Fiction - Week 11 - A Fiasco in a Restaurant.

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

A story based on Biblical Truth.

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                                                                        8

At the Valley of Jezreel, millions of bodies lay, along with military equipment that had exploded or burnt to cinders. However, a few from the back of the march managed to escape, injured, having been caught in the infighting. The area was eerie and silent. Presently, vultures began to circle the slain, ready to feed on the bodies of the deceased regiment.

Russians lie dead.

Jerusalem was to have been their final destination. However, while these combined Russian and Arab forces were in the final thirty hours of marching to cover the remaining 80 miles (130 km), the majority of Israelites who prayed at the Western Wall saw the earthquake as Divine intervention and the answer to prayer. Many realised the reality of their Messiah, Yeshua, who died on a cross, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day, and believed. Many non-Jews, or the Gentiles, got the point and were also converted to Christ.

Much to the disgust of Philip Banks, who was residing in a disused church with a group of believers. But rather than antagonise the others, he kept most of his thoughts to himself. Instead, he blended into the rest of the group. His link to his hostile paymasters in London was kept a secret, and he dared not mention them, not even in an off-hand remark.

In the mortuary of Augusto Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Dr Giacomo smiled as he saw his idol, Gaius Caligula, staring back at him from the body slab. Caligula rose and swung around until he sat upright with his legs dangling over the edge of the raised slab.

However, the world leader was still in a poor state and unfit to be discharged. Dr Giacomo led him to a wheelchair and escorted him to a private ward where he would receive the best attention from the hospital staff. However, Caligula instructed that no TV cameras were allowed in the ward. His explanation was that he was drawing plans for a surprise appearance at the Temple in Jerusalem, for Elijah to perform a great miracle in his presence. That will be the occasion when TV cameras will crowd around him, airing the miracle to every corner of the world.

Despite his recent recovery to life, Caligula already knew about the defeat of the Russian and Arab forces in the Jezreel Valley. And the millions of Jews who were turning to their Messiah, Caligula's most fearful enemy and rival.

Dr Giacomo entered the ward for a check-up.

Dr Giacomo, Caligula began, when I'm ready for discharge, I must fly to Jerusalem. Have a private jet ready at Fiumicino Airport. I want the world to know, and all of Israel to know that I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man can go to the Father except through me. Will you pass these instructions to Elijah the prophet?

However, to restore world peace, every citizen must receive a mark on their forehead or right hand. Every public venue, whether a small corner grocery store or a hypermarket, a doctor's surgery or a hospital, along with all banks and administration offices. The mark itself will be visible to all; however, beneath the skin, a miniature electronic device will signal to the security barrier whether to let the person through.

Dr Giacomo replied; Elijah is now at work with this project. In every shop or public venue, airport-style security scanners are already in place at each entrance. However, Elijah has ordered that behind each scanner, automatic barriers, like those at railway stations, are to be erected, thus saving expenses on staff hire.

Scientists have come up with a microelectronic device placed under the skin where the mark will be. If a person walks into the scanner with the mark, the scanner will beep a note and the barrier opens. If he doesn't have the mark, the scanner will emit a loud parp, and the barrier will remain shut.

Wow! Caligula exclaimed. Elijah has brains the size of a city! His devotion to my wishes remains unshakable.

Back at the Church of St John the Baptist, the group sat in silence after watching on Phil's laptop the defeat of the Russians. Only Phil was surprised at their downfall, as to him, earthquakes have always been with us since the dawn of history. The student in Politics saw the defeat as just a terrible coincidence, the worst kind of luck that could befall an active regiment on a march. But the others knew that that was not a blind coincidence. It was a Divine intervention, an answer to prayer, not only in Israel, but among believers worldwide.

But Peter, the group's appointed leader, looked worried as he gazed with anxiety at the floor in front of him. He bowed in silent prayer. I saw sweat gather around his eyebrows. When I looked back up, I couldn't help but ask, Pete, what's bothering you?

Peter answered, Earlier today, when I went to restock our groceries, the store we normally use now has a barrier behind the scanner. It was still open, and the scanner was still inoperative. Heavens! The barrier is very much like those at the London Underground or at any train station. Three days ago, Caligula was slain, killed by a mad Arab gunman. If my studies are correct, it's about now that he will come back to life. Heaven help us! This guy will insist that he is God and command everyone on Earth to receive a mark either on his forehead or right hand.

I then said, I am, or rather, was, a student of genetic science here at Royal Holloway. I don't believe the mark is merely a tattoo, although on the surface, that's how it would look. Rather, an electrical device, perhaps small enough to be almost invisible, will be implanted under the skin. Yet, despite its size, the scanner would read the signal the device emits and open the barrier. But without the mark, you will starve to death, or even face a death sentence if you refuse it under compulsion.

Emily rose and placed her arm around Peter's shoulders, allowing his head to rest on her chest. Her motherly attitude brought Peter a degree of comfort and strengthened his confidence in the faith. He then addressed the whole group.

We are about to enter into the second half of the Tribulation period. Disasters and worldwide catastrophes will sweep the whole planet. Caligula will reveal his true nature and force everyone to worship him as God. Both the prophet Daniel and the apostle Paul predicted that this would happen. In addition, John in Revelation added the Mark everyone would receive. This is the time of temptation for all believers. During the Church Age, before the Rapture, when a person believed, he was forever saved. We even had an acronym, OSAS, Once Saved Always Saved. Many believed in it; others didn't. However, now it is no longer applicable. If any believer in Christ yields to the temptation for his own survival and takes the Mark, he will forever be condemned. That is why this is called the Hour of Trial.

Emily allowed a tear to run down her cheek. Why, oh why didn't I listen to my son Richard? At least he's at home with the Lord, as joyful as he could be. While he was still here, he begged me to believe. I have wondered whether he is interceding for us now, especially for his mother. But I'm going to be strong. In NO WAY would I take the Mark of the Beast. And that is exactly who Caligula is: a beast, not God.

Although earlier in the day Peter went out to buy food to restock, the rest of the group remained in the church, too fearful to wander out without a proper reason. Throughout the day, Phil's computer constantly spewed out news after news. There were no other programmes normally put out by the BBC, no dramas, no quiz shows, no light entertainment, not even nature programmes.

Throughout the ramblings, which the group only paid casual attention to, a reporter stood outside what looked to be a marquee or a large tent. It was meant to be temporary, and we all asked ourselves, what now?

The reporter then began his monologue.

Good evening. Behind me is one of many marquees erected in towns, cities, and rural areas across the United Kingdom. These are temporary structures until more permanent structures are complete. What you're looking at is a Marking Station. In an average town, there will be one serving every few streets. Hence, the need to be given an identifying mark will spread across the population at a fast rate.

Marquees like this one began to appear.

So, what is a marking station? It is the order of the Government that every citizen must bear an identification mark either on his forehead or right hand. The mark will contain a microchip, which will be inserted under the skin at the site of the tattoo. The presence of the Mark will activate every scanner and open every barrier as you walk into a shop or other public venues, such as a doctor's surgery, a dentist's, or a hospital.

So, what is the purpose of all this?

The Mark shows complete loyalty to Gaius Caligula and his peace programme. Unfortunately, Gaius is dead, having received a gunshot from a hysterical Muslim Arab. This was a shooting in retaliation for Caligula's authority to allow the Islamic Dome of the Rock to be demolished to make way for the Jewish Temple, which is now complete and fully functional.

Therefore, in his memory, every citizen will be obliged to take the mark of loyalty. It also serves as an identity badge for Central Intelligence. Any deviation from wholehearted devotion to Caligula could face the death penalty. This is Mike Stance for the BBC.

We all looked at each other. Phil didn't look alarmed at all, but the rest of us did. Within was a resolve. Within each of us was our choice to choose death rather than to take the Mark.

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To be Continued.