Fiction - Week 5 - A Fiasco in a Restaurant.

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

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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.