, but I turned on the TV in case this would distract Phil from his memories.

The news update. Gaius Caligula was thrust onto the podium at the Vatican City in Rome. Cameras and microphones were everywhere, and it seemed that the whole world was looking to him for leadership, assurance, and guidance.

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To be continued.

Fiction - Week 3 - A Fiasco in a Restaurant.

This is a continuation from Week 2. 

All characters are fictional and bear no resemblance to any person, living or dead.

I wrote the original story around 1992. This version is updated and modified.

=================================================================

Then it happened - VOOM! 

Roger and Steve vanished - their clothing left draped on their chairs while the thunder suddenly diminished. Suddenly, I was left alone at the table where, just a short time ago, there were four of us sitting.

A woman diner screamed and went into hysterics. I saw the panic-stricken manager and our waiter rush over to restrain her as she thrashed about, knocking over furniture and scattering food and crockery over the carpeted floor.

No! No! No! Nooooooo-! she screamed as I arose to lend a helping hand. 

Quick! A glass of cold water! I shouted, and another customer quickly gave it to me. I took it and sloshed it over her face. She calmed down and resumed her seat, and allowed herself to be consoled. She pointed to the empty table next to hers. The sight of clothing draped over the chairs and surrounding floor area testified to the sudden disappearance of a family of four - the husband, the wife, and their two children, one of them being the youngest daughter, who was earlier frightened to tears by Phil's tirade.

Hardly was the woman calmed when the waitress, who served our drinks, appeared from the kitchen, her face ashen. She stifled her own scream by covering her mouth with her hand. She surveyed the scene: two vacant tables, clothing hanging on the chairs and a diner recovering from hysteria.

THE ASSISTANT CHEF HAS VANISHED! She shouted. Leaving his clothing behind. MY GOD, WHAT'S HAPPENING?

I couldn't take any more. I went over to my own table and gathered Steve's and Roger's clothing. How they were draped across the chairs was startling. They were all left as if they were ready to clothe a manikin for the window. With Steve's clothing, the shirt with its burgundy tie rested on the chair backrest, the trousers on the seat, and the footwear on the floor in front of the chair. It was as if the body literally atomised, leaving the clothing undisturbed.

Roger's clothing was more of an untidy pile, but his T-shirt was on the seat, and his shorts were on the floor. Yet it was Steve's tie, still carefully knotted around his flattened shirt collar, that caused a cold sweat to run down my spine as I made for the exit, taking all the clothing with me.

The sporty red Ferrari was now under my custody until Steve's father was contacted, that is, if he's still around. I searched for the keys until I located them in Steve's left-hand trouser pocket. I then searched for Roger's wallet, hoping that it contained his home address. Fortunately, along with his house keys, he had a small book of bank cards that included his home address.

Once in the car, I coded his address on the sat-nav and drove out of the car park and onto the chaotic street.

The streets of Windsor were in turmoil. People were rushing around and panicking. The sight of clothing scattered along the sidewalk seemed to aggravate the commotion. There seemed to be plenty of men clutching the clothing left by their vanished wives, girlfriends, and children, and staring at the garments with wide, terrified eyes. But what I thought was the height of frightened panic was the sight of young mothers dashing out of their homes while screaming with hysterical fear of the disappearance of their babies and toddlers.

Cars, many without a driver, were scattered along the road as if suddenly abandoned there on the spot, while other drivers looked bewildered as they left their vehicles in the snarl-up. Just then, I felt my stomach muscles tighten as I regurgitated the curry I had eaten earlier.

Cars...were scattered across the road...

I had to wind through the back streets to get out of town. Several times I had to navigate the sidewalks to clear other cars obstructing the roads. In one street, a bus full of people but driverless was blocking the street entirely. I assumed that the black pile of the company's uniform on the driver's seat deterred any passengers from approaching the wheel, let alone reversing the vehicle or even releasing the door locking device to let themselves out. It was at that moment that one of the windows exploded as it was hit from the inside by a terrified passenger. Some of the glass shrapnel rained on my car bonnet.

Let the police rescue them! I muttered, as I reversed the car into a side turning to join the main road via another route.

Out on the open road, I had to drive carefully, for not only was it pitch dark, but I also had to clear several cars and a bicycle abandoned in the middle of the road. Despite the diversions, the sat-nav guided me towards Roger's house to tell his parents of their son's disappearance, should the delay in their son's arrival worry them.

While driving, I felt confused, bewildered. If Steve hadn't turned to this Jesus in the restaurant, would he still be with me now? If so, would Roger still have vanished? And why did only the Christians vanish? - IF we assume that this strange disappearance involved only Christians. Was it a global occurrence? Did they go somewhere? Or did they simply became non-existant? Where did they go? To Heaven? To another planet? Another galaxy even? To another dimension? Did Earth pass through a time warp? If so, then why were only some people affected? Questions, questions going around my head and torturing my spirit. Maybe the Bible is not a fabled book after all. If not, then it might contain the answers to this mystery.

I must get hold of a Bible if I can. In it, there may be a clue.

The sat-nav successfully brought Steve's car to the right house, which I remembered when we collected Roger. When I pulled up in front of it, I felt a gush of relief. Two cars were parked in the driveway, and the lounge light was on. They were in.

I ran from the car, rang the doorbell and waited. No answer. I knocked on the door with the heavy knocker. Still no answer. Then I banged hard on the door as my blood curdled in ultimate terror of the reality of what had happened. I had already transferred his house keys to my pocket when I left the diner. With them, I let myself in, only to find the house full of smoke and the television on. Thinking the worst, I dashed into the lounge where the smoke was most dense.

I found the ironing board erected. It was one of those old chipboard ones, probably passed down through the generations. The hot iron had smouldered through the cotton shirt, on which it rested, and was now blackening the chipboard base. I also saw the pile of clothing on the floor right next to the utility.

Immediately, I disconnected the power and opened all the windows to waft the smoke out. While I was doing so, I cried out, Mr Padula! Mrs Padula! Is anyone at home? But the empty house echoed my own words.

As I was in the front bedroom to open the windows, I stopped short to see something on the bedside cabinet. It was an open Bible, together with some notes scribbled on a loose writing pad. Apparently, there was a bedside Bible study earlier that day. I saw that it was open at 1 Corinthians 15, and on the margin was a coloured streak running alongside a passage, together with a reference marked in ballpoint. I picked up the Bible and read the passage emphasised by the coloured streak.

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we shall be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Quickly, I checked the ballpoint reference. It read, "1 Thess 4:13-18." Not knowing where "1 Thess" is, I turned to the contents list at the front of the book. No "1 Thess" appeared, but I did see, "1 Thessalonians...1186". I assumed this was the proper title of the book. I turned to page 1186 and found the title. A couple of pages on, I found the appropriate passage easily, as this too was marked by a coloured crayon streak. I was struck by what it said in verse 16:

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord for ever.

Caught up in the air...

I was astounded by what I've just read. It made sense! Both passages spoke of the "trumpet call of God". Could that have been the earsplitting thunder? The dead rising first. Could that have been what Steve saw, and mentioned the orbiting stars in the sky just before he vanished? Then the living caught up. Steve, Roger, and many others just disappeared in an instant. Why was I still here? Because I thought that Jesus was a myth, that's why!

It all sounded sensible. Yet, my thoughts conflicted. The greatest scientists, scholars, men of knowledge- yes, even church bishops and clergymen all believed that either Christ was mythical, or some distant figure who was executed, then forgotten, until some fishermen decided to take up a story of a resurrection to further their own credibility. Or rather, he never died, but fell unconscious, and woke up while still sealed in his tomb. He cried aloud to be heard, and the stone was rolled back, and he walked out, only to disappear to a foreign country.

According to my college mentality, the latter theory has become more popular, yet he still had followers who believed he actually rose from the dead. Yet, these academics, both in and out of the Church, must be right, or else they wouldn't be in such influential positions.

I left the Bible where I found it and crept downstairs to watch the television bulletin and find out more about the catastrophe.

It's a global catastrophe! announced the reporter. All the major cities are in a grip of panic and confusion. London, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Madrid, even Moscow, Delhi, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Canberra, and Christchurch. Not to mention all the other towns and villages. Literally all around the world, from the United Kingdom to New Zealand. Even from the Antarctic stations, a few scientists from there have apparently vanished. In every case, they left their clothing behind, globally. Millions, literally millions of people have vanished so suddenly, as if atomised, leaving their clothing behind.

It is these discarded garments lying in the streets, homes, cars, and just about anywhere that are intensifying the feeling of consternation among those still here. Moreover, all those who have disappeared seemed to be fundamental Christians. If this is true, then the population of the faithful was much higher than recent estimates given.

This is Mike Taylor for the BBC Emergency News.

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To be Continued.