tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82392853022642106832024-03-08T11:14:03.270-08:00End Times BlogWe are living in strange times. America, once the most powerful country in the world is beginning to see its dominance challenged. Poverty is rampant. The number of unemployed is growing each day. We live in a world full of deception and evil. This blog is dedicated to exposing the truth. Check out the articles.Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.comBlogger434125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-30405163342758997152019-08-30T12:52:00.002-07:002019-08-30T12:54:34.530-07:00Why Do the Four Gospel Accounts Have Different Details About the Events Following Jesus Christ’s Resurrection?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 20pt;">Why Do the Four Gospel
Accounts Have Different Details About the Events Following Jesus Christ’s
Resurrection?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It may seem confusing when
you read the four different Gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus
Christ. But, this article (with God’s help) hopefully should clear up that
confusion. The events mentioned in the four Gospel accounts about Christ’s resurrection
are not contradictory whatsoever because each writer had his own memory and
perspective about the events. And, each picked up on details that other writers
may have missed.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This article aims to
present what happened chronologically from the time Mary Magdalene and her lady
friends first reached the tomb of Jesus (after His resurrection) and up to the
time Jesus Christ’s eleven disciples had been informed of the miraculous
resurrection of the Lord Jesus. </span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">(<u>Note</u>: Judas Iscariot had killed
himself at this time.)</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> In the paragraphs below, we will give the account
of what happened (with the help of God, for only He could discern fully how
this happened).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(1.) </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mary Magdalene and some
other women (a woman named Salome and Mary the mother of James) came to
the tomb of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, early in the
morning. <b>(2.) </b>They found the tomb empty of the body of Jesus.
But, they saw two angelic beings. One angel did most of the talking.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The books of Matthew and
Mark refer to one angel speaking to the women. But, the book of Luke refers to
two angels being present. The book of John also mentions that there were two
young men (angels) who spoke with Mary briefly. The reason why these accounts
mention a different number of angels is due to the fact that certain
eyewitnesses paid more attention to the angel who spoke than to his companion,
who listened more than he talked.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">(<u>Note</u>: Eyewitness
accounts of crimes or accidents differ slightly on details due to the fact that
every person has his or her own perspective, understanding, and recognition of
an event. So, eyewitnesses may differ a little on minor details. For instance,
one eyewitness of a car accident may pay more attention to a black semi truck,
and doesn’t mention that a green motorcycle was also involved in the accident.
Another eyewitness might pay more attention to the green motorcycle because he
owns a blue motorbike.)</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(4.) </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the angels had spoken
to the women, the women left the tomb to tell the disciples. <b>(3.) </b>But,
Mary Magdalene went a different way than the other women. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">(<i><u>Note</u>: The Gospel
of John speaks of this, but doesn’t mention anyone else having gone with Mary
Magdalene to the tomb originally because the apostle John was paying attention
to certain details that the three other Gospel accounts did not mention, such
as the words of Jesus in John, chapters 14 through 17. Eyewitness testimonies
follow this pattern too. Some details are mentioned, and others are omitted.)</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(5.) </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mary Magdalene ended up
finding John and Peter and told them what she had seen. <b>(6.) </b>Then,
she, Peter, and John went to the tomb of Jesus. Peter and John looked in and
saw that Jesus Christ’s body was not in the tomb. So, they left.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But, Mary Magdalene
remained behind at the empty tomb. She went to the door of the sepulchre and
looked in and saw the two angels (who looked like “young men”) standing at each
end of the stone slab on which Jesus Christ’s body had been laid. </span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">(<u>Note</u>: Evidently,
Peter and John did not get to observe these angelic beings because angels can
appear and disappear. The angels appeared to the women at the tomb, but not to
the men, who came later. This could be because God was testing His
disciples.) </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
two angels spoke briefly with Mary. <b>(7.) </b>Then, she turned back
and saw Jesus standing outside the tomb. But, she thought He was a gardener, at
first, due to her grief and unbelief. After Christ spoke with her and said her
name, Mary’s eyes were opened and she recognized Jesus Christ. He spoke with
her briefly. Then, she left the tomb to tell the other disciples about what she
had seen and heard.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(8.) </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile, as the other
women were walking, Jesus met them and spoke with them. </span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">(<u>Note</u>: Mary
Magdalene was likely younger than the other women, and could hurry faster. In
the book of Mark, chapter 16, verse 1, we read that the mother of James
accompanied Mary Magdalene to the tomb, along with a lady named Salome. This
explains how Mary Magdalene could find Peter and John, and return to the tomb,
and meet Jesus -- all in a fairly short time.) </span></i><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(9.) </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then, the women went to the
other disciples and told them what they had witnessed. <b>(10.) </b>After
these women had spoken with the other disciples, Mary Magdalene arrived and
told the disciples of what she had seen and heard.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">These four Gospel accounts
have shown clearly how Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of all who will call
upon His Name for salvation and forgiveness of sins. If all four Gospel accounts
were manufactured, why would they seem to differ on a number of minor points
and on the exact words spoken by Jesus Christ? Each Gospel account contains
slightly different word orders in messages given by Jesus Christ. This proves
that the eyewitnesses remembered what Jesus said and wrote down their memories
(with God’s help).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, you can be sure that
Jesus Christ is God the Son and is real, is alive, is risen, and has ascended
up to Heaven to be with His Father. Only by putting your trust in Jesus Christ
and asking Him to save you can you be saved. Your own works cannot save you.
Only Jesus Christ Himself can save you by His death on a cross and by His blood
that was shed. He rose from the dead to prove that He has conquered sin, death,
and Hell. <i>(<u>Note</u>: Hell is a horrible place which is for to those
who continually, defiantly, and stubbornly reject Jesus in favor of their own
will). </i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>God longs for you to
receive Jesus Christ and God wants you to be His beloved <u>adopted </u>son
or daughter through Jesus.</b> Turn to Jesus Christ today and ask Him to be your
Lord and Savior and to save you from your sins. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to
forgive you of your sins, and confess that He is now your Savior and Lord, and
that His death paid the penalty for your sins, and His shed blood washed your
sins away.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You can something like the
following prayer if you want to know and befriend the Lord Jesus Christ and
have eternal life (and be cleansed from sin). Or, you can say this prayer in
your own words:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Dear Lord Jesus, I want
you to be the Lord of my life. I want you to live in me and give Me life
through your Name. I want to be forgiven of all my sins and washed in your
blood from all sin. I want you to make Me your child and give me a love for
you. I want to serve you all the days of my life and have friendship with you.
I trust in your death to pay for my sins and your blood to cleanse me of all
sin in my heart. I trust that you died and rose from the dead to give Me life
through your Spirit and eternal life now and in Heaven forever. Amen.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Remember, your own works
cannot save you or make you right with God. Only trusting in Jesus Christ’s
death on the cross in your place gives you friendship with God, true freedom,
and eternal life. Get a copy of the trusted and beloved King James Version of
the Bible, and read it. It is the version that God has chosen for
English-speaking people (God showed me). Seek God about this if you wonder what
to do. He will show you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Below, we give the Holy
Scripture passages about the events following the resurrection of Christ, for
your reference.</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">LUKE 23:52-56 (KJV)</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">52 This man went unto
Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">53 And he took it down, and
wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein
never man before was laid.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">54 And that day was the
preparation, and the sabbath drew on.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">55 And the women also,
which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and
how his body was laid.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">56 And they returned, and
prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the
commandment.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">LUKE 24:1-9</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1 Now upon the first day of
the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the
spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 And they found the stone
rolled away from the sepulchre.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3 And they entered in, and
found not the body of the Lord Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4 And it came to pass, as
they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining
garments:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">5 And as they were afraid,
and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the
living among the dead?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">6 He is not here, but is
risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">7 Saying, The Son of man
must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third
day rise again.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">8 And they remembered his
words,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">9 And returned from the
sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">JOHN 20:1-18</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1 The first day of the week
cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and
seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 Then she runneth, and
cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith
unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not
where they have laid him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3 Peter therefore went
forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4 So they ran both
together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the
sepulchre.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">5 And he stooping down, and
looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">6 Then cometh Simon Peter
following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">7 And the napkin, that was
about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a
place by itself.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">8 Then went in also that
other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">9 For as yet they knew not
the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">10 Then the disciples went
away again unto their own home.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">11 But Mary stood without
at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into
the sepulchre,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">12 And seeth two angels in
white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body
of Jesus had lain.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">13 And they say unto her,
Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my
Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">14 And when she had thus
said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was
Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">15 Jesus saith unto her,
Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the
gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou
hast laid him, and I will take him away.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">16 Jesus saith unto her,
Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">17 Jesus saith unto her,
Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren,
and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and
your God.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">18 Mary Magdalene came and
told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these
things unto her.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">MATTHEW 28:1-10</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1 In the end of the
sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 And, behold, there was a
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rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3 His countenance was like
lightning, and his raiment white as snow:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4 And for fear of him the
keepers did shake, and became as dead men.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">5 And the angel answered
and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was
crucified.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">6 He is not here: for he is
risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">7 And go quickly, and tell
his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you
into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">8 And they departed quickly
from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples
word.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">9 And as they went to tell
his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held
him by the feet, and worshipped him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">10 Then said Jesus unto
them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there
shall they see me.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1 And when the sabbath was
past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought
sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 And very early in the
morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising
of the sun.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3 And they said among
themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4 And when they looked,
they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">5 And entering into the
sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long
white garment; and they were affrighted.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">6 And he saith unto them,
Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen;
he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">7 But go your way, tell his
disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see
him, as he said unto you.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">8 And they went out
quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed:
neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">9 Now when Jesus was risen
early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of
whom he had cast seven devils.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">10 And she went and told
them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">11 And they, when they had
heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">12 After that he appeared
in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">13 And they went and told
it unto the residue: neither believed they them.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">14 Afterward he appeared
unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and
hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he
was risen.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">15 And he said unto them,
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><br /></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>🌍 ➠ If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, <a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span></div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-4897637838776105822019-08-29T18:20:00.003-07:002019-08-30T12:58:47.264-07:00Simon Peter's Three (3) Denials of Christ and Peter's Three Boastful Statements in the Gospel Accounts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>Peter's Three (3) Denials of Christ and Three Boastful Statements in the Gospel Accounts</b></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why the
Accounts in Luke, John, Matthew, and Mark Differ</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>on What
Jesus and Peter Said When Peter Proclaimed His Loyalty to Christ</b></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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When Simon Peter proclaimed his loyalty to Jesus just
before Jesus Christ’s unjust trial, Peter actually proclaimed his loyalty <u>three</u>
different times. Twice, he proclaimed his loyalty to Jesus prior to Jesus and
His disciples leaving to go to the Mount of Olives (in John and Luke’s Gospel
accounts). <o:p></o:p></div>
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After they had left to go to the mount, Peter again
proclaimed his loyalty to Christ (in Matthew and Mark’s Gospel accounts). The
accounts in Matthew and Mark are nearly identical and happen after Jesus and
His disciples go to the Mount of Olives. And, the accounts in Luke and John take
place prior to Jesus Christ and His disciples going to the Mount of Olives. </div>
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books of Luke and John differ because they present two different events that
took place. Peter's first statement of loyalty to Christ when the time was nearing for Jesus to be crucified was in John chapter 13, verse 37. Peter's second proud statement was in Luke chapter 22, verse 33. This took place before they went to the Mount of Olives (see Luke 22:39). Peter's last boast of loyalty came in Matthew chapter 26, verse 35. </div>
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Thus, the Gospel accounts need to be seen as synoptic. They tell the story of the God-Man, our Redeemer, and the Savior of all who believe, Jesus Christ of Nazareth (who was born in Bethlehem, Israel). And, the writers tell their accounts of Jesus Christ, His teachings, and His miracles from the unique perspectives of several individuals. This is proof of the Gospel accounts' authenticity. And, this is strong evidence for the accuracy of the Gospel writers, some of whom were eye-witnesses. Others gathered information from eye-witnesses. So, their testimonies of Jesus Christ should be believed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Jesus Christ said this profound truth in John's Gospel account:</b></div>
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<b>[<u>John 14:6</u>]</b> "[6] <u>Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life : no man cometh unto the Father, but by me</u>." </div>
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<b>[<u>John 5:24</u>]</b> "[24] <u>Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life</u>." </div>
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<b>[<u>John 3:16-21</u>]</b></div>
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"<u>[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life</u>. </div>
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[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world ; but that the world through him might be saved. </div>
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[18] <u>He that believeth on him is not condemned </u>: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. </div>
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[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. </div>
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[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. </div>
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[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." <i>[Underlining added for emphasis]</i><br />
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<b>In the book of Romans, God had the apostle Paul write:</b><br />
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<b><u>[Romans 4:1-6]</u></b><br />
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"[1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found ?<br />
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[2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory ; but not before God.<br />
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[3] <b><u>For what saith the Scripture ? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. </u> </b><br />
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[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.<br />
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[5] <b><u>But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness</u>. </b><br />
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[6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom <u>God imputeth righteousness without works</u>," <i>[Underlining and bold added for emphasis]</i><br />
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<b><u>[Romans 10:9-10]</u></b><br />
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"[10] <u>That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved</u>.<br />
[11] <u>For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation</u>."<br />
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<b>In the book of Titus, God had Paul write:</b><br />
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<b><u>[Titus 2:13-14]</u></b><br />
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"[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and <u><b>the glorious appearing</b> of <b>the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ</b></u> ;<br />
[14] <u>Who <b>gave himself</b> <b>for us</b>, that he might <b>redeem </b>us <b>from all iniquity</b>, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works</u>." <i>[Underlining and bold added for emphasis]</i><br />
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<b>Again, <u>Romans 4:5</u> </b>says<b>: "[5] <u>But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness</u>." </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>🌍 ➠ If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, <a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><i>{Peter's First Boastful Statement to Jesus as Christ looks toward Gethsemane}</i> </span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">John
13:36-38<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"[36] Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou ?
Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now ; but thou shalt
follow me afterward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[37] Peter said unto him, <u>Lord, why cannot I follow thee now
? I will lay down my life for thy sake</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[38] Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my
sake ? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast
denied me thrice." </span>[Underlining added for emphasis]</div>
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<b><u><i>{The Second Statement}</i> </u></b></div>
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<b><u>Luke 22:31-34<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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"[31] And the Lord
said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift
you as wheat : <o:p></o:p></div>
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[32] but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not :
and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. <o:p></o:p></div>
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[33] And he said unto him, <u>Lord, I am ready to go with thee,
both into prison, and to death</u>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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[34] And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not
crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><u>Luke 22:39</u>: “[39] And he came out, and went, as he
was wont, to the mount of Olives ; and his disciples also followed him.”</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>{The Third Statement}</i> </span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Matthew
26:30-35<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"[30] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the
mount of Olives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> [31] Then saith Jesus
unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night : for it is
written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be
scattered abroad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[32] But after I am risen again, I will go before you into
Galilee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[33] Peter answered and said unto him, <u>Though all men shall
be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[34] Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this
night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">[35]
Peter said unto him, <u>Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.
</u>Likewise also said all the disciples."</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><u>Mark 14:26-31</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">"[26] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">[27] </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night : for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">[28] </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">[29] </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">But Peter said unto him, <u>Although all shall be offended, yet will not I</u>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">[30] </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">[31] </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">But he spake the more vehemently, <u>If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. </u>Likewise also said they all." </span>[Underlining added for emphasis]</div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-82492656680463779332019-08-28T08:18:00.001-07:002019-08-28T12:40:30.672-07:00Adventures in Odyssey and Focus on the Family Are Compromised<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>Adventures in Odyssey </u></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>and Focus on the Family Are Compromised</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">An R-Rated Movie Is Subtly Promoted
by Adventures in Odyssey?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In the “Odyssey” cartoon
video titled “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Escape from the Forbidden
Matrix</i>,” an Arnold- Schwarzenegger-like character appears, fighting aliens.
Aliens had been attacking</span> Dylan Taylor and Sal Martinez <span style="font-size: 12pt;">in a jungle, in a virtual reality game. The
Odyssey cartoon had scenes highly resembling scenes found in Schwarzenegger’s
R-rated (1987) Predator movie, a Hollywood film about a group of people (headed
by Schwarzenegger) who have to stop a deadly alien in a jungle. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">(Information source: Wikipedia.) </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Odyssey
cartoon, sadly, resembled the R-rated Hollywood film in many points.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Schwarzenegger’s R-rated film
showed violence, cussing, and gore. Why would a Christian children’s cartoon
promote (in a slightly veiled way) an R-rated Hollywood movie?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Star Trek Is Promoted in a Christian Radio Show?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Not only does Adventures in Odyssey
promote an R-rated Hollywood film about fighting aliens, but it also promotes
the worldly Star Trek TV show and its franchise. In the Odyssey radio episode
titled “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hidden In My Heart” (</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">#321)</i> appears a knock-off of Star Trek.
It was meant to give a nod to Star Trek while promoting Bible memorization, but
Odyssey compromised the truth with its promotion of Hollywood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In this Odyssey radio episode,
they retitled Star Trek as “Star Trip.” Spock was renamed “Crock.” Klingons
(enemy aliens in Star Trek) were named “Ding-Dongs.” The Starship Enterprise
was called “Starship Aerobocise.” This is not funny when you consider that
Hollywood had never promoted God’s ways. Star Trek, Star Wars, and all
Hollywood movies have only promoted sin, rebellion, and filth (to varying
degrees of wickedness). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Millions of children heard these
episodes from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Adventures in Odyssey</i>.
What messages were being brought across to them as they listened to their
favorite radio show? Was Hollywood being promoted to them by way of characters
in Odyssey? If so, what kind of spiritual fruit does Hollywood have? Is it good
or bad, according to the Bible? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><u><br /></u></b>
<b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><u>Voice Actors in Adventures in Odyssey Also Play Characters in Worldly Movies, Occultic Cartoons, and Occultic / Fantasy Video Games</u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Katie Leigh, the voice actor who did the voice of Connie Kendall (in Odyssey), did the voices for characters in worldly movies, TV shows, and violent / occultic video games. Some of her many voice roles include:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(An animated occultic TV show) -</i> <b>Disney's Aladdin</b> (1994-1995) - Mother (ep57)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(An animated occultic TV show) - </i><b>Dungeons & Dragons </b>(1983-1985) - Sheila</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i><i>(An animated worldly TV show) - </i><b>Disney's Darkwing Duck</b> (1991) - Honker Muddlefoot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(An animated occultic TV show)</i> - <b>Little Wizards</b> (1987) - Additional Voices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(an occultic CGI movie) -</i> <b>Monster Island</b> (2017) - Carlotta, Patrick's Mom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(A live action Hollywood film with occultic themes and gore) -</i> <b>Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom</b> - Katie did a voice over for Zalim Singh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Katie Leigh did the voice over {or dub} for Zalim Singh, the Maharajah of Pankot in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">{And many more.}</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Video Games:</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(A violent, ungodly video game, rated 17+)<b> - Deus Ex: The Fall (2013)</b></i> - Camila Cardoso, Civilians, Junkie, Receptionist</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(An occultic, online role-playing game)</i> - <b>EverQuest II (2004)</b> - Additional Voices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(A violent, ungodly video game about vampires) </i><b>InFamous 2: Festival of Blood (2011)</b> - Additional Voices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(An occultic video game) -</i> <b>Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace (2011)</b> - Young Han Solo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">{And many more}</span></i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiF3xnOnv-PBnmbat7LpfakV6LuSqY101idkVKypPmj07OswdYFTa96c0oPOUCDAWhFXiBy1-1-LAOX3C67j1DlfxrG6T6oMG8G5u6WHqZzyl0R2fQ1fJmqlkkbvdRba-PC3MT2zfFZYg/s1600/Lord+of+the+Rings+Wizard+Evil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1099" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiF3xnOnv-PBnmbat7LpfakV6LuSqY101idkVKypPmj07OswdYFTa96c0oPOUCDAWhFXiBy1-1-LAOX3C67j1DlfxrG6T6oMG8G5u6WHqZzyl0R2fQ1fJmqlkkbvdRba-PC3MT2zfFZYg/s200/Lord+of+the+Rings+Wizard+Evil.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hal Smith did the original voice of John Avery Whittaker. Hal also provided additional voices in the occultic, animated film <b><i>Lord of the Rings</i></b> (1978) and also voiced characters in an occultic fantasy arcade gamed called <b><i>Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp</i></b> (1991). He played the voice of a few characters (Flintheart Glomgold and Gyro Gearloose) in the <b><i>Duck Tales </i></b>(1987-1990) cartoon series. And, Hal acted in a number of Hollywood movies and did the voices for many cartoon characters during his acting career. <i><b>Duck Tales</b></i> (1987-1990) had occultic themes throughout it, including a duck that casts spells and uses magic (Magica De Spell), a genie (an Arabic demon), an awakening of a dead mummy in Egypt, and other occultic things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Children listening to <i>Adventures in Odyssey</i> should be a surprised to find that one of their favorite characters ("Whit," who purports to be a Christian man) is played by an actor who also did the voices of characters in occultic cartoons and other forms of entertainment. Do you see a problem here? The voice actor behind a "Christian" character (Mr. Whittaker) did voices for characters in worldly and ungodly cartoons, games, and ungodly entertainment. If this man was a Christian, that would not change the fact that his voice appears in worldly dramas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Children (or adults) may then think that Mr. Whittaker, Connie Kendall, and Odyssey (and by default Christians) are promoting the occult and other ungodly things because "Whit's," Connie's (Katie Leigh), and other character's voices can be heard in ungodly, worldly entertainment outside of Odyssey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course, the children during the last century have grown up. But, children today still watch reruns or see videos from the '90s and '80s and 2000s that contain the voices of Katie Leigh, Hal Smith, Andre Stojka (the new "Whit"), and Will Ryan (who did Eugene Meltsner). So, the question then is what should a child believe? The voice of Connie Kendall (Katie Leigh) can be heard in occultic cartoons, violent video games, and worldly movies. A child may then wonder if the occult itself and worldly cartoons really are so bad. But, God's Word is clear what God thinks about the occult and all forms of witchcraft and wizardry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Deuteronomy 18:9-12 </u></b>(underlining added)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[9] When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. [10] There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, [11] Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[12] For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee." [End quote]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God's Word also says this in <u>Psalm 101:3</u>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[3] I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." [End quote]</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Witchcraft Is Promoted in Narnia Books and in Focus on
the Family’s Rendition of Narnia<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Focus on the Family (the
owner of Odyssey) produced an audio dramatic rendition of C.S. Lewis’s The
Chronicles of Narnia. It is called “Radio Theatre: The Chronicles of Narnia.”
This audio recording of Narnia takes over 22-hours to listen to (according to their website) and includes
all of the Narnia books. In Lewis’s “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i>,” the character called Lucy uses sorcery (or
witchcraft) to cause invisible creatures to appear, including Aslan, the lion.
Focus on the Family’s audio rendition of Narnia includes this scene.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>In this book, C.S. Lewis had a scene where a little girl (Lucy) is reading from a magic spell-book and causing magical things to start appearing. She even caused Aslan to magically appear, due to the spell she cast to turn invisible things visible. That is concerning, because Aslan is supposed to be a character that represents Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is what Aslan told Lucy. It should be very concerning to a Christian. C.S. Lewis writes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'Then her face lit up till, ... and she ran forward with a little cry of delight and with her arms stretched out. For what stood in the doorway was Aslan himself, the Lion, the highest of all High Kings. And he was solid and real and warm and he let her kiss him and bury herself in his shining mane. And from the low, earthquake-like sound that came from inside him, Lucy even dared to think that he was purring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Oh, Aslan," said she, "it was kind of you to come."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I have been here all the time," said he, "but you have just made me visible."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Aslan!" said Lucy almost a little reproachfully. "Don't make fun of me. As if anything I could do would make you visible!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"It did," said Aslan. "Do you think I wouldn't obey my own rules?"' [End quote] [Lewis, C.S. "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." gutenberg.ca.]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's break this scene down and look at what Aslan is saying. Aslan is saying that the magic Lucy used in that magic spell-book can cause Aslan to appear, because he obeys his own "rules." For a Christ-like character to obey the rules of a magic spell-book is very alarming, because children are being taught (by Narnia) that magic spells and spell-books agree with Christ and with Christianity. Nothing can be further from the truth. Magic and sorcery are real and real witches use actual magic spell-books today. God forbids this in His holy Word, the Bible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u><b>Deuteronomy 18:9-12</b></u> (underlining added)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[9] When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. [10] There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, [11] Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[12] For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What is Focus on the Family (a
Christian company) doing promoting this in their Narnia radio drama? Why are
they interested in Narnia? And, why is it that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u style="text-underline: words;">former</u></b> witches and warlocks
point out that Narnia is used by neophyte (beginner) witches? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Finishing Up<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The late David J. Meyer, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a former witch</b>, became a believer in Jesus Christ and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">left witchcraft</b>. He then exposed the
real witchcraft in some popular books for children and adults. David J. Meyer
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“As a former witch, astrologer, and occultist who has
been saved by the grace of God, I know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>the works of C.S. Lewis are required reading by neophyte witches</u></b>,
especially in the United States and England. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>This includes The Chronicles of Narnia, because it teaches neophyte,
or new witches, the basic mindset of the craft</u></b>. Isn’t it strange,
though, that many “Christian” churches and organizations have used The
Chronicles of Narnia as Sunday School curriculum?” [End quote] (Meyer, David J.
“The Witchcraft of the Narnia Chronicles.” lasttrumpetministries.org.) (Emphasis
added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We Christians should have
nothing to do with witchcraft, fantasy, or Hollywood in any of its forms since
God’s Word is clear about these things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In <u>2 Corinthians 6:14-18</u>,
God had Paul write:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“14 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Be ye not unequally yoked</u></b> together with unbelievers: for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness</u></b>? and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>what
communion hath light with darkness</u></b>? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">15 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>And what concord hath Christ with Belial</u></b>? or what part hath
he that believeth with an infidel?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">16 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols</u></b>? for ye
are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">17 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you</u></b>,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">18 And will be a Father unto
you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” [End
quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And, 2 Corinthians 7:1</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> says: “[1] Having therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1 John 1:3-10</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> says this profound truth:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“3 That which we have seen
and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>and truly our fellowship is with the
Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy
may be full</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">5 This then is the message
which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him
is no darkness at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">6 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not the truth: <o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">7<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
sin</b></span></u><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">8 If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">9 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. </u><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">10 If we say that we have not
sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[End Quote] [Emphasis added]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The only way to have fullness
of joy is to fellowship with God, rest in God, and not look to someone or
something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>1 John 1:3 (b) and 4</u>
says: “…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u> and truly our fellowship is
with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4] And these things write we
unto you, that your joy may be full</u>.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Isaiah 30:15 (b)</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> says, <u>in part</u>: “For thus saith the Lord GOD,
the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness
and in confidence shall be your strength:…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">God in <u>Zechariah 1:3-4</u>
says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“3 Therefore say thou unto
them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts,
and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">4 Be ye not as your fathers,
unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts;
Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not
hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b><u>God is truly all we need</u></b></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 16:8</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> says: “[8] I have set the LORD always before me:
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 16:11</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> says: “[11] Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in
thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for
evermore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>🌍 ➠ If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, <a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><br />
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-85830760592261517822019-08-19T21:52:00.000-07:002019-08-28T08:32:13.573-07:00(CHAPTER 14) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapter 14</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/08/chapter-1-adventures-of-matthew.html" target="_blank">(For Chapter 1, click Here.)</a></b></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 25pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Chapter 14</span></b></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tel Aviv, Israel. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Ruth Stein}</span></u></i></b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f5Og8KV4fc2qPBiqNnuDbuVh6e1nxMnKi-5hyoGXeBWZ-bm7lKMV6yuTTfJfYoLaKL06WAdmE3xQgUo8kn7XN2kavmfZ_5VBT1M2FsYBI6uVL32R0VqOxuQK0XHnTaWmQJTDemtq-yM/s1600/Tel+Aviv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="765" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f5Og8KV4fc2qPBiqNnuDbuVh6e1nxMnKi-5hyoGXeBWZ-bm7lKMV6yuTTfJfYoLaKL06WAdmE3xQgUo8kn7XN2kavmfZ_5VBT1M2FsYBI6uVL32R0VqOxuQK0XHnTaWmQJTDemtq-yM/s320/Tel+Aviv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The black passenger drone hovered over an empty
parking lot on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. Then, the machine slowly
descended and landed in the middle of the lot. The doors opened and out came
Ruth Stein and her mother and father. Viktor, the smuggler, emerged a few
seconds later, after talking with the pilot briefly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is nice to finally be in Israel, the land of
our ancestors,” Ruth Stein said as she breathed in the fresh air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It certainly is,” Naomi Stein, her mother, said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ruth stretched a little and then took in her
surroundings. She was standing in a parking lot near a city park. A few trees
dotted the park, and a children’s playground filled up one corner of the
common. The park was mostly empty, but the few people who were in the park
glanced her way and gazed at the strange flying machine with its eight rotors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Even with one rotor out of action, the other
seven had automatically compensated so that the drone vehicle could stay
airborne and maintain the same altitude and speed. But, doing so used more
electricity and drained the battery faster. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ruth gazed at the park and at the sky above it,
with her back to the parking lot. She was very glad to be safe on Israel’s
soil. Having a heart full of joy, she thanked God and breathed praises to Him
for His love, mercy, and protection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Heavenly Father for protecting us,”
Ruth whispered as she looked toward the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are welcome, My daughter,” God’s kind voice
said to her spirit. “I love you very much. Wait and see, My daughter. I will
soon bring you to your future husband. Look to Me and all will go well. I love
you very much, and I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My future husband?” Ruth said, surprised. “What
do you mean?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have in store for you, My daughter, a future
husband,” God said. “He will love you and take care of you here in Israel. He
is a Jewish man who is a little older than you, but he will be a good husband
for you. You will be able to raise your family here in Israel until the time of
the end, when I bring in My everlasting Kingdom and My rule over all the earth,
and then I shall bring in My everlasting second earth and the city of New
Jerusalem, which shall descend out of Heaven like a bride prepared for her
husband. That new city shall rest upon the new earth. That is where you shall
live with all the saints forever and ever. And, I the LORD your God and Abba
Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wow,” Ruth said, amazed. “I look forward to that
time. But, my future husband is somewhere in Israel right now?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is correct, My daughter,” God said. “I will
bring you to him. Indeed, his father will meet your family very soon. And, you
will be introduced to him. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have
spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wow,” Ruth was even more amazed. “You are
saying, Abba Father God, that you will bring us together very soon?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is right, My daughter,” God said kindly. “But,
don’t put your husband to be before Me. Look to Me, and rest, and trust in Me,
and obey what I lead you to do. Seeking to know Me intimately, and resting, and
meditating on My Word will bless you. And, I the LORD your God have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Abba Father,” Ruth said. “I want to
do that more.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very good, My daughter,” God said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just as she finished speaking with her Heavenly
Father, Ruth heard the sound of a car pulling to a stop in the parking lot
behind her. She turned around and saw a taxi parked a short distance from the
passenger drone. Her dad was speaking with the driver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, after a minute, he turned toward Ruth and
said, “Ruth, come, I’ve got us a ride. We will be going to a hotel right away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, daddy,” Ruth said as approached him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Traveling cases rested beside the drone, ready to
be moved. So, she and her family placed their luggage into the trunk (or boot)
of the taxi and climbed in. Their smuggler, Viktor, was nowhere to be seen. She
thought he might be in the drone, but she could be sure. Curious, Ruth gazed
out of her passenger window at the parking lot and the drone. The black vehicle
suddenly turned on, and seven of its eight rotors began spinning. Then, it took
off. She didn’t see where it went from there because the taxi was now turning
onto a street and merging with traffic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Likely Viktor is with the pilot and is making
his way to a recharging station,” Ruth thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, you folks have just arrived in Israel by
drone?” the taxi driver said as he drove.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s right, sir,” Benjamin Stein said through
the opening in the Plexiglas divider, which separated the back end from the
front end of the cab. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are you citizens of Israel?” the driver said as
the guided the car through the busy Tel Aviv streets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not yet, but we’ve heard that becoming citizens
is fairly easy for Jews,” Benjamin said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s right,” the driver said, glancing back at
his passengers, “but I can help you out. I just got naturalized myself. And, I
can put in a good word for you, if you like. That might help speed up the
process of being naturalized.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, that is kind of you, sir,” Benjamin said,
grinning. “I give God the glory for helping me. We had just taken a harrowing
journey from France to some European countries, and then on to Israel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are you a religious Jew?” the taxi driver said
as he drove. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am a believer in Jesus or Yeshua, the
Messiah,” Benjamin said, boldly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The driver turned back and grinned. “So am I,” he
said. “It is nice to meet a brother in the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am glad to see we are not alone in Israel,”
Benjamin said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,” the driver said, “we’re not alone. We have
a community of Messianic Jews in Israel. Come to Church with me on the Sabbath.
I’ll introduce you to my son, Francois. By the way, my name is Judah Israel.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is a very religious name,” Benjamin said.
“Very Jewish indeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is,” Judah Joseph Israel said, smiling. “My
father named me Judah because he wanted his family to be Jews, and not
Gentiles. He wanted us to remember our inheritance from Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. He didn’t want us to become agnostics and be just like the average
person in Europe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am Benjamin Stein,” Benjamin said. “I was
named Benjamin after my grandfather.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is nice to meet you, folks,” Judah said,
glancing back at them. “By the way, do you know where you are going to have
dinner tonight?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“A restaurant probably,” Benjamin said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why don’t you come over to my place,” Judah
said. “My son and I love to cook. We’ll make you some tasty food. I can give
you my cell-phone number.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Benjamin look at his wife and daughter. “What do
you think?” he asked them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I would love to,” his wife said. And, his
daughter nodded, wondering if this believing taxi driver had something to do
with the prophecy God had given her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tel Aviv, Israel. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Ruth Stein}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That evening, when the sun was moving closer to
the horizon, the Steins walked down a hallway in an apartment building in Tel
Aviv. Benjamin Stein stopped before a door, number 305, and knocked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A 31-year-old man opened it and said, “How may I
help you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am Benjamin Stein,” Benjamin said. “Your
father invited us over for dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, that’s right,” the 31-year-old said. “I was
busy preparing food, and my mind got sidetracked. Come on in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ruth watched Francois Israel with quick, shy
glances. He was a tall man with brown, curly hair and hazel eyes. When Ruth saw
him, she blushed slightly. She had a sense in her spirit that this man could be
her future husband. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Welcome, my friends,” Judah said from the
kitchen where he was putting the finishing touches on a dish. “Make yourselves
comfortable. The dinner will be served in just three minutes, I estimate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Ruth took a seat on a couch in the small
living room, Francois noticed her glancing his way. He prepared some things and
then walked into the living room with a tray filled with glasses and a pitcher
of ice water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Would you folks care for a refreshing drink of
H2O?” Francois asked the guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That would be good,” Naomi said as she reached
for a glass. “Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Have you ever tried… ?” Francois said to Ruth,
naming a tasty, French pasta dish that contained beef. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, I haven’t,” the 24-year-old said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’ll love it if you like pasta,” Francois said,
winking at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You like to cook?” Ruth said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Some friends, who are assistant chefs, taught me
a few things,” Francois said, smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I would love to try that dish you made,” she
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The rest of the evening was pleasant, and the
group had good, edifying conversations, both during and after dinner, about
Biblical topics, the land of Israel, God, and Jesus Christ, God the Son. After
the meal was over, Francois and Ruth sat at the dinner table and talked while
Mr. and Mrs. Stein visited with Judah in the living room. The older adults
could see them from the living room, so they could be accountable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After Ruth and Francois had spoken for a while,
Francois said, “Ruth, would you and your family like to come back here for
another meal? Perhaps a few days from now or even tomorrow?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I would love to visit again,” Ruth said,
smiling. “Perhaps tomorrow, if that works for us. But, we have to get our
citizenship and find an apartment. We’re staying in a hotel right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,” Francois said, “well, perhaps we can
visit when you are able.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Perhaps,” Ruth said coyly, but she smiled at
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Greece. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Rat Tooth}<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is the last time I hire you to work for
me,” the black-goateed man growled angrily as he spoke into his cell phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sir, I will track down that Jewish family and
catch them,” Rat Tooth’s voice came through the speaker. “I had been misled by
an ignorant informant, but I will take a more --”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No you won’t,” Nicolas Lagarde said coldly,
cutting him off. “I will hire someone else, who will finish the job once and
for all. I have already wasted too much time talking with you over the phone. I
hope I never hear your wretched voice again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before Rat could respond, Nicolas hung up, ending
the conversation. Rat was fuming with anger and frustration. He tossed his cell
phone on the floor of the white panel van and stomped on it. As he did, he
accidentally pressed the accelerator pedal, and the van surged forward faster
than before. The white panel van roared down the country road in Greece, going
12 kilometers-per-hour faster than the speed limit. Trees, pastures, and houses
raced past his side windows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just as Rat tried to apply the breaks, a police
siren pierced the air, wailing loudly. Rat glanced in his side mirrors and saw
a Greek police car in hot pursuit of him. Blue flashing lights came on above
the front windscreen (windshield). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not desiring to get pulled over because he was an
internationally-wanted criminal, Rat kept the pedal to the floor, and increased
speed. But, he didn’t realize that he was in a trap. A set of collapsible,
tire-popping spikes had been placed across the road just moments ago. On the
other side of the spikes were two police cars parked 30 meters away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pow. Pow. Pow. </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Loud popping sounds came from his tires, and Rat lost control of the
van. The gangster cringed as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. In seconds,
the panel van skidded across the road and came to a stop in the gravel at the
side of the highway. Then, the two police cars roared into action and
approached him quickly. The cars came to a sudden stop nearby. And, out came
four police officers with drawn weapons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Step out of the vehicle with your hands raised!”
a Greek police officer shouted in English as he trained his gun on Rat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reluctantly, “Rat Tooth,” an international
gangster, drug-seller, bounty-hunter, and trafficker, cursed and opened the
driver door of the van. He stepped out, raising his hands. Rat was alone. Mole
had parted ways with him in Turkey. Fully of fury, Rat quietly uttered
swearwords as cold, metal cuffs were snapped around his wrists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The police soon had him securely handcuffed and
in the back of a police car, heading toward a jail. In the years that followed,
Rat would get to stare at the white walls of a prison cell and think about his
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tel Aviv, Israel. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Francois and Ruth}<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The wedding of Francois Israel and Ruth Stein
took place in the countryside north of Tel Aviv. It was a medium-sized wedding.
Members of the Messianic synagogue (to which the Steins and the <i>Israels </i>belonged)
formed the bulk of the people who came to the wedding ceremony. A few visitors
attended, along with some orthodox Jews, who were curious about Messianic Jews’
beliefs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Three months had passed since Francois and Ruth
had first met each other. During that time, they had visited and dated each
other in the company of Ruth’s mother and father. That kept them responsible to
be chaste as single people. Then, after what seemed a long time to Francois and
Ruth, the big day of the wedding had finally arrived. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And, the couple was deeply in love. They had both
sought God about each other, and both had heard from their Abba Father that He
had chosen them for each other. Being certain God had spoken to them, the
couple had studied the Bible together and sought God together and apart, in
prayer. Then, they had agreed upon a date for the wedding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When the wedding ceremony was come to a close,
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A few more questions followed. Then, the pastor
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before the crowd gathered outdoors, the newly-wed
couple kissed each other briefly. And, Francois whispered to his wife, “I will
kiss you more, dear, but not in front of so many eyes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is fine, darling,” Ruth whispered back as
she gazed lovingly into her husband’s hazel eyes. “I know you love me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are more beautiful than a priceless, blue
sapphire stone on black velvet,” Francois said, gazing into his wife’s blue
eyes. “I love you very much, my darling. And, moreover, Jesus Christ loves us
and the whole world passionately beyond what words can say. He loved us enough
to literally die for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re right, honey,” Ruth said, smiling. “Jesus
Christ is our Life. I want to spread His truth to the world, and see the lost
come to Jesus for salvation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amen,” Francois said. “I completely agree.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><b>{The End}<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>🌍 ➠ If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, <a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span></div>
Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-26191565741041879382019-08-18T23:02:00.000-07:002019-08-19T21:52:34.089-07:00(CHAPTERS 12 AND 13) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapters 12 <u>and</u> 13</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/08/chapter-1-adventures-of-matthew.html" target="_blank">(For Chapter 1, click Here.)</a></b></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-size: 25pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Chapter 12</span></b></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tel Aviv. Israel. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois Israel, a French-born Jew, relaxed in a
sofa with a French soda near an air conditioning unit in a living room. The
living room window of his Tel Aviv apartment gave a great view of the city
skyline and the numerous lights in skyscrapers and other tall buildings. He and
his dad, Judah Joseph Israel, had finished dinner an hour ago, and his dad had
gone back to his own bedroom to seek God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, sitting on one of the two couches in the
living room, Francois opened his Bible and talked with his Heavenly Father. The
city lights stared at him through the living room window, but he ignored them
as he closed his eyes and relaxed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Father God,” Francois said, “thank you so much
for rescuing us from the fishing ship. We could have died, but you spared us.
For that I am very grateful. You also had the IDF Navy vessel find us not long
after the pirates had left. After that, you brought us safely to Israel, where
you helped us get naturalized as citizens of this wonderful country, the land
of my ancestors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You even provided me a job as a construction
worker. Thank you for all of that. Without your grace, my dad and I could have
been caught by the communists in France and sent off to a ‘re-education’ camp.
But, you delivered us from that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois paused a moment to collect his thoughts.
Then, he said, “But, Father God, I wonder what will happen to the land of
Israel? What can I expect to come to the land of Israel in the near future?
Will I be able to get married? And, will my future kids be safe?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s kind voice spoke to Francois’s
spirit, “I love you very much. You are precious to Me, as are all people in the
world. I sent Jesus Christ to die for all of their sins so that if they call
upon Him, they shall be saved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will now show you the future of Israel that
you are wondering about. Israel is a land of prophecy, of the Bible, and of
power. It is at the center of the Earth, in a geographical sense. It forms the
bridge between Africa and Asia. And, it is a major route of trade and transit.
It has great economic power for its size since I have blessed the Jews above
the Gentiles in terms of wisdom, creativity, and talent. There is more talent
in the land of Israel, for its size, than in any other country or nation of its
size and area. Of course, I give Gentiles wisdom and talent too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, since Israel is the people of the Book, and
they are the people who have been despised the most, and they have been chosen
to bear My Name to the nations, I shall give them the greatest wisdom, for their
population size, and I shall give them the greatest talent, for their
population size. That is why Jews have been wrongfully treated in all parts of
the world. They are the people who represent the Bible to the nations. Because
you exist, O Israel, therefore, I shall not cast you down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I shall uphold My people in My hand. I shall
save all Israel, who call upon My Son for salvation. Do you know His Name? It
is Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Why did I choose a Greek Name for the Messiah?
you may wonder. I chose a Greek Name because the Greek world was the common
denominator in the early times of the first, second, third, forth, and fifth
centuries. I chose a Greek Name to reach a Greek-speaking people.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Paris, France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Ruth Stein}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The blond-haired girl opened the stairwell door
and ascended up the turning steps. Her footfalls echoed off the concrete walls,
adding to the caution and concern in her soul. Dressed in a modest shirt and
baggy trousers, which were out of date and a source of teasing by coworkers,
Ruth Stein did her best ignore the joking and be kind to her associates. She
had a kindhearted personality and wit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today, however, she was feeling very stressed.
Carrying her purse over her shoulder, Ruth hurried through a door and down a
hallway in the apartment building where she and her parents lived. Her tennis
shoes echoed off the grey, vinyl floor and white walls, causing her to almost
“hear” feet in pursuit of her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reaching the apartment door, she inserted a key
and opened it. Once she had slammed it shut behind her, she slowed herself down
and tried to steady her quick breathing. She was standing in a short hallway
that led into the living room of the small apartment. To her right was a door
leading into the bathroom. Some meters beyond it lay another door. She passed
by the bathroom and turned the knob leading into her bedroom, which was located
on one side of the bathroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Setting her purse on her desk, she plopped into a
computer chair and buried her face in her hands, and started sobbing. Tears
rolled down her face as she cried, remembering the terrible insults and threats
someone had spoken to her just minutes ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She had been employed for a local grocery store,
working as a cashier. Some of her coworkers had found out that she was Jewish.
She didn’t look much different than a Gentile French girl since she was only a
quarter Jewish. But, once the secret was out, she found several store employees
threatening to kill her and giving horrible insults. Then, her manager told her
that she was fired. She had asked him why, but he had told her that Jews were
not allowed to buy from his store or work there. He had given her several
coarse insults before sending her off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Father God,” Ruth said, sobbing, “this is so
hurtful what they said to me. I can’t help that I’m Jewish and hated by
Gentiles. I tried to hide my Jewish identity since so many people hate us. Why
do they hate us? What did we do to deserve this hatred?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A soft knock came at her bedroom door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Honey,” the muffled voice of her father said,
“may I come in?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ruth stood up and said, “Yes, papa.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ruth, my child, how are you doing? You look
troubled,” said Benjamin Stein, a 57-year-old Jewish man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Papa, they called me names,” Ruth said, sobbing.
“Insults. They said I was a ‘filthy Jew.’ They called me horrible insults and
vile words.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her dad motioned toward his 24-year-old daughter,
with a kind look in his eyes. Then, he placed a caring arm around her back,
hugged her gently to his side, and kissed her on the cheek, with some tears
starting to form in his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I love you, sweetie,” her dad said
affectionately. “I feel very much for you, daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She sobbed some more before looking her loving
dad in the eyes. Then, she said, “Papa, why do Gentiles hate us so much? What
did we do to deserve this treatment?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We did nothing to deserve it,” Benjamin Stein
said. “We have not sought to oppress anyone or steal anyone’s money. But,
because we are God’s chosen people to bring the Word of God to the world, the unbelieving
Gentiles hate us. They hate us because they hate God. And, the devil hates us
very much because we represent the Bible to the world. Our ancestors wrote the
Holy Scriptures, and the world hates the Bible. So, they hate us too. Don’t
fear, my darling. God will work all things together for our good, as Paul wrote
in the book of Romans, in chapter 8. Now, I suggest that you tell me what
exactly happened. But, be calm, dear.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She told her dad all the details, starting with
all the name-calling and invective language some coworkers gave her, and ending
with her boss firing her and insulting her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They wanted to kill you?” Benjamin Stein said,
surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Some of them said that, yes,” Ruth said, looking
at her dad with watery eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I must seek God about this,” he said, leaving
her side and walking toward the door. “Excuse me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He slipped out of the room and walked down the
hall past a closet door. Then, he opened another door, which led into the
master bedroom. Shutting the door behind him, Benjamin found his own desk and
chair, and sat down in the leather seat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Heavenly Father,” Benjamin Stein said, “did men
actually threaten to kill my daughter? My precious only daughter?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, My son,” God’s voice spoke kindly to him,
“they did. They wanted to intimidate her. Most likely, they wouldn’t actually
carry out the threat. But, they wanted her to leave the job, for they hate
Jewish people because you are a sign to the nations of My existence. And, they
hate Me, their Creator because they love sin and self more than Me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Abba Father,” Benjamin said, “what should I do?
I can’t continue living like this. I can’t tell people that I am Jewish. I just
ignore their questions or change the topic. But, what should I do about this
situation? We are feeling the pressure more and more. The hatred for Jews is
intense here in France. A number of Jews here have been killed, murdered by
gangsters. And, there has been an exodus of Jewish people from France for a few
years now, but I didn’t want to leave because I still have relatives here,
including my non-Jewish ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son, I love you very much,” God’s kind voice
said. “I want you to know that I have plans for you to leave and go to Israel.
I didn’t tell you this so clearly before because you were not really wanting to
leave your relatives, and I had some things for you to do in France. But, now
it is time for you to leave France and head over to Israel. Israel is a much
safer place to live in than France, for Jewish people. And, there, you will not
be persecuted so much for being Jewish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“In Israel, you will have three meals a day, a
roof over your heads, jobs, protection, and strength. For, the land of Israel
is where I want My people to go. I don’t want you to stay among the Gentiles as
the last days unfold. For, Israel shall become a cup of trembling,
particularly, the temple mount. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“People around the world shall express their
hatred for Israel and the Jews by seeking to kill Jews in Europe and elsewhere.
The murders shall only continue. But, I will provide for all who want to leave
Europe. Israel will assist you in moving to its land. Now, I want you to
prepare yourselves and take your wife and daughter and go to Israel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, my wife is a Gentile,” Benjamin said. “She
is not Jewish in the least. Will the Israeli government accept my non-Jewish
wife?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God said, “they will accept her since
she is your lawfully wedded wife, even though she is Gentile like most of the
world is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is a relief,” Benjamin said, relaxing a
little. “Well, I’ll pack my suitcases then and get things going. But, I have a
problem with leaving.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is that, My son?” God said kindly, knowing
exactly what Benjamin would say next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How can we safely leave France,” Benjamin said,
“when the communist French government is hunting down Christians, and we are
Jewish Christians?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will show you,” God said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tel Aviv. Israel. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God continued speaking with Francois Israel in
his Tel Aviv apartment, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, the Name of Jesus in Hebrew is different.
However, since most people know English, I use the anglicized version of the
Messiah so that I can reach many people. That is why I have chosen the King
James Bible to be the Bible for the Gentile and Jewish world that speaks
English. I have not chosen other English translations because of errors in
their translation and because they have purposely left out certain words and
phrases that are found in the original manuscripts of the Bible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I also have chosen the English King James Bible
because it reflects the language of Hebrew and Greek more accurately than do
modern versions. Modern versions render words in modern expressions, but they
ignore the broad scope found in the King James language, which is different
than modern English. Certain modern expressions have different meanings than
similar-sounding archaic words, such as ‘thought.’ ‘Thought’ in modern English
means to think about something logically. But, in the older days, ‘thought’
refers to imaginations, ideas, plans, goals, feelings, etc. in a way that is
similar to the Hebrew version and the Greek version of ‘thought.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">__________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">{An
example of what God is referring to is found in <u>2 Corinthians 10:3-5</u>.
Verse 5 says: <b>“[5] C</b></span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">asting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge
of God, and bringing into captivity every <u>thought</u> to the obedience of
Christ ;” </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[End quote.] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Greek word for “thought” in <u>2 Corinthians 10:5 </u>is
(Strong’s #3540) <b><i>noema.</i></b> It refers to “perception,” “purpose,”
“device,” “mind,” “thought,” “intellect,” (according to Strong’s Exhaustive
Concordance). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Noah
Webster’s 1828 English dictionary defines the word “<u>thought</u>” in several ways. A few definitions include: “Idea,”
“conception,” “conceit,” “opinion,” “meditation,” “design ; purpose,” <b><i>and
</i></b>“solicitude ; care ; concern.”<b><i> So, the actual meaning of the <u>English
word “thought</u>” is deeper than what we typically use today.</i></b>}</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">__________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God said to Francois Israel: “So, the King James
Bible works for both Jews and Gentiles. And, the King James Bible shows clearly
that Jesus Christ is God the Son, which modern versions obscure and often
ignore in various subtle ways. Modern versions also ignore the important role
of redemption through Jesus Christ and His blood. They teach that the way is
‘difficult’ to salvation. But, the Greek word does not mean ‘difficult.’ It
means ‘narrow’ or ‘strait’ like the ‘Strait of Gibraltar.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, the modern versions are corrupt. I recommend
seeking Me about this and reading where I lead you to read. You will see the
truth for yourself as you do. I recommend reading from the King James Version
and seeking Me about anything you are wondering about. I know that the words
often can be a little tricky to understand, but My Spirit will guide you in
understanding their meanings. Also, if you can, you can obtain an old
dictionary or concordance to help you with the words.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Zurich, Switzerland. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Ruth Stein}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A dark-grey van pulled off a highway heading
toward Zurich. The van had stopped at the side of the road in a wide, graveled
shoulder. As the vehicle’s engine idled, the side doors slid open and out came
a group of four people dressed in light jackets to protect against the cool, night
air. They removed travel cases from the rear of the van and donned small
backpacks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Stars appeared overhead, catching Ruth Stein’s
eyes. She saw a shooting star flash across the sky directly in front of her
eyes. It glowed blue for one second before breaking apart and disappearing into
the dark expanse of the sky. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She and her family had just been dropped off at
their next checkpoint on their secret route to Israel. They had been taken by a
number of automobiles from France and into Switzerland. Now, not too far from
Zurich, they had been dropped off by their contact in an underground network of
smugglers. The price had been very expensive to reach this point, but her dad
had been a wise investor. Benjamin Stein had saved up much money, which he had
earned as a skilled dentist. A good portion of it had been invested in real
estate, which he had sold in recent years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, Benjamin Stein was ready to take his family
out of “Babylon,” so to speak. He had seen Europe’s crumbling respect for
freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and freedom from persecution. With
violence, racial hatred, and anti-Jewish sentiment rising like a tide in
Europe, Jews were persecuted, beaten, and sometimes killed. The handwriting was
on the wall, and he knew he must leave the continent for his family’s safety,
and because God was leading him to the holy land, the land of Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As they walked away from the van and the road,
Ruth Stein thought about her future and about who she might marry. She was
still somewhat young compared to other girls she knew, but she had a desire to
start a family in a land that was safe and free from anti-Semitism. The land of
Israel looked more promising to her as she thought about the cruelty,
suppression of freedoms, hatred of Jews, and persecution of underground
Christians that was taking place in all of Europe, which was now under the rule
of communist dictatorships which were secretly loyal to Russia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The family was walking across a grassy field
toward a set of lights out in the darkness. Ruth’s mother was walking slightly
behind her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ruth, this is exciting, isn’t it?” said her
mother, Naomi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Naomi was a 55-year-old, blond-haired lady who
came from the Blanchet family. She had fallen in love with a young, Jewish
dentist, and both had gotten married a year later. She was an evangelical
Christian, but her husband, Benjamin, was a secular Jew. Though they had
different beliefs, they had gotten along well. Desiring to see her husband meet
Jesus, she had persuaded him to go to Church with her. Eventually, he did, and
two years later, he had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Exciting?” Ruth said. “It is exciting, but that
isn’t the word I would have thought of, mother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m excited to be heading for a new home,” Naomi
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I feel excited, but also a little nervous,” Ruth
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Since God is protecting us, why should we be afraid?”
Naomi said with peace in her heart that could only have come from Jesus Christ,
the Prince of Peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s hurry up,” a bearded smuggler (called
“Viktor”) said gruffly from behind Ruth. “The helicopter will need to leave
very soon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly, a whirring sound started up. Then, a
loud, whacking hum of helicopter blades filled the air. The lights in the field
were blinking at intervals, revealing the presence of a helicopter. The gust of
wind from the rotors tugged at Ruth’s hair, sending cool air against her face,
causing her to shiver slightly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before long, the family had reached the
helicopter, and the smuggler accompanying them told them to hurry and get
inside. The rough, bearded man helped them place their luggage aboard the
helicopter. Then, the four piled in and harnessed themselves into their seats.
Once everything was secured, and the doors were shut, the smuggler gave the
pilot a “go ahead” signal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, the machine lifted off the ground and
ascended to a certain elevation, heading toward the south east. Ruth knew it
was flying toward the <i>Democratic Republic of Bosnia</i>, a communist country
that had once been called “Bosnia and Herzegovina.” <i>[Note: <u>Bosnia and
Herzegovina </u>is the <u>actual name</u> of the country. The other name is
fictional.] </i>Once they reached “Bosnia,” they would take a private jet owned
by a smuggler and would arrive in Turkey. They would refuel in Turkey and fly
toward Cyprus. And, from Cyprus, they would head toward Tel Aviv, Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, Ruth knew that dealing with smugglers was
risky, and the stakes were high. A smuggler could just decide to sell them to a
group of criminals, who would turn them over to communist secret police, for a
reward. Ruth didn’t want to end up in the hands of the secret police. So, she
began praying some more, and telling God her fears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She knew that men were attracted to her face and
blond hair, so she had followed the advice of a kind smuggler, and had put on
the head and face covering worn by Muslim women. Her mother had done the same,
but only after some hesitation. Both women had never dressed in Muslim clothing
before. But, Ruth could already see how useful it had been. The mother and
daughter had avoided unwanted attention from men as they had traveled through
France and Switzerland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Paris, France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Rat Tooth}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“A Mister Benjamin Stein; his wife Naomi Blanchet
Stein; and their daughter Ruth Stein (who is single) are wanted for being
non-conformist Christians,” a man wearing a business suit said as he paced back
and forth across a marble floor in his elegant office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The man’s shaven head and black goatee gave him a
diabolical appearance, especially as his face was mostly in shadow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A group of three gangsters dressed in dark
clothing watched him. They were professional bounty hunters, traffickers, and
drug smugglers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We learned about this family’s illegal religious
views from a spy just recently,” the goateed man said. “And, we had strangely
lost their whereabouts until we had obtained photos of their faces taken at a
traffic stop in Switzerland.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are ready to seize them, Mr. Lagarde,” said “<i>Rat
Tooth</i>,” a tall crook with beady eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicolas Lagarde eyed Rat closely before he said,
“I don’t want this family to escape. If they escape, I will hire someone to
bury you. Do you understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I understand, sir,” Rat said, swallowing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, Rat, tell me how you plan to capture or
kill them,” the goateed man said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tel Aviv. Israel. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very interesting,” Francois said as he listened
to his Heavenly Father speak to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God continued, saying: “Now, My son, I will show
you this truth about Israel. This is the land of your ancestors and the land of
the patriarchs since Abraham. It is the land of milk and honey, but sadly, it
has been a place of much conflict and fighting, because the devil doesn’t want
it to be holy unto Me. Whenever I want to do something good, the devil will
always oppose it. So, that is why your land is hotly contested between the Jews
and Arabs or the Jews and the Muslims. But, I will show you that this land was
given to Israel, and not to the Arabs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The Arabs were given the land to the east of
Israel, and to the south. But, the Jews were given the land of Israel since I
gave it to Abraham by promise. I saw that the original inhabitants, the
Canaanites, were very wicked, and I needed a godly line to inherit that land.
So, I had Abraham go there. I set up that piece of real estate for Israel so
that Israel could be a light to the gentiles that pass through the Middle East.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Many powerful kingdoms fought for that land
including the Crusaders of the Roman Empire, which was the second edition of
the Roman Empire. The first edition of the Roman Empire was brought down in the
400s A.D. The second edition of the Roman Empire exists right now. And, the
third edition of the Roman Empire shall exist under the reign of the Antichrist
that the prophet Daniel spoke of in the book of Daniel, chapter 7 and on. This
Antichrist shall seek to devour Israel and devour it because Israel is My land.
But, he shall create a peace treaty. But, three and one half years after he
creates the treaty, as My Word says, the Antichrist will break his promise to
leave Israel alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Instead, the Antichrist -- which the book of
Revelation calls the Beast -- shall enter the holy land, defile the third
temple, which shall be built, and he shall desecrate it. Then, he shall kill My
two witnesses. After they are resurrected and ascend up to Heaven, the
Antichrist shall seek to devour the Jewish people and kill them all. But, I
will call out to them and bring them into the wilderness of Israel and Jordan.
There, I shall protect them and provide for them a wall of fire to keep them
safe. I shall be unto them a wall of fire round about as Zechariah 2:5 says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[<u>Zechariah 2:5 (KJV) </u>says: “[5] For I, saith the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">,
will be unto her a wall of fire round about,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">and will be the glory in the midst of her.”]</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;"><b>Chapter 13</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Bursa, Turkey. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Ruth Stein}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A large, black transport drone hovered over a
grassy field outside the town of Bursa in northwestern Turkey. The vehicle
resembled the small drones used to film aerial views of real estate property,
but this one was large enough to contain an enclosure that could hold 5 people.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We have just reached our next stopping point,”
the pilot said from his seat in the front of the drone cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ruth looked out the windows at the field in the
morning light. It was empty except for a few trees and a pickup truck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With eight arms jutting out above the rounded
passenger / pilot compartment, the machine used powerful electric motors to
spin eight 1.52-meter-long rotors. The eight rotors together produced enough
thrust to lift the craft off the ground and up to an altitude of 1.3
kilometers. But, the machine had stayed fairly close to the ground in order to
avoid being detected by radar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With the aid of a high-tech computerized system,
the pilot sent the drone into an auto-landing mode. Without needing any more
instructions from him, the machine descended and lightly touched down near the
pickup truck. And, seeing the machine approach, the ground vehicle drew near
and came to a stop just fifteen meters away from the drone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since the rotors were electric and smallish, they
slowed to a slop very quickly. Then, the cabin doors popped open and out came
four passengers. Ruth, her mother, and her father stepped out and stretched.
They were accompanied by a bearded smuggler who called himself “Viktor,” who
opened a compartment in the side of the drone and pulled out a long, coiled
recharging cord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He dragged one end of the long cord from the
compartment and over to the back end of the pickup truck. The pickup had a
canopy, which he opened. Then, the bearded man crawled inside and plugged the
thick power cord into set of strong batteries designed for refueling electric
drones and electric cars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once he had exited the truck canopy, Viktor said,
“Folks, it should take no more than half an hour to recharge the drone’s
batteries. After, that we will take off and head toward our next destination in
Cyprus.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s good to hear,” Benjamin Stein said,
breathing deeply to calm his nerves. He was worried that perhaps bounty hunters
hired by the French government might be tracking him down. He had heard of
that, and he had worried that he and his family might now be on a wanted list. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s kind void said to Benjamin’s
spirit, “I am with you. I will protect you from bounty hunters and from secret
police. Just stay near the drone, and you will be safe. And, I the LORD your
God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Father God,” Benjamin said, relaxing.
“Thank you. I know I need your protection all the time, especially since we are
Jews.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Bursa, Turkey. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Rat Tooth}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A large, white panel van was parked on the
outskirts of Bursa, Turkey. Nondescript, it didn’t stand out much. Some thought
it was a company van. Parked on the side of a street, the van sat while its
occupants were busy inside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A tough-looking, Caucasian man with brown,
stubbly hair uttered profanities under his breath, in frustration, as he gazed
at a computer screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Rat Tooth,” as he was known by his fellow
gangsters, was busy checking out real-time satellite imagery of Bursa,
searching for a black, passenger drone. He had been very frustrated with
himself for missing the non-conformist Christians in Bosnia, where they had
switched from a helicopter to an electric, passenger drone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mole, have you got anything from the radar?” Rat
said, glancing over at an average-sized man who wore glasses and a brown
goatee. Rat was referring to the radar stations nearby. He and his team had
equipment for tapping into radar stations to obtain the locations of aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Christian’s smugglers had been so good at the
switch from a helicopter to a drone, and good at flying low, that radar had
almost missed them. But, a few radar stations had picked up the helicopter on
its way from Switzerland to Bosnia. Other radar stations had located the drone
briefly as it headed over Serbia, but then it had disappeared from all radar.
Rat assumed it had flown lower than before to avoid detection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have nothing,” Mole responded, gloomily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rat only knew that the drone had traveled to
Bursa because some of the smugglers had been contacted by way of a third party.
That third party had told Rat’s men that the Christians were headed to Bursa.
But, what the third party had not told Rat is that the drone was recharging in
a field outside the town’s limits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t lose your concentration. Keep your eyes
glued to the screen, Mole,” Rat said fiercely. “We are bound to find them
sooner or later. After all, drones fly fairly slowly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rat had taken a private, high-speed jet from
France to Turkey once he had learned that the Christians where being whisked
away to Turkey. He had then been transported by helicopter to a place where he
had met up with fellow crooks who had a white, panel van. After driving for
half an hour, they had arrived in Bursa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thirty minutes later, unknown to the gangsters, a
passenger drone had approached a field outside Bursa, and had descended near a
recharging unit in the bed of a pickup truck. As the drone recharged its
batteries, the gangsters continued to search for the craft, but to no avail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tel Aviv. Israel. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With a computer tablet on pillow, on his lap,
Francois Israel was taking notes while God spoke with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois’s Heavenly Father continued, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I shall protect those who listen to the prophets
I send. I shall send the 144 thousand Jewish believers to warn the children of
Israel and turn them back to Me. Then, these witnesses shall bring them to
understand that only I, the LORD God of Israel, can save them or anyone for
that matter. So, one third of Israel shall heed the messages to repent and seek
Me, and I shall transport them over to a haven of refuge in Israel and in the
land of Jordan, in the place that originally belonged to Israel on the other
side of the Jordan river. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The other two thirds shall not heed the prophets
or the two witnesses, which have been sent down to warn them. These two
witnesses are the olive trees before the LORD of the whole earth. If anyone
does not heed them, then death shall come upon them, not because I want it, but
because they have rejected My Holy Word, the Bible and the messages contained
therein. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Many <b>Jews and Gentiles </b>have corrupted My
Words and taught falsehoods in the Name of God, claiming to be My ministers,
but I never sent them, and I never put those words into their mouths. I called
them out and to repent, but they didn’t listen, so destruction shall come upon
them. They are sodomites, fornicators, liars, thieves, haters of God, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God, false accusers, and so forth. These shall
die by the sword that I send upon the wicked. The Antichrist shall slay all of
them, sadly. I don’t want this to happen, but woe be unto those who hate Me and
who reject the warnings, signs, judgments, and prophecies given because they
love the things of the world more than Me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have no respect of persons or favorites. Jews
and Gentiles are alike to Me, but I have chosen the Jews to be a light to the
Gentiles and to give the Gospel of the good news of the Messiah to the world.
The first Christians were the twelve Jewish apostles. Simon Peter, a Jewish
fisherman; Zaccheus, a Jewish tax collector; Matthew, a Jewish tax collector;
Paul, a Jewish Pharisee; Luke, a Jewish physician; Barnabas, a wealthy land
owner of Jewish ancestry, and many other Jews spread the Gospel of the good
news of salvation through the Messiah, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who was
thought to be the son of Joseph. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, in actuality, he had no father, and no
mother because He is God the Son, who is spoken of in the book of Acts, in the
book of Exodus, Leviticus, in the book of Isaiah, in the book of Psalms, and
throughout the Old Testament. He had no earthy father because Mary was
overshadowed by the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, and she gave birth as a virgin.
He had no mother except for the mother of His body, but He had no mother
because He created Mary. Mary didn’t form Him. He created Her from nothing and
gave her life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I speak of My Son in the book of Psalm in Psalm
number 110. I said unto My Son, ‘Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine
enemies thy footstool.’ I said this because Jesus Christ is at My right hand,
and I am His Father, and He is My Son. I know you don’t understand this because
a father on earth must have a mother and must have a wife. He needs to be born
from his mother, and he needs a wife in order to have a son. But, I have no
mother or father, for I am God, and I created all things. And, I have no need
for anyone else to exist who is like Me, for I am God, and there is no one else
that exists, or will exist, or that has existed who is like unto Me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, I will tell you that Jesus Christ is also
the one who died for your sins. He bled on the cross of Calvary, the place of
the skull, in Jerusalem. There, an inscription was placed above His head. It
read: ‘<span style="text-transform: uppercase;">This is jesus the king of the
jews</span>.’” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew
27:37 (KJV).}</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pilate, the Roman governor in Jerusalem, had the
inscription placed over Christ’s head to show that Jesus Christ is indeed the
King of the Jews, and the Savior of the world. Pilate also declared that: ‘I
find no fault in this man.’” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Luke 23:4 (KJV).} </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This was due to
the fact that the Roman governor examined and questioned Jesus, having heard
much about Him, and the governor realized that Jesus was innocent. But, Pilate
didn’t know that Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah that He would go
to the cross willingly, like a sheep led to the slaughter. Jesus did this to
save the world from their sins. Jews and Gentiles now are able to be saved by
trusting in the blood of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My Word says this in <b><u>Isaiah 53</u></b>: </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">‘<b>He was oppressed, and he was
afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth : he is brought as a lamb to the
slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his
mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment : and who shall declare his
generation ? for he was cut off out of the land of the living : for the
transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the
wicked, and with the rich in his death ; because he had done no violence,
neither </b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">was any
</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">deceit in
his mouth.</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I say these things through the prophet Isaiah to
show how the Messiah would have to suffer and die and give up His life so that
you and all people could be saved and washed from all your sins and
transgressions. The blood of lambs, bulls, goats, and other animals cannot save
you. It was meant as a shadow of things to come. But, the blood of Jesus
Christ, the Messiah, is the only blood that can save you from your sins. By
trusting in His blood alone, you are saved and cleansed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The high priest, on the day of atonement,
offered the sacrifice and brought its blood into the temple. By offering a
sacrifice for the sins of the people and for his own sins, the priest was able
to enter into the holy of holies to place blood on the mercy seat, to plead for
the people and for himself. But, Jesus Christ offered Himself once as the
sacrifice. And, through His sinless blood, Jesus gives you the ability to enter
My temple in Heaven without any works on your part. All you need to do is
believe on the Name of Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After this, God spoke many more things to
Francois Israel. And, he wrote them down on his tablet, which was not connected
to the internet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">An Island Near Larnaca, Cyprus. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Ruth Stein}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRjzOjUNIy7f27D-Px0Ro9XD6l5YigdyZ0DHCdXi8-zCEQ72IGKNQRUz-KrHYojbpi8xsJYdXHYV5Xk95Btvza1ZcHZ-M6Zh-H_oeP4WC7v0h8tgExOfmrlwHqLJfilO0ruB1U74V37U/s1600/Cyprus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="886" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRjzOjUNIy7f27D-Px0Ro9XD6l5YigdyZ0DHCdXi8-zCEQ72IGKNQRUz-KrHYojbpi8xsJYdXHYV5Xk95Btvza1ZcHZ-M6Zh-H_oeP4WC7v0h8tgExOfmrlwHqLJfilO0ruB1U74V37U/s320/Cyprus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The passenger drone slowly descended toward an
island two miles off the coast of Larnaca, Cyprus. The island was small, rocky,
and uninhabited, but an ATV utility vehicle was parked near the shore and not
far from a dock where a large motor boat was moored. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The black, eight-rotor, passenger drone gently
touched down on a patch of grass, and its rotors slowed quickly. Then, the
doors once more opened, and out stepped its four passengers. The pilot remained
in the cab to check off some things. While he did, Ruth stretched her arms and
yawned. It had been a while since she had slept, and she felt very tired. They
had been flying all night and into the morning. And, she had only slept for
brief periods of time, here and there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Honey,” Ruth’s mother, Naomi, said, “I know
we’re all tired, but God will give us the grace we need. Just look to Him for
strength.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re right, mother,” Ruth said, after yawning
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My child,” Benjamin said smiling gently as he
approached his 24-year-old daughter, “we will soon arrive in Tel Aviv. We’ll
stay at a hotel while we get nationalized. The Israeli government has made the
process easy for Jews, since Israel is the home of our ancestors. Then, we will
look for an apartment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That sounds very good, daddy,” Ruth said. “I
just hope we can refuel quickly.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As she spoke, a loud motor sound came from the
ocean. Ruth turned to see a small ship heading their way. It belonged to the
Cyprian coastguard, as its flags and insignia indicated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This doesn’t look good,” Ruth said as she
watched the large vessel approach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The small ship slowed to a stop, and a launch was
lowered into the sea. Armed sailors and an officer appeared in the vessel. As
the smaller boat pulled away from the ship with a roar, a second powerboat was
lowered on cables into the sea. It contained more armed men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“In a short time, they will reach the island,
and, no doubt,” thought Ruth, “with orders to arrest us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In less than a minute, the sailors had reached
the sandy shore in their motorboats. They hopped out of the watercrafts and
cocked their machine guns. Then, they hurried cautiously across the grass over
to the group of people near the passenger drone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once they had reached the group, the officer
said, “Who are you people and what are you doing on this island?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are recharging the batteries on this drone,”
said a bearded man who stood near the ATV utility vehicle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A trailer was attached to back end of the blue
ATV. On the trailer rested a stainless-steel box which contained the batteries
for recharging the drone. A thick power cord had been plugged into the large
battery box and it ran up to an opened compartment in the side of the black
drone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who are you and what is your business being on
Cyprian soil?” said the coastguard officer, a dark haired man with an tough
appearance. “If you don’t answer me truthfully, I will have you taken aboard
our vessel and interrogated.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Viktor, a bearded smuggler, said, “Sir, we have a
good reason for being here. And, we are willing to give you and your men a
gratuity for your kindness in assisting us with some important business.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Viktor smiled unabashedly and slowly drew out a
wallet from his pocket and carefully slipped out a wad of cash. It was in a
currency that many Cyprians used. Seeing the bribe money, the officer changed
his attitude and swallowed as he thought about the offer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My assistance in your business may be a little
pricy, since I have many bills to pay,” the corrupt officer said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This gratuity can be increased easily,” Viktor
said. “How about this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He reached into a different pocket and drew out
more cash, which was in large denominations. Seeing it, the officer said, “I’ll
accept your gratuity this time. But, just make sure you leave this island and
don’t return here again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Viktor handed the man the money, and the officer
slipped the bank notes into his pocket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I understand,” Viktor said. “Would it be
possible for us to leave in half an hour?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, you may,” the officer said. “But, don’t
come back, or I might have to forget that I received anything from you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, sir,” Viktor said. “We will never return to
this island.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very good,” the man said, smiling briefly. Then,
he awkwardly said, “Now, I must go.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The officer motioned for his men to join him as
he walked back toward a launch. As he walked, he whispered some things to the
sailors. Then, he reached into his pocket and handed them some cash. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once the sailors had entered the powerboats and
had left for their coastguard vessel, Viktor turned to the Stein family and
said solemnly, “I saved all of us from going to prison, and being sent back to
our own countries for detainment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But,” Viktor continued, “I bribed them with a
lot of money. It was equivalent to the pay that a middle-income worker could
earn in eight months. So, Mr. Stein, before we continue this journey, I need to
be reimbursed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How much was it exactly?” Benjamin Stein said,
gazing at Viktor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When the smuggler gave him the number, Benjamin
sighed. Then, he said, “Well, that puts me back financially quite a bit, but I
will pay you the money.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You can afford it, can’t you?” Viktor said,
eying his client suspiciously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, but I will be less well off financially,”
Benjamin said, looking down. “But, God will take care of us. And, I understood
the coastguard would have arrested us if we hadn’t bribed them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, you will or you won’t pay me the money?”
Viktor said, frowning and squinting at the Jewish man. “Do you want to be
picked up by the Cyprian coastguard, or be taken to Israel by drone?”<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Benjamin wondered, deep down in his heart, if God
had actually led him to find a smuggler. Perhaps, God had a different way of
getting him to Israel than by a smuggler. Nonetheless, he had made the decision
to hire Viktor and his men to assist his family in getting to Israel, so
Benjamin reached into his pocket and drew out a leather, zippered bag. From the
bag, he removed several golden coins, which were encased in sturdy, plastic
covers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he handed the money to Viktor, the smuggler’s
expression changed and he said, “I was once a coin dealer. I recognize these at
once. They are very valuable. I’ll take them as pay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hearing that, Benjamin was relieved. He had
feared that the smuggler would only want cash, which Benjamin was short of. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ll be off in a little while,” the smuggler
said, grinning. “Why don’t you people enjoy the fresh sea breeze, and then
you’ll soon be on your way to your land of milk and honey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Turkey. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Rat Tooth}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rat Tooth sat in the driver’s seat of the white
panel van. Turkish countryside passed by the windows on either side of him.
But, he ignored its beauty. All he could think about was where the Christians
and their smugglers went. Rat’s informant had no idea where exactly the
Christians’ next destination would be, except that it would be somewhere in the
island of Cyprus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he watched road signs pass by, Rat swore
loudly and cursed the Christians and their God. He was so angry with himself
for putting his trust in an informant who Rat thought “didn’t know anything
about anything.” “I might as well ask a dog to give me the directions,” Rat
thought to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sitting in front passenger seat, Mole cringed.
“When will Rat stop complaining about things so I can think things through,”
Mole thought with annoyance at his boss’s behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mole,” Rat said angrily, “I will wipe out that
informant who gave us poor intelligence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If that pleases you, sir,” Mole said calmly,
while he thought about how he could get Rat to be quiet. “Rat is just talking
on and on,” he thought with deep frustration, “and that is keeping me from
finding the solution to our problem. I almost had it, but he made me forget it
by his constant yakking and ranting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">An Island Near Larnaca, Cyprus. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Ruth Stein}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Half an hour later, the power cord was unplugged
from the battery box, coiled up, and stowed in the compartment in the side of
the drone. Then, the ATV driver hopped into his machine and drove over to the
dock where his boat was moored. A couple men in the boat helped him position a
ramp on the dock which led into the back of the boat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As this was happening, the pilot of the drone did
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Look!” Ruth exclaimed suddenly. She was standing
on a boulder and looking out to sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A coast guard ship was heading in their
direction. This one was different than the first one they had seen. And, it was
moving rapidly, cutting through the water with its sharp prow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Benjamin walked over to his daughter and squinted
in the direction she was pointing. Sure enough, the coast guard craft was
roaring through the water toward the island. No doubt, they had been spotted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hurry, and get inside the drone!” Viktor cried. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The small family and their escort scrambled into
the passenger drone and slammed the doors shut. But, the pilot was still taking
his time to do the preflight check. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Get us off the ground now,” Viktor shouted at
the pilot. “The coast guard is coming our way. We can’t bribe them, so move!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Right away, sir,” the pilot said, dropping his
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He reached for some switches and turned on the
electric motors that powered the eight rotors on the arms above their heads. The
rotors began to spin, but a warning light appeared on a display screen, and an
error sound echoed through the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“What’s happening?” Viktor said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pilot pressed some buttons and frowned. Then,
he shook his head. “It looks like one of the motors has failed to start. It
could be some mechanical problem.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Will this thing fly?” Viktor said, nervous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pilot was busy at the controls, looking at
some of the instruments. And, he didn’t respond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did you hear me?” Viktor said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It should,” the pilot said, gazing at the
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It should what?” the smuggler screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It should fly, sir,” came the reply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then, take us off the ground now!” Viktor
roared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With that, the pilot took the controls, and the
vehicle slowly began to ascend. The small island with its little dock gradually
grew smaller and smaller below the drone’s fuselage. Then, the man at the
controls sent the vehicle heading on a course across the Mediterranean toward
Israel. And, everyone gave a sigh of relief.</span><br />
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-90730329340137608032019-08-18T03:00:00.001-07:002019-08-18T22:57:46.539-07:00(CHAPTERS 10 AND 11) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapters 10 <u>and</u> 11</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/08/chapter-1-adventures-of-matthew.html" target="_blank">(For Chapter 1, click Here.)</a></b></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-size: 25pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Chapter 10</span></b></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">The
Mediterranean Sea. North of Egypt. 2038 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">. </span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 13pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Raise your
hands!” a man shouted from behind Judah Joseph Israel and his son Francois. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Jewish
father and son were standing in the bridge near the navigation instruments and
computer monitors. The place had been trashed by the pirates one and a half
hours earlier, and driving the ship anywhere would be out of the question until
the navigation equipment had been repaired or replaced. Broken glass and
plastic appeared on the floor near dead computer screens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Raising their
hands with rapidly-beating hearts, Judah and Francois slowly turned to see an
Israeli marine armed with a bullpup machine gun trained at their chests. He had
entered the bridge from stairway. A second marine with bright, blue eyes walked
over and searched the father and son for weapons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finding none,
the blue-eyed marine stared at Francois and Judah, and said, “What are you
doing on this ship? Did you realize that pirates attacked this vessel and
kidnapped the crew? Are you working for the pirates to act as decoys or
something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No,” Judah
said, shaking his head side to side, “we were passengers aboard this fishing
ship. Pirates came and attacked. They kidnapped or killed the crew.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Do you have
ID?” a soldier said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes,” Judah
said. “I have a wallet in my right pocket. But, I am a French citizen, who is a
Jew. I suspect that you are with the Israeli military.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You are a Jew?”
the first marine said, surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Can I show you
my wallet?” Judah said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s in your
right pocket?” the marine said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes,” Judah
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Draw it out
slowly,” came the command. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, Judah and
Francois slowly removed their wallets from their pockets and held them above
their heads. The second marine to show up snatched their wallets and began
inspecting them while the other marine eyed the suspects with some suspicion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The marine drew
out a small tablet device and had it scan each identification card. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I need a photo
of each of you, please,” the marine said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Both men nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then, he had
Francois and his dad look into his camera so he could snap a photo of their
faces. After he touched a button, the tablet sent a signal to a satellite which
transmitted it to a military facility in Israel. Computer software back in
Israel recognized Francois and Judah as citizens of France who were ethnically
Jewish. The next instant, computers in the Israeli facility sent the marine a
response message.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You both are
French citizens,” the marine with the tablet said as he glanced up from his
device. “But, both of you, Francois and Judah, are permitted to enter the
country of Israel, due to your being ethnically Jewish. Congratulations.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Relieved to be
accepted into Israel, the father and son hugged each other. “Francois,“ Judah
said, grinning with joy and relief, “we finally are on our way to the land of
our fathers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You will have
to submit a form to the government of Israel, but I am sure they will accept
you,” the marine said, grinning slightly. “We will take you to our ship and
bring you back to Israel once we have finished our mission here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you so
much, sir,” Judah said, beaming with delight. “I am very grateful to have your
help.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t mention
it,” the marine said, smiling slightly. “We have helped other members of our
nation escape from corrupt governments.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Frankfurt,
“Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel Shultz}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Markus Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">tz, a leader in the underground
Church in Frankfurt, had just told his friends and Daniel Shultz what God had
shown him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">While Markus had
relayed what he had heard, Daniel had heard God speak to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“My son, Daniel,
I love you very much,” God’s kind voice had said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I love you too,
Father God,” Daniel said silently. “What you do want to show me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“My son,” God
said, “I will show you that you and your friends need to prepare to leave
through the tunnels and travel to a place I will show you. Tell the men that,
and I will bless you. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
“I’ll do that,” Daniel said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Once Markus had
finished talking, Daniel piped up. “God also just told me something while you
were speaking.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What’s that?”
Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The men turned
to face the newest member of their group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“God wants us to
prepare to travel through the tunnels and go where He shows us,” Daniel said.
“You can seek God about that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I certainly
will,” Hans said, nodding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Let’s do that
now, brothers,” Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">They moved to
different corners of the dining hall and spoke with their Heavenly Father.
Then, after a short time, Markus Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">tz said, “Brothers, God wants us to leave right away and
head for the tunnels. We should all go as a group with our wives and children.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Turning toward
Daniel, he said, “Brother Daniel, do you have a family with you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I am single and
I never was married,” Daniel replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I, Conrad, and
Alfred are married and have children,” Markus Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">tz said, looking at Daniel. “But, the others are single.
Okay, gentlemen, let’s go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Markus led them
out of the musty basement, through the anteroom, and out into the cool, night
air. They walked toward the arborvitae bushes, squeezed through them, and
stopped before the square hatch leading to the tunnels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Frankfurt,
“Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Scorpion}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzZmzklBuIq-km1XMQ8y_KGw4176QPmcCbjMzMCRfZ_xtCQ7Wj_3qLUof86QyaETo4efPoqokC6_5vC0pe8EdHavnVMNhzdnB1tZ7mO0L2o-bpwq3pb2PyH6TLd0E1MAdZZuiR_Q1Y5A/s1600/Black+van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzZmzklBuIq-km1XMQ8y_KGw4176QPmcCbjMzMCRfZ_xtCQ7Wj_3qLUof86QyaETo4efPoqokC6_5vC0pe8EdHavnVMNhzdnB1tZ7mO0L2o-bpwq3pb2PyH6TLd0E1MAdZZuiR_Q1Y5A/s320/Black+van.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">In a short time,
Scorpion’s team and the other two teams had rounded up a total of four men who
had been working in various parts of the building. The Christians were
handcuffed, brought outside, and shoved into black police vans. Then, the vans
started up and drove off to take them to a police station. From there, they
would be sent to concentration camps in Germany where they would supposedly be
“re-educated” if the authorities could do that to a child of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now as Scorpion
stood outside the building, he wondered if there was some way to follow the
Christian’s secret paths through the city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps, the
Christians use the sewer system for their transportation of contraband,”
Scorpion said to a team member named Crab.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Or, they might
use the old Nazi tunnels,” said Crab, a stocky man with an anchor tattoo on his
left cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Nazi tunnels. I
never heard about Nazi tunnels in Frankfurt,” Scorpion said, surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“They are deep
beneath our feet. I’ve been inside them,” Crab said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Let me talk to
Cobra,” Scorpion said with a note of excitement in his voice. “We need to check
out those Nazi tunnels. Those disloyal Christians might be using them for their
illegal practices.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Frankfurt,
“Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel Shultz}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Markus looked
around to make sure no one was around spying on them. Then, he opened the hatch
and descended the stairs down into the ground. The others followed him. And,
Daniel, being the last, shut the hatch behind him and turned on his flashlight.
Other lights had already been clicked on, and their beams played along the
walls of the stairwell shaft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Soon, the men
were walking down the length of the World-War-Two-era underground tunnel. They
traveled 153 meters since they had left the stairwell before arriving at a
short, metal door which had a lock to keep it “secure.” But, the lock had been
welded in an open position and slipped through two loops. Markus simply removed
the lock, slipped it through only one of the two loops, and opened the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Where are we
going?” Daniel said, eying the low door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Turning toward
him, Markus replied with a slight grin: “You’ll see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">They entered a
narrow tunnel that was 1.52 meters high and 1.4 meters wide. All the men had to
stoop and walk slowly through the passageway. Broken glass crunched under their
boots or shoes as they went. The tunnel intersected with a cross tunnel that went
left and right. Markus walked into the left side of the intersection, and
Conrad, a husky German, took the right side. Conrad was followed by Alfred, a
short, blond man with a matching beard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Where are you
all going?” Daniel said, wondering what he would do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We are bringing
our families,” said Heinrich Faymann, a 42-year-old, medium-sized man with a
black beard and short, black hair. (Daniel had learned his last name a little
earlier.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Heinrich turned
to walk toward the left side, followed by Hans Schmidt. And, Daniel decided to
follow Heinrich to the left, not knowing what else to do. They passed down a
hall and went through a rusty door, which had already been opened by Markus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Daniel stepped
into a large room which had a 4.6-meter-high (15 ft) ceiling and an area of 929
square meters (10,000 square feet). Spaced evenly throughout the room, thick,
concrete pillars supported the weight of the immense ceiling. A number of
kerosene lanterns illuminated distant corners of the huge space. The vast area
was dotted with rusting, dust-coated scraps of metal, old tools, metal bolts,
patches of old grease, and big camping tents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The tents were
clustered in groups of three. And, two corners of the room contained three
tents each. But, the third corner had only one tent, which belonged to Hans
Schmidt, who was single. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Daniel
watched the three men walk toward their tents, he noticed that movement came
from within some of the tents in two corners of the giant room. Then, children
sprang out and cheerfully greeted their dads. The married men visited with
their families and spoke with their wives, who came forward to greet them. But
Hans, being single, just went into his tent to get some things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The women had
been cooking over propane burners in the middle of the large room, where a
make-shift “kitchen” had been set up. Situated close to the propane burners,
several collapsible, camping tables acted as counters and dining tables for the
families. And, a metal basin (resting on a folding table) served for washing
dishes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Both Heinrich’s
and Markus’s families lived in three tents per family. One tent was for the
boys. One was for the girls. And, one was for the parents. One side of the
large, underground room contained four portable, plastic, single-person bathrooms.
It looked, to Daniel, like these people were living as if they were camping,
but instead of having nice scenery, they were dwelling in an old, abandoned,
underground Nazi base. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Father God, why
are these Christians living in such relative poverty? Why don’t they have
better living conditions?” Daniel Shultz said silently. “And, why are they
living underground like this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“My son, this is
just temporary,” God said warmly. “They were not ready to move sooner. But, now
they are. And, I have been providing for their every need. It is just that this
has been a trial for them. Now, you may rest and join them in leaving this
place. I will guide you and them where to go. And, I the LORD your God and Abba
Father have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Frankfurt,
“Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Scorpion}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bright circles
of white light played on the walls and floor of a short, narrow, concrete
tunnel. And, broken glass popped and crunched under the soles of combat boots.
The bright beams shone from flashlights mounted to high-capacity, automatic
weapons. A team of special operations secret police, led by a man code-named
“Scorpion,” was vigilantly searching for non-conformist Christians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">They had entered
the old, secret Nazi-built tunnels just minutes ago. Scorpion and some of his
men were certain the Christians were down here, and they were not going to let
them escape if they could help it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Once I capture
those ‘radicals,’” Scorpion said to himself quietly, “I will be sure to get a
promotion.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Sergeant, sir,”
a man said behind Scorpion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, ‘<i>Recluse</i>,’”
Scorpion said, glancing back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I have been
down to these tunnels before,” the man called ‘Recluse’ said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">He was tall,
wiry, and had a short, black goatee. A spider tattoo appeared on his neck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You have?”
Scorpion said, surprised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I was down here
eight years ago,” Recluse said, “but, I am pretty familiar with this section of
the tunnels.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looking at his
comrade with an intense stare, Scorpion said, “Where do you think a group of
secret Christians would be staying, Recluse?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I know of a
place where people might try to live. I can lead the way,” Recluse said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Then, lead the
way, but remember who is in charge,” Scorpion said with a slight threat in his
tone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I understand,
sir,” the other man said as he walked up in front of Scorpion. “I’m just your
guide.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Move on, then,
and let’s find these Christians,” Scorpion said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Underground
Room. Frankfurt, “Germany.” <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel
Shultz}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Soon, Markus Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">tz walked with his wife and children
toward the “kitchen” area of the large, underground, concrete room. Markus’s
three sons and one daughter were talking and skipping as they came, excited to
do something different. Their sleeping schedule, evidently, was during the day
and not at night, Daniel realized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Since God is
showing us to do this,” Markus’s wife said as they drew closer to Daniel, “then
I will submit to His will, but what do we do, Markus, for living space and a
kitchen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“God will
provide for us, my darling Elizabeta,” Markus said, holding his blond-haired
wife’s hand to reassure her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“This is Daniel
Shultz,” Markus said as he approached Daniel, who now stood near the “kitchen.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“And, this is my
loving wife, Elizabeta,” Markus said. “And, these youngsters are my precious
children.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You have really
been blessed, Markus,” Daniel said, smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Now, once we
have gotten all the families together,” Markus told Daniel, “we will follow
God’s direction and path out of this subterranean network.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Markus,” Hans
Schmidt said as he walked up to the underground Church leader. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What is it,
Hans?” Markus said, turning to face the brown-haired 28-years-old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“God wants Me to
share a message with you. God will speak through Me, He said.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Go ahead and
speak,” Markus said, “the group is all here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Women, children,
and men drew near to the “kitchen” area in the large, underground room. Once
they were within easy hearing distance, Markus said, “Brothers and sisters, God
is going to speak a message through our brother Hans. Please listen and seek
God about this when he is done speaking.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The children
calmed down, lifted up their eyes, and watched the young man as he spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hans said,
“Brothers and sisters, this is a message from God. I am being used as His
mouthpiece, but God can use anyone who believes on Jesus as a mouthpiece to
speak through.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then, closing
his eyes, Hans spoke a message God put into his mouth:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Thus says the
Lord God Almighty: ‘My children, I am with you. I love you all very much. I am
speaking through Hans, but it is I, the LORD your God and Abba Father “who is
speaking through His mouth. Now, I will tell you this truth. The time you are
living in is a time of great danger for the underground Church. People seek to
harm you, and official Churches have banned you. You are treated as the
off-scouring and scum of the earth, but you are truly more valuable than many
rubies, gems, and diamonds. I love you all very, very much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Now, I will
show you these things. As you know, France, and Germany, and other European
countries have been conquered by Russia, and have been turned into communist
police states and empires of deception. Russia controls Europe through these
governments with an iron fist that shows no mercy or kindness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Europe is
suffering under this weight of oppression. People are starving in concentration
camps and work camps across Europe. Refugees have fled out of Europe and headed
back to Africa and the Middle East due to the communist oppression of their
religions. But, Europe is facing a great crisis. The communists have given you
food, but they expect you to reject all religion that does not agree with their
dictates and laws, which they have made in opposition to Me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“So, I will show
you that I shall prepare you to leave Europe and go to a city of refuge. From
there, I will bring you to other small villages and towns where I will have you
minister the Gospel, and witness, and release mighty signs, and wonders, and
miracles to prove to the people, as the apostles in the book of Acts did, that
I am God, and that Salvation is only through Jesus Christ the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I will do these
mighty deeds because you are living in the very last of the last days. Your
time on earth is very limited. Europe will soon see Russia begin to turn up the
heat hotter. It will close down all Churches because it will not want anyone to
even pretend to be a Christian. It will shut down the Orthodox Church of Russia
and shut down Catholic Churches too, even though these institutions do not
teach the truth about Jesus Christ, My son who died for their sins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The devil hates
all people in the world, but he will wage a war against all forms of what are
called ‘Christian religions.’ The devil will seek to persecute people who
ignorantly serve him who pretend to follow Jesus. The devil will even persecute
Muslims, Buddhists, Catholics, and Hindus, and other religious groups. But, the
devil will do that through the Mark of the Beast system. He will require all
the world to obtain the Mark of the Beast and receive it in their right hand or
forehead.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">[Continued
below: </span></i><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Meeting in the
Underground Room</span></u></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">___________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">{ <u>Revelation
13:15-18</u> says this about the False Prophet and the Mark of the Beast:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">“[15]
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">image
of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">would
not worship the image of the beast should be killed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[16]
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to
receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads : <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[17]
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">the
name of the beast, or the number of his name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[18]
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">number
of the beast : for it is the number of a man ; and his number<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">is </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Six hundred threescore </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">and </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">six.” [End quote] }<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">___________________________</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Meeting in the
Underground Room (Continued)</span></u></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Anyone who
refuses to receive the Mark of the Beast will be killed for refusing to comply
with the Antichrist or Beast. This shall happen in a number of years from now.
Now, I will show you that as you go through trials, you will get to know Me
much better. I, the LORD your God and Abba Father, love you very, very much.
And, I have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Is that all?”
Markus said when Hans had finished giving the message from God. “Did God have
anything else to reveal? What about us? When this Mark of the Beast takes
place, what will become of us? Will <i>we </i>be caught and killed?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Father God,
what will become of us?” Hans said out loud, for the benefit of the group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“My son,” God’s
kind voice spoke to Hans’s spirit, “go ahead and speak a message to them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hans looked at
the group and said, “Brothers and sisters, God is telling me to say something
to all of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then, Hans
closed his eyes again and said, “The Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob says
this: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">‘My children, I
will speak again to you through Hans, but I would like you all to seek Me for
yourselves. What I will show you is this. You may be caught and killed for your
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I
will bring you to a city of refuge where you will be safe. But then, I will
translate you out to towns and villages to minister the Gospel to the lost, and
to release mighty signs, and wonders, and miracles to confirm to them that what
you are teaching them is true and is from God Almighty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Follow My
Spirit, seek to know Me intimately. I will never lead you into harm. I will
protect you. If you follow My Spirit, you will not be caught, and beaten, or
killed. You will be persecuted, but not beaten, if you follow My Spirit. This
requires faith, humility, and a desire to know Me much better. Rest in Me,
delight in Me, and seek to know Me, and I will bless you. Follow what I show
you to do even if it doesn’t make any sense at all, and I will bless you for
that. But, of course, seek Me about what you heart. Test the spirits with the
Bible and with the 1 John chapter 4 test of the spirits. Ask the voice if it
confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But, also seek
Me about it and ask Me to show you Bible passages to confirm the truth to you,
and I will. But, most of all, seek to know Me intimately, and trust only in
Jesus Christ’s blood to make you clean, and pure, and holy. Don’t trust your
own works to make you right, or holy, or upright. Simply put, don’t trust
yourselves, but obey Me, trust Me, and delight in Me. I will bless you for all
of that. You cannot do anything good of yourselves. But, by following Me, and
desiring Me, you will walk uprightly in a deep relationship with Me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Nonetheless,
your righteousness comes from the blood of Jesus applied to you. It is the
righteousness of Christ that makes you righteous. It is not your works. But, I
know that a person who rejects Me and goes their own way will never see the
paradise of Heaven. He or she will be judged for rejecting Me and seeking after
the flesh instead of after Me. I will call out to the person time and time
again, but if he or she doesn’t repent, he or she cannot enter Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“<u>Hell is a
real place and it is very hot down there. It is terrible, awful, and absolutely
miserable in that place of torment</u>. It is not a place intended for the
human race. But, those who reject Me, and stubbornly refuse to receive Me, and
who refuse My Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ will be destroyed with
everlasting destruction. They will continually suffer the heat, torment, and
agony of Hell, and it will never cease forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Humans never
cease to exist because they are made in My image and likeness, as I said in the
book of Genesis. Humans exist forever because I cannot create something that I
will cause to cease to exist. When I make things, I make them eternal. Matter
and energy are eternal from the point that I put them into existence. They
never cease to exist. In one form or another, matter and energy will always
exist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“That is also
true for spirits. Each human has a soul, which is a man or woman’s spiritual
connection to the physical body, and each human has a body, and each human has
a spirit, which I made in My likeness, but I made it finite, small, and limited
in power and strength. A spirit cannot exist without My sustenance and strength
given to it in little doses. If I ceased
giving strength to a spirit, it would indeed cease to exist, but that would
contradict My laws of creation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I cannot delete
from existence anything whether it be matter, energy, or spirit. All shall
exist, in some form, forever. But, the spirit remains as a man or woman. It
cannot change. The soul remains as an energy substance which surrounds the spirit.
The physical body of a human remains for a very short time, which is less than
200 years, since the time of Abraham. This physical body dies and goes into the
ground, but its matter still exists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“So, to simplify
this lesson I am giving you, I will tell you this. Matter, energy, and spirit
exist forever. Therefore, I cannot cause a person to cease to exist when they
are in Hell. But, I warn them, and plead with them, and give them many
opportunities to repent. But, they often refuse to repent and reject Me. And,
they want to do their own will, but I allow their own will to fail them or not
fulfill them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“So, I do call
out to people many times before they arrive in Hell on death. I am a good God
who doesn’t want to see anyone suffer or perish in Hell. But, I cannot let
anyone who is wicked enter Heaven, for they would corrupt it with sin if they
did. A little dead fly in a bottle of ointment will corrupt the ointment and
make it decay. A little leaven will leaven a whole lump of dough. A little yeast
will spread through a loaf of bread to leaven it, and a little sin will spread
through and corrupt Heaven if I allowed a sinner into Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I save
people, I cleanse them through the blood of Jesus, take all their sins and put
them on Jesus when He died on the Roman cross 2,000 years ago, and wash them of
all sins. And, I give them a new nature and My Holy Spirit to guide them. Only
those people who trust in Jesus and who love Him shall enter Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I shall reveal
more to you, but seek to know Me much better, and I will bless you. I love you
all very much and will personally speak to each one of you as you look to Me
and seek Me. Don’t trust your own works. Just trust in My blood, the blood of
Jesus. Follow Me, for in Me is life, and joy, and peace, and happiness. I shall
comfort you, strengthen you, and keep you safe in My hand forever. And, I shall
never leave you nor forsake you. This applies to My sheep who love Me. It
doesn’t apply to those who claim to be followers of Jesus who hate and despise
My ways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But, rest in
Me, love Me, obey Me. I love you more than you can imagine. And, I the LORD
your God and Abba Father have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Wow,” Daniel
Shultz said. “That was a powerful message.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEsxHph-6WCn0W6LRAqS2CvnpMUl6rxkqvf5ZuCBV-ylSxWG-qVD04fOgGFarIqwHV1padE-VvTkYglJAO6hGO7TeApf73bGPD2qxKeKuH4UxG_nncJy-TMyIgakoDyWffDbvH9r0JjU/s1600/Nuclear+Explosion+computer+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="884" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEsxHph-6WCn0W6LRAqS2CvnpMUl6rxkqvf5ZuCBV-ylSxWG-qVD04fOgGFarIqwHV1padE-VvTkYglJAO6hGO7TeApf73bGPD2qxKeKuH4UxG_nncJy-TMyIgakoDyWffDbvH9r0JjU/s640/Nuclear+Explosion+computer+art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 25pt;">Chapter 11<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Frankfurt,
“Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Scorpion}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Scorpion, this
is Crab,” a voice said through the blond-haired, secret police officer’s
two-way headset.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What is it,
Crab?” Scorpion said, as he shone his flashlight around the large, Nazi tunnel.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The group of
secret police officers had passed through the narrow tunnel and had entered a
large tunnel which was very similar to the tunnel Daniel Shultz and his friends
had walked through. It was wide enough for three tanks to drive abreast. Dust,
grime, small pools of water, and rusting pieces of metal occupied portions of
the tunnel, making it an unpleasant place to visit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I see a door on
the right,” Crab said. “Would you like to check it out?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“How did I miss
that?” Scorpion said. “Yes, let’s go there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Crab was walking
near the back of the group, behind Scorpion who took the lead. Crab gripped his
automatic rifle a little tighter and walked to the right. Scorpion paused and
watched the stocky man with an anchor tattoo on his left cheek as he approached
a pile of rusting pieces of corrugated metal and old pipes. As Scorpion and his
men shined their flashlights on the right side of the tunnel, they saw a door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Men, follow
Crab,” Scorpion ordered his team. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The team
followed the tough, short-haired man as he shoved open the door and walked down
a hallway. Scorpion and another agent waited outside the door. Before long, the
sound of men swearing and shouting profanity came from the door. Then,
Scorpion’s team shoved some men out through the opening and into the large
tunnel. The men were wearing old jeans and ragged T-shirts. They appeared to be
narcotic users. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Once they were
all out and into the main tunnel, the secret police handcuffed them and gagged
them so that they could not scream so loudly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Scorpion quickly
walked through the door and down a 10-meter-long hallway. He passed through a
door at the end of the hall and shined his light around. The place looked like
a cave for drug addicts. It was a mess and was very smelly. So, the police
agent left and returned to his men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We caught some
drug addicts, but we didn’t find the Christians,” he said as he re-entered the
main tunnel. He felt anger and frustration rising inside of him. Then, Scorpion
began uttering profanity, cursing his men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">When he had
gotten control of himself, he closed his mouth and breathed deeply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What should we
do with these drug addicts?” Crab said when he saw that his boss was calmed
down a little. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Still breathing
deeply with hatred and frustration, the police agent snapped, “Kill them all!
We are going after the Christians and we don’t need this cumbrance.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then, without
wasting any time to consider how evil this order was, the men shoved the drug
addicts down to the floor and trained their weapons on the men. <i>Rat-tat-tat</i>.
Silenced machine gun fire echoed down the tunnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Underground Room
Number 2. Frankfurt, “Germany.” <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel
Shultz}<o:p></o:p></i></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“My son, Markus,
I am with you,” God said to Markus’s spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, Abba
Father?” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I love you very
much,” God said gently. “Get the group together and leave this place as soon as
you can. Don’t pack up your stuff. You don’t have time for that. The secret
police are after you, but I will protect you. Just follow My leading. But, I
will warn you that there are some in your group who are not going to listen to
Me about certain things. I will have to allow them to go through more trials
because they don’t really want to know Me that well. But, I will prepare you
all for great things. I love you all very much. Now go, and I will always be
with you. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll do that,
Father God,” Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">He faced the
group in the large, underground room and said, “Brothers and sisters, God just
told me that we need to be leaving right away. The secret police are after us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hearing the
warning, several inhaled quickly, feeling fear attack. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Markus
continued, saying, “There is no time to pack up our supplies, God told me. So,
we need to go right away and follow God’s leading. That is what God showed me.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Hans,” Markus
said, “would you mind hurrying over to the room containing our other brothers
and sisters? Would you mind telling them what I just said?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
“I just want to hear God speak to me about it,” Hans said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hans sought God
as he walked away from the group and stopped near one of the many large,
concrete pillars that held up the huge ceiling. After seeking God for half a
minute, he heard God confirm the message to him, so Hans hurried off toward a
door. The door led down a hallway to another large room where the rest of the
group lived. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Daniel watched
him leave, and out of curiosity, he followed Hans. The 28-year-old,
brown-haired German was five meters ahead of him, but Daniel soon caught up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Why are you
following me, brother?” Hans said, turning toward the blond-haired Austrian,
who wore eyeglasses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I haven’t been
to the other room,” the 41-year-old replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Come then,”
Hans said as he turned and walked down the hall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">They passed
through a door and entered another large room, but this was 80 percent larger
than the previous large room. Inside the chamber were many support pillars.
Nestled beside these were almost three dozen structures. Many were ramshackle
dwellings made from parts of shipping pallets, plastic tarps, plywood boards,
and other materials. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Instead of
having a central “kitchen” area, there were several “kitchen” areas containing
coolers, propane burners, and collapsible camping tables. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Battery-powered
or propane lanterns provided light for the big room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Everybody, can
I have your attention, please?” Hans said, cupping his hands around his mouth,
to project his voice. He said it again, even louder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Several people,
who were sitting in camping chairs stood and approached Hans. Others emerged
from their tents, looking somewhat groggy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What are you
doing, Hans, shouting like that?” a man in his late 40s said, annoyed, as he
crawled out of his tent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Max,” Hans
said, “God told us that we need to leave.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Come on,” Max
said, frustrated, “we are trying to get some rest. Can’t we leave later after
just one more hour of rest?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“That would be
very unwise,” Hans said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
Then, as Hans saw people approaching him, he said loudly, “Brothers and
sisters, God has shown us that we must leave all our stuff behind and go. The
secret police are after us, and we must leave this place right away. There is
no time to take all our stuff with us. But, God told us that He will provide
for all that we ever will need. We must obey Him even though our flesh wants to
sleep. For, God will give us the strength we need to walk or run. If you wonder
about this, just seek God for yourselves.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re under
30-years-old, Hans,” Max said with frustration in his voice. “And, I only got
two hours of sleep. God can’t expect me to keep up with you. You go and find a
way out of here, but I don’t think the secret police will find us down here.
There are many rooms and chambers in this underground system. So, I’m going
back to bed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Max turned and
walked back to his tent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t go back to
bed,” Hans said. “<b>God </b>told us this information. We didn’t make this up.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Max just shook
his head and sighed before he slipped into his tent and shut the tent flap.
And, a number of other people followed Max’s example and returned to their
tents. But, a group of 12 men, 10 women, and 30 children didn’t return to their
dwellings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You folks make
up just about half of the people down here,” Hans said, scanning across the
group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know
why Max didn’t want to come, but I am ready to leave as the Lord guides us,” a
man said as he held his wife’s hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Let’s go then,”
Hans said, realizing there wasn’t time to try to persuade the rest of the
people to join them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The 28-year-old
German turned and walked toward the door he had passed through earlier. And,
Daniel Shultz and the rest of the 52 people followed Hans out into the hallway.
They all perceived that the truthful and loving God had spoken to Hans Schmidt.
And, all these underground Christians knew that God does not play games. Though
they had lived in that large room for two months, and had brought some things
with them, they were willing to leave all of it behind. They had already left
their homes in Frankfurt behind. And, another personal sacrifice would not be
so hard to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.”
2038 A.D. <i>{Scorpion}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Scorpion,” a
voice crackled through the secret police sergeant’s earpiece. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, Grizzly,”
Scorpion said, using the code name of another secret police sergeant, who was
in charge of a different “strike team.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Scorpion, I
have entered the Nazi tunnels,” said Grizzly, an officer with a big physique
and a short, brown beard. “We entered the tunnels at …” And, Grizzly gave
Scorpion the location where he and his team had gained access to the old Nazi
tunnels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Let’s see,” Scorpion
said. “That means you are about one mile away from us. Tell me anything you see
that is suspicious. I’ll do the same for you.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Copy that,”
Grizzly said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Using a special
two-way radio that could transmit signals through earth and stone, the secret
police teams could stay in contact with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">_______________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Grizzly” cocked
his automatic rifle and adjusted his night-vision optics, which were attached
to his black, assault helmet. Then, he scratched an itch on his short, brown
beard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">His 14
subordinates did the same, following their sergeant’s lead, except for the
beard scratching. The men had just descended through a trap door hidden in the
basement of an old, brick building on the surface, in Frankfurt. The trap door had
opened into a stairwell leading deep into the ground. After descending it, they
had arrived in a narrow passageway that connected onto a large tunnel. It was
the same tunnel Daniel Shultz had taken earlier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The fact that
the stairs had been free of dust was something Grizzly had noticed as he had
descended them. It showed him that someone was using them regularly. At the
bottom of the stairs, he had found a coin which was minted in the year 2034 --
four years ago. It proved that someone had visited the tunnels after or during
the year 2034. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Someone is
definitely using this tunnel,” the big, muscular officer said quietly to
himself as he walked down the large Nazi tunnel. “And, they just might be
underground Christians.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Grizzly
beheld the size of the tunnels, he realize that more police teams were required
to search this place for Christians. The place was enormous, and the tunnel
seemed to stretch for hundreds of meters into the darkness beyond his
flashlight beam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Prepare to kill
anyone that you see who gives any hint of a threat,” Grizzly told his men. “We
might encounter armed thugs down here. So, be careful.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Underground
Tunnel. Frankfurt, “Germany.” <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel
Shultz}<o:p></o:p></i></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">A group of <b>less
</b>than a 100 underground Christians passed down a narrow hallway and entered
a huge, mostly-abandoned Nazi tunnel, from the World War 2 era. As mentioned
earlier, the tunnel was wide enough for three modern tanks to drive down it
abreast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Walking at the
front of the group, Markus Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">tz, his wife
Elizabeta, and their four children shined their flashlights into the black
expanse of the huge tunnel. Cobwebs hanging on rusty pipes, rustled in a faint
breeze that traveled up the tunnel. Pieces of broken glass crunched under their
feet in a few places, indicating where drunkards had tossed their used bottles.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was a very
bleak and dismal passageway, and it seemed to stretch into a vast void of
blackness, but the Christians continued their walk for over a mile before some of
the little children began to complain about the march. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Daddy, when can
we have lunch?” Markus’s 6-year-old son said. “I’m tired and my stomach is
growling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Markus reached
down and picked up his little, brown-haired boy. “Kevin, my son, I love you and
care for you very much,” he said as he kissed his son on the cheek, “but I
can’t feed you right now. But, we will be able to eat soon. Just relax and let
daddy carry you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The group
continued walking for half a mile before some people at the back of the group
began crying out. “The secret police!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part 1
of 12)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">When Obama returned to the White House, the
nation of America experienced a great change in its leadership. Obama began
turning the country into a police state, firing people he didn’t like, and
hiring people who were very liberal toward ungodly things. He began
confiscating firearms from certain people in certain cities and taxing people
who owned guns. The buying and selling of weapons was highly regulated and
controlled. It became impossible to go to a gun store unless you were a law
enforcement agent or someone with a special permit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The powers that be began to tighten the noose
around gun owners and Christians. Anyone who disagreed with the new laws was
arrested or intimidated into submission. The darkness in the country began to
grow very great, so much so that anyone who disagreed with the new America was
found without a say or the right to speak up for their beliefs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 9pt;">Daniel Shultz
Underground (Continued)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Daniel Shultz
was walking right behind Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">tz family. He
turned around quickly and saw through the group of Christians a cluster of
distant flashlights farther down the tunnel, behind Markus’s group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Immediately,
Markus and his group placed hands over their flashlights to make their beams
dim and hard to see from a distance. But, enough light escaped for them to
dimly see by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We must use
common sense sometimes,” said a tall man with glasses and a blond crew-cut
hairstyle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“There is no
need for alarm, Johann,” Markus said, calmly as he turned to face the people
following his lead. “I feel concern, just as much as you, but we serve a God
who is greater than anything we can possibly fear. He will deliver us from this
hardship. We just need to look to Him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“How can God
deliver us now?” Johann said. “Markus, you thought you heard God’s voice
telling us to leave. But, could you have been mistaken?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I tested God’s
voice,” Markus said with calmness in his voice, “with the test of the spirits found
in 1 John chapter 4. I waited on God. He spoke to me. I am sure of that. And,
other people told me that God told them the same thing too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What if you
heard from the devil because you wanted to leave tonight?” Johann said
frowning. His eyes were full of suspicion. “Or, perhaps, Markus, you secretly
work for the secret police. You might be a spy setting a trap for us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Why would you
suggest that, Johann?” Markus said, surprised and disturbed as the accusation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You have a good
point, Johann,” a lady said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued
below]</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part 2
of 12)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Freedom of speech was curtailed in favor of
the freedom of ungodly people to express their opinions and live ungodly
lifestyles blatantly. All rights to assembly for religious reasons were highly
restricted under Obama’s second stint in the White House. His power became
uncontrollable by the other branches of the government. The congress became his
lap dog, and the supreme court became subservient to Obama’s wishes, and merely
approved of his measures and laws. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">As this took place, Obama began to force pastors
to preach in favor of sodomy and fornication. They promoted ‘alternate
lifestyles’ and ‘gay marriage’ as it was called. The powers that be began to
ram ‘gay marriage’ into the mainstream media like never before. Movies, TV
shows, music, and many other things began to promote it heavily. Talk shows
began to speak in favor of it more and more. And everywhere, anyone who spoke
against it was silenced, and put off the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Also, free speech zones were set up in cities
and colleges, and all over, where people could speak in favor of their
opinions, but these free speech zones were placed in areas that no one would
bother visiting to listen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 9pt;">Daniel Shultz Underground
(Continued)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We can see the
lights of the secret police in the distance,” Johann said, glancing back toward
them. “And, here you are leading us into the tunnel where they will be able to
see us and capture us easily. I think this is a setup. Who will come with me? I
think I know of a way out of this mess that Markus got us into.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Johann stepped
away from the group, but his wife, hesitated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Johann, dear,
don’t leave,” she said with concern in her face. “I sense from God that Markus
is indeed hearing from God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We have to
hurry,” another man said. “I’m going with Johann.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Me too,” a
bearded man said. His wife and two children followed him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Count me in,” a
brunette lady said as she approached Johann’s growing group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“People,
brothers, sisters,” Markus said. “This is not wise to do. I am not so worried
about my own reputation here. But, God has shown not only me but also Hans and
others here that we ought to go this way. God will protect us and bring us
where we will be safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t need to
hear that nonsense,” a mustached man said as he left Markus’s group and walked
toward Johann. “Johann is a former special forces member. I think he knows more
about safety and escaping detection than you do, Markus.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">With that,
Markus’s group dwindled down to just Markus and his family; Daniel Shultz; Hans
Schmidt; and Heinrich and Karen Faymann, and the Faymann children. The rest of
the large group of Christians joined Johann. Some joined the former special
forces man out of fear. But, others joined him because they secretly didn’t
want to fully trust God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">[End of Section]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part 3
of 12)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Across the United States, abortion began to
take off in greater numbers than before. Fornication became even more
prevalent, and divorces skyrocketed. Children without dads increased greatly.
And, mothers who never had been married increased in number among the
population. Children born out of wedlock increased in number like never before.
And, sin continued to increase in amount and frequency. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">As Obama tightened the noose on gun use,
crime continued to increase, but it increased in the form of knife and bat
violence. Instead of killing by way of guns, people began to kill with knives
and swords and bats. Also, the perversion in the culture became very great, so
much so that it was unspeakable what kind of evil reigned in America as it
approached the time of God’s judgment of the nation for all its wickedness, and
perversion, and filth, and evil doings, and evil actions, and deeds, and
thoughts, and intentions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Jewish people became a hated minority, that
the president did not protect. Seeing they had no protection from America, many
Jews began to flee America and also flee other countries to head for Israel.
Jews experienced killing, destruction of their schools, universities, and
synagogues, and centers of learning and living. Jewish businesses were burned
down. Jewish book stores were rifled and destroyed. Jewish shops were broken
into and plundered as racism against Jews increased in America, and Europe, and
South America, and Asia, and Africa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Johann’s Group.
Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D.</span></u></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">With the split
having taken place, Johann said to his group, “Folks, let’s go this way. I know
of an easy way out of this main tunnel and into a place where I know we will be
safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Johann had all
his group turn off their lights and walked in the dark toward a wall of the
tunnel. They could see the faint glow of some partially concealed flashlights
from Markus’s small group to their right. But, down the tunnel some distance
behind them, the flashlight beams of the secret police were shining brightly,
playing on the walls and floor of the tunnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">After having the
group walk in the dark for a dozen meters, Johann turned on his flashlight and
shined it on the wall to their left. He could see an empty wall. So, he
continued walking down the tunnel until he saw a doorway. With excitement, he
said, “Folks, I see a door. This way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The people
followed him through the door and down a 2-meter-wide tunnel. As they traveled down
the tunnel, many sensed God calling out to them, warning them to seek Him and
not continue on that course. But, they ignored God’s voice and Spirit, and
continued walking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">After 3 minutes
of walking down the tunnel, they entered a room that was 12 meters wide and 12
in length. In one corner of the old, concrete room, a staircase rose from the
floor to a hole in the ceiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“There is a
staircase,” a bearded man said, relieved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“See,” Johann
said, “common sense pays off. I have no idea why Markus and his friends don’t
want to use some logic once in a while.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Johann spoke
to his group, footfalls came from the stairs above the room. The sounds echoed
down a stairwell. Then, the people began to tremble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What is that
sound?” a lady asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“It sounds like
footsteps,” a mustached man said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Could it be the
police?” another man said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t be
concerned about it,” Johann said. “You might just be imagining things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">As he spoke,
black boots and trousers appeared in the stairwell opening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Several people
gasped as they saw a secret police officer dressed in tactical gear quickly
descending the steps. Seeing the crowd, he raised his gun to his shoulder and
shouted, “Halt! Raise your hands!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some people
panicked and tried to run, but he shouted again, “Halt!” And, they stopped and
raised their hands, not wishing to be shot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">More secret
police descended the steps behind him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Place your
hands on your heads,” another officer shouted as he leveled his automatic
weapon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">[Continued below: <u>Johann’s Group. </u>]<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part 4
of 12)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The powers that be began to form a plan how
they could blame the Jews for all the problems that took place in America since
the year 2000 and up to the time America was to be destroyed. Movies began to
portray the killing of Jews as being ‘funny’ and ‘delightful’ for the depraved
people in America. Unheard of wickedness was portrayed in movies and TV shows.
Violence was promoted like never before. Christians, who stood for truth, were
marginalized, and then persecuted like the Jews. Their shops were destroyed,
shut down, or fined. Many were arrested and placed in concentration camps or
prisons for not agreeing with the mass majority of people on issues of
abortion, free speech, the role of women in society, the role of the father,
and the moral situation in America’s new laws. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Christians who spoke out against the
government and Obama were arrested for ‘hate speech’ and for promoting
insurrection against the government. Christians who refused to make things for
people who said they were ‘gay’ were fined or thrown in prison. Christians who
refused to preach in favor of sodomy were arrested and thrown in prison,
especially pastors of Churches. Under Obama’s new laws, pastors had to preach
that sodomy was ‘good’ and ‘acceptable’ in society and in the Church. Pastors
had to preach in favor of homosexuality and abortion and sexual promiscuity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">These evil things were promoted from the
pulpits of false pastors and teachers of unrighteousness. They loved the praise
of men more than the praise of God. And, so God allowed them to have a strong
delusion since they loved unrighteousness rather than the truth of God’s Word,
which says that homosexuality is an abomination, such as in Romans chapter one
and in other places of God’s Word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Johann’s Group</span></u></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Johann
watched the secret police train their weapons on him, he lost all heart, and
complied. Deep in his soul, he knew that Markus was right, but he still didn’t
want to admit it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Soon, the adults
and teens were handcuffed. Then, they were escorted by several police up the
stairs and out into a basement. In the basement, they were separated into
groups of men, women, and children. Once this division had taken place, agents
escorted each group into separate vans. Since there were more Christians caught
than the police had expected, some groups of men had to wait until more vans
could be summoned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sadly, the
children were separated from their parents, placed in police vans, and
transported to a special orphanage. They sobbed quietly as the vehicles whisked
them far away from their parents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Watching the
children being separated from their parents, Johann clenched his teeth and
tightened his cuffed fists. He began to feel stronger feelings of hatred for
the agents of the communist state. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">He had been angry
for a while. But, anger began to simmer in him stronger than before. He had had
a grudge against the government and the secret police. Now, that grudge was
growing stronger. After the children had been escorted out of the basement, his
group of men was forced to remain standing while they waited their turn to be
picked up by a police van.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Johann was
surrounded by police on all sides. But, he could tell that they were kind of
spread thin. So, he waited for his opportunity to get “even.” Foolishly, Johann
determined that he would execute vengeance on these evil men and pay them back
for all the suffering they had caused him and his family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">As a police
officer stepped up near him, Johann waited for an opportunity to make a move.
The officer briefly turned away from Johann to see what was behind him. Just as
he did, the former special forces man sprang into action. He suddenly placed
his handcuff chain around the front of the officer’s neck and drew him back in
a choke hold. The officer let go of his automatic weapon and reached for a
knife strapped to his chest. But, he couldn’t find time to open the sheath and
draw out his tactical knife. It took all his concentration to try to prevent
Johann from choking him to death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Ugh,” the man
croaked. “Stop!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Johann placed
his back next to a concrete wall so that no one could sneak up behind him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I will not stop
until you stop arresting Christians,” Johann said angrily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seeing their
comrade being attacked, several police trained their weapons on Johann and prepared
to fire. But, they found that their comrade was in the path of their weapons.
And, Johann was too close to the officer for him to twist around and try to
escape the choke hold. Johann’s body was also in a position that made it
impossible for him to be elbowed or deterred from his attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t kill him
or we will shoot everybody,” one of the police officers said. “Even the women.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re
bluffing,” Johann said, grunting as he strained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part 5
of 12)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The pulpits of false pastors began to promote
fornication in the form of divorce and remarriage as perfectly acceptable, and
they promoted men getting married and divorced on a whim. They promoted
abortion so that the woman would not feel that she had to take care of a child
if she didn’t want to. They also promoted entertainment in the form of
so-called ‘Christian’ music artists who promoted sodomy, fornication, sexual
immorality, homosexuality, and so forth. They also promoted Hollywood movies at
these so-called ‘churches.’ They did that in order to promote the liberal,
false-church movement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">So-called ‘christian’ movies came out that
promoted sodomy as a ‘viable alternate lifestyle’ and other abominations and
sins, such as abortion. Hollywood actors began migrating to these
false-christian movies, and playing roles, pretending to be ‘Christians.’
Deceivers made a profit selling this perversion and wickedness, passing it off
as being ‘religious’ or <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">‘christian.’ The world saw through it, but
many false ‘christians’ didn’t. Their eyes were blinded, and many got deceived
by these evil movies that claimed to be ‘christian.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Johann’s Group<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">A shot rang out,
jolting Johann with its suppressed sound. Though it was suppressed, it sounded
as loud as a hammer slamming into a nail. One of the police had fired a shot
near a man’s foot. The shot had not hit him, but it was close.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hearing it,
Johann’s heart sank. He released his hold and drew up the chain from around the
officer’s neck. The man stumbled off, clutching his throat, and wheezing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then, machine
guns opened up -- <i>rat-tat-tat </i>-- and their shots echoed through the
basement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">A sickening
thump came next. As he lay dying on the cold floor, the former special forces
man didn’t regret his violent attack on the officer or his deep bitterness
toward the government. He didn’t want to repent from his sin and seek to know
God better because he had made Johann his own ‘god.’ His own will was more
important to him than God’s will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thus, Johann
died a bitter, angry man, and full of rebellion in his heart against God. He
had forsaken the right way and had gone astray, after the way of sin,
rebellion, selfishness, pride, and hardness of heart. Sadly, he did not enter
Heaven or hear the beautiful music of God’s eternal Kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">[End of Section]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part 6
of 12)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The darkness in America grew darker and
darker. Women began to dress in more and more indecent clothing. Men began to
leave their wives to have relations with other women and to work abomination
with men and women. Beaches became so filthy that no godly Christian would go
to them. And, true Christians stayed away from public pools, entertainment
centers, shopping centers (as much as possible), and movies. The internet
became more and more filled with pornography and forms of pornography. It became
nearly impossible for men to avoid seeing it online when they did regular
computer work. This was designed by the devil to promote wickedness and to make
the culture even more evil than before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Due to the ungodly environment, ‘churches’
also became centers of lust and adultery as women on stage dressed in very
immodest clothing as the so-called ‘churches’ became more and more like
nightclubs. Due to this wickedness, the falling away happened much faster than
before. Men and women began rejecting Christ and turning aside to serve their
flesh and to serve their evil culture’s wicked ways and abominations. Men
claiming to be ‘christian’ had affair after affair with women, and women
claiming to be ‘christian’ sought out married men to do fornication with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Church secretaries were replaced by
prostitutes that secretly served pastors. Other members of ‘church’ staff teams
were homosexuals and immoral people. Sexual promiscuity and immorality began to
come out of the woodwork in these false ‘churches,’ and leaders were exposed as
secret adulterers, fornicators, liars, harlots, and so forth. The abuse of
children secretly took place in these evil institutions. Many were so filthy
and so vile that words could not describe them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Underground
Tunnel. Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel Shultz}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile,
Daniel, Markus, and the rest of Markus’s small group walked down the main
tunnel, praying as they went. Frequently, they glanced back at the distant
flashlights, which couldn’t detect them. Fear was on all of their minds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">After a few
minutes of doing this, Markus stopped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Folks, we need
to pray,” Markus said, turning back to his friends. “It does no good to walk in
a spirit of fear. Let’s seek God about what we ought to do. The secret police
are far behind us, but they may catch up to us. Nonetheless, God can have their
eyes to be blinded to us, like the angels did to the citizens of Sodom when
they sought to enter Lot’s house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re right,
Markus,” Heinrich Faymann said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">There was a
pause as the people considered their situation and thought about God and His
power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Father God,”
Markus prayed before the group, “what should we do now. You know our concerns.
We have the secret police on our trail. We have friends who have forsaken us
and gone their own way, not seeking your way. We don’t know exactly where you
want us to go to or how to get there. What should we do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“My son, Markus,”
God’s kind voice spoke to him, “I am with you. I love you very much. I will
tell you this. Wait on Me, and I will bring you out of this trial. Don’t go
forward any more feet or meters. Just wait on Me, and rest, and I will deliver
you. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you, Abba
Father,” Markus said silently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then, to the
group, Markus said, “Brothers and sisters, God spoke to me. We need to wait on
Him, and He will deliver us from this trial. Let us rest in God and trust in
Him alone. God is more than trustworthy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re right,
Markus,” Daniel said. “God had never left me all the time since I had escaped
from the police when they had tried to arrest me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly, as he
spoke, footfalls echoed through the tunnel approaching the group of Christians.
The people turned to see police officers, on their left, with bright
flashlights emerging from a square door. The opening had nearly blended in with
the wall of the tunnel, and had gone unnoticed before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Trust God,”
Markus whispered loudly to the group as the police in tactical equipment issued
forth from entrance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Look,
Christians,” an agent said before he raised his gun to a firing position. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Raise your
hands!” an officer shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Markus and his
team obeyed the orders, feeling doubts about God’s protection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">‘Why is this
happening?’ Daniel wondered. ‘I thought God would protect us?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The rest of the
police leveled their weapons, training them on the small group of underground
Christians. Then, a tough-looking man stepped forward. He had a large, muscular
physique and a square jaw. A short, brown beard covered his lower face, which
appeared below his black helmet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, what a
pleasant surprise?” Grizzly said gloatingly as he slowly approached the
Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You
Christians,” said Grizzly, full of <b>mock concern</b>, “must have forgotten
that living underground is very dangerous and unhealthy. We can’t let you just
suffer in these primitive conditions? We will take you to a nice re-education
facility where you will be taught how to be a better citizen of the <i>Central
German Republic</i>. So, just comply with us, and all will go well for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">None of the
Christians spoke to him, but they prayed silently. Daniel Shultz could feel his
knees trembling, but he realized that he was fearing man. So, he repented
silently, and gave his fears to God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">A verse came back to him. It was <u>Psalm 29:25</u>: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“[25] The fear of man bringeth
a snare : but whoso putteth his trust in the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lord </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">shall be safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The police
closed the distance and removed handcuffs from their belts as they neared the
Christians. Soon, they were snapping the metal restrains around the adult
Christian’s wrists. As metal handcuffs locked around Daniel’s wrists, he heard
God’s voice faintly say, “My son, I am with you. This is a test.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, we have a
fine catch,” Grizzly said as he gloated over the people locked up before him.
“I’m sure the boss will be really proud of me and my expert team.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just as he
finished his sentence, all the flashlights turned off suddenly, and the tunnel
went mostly dark. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Several men
uttered profanity as they turned left and right, disturbed by the sudden
darkness. Then, instantly, all the flashlights turned back on. It was the
strangest thing Grizzly had ever seen. He knew he had not touched his
flashlight on / off button. But, what shocked him more than the sudden darkness
was what he saw before his eyes. No Christians were in sight, but all their
metal handcuffs appeared on the ground where the prisoners had been standing
seconds ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Grizzly stooped
and picked up a pair of handcuffs nearby. The police sergeant turned them
around in his hand, baffled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The handcuffs
are snapped together as if they were around someone’s wrists,” Grizzly said to
himself out loud. Silently, he thought, ‘But, no one can pull off these
handcuffs and completely vanish from sight in just 7 seconds. Certainly, a
whole group cannot do that. And, they had children. This is a complete mystery.’
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then, a question
came to his mind: ‘Is it possible that the God of the Christians had something
to do with this?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">[End of Section]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part 7
of 12)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">By this time, the true Church was
underground, meeting with each other in secret Bible studies and meetings in
various locations, such as private living rooms, and studies, or in businesses
that belonged to Christians. The true Church became very hated by the false
‘church,’ which greatly persecuted them and tried to spy on them to report them
to the government of Obama’s new America. Rewards were offered to anyone who
could report on an underground meeting of Christians. When Christians were
caught in sting operations, police would haul them off to prisons like the
apostles in the book of Acts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Also, abortion clinics became very lucrative
centers of power. They began to expand and increase their size as multitudes of
babies got slaughtered in these evil institutions of wickedness and murder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">After beholding all this evil take place in
this evil country, God eventually had to judge America and call it into account
for all its crimes, sins, and great rebellion against God. Satanism abounded
and increased in America to such a level that it outpaced the growth of false
‘churches.’ And, God saw that the wickedness of America was very great in
extend and quantity and power. So, He had to judge this evil nation for all its
gross immorality, wickedness, and rebellion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">A City of Refuge
in Eurasia. 2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel Shultz}<o:p></o:p></i></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">A few moments
ago, Daniel Shultz and his Christian friends had been handcuffed by the secret
police of the Central German Republic. They had been standing in an underground
tunnel built by the Nazis during World War Two. A team of secret police had
suddenly come upon them and detained them, handcuffing the Christians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">But, suddenly,
the surroundings had changed. In one second the dark tunnel was replaced by a
European-styled town with buildings that appeared to be from the 19<sup>th</sup>
century or earlier. Four-story, brick buildings; gas street lights; horse-drawn
carriages; and cobblestone streets met the Christians’ startled eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Hello there,” a
male voice said from 6 meters away. “Are you new arrivals?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Daniel and
several of his friends turned to see who was speaking. A man dressed in 19<sup>th</sup>
century-style clothing had just emerged from a street-front shop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I guess we are
new arrivals. But, who are you, sir, and where are we?” Markus Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">tz said, full of curiosity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The middle-aged
man was average-sized, balding, and was dressed in brown trousers and a
tucked-in, white collared shirt. He had a short, brown beard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I am Igor,” the
man said, smiling. “And, you are in a city of refuge. God has just brought you
here, no doubt.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I am amazed at
how fast God did it,” Markus said, looking around at the buildings before
returning his attention to Igor. “We were in an underground tunnel in Frankfurt
just moments ago.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“God translated
Philip from the Ethiopian eunuch,” replied Igor, “the same way He translated
you from Frankfurt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Wow,” several
people said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Glory to God,”
Markus said quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Quietly, Daniel
Shultz said to God, “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for protecting us in the
tunnels and bringing us here miraculously. Thank you so very much! Glory be to
your Holy Name! This is a great relief.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You are
welcome, My son,” God’s kind voice said to Daniel’s spirit. “You are very precious
to Me, My son. I have great things in store for you. You will be trained in
this city of refuge before I send you out to other places to witness and preach
the Gospel and release miracles to heal people and show them their need for
Jesus Christ to save them from their sins. This is My calling for you and for
all in your group. Now, I will have you rest in this city for a season. Enjoy
your stay here. I will provide a house for you to live in. It will be an
apartment, since you are single. But, I will provide for all your needs. No
need will be unmet. You will not lack anything. All of this is for you because
you sought Me, denied yourself, wanted to know Me better, and followed Me. I
will bless you greatly for your service to Me. I love you very much. And, I the
LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<i>[End of section]</i><br />
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_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part 8
of 12)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Judgment fell on America in the form of
nuclear weapons, hypersonic warheads, fire, burning, acid, poison gases, toxic
waste fumes, and deadly diseases used in biological warfare from enemy
arsenals. Judgment struck the land in its cities, towns, farms, fields, and
forests. Nothing was exempt from the judgment except for special temporary
places where God called His people to flee to. The true Church was not
forgotten by God. The good Father of Jesus Christ saw His people and brought
them out of ‘Egypt’ or ‘Babylon’ and to a place or places of refuge, where God
would sustain and provide for them through the years to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Cities of refuge popped up all over the world
in remote locations that God would supernaturally sustain, protect, and
nourish. <b>The Creator of man would not let His people suffer from the
judgment on America if they were willing to die to themselves, take up their
crosses, and follow Jesus all the way to the finish line and into Heaven</b>.
He never wanted people to suffer. But, He knew that trials and afflictions
bring His people back to Him where they can know Him intimately and closely --
He who is a Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">God called out to His people time and time
again before the judgment and trials in America, but many refused to repent,
and refused to seek Him, and refused to put Him first in their lives. They
loved the praise of men, the comfort of modern society, and conveniences of the
modern world, and didn’t value their God and Abba Father that much. So, God
allowed trials to call out to them, to get them to repent, and to turn them
back to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part 9
of 12)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">As this took place, God called out also to
America through famines, pestilences, diseases, wars, fires, natural disasters,
financial problems, economic problems, chaos that erupted, and so forth. He
didn’t cause these bad things to happen, but He allowed them to happen so that
people would see their need for God, and would turn to Him, if possible. It was
the devil who caused these bad things to happen or used them to make people
suffer. But, God allowed it to warn America and call America back to Him and
back to Jesus Christ, the Savior of those who believe on His Name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">As this took place, God also called out to Europe
through wars, fires, natural disasters, economic hardship, financial loss, and
so forth. Heat waves continued in Europe as its heart grew cold toward God.
And, as this happened, immigrants increased their immigration to Europe until
people in Europe began to cry out to their governments to remove the migrants
and refugees from their lands and send them back to where they came from. But
God allowed all this to test Europe and to call out to Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part
10 of 12)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The fires, floods, disasters, crop failures,
famines, and diseases that swept through Europe were problems to cause people
to see their need for God and for Jesus Christ. Europe suffered from a massive
outbreak of cold viruses and germs that swept through its lands. Many people
suffered from the viruses and begged their governments to do something, which
they tried to do, but failed. Many suffered also from unemployment, so much so,
that they would work for anyone who could hire them, and work long hours just
to make ends meet. They also competed with migrants for work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Because of Europe’s coldness against God, God
allowed their economies to run down, and unemployment skyrocketed. Governments
became indebted to China like never before as their economies failed or
faltered. Even Germany, the powerhouse of Europe, began to decay and crumble at
the seams as its industry sank. China began to possess banks and financial
institutions in Europe. Ports became Chinese-controlled as governments failed
to complete their obligations to China. Europe became a poor continent which
was somewhat overcrowded in the cities and overcrowded in ports where jobs were
still to be found. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">China, during this time, became richer and
stronger. And, Russia gained power, making its military the most sophisticated
in the world. China was just one step behind the Russian military in its wisdom
and power. Technology improved so much so that China and Russia together had
most of the patents and inventions outside of the land of Israel. Meanwhile,
Europe sank into a great depression. Joblessness increased so much so that
millions were left unemployed and penniless. They sought for work in vain.
Soon, tent cities began to sprout up around Europe. But, these contained
European-born citizens of the white race or Caucasian race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part
11 of 12)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The might of Europe crumbled to the point
where its militaries and governments became indebted to China and other powers.
Soon, Europe was to be conquered, as America, its sister, was destroyed. When
America fell, Europe was the next to go. Russia and China swept into America,
conquering it, and soon afterward, Russia conquered Europe with a swift and
deadly blow to the European continental powers. Russia, which had been despised
by many European countries, became their conqueror and dominating power. Its military
moved into Europe and set up puppet governments, which ran the countries like
robots, which were subservient to the Kremlin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Europe’s pride and prestige was eclipsed by
its eastern neighbor and by China, its trade partner. Soon, Russia set up concentration
camps in Europe to imprison millions of resistant and unyielding European
people. Chinese-style police states rose up throughout Europe to keep the
nations in check and subservient to Russia’s interests. Using state-of-the-art
technology, Russia and China policed their conquered countries and maintained
absolute authority over their new subjects. Europe became heavily propagandized
by Russia’s ‘ministry of information,’ as it might be called. China did the
same with East Asia. The new kings of the East have arrived, and have sought to
subdue kingdoms, conquer peoples, and subjugate lands to their tyrannical
reigns. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">America’s End and Europe’s Correction (Part
12 of 12)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Xi Jinpeng and Vladimir Putin reigned for a
few years before they were retired and replaced by new leaders of China and
Russia. These new leaders were even more brutal than the two former leaders.
They sought to dominate Eurasia and cause many to suffer under extreme police
states, which were much like prisons in the open. These new leaders caused
Christians to be martyred by the thousands and millions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">However, God called out to His people and
brought many thousands and thousands of Christians into cities of refuge.
Eventually, the cities would be filled to include millions of Christians who
loved God, and served Him, and followed His Spirit, and who wanted to know Him
better. There, God provided for them and prepared them to send them out to
remote locations to preach the Gospel to those who never heard it before in
that way of presentation. Using His great power, God miraculously sent them by
translation miracles to these remote locations to minister to the people, and
heal the sick, and preach the Gospel of God’s Kingdom. And, many people were
added to God’s Kingdom as a result.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[End of This Section]</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
<br />
{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-91516802761637074752019-08-15T19:45:00.001-07:002019-08-18T03:00:08.697-07:00(CHAPTERS 8 AND 9) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapters 8 <u>and</u> 9</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/08/chapter-1-adventures-of-matthew.html" target="_blank">(For Chapter 1, click Here.)</a></b></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-size: 25pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Chapter 8</span></b></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Daniel Shultz}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a cool night. Stars sparkled in the black
sky, providing the city of Frankfurt with evidence of God’s loving care and
wisdom. Under the distant, glowing balls of fire, a man walked down some
alleys, trying to stay in the shadows as much as possible. He was dressed in
navy-blue trousers and a dark-green, hooded jacket. His blond hair was
concealed by the jacket hood, and his steps were quick, but careful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alleys had passed by as the man did his best to
avoid being seen by security cameras. Like he had done many times that night,
Daniel Shultz came to a street and stopped in the shadows of the alley he was
passing through. He was getting used to his nightly walks, but they always kept
him on his toes, so to speak. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he had done many times before, he followed a
procedure for crossing a street from an alley. He remove his jacket hood,
slipped on a baseball cap, and put on a pair of large, dark sunglasses. A fake,
brown beard concealed his lower face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once all these items were in place, he waited until
no cars were to be seen on the road. Then, he quickly walked across the street
and reached a sidewalk on the other side. Another alley presented itself to
him, and he walked into its shadowy shelter. Two concrete and steel buildings
rose up on either side of him. Windows appeared on the 5<sup>th</sup> floor of
each, but no windows existed in the alley below that floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A manhole cover drew his attention as he was
halfway through the long alley. It was just where he needed it to be. And,
conveniently lying beside it was a crowbar. He removed his disguise and put it
into pockets in his jacket. Then, using the crowbar and putting some muscles to
work, Daniel removed the manhole cover and set it down near a wide, circular
opening in the alley. He drew out an LED flashlight from a big pocket in his
trousers and turned it on. In its bluish circle of light, he could see metal
rungs fastened to one side of the shaft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Using these, he descended until he was partway
below the ground. Then, he pulled the manhole cover back into place. It scraped
across the asphalt and thumped shut. Now, using his flashlight, Daniel
awkwardly descended the rungs while holding onto the flashlight with one hand.
In a short time, he had reached the bottom rung and had stepped onto a wide
concrete walkway in the city sewer. The smell was awful, but he preferred using
the Frankfurt sewer if it meant he was less likely to be noticed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His flashlight beam swept down the walkway and
onto flowing sewage. Then, the bluish beam traveled along a walkway on the
opposite side of the sewage stream. He saw, to his dismay, a man sitting in a
plastic, folding chair. He was hunched over, sleeping, and wearing a gas mask
over his face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Excuse me, sir?” Daniel said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The man in the folding chair didn’t stir. So,
Daniel ran and jumped across the stream. With a thump, he safely landed on the
other side. Hearing the sudden thump, the stranger stirred and then sat up
straight. He shook his head and then masked face turned toward Daniel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who are you? What are you doing here? Are you
the police?” the man said through his gas mask as he stood up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am not the police,” Daniel said. “I am just
traveling through the sewer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why are you down here?” the man asked with deep
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m not a spy,” Daniel said calmly, holding up a
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If you’re not a spy, why are you down here?” the
stranger said coldly through his gas mask. His voice was somewhat muffled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You said you’re homeless?” Daniel said, walking
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stay back from me. Don’t come any closer,” the
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you realize that what you are doing is
illegal?” Daniel asked. “Why do you want to live down here? I won’t harm you at
all, sir. I have good intentions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I guess I might as well talk,” the man said,
“since there is no one else to talk to down here except for some other homeless
people, who are very territorial.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The man cleared his throat and looked at Daniel.
“I lost my job three years ago,” the man said. “I learned that the government
up there was planning on sending all homeless people to training centers to
prepare them for working in communist warehouses, factories, shops, and
businesses.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Really?” Daniel said, frowning. He hadn’t paid
much attention to the news regarding the homeless. But, he had noticed almost
no homeless people were to be found anywhere in Europe or Austria, his home
country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They expected us to give up our right to free
thought and free speech,” the homeless man said. “We can’t express our personal
opinions unless those opinions perfectly line up with the communist government
up there. So, freedom is dead in Europe. There is no more freedom or true
democracy. All our rights as human beings are being stolen from us little by
little until we all become slaves in a mind-less society of sycophants.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is a sycophant?” Daniel said boldly. “I’ve
never heard that word before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“A sycophant is someone who follows and serves a
powerful person regardless of how corrupt they are,” the man said, “as long as some
kind of benefit is received by the sycophant.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s what all those people are up there,” the
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sir, would you please stop taking in vain the
Name of God?” Daniel said with kindness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The homeless man, full of bitterness, uttered a
few more profanities. Then, he said, “Why does God’s Name matter so much to
you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m a follower of Jesus Christ,” Daniel said
calmly. “And, I want to help you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t need your help,” the man said before uttering
unclean and corrupt speech. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s kind voice spoke to Daniel’s
spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Abba Father?” Daniel said silently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This man,” God said gently, “will not listen to
you because he is very bitter at society and at certain people. He wants to be
a hermit and live off of food he finds in dumpsters. He has no desire to turn
to Me at this time. But, you may go on your way and pray for him. And, I the
LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, my Father,” Daniel said, “I’ll do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel left the bitter homeless man behind and
walked along the sewer walkway for some distance. After two minutes of walking,
he came to a rusty, steel door in the left side of the sewer tunnel. He tried
the handle and found that it opened, but it squeaked due to rusty hinges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Through the door he saw a 50 meter long tunnel
made of concrete. Graffiti appeared in various places of the tunnel, and broken
bottles were strewn here and there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel spoke with God, and the Heavenly Father
told him to go down the tunnel. So, he did. His footfalls echoed off the
concrete walls, but the air was still a little foul smelling in the tunnel.
However, it was more musty than odorous. When he reached the end of the tunnel,
Daniel found a second decaying, steel door. He pushed it and the door gave a
little squeak. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Passing through the door, he found himself in a
large, concrete tunnel that contained rusty pipes, old ventilation systems, and
scraps of reddish, oxidizing barb wire. The floor of the tunnel was covered
with dust, but the air was much fresher here than in the corridor he had just
traveled through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Daniel shined his flashlight around the big
tunnel, he suspected it might have been built by the Nazis during World War
Two. Suddenly, his flashlight beam lit up an open concrete doorway in the right
side of the tunnel. No door hung from its rusty hinges. The 1.95-meter-high
opening drew his interest. He walked over and shined his flashlight in. In his
beam, a ladder appeared which ascended up to a square, metal hatch in the
ceiling of the opening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stepped onto the ladder and pushed open the
hatch with a little effort. Poking his head through the hatch, Daniel shined
his flashlight around and saw a rectangular room containing homeless people.
They were all men. Some had plastic camping tents. Others had sleeping pads.
Some slept on piles of old shirts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">None of the men stirred as Daniel quietly passed
through the hatch and stepped into their room. He could see a hatch in the
concrete ceiling. A metal ladder led up to the hatch. He carefully walked
through the group of sleeping homeless men and stepped onto the lowest run of
the ladder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Abba Father God, this really is sad,” Daniel
Shultz whispered, “that so many people are homeless and that these people would
prefer living like this rather than living in government housing and going to
work in a factory.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s loving voice said suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Father?” Daniel said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God said: “The reason so many people are homeless
like this, and living in such poor conditions -- such as under bridges, or
temporarily in steam tunnels, or sewers, or under trees in city parks -- is
that they are not wanting to serve the government of France, or Italy, or any
other country. They want to be able to freely think and freely express
themselves. They are not used to communist doctrines and thought, and they have
no desire to become communists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, to avoid being sent to a concentration camp
or re-education center, they will try to hide out in abandoned buildings, in
empty warehouses, in abandoned projects, in factories, in sewers, in subway
tunnels, and so forth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDj41dHVnOWCPl4Co3K2Lz7Lo4_Z4YT-DCSsZ17CMxvYGUS7n7MyQMtT_wslD3NYRMmS2bi-PyLEN87W4Quf4W_p3tqlNdhLxC5hF6ltWIILAJgOVUncJcj77pP5zsOa392oJ6lJ6ENZM/s1600/Soviet+Union+Emblem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="910" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDj41dHVnOWCPl4Co3K2Lz7Lo4_Z4YT-DCSsZ17CMxvYGUS7n7MyQMtT_wslD3NYRMmS2bi-PyLEN87W4Quf4W_p3tqlNdhLxC5hF6ltWIILAJgOVUncJcj77pP5zsOa392oJ6lJ6ENZM/s320/Soviet+Union+Emblem.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“These people want to live like how they lived
before <u>Russia conquered Europe and turned it into a police state</u>. But, I
am calling out to them. <u>I want them to know Me intimately, and forsake their
own will, and forsake communist and socialist lies, and doctrines, and
teachings</u>. <b><u>I want them to know Me intimately</u></b>. <b><u>I want them
to grow in fellowship with Me through Jesus Christ</u></b>. I don’t want them
to have to suffer, but I am calling out to them. I certainly am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I want them to be whole and well. You see, as
you know, <u>when Europe fell, it was turned into a dictatorship under Vladimir
Putin and his cronies</u>. They want to run this continent under a new soviet
empire. They want all of Europe to submit to them. They were tired of the West
oppressing the Russian people for not complying with the West’s mandates and
desires, which would not help Russia out at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNMxGEHG2J1IMDuD0nN-RTLEgueJ85yxcFUpQIQ8G05bN5yzz1xf98mCzKNL_MMsOI6QJhOh1GWGR4kXNB1yweG8OQtAt4VlAod6M69OYAk_-P0mfGT1UPYYNTcA7Iqun0G0UauJfLZA/s1600/Ruins+of+Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="824" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNMxGEHG2J1IMDuD0nN-RTLEgueJ85yxcFUpQIQ8G05bN5yzz1xf98mCzKNL_MMsOI6QJhOh1GWGR4kXNB1yweG8OQtAt4VlAod6M69OYAk_-P0mfGT1UPYYNTcA7Iqun0G0UauJfLZA/s200/Ruins+of+Berlin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Putin wanted to build up Russia and not tear it
down. So, I allowed him to strengthen it, build it up, and then invade Europe
after it was attacked. <b><u>When Russia was struck by a nuclear bomb attack,
it retaliated against NATO and the United States of America</u></b>. The
military leadership behind the attack suffered greatly as Russia swept in to
devour and destroy like a bird of prey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, <b><u>Russia now has become a mighty empire</u></b>.
<b><u>It is one of the ten kings mentioned in Revelation and the book of Daniel</u></b>.
It is a mighty empire and it will give its power to the Beast, which is the
Antichrist of Revelation. <u>So, this mighty power will seek to devour the
Church and tear it to pieces with lies, deception, and brainwashing</u>. <b><u>But,
as I said in My Word, the gates of Hell shall not prevail against My Church</u></b>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My power shall call out to the Church to prepare
it for the tribulation period spoken of in the book of Daniel and in the book
of Revelation. The tribulation shall last 7 years. <u>Then, I shall judge the
Beast, who is the Antichrist, and I shall destroy his evil world system, which
is made out of ten mighty kingdoms that spread across parts of the world</u>. I
shall bring fire down upon the armies that seek to devour the nation of Israel,
the Jewish people in their homeland. Those evil nations that seek to kill My
people shall be burned up with fire and brimstone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><u>But, all who call upon Me shall be safe</u></b>.
Now, I will show you that in a matter of a few years from now, the Antichrist
shall come to bring a great deception upon the earth, using ‘<u>alien invasion’
deception </u>and ‘extra-terrestrial’ trickery. He shall cause all the world to
believe that he is a benevolent being who only wants to bless the earth and its
people, but he is a liar, for he is controlled by Apollyon, a chief
principality serving in Satan’s evil kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Apollyon will seek to have the Beast hunt down
the Church and destroy it, if he can. <u>But, I shall not let that happen</u>.
However, if a Christian is going outside My best will and is unwilling to
change and follow My leading and guidance, and wants to do things his or her
own way, that person shall be allowed to be persecuted in concentration camps.
I don’t want that to happen, but when the devil has enough ground in a person’s
life to do that, that can happen. I don’t want a Christian to be strongly
persecuted like that, but I know that that persecution will bring the Christian
close to Me and away from his carnal mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><u>Such persecution is not necessary if a
Christian wants to know Me intimately</u></b>; <b><u>delight in Me; rest in Me;
and seek to follow My Spirit, who will guide him in what to do, as Romans
chapter 8 and other parts of the Bible say</u></b>. Such a Christian will not
be captured and placed in a concentration camp. I will call out to all people
equally, just as I already am doing, and I will prepare them for the future. <u>Those
who seek to know Me now will escape strong persecution</u>. <u>And, those who
don’t want Me to be the very center of their lives may have to go through
strong persecution, to some degree, depending on their heart</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, as they seek Me and get to know Me closely
through their trials, I will bring them either to Heaven or to a city of
refuge, where they will be totally safe and well taken care of. <b><u>Now, I
will show you that the cites of refuge are meant to be places of rest for the
Church, and places from which they can be translated to other towns where they
can minister the Gospel to other people</u></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The cities of refuge are not meant to be places
of entertainment or escape from trials. For, the cities of refuge will have
trials in the form of disappointments, work that involves some physical labor,
and some difficulties, but nothing like what people experience around the
world. Compared to the rest of the world, the cities of refuge are places of
comparative rest and comfort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“However, they are not filled with the
conveniences of modern day life, except for a few things. They have what people
need for living, but some aspects of these cities involve work that most people
in the western world are not familiar with, such as cleaning out a chicken
coop, milking a cow, cleaning a barn, chopping wood, or lighting a lantern with
a match. These are tasks your ancestors did more than a hundred years ago. But,
your parents didn’t have to do this, and some of your grandparents didn’t have
to do this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, here is what I will now show you. The cities
of refuge are beautiful places of escape from extreme persecution and
wickedness that will happen all over the world. But, they also have things to
keep people from falling into laziness and idleness. There are orchards,
gardens, cows, chickens, the chopping of firewood, occupations which will be
part time, and other things to keep people out of laziness and sloth. But,
nonetheless, there will be plenty of time for seeking Me, getting to know Me
better, and reading the Bible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course, such things do not appeal to many
people until they are experiencing trials to call out to them. Then, they will
seek Me. <u>But, I am very gracious. I want people to seek Me from their
hearts, and not from their minds in a congregational way. <b>I want them to
personally have a relationship with Me, and not just go through the motions of
Christianity</b></u>. So, I will call out to My people and allow trials to get
them close to Me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Some Christians genuinely love Me and want to
serve Me, but their focus is off, a little. They want to witness and further
the Kingdom of God, <u>but they don’t want to really know Me in a personal,
deep way</u>. <u>If they go on like that, witnessing, giving out tracts,
praying, and reading the Bible, but seeking to build their kingdom on earth
through these things, their focus is then not placed on Me, but on themselves,
and on what they can do for Me, supposedly</u>. <b><u>This turns quickly into pride,
self-righteousness, and glorying in the flesh</u></b>. Paul, My apostle to the
Roman world, wrote against the works of the flesh in Galatians, Romans,
Ephesians, Philippians, and elsewhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The Ju-da-i-zers -- or Jewish people claiming to
be Christians, who sought to bring the Church back to the sacrificial system
instituted in Exodus -- were setting up a system of false works. Today, that
system is gone, for the most part, but false teachers either teach that you are
saved by Jesus and by your own works, or they teach that you can live in sin
and still be saved. <b><u>Following sin and not wanting to repent from it
results in great hardness of heart. Such as person has chosen to serve Baal
rather than Me, their God</u></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><u>You cannot serve both God and Mammon, which
is the god of everything that is opposed to Me</u></b>. So, you must serve who
is the true and only Living God, and that is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, who is the God of Israel. That is what I want you to do, My son. <b><u>I
want you to serve Me, who is the LORD your God and Abba Father</u></b>. </span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Seek to know Me better and I will reveal more to you about these
things</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">. <u>Rest in Me, trust only in the blood of Jesus
Christ to save you from your sin, and don’t trust in your own works to pray, to
read the Bible, to witness to lost souls, or to minister in any capacity</u>. </span></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Trust that I Myself in Jesus Christ meet all your needs for free</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<b><u>R</u></b></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">omans chapter 8 says that I, who delivered up Jesus Christ, My Only
Begotten Son, to save you, shall also freely give you all things, which you
need for living a godly life, for having fullness of joy. </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">A</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">nd, most of all, I Myself am fullness of joy. </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> am joy, for that comes forth from Me</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">t doesn’t
come from another. </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I give joy freely</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Y</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ou receive
it by surrendering yourself to Me, laying down your own plans and goals at My
feet, and seeking to know Me intimately</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.<b>” <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">{
</span></b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Romans
14:17</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">
says: “[17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink ; but righteousness,
and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Romans
15:13</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">
says: “[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In
<u>John 15:7-12</u>, Jesus said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“[7] If ye abide in me, and my words
abide in you, ye shall ask what ye<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">will, and it shall be done unto you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[8] Herein is my Father glorified, that
ye bear much fruit ; so shall ye be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">my disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[9] As the Father hath loved me, so
have I loved you : continue ye in my<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye
shall abide in my love ; even as I<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">have kept my Father’s commandments, and
abide in his love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[11] These things have I spoken unto
you, that my joy might remain in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">you, and </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">that </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">your joy might be
full.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[12] This is my commandment, That ye
love one another, as I have<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">loved you.” [End quote] <b>}<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_________________________<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God continued, saying: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“<u>I</u></span></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> want you to
express to Me how you feel, wait on Me, and follow what I lead you to do. </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">t is a relationship and a friendship. </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> am the Friend of Abraham and the God of Abraham.
</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> also want
to know you in a deeper friendship than ever before, for I love you very much</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><u>My love never changes, for I never change.
I remain the same forever</u></b>. <b><u>As you seek to know Me better, you
will begin to hear My voice better, and will receive more of a witness in your
spirit that it is My voice indeed</u></b>. <b><u>My voice always leads you to
the truth in the Bible</u></b>. <u>The enemy’s voice leads you into
self-righteousness, doubt, fear, pride, unbelief, and sin</u>. <b><u>So, look
to Me, rest in Me, and I will bless you, My son</u></b>. And, I the LORD your
God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you for that message, Abba Father,” Daniel
Shultz said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re welcome, My son,” God said lovingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Mediterranean Sea. North of Egypt. 2038 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">. </span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It looks like we have trouble, Captain
Auxiette,” a helmsman said from his padded seat before an array of computer
screens, control panels, and communications equipment in the <i>Rossignol’s </i>pilot
house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Captain Bernard approached the crewman and gazed
out the bridge windows toward the 2 o’clock position from the starboard side
(i.e. the right side of the ship as seen from the helm). He frowned and then
his face grew pale. A 30.5-meter-long purse seiner was racing toward Bernard’s
57-meter-long ship. The smaller craft was clearly modified for speed. It was
going faster than most fishing boats normally could travel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is that what I think it is?” the helmsman said,
trembling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pirates,” the captain said, spitting. “We will
soon face a boarding party. But, these pirates are not like the 18<sup>th</sup>
century buccaneers. They are most likely human traffickers, ship thieves, and
possibly terrorists. But, I have made some preparation for this.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He grabbed an intercom microphone and pressed the
talk button. “Attention crew, this is your captain. We have pirates approaching
us from the southeast. I know some of you have training in how to use a
firearm. Stop what you are doing, unless it is crucial and meet me in the
lounge right away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Captain Bernard walked over toward a stairway
running down through the bridge floor. He descended the steps quickly until he reached
a short hallway. He passed down the hallway and opened a janitorial closet in
its left wall. Then, he opened a secret compartment and removed some
semi-automatic east-European rifles from the Cold War era. Under French law,
they were illegal, but the captain was a smuggler and had obtained the weapons
through the black market. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He loaded the weapons into a mop bucket along
with some ammunition. Then, he awkwardly headed down the hall and passed
through a door that opened into the lounge. Inside the large room, he saw 4
sailors and his 2 passengers. The helmsman was still up in the pilothouse to
steer the ship with a toggle control. And, two sailors were likely stationed in
the engine room to make sure it ran properly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Men,” Captain Bernard said firmly, “we are
facing pirates. They will be armed with machine guns. But, I have some
semi-automatic rifles here. Find hiding places for cover and fight for your
lives. If they capture us, they will likely sell us into a trafficking ring.
Or, they just might kills us. Now, go and grab a weapon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the sailors approached the captain to grab a
gun, he said to Judah and Francois, “You two, take a weapon as well. We need
all the help we can get.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God does not want us to kill human beings,”
Judah said. “Jesus taught us in the Gospel accounts that those who live by the
sword will die by the sword.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bernard glared at the two Christian Jews and the
captain’s mood changed suddenly. His blood was “boiling” with rage. Then, he
roared in anger at them, spewing forth a string of profanities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Captain,” a sailor shouted as he entered the
lounge, “we’re being boarded!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bernard swiveled around and locked his angry eyes
on the sailor. Then, his anger turned to fear. He grabbed a gun, and slammed a
clip of ammunition into it, and drew back the bolt. Now that it was ready to
fire, he ran for a hiding place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Meanwhile, Francois and Judah passed through the
door that led into the short hallway where the stairs to the bridge were
located. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where do we hide?” Judah said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Look dad,” Francois said, pointing toward an
ajar door down the hallway. It was the door to the janitorial closet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They hustled over to it and slipped inside,
closing the door behind them. An LED ceiling light kept the closet well lit up,
so Judah flicked it off. In the dark now, the father and son sought God like
never before. Through the thin closet door, they heard gunfire. <i>Rat-tat-tat!
Blam! Blam! Blam! Rat-tat-tat! </i>A vicious gunfight was breaking out in the
lounge. <i>Rat-tat-tat!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Father God, keep us
safe from these pirates,” Judah said pleadingly. “Don’t let them find us, and
please don’t let anyone die. Spare them from death, we pray, dear Heavenly
Father.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s kind voice said to Judah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, Judah kept pleading and praying, ignoring
God’s loving voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Meanwhile, the gunfire continued. <i>Blam! Blam!
Rat-tat-tat! </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After a minute, Judah stopped himself and went
quiet. Then, he silently said, “Father God, did you speak to me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son, I did,” God’s kind voice said. “I will
protect you from those bullets. And, I heard your prayers regarding the sailors
and the captain. What I will tell you is this. The pirates will kill or capture
the ship’s crew, but they will leave this ship alone. I will make sure they
don’t commandeer this vessel, for your sakes. The crew is very ungodly and is
involved in much sin and rebellion against Me. They traffick evil things across
the Mediterranean Sea and across the Atlantic Ocean. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, I will allow them to go through a hard
trial. But, I will spare you. This ship will be abandoned, and the pirates will
remove all valuables from it that they can find. But, they will not look in
this closet. So, trust Me and stay here for about an hour. I will protect you,
and I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Heavenly Father,” Judah said. “Thank
you. I trust you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are welcome, My son,” God said with great
kindness in His voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For the next hour, Judah and Francois waited in
the closet. The sound of men noisily rummaging through the ship came through
the walls and floor. And, a few times they heard the sound of feet walking past
their closet door. But, no one opened the closet or looked inside it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, before the hour was up, the sounds of
footfalls and men’s voices ceased. Francois and Judah waited for 25 more
minutes. Then, Francois asked God if he should leave the closet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You may go, My son,” God told him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, Francois left the closet, and walked down the
hall, and passed through the door into the lounge. The leather couches, TV
sets, and all the items of interest to black market dealers were gone. Banana
peels, candy wrappers, empty bullet cartridges, crumpled papers, broken glass,
and other garbage was strewn all over the empty, rifled room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Blood stained the carpet indicating where the
violent fight was taking place. And, Francois could clearly see many bullet
holes pock marking the walls and floor all around. He walked over to the
shattered windows in the lounge and gazed out at the sea. The fishing ship used
for piracy was 90 meters from the starboard side of <i>Rossignol </i>and was
receding quickly as it plowed through the rolling seawater.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois was joined by his dad a minute later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What a mess,” Judah said as he gazed at the
room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The pirates are leaving us,” Francois said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God told me they would leave us after capturing
or killing members of the crew,” Judah said. “Just as God had said, we are
unharmed. Glory to His Holy Name!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It would be a good idea to pray, for the
fishermen,” Francois suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re right, son,” Judah said as his eyes
locked onto his son’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They offered up some prayers to God on behalf of
the crew of the Rossignol and Captain Bernard. Then, Judah said, “Well,
Francois, we are the only ones here. And, I have no idea how to operate a
ship.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t either,” Francois said, with some
concern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If we try to radio a distress signal, the crew
of a communist vessel might board this ship and capture us,” Judah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why don’t we pray about this?” Francois said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good idea,” Judah replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoRhXIMIchA_G5IubVrpkto_a4BUec5T1YTiVZ5o4rNoVpNh6B5G4WSKlzNCLhmM4xvTwxsC-lglm-GNdfi5T6Bz-hOZImXyVzokDoIOoMk_4ssYABRCFDLGZTqxLAW2E2txLZGcR9KY/s1600/Nuclear+Explosion+computer+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="884" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoRhXIMIchA_G5IubVrpkto_a4BUec5T1YTiVZ5o4rNoVpNh6B5G4WSKlzNCLhmM4xvTwxsC-lglm-GNdfi5T6Bz-hOZImXyVzokDoIOoMk_4ssYABRCFDLGZTqxLAW2E2txLZGcR9KY/s640/Nuclear+Explosion+computer+art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;">Chapter 9<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Scorpion}<o:p></o:p></i></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A blond-haired man wearing black tactical
trousers and a light, black jacket cocked a silenced pistol and slipped it into
a holster under his left armpit. He flipped down two night-vision optics over
his light-blue eyes from his new, bullet-proof helmet. Then, he motioned to
three men dressed in similar equipment to follow him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The men walked quickly and quietly down an alley
in Frankfurt, preparing themselves for following their mission for that night.
Their team leader was nicknamed “<i>Scorpion</i>” because he was know to attack
suddenly and without much warning. He was very effective at arresting or
killing underground Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘Those radical Christians will pay for their
foolishness,’ Scorpion thought to himself as he walked. ‘<i>Cobra </i>has said
he will make sure all of them are caught this time. This time, not even one
will escape the noose we’re setting.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel
Shultz}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel Shultz descend back through the hatch in
the floor of the rectangular room (where the homeless men were sleeping) and
hurried down the metal ladder. He passed through the 1.95-meter-high doorway
and reentered the large, WW2-era, underground tunnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where should I go, Abba Father?” he said to God
as he shined his flashlight around the wide, concrete passageway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rusty pipes, some litter, and a few rusty tools
appeared in his bluish beam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God said kindly, “just keep walking
down the tunnel for a ways and you will come to a room on your right. Enter
that room and you will find a stairwell. Take the stairs up to the top and you
will see a hatch. Pass through the hatch and you will find yourself not far
from a Baptist Church building. It is closed down. There, you will see a
surprise.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Father God,” Daniel Shultz said as he
started walking forward down the tunnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He followed God’s instructions and walked down
the tunnel for 152 meters before he saw a door in the right side of the tunnel,
just as God had told him. He pushed open the rusty door and saw a concrete
stairwell with steel-reinforced concrete steps leading up. Wasting no time,
Daniel climbed the stairs up to a square hatch. The metal hatch squeaked
slightly as he pushed up on it. With curiosity, he poked his head out the
hatch, and gazed up at some tall bushes and a building outside. He didn’t want
to run into a police patrol or a gang, so he prayed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Abba Father, is it safe to step out of this
hatch?” Daniel said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, My son,” God said, “you may go now. It is safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, Daniel slipped out of the hatch and shut it
carefully. He found himself standing near some tall, dense, arborvitae bushes,
which completely surrounded the hatch. The back end of a big, white building
appeared through some openings in the tall bushes. He then noticed a steeple
rising up near the front of the building some distance away, on the other side
of the structure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looking left and right, Daniel observed that no
one was around. So, he slowly squeezed through the dense bushes to make sure they
didn’t rustle too much and make noticeable sounds. Then, he cautiously
approached the church building, walking softly through tall, unkempt grass. It
appeared, as he went, that the building had fallen into disrepair. The grass
was overgrown, and paint was peeling off the side of the wooden structure.
Graffiti appeared on portions of the walls, defiling what had once been a house
of worship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son, go to the basement door. I will guide
you,” God said kindly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, I’ll see what’s there,” Daniel Shultz said
as he walked toward the right side of the building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Soon, he saw a wooden door which had been
recently painted white. The paint appeared somewhat fresh. ‘I wonder who would
have painted this door, seeing that the building is in disrepair?’ Daniel
thought to himself. He placed his hand on a brass knob and turned it, and the
door opened. His heart beat faster. ‘I wonder if someone is inside his
building?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He drew out his flashlight, turned it on, and
shined the light into a basement antechamber which had a door at the far end.
Cardboard boxes, bits of litter, and dust appeared in the bluish flashlight
beam. He passed through the opposite door and found himself in a spacious
dining hall which was filled with more cardboard boxes and more dust, and four
old, wooden pews. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Outdated florescent lights appeared in the
ceiling, but many appeared to be broken or missing from their fixtures. The
place seemed to be abandoned, but the presence of cardboard boxes drew Daniel’s
curiosity. He walked over to one of the boxes in the dining hall which rested
in the middle of the room near a wooden pew. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The box was taped shut with shipping tape, so he
cut it with a pocket knife and opened the box flaps. Inside, Daniel saw German
Sunday school booklets for children, which were coated with some fine dust. He
tried another box and found Gospel tracts. Unlike the Sunday school booklets,
these Gospel tracts were in new condition. He selected a tract and felt its
laminated surface. It felt new as if it had been printed recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are a brother, I take it?” a voice suddenly
said with a strange mixture of fear and boldness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel turned to his right and saw four men who
were dressed in sweaters and dark trousers. All four were fairly tall and
strong-looking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who are you?” Daniel said, feeling his heart
beating fast. ‘What are they doing here?’ he thought to himself. ‘And, why did
he ask me that strange question?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are followers of the Light,” another man
said. “We don’t mean to alarm you, but we want to know if you follow the Light
too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is this Light you speak of?” Daniel said,
confused. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He who gave us the promise,” one man said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What promise is this?” Daniel said, still
confused. ‘These are strange words,’ he thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am <u>Markus Pl</u></span><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ӧ</span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tz</span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">,” the first man to speak said. “And, you are a believer in Jesus, I
take it?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am a Christian and a follower of Jesus,”
Daniel said, trusting that God was not going to let harm come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So are we,” Markus said. “We love and follow the
Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world and the Giver of life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am Daniel Shultz,” Daniel said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Markus stretched out his hand and walked up to
Daniel, smiling. His face had changed soon after Daniel had mentioned his
faith. They shook hands, and Daniel, in turn, shook all the men’s hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is <u>Conrad Hofer</u>, and <u>Hans Schmidt</u>,
and <u>Alfred Freistetter</u>,” Markus said, motioning toward his friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are underground Christians who serve God as
He leads us by His Spirit,” Markus said. “He led us to come to this building in
preparation for meeting you. He even told us that you were a man and that you
were coming at this time of night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Praise the Lord Jesus,” Daniel said. “I didn’t
expect God to have other underground believers here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was a pause. Then, Daniel said, “Do any of
you know escape routes out of communist Europe?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The men shook their heads. But, Markus frowned as
he thought about Daniel’s question. Then, he said, “The only way to escape
communist Europe is by God’s help. God can use smugglers, but He often prefers
to work supernaturally.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why haven’t you folks escaped yet?” Daniel said,
curious why they were risking their lives to meet him and talk to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God has called us to minister in the underground
Church for a few years,” Markus said. “We live in secret locations and work in
covert ways. The government cannot learn about our every move since we are
supernaturally protected by God, who is always with us, guiding us. Of course,
we do make mistakes and we do sin, but we repent and turn back to God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The anteroom door suddenly opened, startling all
the men, and they turned to face the door. Standing in the entrance was a man
who appeared to be breathing hard. He was in his late 20s and had a short,
black beard. He was dressed in dark clothing and had a hood. Removing the hood,
he walked toward the group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Heinrich,” Markus said with concern, “what is
going on? Why are you breathless?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I hurried to get over here as soon as possible,
as the Lord Jesus led me,” Heinrich said, breathing hard. “The underground
print shop has been breached. The secret police have just begun to raid it. I
escaped through a secret hatch outside the building, but I think some of our
brothers have been caught.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Markus
frowned and nervously bit his lower lip. “Let us pray, brethren,” he said, “God
is still with us, and He never has left us, and he never will.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amen,” said Hans, a brown-haired man in his
later 20s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I had left the print shop on …” Daniel said,
giving the general location of the building he had been staying at for the past
week and a half. “That’s where God had me staying recently.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is the place,” Hans said, nodding. “Sadly,
it is likely going to be turned into a communist print shop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s pray, shall we,” Markus said, glancing at
the two men before he bowed his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Scorpion}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scorpion and his team were now in position to
strike. He was waiting on team 3 to give him a report of their position. Once
team 3 was in place, Cobra would surely order the teams to move in for the
“kill.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scorpion (<i>a muscular, blond-haired man with a
scar on his right temple</i>) was stationed in an alley behind the printing
building that Daniel Shultz had been staying at. It was the same building where
Daniel had fled to in order to escape the police. Now, the communist regime in
control of Frankfurt was certain that underground Christians were conducting
“illegal” operations out of this building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scorpion and all those in the five “strike teams”
were almost ready to go into action. In a few seconds, some teams would get
orders to breach the building while others kept security outside. The units of
special secret police had been waiting for such a time as this. Now was their
hour to get “revenge” on God’s people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel
Shultz}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dear Heavenly Father,” Markus said, “we are
living in hard times. The communists want to capture us, torture us, and
imprison us, or convert us to their ideology. But, they don’t want you, Lord
Jesus. We ask that you would powerfully destroy the devil’s plans for these
communist police, spies, loyalists, and leaders. We ask that they would turn to
you for salvation, dear Lord Jesus Christ. We ask that these people would see
the truth about who you really are, and will want to know you personally, and
intimately, and to follow you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He continued to pray. Then, other men joined in
with their own prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son, Markus,” God’s kind voice said to him
after he had finished praying and while someone else was interceding for the
Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Markus Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tz walked away from the group a little distance and said, “Yes, Abba
Father?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God said this to Markus’s spirit: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son, I will tell you this. I want you to
realize that I allowed the printing office and printing company to be raided
and seized by the government not because I was against the good that they were
doing, but because I was allowing this as a trial to call out to them. You see,
that company has done much good for My Kingdom, but now I will be working in a
more powerful way than before. I will send the two witnesses spoken of in
Revelation chapter 11, verses 3 through 13. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“These witnesses shall show signs, and wonders,
and miracles to the earth, and all people shall hear about these witnesses, if
those people have access to the internet or the TV. For, the witnesses will
release mighty signs and wonders in the Name of Jesus Christ, and will show
that Jesus died and rose from the dead in order to save all who will receive
Him as their personal Savior, and Lord, and God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“These witnesses shall do mighty things to call
out to all the world and show them that there is no other Name under Heaven
given to mankind for the salvation from sins and for eternal life, and that
Name is Jesus Christ, My Only Begotten Son.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Revelation 11:3-5 </u>says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“[3]
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">And I will give </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">power </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">unto my two
witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">and </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">threescore days,
clothed in sackcloth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[4] These are the two olive trees, and
the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[5] And if any man will hurt them, fire
proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies : and if any man
will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.”]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Scorpion}<o:p></o:p></i></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Team 1, go,” the orders came for Scorpion and
his men to breach the building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hearing Cobra’s commanding voice over his two-way
radio headset, Scorpion moved into action. He hurried across the alley toward a
door in the side of the brick building. This door led into the basement, which
is where he wanted to start his operation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Two men followed him, carrying a heavy,
cylindrical tube, which was filled with concrete. He stood guard while they
began slamming the heavy tube into the door. <b><i>Bang. Thump. Crash. </i></b>On
the third try, they had succeeded in smashing open the thick door. It splintered
under the momentum of the breaching device. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, one at a time, the men slipped through the
door with automatic weapons ready to fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Daniel
Shultz}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">EDIT HERE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God continued speaking to Markus Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tz, and God said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“By trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation, a
person is saved, born-again, and given the promise of eternal life. So,
printing shops, tract distribution, and other things will be shut down by the
devil’s agents, but My Kingdom shall advance through all the earth, and
millions of people shall be saved as they see My mighty hand stretched out to
demonstrate My power to all the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My hand shall bring light to the darkness of the
world, to show the people who sit in darkness the Great Light of Christ and to
show them that there is no way that they can be saved by their own works or by
their own plans. Only can they be saved by trusting in My Son, Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, I will show you that your time ministering
in Germany is soon to end. I will translate your family and you to a city of
refuge -- a type of Noah’s ark -- so that you can be safe from the flood of
evil that will pour over Europe and over the world. For, the gates of Hell
shall unleash darkness upon the face of the earth like never before. Sin shall
abound. Darkness and wickedness shall reign for a season, but I will call out
to all people and plead with them to repent and turn to Me for salvation
through Jesus Christ the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Soon, the Antichrist, which is also called the
Beast, shall arrive on planet earth. You have heard about aliens being seen by
people. These aliens are part of Satan’s deception. They are a cunning trickery
to fool millions of people into accepting the appearance of fallen angels on
the planet. I tell you that people will worship these aliens and call them
‘brothers of mankind’ and ‘healers of the human race.’ But, these aliens are
none other than clever deceptions, evil spirits, and fallen angels, in
disguise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They will not heal the human race. Rather, they
will seek to destroy, deceive, and devour the earth, and fill it with
wickedness. They will deny the Bible and deny the God of the Bible. They will
promote false religions and cult worship followings of their ‘species.’ Satan
will appear as an angel of light, as My Word says he will, and Satan will
deceive billions of people into worshiping him and worshiping the Antichrist or
Beast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There will be millions and millions of people
who fall prey to the devil’s trickery and deceptions. And, billions will fall
into Hell because they refused to listen to the miracles of God, the Word of
God, and the conviction of the Holy Ghost, My Spirit who speaks to all people
and warns all people of judgment to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There will be false prophets, and false pastors,
and false teachers, and workers of false signs and lying wonders. They will
deceive many people. And, millions will be prepared for receiving the
Antichrist through their lies and deceptions. When the Antichrist comes, he
will come to lead people away from all worship of what is called ‘God.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Instead, he will claim to be a ‘god,’ and he
will say that ‘God’ is in everyone. He will teach new age lies, which are not
new. And, he will promote the occult and eastern mysticism. He will promote the
worship of the self and the worship of himself. The Antichrist will also seek
to unite all religions into one -- that is the worship of Satan and the self.
He will promote the ‘brotherhood of man’ and promote that all people are ‘gods’
with supernatural power that they can tap into through occult and eastern
practices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, the Antichrist will revive the new age
movement’s old lies and will combine it with the worship of the devil and of
himself. The devil will also deny the existence of Hell and will say that that
is a ‘myth’ from ancient times. But, the devil is a liar. And, his lies will be
exposed, for portals -- or giant holes that connect the supernatural realm to
the natural realm -- will open up and evil creatures will come out, as the book
of Revelation says.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">____________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;">{ <b><i>[The Fifth Trumpet]<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Revelation 9:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;">“[1] And the fifth angel sounded, and I
saw a <b><u>star fall from heaven </u></b><u>unto the earth</u> : and to him
was given the key of <b><u>the bottomless pit. </u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[2] And <u>he <b>opened </b>the <b>bottomless
pit </b></u>; and <u>there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a
great furnace ; and <b>the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke
of the pit</b></u><b>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[3] And there came <u>out of the smoke <b>locusts
</b>upon the earth </u>: and unto them was given power, <u>as the scorpions of
the earth have power</u>.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End
quote] </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Emphasis added.] </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Revelation 9:4-10</span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">“[4] And it was commanded them that
they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither
any tree ; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their
foreheads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[5] And to them it was given that they
should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months : and their
torment </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">was </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[6] And in those days shall men seek
death, and shall not find it ; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee
from them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[7] And the shapes of the <b><u>locusts
</u></b></span><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">were </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">like unto horses prepared unto battle </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">; and on their heads </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">were
</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">as it were <b><u>crowns like gold</u></b>,
and their <u>faces </u></span><i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">were </span></u></i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">as the faces of men</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[8] And they had hair as the hair of
women, and their <b><u>teeth were as </u></b></span><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">the teeth </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">of
lions</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[9] And they had breastplates, as it
were <b><u>breastplates of iron </u></b>; and the <u>sound of <b>their wings </b></u></span><i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">was </span></u></i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">as the
sound of chariots of many horses running to battle</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[10] And they had <b><u>tails like unto
scorpions</u></b>, and there were <b><u>stings in their tails </u></b>: and <u>their
power </u></span><i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">was </span></u></i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">to hurt men five months</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">.” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End
quote] </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Emphasis added.] </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[The Sixth Trumpet]<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Revelation 9:15-19<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">“[15] And the four angels were loosed,
which were prepared for an hour,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">and a day, and a month, and a year, for
to slay the third part of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[16] And the number of the army of the
horsemen </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">were </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">two hundred<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">thousand thousand : and I heard the
number of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[17] And thus I saw the horses in the
vision, and them that sat on them,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">having breastplates of fire, and of
jacinth, and brimstone : and <b>the<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">heads </span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">of the <u>horses </u></span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">were
</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">as the <u>heads of lions </u></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">; and <b>out of their<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">mouths issued fire and smoke and
brimstone</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[18] <b><u>By these three was the third
part of men killed, by the fire, and by<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">the smoke, and by the brimstone, which
issued out of their mouths</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[19] For their power is in their mouth,
and in their tails : for <b><u>their tails<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">were </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">hurt</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">.” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote] </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Emphasis added.] }</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[A Message from God, continued.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God continued speaking to Markus Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tz in the basement of the
closed Baptist Church building in Frankfurt, and <b><u>God said</u></b>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“These evil creatures will come forth from Hell
and will swarm over the whole earth. They will oppress and kill men, women, and
older children who are hardened against Me. They will not touch young children
or infants since they are not hardened against Me. But, these evil beings will
oppress the hardened people who don’t want to repent from their sins and trust
only in Jesus Christ for salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Satan will marshal the whole world of people who
despise Me to come and worship him and bow before his throne, so to speak. He
will rule over the world for a period of 7 years with his ‘son,’ so called, who
is the Antichrist or the Beast. During this time, many people will have to
decide if they will serve this intruder into earth’s environment or serve Me,
their Creator and God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, the wicked will serve the devil and will
not turn to Me. However, even among those who are ungodly, I will work
powerfully. And, some will turn to Me for salvation and for forgiveness of sins
through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Roman cross 2000 years ago. I
will bring millions to Me through My power and by My working in their hearts.
But, millions more of other people will reject My calling out to them, and will
not let Me work to bring them to Me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is why I allow such hard trials and times
of great tribulation to come upon the human race. That is why I allow famines,
pestilences, diseases, and so forth to strike the people on earth. I don’t want
it to happen, but I allow the devil to do those things as a wake up call to
people that perhaps they would humble themselves and seek Me. And, they will
find Me if they seek Me with a desire to know Me. If they reject Me, I will
have to call out to them stronger. But, I know exactly what needs to be done to
call out to people around the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thus, when the harsh judgments strike the earth
during the tribulation period, which lasts only 7 years, millions of
hard-hearted souls will be convicted of their sins and turn to Me. But,
millions more will continue to harden their hearts against Me, but I will
continue to call out to them that they would repent and be saved through Jesus
Christ, the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If they don’t repent, then I will continue to
plead with them that they will repent. However, sadly, most will not choose to
repent from their sins. So, they will receive the mark of the Beast, and will
be damned to Hell because they refused to repent from their sins. The word
‘damn’ refers to being sent to Hell as punishment for rejecting Jesus Christ,
and for being very wicked and ungodly. Such souls cannot be saved because I see
their hearts are so hardened that they never will repent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, I will also show you that when you seek Me
more, I will reveal more things to you. But, I will prepare you for receiving
them. Of course, nothing I say will contradict My Word, the Bible. I only agree
with My own Word. But, the devil, the deceiver wants to lead My Church away
from the truth of Scripture and into falsehoods, false doctrines, and lies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, to avoid being sucked up into the devil’s
deception, you need to seek to know Me intimately. Look only to Me for all you
need, and I will provide for you all that you ever will need. And, obey what I
lead you to do. I will bless you for this. This is all of Me, and I the LORD
your God and Abba Father have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you for what you revealed to me,” Markus
Pl</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ӧ</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tz said, grateful
that the Father God, the eternal God, had spoken to him about such events. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. <i>{Scorpion}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With guns ready to fire, Scorpion’s team 1 moved
through the basement, room by room. They strategically searched through the
entire basement while team 2 searched the main floor, and team 3 searched the
second floor. Teams 4 and 5 stayed outside and conducted surveillance of the
building, making sure no “criminals” escaped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Scorpion’s team entered a large room on the
left side of the hall they were passing through, they spotted two men at work.
The men had just been packing up Bibles into unmarked, cardboard boxes, which
were arranged on a long bench. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Police! Don’t move!” Scorpion said firmly and
loudly as he entered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The men froze, feeling their hearts pounding in
their chests. They were caught doing something both knew their communist
government was completely against. It was illegal to print and distribute
non-approved Bibles in all countries of communist Europe. The approved Bibles
were corrupted versions that omitted anything the communists didn’t like, and
they contained highly modified verses that perverted God’s Holy Word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, the underground Church had been printing
Bibles translated from the King James Version into German or French, or other
European languages. But, these were highly illegal. And, the communist
authorities had wanted to find and arrest all printers and distributors of
these banned Bibles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-91514837369777549782019-08-14T20:36:00.002-07:002019-08-15T20:42:10.522-07:00(CHAPTERS 6 AND 7) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapters 6 <u>and</u> 7</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/08/chapter-1-adventures-of-matthew.html" target="_blank">(For Chapter 1, click Here.)</a></b></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;"><br /></span></u>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;"><b>Chapter 6</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Mediterranean Sea. South of France. 2038 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">. </span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Francois Israel}<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois Israel and his dad, Judah, were sitting
in Francois’s cabin aboard the “Rossignol,” a large, French purse seiner
fishing ship. Francois had just overheard some startling information muttered
by a crewman of the “<i>Rossignol</i>.” He knew he must share it with his dad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois said: “When the red-haired sailor was
walking down the hallway outside this cabin, he said some things, but I
listened very closely, and I distinctly heard him say something very
disturbing. He said, ‘<i>Once we reach the middle mark, these ignorant
Christians will bring me a good deal of money.</i>’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois paused, then said, “Dad, what do you
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let me think about it first, son,” Judah said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The 54-year-old leaned back in his camping chair
and frowned as he scratched his grey beard. The underground Christian Jew was
troubled by what his son had overheard. ‘This mysterious red-haired sailor must
be a mole,’ Judah thought. ‘But, how could a mole make his way into the trust
of a Christian captain? Or, is it possible that Captain Bernard himself is a
mole?’ That thought deeply troubled Judah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘If the captain is a mole, I have just led my son
into a trap,’ Judah thought to himself. ’But, perhaps, Bernard is unaware of
this red-haired sailor’s true allegiance. Should I tell the captain? If he is
trustworthy, no harm will come to us. But, if the captain isn’t trustworthy, I
would be endangering my son and me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘However,’ Judah thought, ‘given that Captain
Bernard is trustworthy, telling him about a mole may also put my son and me in
danger. What action can the captain take against a crewmember who is a mole for
the government? If the captain locks him up in a holding cell, the corrupt
sailor will eventually get back to France and will report on Captain Bernard’s
actions. And, other members of the crew might also be moles, and they could
mutiny against their captain. It would be best, perhaps, not to tell anyone
about this mole, but to watch his every move, as much as possible.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, son,” Judah said, after a while, “I think
we should not tell anyone about this matter, unless God tells us otherwise. It
would be best to keep this between ourselves. We need to try to keep an eye out
for that sailor in question.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why is that?” Francois said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That sounds like a wise idea, dad,” Francois
said. “I just hope this sailor doesn’t realize we are watching him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If we are careful, he won’t know, son,” Judah
said, smiling slightly. “Let’s pray, shall we?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The two bowed their heads and began talking with
their Heavenly Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Daniel Shultz}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The sky was dark and overcast as Daniel Shultz, a
blond-haired, Austrian tourist, rode in the back seat of a driverless taxi. The
police periodically stopped Daniel to ask him questions since he was a tourist
in the Central German Republic of the Soviet Union in Western Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Continued below: </span></i><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Daniel
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Germany in 21<sup>st</sup> Century (1 of 8)</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Germany,
as a national entity, had ceased to exist after the second Russian invasion
came. The Russian invasion followed a NATO member’s attack on Russia. Angered
by the attack, Russia had launched thousands of nuclear missiles at the United
States, at NATO bases, and at key targets in Europe. Berlin was mostly
destroyed, and a harmful level of radioactivity remained within the remains of
the city. Having its capital wiped out, Germany was in turmoil. Its weak
military stood alone against the Russian bear and was no match for the new
Russia’s strength. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Daniel Shultz in Germany (Continued)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel Shultz placed his head near the left
passenger window and gazed out toward a skyscraper that was rising up from the
ground. Like insects attached to its structure, cranes raised building
materials up to the unfinished part of the building. Due to their new wealth,
Russian corporations were building office / apartment towers in some cities in
Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Communist
Germany in 21<sup>st</sup> Century (2 of 8)</span></u></b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Like
a steamroller, Russia had plowed through Europe, crushing resistance and
knocking Europe’s armies over like bowling pins. There was not a single
national army, navy, or air force that could stand up to the Russian bear. Its
superb military had been “beefed up” by Putin and his team. Nothing had been
allowed to slip into decay under Putin’s watchful gaze. His army was top-notch.
His navy was accelerating toward new heights of power, and his air force was
unbeatable. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[Continued
below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________</span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Daniel Shultz in Germany (Continued)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A yellow dump truck made a deep groan as it drove
onto a road some distance away from Daniel’s taxi. He could see piles of rubble
and twisted pieces of metal in a plot of land 50 meters away. He had learned
that the ruins of demolished building were being loaded onto dump trucks and
hauled off toward sea ports where the remains would be loaded onto barges to be
dumped at sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________</span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Communist
Germany in 21<sup>st</sup> Century (3 of 8)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Advanced
Russian technology allowed the Russians to knock out all communications systems
in Europe for three days, allowing his military to have the advantage and seize
ground quickly. Ukraine was encircled and swallowed up by the giant to its
east. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, and
many other countries were knocked down like rag dolls. Germany, being fearful
of gaining too strong of a military, and becoming a threat to its own interests
by its bad reputation from World War 2, was very weak and was not able to put
up much resistance to the Russian attack. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Nonetheless,
the Russians knew that many NATO bases were located in Germany, and many U.S.
military personnel were living in Germany. So, Germany was bombed in many key
cities and locations. Its great cities were surrounded, and immediately
surrendered. Its great parks and universities were turned into communist
training centers and military headquarters, for a short time. The institutions
that made Germany a powerhouse in Europe were quickly seized by the Russians
and taken over by Russian oligarchs and military leaders. The assets of wealthy
Germans were distributed to oligarchs and to the Russian military. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[Continued
below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Daniel Shultz in Germany (Continued)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The driverless taxi suddenly signaled to turn to
the right, and it moved over toward the side of the road, where it parked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is happening?” Daniel Shultz said out loud.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is a routine traffic check,” the taxi’s
onboard computer responded in an artificial, human-like voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why would the traffic need to be checked?”
Daniel said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are a foreigner,” the computer responded.
“So, you will need to be stopped more often than citizens.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A police car pulled up behind the driverless
taxi, and a clean-shaven police officer exited his vehicle. He walked up to the
passenger side and Daniel rolled down his window. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello sir, could you look this way, please? This
will likely only take a minute,” the police officer said as he pulled out a
tablet (<i>a portable, hand-held computer</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel looked up at him, feeling some fear
stirring in his heart. He was an underground Christian. But, he had been very
secretive about his walk with God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The police officer used a camera on the tablet to
snap a photo of Daniel’s face. Then, the man pressed a button on the device’s
screen. A signal was transmitted to a network of supercomputers used by the
governments of the German states. In a split second, the tablet displayed a
“dossier” of information on Daniel Shultz. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It listed his citizenship, his age, name, date of
birth, citizen number, and many other details about him, including his
“responsibility score.” If his score was too low, the police officer would be
told to arrest Daniel. The score was calculated by supercomputers and it was
based on how well he “performed” as a citizen of the People’s Republic of
Austria. Everything he did that was considered “un-loyal,” irresponsible, or
“suspicious” would be used against him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The communist police officer’s eyes widened a
little. Then, he returned his tablet to a rugged case attached to his belt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He drew his side arm (<i>or pistol</i>) and
pointed it at Daniel’s chest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Communist
Germany in 21<sup>st</sup> Century (4 of 8)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Some
of the money was passed down to the average Russian citizens, causing their
standard of living to increase. And their loyalty to the Russian government
became more solidified as the Russian people realized that their leaders had
saved Russia from certain extinction by the NATO. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">While
Germany felt the powerful blow to its economy, military, and society, millions
of Germans faced hard times, losing jobs as their companies were crippled due
to the war and due to being displaced by Russians who were sent by their
government to work in Germany. Millions of Germans also faced the loss of
family members and loved ones as a few cities were bombed in Germany. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Daniel Shultz in Germany (Continued)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Step out of the car, please,” the officer said
firmly. His tone had changed completely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is this?” Daniel said, feeling fear rushing
through his chest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am placing you under arrest,” the officer
said, “because you are deemed a potential threat to the security of this
republic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel raised a hand and slowly opened the door.
He stood and raised both hands, hoping that he could somehow escape. But, there
appeared no way to escape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly, a loud squeal of rubber skidding across
asphalt came and drew the police officer’s attention away from Daniel. A sport
car was roaring through the streets, dodging traffic and driving much faster
than the speed limit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The distraction was just what Daniel wanted. He
ran into the street and paused, waiting for a break in traffic. It came quickly
and he dashed across the street. The police officer, totally distracted by the
chaos on the road, had not noticed him flee until Daniel was running through
the middle of the street, dodging cars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The police officer holstered his pistol and
sought to find a gap in the traffic, but he did not find an opening until
fifteen seconds had passed. He ran across the street and found himself on a
sidewalk standing before a 4-story building. An alley between that building and
a second one like it beckoned him in. He headed toward the alley and called in
a report on his encrypted, police radio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Communist
Germany in 21<sup>st</sup> Century (5 of 8)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">What
led to this horrific attack on Germany was its great rebellion against God,
their Creator. They had grieved over the suffering they had to endure during
the aftermath of World War 2. While the Allies began to rebuild Germany, its society
was returning back to a degree of affluence. But, soon, Germans had sought
after hedonism and sin. The evil spirits behind the holocaust and the Nazis’
rise to power led Germany into great sin and rebellion. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">By
the time America was embracing homosexuality, Germany was embracing that and
many other perverted things. Its sin was rising up toward Heaven like smoke
from a great bonfire. The stench of Germany’s sin was horrible. Even though the
great European nation had opened its doors to refugees from Syria and other
places, it still conducted great wickedness and immorality. So, God knew that
He would have to judge that country. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Daniel Shultz in Germany<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Meanwhile, Daniel ran for his life. As he ran --
his feet pounding the pavement -- he began to wonder what he would do once he
came back into the view of the plethora (or <i>large amount</i>) of
face-scanning security cameras, which were placed in street corners, important
buildings, stores, banks, offices, libraries, etc. He felt that he had made a
big mistake in leaving Austria for the German states. He had wanted to learn
about the underground Church in the communist German states, but he had
unwittingly drawn the attention of the communist security and surveillance
systems. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He knew he faced a countdown. He had so many
seconds before the police would likely corner him and arrest him. But, perhaps,
he could somehow<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>avoid capture. Perhaps,
there was a way to escape the communist police. He hoped and prayed as he ran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[End of section]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Communist
Germany in 21<sup>st</sup> Century (6 of 8)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Thirty
percent of Germany was destroyed due to the Russian invasion and attack. The
other seventy percent was converted into three countries ruled by puppet
governments, which were secretly loyal to Russia and its leaders. Germans now
faced living conditions not much different than the Uighur people of Xinjiang,
China (who were placed in secret concentration camps in 2016 A.D.). <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">From
2016 to 2018 A.D., over a million Uighur people had been sent into
concentration camps in Xinjiang, China and elsewhere simply because their
culture clashed with the Han Chinese culture. To the communist Chinese
government, they were a “loose cannon.” So, the Chinese government determined
to eradicate all Uighur culture and beliefs through concentration camps,
surveillance, brain-washing, and a strict police state. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[Continued
below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Mediterranean Sea. South of Italy. 2038 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">. </span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The “<i>Rossignol</i>” (Captain Bernard
Auxiette’s 57-meter-long purse seiner fishing vessel) was hitting some rough
seas south of the island of Sicily and east of Malta. The bow of the <i>Rossignol
</i>was heading toward the oncoming waves to keep it from being overturned by
the mighty, watery crests. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Onboard, the crew was either stationed in the
engine room or in the ship’s pilothouse (or bridge). Francois and Judah sat in
their cabins and prayed, asking God to get them safely across the Mediterranean
and to the land of Israel. Both knew that only God could help them to escape
ship boarding parties sent to inspect the ships for illegal passengers or
goods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois Israel stood up from the bed, bent down,
and crawled over to the porthole to gaze through at the dark sky. The cabin
floor was rising and falling with the sea, making standing difficult. He had
gotten a little sea sick due to having not traveled on a rough sea. His face
was now close to the round window. Dark-grey clouds covered the sky and poured
down sheets of rain. Strong, west-blowing wind sent waves crashing into the bow
of the fishing ship. Francois could see the dark, choppy water of the “angry”
sea rising and falling, heaving like a chaotic monster. A wave suddenly splash
against the porthole, but it was shut, thankfully. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So far, the <i>Rossignol </i>had not been boarded
by coast guard patrols, as many maritime vessels often were. Being a fishing
vessel gave it some advantage over a freighter because freighters were often
used to smuggle people since they had a greater carrying capacity than a
fishing vessel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A knock suddenly came from his cabin door.
Francois stood and hurried over to the door. He opened it to find his dad
standing on the other side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was dressed in a neon-green waterproof jacket,
a black watch cap, and tactical trousers. His bearded face looked pale with
fear, the cold, or something else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come inside, dad,” Francois said, stepping out
of the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Judah Joseph Israel entered his son’s cabin and
Francois shut the door, and locked it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You look troubled, dad. What’s wrong?” Francois
said with some concern for his dad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below: <b>Aboard the <i>Rossignol</i></b>]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Communist
Germany in 21<sup>st</sup> Century (7 of 8)</span></u></b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Copying
China’s brutal but effective methods, the communist Russian government took
Chinese technology and applied it to the three new German states and to all
puppet governments. However, the communist Russians toned down the crushing power
of the police state from what the Chinese had in Xinjiang. They implemented
surveillance, police security stations, much propaganda, and intimidation to
subdue all of Europe under their control.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Every
country in Europe felt the power of communist Russia’s might and the near-total
surveillance and monitoring of the Russian-sponsored puppet governments. Anyone
who spoke out against this extreme totalitarian system was arrested and sent to
a concentration camp. Underground Christians were hunted down, and all existing
Churches were turned into government-controlled tools for propaganda and
deception. The true Church began to come out from these false institutions that
claimed to be “Christian,” but were nothing more than shells promoting the
communists and their ungodly agendas. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[Continued
below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Aboard the <i>Rossignol </i>(Continued)<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Judah cleared his throat and said, “I have been
paying close attention to the red-haired sailor who you heard mutter some
strange words. What exactly did he say, again? Do you remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He said, ‘<i>Once we reach the middle mark,
these ignorant Christians will bring me a good deal of money.</i>’ Or,
something like that,”<i> </i>Francois said, trying to lock that statement into
his memory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, I saw him lowering something into the
water just five minutes ago,” Judah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What did it look like?” Francois said, studying
his dad’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It was the size of an ice chest that you might
use for a picnic, but it was metal,” Judah said. “It sank once he tossed it
into the water. It could have been a metal box, but I don’t know. Or, it might
have been some kind of instrument for measuring characteristics of the ocean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘Why would he toss such an object into the sea
during a storm?’ Francois thought to himself. ‘Could it be an object he wants
someone to pick up later, or evidence that could incriminate him?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dad, why don’t we pray for the red-haired
sailor, for Captain Auxiette, and for the rest of his crew?” Francois said as
he faced his dad. “The captain told us that he and his crew were Christians,
but I am not so sure of that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I heard some of them swear and take God’s Name
in vain,” Judah said scratching his grey beard. “I believe they are not true
Christians. But, they are willing to take us to Israel, and God is with us, so
I trust the Almighty to lead us to the promised land. But, yes, let’s pray. The
captain and his crew need to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal
Savior and Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[End of
section]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Communist
Germany in 21<sup>st</sup> Century (8 of 8)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">As
they came out and went underground, the Church began to really thrive in
Europe. Many people began to seek after God and met the Lord Jesus Christ.
Soon, the numbers of underground Christians began to grow. As they did, God
prepared them for leaving the evil societies of Europe and heading to places of
refuge in distant wilderness areas, where God would feed, clothe, and provide
for His people. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Not
every Christian made it to the cities of refuge, but their hearts were drawn
closer to God, and their desires began to conform more and more to God’s
desires, and God’s heart. As this happened, the Church became a powerful army
to advance the Gospel to places where it had never been preached before. And,
the Church reached places, by miracles of God, to show the people who sat in
darkness the light of Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the dead for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, many got saved.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[End
of this section]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi53eCVRuomjMIiLqU-nuowF9OW4jBeqxbFDkXvx9GdBalYE2_7zFEdPT-dkplchtjFkT4CKHvJ2m4o_8HI__zvv0Iy4tmKORvYfcGcA__MnD8V8rH1Xa_Wb73BlzeMY3ANHta7xhlNo/s1600/Nuclear+Explosion+computer+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="884" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi53eCVRuomjMIiLqU-nuowF9OW4jBeqxbFDkXvx9GdBalYE2_7zFEdPT-dkplchtjFkT4CKHvJ2m4o_8HI__zvv0Iy4tmKORvYfcGcA__MnD8V8rH1Xa_Wb73BlzeMY3ANHta7xhlNo/s640/Nuclear+Explosion+computer+art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;">Chapter 7<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">T</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">he Chase in
Frankfurt, “Germany.” 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Daniel
Shultz}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel Shultz felt his heart beating hard in his
chest as he ran down a long alley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWkrywfzmarzChionVxUlH-K0a-ejBns5g8-5CVK_kHuZyW_2mi8RY1bwzC9fWbCKmYJsgcw5seuf0G4uzJ6h9JNRcpA6haVvhG4btfO5U2AZRCL7CV__WodVsnRQGs1vb7aR2x12anw/s1600/Frankfurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="971" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWkrywfzmarzChionVxUlH-K0a-ejBns5g8-5CVK_kHuZyW_2mi8RY1bwzC9fWbCKmYJsgcw5seuf0G4uzJ6h9JNRcpA6haVvhG4btfO5U2AZRCL7CV__WodVsnRQGs1vb7aR2x12anw/s400/Frankfurt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Turn left, My son,” God’s voice spoke to
Daniel’s spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel stopped and looked to the left. An oaken
basement-level door was open ajar in a brick building. So, Daniel swallowed
hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is that you, Father God?” he said silently as he
hesitated before the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Enter the building, My son,” God’s voice spoke
strongly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, Daniel hurried through the door and shut it.
He did it just in time, for the police officer he had fled from had just
entered the alley. But, the man had just missed seeing Daniel slip into the
basement door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel found himself in a musty room lit by white
LED ceiling lights. The floor was made of a white, vinyl flooring material.
Steel, ceiling-high shelves, containing cardboard boxes, rested up against
every wall of the room. In the middle of the 9-by-6-meter (<i>or 54 square
meters</i>) room stood a group of four men and two women. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The people opened their eyes, startled, and
turned toward the “intruder.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who are you?” a tall, strong-looking man with
short, blond hair asked Daniel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘What should I tell them?’ Daniel wondered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son, these are Christians,” God said to
Daniel’s spirit. “Tell them, My son, who you are and that you are an
underground Christian. They will help you, My son. So, you can trust them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I can trust them?” Daniel said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I confess Jesus Christ is indeed come in the
flesh, and yes, you can trust them, My son,” God said, giving him the test of
the spirits found in 1 John 4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Father,” Daniel said silently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, still breathing a little hard from his
running, he spoke to the group: “I am an underground Christian, named Daniel
Shultz. The police are after me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The blond-haired man closed his eyes and silently
spoke with God. Then, he opened his eyes again and said, “Daniel, come with me.
I have a place for you to hide.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel followed the man out of the room through a
door. They entered a linoleum-lined hallway lit by more LED ceiling lights.
Their footsteps echoed down the corridor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The man opened a door to their right and led
Daniel into a room containing a cardboard box compressor. It resembled a blue
bin with a square, crushing component above the bin. The machine had a
hydraulic system for compressing cardboard boxes into bales. Several cardboard
boxes were resting near the big, blue machine, waiting to be crushed. Since the
machine was full, the boxes had been left nearby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The man found a roll of shipping tape and quickly
sealed up one end of a large cardboard box. Several heavy-duty shelves,
containing full cardboard boxes, rested up against the wall opposite the
“crusher.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is this for?” Daniel said as he watched the
man finish sealing up one side of the box, leaving the other side open. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Daniel, I want you to sit down on that shelf,
please,” the man said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel complied and sat down on an empty space of
a shelf. He had to draw his knees up toward his chest. Then, the man slid the
box down over Daniel, covering him completely. The bottom box flaps had been
folded up and taped inside the box to keep them out of the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, the box containing the fugitive looked just
like any other cardboard box on the shelf. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You blend in well, sir,” the man’s voice said
kindly, coming through Daniel’s box. “Now, be very quiet, please. Once the
danger is passed, we will let you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,” Daniel said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll be back here in 15 minutes,” the man said.
“If you need to use the restroom, there is one to your right through a door.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before Daniel could respond, the man’s feet
rapidly clomped across the floor, and the footfalls faded as he passed through
a door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel held his knees, trying to stay calm, but
the metal beneath him felt cool. He felt somewhat uncomfortable, but at least
he was hidden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘I sure hope that police officer doesn’t come
down here,’ he thought to himself. ‘What did I get myself into … coming here to
this German state? But, Austria isn’t much different.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel could feel fear tugging at his chest as he
waited in the darkness of the box. He knew that if he was caught by the police,
he would be sent to a police station where he would be held until a military
van could pick him up and transport him to a concentration camp, or a
government “education center.” There, he knew he would be forced to memorize
communist propaganda, face hard manual labor, and have to go through
mind-control programs, and likely torture. But, he knew that God could give him
the grace and strength in such hardship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">However, he also knew that God did not desire to
see people suffer. It grieved God’s heart to see people endure great hardship,
pain, suffering, and disease. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A Bible passage came to Daniel’s mind from the
book of Isaiah. Isaiah chapter 63, verses 7 through 9, were some of his
favorite verses in the Bible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“[7] I will mention the <u style="text-underline: words;">loving-</u><u>kindnesses of the </u></span><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">LORD</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">and </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">the praises<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">of the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">LORD</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">, according to all that the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">LORD
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">hath bestowed on us,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">and <u>the great goodness </u>toward
the house of Israel, which he hath<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">bestowed on them according to <u>his
mercies</u>, and according to the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">multitude of <u>his loving-kindnesses</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[8] For he said, Surely they </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">are </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">my people,
children </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">that </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">will not lie : so<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">he was their Saviour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[9] <u>In all their affliction he was
afflicted</u>, and <u>the angel of his presence<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">saved them</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> : <u>in his love and in his pity he redeemed them </u>; and <u>he<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">bare them, and carried them all the
days of old</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">.” [End quote] [<u>Isaiah 63:7-9</u>]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The Word
of God brought Daniel comfort as he thought about his precarious situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[<i>Continued
below: </i></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">The Chase</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">]<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A Note About Jesus Christ, the Messenger of the
New Covenant<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Note</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">: The Hebrew word
for angel also refers to a messenger. Jesus Christ is the messenger of God the
Father, who gives us eternal life if we believe on Jesus Christ and believe on
what He did through his life, death, and resurrection. There is no eternal life
in Heaven or salvation for people who reject Jesus Christ, as the Holy Bible
teaches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Romans <b>3:19-20
</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">says: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it
saith to them who are under the law : that every mouth may be stopped, and all
the world may become guilty before God. [20] Therefore by the deeds of the law
there shall no flesh be justified in his sight : for by the law </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">is </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">the knowledge of
sin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Romans <b>3</b>:<b>21</b>-<b>28</b> </span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">says:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“But now the righteousness of God
without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets ; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Even the righteousness of God </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">which is </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">by
faith of Jesus Christ unto<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">all and upon all them that believe ;
for there is no difference :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God ;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Being justified freely by his grace
through the redemption that is in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Christ Jesus :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Whom God hath set forth </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">to be </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">a propitiation
through faith in his<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">blood, to declare his righteousness for
the remission of sins that are<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">past, through the forbearance of God ;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">To declare, </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I say, </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">at this time his
righteousness : that he might be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">just, and the justifier of him which
believeth in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Where </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">is
</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">boasting then ? It is excluded. By what
law ? of works ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Nay ; but by the law of faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Therefore we conclude that a man is
justified by faith without the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">deeds of the law.” [End quote]</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">So, salvation is not by works at all, but only by
trusting in Jesus Christ alone to save you from your sins and to give you
eternal life in Him. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[<i>End of section</i>]</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">The Chase (Continued)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Time seemed to crawl by slowly as Daniel Shultz
waited in the cardboard box. He hoped to hear from his mysterious friend soon.
It seemed that 15 minutes had expired, but no footfalls or other notable sounds
had reached his ears in a while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘Is it possible that this is a trap?’ Daniel
thought. ‘But, God had told me to trust these people. Or, was that really God
speaking to me? Could that have been the enemy?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel shook his head. ‘This is not the work of
the devil to bring me here. God confirmed the test of the spirits and God is
here to help me.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Father God, did you really lead me here?” Daniel
asked presently as he felt the weight of his insecurity pressing on him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, My son,” God’s kind voice spoke to Daniel’s
spirit, “I spoke with you and told you to go here. I will protect you. Very
soon, these Christians will help you to escape capture. The police will be
blinded by evil spirits so that they cannot find you. </span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I will do this because you are wanting to know Me better, are wanting
to follow Me, and are wanting to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow
Me no matter what</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. That is very good. Now, rest, My son. I will
take care of you. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you very much, Abba Father,” Daniel Shultz
said, relaxing. “I will trust you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Footfalls came echoing through the room suddenly.
They approached Daniel’s box. Hands grabbed the box and lifted it off of him
and there stood the man who had helped him to hide. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was clean-shaven, tall, and he had white-blond
hair. The man smiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are safe, Daniel,” the man said. “The police
walked right past our building and continued searching for you, assuming you
had run somewhere else to find a hiding place.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s your name, friend?” Daniel said as he set
his feet on the floor and stood up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am Carl Strache,” the blond-haired man said,
smiling again. “I serve God and the underground Church.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, you are an underground Christian?” Daniel
said as he stretched his arms. “What do you do for a living, if I may ask, and
how do you avoid detection from the communists?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carl inhaled slowly and exhaled slowly. Then, he
said, “Well, Daniel, I believe you are trustworthy. God told me I can trust
you, so I will. I am part of an underground network of Christians in this
German state. We distribute and print Bibles in the German language. Using
dozens of special portable printers, we can print off 48 full Bibles per hour.
We also have other printers, which are a little larger. They print calendars,
stationery, and postcards. Our company also sells pens, pencils, erasers, and
other similar things. By God’s grace, we print almost 200 thousand Bibles per
year. They are German translations of the King James Bible.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wouldn’t the government find out that your
company prints these Bibles?” Daniel said, squinting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Our Bible printers are in secret locations
throughout Europe,” Carl Strache said. “We print them where the authorities
aren’t looking. And, we distribute them through networks that are safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What were you and those other people doing in
that storage room?” Daniel said, curious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We were having a prayer meeting,” Carl said.
“All 24 of the employees in this branch of the company are Christians. I don’t
know about all the other branches.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel looked right and left, seeing shelves
containing cardboard boxes. “What do these boxes contain?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stationery mostly,” Carl said. “It is waiting to
be purchased by a retailer or wholesaler. We often purchase large quantities of
paper from a paper manufacturer. Then, we print designs and graphics on the
paper and add special notepad glue to portions of the paper. Or, in other
cases, we print and bind diary or journal books.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was wondering,” said Daniel, drawing a breath,
“if you knew of any way I could be smuggled out of the <i>Central German
Republic</i>?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[<u>Note</u>:
After communist Russia had invaded Europe, and had conquered Germany, it had
divided Germany into three countries. The German country Carl was visiting was
named the <u>Central German Republic</u>. Frankfurt was its capital.]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, we can smuggle you out of the Central
German Republic,” Carl said, “but you are now certainly on a database of people
wanted by all communist puppet governments. They share information across their
supercomputer networks. Humanly speaking, you will not be able to escape
detection in France, Britain,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Russia, or
any European country. This is due to the network of facial-recognition
software, surveillance cameras, drones, spies, and information-sharing that
happens between communist countries.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, what hope do I have of avoiding going to a
concentration camp?” Daniel said. “What about you? Are you on a list of wanted
people?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not yet,” Carl said. “I work in secrecy and
through this company. So far, I have avoided been suspected by the police.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What about me? What do I do?” Daniel said,
feeling nervous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will need to talk to God about that,” Carl
said. “Please excuse me for a moment. I need to do something for my work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Except for Carl’s receding footfalls, there was
silence for several long seconds. The ventilation system in the building hummed
in the background. Daniel could feel his heartbeat pulsing through his veins.
He felt like he had a very short time left until he would be caught and
imprisoned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s kind voice spoke to Daniel’s
spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Abba Father?” Daniel said, silently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am with you,” God said kindly, “I love you
very much. You are special to Me. The day is coming very soon when I will
translate you to a place of refuge in either Europe or in Russia. Russia is a
vast country. It has a huge amount of land and plenty of space for a city of
refuge -- or many cities of refuge -- to exist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will prepare you for going there soon. Now,
what I want you to do is live here in the basement area of this building. These
kind people will bring you food and other things you may need. You will live in
a small office that is not being used for anything important. There, I will
prepare you for knowing Me much better and for leaving to go into a city of
refuge. There you will be safe and secure. <u>No police shall arrest you as
long as you follow Me and obey what I lead you to do</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>If you make a mistake, but genuinely want to
do My will, I will give you deliverance from the police and protect you</u>.
So, you can rest and be assure that you are safe in My hand. Remember <b><u>Psalm
91</u></b>, which says that I shall cover you with My wings, and under My wings
you shall trust? <u>This Psalm speaks also of My love, protection, and
provision</u>. My angels will not let harm happen to you <u>because you want to
know Me intimately, want to do My will, and want to follow Me</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, of course, when you were arrested by the
police officer, I gave you the grace to escape arrest because you wanted to
know Me better. But, you made a mistake in going in one of those self-driving
cars. They can detect your identity and can record anything you do or say. So, you
need to follow My leading when it comes to this level of intense security. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, don’t fear. I will guide you. Just stay in
this building for a while. Then, I will lead you out to a city of refuge. <b><u>I
love you very much, My son</u></b>. <b><u>Talk to Me whenever you want</u></b>.
<b><u>Seek to know Me much better, and you will be blessed</u></b>. <b><u>I
shall never leave you, nor forsake you</u></b><u>, even when you sin. I will
bring you back to Me if you turn from Me. Just look to Me, follow My leading,
and you will do well and be blessed</u>. And, I the LORD your God and Abba
Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Heavenly Father,” Daniel said,
grateful. “I am so grateful to have you as My Father and God. I will obey you.
I just need to know you better. But, I realize that is not through my works,
but that is through having a relationship, a friendship, with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is right, My son,” God said. “I love you
very, very much.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you. I love you, Father God,” Daniel
replied, letting himself relax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Mediterranean Sea. South of Italy. 2038 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">. </span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The storm continued to fight against the ship as
it “steamed” through the turbulent waves. Its bow cut a path through large
angry waves for three hours before the wind began to die down. After a while,
the ship was able to head on its way with no trouble from the sea, for the
waves became relatively calm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Unknown to the passengers of the <i>Rossignol</i>,
the storm had driven away human smugglers, <b>communist </b>naval vessels (<i>which
were now aware of Francois and Judah’s escape from France</i>), and other ship
crews with ill intentions. The storm had also kept the crewmen of the <i><u>Rossignol</u>
(Captain Bernard Auxiette’s fishing ship</i>)<i> </i>busy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ve made it through the high seas,” Judah
Joseph Israel said to his son as they stood in the corridor outside their
cabins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am so glad for that, dad,” Francois said. “I
had prayed for God to cause the storm to end soon. And, He didn’t let it last
too long.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If it hadn’t been for God’s loving hand with
us,” Judah said, “I would have felt more concerned for our safety.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You two,” said a burly man with brown hair and a
beard as he approached Francois and his dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes?” Francois said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The captain sent me to direct you to his cabin,”
the sailor said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois and Judah exchanged looks before
following the man down the corridor in the lower part of the ship. They reached
a set of stairs that brought them up to a lounge where a couple crewmen were
relaxing on leather couches and watching a TV documentary about spelunking
(cave-exploring). The passengers’ guide led them across the large room to a
door and knocked. <i>Thump. Thump. Thump.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A few seconds later, the door hinged open and a
bearded man with dark hair and a blue baseball cap stood in the entrance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Captain, here are the passengers,” the sailor
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Captain Bernard Auxiette beckoned the passengers
in, keeping a straight face. They followed him through the door and passed down
a short hallway. The captain opened a second door at the end of the hallway, to
the left. They entered an office and Bernard offered them padded chairs. He sat
down behind a hickory desk, which was fastened to the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The office was small and contained an old filing
cabinet and two paintings of 18<sup>th</sup> century sailing ships, which hung
on two wood-paneled walls. Persian rungs covered the floor and gave the room an
Asian “touch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The captain leaned over his desk and sighed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois could tell something was deeply troubling
him. The French Jew wanted to ask him about it, but he expected the captain
would speak soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An awkward silence filled the room for 10
seconds. Then, the captain looked Judah and then Francois in the eyes. He
swallowed hard and said, “Judah and Francois, I have to inform you that I
cannot continue to transport you across the Mediterranean. My crew is very
worried about being inspected by one of the navies that operate in the
Mediterranean. We have seen a few French, Italian, and Greek naval vessels plying
the sea.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If we get inspected,” Captain Bernard said,
swallowing, “they will find out that you both are aboard. From the internet, I
have learned that there is a warrant for your arrest. If I am caught with you
aboard, I would lose everything and so would the crew. We will have to take you
to one of the countries of North Africa, and leave you there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois felt his heart sink in his chest and
fear strike him like a hammer. Just when they were so close to reaching Israel,
this had to happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Can’t you just hide us somewhere aboard the
ship,” Judah said, “if you see a launch approaching us?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I could, but I know my men would mutiny if I did
that,” Captain Bernard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I thought you said they were Christians,” Judah
said, gazing at the man with surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I lied,” Bernard said sheepishly. “I am not a
Christian, and I never was one. But, I know that smuggling people is a
lucrative business. Due to all the restrictions placed on fishing, and due to a
poor economy, some fishermen are faced to make some hard choices. So, I have
resorted to smuggling to make a nice profit and pay off my debts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If we paid you more money,” Judah said, “would
you be willing to take us to Israel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bernard chuckled suddenly, and shook his head.
Then, he faced Judah and stared at him for a few moments with a serious
expression on his face. “Are you sure you want to do this, sir?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” Judah said, nodding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will have to pay my crew a lot of money too if
they go along with this. So, the price to get to Israel will be very
expensive,” Captain Bernard said as he stared intently at Judah’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Name your price,” Judah said, gesturing with an
open palm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You told me you have more money that you could
pay me,” the captain greedily said. “How much more?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have 80 thousand Francs worth of gold coins in
a certain location,” Judah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Studying Judah’s face, the captain said, “Where
is the money located?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is in an Israeli bank. I don’t have it on my
person,” Judah said. “That would be unwise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where did you obtain the money?” the captain
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is that your business?” the Jewish Christian
said, frowning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just answer me,” Captain Bernard said greedily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I obtained some from an inheritance,” Judah
said, “and I also converted some of my savings money into gold coins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very clever, Judah,” Captain Bernard said,
standing up. “You thought that I would take you to Israel for the sake of a
promise that you would pay me more money. We will stop at a port city in
Egypt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois tensed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“From there,” the captain continued, “I want you
to wire 75,000 Francs worth of money to my Swiss bank account.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Judah sighed. “Please give me a moment to think
about this,” Judah said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No problem,” the captain said. “I will leave you
to discuss this between yourselves. Then, I will return in about 15 minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When the captain was gone and the office door had
been shut, Judah said silently, “What should I do, Father God?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s voice said, “I love you very
much. Give the man the money, and I will provide all the money and resources
you will need in the land of Israel. And, I the LORD your God have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s a lot of money,’ Judah said. ‘But, I
trust that you will provide. So, I will give it to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God said, “I am allowing this trial to
happen so that you will <b><u>learn not to trust in wealth, but to trust only
in Me</u></b>. I will provide for you a job in Israel and a place to stay. And,
I will provide a wife for your son. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father
have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, Father God,” Judah said. “I’ll give him
the money because you are a faithful, loving God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><u>My son, I will never fail you, nor forsake
you</u></b>,” God said reassuringly. “<u>Money is of little worth in My
Kingdom. I have the cattle on a thousand hills, and I have all possessions in
the entire world</u>. <b><u>I shall provide all you need</u></b>. And, I the
LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then, I will get the captain,” Judah said,
standing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Go ahead and do that, My son. I love you,” God
said kindly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Judah thanked God and walked over to the office
door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God showed me something. I need to find the
captain,” Judah told Francois. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God showed me He wants you to give him the
money, dad,” Francois said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I heard that too,” Judah replied before leaving
the cabin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Judah walked down the hallway and passed through
the door that led into the lounge. He found the captain speaking with the
red-haired sailor in a corner of the room. So, Judah waited. Then, after a
couple minutes, the sailor glanced at Judah and said some things to the
captain. Afterwards, he left the lobby through a door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seeing Judah in the lobby, the captain approached
him and Bernard said, “Did you make up your mind?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We will pay you the money, sir,” Judah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very good,” the captain said, grinning. “I just
told members of my crew to prepare for a voyage to Israel instead of toward
Africa. I also informed them that you likely will pay us the money.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, we won’t stop at Egypt?” Judah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Give me all the money you have on your person,”
Captain Bernard said, “and I will trust you to pay me the rest of it once we
get to Israel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have 900 Francs on my person,” Judah said,
reaching into his pocket for his wallet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How much does your son have?” the captain asked.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Footfalls came up behind the captain. “Sir, I
have 400 Francs,” Francois said. “They are all yours.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The captain turned to face the 31-year-old and
grinned. Francois was holding a wad of folded banknotes. “If any of my crew
harasses you, let me know,” he said. “My chef will prepare you a nice dinner
tonight and you are welcome to dine with me in my private dining room. Also,
feel free to use any amenity available to my crew.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They spoke a little more before the captain said,
“Gentlemen, I need to attend to the pilothouse. Please excuse me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After the dark-bearded captain had left, Francois
approached his father and said quietly, “Do you think we can trust him? He was
about ready to leave us off in Africa. He lied to us, telling us he was a
Christian. Should we try to escape from the ship?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No son,” Judah said calmly and near a whisper,
“that would not do. God told me to pay him the money he wanted because our
Heavenly Father said that He will provide for all our needs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is a lot of money for a voyage,” Francois
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Those men are risking their necks for us,
Francois,” Judah said. “So, they want a lot of compensation. But, you are
right. They are very greedy. They are charging us as if we were four passengers
instead of two.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Judah noticed a sailor stand up form his sofa and
stretch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s try to stay out of the way of these men,”
Judah said quietly. “I think some of them secretly despise Jews.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
__________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
<br />
{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-67864013512006814952019-08-13T17:19:00.002-07:002019-08-13T20:28:29.238-07:00Angelica Zambrano Mora's Second (4th) Testimony of Heaven and Hell <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe6qYvTDN3i5NUkSEkdYrvfnVhuNwkrR6xXG30RUI632cFh7iatnvmVRZoPGxxu9MrqaYIVY6dOYLTDs0Zyy1oddlOgS3jfb7oiQrzRYHgbsnIGgp0RQsWDmH6U7FxPToTfSBrJTwvK8/s1600/Fourth+Testimony+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="994" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe6qYvTDN3i5NUkSEkdYrvfnVhuNwkrR6xXG30RUI632cFh7iatnvmVRZoPGxxu9MrqaYIVY6dOYLTDs0Zyy1oddlOgS3jfb7oiQrzRYHgbsnIGgp0RQsWDmH6U7FxPToTfSBrJTwvK8/s640/Fourth+Testimony+Cover.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A note from admin:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dear reader,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before we show you Angelica Zambrano Mora's fourth experience, we want to share a message with you. Please take time to read this first. It will bless you.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUlFWzaXlXHOIW_Mzsho0GBx3hcDYLCgPrbNcYgbmAxOCqlIuKRJW1VVhqaw_TwDFyAfAWRU9ZRYymhyphenhyphens1Iu7wUSUsyNya8Mz7Z5h4Zqee6pccexjq_SzBdn_GFgMiy0zHvrO-y-oAhg/s1600/Fire+in+Hell+Paint+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1408" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUlFWzaXlXHOIW_Mzsho0GBx3hcDYLCgPrbNcYgbmAxOCqlIuKRJW1VVhqaw_TwDFyAfAWRU9ZRYymhyphenhyphens1Iu7wUSUsyNya8Mz7Z5h4Zqee6pccexjq_SzBdn_GFgMiy0zHvrO-y-oAhg/s320/Fire+in+Hell+Paint+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Angelica Zambrano Mora (an Ecuadorian evangelist) received out-of-body experiences, dreams, and visions to share with the world since she was 17-years-old. Her main audience is
in Spanish-speaking countries, but her videos have been translated into
English. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She had her first experience in Heaven and Hell back when she was 17. Since then, she has had other experiences. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Through her testimonies, she
has shared with the world how God had supernaturally taken her out of her body
and into the supernatural world of angels and demons. This is Biblical, as the
Bible teaches that Paul, the apostle, had visions of Jesus. John, the apostle,
had visions of Jesus and the end times. Ezekiel, the prophet, had visions of
Jesus in His glory, sitting on a throne with cherubs and large, supernatural rings (filled with eyes) below it. Moses saw Jesus (God the Son), but
didn't see His face, while on Mount Sinai (a.k.a. Mount Horeb).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The book of <u>Joel
2:27-29</u> says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"[27] And ye shall know
that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none
else: and my people shall never be ashamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[28] And it shall come to pass
afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men
shall see visions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[29] And also upon the servants
and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Paul the apostle wrote about a
man he knew of who was taken up to see the third Heaven. In <u>2
Corinthians 12:2-5</u>, Paul wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"[2] I knew a man in
Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or
whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to
the third heaven. [3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of
the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) [4] How that he was caught up into
paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to
utter. [5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in
mine infirmities." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">So, God can bring people up to Heaven to see things which cannot
be spoken of because they are so wonderful. If God can do that, which He can,
then can’t He bring a person down to Hell to see what Hell is like so that God’s
vessel can warn the Church? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1 Corinthians 2:9-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> says:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“[9] But as it is written, Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>[10] But God hath revealed them
unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep
things of God. </b>[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit
of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the
Spirit of God. [12] <b>Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the
spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to
us of God.</b> [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[14] <b>But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they
are spiritually discerned</b>.” [Emphasis added]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Verse
10 (<i>or 1 Cor. 2:10</i>) reveals that the
things of God are revealed to us by His Spirit. God wants us to know the things
of God. Our physical eyes and our physical ears have not seen or heard
supernatural sights and sounds, but God can allow a person to see them in a
vision or in an out-of-body experience (</span><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">2
Corinthians 12:2-5</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I believe what Angelica Zambrano Mora saw
was through visions and out-of-body experiences from God. She mentioned, in her
first testimony, that she could look down and see her body lying on the ground
(for instance). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">According to <u>heavenvisit.com</u>, Angelica
said:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">‘… I saw my body on the floor. I asked,
"Lord, what is happening?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">What is happening?" I wanted to
touch my body and get inside it again, but when I tried, it was like to
grabbing air: I couldn't touch it. My hand went straight through it. None of
those who were praying there could hear me! And I shouted, "Lord, help
me!"’ [End quote] (</span><a href="http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php">http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php</a>).<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">But, to know if what she experienced
really is from God, one must seek God and ask Him to reveal the truth; and look
at her spiritual fruit; and compare what she is sharing with the whole Bible
(not just a few verses taken out of context). From what I have seen, nothing
she has seen contradicts the Holy Bible. It all lines up with the entire New Testament
and Old Testament. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Angelica is not teaching salvation by
works, as some claim. Rather, she is emphasizing that Christians need to be
spiritually aware, awake, and in love with Jesus. If we don’t have a desire for
intimate fellowship with God, by childlike faith, then we will begin to grow
cold in our walks with God. We need to have intimate fellowship with God on a
regular basis, for He is our Life, our Joy, our Peace, and all we need. And, as
we seek to know God intimately, the power of deception, sin, and other problems
will weaken. That is what God showed me. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Repenting is not works, as some wrongfully say. Rather, it is choosing to forsake sin by looking to God for help, dying to self (or the fleshly will), and by desiring to know God better. Out of this desire to know God, we would listen to Him and then obey Him, for God only has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus spoke these words in <b><u>Luke chapter 14, in verses 15 through 30</u></b>: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">"[15] And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish." [End quote] (<u>Luke 14:15-30</u>.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">In the parable above, the Lord Jesus Christ taught us that if we are to follow Him and have eternal life, we must die to our selfish will (including self-righteousness, worldly pursuits, selfishness, etc.). We cannot serve two. We cannot serve God and our own will. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus Christ said this profound truth in <u>Matthew 6:24</u>: "[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 18px;">(Mammon includes selfishness because the pursuit of money is a form of selfishness and idolatry, but there are other forms of selfishness besides the pursuit of wealth.) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">In verses 22 and 23 (of Matthew 6), the Lord Jesus said: "[22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"</span> [End quote]<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Reader, I recommend that you don’t form
an opinion about Angelica based on something you read online. Seek God about
her, listen to His voice, and be unbiased in searching the scriptures to see
what God’s Word says about visions, dreams, and the things Angelica has said.
We must do that with everything people teach us. That is being a Berean. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">{<u>Acts 17:10-11</u> says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">“[10] And the brethren immediately sent
away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the
synagogue of the Jews. [11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica,
in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">May the peace of Abba Father God, the unmerited
grace of God, and the love of God rest in your soul as you seek to know God,
rest in Him, and obey His promptings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Justin (a pen name)</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WNt0fCo5m42IiB6ry6pVfC-0hDjP5JeV/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">A Printable PDF File</a></div>
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<b><u>From</u>: http://www.heavenvisit.net</b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">4th Experience of Heaven and Hell Angelica Zambrano</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the 4th Experience of Heaven and Hell that the Lord gave to Angelica Zambrano. She was shown the condition of the church, spiritual warfare against believers, the importance of testifying, God’s saving love and that the Lord is coming very soon for a prepared church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God bless you brethren. It is a great blessing to be able to greet and bless your life through this testimony in which God spoke to my life. Not only to bless me but to also bless you so that together we can persevere in our walk with God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Introduction</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First, I would like to tell you where I live. I live in the Chimborazo Province in Ecuador. I can say to everyone that it’s a blessing to be here with my husband and daughter working for the Lord. We are pastors belonging to the International Ministry Council. We are also here with our brother Gabriel. He is the brother who helps us in the editing and production of Sueño de Dios (Dream of God) and representing the ministry Palabra de Revelacion Profetica (Prophetic Word of Revelation) in which God has permitted me to administer</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">throughout these years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s a blessing and great privilege for me to serve the Lord. I’d like to say that God loves you so much and his love is so great that we can see the love in the air we breathe in every day. One more day of our life is another day of hope. It’s an opportunity that God gives us to be able to seek his presence because the word of God says that apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:5). So in this moment I will tell you parts about the 4th experience that the Lord allowed me to experience. It was something big which impacted my life. As well as the three prior experiences, this is the latest revelation that the Lord has given me. I am very happy and grateful to God for this revelation and I also know that it is a great responsibility that I will have to give account for one day. My wish is that this message touches your heart so that you stay good with God every day. Don’t look back because God has called us for salvation not for condemnation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fourth Time of Experience</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When the Lord allowed me to have the 4th experience, it was something tremendous because I never thought I would have a 4th experience. A sister from the church came and prayed with me. All of a sudden, God told her to pray for me because He was going to show me something. It was something supernatural because the presence of God fell in that place. And as we were praying, the spirit of God moved in a special way. I saw how the presence of God in that place and his radiating light came in that place. As I was praying God broke me down so much that I heard the voice of God telling me, that he was going to give me another experience in which he had to show me something special that his people needed to know. Immediately, he took my spirit out of my body. And when my spirit came out he took me to a place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I started to see that very beautiful place which had thousands of</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">vases but it had something that I didn’t understand and I told God, “Lord, why are these vases like this?” And the way that these vases were was that some were up high and some were low but I started to walk through them. Once I started looking at them I started noticing that some had little oil and that they were dirty and old. I saw the other ones that were up high which were very pretty and that the oil that fell upon those vases was overflowing and they shined like gold. I asked, “Lord why the difference within these vases?” and He responded by saying, “Look daughter, this is the condition of my people.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Condition of church</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I looked up, and I saw that it said, “The Condition of My Church” that was written. I realized that each vase represented a sister and brother that make up the body of Christ. We are a family in Christ. And it is with the motive that I want to tell you on behalf of God that you are concerned about taking care of your vase. It is because one thing that we need to be careful of is our spiritual life. We can dress nice, we can speak well, we can have a well-known ministry, we can have the calling of God and God can use us because our gifts are irrevocable but we need to understand one thing and have it real clear that the soul is valuable and salvation is individual. We need to fight for salvation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are many vases that are old because people have forgotten to renew their oil. The people have forgotten to look for the presence of God. They think fasting is just a waste of time. When in reality fasting is searching for God and weakening the flesh. One of the things that the word says is that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. The flesh doesn’t want to keep under control. The flesh doesn’t like to pray. It doesn’t like to fast. But in the name of Jesus, stand up. And now is the time to search for the presence of the Lord so that the vase be restored. Because if your vase is not restored, your vase doesn’t have new oil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Look! We need to remember something, the Bible speaks to us about 5 foolish virgins. And those foolish virgins didn’t take care of their lamp and they didn’t worry to have it full. All of the sudden, the groom came and took the wise virgins. When the wise virgins were joyful, the foolish ones realized it was too late for them. Don’t wait for that to happen to you, brothers and sisters. Don’t wait because God is giving you an opportunity and I believe through this word you need to stand up. This isn’t for you to lessen yourself or to think, “Oh, no, I think everything is done for me”. No, it’s for you to stand up in the name of Jesus and persevere because God has more things for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then the Lord took me out of that place and took me to another place. And as I was walking with the Lord I was very happy because the Lord was showing me so many things of the condition of his church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many Horses and Coming Soon Jesus</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then He started talking and said “Look at this daughter” and I started seeing many horses. Every horse I saw caught my attention because they were big white horses with long tails and every horse had a golden plate. It was really beautiful. I was amazed to see them. I never had I seen such beautiful horses. There were so many horses. And the Lord told me that every horse had a name and owner and that belongs to us His church. It impacted me greatly and caught my attention. I can say that there is one for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then the Lord took me out and took me somewhere else. One thing that the</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lord reminded me was that I speak to his church about his coming and I announce to the church that He is coming soon. And one more time I’d like to remind you that Christ is coming soon for a church that is ready. It’s one of the messages today that in many places can’t be heard because they call it legalism. But truly I want to tell you that Christ is coming soon so let’s be prepared because the word of God says that no one knows the day or hour when He will come. Not even the angels but only our Heavenly Father knows. So let’s be ready because He is coming soon for you and I. And one day we will be joyful in the presence of the Lord for eternity. Since the enemy has come to kill and destroy, many people are being destroyed by the enemy. That is the motive in which the Lord showed me parts of hell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Demons in Hell</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And he took me to a spot where I saw many demons gathered. But I saw a specific spot in that place where there was like a platform in which the demons went up. I started to see that the demons would go and open a big book and they would talk to themselves but I couldn’t understand them. I asked “God what is happening here? What does this entire book mean?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In that moment, the Lord allowed me to see many names of servants who are followers of Christ and just as there is a book of life in heaven there is also a book in hell. I don’t know how to call this book because the Lord didn’t give me the name and I also couldn’t see it so I didn’t know and I can only tell you what I saw since the Bible says not to add or take away. And in that moment, I saw many names from servants that I knew and some that I didn’t know. The demons were planning on destroying those ministries, destroy those servants. And their names in hell are something very important because I can say it with these words that the head of every servant that the demons have written down in hell cost thousands for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The devil has prepared many things to destroy ministries but listen to me the name of Jesus has already rebuked every plan of the enemy that is against your ministry, against the purpose God has for you, because if the devil gives so much for your head so that whatever God has for you ceases. That is what he wants to do but he will not accomplish it because the Bible says that greater is he that is with us that he who is in the world (1 John 4:4) and no weapon formed against you shall prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) No matter what the devil does as long as we persevere in the Lord then he will not destroy you, then you will not fall, you will not faint, but you will see greater glory of God. You probably have had many fights with the enemy and you have battled everyday what God has given you. Keep on doing it because this battle is an everyday spiritual warfare is not for just one day but all 24 hours a day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I saw this, the demons were at the bottom making a line. They were each in charge of destroying one of the servants. The demons had a responsibility to complete in hell to give unto Satan. And if they have these responsibilities, how much more us that are the servants of Jesus Christ have responsibilities to go and preach the gospel to everyone. It’s time for us to pick up that responsibility and realize that one day we will be accountable to God. The Bible says that every tree that does not bear good fruit shall be cut off and thrown into the fire. Don’t allow this happening to you. On the contrary, start giving good fruit. And from those good fruit, you shall have great reward in heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, the Lord took me out of there. He took me somewhere else and I started seeing like in the prior experiences many cells. Each one had a name and they were numbered, but we entered into one of these cells and in entering this cell I saw such weird things. I saw demons, many demons, and seeing these demons I could see that these demons were coming to confuse people. They were to come to confuse many servants. And because they couldn’t complete their goals, they were put into this cell. They were chained and not only chained but being tormented by other demons. In other words, I want you to practically understand that when they came to earth to confuse the servants,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">demons make them to confuse them with word that were untrue and false messages. The servants discovered them, rebuked them in the name of Jesus they fell into that place of torment and being tormented by other demons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So in this moment, I want to keep motivating you to keep doing. It is time to open your eyes and wake up and do now allow that the devil put you into a spiritual sleep. Fight brethren because we are in the end times and many things will happen. The bible says that because of the multitude of evil, the love of most will grow cold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Continue to Preach</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After that, the Lord took me to another place and as I was walking with the Lord. He spoke to me about many personal things and he told me that I needed to do His will on earth. That I needed to carry out and not to stay quiet. And I told the Lord “It’s true. I need to carry out the message because I have to give account for everything” and He spoke to me saying, “Daughter, don’t stop preaching my word. Don’t stop talk to people what I have shown you.” And many times I can say that the devil has risen up and many people might not believe it. Many people will, but above all else, He reminded me that He is my faithful witness. If He is my faithful witness, I have to keep moving forward because one day I have to give account to Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I want to tell you that Jesus told me, “I have revealed these things to many of my servants. I have revealed things like this. I have revealed many things and word, and heaven, and hell but they’ve been frightful and have kept silent. Go tell them to do it.” Look brethren if God has revealed something to you, Speak. Don’t stay quiet because if you stay quiet you will go to hell. And you will give account to the Lord. The Lord told me that when one stays silent, many souls are lost. And when more are lost because of our silence. Their blood will be upon you and I encourage you in the name of Jesus because the Lord told</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">me to tell you to start talking. I don’t know where or who you are. But if you have heard about the word of God and have seen what God has shown you don’t stay quiet. Don’t stay silent because if you stay silent you will have great consequences. Then the Lord took me out of there and I was crying and pleading to God to take me out of that place. That please I didn’t want to be there anymore. I said “Lord please take me out. I will keep doing your will. Take me out of this place.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I was asking for all these things, He spoke to me. He spoke about his love. He said, “go tell humanity that I love them. That I love them. Go tell humanity that I love them, and for each and every one of them I gave my life to give them eternal life. I only listened to what God was telling me.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I cried and cried because in reality I can say that in the first experience which God gave me before he brought me back to life were three things. Those was, “I will take you to many places and you will go there with me. You will see my glory but never glorify yourself. Also tell humanity that I love them.” I remembered that. That is why I cried so much because he would speak to me about his love. I remembered so many things for the past experiences and it was so special because what Christ did for us was something so unique that it marked history of this world. It marked history in the nations. I can say that no one will give their life for another yet Christ did. He did it all for love. Because the bible says that God showed his love unto us although we were sinners, Christ died for us. He didn’t care about his pain. He didn’t care about the pain his body was going through. He didn’t care even though he knew what was going to happen. He didn’t care because he cares about you and me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When He gave his life he shed his every blood for every one of us and he died to rise again. He is alive and resurrected to tell us that He is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) So in this moment, I can say to each and every one of you that God’s love is so great. Many people say that</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">they don’t believe in God and God doesn’t exist. They are greatly mistaken if they don’t believe in God. Repent because you might say I don’t see God. But you don’t see the air you’re breathing. That’s how God is like the air that passes your cheek, passes through your body you can breathe it in although you cannot see it. God is real like the air and he exists. He is real and eternal and it is with that motive that he gives us eternal life in Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Testimony from a man</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Jesus Christ, we find salvation because his love covers a multitude of sins. It doesn’t matter what type of person or what life you have lived. If you repent your sins, God will forgive you. Long time ago, I was preaching and this man came. He came crying saying “Do you think God loves me?” and I responded, “Yes, God loves you.” And he told me, “Why do you think that God loves me?” I said, “Because he loves every one and the bible says that he loves the sinner but hates the sin.” The man said, “Do you think that God will forgive my sins?” And I said, “Yes, God will forgive your sins because the bible says that If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember that the man knelt down and began to cry and say, “I don’t believe God can forgive me. I’ve done so much bad. I have done lots of damage to humanity. You tell me that God loves me and forgives me. I don’t believe.” And I told him, “Man thinks one way but God thinks another way. And the thoughts of God are not like man’s thought because man’s thoughts are limited yet God’s almighty who is real,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">alive and eternal is limitless and they are the best there could ever be. The man kept crying and said, “I don’t know if God can forgive that I killed so many people, done so much wrong.” And I told him that many people would probably be unable to forgive you but God can. That man ended up receiving Christ in his heart. And when that man accepted Christ, he didn’t cry anymore from pain and sadness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He started crying like a child and said, “I’ve never felt so much joy and love than what I am feeling in my heart, I feel something different and special. I feel something filling me with something that I can’t explain.” I told him, “That is the love of God because Christ died for us and he died to give us salvation and eternal life to give us peace and joy because the Bible says, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” (John 14:27) As the man listened to this, he said, “It’s true, it’s true.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the man stood up and started giving God the honor and glory. It was a beautiful testimony because he was able to see the glory of God. Maybe you are searching for God’s love and cannot find it. You haven’t found it yet because you still haven’t opened your heart to him. Open your heart so that Jesus Christ can come to live in your life. When Christ comes to live in your life, everything in your life will be changed. In Christ, we have everything. Although the devil might rise up, we will always have the victory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s beautiful to have God in our lives. I am happy to serve God. For that reason, I encourage you to search Gods love. That you look for the road of eternal life to look for salvation and keep going forward in Christ because the Bible says that apart from Him there is nothing we can do. Only through him, we can go to heaven. One day, he will take us to the heaven. I believe it will be of great blessing to your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Time to come to Jesus</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would like to pray with you for a moment. I don’t know your situation in your life. I don’t know the moments you are going through, maybe you’ve gone astray. Maybe you do not know God yet and you’re going through a very tough time. You may feel that there is no way out and no solution. But in this moment, I present to you the way out. I present to you the solution, who is Christ Jesus. You will find the victory with Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Repeat this prayer with me and tell the Lord to restore your vase. And tell him to fill you with new oil so that you can be restored in the name of Jesus. Close your eyes and say,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Heavenly Father, I come to you to ask for forgiveness, to ask for restoration, to ask you to fill me with your holy presence, and you do with me your perfect holy will. Today, I reconcile upon your presence and I ask for my name to be written in the book of life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this hour, I give you my life because I belong to you today. Lord, I give you my burdens so that you can take absolute control of my life. Lord I need you. I need you to be the King of my life and the King of my salvation. Father of glory, help me persevere in your ways. Don’t allow me to grow weary, don’t allow that my arm be twisted, and don’t allow me regress from your way. Help me persevere firmly and be constant in your path until you come for me, Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you for my life! Thank you for salvation! Thank you for your mercy which endures forever. Holy Spirit, you are real and beautiful. And your presence is in this place. I ask you Lord that you bless every person who is watching this video that he has listened to this word so that every once could be restored. Every plan that the enemy had against them, against their ministry, against your purpose be rebuked in the power of your name.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That will be broken in the name of Jesus. I declare the victory of Christ every day. I declare that every lamp is restored and ignited. The Holy Spirit will be filled with new oil in every vase. In the name of Jesus,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rise up the ministries that have fallen. Lord restore them in the name of Jesus. I ask you Father that you bless every person. Your purifying presence will fill them. Holy Spirit, your presence is felt because you are real, because you are omniscient, and because you are omnipotent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the name of Jesus, I declare that it is time to have victory in your life. I declare that it’s the time of revival, of purification in the name of Jesus, of rededication in the name of Jesus. Glory be only to you, Lord. All praise, honor, glory and majesty belong to You, Lord. You are glorious! We give you thanks! In the name of Jesus! Amen and Amen! Glory to God!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God bless all my brethren and friends in a special way. What I can say is let’s keep moving forward because Christ is coming for a prepared church. Don’t falter because we have our reward in heaven. God Bless you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">_______________________________</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WNt0fCo5m42IiB6ry6pVfC-0hDjP5JeV/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">A Printable PDF File</a></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From: http://www.heavenvisit.net</span></b><br />
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-46966604339199226522019-08-13T17:18:00.005-07:002019-08-13T20:29:04.238-07:00Angelica Zambrano Mora's Third (3rd) Testimony of Heaven and Hell <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dear reader,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Below this message is a translation of an Ecuadorian evangelist's third testimony. Angelica Zambrano Mora received out-of-body experiences, dreams, and visions to share with the world. Her main audience is in Spanish-speaking countries, but her videos have been translated into English. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She had her first experience in Heaven and Hell back when she was 17. Since then, she has had other experiences. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Through her testimonies, she has shared with the world how God had supernaturally taken her out of her body and into the supernatural world of angels and demons. This is Biblical, as the Bible teaches that Paul, the apostle, had visions of Jesus. John, the apostle, had visions of Jesus and the end times. Ezekiel, the prophet, had visions of Jesus in His glory, sitting on a throne with cherubs and large, supernatural rings (filled with eyes) below it. Moses saw Jesus (God the Son), but didn't see His face, while on Mount Sinai (a.k.a. Mount Horeb).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The book of <u>Joel 2:27-29</u> says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"[27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Paul the apostle wrote about a man he knew of who was taken up to see the third Heaven. In <u>2 Corinthians 12:2-5</u>, Paul wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"[2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. [3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) [4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. [5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">So, God can bring people up to Heaven to see things which cannot be spoken of because they are so wonderful. If God can do that, which He can, then can’t He bring a person down to Hell to see what Hell is like so that God’s vessel can warn the Church?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1 Corinthians 2:9-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> says:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. </b>[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] <b>Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.</b> [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[14] <b>But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned</b>.” [Emphasis added]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Verse 10 (<i>or 1 Cor. 2:10</i>) reveals that the things of God are revealed to us by His Spirit. God wants us to know the things of God. Our physical eyes and our physical ears have not seen or heard supernatural sights and sounds, but God can allow a person to see them in a vision or in an out-of-body experience (</span><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">2 Corinthians 12:2-5</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">I believe what Angelica Zambrano Mora saw was through visions and out-of-body experiences from God. She mentioned, in her first testimony, that she could look down and see her body lying on the ground (for instance).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">According to <u>heavenvisit.com</u>, Angelica said:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">‘… I saw my body on the floor. I asked, "Lord, what is happening?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">What is happening?" I wanted to touch my body and get inside it again, but when I tried, it was like to grabbing air: I couldn't touch it. My hand went straight through it. None of those who were praying there could hear me! And I shouted, "Lord, help me!"’ [End quote] (</span><a href="http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php">http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php</a>).<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">But, to know if what she experienced really is from God, one must seek God and ask Him to reveal the truth; and look at her spiritual fruit; and compare what she is sharing with the whole Bible (not just a few verses taken out of context). From what I have seen, nothing she has seen contradicts the Holy Bible. It all lines up with the entire New Testament and Old Testament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Angelica is not teaching salvation by works, as some claim. Rather, she is emphasizing that Christians need to be spiritually aware, awake, and in love with Jesus. If we don’t have a desire for intimate fellowship with God, by childlike faith, then we will begin to grow cold in our walks with God. We need to have intimate fellowship with God on a regular basis, for He is our Life, our Joy, our Peace, and all we need. And, as we seek to know God intimately, the power of deception, sin, and other problems will weaken. That is what God showed me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Repenting is not works, as some wrongfully say. Rather, it is choosing to forsake sin by looking to God for help, dying to self (or the fleshly will), and by desiring to know God better. Out of this desire to know God, we would listen to Him and then obey Him, for God only has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus spoke these words in <b><u>Luke chapter 14, in verses 15 through 30</u></b>: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">"[15] And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish." [End quote] (<u>Luke 14:15-30</u>.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">In the parable above, the Lord Jesus Christ taught us that if we are to follow Him and have eternal life, we must die to our selfish will (including self-righteousness, worldly pursuits, selfishness, etc.). We cannot serve two. We cannot serve God and our own will. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus Christ said this profound truth in <u>Matthew 6:24</u>: "[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">(Mammon includes selfishness because the pursuit of money is a form of selfishness and idolatry, but there are other forms of selfishness besides the pursuit of wealth.) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">In verses 22 and 23 (of Matthew 6), the Lord Jesus said: "[22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"</span> [End quote]<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Reader, I recommend that you don’t form an opinion about Angelica based on something you read online. Seek God about her, listen to His voice, and be unbiased in searching the scriptures to see what God’s Word says about visions, dreams, and the things Angelica has said. We must do that with everything people teach us. That is being a Berean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">{<u>Acts 17:10-11</u> says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">“[10] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. [11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">May the peace of Abba Father God, the unmerited grace of God, and the love of God rest in your soul as you seek to know God, rest in Him, and obey His promptings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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From: https://christiscoming777.com<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Angelica Zambrano 3rd Testimony of Heaven and Hell</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the 3rd revelation of Heaven and Hell that the LORD gave to Angelica Zambrano. She was shown the beauty of Heaven and also many people who ended their lives in the everlasting torments of Hell because of various sins. She was given important warnings to the church and told of the low percentage of christians that are ready for the LORD’S RETURN. Evangelist Angelica Zambrano lives in Ecuador in South America. It was around midnight when her near-death experience & revelation of heaven and hell began. The ministers and brethren were all in intercessory prayer during the experience. The first thing that occurred was that angels took her from her house to a heavenly viewpoint. THE CONDITION OF THE CHURCH – FEW ARE READY From a heavenly viewpoint an angel said “Look you are seeing the earth. Look at all the churches and congregations of the earth. This church has 20,000 members. There is another with 10,000 members. This other church has 1000 members.” He continued to show me many congregations and then said “But there are very few people in these churches who are actually the true church.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The angel said “I must tell you what the Father wants me to tell you”. The Archangel Michael was the one speaking to me. He said “Look at the earth. The churches are filled with sin, there is so much sin in these churches. Many of the people are spiritually dead”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Through the angels the LORD showed me that 80% of the Evangelical Christian Church on earth will be Left Behind. They will be left behind because they are cold. Because they dont seek God’s presence. Because of their sin. Because they are discouraged. Only 20% will be caught up (Raptured) to be with Jesus, this is only for true Christians. That is why His word says `Many are called, but few are chosen’ (Matt 22,14). We are all called but we not only must be called, we must be chosen. Let me explain what takes place inside many of the churches. There is very much religiosity. There is no loyalty to the word of God. Inside church, brothers and sisters happily praise the Lord. They rejoice, they dance and they speak in tongues. But when they get home they are completely different. They act like the devil himself. This is what takes place. People go home and speak things that hurt God’s heart. At home they dont pray, read God’s word or seek His presence. God does not want any of us to be left behind. It hurts me that 80% of the Church congregants are not ready for the Lord’s return. Because few of the churches truly demonstrate the true love of Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There were angels all around, then Jesus spoke to me, while the angels remained silent. The LORD said “Daughter my heart breaks to see how many people are discouraged. To see how many people have backslid. Tell my people to return to the old paths, to the First Love” Church, you must encourage the believers. Tell them to seek God, to reject hypocrisy. Listen to what the LORD told me. The LORD said “Do you know which</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">commandment my church has forgotten? Some think its love. Some think its faith. The forgotten commandment within my church is Holiness. My Word say ‘Be holy, for I am holy.'” (1Pet1,16). This is what the Lord says, we have to be holy inside and outside. We must have a pure heart, a clean heart that is filled with His presence. A heart filled with His love. A heart filled with God. Rev 3, 15-16 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. … 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Then an angel asked me “Are you ready? The LORD has sent us for this purpose” I answered “Yes, Im ready” as the Lord had taken away all my fear. This experience was different from the other two experiences. This time I did not travel to Heaven in the same manner as before. This time I instantly entered the Kingdom of Heaven. When I looked around I realised I was wearing a beautiful white dress. We began walking and the angels were just worshipping the LORD and said “Look around for we have many things to show you”. I began to see the same places I had seen in my first experience such as flowers and a beautiful garden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">CHILDREN IN HEAVEN When we passed the garden we arrived in a place that was filled with children. These children were about 2-3 years old. They danced, played and sang. The angels said “Look, to such as these belongs the Kingdom of Heaven. Remember, only for those who open their hearts. Many of these children were killed. Many were aborted. Their mothers took their lives”. The children worshipped the Lord and played on what appeared to me to be a swing set. As I approached them they got very close to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Archangel Michael said to me “Today the Lord gives you a great love for children”. Previously I liked children but sometimes I hated their behaviour, crying, whining or talking too much. I just liked them to sit still. Michael said “God gives you a new love for children. When you return to earth, you will be like honey to them. They will look for you and you will be a blessing to them. Do you know why God places this love in your heart for children? God wants you to win their souls. There are many children in Hell. You must speak to their parents so they will know”. Many children in this generation are rebellious. They do not obey their parents. Nowadays, children are being deceived by satan through the television. Most of the shows they watch do not edify in any way. Parents don’t realise it but there are many kids that watch pornographic videos. The cartoons that come through TV are not educational, they are evil. Children are influenced by these shows and they become rebellious. They continually disobey their parents. For these reasons children end up in Hell. (See Angelica’s 2nd Testimony for more info) Eph 6, 1″Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,”which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” In Heaven, the children were praying, laughing and worshiping the LORD. I had great joy to see their happiness. When the angel told me that many of them had been aborted, it really hurt my heart. And you know what is sad? Many women have had abortions. Young and old, married and single. These women did not want their children. Sometimes the fathers would accompany them to the clinic. Those babies go to the presence of God. But the men and women of the earth become murderers. The word of God says that no murderer shall enter the kingdom of Heaven (Gal 5,19-21, Rev 21,8). If you have done this Repent today. If you do not repent and ask God for forgiveness this is what will take place on your day of judgment. Your children will</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">come as a witness against you and say “You were my mother , you were my father, and you took my life”. They love you, they forgive you, but if you do not repent of that sin, you will go to Hell for eternity. Inside of the churches this sin has been committed. ENTERING HELL Next we headed to where Jesus was, I was so happy. When I approached the LORD He took me by the hand. When he touched my hand I felt as if I was a newborn baby being touched by a loving Father. As Jesus held my hand we began to descend towards a very dark place. I could see there were very large flames of fire. Jesus told me “We are going towards the heart of Hell”. “The heart of Hell? Hell has a heart ?” I asked. He replied “Yes my daughter, Hell has a heart, I will show you what is inside of it. There are many pastors, evangelists, prophets, and apostles in this place. These men once served me but now they are in this location”. I began to cry and said “No more LORD, I don’t want to see this anymore”. I felt I had already seen enough. But we continued to along a path that was like a dark alley up to some bars that were like a gate. The gate opened and we entered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">THE PASTOR WHO SINNED When we entered I heard the voice of a man crying out “Father Father, get me out of here. I can’t stand it any longer”. I asked the LORD “Who was that? He must have known you on earth because you said you would show me people who once served you. I don’t understand why he refers to you as `Father`, while he is in Hell?” The LORD said “He was a Pastor” The man stood there pretending to be holding a Bible. The man in Hell was preaching `Repent, repent brethren, church of Christ, you must repent’. I asked “Why is he preaching here LORD”. The LORD said “What people</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">did on earth they continue to do in this place” (Gal6,7-8). I began to cry and asked “If he was a pastor why is he in this place?” Jesus said “Daughter, it is due to this”. I was shown his life on earth as a screen appeared before me. “On earth he was a respecter of persons. He showed partiality to people of different classes in My holy place. Showing partiality is a sin. He preached many times from the pulpit showing partiality. Showing partiality towards people of wealth, towards people who were upper class. Those people had money, but they did not fear My word. He showed partiality to those people who did not have Godly fear in their hearts.” I cried and said “LORD I did not know showing partiality was a sin.” He said “Yes daughter, many people wanted to serve me and be a part of his church, but he didn’t allow them to participate. This Pastor never repented from showing partiality. Because of this sin, many people never came to me. This is why he is in this place. Even in Hell he preaches my word with partiality” (Gal 6,7-8). In Hell, this man would approach souls and say “Take this, I share my Bible with you, preach”. He looked at Jesus and said “Father, I cant stand being here any longer. Take me out of this place. I don’t want to sin anymore. Give me another chance!” The LORD replied “There are no more opportunities for you. You are too late.” When the LORD said that, the pastor began cursing blasphemy. I said “LORD, I don’t want to see anymore, can we leave?”. He answered “No”. There are congregations everywhere that practice partiality. Although it seems insignificant, it is a great sin. The LORD told me to tell people “Don’t practice partiality, it is a sin” James 2, 8 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point,he is guilty of all.” (please read the whole of James chapter 2 which deals with the sin of partiality – showing bias or prejudice) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">THE BURDEN OF THE LORD In the experience I never saw the LORD’s face. I would always look at His garments or His hands, but I could never see His face. Every time I attempted to see His face I felt as if I would go blind. On many occasions I would see tears come down His garments. His sandals were gold. When tears would land on His sandals, crystals would form. Many times Jesus would begin to weep. He would say “Daughter, my heart is in pain”. His heart breaks when He sees us in sin. I say us, because I include myself. God doesn’t want us to sin. God desires to set us free from the bondage of sin. God wills for us to walk in the spirit and not fulfil the lusts of the flesh (Gal 5,16-18). He desires for us to do great things for His Kingdom. WORLDLY MUSIC STYLES IN THE CHURCH The LORD said “I will show you another sin that takes place on the altar of churches. It is regarding music.” The Lord showed me people playing and listening to rock music, rap music and reggae music in the alter at churches. This displeases the LORD. The word of God says He wants us to worship Him in Spirit and Truth. He does not say He seeks for those who will rap for Him in spirit and in truth. We moved to another location in Hell and I saw a young christian man who was singing christian rap or reggae style music. I asked the LORD ‘Why is he here? LORD I really want to know why is he here? Why is he singing?”. At this time I was remembering how many musicians are in Hell; Selena, Michael Jackson, and many other musicians are burning in Hell. I asked “LORD did he sing in the church?”. He replied “Yes daughter he sang at church”. The LORD did not say anything else after that statement. I began speaking with this young man. He said “My name is Mark. I am in this place because I did not worship the LORD . I sang rap style music instead. I would sing these songs at church but I did not like to pray, I had no prayer life. I did not like to</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">seek God’s presence. My purpose in singing these songs was to attract young people to church. I wanted gang members to come to church, I didn’t realise it is God who must draw them. It is He alone who deals with there hearts.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I asked “How long have you been in this place? and is there any other reason you are here?”. He said “4 years. Yes I had a lot of pride, I am also here because of that. Here the demons torment me and continually laugh at me they say ‘Worldly music is an instrument that we use to bring young people to this place.‘ Mark was completely bound while he talked with me. His arms and body were tied up with snakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He would cry and ask me “Can you help me?” I said “No Mark, I would if I could but I cannot”. He replied “I know I will never get out of here. Look at me, I am in torment. When I died I fell into a tunnel. After I descended from the tunnel my body exploded as I landed in Hell. Worms came out of my body and I have remained in torment until now. I have become disfigured and the flames of Hell continue to burn me. I cant stand it anymore. The demons say this is my kingdom and that satan is my god”. I said “I understand, but Mark on Earth you had a chance to repent.” He cried and said “Tell the young people to worship Jesus. Tell the whole church to worship. God seeks true worshippers!” After Mark had spoken a flame came between us. He became engulfed by the flames as soon as I stepped away. While we had been speaking the flames had only risen to his waist, after his last statement his torment continued as before. The LORD said “Daughter, many people think that with certain music and certain programs they are able to attract the world and reach the gang members and drug addicts. No! It is not men that bring conviction of sin, it is the Holy Spirit that deals</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">with and convinces man of his sins. It is I who touches hearts. It is I who deals with the hearts of man, I alone am able to save. Men think they are the saviours.” This is what the LORD told me. I cried. This was so difficult for me, it is still difficult. I think that if you are listening to this type of music you must STOP. This is between you and God though. As I fulfil God’s will in telling you, I am no longer responsible because I told you what God said. If you want to accept it, accept it. If you want to reject it, reject it, I fulfil my responsibility. This is something He required of me. If I don’t obey Him, Hell awaits (Ezekiel 3,16-21). I don’t want to go to that place & end up in torment, I have already visited there 3 times, its more real than life in Earth. As we left Mark’s cell he began to blaspheme. The LORD told me ‘When we leave this place tell My church to worship Me in Spirit and in Truth”. John 4, 23 “the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (Also see Col 3,16-17, and Eph 5, 17-21) THE PASTORS WIFE As we moved on to a different location I saw a women in Hell. She was crying “I cant stand it anymore. I cant bear it anymore! Lord, help me”. This women served God for many years while she was on earth. After this life you do not get credit for how many years you knew the LORD (Ezekiel 18,21-32). We only inherit salvation by serving God with all our hearts and living lives in His will (Matt 7,21-23). This women knew God’s word. She has even preached God’s word, but she was in Hell for the sin of adultery (Admin Note: ‘Once Saved Always Saved’ is a false doctrine, a Christian can indeed be disqualified – Gal 5, 19-21, Eph 5, 3-5). This is what made this extremely sad and troubling for me. In Hell, she was being tormented by snakes in a similar manner to how prostitutes are tormented. She would tell the evil spirits “I am a pastors</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wife, don’t touch me. Don’t do this to me”. The demons tortured her anyway. The LORD had confirmed what she had told me regarding adultery. He said “She is here for committing fornication and adultery. On earth she had been a pastors wife who preached God’s word. She had children as well, but this did not keep her from infidelity to her husband”. You know what? This sin takes place in many churches. Even many ministers of God’s word have committed this sin. This must stop. It has gone on for too long. Resist the devil and he will flee. Put your trust in Jesus. It was so difficult for me to see this. It is sad to know how often this takes place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gal 5, 19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” THE YOUNG EVANGELIST IN FLAMES Next I heard a young man yelling “Help me Lord, Help me” The young man who was yelling had been an evangelist on the earth. He committed fornication a multitude of times. The word of God warns “If they cant control themselves they should go ahead and marry. It is better to marry than to burn with lust” (1Cor7). It is better to marry and avoid sinning, for if you live in sin and die you will go to Hell. This man was a preacher of God’s word. This teaches us that we must pray without ceasing and ever vigilant of the traps of the enemy, who is seeking how he can attack the ministers of God’s word. There are millions are demons ready to tempt preachers. It is very important for the church to intercede for its pastors, local and around the world. They need protection from continual attack. As I walked away flames engulfed him in</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">torture. My heart ached for that young man. I still feel for him. I share this with you so you realise we must obey God’s word</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1John2,3 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. “ THE PASTOR BURNING IN TORMENT In the next place I saw a Pastor burning in torment. He was holding his hand in a manner in which he seemed to be drinking an alcoholic drink, he was acting drunk. I thought, a drunk pastor in Hell? He had been a hypocrite in church. He had pastored a large congregation with a multitude of members. He was also a liar and an adulterer. Next to the pastor was a demon that appeared to him like a women and he continued to be a drunk and an adulterer with the demon who tortured him. The man said “I was a pastor, I preached God’s word but I did not live God’s word. I would get drunk and also cheated on my wife. I never repented of my sinful ways.” This man knew that God’s word says that adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of Heaven, neither shall drunkards (Gal 5,19-21 & Rev 21,8).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many people on earth preach God’s word but continue to live in sin. People need to stop sinning and begin to seek God. This pastor told me “You must warn people not to come to this place. Please, you must warn the churches to escape the flames of hell”. The LORD then showed me a large screen that showed part of his life. On earth he would preach while his wife was with him supporting his ministry. He was wealthy and prosperous, but now in hell he no longer had opportunity for salvation. He no longer had the women he loved on earth. For all eternity all he has is Eternal Torment … Torment, Torment, Torment, this is all he has!! I was discouraged when I saw how</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a pastor can end in Hell and told the LORD I didnt want to see anymore or preach anymore. The LORD said to me “Daughter, you must fulfil my will. You must obey, I will show you why”. A CALLING REJECTED, A DESTINY DIVERTED As we continued on to the next cell there was a women and the LORD told me several things about her. She had been called into the ministry at age 15. At that time she told God “Im not ready for the ministry, I am too young. Allow me to finish school and graduate”. After that the LORD called her again. Then she said “I am married, I must focus on taking care of my children. Not now.” After the children were raised and began to have family of their own the women focused on raising her grandchildren. The LORD told me “I continued calling her throughout her entire life, but she disobeyed Me and rejected her calling.” The LORD asked me “Will you reject my calling?” I said “No LORD, I will not. But LORD this isn’t easy for me”. The LORD said “It is I who speaks through you. I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I will help you and guide you.” I was crying and made a promise “Ok LORD, Whoever rises against me may rise. You promised me you would be with me so I will continue no matter what. I don’t want to end up here.” This is what I told my Pastor recently, I want to continue because I must fulfil God’s calling upon my life. This same lady got old and passed away and went to Hell for disobedience. Over 5000 souls were lost because of her. The demons in Hell would tell her “Look around, many of these souls are here because of you”. She looked at the LORD and cried “LORD forgive me for disobeying my calling. Forgive me for not responding to you.” How many people on earth are in this situation? When the LORD calls you and chooses you, you must obey. The LORD called me when I was just 17 years old. I knew absolutely nothing about the Bible. Since then the Holy Spirit has been teaching me. In Hell, this women pleaded with the LORD for forgiveness for rejecting her</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">calling. The LORD said “You have no more opportunities of forgiveness.” The LORD tearfully said to me “Do not refuse Me. I have called you and chosen you. You are to be My Watchman so that you may take My word to all nations.” (Dear Reader) God chose for you to hear this message. Many will not hear it, but God chose for you to hear it. That lady in Hell told the LORD `Im too young, Im studying, Im busy, not yet`. Look what took place in her life. She has now repented but its too late. Now I ask you, what will you do? Will you obey what the LORD is calling you to do? You have been chosen by God to reach the lost. We must fulfil God’s will because He chose us to abide in His perfect will. If we do this we will be in His presence for all eternity. Don’t reject it any longer. Receive it. The Holy Spirit will guide you, not man. God himself will guide you. That lady was continually tormented by demons in Hell. They would tell her “God had spoken to you and called you. You disobeyed the LORD and now you’re here for eternity”.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I cried as I left that women and asked the LORD to forgive me for not wanting to preach His word. You know why I wanted to stop preaching? Its because some people accuse me of being a false prophet. After I had this experience I don’t care about their accusations any longer. They can say whatever they want but I will keep on preaching His word. The LORD said “Do not fear men, fear Me. Don’t worry about their opinions, focus on mine.” So why should we worry about mans opinions. Men cannot grant eternal life, only Jesus can. Even if people continue to criticise you, don’t allow that to be a hinderance or make you quit. May their false accusations cause you to rise up stronger. God will use this to help you endure and press forward. The trials we face are difficult but Jesus is with us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Zambrano 3rd Experience</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Luke 12, 4 “do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” – Jesus SELF MURDER The LORD said “It hurts me that the love of many on earth is now growing cold. Many difficult tribulations are coming to the earth. I will show you someone else who once loved and served me.” As we approached another location a man yelled out “LORD my God I always loved you. I always wanted to do your will, but I was double-minded. I was inconsistent in my walk with you. When I preached your word you led me. At those times I was obedient to you. Eventually I would always leave you and return to my old ways. When I would come back to You , You would restore me. I just couldn’t stand my life. Thats why I committed suicide.” That man in Hell is a murderer. Being a murderer is not only shooting somebody or having an abortion. Murder is also the taking of a persons own life. If you commit suicide you go to Hell. It is written: `no murderer shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven’ (Gal 5,19-21, Rev 21,8). He is not in God’s presence because he committed suicide. You know what, if your one of those people that get tired of serving God, you can’t continue, you are discouraged, you’re tired of serving God, maybe its because the world is attractive to you. I tell you reject the desires of the flesh, Reject them!! Walk in the Holy Spirit. God will help you to abide in His will. This is not the pastors responsibility or anyone other than your own. You must rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gal 5, 16-21 “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” THE DANGER OF FIGHTING, DIVISION & UNGODLY CONFLICTS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Zambrano 3rd Experience</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After we left that location I looked and saw something startling – two men fighting in Hell. A fist fight in Hell. This was my 3rd revelation of Hell and I had not seen this yet. There are many churches that are filled with hypocrites. Men who are nice in church but in actuality they fight over anything. They fight for money, they fight for church members, and they continually fight. Hypocrites! The souls belong to Christ. The money isn’t for men, its for working for the Kingdom of God. These two men fought angrily and more men came and joined in on the fighting. Demons continued to torture them while they fought. The flames burned them and they were in great torment, they yelled and screamed in agony.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I asked the LORD “Why are they fighting?” The LORD did not answer me. I turned to the men and said “Stop! Why are you fighting? You are in torment and you continue to fight. Tell me why are you here, I want to know.” A man looked at me and said “We fight because we cant escape this place. We are the same here as we were on earth. On earth we fought for profit, we fought to take church members to our own congregations, we fought to have more for ourselves. Now I have repented and I ask God for forgiveness. But I know God’s word though, and I know I can no longer be forgiven.” The men fought continually. The LORD told me “There are many people on earth who were once faithful servants, but now they are headed towards this place. Tell them not to come here.” This is my responsibility. I have been warning pastors as well. I have gone to places where the focus of the ministry has been to make a profit. There are pastors who fight for money and to take church members. This is the same reason those men were fighting in Hell. I have also been to places where pastors love God passionately with all their hearts. They would be willing to give their lives for the gospel and love to work for God’s Kingdom. But there are also pastors who are hypocrites, but not all of them are. These are vain and so are some evangelists. It is terrible that some leaders</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fight to take church members to their own congregations. They want to fill their churches easily. The souls are not ours, they belong to Jesus Christ. There are souls in Hell for these reasons. There is no humility in causing rivalry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God does not want us to be divided. He wants all of us to be united like we are today. Look at how many pastors are gathered here today, here is a pastor, and another pastor, and another. We are gathered in one accord. God wants us united. He wants us to help one another. It doesn’t matter where you are from. You could be from France or New York or Italy, it doesn’t matter. You still have the same Holy Spirit. God wants us to be one. We are one body and He is the Head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We must be united in love for the work of God, and we must also love one another, unlike those men who ended up in Hell. Look how they ended up, fighting and speaking horrible things to each other. It made me feel bad. After this experience I cried very much. I cried because it hurts my heart to know how many men and women fight for material things. They don’t fight for whats really important, for the spiritual things. Don’t fight for material things, but fight the devil himself so that we don’t lose our blessings. God’s blessings are worth fighting for, but fighting and causing division in church is not of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It hurt me to see the eternal consequence of people who cause division. While I saw these men fight in Hell, one of the men said to me “When you return to earth tell people not to fight or cause division”. Maybe you are secretly fighting and causing division. Perhaps in public you argue with people. God isn’t trying to embarrass you, he is correcting you. He wants you to have a humble and contrite spirit. Repent and don’t repeat your offence. God desires for us to enter His presence, but we must walk in holiness. We must be holy because he is holy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Heb 12, 14″Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled“ THE CAPTIVES There are so many different things that take place in Hell. I did not want to see anything else after seeing those men fighting. But before we left God showed me peoples spirits in Hell who are still alive on earth. These people are bound and appear to be in cells. This revelation God gave me is similar to what I heard another servant of God say in their testimony. In Hell I saw a young girl I know here on earth. I saw this young girl in one of those cells. I have not told her yet. The LORD let me know I shouldn’t tell her at this time because she wouldn’t receive it. I will wait on God’s timing to tell her. When the Lord tells me its time then I will go speak to her. She is my friend. I wouldn’t have know this about her without this revelation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The LORD’s revelation to me was that she was in that cell because she was a slave to sin (Rom 6,16). I said “LORD I don’t understand. I see souls fall into tunnels and land inside of Hell but others simply remain in this place”. I would also see double minded Christians heading to this place. I looked around and saw many people bound by sin. The LORD told me “The girl you see is living in fornication. She also has resentment in her heart, not my peace. Go and speak to them”. The LORD said `them` because there was another girl there that I also know. Two girls were in that place of bondage. Those girls are bound by sin (John 8,31-36, Rom 6,15-21). The LORD said “Go and tell them that I want to set the captives free and liberate them. I want to liberate them from the prison they are in and do great things in their lives”. I replied “Yes LORD I will tell them”. As we continued to walk I saw many souls in bondage. Unfortunately, they had all known God at one time. We walked up to another lady that I know, who was in the</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">same situation as my friend. She said crying “LORD I can’t remain here any longer”. The LORD said “This is her conscience, she is living in disobedience, in sin.”. He revealed more things about that women and said “Go and tell these women what you have seen.”. I have already spoken to one but not yet the other (back at the time of sharing this testimony), it is not the right time. After I have spoken it becomes their responsibility to receive it or not. God wants to set the captives free and loose those who are bound. He wants to take you out of slavery and bondage and give you freedom. Resentment leads to bondage. Hatred, bitterness and these emotions all lead to that place. You must ask God to search your heart, what is in your heart? Acknowledge that there is sin and ask the LORD to break that yoke of bondage. God will break those chains and release you from that prison. When you acknowledge and repent the LORD will set you free, but first you must acknowledge sin and repent. Rom 6, 15 “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” HELL & THE LAKE OF FIRE Afterwards the LORD began taking me up and out of Hell. It was as if we were climbing a stairway through a dark tunnel. When we arrived at the top I looked down and saw Hell from a different viewpoint. Hell is an extremely large place. From my viewpoint I saw Hell in a central profound location and I also saw the Lake of fire. They were separate. The Lake of Fire was underneath Hell. This is the way I would try to attempt to describe what I saw. I saw a large tub of fire and sulfur. Above this container I saw the shape of a doll, or a body. The tub is the Lake of Fire. After the LORD showed me the Lake of Fire we left. Rev 20, 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">SEEK & SERVE THE LORD GOD For those that are listening or reading this testimony let me say this to you. God gave you this message because He is real! We don’t serve a god of wood. We don’t serve a dead god. We serve a living God. He said to me “I never change! I continue to be the same living God! I Am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I Am the God of yesterday, today and forever. I have never changed and never will.” Don’t forget we serve a great God. Seek His presence in Spirit and Truth. Don’t be hypocrites, serve Him in Spirit and in Truth. May God bless each and every one of you. Time is running out. God requires for His Church to walk in Holiness. Every moment counts, don’t be condemned by sin. Now is the time. Accept Jesus as your LORD and Savior and serve Him wholeheartedly. Need to give your life to Jesus? Read the Salvation page PLEASE SHARE THIS TESTIMONY WITH OTHERS THAT THEY MAY REPENT AND BE SAVED.</span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ROfwUeCk-hfnGN99exQZbdZ4uY2-RwDk/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Printable PDF File</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From: https://christiscoming777.com</span><br />
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-24583721515296290002019-08-13T17:18:00.002-07:002019-08-13T20:29:51.031-07:00Angelica Zambrano Mora's Second (2nd) Testimony of Heaven and Hell <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dear reader,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before we show you Angelica Zambrano Mora's second experience in Heaven and Hell, we want to share a message with you. Please take time to read this first. It will bless you.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Angelica Zambrano Mora (an Ecuadorian evangelist) had out-of-body experiences, dreams, and visions, which she has shared with the world. Her main audience is in Spanish-speaking countries, but her videos have been translated into English. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She had her first experience in Heaven and Hell back when she was 17. Since then, she has had other miraculous experiences. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Through her testimonies, she has shared with the world how God had supernaturally taken her out of her body and into the supernatural world of angels and demons. This is Biblical, as the Bible teaches that Paul, the apostle, had visions of Jesus. John, the apostle, had visions of Jesus and the end times. Ezekiel, the prophet, had visions of Jesus in His glory, sitting on a throne with cherubs and large, supernatural rings (filled with eyes) below it. Moses saw Jesus (God the Son), but didn't see His face, while on Mount Sinai (a.k.a. Mount Horeb).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The book of <u>Joel 2:27-29</u> says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"[27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Paul the apostle wrote about a man he knew of who was taken up to see the third Heaven. In <u>2 Corinthians 12:2-5</u>, Paul wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"[2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. [3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) [4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. [5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">So, God can bring people up to Heaven to see things which cannot be spoken of because they are so wonderful. If God can do that, which He can, then can’t He bring a person down to Hell to see what Hell is like so that God’s vessel can warn the Church?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1 Corinthians 2:9-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> says:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. </b>[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] <b>Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.</b> [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[14] <b>But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned</b>.” [Emphasis added]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Verse 10 (<i>or 1 Cor. 2:10</i>) reveals that the things of God are revealed to us by His Spirit. God wants us to know the things of God. Our physical eyes and our physical ears have not seen or heard supernatural sights and sounds, but God can allow a person to see them in a vision or in an out-of-body experience (</span><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">2 Corinthians 12:2-5</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">I believe what Angelica Zambrano Mora saw was through visions and out-of-body experiences from God. She mentioned, in her first testimony, that she could look down and see her body lying on the ground (for instance).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">According to <u>heavenvisit.com</u>, Angelica said:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">‘… I saw my body on the floor. I asked, "Lord, what is happening?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">What is happening?" I wanted to touch my body and get inside it again, but when I tried, it was like to grabbing air: I couldn't touch it. My hand went straight through it. None of those who were praying there could hear me! And I shouted, "Lord, help me!"’ [End quote] (</span><a href="http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php">http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php</a>).<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">But, to know if what she experienced really is from God, one must seek God and ask Him to reveal the truth; and look at her spiritual fruit; and compare what she is sharing with the whole Bible (not just a few verses taken out of context). From what I have seen, nothing she has seen contradicts the Holy Bible. It all lines up with the entire New Testament and Old Testament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Angelica is not teaching salvation by works, as some claim. Rather, she is emphasizing that Christians need to be spiritually aware, awake, and in love with Jesus. If we don’t have a desire for intimate fellowship with God, by childlike faith, then we will begin to grow cold in our walks with God. We need to have intimate fellowship with God on a regular basis, for He is our Life, our Joy, our Peace, and all we need. And, as we seek to know God intimately, the power of deception, sin, and other problems will weaken. That is what God showed me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Repenting is not works, as some wrongfully say. Rather, it is choosing to forsake sin by looking to God for help, dying to self (or the fleshly will), and by desiring to know God better. Out of this desire to know God, we would listen to Him and then obey Him, for God only has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus spoke these words in <b><u>Luke chapter 14, in verses 15 through 30</u></b>: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">"[15] And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish." [End quote] (<u>Luke 14:15-30</u>.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">In the parable above, the Lord Jesus Christ taught us that if we are to follow Him and have eternal life, we must die to our selfish will (including self-righteousness, worldly pursuits, selfishness, etc.). We cannot serve two. We cannot serve God and our own will. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus Christ said this profound truth in <u>Matthew 6:24</u>: "[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">(Mammon includes selfishness because the pursuit of money is a form of selfishness and idolatry, but there are other forms of selfishness besides the pursuit of wealth.) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">In verses 22 and 23 (of Matthew 6), the Lord Jesus said: "[22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"</span> [End quote]<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Reader, I recommend that you don’t form an opinion about Angelica based on something you read online. Seek God about her, listen to His voice, and be unbiased in searching the scriptures to see what God’s Word says about visions, dreams, and the things Angelica has said. We must do that with everything people teach us. That is being a Berean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">{<u>Acts 17:10-11</u> says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">“[10] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. [11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">May the peace of Abba Father God, the unmerited grace of God, and the love of God rest in your soul as you seek to know God, rest in Him, and obey His promptings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Justin (a pen name)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">_____________________________________</span></span><br />
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<u><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LmSt-tLzJOsRkRNeUKpR09GRtcy3oa-2/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">A printable PDF File</a></u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>From:</u> https://christiscoming777.com<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Angelica Zambrano 2nd Testimony of Heaven and Hell</u></b></span><br />
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On her second experience, Angelica Zambrano from Equador was shown by the Lord, the Lambs<br />
book of life, heavenly crowns and rewards, the judgment against idolatry, Christians in Hell that<br />
rob from God in tithes and offerings, the judgment<br />
against idolatrous nuns and rebellious children, the false hope of Purgatory, and tells of seeing<br />
Michael Jackson tormented in Hell, and much more. Take heed: “Tell My people that My<br />
coming is near, I come for My holy people, tell My people that only the saints (set apart ones),<br />
that only the saints (sanctified ones) will see Me.”<br />
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ANGELICA …. At 12:00 midnight, some brother’s from church arrived at my house, then the<br />
media arrived, and everything was recorded. As I was on the bed, suddenly, I saw two angels.<br />
Like before, they took my hands and said, “Get up, because the King of kings and Lord of lords<br />
is waiting for you.” As I got up, I saw my body lying there, and the other people that were in the<br />
room. I began walking. I stretched my hands out to the angels and we started heading upwards.<br />
We were going up very quickly, and in just a matter of seconds we arrived before the Lord. I<br />
heard the Angels worshiping, “Hallelujah…Holy, Holy.” I was so happy.<br />
HEAVEN AND REWARDS<br />
In the Kingdom of God was the most beautiful garden. I saw the Lord approaching me. He<br />
said,”Daughter, I have been waiting for you, because I have many things to tell you”, “Lord, here<br />
I am, I want to stay with You. I don’t want to return to Earth, please let me stay with You.” The<br />
Lord replied, “My child, you have many things to do. You have to work, you have to carry out<br />
My work. I will show you something for your life, something for My people, and something<br />
special for mankind, because I want to save humanity and do not want anyone to perish.”<br />
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Then, I saw two angels, Michael and Gabriel holding huge scrolls; these scrolls were very<br />
beautiful and glittering. As I was looking at those scrolls, I asked, “What is this?” and Jesus said,<br />
“Do you want to know what is in the scrolls?” I replied, “Yes Lord.” He said, “Michael, open it.”<br />
As the Angel Michael began to open the scroll, I could see gold lettering, like numbers, but I<br />
didn’t understand it. I thought, “what’s is this?”, and the Angel Michael replied, “All these letters<br />
and numbers you see written here are those people on Earth that have accepted our Lord as their<br />
only Saviour, through the experience that you have had with Him.” I was so excited and asked<br />
him, “How many are there?” He gave me the total number of souls in the thousands.<br />
I was heart broken and began to cry, saying, “Lord those are many souls that have converted”,<br />
He responded, “You see, this angel, Angel Gabriel has the total number of those people who<br />
were alienated from My ways and have now come to Me, they have come to Me My child.” I<br />
glanced at the number and noticed it was a great amount. I said, “Lord that means my crown is<br />
full of pearls and that you are going to leave me here in Your Kingdom?” The Lord responded,<br />
“No My child, your time is not yet, you have to return to Earth. Would you like to see your<br />
crown?”<br />
Very excited I replied, “Oh yes Lord, I would like to see my crown,” He said, “Angel Gabriel,<br />
bring her crown.” I saw Gabriel carrying a very large tray, with a beautiful crown, but with few<br />
pearls on it. I asked, “Lord, whose crown is this? He replied, “That is your crown My child.” I<br />
asked, “But Lord, why is my crown not full of pearls, if many souls have come to You Lord?”<br />
He replied, “Daughter, yet a long path awaits for you, only 3,500 souls have come to My<br />
presence, but you have to go and preach My Word because there are still many souls that have to<br />
come to Me.” But Lord, why can’t I stay? He told me, “Daughter, because the Crown of Life has<br />
to be full of pearls. I said, “Fine Lord, I will carry out your work.” Then He said, “I have<br />
something to show you My child.”<br />
HELL<br />
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The Lord took me, and we rapidly descended from heaven into a tunnel of hell, just like the first<br />
time when I experienced Hell. I said, “Oh! Lord, what is happening?” Jesus said, “I have<br />
something to show you in hell,” “But Lord I don’t want to be here. Lord, remember our first<br />
experience, you already showed me many things”, He said, “Yes My child, but now different<br />
things I will show you.”<br />
We went down among flames once more, and I started to cry. It was not easy to be there. I said,<br />
“Lord, I want to get out of here, please help me, help me”. I heard millions of people, some were<br />
saying, “Oh Lord, have mercy on me, help me please, Lord, give me another chance.”<br />
Among all those people, I heard someone saying, “I ask for your forgiveness now Lord, because<br />
I have stolen from you, forgive me for stealing, I stole from You Lord and I do not want to do it<br />
again.” I asked, “Lord, who is he and why does he say he stole from You?” “My child I will<br />
show you who he is.” We entered his cell and I saw a disfigured man. The flames opened up and<br />
I could see that he was being tormented.<br />
ROBBING GOD<br />
All those people who are in hell have a plaque on their chest, and 666 on their forehead. This<br />
man extended his hand and said, “Lord forgive me.” I asked, “Why are you here, why are you<br />
asking for forgiveness from the Lord, why? You say you have stolen from God, but nobody can<br />
steal from God? This is impossible, why do you say you have stolen from Him?” He replied,<br />
“I’ll tell you my story…I was a Christian leader, for 20 years I had known Christ, but during the<br />
20 years I said: all that money from my tithing and offerings were just to sustain the pastors, but<br />
I regret it because I now know that it wasn’t for them, it was for the Lord, and that is why I say I<br />
have stolen from God … At this very moment there are many people on Earth that are robbing<br />
the Lord like I did. When you return to Earth, tell all those people who don’t want to give their<br />
tithes and offerings, not to steal from the Lord, otherwise, they’ll wind up in Hell, and no thief<br />
will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I knew the Holy Word, now I regret it and realize I robbed<br />
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the Lord.”(Malachi 3:8) “Tell the people when they give to God, give the Lord with true love.”<br />
(2 Cor 9:7) This man kept pleading, “Lord forgive me”, and the Lord replied, “It is too late, there<br />
is no opportunity for you.”<br />
I asked the man, “But why did you rob God, why? You knew very well we cannot steal God’s<br />
tithes and offerings.” He answered, “Yes, I knew very well, but never did follow it, I never did<br />
because I was a very proud man.”<br />
Don’t ever steal from the Lord, give your tithes and offerings to God because what we give the<br />
Lord on Earth it is not for men. When we give to God with all our heart, it is for the King of<br />
kings and Lord of lords.<br />
The Bible says that the Lord tests us, it is clearly written in Malachi 3:8-10 You are cursed with<br />
the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of<br />
your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it,<br />
says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a<br />
blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. If you want God to greatly bless your<br />
life and your family, then don’t ever steal from God. It’s time to bless God, so He can bless our<br />
lives.<br />
The Lord said, “I will now show you something different.” After leaving that place, the Lord<br />
reminded me of something that He showed me before my second experience, around November.<br />
At that time, I was shown Cells in Hell, and a specific Word.<br />
The word ‘ARVIERD’ was shown to Angelica. Research shows it to be old Italian, or Latin. In<br />
research we found a 400 page ancient manuscript regarding this word, that spoke of a real Hell. I<br />
didn’t know the meaning of it, but I understood that it meant something of religiosity.<br />
RELIGIOSITY AND IDOLATRY<br />
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Jesus took me back to that same place, to see those cells again. When we entered in, I saw<br />
thousands of people. There were two women dressed in black. I asked Jesus “Who are they?” I<br />
was shocked to see a nun, and in her hands were huge snakes, that were forming something like a<br />
crucifix and a rosary.<br />
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I said, “what is this, why are they here?” One of them spoke in a sad voice saying, “I was a nun<br />
on Earth, but now I’m in this place.” I saw how she began to pray and a snake was squeezing her<br />
hands. From her hands there were thousands of worms. The Lord said,”Look and listen to these<br />
words.” She began weeping, “Oh Lord! I can’t take it any longer, I want to get out of this place, I<br />
don’t want to be here, please Lord Help me, help me!”<br />
Then I saw the other woman; and portions of their lives were revealed to me on some type of<br />
screen. I saw who the nuns really were, and their secret lives. I saw how these nuns had sexual<br />
relationships with priests, and how some of these nuns were also lesbians. I saw much more, and<br />
now they were so repentant. But unfortunately, there was no longer any opportunity for them to<br />
repent; it was too late. Those nuns said, “Go and tell all those on Earth, not to come to this place,<br />
please go and tell them not to come here.”<br />
PURGATORY ??<br />
Sometimes nuns and priest say that they will pray to have God release souls from Purgatory. But<br />
I tell you the truth, whether you believe me or not. There is NO such place as Purgatory.<br />
Purgatory was invented by men, it was invented by the Popes. The Bible clearly says that there is<br />
a Heaven and a real Hell. Jesus took me to both places, but never purgatory. He clearly told me,<br />
“Purgatory does not exist, go and tell people to make their decision while on Earth, because<br />
while there is life, there is opportunity to repent.”<br />
Many people say, “let’s pray, so our relatives may leave purgatory.” Stop it! Because if they are<br />
without Christ in Hell, they will NEVER get out. It’s unfortunate but true, they are in Hell.<br />
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But if they died with Christ in their heart, then they are in the presence of our Heavenly Father.<br />
My heart aches knowing how many souls are deceived by the devil into believing in purgatory.<br />
My friend it’s time for you to know the truth, purgatory does NOT exist, it just does NOT exist.<br />
You have to make a decision now, where and with who do you want to spend eternity? You<br />
make your own decision, whether it’s the Kingdom of Heaven with Jesus Christ or Hell with<br />
satan. The Lord commanded me to be very direct when I tell you this, whether you believe it or<br />
not. I am obeying the Lord command because one day you and I will stand before God, and<br />
testify for all the good and bad we did on Earth. If you do not repent of your sinning and your<br />
worshiping idols, you will end up in Hell. Turn to Christ; He will give you eternal life.<br />
I don’t want to frighten you, but it’s the truth. The Lord’s Word is very clear and it says that NO<br />
thief will enter Heaven.<br />
IDOLATRY<br />
The Lord showed me that within each image/statue there is a demon. That is why people come to<br />
the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Virgin of the Cinema, the Virgin Mary statues and so many other<br />
virgins 1 2 3 4. Even statues with the ‘Divine Child’ (the jesus baby). Please believe me, all these<br />
statues have demons behind them. Many people claim that they went to the Virgin of Guadalupe<br />
or Divine Child and received a healing. But among each of these images is a demon. The devil<br />
listens and with his false power, he sometimes makes it look like a miracle has happened, so you<br />
will keep believing and continue worshiping him. Listen to me, the devil is going to repay you<br />
badly and he will give you eternal death. So stop worshiping images and seek Christ, because He<br />
will give you eternal life and life in abundance. (John 10:10)<br />
The Lord showed me those nuns, and they were crying, “I want to get out of here, I regret<br />
worshipped idols, and sinning on Earth, now I cannot leave this place.” I asked one of them,<br />
“But you knew the truth? You knew God’s Holy Word?” She replied, “Yes, I knew the Holy<br />
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Word, but I never repented, I never searched for Christ. There are many nuns in convents for<br />
many reasons. I was in the convent because I suffered a painful disappointment in a love<br />
relationship. There are many nuns in convents because they have suffered disappointments in<br />
love. In many cases, their fiancé’s left them at the wedding altar, or their boyfriends have<br />
betrayed them, many nuns are unfortunately in convents because their lives are full of problems<br />
and the convent is an excuse. The only truth is they are serving satan.”<br />
The Lord’s Holy Word says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “do you not know that wrongdoers will not<br />
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor<br />
adulterers nor men who have sex with men, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor<br />
slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”<br />
His Holy Word is clear, Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the<br />
murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their<br />
place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.”<br />
All the people in Hell have no way to get out, it is too late for them. But you who are on still<br />
alive on Earth, you can still be reconciled to God. Don’t miss this chance, perhaps now you are<br />
watching this, and it might be your last opportunity that God is giving you to repent. Escape<br />
from Hell, because Christ is extending His hand of mercy towards you.<br />
TEENAGE GIRL BURNING IN FLAMES<br />
When we left the cell I began weeping and said, “Lord take me out of here, Lord, I don’t want to<br />
be here.” He took me out and said, “I want to show you more…” As we were walking away, I<br />
heard the screams of a young girl, “Help! Help!” “Who are you? Why are you here?” I asked.<br />
The girl responded, “I’m a teenager, I was only 15 when I died, and came to this place.” “But<br />
why are you here? What brought you here?” I asked. She said, “I thought I had a lifetime ahead<br />
of me, because I was very young. People always talked to me about Christ and salvation, but I<br />
always said that Evangelical Christians were crazy, I always rejected the Holy Word. I did not<br />
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want to accept the Lord. Every time they spoke to me, I just laughed and mocked them. Now I<br />
see that I made the worst mistake of my life. Look at me, I’m here burning in flames. I died in a<br />
car accident and now I regret it so much. I’ve taken so many paths through this place searching<br />
for a way out, and when I find it, I cannot leave because the demons that torment me approach<br />
me saying, ‘You cannot leave this place, you’re here for eternity.’ I don’t want to be here, oh<br />
please help me, help me!” I said, “I can’t do anything for you, I wish I could help all these<br />
people.”<br />
The Lord said, “There is no opportunity for those who are here, but only for those on Earth.” The<br />
girl said, “Oh please go tell people, and even my family not to come to this place. Go talk to the<br />
youth who still have an opportunity to seek for Christ, tell them to turn away from sin. Back on<br />
Earth, I was living a dreadful life, a life full of sin, I was very proud, I enjoyed going to party<br />
after party, I never obeyed my parents, I had always been rebellious. Now I regret it so much,<br />
and want them to forgive me, I want to get out of here, tell everyone on Earth not to come here,<br />
not to come, please. Tell them to obey their parents, to accept Christ, because He truly saves, He<br />
truly saves, the devil deceived me, now I know I can’t ever leave this place, how I regret it.”<br />
She cried and extended out her hands, I wanted to help her but when I reached out my hand, she<br />
began to shout and was pulled back into the flames. I cried out, “Lord, how terrible is to be in<br />
this place” He responded, “Yes Daughter, remember this, go back to Earth and obey My order,<br />
so mankind can believe that Hell is real and eternal, because there are still many who do not<br />
believe in Hell yet, there are many who scoff and say that Hell is a fable.”<br />
MICHAEL JACKSON IN HELLFIRE<br />
Days before my first experience in Hell the Lord gave me a vision and said, “Look, this person<br />
went to hell.” I am talking of the famous man known as MJ, Michael Jackson, he’s also know for<br />
white glove. He was in Hell for the reason I stated on my previous video. While I was recording<br />
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that video, the Lord told me, “Talk about him.” That’s why I am telling you about him being in<br />
Hell’s flames.<br />
While approaching that place of flames, I noticed many demons in a circle, and within that circle<br />
there was somebody being tormented. He extended his burning hands and was yelling, “Help!<br />
Help!” I could understand the language he was speaking.<br />
I wanted to help him so badly, and I could see how the demons would raise him up and force him<br />
to dance and sing as he did on Earth. The demons mocked him and threw him into the flames.<br />
They would pick him up and whip him. He screamed in terrible pain. Oh, how horribly he was<br />
being tormented.<br />
It broke my heart to see this and I said, “Lord, please do something, oh! Lord help him.” As I<br />
extended my hand to help him, my hand suddenly burst into flames, and filled with worms. I<br />
said, “Lord Look! What’s happening?” Then demons began to laugh and mock me, saying<br />
“You’re going to stay in this place.”<br />
HOPELESSNESS OF HELL<br />
I then noticed I could not see or feel the Lord next to me, it seemed I was alone. I cried, “Lord,<br />
You left, why am I still here?” The demons said, “We are going to torment you, you are staying<br />
here.” Then I heard a terrifying laugh, it was so horrible, “Ha ha ha, you are going to stay here. I<br />
finally trapped you, right where I want you. I wanted you here because you have stolen many<br />
souls from me and I will destroy you, here is where you belong.” He gave orders to the demons,<br />
“Take her away, take her where she belongs.”<br />
I responded, “No, no, I am not staying here because the Lord is with me. He said He would not<br />
leave me here.” Then I heard satan’s voice “You are staying here, you are staying here because<br />
the Lord is not with you. Look around, He is not with you.” I looked, but could not see the Lord.<br />
I felt so lonely, and I began to doubt. I began weeping and cried out, “Lord, why did you leave<br />
me? Why Lord, why?”<br />
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Instantly the Lord said, “Daughter, I am here.” I heard His voice in my ear. Looking straight at<br />
satan, I replied, “The Lord is here with me.” But he responded, “No He’s not, take a look.” I<br />
couldn’t see Jesus, but I could hear his voice. I began to doubt again because the demons were<br />
getting so close to me. I felt a rope tied around my waist that kept pulling me towards that freaky<br />
voice. It said, “You damn fool, that’s what you are, a damn fool. I will destroy you because you<br />
have encouraged many souls not to come to hell, many souls are lead out of hell because you are<br />
preaching. Don’t do it anymore, keep your mouth shut, just shut your mouth, I will destroy you, I<br />
will kill you.”<br />
I kept crying as he accused me. Suddenly I responded, “NO satan, you will not destroy me,<br />
because the Lord said He was with me. I cannot see Him, but I truly know He is here.” satan kept<br />
laughing at me.<br />
I was being pulled to some place, closer to that evil voice. I shouted, “the Blood of Jesus has<br />
Power and I’m cover in His blood, it covers me now and satan will run away because the Blood<br />
of Jesus is on me. Greater is He that is with me than you. Greater is He that is with me.” I kept<br />
repeating these words. Then I felt something loosen from me; like something came off, it was the<br />
rope that was wrapped around my waist.<br />
TAKE SERIOUS HEED OF GOD’S WORD<br />
Finally, I was out of Hell, and back in the presence of God. The Lord said, “I want to give you<br />
this message for when you go back to Earth, go and tell My people to seek Me in Spirit and<br />
in Truth (John 4:24). Go tell My people to live in holiness. Go and tell My people it is the<br />
time, it is time to meditate on the Holy Word. I not only want My people to read, but to<br />
scrutinize My Holy Word. Because Daughter, this is what is happening on Earth, on Earth<br />
day after day apostasy is multiplying, yet there are many of My children, many of My<br />
chosen ones that will be deceived. Daughter, tell My people to scrutinize My Holy Word so<br />
they cannot be deceived and to seek My presence in spirit and truth.”<br />
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I said, “Oh! Yes Lord. I will obey. But Lord, I need your help, please help me Lord.” He<br />
responded, “Daughter, when you return, you shall not fear because I will stand by you. I will<br />
speak through your mouth what I have to say to My people. I have seen many rise up against<br />
you, but remember I will always be with you as I promised, and I am your faithful witness.”<br />
THE BOOK OF LIFE<br />
Then I saw angels around me. I recognized the Angel Michael, because I met him before. The<br />
Lord said,”Listen, angel Michael is going to show you something”. The angel Gabriel was also at<br />
my side. Then the angel Michael took my hand, and the Lord commanded him, “Take her and let<br />
her see what you have to show her.”<br />
As we walked, we soon began to climb up the most beautiful staircase. It seemed like a Ball<br />
Room. And in a high place in the room there was an altar, with a most beautiful golden pulpit.<br />
When we got to the pulpit, I saw a huge book and I asked Michael, “this book, what is it?”<br />
While Michael was on the right side of the pulpit, he put his hand on the book and raised his<br />
voice saying,”Angelica, this book you see here is the Book of Life”. I opened it and looked at it,<br />
page by page. I said, “What does this book mean, what is written on it?” Michael said, “Open it,<br />
upon this book is written all the names of those whom on Earth have repented and turned their<br />
lives to our Heavenly Father”.<br />
As I was looking through the book, I asked Michael, “Is my name written here?” “Yes, look it up<br />
and you’ll find it.” I looked, but couldn’t find it. A little worried, I asked, “It is not here, my<br />
name is not here, I can’t find it, where is it?” He responded, “Look, here is your name.” I was<br />
glad to see my name, but I could not understand it because it was written in another language. I<br />
noticed that many names were sparkling, so I asked him, “Why are those names bright and<br />
tingling?” He responded, “These names you see sparkling in the Book of Life, are those people<br />
on Earth, at this very moment are repenting from their sins and seeking for God’s presence.<br />
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Look, these other names are hardly seen and some are being deleted as many have already been,<br />
are those people on Earth that are turning away from God’s ways. You have to do something, do<br />
something!”<br />
Once again, he put his hand over the Book of Life and said to me, “Go and tell mankind that if<br />
their name is not written in this Book, they cannot enter the Kingdom of My Heavenly Father,<br />
they cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” I responded, “Alright, I will do so.” It is written in<br />
Revelation 20:15 “if anyone’s name was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled<br />
into the lake of fire.” We walked out and went back to Jesus, he said, “It is time for you to return<br />
to Earth.”<br />
Do you think your name is written in the Book of Life? If you do not think so, go seek of God. If<br />
you’ve turned your back on God, reconcile with Him, because He is willing to forgive you, no<br />
matter what you have done. Remember, He came to save sinners; He came to forgive all<br />
mankind’s sins on Earth. Just open your heart and ask Him for forgiveness. He is willing to<br />
cleanse us from unrighteousness, as it clearly says in 1 John 1:9 ‘If we confess our sins, he is<br />
faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’”<br />
While returning back to Earth, I saw my body lying there. It was early in the morning; around<br />
7:00am. In my house, I could see my family and some members from church. The Lord<br />
said,”Daughter, enter your body, enter your body, do it now”, “alright Lord,” I responded.<br />
MORE EXPERIENCES<br />
“Remember this, you will have many experiences with Me, and soon there will be a third one<br />
regarding what is happening within My people. Just remember I am with you.” I suddenly saw a<br />
light and angels began singing. After many hours, I was finally able to open my eyes. It took me<br />
many days to recover.<br />
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GET RIGHT WITH GOD<br />
I want you to know that everything you’ve heard on this testimony is NOT a fairy tale story, the<br />
Lord allowed me to experience this. I want you to know that if you need God to forgive you,<br />
then close your eyes and put your right hand over your heart and pray, say to Him:<br />
“Lord Jesus, I repent of all my sins, I repent because I have sinned against you; I ask You Lord<br />
to forgive my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood, I ask that You to write my name in<br />
the Book of Life. Seal me with Your Holy Spirit, enter and dwell in my life and free me of all<br />
wickedness. I renounce the desires of my flesh; I renounce my former life, and all that is<br />
unpleasing to you, I declare today, that all chains that bind me be released, I am free, because<br />
You have freed me. In the name of Jesus, Amen”<br />
May God’s peace be within our hearts, and remember that it’s the Holy Spirit, and only the Holy<br />
Spirit whom convicts us of our sins. May God bless you.<br />
– Testimony of Angelica Zambrano Mora<br />
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PLEASE SHARE THIS TESTIMONY WITH OTHERS THAT<br />
THEY MAY REPENT AND BE SAVED Published by Christ is Coming, Prepare to meet the Lord<br />
<br />
______________________________________<br />
<br />
<u><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LmSt-tLzJOsRkRNeUKpR09GRtcy3oa-2/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">A printable PDF File</a></u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>From:</u> https://christiscoming777.com<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-68407687305458898322019-08-13T17:17:00.002-07:002019-08-13T20:30:19.032-07:00Angelica Zambrano Mora's First (1st) Testimony of Heaven and Hell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A note from admin:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dear reader,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before we show you Angelica Zambrano Mora's first experience, we want to share a message with you. Please take time to read this first. It will bless you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Angelica Zambrano Mora </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">(an Ecuadorian evangelist)</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">received out-of-body experiences, dreams, and visions to share with the world. Her main audience is in Spanish-speaking countries, but her videos have been translated into English. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">She had her first experience in Heaven and Hell back when she was 17. Since then, she has had other God-given experiences. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Through her testimonies, she has shared with the world how God had supernaturally taken her out of her body and into the supernatural world of angels and demons. This is Biblical, as the Bible teaches that Paul, the apostle, had visions of Jesus. John, the apostle, had visions of Jesus and the end times. Ezekiel, the prophet, had visions of Jesus in His glory, sitting on a throne with cherubs and large, supernatural rings (filled with eyes) below it. Moses saw Jesus (God the Son), but didn't see His face, while on Mount Sinai (a.k.a. Mount Horeb).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The book of <u>Joel 2:27-29</u> says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"[27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Paul the apostle wrote about a man he knew of who was taken up to see the third Heaven. In <u>2 Corinthians 12:2-5</u>, Paul wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"[2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. [3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) [4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. [5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">So, God can bring people up to Heaven to see things which cannot be spoken of because they are so wonderful. If God can do that, which He can, then can’t He bring a person down to Hell to see what Hell is like so that God’s vessel can warn the Church?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1 Corinthians 2:9-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> says:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. </b>[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] <b>Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.</b> [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">[14] <b>But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned</b>.” [Emphasis added]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Verse 10 (<i>or 1 Cor. 2:10</i>) reveals that the things of God are revealed to us by His Spirit. God wants us to know the things of God. Our physical eyes and our physical ears have not seen or heard supernatural sights and sounds, but God can allow a person to see them in a vision or in an out-of-body experience (</span><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">2 Corinthians 12:2-5</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">I believe what Angelica Zambrano Mora saw was through visions and out-of-body experiences from God. She mentioned, in her first testimony, that she could look down and see her body lying on the ground (for instance).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">According to <u>heavenvisit.com</u>, Angelica said:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">‘… I saw my body on the floor. I asked, "Lord, what is happening?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">What is happening?" I wanted to touch my body and get inside it again, but when I tried, it was like to grabbing air: I couldn't touch it. My hand went straight through it. None of those who were praying there could hear me! And I shouted, "Lord, help me!"’ [End quote] (</span><a href="http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php">http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php</a>).<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">But, to know if what she experienced really is from God, one must seek God and ask Him to reveal the truth; and look at her spiritual fruit; and compare what she is sharing with the whole Bible (not just a few verses taken out of context). From what I have seen, nothing she has seen contradicts the Holy Bible. It all lines up with the entire New Testament and Old Testament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Angelica is not teaching salvation by works, as some claim. Rather, she is emphasizing that Christians need to be spiritually aware, awake, and in love with Jesus. If we don’t have a desire for intimate fellowship with God, by childlike faith, then we will begin to grow cold in our walks with God. We need to have intimate fellowship with God on a regular basis, for He is our Life, our Joy, our Peace, and all we need. And, as we seek to know God intimately, the power of deception, sin, and other problems will weaken. That is what God showed me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Repenting is not works, as some wrongfully say. Rather, it is choosing to forsake sin by looking to God for help, dying to self (or the fleshly will), and by desiring to know God better. Out of this desire to know God, we would listen to Him and then obey Him, for God only has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus spoke these words in <b><u>Luke chapter 14, in verses 15 through 30</u></b>: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">"[15] And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish." [End quote] (<u>Luke 14:15-30</u>.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">In the parable above, the Lord Jesus Christ taught us that if we are to follow Him and have eternal life, we must die to our selfish will (including self-righteousness, worldly pursuits, selfishness, etc.). We cannot serve two. We cannot serve God and our own will. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus Christ said this profound truth in <u>Matthew 6:24</u>: "[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">(Mammon includes selfishness because the pursuit of money is a form of selfishness and idolatry, but there are other forms of selfishness besides the pursuit of wealth.) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">In verses 22 and 23 (of Matthew 6), the Lord Jesus said: "[22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"</span> [End quote]<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Reader, I recommend that you don’t form an opinion about Angelica based on something you read online. Seek God about her, listen to His voice, and be unbiased in searching the scriptures to see what God’s Word says about visions, dreams, and the things Angelica has said. We must do that with everything people teach us. That is being a Berean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">{<u>Acts 17:10-11</u> says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">“[10] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. [11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">May the peace of Abba Father God, the unmerited grace of God, and the love of God rest in your soul as you seek to know God, rest in Him, and obey His promptings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Justin (a pen name)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">___________________________________________________</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WQpuLZdU2VMQZoBqxT9-rwPRkbVnzpQ4/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">PDF File of This Article</a> (Click for the printable PDF File)<br />
From: <a href="http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php" target="_blank">http://www.heavenvisit.com/Angelica_Zambrano.php</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Angelica Zambrano </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">23 Hours Dead!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Kingdoms of Heaven & Hell,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">and the Return of CHRIST</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">by Angelica Zambrano</span></b><br />
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For a period of 23 hours, a young Ecuadorian girl named Angelica was shown the Kingdoms of Heaven and Hell, and the Return<br />
of Christ. She witnessed Jesus weeping as He overlooked multitudes of souls lost forever, a world that has rejected Him, a<br />
Church that is mostly unprepared for Him, a people that have stopped witnessing to the lost, and an entertainment industry that<br />
even lures children to satan. She witnessed many of our esteemed cultural icons suffering in the Pit; singers, entertainers, and<br />
even a pope. Angelica was also shown how the Kingdom of Heaven is all wonderfully prepared and ready, an unimaginable<br />
glorious place, where no evil exists. Though Jesus is ONLY coming back for a Holy People, and many of God's children will<br />
NOT be ready on that day, and will be left behind in a world that will fall apart.<br />
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Maxima (the Mother): From video Interview, originally in Spanish, minimally abridged, Location:<br />
El Empalme, Ecuador.<br />
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My name is Maxima Zambrano Mora and we attend the "Casa de<br />
Oracion" Church in El Empalme. We were fasting for 15 days, and<br />
crying out to God. My daughter Angelica also joined us. During<br />
those fifteen days of fasting, I was able to see beyond the natural,<br />
which I've never done before. We were praying and fasting at the<br />
retreat, and even continued praying and crying out at home, waiting<br />
for God to speak to us.<br />
The Lord gave us much encouragement. Because of our trials, we<br />
were often ready to give up, but the Lord was there to help us. He<br />
gave us Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty<br />
things, which you know not." My daughter had been emphatically requesting that from Lord,<br />
though I didn't know it at the time.<br />
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Angelica (The daughter):<br />
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My name is Angelica Elizabeth Zambrano Mora. I am 18,<br />
and study at the "Colegio José María Velazco Ibarra", here<br />
at El Cantón, El Empalme, Ecuador. I first accepted Christ when<br />
I was 12, but I told myself, "None of my friends were<br />
evangelicals and I felt strange amongst them", so I walked away<br />
from God, and lived a bad, terrible life. But God pulled me out<br />
of there. On, my 15th Birthday, I was reconciled to the Lord, but<br />
I was still double-minded. The Bible says, "A double-minded<br />
man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8) and I was one of those<br />
persons. My dad would say, "You don't have to be like that, it<br />
looks awful, it's wrong," but I would reply, "This is the way I am,<br />
and how I want to be, nobody has to tell me how I should be, nor<br />
what I should do, nor how I should dress, or behave." He would<br />
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respond, "God is going to deal with you. He is going to change you."<br />
During my 17 birthday, I came closer to the Lord. On April 28th I came to Him and said, "Lord,<br />
I feel so bad, I know that I'm a sinner," and I told Him how I felt. "Lord, forgive me. I want You<br />
to write my name in the Book of Life and to accept me as Your child." I repented and gave back<br />
my life to the Lord. I said, "Lord, I want You to change me, to make a difference in me." I cried<br />
with all my heart, asking the Lord to change me. But, as time passed by I felt no change. The<br />
only difference was that I began to attend church, to read the Bible and to pray. That was the<br />
only change in my life.<br />
Then, in August, I was invited to fast for 15 days. I decided to join, but before entering I said,<br />
"Lord, I want you to deal with me here." During the fast, the Lord was speaking to almost<br />
everybody, except me! It was as if the Lord had not seen me, and that hurt. I would pray, "Lord,<br />
aren't You going to deal with me?" I would cry alone and continue, "Lord, do You love me? Are<br />
You here? Are You with me? Why don't You speak to me like You do to everyone else. You speak<br />
so many things to other people, even words of prophecy, but not me." I asked for a sign that He<br />
was with me, and the Lord gave me Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell<br />
you great and unsearchable things you do not know." I said, "Lord, did You just talk to me?”<br />
Because I heard His audible voice and had a vision of the words written in Jeremiah 33:3.<br />
I said, "Lord, is that for me?" I kept it to myself, while everyone else was testifying what the<br />
Lord had given them and what they had seen. But I kept it secret and would only meditate on the<br />
words: "Call unto Me" means to pray, but what did "great and mighty things" mean? I thought,<br />
"This can only mean heaven and hell." So I said, "Lord, I only want You to show me heaven, but<br />
not hell, because I've heard that it is a horrible place." But I then prayed with all my heart,<br />
"Lord if it is Your will to show me what You must, then do so, but change me first. I want You to<br />
make a difference in me; I want to be different.”<br />
When we finished fasting, there were trials and difficulties and sometimes I felt faint, unable to<br />
continue walking with the Lord. But He gave me strength. I started to hear His voice and know<br />
Him better. We became good friends. The Lord is our best friend, the Holy Spirit. I told Him,<br />
"Lord, You are my best friend. I want to know You better," and shared all my thoughts with Him.<br />
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I prayed during all of August and then in November, a servant of the Lord came to our house and<br />
said, "May the Lord bless you." I replied, "Amen." He then said, "I am here to bring you a<br />
message from God...you must prepare yourself, because the Lord will show you great and mighty<br />
things which you do not know. He is going to show you Heaven and Hell because you have been<br />
asking, from Jeremiah 33:3." I asked, "Yes, how did you know? I haven't told that to<br />
anyone." He responded, "The same God that you serve and praise, that very same God I also<br />
praise told me everything."<br />
Soon we began to pray. Some sisters from our church, and others from my family were there<br />
with us praying. But as soon as we started praying, I began to see the Heavens opened. So I<br />
said, "I see the Heavens are opening, and 2 angels are coming down!" The man said, "Ask them<br />
why they are here."<br />
They were tall and beautiful; with beautiful wings. They were large and shining, and seemed<br />
transparent, brilliant as gold. They wore crystal sandals and had on holy garments. "Why are<br />
you here?" They smiled and said, "We are here because we have a task to carry out...We are<br />
here because you must visit Heaven and Hell and we will not leave until all of this comes to<br />
pass." I responded, "very well, but I only want to visit heaven, not hell." They smiled, and stayed<br />
there, but did not say anything more. After we finished prayer, I could still see them there.<br />
I also started to see the Holy Spirit; He is my best friend; He is Holy, He is omniscient; He is<br />
omnipresent! I could see Him, transparent and brilliant at the same time; with a brilliant<br />
countenance, I could see His smile and His loving gaze! I can hardly describe Him, because He<br />
is more beautiful than angels. The angels have their own beauty, but the Holy Spirit is far more<br />
beautiful than they are! I could hear His audible voice, a voice full of love, a passionate voice. I<br />
just can't explain His voice; a voice like lightening, yet at the same time He would say, "I am<br />
with you." so I would strive to continue walking with God, even as trials surrounded us. We<br />
were going through very difficult moments, but victorious ones at the same time. I said, "Lord,<br />
let Your will be done." I continued to notice the angels even at school, and in my classes. I was<br />
so happy, so full of joy because I could actually see them!<br />
The servant of the Lord, who visited my house, told me to prepare myself, because I was going<br />
to see Heaven and Hell. But he also told me something difficult. He said, "You are going to<br />
die." It wasn't easy when I heard this.<br />
"How am I going to die? I'm so young", I asked. He replied, "Don't worry about anything,<br />
everything God does is perfect, and He will bring you back to life, so you can testify about<br />
Heaven and Hell, which is what the Lord wants all of us to know about." I said, "Amen, but will I<br />
be run over by a car, how will I die?" Ideas came rushing into my mind, but the Lord told me<br />
not to worry, everything was under control. I said, "Thank you, Lord!"<br />
On November 6th, after I returned home from school, the Angels were still with me, even while<br />
praising the Lord. They would not speak to me; all they would say was, "Holy, Holy, Holy,<br />
Hallelujah," giving glory, honor and praise to our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit was there<br />
along with the angels and I would rejoice. Many people say that the gospel is boring, but that is<br />
a big lie from the devil to keep people from searching for God's presence. I also used to believe<br />
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this, but after I met the Lord and the Holy Spirit, I know the gospel is not boring, it is the most<br />
beautiful experience you can have on Earth!<br />
I could see; play with, and even talk to the Holy Spirit. But the angels would not talk to me, but<br />
they would praise the Lord. I would say, "Holy Spirit come along with me to do this or that" and<br />
He would be there. I could feel and see Him.<br />
I saw Him when He would rise to His feet, and would even prepare a seat for Him. Although<br />
many can't see Him, He is here! That relationship has continued, there's no reason to stop it,<br />
once you've experienced it...there's no way that I would withdraw. When I consider where He<br />
pulled me out from, what I was before, I am so thankful for His mercy, for all His love toward<br />
humanity and toward me!<br />
On November 7th, when I was returning home, I heard a voice that said, "Be prepared, for you<br />
will die today," I knew it was the Holy Spirit because I could see Him. I ignored His voice and<br />
said, "Lord, I don't want to die today!" But He repeated, "Be prepared, for you will die today!"<br />
This time He said it louder and with greater force. I replied, "Lord, I know it's You talking to me;<br />
I only ask for a confirmation and after that, do with me as You will. I'll do whatever You ask, I'll<br />
surrender, even if I'm afraid, because I know You are with me and You are real."<br />
I prayed, "Let that person you used before, bring me the message. Let him be at my home this<br />
instant, before I arrive, and let him tell me that today I will die." Now, somehow the Lord<br />
knows our past, present and future. He knew what I would request of Him. So when I arrived<br />
home, the servant of the Lord was already there.<br />
Maxima:<br />
When my daughter got home, we were in the kitchen. When Angelica saw the servant of the<br />
Lord, she said, "May the Lord bless you." The man of God responded, "God bless you. Are you<br />
ready? For today is the day that the Lord will take you, at 4 PM." She just stood there,<br />
astonished that the Lord had granted her request.<br />
Angelica:<br />
When I heard this I said,<br />
"Amen...but I don't want to die, I<br />
can't die! No, Lord, I'm afraid,<br />
very much afraid, terrified!" The<br />
servant of the Lord said, “Let's<br />
pray that your fear will leave<br />
now in the name of our Lord." I<br />
said, "Amen" and we<br />
prayed. Soon I felt all fear leave<br />
me, and an indescribable joy<br />
came, thinking that death was the<br />
best thing that could happen to<br />
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me! I started to smile and laugh while everyone was looking at me. They could all see that I<br />
went from being dismal to joyful. I was smiling, jumping and singing.<br />
Maxima:<br />
My daughter instantly felt joy in her heart and started eating. She had a little bit of everything,<br />
saying, "If I don't return, well I've eaten and I'm full."<br />
Angelica:<br />
Everyone started laughing and asked, "Why are you behaving like this instead of being sad,<br />
you're happy, you're joyful?" I told them, "Of course: I'm going to see the Lord, I'm going to be<br />
with Him, but I don't know if I'll be coming back so I want to give away all my things." They all<br />
stared at me and asked, "You're going to give away all your belongings?" My Mom's eyes were<br />
wide open in surprise!<br />
Maxima:<br />
My daughter started giving her things away. She gave everything away, everything! Our church<br />
sisters were with us, as usual, and she gave something to every one of them. When I questioned<br />
her intentions, she said, "If I return, they can give everything back to me, but if I don't come back,<br />
then they can keep everything."<br />
Angelica:<br />
I can imagine how sad my Mom must have felt when I said that. But I felt so happy, that I<br />
started giving everything away: my clothes, my bed, my cell phone, everything, with one<br />
condition: If I come back, everything must be returned to me. They all started laughing.<br />
Maxima:<br />
She was very determined, but as a mother I felt so much sorrow. It wasn't easy. I wondered,<br />
"Lord when the moment comes, how will it be?" I couldn't understand. As they started praying, I<br />
was arranging thing in the house. They said, "sister, come let's pray." But I replied, "You go on, I<br />
will join you shortly. Just let me finish this task."<br />
Angelica:<br />
They were all observing me as we prayed. I prayed, "Lord, I want to do Your will. You're not a<br />
man that You would lie or repent, I know You are real. If I am going to fail You, then it's best if<br />
You just take me with You; but If I am going to do Your will, then bring me back, but help me say<br />
the truth, prepare me, help me to preach and to tell people to repent." That was my shortest<br />
prayer. I told this to the servant of the Lord and said, "Don't tell my Mom what I said to the<br />
Lord." He replied, "I won't tell her now, but once the Lord has taken you, I'll tell her." We<br />
continued praying and came together in a prayer circle.<br />
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Maxima:<br />
At 3:30 PM, the Lord told His servant to anoint my daughter. So some of us went into the room<br />
and anointed her. He gave us two minutes to anoint her all over, from her hair down, everything,<br />
all her body. She was fully anointed.<br />
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Angelica:<br />
My Mom and another church sister, Fátima Navarrete, anointed me with oil. But as they were<br />
anointing me, I felt something covering me, like a glass that was surrounding me. It's hard to<br />
explain, I felt covered with something like armor, and I couldn't explain how I was<br />
covered. After that, when they tried to touch me, they no longer could.<br />
Maxima:<br />
As we were praying over Angelica, I was trying to lay my hands on her, but I couldn't touch<br />
her! She had some type of covering around her. It was strange, nobody could touch her! This<br />
covering started at the top of her head to her feet, about 30cm (12 inches). That was what<br />
shocked me the most. I've lay my hands on people before, in service to the Lord, but something<br />
like this had never happened before! I said, "Oh, something must be happening," and I started to<br />
pray and to give thanks to the Lord. Suddenly, I felt great joy. The sorrow in my heart was<br />
gone, the pain was gone, and I now felt joyful and happy! We continued praying and about at<br />
4:00 PM, my daughter fell to the floor.<br />
Angelica:<br />
During prayer, I felt shortness of breath; I couldn't breathe. I felt a pain in my abdomen and in<br />
my heart. I felt my blood going dormant, and tremendous pain all over my body. All I could say<br />
was, "Lord, give me strength, give me strength!" because I felt I couldn't go on. I had no<br />
strength, it was leaving me! When I looked up to heaven, in the spiritual realm, not with my<br />
physical eyes, I saw heaven opening up. I saw angels, not two nor ten, but millions of them<br />
gathering together. In the midst of the millions of angels, I saw a Light, 10,000 times brighter<br />
than the sun. And I said, "Lord that is You who is coming!"<br />
Maxima:<br />
When she fell down, we tried to stand her up, but<br />
she was unable to stand on her own. At this time,<br />
we were able to touch her. She was saying,<br />
"Pray. I don't have strength, Mommy, I don't have<br />
strength and I feel pain." First, she felt pain in her<br />
heart, and then it went down near<br />
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<br />
her abdomen. We kept on praying and pleading with the Lord. The Lord took her life!<br />
Never before in my life had I seen anybody die. I had to see my daughter, as she was<br />
agonizing! It was not easy at all! I couldn't understand her last few words, and at the end she<br />
stopped. I placed my hand on her face, and a mirror to her mouth, to see if she was<br />
breathing. She had no breath, she just stood still. I held her, she was still warm, as normal. I<br />
took a sheet and covered her up, and in a short while she started to get cold, very cold. Her hair<br />
was set back, like the hair of a dead person, and she turned icy cold.<br />
Angelica:<br />
Jesus was coming down, and I felt my body dying. As Jesus and the Angels got closer, I felt I<br />
was leaving, that I was no longer me. I was no longer alive, I was dying, and it was<br />
agonizing! When my body fell to the floor, they were already here. My house was full of<br />
angels, and in the midst of the angels I saw a Light, stronger than the sun! It was very difficult; I<br />
felt tremendous pain, as my soul and spirit were being torn away.<br />
I was crying and screaming, as I saw my body on the floor. I asked, "Lord, what is happening?<br />
What is happening?" I wanted to touch my body and get inside it again, but when I tried, it was<br />
like to grabbing air: I couldn't touch it. My hand went straight through it. None of those who<br />
were praying there could hear me! And I shouted, "Lord, help me!"<br />
Maxima:<br />
My husband arrived while we were praying, and he saw her there. The Lord gave me strength at<br />
that moment because I didn't know what to do. It was like she was in a coma, but I knew she<br />
was OK, because it was the Lord's work. So I said "Lord, let Your will be done."<br />
<br />
The Lord Jesus Christ<br />
<br />
Angelica:<br />
At that moment I hear the Lord's voice, a beautiful voice with thunder and love, "Fear not,<br />
Daughter, for I am Jehovah, Your God, and I have come here to show you what I have<br />
promised you. Arise, for I am Jehovah, who holds you by your right hand and tells you, Fear<br />
not, I will help you." Suddenly, I arose. I had been kneeling down, looking at my body, wanting<br />
to get back in but not being able to. When I heard His voice, fear had left me, and I was no<br />
longer scared.<br />
As I started walking, the angels began to open a path. There was a strong light shining, and as I<br />
gazed at it, I felt peace. As I looked, I saw a beautiful, tall, elegant, muscular man. Light was<br />
projecting from Him. There was too much light for me to see His face! But I could see His<br />
beautiful hair of brilliant gold and a white garment with a wide golden girdle that crossed His<br />
chest. It read, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."<br />
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I looked at His feet, He was wearing shiny golden sandals, of brilliant gold. He was so<br />
beautiful! He extended His hand to me. When I took His hand, it wasn't like when I touched my<br />
body, my hand did not go through it. I asked, "What is happening?" And He said, "I am going<br />
to show you hell, so that you return and tell humanity that hell is real; that hell exists. And<br />
also, My glory will I show you, for you to tell My people to be prepared, for My glory is real<br />
and I am real." He said, "Daughter, do not fear"- He said it again and I said, "Lord, it's just that<br />
I want to go to heaven, but not hell, because I've heard that it's horrible!" He said, "Daughter, I<br />
will be with you. I will not leave you in that place and I am going to show you that place<br />
because there are many who know that hell exists, but they have no fear. They believe it's a<br />
game, that hell is a joke, and many don't know about it. That is why I am going to show you<br />
that place, because there are more that perish than those that are entering My glory." When<br />
He said that, I could see tears streaming down to His garments. I asked Him, "Lord, why are you<br />
crying?" He replied, "Daughter, because there are more that perish, and I will show you this,<br />
so that you will go and tell the truth and so that you will not return to that place."<br />
<br />
Hell<br />
<br />
Suddenly, as He was speaking,<br />
everything started to move. The<br />
Earth shook and split open, and I<br />
saw a very dark hole below.<br />
We were standing on a sort of rock<br />
with angels surrounding us. I said,<br />
"Lord, I don't want to go to that<br />
place!" He said, "Daughter, do not<br />
fear for I am with you." In a split<br />
second we descended into the dark<br />
hole. I tried to see but there was a<br />
terrible darkness. I did see a huge<br />
circle, and hear millions of voices.<br />
I was so hot, I felt my skin burning. I asked, "Lord, what is this? I don't want to go to this<br />
place!" The Lord said that this was just the tunnel to hell. There was a horrible, repulsive and<br />
nauseating smell, and I begged Jesus not to take me. He responded, "Daughter, it is necessary<br />
for you to come and know this place." I cried, "But why, Lord, why?" And He said, 'so that you<br />
can tell the truth to humanity; humanity perishes, it's lost and few are entering My Kingdom."<br />
In saying this, He would weep. His words strengthened and encouraged me, so I continued<br />
walking.<br />
We arrived at the end of a tunnel, when I looked down I saw an abyss covered in flames. The<br />
Lord said "Daughter, I give this to you." It was a large binder with blank sheets of<br />
paper. "Daughter, take this pencil so that you can write all that I will show you, what you will<br />
see and hear. You will write everything as you are observing it, as you will live it." I said,<br />
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"Lord, I will do it, but I am already seeing so much, Lord. I am seeing souls being tormented,<br />
and immense flames."<br />
Maxima:<br />
Time was going by, and my daughter was still<br />
lying there. "Lord, what is happening?" Tears<br />
were coming out of her eyes, but when I wiped<br />
them away, they would just come again. I placed a<br />
mirror to her mouth to see if she was breathing,<br />
there was nothing. We checked her pulse,<br />
nothing. We placed a hand on her stomach,<br />
nothing. The servant of the Lord said, "The place<br />
where she is, is not a place of smiles but a place of<br />
torment."<br />
Angelica:<br />
I told Jesus, "I will testify that hell is real, that hell exists, but take me out of here now!" And He<br />
replied, "Daughter, we haven't even entered that place, and I have shown you nothing yet, and<br />
already you want Me to take you out of this place?" "Lord, please take me out of here," I<br />
said. Then we started to descend into the abyss! I started to cry and scream, "Lord, no, no, no,<br />
no- I don't want to go!" and He would reply, "You need to see this."<br />
I saw horrible demons, of all types, both large and small. They were running so fast, and<br />
carrying something in their hands. "Lord, why are they running like that and what are they<br />
carrying?" He answered, “Daughter, they run that way because they know their time is<br />
running out, because time is so short to destroy humanity and especially My people. That<br />
which they carry in their hands are darts to destroy humanity, because each demon is given a<br />
name and according to the name that is given to them, they have a dart to destroy that person<br />
and bring them to this place; their goal is to destroy that person and bring them to hell." And I<br />
would see the demons running and exiting toward Earth and He told me. "They are going to<br />
Earth to bring and throw humanity into this place." As He said this He would weep, He would<br />
weep so very much. He was weeping all the time and I would cry too.<br />
Maxima:<br />
My Daughter was dead for 23 hours, but I did not notify the authorities. I prayed, "Lord, I will<br />
wait for 24 hours. If my daughter is not back in 24 hours, I will call a doctor." But, the Lord<br />
brought her back before 24 hours were up.<br />
Angelica:<br />
The Lord said to me, "Are you ready to see what I am going to show you?" "Yes, Lord," I<br />
said. He took me to a cell where I could see a young man being tormented among the flames. I<br />
noticed that the cell was enumerated, though I couldn't understand the numbers, they seemed to<br />
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be backward. There was a huge plaque in that cell, and the young man had the number "666" on<br />
his forehead. He also had a big metallic plate that was encrusted into his skin. The worms that<br />
were eating him, were unable to damage that plate; neither did the flames burn it. He screamed,<br />
"Lord, have mercy on me. Take me out of this place. Forgive me, Lord!" But Jesus would<br />
respond, "It's late, too late: I gave you opportunities and you would not repent."<br />
I asked Jesus, "Lord, why is he here?" Then I recognized him. On Earth, this young man knew<br />
the Word of God, but abruptly he walked away from the Lord, preferring alcohol, drugs and<br />
walking on the wrong path. He did not want to follow the way of the Lord. Jesus warned him<br />
many times on what could happen to him. Jesus said, "Daughter, he is in this place because<br />
anyone who rejects My word already has a judge: The Word that I have spoken will judge him<br />
in that last day," (John 12:48) and then Jesus wept.<br />
<br />
When the Lord weeps, it's different than we do. He would weep<br />
with this pain in His heart and He would sob profoundly. "I did<br />
not create hell for humanity," Jesus said. So I asked Him, "Then<br />
why is humanity here, Lord?" He answered, "Daughter, I created<br />
hell for satan and his angels, who are the<br />
demons; (Matt. 25:41) but, because of sin and the lack of<br />
repentance, humanity ends here, and there are more that perish<br />
than those who reach My glory!" (Matt 7:14) He continued weeping<br />
and it would hurt me so much to see how He cried. "Daughter, I<br />
gave My life for humanity, so that it would not perish, so that it<br />
would not end up in this place. I gave My life out of love and<br />
mercy, so that humanity would proceed to repentance and could enter the Kingdom of<br />
Heaven." Jesus would moan as someone who could no longer withstand the pain, that's how<br />
much pain He felt watching the people here.<br />
Being with Jesus, made me feel safe. I thought, "If I let go<br />
of the Lord, I'll be stuck here!" I asked, "Jesus, do I have<br />
relatives in this place." He looked at me as I was crying and<br />
He said, "Daughter, I am with you," because I was so<br />
scared. He took me to another cell. I never could have<br />
imagined seeing a relative of mine in that cell. I saw this<br />
woman being tormented, she had worms that would eat her<br />
face off, and demons would plunge a type of spear into her<br />
body. She would scream, "No, Lord, have mercy on me,<br />
forgive me, please, take me out of this place for one<br />
minute!" (Luke 16:24)<br />
In Hell, people are tormented with the memories of what<br />
they did on Earth. Demons would mock people and tell<br />
them, "Worship and praise because this is your kingdom!"<br />
and the people would scream remembering that they knew<br />
God, because they knew the Word. Those who had known<br />
the Lord were tormented twofold.<br />
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The Lord said, "There is no other opportunity [for those here]; there is still opportunity for those<br />
who are alive." I asked Him, "Lord, why is my great-grandmother here? I don't know if she<br />
ever knew you. Why is she here in hell, Lord?" He replied, "Daughter, she is here because she<br />
failed to forgive...Daughter, he who does not forgive, neither will I forgive him."<br />
I asked, "Lord, but You do forgive, and You are merciful." And He answered, "Yes, Daughter,<br />
but it is necessary to forgive, because they have not forgiven many people, and that is why<br />
many people are in this place, because they failed to forgive...Go and tell humanity that it is<br />
time to forgive, and especially My people, for many of My people have not forgiven. Tell them<br />
to rid themselves of grudges, of resentment, of that hatred in their hearts, for it is time to<br />
forgive! If death were to surprise that person who has failed to forgive, that person may go to<br />
hell, for no one can purchase life." When we left that place, my great grandmother was<br />
engulfed in fire and she screamed, "Aaaah," and began to blaspheme the name of God, she<br />
would curse Him; every person in hell blasphemes against God.<br />
As we left that area, I could see that hell was full of tormented souls. Many people would extend<br />
their hands out, begging Jesus to help them and take them out of there. But the Lord could not<br />
do anything for them and they would start blaspheming God. Then Jesus would weep and say,<br />
"It hurts Me to hear them, it hurts Me to see what they do, because I can no longer do<br />
anything for them. What I will tell you is that I still have opportunity for he who is still on<br />
Earth, who has not yet died, who is still alive; he still has time to repent!"<br />
The Lord told me there were many famous people in Hell, and also many people who had known<br />
about the Lord. He said, “I am going to show you another part of the furnace." We came to a<br />
place where a woman was surrounded by flames. She was in great torment and would scream,<br />
begging the Lord for mercy. Jesus pointed to her with his hand and told me, "Daughter, that<br />
woman that you see over there, surrounded by flames, is Selena." As we started getting closer,<br />
she screamed, "Lord, have mercy on me, forgive me Lord, take me out of this place!" But the<br />
Lord looked at her and said, "It's late, it's too late. You<br />
cannot repent now."<br />
She saw me and said, "Please, I beg you, go tell people<br />
about this, please speak out and do not be silent; go and tell<br />
them not to come to this place; go and tell them not to listen<br />
to my songs, nor sing my songs." (1 John 2:15) So I asked her,<br />
"Why do you want me to go and say that?" And she<br />
answered, "Because every time people sing and listen to my<br />
songs, I am tormented even more, the person who does this,<br />
who sings and listens to my songs, is walking to this<br />
place. Please, go tell them not to come here; go tell them<br />
that hell is real!" She would scream and demons would hurl<br />
spears from afar into her body and she would cry, "Help me,<br />
Lord, have mercy on me, Lord!" But sadly, the Lord told<br />
her, "It is too late."<br />
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I looked all over that area, it was full of singers and artists who have died. All they did was sing<br />
and sing, they wouldn't stop singing. The Lord explained, "Daughter, the person who is here,<br />
must continue doing here, whatever they did on Earth, if they had not repented."<br />
As I was observing the area, I noticed a lot of demons that were spilling down some type of<br />
rain. I actually thought it was raining. But I noticed the people in flames running away from the<br />
rain and shouting, "No, help me, Lord!...No, this can't be," and the demons would laugh and tell<br />
the people, "Praise and worship because this is your kingdom forever and ever!" I saw the<br />
flames increase and people's worms would multiply! There was no water there, it was brimstone<br />
that would multiply the flames and increase each person's anguish. I asked Jesus, "What's<br />
happening?...Lord, what is this?" The Lord replied, "This is the wages of anyone who has not<br />
repented." (Psalms 11:6)<br />
Then the Lord took me to place where there was a very well-known man. Before now, I used to<br />
live as a double minded young Christian girl. I used to think that any person that died would go<br />
to Heaven; that those who celebrated mass, would also go to heaven, but I was wrong. When<br />
Pope John Paul II died, my friends and relatives would tell me that he had gone to heaven. All<br />
the news on TV, on Extra and many other places would say, "Pope John Paul II has died, may<br />
he rest in peace. He is now rejoicing with the Lord and his angels in heaven" and I believed all<br />
of it. But I was only fooling myself, because I saw him in Hell, being tormented by flames. I<br />
looked at his face, it was John Paul II! The Lord said to me, "Look, Daughter, that man that<br />
you see there, is Pope John Paul II. He is here in this place; he is being tormented because he<br />
did not repent."<br />
But I asked, "Lord, why is he here? He used to preach at church." Jesus replied, "Daughter, no<br />
fornicator, no idolater, no one who is greedy and no liar will<br />
inherit My Kingdom."(Eph. 5:5) I replied, "Yes, I know that is<br />
true, but I want to know why he is here, because he used to<br />
preach to multitudes of people!" And Jesus responded, "Yes,<br />
Daughter, he may have said many things, but he would never<br />
speak the truth as it is. He never said the truth and they know<br />
the truth and although he knew the truth, he preferred money<br />
over preaching about salvation. He would not offer reality;<br />
would not say that hell is real and that heaven also exists;<br />
Daughter, now he is here in this place."<br />
When I looked at this man, he had a large serpent with needles,<br />
wrapped around his throat, and he would try to take it off. I<br />
pleaded with Jesus, "Lord, help him!" The man would scream,<br />
"Help me, Lord; have mercy on me; take me out of this place;<br />
forgive me! I repent, Lord; I want to return to Earth, I want to<br />
go back to Earth to repent." The Lord observed him and said to him, "You very well knew. You<br />
knew very well that this place was real...It's too late; there is no other opportunity for you."<br />
The Lord said, "Look, Daughter, I am going to show you the life of this man." Jesus showed<br />
me a huge screen on which I could observe how this man offered mass many times to the<br />
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multitudes. And how the people who were there were so idolatrous. Jesus said, "Look,<br />
Daughter, there are many idolaters in this place. Idolatry will not save, Daughter. I am the<br />
only One who saves, and outside of Me, no one saves. I love the sinner, but I hate sin,<br />
Daughter. Go and tell humanity that I love them and that they need to come to Me."<br />
As the Lord was speaking, I began to see how this man received multitudes of coins and bills;<br />
money, all of which he would keep. He had so much money. I saw images of this man seated on<br />
a throne, but I was also able to see beyond that. While it's true that these people do not get<br />
married, I can assure you, I'm not making this up, the Lord showed it to me, those people do<br />
sleep with nuns; with many women there! [1 example]<br />
The Lord showed me these people living in fornication, and the Word says that no fornicator will<br />
inherit His Kingdom. As I was watching all of this, the Lord told me, "Look Daughter, all of<br />
this which I am showing you is what goes on, what he lived and what keeps on happening<br />
among many people, among many priests and popes existing." Then he told me, "Daughter, go<br />
and tell humanity that it's time to turn to Me."<br />
The Lord showed me a place where many people were walking to hell. I asked Him, "Lord, how<br />
is it that they walk to this place?" He replied, "I will show you." He showed me a tunnel with<br />
many people walking through it. These people were chained from hand to foot. They were<br />
dressed in black and carrying a load on their back. Jesus said, "Look Daughter, those people<br />
that you see there, those people don't know Me yet. That which they carry on their backs is<br />
sin, but go and tell them to turn their burden over to Me, and I will give them rest; that I am<br />
He who forgives all their sins...Daughter, go and tell those people to come to Me, for I await<br />
them with open arms, and go tell them that they are walking to this place."<br />
As I was watching the people walking, I said, "Lord, that person over there is my cousin; that<br />
young man is my cousin, Lord, and that young girl coming down is also my cousin; my family is<br />
coming to this place!" He replied, "Daughter, they are walking to this place, but go and them<br />
where they are walking, go and tell them they are walking to hell. Go and tell them that I have<br />
chosen you as my watchman...I have chosen you as my watchman, for it means that you are to<br />
tell the truth. You must go and tell all that I have shown you. If you do not speak out and<br />
something happens to that person, his blood will be poured over you, but if you go and do as I<br />
have told you, then that person has an account with me. If the person does not repent, then<br />
the responsibility resting upon you will be lifted, for the account will rest upon that person and<br />
his blood will not be poured over<br />
you. (Ezekiel 3:18)"<br />
Jesus told me that many famous<br />
people were walking to that place,<br />
famous and important<br />
people. Take for example, Michael<br />
Jackson. This man was famous all<br />
over the world but he was a<br />
satanist. Although many people<br />
may not see it that way, but it is the<br />
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truth. This man had satanic covenants: He came to agreement with the devil in order to achieve<br />
fame and attract many fans.<br />
Those steps that he performed, that's the way I saw demons walk while tormenting people in<br />
hell. They would slide backward and not move forward, while they shout; enjoying the anguish<br />
they impose upon the people. Let me tell you that Michael Jackson is in hell. The Lord showed<br />
him to me after Michael died. He let me see Michael Jackson tormented in flames. I cried to<br />
Jesus, "Why?" It wasn't easy to see how this man was being tormented and how he would<br />
scream. Anyone who listens to Michael Jackson's songs or sings them or who is a fan of<br />
Michael Jackson, I warn you that satan is trapping you in his web so that you will end up in<br />
hell. Right now, renounce it in the name of Jesus! Jesus wants to set you free, so that you will<br />
not be lost.<br />
The Lord said, "Daughter, there are also people who know Me, that are walking to this place."<br />
I asked, "Lord, how can people who know You also come here?" He replied, "That person who<br />
has left My ways and that person who is living a double life." He started showing me people<br />
who were walking to Hell. They were tied from their hands to their feet.<br />
They each wore a white garment, but it was torn, stained and wrinkled. Jesus said, "Daughter,<br />
see how My people have walked away from Me. Daughter, I want to tell you that I am not<br />
coming for these people. I am coming for a holy people, ready, without blemish, without<br />
wrinkle and without defilement...Go and tell them to return to the old paths." (Eph. 5:26-27) I<br />
started to see many of my uncles and many other people who had walked away from the Lord's<br />
ways. "Go and tell them that I am waiting for them, to surrender their loads to Me, and I will<br />
give them rest." Jesus was weeping, "Daughter, they are coming this way. Go and tell your<br />
uncles; go and tell your relatives that they are coming this way! Daughter, many will not<br />
believe you, but I am your faithful witness, I am your faithful witness. I will never leave<br />
you. Even if they do not believe you, Daughter, go and tell them the truth, for I am with<br />
you. I will also show you, Daughter, how people arrive at this place."<br />
We went to a tunnel where there were a multitude of people falling into the abyss. Not 1<br />
thousand, not 2 thousand, but as many as the sand of the sea, countless. They were falling by the<br />
second, like handfuls of sand being thrown down. The souls were falling rapidly. Jesus was<br />
weeping, He said, "Daughter, this is how humanity perishes; this is how it is lost!...Daughter,<br />
it hurts Me to see how humanity perishes."<br />
Jesus said, "Demons also hold meetings in this place." And I said, "Demons hold meetings?"<br />
Jesus said, "Yes, Daughter, they meet to plan, to plan what they will do to humanity. They hold<br />
daily secret meetings." And with that, Jesus took me to a cell, where I saw a wooden table with<br />
chairs around it. And there were demons – all types of demons. Jesus explained, "Daughter,<br />
they are now planning to go and destroy the pastors' families, the missionaries, the evangelists<br />
and all of those who know me. Daughter, they want to destroy them; they have many darts."<br />
The demons would laugh and mock and say, "Let's destroy humanity and bring it to this<br />
place." Jesus said, "Go and tell them that I am with them. Tell them to not leave open doors,<br />
to leave no place to satan, for satan walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may<br />
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devour.(1st Peter 5:8)"But the Word says, "he walks as", because the only real Lion, is the Lion of<br />
Judah, Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Revelations 5:5)! Jesus said, "Daughter, they especially want to<br />
destroy the pastors; family." I asked, "Why do they want to destroy the pastors' family?" And<br />
Jesus responded, "Because they are in charge of thousands of people that are the sheep of the<br />
fold; the sheep of the fold that the Lord has given them. They want these people to return to<br />
the world again; to look back and end up in hell...Go and tell the pastors to speak the<br />
truth. Go and tell them to preach the truth and to speak everything that I tell them and to<br />
never keep to themselves what I tell them!"<br />
As we left that place and He told me, "I want to show you something else...There are also<br />
children in this place." And I replied, “Children in this place, Lord? Why are there children<br />
here? Your Word says, 'let the children to come unto Me, and do not stop them: for the<br />
Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) Jesus replied, "Daughter, it's true, of<br />
such is the kingdom of Heaven, but that child must come to Me, for he who comes to Me I<br />
will not throw out."(John 6:37) Instantly, the Lord showed me an eight year old boy being<br />
tormented in fire. The boy cried, "Lord have mercy of me, take me out of this place, I don't<br />
want to be here!" He kept crying and screaming. I saw demons around this boy, that resembled<br />
cartoon figures. There was Dragon, BoyZ, Ben 10, Pokémon, Doral, etc. "Lord, why is this<br />
boy here?" Jesus showed me a large screen of this boy's life. I saw how he would spend all of<br />
his time in front of the TV, watching these cartoons.<br />
Jesus said, "Daughter, these animated cartoons, those movies, those soap operas that are seen<br />
daily on TV are satan's instruments to destroy humanity...Look, Daughter how this came to<br />
be." I saw how the boy was rebellious and disobedient toward his parents. When his parents<br />
talked to him, he would run away, throwing things and disobeying them. After this happened, a<br />
car ran over him and ended his life. Jesus told me, "Ever since then, he has been in this<br />
place."<br />
I looked at the boy as he was being tormented. Jesus said, "Daughter, go and tell parents to<br />
instruct their child as is written in My Word. (Proverbs 22:6)" The Word of God is real, it tells us<br />
to correct a child with the rod, but not every moment, only when the child has been disobedient<br />
to his parents. (Proverbs 22:15)<br />
The Lord told me something that is very sad and very painful. He said, "Daughter, there are<br />
many children in this place because of animated cartoons, because of rebellion." I asked Him,<br />
"Lord, why are animated cartoons to blame for this?" And He explained, "Because they are<br />
demons that carry rebellion, disobedience, bitterness and hatred to children; and other<br />
demons enter these children, so that they do not do good things, but do that which is bad:<br />
whatever children see on TV, they want to do in reality." Hell exists, hell is real, and even<br />
children must decide with whom they will go. I said, “Lord, tell me, why are there children in<br />
this place?" And Jesus answered, "Once children have knowledge that there is a heaven and a<br />
hell, then they have a place to choose."<br />
<br />
The Kingdom of Heaven<br />
<br />
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There's much more to be said about hell, but now I'll share what I saw in Heaven. Jesus said,<br />
"Daughter, now I am going to show you what I have prepared for My Holy people." We left<br />
that place, going out through a tunnel. While traveling through this tunnel, we suddenly came<br />
out to where there was light. I saw no more darkness, torment or flames. He said, "Daughter, I<br />
am going to show you My glory,” and we started ascending to the Kingdom of Heaven! Soon<br />
we arrived at a door with giant letters written in gold, it said: "Welcome to the Kingdom of<br />
Heaven." Jesus said, "Daughter, go in, for I am the Door and he who enters through Me, will<br />
enter, will go and will find pastures."(John 10:9)<br />
<br />
After the Lord said these words,<br />
the door opened and we<br />
entered. I saw angels giving<br />
glory, honor and praise to our<br />
Heavenly Father! (Revelations 7:11-<br />
12) As we continued walking, we<br />
approached a table of which I<br />
could see the beginning, but not<br />
the end. (Revelations 19:9) I<br />
observed a large throne, and a smaller throne surrounded by<br />
thousands of chairs. Between the chairs were garments along with<br />
crowns. The Lord told me, "Daughter, the crown that you see<br />
there is the crown of life."(Revelations 2:10)<br />
Jesus said, "Look, Daughter, this is what I have prepared for My<br />
people." I saw that the table was covered with a white tablecloth with gold edging. There were<br />
plates, gold goblets, fruit; everything was served. It was so beautiful. There was a very large<br />
vessel in the middle of the table, which contained the wine for the dinner. And Jesus said,<br />
"Daughter, everything is ready for the arrival of My church."<br />
We went to another place, where I saw many people in a garden. There were well known people<br />
from the Bible, but they were not aged, but young. There was this young man with a large<br />
kerchief in his hand who danced and whirled around and praised the Lord. Jesus said,<br />
"Daughter that young man that you see there is My servant, David." He was giving glory to our<br />
Father. Suddenly, another young man passes by and Jesus told me, "Daughter, he is Joshua; he<br />
is Moses; this other young man is Abraham." Jesus would call them out by their names. They<br />
all had the same countenance! Jesus said, "Daughter, that woman that you see there is My<br />
servant, Mary Magdalene; My servant, Sara."<br />
But then He told me, "Daughter, she is Mary. Mary, who gave birth to Jesus Christ, Who I<br />
am. Daughter, I want to tell you that she has no knowledge of the things happening on<br />
Earth. I want to tell you that you must go and tell humanity, tell idol worshippers that hell is<br />
real, and that idolaters will not inherit My kingdom, but go and tell them that if they repent,<br />
they can enter My heavenly dwelling place. Go tell them that I love them and tell them that<br />
Mary has no knowledge of anything [happening on Earth] and the only One that they must exalt is<br />
Me, because neither Mary, nor St. Gregory nor any other saint can offer salvation. I am the<br />
<br />
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<br />
17<br />
only One who saves and outside of Me – nobody, nobody, nobody- saves!" He repeated it three<br />
times - that nobody could save; only He saves.<br />
<br />
Humanity has been deceived believing in<br />
an assumed saint, which is not, but is a<br />
demon, working through an idol made by<br />
the hand of man. But, let me tell you<br />
that the Lord wants to give you the<br />
best. He wants you to enter the<br />
Kingdom of Heaven; to repent and to<br />
leave idolatry. Because idolatry will not<br />
save you. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the<br />
one that saves, who gave His life for you,<br />
for me and for all humanity. The Lord<br />
has a great message for humanity. As<br />
He wept, He told me, "Please, Daughter,<br />
<br />
do not be silent; go and tell the truth, go and tell what I have shown you."<br />
I saw how Mary worshipped the Lord, and I saw women with very beautiful long hair. I said,<br />
"Lord, how pretty the way they wear their hair." He told me, "Daughter, that which you see is<br />
the veil that I have given to a woman." He added, "Daughter, go and tell women to take care of<br />
the veil that I have given them."<br />
Then He told me, "I have something to show you that is very important." I looked far away and<br />
saw a shining city, a city of gold! I said, "Lord, what is that? I want to go over there." He<br />
answered, “Daughter, I will show you what is over there. What you are seeing is the heavenly<br />
dwelling, the heavenly mansions which are ready for My people."<br />
We started walking, until we reached a golden bridge. As we walked over it, we came upon<br />
streets that were made of pure gold! (Revelations 21:21)<br />
Everything was so beautiful, so brilliant, like shining glass, it was absolutely supernatural,<br />
inexplicable! We saw heavenly mansions, and watched thousands of angels constructing<br />
them. Some of the angels constructed very rapidly, others constructed slowly and others were<br />
not constructing at all. I asked the Lord, "Why are some angels constructing rapidly, while<br />
others are slower, and some have those stopped constructing?" The Lord explained, "Daughter,<br />
that is how My people work on Earth, and the angels work as My children work on<br />
Earth....Daughter, My people no longer spread the gospel. My people no longer fast. My<br />
people no longer go to the streets to distribute tracts telling the truth. My people are now<br />
ashamed. Go and tell My people to return to the old paths. Those angels that you saw that<br />
were doing nothing belong to those people that have walked away from My paths...Daughter,<br />
go and tell My people to return to the old paths," (Jeremiah 6:16) and in saying this He started to<br />
weep.<br />
I heard other people singing, so I asked Him, "Lord, I want You to take me over there, where<br />
those people are singing." Jesus was observing me, I could tell how He was observing me, but I<br />
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18<br />
couldn't see His face, only the movements of His face. While His tears were pouring over His<br />
garment, I asked Him why He was weeping. But He would not explain it to me.<br />
Later we arrived at this beautiful garden. There, among the heavenly mansions, I saw flowers<br />
that were swaying. That must have been the singing I heard. The Lord pointed with His finger<br />
and said, "Daughter, look, they praise Me; they worship Me! My people no longer do as they<br />
did before. My people no longer praise, no longer worship Me; no longer seek Me as<br />
before. That is why I told you, Daughter, to go and tell My people to seek Me, for I will go, I<br />
will go, I will go - for a people that seeks Me in spirit and in truth, for a people that are ready,<br />
for a holy people!" And weeping He said, “I am coming, I am coming!" Then I understand<br />
why He was weeping, because He is coming, but not for those that are half-hearted. He will<br />
return only for a people that is seeking Him in spirit and in truth.<br />
<br />
Then the Lord told me that I had to return to Earth. I<br />
said, "Lord, I don't want to go back to Earth! What do<br />
you mean – Earth? I want to stay with You. You<br />
brought me here and I'm not going anywhere because I<br />
am with You!" Jesus said, "Daughter, it is necessary<br />
that you return to Earth to go and testify that My glory<br />
is real, that what I am going to show you is real; that<br />
what you have seen is real – so that humanity will<br />
come to Me, repent and not perish." Weeping, I fell to<br />
His feet; there I saw wounds on His feet. I asked,<br />
"Lord, what are these wounds here?" He answered,<br />
"Daughter, it's the scar from that yester day, when I<br />
<br />
gave My life for humanity."<br />
He also showed me the scars in his hands, I asked, "Lord, why do you still have that?" He told<br />
me, "Daughter, it is the scar that has remained." So I asked, "Will this go away?" He replied,<br />
"Daughter, this will go away when all the saints are reunited here...Daughter, I must take you<br />
to Earth: Your family and the nations are waiting for you."<br />
I tried to refuse but He pointed down to Earth with His finger and said, "Look, those people that<br />
you see down there are your relatives; that body that you see there, is where you have to<br />
return...It is time to leave this place." Then He took me along a beautiful crystal clear river and<br />
said "Daughter, enter the river and submerge yourself." Before I entered that crystalline river<br />
of living water, I was experiencing indescribable joy, but after I submerged myself and came out,<br />
I was elated. I thought I would not have to return home, but the Lord told me, "Daughter, you<br />
have to return to Earth...Daughter, I am going to show you something: How I am coming to<br />
Earth for a holy people. I am going to show you how the day of the Rapture will be."<br />
<br />
The Rapture and Tribulation<br />
<br />
Zambrano First Visit<br />
<br />
19<br />
We walked to a place with a giant screen, and I saw people in it. I could observe the whole<br />
world. Then suddenly I saw thousands of people disappearing. Pregnant women had their<br />
pregnancy disappear, and they looked like they had gone crazy screaming.<br />
Children had disappeared from all over. Many people were running from here to there,<br />
screaming, "This can't be, this can't be! What's happening?"<br />
I saw those who had known the Lord, but were left behind. (Matt 24:40-41) They were saying that<br />
Christ had come, the Rapture happened. They screamed and wanted to kill themselves, but they<br />
couldn't. The Lord told me, "Daughter, in those days, death will flee; Daughter, in those days<br />
the Holy Spirit will no longer be on Earth." (Revelations 9:6) There were accidents but I didn't see<br />
a single dead person: all of them were alive, although injured.<br />
I observed enormous traffic with thousands of<br />
people. He told me, "Daughter, look, this is<br />
how everything will happen." I then saw<br />
people running from one place to another,<br />
shouting, "Christ came, Christ came!" They<br />
would plead, "Lord, forgive me, forgive me,<br />
take me with You!"<br />
But sadly the Lord said, "It will be too<br />
late. The time to repent is now...Daughter,<br />
go tell humanity to seek Me, for during that<br />
time there will no longer be<br />
opportunity. (Isaiah 55:6) Daughter, it will be<br />
too late for all those that stay behind." When Jesus observed how people were left behind, He<br />
began to weep and said, "Daughter, I will go to Earth as it says in 1 Thes. 4: 16-17 : “For the<br />
Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with<br />
the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain<br />
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we<br />
<br />
ever be with the Lord.”<br />
But not everyone will go with the Lord, only<br />
those who are doing His will (Matthew 7:21) and<br />
living a holy life. For the Lord told me, "Only<br />
those that are holy will enter the Kingdom of<br />
Heaven, (Hebrews 12:14), No one knows, neither the<br />
day nor the hour in which I will go for My holy<br />
people, not even the angels know it." (Matthew<br />
24:36)<br />
On the screen I saw people running<br />
around. Magazines and TV news said that<br />
“CHRIST HAD COME.” The screen closed, and<br />
Jesus finished by saying, "I will go for a holy<br />
<br />
people." This was all He showed me. After that, He brought me back here to Earth.<br />
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Zambrano First Visit<br />
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20<br />
With angels gathered round, we began to descend these beautiful stairs; white steps with flowers<br />
surrounding them. I was crying all the way down, pleading with Jesus, "Lord, please, don't leave<br />
me here. Take me with You!" He responded, "Daughter, the nations, your family are waiting<br />
for you...Daughter, you must enter that body. You must receive life, Daughter, so you can go<br />
and testify what you have seen. Many will not believe you; many will believe you, but I am<br />
your faithful witness. I am with you. I will never leave you."<br />
<br />
Return to Earth<br />
<br />
Maxima:<br />
When my daughter came back, we were waiting there, and she was stretched out on the<br />
floor. She went, "uuhmm," nothing else. I said, "Thank You, Lord, because my daughter is<br />
back!"<br />
We all gave thanks to the Lord. Soon she started breathing slowly, little by little. After about<br />
five hours, she was able to open her eyes and talk. At first we could hardly understand what she<br />
was saying; it just wasn't clear. She had no strength. We needed to keep the windows covered,<br />
because her eyes couldn't handle the light.<br />
Being curious, we all wanted her to tell us what she saw. But because she was so weak, she<br />
could only tell us a little. It was 2 weeks until she was able to share her full testimony.<br />
Demons came to torment her after all this. She could see them clearly, they would try to hide<br />
themselves in the shadows. They were here within three days of her return, before she could<br />
really talk. She asked them what they wanted and they replied, "We have come to make a pact<br />
with you...You must shut up. You must not say anything of what you saw down there, because if<br />
you speak, we will kill you."<br />
She described the demons as ugly, large and fat, ugly. She said there were no words to describe<br />
how horrible they looked. She would rebuke them, but they would not leave. When they came<br />
they would jump on her and try to choke her. She would fight back rebuking them, but she had<br />
no strength. One time when she rebuked them, a tremendous light appeared and then they<br />
fled! It was the Lord.<br />
What my daughter went through was not easy. She was given a profound message to all<br />
humanity, to seek God. But humanity thinks that what it is doing is alright. Youth that are<br />
into drugs and alcohol, they think that's OK, but it's not. One of the greatest experiences that my<br />
daughter had was when she saw many entertainers in hell, including dancers, and also Pope John<br />
Paul II. It's time to seek the Lord, to repent and to humble oneself before Him. The Word of<br />
God is true when it says, "Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass<br />
away."(Mark 13:31) The Word of the Lord will be fulfilled in its due time.<br />
<br />
Zambrano First Visit<br />
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21<br />
The Lord also showed her a tunnel, where people were walking to hell. Many people are already<br />
in hell. It's real! But even the Lord's people don't believe this, many just don't believe.<br />
The main message was that we should seek the Lord, not just from our lips, but from the deepest<br />
part of our heart, for the Lord's coming is at hand. Jesus said, "I am no longer at the door; I am<br />
beyond the door. I will come soon; My coming is near. My people have left Me and gone back<br />
to worldly things...Tell My people to return to the old paths." The church today must go back to<br />
the old paths, that it is where we are in the fire, seeking the Lord. When the trumpet sounds we<br />
must be ready to meet the Lord, and it will be wonderful!<br />
<br />
The Lord's Urgent Message<br />
<br />
Angelica, speaking before an audience:<br />
<br />
The Lord told me, "Daughter, in those days the Holy Spirit<br />
will no longer be on Earth. In those days, He will no longer<br />
be on Earth."(2 Thes. 2:7) And I saw enormous traffic, with<br />
accidents. Many people wanted to kill themselves, but Jesus<br />
said, "They shall seek death, but death shall flee from<br />
humanity. Death will no longer be during that<br />
time."(Revelations 9:6) I saw people watching TV and magazines<br />
that read, "Thousands and Thousands have Disappeared."<br />
Many already knew that Christ had come for His holy<br />
people. Those who knew the Lord, but were left behind, went<br />
crying through the streets, wanting to kill themselves, but they<br />
could not do anything.<br />
<br />
While in Heaven, Jesus said, "I will come for a holy people and I will come soon for My<br />
church." But two weeks ago the Lord told me, "Daughter, I take pleasure in what you are<br />
doing, that you are fulfilling what I have given you, but do not tell My people that I am<br />
coming soon. Tell My people that I am coming right away." Again the Lord said, "Tell My<br />
people that I am coming right away and that I am coming for a holy people. Tell My people<br />
that only the holy ones, only the holy ones will see Me!...And do not be silent: Keep on<br />
declaring what I have told you."<br />
<br />
Angelica Praying with the audience:<br />
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Zambrano First Visit<br />
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22<br />
Everybody, close your eyes, and place your right hand over your heart. Raise your left hand and<br />
if you feel like crying, then cry. Now tell the Lord what you feel in your heart. For those who<br />
want to accept the Lord, repeat after me.<br />
Lord, I thank You for Your love and Your mercy, thank You, Lord, for the word that has reached<br />
my heart today. Father, I ask for Your forgiveness. Forgive me. Wash me with Your precious<br />
blood. Write my name in the Book of Life. Accept me as Your child, Lord. Right now, I forgive<br />
anyone that I had not been able to forgive. I renounce to my lack of forgiveness. I renounce all<br />
things that have hindered Your flow, and I ask You to transform me and to fill me with Your<br />
presence every day. Thank You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; in the Name of Jesus, Amen.<br />
Angelica:<br />
“This testimony is not a lie; it's not a joke; it is not<br />
a story; it is not a dream, hell is real! Hell<br />
exists! To anyone that does not believe, I want to<br />
tell you that hell is real, very real. I cannot find<br />
words to tell you how real it is. I wish that you<br />
could experience it yourself.”<br />
<br />
Angelica, speaking with Narrator:<br />
<br />
The time is soon, God allows signs to reveal to<br />
humanity what is about to happen. Do not remain condemned; that's what the devil wants. Ask<br />
yourself if you are already walking through hell's tunnel? Today is the day of salvation, today is<br />
the day to invite Jesus, your Savior into your life. These are simple and yet great words to say:<br />
"I accept You, Jesus as my Lord and my only Savior. I give You my life and soul with all my<br />
heart. I want to be with You for eternity.”<br />
<br />
Choose your final destiny: Life or death, heaven or hell, Jesus or the devil. It's clear, either you<br />
belong to Jesus or to the devil. Either you do what is right or you do what is wrong. You choose<br />
your destiny: eternal life or the lake of fire. Think about it. Decide now. Jesus Christ died on<br />
the cross for each one of us, for our sins, and He gave us the opportunity of salvation by His<br />
mercy. Accept Christ as your only Savior!<br />
<br />
Now that you've heard this testimony, don't let this moment be the one you regret forever in<br />
hell.”<br />
<br />
The entire article from www.spiritlessons.com<br />
http://www.spiritlessons.com/Documents/Prepare_to_meet_your_God/index.htm<br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WQpuLZdU2VMQZoBqxT9-rwPRkbVnzpQ4/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">PDF File of This Article</a> (Click for the printable PDF File)</div>
Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-89793697148964752982019-08-10T20:49:00.000-07:002019-08-14T21:11:46.306-07:00(CHAPTER 5) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapter 5</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/08/chapter-1-adventures-of-matthew.html" target="_blank">(For Chapter 1, click Here.)</a></b></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><br /></span></u><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;">Chapter </span></u><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;">5</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Judah Israel’s House. France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A silver-colored, German-made Volkswagen sedan
turned onto a gravel driveway that led up to Judah Israel’s small house in
rural France. A hectare (or 2.471 acres) of maple and beech trees surrounded
the house, providing privacy from the road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioQfSLDyHUZAB9xSp5CgH8SN6sGAeYSliB8odejQmW_PYA-XNpiErvbSmP_lOoWhPJv6m-GsvLjbo9DU3y13mtJsHHFr2kQa35IFh95IBGc6B1VXwxh3WSJkXtTQCsGOleu_ttvhumwc/s1600/Volkswagon+Arteon+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="860" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioQfSLDyHUZAB9xSp5CgH8SN6sGAeYSliB8odejQmW_PYA-XNpiErvbSmP_lOoWhPJv6m-GsvLjbo9DU3y13mtJsHHFr2kQa35IFh95IBGc6B1VXwxh3WSJkXtTQCsGOleu_ttvhumwc/s320/Volkswagon+Arteon+2018.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once the car came to a stop before the house, the
driver’s door opened and a medium-sized Frenchman stepped out. Dressed in a
green polo shirt and black trousers, Nicolas Lagarde stretched and then reached
into the car to draw out a zippered book case. A cross appeared on its leathery
surface. This showed Christians that he ‘must be’ one of them. But, his choice
of hair and beard styles were a little strange to many believers he had met.
Nicolas had shaved off all his blond hair and he wore a 4-cm-long goatee, which
he had dyed black. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He walked up to the front door and knocked
several times. Overhead, the summer sky was partially cloudy, but mostly blue.
Birds chirped from nearby trees, creating a peaceful atmosphere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The door unlocked and swung open a couple moments
later, and the smiling face of Judah Israel greeted him. Graying hair appeared
above his ears, giving him a dignified appearance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is good to see you again, Nicolas, my
friend,” Judah said. “What brings you here today?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What brings me here?” Nicolas Lagarde said,
grinning. “I wanted to visit with you and see if you would like to … to have a
Bible study, perhaps.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That would be good,” Judah said. “But, is this
your day off?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I took this day off just to spend time with you,
and also to do some errands,” Nicolas said. “I will have to be leaving here
before long.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, come on in,” Judah said, stepping out of
the way and beckoning him into the living room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois Israel was praying in a guest bedroom.
He had heard the sound of a loud knocking coming from the front door in the
living room. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, so he could clearly hear
everything being said in the living room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Judah and Nicolas talked about past experiences
and visited for a few minutes. But, then, Francois heard God speak to him. And,
he paused to relax and hear what his Heavenly Father was saying. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God said gently, “your father is
unaware that this man is a spy and a traitor to the Christian faith. He fell
away and became a lost soul by his choice to reject Me, to reject the Gospel of
salvation by faith and not by works. He joined a false, government-supported church
and is an active member of a spy network of false Christians who go about
seeking to have true Christians arrested. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This man is your enemy. But, of course, don’t
hate him. But, here is what I want you to do after he leaves. Seek Me with your
dad about where you ought to go, and I will make arrangements for you, and get
you where you need to go. This man will seek to lead your dad astray, deceive
him, and convince him that he is a ‘Christian,’ when he forsook his faith, and
his God, and turned to Baal, the god of money and greed and sin and
performance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This man is a thief and a robber. But, the sheep
will not hear his voice. <b>Pray </b>for your dad and other Christians who are
deceived by false brethren to seek Me, listen to Me, and obey what I lead them to
do. But, most of all, <b>pray </b>that they will seek to know Me intimately and
to follow My guidance even when it doesn’t make sense to their carnal minds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your dad is already deceived about him. He
didn’t ask Me about this man, even though he had some suspicions about him. He
needs to seek Me about Nicolas and learn about this deceiver what I want to
show him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, I will guide you in what next to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After that, God began revealing more things to
Francois. When an hour and a half had passed, Nicolas stood up from the couch
in the living room and took a drink of water. He slipped his Bible into its
case and zipped it shut. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nicolas, my friend,” Judah said. “I am so glad
you have come. What you had to share with me about Romans 13:1 was good. We
must submit to the government so that God can bless us. But tell me, Nicolas,
why do you not comment on anything I have shared with you regarding Paul’s
writings in Galatians?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicolas frowned and scratched his long, black
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You told me that God expects us to do good works
for Him and regularly attend Church services if we are to be true Christians,”
said Judah as he looked at the alleged ‘Christian.’ “But focusing on our works
could quickly lead into a false doctrine of salvation by works. Paul wrote in <u style="text-underline: words;">Galatians 3:2</u>: ‘[2] </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This only would I learn of you,
Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith ?’
[End quote.] The Galatians had been taught, by false teachers, that they needed
to trust in their own works.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicolas’s
frown deepened as Judah talked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I wasn’t
saying that you are saved by your works,” Nicolas said. “God gives you grace
through your works as you are faithful to Him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then,
what do you make of Romans chapter 4? <u style="text-underline: words;">Romans
4:4-5 </u>says: ‘[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of
grace, but of debt. [5] <b>But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him
that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.</b>’ [End
quote.]” [Emphasis added]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hearing that, Nicolas blinked several times. He
cleared his throat and said, “I need to be going. It was nice visiting with
you, my friend.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With that, the goateed man turned and walked
toward the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I wonder something, Nicolas,” Judah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is that?” Nicolas said, pausing before the
front door. His back faced Judah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“At what point,” said Judah, “did you decide to
shave off your blond hair and grow a goatee, which you dyed black?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I decided I needed to change my style,” Nicolas
said, turning toward Judah as he opened the front door. “It is nice, once in a
while, to have a change of style, don’t you agree? Perhaps you might want to
try dying your hair. You are graying a little, Judah.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have no need for changing my hairstyle, Nicolas.
But, I suggest you think about and read over Romans chapter 4.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Perhaps I will find time for that,” Nicolas
said, winking. “But, I really am busy right now. Good day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before Judah could respond, Nicolas slipped out
the front door and closed it shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When a few minutes had passed, Francois stepped
into the living room. His dad turned toward him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dad, I encourage you to seek God about Nicolas,”
Francois said. “He has something He wants to tell you about him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I wonder what that might be,” Judah Israel said
soberly. “I will go and seek God about this man. I have some questions about
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Eurasia. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew and Sarah Jeremiah walked together down a
busy street in what appeared to be an old Russian city. Four-story buildings
that appeared to have been built in the 1800s or late 1700s rose up on either
side of the couple. Apple carts and other carts and wagons containing fruit and
vegetables rested near shops on the street level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Russian and other European people milled about,
looking at the fruit and visiting with each other. They all spoke fluent
Russian, but some of them appeared to be Italians, for they had a slight
Italian accent. Others appeared to be Spanish. But, all the people he saw could
speak Russian perfectly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Four weeks ago, God had translated Matthew, his
wife, and their friends in Romania to an undisclosed location in the Eurasian
landmass where God had prepared a city of refuge for them. The city was
populated by Christians who God had translated there from various locations
across Eurasia. It was a place of protection from the evil and very extreme
oppression of cities; wicked governments; and big towns within Asia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The time had been a little harrowing leading up
to their miraculous translation (i.e. being transported from place to place).
And, the new Roma Christians had been very anxious as the sounds of communist
soldiers tromping through the woods could be heard on a regular basis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is amazing, Matthew,” Sarah, a
blonde-haired 34-year-old, said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is, dear?” Matthew said, turning toward his
wife as they walked down the street. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not a single car or bus goes through this
avenue,” Sarah said with wonder in her voice. “Only pedestrians, horse-drawn
implements, bicycles, and tricycles pass through these streets. I haven’t seen
a single car since God translated us to this city.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are definitely not in any normal city,”
Matthew said. “But, I am glad not to have all the hustle and bustle of the
city, and all the police checkpoints, security cameras, and all the evil that
is promoted by modern society.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Me too,” Sarah said, smiling at her husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Somewhere
in the Eurasian landmass, in a wilderness area, existed a city. But, it was not
a normal city, for no electricity could be found anywhere in this big town. The
streets were not paved with asphalt. Skyscrapers did not tower over the city.
Helicopters and airplanes did not fill the air above the big town with their
loud sounds. There were no movie theaters, bars, pubs, or “red light” districts
in this city. And, almost no litter was to be seen anywhere. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Perhaps, we could visit with some of our Roma
friends,” Sarah suggested after they had walked through another city block.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That would be a good idea,” Matthew said,
smiling at his attractive wife. He gently squeezed her hand. “Let’s see if we
can find them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God can lead us to them,” Sarah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re right, honey,” Matthew said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Shopping
centers, malls, retail outlets, businesses, and profit-making restaurants were
nowhere to be seen. Instead, the city contained tall apartment buildings,
houses with good-sized yards, community centers, multi-purpose buildings, barns
(for storing farm animals), parks, volunteer restaurants (where the staff
served on a volunteer basis for free), Church buildings, meeting buildings,
concert halls, indoor gymnasiums, and other buildings. These structures served
the needs of a large population of European and Asian Christians.</span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s talk to our Heavenly Father,” Matthew
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The couple paused to be still and seek God. Then,
after a short time of silence, Sarah said, “God told me something.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is that?” her husband said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He told me to wait two minutes and we would meet
them,” Sarah replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God is intimately involved in our lives,”
Matthew said, closing his eyes briefly as he thought about all the wonderful
things God had done for him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Total
Control: New World Order Surveillance (Part 1 of 5)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Using
Chinese technology countries were becoming police states that monitored
everything they possibly could, including how much time a citizen spent reading
a book, watching TV, or doing some pastime. Very small electronic devices were
connected to each paper-based book so that they could be tracked and monitored.
E-books were already able to be monitored years before. Governments around the
world became more and more obsessed with obtaining minute details on all their
citizens, such as their reading habits, leisure activities, and places they
often resorted to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Violent
attacks done by certain individuals served as excuses for governments to
invasively monitor and control the lives of almost all of their citizens. As
time when on, the technology for monitoring citizens reached a great level of
invasiveness. TVs monitored their viewers and sent live video and audio feed
from living rooms back to supercomputer networks. These supercomputers were
either owned by a government or a private company working for a government. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued
below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carpathian Mountains. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Belo Oprescu}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Belo Oprescu walked through a pine forest in the
Carpathian Mountains of Romania. He was a 50-year-old Roma man, who had
recently become a follower of Jesus. Birds chirped in the upper branches of
conifers, giving out melodious sounds as the Roma Christian passed by their
trees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was going toward a stream where he loved to
fish. Carrying a tackle box, a backpack, and a fishing pole, Belo was looking
forward to obtaining more fresh meat. His group was smallish, but Belo believed
God would multiply anything he caught so that all could have plenty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he hopped over a fallen tree that blocked his
path, Belo heard a deep rumbling sound fill the air. Then, the guttural drone
of a big, diesel engine came through the trees. The clattering of metal tracks
accompanied the engine sounds. Belo froze, feeling petrified with fear. He
scanned the tall pine trees and bracken, trying to catch a glimpse of the
vehicle. Then, he saw soldiers through the trees 90 feet away. They were
tromping through the woods, scanning left and right. ‘They’re looking for
Christians, no doubt,’ Belo thought to himself. ‘I must hide somewhere,
somehow.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He moved back to the fallen tree, which still had
pine needles on it, and hid behind it, kneeling down. Peering over the top of
some needle-covered branches, Belo could now see a Russian-made tank rolling
through the forest. Communist troops walked beside it, looking very cautious
and circumspect as they moved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They were equipped with an array of instruments
he’d never seen before. Some wore helmets equipped with high tech optics that
allowed them to see through dense undergrowth. Others were armed with German
shepherd attack dogs. Belo was more concerned about the dogs than he was about
the high-tech equipment. Surly, they would soon smell him, with their sensitive
noses, and would take notice. He felt he had to move, but if he moved too fast,
he might be spotted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly, a dog barked with his snout facing Belo.
The dog was straining on his leash, and his handler turned to look in Belo’s
direction. The Roma man felt his heart sink into his chest and he began to
tremble with fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Total
Control: New World Order Surveillance (Part 2 of 5)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Using
“machine-learning” technology, and so-called “artificial intelligence”
software, the supercomputers began predicting where individuals would be in the
next week or the next day. Retail companies and grocery stores were able to
advertise certain products to certain individuals that the new internet
“guessed” a citizen would want to purchase. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Everywhere
citizens went, they were watched by video cameras that “recognized” who they
were. Their digital dossiers (information on a person) were connected to their
biometric data. So, everywhere a citizen went, he was monitored, identified,
and followed using advanced software, surveillance cameras, highly sensitive
listening devices. And, his next move would be predicted by a supercomputer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">In
this environment, Christians found it nearly impossible to escape notice. And,
millions of Christians were rounded up and thrown into concentration camps
along with non-Christians, who the government <b>supercomputers </b>“suspected”
of (or “calculated” as) being untrustworthy. Every individual was given a point
system like a credit score. If their citizen trustworthiness score was too low,
they would be detained and interrogated. Then, usually, they would be sent to a
so-called “rehabilitation facility” or an “education center” to brainwash them
into accepting the state’s dogma. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued
below]</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carpathian Mountains. <i>{Belo Oprescu}</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The dog was barking ferociously at Belo Oprescu
as it strained at its leash in the soldier’s hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You,” the communist soldier shouted toward Belo,
“raise your hands!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The 50-year-old Roma Christian raised his hands,
feeling very nervous. ‘Surely,’ he thought, ‘I will be sent to a concentration
camp.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But then, a Bible passage came to his mind from
the book of Daniel. He had read it just a few days ago. Daniel had been thrown
into a den of hungry lions by evil leaders in Persia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Scripture returned to Belo’s mind:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[<u>Daniel 6:21-22</u>] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“[21] Then said Daniel unto the king, O king,
live for ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[22] My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut
the lions’ mouths, that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">they have not hurt me : forasmuch as before him
innocency was<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">found in me ; and also before thee, O king, have
I done no hurt.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Father God, thank you for that verse,” Belo
prayed silently. “I choose to trust you that no matter what happens, you are
for me and you will never leave me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son, Belo, I am with you,” God’s gentle voice
spoke to him. “Do not fear these soldiers. <u>Like I delivered Daniel from the
lions’ den, I will also deliver you. I will certainly take care of you</u>. <b><u>You
are choosing to trust Me even when you feel attacked with fear. That is good.
Keep doing that, and choose to rest in Me, and I will bless you</u></b>. And, I
the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly, the soldier unleashed his dog and gave
it a terse command. The German shepherd dashed off toward Belo. In a few
seconds, it would be on top of him, seeking to grab his arm and keep him from
running away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He watched the dog bounding toward him through
the trees. He saw the soldiers and the Russian-made tank behind them. But, he
strangely felt peace and comfort. Suddenly, before the dog had reached him,
Belo saw the whole scene change right before his eyes. The forest was gone with
the enemy soldiers and their attack dog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He saw before him a large town lit up by
gaslights. Cobblestone streets with four-story buildings appeared before him.
Trees spread their leafy limbs over portions of the streets, providing shade
from the sunlight. And dozens of European people walked about, dressed in
clothing typical of the 1800s. Women wore very long dresses that were puffy and
modest. Men wore tucked-in shirts, trousers, and some light jackets. All along
the street, Belo could see fruit and vegetable carts where people stopped to
select some food and place it into hand baskets or canvass bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘What happened to the soldiers and the attack
dog?’ Belo thought to himself, startled. He pinched himself to make sure he
wasn’t dreaming. He wasn’t. He knew for a fact he really was standing on a
street in what appeared to be a European town from the 1800s. It was as if he
had been transported back in time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below: </span></i><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Belo Oprescu</span></u></b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Total
Control: New World Order Surveillance (Part 3 of 5)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Conditions
in the concentration camps were brutal, and especially so for Christians,
activists, political prisoners, and a few other groups. People were expected to
do hard labor with little food or sleep. Guards were not shy about punishing
people who didn’t completely follow orders, even if those people were nearly
exhausted from hard work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Knowing
that this would happen, God had called out to these people and warned them, and
pleaded with them. But, they all had not sought God’s best will or to know God
in a very personal way, as God had called out to them. So, the enemy was able
to have these people arrested, but the Heavenly Father didn’t stop calling out
to them. While in these hard times, many Christians had sought God to know Him
intimately, personally, and deeply. As they grew in their walks with God, these
Christians had been translated out of the camps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Belo Oprescu (Continued)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, he noticed that there were no piles of
decaying vegetables and waste outside windows. There were no beggars or
homeless people. And, apartment buildings that kind of resembled the style
found in the late 1800s rose up in various locations throughout the city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘Where am I?’ Belo thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s voice spoke to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Father God?” Belo said, pausing to try to
relax. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are in a city of refuge,” God said. “The
reason it resembles the 1800s is for a number of reasons. One is that I want
men and women to be respectable and godly. In the 1800s, men and women were
more godly, in general, than they are today. And, the clothing was more modest
than it is today and even than it was in the 1960s. Also, you see no electric
lights because electricity is used for great evil. It is used to power the
internet and other advanced means of communicating thoughts, images, sounds,
and ideas that are evil and ungodly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Technology is not necessary evil, but it can be
used for great evil. The internet often is used for evil, so cities of refuge
do not have any internet access or even any computers or cell phones. And,
there are no movie theaters, dance halls, worldly amusements, or anything that
is related to the ways of this world, even for the world of the 1800s. For,
that world was also evil too. But, it was not as wicked as it is today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This world in which you live is filled with
pollution from rock music and its cousins. It is filled with worldly
entertainment, witchcraft, Hollywood, and Bollywood-style movies. It is filled
with wickedness and evil. But, a lot of that wickedness has to do with movies,
music, TV shows, entertainment, and the way people live, and dress, and act. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“For instance, women in many countries of the
world dress like prostitutes, even though they are not professional
prostitutes. They dress to draw attention to their bodies, and they promote
wickedness by their behavior, dress, and actions. Men dress somewhat like
women, and women dress somewhat like men in this evil world. Men also behave,
in many places, somewhat like women, and women often behave, in many places,
somewhat like men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The devil is seeking to promote the mixing of
genders, confusion, and much evil to the world. <b><u>Women should be seeking
Me and wearing modest clothing that does not draw men’s eyes toward their
bodies</u></b>. <b><u>Men should be more modest when they approach women, and
should not touch women unless they are doing so in a godly way that is what you
can find mentioned in the Bible for people of the Faith</u></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“For instance, Peter helped a formerly-dead woman
arise from the bed because she was weak. He took her hand and helped her up.
But, he didn’t kiss her or hug her. 1 Corinthians chapter 7 makes it clear that
I don’t want men to touch women, or women, conversely, to touch men.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">1 Corinthians 7:1 </u>says: “</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me : </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It is </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">good for a man not
to touch a woman.”]</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><u>I also don’t want men and women to swim
together in the same area</u></b>. That leads to adultery, lust, and
fornication. <b><u>Women also need to dress modestly when they swim so that
they do not cause a man to stumble and fall into great sin</u></b>. <b><u>Women
should, furthermore, always dress modestly wherever they are and in whatever
situation they are in. Likewise, men should do the same. </u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will now show you this truth, My son. <b><u>The
Bible forewarns that I will have to punish evildoers</u></b>. <b><u>I will call
out to them and plead with them much</u></b>. But, then, I will begin to put
hard trials into their lives <u>to call out to them lest they fall into Hell</u>.
I will warn them. Any man who defiles himself with fornication, lust, or
anything like that shall perish in Hell, even if he once knew Me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><u>And, any woman who dresses in a way that
provokes men to lust after her, and she is convicted of it, I will have to
plead with her, warn her, call out to her, and if she doesn’t listen all those
times, she will be judged with fire, and brimstone, and great torment in Hell</u></b>.
I don’t desire this to happen. But, a hardened heart will be judged. That is
very true, My son. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My heart is for
people to repent, turn to Me, and obey Me, and know Me in a very personal,
intimate way as a Friend, and Abba Father, and God</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. <b><u>I don’t want people to suffer in Hell</u></b>. I did not
create Hell to be a place for human beings, but since they fell away, in many
circumstances, like the angels, then I had to judge the wicked like how I will
judge the evil angels that rebelled against Me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will now tell you that the city of refuge has
no public swimming areas, to preserve modesty, and decency, and godliness. The
city of refuge has no internet, to preserve My people from sin and worldliness.
The city of refuge has no worldly books, movies, TV shows, or any kind of
electronic device. There are no TV sets, radios, computers, phones, tablets,
etc. at any of the cities of refuge. Neither are there bowling alleys, gambling
halls, pubs, beer halls, nightclubs, bars, or worldly places in the cities of
refuge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><u>These cities are like Noah’s ark. They
preserve My people from evil. They protect them from the antichrist system,
which will get very evil in the last days. And, these cities of refuge preserve
My people from great abominations which shall take place in the world</u></b>. </span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The cities of refuge are for Christians who have sought Me, and who
love Me, and who want to know Me better and better</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>They are not for those who are weak-minded,
double-minded, lukewarm, somewhat worldly, or for people who claim that I am
their Lord and God, but who don’t actually do what I want them to do</u>. They
may do many good things for My Kingdom, but I must prepare them so that they
will be ready to go to a city of refuge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Being prepared for a city of refuge can be
summed up as this. <b><u>If a Christian wants to know Me intimately, deeply,
and personally, then he or she will be on track to being ready</u></b>. I will
refine him or her a little season, and then I will bring him or her closer to
Me. And then, I will bring him or her over to a city of refuge at just the
right time. But, if a Christian is stubborn, I might have to increase the
hardship of their refining or the duration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“So, seek to know Me better, rest in Me, and obey
Me, and delight in Me</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">. <b><u>Ask Me how to go about
that. I will guide you. I love you very much</u></b>. <b><u>And, I the LORD
your God and Abba Father have spoken</u></b>.” </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[End of this section]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Total
Control: New World Order Surveillance (Part 4 of 5)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Other
Christians had been translated by God over to a city of refuge before any
authorities could arrest them. That was because they had put God first, sought
to know Him intimately, sought to do His best will, and had chosen to rest in
Him. They had gone through difficult trials, but God had brought them closer to
Himself, and had delivered them through it all. As God saw their hearts were
ready, He had translated them out of harm and into cities of refuge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Each
city of refuge was usually over 800 thousand people in population. And, as the
years went by, they grew steadily. In these cities, Christians had no
37-or-40-hour work week. Their Father God, being all-powerful, all-wise, and
very loving, provided free housing, some conveniences (such as modern plumbing),
water, food, clothing, and all that they needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Continued
below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Paris, France. 2038 A.D. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicolas Lagarde walked through a city park in
Paris, making use of his augmented-reality glasses, which displayed
computer-generated images, maps, information, videos, and reference points on
eyeglass-like lenses. He breathed in the fresh air as he listened to a voice
talking to him through a Bluetooth earbud speaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Leopard Tigercat 20, this is your contact,” a
voice said through the earbud. “What do you have for us?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have the names of five devils in addition to
Judah Israel,” Nicolas said quietly. “We can set up a meeting, perhaps, so I
can fill you in?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Nicolas
had just gotten back from his visit to Judah Israel’s country home. He had
gathered some important information from his visit that he had wanted to
transmit to the PDRF secret police. The secret police were involved in
kidnapping underground Christians and anyone who strongly questioned or opposed
the communist puppet government of France. Nicolas Lagarde was one of many
“moles” that pretended to be underground Christians, but who actually worked
full-time for the communist government. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">As
a master of deception, Nicolas could win the hearts of his unsuspecting victims
and learn much about their organization before he turned them in and disclosed
the information to the government.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There is no need for a meeting,” the voice
replied through the tiny speaker in his ear. “Just give me the names now. Those
Christians can’t overhear us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicolas gave him the names and waited. He had
learned not to rush the secret police. After a short time, the voice came back
on and said, “Once we have rounded up those Christians, we will interrogate
them to verify that they truly are part of that non-conformist <i>plague</i>.
Then, we will send them off to a detention camp. After that, we will send you a
payment for your service to the people of France.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I relish the thought of what suffering they will
have to endure,” Nicolas said with a wicked glee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So do I,” the agent said through Nicolas’s
speaker with a dry chuckle. “Call and inform us of any more information you
obtain.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will,” the evil man replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, the conversation ended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicolas smiled and an evil gleam appeared in his
eyes for a moment. He expected to “upgrade” his car and house due to his
“investment” in the People’s Democratic Republic of France. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Note</u>: PDRF is a fictional acronym
for a future communist government of France called, in this story: “People’s
Democratic Republic of France.”]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A Highway in France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A blue BMW “Globe Trotter 2.0” <i>[a fictional
car] </i>drove down a highway in France, heading toward the sea coast in
southern France. In the “drivers” seat, Francois watched as the steering wheel
turned left and then right all by itself. There was no need for Francois to do
anything but enjoy the ride and look out the windows. A computerized system
autonomously drove the car. The location of their destination had been entered
into a dashboard computer touch-screen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What do you think of the car?” Judah asked his
son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is very advanced. How could you afford it,
dad?” Francois said, turning toward his father who sat in the front passenger
seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">__________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">There
was no need to pay attention to highway speed limit since the autonomous car
used satellites and high tech equipment for calculating speed and location. It
avoided cars if they got too close, and operated much like a human driver. So,
Francois and his dad, Judah, enjoyed the ride and visited as they traveled
through southern France. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">__________________</span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, Francois, my son,” Judah said, “it was
given to me by a rich friend of mine. He had four autonomous cars and seven hot
rods. When the government made it illegal for anyone to possess more than three
cars, unless they were high officials, Jean-Luc gave some of them away and kept
one for himself. He saw no need to sell them since he works for a powerful oil
company and is very affluent.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">__________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">They
had passed through a number of police checkpoints and had briefly had their
faces photographed by digital cameras before continuing their journey. They had
been asked to step out of their car at one checkpoint so that the police could
scan it with high-tech equipment, which could see through the metal and
determine if there were any illegal objects hidden in the vehicle. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">__________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Isn’t the insurance kind of high?” Francois
said, curious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Insurance is not so high,” Judah said, “because
the vehicle is designed to intervene if the computer predicts a collision is
immanent. It takes over from you if you are going to crash into another car, or
vice versa.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, that means you lose your right to drive,”
Francois said, with some concern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“To some extent, you do lose your driving rights
with an autonomous vehicle,” Judah. “That is true. It has positive and negative
aspects.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is a negative aspect?” Francois said,
looking at his dad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">__________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Seeing
nothing illegal or suspicious, the police had let them go on their way, but the
traffic stops troubled Francois because the police didn’t stop every car that
passed through the checkpoint. He realized that his “citizen integrity” score
or record was lower than other people’s scores. Like a credit score, the
“integrity” score measured how “well” a citizen performed, from a communist
government’s point of view.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">__________________</span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, son,” Judah said, looking at Francois, “it
can be given a command, from a police signal, to stop if the police want to
arrest the driver. Also, it can record everything you say and everywhere you go
since it has speech-recognition software and ‘artificial intelligence.’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ve been talking about some sensitive topics
for a while,” Francois said, feeling fear attacking him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There is no need to be concerned, son,” Judah
said. “A friend of mine, who follows Jesus, has disconnected the cameras and microphones
in the car. Being disconnected from their central computer, the cameras and
microphones cannot receive or transmit images or sounds. So, we are safe.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What about the GPS system?” Francois said, still
somewhat concerned. “The government knows exactly where this car is headed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They do,” Judah said calmly, “but they don’t
know that we will get onboard a boat and slip out of the harbor at night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s pray they don’t,” Francois said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If we are doing God’s will and following His
leading,” Judah said with kindness and care in his expression as he looked at
his son, “won’t He protect us, Francois?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re right, dad,” Francois said. “I’m going to
give God my fears.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Judah said, “I remember that <u>Psalm 91:1-4 says</u>:
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">‘</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[1] </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[2] I will say of the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">He
is </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">my refuge and my fortress : my God ; in
him will I trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[3] Surely he shall deliver thee from
the snare of the fowler, </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">and </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">from the noisome pestilence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[4] He shall cover thee with his
feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust : his truth </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">shall be thy </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">shield
and buckler.<b>’</b> [End quote.]”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Bonneau, France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">[<u>Note</u>: Bonneau, France is a fictional
town. P.D.R.F. stands for: “People’s Democratic Republic of France.”]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The town of Bonneau, France was going to bed for
the night -- except for a few who visited the taverns late into the night.
Nestled up against some hills, Bonneau was situated in a small bay. Francois
and Judah Joseph Israel had heard from the local fisherman about a captain of a
fishing ship who would be willing to take them secretly from the French town
over to the country of Israel. That same day, they had met the captain, Bernard
Auxiette, near the wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hours later, Francois was seated in a motorized
skiff with his dad and Captain Bernard. Francois studied the dark waters of the
bay as the motorboat thumped against the choppy water. It’s engine hummed
through the night air. The reflection of the moon rolled up and down on the
waves. The crashing of the surf against rocks some distance away and the
distant sound of a foghorn joined in with the sound of splashing as the oars
dipped in and out of the water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All the men aboard the skiff were silent, having
discussed their matters quietly in a shaded corner of the town hours earlier.
Their destination was a large, 57-meter-long fishing vessel which normally had
a crew of 12. But, this vessel only had a crew of seven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leaving the P.D.R.F. legally was nearly
impossible due to restrictions on travel, so Francois and Judah had to do it
covertly. The French coast guard patrolled the Mediterranean Sea south of
France, but then their jurisdiction ended. A fishing vessel was not as likely
to be searched as was a merchant ship, so it was a perfect method of escape.
And, God had shown both Francois and Judah to travel with this captain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[<u>Note</u>: P.D.R.F. is an acronym for the <u>People’s Democratic
Republic of France</u>, a fictional name for a communist regime which will rule
France in the future.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shortly after they had reached the fishing ship,
a French purse seiner, the motorized skiff was connected to an electric winch
and some cables, and was raised up the side of the ship. And, once the captain
and his two passengers were aboard the fishing ship, two crewmen covered the
skiff with a waterproof tarp and attached the boat to the ship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Glad to be out of the cramped boat, Francois
stretched and yawned. It was after 1 AM when they had departed from the coastal
town. Francois felt like he could fall asleep in a few seconds if he had a
comfortable bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Gentlemen, we are now aboard your ticket out of
France,” the captain said, smiling, speaking for the first time since they had
departed from Bonneau.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the moonlight, Francois could barely see his
facial features. But, he remembered that Captain Bernard Auxiette had a
medium-sized, black beard, light-blue eyes, and a ready smile. He appeared to
be in his early 40s and was in excellent physical condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are risking your necks to save us, Captain,”
Francois said, looking at the dark-haired man. “Why would you do that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, I and my crew here are all Christians,
underground Christians, like yourselves,” the captain said calmly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bernard, I will give you the price the dealer
gave me for my car,” Judah Joseph Israel said as he approached his son and the
captain. “I sold the vehicle before we met you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There is no need for that, Mr. Israel,” Captain
Bernard said, smiling. “I will only charge you for paying my men’s wages, for
the diesel, and for your meals, but I will take no profit for this trip. In
other words, I will neither gain nor lose money during this trip.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How much would you charge me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Forty-eight thousand Francs is a fair price,
unless you can’t afford it,” Bernard said. “We can discuss the exact amount
later.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That leaves me with over 80 thousand Francs,”
Judah quietly muttered to himself. “The autonomous car I just sold was given to
me for free. And, thankfully, that pays off most of the smuggling price.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I could pay you more than that, if your cost is
higher than you estimate,” Judah said, turning toward the captain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You will need that money when you get to the
land of Israel,” Captain Bernard said, smiling as he heard the mention of
money. “Just consider that this voyage is like a gift from one believer to
another.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, thank you very much,” Judah said, reaching
out a hand toward the captain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The black-bearded man took his hand and shook it.
Then, he said, “Now, let’s get this vessel underway, shall we? You and Francois
can do as you please, but I suggest you stay below-deck and in your cabins
while the crew prepares for departure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ll do that,” Judah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He and Francois then descended some stairs
through a hatch, passed down a hallway, and entered two separate cabins. As he
entered his cabin, Francois prayed that God would see to it that they would not
be stopped and searched by any police boats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A large, white throw-rug was spread over the
floor, for comfort. He walked across it to a metal-frame bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s kind voice spoke to Francois’s
spirit, “I will always be with you. I am here for you, and I will never leave
you, nor forsake you. My Word says that I shall never leave you, nor forsake
you <b><u>in Hebrews chapter 13</u></b>. I shall never, indeed, depart from
you. Now, rest in Me, trust in Me, and obey My Spirit, who will guide you in
what to do. I love you very much, My son. And, I the LORD your God and Abba
Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">{<u>Hebrews
13:5-6 says</u>: “[5] </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">Let your </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">conversation
</span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">be </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">without covetousness ; </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">and
be </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">content with<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">such things as ye have : for he hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is
</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” [End
quote]}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Abba Father. I will trust you,”
Francois said as he sat down on a bed, which was bolted to the metal floor.
Near the bed stood a collapsible nightstand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A closed porthole window gave Francois a view of
the stars, which sparkled in the night sky. His journey was about to begin.
But, he knew that his Heavenly Father was watching over him and would never
leave him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rap. Rap. Rap</span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. A knock
came at his cabin door, and Francois stood and quickly hurried to the door.
When he had opened it, he saw a red-haired man with a curly beard, holding a
black and green duffle bag in his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are Francois Israel?” the sailor said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” Francois said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is this your duffle bag?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois took the bag and turned it over. Then, he
recognized the pattern of the bag and unzipped the top zipper. Seeing its
contents, he said, “This is the one. Thank you, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re welcome,” the sailor said, making a quick
smile that vanished the next moment. “I am always willing to lend a hand. If
you need anything, just call to one of us, and we will assist you. But, be
cautious aboard this vessel. There is machinery that you need to avoid to
prevent accidents from happening.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll try to remember that and stay out of your
way,” Francois said, nodding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Have a nice night,” the sailor said before he
walked off down the hallway outside Francois’s cabin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois started to shut the door, but then he
paused because something caused him to be curious about the sailor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the red-haired sailor went his way, he
muttered something to himself. But, Francois’s sensitive ears picked up some of
the words: “… and the captain will … stop … point.” As Francois strained to
hear the sailor’s words, he caught this sentence: “Once we reach the middle
mark, these ignorant Christians will bring me a good deal of money.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What does that mean?” </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois thought to himself. <i>“And, why did he call us ‘ignorant
Christians’?” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois waited until the sailor had left the
hallway before he left his cabin and stepped into the hall. Then, looking both
ways, he approached the cabin door that his dad had passed through, which was
just across the hall from his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rap. Rap. Rap. Francois knocked several times. He
heard a faint voice speak through the door. “Who is it?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dad, this is me, Francis,” Francis said as he
stood outside the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a few moments, the door unlocked and swung
open. He graying, bearded father stood in the entrance, looking somewhat
sleepy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Would you like to come into my cabin and talk?”
Francois said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is it, son?” Judah Joseph Israel said,
rubbing his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Something important just came up,” Francois said
with concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">City of Refuge in Eurasia. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
city of refuge where Matthew and Sarah now lived contained over one million
people. And, each day, more and more people showed up. Nonetheless, no roads
connected this city to any outside town or city. It was entirely remote and
impossible to find. It was impossible to locate because God had set up this
city of refuge for His people to escape the extreme persecution and extensive
surveillance networks that were going up all over the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">By
a miracle, God kept each city of refuge from being observed by satellites,
aircraft, drones, or a spy on the ground. These cities were like “arks” to keep
God’s people safe from the wicked antichrist system that was going up all over
the world, especially in established towns and cities of the world. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Matthew, honey,” Sarah said to her husband. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is it, dear?” Matthew said as they waited
in the street near a barber shop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Would you like to go and check out a Russian
restaurant?” she said, looking him in the eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That would be nice,” Matthew said. “Once we find
our friends.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, look,” she said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He followed her gaze, and saw Belo Oprescu and
his wife Rebecca. They were walking down the street, enjoying the fresh, spring
air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello, Rebecca and Belo,” Sarah said loudly,
waving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seeing her, the older couple walked toward their
friends. Soon, both couples were greeting one another and visiting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is good to see you, Belo,” Matthew said as he
shook hands with the 50-year-old Roma man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“How have you been?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Total
Control: New World Order Surveillance (Part 5 of 5)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Money
didn’t exist in the cities of refuge, but people, nonetheless, did work. They
tended gardens, volunteered some of their time as bakers, chefs, carpenters,
and other occupations. They assisted their neighbors with things, washed
clothes, tended some livestock, built houses, did projects, taught children in
part-time schools, and so forth. But, work in the cities of refuge was not
stressful, hard, or a drudgery. And, the hours spent working in various
projects were less than 30 hours a week, usually. That way, Christians had more
time for their families, for seeking and knowing God, and for ministering in
God’s Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Many
Christians were translated, at times, to places in remote parts of the earth to
witness to people there. On these missionary journeys, Christians spoke of
Jesus Christ and release miracles of healing to show the people that God is
real and that He can heal them and give them eternal life through Jesus Christ.
These missionary journeys would often be short, lasting less than a month
before the Christians would be translated back to their cities of refuge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">As
the people in remote parts of the earth saw the miracles and heard the Gospel,
some believed and became faithful Christians who were willing even to die for
their faith. But, even so, a number of the people that heard the Gospel
hardened their hearts against God and rejected His people. So, even on these
missionary journeys, Christians needed to depend on the leading of the Holy
Spirit, rest in God, and obey His voice. And, God would always get them to
safety and bless the new Church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ve been enjoying this beautiful city,”
Matthews said, “working in our family garden, milking cows, chopping firewood,
assisting people with projects, such as building houses for new arrivals. Of
course, seeking God to know Him better. That sort of thing. How about you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pretty much the same as you,” Belo said, “but I
have been translated to a remote location in Asia where my wife and I have been
ministering to lost souls.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is that like?” Matthew said, curious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, we were translated to a remote village up
in a mountainous region,” the middle-aged man said. “The people there were
steeped in false religions, superstition, and mysticism. We were able to be used
of God to see His all-mighty hand work miracles, and signs, and wonders.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What were some of those miracles?” Matthew said,
even more curious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God healed a lame man who couldn’t stand up,”
Belo said. “He was a beggar who needed to be carried. God also opened the eyes
of several blind people. An old man was healed of arthritis. An elderly lady
was healed of diabetes. There were several more people I could mention who
received miraculous healings. God also gave us -- my wife and me -- the ability
to speak in the indigenous languages of the villages we were translated to.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is amazing,” Matthew said. “But, we are
speaking fluent Russian now, so God can give us any language we need for
conveying the Gospel message to lost people.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is right, my friend,” Belo said. “God is a
very good God. He knows we can’t learn every dialect, every tribal language,
and every nuance of meaning. It takes years to study a language and get good at
speaking it. So, in these last days, God gives us the ability to speak in any
language we need for spreading the Gospel. The apostles spoke with other
tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance, as the book of Acts says.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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New Testament. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew cleared his throat and said, “Acts
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">‘[2]
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And suddenly there came a sound from
heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were
sitting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[3] And there appeared unto them cloven
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[4] And they were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance.’ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[<u>Acts
2:2-4</u>]”</span><span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then,” Matthew said, “verses 5 through 8 say:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out
of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[6]
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Now when this was noised abroad, the
multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them
speak in his own language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[7]
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And they were all amazed and marveled,
saying one to another,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[8] Behold, are not all these which
speak Galileans ? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were
born ?’ </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[<u>Acts
2:5-8</u>]”</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They also mentioned how the apostles spoke to
them of the wonderful works of God,” Belo said, smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s right,” Matthew said before he scanned
down the page and found a certain verse. “Verse 11 says how they </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">‘… </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">hear them speak in our tongues the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">wonderful works of God.’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So,” Belo said, “the apostles were witnessing,
in other languages, to these Jewish and religious people who came from other
countries. And, none of the apostles knew those other languages. They were
mostly uneducated, Jewish fishermen, tax collectors, and such.” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, we can do whatever the apostles did,”
Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amen, brother,” Belo said, smiling again. “I
believe God will do great things through you, since you have yielded yourself
to Him and wanted to know Him.”</span><span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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__________________________</div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-5462346839500224742019-08-09T21:19:00.003-07:002019-08-10T20:49:39.218-07:00(CHAPTER 4) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapter 4</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/08/chapter-1-adventures-of-matthew.html" target="_blank">(For Chapter 1, click Here.)</a></b></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;">Chapter 4<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">A NATO Military Base. Germany. 2034 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">.</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A blinding flash of very bright light suddenly
filled the sky. It was followed by a powerful concussion wave which struck
buildings, turning them into billions of flying particles in an instant. The
explosion was heard for many, many miles. A column of hot gas and radioactive
dust ascended high into the air above the ruins of a NATO military base in
Germany. This pillar of destruction could be seen for many miles as it
continued its ascent into the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All over Europe, this scene was repeated in
certain areas targeted by Russian nukes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Minutes after Russia had deployed thousands of
powerful nukes toward America, more Russian nukes were fired toward NATO bases
in Europe. But, these warheads <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Judah Joseph Israel’s House. France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A knock came at the front door of Judah Joseph
Israel’s country home in a rural area of France. Judah Israel, a 54-year-old
Jewish man with graying hair above his ears, walked over to the door, with a
little uneasiness. ‘Could this be the secret police?’ he thought as he
scratched his short, grey beard and approached the spy hole in the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He had just gotten off a living-room couch where
he had been reading the Bible and seeking God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, standing before the front door, he peeped
through the spy hole and his concern turned into joy. For, standing outside was
his son, Francois. Judah flung open the door and embraced his son in a loving
hug. And, his son returned the hug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is so good to see you again, Francois, my
son,” Judah said. “I have wondered when you would visit.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have been pretty busy, but I wanted to see you
more often,” Francois said, feeling happy to see that his dad was so welcoming,
but also feeling a little concern about the possibility that a listening device
might be recording their words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois tapped on his dad’s arm and motioned for
him to follow him outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?” Judah said, frowning. “What is this,
Francois?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">NATO
… Russia’s Retaliation (1 of 6)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Russia
had received a limited attack from a nation in the NATO alliance. In response,
Russia had taken its white gloves off and had unleashed a swarm of devastating
nuclear missiles toward the United States. Minutes later, smaller nuclear
warheads, which were less deadly, were launched toward NATO bases in Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">As
nuclear explosions filled the skies of Europe and America with bright,
radioactive columns of hot gas and nuclear fallout, NATO units that had escaped
the near-instant destruction were in complete disarray, confusion, and terror.
But, some NATO commanders prepared to launch missiles toward Russia. A few
struck some of Russia’s bases, but most were shot down by advanced technologies
the Russians had developed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Then,
Russian hypersonic warheads and cruise missiles obliterated the remaining NATO
bases, submarine pens, battalions, and installations. Crippled beyond repair,
NATO was defeated forever. The alliance was gone. Their weapons, military
prowess, and millions of soldiers were killed or obliterated within twenty
minutes from the start of World War Three. With NATO out of the picture, and
with most of its military bases in radioactive ruins, Europe could not fight
Russia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[Continued
below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Judah Israel’s House (Continued) <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois cringed and placed a finger over his
lips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Judah got the cue and stepped out of the house,
leaving the door open ajar. He followed his son behind the house and out into
the lawn for some ways. When Francois was certain they were far enough away, he
breathed a sigh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, he said, “Dad, I’m sorry for that, but I
was concerned that there could be listening devices in your house that the
government might use to spy on us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There is no need for concern, son,” Judah said.
“No one, to my knowledge, has placed ‘bugs’ in the house.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have heard that the government can turn any
cell phone,” Judah said, “or home phone, or computer microphone, that is
plugged in, into a covert listening device.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I didn’t know that. But, they haven’t arrested
me, and I have prayed out loud,” Judah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You never know when they might decide to tap
into your phone and listen in,” Francois said. “I suggest we talk about all
sensitive topics outside and away from the house. I know of several underground
Christians who have ‘disappeared’ in the last month. Several of my friends
believe that they were kidnapped by the government and sent to concentration
camps.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, don’t you have a cell phone with you?”
Judah said with some concern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below.]</span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">NATO
… The Build-Up to War. (2 of 6)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
powerful Russian onslaught had come suddenly, but tension had been growing
between NATO and Russia since a military “coup” had suddenly disrupted the
modus operandi in Washington D.C. The “coup” had appeared to remove President
Obama from power. Obama had left Washington D.C. for a certain South American
country months earlier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Now
with Obama seemingly hiding for his life, America began gearing up for war with
Russia like never before. The military government that came into being
following the “coup” began to prepare America for an all-out war with Russia.
Conscription was instituted across America, and millions of young Americans
were drafted into the U.S. military. At the same time, the military leadership
in Washington D.C. began to form stronger ties with Germany, the U.K., France,
Australia, and other European or commonwealth nations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Russia
looked on with a disapproving and somewhat fearful eye. China and Russia began
preparing their troops for war. The great Asian power began drafting millions and
millions of young Chinese into their armed forces. Russia did the same.
Factories in China, Russia, and other nations began producing tanks and other
armored vehicles in greater quantities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Australia
and New Zealand prepared to go to war with both China and Russia. More and more
incidents began to take place where Chinese naval vessels and aircraft flew or
sailed dangerously close to non-Chinese vessels and aircraft. Tension grew to a
new height, and the “Doomsday Clock” was turned to a fraction of a degree from
the 12:00 position. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Judah Israel’s House (Continued) <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not anymore,” Francois said. “I terminated the
phone service more than a year ago. I have to be very careful about
communications. The government spies on all phones. They also record text
messages, internet searches, and words spoken over the phone in giant
supercomputers. If you do something suspicious, the supercomputer network will
alert authorities. And, you will likely be interrogated or arrested.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is not good,” Judah said. “But, I don’t
have a cell phone, so I must be fairly safe. And, I don’t use the home phone
for sensitive information. I have no internet because I don’t want to make that
into an idol. So, this house has very little electronics compared to most
homes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you have a new refrigerator, TV, or radio?”
Francois said. “Or some other appliance?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My appliances are fairly old, Francois. They are
from the late ‘90s or early 2000s,” Judah said. He looked at his son with
curiosity and said, “Why do you ask?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“All the appliances from 2023,” Francois said,
“and onward have technology that can spy on you and report what you are doing
to a supercomputer network. TVs have tiny cameras that transmit information
which is intercepted by the government. Supercomputers using advanced software
and “machine-learning” technology can identify behavior that is considered to
be dangerous.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s not good,” Judah said, scratching his
chin. “But, what about the refrigerator?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">NATO
… What Happened After the Nuclear Strikes (3 of 6)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">After
the NATO nation had fired a strike on a certain region of Russia, the powerful
“bear” launched a full scale nuclear attack on America and on parts of Canada.
Smaller nukes were fired at NATO bases in Europe. China launched powerful
strikes on American bases in South Korea, Japan, and elsewhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And
India, caught between the West and the East, placed its troops on standby and
prepared to side with the winning team. Pakistan trembled but maintained its
alliance with China. Saudi Arabia experienced the wrath of Iran. For, once the
war was started, there was no stopping it. Since Iran was an ally with Russia,
it felt it had the superpower’s support in attacking its rival, the Saudi
kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Many,
many missiles flew toward the oil-rich country, obliterating its military, some
of its refineries, and some strategic targets. Then, Iran prepared to invade
Saudi Arabia, but Russia gave Iran orders to forestall the Iranian ambitions
toward the Middle East.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">With
its military and economy in ruins, Saudi Arabia was crippled. Prices began to
skyrocket in the Arabian kingdom, and poverty became rampant. Thousands of
Saudis fled to neighboring countries, but they were not much better off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Africa
was affected by the powerful conflict. Many African nations saw their economies
failing as they could no longer sell products to Europe or America or
experience Western investment in their nations. Soon after the initial nuclear
attacks had ceased, the powers that ran China, however, focused on Africa and
began pouring more money into building up Africa’s economies, infrastructure,
and railroads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Judah Israel’s House (Continued) <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The ‘smart fridges’ that I have seen in most
people’s homes record all the food one has purchased,” Francois said. “Each
‘smart fridge’ also contains tiny listening devices, which give you the option
to tell the fridge’s computer to remind you what food you need to buy, based on
your diet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is strange,” Judah said. “I’ve tried to
stay away from technology as much as possible. I realize so much evil is
available on it, and I don’t see the need for it. God is my Best Friend. There
is no One like Him. I don’t need to entertain myself. I have God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re right, dad,” Francois said. “God is all
we need.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Son, why don’t we go inside and I’ll make you
delicious meal?” Judah said. “What do you say?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That sounds good,” Francois said. “I am feeling
hungry after my bus trip. I had to walk five miles from the bus station to your
house.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, why didn’t you give me a call?” Judah said.
“I could have picked you up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I just want to be careful, dad,” Francois said
quietly. “I may have been followed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[End of this section.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">NATO
… Global Depression and Slave Labor (4 of 6)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">But,
the termination of America created a global depression that swept the globe. No
longer would America be a place for investment or a customer. No longer could
multi-national corporations receive money from American enterprises. Trillions
of dollars were lost over the destruction of America, and many countries
entered hard times. But, because the governments of China, Russia, and a few
other nations had been preparing for this event, they were ready to reinvent
their economies to thrive in this new, post-American world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">China
implemented slave labor, using Uyghurs and other ethnic or religious groups.
Concentration camps began springing up all over China and North Korea to house
millions of un-wanted Chinese who were not totally loyal to their communist
party. And, as China’s power grew, they decided take North Korea and place it
under their complete control. By this time, North Korea had invaded South Korea
and had turned it into a concentration camp, so to speak. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
unified Korea was now ruled by the North, but China did not want so much power
to be in the hands of a Korean, so China removed the North Korean dictator and
placed a Chinese official in charge of the unified Korea. Under this new
government, South Koreans faced severe oppression, surveillance, and many faced
internment in concentration camps. The Koreans were treated worse than the
Uyghurs in 2019 were treated. And, a surveillance state like that in Xinjiang
province (in China) was created to monitor, control, and brainwash the South
Korean people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carpathian Mountains. Romania. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a dense pine forest in the Carpathian
Mountains, Matthew Jeremiah, his wife Sarah, and some other Christians were
hiding away from communist authorities and spies. Three weeks ago, communist
soldiers had intruded into the sanctuary of the Christians and had arrested
weak Christians and Roma people who had been staying out in the forest. But,
Matthew and a number of other Christians, including Roma Christians, had
escaped detection by a miracle of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, they were seeking God, reading the Bible,
and desiring to know their Creator and Abba Father God more than ever before.
As they drew closer to their good God and Abba Father, the Christians began to
hear His Spirit speak to them more and more. Soon, they felt a sense that it
was His will for them to move. But, they didn’t know where just yet, or how.
Communists controlled check points on the roads of Romania and throughout
Europe. Travel along those restricted roads seemed impossible, especially for
Roma people who were restricted to certain regions of Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">NATO
… The Invasion of Japan and America (5 of 6)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Japan
was invaded shortly after the nuclear attacks struck Europe and America. A
million or more Chinese soldiers swept into Japan after bombing their few
military bases. Since Japan was not given an offensive military, it could not
fight back much, and was quickly subdued by the Chinese forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">While
this was happening, America was bombarded with nuclear missiles, bombs,
biological weapons, poison gases, and such. In a short time, many millions of
Americans were dead, and cities were lifeless or in ruins. The powerful country
was gone. Several weeks later, Chinese and Russian soldiers landed in America
to “mop up” the country and detain millions of those who survived the
devastating attacks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[Continued
below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Carpathian Mountains. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The communists running the puppet dictatorships
of the “new soviet empire” didn’t allow the freedom of movement to anyone
unless they were communist party officials or special individuals loyal to the
communist governments. So, traveling by train, by aircraft, or by car would be
impossible for the Roma Christians and for Matthew and his other non-Roma
friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, nonetheless, Matthew and his group trusted
that their God would somehow get them to a safer place. Then, one day, as they
were seeking God, Matthew heard God speak a specific message to him that would
change their lives forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s Spirit spoke to Matthew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Abba Father,” Matthew said, sensing God’s
presence and peace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God said: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I would like you to tell the group that you
shall all be translated to a new location. In the same way I translated Philip
from the Ethiopian eunuch, I will translated you to a safe place of refuge in
the continent of Asia. There I will provide all you need and more. You will go
to a town or a small city of refuge where you will be with other Christians. </span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For, I tell you that Russia and its puppet regimes will begin turning
up the heat in Europe and Russian Asia. </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Nonetheless, I will
provide safe areas for My Church to live in and stay at</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. I will provide areas up to 50 miles squared in area. Some may be
larger than that. <b>Those areas will be safe from satellites, drones,
aircraft, spies, and other harmful surveillance</b>. <b>Only true believers in
Jesus will be translated to these cities of refuge. </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And, only true believers in Jesus, who really love me and want to
follow Me wherever I send them, will be translated to these cities</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[<b><u>Note</u></b>:
Fifty (50) miles squared is roughly 127.96 square kilometers.]</span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">People who don’t
really want Me to be the Center and Core of their existence, who don’t want to
surrender their ambitions, will, goals, plans, even their plans for how to
further My Kingdom on earth, will have to go through more refining before I
either take them to Heaven or to a city of refuge on earth. </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>The reason these cities will exist is for <b>three
purposes</b></u>. </span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">One</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">is to provide safe places on earth for those who really love Me and
want Me to be their Center and their Focus for everything. </span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The other </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">is to protect the Church from
the evil that will be unleashed on the earth. There will be great evil
unleashed upon the earth. Persecution will increase greatly. The hardness of
men and women’s hearts will increase more and more. The desire to kill Christians
will increase. The sodomy, fornication, lust, adultery, perverse things, and
abominations shall increase even in Muslim countries that were intolerant of
such things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I tell you that My wrath is kindled against
false Christians who profess to know Me but who love the world more than they
love Me. I am grieved with them because they have cast out their first love,
and have brought in the doctrines of devils. They have trampled underfoot My
Son, Jesus Christ, and have desired that a murderer be granted to them -- that
murderer, in this case, is the devil.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God continued, saying: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am referring to the devil in this allegorical
way to show that they, like the religious Jews in the days of Jesus, have
desired that their Messiah -- who clearly demonstrated that He is the God of
Israel and the Messiah of the whole world --would be killed on a Roman cross.
And, they wanted a murderer, Barabbas, to be set free so that Jesus Christ
would be killed. Out of bloody intentions they killed Jesus, but I raised up
Jesus to life and gave Him a new body, a glorified body. I shall do the same
for all who believe on Jesus Christ for salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, I will tell you that </span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">the other reason </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">for moving the true
Church to the wilderness is to protect them from the goats that will spread
lies throughout the world. The goats, who once knew Me but cast Me out of their
lives, will come against the Church, and seek to deceive it, and lead it into
sin, and idolatry, and rebellion against Me. They will speak lies and
deceptions. So, here is what I will do.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">______________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">{<b>Note</b>:
Spiritual goats (<i>see Matthew 25:31-33, 41</i>) are defined by Jesus Christ
as those who claimed to serve Him but who really sought their own will and way
(See Matthew 7:15-29). Spiritual goats are represented either by the stony soil
or the weed-infested soil in the Parable of the Sower (See Luke 8:5-15). There
are many Bible passages that speak about the falling away from the faith in
Jesus Christ. We give a few examples below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Revelation
3:5-6</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">says: “[5] </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">He
that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment ; and <b>I will not
blot out his name out of the book of life</b>, but I will confess his name
before my Father, and before his angels. [6] He that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith unto the churches.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">”
{End quote.}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Comment</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">: This passage of scripture indicates
that some people will get their names blotted out of the Book of Life. They
could only have been written in the Book of Life if they actually had received
eternal life through Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hebrews
10:26-29 </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">which shall devour the adversaries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[28] He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two
or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">three witnesses :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be
thought<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified,
an<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">?”
[End quote] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Comment</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">: This rebellious man walked over the
Son of God, despising Jesus. And by his choices to go his own way, this man
reckoned that the blood of Jesus (which made him sanctified at one time) was an
“unholy thing”. He also had spite or contempt for God’s Holy Spirit; and for
God’s conviction of sin; and for God’s justice to judge the rebel. This
rebellious man once had personally received the covenant of salvation through
Jesus Christ, which had once made the man holy and set apart to God. Now,
having rejected Jesus Christ, this rebel is bound for Hell and damnation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hebrews
6:4-6 </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[4] For </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">it is </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">impossible
for those <b>who were once enlightened</b>, and have<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">tasted of the <b>heavenly gift</b>, and <b>were made partakers
of the Holy<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Ghost,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[5] And have tasted the good word of God, and <b>the powers of
the world<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">to come,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[6] If they shall fall away, <b>to renew them again unto
repentance </b>; seeing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">,
and put </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">him </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">to an<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">open shame. [End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Comment</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">: Notice the words [1] “<b>enlightened</b>”
(<i>Meaning ‘given light’ or special knowledge of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.</i>);
[2] “<b>heavenly gift</b>” (<i>Which is the gift of eternal life through Jesus
Christ</i>.); [3] “</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">were made partakers of the Holy Ghost” </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">(<i>They
drank from the life-giving water of the Holy Spirit like all true Christians do</i>.);
[4] “<b>tasted</b>” [the] “<b>powers of the world to come</b>” (<i>They tasted
of what is to come, just like all true Christians do by way of the Holy Spirit</i>.);
[5] “<b>renew them again unto repentance</b>” (<i>You can’t bring them back <b>again
</b>to a place of repentance since they are so hardened against God</i>.);
[and] [6] “<b>crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh” </b>(Jesus Christ
had died for these people. Since they rejected Him, after having received Him,
He cannot be crucified again to pay for this sin of rejecting Jesus.) }<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">______________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will allow the persecution of the Church to
get so great, that the Church will cry out to Me; seek Me like never before to
know Me intimately; and the Church will come out from the world, be separate,
and will go into places of refuge very soon. But, other Christians, who don’t
really want to do My best will with their lives, will be arrested and thrown
into concentration camps, prisons, and jails. They will be persecuted to
prepare them for great things and to bring them away from the carnal mind,
which is a wicked, fiendish thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“As My Word teaches in Romans chapter 8, the
carnal mind is enmity with Me. It is at war with Me. It is the mind that thinks
that it can reason, and think logically, and do what makes sense to it. The
carnal mind leads Christians to stand up to political and religious authorities
to defy them, in the flesh, instead of seek Me about what to say to them. </span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Here is what a Christian must do. He or she must <u>seek Me before he
or she speaks </u>with a religious, or political figure, or with anyone who has
power.</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">{<u>Romans
8:6-7 </u>says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[6] </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">For
to be carnally minded </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">death
; but to be spiritually minded </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">life and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[7] Because the carnal mind </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">enmity
against God : for it is not subject<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">to the law of God, neither indeed can be.}</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b>They must seek Me before they speak to such a
person so they say the right words and in the nature of Christ, to represent Me
well. </b>But, speaking defiantly to an authority is wrong, unless you are
clearly led by My Spirit. So, be submissive to authorities. If they don’t want
you to street preach, don’t street preach. If they don’t want you to make
public declarations of faith, or hang up signs, or billboards of Christian
things, don’t do that. </span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">But, seek Me about what I would
lead you to do, and do that. Seek Me about where to go, how to witness to the
lost, what to tell them, and what to do. </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If you are told you cannot speak or teach in the
name of Jesus Christ, especially in certain situations, agree to follow their
orders. But, I will show you what orders to treat with a grain of salt. In
other words, if a religious authority tells you that you cannot teach people
about Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The, tell him that you will heed his command
and respect his authority. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">But, then go and
seek Me about what to do. </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Perhaps, I will have you teach
people about Me, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and about how I sent
Jesus Christ, who existed before time, to die for the sins of the world. You
would then not be teaching in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, but you
would be teaching in the name of Jesus Christ, the Anointed of God. You would not
be teaching people about the man Jesus, but you would teach people about the
Spirit of God, and God the Son. You see what I am saying?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God’s Spirit continued to speak to Matthew,
saying: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, you are not teaching about the Carpenter of
Nazareth, but you would be teaching about God the Son, who came in a man’s body
to die for the sins of the world. And, if authorities tell you that you cannot
distribute Gospel tracts or literature, then agree with them. And, I may show
you personally to do something like this. I may show you to speak to
individuals about Jesus Christ rather than distribute Gospel literature. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Or, if the authorities tell you that you cannot
preach, teach, speak, or evangelize in the Name of Jesus Christ, then, you can
do that all in the Name of God, the Creator. And, you can speak to people about
how I sent God the Son to die on a cross for their sins. But, I will show you
how to do that, My son. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Or, if they tell you that you cannot speak about
the God of the Bible, then you can agree with them. And, you can then seek Me
about this. I might show you to speak about the Creator of the world and His
Son Jesus Christ. In other words, agree with your adversary, but seek Me about
how to further My Kingdom, and I will show you exactly how to go about doing
that. If you cannot preach in favor of the cross of Christ, then speak in favor
of the God who reconciled you to Himself through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will show you more as you seek Me about this. </span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I will do this for anyone who wants to know more about these things</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. <b><u>For</u></b></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">, I have no respect
of persons, as Romans 2:11 says.</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> That is correct,
My son. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>Prepare to be translated to a city of refuge</u>.
I will lead you there. And, then, I will prepare you to be translated to other
locations where I will lead you in how to minister the Gospel to lost souls and
how to reach them with the saving message of salvation through Jesus Christ. <u>I
will do this for all who seek Me, and depend on Me, and follow My Spirit all
the way. <b>Following My Spirit involves being still before Me</b>. <o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That means: </span></u><b><u style="text-underline: double;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">think about Me</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span></u><b><u style="text-underline: double;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Think about the truth</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. Then, ask Me what you will. I will answer you, as John 16:13 says.
Then, obey what I show you. But, all of this comes from loving Me. </span></u><b><u style="text-underline: double;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, ask Me to give you love for Me, for My Word,
the Bible, and for all that I give to you</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. I will do these things for those who ask, as Matthew 7:7-11 says. <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, My son, <b><u style="text-underline: double;">rest,
be at peace, and I shall never forsake you</u></b>. And, I love you very much. <b><u style="text-underline: double;">I love all Christians very, very much</u></b>. <b>And,
I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken</b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u style="text-underline: words;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Bible Verses<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<u style="text-underline: words;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">John 16:13<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[13]
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">into
all truth : for he shall not speak of himself ; but whatsoever he<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">shall
hear, </span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">that
</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">shall
he speak : and he will show you things to come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u style="text-underline: words;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Matthew 7:7-11<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[7]
Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">it
shall be opened unto you :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[8]
For every one that asketh receiveth ; and he that seeketh findeth ;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">and
to him that knocketh it shall be opened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[9]
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">give
him a stone ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[10]
Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[11]
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">children,
how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">good
things to them that ask him ?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u style="text-underline: words;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Romans 2:11<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[11]
</span><span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 10.5pt;">For there is no respect of persons with God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">NATO
… The Invasion of Europe (6 of 6)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">As
military forces conquered America, Russia began its invasion of Europe,
conquering country after country in a blitzkrieg war. No country could stand
against the Russian military power and its allies, such as Belarus. But,
pockets of soldiers, militias, and such fought the Russians in rural places of
Europe for the next few years until they were stamped out completely. While
this was going on, Russia began setting up communistic dictatorships and puppet
governments in Europe to control the populations and keep them subdued.
Chinese-style, high-tech surveillance and monitoring systems flooded Europe’s
cities, towns, and urban areas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">People
from many rural villages were relocated into larger areas where simple
apartment complexes were being constructed. That way, it would be easier for
the communists to control and monitor them. Some of the villages were bulldozed
to destroy the unused homes so that no one would try to return. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Extremely-strict
security systems began appearing in the population centers of Europe. Under the
tight security and surveillance, knives and guns were confiscated, but freedom
of speech and freedom of religion was ended. However, some portions of the
cities still had high crime and the appearance of street gangs.</span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">[End
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-78078419357114239222019-08-09T21:18:00.003-07:002019-08-09T21:38:15.358-07:00(CHAPTER 3) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapter 3</i></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/08/chapter-1-adventures-of-matthew.html" target="_blank">(For Chapter 1, click Here.)</a></b></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;">Chapter 3<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carpathian Mountains. Romania. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG1rzx_g_e2dxe8_okKKkYetB9x3ZWxgdLuZ30vY4H7tm5jPIyH5eDSbaqecACkpMssl1RzFBkepIwbEKBFLCM7PwffIQMyq8xXeqak-dfObK6pUbf_Nn0kvh55dj8tVj-0QQK9GdcD0/s1600/Matthew+Jeremiah+-forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="956" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG1rzx_g_e2dxe8_okKKkYetB9x3ZWxgdLuZ30vY4H7tm5jPIyH5eDSbaqecACkpMssl1RzFBkepIwbEKBFLCM7PwffIQMyq8xXeqak-dfObK6pUbf_Nn0kvh55dj8tVj-0QQK9GdcD0/s320/Matthew+Jeremiah+-forest.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pine needles and dried twigs crunched underneath
Matthew Jeremiah’s boots as he walked under tall conifers in a large, Romanian
pine forest. He had just been on a mile hike through the woods to get some
exercise and see more of the layout of the land. And, now, he was returning
back to the camp where he, his friends, and a number of Roma people were
staying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Roma, who had suffered from being insulted
and mistreated by European society, had fled into remote parts of Europe as
communists had dispossessed them of their land. These poor, mistreated and
hurting people had come to the sanctuary of the Carpathian forest. They sought
out a place where they could try to survive without having to rely on the
communists, who despised them. Some underground Christians joined them, due to
an act of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A miracle of God had happened while Matthew and
his friends were having an “underground” Bible study. As the secret police were
entering the Rousset house, Matthew and his Christian friends had been
instantly translated away, in the same way that God had translated Philip the
evangelist, in Acts chapter 8. The group translated by God consisted of:
Matthew and Sarah Jeremiah; Pierre Ricard; Jean and Marylise Rousset; and the
Rousset children: Andre (a 22-year-old), Claude (20), and Nathalie (18). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When the group of underground Christians had
arrived in the Carpathian Mountains, they had found that Roma people already
lived there, and that the Roma would welcome the Christians if they could help
them. Many of the poor Roma were in need of medical attention and had a hard
time finding food in the forest. So, several smugglers had found out where they
lived and had given them medicine and store-bought food in exchange for pigs,
sheep, and chickens, which the Roma raised out in the forest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, the smugglers didn’t trade fairly, and some
of the Roma had gotten into heated arguments with the smugglers over prices and
bartering. Eventually, the smugglers began to stop showing up as often as
before, and the plight of the Roma grew worse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When Matthew and his friends had showed up, the
Roma had been very suspicious of them. But then Pierre had asked if there was
anyone who needed medical attention. An aged man had said ‘yes.’ He was
suffering from arthritis that made it hard for him to move. He had walked bent
over and move with great care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A Month Previously </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pierre, Matthew, Jean Rousset, and Conrad Schmidt
(<i>another Christian that had been translated to the Roma camp</i>) surrounded
the man and prayed over him. In less than an hour, the elderly man stood up
straight. His eyes lit up. “I am healed!” he said loudly. “I am healed! What
did you do to me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We didn’t do anything but pray,” Conrad Schmidt,
a German Christian, said. “Jesus Christ did the miracle healing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,” the old man said. “I want Jesus to save
me. He healed me. So, he can save me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We would be happy,” said Matthew Jeremiah, “to
tell you how to know Jesus as your Personal Savior and Lord. He who healed you
from arthritis can also heal your soul and give you eternal life, for free.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I want this eternal life,” the old man said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Christians led him to Jesus, and the old man,
named Dmitri, trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation and gave his life to the
Lord Jesus. Seeing this, a handful of other Roma asked if they could also be
followers of Jesus. A revival soon broke out among the Roma in that section of
the woods, and many more got saved after seeing and hearing the testimony of
Dmitri, who had been miraculously healed of arthritis. More healings took
place. A lady was healed of cancer. A man was healed of kidney stones. A deaf
boy was healed so that he could speak and hear properly. And, many more
miracles took place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Soon, about 50 percent of the Roma were true
Christians. They were baptized in the next few weeks in various places of the
forest. Marylise Rousset and Sarah Jeremiah, Matthew’s wife, led Bible studies
for women and girls. Matthew, Pierre, Jean, and Conrad led Church services for
the new believers and conducted small Bible studies for men and teen guys. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew Jeremiah walked into the camp of the
Roma. Winter tents, carrying cases, fire pits, propane stoves, backpacks, and
other things for living in the woods appeared in various places, here and
there. Five-hundred people covered two square miles of forest, living in
primitive conditions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello Belo,” Matthew said to a man who was
cleaning a fish he had caught recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hi, Matt,” said Belo Oprescu, a handsome,
50-year-old, Roma man. “Jesus is very good to me. He helped me catch this big
fish. You see the size of this? This is larger than I normally catch.” He was
grinning as he spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The fish was about a foot in length, meaty, and
appeared like it would make a good meal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is wonderful, Belo,” Matthew said. “God is
a good Provider.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amen, brother,” Belo said as he turned back to
his catch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew, his friends, and new coverts had visited
the other camps of Roma and had prayed over them. More healing miracles had
taken place, and the Gospel had spread like wildfire among the Roma. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, among the Roma were a sizeable number of
die-hard Catholic and Eastern Orthodox adherents. They resisted the true Gospel
of grace through faith, as the book of Romans teaches, and believed that their
works could save them in addition to the cross. They prayed to Mary, offered
incense, and used prayer beads. Among them were several men and women who
strongly resisted the disciples of Jesus and the Gospel of grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One of them had threatened to burn the tents of
the Evangelicals. But, so far, he had not carried out his threat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Matthew walked through the Roma camp toward
his tent, he heard a deep groaning sound -- the sound of a large diesel engine.
He paused to listen. And, his heart beat faster. Through the woods, the sound
of a truck or tank could be heard. Then, before he could pay attention to any
more of the sounds, men and women began to run from other parts of the Roma
camp. Some were shouting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The communists have come for us!” a woman cried
as she ran. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What did you see?” Matthew said as she drew
near. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We must flee!” she said, not hearing him
clearly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A burly man jogged over to him and said, “I saw a
Russian-made tank and soldiers. It probably belongs to the communist government
of Romania. We have to leave this camp before they capture us and relocate us
to a work camp.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why would they put you in a work camp?” Matthew
said, concerned as he studied the man’s worried face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The communists have put Roma into work camps
because they are cheap labor,” the Roma man said, “and the communists view us
as lower than dirt. But, since we are now filled with Christians, they will
send us to concentration camps, which are much worse than work camps.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hearing that brought fear into Matthew’s heart.
He had heard about the concentration camps run by the Nazis, and he had heard
about the Russian gulags. So, he turned away and closed his eyes. As he did,
the Roma man sprinted off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Father God, what do we do? We face the threat of
being thrown into a concentration camp,” Matthew prayed silently as people
began hustling about, grabbing personal belongings and stuffing them into
packs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s kind voice said to Matthew’s
spirit, “I will show you this. I will protect you. This is a trial for the Roma
to repent and seek Me -- those Roma who have not turned to Me need to seek Me.
Now, I will show you that I will protect you and keep you safe, but some of the
Roma will be captured and taken to a work camp. But, I will protect the
Christians who are with you. <b><u style="text-underline: words;">Pray </u></b>that
they will repent from following their carnal minds, and pray that they will
seek Me, and follow Me, and not follow what makes sense to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If a man or woman follows Me, he or she will do
well and will be safe. If he or she follows his or her own will, that person
will be placing him-or-herself in danger. Now, I will show you what to do. Have
the Christians stop preparing to flee and have them meet with you to have a
prayer time. I will bless you, My son. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father
have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Abba Father God,” Matthew said,
feeling peace return to him. He gave his fears to God and relaxed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, Matthew shouted, “I need every evangelical
Christian to come here please. God would like us to have a prayer time.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are you crazy?” an evangelical Roma man said.
“They will soon be on top of us. We will be thrown into a concentration camp.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God told me that He will protect us believers,”
Matthew said. “But, we need to follow His Spirit even when it doesn’t make
sense to our own minds.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,” the Roma man said, sighing. “I believe
you’re right. Let me go and gather some of the other evangelicals over here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He went off. But, as he left to bring more over,
Sarah and some of the other Christians and Roma converts arrived. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I heard you shouting out something about a
prayer time,” Sarah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was calling us believers into a prayer time
because communists are heading our way, but God will protect us believers who
trust Him,” Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When a good-sized group was gathered, Matthew
began the impromptu meeting by saying, “Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are
gathered here because our Abba Father God had told Me that we should have a
prayer time. We know that we are being hunted down by communist troops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, King David was being hunted down by Absalom
and many years prior to that by King Saul. Both men and their armies could not
defeat David, or capture him, or harm him. God was with King David to protect
him and watch over him. So, we are gathered together today to place our trust
in God. David wrote Psalm 91 which gives us great assurance and hope in this
dark hour in which we live.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew pulled out a pocket Bible and flipped it
over to Psalm 91. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Psalm 91 says this in verses 9 through 12: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘[9] </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because thou hast made the </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">, </span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">which is </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">my refuge,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">even </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">the Most High, thy habitation ;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[10] There
shall no evil befall thee,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">neither
shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[11] For
he shall give his angels charge over thee,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">to keep
thee in all thy ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[12] They
shall bear thee up in </span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">their </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">hands,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">lest thou
dash thy foot against a stone.’ [<u>Psalm 91:9-12</u>] [End quote]”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is comforting,” a lady said, sniffing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God shall never forsake us,” Matthew said
boldly. “And, if we want to know Him intimately, and personally, and if we
trust Him and follow where He leads, we will be safe from harm, as David was.
David was never tortured. He was never thrown into a prison. He was never
starved. God protected him even though he had many enemies who sought to kill
him at different times in his life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew looked at the Bible again and said:
“Psalm 91 says this in verses 1 through 4:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘[1] </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most
High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[2] I will
say of the </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He is </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">my refuge and my fortress :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">my God ;
in him will I trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[3] Surely
he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">and </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">from the noisome pestilence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[4] He
shall cover thee with his feathers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">and under
his wings shalt thou trust :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">his truth </span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">shall be thy </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">shield and buckler.’ [<u>Psalm
91:1-4</u>] [End quote]”</span><span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is encouraging,” a Roma man said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It certainly is,” Matthew said. “God is telling
us through David’s pen that God protects those who trust in Him and in His
truth -- the Word of God and the guidance of God’s Spirit. Jesus told us, in <u>John
14:17</u>, that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and that He dwells in a
believer. In <u>John 16:13</u> Jesus said this truth:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘[13] </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he
will guide you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">into all
truth : for he shall not speak of himself ; but whatsoever he<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">shall
hear, </span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">that </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">shall he speak : and he will show
you things to come.’ [End quote]”</span><span style="font-family: "kinesismm_380_"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So,” Matthew said, “if we follow the Holy
Spirit, who guides us into all truth, we will be safe from all harm. For, God
is the God of Psalm 91. God shall never abandon us, and He shall deliver us
from harm.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The sound of big diesel engines grew close, and
the cry of people panicking filled the air. Then, soldiers armed with AK-style
automatic rifles pushed their way through bushes and came upon the Roma who
were busy packing up their camps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Halt!” a soldier shouted at some Roma men and
women who were 250 feet away from Matthew. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They froze, terrified of the communist soldiers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Raise your hands!” another soldier barked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Those men and women complied. But, a few others
bolted off into the forest, and several other soldiers ran after them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As this was happening, a camouflaged T-90 tank
rolled into the Roma camp and crushed tents and equipment into the ground as
its clattering treads flattened everything before it. Matthew and his group
stiffened, feeling fear attack them strongly. But, miraculously, none of the
communist soldiers or tank crews spotted any of the Christians in Matthew’s
circle. The communists acted oblivious to their presence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And, miraculously, none of the Christian’s tents
were pilfered by the greedy soldiers. Their tents were ignored, but the tents
of non-believing Roma were rifled by the soldiers. The loud <b><i>rat-tat-tat </i></b>of
machine gun fire suddenly erupted from the forest 300 feet away. People
screamed as they were cut down by the bullets, but the dense woods kept Matthew
and his group from seeing the killing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Obey us, and we will not shoot you,” a soldier
told the Roma who had surrendered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We will follow your orders,” said a nervous Roma
man 200 feet away from Matthew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“March,” a soldier shouted before he ordered the
captured Roma to form a line and get moving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once all the communist soldiers and tanks had
left with their loot and the captured Roma, the circle of Christians breathed a
sigh of relief. But they also felt deep sorrow for the Roma who had been
captured or killed. These atrocities against the Roma were fairly common now
that corrupt communists were running the countries of Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I feel like I deserve to be with those people.
Some of them are my relatives,” a man said after a while. “Why should God
miraculously spare us from being seen and caught?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God is for you,” Matthew said, looking first at
the man and then at all the people. “He doesn’t want you to suffer. Those
people who were captured didn’t trust only in Jesus Christ for salvation. They
followed their own works and their own carnal minds. God didn’t want this to
happen to them, but they refused to take His offer or even heed what we told
them. So, God allowed them to be captured. But, I believe that God will save
and deliver them if they will trust in Him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why would God allow this to happen to our
people?” an elderly Roma lady said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God didn’t want any of this suffering to
happen,” Matthew said, “but God can use what Satan meant for evil to be used
against the devil’s wishes. God can take the suffering and use it to bring
hardened hearts -- who don’t want to trust only in Jesus -- out of deception
and into the Light.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Clapham Common. London, England. 2038 A.D.</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <i>{Daniel Shultz}</i></span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u style="text-underline: words;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel
Shultz, </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">an Austrian tourist, was walking through Clapham
Common, a public park in London, England. Daniel wore eyeglasses, was clean
shaven, and had 5-cm-long blonde hair. As he walked, he noticed that a good
portion of the landscape was covered with a forest of temporary structures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">About 50 percent of the entire common (city park
or field) was occupied with tents and makeshift structures. It looked like a
refugee camp similar to the 2015 refugee camp in Calais, France. Steel fire
pits (metal containers with legs used for camp fires) sent up wispy clouds of
smoke as homeless campers cooked their food over open flames. But, instead of
Syrian, Eritrean, and Afghan refugees living in these tents, native Caucasian
people of the British isles were living in great poverty in the parks and
commons of their cities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Economic and Crime Problems in Europe (1 of 3)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Housing prices had risen greatly and many companies had to lay
off thousands and thousands of workers. Living expenses were higher than ever
before, and crop production was reduced due to blights that affected the wheat,
barley, and rye crops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Ever since Britain and the European Union had connected their
economies to the rest of the world, they had set themselves up for financial
problems. While a connected world offered financial benefits, it also acted as
a potential source of economic problems. The 2008 financial crisis affected not
only America, but it also affected economies in European countries as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Now, with vast amounts of risky financial transactions, poor
investment, improper use of money, and many other problems, not to mention the
weakening economy, crop failures, and other problems, Britain and the rest of
Europe began to suffer economic hardship. Austerity measures began to take
place as governments in Europe had to tighten their budgets and decrease
spending and borrowing in order to try to stay afloat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[Continued below]</span></i><i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Clapham Common<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sir, do you have any spare coins?” asked a
homeless man in his thirties as Daniel Shultz approached him on his walk
through the common. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The man wore a dirt-stained jacket and carried a
backpack. He looked like he was in good health, but his slightly unkempt
appearance suggested he really was homeless. Stubble covered his face, and his
hair appeared greasy and unwashed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel reached into the right pocket of his baggy
jeans and handed the man fifteen pounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, sir,” the man said, smiling. “I hope
you don’t end up like me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How did you end up here?” the Austrian tourist
said. “By the way, my name is Daniel,” he added as he reached out a hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The homeless man shook his hand and said, “I’m
Perry. I was employed as a truck driver, but my company had to lay off some
people, and I was one of the poor blokes [i.e. <i>men</i>] to be chosen. Their
costs were starting to exceed their profit margin, so they had to downsize.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is too bad,” Daniel said, feeling sorry for
the man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have three children living with my wife,”
Perry said. “We got divorced four years ago. She won’t let me in her house, so
I suffer out here with the rest of these homeless people. My dad is living in a
very small apartment in London, and my mom is living in New Zealand. None of my
relatives would let me stay with them, seeing they have small houses or
apartments. But, I get handouts from the government. Even so, I don’t always
have enough good food. Vegetables. Carrots. Healthy choices.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Economic and Crime Problems in Europe (2 of 3)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Millions of people across Europe found themselves without
employment, dispossessed of their homes, and living in tents. The governments
didn’t know how to cope with so many homeless people that they only offered
meager financial assistance and food. Riots and protests swept over Europe as
people rose up in anger over the austerity measures, unemployment, and food
shortages. As riots took place, Middle-Easterners felt more and more of the
rage of Europe’s hatred toward non-Caucasian peoples. Both Jews and Muslims
faced intense persecution from nationalist groups in Europe that began to grow
in strength as Europe’s economy sank. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Nationalist politicians blamed the refugees, Jews, and Roma
people for Europe’s problems. As this hatred grew, Muslims and Jews began to
flee from Europe. The continent that had welcomed them now rejected them. With
nowhere else to go, Muslims returned to their countries of origin or ancestry.
And, Jews returned to Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">But, even as this took place, the people of Europe began to divide
between ultra-liberal and nationalist / neo-conservative camps. As unemployment
soared, as economic problems increased, and as refugees continued to move into
Europe, the liberals and nationalists began to take their words and turn them
into actions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The “Inner City” <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel Shultz had driven through English
countryside and into a particularly notable city of the U.K. He was now walking
through an area of the large city that used to be safe for pedestrians and
families to visit, but it was now rife with crime. Disgruntled, unemployed men
and gangs slowly took over the streets, driving out police and ordinary
citizens with their pistols, knives, and eastern-European-made semi-automatic
rifles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Austrian, out of curiosity, had
apprehensively entered this region of the city to see what it was like now that
the gangs had moved in. The wind stirred some trees and caused crumpled pieces
of paper to roll down the street like tumbleweeds in a desert. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a fall day that had gone from sunshine to
clouds. And, the temperature had dropped a little, so Daniel shivered slightly.
The buildings on his right and left appeared to be run down and in bad
condition. Broken glass, pieces of garbage, and scraps of paper littered the
street. Graffiti covered some of the walls of the buildings, and pieces of
broken pottery crunched under his feet. The whole atmosphere of the region was
very dark and gloomy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly, a guy in his early 20s stepped out from
an alley and glared at Daniel. He had short hair, a scar on one cheek, and a
black, leather jacket. Then, he turned slightly to his left and hissed, keeping
a wary (cautious) eye on the Austrian tourist. Someone came running up from
behind him. Now, two young men were facing Daniel, a man in his early 40s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey,” the first man said to Daniel angrily,
“what are you doing on our turf?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was just passing through,” Daniel said,
feeling some fear rising up. He held up a hand to try to calm them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Beat it,” the second gangster said with gritted
teeth. “This our street.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,” Daniel said apologetically. “I’ll leave.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If I ever see your face in this street, I will
…” the first gangster said some vile and crude threats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel shuddered as he turned to leave. He now
realized, from first hand experience, that the large cities of Britain were
much worse than when he was a young man. Daniel remembered this particular
neighborhood from when he was a younger man. Over a decade ago, it didn’t have
any gangs. It used to be a safe neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gangs were starting to overrun many districts of
large European cities such as in Britain, Germany, France, and elsewhere in
Europe. And, crime was escalating more and more. As young people felt no love
from their fathers, they sought love and companionship from a gang. But, they
often ended up in many fist fights and brawls over petty reasons. And, they
also fought other gangs for “turf.” So, the end result was a society of
violence, murder, and chaos. ‘Only God can reach such hardened hearts,’ thought
Daniel. ‘Only God can give a Christian the power to reach such lost souls and
point them to Jesus.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Economic and Crime Problems in Europe (3 of 3)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Protests, marches, and rallies filled Europe’s capitals and
major cities and towns. Soon, the protests began to erode into chaos and
anarchy. Riot police subdued the belligerent people, and brought the riots to
an end, but the problem of unemployment, high prices, and inflation caused many
to cry out to their governments to help. But, some cried out to God, and saw
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">But, even as these difficult times continued, Europe, for the
most part, continued to harden its collective heart against God, defying Him.
The preaching of the Gospel became nearly impossible in most of the cities of
Europe. Hollywood and its sister produced more and more films promoting sodomy,
homosexuality, abortion, adultery, fornication, violence, crime, anarchy, the occult,
rebellion, and other sins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The culture of Europe, especially the people of native European
blood, became more and more like their cousins in America. What their role
models were promoting, they began to promote. What Hollywood and popular
musicians promoted, the people of Europe continued to promote. As the
entertainment industry got more and more filthy and vile, so did the people of
Europe and America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[End of section]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-75510670873884891572019-08-09T20:22:00.001-07:002019-08-10T20:59:46.927-07:00(CHAPTER 2) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapter 2</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/08/chapter-1-adventures-of-matthew.html" target="_blank">(For Chapter 1, click Here.)</a></b></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Introduction</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God that is framed in a story format. Wherever a quote is attributed to God, it truly is a word from God. (Please seek God about this if you are wondering.) The characters taking part in the story are fictional, but the nature of the story is very realistic according to prophecies God has given in recent times. These prophecies do not hold the same weight as the Bible itself, but the Spirit of God reveals truth through the Holy Bible to those who seek Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Though things contained in this story / word of God are strange sounding, they are very realistic and true. Prophecies never make sense to the carnal mind because the carnal mind is at war with God, as Romans chapter 8 says. Take the book of Revelation, for instance. The beginning of the book of Revelation says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[Revelation 1:1-3]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“[1] The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: [2] Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. [3] Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And, yet, the prophecies contained in the holy book of Revelation don’t make sense to the carnal mind. Romans 8:5-7 says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[Romans 8:5-7]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As you read, please consider that these events described are <b>not </b>speculative, purely imaginative, or entirely fictional. And, please consider that the words attributed to God are indeed God’s words. Seek God about this and He will show you the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God bless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Justin Brown (a pen name)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">(August 9, 2019)</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><b>Chapter 2</b></span></u><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Rousset Home. Ginoux, France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;">[<u>Note</u>: Pierre Ricard; Matthew and Sarah
Jeremiah; Jean and Marylise Rousset; and
the three Rousset offspring (Andre, Claude, and Nathalie) are having a Bible
study in the Rousset’s den.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Three hours had passed since Matthew and Sarah
had arrived at the Rousset home. Shortly after the Jeremiahs had come, three
young-adult Rousset “children” had ascended from the basement to meet their
guests. The Jeremiahs visited with Andre, Claude, and Nathalie. They learned
that Andre was 22, Claude: 20, and Nathalie: 18. Then, Pierre Ricard had showed
up 38 minutes after Matthew and Sarah’s arrival. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Pierre had shown up, they had a Bible study and a worship time. Following that,
they had been praying and interceding for France and for specific people in the
government of France. They had also brought all their concerns before God for
the underground Church and for Christians still attending state-ran Churches,
which did not preach the Gospel of salvation only by faith in Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dear Heavenly Father, we ask you to give the
leaders of France a revelation of your love and goodness,” said Nathalie
Rousset, Jean’s only daughter. “We ask that you remove the deception from their
eyes and show them the truth about who Jesus Christ is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She was sitting beside Sarah on a three-person
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Ding-dong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The underground Christians were all seated in a
den </span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(a room used for relaxing and visiting)</span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">, which was connected to a hallway that led into the living room. They
were some distance from the living room, and away from the street and its
noises. This den had a skylight, but the other windows were shuttered. Table
lamps provided light for reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Should we ask God first what we should do?”
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are right, dear,” Jean said, as he paused
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He closed his eyes and spoke with his Heavenly
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Abba Father, what should we do about this knocking?”
Jean said silently. “Whoever it is, is very persistent. Are they secret police?
If so, what should we do?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s kind voice said to Jean, “the
secret police are after you, but don’t be afraid. Do you remember how I showed
you that I shall translate you out of France and bring you to a place to
prepare you for the future?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” Jean whispered. “I remember that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God said with love and certainty, “I
shall translate you like how I translated Philip away from the Ethiopian eunuch
and brought him many miles away from the place where he baptized the man. I
shall do that with the rest of this group and your children too. Now, tell the
others that, and I confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. <u>That is the
test of the spirits you find in 1 John chapter 4</u>. Now, go and tell them
this truth, My son. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Heavenly Father,” Jean said silently.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jean proceeded to tell the group all he had heard
from God, but as he spoke, a clicking sound came from the front door. Then, the
front door swung open quietly, and the sound of feet walking across a tile
floor reached Matthew’s keen (<i>sensitive</i>) ears. He felt fear attack him
strongly, but he quickly rejected it and gave it to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly, a hand grabbed onto the handle of the
den door and pushed it open. Standing in the doorway was a man wearing a dark
business suit and armed with a silenced pistol. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All the Christians froze, feeling the enemy
strike them with fear. The agent, a tall, dark-haired man, had a military crew
cut and a tough-looking, clean-shaven face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am here to place you all under arrest for
conducting an illegal religious meeting,” the agent said firmly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he spoke, a second agent came up from behind
him and drew a silenced pistol. Then, both men stepped into the den. But, as
they did, both agents blinked to clear some dust out of their eyes. When they
had opened their eyes again, the Christians were all gone. Their Bibles had
vanished too. But, the table lamps were still giving off light, and glasses of
water were still resting where they last had been.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dumbfounded, the agents searched the whole room,
looking around, completely baffled by the sudden, miraculous disappearance.
There was no physical explanation for the disappearance of all eight adults.
Both agents knew that their boss would not believe them if he was told about
the miracle. So, the agents both agreed to lie and make up a story that no one
was home when they arrived at the house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And, both tried to convince each other that they
had just been seeing things and that nothing strange had happened. But, deep in
their hearts, they knew that what they had seen was a real miracle of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Francois Israel in Paris, France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a summer day, and spring had just come to
a close. Francois Israel -- a tall Jewish man with brown, curly hair --
approached the entrance of a grocery story in the outskirts of the growing
French capital. Tall, five-story, multi-purpose buildings rose up on either
side of the busy street. Constructed with a modern design, they conserved
materials and used more tinted glass, steel, and recycled materials than
concrete in their construction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the French Christian Jew reached the entrance,
his face was scanned in one second by a facial-recognition device mounted near
the door. The automatic doors opened and admitted him into the store. He was
not on a wanted list, not yet, but he felt some nervousness as he walked
through the store. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Surveillance State (1 of 3)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">High tech
cameras connected to a supercomputer network monitored the entire store.
Miniature cameras and microphones were embedded in key places throughout the
store. They recorded every word spoken. Each word would be transmitted into a
computer code which would be sent to a powerful supercomputer network within
Paris. The words were analyzed by advanced software. If they contained a
perceived threat to the communist government, the supercomputer network would
contact the police and have cameras and microphones try to find who uttered the
“disloyal” or “harmful” words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the
perpetrator was found, which was usually in seconds, he would be tracked
through the store and into the streets of Paris. Security cameras on poles
would follow his movements until police officers were able to apprehend him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he walked through the grocery store, Francois
shuddered at a memory he had of seeing a tough-looking man arrested in a gas
station. The man had been speaking quietly to himself in angry tones about
something. A couple minutes later, the police had suddenly shown up and had
taken him outside the gas station. Francois had noticed a sign hanging up in
the room which had warned that any discourteous or disloyal behavior, speech,
or actions would be dealt with to remove dangerous habits and beliefs from
society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Surveillance State (2 of 3)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The elegant
capital of France no longer had the so-called “care-free” of its “golden
years.” Under a dictatorship appointed by the Russians, France was subjugated
to a powerful surveillance state similar to Xinjiang, China. This regime of oppression
included biometrics-based control and surveillance; audio and video
surveillance; and state-of-the-art mind control. Part of the mind control used
in the <b><u>new </u></b>communist Europe involved
programming, mental deconstruction (the belief that the way people reason must
be decided by the state), coercion, fear, terror, oppression, and the threat of
torture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The communist
puppet states of Europe wanted citizens to believe that how they thought -- how
they determined what was true, and right, and what was wrong -- entirely
depended on how their minds were formed at birth. Propaganda, mind-control
techniques, deception, and communist rhetoric were used with advanced technologies
to convince people that they need the “assistance” of their government in
understanding how to “think properly.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois picked up an apple in the fruit section
and did his best not to whisper. He realized that even his loud whispers could
be recorded by highly sensitive listening devices throughout the business. The
French underground Christian Jew often prayed for people while he went about
his day. Francois knew that he really needed a closer friendship with God. And,
prayer was how he communed with his Friend and God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The crushing, suffocating surveillance states
that existed throughout communist Europe kept people on their toes, so to
speak. It was hard for Francois to go about a day without feeling constant,
nagging thoughts that he was being watched and that anytime now police would
show up to interrogate him. He had already been interrogated by police, but God
had given him the wisdom for how to answer them so that he avoided being sent
off to a “re-education” camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Surveillance State (3 of 3)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At this time,
people began to accept the lies, brainwashing, and deception, they began to
submit themselves to the deception and embrace communist doctrines and
atheistic teachings like never before. The state became the new “god” of many
European people. It handed out food; provided paychecks and state-controlled
jobs; and gave poor people a higher standard of living than what they had
before. As the state provided the people with jobs, money, food, housing, and
other resources, people began to grow very dependent on it for everything.
State-sponsored companies created “jobs” for people who were fired or laid off
from work due to the poor economy of Europe prior to the Russian invasion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the
state-controlled companies popped up all over Europe, privately-owned
enterprises were heavily restricted until they could no longer afford to run.
And, Churches were heavily monitored -- so much so that any pastor who read
from the Bible or who spoke any truth <i>that the state didn’t approve of </i>would
be arrested and sent to “rehabilitation center,” or a “re-education facility.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Christians
began to go “underground” and form secret Churches. But, the secret police of
Europe’s new communist states would seek out these Churches and arrest all who
participated in them. But, in the early years of the new regimes, they would
simply fine the families and individuals involved and warn them not to meet
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">[End of
section]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois Israel placed the apple in his shopping
cart and said <b>silently</b>: “Dear Father God, I need to know what to do. How
can I keep going on like this? We are being oppressed by this corrupt
government. Everything we do on the computer is recorded and anything
suspicious is used against us. We are thrown into concentration camps, beaten,
and tortured. Some of us have been murdered by the state. How can we live like
this, Father God?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God’s kind voice replied, “I am with
you. I love you very much. <b>Seek to know Me much better, and I will reveal
more to you</b>. <b><u>And, I will lead you out of this evil generation, and
have you go where I will send you</u></b>. <b>But, are you willing to suffer
for My Name?” <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois thought about that for a moment as he
looked at various fruits. He tried to appear busy as he talked silently with
God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am willing to suffer for your Name, Father
God,” Francois said. “But, what suffering are you speaking of?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am asking if you are willing to die to
yourself, take up you cross, and follow Me.” God said. “Or, do you want to do
something different than that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Different?” Francois said. “What do you mean by
‘different?’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I mean, My son, do you want to do your own will,
instead of Mine?” God said kindly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I guess I have been kind of selfish, Father
God,” Francois said as he tested the quality of some pears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Do you want to know Me intimately,” God said, “and experience true love, joy,
and peace like never before?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” Francois said almost in a whisper. Then,
he tightened his lips, feeling concerned that the sensitive microphones might
have recorded more than just his “yes.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then, here is what I would like you to do, My
son,” God said tenderly. “<b>I want you to give to Me your will to go about
your day doing your own thing</b>. <b><u>I want you to spend more time reading
My Word, seeking to know Me, loving Me, desiring Me, and realizing that </u></b></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I am all you need</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. But, I know you
can’t do this all by yourself. Your flesh gets in the way. <b><u>How to do this
is to focus on what the Bible says about Me. And, seek to know Me better. Ask
Me to give you a desire for My Word, for Me, and for My ways. That is true.
And, as you do that, you will be blessed</u></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I want to do that,” Francois said silently as he
placed a couple pears in his shopping cart. “Father God, will You give me a
longing for You. Give me love for You and your Word. Give me a desire to know
You much better. I ask this in Jesus Christ’s Name.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your desire shall be granted, My son,” God said
with love and care in His voice. “But, I want you to do this. I want you to go
shopping online instead of in the grocery store. That way, you will avoid
indecently-dressed women, for they are everywhere in Europe. </span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">And, I want you to seek Me about where to go, and when to go. Will you
do that? I will certainly guide you</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Father God,” Francois said. “I will do
that. With your help and guidance, I can do that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is good, My son,” God said gently. “<b>Now,
will you be willing to change your schedule? Will you be willing to quit your
job? And, will you be willing to live in a location I show you?” </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois swallowed hard as he thought about what
God was asking him to do. “Change my schedule, quit my work, leave my
apartment? That is a lot to ask someone, but I am willing to do that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very good,” God said. “I will guide you in all
of that. I will provide you a place to live, and food, and all you need. Now,
go back to your apartment, I recommend, and</span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> seek Me
more about this, and I will bless you.” </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Francois Israel’s Apartment in Paris, France.
2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Francois Israel}</span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back at his apartment on the outskirts of Paris,
Francois stepped into a walk-in closet and turned on an overhead light. He shut
the door and sat down on a folding chair. In this sanctuary, the underground
Christian sought God and asked Him many questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, after some time of seeking God, reading the
Bible, and praying, Francois left the closet and began making preparations to
move from his Paris apartment and put a five-day notice in at his work. Since
unemployment was so high in France, it would be easy for his employer to find
someone else to take Francois’s job as a waiter. And, Francois knew that his
apartment lease would expire in a week. He would not renew it. The place God
had told him to move to was the home of his dad, Judah Joseph Israel, who lived
in the countryside of France. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">______________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Like
his son Francois, Judah Joseph Israel was an evangelical Christian Jew who
attended underground Churches. He lived in a remote part of France alone. But,
he had God and a relationship with God that was growing deeper and deeper by
the day.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Like
his son, Judah knew that Christians like Corrie Ten-Boom had helped Jewish
people escape from Nazi Europe during the holocaust of World War 2. Both Judah
and Francois Israel were lovers of their fellow Jewish people and supported
Israel’s right to exist in the promised land. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">They
knew that the word “Christian” often caused Jewish people they met to cringe.
But, the wicked Nazis and other evil people <b>were <u>not </u>Christians </b>in any sense of the word. <b><u>The true
followers of Jesus were taught to love their enemies, do good to those who did
wrong to them, and show compassion and forgiveness toward their enemies, as the
Lord Jesus (Yeshua) the Messiah Himself both did and taught</u></b>. Judah and
Francois knew that hatred toward the Jews was the old, devilish plot of past
autocrats and leaders, such as Haman; and some satraps of Persia during
Daniel’s time; and King Herod who sought to kill Jesus Christ; and Hitler; and
many others.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” God had said to Francois while he was
seeking Him in the closet, “I am having you move in with your dad since he
needs your encouragement, and you need his. And, I will prepare both of you for
leaving France. I have just the right way of moving you out of harm and into a
place of joy and safety. <b><u>But, even in difficult times, I give joy and
safety. For, I am Love, and I am the Source of Joy, Peace, and Happiness. It
all comes from Me</u>. </b>I know it is humiliating to return to the place you
grew up as a child, but I will prepare you for great things. Follow My leading,
and you will be safe. I love you very much, and I the LORD your God and Abba
Father have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he sat on his metal folding chair in the
walk-in closet, Francois pursed his lips in deep thought. He could see boxes of
stuff resting on the narrow shelves in the closet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What will I do with all this stuff?” Francois
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Give it away to second-hand stores,” God said
kindly. “Give it all away if you don’t need it. But, just take what you need
and go to your dad’s house. I will bless you for that, My son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have some valuable things, Father God,”
Francois said with a little protest in his tone. “I have an autographed
football (i.e. soccer ball).” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“My son, are you willing to give up all that you
have in order to have something much better?” </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God said kindly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Francois felt his world drop out from under him,
for a moment, but then peace began to sweep into his soul. He realized God was
going to truly bless him for denying himself and forsaking anything that would
keep him from doing God’s best will. Joy began to slip into his heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, <u>Father God</u>,” Francois said, “I want
to surrender it all to you. You can have it. <u>I will give all this stuff to
you and just place it into your hands</u>. <b><u>All
that matters is knowing you intimately and doing your will</u></b>.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>I am pleased with you, My son</u>,” </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God’s kind voice said. <b>“</b>Now, go and prepare for your expedition
to your dad’s house. <b><u>And, I will bless you for all you do in obedience to
Me, My son. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.</u>”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-1972816840912303972019-08-09T19:34:00.000-07:002019-08-09T20:22:44.189-07:00(CHAPTER 1) The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in Europe (A Novel / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn67eMzNpdRqGPCd2AsdOk8KD1jsIDedBdJA7G-xBFX1M_Y2CrJ2A_hsWD62ZJjbgh2g_Uk028254sDnF38JmHP_yr1r8TRg5IkVtESKthQMfZ0EZ6cILPoZK4NR_M990-JJMQJNsrvU4/s1600/The+Adventures+of+Matthew+Jeremiah+in+Europe+%2528Cover%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1077" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn67eMzNpdRqGPCd2AsdOk8KD1jsIDedBdJA7G-xBFX1M_Y2CrJ2A_hsWD62ZJjbgh2g_Uk028254sDnF38JmHP_yr1r8TRg5IkVtESKthQMfZ0EZ6cILPoZK4NR_M990-JJMQJNsrvU4/s640/The+Adventures+of+Matthew+Jeremiah+in+Europe+%2528Cover%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;">Matthew Jeremiah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30pt;">in <b><u>Europe</u>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b>The Sister of Babylon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30pt;"><i>Chapter 1</i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></span><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 40px; text-align: left;">_________________________________</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Europe Shall Face Hardship</b><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">)</b></div>
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<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.}</div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The characters are fictional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">but what shall happen in <b>Europe </b>and <b>America's future </b>is <b>not fictional</b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Please seek God about this story / document and about the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">America and Europe will both soon experience</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> very challenging times in the years ahead.</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Introduction</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a word from God that is framed in a story format. Wherever a quote is attributed to God, it truly is a word from God. (Please seek God about this if you are wondering.) The characters taking part in the story are fictional, but the nature of the story is very realistic according to prophecies God has given in recent times. These prophecies do not hold the same weight as the Bible itself, but the Spirit of God reveals truth through the Holy Bible to those who seek Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Though things contained in this story / word of God are strange sounding, they are very realistic and true. Prophecies never make sense to the carnal mind because the carnal mind is at war with God, as Romans chapter 8 says. Take the book of Revelation, for instance. The beginning of the book of Revelation says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[Revelation 1:1-3]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“[1] The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: [2] Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. [3] Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And, yet, the prophecies contained in the holy book of Revelation don’t make sense to the carnal mind. Romans 8:5-7 says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[Romans 8:5-7]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As you read, please consider that these events described are <b>not </b>speculative, purely imaginative, or entirely fictional. And, please consider that the words attributed to God are indeed God’s words. Seek God about this and He will show you the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God bless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Justin Brown (a pen name)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">(August 9, 2019)</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;"><b>Chapter 1</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Outskirts of Paris, France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">[Note: All the dates and years in this </span></u></i></b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">story /
documentary / message from God <b><i>are fictional. The timing of these events
could be much sooner than 2034 or 2038 A.D.]</i></b></span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A Caucasian man stepped out of a house in the
outskirts of Paris, France. Turning his head left and then right, Matthew
Jeremiah, a 42-year-old American, stepped onto a sidewalk, leaving the house
behind. He was of average height and build, and had brown, 3-cm-long hair and a
short beard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Matthew made himself walk unhurriedly down the street, distancing himself from
the house where he had just met with a handful of underground Christians. Forty
minutes later, his wife Sarah would leave the house. Then, another friend of
theirs would follow after more time had elapsed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he walked, high-tech surveillance cameras
monitored his every move. Biometric software and databases of information
collected on him enabled supercomputers to identify him as he moved about. They
could also “predict” his next actions with 65 percent accuracy. Thanks to God’s
protection, he had avoided being caught and sent to a concentration camp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, Matthew felt a little wary whenever he saw
communist police patrols walking along sidewalks. They often would stop him to
ask if he was a native of Paris, and if not, they asked why he was visiting the
capital of France. After questioning him a little, they would let him go. He
knew that he couldn’t take the same route, or the police might get suspicious.
So, Matthew headed toward an alley between two four-storied brick buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he did, he was not aware that a surveillance
drone was following his movements from high up in the air. This automated drone
was a type of robot that conducted surveillance on unsuspecting citizens and
foreigners in France. It could report their movements to a network of
supercomputers which were hooked up to all the surveillance cameras and devices
in the towns and cities of France. With this near-total surveillance in the big
towns and cities, Christians found it very hard to avoid being caught by the
communist police. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Matthew walked, he prayed for protection from
the cameras, which could identify his name and all his information. He also
prayed for the protection of his brothers and sisters in Christ. Then, the
drone, which he was unaware of, lost interest in him and flew off toward
another part of the city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew walked for about a mile, in a meandering
fashion, before he reached the front door of a small, brick house on the edge
of Paris. The yard was very small, but well groomed. And, the house appeared to
be almost a hundred years old. But, it was well-maintained and occupied a lot
between two similar homes. So, it was a nondescript location. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He approached the front door and knocked three
times. Tap. Tap. Tap. Then, he waited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After half a minute had passed, the door hinged
open and a hand beckoned him in. He stepped inside a living room area that was
neat and tidy, but small. Standing there before him was a French man who wore
glasses, had freckles on his cheeks, and had short, brown hair. He was of
average build, like Matthew, and appeared happy to see him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Welcome, Matthew,” the man said, smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pierre, it is good to see you,” the American
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pierre Ricard was a 34-year-old Frenchman and an
underground Christian, like Matthew. He was a little younger than Matthew
Jeremiah, but he maintained a close friendship with the American. Both spoke
fluent French and saw eye-to-eye on many issues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How would you like some tea or something to
drink, like juice?” Pierre said as he closed the front door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll have some licorice tea,” Matthew said,
smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How was the meeting?” Pierre said with some
curiosity, knowing that he was referring to the underground Bible study
meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It was good. We were edified and blessed, and we
had a couple new Christians join us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“New Christians?” Pierre said. “Did you ask God
if they are truly trustworthy believers?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,” Matthew said, shaking his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They could be spies working for the government.
We need to be very careful, Matthew,” Pierre said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t have a cell phone,” Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Neither do I,” Pierre added. “Cell phones can be
used to listen in on conversations, including ones that were done away from the
cell phone. If you leave a cell phone in a room, authorities can record all
that you say and store the date in a supercomputer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s right,” Matthew said. “That is why I don’t
use cell phones or even own one.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good idea,” Pierre said. “I know of several
people who have been arrested for indiscriminate use of their phones. They
revealed too much information, and the authorities came for them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is bad. But, let us relax, my friend. Why
don’t we pray for some of our concerns?” Matthew said, trying to change the
mood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is a good idea,” Pierre said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The two men sat down in the living room, and
turned their attention to their Heavenly Father, and sought His will, and
lifted up their concerns to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Paris, France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pierre, would you care to mail me a <b>paper </b>letter
where you give me the address to your next meeting place -- that is, once you
have determined the place?” said Matthew Jeremiah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pierre Ricard was sitting in a study room at a
desk before an old computer that <b><i>was </i></b>brand new in 2010. The
machine was somewhat sluggish, but it functioned for its purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Turning around in his chair, Pierre glanced at the
brown-haired, bearded American and shook his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is against my protocol, Matthew,” Pierre
said with some anxiety in his voice. “It is dangerous to share too much
information through the underground network. We compartmentalize info to
protect people. And, we often go by code names. For instance, I am called ‘Tech.’
One of our teachers is called ‘Eagle.’ We can’t give away too much information
too soon.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then, how will I know where to find you for your
next prayer meeting?” Matthew Jeremiah said, leaning forward in the old,
1980s-vintage couch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will meet you at a predetermined spot,” Pierre
said, “such as a certain road sign on a country road outside of Paris. There, I
will give you the instructions for the secret meeting. But, we must not speak
of any of this over the phone, by internet, in a city, or through the mail. The
government checks every paper letter mailed by people it is slightly suspicious
of. We must not speak of it in public, either, for the PDRF secret police and
their spies are everywhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Continued below]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Modern Europe Under Communist Rule (1 of 3)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The <u style="text-underline: words;">People’s Democratic Republic
of France </u>is a fictional name for the communistic regime that replaced the
government of France following an invasion by Russia and its allies into
non-Russian Europe. After America’s destruction by multiple nuclear bombs,
poison gas, deadly biological weapons, and other powerful agents of death,
America was gone from the face of the earth. God had judged the wicked country
for its great sins that mounted up to heaven like the sins of Sodom and
Gomorrah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Abortion, homosexuality, false-Christianity, and many
perversions were strongly promoted in false churches throughout America during <b><i>Barack
Obama’s third </i></b>and <b><i>fourth terms </i></b>ruling America. Due to the
great sins committed by America, the country was judged by horrific nuclear,
biological, and poison gas attacks from Russia, China, and a host of other
nations, which invaded America following the attack. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[Continued below]</span></i><i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paris, France (Continued)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That reminds me of how America got placed under <b>Obama’s
<i>third </i></b>and <b><i>fourth presidential terms</i></b>,” Matthew Jeremiah
said before he stood up and began slowly pacing around the study.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I remember reading about Obama’s return to the
White House,” Pierre said, “his crackdown on Christians, and his laws requiring
pastors to preach in favor of homosexuality and “trans-gender” dogma. But, that
was all before World War 3 started and America was destroyed by nuclear strikes
and poison gases.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Framed pictures of French countryside ornamented
the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bookshelf contained books on
gardening, forestry, craftsmanship, survival, and other things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you remember what Russia was like before
Vladimir Putin came to power?” Matthew said as Pierre browsed through a
document saved on his computer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The younger man looked to the left as he thought
for a moment. Then, he said, “The current president of Russia is <i>Boris
Kamarlov </i>[i.e. a fictional person]. I think I remember reading how Putin
came into power in 1999, or something like that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I forgot how long ago 1999 was,” Matthew said,
shaking his head at his mistake. “I was born in 1996. You must have been born
in 2009 or something like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That was a long time ago, Matt. But, I was born
in January 2004. I am now 34 years old. You must be at least 42 or 43.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m 42,” Matthew said, smiling slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Modern Europe Under Communist Rule (2 of 3)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">America, the most powerful country during the 1970s and into the
early 2000s, ceased to exist as a country, and the whole world was in complete
shock at its collapse and destruction. Then, NATO crumbled into powder and fell
almost overnight. Its power had been based almost entirely on the might of
America, and now that the powerful country was no more, there was no backbone
to support NATO. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Consisting of a hodgepodge of many European countries with
different cultures, customs, languages, and geopolitical motives, NATO members
did not want to send tanks and troops into the defense of other nations when
their own countries were being attacked by Russian bombers, missiles, and
submarines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">NATO shut down, and its member nations went into defense mode,
but they were easily defeated by the superior numbers and weaponry of Vladimir
Putin’s powerful military. Greatly increased in numbers and in military
technology since Obama’s return to the White House, the Russian military was
ready for a fight with Europe. With the assistance of China, Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan, Belarus, eastern Ukraine, Crimea, Kosovo, Turkey, Iran, and Armenia
-- Russia was able to punch Europe’s army, navy, and air force to the ground. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paris, France (Continued)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And, I’ll try to remember your year of birth
from now on. If I keep forgetting your age, then you might have to wear a
badge,” Matthew said, jokingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No need to feel bad about it, Matthew,” Pierre
said. “Everyone makes mistakes. Let’s just pray that God keeps us from making
mistakes when it comes to our underground meetings and such things.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Following God’s Spirit will keep us from making
foolish mistakes,” Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re right,” Pierre said more seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Modern Europe Under Communist Rule (3 of 3)</span></b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Russia’s new super tanks knocked out the aging European tanks as
if they were made of tin cans and duct tape. Since Europe’s budgets for its
individual armies, navies, and air forces were very inadequate for the size and
population of Europe, the continent was a sitting duck. Russia and its allies
only had to pluck Europe from its vine and make use of its manpower, resources,
and vast wealth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[End of section]</span></i><i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paris, France (Continued)</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You look troubled, Pierre,” Matthew said as he
approached his friend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, this topic has brought to mind the
terrible news I heard back three weeks ago,” Pierre said gravely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What news?” Matthew said quietly as he watched
his friend’s face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My sister and her husband,” Pierre said softly, “and
their house Church had been arrested by the PDRF secret police [<i>i.e. a
fictional name for the communist French secret police</i>] and taken to an
internment camp in the French countryside. People like that typically stay
indefinitely, unless they renounce all things to do with Jesus Christ as their
personal Leader and Guide.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is too bad. We can pray for them,” Matthew
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” Pierre said, “let’s pray for them. But, I
wish I could do something to rescue them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I believe God answers prayers,” Matthew said. “He
cares more deeply about them than even you do. After all, He created them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pierre sighed. “You’re right. Let’s pray.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Rousset Home. Ginoux, France. 2038 A.D. </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{Matthew Jeremiah}</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rap. Rap. Rap. The sound of knocking came from
the front door of Jean Rousset’s (pronounced Zhawn Rew-say’) house in the town
of Ginoux, France. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">[</span></i><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Note</span></u></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">: Ginoux, France is a fictional
town in this story.] </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who could that be?” Marylise Rousset asked her
husband as he walked past her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I think it is someone we are expecting, dear,”
Jean said briefly before hurrying over to the front door in his living room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He peaked through the spy hole and then opened
the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Standing outside was a man with a short, brown
beard. He was dressed in black, somewhat-baggy, relaxed-fit trousers and a blue
collared shirt. And, he wore a backpack. At his side was a blonde-haired woman
wearing a long, modest skirt with a tucked in, modest, baggy shirt or blouse.
Her dress had a pattern displaying flowers and her blouse was light blue. Both
the man and woman appeared to be in their early 40s or late 30s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello,” Jean said as he clutched the door
handle. “Who might you be?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am Matthew Jeremiah and this is my wife Sarah,”
Matthew said, smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Matthew and Sarah,” Jean said quietly to
himself, trying to remember if he had heard of them before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh yes,” Jean said, smiling, “I remember now. I
had been given a letter telling me about you. You are a believer. Come on in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew and Sarah entered the living room, and
Marylise came from the kitchen carrying a tray filled with croissants. She set
it down on a coffee table and greeted the visitors. Then, she went back into
the kitchen to fetch a pitcher of water and some glasses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are we the first to arrive for the Bible study?”
Matthew asked Jean. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, you are,” Jean Rousset said. “We can expect
the next visitors to arrive in half an hour from now. By the way, did you park
your car nearby?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, we came by taxi, and walked two blocks,”
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is wise,” Jean said, sitting on another
sofa. “Cars can be tracked. Do you have a cell phone?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t,” Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t either,” Jean said. “Phones tend to be
too distracting, but they also serve to spy on us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Have you had trouble from the police?” Matthew
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not yet,” Jean said, “but someone we know was
arrested.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Really?” Matthew said. “How long ago was this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“About a week ago,” Jean said, rubbing his chin,
in thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A House Church. Suburb of Paris, France. 2038 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">.</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stand up and raise your hands!” a loud voice
commanded from near the front door of a small house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Several people stiffened and inhaled quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A man wearing a suit jacket and black trousers,
armed with a pistol, was standing in the living room. He was facing a group of
10 adults and several teens sitting on couches around the living room. They had
Bibles resting on their laps or on lamp stands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Two other men dressed in business suits entered
the room and drew out pistols from concealed holsters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is this about?” a man with dark hair and a
mustache said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are conducting an illegal religious meeting,”
the man with the gun said. “Religious meetings can only happen in an official
church which has been approved by the Office of Religious and Social Affairs [<i>i.e.
a fictional name</i>].” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How is this wrong?” the mustached man said with
some frustration in his voice. “We are just meeting to talk about the Bible. We
are not plotting anything against the government.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You have the right to remain silent,” the secret
police officer said coldly and firmly. “Raise your hands and stand up!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With a little reluctance, the Christians stood
and raised their hands. Handcuffs were snapped around their wrists, and they
were led out the front door and into several police vans. Men were placed into
one van, and women were placed in another. Then, the vehicles started up and drove
off down the street, heading toward a prison. From the prison, the Christians
would be taken to separate internment / concentration camps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/p/the-adventures-of-matthew-jeremiah-in.html" target="_blank">Click Here for the <b>TABLE of CONTENTS</b></a><br />
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{Links to the Story Chapters are found in the <b>Table of Contents</b> Page.} </div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-15851045680342438552019-07-10T02:12:00.000-07:002019-07-10T08:13:12.962-07:00 The Adventures of Matthew Jeremiah in New Babylon (Obama Shall Return to the White House) (A Story / Word from God)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>Adventures</b> of <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 30.0pt;">Matthew Jeremiah </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 30.0pt;">in <b>New Babylon</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><b>__________________________________</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">(Obama Shall Return </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>to the White House)</b></span></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SFcmxjY99mB0bXZQluyKCn3eGXPjW4a-/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">[PRINT DOCUMENT HERE (in PDF).]</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">This is a word from God written in the format of a story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">The characters are fictional, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">but what shall happen in America’s future is not</span></u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">. <u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">Please seek God about this document and about the <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">messages that are presented in it. God will reveal the truth to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">America is in for some very interesting times in the years ahead.</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Introduction</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is a word from God that is framed in a story
format. Wherever a quote is attributed to God, it truly is a word from God. (Please
seek God about this if you are wondering.) The characters taking part in the
story are fictional, but the nature of the story is very realistic according to
prophecies God has given in recent times. These prophecies do not hold the same
weight as the Bible itself, but the Spirit of God reveals truth through the
Holy Bible to those who seek Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Though things contained in this story / word of
God are strange sounding, they are very realistic and true. Prophecies never
make sense to the carnal mind because the carnal mind is at war with God, as
Romans chapter 8 says. Take the book of Revelation, for instance. The beginning
of the book of Revelation says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Revelation 1:1-3]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“[1] The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew
unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and
signified it by his angel unto his servant John: [2] Who bare record of the
word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he
saw. [3] Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at
hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And, yet, the prophecies contained in the holy
book of Revelation don’t make sense to the carnal mind. Romans 8:5-7 says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Romans 8:5-7] <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the
flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to
be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7]
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law
of God, neither indeed can be.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As you read, please consider that these events
described are not speculative, purely imaginative, or entirely fictional. And,
please consider that the words attributed to God are indeed God’s words. Seek
God about this and He will show you the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God bless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Justin Brown (a pen name)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">(July 10, 2019)</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><u>Judgment</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Washington D.C., America. 2034 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Note: All the dates and years in this </span></u></i></b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">story / documentary / message from God <b><i>are fictional. The timing
of these events could be much sooner than 2034 A.D.]<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A missile rushed through the atmosphere three
thousand miles above the continent of North America. The conical warhead
section broke off from its cylindrical body once the missile had begun to
descend toward the land thousands of miles below it. Zooming down toward the
earth, the heat-resistant projectile began to glow cherry red as it rushed
through the earth’s upper atmosphere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In less than three minutes, the hypersonic
warhead screamed through the atmosphere and came to an altitude of 300 feet
above the city of <b>Washington D.C.</b>, the capital city of America. In a
blinding flash of light, the nuclear warhead exploded before it had dropped to
290 feet in altitude. A powerful concussion wave, blinding light, and intense,
radioactive heat struck the skyscrapers, government buildings, and businesses
in the heart of the city, turning them into charred rubble and ashes, almost in
an instant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The core of the city was reduced to ruins in less
than five seconds after the blast. Just as hot ashes were rising up into the
air with the convections currents that followed the nuclear blast, a second and
then a third nuclear warhead detonated, creating fireballs of light brighter
than 5,000 suns. The afternoon summer sunlight became dim by comparison. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the nuclear warheads detonated over the city,
the entire town was turned to piles of broken concrete, charred splinters,
droplets of melted glass, twisted pieces of steel, and mangled cars. Everything
that once spoke of opulence and glory lay in ruins, and the glorious city of <b>Washington
D.C. </b>was no more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">America’s air force bases, army bases, and naval
installations had been struck minutes before the capital of the vast country
had been obliterated and wiped off the face of the earth by powerful hypersonic
weapons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Matthew’s House. America. 2031 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pine trees swayed gently in a light breeze
and finches chirped from the branches, creating a peaceful environment for
Matthew Jeremiah to enjoy a stroll through the woods that surrounded his rural
home. Here in the wilderness miles from the large town of <b>Carpathia</b>, in
the province of <b>Augusta</b>, in <b>America, </b>Matthew was able to seek God
without the concern that gangs would try to do harm to him and his wife. Here,
in nature, he could seek God and feel more at rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT3kqf52spYluwZCa4tyTKr1XETtiuNI22xYWxA1up7PgWYcs2-G86AVHPfFb1j_xddzhKxjew-gHOLPNqBuWlpVjeGyOuETRYXsFEOnwiBxCf7QcVX35AA99ny2LW-mbqcA8qWil-ow/s1600/Matthew+Jeremiah+-forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="956" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT3kqf52spYluwZCa4tyTKr1XETtiuNI22xYWxA1up7PgWYcs2-G86AVHPfFb1j_xddzhKxjew-gHOLPNqBuWlpVjeGyOuETRYXsFEOnwiBxCf7QcVX35AA99ny2LW-mbqcA8qWil-ow/s320/Matthew+Jeremiah+-forest.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The violence had spread to every city, making it
unsafe to go out once the sun had begun to set. Gangs repeatedly killed, stole,
and destroyed property among other crimes. The live in the cities and towns was
very hard for a Christian. Laws had been passed banning Christians from
evangelizing. Other laws had come into force, making it illegal for pastors to
refuse to preach in favor of homosexuality. They were forced to speak in favor
of it. If they didn’t comply, they would be arrested, and their congregations
would be forced to accept a government-appointed “pastor” who would preach in
favor of homosexuality, “trans-gender” lifestyles, and other ungodly
lifestyles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Walking down a narrow path through the forest,
Matthew looked at the pines swaying in the breeze and spoke to God in a
personal way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Abba Father God,” <b>Matthew </b>said, “how did
it come to this? How did America go from not accepting homosexuality to
embracing it and promoting it from the pulpits of false pastors?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Note: The following quotes attributed to God are
actually words from God. Seek God about this if you wonder.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” <b>God’s </b>gentle <b>voice </b>said
quietly, “I am with you. I love you very much. What I will tell you is this.
America has become very evil indeed, and this happened due to all her sins from
the past few hundred years. America broke its promises to the Indians or Native
Americans, and took their land from them little by little. Over the years,
America went from giving Me a form of reverence to outright rejecting My laws,
removing My commandments, and forsaking the reading of My Word, the Bible.
After a time, America cast out all that remained of decency and godliness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Women began to show off their bodies in public.
Men began to promote sodomy or homosexuality, as it is called, and they began
to corrupt themselves more and more. Then, the homosexuals began to become more
militant and forced people to accept their evil manner of living to the point
where laws were passed through congress and made nationwide the law of the
land. These laws forced pastors to preach in favor of sodomy or homosexuality,
against what My Words says is right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“For, I say in My Word, the Bible, that those who
do with men what men do with their wives are committing a great sin. Men going
into a bed together and living in such a state of immorality is worse than
fornication between a man and a woman. And, promoting it to others is even
worse than doing it in secret, for it affects the whole culture. Fornication
between a man and a woman is very evil. But, sodomy or homosexuality is even
worse still, for I never created men to marry men, or women to marry women.
That is an abomination to Me. Those who commit such unrighteous acts shall
surely perish in Hell if they refuse to repent. But, I will warn them and plead
with them to repent, out of My mercy and compassion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, if they refuse to repent,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would not be just to let them continue in
their wickedness. Surely, they will have to be judged with destruction and
fire. That is correct, My son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">said, “Father God,
why did the sodomites get to do this in America? What brought them out of the
closets?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son,” <b>God’s </b>kind <b>voice </b>said, “the
sodomites saw that America had embraced the bikini, which is really a modified
pair of underwear. Since America embraced immorality in their beaches and
parks, sodomites became emboldened to promote their immorality to America. And,
America also embraced the murder of innocent people -- the killing of babies in
the womb. Millions of Americans have been murdered since the inception of
legalized abortion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Due to these ungodly things, sodomy has become
accepted by the vast majority of Americans, who have already accepted the
bikini and the murder of babies. Due to this, America has become even more
depraved. Children can now marry adults in sodomite and sexual unions if the
children have the consent of their parents and are at least as old as age 12, the
age of puberty for girls. This abomination took place under the reign of Obama
who came back into power after Donald Trump was removed from power in a coup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKp00u6eUK-tRZmwN3A8f5faKo7P7ypRafW_mD1naSoksKFkceK0CmAx7OxQYirJYNrKbW33-r7f1usoWAcT6iAAU8oLbHpQW927-nQAFbhGyUyK3z9XzjbNczTPiTARAGrQgW4gmGnp4/s1600/Matthew+Jeremiah+-+temperature+gage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="474" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKp00u6eUK-tRZmwN3A8f5faKo7P7ypRafW_mD1naSoksKFkceK0CmAx7OxQYirJYNrKbW33-r7f1usoWAcT6iAAU8oLbHpQW927-nQAFbhGyUyK3z9XzjbNczTPiTARAGrQgW4gmGnp4/s200/Matthew+Jeremiah+-+temperature+gage.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Obama came back into power through a coup in
order to turn up the heat on Christians and in order to promote his wicked
agendas to America. He promoted gay “marriages,” sodomy, “trans-gender”
lifestyles, the “marriage” of boys and girls to sodomites, the promotion of “marriage”
to animals, and other wicked and vile things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When a nation gets evil, it never stops in its
evil doings or perversions. It just gets worse. Now, wearing clothing is
optional in public. Now, going to government centers for food distribution is
required for people to survive under the severe food shortages, famines, and economic
problems sweeping through America. Now, hunger is bringing some people to turn
back to Me, and repent, and seek Me during this terrible time for America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“America has become full of evil and abominable
idolatries, fornications, thefts, murders, witchcrafts, and all kinds of
abominations. It is like a cage full of every unclean and hateful bird. It is a
trap full of devils and demons. It is a graveyard full of walking skeletons and
dead people who walk about pretending things will go on forever, but they shall
not. I shall judge this wicked land for all its abominations that take place
now and that took place in the past. I shall cut down America with a powerful
blow of My axe to its roots. Like John the Baptist said, the axe shall be laid
to the root of the tree, and it shall fall. It shall be cast into everlasting
fire prepared for the devil and his angels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew, My son, because you have sought Me
fervently and wanted to know Me intimately, and have not placed your trust in
your works, I shall deliver you from Babylon. Follow Me, and go where I lead
you, and drive where I send you, and I will bless you, My son.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where do you want Me to go?” Matthew asked,
breathing in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son, do you believe I can do miracles?” God’s
voice said gently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” Matthew said. “You parted the Red Sea in
the Gulf of Aqaba. You fed the children of Israel with manna for 40 years. You
raised Lazarus to life when he had been dead for a few days. I believe you can
do anything, Father God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then,” God said to him, “will you believe Me to
translate you from your house out in the country over to a wilderness area
where I have prepared an ‘ark’ for your family?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew said, “Like you translated Philip from
the Ethiopian eunuch after Philip had baptized him in the book of Acts?” [See <b><u>Acts
8:36-40</u></b>.]<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is right, My son,” God said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I believe you can do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you believe I will do that?” God’s voice
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew paused for a moment to think about the
ramifications of that question. Then, he said, “Yes, I believe you will do that
if that is your will. It seems you want to do that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">said, “Get your
wife and your friends together in the basement of your house and have a prayer
time. Seek Me and fast from food for that period of time as you seek Me. Have
water, but fast from food so you are not looking away from Me as you seek to
know Me better. <u>You are <b>not </b>working for Me</u>. You are just seeking
Me and preparing your hearts for being translated to a place of refuge in the
wilderness where I will provide for you like I did for the children of Israel
in the wilderness of Sinai, in the land of Arabia.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll do that, Abba Father,” Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Matthew’s Basement. America. 2031 A.D</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">. </span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew and Sarah Jeremiah and their friends --
Steven and Nancy Bartholomew, their teenagers; and David and Shelly
Springfield, and their older children -- were gathered in Matthew’s basement
for a prayer time. Matthew had informed them what God had recently told him
about translation. The Christians had been praying for a few hours as the Holy
Spirit guided them. The older children also prayed and joined in with the
adults in the worship, prayer, and Bible reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A fervent Spirit of intercession, prayer, and
love for God was upon the group. Each soul felt a deep desire to know God more
intimately, to fellowship with God, and grow in the grace and knowledge of
Jesus Christ, the Savior of all who believe on Him whether Jew or Gentile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As this time of worship was going on at Matthew’s
country home, six vans drove down the long, gravel driveway leading to the
house. They were unmarked, white panel vans. Inside two of the vans were two
teams made up of seven serial killers and hardened mercenaries whose jobs
included killing for hire, kidnapping, armed robbery, drug smuggling, and other
crimes. These same thugs had been hired by a private security company to kidnap
the Christians and sell them to the corrupt government that was running the
America of 2031. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.5pt;">The Coming of Scorpion Sting<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">[<b>Note</b>: The Scorpion Sting Organization is
a fictional crime organization. Though this gang is fictional, it is not
fictional that the government will hunt down Christians and arrest them for “breaking”
the law of the land. It will be illegal to meet together for “religious” purposes
outside of an established “church” building. But, established, so-called “churches”
will be so corrupt that they will promote sodomy and homosexuality due to Obama’s
future laws.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMeI3zkLvM8On4ctoVowWnWtkHfyII2kmrqPMpQRq1MeXlOiyCAqkyRoR2kVZkhjirxbgY5F-RQoKv44wLqU9vajtunqcWZYwIW4KhzI8SI_NRyFZ2C1x5p_mctHhwrK04UCxH0sF4FM/s1600/Matthew+Jeremiah+-+White+Van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="848" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMeI3zkLvM8On4ctoVowWnWtkHfyII2kmrqPMpQRq1MeXlOiyCAqkyRoR2kVZkhjirxbgY5F-RQoKv44wLqU9vajtunqcWZYwIW4KhzI8SI_NRyFZ2C1x5p_mctHhwrK04UCxH0sF4FM/s320/Matthew+Jeremiah+-+White+Van.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The vans soon reached the three-story, tan house
which had a single-story guest house nearby and a detached garage with a
finished upstairs living space. A large lawn surrounded the house and merged
with a surrounding forest that covered the landscape. A few cars were parked
before the smallish mansion. Seeing them, the drivers of the white panel vans
pulled up behind the cars to block their escape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, the side doors slid open and the two teams
of gangsters quietly came out. Each gangster wore nigh vision goggles and had
fully automatic machine pistols with multiple clips. With skill and precision,
they carefully crept toward the house and formed a perimeter around it to
ensure that no Christians escaped their trap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, their main leader gave a command over their
radio headsets, and the teams moved into action. Half of the men remained
behind, hiding in the woods, while the rest moved toward the house and drew out
glass cutters. There was no need to waste time with doors. Making some cuts in
the glass windows, <i>Mamba </i>-- a wiry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>gangster with a snake tattoo on his forehead and short, brown hair --
breached a window. He crawled through the window after carefully removing a
rectangular piece of glass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Inside the house, Mamba drew his silenced uzi
machine pistol and cocked the weapon. He turned left and right, observing that
he was in a laundry room. A washing machine and a dryer were resting up against
the left wall. The gangster pushed open a white door at the other end of the
room and found himself in a red-carpeted hallway. He took the hallway slowly,
glancing every which way to make sure no one was hiding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Right behind him came a second crook called <i>Grizzly</i>.
Grizzly was a big man weighing 270. Made of muscle and with a thirst for a
fight, the tough gangster could punch out anyone he encountered who threatened
him in any way. He was completely bald on his head, but he wore a black goatee
and mustache around his mouth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the two gangsters made their way down the
hall, Mamba noticed a door to the left. He slowly turned the door knob and
cracked it open. A set of stairs descended to the basement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Should we go this way?” Grizzly whispered loudly
from behind him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I want to see what is down here,” Mamba said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The two hurried down the stairs, but tried to be
quiet as they went. Soon, they found themselves in a finished basement hallway.
The hallway lights were on, but the doors were shut all along the corridor. So,
the two gangsters flipped up their night vision goggles and carefully began
opening doors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and peeking into the
rooms. After quietly opening and closing three doors, they came to a blue door
near the end of the hallway and noticed sound coming through it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mamba placed his ear up against the door and
listened. His accomplish looked on curiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What do you hear?” Grizzly said. “Are there
people in there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shh,” Mamba said. “I’m trying to make out what
they are saying.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s clean their clocks,” Grizzly said gruffly.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shh,” Mamba said, irritated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Praise Jesus!” a man said from within the room. “Praise
the One who saved us from our sins. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving us
life, salvation, and your Presence. We give you glory for all you have done.
And, we ask that you will prepare your Church for Heaven. Prepare your Bride
for seeing you in all your beauty when we reach Heaven. May we love you, honor
you, and serve you, desiring to know you deeper and deeper, dear Abba Father.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will teach those Christians a lesson,” Mamba
said coldly as he grabbed the door handle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The door swung open and slammed into a door stop,
and in came the two thugs. But, no people could be seen in the room. The lights
were on. Couches surrounded the perimeter of a large, windowless living area.
Shaded lamps sat on lamp stands about the room, but no people could be seen.
Depressions in the couches indicated they had been sat in recently. Plastic
cups filled with water were stationed about the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where did they all go?” Mamba said, shocked and
surprised to see no one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You were hearing things. Your on something, aren’t
you?” Grizzly said, pushing the shorter man with frustration. “Why don’t you
get smart, Mamba and use good judgment?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mamba wheeled around and pointed his gun at the
larger man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I do use good judgment,” he said angrily before
cussing at his accomplice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey,” Grizzly said, “I didn’t mean to hurt your
feelings.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hurt my feeling?” Mamba said. “You’re treating
me as if I was a child.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, you are rather short and ugly,” Grizzly
said, grinning with a mocking look in his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is the last straw,” Mamba said before
pulling his trigger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upstairs in the Jeremiah House<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The gangsters creeping through the small mansion
heard a slightly muffled <b><i>rat-tat-tat </i></b>sound of rapid gunfire
coming from beneath the floor. It was about as loud as a hammer pounding a nail
into a new board. Several gangsters rushed toward the opened basement door and
descended the stairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As they entered the basement hallway, they
flipped open their night-vision goggles and saw Mamba stepping through a door
near the end of the corridor. He was holding both his and Grizzly’s machine
pistols. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is going on here?” said Stingray, a
red-haired man with a big jaw as he approached Mamba. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With a cold look in his eyes, Mamba lied, saying:
“Grizzly showed his true loyalty. He drew his gun and pointed it toward me,
saying he was going to fight for the Christians. So, I used my gun in
self-defense.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, what happened to the Christians?” Stingray
said with concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We had some bad intelligence,” Mamba lied again.
“We were told the Christians were still here, but they most likely had actually
left this place a couple days ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why would they leave? Where do you think they
would go?” Stingray said, frowning as he studied Mamba’s face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who knows?” Mamba said. “Perhaps they hid somewhere
in the woods. We can have our drones scour the woods with heat-sensitive
equipment. We’ll likely find them soon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why are you so quick to assume that no one is
hiding in this house?” Stingray said, narrowing his eyes as he studied Mamba’s
face. “Did you search the entire house, the guest house, and the garage?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Feeling caught in his lie, Mamba said, “I heard a
voice coming through the door. I opened the door and found no one inside. But,
all the lights were on. Glasses of water were sitting on surfaces, half-full.
Someone was just here. Perhaps, they heard us coming and fled into the woods.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What if they have a secret compartment in this
house somewhere?” Stingray said. “We need to scour and search every nook and
cranny of this house with our wall-penetrating equipment.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Jeremiah House, a Day Later</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sir, we didn’t see nothing,” Stingray said into
his smartphone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We used the
wall-penetration equipment and found no secret compartments. We even sent
drones for several miles, searching for anyone hiding in the woods. They would
have spotted any warm bodies. All their vehicles are here and we have no reason
to believe they got a taxi. So, it seems someone must have given them a ride --
someone who we didn’t check into.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The afternoon sun cast a shadow a the feet of
Stingray as he paced back and forth outside the Jeremiah house. He was talking
to his boss in <b>Scorpion Sting, </b>the criminal, bounty-hunting organization
he worked for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, I want you to make sure you have
thoroughly check the forest nearby,” Eagle Claw’s voice came through Stingray’s
phone speaker. “We cannot let anyone escape. A lot of money will be lost if we
do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Wilderness of New Sylvania. 2031 A.D. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAM45EKIqaz9ZabzHC_0PbbnZEXHDuve_vOOvPQ8E2SN5-6IxmKXj7eLLE3rPrf2hmOT6Sz3SQ9vgFIKUd6CvZ8drB4KJqdyw7Esh2csP6ugpLZqitQz-PNxq82dbTtba5eO3_Qfylxg/s1600/Matthew+Jeremiah+-forest+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAM45EKIqaz9ZabzHC_0PbbnZEXHDuve_vOOvPQ8E2SN5-6IxmKXj7eLLE3rPrf2hmOT6Sz3SQ9vgFIKUd6CvZ8drB4KJqdyw7Esh2csP6ugpLZqitQz-PNxq82dbTtba5eO3_Qfylxg/s320/Matthew+Jeremiah+-forest+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just seconds before Mamba, the crook, had opened
the door to Matthew Jeremiah’s basement living room, Matthew and all his
friends had been miraculously translated or moved from America to a place in a
wilderness area far from America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They and their children now stood, surprised, in a
forest clearing. A field of stars spread across the night sky overhead,
shimmering in the vastness of space. In the forest clearing rested a number of
two-story houses with yards, trees, and bushes. But, no modern street passed by
them. Instead, a cobblestone street passed through the residential section. Gas
lights on either side of the way illuminated the street and buildings, and the
buttery glow of gas or kerosene lanterns graced the windows of many of the
homes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Behind the homes lay some taller buildings with
signs hanging above their main entrances. They appeared in the style of the
late 1800s, but were well-constructed and somewhat ornate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Matthew Jeremiah studied the settlement, he
realized it was actually the size of a small town. They were in one of its
residential neighborhoods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A door suddenly hinged open in one of the nearby
houses, and a middle-aged man stepped out. He was dressed in clothing that
resembled the 1940s. He was holding what appeared to be a kerosene enclosed
lantern in his left hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What are you folks doing here outside at this
time of night?” the man said, curious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We were having a prayer and praise time in my
house and found ourselves here all of a sudden,” Matthew said, still taking in
the sights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, you have just been translated,” said the
man standing on the porch as he walked over to some steps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We have been translated?” Sarah Jeremiah,
Matthew’s brunette wife, said with amazement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is right,” the middle-aged man said with a
smile. “You are new arrivals to this establishment of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where are we?” Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are in a city or town of refuge in the
wilderness of New Sylvania,” the older man said as he approached the group. “And,
I am Samuel White.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew shook Samuel’s extended hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This town is called ‘Joppa,’” Samuel said. “We
are always very happy to meet more Christians. God is preparing us for great
things. We expect this town to eventually grow to more than 800 thousand people
in the years to come. Right now, Joppa has about 2,000 people.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How did this place come about, and where are we
exactly?” Sarah said as she approached her husband and Samuel White. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are somewhere in the continent of North
America, in a wilderness area,” Samuel said. “From what God told me, this place
was constructed for the purpose of housing Christians who are deeply in love
with Jesus and who desire to know Him better. It is not for people who don’t
love Jesus that much or who seek to please themselves and who love the world.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How do people reach this city of refuge?” said
Steven Bartholomew, a man in Matthew’s group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Only God can bring them here,” Samuel said. “Christians
who are not ready for this location have to go through refining before their
hearts will be in tune with God enough to be ready for living here. Here there
is no internet, no TV, no electronic entertainment, no electricity, no worldly
amusements, no theme parks, etc. But, here we have deep communion with Jesus
Christ our Savior and Lord. Here, we have fellowship with other believers and
most of all with the Giver of Life, Jesus Christ and Abba Father God. Jesus
Christ alone is the giver of life, of joy, and of peace. His joy is the
fullness of joy, as Psalm 16:11 says.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What does that verse say?” Steven said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With a smile, Samuel said, “<u style="text-underline: words;">Psalm 16:11 </u>says, ‘[11] </span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy
presence </span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">fulness of joy ; at thy right hand
</span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">there
are </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">pleasures
for evermore</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.’ [End
quote.] You see, Jesus only gives fullness of joy through His Presence, which
dwells within a believer. Being focus only on Jesus for all we need, we are
full of light and full of joy. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus said that when your
eye is single, you will be full of light.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, what will become of the Christians who love
worldly things such as TV shows, movies, video games, and doing hobbies
excessively?” Sarah Jeremiah said, looking at Samuel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God will graciously call out to them,” Samuel
said. “If they don’t repent, He will send them trials to get their attention
and wake them up. But, God doesn’t do this out of a mean spirit. Rather, He
does it out of love. God is not willing that any of those for whom He sent
Jesus to die for should perish. If they won’t repent, God will keep calling out
to them, allowing the trials to get stronger.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,” Sarah said. “That makes sense. We have
gone through trials, ourselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, Mr. White, why do such places like this
exist?” said Jimmy Bartholomew, Steven’s 10-year-old son. His eyes were full of
wonder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Samuel White looked at the young man with
kindness in his eyes. “This town, son, is a place for Christians who really
love Jesus to go to,” he replied. “It is not for Christians who are
worldly-minded. They have their plans, their goals, their hobbies, and Jesus
has become just another person in their lives. Because God doesn’t want these
people to perish, He will call out to them, and plead with them, and send
trials their way to wake them out of their spiritual apathy and sleep.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why do Christians who really love Jesus go here?”
Jimmy said. “Why is it that Christians in other countries don’t get to go to
nice, safe places like this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Son, they will certainly get to go to cities of
refuge like this,” Samuel White said, smiling. “God wants His people to be
delivered from harm, but God also knows that even people in countries such as
North Korea or Iran can be somewhat complacent in their walks with God, like we
all can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They can sometimes be self-reliant, independent
of God’s leading at times, somewhat proud, and doubtful. We all have been that
way. God has to allow difficulties to refine them, and us, and prepare them for
places like this. He wants all people to be able to go to cities of refuge, but
God also knows that not everyone would be happy here -- even Christians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Christians who have other things they look to
apart from God will not be happy here. For, this place is really just a
launching point and a base of operations for God’s Kingdom. Cities of refuge
are meant to be resting places for the Church. And, they can act as launching
points for God to send out missionaries to other parts of the world where the
Gospel has not been preached very much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, the cities of refuge are meant to protect
Christians during these last days, and cities of refuge act as bases for
Christians to get training and preparation for being missionaries and
evangelists. These cities are not meant to be extra-stuffed sofas and places
for excessive leisure. They are comfortable enough, but they also have a degree
of discomfort. There is no electricity here, so we have to use firewood to cook
food with and to heat our homes with. We have a place for milking cows and
getting fresh milk. There are gardens for growing vegetables. We have no
automobiles or electric cars. Nonetheless, this place is safe from all harm. It
is a place for seeking God and knowing Him intimately, without the evil of the
world corrupting its residents.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you have outhouses and primitive wells?”
Sarah asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, we don’t,” Samuel said, shaking his head and
smiling. “But, we have indoor plumbing and flushing toilets, thanks to God and
His thoughtfulness. We also have ovens that use a firebox to heat up the oven
chamber for baking and such things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What about clothes washing?” Sarah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We have washing machines and dryers, similar to
the ones used today,” Samuel said. “But, these appliances don’t use
electricity. They use another method for handling washing and drying
operations.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If this place has no electricity, why should God
give us such appliances?” Sarah said, curious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I understand from God that electricity makes it
too easy for us,” Samuel said, “and we could get apathetic and lazy, but He
doesn’t want things to be too difficult either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That makes sense,” Sarah said. “There is a lot
of idolatry in America. And, most of it involves electricity or devices powered
by electricity.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;">Chapter 2<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Second Great Depression<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carpathia, America. 2026 A.D. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a hot summer day in the middle of the
month of August. The year was 2026, and 30-year-old Matthew Jeremiah walked
down a sidewalk heading toward the main street portion of Carpathia, his home
town. Beech trees shaded the sidewalk, at intervals, and provided him with some
respite from the hot sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he walked, Matthew noticed small, camping
tents set up under some of the trees. Old coolers, empty bottles of beer, and
some garbage rested under many of the trees half a block down the way. A few
homeless people sat on camping chairs and talked among themselves as cars
passed by their temporary homes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ever since the 2008 recession, America had
suffered from economic problems, which grew worse and worse as time went on.
The recession had become a depression somewhere around the year 2021, five
years ago. With the depression in full swing, millions of Americans were out of
work, looking for any way of providing food for their families, but barely
scraping by on government handouts and charitable distributions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Could you spare me some change, please?” a thin,
homeless man who was in his late thirties said with a sad look in his eyes. His
brown hair was greasy and longish, and a beard ran down his face. His aged
T-shirt looked like it had been worn for a whole week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew drew out his wallet and handed the man a
genuine 20 dollar bill along with a Gospel tract that was made to look like a
fictional million dollar bill. The homeless man thanked him as he took the
Gospel tract and money. Then, as the man looked at the tract, he swallowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you realize that this is a religious tract?
This is illegal,” the homeless man said, looking up at Matthew with alarm in
his eyes. “You could get arrested for this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know, but keep it and read it,” Matthew said
calmly with a kind look in his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ever since Obama made witnessing illegal,” the
homeless man said with dread in his eyes, “I’ve never seen a single street
preacher, except one. And, that man was hauled off by the police just minutes
after he started preaching. That happened just a week ago, down on the corner
of 2<sup>nd</sup> and Main Street.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t worry about it,” Matthew said. “Just don’t
tell the authorities. Or, when you are done reading it, just leave it somewhere
for someone else to pick up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chaos and anarchy had swept through the cities,
leading to many deaths, burned-out buildings, unprecedented violence, and
gunfights between armed gangs and the police. The military was called into
action to put an end to the violence, and as this happened, martial law was
declared. To bring some order to the country, Obama was returned to the White
House. Though it was unconstitutional, many cheered his reentry into the Oval
Office as the president of America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Soon after returning to the Oval Office, the
president issued executive orders that began requiring all Americans to forfeit
their constitutional rights for a “limited” period of time. Homeland Security
conducted door-to door searches and seizures of weapons, ammunition, and other
articles deemed dangerous to the safety of America. Then, pastors were required
to collect information on their congregations and report it to officials
working for Obama’s second administration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pastors were also required to preach <b><u style="text-underline: words;">in favor </u></b>of ultra-liberal and ungodly
subjects such as abortion, homosexuality, “trans-gender” lifestyles, and “marriages”
between multiple men and women, and other evil things. Any pastor refusing to
promote Obama’s evil agendas was arrested and imprisoned. The church would
either be shut down or be given an ultra-liberal pastor who would promote Obama’s
agendas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Some pastors were fined thousands of dollars or
even up to five million dollars for failing to hire lesbian secretaries or gay
men as youth pastors or assistant pastors. Obama made rules and laws that were
basically edicts to force pastors to hire “transgender” or homosexuals to work
on their staff. Other edicts forced pastors to preach strongly in favor of all
of Obama’s agendas, such as casting women to the role of being a “husband,” and
the man of the house to being a “wife.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Feminists strongly supported Obama’s
role-reversal policy to give tax breaks to such corrupted and confused
households. Cross-dressing was also to be promoted in Churches, under Obama’s
new laws. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Matthew Jeremiah reached the Main Street of
Carpathia, he saw a long line of people heading toward a government-sponsored
food pantry. The line stretched for several blocks under the hot sun. A handful
of trees provided some relief to a few of the food-seekers. Hundreds of people
waited for their turn to get some groceries. Many of these people could not
afford the inflated prices found in traditional stores. As the economy plummeted,
food prices had risen to extreme levels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A gallon of milk was 6 dollars. A box of cereal
was 15 dollars. A can of re-fried beans was about 6 dollars. A dozen eggs was
about 9 or 10 dollars. A gallon of gas was about 15.80 dollars at the pump. The
average American was spending almost all of his or her paycheck on groceries
and living expenses. Many could not afford all the food they needed for living.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the economy plummeted, jobs became harder and
harder to find. Companies cut hours, leaving many people unable to afford food.
Many in their 30s and 40s had to move back in with their parents if space was
available. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All the while, the level of wickedness was
increasing in America. Out on the street, in broad daylight, prostitutes were
holding up signs advertising their price. Desperate for food and money, the
girls were eager to get customers, even from men who could barely make it
financially. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew was saddened and grieved to see such a
sight. So, he turned and walked in the opposite direction down Main Street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Driving was so expensive that Matthew opted to
ride a bicycle or walk, like many people did in the city. Carbon emission taxes
added to the cost of gasoline, making it very hard for people to get to work if
they lived in the suburbs or in the country. So, many were forced to move into
the cities. Cities became more and more crowded. Housing became more slum-like
and cheap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey, can I interest you in some…,” a man said to
Matthew as he approached him on the sidewalk. He had spoken of a particular
narcotic by its colloquial (or “street”) term.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s that?” Matthew said, not quite
understanding him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The man was dressed in new clothes and had the
latest style of jeans and a T-shirt. He was in his early 40s and had black
backpack. He removed the backpack and set it down. The man reached into his
pack and drew out a package containing narcotics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Holding up the package, he repeated his question.
Then, he gave a price for his “merchandise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No thanks,” Matthew said. “I’m not interested.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m cheaper than most dealers,” the man
insisted. “Come on. You’ll not find a better bargain than this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t do drugs,” Matthew said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Frustrated with Matthew, the man cussed at him
and changed his facial expression to an angry glare. Then, he picked up his
backpack and walked down the street, looking for someone to sell to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Drug dealers were becoming much bolder and were
actually selling drugs in places not tested by dealers before. America was much
worse now than it was when Matthew was born. He longed to leave and go
somewhere far away from this madness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">First Church of Carpathia. America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2027 A.D. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23FSWY4p25VJHjRYXkclFYqoiQ-EPzgx936lqe4aiW6dUX9thLTelg0_c079UY8d64nNf7qF20ra-Ze7sQ2BUh1V5_W3tbPLnwZJS8gz3wEh0_KcNoizclFfdArd8fsRpapbXB8NRc8k/s1600/Matthew+Jeremiah+-+pulpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="465" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23FSWY4p25VJHjRYXkclFYqoiQ-EPzgx936lqe4aiW6dUX9thLTelg0_c079UY8d64nNf7qF20ra-Ze7sQ2BUh1V5_W3tbPLnwZJS8gz3wEh0_KcNoizclFfdArd8fsRpapbXB8NRc8k/s200/Matthew+Jeremiah+-+pulpit.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Folks, we are close to the time God spoke of in
Revelation when the whole world wondered after the Beast, which is mentioned in
Revelation 14,” said <b>Frank Douglas</b>, the only pastor of the First Church
of Carpathia, as he stood behind his pulpit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The Beast -- also known as the Antichrist -- will require all men and
women to have a mark on their right hand or forehead. That mark, folks, is a
sign of the hardness of their hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Anyone who takes it will be so hardened against
God that they will never repent --just like King Saul who could not repent even
though he realized he was going to die in battle the following day. Or, they will
be like old Pharaoh who pursued the children of Israel through the Red Sea when
God created a path for the children of Israel to walk on. Mr. Pharaoh was so
hardened that he didn’t think hard about the fact that the wall of water on
each side of him was held up by the power of the God of Israel -- the Almighty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Likewise, people today are so hardened that they
will not repent from their abominations and perversions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pastor cleared his throat and took a sip of
water from a glass on his pulpit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I feel, folks,” Frank said with some emotion as
he clutched the sides of his pulpit, “that the spirit behind Pharaoh, and the
spirit behind King Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamation to worship the golden statue
is the same spirit behind Obama’s proclamation that all pastors, including
myself, have to preach in favor of abomination!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was a gasp from some in the audience of the
conservative Church. A few coughs of astonishment filled the air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Obama had made a law, if you haven’t heard,
that requires all pastors, Catholic priests, Jewish rabbis, and other religious
teachers to speak in favor of what God calls abomination and wickedness. I face
a prison sentence for refusing to preach in favor of this wickedness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That can’t be!” someone said loudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But,” Frank continued, “if I do preach in favor
of it, our church will continue, and I will continue to have the ability to
make a salary. But, no godly man in the pulpit could do such a wicked deed as
that. So, I will resign from the pastorate. I will take no more salary from
this or any church, since all Churches are required to follow these evil laws.
But, I will denounce these vile laws here and now before I resign. This is my
last Sunday with you as a pastor. The next Sunday, you will have to create your
own Bible studies in your private homes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A profound deep silence gripped the room as
people contemplated what the pastor had just said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, I will denounce,” Frank said, “like I just
said, these abominations here and now. Obama’s laws are an offence to every
believer in Jesus. They promote what God calls is evil. Just as the Bible says
people in an evil culture do -- they call evil ‘good,’ and good ‘evil.’ They
call abortion, homosexuality, and prostitution ‘good,’ but God’s Word condemns
these as terrible sins. We cannot accept what society tells us to accept. We
cannot receive what God condemns, for if we do, we would become just like the
world, and we would wander far from the road of life and pass into destruction.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly, Matthew Jeremiah heard a sound of
rustling as two men walked down the isle past his pew. He was sitting in a pew
with his wife Sarah. The men who had just walked past him were wearing business
suits with short hair and clean-shaven faces. Two more men, wearing similar
clothing, stood up and walked toward the exits of the sanctuary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The first two approached the pastor at the pulpit
and stepped onto the raised platform. One stepped behind the preacher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is this?” Frank said, surprised, looking
around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he spoke, one of the men roughly grabbed his
hands from behind and pulled them back. He snapped metal handcuffs around the
pastor’s wrists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The other man with the business suit turned and
faced the audience, which was now seized with fear and alarm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There is no need to be alarmed, ladies and
gentlemen,” the government agent said. “We are with the … [<i>he mentioned a
government agency</i>]. And, we are here to place your pastor under arrest for
violating…” The agent gave the name of a law created by Obama. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your pastor will appear before a court in a
month from now. There, he will most certainly be sentenced to five years in the
state penitentiary. Please remain calm and stay seated. A new pastor can soon
be provided for this congregation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After saying a few more words, the agents
escorted the pastor down the steps of his podium, down the aisle, through the
foyer, and into the parking lot outside. They hustled him toward a white,
unmarked van and shoved him inside. Once he was seated, two agents sat down on
either side of him. And, the van door was closed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In seconds, the vehicle started off and drove on
its way toward a county jail. As it drove away, some members of the
congregation ran out onto the parking lot and watched with dismay as the white vehicle
drive off with their only pastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew Jeremiah was one of the witnesses who saw
the white van speed away. With his heart pounding in his chest, he knew that
his days going to an official Church congregation were over. No Church in
America would be allowed to preach against Obama’s agenda. And, all pastors
would arrested for refusing to preach in favor of the abominations promoted by
the new government. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Saddened, he turned and walked back into the
building, intending to find his wife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jeff Duncan’s House. Carpathia,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>2028 A.D. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jeff Duncan, his wife Sally, and ten other adults
sat in his spacious living room. Cups of coffee, Bibles, old fashioned donuts,
and glasses of water rested on coffee tables and lamp stands. High ceilings
with chandeliers gave the large room the feeling of a small Church sanctuary.
The nearby kitchen area with its ornately-carved maple cabinets and oak dinner
table provided refreshments for the group of believers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a basement recreation room, two teenage girls
and a young mother watched over fifteen children of various ages as they played
with toys. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A Church worship service was taking place,
secretly, in the Duncan home. It was illegal to meet for religious purposes,
and all who participated knew it. But, they were willing to risk being caught
so that they could fellowship with other believers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sitting on a leather sofa, Jeff Duncan, a
balding, middle-aged man, said, “We remember the words of our Lord, who said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘[9] After
this manner therefore pray ye : Our Father which art in heaven,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hallowed
be thy name.’” [See Matthew 6:9.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before he
could quote the next verse, a loud knock came at the front door. Jeff Duncan
paused and set down his Bible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I wonder
who that could be on this late Sunday morning?” he said aloud as he stood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
knocking continued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6a2yK6weIKOSjEdyFXUKR6HN1c9Q0di6B4tCkz2_7dp2VfcQna0xOdDB2NJPWhOsxWSdPEIaQ2DeABxDfwWB2hlaDoEZHBNAb_bFdyFp5nsRxS8bgQV2hf_Caobb16g4Ww6u4YM1-UM/s1600/Matthew+Jeremiah+-+fedora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="504" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6a2yK6weIKOSjEdyFXUKR6HN1c9Q0di6B4tCkz2_7dp2VfcQna0xOdDB2NJPWhOsxWSdPEIaQ2DeABxDfwWB2hlaDoEZHBNAb_bFdyFp5nsRxS8bgQV2hf_Caobb16g4Ww6u4YM1-UM/s200/Matthew+Jeremiah+-+fedora.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With all
eyes on him, Jeff approached the oaken door, and unlocked a deadbolt. He swung
the door open a few inches and saw, to his surprise, a man wearing a black
business suit. Another man stood behind him. Both men appeared to be in their
thirties and wore short, dark hair. The closest man drew a badge out of his
suit jacket and flipped it open. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is
the …” the agent said calmly, identifying what agency he worked for. “We are
placing you and every adult in here under arrest for illegal religious
activity.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?”
Jeff said, feeling his heart pounding faster. “What? Why?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You and
all the adults will be placed in custody until a court determines what penalty
to give. The children will be placed in foster care for the time being. Older
teens will also be placed in foster homes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is
unconstitutional!” Jeff said, with rising frustration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You have
the right to remain silent,” the agent said evenly but a glimmer of hatred
flickered in his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly,
Jeff tightened his fist and thought of punching the man, but he realized that
would be very un-Christ-like. So, he relaxed and sighed. His hands were pulled
behind his back and handcuffs were snapped tightly around his wrists. An agent
led him down the front steps and toward the street. As he did, more agents
approached the house from several white vans parked along the street. As the
agents entered the house, women stifled screams, and men stood to their feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Across the
street from the Duncan home, Samantha Davis, a 47-year-old neighbor lady stood
before a kitchen window and peeked out through a closed curtain. She saw the
government agents and the vans on the street near her neighbors’ house. Seeing
them brought some glee to her heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Samantha
had seen an unusual sight every Sunday morning. Several families would pull up
to the Duncan home, unload their children, and walk up toward the front door.
Their arrival always happened near 10 A.M. on almost every Sunday. After seeing
them do this for several weeks, Samantha had called the police and had told
them about what she termed “suspicious activity.” She had informed them about
the regular Sunday meetings at the Duncan home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, she
stood at her window and watched as her neighbors and their friends were
brought, handcuffed, outside to the white vans. They were loaded into the vans
with gruffness and some speed. Crying children were loaded into a few more
vans, and the vehicles started up and drove off down the street. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hours
after the mass arrest, an agent came to her door and handed her a reward check
from the government. She had learned from the agent that a government agency
had sent a plainclothes agent to visit the Duncan house that same Sunday. The
secret agent spying on the Christians had confirmed that the group was
conducting “illegal religious activity” such as meeting together in an “unlawful
assembly” for [supposedly] “subversive purposes.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is a
lot more money than I expected to get,” Samantha said to the agent as she
glanced at the check. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If you
continue to report suspicious activity, you could make more money,” the agent
said with a smile. “And, those pesky fundamentalists will be put in their
place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll
gladly tell you about anything else I see,” she said, with a crooked grin as
she fingered the check. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bartholomew Home. Carpathia, America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2029 A.D. </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a
basement bedroom in the Bartholomew’s rural home outside the town of Carpathia,
two families visited with each other. Steve and Nancy Bartholomew lived three
miles from the town. A graveled driveway led to their house from the highway.
It snaked through pine trees for half a mile before reaching the front side of
a modest, two-story, gabled home, which had a small chicken coop, a tool shed,
and a two-car garage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nestled in
the forest, the house sat on a low hill at the foot of a larger hill. It was
Thursday night. The lights were on in the main floor of the house to give the
house the appearance that it was in use, but the two families made their refuge
in the basement. There, they conducted their Bible study, prayer time, and
singing time. It was not so much a Church service as it was a Christ-centered
Bible study which had worship times and prayer times throughout it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew
Jeremiah planned to have Steve and Nancy over to his house for supper on a
Tuesday the following week. And, Steve suggested that Matthew and Sarah might
meet up with David and Shelly Springfield at their home the week after that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew
knew that having a very fluid schedule for meeting other Christians was the
only safe way to conduct Bible studies and Church meetings in this new America
they now lived in. They met to discuss God’s Word, to have prayer and praise
times, and to encourage each other in the Lord Jesus Christ at least once a
week. But, Matthew and Sarah never met with more than one couple at a time, and
never twice in a row, in the same location. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That way,
neighbors would not know that anything strange was going on. For, other
families that didn’t even claim to be Christians would meet with friends from
time to time. And, since the days of the week always varied from week to week,
Matthew’s neighbors were not suspicious that he and Sarah always left to go
somewhere each week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carpathia, America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2030 A.D. </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Matthew,
did you hear the latest news from Washington D.C.?” Sarah said as she walked
into Steve’s office. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
husband was sitting before an oak desk, reading from the Bible. He set the
Bible down and looked at his sweetheart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What did
you just hear, honey?” Matthew Jeremiah said, curious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I got a
phone call from Nancy Bartholomew,” Sarah said with amazement in her eyes. “She
had just read a newspaper article about how President Obama was removed from
the White House through a coup. Generals and admirals sent loyal troops into
the White House with the assistance of the Secret Service and they shut down
Obama’s administration. But, Obama must have gotten wind of the coup hours
before it took place, and he fled the country in a private jet. It wasn’t the
presidential plane. It was a small jet. Apparently, he landed in a South
American country where he is living in hiding.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew
stood up. “This is amazing news. But, I wonder if that means that America will
not be judged.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t
think it will change a thing, honey,” Sarah said. “I believe America is too
wicked and hardened for a mere transition of power to affect its course toward
damnation.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I believe
you are right, Sarah,” Matthew said. “But, I wonder if the military leaders who
now hold the reigns of power in the capital will be favorable to Christianity,
or not.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I hope
they are, but we will see soon,” Sarah said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Washington D.C., America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2030 A.D. </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Huge
crowds holding up signs protesting the interim military government marched
through the streets of Washington D.C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Major General John Samson Easterly’s face appeared on signs and posters
that mocked his facial features and military rank. Walking among the vast mobs
of people on the streets, a group of men carried a burning effigy of the
general, who was now the interim leader of America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Down with
Easterly!” several people shouted in unison. “Bring back Obama!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Riot
police formed a long line in front of the White House. A second line formed up
behind the first, to strengthen it. Armored police trucks with flashing lights
were positioned behind the riot police, ready to unleash crowd-control
technologies to hold the mob at bay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The
country is in an uproar today after President Obama’s administration was
forcibly removed from the White House and from the halls of government by a
military coup just four days ago. …” a news anchor’s voice came from a car
speaker as it pulled into a parking lot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The news
anchor continued, saying, “Later today, Major General Easterly is expected to
give a speech addressing the protestors. Polls conducted by the … indicate that
90 percent of Americans are opposed to the new interim government. …” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Several Miles from Carpathia. America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2031 A.D. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The interim government in Washington D.C. has
been rumored to consider going to war with Russia over its annexation of Crimea
back in 2014, and for …” A news anchor said through the speakers of Nancy’s
small radio set on a kitchen counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Steven and Nancy Bartholomew and Matthew and
Sarah Jeremiah were in the Jeremiah house out in the countryside. Located in a
forested area far from the town of Carpathia, Matthew and Sarah’s house was a
rental property God had graciously led them to. Their home in Carpathia was
getting less and less safe, and the Jeremiahs wanted to find a safer location
to live in. So, God had graciously guided them to this rural house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Steve walked into the kitchen to find Matthew,
Sarah, and Nancy listening closely to the radio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What are you hearing there?” Steve said, curious
as he approached the small group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just listen first, darling,” Nancy said to her
husband. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Russia has stated,” said the news anchor, “in
unequivocal terms that it will launch nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons
on America if it is attacked by the United States or its close allies. Russian
military officials have warned that Russia possesses hypersonic nuclear weapons
that quote ‘cannot be shot out of the sky’. These weapons, according to the
same Russian officials, are quote ‘powerful and effective at fully eliminating
a target or perceived threat within a period of less than seven minutes from
the launch point.’ Other experts have stated that the new hypersonic weapons
cannot be quote ‘neutralized or destroyed while en route to their targets.’
While many …” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is incredible,” Steve said. “God had told
us this would happen to America.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What would happen?” Sarah said, looking at
Steve. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God had told us,” Steve said, “that He would
have to judge this country for all its wickedness and have Russia bomb it until
almost all the people in the United States would be gone. God doesn’t want to
have to do that, but because this country will not turn to God, He will have to
judge it. It has been quite some years since this country has had so-called “gay
marriage” approved by the Supreme Court. And, it has been decades since the
killing of babies -- abortion -- was legalized. We don’t have much longer left.
I believe we need to seek God about find out what He would like us to do. War
with Russia could start very soon. And, the nukes will come for America whether
she is ready or not.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is a good idea, Steve,” Matthew said. “Let’s
have a prayer time now. What do you folks say?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” several said, in agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 25.0pt;">Chapter 3<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Last Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">All Across America. 2031 A.D. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the Christians prayed in the Jeremiah home,
millions of Americans were going to movie theaters and watching movies online
that promoted abortion, homosexuality, fornication, cross-dressing, “trans-gender”
lifestyles, using profanity, mocking God, mocking Christians, adultery, violence,
the occult, aliens, witchcraft, graphic violence, and many other evil things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many of those who watched these evil movies and
TV shows attended Churches and claimed to be “Christians.” But, they showed by
their bad fruit that they did not love God. And, they didn’t love God’s Word,
the Bible, either, for they loved watching shows that promoted the very things
God hates and speaks against in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At the same time, millions of people in their
40s, 30s, 20s, and younger regularly played occultic and violent video games.
Millions also played racing games and wasted their lives with worthless and
harmful entertainment. The video game world of the 21<sup>st</sup> century was
full of evil beyond what video games from the ‘90s portrayed (which themselves
were bad). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, “trans-gender”
lifestyles, and other blatant sins were openly promoted in established Churches
that had parking lots and signs. Every true Christian had left such
establishments of evil and had gone underground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The culture was so polluted with violence,
murder, fornication, incest, and abominations that its cup of iniquity was
full. When anyone did speak against it, he or she was silenced, arrested, and
locked up. A couple congress people had resigned from office due to their
abhorrence at how evil Obama’s laws were. They were also disgusted that nothing
could be done to stop those laws. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Governors from some states resigned their
positions and stepped down in protest to Obama. But, the vast majority of
political leaders went along with Obama’s decrees and sang his praises. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As this was going on, America was mostly in the
dark to the fact that a storm of judgment was brewing. Evil spirits were
influencing decisions in Russia, Europe, Asia, China, and America, preparing
for a third world war. Soon, the war would break out on the face of the earth
and send millions to their graves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Aftermath of the Nuclear Attack on America.
2034 A.D. </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The once-great Empire of America lay in ashes.
Many thousands of powerful nuclear weapons had fallen on American soil, filling
its skies with radioactive ash (i.e. fallout). Its great cities were now heaps
of rubble. Twisted beams of steel, melted glass, splintered wood, and shards of
concrete littered the landscape of what was once New York City, Baltimore,
Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Miami, Palm Beach, Cincinnati, Las Vegas, Las
Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and many other American cities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Russian aircraft released many tons of poisonous
gases on the inhabitants of lesser towns and cities, killing millions more. The
bodies of the dead littered the streets, alleys, and avenues of America. So
many were killed by the attacks from Russia, and China, and a host of other
allied nations that there was not enough manpower to remove the heaps of the
deceased. So, the victors of the war let them decay in the open sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After some time had passed for the nuclear
radioactivity to decrease to a relatively safe level, Russia, China, and a few
other nations set up colonies in America to mine and collect its natural
resources. They often used slave labor taken from the few millions who survived
the nuclear, chemical, and biological attacks against America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A few millions of people survived the attacks on
America, but they survived only to find themselves being arrested and hauled
off to concentration camps set up by their captors. In these brutal camps,
millions more died from starvation, extreme exhaustion, cold weather, brutal
treatment, and harsh conditions. But, even as the American prisoners went
through all that suffering, almost none of them recognized their evil ways as
being wrong, and almost none of them repented and turned to Jesus Christ for
salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, a few did. And, in God’s mercy, He spared
them and brought them to Heaven or to cities of refuge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In His great mercy and love, God Almighty did not
want to see America suffer, but He knew that a few would repent from their
hardened hearts and get saved if He allowed America to suffer from many
problems. It was not God’s will that any should perish but that they should
repent and be saved. However, God cannot force people to repent, since they
have a free will. But, God calls out to them in any way that He knows could
work. But, sadly, few respond to His call, and few turn to Him, and repent, and
make Jesus Christ their personal Savior and Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Conclusion. America in 2019 A.D.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew Jeremiah was sitting before an old
computer which was not connected to the internet. He was in his small apartment
bedroom in the town of Carpathia. It was the year 2019. God had just told him
to go and write down a message. Matthew had tested God’s voice using the test
of the spirits found in 1 John chapter 4, verses 1 through 4. Seated before the
computer with his fingers poised just above the keyboard, Matthew waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, God’s kind and loving voice spoke to
Matthew’s spirit, and God said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Note: The following is an actual word from God.]<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My son, Matthew, I am with you. I love you very
much and I love every person I created very much. But, so many refuse to repent
as I call out to them. So many refuse to recognize their wrongdoings as
wrongdoings and sins. So many refuse to seek Me as I call out to them. But, I
will continue to plead with them and warn them and have My people intercede for
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.5pt;">[God said: “… America shall burn.”]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, I will tell you that America shall burn. It
shall become ruinous heaps. It shall not be inhabited after the Russians and
Chinese have completely used it for their purposes. They shall fight over it in
the future, and the land shall be desolate and uninhabited. The wolves shall
multiply through America, and the great nation shall be no more. What you shall
hear of in the decades to come is that America, the proud nation, is a
wasteland and a wilderness. Eagles shall inhabit the remains of skyscrapers,
and build their nests high up in the buildings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“House cats shall revert to their wild instincts
and hunt for foot like their ancestors did long ago. Dogs shall form packs and
roam around looking for dead animals, rotting flesh, and anything they can sink
their teeth into. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The roads will become cracked and overgrown with
weeds. Streets will become filled with fungus, weeds, and other plants. The
towns will fall into disrepair that have survived the nuclear holocaust that
shall strike America. But, no one will move into those desolate places, for
great shall be the fall of America. The basketball courts, football fields, and
other large sports areas shall become full of wild animals, such as rats and
birds. There shall be decay in every town and in every city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If any film team should visit America in the
future, they will see a wilderness with abandoned, decaying cities and towns,
and they shall see wildlife roaming around where people used to live.
Documentaries will be made for countries such as France, China, Japan,
Switzerland, and The United Kingdom that will reveal the reasons for the
destruction of America. But, even so, Europe shall not escape My judgment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.5pt;">[God said: “…Europe shall not escape My judgment.”]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“For, Europe has multiplied its sins against Me
like America. But, even so, Europe has not hardened its heart against Me as
much as America has, for Europe does not have so many used Church buildings on
its street corners and in its cities. It does have so many Baptist, Methodist,
Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Evangelical, Mennonite, Seventh Day Adventist,
Lutheran, and so forth Churches as America has. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Europe doesn’t have Hollywood spinning out
filthy movie after filthy movie. Europe doesn’t have Nashville, or Houston, or
Las Vegas, or Las Angeles, or Dallas, or New York City, or Washington D.C. It
is not as spiritually corrupt as America is, but it is close. Now, I will tell
you, My son, that I shall judge Europe almost at the same time that I judge
America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Europe shall not escape judgment. But, Russia
shall bring destruction into Europe like a hammer and sickle striking a blow
against a china vase. Europe shall collapse under Russia’s onslaught and fierce
attack. Its military, which is based on America’s military support, shall
collapse. NATO shall fall. The military power of Europe shall crumble into dust
as Russia strikes its blow into Europe’s heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The European powers, such as France, the U.K.,
and Germany, shall surrender. Other countries will put up a little fight, but
they will be subdued like a nest of ants being burned with flaming kerosene.
There will be no escape for Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Wales, Sicily,
Armenia, or other nations that want to be independent of Russia’s influence.
Romania will be flooded with soldiers and will be conquered quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then, in the same way Russia controlled the
Soviet bloc in the days of communism, Russia shall control Europe with puppet
governments and police states. Vladimir Putin will still be in power in Russia
when this happens. He shall set up a Russian empire that shall conquer all of
Europe. I will cause all of Europe to submit to his power, even remote
countries such as Greenland and Iceland and Norway shall be under Russia’s
influence and control. Russia, the nation that the West mocked, shall be the
West’s undoing. Russia, the superpower that was, shall rise again. It shall
conquer all of Central Asia down to the border of Afghanistan. It shall rebuild
what it lost when it collapsed in 1991.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The bloody Bosnian war shall be nothing in
comparison to the destruction Russia and its allies will unleash upon Europe.
Belarus shall be in complete agreement with Russian, sending Belarusian troops
in support of the Russian coalition. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan shall join
Russia in sending troops into Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Iran shall also commit troops to assist the
Russians in their battle to conquer Europe, particularly in former Muslim
lands, such as in Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia. Syria shall commit
troops in support of Russian attacks in the Middle East. Georgia and Armenia
shall become colonies of Russia and shall commit troops to assist Russia in
their wars, for Russia will fight many wars in the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.5pt;">[God said: “China Shall Assist Russia.”]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And, China shall commit troops to assist Russia
in their battle to capture Syria. China shall also commit troops to assist
Russia in the capture of port towns in Europe. And, Chinese soldiers shall
assist Russia in conquering other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, and American
ally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Saudi Arabia shall become a Russian and Chinese
ally after Russia’s conquest of the Arabian peninsula, which will be very short
in duration. Russia will capture all the oil fields in Arabia and will run them
in a monopoly with China. So, Russia and China will become the two main
superpowers in the years to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.5pt;">[God said: “Obama Shall Return to the White House.”]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“All these things shall happen in the decades to
come. I will show you also that President Barack Hussein Obama shall return to
the White House shortly. And, he shall come through a coup. He shall come to
prepare America for judgment and for destruction. These things shall happen, My
son. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When Obama comes, conservative America will be
outraged and will be in terrible agony. Great persecution will be unleashed
against the Christians in America who truly are My sheep. Obama will be a line
in the sand for the lukewarm Church. If you are lukewarm, I will spew you out
of My mouth and into Hell. I give this warning to Christians so that they will
seek Me to know Me intimately and to forsake sin, looking to Me for help to do
so. You cannot forsake sin all by yourself, but by looking to Me, and following
Me, and seeking to know Me, you will be free. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The power of Obama will strengthen and grow. So,
don’t fight Obama when he comes. I have placed him into power over America to
try America’s heart. Are you for Obama’s wicked policies, and actions, and
beliefs? Or, are you for Me? If you are for Me, you will repent, and leave
false Churches, and leave false Christians behind. A false Christian claims to
know Me, but shows much bad fruit, and refuses to truly, genuinely repent. He
or she justifies, in his or her own mind, his or her sins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, I will call out to America and plead with
them. Sodomy will be the law of the land. Anyone who refuses to accept this
great sin will be persecuted. But, I will reward those who suffer for My sake.
I don’t want sodomy and abomination to be the law of the land, but I will allow
this to try My people to see if they will repent, and forsake the world, and
will seek Me, or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Obama will force, by his actions, the true
Church to go underground and to leave the false church behind. The true Church
will refuse to listen to a so-called ‘pastor’ preach in favor of sodomy,
homosexuality, gender perversion, fornication, incest, lust, greed, mammon,
idolatry, and so forth. Yes, false pastors will preach in favor of those sins
because Obama will say that if they don’t preach in favor of such sins, they
will be cast into prison and their money will be taken away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.5pt;">[God said: “True Christians Will Leave False Churches.”]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, I will show you that even those true
Christians that leave the false churches will suffer persecution, for Obama
will have spies try to track them down and hunt for their lives. Obama’s spies
will located where Christians are having Bible studies and where they are
meeting in secret. <b><u>But, if you follow Me, and go where I show, you and do
what I lead you to do, you will be safe from all spies and from all harm</u></b>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>You will not be harmed in any way. And, I
will lead you out to places of refuge or cities of refuge like I did for Noah
and his family with the ark of Noah</u>. I will keep you safe. <u>But, <b>if
you refuse </b>to follow My guidance because you are fearful or because of
doubt, you will be needlessly walking in darkness and will be caught and thrown
into prison</u>. Even if you have a Bible study, but you refuse to follow My
leading, by My Spirit, you will be placing yourself at risk of being caught. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>So, seek Me about all of this. Follow My
Spirit. Look to Me. Rest in Me. Trust in Me. Delight in Me and in My Word, the
Bible. Read it. Meditate on it, and you will grow. The power of darkness will
fail in your life as you seek to know Me much better</u>. <u>I love you all
very much</u>. And, I the LORD your GOD and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-33437300602544750662019-06-17T17:17:00.000-07:002019-07-03T19:45:23.010-07:00Narnia Promotes Paganism and Witchcraft (Part 2 of 2) -- Paganism and Speaking with Familiar Spirits or Spirit Guides<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">____________________________________</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 24px;"><b>Paganism and Speaking with Familiar Spirits </b></span><b style="font-size: 24px;">or Spirit Guides </b><br />
<b style="font-size: 24px;">Is Found in Narnia</b><br />
<span style="font-size: 24px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-size: 24px;"><b><u>Narnia Promotes Paganism and Witchcraft </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 24px;"><b><u>(Part 2 of 2)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/06/narnia-promotes-paganism-and-witchcraft.html" target="_blank">{Click Here for Part 1 of 2.}</a></b></span><br />
<b><br /></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Witchcraft in The Chronicles of Narnia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Chronicles of Narnia stories are still popular today after their beginning in the 1950s. They have been made into several popular Hollywood films. Many Christians have embraced the books and treasured them along with other writings of C.S. Lewis. But, what is the reason for their continuing popularity? Could it be that they are more than just novels for entertainment?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The late David J. Meyer, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a former witch</b>, became a believer in Jesus Christ and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">left witchcraft</b>. He then exposed the real witchcraft in some popular books for children and adults. David J. Meyer wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As a former witch, astrologer, and occultist who has been saved by the grace of God, I know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>the works of C.S. Lewis are required reading by neophyte witches</u></b>, especially in the United States and England. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>This includes The Chronicles of Narnia, because it teaches neophyte, or new witches, the basic mindset of the craft</u></b>. Isn’t it strange, though, that many “Christian” churches and organizations have used The Chronicles of Narnia as Sunday School curriculum?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">(Meyer, David J. “The Witchcraft of the Narnia Chronicles.” lasttrumpetministries.org.) </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(Emphasis added)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">{<u>Note</u>: A neophyte is a beginner witch.}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let’s consider what David J. Meyer said about Narnia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This article is divided up into <u>two sections</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">{1.} Narnia Promotes Paganism.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">{2.} Communication with Familiar Spirits Is Found in Narnia.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">-- {1.} </span><u style="font-size: 16pt;">Narnia Promotes Paganism.</u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">C.S. Lewis (the author of <i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i>) was fascinated with paganism. So, it is not surprising that he promoted paganism in his books. Pagan and mythical creatures such as fauns, dwarfs, nymphs, dryads, and pagan gods appear in Narnia. Bacchus (who was a pagan god of wine and promiscuity) appears in Narnia books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fauns<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Britannica.com gives some interesting definitions of ancient <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>pagan</u></b> entities (or creatures) which are also found in Narnia books. A faun is a half-man and half-goat creature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lewis gave this description of Mr. Tumnus, a faun in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe:<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“He had a red woollen muffler round his neck and his skin was rather reddish too. He had … a short pointed beard and curly hair, and out of the hair there stuck two horns, one on each side of his forehead. … He was a Faun. ….” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] (Lewis, C.S. "THE LION, THE WITCH and THE WARDROBE." gutenberg.ca.)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Britannica.com defines a “Faun” as:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Faun</b>, in Roman mythology, a creature that is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>part human and part goat</u></b>, <u>akin to a Greek satyr</u>. The name faun is derived from Faunus, the name of an ancient Italic deity of forests, fields, and herds, who from the 2nd century bce was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">associated with</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>the Greek god Pan</u></b>.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> [End quote] (Faun, Britannica.com.) (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nymphs<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Besides fauns, nymphs are mentioned in several places in Narnia books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">C.S. Lewis wrote of a “river-god” and nymphs moving about in a river. He wrote this in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prince Caspian</i>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Down below that in the Great River, … the nymphs, and the great weedy-bearded head of the river-god, rose from the water.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> [End quote] (Lewis, C.S. "PRINCE CASPIAN." gutenberg.ca.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Britannica.com said this about the word “Nymph”:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nymph</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Greek mythology</b>, any of a large class of inferior <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>female divinities</u></b>. The nymphs were usually associated with fertile, growing things, such as trees, or with water. …. the Naiads presided over springs, rivers, and lakes.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> [End quote] (Nymph, Britannica.com.) (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Stag<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lewis’s first Narnia book<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, </i>began speaking to children of pagan dances at midnight, of pagan creatures such as nymphs, dryads, fauns, and of a being call “<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">the milk-white Stag”.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">Lewis wrote:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And when Lucy was tired of eating the Faun began to talk. He had wonderful tales to tell of life in the forest. He told about the midnight dances and how the Nymphs … and the Dryads … came out to dance with the Fauns; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>about long hunting parties after the milk-white Stag</u></b> <u>who could give you wishes if you caught him</u>;…” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">[End quote] (Lewis, C.S. "THE LION, THE WITCH and THE WARDROBE." gutenberg.ca.) (Emphasis added)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The horned god (or “the stag god”) is described as having horns and is associated with hunting, fertility, and other things. The “stag” or the “horned god” is found in wicca and other forms of witchcraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">LearnReligions.com says this about “the stag god” (or horned god):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cernunnos</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> is a horned god found in Celtic mythology. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He is connected with</b> male animals, particularly <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>the stag in rut</u></b>, and this has led him to be associated with fertility and vegetation. Depictions of Cernunnos are found in many parts of the British Isles and western Europe. ….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With his mighty antlers, Cernunnos is a protector of the forest and master of the hunt. He is a god of vegetation and trees in his aspect as the Green Man, and a god of lust and fertility when connected with Pan, the Greek satyr. ….</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">” </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] (“Cernunnos,” learnreligions.com.) (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A website for wicca said this about the “horned god” (or the “stag god”):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who is this wild God [sic] who roams the forests, and who loves and protects the Goddess and all her children? He is called the God of the Wicca, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Cernunnos</u></b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pan</b>, Herne, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dionysus</b> and by many other names. He is the ancient God of fertility:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the God of forest, flock and field and also of the hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>….” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bacchus and the Maenads<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dionysus is another name for Bacchus, a pagan god of wine and promiscuity. C.S. Lewis included Bacchus (Dionysus) in his Narnia books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis spoke of Bacchus and the Maenads. Here is a quote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“ </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… They rubbed their eyes and looked round them. … <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bacchus</b> and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Maenads</b>—his fierce, madcap girls—and Silenus were still with them. Lucy, fully rested, jumped up. Everyone was awake, everyone was laughing, flutes were playing, cymbals clashing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[….]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">… Then the whole party moved off—Aslan leading, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bacchus</b> and his <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Maenads</b> leaping, rushing, and turning somersaults, the beasts frisking round them, and Silenus and his donkey bringing up the rear.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>” [End quote] (Lewis, C.S. "PRINCE CASPIAN." gutenberg.ca.) (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Britannica.com says this about Dionysus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Dionysus, also spelled Dionysos, also called Bacchus or (in Rome) Liber Pater, in Greco-Roman religion, a nature god of fruitfulness and vegetation, especially known as a god of wine and ecstasy</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.” (Dionysus, Britannica.com.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Following Bacchus (or Dionysus) were women who were said to be “possessed” by Bacchus. They were called Maenads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Britannica.com gives this information about the maenads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Maenad, female follower of the Greek god of wine, Dionysus. The word maenad comes from the Greek maenades, meaning “mad” or “demented.” During the orgiastic rites of Dionysus, maenads roamed the mountains and forests performing frenzied, ecstatic dances and were believed to be possessed by the god.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> [End quote] (Maenad, Britannica.com.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In other words, these “mad” women were demon possessed and were promiscuous. Bacchus or Dionysus, their god, is an evil spirit that possessed them and led them into evil, orgiastic rites and rituals. This is demon possession, paganism, and occult practices. Christians should have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">nothing to do</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">with</b> books that promote paganism, pagan creatures, magic, spells, charms, magic powers, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">These pagan practices were taking place in Greece, Italy, and in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) during the time of Paul, an apostle. Paul warned Christians to have nothing to do with such activities and pagan beliefs and practices. So, what are these pagan things doing in a so-called “Christian” novel series?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Paul wrote these words in <u>Ephesians chapter 5, verses 3 through 6</u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[3] But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; [4] Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. [5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[6] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> [End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In <u>Ephesians 5:11</u>, God had Paul write: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”</b> [End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">-- {2.} <u>Communication with Familiar Spirits Is Found in Narnia.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to WitchcraftandWitches.com, a “familiar” (spirit) is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“A familiar (or familiar spirit or familiar animal) is an animal-shaped spirit or minor demon believed to serve a witch or magician as domestic servant, spy and companion, in addition to helping to bewitch enemies or to divine information. ….”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> [End quote] (“Familiar,” WitchcraftandWitches.com.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">ParanormalDictionary.com stated that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“A Spirit Guide is a … being that [</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">guides</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">] … a person along their path in life. Many religious and faith practices call upon these guides during rituals, energy work, or times of trouble. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>The guides are, more often than not, an animal form or an undefined being of light or shadow</u></b>. … They have been referred to as many names throughout history and cultures. Egyptians believed that they were the spirits of dead kings and rulers … Native Americans referred to them as animal totems.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> [End quote] (Emphasis added) (“Spirit Guide,” ParanormalDictionary.com)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We find a pattern throughout The Chronicles of Narnia books and movies. Lucy plays a major role in Narnia. She is the one who finds the magic wardrobe in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</i>. She really is the main character in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i>. It is she who sees Aslan appear out of thin air after she had cast a spell from a magic spell book in a wizard’s house. She communicates with the lion character who was invisible to her just before she cast the spell to make him visible. Is this lion character not a spirit guide?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyDspF3S7QUxC2FxR6UlVUL3VWHxf3xQBgENncJJcpmEiMe_0UyFd3asLBdywPptvJzwawvWKN8s2cNUJJRD7ZjTXkDGU63RsFBfHq_gHXrGN9hCttTSu4L9oebgjBhLvOClqrbahXjM/s1600/SW+MS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="659" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyDspF3S7QUxC2FxR6UlVUL3VWHxf3xQBgENncJJcpmEiMe_0UyFd3asLBdywPptvJzwawvWKN8s2cNUJJRD7ZjTXkDGU63RsFBfHq_gHXrGN9hCttTSu4L9oebgjBhLvOClqrbahXjM/s320/SW+MS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">(Star Wars has magic spells,<br />
but they are not as obvious as in Harry Potter.<br />
<b><a href="https://problemsolvinggame.blogspot.com/2019/06/star-wars-is-great-deception.html" target="_blank">Click here</a></b> to read about how Star Wars promotes the occult.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Aslan gives assistance, guidance, and advice to the main characters in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Chronicles of Narnia</i>. He helps them out and tells them things. But, he says that the magic found in spell books is the same kind of magic that he uses. This creature that follows the magic of spell books is not the Jesus Christ of the Bible. It is C.S. Lewis’ version of Christ in a fictional lion character. This lion is promoting the occult to children and young adults.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">God warned His people about sorcerers; witches; necromancers (those who communicate with spirits that claim to be of the dead); those who consult or speak with familiar spirits; wizards, enchanters, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[10] There shall <b>not be found among</b> you <b>any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire</b>, or that <b>useth divination</b>, or <b>an observer of times</b>, or <b>an enchanter</b>, or <b>a witch</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[11] Or <b>a charmer</b>, or <b><u>a consulter with familiar spirits</u></b>, or <b>a wizard</b>, or <b>a <u>necromancer</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[12] <b><u>For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord</u></b>: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” [End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u style="text-underline: words;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leviticus 20:27</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> says: “[27] A<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them</b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">God forbids speaking with familiar spirits, or “ghosts,” or anything of that nature. God also forbids anything to do with magic / “<i>magick</i>” (anything that involves occult power or occult knowledge … a.k.a. sorcery). <b><u>Check out the scriptures at the end of the article</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The answer to sin, temptation, deception, and the power of the occult is look to Jesus Christ, and seek to know Him, and rest in Him, and talk with Him, and read His Word (the Bible), and choose to look to Him for help to forsake the world. This is how one escapes the snares of the devil and the power of the occult and the traps of sin. <b><u>Knowing Abba Father God, through Jesus Christ, on a deep, personal level is how to escape the power of darkness in all its forms</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">🌍</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">➠</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, </span></b><a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">click here</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">-- <u>{Verses About How God Hates Sorcery in All Its Forms}</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leviticus 20:6-7</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[6] And the soul that turneth after such as have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">after <b><u>wizards</u></b>, to go a whoring after them, <u>I will even set my face</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">against that soul, and will cut him off </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">from among his people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[7] Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy : for I <i>am </i>the Lord<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">your God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leviticus 19:31</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[31] <u>Regard not them that have <b>familiar spirits</b></u>, <u>neither seek after</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">wizards</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, to be defiled by them : I <i>am </i>the Lord your God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leviticus 21:27</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[27] <u>A man also or woman that hath a <b>familiar spirit</b>, or that is a</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">wizard</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, shall surely be put to death </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: they shall stone them with<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">stones ; their blood <i>shall be </i>upon them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2 Kings 21:6</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[6] And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">used <b><u>enchantments</u></b>, and dealt with <b><u>familiar spirits </u>and <u>wizards </u></b>: <b>he</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">wrought <u>much wickedness </u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in the sight of the Lord, to provoke <i>him</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">to anger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1 Chronicles 10:13-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[13] <b>So <u>Saul died for his transgression </u>which he committed against the</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lord, <i>even </i>against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and <u>also for asking <i>counsel </i>of <i>one that had </i>a familiar spirit</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, to inquire <i>of it ;</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[14] And inquired not of the Lord : therefore he slew him, and turned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah 19:3-4</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[3] And the spirit of Egypt <u>shall fail </u>in the midst thereof ; and <u>I will</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">destroy the counsel thereof </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: and <u>they </u>shall seek to the idols, and to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">the <b><u>charmers</u></b>, and to them that have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>, and to the <b><u>wizards</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[4] <b><u>And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord </u></b>; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a <b>fierce king shall rule over them</b></span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Galatians 5:19-21</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[19] Now the <b><u>works of the flesh </u></b><u>are manifest</u>, which are <i>these, </i>adultery,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] idolatry, <b><u>witchcraft</u></b>, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like : of the which I tell you before, as I have also told <i>you </i>in time past, that <b><u>they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God</u></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Revelation 21:7-8</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and I will be his God,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">and he shall be my son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[8] But the <u>fearful</u>, and <u>unbelieving</u>, and the <u>abominable</u>, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">murderers, and <b><u>whoremongers</u></b>, and <b><u>sorcerers</u></b>, and <b><u>idolaters</u></b>, and all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">liars</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, <b>shall have their part in the lake which burneth with <u>fire and</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">brimstone</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: which is the second death.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">🌍</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">➠</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, </span></b><a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">click here</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-47571570299974181042019-06-17T17:16:00.005-07:002019-07-03T19:45:32.499-07:00Narnia Promotes Paganism and Witchcraft (Part 1 of 2) -- Telekinesis, Levitation, Witchcraft and NARNIA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">____________________________________</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: 24px;"><b>Telekinesis, Levitation, Witchcraft </b>and <b>Narnia</b></span><br />
<b style="font-size: 24px;"><u><br /></u></b>
<b style="font-size: 24px;"><u>Narnia Promotes Paganism and Witchcraft </u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 24px;"><b><u>(Part 1 of 2)</u></b></span><br />
<b style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></b>
<b><a href="https://spaceforswashbuckling.blogspot.com/2019/06/narnia-promotes-paganism-and-witchcraft_17.html" target="_blank">{Click Here for Part 2 of 2.}</a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Witchcraft in The Chronicles of Narnia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Chronicles of Narnia stories are still popular today after their beginning in the 1950s. They have been made into several popular Hollywood films. Many Christians have embraced the books and treasured them along with other writings of C.S. Lewis. But, what is the reason for their continuing popularity? Could it be that they are more than just novels for entertainment?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The late David J. Meyer, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a former witch</b>, became a believer in Jesus Christ and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">left witchcraft</b>. He then exposed the real witchcraft in some popular books for children and adults. David J. Meyer wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As a former witch, astrologer, and occultist who has been saved by the grace of God, I know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>the works of C.S. Lewis are required reading by neophyte witches</u></b>, especially in the United States and England. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>This includes The Chronicles of Narnia, because it teaches neophyte, or new witches, the basic mindset of the craft</u></b>. Isn’t it strange, though, that many “Christian” churches and organizations have used The Chronicles of Narnia as Sunday School curriculum?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">(Meyer, David J. “The Witchcraft of the Narnia Chronicles.” lasttrumpetministries.org.) </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(Emphasis added)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">{<u>Note</u>: A neophyte is a beginner witch.}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let’s consider what David J. Meyer said about Narnia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This article is divided up into <u>three sections</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">{1} “The Force” Is a Term Witches Use ... Lucy Casts a Spell ...<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">{2.} Levitation Is Used in Witchcraft and Narnia.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">{3.} Telekinesis Is Found in Both Narnia and Witchcraft.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">-- {1.} <u>“The Force” Is a Term Witches Use. Witches Believe in “Black” Magic and in “White” Magic. In <i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i>, Lucy Casts a Spell Which Makes Invisible Things Visible.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After leaving witchcraft, the late David J. Meyer became a believer in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Years after his conversion, David J. Meyer said this in an online article:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">‘When <b><u>real witches </u></b>have sabats and esbats and meet as a coven, they greet each other by saying "Blessed be", and when they part, they say "<b><u>The Force be with you</u></b>." Both sides of this "Force" are Satan. It is not a good side of the force that overcomes the bad side of the force, but rather it’s the blood of Jesus Christ that destroys both supposed sides of the satanic "Force."’ <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] (Emphasis added) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Meyer, David
J. "Harry Potter? What Does God Have To Say?" Last Trumpet Ministries
International.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Likewise, in Star Wars, “the Force” has a “dark side” and a “light side”. Luke Skywalker uses the “good side” of the Force to battle Darth Vader who uses the “dark side” of the Force. In Narnia, Aslan uses magic to fly, to break the spell of eternal winter that the witch cast over Narnia, and for other things. The witch uses magic to battle the “good guys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">An example how Narnia promotes witchcraft is found in a certain scene from ‘<i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ </i>(the book). Aslan (the lion character) becomes visible when Lucy casts a spell from a magic spell book. After Lucy cast the spell to make invisible things visible, Aslan appears out of thin air. She is surprised to see the magical lion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The word "spell," referring to an occult practice, is defined by Merriam-Webster.com as:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"... : a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power" </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] (Spell, Merriam-Webster.com)<br /><br />TheFreeDictionary.com said this about a magic spell: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"... a verbal formula believed to have magical force; ... " </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] (Magic Spell, TheFreeDictionary.com)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">C.S. Lewis (the author of The Chronicles of Narnia) wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />‘ She went up to the desk and laid her hand on the book; her fingers tingled when she touched it as if it were full of electricity. … There was no title page or title; the spells began straight away … They were cures for warts … a spell for taking a swarm of bees. …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[… ]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She turned on and found to her surprise a page with no pictures at all; but the first words were A Spell to make hidden things visible. She read it through to make sure of all the hard words and then said it out loud. And she knew at once that it was working because as she spoke the colours came into the capital letters at the top of the page and the pictures began appearing in the margins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">…” [End quote] [Source: Lewis, C.S. "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." gutenberg.ca.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Aslan appears. C.S. Lewis goes on to write:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">'Then her face lit up till, ... and she ran forward with a little cry of delight and with her arms stretched out. For what stood in the doorway was Aslan himself, the Lion, the highest of all High Kings. And he was solid and real and warm and he let her kiss him and bury herself in his shining mane. …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh, Aslan," said she, "it was kind of you to come."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />"I have been here all the time," said he, "but you have just made me visible."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />"Aslan!" said Lucy almost a little reproachfully. "Don't make fun of me. As if anything I could do would make you visible!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />"It did," said Aslan. "Do you think I wouldn't obey my own rules?" ’ </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] [Source: Lewis, C.S. "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." gutenberg.ca.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Aslan is saying that his own rules are found in magic spell books. In the occult realm these magic spell books often are called grimores. They can be purchased from witchcraft websites and in occult bookstores. Witches today believe in the power of what they call “magick” (spelled with an “-ick”). They believe that <u>spells</u>, charms, potions, <u>incantations</u> (spells, chants, and magic songs), <u>magic wands</u>, amulets, <u>magic rings</u>, and other items used by sorcerers and witches can somehow control this “Force” (or source of occult power).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">C.S. Lewis wrote in a personal letter that Aslan was supposed to be a type of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In a letter addressed to Mrs. Hook (from 1958), C.S. Lewis wrote: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"[Aslan] is an invention giving an imaginary answer to the question ‘What might Christ become like if there really were a world like Narnia and He choose to be incarnate and die and rise again in that world as He actually has done in ours?’ This is not allegory at all."</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] {"Allegory and Symbolism: Deciphering the Chronicles." narniaweb.com. (pdf)}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">But, C.S. Lewis had this “Christ” character promote the occult to children. This is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> of the nature of Jesus Christ. Rather, what C.S. Lewis is doing is promoting something that is anti-Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“White” witches today use what they call “white magic,” and wizards in the dark arts use “black magic”. Magic (also known as “magick”) is sorcery and witchcraft. The Bible has this to say about such practices…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Deuteronomy 18:9-12 </span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[9] When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[10] There shall <b>not be found among</b> you <b>any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire</b>, or that <b>useth divination</b>, or <b>an observer of times</b>, or <b>an enchanter</b>, or <b>a witch</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[11] Or <b>a charmer</b>, or <b>a consulter with familiar spirits</b>, or <b>a wizard</b>, or <b>a necromancer</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[12] <u>For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord</u>: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[End quote] [Underlining / Bold font added] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Revelation 21:7-8</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and I will be his God,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">and he shall be my son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[8] But the <u>fearful</u>, and <u>unbelieving</u>, and the <u>abominable</u>, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">murderers, and <b><u>whoremongers</u></b>, and <b><u>sorcerers</u></b>, and <b><u>idolaters</u></b>, and all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">liars</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, <b>shall have their part in the lake which burneth with <u>fire and</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">brimstone</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: which is the second death.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[End quote] [Underlining / Bold font added] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">-- {2.} <u>Levitation Is Used in Witchcraft and Narnia.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">From Merriam-Webster.com, we have this definition for levitation: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">"... the act or process of levitating especially : the rising or lifting of a person or thing by means held to be supernatural" [End quote] (Levitation, Merriam-Webster.com)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tibetan monks were known to levitate while meditating. Levitation is found in eastern mysticism and also in the occult. Tibetan monks were known to have caused massive boulders to levitate into the air. In <i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i>, Aslan has the power to fly. He has no wings. But, he can fly through the air by magic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus Christ in <u>Mark 13:21-22 </u>said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[21] And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here <i>is </i>Christ ; or, lo, <i>he is</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">there ; believe <i>him </i>not :</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and <u>shall show signs</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and wonders, to seduce</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, if <i>it were </i>possible, even <u>the elect</u>.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">-- {3.} <u>Telekinesis Is Found in Both Narnia and Witchcraft.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Merriam-Webster.com says this about telekinesis:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">"... the production of motion in objects (as by a spiritualistic medium) without contact or other physical means" [End quote] (Telekinesis, Merriam-Webster)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Like levitation, telekinesis is the movement of an object without physically touching it. Levitation refers to moving an object upward. Telekinesis refers to moving an object in other directions. In Star Wars, <i>Jedi knights (so-called "good guys") </i>and <i>Sith knights </i>move objects without touching them. A character named Luke Skywalker drew a light saber (<i>a sword that uses a beam of energy to cut things</i>) toward him, using telekinesis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In Lord of the Rings: <i>The Fellowship of the Ring</i>, Gandalf and Saruman battled in a tower, and Saruman levitated Gandalf and also used telekinesis to push him through the air. In <i>The Return of the King </i>book (by J.R.R Tolkien, a friend of C.S. Lewis), Gandalf (the so-called “good” wizard) used telekinesis to knock a sword out of the hand of Denethor, (the leader of Gondor). <i>{<u>Note</u>: The article titled “What powers does Gandalf possess?” on quora.com was used to obtain some information for this research.}<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In Narnia, Aslan both levitated and moved himself through the air with Lucy and Susan on his back</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. Again, he had no wings. He flew magically. Paranormal research shows that inanimate objects, such as chairs, have been observed to move without any natural explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A lady called Catt Foy believes with all certainty that physically-impossible actions have taken place in her presence. She said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I had a bathroom mirror frost over on a warm afternoon when nobody had taken a shower. I had my large bedroom mirror frost over for no apparent reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That same mirror one morning literally jumped off the wall, soared over my dresser without knocking anything over and came to rest leaning against the dresser unbroken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nail and the wire holding it were intact.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (Foy, Catt. “Telekinesis, Psychokinesis and Poltergeist Phenomena,” witchesandpagans.com.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Witches today claim that they can levitate or use telekinesis. This is sorcery. Again, witches have been known to move objects by way of telekinesis for many years, and long before the time of J.R.R. Tolkien, George Lucas, or C.S. Lewis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus said this in <u>Matthew 24:23-24:</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here <i>is </i>Christ, or there ;</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">believe <i>it </i>not.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[24] <u>For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">great signs and wonders ; insomuch that, if <i>it were </i>possible, they</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">shall deceive the very elect</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Books of spells, grimoires (occult books), hexes, charms, wands, magic rings, potions, table-tipping, séances, tarot cards, crystal balls, scrying mirrors, "divination," astrology, sorcery, "telekinesis," etc. All <u>these practices</u> and things <u>are</u> <b>forbidden </b>by God and His Word, the Bible.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Galatians chapter 5 says this in verses 19 through 21:</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[19] Now the <b><u>works of the flesh </u></b><u>are manifest</u>, which are <i>these, </i>adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] idolatry, <b><u>witchcraft</u></b>, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like : of the which I tell you before, as I have also told <i>you </i>in time past, that <b><u>they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God</u></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The answer to sin, temptation, deception, and the power of the occult is look to Jesus Christ, and seek to know Him, and rest in Him, and talk with Him, and read His Word (the Bible), and choose to look to Him for help to forsake the world. This is how one escapes the snares of the devil and the power of the occult and the traps of sin. <b><u>Knowing Abba Father God, through Jesus Christ, on a deep, personal level is how to escape the power of darkness in all its forms</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">🌍</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">➠</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, </span></b><a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">click here</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">-- <u>{Verses About How God Hates Sorcery in All Its Forms}</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leviticus 20:6-7</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[6] And the soul that turneth after such as have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">after <b><u>wizards</u></b>, to go a whoring after them, <u>I will even set my face</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">against that soul, and will cut him off </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">from among his people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[7] Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy : for I <i>am </i>the Lord<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">your God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leviticus 19:31</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[31] <u>Regard not them that have <b>familiar spirits</b></u>, <u>neither seek after</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">wizards</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, to be defiled by them : I <i>am </i>the Lord your God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leviticus 21:27</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[27] <u>A man also or woman that hath a <b>familiar spirit</b>, or that is a</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">wizard</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, shall surely be put to death </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: they shall stone them with<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">stones ; their blood <i>shall be </i>upon them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2 Kings 21:6</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[6] And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">used <b><u>enchantments</u></b>, and dealt with <b><u>familiar spirits </u>and <u>wizards </u></b>: <b>he</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">wrought <u>much wickedness </u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in the sight of the Lord, to provoke <i>him</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">to anger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1 Chronicles 10:13-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[13] <b>So <u>Saul died for his transgression </u>which he committed against the</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lord, <i>even </i>against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and <u>also for asking <i>counsel </i>of <i>one that had </i>a familiar spirit</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, to inquire <i>of it ;</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[14] And inquired not of the Lord : therefore he slew him, and turned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah 19:3-4</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[3] And the spirit of Egypt <u>shall fail </u>in the midst thereof ; and <u>I will</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">destroy the counsel thereof </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: and <u>they </u>shall seek to the idols, and to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">the <b><u>charmers</u></b>, and to them that have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>, and to the <b><u>wizards</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[4] <b><u>And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord </u></b>; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a <b>fierce king shall rule over them</b></span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Galatians 5:19-21</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[19] Now the <b><u>works of the flesh </u></b><u>are manifest</u>, which are <i>these, </i>adultery,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] idolatry, <b><u>witchcraft</u></b>, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like : of the which I tell you before, as I have also told <i>you </i>in time past, that <b><u>they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God</u></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Revelation 21:7-8</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and I will be his God,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">and he shall be my son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">[8] But the <u>fearful</u>, and <u>unbelieving</u>, and the <u>abominable</u>, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">murderers, and <b><u>whoremongers</u></b>, and <b><u>sorcerers</u></b>, and <b><u>idolaters</u></b>, and all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">liars</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, <b>shall have their part in the lake which burneth with <u>fire and</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">brimstone</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: which is the second death.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">🌍</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">➠</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, </span></b><a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">click here</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-42911294333921047262019-06-17T16:06:00.001-07:002019-06-17T22:21:23.925-07:00Narnia Contradicts the Bible and Is Anti-Christ (Witchcraft in The Chronicles of Narnia)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">NARNIA </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CONTRADICTS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">THE BIBLE </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">AND IS <b>ANTI-CHRIST</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Witchcraft in The Chronicles
of Narnia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Chronicles of Narnia stories are still popular
today after their beginning in the 1950s. They have been made into several
popular Hollywood films. Many Christians have embraced the books and treasured
them along with other writings of C.S. Lewis. But, what is the reason for their
continuing popularity? Could it be that they are more than just novels for
entertainment? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The late David J. Meyer, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a former witch</b>, became a believer in Jesus Christ and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">left witchcraft</b>. He then exposed the
real witchcraft in some popular books for children and adults. David J. Meyer
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As a former witch, astrologer, and occultist who has been
saved by the grace of God, I know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>the
works of C.S. Lewis are required reading by neophyte witches</u></b>,
especially in the United States and England. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>This includes The Chronicles of Narnia, because it teaches neophyte,
or new witches, the basic mindset of the craft</u></b>. Isn’t it strange,
though, that many “Christian” churches and organizations have used The
Chronicles of Narnia as Sunday School curriculum?”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(Meyer, David J. “The Witchcraft of the Narnia
Chronicles.” lasttrumpetministries.org.) </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(Emphasis added)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">{<u>Note</u>: A neophyte is a beginner witch.}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Let’s consider what David J. Meyer said about Narnia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP4tmhzRbABXAfNBOr-h5ebKo0F34UXM41tgsz-yydU33yi-mpiCLmgbER9ZiuEn1YXB45OBCDtJFgF1MfARYW4qHOZvpodQoPNX7oODOlY6ePQP58lQirZyquLeMvyqBuJqGpFBlgSI/s1600/Narnia+and+witches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1136" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP4tmhzRbABXAfNBOr-h5ebKo0F34UXM41tgsz-yydU33yi-mpiCLmgbER9ZiuEn1YXB45OBCDtJFgF1MfARYW4qHOZvpodQoPNX7oODOlY6ePQP58lQirZyquLeMvyqBuJqGpFBlgSI/s320/Narnia+and+witches.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This article is divided up into <u>five sections</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">{1}
“The Force” Is a Term Witches Use ... Lucy Cast Spells ... <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">{2.}
Levitation Is Used in Witchcraft and Narnia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">{3.}
Telekinesis Is Found in Both Narnia and Witchcraft.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">{4.}
Narnia Promotes Paganism. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">{5.}
Communication with Familiar Spirits Is Found in Narnia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-- {1.} <u>“The Force”
Is a Term Witches Use. Witches Believe in “Black” Magic and in “White” Magic.
In <i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i>, Lucy Casts a Spell Which Makes
Invisible Things Visible.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">After leaving witchcraft, the late David J. Meyer
became a believer in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Years after his conversion, David J. Meyer said this
in an online article:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‘When <b><u>real witches </u></b>have sabats
and esbats and meet as a coven, they greet each other by saying "Blessed
be", and when they part, they say "<b><u>The Force be with you</u></b>."
Both sides of this "Force" are Satan. It is not a good side of the
force that overcomes the bad side of the force, but rather it’s the blood of
Jesus Christ that destroys both supposed sides of the satanic
"Force."’ <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">[End quote] (Emphasis added) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Meyer, David
J. "Harry Potter? What Does God Have To Say?" Last Trumpet Ministries
International.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Likewise, in Star Wars, “the
Force” has a “dark side” and a “light side”. Luke Skywalker uses the “good
side” of the Force to battle Darth Vader who uses the “dark side” of the Force.
In Narnia, Aslan uses magic to fly, to break the spell of eternal winter that
the witch cast over Narnia, and for other things. The witch uses magic to
battle the “good guys.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">An example how Narnia
promotes witchcraft is found in a certain scene from ‘<i>The Voyage of the Dawn
Treader’ </i>(the book). Aslan (the lion character) becomes visible when Lucy
casts a spell from a magic spell book. After Lucy cast the spell to make
invisible things visible, Aslan appears out of thin air. She is surprised to
see the magical lion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The word "spell,"
referring to an occult practice, is defined
by Merriam-Webster.com as:<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"...
: a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power" </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[End quote] (Spell, Merriam-Webster.com)<br />
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TheFreeDictionary.com said this about a magic spell: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"... a
verbal formula believed to have magical force; ... " </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[End quote] (Magic Spell, TheFreeDictionary.com)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">C.S. Lewis (the author of The
Chronicles of Narnia) wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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‘ She went up to the desk and laid her hand on the book; her fingers tingled
when she touched it as if it were full of electricity. … There was no title
page or title; the spells began straight away … They were cures for warts … a
spell for taking a swarm of bees. …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[…
]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
turned on and found to her surprise a page with no pictures at all; but the
first words were A Spell to make hidden things visible. She read it through to
make sure of all the hard words and then said it out loud. And she knew at once
that it was working because as she spoke the colours came into the capital
letters at the top of the page and the pictures began appearing in the
margins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">…” [End quote] [Source: Lewis, C.S. "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."
gutenberg.ca.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Aslan appears. C.S. Lewis
goes on to write:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">'Then
her face lit up till, ... and she ran forward with a little cry of delight and
with her arms stretched out. For what stood in the doorway was Aslan himself,
the Lion, the highest of all High Kings. And he was solid and real and warm and
he let her kiss him and bury herself in his shining mane. …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh,
Aslan," said she, "it was kind of you to come."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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"I have been here all the time," said he, "but you have just
made me visible."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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"Aslan!" said Lucy almost a little reproachfully. "Don't make
fun of me. As if anything I could do would make you visible!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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"It did," said Aslan. "Do you think I wouldn't obey my own
rules?" ’ </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[End
quote] [Source: Lewis, C.S. "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."
gutenberg.ca.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Aslan is saying that his own rules are found in magic
spell books. In the occult realm these magic spell books often are called
grimores. They can be purchased from witchcraft websites and in occult
bookstores. Witches today believe in the power of what they call “magick”
(spelled with an “-ick”). They believe that <u>spells</u>, charms, potions, <u>incantations</u>
(spells, chants, and magic songs), <u>magic wands</u>, amulets, <u>magic rings</u>,
and other items used by sorcerers and witches can somehow control this “Force”
(or source of occult power).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">C.S. Lewis wrote in a personal letter that Aslan was
supposed to be a type of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
a letter addressed to Mrs. Hook (from 1958), C.S. Lewis wrote: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"[Aslan]
is an invention giving an imaginary answer to the question ‘What might Christ
become like if there really were a world like Narnia and He choose to be incarnate
and die and rise again in that world as He actually has done in ours?’ This is
not allegory at all."</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[End quote]
{"Allegory and Symbolism: Deciphering the Chronicles." narniaweb.com.
(pdf)} <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But, C.S. Lewis had this “Christ” character promote the
occult to children. This is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> of
the nature of Jesus Christ. Rather, what C.S. Lewis is doing is promoting
something that is anti-Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“White” witches today use what they call “white
magic,” and wizards in the dark arts use “black magic”. Magic (also known as
“magick”) is sorcery and witchcraft. The Bible has this to say about such
practices…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Deuteronomy 18:9-12 </span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">(emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[9] When thou art come into the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those
nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[10] There shall <b>not be found among</b> you <b>any
one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire</b>, or
that <b>useth divination</b>, or <b>an observer of times</b>,
or <b>an enchanter</b>, or <b>a witch</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[11] Or <b>a charmer</b>, or <b>a consulter
with familiar spirits</b>, or <b>a wizard</b>, or <b>a necromancer</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[12] <u>For all that do these things are an
abomination unto the Lord</u>: and because of these abominations the Lord thy
God doth drive them out from before thee.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>[End quote] [Underlining / Bold font added] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Revelation 21:7-8</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and
I will be his God,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">and he shall be my son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[8] But the <u>fearful</u>, and <u>unbelieving</u>,
and the <u>abominable</u>, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">murderers, and <b><u>whoremongers</u></b>,
and <b><u>sorcerers</u></b>, and <b><u>idolaters</u></b>, and all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">liars</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">, <b>shall
have their part in the lake which burneth with <u>fire and</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">brimstone</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">: which is the second
death.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[End quote] [Underlining /
Bold font added] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-- {2.} <u>Levitation
Is Used in Witchcraft and Narnia.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">From Merriam-Webster.com, we have this definition for
levitation: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"... the act or process of levitating especially
: the rising or lifting of a person or thing by means held to be
supernatural" [End quote] (Levitation, Merriam-Webster.com)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tibetan monks were known to levitate while meditating.
Levitation is found in eastern mysticism and also in the occult. Tibetan monks
were known to have caused massive boulders to levitate into the air. In <i>The
Chronicles of Narnia</i>, Aslan has the power to fly. He has no wings. But, he
can fly through the air by magic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus Christ in <u>Mark 13:21-22 </u>said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[21] And then if any man shall say to you, Lo,
here <i>is </i>Christ ; or, lo, <i>he is</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">there ; believe <i>him </i>not :</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise,
and <u>shall show signs</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">and wonders, to seduce</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">, if <i>it were </i>possible, even <u>the
elect</u>.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-- {3.} <u>Telekinesis
Is Found in Both Narnia and Witchcraft.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Merriam-Webster.com says this about telekinesis:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"... the production of motion in objects (as by a
spiritualistic medium) without contact or other physical means" [End
quote] (Telekinesis, Merriam-Webster)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5SdAX4FW9TcF7IkJ3zy45OkUPSg-yWGFBCUkWSDxBuHCDgHJSVAB4IugRqUQOjsGtXMk7zbYlMjb_-4PeoCqjgZzrAiwKoX7qZfPQ-1BBSMi7v5NM6gpdCFv9fxUmROSrpSzn9Bj0NM/s1600/Rock+above+the+ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="865" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5SdAX4FW9TcF7IkJ3zy45OkUPSg-yWGFBCUkWSDxBuHCDgHJSVAB4IugRqUQOjsGtXMk7zbYlMjb_-4PeoCqjgZzrAiwKoX7qZfPQ-1BBSMi7v5NM6gpdCFv9fxUmROSrpSzn9Bj0NM/s200/Rock+above+the+ground.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Like levitation, telekinesis is the movement of an
object without physically touching it. Levitation refers to moving an object
upward. Telekinesis refers to moving an object in other directions. In Star
Wars, <i>Jedi knights (so-called "good guys") </i>and <i>Sith
knights </i>move objects without touching them. A character named Luke
Skywalker drew a light saber (<i>a sword that uses a beam of energy to cut
things</i>) toward him, using telekinesis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In Lord of the Rings: <i>The Fellowship of the Ring</i>,
Gandalf and Saruman battled in a tower, and Saruman levitated Gandalf and also
used telekinesis to push him through the air. In <i>The Return of the King </i>book
(by J.R.R Tolkien, a friend of C.S. Lewis), Gandalf (the so-called “good”
wizard) used telekinesis to knock a sword out of the hand of Denethor, (the
leader of Gondor). <i>{<u>Note</u>: The article titled “What powers does
Gandalf possess?” on quora.com was used to obtain some information for this
research.} <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In Narnia, Aslan both levitated and moved himself
through the air with Lucy and Susan on his back</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">. Again, he had no wings. He flew magically.
Paranormal research shows that inanimate objects, such as chairs, have been
observed to move without any natural explanation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A lady called Catt Foy believes with all certainty
that physically-impossible actions have taken place in her presence. She said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I had a bathroom
mirror frost over on a warm afternoon when nobody had taken a shower. I had my
large bedroom mirror frost over for no apparent reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That same mirror one morning literally jumped
off the wall, soared over my dresser without knocking anything over and came to
rest leaning against the dresser unbroken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The nail and the wire holding it were intact.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> (Foy, Catt. “Telekinesis, Psychokinesis and
Poltergeist Phenomena,” witchesandpagans.com.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Witches today claim that they can levitate or use
telekinesis. This is sorcery. Again, witches have been known to move objects by
way of telekinesis for many years, and long before the time of J.R.R. Tolkien,
George Lucas, or C.S. Lewis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus said this in <u>Matthew 24:23-24:</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo,
here <i>is </i>Christ, or there ;</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">believe <i>it </i>not.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[24] <u>For there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall show</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">great signs and wonders ; insomuch that, if <i>it
were </i>possible, they</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">shall deceive the very elect</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[End
quote] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Books of spells, grimoires (occult books), hexes, charms, wands, magic rings,
potions, table-tipping, séances, tarot cards, crystal balls, scrying mirrors,
"divination," astrology, sorcery, "telekinesis," etc.
All <u>these practices</u> and things <u>are</u> <b>forbidden </b>by
God and His Word, the Bible.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Galatians chapter 5 says this in verses 19 through 21:</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[19] Now the <b><u>works of the flesh </u></b><u>are
manifest</u>, which are <i>these, </i>adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] idolatry, <b><u>witchcraft</u></b>,
hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21]
envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like : of the which I tell
you before, as I have also told <i>you </i>in time past, that <b><u>they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God</u></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-- {4.} <u>Narnia Promotes
Paganism.</u> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">C.S. Lewis was fascinated with paganism. So, it is not
surprising that he promoted paganism in his books. Pagan and mythical creatures
such as fauns, dwarfs, nymphs, dryads, and pagan gods appear in Narnia. Bacchus
(who was a pagan god of wine and promiscuity) appears in Narnia books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Fauns<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Britannica.com gives some interesting definitions of
ancient <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>pagan</u></b> entities (or
creatures) which are also found in Narnia books. A faun is a half-man and
half-goat creature. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Lewis gave this description of Mr. Tumnus, a faun in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe:<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He had a red woollen
muffler round his neck and his skin was rather reddish too. He had … a short
pointed beard and curly hair, and out of the hair there stuck two horns, one on
each side of his forehead. … He was a Faun. ….” </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[End quote] (Lewis, C.S. "THE LION, THE WITCH and THE
WARDROBE." gutenberg.ca.)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Britannica.com defines a “Faun” as:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Faun</b>, in Roman mythology, a creature that is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>part human and part goat</u></b>, <u>akin to a Greek satyr</u>. The
name faun is derived from Faunus, the name of an ancient Italic deity of
forests, fields, and herds, who from the 2nd century bce was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">associated with</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>the Greek god Pan</u></b>.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> [End
quote] (Faun, Britannica.com.) (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nymphs<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Besides fauns, nymphs are mentioned in several places
in Narnia books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">C.S. Lewis wrote of a “river-god” and nymphs moving
about in a river. He wrote this in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prince
Caspian</i>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Down below that in
the Great River, … the nymphs, and the great weedy-bearded head of the
river-god, rose from the water.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> [End
quote] (Lewis, C.S. "PRINCE CASPIAN." gutenberg.ca.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Britannica.com said this about the word “Nymph”:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nymph</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Greek mythology</b>, any of a large class
of inferior <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>female divinities</u></b>.
The nymphs were usually associated with fertile, growing things, such as trees,
or with water. …. the Naiads presided over springs, rivers, and lakes.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> [End quote] (Nymph, Britannica.com.) (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Stag<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Lewis’s first Narnia book<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, </i>began speaking to children
of pagan dances at midnight, of pagan creatures such as nymphs, dryads, fauns,
and of a being call “<span style="background: white;">the milk-white Stag”.</span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lewis wrote:</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
when Lucy was tired of eating the Faun began to talk. He had wonderful tales to
tell of life in the forest. He told about the midnight dances and how the
Nymphs … and the Dryads … came out to dance with the Fauns; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>about long hunting parties after the milk-white
Stag</u></b> <u>who could give you wishes if you caught him</u>;…” </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[End quote] (Lewis, C.S. "THE LION, THE WITCH and
THE WARDROBE." gutenberg.ca.) (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The horned god (or “the stag god”) is described as
having horns and is associated with hunting, fertility, and other things. The
“stag” or the “horned god” is found in wicca and other forms of witchcraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">LearnReligions.com says this about “the stag god” (or
horned god):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cernunnos</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> is a horned god found in Celtic mythology. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He is connected with</b> male animals,
particularly <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>the stag in rut</u></b>,
and this has led him to be associated with fertility and vegetation. Depictions
of Cernunnos are found in many parts of the British Isles and western Europe. ….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With his mighty
antlers, Cernunnos is a protector of the forest and master of the hunt. He is a
god of vegetation and trees in his aspect as the Green Man, and a god of lust
and fertility when connected with Pan, the Greek satyr. ….</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">” </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[End quote] (“Cernunnos,” learnreligions.com.)
(Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A website for wicca said this
about the “horned god” (or the “stag god”):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who is this wild God
[sic] who roams the forests, and who loves and protects the Goddess and all her
children? He is called the God of the Wicca, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Cernunnos</u></b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pan</b>,
Herne, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dionysus</b> and by many other
names. He is the ancient God of fertility:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the God of forest, flock and field and also of the hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>….” </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[End
quote] (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Bacchus
and the Maenads<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Dionysus is another name for Bacchus, a pagan god of
wine and promiscuity. C.S. Lewis included Bacchus (Dionysus) in his Narnia
books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis spoke of Bacchus and the
Maenads. Here is a quote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“ </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… They rubbed
their eyes and looked round them. … <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bacchus</b>
and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Maenads</b>—his fierce, madcap
girls—and Silenus were still with them. Lucy, fully rested, jumped up. Everyone
was awake, everyone was laughing, flutes were playing, cymbals clashing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[….]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">… Then the whole
party moved off—Aslan leading, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bacchus</b>
and his <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Maenads</b> leaping, rushing,
and turning somersaults, the beasts frisking round them, and Silenus and his
donkey bringing up the rear.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>” [End quote] (Lewis, C.S. "PRINCE
CASPIAN." gutenberg.ca.) (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Britannica.com says this about Dionysus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dionysus, also spelled Dionysos, also called Bacchus or
(in Rome) Liber Pater, in Greco-Roman religion, a nature god of fruitfulness
and vegetation, especially known as a god of wine and ecstasy</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">.” (Dionysus, Britannica.com.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Following Bacchus (or Dionysus) were women who were
said to be “possessed” by Bacchus. They were called Maenads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Britannica.com gives this information about the
maenads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maenad, female
follower of the Greek god of wine, Dionysus. The word maenad comes from the
Greek maenades, meaning “mad” or “demented.” During the orgiastic rites of
Dionysus, maenads roamed the mountains and forests performing frenzied,
ecstatic dances and were believed to be possessed by the god.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> [End quote] (Maenad, Britannica.com.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In other words, these “mad” women were demon possessed
and were promiscuous. Bacchus or Dionysus, their god, is an evil spirit that
possessed them and led them into evil, orgiastic rites and rituals. This is
demon possession, paganism, and occult practices. Christians should have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">nothing to do</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">with</b> books that promote paganism, pagan creatures, magic, spells,
charms, magic powers, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">These pagan practices were taking place in Greece,
Italy, and in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) during the time of Paul, an
apostle. Paul warned Christians to have nothing to do with such activities and
pagan beliefs and practices. So, what are these pagan things doing in a
so-called “Christian” novel series?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul wrote these words in <u>Ephesians chapter 5,
verses 3 through 6</u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[3] But
fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named
among you, as becometh saints; [4] Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor
jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. [5] For this ye
know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an
idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[6] Let no man
deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of
God upon the children of disobedience.”</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">
[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In <u>Ephesians 5:11</u>, God had Paul write: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“[11] And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”</b> [End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-- {5.} <u>Communication
with Familiar Spirits Is Found in Narnia.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">According to WitchcraftandWitches.com, a “familiar”
(spirit) is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“A familiar (or
familiar spirit or familiar animal) is an animal-shaped spirit or minor demon believed
to serve a witch or magician as domestic servant, spy and companion, in
addition to helping to bewitch enemies or to divine information. ….”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> [End quote] (“Familiar,” WitchcraftandWitches.com.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ParanormalDictionary.com stated that: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“A Spirit Guide is a
… being that [</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">guides</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">] … a person along their path in life. Many
religious and faith practices call upon these guides during rituals, energy
work, or times of trouble. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>The guides
are, more often than not, an animal form or an undefined being of light or
shadow</u></b>. … They have been referred to as many names throughout history
and cultures. Egyptians believed that they were the spirits of dead kings and
rulers … Native Americans referred to them as animal totems.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> [End quote] (Emphasis added) (“Spirit Guide,”
ParanormalDictionary.com)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyDspF3S7QUxC2FxR6UlVUL3VWHxf3xQBgENncJJcpmEiMe_0UyFd3asLBdywPptvJzwawvWKN8s2cNUJJRD7ZjTXkDGU63RsFBfHq_gHXrGN9hCttTSu4L9oebgjBhLvOClqrbahXjM/s1600/SW+MS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="659" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyDspF3S7QUxC2FxR6UlVUL3VWHxf3xQBgENncJJcpmEiMe_0UyFd3asLBdywPptvJzwawvWKN8s2cNUJJRD7ZjTXkDGU63RsFBfHq_gHXrGN9hCttTSu4L9oebgjBhLvOClqrbahXjM/s320/SW+MS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Star Wars has magic spells, <br />
but they are not as obvious as in Harry Potter. <br />
<b><a href="https://problemsolvinggame.blogspot.com/2019/06/star-wars-is-great-deception.html" target="_blank">Click here</a></b> to read about how Star Wars promotes the occult.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We find a pattern throughout The Chronicles of Narnia
books and movies. Lucy plays a major role in Narnia. She is the one who finds
the magic wardrobe in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lion, the
Witch, and the Wardrobe</i>. She really is the main character in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i>. It is
she who sees Aslan appear out of thin air after she had cast a spell from a
magic spell book in a wizard’s house. She communicates with the lion character
who was invisible to her just before she cast the spell to make him visible. Is
this lion character not a spirit guide?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Aslan gives assistance, guidance, and advice to the
main characters in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Chronicles of
Narnia</i>. He helps them out and tells them things. But, he says that the
magic found in spell books is the same kind of magic that he uses. This
creature that follows the magic of spell books is not the Jesus Christ of the
Bible. It is C.S. Lewis’ version of Christ in a fictional lion character. This
lion is promoting the occult to children and young adults. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">God warned His people about sorcerers; witches;
necromancers (those who communicate with spirits that claim to be of the dead);
those who consult or speak with familiar spirits; wizards, enchanters, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[10] There shall <b>not be found among</b> you <b>any
one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire</b>, or
that <b>useth divination</b>, or <b>an observer of times</b>,
or <b>an enchanter</b>, or <b>a witch</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[11] Or <b>a charmer</b>, or <b><u>a
consulter with familiar spirits</u></b>, or <b>a wizard</b>, or <b>a <u>necromancer</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[12] <b><u>For all that do these things are
an abomination unto the Lord</u></b>: and because of these
abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” [End
quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u style="text-underline: words;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Leviticus 20:27</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> says: “[27] A<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> man also or woman
that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death:
they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them</b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">God forbids speaking with familiar spirits, or
“ghosts,” or anything of that nature. God also forbids anything to do with
magic / “<i>magick</i>” (anything that involves occult power or occult
knowledge … a.k.a. sorcery). <b><u>Check out the scriptures at the end of
the article</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The answer to sin, temptation, deception, and the
power of the occult is look to Jesus Christ, and seek to know Him, and rest in
Him, and talk with Him, and read His Word (the Bible), and choose to look to
Him for help to forsake the world. This is how one escapes the snares of the
devil and the power of the occult and the traps of sin. <b><u>Knowing Abba
Father God, through Jesus Christ, on a deep, personal level is how to escape
the power of darkness in all its forms</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b><span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">🌍</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt;">➠</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> If you would like
to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from
sin, </span></b><a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic";">click
here</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by
trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never
save us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour
; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come
unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for
all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">-- <u>{Verses About How God Hates Sorcery in All
Its Forms}</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Leviticus 20:6-7</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[6] And the soul that turneth after such as
have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">after <b><u>wizards</u></b>, to go a whoring
after them, <u>I will even set my face</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">against that soul, and will cut him off </span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">from among his people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[7] Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy :
for I <i>am </i>the Lord<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">your God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Leviticus 19:31</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[31] <u>Regard not them that have <b>familiar
spirits</b></u>, <u>neither seek after</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">wizards</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">,
to be defiled by them : I <i>am </i>the Lord your God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Leviticus 21:27</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[27] <u>A man also or woman that hath a <b>familiar
spirit</b>, or that is a</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">wizard</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">,
shall surely be put to death </span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">:
they shall stone them with<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">stones ; their blood <i>shall be </i>upon
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2 Kings 21:6</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[6] And he made his son pass through the fire, and
observed times, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">used <b><u>enchantments</u></b>, and dealt
with <b><u>familiar spirits </u>and <u>wizards </u></b>: <b>he</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">wrought <u>much wickedness </u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">in the sight of the Lord, to provoke <i>him</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">to anger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1 Chronicles 10:13-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[13] <b>So <u>Saul died for his
transgression </u>which he committed against the</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Lord, <i>even </i>against the word of
the Lord, which he kept not, and <u>also for asking <i>counsel </i>of <i>one
that had </i>a familiar spirit</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">,
to inquire <i>of it ;</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[14] And inquired not of the Lord :
therefore he slew him, and turned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Isaiah 19:3-4</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[3] And the spirit of Egypt <u>shall fail </u>in
the midst thereof ; and <u>I will</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">destroy the counsel thereof </span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">: and <u>they </u>shall seek to the idols,
and to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">the <b><u>charmers</u></b>, and to them that
have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>, and to the <b><u>wizards</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[4] <b><u>And the Egyptians will I give over into
the hand of a cruel lord </u></b>; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">a <b>fierce king shall rule over them</b></span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Galatians 5:19-21</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[19] Now the <b><u>works of the flesh </u></b><u>are
manifest</u>, which are <i>these, </i>adultery,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20]
idolatry, <b><u>witchcraft</u></b>, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings,
and such like : of the which I tell you before, as I have also told <i>you </i>in
time past, that <b><u>they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom
of God</u></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Revelation 21:7-8</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and
I will be his God,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">and he shall be my son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[8] But the <u>fearful</u>, and <u>unbelieving</u>,
and the <u>abominable</u>, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">murderers, and <b><u>whoremongers</u></b>,
and <b><u>sorcerers</u></b>, and <b><u>idolaters</u></b>, and all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">liars</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">, <b>shall
have their part in the lake which burneth with <u>fire and</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">brimstone</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">: which is the second
death.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">🌍</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt;">➠</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ
(God the Son), and be saved from sin, </span></b><a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">click here</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by
trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never
save us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour
; </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[4] who will have all
men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is
one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who
gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1
Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">____________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-68478004222875267712019-06-16T13:31:00.001-07:002019-06-16T14:33:52.046-07:00Lord of the Rings Is Occultic and Anti-Christ <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><br />
Lord of the Rings Is Occultic and Anti-Christ</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><i><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">The Lord of the Rings </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">was the sequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel, <i>The
Hobbit</i>. This book series took shape in Tolkien’s mind in the late 1930s.
One day as Tolkien was grading papers, he found a blank sheet of paper and a
sentence came to his mind: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit” (See
"Who was Tolkien?" in Works Cited). He wrote it down and began to
ponder what a hobbit was and what kind of hole it lived in. From that day
forward, J.R.R. Tolkien began a story that would become very popular all around
the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">His story, The Lord of the
Rings, picked up popularity in the late ‘60s and became known as ‘the Bible of
the “Alternative Society”.’ The drug / counter-cultural revolution loved “Lord
of the Rings”. Tolkien has a cult following that continues to this day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">But, why is <i>The Lord of
the Rings </i>series so popular? Why would the writings of a British Oxford
professor of the English Language and Literature be so popular around the world
today? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">The power of Lord of the Rings to captivate the minds,
imaginations, and hearts of countless millions of people is not something that
can be lightly ignored. Christians need to be aware of the messages and themes
in Tolkien’s books (and Lord of the Rings films and video games), especially
since the Bible warned us about deceivers and evil people who would conduct
amazing signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, God's people. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">The darkness in our world is increasing. We must be
vigilant, as Christians, to watch and pray ... that is we need to know what God
would show us personally and to pray as God leads us by His Holy Spirit. In the
dark waters of this world, we need God's Holy Spirit and His Holy Bible to
guide us when we consider the popular things in our culture and world.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Article sections in this document:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">-- {1} “The Force” Is a Term
Witches Use. ‘Black’ Magic and ‘White Magic’ Are from the Same Evil Power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">-- {2} Levitation Is Used in
Witchcraft and in Lord of the Rings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">-- {3} Telekinesis Is Found
in Both Lord of the Rings and the Occult.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">-- {4} Spell-Casting Is Used
in Lord of the Rings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">-- {5} Clairvoyance or
Divination Is Used by Wizards in Lord of the Rings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">-- {6} Communication with
Spirits of the Dead Is an Occult Practice Called Necromancy. It Is Found in
Lord of the Rings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">-- (1.) <u>“The Force” Is a Term Witches Use.
‘Black’ Magic and ‘White Magic’ Are from the Same Evil Power</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">After leaving witchcraft, the late David J. Meyer
became a believer in Jesus Christ.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Years after his conversion, David J. Meyer said this
in an online article:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">‘When <b><u>real witches </u></b>have sabats
and esbats and meet as a coven, they greet each other by saying "Blessed
be", and when they part, they say "<b><u>The Force be with you</u></b>."
Both sides of this "Force" are Satan. It is not a good side of the
force that overcomes the bad side of the force, but rather it’s the blood of
Jesus Christ that destroys both supposed sides of the satanic
"Force."’ (Meyer) (Emphasis added) </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[End quote] (<i>See the Works Cited</i>.)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Likewise, in Star Wars, “the Force” has a “dark side”
and a “light side”. Luke Skywalker uses the “good side” of the Force to battle
Darth Vader who uses the “dark side” of the Force. In Lord of the Rings,
Gandalf, the <i>“good” </i>wizard (so-called), used “white” magic, and Saruman,
the “evil” wizard, used “dark magic.” “White” witches today use what they call
“white magic,” and wizards in the dark arts use “black magic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">In Saruman’s tower, both he and Gandalf battle each
other using “the Force,” or magic. Gandalf is defeated after being hurtled
across a room by the “dark” wizard’s magic. He is levitated and knocked off his
feet by Saruman’s magic, or “Force” power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Magic (also known as “magick”) is sorcery and
witchcraft. The Bible has this to say about such practices…</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Deuteronomy 18:9-12 </span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">(emphasis added)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">“[9] When thou art come into the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those
nations.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">[10] There shall <b>not be found among</b> you <b>any
one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire</b>, or
that <b>useth divination</b>, or <b>an observer of times</b>,
or <b>an enchanter</b>, or <b>a witch</b>.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">[11] Or <b>a charmer</b>, or <b>a consulter
with familiar spirits</b>, or <b>a wizard</b>, or <b>a necromancer</b>.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">[12] <u>For all that do these things are an
abomination unto the Lord</u>: and because of these abominations the Lord thy
God doth drive them out from before thee.” [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[Underlining / Bold font added] </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">-- (2.) <u>Levitation Is Used in Witchcraft and
in Lord of the Rings.</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">From Merriam-Webster.com, we have this definition for
levitation: </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">"... the act or process of levitating especially
: the rising or lifting of a person or thing by means held to be
supernatural" [End quote] (Levitation, Merriam-Webster.com)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Tibetan monks were known to levitate while meditating.
Levitation is found in eastern mysticism and also in the occult. In Lord of the
Rings, Saruman levitated Gandalf while they fought in a tower. Tibetan monks
were also known to have caused massive boulders to levitate into the air.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rc-ainS8KVJQQvXVqne2EIKUpLOCrIhKsLHxniJ92_raEeGVrmF21U-VuPNqRBZ6tEVsMnfSepQQhWYvxzWcDz6teofzXSTkq7h78-t5n-we14u0kABix2woB2nHZioedJy91RXOaIw/s1600/Rock+above+the+ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="865" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rc-ainS8KVJQQvXVqne2EIKUpLOCrIhKsLHxniJ92_raEeGVrmF21U-VuPNqRBZ6tEVsMnfSepQQhWYvxzWcDz6teofzXSTkq7h78-t5n-we14u0kABix2woB2nHZioedJy91RXOaIw/s200/Rock+above+the+ground.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Jesus Christ in <u>Mark 13:21-22 </u>said:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">“[21] And then if any man shall say to you, Lo,
here <i>is </i>Christ ; or, lo, <i>he is</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">there ; believe <i>him </i>not :</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">[22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise,
and <u>shall show signs</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">and wonders, to seduce</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">, if <i>it were </i>possible, even <u>the
elect</u>.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">[End quote]</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">-- (3.) <u>Telekinesis Is Found in Both Lord of
the Rings and the Occult.</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Merriam-Webster.com says this about telekinesis:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">"... the production of motion in objects (as by a
spiritualistic medium) without contact or other physical means" [End
quote] (Telekinesis, Merriam-Webster)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Like levitation, telekinesis is the movement of an
object without physically touching it. Levitation refers to moving an object
upward. Telekinesis refers to moving an object in other directions. In Lord of
the Rings, wizards moved objects without touching them. Saruman
magically hurtled Gandalf through the air, without touching him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Return of
the King </i>book, Gandalf the wizard uses telekinesis to magically remove a
sword from the hand of another man. Gandalf and Pippin (a hobbit) encountered
Denethor (the leader of the fictional country of Gondor). Denethor was holding
a sword and opposing the wizard. So, Gandalf magically removed it from his
hands at a distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">“Even as Gandalf and
Pippin ran forward, they heard … the voice of Denethor crying: 'Haste, haste!
Do as I have bidden! Slay me this renegade! Or must I do so myself?' … there … stood
the Lord of the City, … he held a drawn sword.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">But Gandalf sprang up
the steps, …. He lifted up his hand, and in the very stroke, the sword of
Denethor flew up and left his grasp and fell behind him in the shadows of the
house; and Denethor stepped backward before Gandalf as one amazed.”</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">(<u>Source</u>:
"Microsoft Word - J.R. Tolken - The Return of the King.doc." <a href="https://bbs.pku.edu.cn/">https://bbs.pku.edu.cn</a>.) {<u>Note</u>: The
article titled “What powers does Gandalf possess?” on quora.com was used to
obtain some information for this research.}</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">This is sorcery. Witches have been known to move
objects by way of telekinesis for many years, and long before Lord of the Rings
came out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Telekinesis</span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">
is also defined as: “… the act or process of causing an object to move by means
of psychic forces, as directed by a spiritualistic medium, and not by means of
any physical force" [End quote] (Telekinesis, YourDictionary.com.) </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Jesus said this in <u>Matthew 24:24:</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[24] <u>For there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall show</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">great signs and wonders ; insomuch that, if <i>it
were </i>possible, they</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">shall deceive the very elect</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[End
quote] </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">-- (4.) <u>Spell-Casting Is Used in Lord
of the Rings</u></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span><u><span style="font-size: 15.0pt;"><br />
</span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
The word "spell," referring to an occult practice, is defined
by Merriam-Webster.com as:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzerfijuBBLPfVHtDxn3-yUYX-E4QzANSZPYFao01vtxEnJLPEcKr4tstFh4xyNwP01MPbPbgKJvspnFZj0mcTXRzWaHXVcymHAPD3lwe-bdDL5Sl3StQ6daBuIqQDYtodNFQXuv2_osk/s1600/SW+MS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="659" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzerfijuBBLPfVHtDxn3-yUYX-E4QzANSZPYFao01vtxEnJLPEcKr4tstFh4xyNwP01MPbPbgKJvspnFZj0mcTXRzWaHXVcymHAPD3lwe-bdDL5Sl3StQ6daBuIqQDYtodNFQXuv2_osk/s320/SW+MS.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">"... : a spoken word or form of words held to have magic
power" [End quote] (Spell, Merriam-Webster.com)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
TheFreeDictionary.com said this about a magic spell: "... a verbal
formula believed to have magical force; ... " [End quote] (Magic
Spell, TheFreeDictionary.com)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
In The Hobbit book, Tolkien had a scene where Bilbo Baggins is speaking with
Gandalf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">We read: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> “Yes, yes, my dear
sir—and I do know your name, Mr. Bilbo Baggins. And you do know my name, .... I
am Gandalf, …. ” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">“Gandalf, Gandalf! … <b><u>Not
the wandering wizard that gave Old Took a pair of magic diamond studs that
fastened themselves and never came undone till ordered</u></b>? …” ’</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">[Emphasis
added] </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">(</span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">“The Hobbit.” Lake.k12.fl.us.) </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The words Gandalf used to unfasten a pair of diamond
studs are called a "spell" in the occult world. In The Hobbit book,
the dwarves sang a song that included the mention of spell-casting. A portion
of it is: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">“The dwarves of yore
made mighty spells,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">While hammers fell
like ringing bells”</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> [End quote] (</span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">“The Hobbit.” Lake.k12.fl.us.) </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Witches (and warlocks) today will cast spells on
people to influence them to make decisions favorable to the witch or warlock.
There are books being sold today online that promote the use of spells to
influence people to enter a romantic relationship, spells to influence
employers, spells to make a business more profitable, spells to cure problems,
etc. Spell-casting is real and it is part of witchcraft. Grimores (occult textbooks
for witches) and other books of spells contain instructions on how to cast
spells to gain certain so-called “benefits.” But, such deeds will be judged by
the Almighty God.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
</span><u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Galatians chapter 5 says this in
verses 19 through 21:</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">“[19] Now the </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">works of the flesh </span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">are manifest</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">,
which are <i>these, </i>adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, [20] idolatry, </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">witchcraft</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such
like : of the which I tell you before, as I have also told <i>you </i>in
time past, that </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">-- </span><span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">(5.) <u>Clairvoyance
or Divination Is Used by Wizards in Lord of the Rings.</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Merriam-Webster.com says this about <u>divination</u>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">"1 : <u>the art or practice that seeks to</u> foresee
or foretell future events <u>or discover hidden knowledge</u> usually
by the interpretation of omens or <u>by the aid of supernatural powers</u>"
[End quote] [Underlining
added] (Divination, Merriam-Webster.com)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In <i>The Fellowship of the
Ring</i>, Galadriel, an elf lady, takes some people to view a magic pool.
There, Samwise Gamgee (a hobbit) gazes into the magic pool and magically sees
events happening far away. Tolkien writes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Down
a long flight of steps …. At the bottom, ... stood a basin of silver, wide and
shallow, and beside it stood a silver ewer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With
water from the stream Galadriel filled the basin to the brim, ... she spoke.
`Here is the Mirror of Galadriel,' she said. 'I have brought you here so that
you may look in it, if you will.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">....
'What shall we look for, and what shall we see?' asked Frodo, filled with awe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">`Many
things I can command the Mirror to reveal,' she answered, `and to some I can
show what they desire to see. But the Mirror will also show things unbidden, …
and more profitable than things which we wish to behold. …. For it shows things
that were, and things that are, things that yet may be. …. Do you wish to
look?'"</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> [End quote] (“The Fellowship
of the Ring.” angelfire.com.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The magic pool or mirror of
Galadriel is no different than a mirror for divination, or a <i>scrying mirror</i>
(or pool). Scrying mirrors are sold online and in witchcraft shops. The
practice of gazing into a magic mirror or pool is used for divination, or
gaining hidden knowledge. God forbids divination in Deuteronomy 18 and
throughout the Bible. God said through Moses: <b>“There shall not be found
among you any one that ... or that useth divination,....” </b>(Deuteronomy
18:10).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But, divination is not only practiced and promoted in <i>The
Fellowship of the Ring</i>. A crystal ball is used in<i> The Two Towers</i>.
This is both divination and clairvoyance (which are almost identical).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">In<i> The Two Towers, </i>Gandalf
obtained a crystal ball (called a “Palantir”) from a wizard’s tower (Isengard),
after Gandalf had defeated Saruman, an “evil” wizard. One night, Pippin stole
the crystal ball to look into it. The hobbit gazes into its black depths until
he sees images appearing. He hears a voice speaking to him, in his mind. It is
Sauron, an “evil” wizard, who runs the evil country of Mordor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Tolkien writes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">“Pippin
... gazed at it. .... At first the globe was dark, black as jet, with the
moonlight gleaming on its surface. Then there came a faint glow and stir in the
heart of it, .... Soon all the inside seemed on fire; the ball was spinning, or
the lights within were revolving. ..." </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[End
quote] </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">(</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“The Two Towers.” archive.org.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Witches call this practice "scrying." Scrying is also called "crystal-gazing." Merriam-Webster.com defines crystal gazing as:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"... the art or practice of concentrating on a glass or crystal globe with the aim of inducing a psychic state in which divination can be performed" [End quote] (Crystal Gazing, </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">.)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Again, this is divination and clairvoyance. </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Merriam-Webster.com defines <u>clairvoyance</u> as:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">"1 : the power or faculty of discerning objects
not present to the senses</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">2 : ability to perceive matters beyond the range of
ordinary perception : PENETRATION</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The fortune-teller practices clairvoyance when she
gazes into a crystal ball to see her client's future." [End quote]
(Clairvoyance, Merriam-Webster.com)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Deuteronomy 18:10 says this about divination and
witchcraft:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">"[10] <b>There shall not be found
among you any one</b> that maketh his son or his daughter to
pass through the fire, or<b> that useth <u>divination</u></b>,
or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch." [End
quote] [Underlining added] </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">-- </span><span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">(6.) <u>Communication
with Spirits of the Dead Is an Occult Practice Called Necromancy. It Is Found
in Lord of the Rings.</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Britannica.com says this about <u>necromancy</u>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">"Necromancy, communication with the dead, usually
in order to obtain insight into the future or to accomplish some otherwise
impossible task. ... Its practitioners were skilled magicians ..."
[End quote] (Necromancy, Britannica.com)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">God warned His people about sorcerers; witches;
necromancers (those who communicate with spirits that claim to be of the dead);
those who consult or speak with familiar spirits; wizards, enchanters, etc.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[10] There shall <b>not be found among</b> you <b>any
one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire</b>, or
that <b>useth divination</b>, or <b>an observer of times</b>,
or <b>an enchanter</b>, or <b>a witch</b>.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[11] Or <b>a charmer</b>, or </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">a consulter with familiar spirits</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">, or <b>a wizard</b>, or <b>a </b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">necromancer</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[12] <b><u>For all that do these things are
an </u></b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">abomination </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">unto the Lord</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them
out from before thee.” [End quote]</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In <i>The Return of the King </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">novel</span>, Aragorn spoke with the spirit
of a dead king. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aragorn found a route that went through territory held by
those Tolkien calls “the Dead.” They are supposedly spirit beings of people who
died. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gimli
(a dwarf) recounts what happened when Aragorn spoke to “the Dead.” Tolkien
writes:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>'But Aragorn halted and cried with a great
voice: "Now come! By the Black Stone I call you! "And suddenly the <u>Shadow
Host</u> that had hung back at the last came up …. <u>the Dead</u> needed no
longer any weapon but fear. ...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">”</b></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> [End
quote] <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">{</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.5pt;">“The
Return of the King.” bbs.pku.edu.cn. (pdf</span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">)}
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(underline added)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
little later, Gimli said:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> … 'But mighty indeed was Aragorn
that day. ... and the <u>Shadow Host</u> withdrew to the shore. There they
stood silent, hardly to be seen, save for a red gleam.... And Aragorn spoke in
a loud voice to the <u>Dead Men</u>, crying: ' "Hear now the words of the
Heir of Isildur! Your oath is fulfilled. Go back and trouble not the valleys
ever again! Depart and be at rest! " 'And thereupon the <u>King of the
Dead</u> stood out before the host and broke his spear and cast it down. ....<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">”</b> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[End
quote] </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">{</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“The Return of the King.” bbs.pku.edu.cn. (pdf)}</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Let’s look again at the definition of necromancy. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">"Necromancy, communication with the dead, usually
in order to obtain insight into the future or to accomplish some otherwise
impossible task. ... Its practitioners were skilled magicians ..."
[End quote] (Necromancy, Britannica.com)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Necromancy is also found in Star Wars and Harry Potter
films and books. In Star Wars, Jedi knights speak with the spirits of deceased
Jedi. Witches and occult practitioners call up or summon spirits during séances
and other occult events. When the spirit or voice summoned claims to be a
living being, that spirit is called a ‘spirit guide,’ ‘ascended master,’ or a
familiar spirit.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Or, when the spirit claims to be the spirit of a dead
person, that person is said to be a “ghost” or the spirit of the dead. But, in
both cases, speaking with such a spirit is speaking with an evil spirit that
pretends to be and appears to be something other than what it truly is -- a
demonic spirit.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">God forbids speaking with familiar spirits, or
“ghosts,” or anything of that nature. God also forbids anything to do with
magic / “<i>magick</i>” (anything that involves occult power or occult
knowledge … a.k.a. sorcery). <b><u>Check out the scriptures at the end of
the article</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Again,<b><u> Deuteronomy
18:10-12 says:</u></b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[10] There shall <b>not be found among</b> you <b>any
one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire</b>, or
that <b>useth divination</b>, or <b>an observer of times</b>,
or <b>an enchanter</b>, or <b>a witch</b>.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[11] Or <b>a charmer</b>, or </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">a consulter with familiar spirits</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">, or <b>a wizard</b>, or <b>a </b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">necromancer</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[12] <b><u>For all that do these things are
an </u></b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">abomination </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">unto the Lord</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them
out from before thee.” [End quote]</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The answer to sin, temptation, deception, and the
power of the occult is look to Jesus Christ, and seek to know Him, and rest in
Him, and talk with Him, and read His Word (the Bible), and choose to look to
Him for help to forsake the world. This is how one escapes the snares of the
devil and the power of the occult and the traps of sin. <b><u>Knowing Abba
Father God, through Jesus Christ, on a deep, personal level is how to escape
the power of darkness in all its forms</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">🌍</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">➠</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">click here</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour
; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come
unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for
all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">-- </span><u><span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">{Verses
About How God Hates Sorcery in All Its Forms}</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Leviticus 20:6-7</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[6] And the soul that turneth after such as
have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>, and</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">after <b><u>wizards</u></b>, to go a whoring
after them, <u>I will even set my face</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">against that soul, and will cut him off </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">from among his people.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[7] Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy :
for I <i>am </i>the Lord</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">your God.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Leviticus 19:31</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[31] <u>Regard not them that have <b>familiar
spirits</b></u>, <u>neither seek after</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">wizards</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">,
to be defiled by them : I <i>am </i>the Lord your God.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Leviticus 21:27</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[27] <u>A man also or woman that hath a <b>familiar
spirit</b>, or that is a</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">wizard</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">,
shall surely be put to death </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">:
they shall stone them with</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">stones ; their blood <i>shall be </i>upon
them.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">2 Kings 21:6</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[6] And he made his son pass through the fire, and
observed times, and</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">used <b><u>enchantments</u></b>, and dealt
with <b><u>familiar spirits </u>and <u>wizards </u></b>: <b>he</b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">wrought <u>much wickedness </u></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">in the sight of the Lord, to provoke <i>him</i></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">to anger.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">1 Chronicles 10:13-14</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[13] <b>So <u>Saul died for his
transgression </u>which he committed against the</b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Lord, <i>even </i>against the word of the Lord,
which he kept not, and <u>also for asking <i>counsel </i>of <i>one
that had </i>a familiar spirit</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">,
to inquire <i>of it ;</i></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[14] And inquired not of the Lord :
therefore he slew him, and turned</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Isaiah 19:3-4</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[3] And the spirit of Egypt <u>shall fail </u>in
the midst thereof ; and <u>I will</u></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">destroy the counsel thereof </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">: and <u>they </u>shall seek to the idols,
and to</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">the <b><u>charmers</u></b>, and to them that
have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>, and to the <b><u>wizards</u></b>.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[4] <b><u>And the Egyptians will I give over into
the hand of a cruel lord </u></b>; and</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">a <b>fierce king shall rule over them</b></span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Galatians 5:19-21</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">“[19] Now the </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">works of the flesh </span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">are manifest</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">,
which are <i>these, </i>adultery,</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20]
idolatry, </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">witchcraft</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such
like : of the which I tell you before, as I have also told <i>you </i>in
time past, that </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Revelation 21:7-8</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and
I will be his God,</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">and he shall be my son.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[8] But the <u>fearful</u>, and <u>unbelieving</u>,
and the <u>abominable</u>, and</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">murderers, and <b><u>whoremongers</u></b>,
and </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;">sorcerers</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">, and <b><u>idolaters</u></b>, and all</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">liars</span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">, </span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">shall have their part in the lake which burneth
with <u>fire and</u></span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">brimstone</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">: which is the second
death.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">🌍</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt;">➠</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ
(God the Son), and be saved from sin, </span></b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">click here</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> to read more. There is no other way
of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our
own works can never save us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour
; </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[4]
who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
[5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due
time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">____________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Works Cited</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Who was Tolkien?" tolkiensociety.org. The
Tolkien Society.n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tolkien, J.R.R. “The Hobbit.” Lake.k12.fl.us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tolkien, J.R.R. “The Fellowship of the Ring.”
angelfire.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tolkien, J.R.R. “The Two Towers.” archive.org.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tolkien, J.R.R. “The Return of the King.”
bbs.pku.edu.cn. (pdf)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Microsoft Word - J.R. Tolken - The Return of the
King.doc." <a href="https://bbs.pku.edu.cn/">https://bbs.pku.edu.cn</a>
(pdf)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Khan, Yousuf. “What powers does Gandalf possess?”
quora.com.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"<u>Crystal Gazing</u>." </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">. </span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2019)</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Clairvoyance</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
(2019)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Divination</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
(2019)<u><br />
"Levitation</u>." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster,
Incorporated. (2019)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Telekinesis</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
(2019)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Telekinesis.” YourDictionary.com. LoveToKnow, Cor.
(2019)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"<u>Necromancy</u>." Britannica.com. Encyclopædia
Britannica, Inc. (2019) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Meyer, David J. "<u>Harry Potter? What Does
God Have To Say</u>?" Last Trumpet Ministries International. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-29466677788669074722019-06-14T18:54:00.000-07:002019-07-03T19:44:55.380-07:00STAR WARS CONTRADICTS THE BIBLE AND IS ANTI-CHRIST<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 22.6667px;"><b>STAR WARS IS ANTI-CHRIST</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 22.6667px;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: 22.6667px;"><b>(The Devil's Tool to Steal the Hearts of Christians)</b></span></h4>
<span style="font-size: 22.6667px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">|| STAR WARS </span></b><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">CONTRADICTS
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">THE BIBLE </span></b><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">AND
IS <b>ANTI-CHRIST ||</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.6667px;">Released to the world in 1977, Star Wars became a powerful phenomenon which drew millions of people into its profound influence. But, its power to captivate the minds, imaginations, and hearts of countless millions of people is not something that can be lightly ignored. Christians need to be aware of the messages and themes in Star Wars, especially since the Bible warned us about deceivers and evil people who would conduct amazing signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, God's people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.6667px;">The darkness in our world is increasing. We must be vigilant, as Christians, to watch and pray ... that is we need to know what God would show us personally and to pray as God leads us by His Holy Spirit. In the dark waters of this world, we need God's Holy Spirit and His Holy Bible to guide us when we consider the </span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px;">popular things in our culture and world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">-- <u>“The Force” Is a Term
Witches Use.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">(for the Occultic Power They
Possess or Think They Possess)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">After leaving witchcraft, the
late David J. Meyer became a believer in Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Years after his conversion,
David J. Meyer said this in an online article: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">‘When
<b><u>real witches </u></b>have sabats and esbats and meet as a coven, they
greet each other by saying "Blessed be", and when they part, they say
"<b><u>The Force be with you</u></b>." Both sides of this
"Force" are Satan. It is not a good side of the force that overcomes
the bad side of the force, but rather it’s the blood of Jesus Christ that
destroys both supposed sides of the satanic "Force."’ (Meyer)
(Emphasis added) </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote] (<i>See the Works Cited</i>.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Likewise, in Star Wars, “the
Force” has a “dark side” and a “light side”. Luke Skywalker uses the “good
side” of the Force to battle Darth Vader who uses the “dark side” of the Force.
“White” witches use what they call “white magic,” and wizards in the dark arts
use “black magic”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Magic (also known as
“magick”) is sorcery and witchcraft. The Bible has this to say about such
practices…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Deuteronomy
18:9-12 </span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">(emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">“[9]
When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt
not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">[10]
There shall <b>not be found among</b> you <b>any one that maketh his son or his
daughter to pass through the fire</b>, or that <b>useth divination</b>, or <b>an
observer of times</b>, or <b>an enchanter</b>, or <b>a witch</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">[11]
Or <b>a charmer</b>, or <b>a consulter with familiar spirits</b>, or <b>a
wizard</b>, or <b>a necromancer</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">[12]
<u>For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord</u>: and
because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before
thee.” [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">[Underlining / Bold font added] </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">-- <u>Levitation Is Used in
Witchcraft and Star Wars.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">From Merriam-Webster.com, we have this definition for levitation: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstbXyrmJ5MMDgazZaCQ0GHd1zjS1IMuwuPux5GRYDIRF8lt648MH0vt4PlyRRSKFD9M6iMl5F2iumL2nk7tz4RmPwE3pJD1Sa-bUwrOwao5a7p_pGDYcYZXjI4ITuoBl5VX840u2wYzs/s1600/Rock+above+the+ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="865" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstbXyrmJ5MMDgazZaCQ0GHd1zjS1IMuwuPux5GRYDIRF8lt648MH0vt4PlyRRSKFD9M6iMl5F2iumL2nk7tz4RmPwE3pJD1Sa-bUwrOwao5a7p_pGDYcYZXjI4ITuoBl5VX840u2wYzs/s200/Rock+above+the+ground.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"... the act or process of levitating especially : the rising or lifting of a person or thing by means held to be supernatural" [End quote] (Levitation, </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Tibetan monks were known to
levitate while meditating. Levitation is found in eastern mysticism and also in
the occult. In a Star Wars film, an alien character called <i>Yoda </i>caused a
space ship to levitate into the air. Tibetan monks were also known to have
caused massive boulders to levitate into the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Jesus
Christ in <u style="text-underline: words;">Mark 13:21-22 </u>said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[21] And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Christ ; or,
lo, </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">he is<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">there ; believe </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">him </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">not :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and <u>shall
show signs<o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">and wonders, to seduce</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, if </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">it were </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">possible, even <u>the
elect</u>.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">-- <u>Telekinesis Is Found in
Both Star Wars and the Occult.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com says this about telekinesis:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"... the production of motion in objects (as by a spiritualistic medium) without contact or other physical means" [End quote] (Telekinesis, Merriam-Webster)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Like levitation, telekinesis
is the movement of an object without physically touching it. Levitation refers
to moving an object upward. Telekinesis refers to moving an object in other
directions. In Star Wars, </span><i style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Jedi knights (</i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">so-called "good guys"</span></i><i style="font-size: 11.5pt;">) </i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">and </span><i style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Sith knights </i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">move
objects without touching them. A character named Luke Skywalker drew a light saber (</span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">a sword that uses a beam of energy to cut things</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">) toward him, using telekinesis. This is sorcery. Witches have been known to move
objects by way of telekinesis for many years, and long before Star Wars came
out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Jesus said this in <u>Matthew
24:23-24:<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Christ, or
there ;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">believe </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">it </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">not.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[24] <u>For there shall arise false Christs, and false
prophets, and shall show<o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">great signs and wonders ; insomuch that, if </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">it were </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">possible, they<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">shall deceive the very elect</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote] </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15pt;">--<u> Spell-Casting Is Used in Star Wars</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">The word "spell," referring to an occult practice, is defined by </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"> as:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"... : a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power" </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"> [End quote] (Spell, </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">TheFreeDictionary.com said this about a magic spell: "... a verbal formula believed to have magical force; ... " </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">[End quote] (Magic Spell, </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">TheFreeDictionary.com)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuuxMCBbsrCZcB9uCDvyFWKp7tYnxnKxG_HlIh85AydJ5Q2BSc4wrmy1MD5bi5lK8FNXBhEXNNmVRrsWuTlpYFi26HO_TvcJ8p_C2dT-MgAfGF7YetndCBlkJqHFYnyujS_6qbW7Chs8/s1600/SW+MS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="659" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuuxMCBbsrCZcB9uCDvyFWKp7tYnxnKxG_HlIh85AydJ5Q2BSc4wrmy1MD5bi5lK8FNXBhEXNNmVRrsWuTlpYFi26HO_TvcJ8p_C2dT-MgAfGF7YetndCBlkJqHFYnyujS_6qbW7Chs8/s320/SW+MS.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">In a Star Wars movie, a Jedi master named Obi-Wan Kenobi was stopped by an enemy soldier, a stormtrooper. The Jedi master used his "magic" or "force" skill to deceive the enemy soldier into letting him through. Obi-Wan and the stormtrooper had a brief "conversation." The stormtrooper mindlessly went along with the Jedi master, not realizing he was under a type of magic "spell."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">[Obi-Wan:] "These are not the droids you're looking for."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">[Stormtrooper:] "These are not the droids we're looking for." (<i>Source</i>: StarWars.Fandom.com)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">This deception used by the Jedi master is called a "spell" in the occult world. Witches (and warlocks) today will cast spells on people to influence them to make decisions favorable to the witch or warlock. There are books being sold today that promote the use of spells to influence people to enter a romantic relationship, spells to influence employers, spells to make a business more profitable, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">George Lucas and his team simply took occult themes and "sanitized" them of all blatant references to things such as books of spells, grimoires (occult books), hexes, charms, wands, magic rings, potions, table-tipping, séances, tarot cards, crystal balls, scrying mirrors, "divination," astrology, sorcery, "telekinesis," etc. All <u>these practices</u> and things <u>are</u> <b style="font-size: 16.6667px;">forbidden </b>by God and His Word, the Bible.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Galatians chapter 5 says this in verses 19 through 21:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[19] Now the </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">works of the flesh </span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">are manifest</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, which are </span><i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">these, </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">adultery, </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] idolatry, </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">witchcraft</span></u></b>, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like : of the which I tell you before, as I have also told </span><i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">you </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">in time past, that </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">-- </span><u><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Clairvoyance or Divination Is Used by Jedi Knights in Star Wars.</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com defines <u>clairvoyance</u> as:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"1 : the power or faculty of discerning objects not present to the senses</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">2 : ability to perceive matters beyond the range of ordinary perception : PENETRATION</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">The fortune-teller practices clairvoyance when she gazes into a crystal ball to see her client's future." [End quote] (Clairvoyance, </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Clairvoyance is used in Star Wars by both Jedi and Sith knights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">According to StarWars.Fandom.com:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"One of the first Force powers Yoda taught to the young Luke Skywalker was farseeing. He used this ability to sense that his friends were in danger on Bespin." </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">[End quote] ("Farsight")</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">StarWars.Fandom.com also said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"Palpatine used this skill to discover that Darth Vader was in danger after his fight with Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. ... He also used it to set his traps for the Jedi, keeping himself several steps ahead." [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">("Farsight")</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">The above website also said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"... Admiral Conan Antonio Motti .... Motti insubordinately retorted that Vader's devotion to the Force didn't have him find the stolen Death Star plans while sarcastically referring to such as clairvoyance before Vader nearly choked him." [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">("Farsight")</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">The Bible calls this occult power <b>divination</b>. </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"> says this about <u>divination</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"1 : <u>the art or practice that seeks to</u> foresee or foretell future events <u>or discover hidden knowledge</u> usually by the interpretation of omens or <u>by the aid of supernatural powers</u>" [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"> [Underlining added] </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">(Divination, </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Merriam-Webster.com</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p>We can shorten the definition about <b>divination</b> into this quote: "</o:p></span><u style="font-size: 15.3333px;">the art or practice that seeks to</u><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"> ... </span><u style="font-size: 15.3333px;"> discover hidden knowledge</u><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"> ... </span><u style="font-size: 15.3333px;">by the aid of supernatural powers</u><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">". [End quote]</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">. That is exactly what Jedi knights and Sith knights did in Star Wars. This is an occult practice and it is a form of divination. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Deuteronomy 18:10 says this about divination and witchcraft:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"[10] <b>There shall </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">not be found among</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"> you </span></b><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><b>any one</b> that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">, or<b> that </b></span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><b>useth <u>divination</u></b></span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">, or </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">an observer of times</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">, or </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">an enchanter</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">, or </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">a witch</span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">." [End quote] </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">[Underlining added] </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">-- </span><u><span style="font-size: 15.0pt;">Communication with Spirits of the Dead Is an Occult
Practice Called Necromancy. It Is Found in Star Wars.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Britannica.com says this about <u>necromancy</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">"Necromancy, communication with the dead, usually in order to obtain insight into the future or to accomplish some otherwise impossible task. ... Its practitioners were skilled magicians ..." [End quote] (Necromancy, </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Britannica.com)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">God warned His people about
sorcerers; witches; necromancers (those who communicate with spirits that claim
to be of the dead); those who consult or speak with familiar spirits; wizards,
enchanters, etc.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Deuteronomy
18:10-12 <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“[10]
There shall <b>not be found among</b> you <b>any one that maketh his son or his
daughter to pass through the fire</b>, or that <b>useth divination</b>, or <b>an
observer of times</b>, or <b>an enchanter</b>, or <b>a witch</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[11]
Or <b>a charmer</b>, or </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">a consulter
with familiar spirits</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">, or <b>a
wizard</b>, or <b>a </b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">necromancer</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[12]
<b><u>For all that do these things are an </u></b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">abomination </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">unto the Lord</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them
out from before thee.” </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Star Wars movies, cartoons,
TV shows, video games, toys, etc. include necromancy in the form of Jedi
knights or others speaking with spirits of former Jedi knights who have passed
away. For instance, the character named Luke Skywalker spoke with the "ghost" of his deceased former Jedi master, </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Obi-Wan Kenobi</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">These “ghosts” of the Jedi are identical in nature to the spirits that
witches and occult practitioners call up or summon during séances and other
occult events. When the spirit or voice summoned claims to be a living being,
that is called a spirit guide, or a familiar spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Or, when the spirit claims to
be the spirit of a dead person, that person is said to be a “ghost” or the
spirit of the dead. But, in both cases, speaking with such a spirit is speaking
with an evil spirit that pretends to be and appears to be something other than
what it truly is -- a demonic spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">God forbids speaking with
familiar spirits, or “ghosts,” or anything of that nature. God also forbids
anything to do with magic / “<i>magick</i>” (anything that involves occult
power or occult knowledge … a.k.a. sorcery). ( <b><u>Check out these scriptures at the end of the article</u></b>. )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The answer to sin, temptation, deception, and the power of the occult is look to Jesus Christ, and seek to know Him, and rest in Him, and talk with Him, and read His Word (the Bible), and choose to look to Him for help to forsake the world. This is how one escapes the snares of the devil and the power of the occult and the traps of sin. <b>Knowing Abba Father God, through Jesus Christ, on a deep, personal level is how to escape the power of darkness in all its forms</b>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>🌍 ➠ If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, <a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">-- </span><u><span style="font-size: 20px;">{Verses About How God Hates Sorcery in All Its Forms}</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Leviticus 20:6-7<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[6]
And the soul that turneth after such as have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>,
and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">after
<b><u>wizards</u></b>, to go a whoring after them, <u>I will even set my face<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">against that soul, and will cut him off </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">from among his
people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[7]
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy : for I </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">am </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">the </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">your
God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Leviticus 19:31<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[31]
<u>Regard not them that have <b>familiar spirits</b></u>, <u>neither seek after<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">wizards</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, to be defiled by them : I </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">am </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">the </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">your God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Leviticus 21:27<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[27]
<u>A man also or woman that hath a <b>familiar spirit</b>, or that is a<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">wizard</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, shall surely be put to death </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">: they shall
stone them with<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">stones
; their blood </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">shall be </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">upon them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">2 Kings 21:6<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[6]
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">used
<b><u style="text-underline: words;">enchantments</u></b>, and dealt with <b><u style="text-underline: words;">familiar spirits </u>and <u style="text-underline: words;">wizards </u></b>: <b>he</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">wrought <u style="text-underline: words;">much wickedness </u></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">in the sight of
the </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, to provoke </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">him<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">to
anger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">1 Chronicles 10:13-14<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[13]
<b>So <u>Saul died for his transgression </u>which he committed against the<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">even </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">against the word of the </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, which he kept
not, and <u>also for asking </u></span></b><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">counsel </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">of </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">one that had
</span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">a familiar spirit</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, to inquire </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">of it ; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[14]
And inquired not of the </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">: therefore he slew him, and turned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">the
kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Isaiah 19:3-4<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[3]
And the spirit of Egypt <u>shall fail </u>in the midst thereof ; and <u>I will<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">destroy the counsel thereof </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">: and <u>they </u>shall seek to
the idols, and to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">the
<b><u>charmers</u></b>, and to them that have <b><u>familiar spirits</u></b>,
and to the <b><u>wizards</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[4]
<b><u>And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord </u></b>;
and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">a <b>fierce king shall rule over them</b></span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, saith the
Lord, the </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord
</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">of
hosts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Galatians 5:19-21<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[19]
Now the </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">works of the flesh </span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">are manifest</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, which are </span><i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">these, </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">adultery,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] idolatry, </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">witchcraft</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, hatred,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like : of the which I tell you
before, as I have also told </span><i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">you </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">in time past, that </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">they which do such things shall not
inherit the kingdom of God</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Revelation 21:7-8<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">“[7]
He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and I will be his God,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">and
he shall be my son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[8]
But the <u>fearful</u>, and <u>unbelieving</u>, and the <u style="text-underline: words;">abominable</u>, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">murderers,
and <b><u>whoremongers</u></b>, and </span><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">sorcerers</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, and <b><u>idolaters</u></b>,
and all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u style="text-underline: words;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">liars</span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, </span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">shall have
their part in the lake which burneth with <u>fire and<o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">brimstone</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"> </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">: which is the second death.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>🌍 ➠ If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, <a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 20px;">Works Cited</span></u></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><u>"Clairvoyance</u>." </span>Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2019)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><u>"Divination</u>." </span>Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2019)<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>"Levitation</u>." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2019)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><u>"Telekinesis</u>." </span>Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2019)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><u>"Spell</u>." </span>Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2019)<br />
<br />
"<u>Farsight</u>." <span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">StarWars.Fandom.com. (2019)</span><br />
<br />
"<u>Necromancy</u>." Britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. <span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">(2019) </span><br />
<br />
Meyer, David J. "<span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><u>Harry Potter? </u></span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><u>What Does God Have To Say</u>?" Last Trumpet Ministries International. </span><br />
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-55152927059674985182019-06-06T11:58:00.000-07:002019-07-03T19:44:02.567-07:00The Profound Love of God for Us and How Only Jesus Christ Satisfies Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Profound Love of God for Us <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and How Only Jesus Christ Satisfies Us<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Philippians chapter 4, verse
1 reveals a profound truth about God’s love for us, which God put into the
heart of Paul for the church at Philippi. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Philippians
4:1 --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[1]
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so
stand fast in the Lord, </span></b></span><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">my </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">dearly
beloved.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
Philippians 1:8, Paul wrote this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Philippians
1:8 -- <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[8] For God is my record, how greatly I
long after you all </span><span style="color: red;">in the bowels of Jesus Christ</span><span style="color: #ff6600;">.</span></b>” </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>{<u>Note</u>: Paul longed after them
in the nature of the deep, compassionate, yearning love of Jesus Christ. (<i>Bowels
</i>refers to deep love, yearning, earnest desire, deep feelings). Jesus Christ
and God the Father have this deep, yearning love and compassion, and deep
feeling for the Church and for the whole world. See John 17:23.}<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul, who was once called
Saul, was a former persecutor of Christians before he had a powerful vision
from Jesus, revealing His love and truth and that Jesus is the Messiah and Son
of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly that vision, Paul became
a born-again Christian and began preaching the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles. He
was transformed from a zealous Pharisee who sought to imprison and stop
Christians from spreading the Gospel to a godly man who preached the very
Gospel he once despised. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">So, when Paul wrote to the Philippian
Christians calling them <b>“… </b></span><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">my brethren dearly
beloved and longed for, my joy and crown,</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">…</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">”, he was
speaking from the heart of Jesus, who gave Paul that love for the Church. It is
the same type of love that Jesus has for the Church, which is His Bride. We are
<b>dearly loved </b>by Abba Father God. <b>He longs for us</b> and He considers
<b>us </b>to be <b>His joy and crown</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Isaiah 62, God calls the
believers (Jews and Gentiles who believe on Jesus, the Messiah) His crown, His
delight, and His Bride who He rejoices over. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Isaiah 62:3-5 says:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: green;">“[3] </span></b></span><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">Thou
shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">L</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">ORD</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">,
and a </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">royal diadem in the hand of thy God</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">.</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">[4] Thou shalt no
more be termed Forsaken ; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate :
but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah : for </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">the
</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">L</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">ORD</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">delighteth in thee</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">,
and thy land shall be married. [5] For </span></b><b><i><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">as </span></i></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">a
young man marrieth a virgin, </span></b><b><i><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">so </span></i></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">shall
thy sons marry thee : and </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">as </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">the
bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">so </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">shall
thy God rejoice over thee</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Hephzibah</u>: </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">‘my delight </span><i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">in her’.] [<u style="text-underline: words;">Beulah</u>: ‘married’.]</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Isaiah
62:11-12 says: <b><span style="color: green;">“[11] Behold, the </span></b></span><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">Lord
</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">daughter
of Zion</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">, Behold, thy salvation cometh ; behold, his reward
</span></b><b><i><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">with him, and his work before him. [12] And they
shall call them, </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">The holy people, The redeemed of the </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">Lord
</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Again,
look at what the Holy Spirit had Paul write.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Philippians
4:1 --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[1]
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so
stand fast in the Lord, </span></b></span><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">my </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">dearly
beloved.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Imagine if Jesus said these
words. And, He really did. Jesus said the above message through Paul. And, not
only does Jesus and Abba God love us, but God also gives us fullness of joy
right now. All we need to do is just believe, and seek to know, and desire to
know God intimately as a Friend and Abba Father.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having True Joy in Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We give some verses, below,
about true <b>joy</b>, which found only in Jesus Christ. This joy is received
by simple faith and by desiring to know Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Psalm
16:11 says: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“Thou wilt show me the path of life
: </span></b></span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 14.0pt;">in thy presence </span></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 14.0pt;">is
</span></i></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 14.0pt;">fulness of joy </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">; at thy right hand </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">there
are </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">pleasures for evermore.”</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Romans
15:17 says: <b>“[17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink ; but <span style="color: maroon;">righteousness</span>, and <span style="color: maroon;">peace</span>,
and <span style="color: maroon;">joy </span>in the <span style="color: maroon;">Holy
Ghost</span>.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">1
John 1:3 says, in part: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“… and truly our
fellowship </span></b></span><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">with the Father,
and with his Son Jesus Christ.”</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1
John 1:4 says: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[4] And these things write we
unto you, that your joy may be full.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Matthew
6:22 says: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[22] The light of the body is the
eye : if therefore thine eye </span></b></span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 14.0pt;">be single</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">,
thy whole body </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 14.0pt;">shall be full of light</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">John
8:12 says: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[12] Then spake </span></b></span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus
</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">again unto them, saying, </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 14.0pt;">I am the light of the
world</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">: he that followeth me shall not walk in
darkness, but shall have the light of life.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">John
14:23 says: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“Jesus answered and said unto him,
If a man love me, he will keep my words : and my Father will love him, and we
will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">{<u style="text-underline: words;">Note</u>: The word for love in the phrase “… my
Father will <b>love </b>him…” is <b>phileo</b>. It is a Greek word that refers
to a personal, friendship, relationship love. <b>Abode </b>refers to a dwelling
place. The Father God and Jesus Christ dwell in the spirit and soul of a
believer. <u>Therefore, we can have, even now, wonderful fullness of joy by
looking to Jesus</u>. God’s presence is in a believer. See also 1 Corinthians
6:19.}<b><span style="color: #ff9900;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, there are arguments the
enemy throws at us to get us to doubt these truths. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Answering the Lies of the Devil with the Truth from
God’s Word<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">{<span style="color: navy;">Point
1</span>}<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">One <b>false statement </b>is that “you are not good
enough for God to love you like that.” This is a lie from the devil to have
people believe that God only loves us based on our merit or on what we do. God
loves you because He created you. Jesus said these great words in John chapter
17, verse 23:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[John 17:23] <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">“[23] </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">I
in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one ; and that the
world may know that thou hast sent me, </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 11.5pt;">and hast loved them,
as thou hast loved me</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was speaking to Abba
Father God in a prayer. ‘Them’ refers to the Church in the first part of the
verse. The last part of the verse refers to the Church <b>and </b>the world,
starting right after the semicolon ( ; ) in the verse above. <b>Jesus is saying
that Abba God the Father loves the world and the Church </b>(“ … thou … hast
loved them, …”) <b>in the same way that He loves Jesus Christ, who is His Only
Begotten Son and who is equal to God the Father</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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_ _ _ _ _<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">{<b><span style="color: navy;">Point
2</span></b>}<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">But, the devil is not happy with just attacking
through one lie. He uses multiple lies to get people to doubt God’s Word and to
turn away from our good, righteous, loving God, who earnestly wants us to know
Him and be with Him. Another lie the devil throws at us is that God supposedly ‘has
favorites’ and that ‘we just don’t fit into’ His ‘favorites category.’ But,
that is a lie. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Galatians 3:26-29 </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“[26] For ye are all the children of God by faith
in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[27] For as many of you as have been baptized
into Christ have put on<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither bond nor free,<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">there is neither male nor female : for ye are all
one in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">[29] And if ye </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">be
</span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">according to the promise.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Romans 2:11 </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">says: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[11]
For there is no respect of persons with God.” </span></b></span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">James 2:1 </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">says: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[1] </span></b></span><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">My
brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">the
Lord </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">of glory, with respect of persons.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">{<b><span style="color: navy;">Point
3</span></b>}<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The lying, deceiving devil says, ‘You have to do works,
and perform, and do things for God in order for God to love you, care for you,
and bless you.’ But, the devil is the father of lies, as Jesus said in John
8:44. There is no truth in demons (a.k.a. devils), or in their commanders (the
principalities and powers), or in their supreme commander, Satan. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, the Bible, God’s Word
(which is completely pure and true) says: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Proverbs 30:5-6 says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">“[5] Every word of God </span></b><b><i><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">is
</span></i></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">pure : he </span></b><b><i><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">a
shield unto them that put their trust in him. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">[6] Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove
thee, and thou be found a liar.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u style="text-underline: words;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Romans 8:32 </span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">says this about
God’s love and blessings for us believers: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[32]
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, </span><span style="color: red;">how shall he not with him also freely give us all things </span><span style="color: #ff6600;">?”</span><span style="color: green;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">2
Corinthians 5:17 says: <b><span style="color: #ff6600;">“[17] Therefore if any
man </span></b></span><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">be </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">in Christ, </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">he
is </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">a new creature : old things are passed away ;
behold, all things are become new.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1
Corinthians 1:29-31 says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“[29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of
God is made unto us<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification,
and redemption :<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[31] That, according as it is written, He that
glorieth, let him glory in the<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">Lord.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">{<u style="text-underline: words;">Note </u>on verse 1 Cor. 1:29. Our fleshly nature
should not boast or find any prestige in the presence of God. God dwells in the
spirit of a Christian who truly has made Jesus his personal Savior and Lord. It
is <b>Jesus Christ alone </b>who <b>makes us righteous</b>, <b>sanctified </b>(set
apart from the world and holy), and <b>redeemed </b>(purchased from the enemy’s
camp). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We should not trust in our works because that is actually boasting in
the fleshly nature and not only in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ deserves all
honor, recognition, and praise. Doing <u style="text-underline: words;">works </u>to
‘earn’ something from God is <b><u style="text-underline: words;">not </u></b>trusting
in what Jesus accomplished at the cross and in who Jesus Christ is, who dwells
in a believer.}<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hebrews 10:15-18 says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">“[15] <i>Whereof </i></span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">the
Holy Ghost also is a witness to us : for after that he had<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">said before,<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">[16] This </span></b><b><i><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">the
covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord ;<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their
minds will I write them ;<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[17] and their sins and iniquities will I
remember no more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">[18] Now where remission of these </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">is,
there is </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">no more offering for sin</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]</span><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hebrews
10:19-22 says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">“[19] </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">Having therefore,
brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the blood of Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[20] by a new and living way, which he hath
consecrated for us, through<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the veil, that is to say, his flesh ;<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">[21] and </span></b><b><i><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">having </span></i></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">a
high priest over the house of God ;<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">[22] </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 11.5pt;">let us draw near with a
true heart in full assurance of faith</span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;">, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[End quote]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">{<u>Note</u>:
By the blood of Jesus, we enter the holiest place (Heb. 10:19), where the
Father God dwells through His Spirit. That holiest place is a place of
intimate, loving fellowship with Abba Father God’s Spirit. It is only by way of
the blood of Jesus Christ and by what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross
that we enter that place. To enter, we do nothing but just believe this truth
and seek to know God our Abba Father better.}<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></b>
<b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></b>
<b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_ _ _ _ </span></o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_ _ _ _ </span></o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_ _ _ _ </span></o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_ _ _ _ </span></o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_ _ _ _</span></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: green; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>🌍 ➠ If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, <a href="https://exploringchristianity1.blogspot.com/p/salvation-through-jesus-christ_10.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to read more. There is no other way of salvation than by trusting in Jesus Christ the Savior (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Our own works can never save us.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[4] who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; [6] who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." <b>[<u>1 Timothy 2:3-6</u>.]</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." <b>[<u>Acts 2:38</u>.]</b></span><br />
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8239285302264210683.post-19393545377739562672019-04-27T15:02:00.000-07:002019-07-03T23:56:31.066-07:00Pilgrim’s Journey: BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (FULL BOOK) (With a PDF File)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKrs_8JjSSZRakzWfCK-YnlKm981f1ngiXLsqS3OqswRHou1sn7J-Tzm-HJ4vhzLC458QvZHooPEWNt0QvPVZyhJUtuOb0EW7LbHvDlX6GpwAvVyQHGYpDmU-oGZbNMgsSRu8T-MIX2o/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKrs_8JjSSZRakzWfCK-YnlKm981f1ngiXLsqS3OqswRHou1sn7J-Tzm-HJ4vhzLC458QvZHooPEWNt0QvPVZyhJUtuOb0EW7LbHvDlX6GpwAvVyQHGYpDmU-oGZbNMgsSRu8T-MIX2o/s640/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PDF File: <b><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY: BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Or, <b><u><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bnLRH8O2F2AR9iYHT-dIGgLvP20Fe7_s/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click Here</a></u></b> for <b>Pilgrim's Journey:</b> <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bnLRH8O2F2AR9iYHT-dIGgLvP20Fe7_s/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">BOOK 3 Illustrated</a></b> -- PDF File with illustrations.)</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pilgrim’s Journey: The Quest for Heaven<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- BOOK 3 -<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 19.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Island Quest<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- A Novel / Allegory -<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By: Justin Brown (a pen name)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Date Created: Feb. 12, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Arriving at the First
Destination<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wind billowed the square
sails of the galleon <i>Red Jasper </i>as it sailed across the placid sea. The
moon’s reflection undulated with the water as the three-masted ship passed
across the watery wilderness. Stars covered the night sky like an array of
diamonds on black velvet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The ship had been at sea for
five days after leaving the port town of Blanco Risco. Pablo Campo-verde, the
captain of the ship, had told his passengers that an island was about a two
days voyage from Blanco Risco. He planned to stop at that island before
continuing the voyage across the ocean to the mysterious country of <i>Viviente
Muerte</i>. That country was the last stop before eight pilgrim knights--Pablo’s
passengers--would reach the gate of the Kingdom of Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“Land ho!” a lookout said
from the <u style="text-underline: words;">crow’s nest </u>on the mainmast </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">(i.e. the tallest mast)</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Crow’s nest</u>: This
was a platform with a wooden railing on which the lookout, a sailor, had a good
view of what lay ahead. The crow’s nest was often located partway up the
mainmast.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A sailor on the <u style="text-underline: words;">half deck </u>(or stern deck) cried up to the
lookout, “Henrico, where do you see land?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Note</u>: The <u style="text-underline: words;">half deck </u>was at the rear (or stern) of the
ship. It rose above the upper gun deck and provided a decent view. The half
deck was the top of the aft castle. The <b><u style="text-underline: words;">aft
castle </u></b>was a raised portion of the deck in the stern (or rear) of an
old sailing ship. The <b><u style="text-underline: words;">forecastle </u></b>is
located near the bow.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">When the lookout had given
him the directions, the man on the half deck turned toward the south east and
drew out a spyglass </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">(i.e. hand-held
telescope)</span></i><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Sure enough,
he could see land. An island rose up from the ocean, resembling a grey rock
covered with dark-green vegetation. A mountain rose high above the
jungle-cloaked land mass. It appeared to be about three <u style="text-underline: words;">leagues </u>away. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Note</u>: One <u style="text-underline: words;">league
</u>is about 3 miles in distance.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sebastian Martinez, the
sailor with the spyglass, walked over to a rectangular opening in the half deck
and called down through the staircase opening. “Helmsmen, land has been
sighted,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A helmsman in the “steering
room” (the chamber below) replied, “What direction is it, Sebastian?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It is …” Sebastian said,
giving the directions through the staircase opening.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Then, the sailor below and another helmsman gripped the <u style="text-underline: words;">whipstaff </u>tighter and moved it to the left, causing the <u style="text-underline: words;">tiller </u>to turn the rudder accordingly. The
galleon turned like a whale toward its new course. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Note</u>: The <u style="text-underline: words;">whipstaff </u>is a
vertical, wooden beam, used for steering, which is fastened to the tiller. The
whipstaff projects up through a slot in the floor of the “steering room.” The <u style="text-underline: words;">tiller </u>is an oblique (sloping) beam of wood
which is much thicker than the whipstaff. On a galleon, the tiller is located
below the “steering room” where the helmsmen turn the whipstaff. The tiller
connects to the <u style="text-underline: words;">rudder</u>, which is a flat,
hinged, wooden object used to steer the ship through the water.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a little over an hour, the
ship had come within a 200 hundred feet of a sandy shore. It laid anchor in a
small harbor which had access to the ocean by way of a thousand-foot-wide
entrance. The night crew soon was replaced by a the day shift as the sun rose
in the east. Its golden rays turned clouds purple and pink as the fiery orb
rose over the horizon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Markus Christian, a
brown-haired, clean-shaven man, stretched and yawned in his hammock. He had
been sleeping soundly until the sound of leather boots came tromping past him.
Members of the day shift were waking from sleep and yawning as they got out of
their hammocks in the lower-gun deck. The ship stirred to life as sailors high
up in the rigging began furling </span><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">(<i>rolling
up</i>) </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">the sails and making preparations
for an excursion to the island. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Excursion</u>:
A short trip to some location, and back again.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wearing his daytime
clothes--a long, white tunic and white trousers--Markus left his hammock,
slipped into his leather boots, and began lacing them up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What’s happening?” Markus
said, standing up, as a burly sailor walked past him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We just laid anchor at an
island,” the man replied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Do you know what it is
called?” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It is called Oro Island,”
the sailor replied with a wink. “That is ‘Gold Island’ in English.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before Markus could say any
more, the burly man walked on. Markus then remembered hearing the captain say
that they would be arriving at an island after a voyage of five days. He
hurried over to the hammock where Andrew was sleeping. As he arrived before it,
Markus noticed something was wrong. Andrew was missing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just then, a hand tapped him
on the left shoulder, and Markus wheeled around. It was Andrew Strong-heart
with a smile on his clean-shaven face. He was dressed in the same type of white
clothing that Markus wore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It’s good to see you,
friend,” Andrew said warmly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At 6 feet and 7 inches, the
brown-haired man was half-a-foot taller than Markus. He was the tallest men
Markus had befriended. But, Andrew never teased anyone for being shorter than
him. And, he had a kind and friendly personality that Markus enjoyed being
around.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I look forward to visiting
that island,” Markus said. “Did you hear about it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Oh, yes,” Andrew said. “It’s
Oro Island. There is a rumor among the sailors that it still contains gold.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, we didn’t come for
gold,” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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“That’s right,” Andrew said, smiling. “Our gold is in Heaven, where the streets
are paved with gold. But, most of all, we will see our Heavenly Father’s lovely
face and enjoy walking with God in the beautiful gardens of Heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I look forward to that very
much,” Markus said, looking dreamily up at the wooden ceiling, which was the
underside of the upper-gun deck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Markus and Andrew,” a loud,
guttural voice said from some yards away. “It’s good to see you alive and
awake.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The men turned to see Captain
Pablo Campo-verde striding across the lower-gun deck toward them. The burly,
brown-bearded sea captain was still wearing his <u style="text-underline: words;">bycocket
</u>hat and brown cloak. A smile appeared on his strong-looking face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">[A
medieval <u style="text-underline: words;">bycocket </u>hat had an upturned brim
that came to a point in the front. A <u style="text-underline: words;">tunic </u>was
a long shirt that came down to the knees, or lower.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It’s good to see you, Pablo,”
Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Are you and your friends
ready for an island adventure?” Captain Pablo said with a twinkle in his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes, we certainly are,”
Andrew replied. “But we’d first like to spend some time with God.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Time with God? Why do you
need that?” the captain said, surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God is everything to us.
Without Him, we have nothing,” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Well, you’d better hurry
because breakfast will be in an hour,” the burly, bearded man said. “And, once
breakfast is over, we will jump into some longboats and row for shore.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus and Andrew thanked him
and went to seek God in different parts of the ship. Andrew headed for the <u>orlop
deck</u>. It was directly below the lower-gun deck where the hammocks hung.
But, Markus walked in the direction of the <u style="text-underline: words;">lazaretto,
</u>a storage space at the stern of the ship. He passed through an opening in
the lower-gun deck and descended a set of stairs. Now, standing on the orlop
deck, Markus quickly walked toward the stern of the ship. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u style="text-underline: words;">Lazaretto</u></b>: This was a storage space near the stern of the ship
and below the lower-gun deck.] [<b><u>Orlop deck</u></b>: A deck below the
lower-gun deck. It had trap doors through which hoists (winches with ropes)
could lift barrels of food from the hold.] [<b><u style="text-underline: words;">The
hold </u></b>was an area of the ship used for storing food and ballast. It was
right above the keel of the ship.] [<b><u>The keel</u> </b>is a ridge of timber
or metal that runs along the bottom of the ship from its bow to its stern.] [<b><u style="text-underline: words;">Ballast </u></b>is heavy material, such as rocks,
used to stabilize a ship.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this particular galleon,
the lazaretto was accessible to the orlop deck by way of a regular door. As
Markus approached the door, he heard a muffled cry suddenly come from within
the storage room. Concerned, Markus ran the rest of the way and grabbed the
door handle. He shoved open the door, expecting to see something alarming, but
his face relaxed when he saw his friend, Henry Willow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The brown-bearded,
50-year-old was seated on a sea chest and surrounded by more wooden chests.
Three candles, resting on sea chests, illuminated the room with a
buttery-yellow light. A Bible rested on one of Henry’s knees.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Oh,” Markus said, “I’m sorry
to bother you. I just heard a loud cry coming from the room.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Henry chuckled and scratched
his beard. “I was just startled when a large spider landed on my head and start
crawling over my hair. But, the critter is gone now.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Do you mind if I use a
corner of the room?” Markus asked. “I will be quiet.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Oh, that would be fine,
Markus,” Henry said with a chuckle. “Just make sure you watch out for a big,
hairy spider.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Okay,” Markus said with a
laugh. “I’ll do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oro Island<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After eating a breakfast of
porridge, sea biscuits, and salted-beef chunks, sailors took some supplies to
the <u style="text-underline: words;">upper-gun deck </u>where they loaded it
aboard two <u>longboats</u>. Captain Pablo and two sailors entered a jollyboat
while the longboats were being readied. The smaller boat was then lowered over
the side of the ship. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus and his seven pilgrim
friends stepped into one longboat and were lowered on cables toward the calm,
turquoise water. Once the boat floated in the sea, sailors unfastened the
cables.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<b><u>Upper-gun deck</u></b>:
The deck of an armed, sail ship of which a good portion is in the open air.] [<u>Deck</u>:
A deck is a surface that goes from one side of a ship to the other. The
upper-gun deck includes the great cabin (the captain’s quarters) and the “steering
room,” among other chambers.] [<b><u>Longboat</u></b>: A boat which had 8 to 10
oarsmen. It was carried aboard sailing ships and used for going ashore and
other purposes. Most longboats had <u style="text-underline: words;">oars </u>(long
poles with paddles for rowing) rather than sails.] </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF4JGrz9uWx20TMWTlnQH9FKSuaC67bFbWyQQLiDgl830k8MqkmIMzmhkmJRpeDWWdbww82XdD90FIJIHqCsXr6ssqusctiGRiB2MwG_1_0SO4p0nwPycRqXqETU7b0VX0lHJ9DghPYc/s1600/Island+at+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="850" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF4JGrz9uWx20TMWTlnQH9FKSuaC67bFbWyQQLiDgl830k8MqkmIMzmhkmJRpeDWWdbww82XdD90FIJIHqCsXr6ssqusctiGRiB2MwG_1_0SO4p0nwPycRqXqETU7b0VX0lHJ9DghPYc/s320/Island+at+night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I can’t wait to see this
island,” Bartholomew Herring said, grabbing his oar. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being the former captain of a
ketch sailing ship, Bartholomew knew the sea like the back of his hand. Markus
had met him during his visit to the inland Sea of Prueba. (<i>See Part 2 of <u>Pilgrim’s
Journey</u> to learn about Markus’s earlier adventures.</i>) During an
adventure on the inland sea, Markus had been able to point Bartholomew to Jesus
Christ, and the captain had gotten saved. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Why is that?” Markus asked
the tall, 40-year-old man. Then, he took his oar and started to row with the
other men. Markus and Bartholomew shared the same rowing bench.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Well, I’ve heard stories
that it is full of buried treasure,” Bartholomew said, glancing at Markus with
a wink. “But, I don’t know if those stories are true.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“They might be,” Markus said.
“But, our goal isn’t to get rich on earth, Bartholomew.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I know,” Bartholomew said as
he rowed. “But, aren’t you curious if there is buried treasure? Just the
thought thrills me. I used to hunt for buried treasure, but found none.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“What if someone already
found the treasure if there is treasure <u>yonder</u>?” Markus said, nodding
toward the island. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Yonder </u>means “to or in that place over there.”]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What if they didn’t find the
treasure?” Bartholomew said, glancing at Markus with a grin on his red-bearded
face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Well, it would be hidden so
well that you’d need a map to find it,” Markus said as he rowed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tropical island with its
high, jagged mountain was getting closer, and that brought him some relief but
it also made him wonder what was on the mind of the pilgrims he hadn’t spoken
with. Did they also want to find buried treasure? Markus didn’t know what
Captain Pablo had in mind when he had asked him if he was ready for an “island
adventure.” But, could it be that Pablo was planning a treasure hunt? Or, could
it be he was planning on simply gathering tropical fruits?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before long, the captain’s
jollyboat and the two longboats made it to the shore, one after another. The
men hopped out into the surf--<i>splash</i>--and carried their boats up the beach
close to where it ended near some coconut trees. Setting the heavy boats down,
the sailors and pilgrims breathed deeply, inhaling the fresh, sea air. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, Captain Pablo ordered a
sailor to remove a small, wooden chest from his jollyboat. Once the man had
brought the chest back to Pablo, the captain pulled out a key and unlocked it.
As he opened the wooden lid, the captain grinned. He reached in and pulled out
a bronze tube which had a wooden cap on one end. He removed the cap and drew
out a scroll from the tube. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unrolling it, he said, “Men,
what do you think I have here in my hand?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I am not sure, but it must
be a treasure map,” a sailor said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That’s right,” Pablo said. “It
is a treasure map. I purchased it for 30 Oro Pico gilders. It is a an expensive
item. And, I believe that the seller was being completely honest with me. For,
that seller is a good friend of mine. With this nice map, we will find a great
treasure.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Note</u>: The Oro Pico
gilders are fictional coins based on the Dutch gilder coin. One of these coins
might be equal to the money earned in two and a half hours of work by a
low-income worker.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Several sailors cheered and
one said, “Captain, I didn’t know you had a treasure map. So, that’s what this
excursion was all about?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That’s right,” Pablo said. “And,
I will divide the treasure equally among my entire crew.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More cheers came. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Now,” the captain said, “if
any of you harm your fellow sailors, I will have you put to death immediately.
We must work as a team and not be greedy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGCC4cLJ-tQFKcz3qFOmpvdB6pjty3UW13fix7l4Fk2Z0tenewahlRcmwWyJYqvuhezdjC6LycGFn9AC32JuyqxSsf8nv_W6ZWioMlj_6m_ZRz_bPxvBuguzfSO2iD3v-UCHT6ct9eL8/s1600/Bycocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="1168" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGCC4cLJ-tQFKcz3qFOmpvdB6pjty3UW13fix7l4Fk2Z0tenewahlRcmwWyJYqvuhezdjC6LycGFn9AC32JuyqxSsf8nv_W6ZWioMlj_6m_ZRz_bPxvBuguzfSO2iD3v-UCHT6ct9eL8/s200/Bycocket.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, as the captain was
speaking, a gunshot cracked through the jungle and a musket ball knocked the
captain’s bycocket hat from his head. He dropped to his hands and knees and
turned around suddenly. With wild eyes, he stared into the jungle where the
gunshot came from. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Attack<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A second shot rang out from
the depths of the jungle, and a musket ball zipped past the head of a sailor
ten feet from the captain. Then, the captain came to his senses and shouted, “To
the longboats! Retreat!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Hke-zQt2P_5Dgux6ZwUXu-uEjx24BHA2sGU37tz-SibzCGlAnhCvYsl7MNrR032wsYyz8aiwcUyGS_K5iP5Pa288Q9wBgYJNKYxsg2tcLA1dqd871neZEwX7lLj4JKX28STsomt2RpQ/s1600/early+musket+firing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="522" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Hke-zQt2P_5Dgux6ZwUXu-uEjx24BHA2sGU37tz-SibzCGlAnhCvYsl7MNrR032wsYyz8aiwcUyGS_K5iP5Pa288Q9wBgYJNKYxsg2tcLA1dqd871neZEwX7lLj4JKX28STsomt2RpQ/s200/early+musket+firing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A sailor grabbed the small
chest and hustled it over to the jollyboat. Simultaneously, other sailors
opened a big sea chest and pulled out compact crossbows, which could be cocked
by simply pulling the firing string back. Crossbow bolts began to shoot toward
the jungle in the general direction of the shots. <i>Zip. Zip. Zip.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon, the sailors had gotten
the first longboat to the surf. They jumped aboard, took their seats, and began
rowing back toward the galleon. Markus and his friends grabbed the other
longboat and hurried toward the surf. But, the jollyboat was unoccupied; for,
the sailor with the small, wooden chest had placed the chest in the boat and
then dove into the water to hide himself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus gazed back to where he
last saw the captain. The burly man was hiding behind a thick bush with two
sailors lying down on either side of him. They were armed with dirks (<i>long
daggers</i>). The jungle was a short distance from them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyKs3i2njq0NxFv8p9271PosNidByJGSWyG3n6FCXeWJhwJDR9zWKBL2hRSqb55hydGESfjQtoRj-u2cN6pstENN7M00XirMHYsbnV6k4q-C7twgafSWPjJkQKyVq2kRqzogWyzYcfsI/s1600/Barbute+Helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="780" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyKs3i2njq0NxFv8p9271PosNidByJGSWyG3n6FCXeWJhwJDR9zWKBL2hRSqb55hydGESfjQtoRj-u2cN6pstENN7M00XirMHYsbnV6k4q-C7twgafSWPjJkQKyVq2kRqzogWyzYcfsI/s200/Barbute+Helmet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the pilgrims climbed into
their longboat, a third loud gunshot cracked through salty air. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus squinted and observed
a man step out of the jungle. He was wearing a barbute helmet with a T-shaped
opening for the face. In his hands he carried a new type of gun: a wheel-lock
musket. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I see you,” the soldier said
suddenly as he aimed his gun down at Pablo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Note</u>: The <u style="text-underline: words;">wheel-lock musket </u>came out at a later time
than the year 1500 (when this story takes place), but it is used in this story
because this book is both fictional and allegorical. The wheel-lock musket has
a coiled spring connected to a spinning disk of metal--the wheel lock. When the
trigger is pulled, the metal disk begins spinning rapidly and rubbing against a
piece of flint. Sparks fly out and hit black powder in a tiny flash pan. The
powder in the pan ignites and burns in through a small hole where it explodes
black powder in the main chamber. A musket ball is shot out through the barrel
toward its target. No ordinary armor worn by knights could withstand the musket
ball.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The burly, bearded man raised
his hands into the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You three, come this way,”
the musketeer said to the captain and his two men as he pointed the gun at
Pablo’s chest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We better do what he says,”
Pablo told his two men as he raised his hands slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A long, brown tunic; tan
trousers; boots; and a steel breastplate appeared below the enemy’s helmet. A
sword was sheathed at his side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A second man appeared, armed
with a sheathed broadsword and a bent crossbow. This soldier was equipped with
similar armor as the musketeer. And, in a few seconds, a second musketeer
emerged from the forest and began preparing his gun for firing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seeing that there was nothing
that could be done to rescue the captain, Markus got into the longboat with the
other pilgrims and they began rowing away as fast as he could. <i>Splash.
Splash. Splash. </i>Their oars sliced through the turquoise water in rhythmic
strokes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Boom! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">A loud <u style="text-underline: words;">report </u>echoed
across the water, but the round bullet missed the pilgrims in the longboat.
They increased their rowing speed, straining at their oars. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Report</u>: A loud noise like that of a gunshot.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Markus could see the captain
and his two men being handcuffed. Then, they were led away by two soldiers while
a third was reloading his wheel-lock musket. The group vanished into the
tropical vegetation. But, one musketeer remained behind. Once the musketeer had
finished the lengthy reloading process, he took aim at the pilgrims and pulled
the trigger. The wheel or metal disc began spinning and creating sparks. ‘The <u style="text-underline: words;">discharge </u>is soon to come,’ Markus thought
with concern. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Discharge</u>: The
firing of a weapon.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, the flash pan failed to
ignite. Some of the black powder had gotten damp, so it didn’t fire. The musketeer
growled and tried to blow away the damp powder so he could refill the tiny pan
on the side of his gun. As he did, the longboat began to leave his weapon’s
range.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">When he had finally refilled
the flash pan with dry black powder, the longboat was too far away for him to
accurately shoot at it. Frustrated, he turned away and strode back into the
jungle past a <u>hala tree</u>. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Hala
tree</u>: A tropical tree with long, pointy leaves.]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, the beach was empty and
all the enemy soldiers were gone from view.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That was a close call,”
Markus said as he rowed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Markus spoke, the man
hiding in the water near the jollyboat pulled himself back to the shore and,
dripping with seawater, stepped into the little boat. He took the oars and
began rowing toward the galleon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, the captain is
captured,” Andrew said as he rowed next to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We need to find out where
those musketeers are taking him,” said Gregory White-peak, a 27-year-old with a
grey-blond beard and prematurely-grey hair. He was rowing beside Henry Willow
on the bench directly behind Markus and Andrew.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“How will we do that?” Henry
said as he rowed with gritted teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We need to go back,” Gregory
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But those rascals have
muskets,” Henry said, “and we have no weapons that can protect us from musket
balls.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, we have the Word of God
and the power of God with us,” Gregory said. “You remember, brothers, how God
blinded the eyes of the soldiers in the castle of Baron Tyrannous
Entertainment?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes,” Markus and Andrew
said, in unison.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God can do that again if He
wants to,” Gregory said boldly. “Why don’t we ask God what we should do? If He
is for us going after Captain Pablo, then let’s do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes,” Markus said, breathing
deeply. “You’re right, Gregory. Let’s seek God about this.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Father God,” Markus said silently, “do you
want us to go after the men who captured Captain Pablo?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes, My son,” God’s kind
voice replied, “but go around the island and you will see a pirate ship. Follow
that ship to the next island they stop at. That is where I will work on your
behalf to help you rescue the captain, if he can be rescued. And, I the LORD
your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you, Father God,”
Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus informed the other
pilgrims about what the Heavenly Father had told him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God told me the same thing,”
Gregory said when Markus had finished. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“He also told me that we need
to sail around the island in a counter-clockwise direction,” Andrew said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I need to talk to the first
mate once we’ve been taken aboard,” Markus said as he rowed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Chase<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk_8DNq1nwCxu27-F-21uoOd_X2bDrTE36kpOWJkaucp54JUzyTx2gw1d3I4HyI9v0WVmL1Y1AEDI7czd8McnLuOSnBCr2R3oXX4qwRmpzX-5g-s8njuFtWWISoK8riXsZnFHzQdiB_0/s1600/galleon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="892" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk_8DNq1nwCxu27-F-21uoOd_X2bDrTE36kpOWJkaucp54JUzyTx2gw1d3I4HyI9v0WVmL1Y1AEDI7czd8McnLuOSnBCr2R3oXX4qwRmpzX-5g-s8njuFtWWISoK8riXsZnFHzQdiB_0/s320/galleon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before long, the longboat had
reached Pablo’s galleon, <i>Red Jasper</i>. The yellow and blue standard of
Pablo’s state--the duchy of <i><u>Cabello Castano</u> </i>flapped in a sea
breeze high atop the mainmast. Its cheerful colors brought some comfort to the
pilgrims as they neared the ship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Cabello</u>: hair (on
the head), in Spanish.] [<u style="text-underline: words;">Castano</u>: brown or
chestnut color, in Spanish.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The longboat was connected to
some cables, raised up by winches, and set on the upper-gun deck. The pilgrims
hopped out of the boat and helped to unload it. Gregory, Andrew, and a few
other pilgrims carried some sea chests below decks. As they were unloading the
chests, Markus searched for the first mate (<i>the second-in-command</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“The first mate is in the
great cabin, so you’ll have to wait unless it is urgent,” a sailor told Markus
when he asked about him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What’s his name?” Markus
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“He is First-mate Ricardo
Espada-azul,” the sailor replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Okay,” Markus said. “Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He was standing in the “steering
room” (<i>which was where helmsmen would steer the ship using a <u>whipstaff</u></i>).
The door to the great cabin, where the captain lived and ate his meals, lay
right behind the whipstaff, which was unmanned. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Markus approached the
whipstaff and knocked on the thick, oaken door behind it. The great-cabin door
flew open and the first mate came out with an angry expression on his goateed
face. Ricardo Espada-azul was a tall but wiry man with a thatch of chestnut
hair and a long goatee flowing from his chin. Armed with a heavy crossbow, a
broadsword, and protected by a mail coif, the second-in-command appeared ready
for battle. </span><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[As mentioned earlier, the <b><u style="text-underline: words;">whipstaff </u></b>is a vertical, wooden beam, used
for steering, which is fastened to the tiller.] [A <b><u>mail coif </u></b>is a
hood formed of mail (small, metal loops linked together) that covers the neck,
shoulders, and head. It has an opening for the face.] </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What is the problem now?” he
barked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Captain Pablo and two
sailors have been captured by enemy soldiers or pirates,” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“I heard that from the first
longboat crew,” Ricardo said with an annoyed look in his eyes. “We’re going to
arm the men with swords and crossbows and we’re going to kill those no-good <u>brigands</u>!”
</span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Brigand</u>:
This older word refers to a bandit (which is an armed robber).]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Sir, God does not want us to
kill people if we can spare their lives,” Markus said with concern. “That’s
what God means by saying, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ That is from <u>Exodus 20:13</u>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Oh, just leave that Bible
stuff alone,” the first mate said with frustration. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God has shown us to follow
the shoreline,” Markus said, “and sail around the island in a counter-clockwise
direction.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Why should I follow what you
think God is telling you?” Ricardo said, squinting with suspicion and mistrust.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I have been learning,”
Markus said politely, “that trusting in God’s leading is infinitely better than
depending on human reason.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’ll take two longboats and
search the island for the captain,” Ricardo said firmly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, what if the brigands
are taking the captain to their ship?” Markus said with some enthusiasm. “If we
sail around the island, we will locate their ship. Then, we might be able to
board it and capture it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first mate sighed and
lowered his head. After a minute of deep thought, Ricardo looked up at Markus
and said, “Okay, that does sound better than just searching through the jungle.
The captain has the treasure map with him, last I heard. So, we would have no
human way of finding him, even if he was being kept somewhere on the island.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But,” Markus said, “God
showed us we need to sail counter-clockwise around the island to reach the
enemy ship in time.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before Markus could say
anything more, the first mate walked past him and began climbing the main
staircase, which ascended to the half deck above. Markus followed him up the
steps. He passed through an opening in the deck and gratefully breathed in the
fresh sea air. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With a loud voice, the first
mate began barking out orders. “Raise anchor!” “I need two helmsmen here
immediately.” “Unfurl the sails.” The orders kept coming from his mouth. As
they came, sailors scrambled into action, hurrying toward the masts or toward
other parts of the ship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a little while, the sails
were unfurled and were billowing in the breeze. The longboats were fastened
down, and protective cloth coverings were placed over them. And, the anchors
were resting against the side of the ship. With the wind filling all its sails,
<i>Red Jasper </i>began to pick up speed. The only problem, Markus realized,
was that the galleon was heading in a clockwise direction instead of
counter-clockwise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">He jogged over to the first
mate who was now standing on the upper-gun deck, on the port side, looking out
over the aquamarine waves. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Port
side</u>: This was left side of the ship, from the perspective of someone
facing the bow of the ship]. </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What is it?” the first mate
said, glaring at Markus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Sir, we are heading the wrong
way,” Markus said. “We are moving clockwise around the island instead of
counter-clockwise.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“The wind is blowing that
direction. So, I will follow the wind,” Ricardo said, stubbornly. “Leave me
alone, now.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The <i>Red Jasper </i>sailed
around the island, following the prevailing wind. But when it had reached the
northern side of the island, the first mate’s jaw dropped. He pulled out a
spyglass </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">(i.e. hand-held telescope)</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> and lengthened it to stare at a sight in the
distance. There, sailing with its wide, square-rigged sails spread out like a
gallant sea creature, a <u style="text-underline: words;">carrack </u>cut through
the water. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MLLFdJblvmlEgVJvX7Tx8-iaxRXApf6E0IkLlLiohyphenhyphenGWCNsX6HYnClRJLACrHRwCyBZoR1QKFvd7wIXOB8ZNXeHs4vmp71FpQ2otbzaTdbaThyTr9pEZT22dwFu8HrzCwPTycj80fVQ/s1600/Carrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1024" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MLLFdJblvmlEgVJvX7Tx8-iaxRXApf6E0IkLlLiohyphenhyphenGWCNsX6HYnClRJLACrHRwCyBZoR1QKFvd7wIXOB8ZNXeHs4vmp71FpQ2otbzaTdbaThyTr9pEZT22dwFu8HrzCwPTycj80fVQ/s320/Carrack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Carrack</u>: A
three-masted sailing ship used during Middle Ages. It had a forecastle and an
aft castle, like a galleon. On a carrack, the aft castle (where the great cabin
is) has three “levels” (or floors), starting with the upper deck (i.e. the
large deck which has part of it open to the air). The galleon, typically, has
an aft castle with one “level” or “floor.” By this, I am not speaking of the “roof”
or half deck of the aft castle. The galleon typically was larger of the two
ships, but not always.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Those pirates have left the
island first!” Ricardo cried as he gazed through the small telescope. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter 2<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Pursuer Must Catch
Up<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Full of frustration, he began
shouting and pounding his hands on the half-deck railing atop the aft castle.
He cursed himself and said, “I should have circled the island as was suggested
to me. Now, we have missed the opportunity to catch those pirates!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, he shouted orders down
through the rectangular opening in the half deck. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Helmsmen, set our course for…”
And, the first mate gave a new heading. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon, the ship’s bow was
turning to face the faster-moving carrack. The chase was on. Powered only by
the wind, the two vessels played a game of cat-and-mouse. But, the smaller
carrack was lateen-rigged (i.e. <i>having large, triangular sails</i>) and
began putting much distance between itself and the bow of the <i>Red Jasper</i>.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Night fell on the Red Jasper
as it sailed in pursuit of its foe. Two days passed as the galleon pursued the
pirate vessel. As sun rose in the east, on the third day, the Red Jasper
lookout spotted an island. Large and extensive, the land formation stretched
out over what appeared to be 30 miles. Palm trees, (give some names of tropical
trees) graced the land above the water and formed a green jungle full of exotic
birds, plants, and land animals. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the morning brightened,
the Red Jasper began sailing around the island in search of the
triangular-sailed carrack. Two hours later, they saw a <u style="text-underline: words;">caravel </u>sailing about three leagues off their <u>port side</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Port side</u>: This was
left side of the ship, from the perspective of someone facing the bow of the
ship]. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Caravel</u>: A small,
Portuguese merchant vessel. It typically was lateen-rigged (i.e. having large,
triangular sails) and had usually two masts. It had a raised half-deck (in the
stern / rear) which provided cover for sailors to sleep under. But, caravels
had no forecastle.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before long, the Red Jasper
entered the choppy water of a busy harbor. The walled port town of <i>Piedra
Preciosa </i>sat nested up at the water’s edge. Caravels, carracks, sloops, and
other sailing ships created a forest of masts by the docks. A medieval castle
overlooked the busy town and its bustling harbor from a high hill behind the
town. Ruffling from poles atop castle towers, red and black standards (<i>flags
with a coat of arms</i>) snapped in the sea breeze. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We’ve reached a harbor,”
Henry said with curiosity in his voice. “I wonder if that carrack we were
pursuing is here.” He was standing near the bow of the ship atop the
forecastle. The 50-year-old’s beard ruffled as wind rushed past his beard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I just might be,” Markus
said near him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Red Jasper neared the
shore, and the first mate ordered his men to lay anchor. Four anchors were
dropped, splashing into the sea, and the ship came to rest in the bay. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Footfalls came through the
square opening in the top of the forecastle. Markus turned to look down and saw
the first mate climbing the steep staircase in the forecastle room below. With
a sigh, first mate Ricardo Espada-azul stepped onto the forecastle roof and
looked Markus straight in the eye. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We have arrived at Tesoro
Grande Island. Your God was right when He told you to travel counter-clockwise
around the first island we came to,” Ricardo said. “So, I have come to ask you
a favor.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes?” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Would you seek your God and
find out what we should do?” the first mate said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I would be glad to,” Markus
said, surprised to hear those words. It seemed that the man’s heart was
softening a little. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I have a feeling that the
enemy carrack is in this harbor somewhere,” Ricardo said. “But, I don’t know
how to find it. There are many carracks in this place. And, I don’t know how to
go about rescuing the captain. Perhaps, your God would show us what to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I will gladly seek Him and
tell you what He shows me,” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Very good,” Ricardo said,
slapping Markus on the shoulder. “Tell me what you hear as soon as possible.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, the first mate turned
around and descended the steps through the square opening. Markus closed his
eyes and began praying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Father God, what should we
do?” Markus said. “The enemy carrack could be in this harbor. If so, what
should we do about it? How can we rescue the captain?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son, I will show you what
to do,” God’s kind voice said. “The captain is very rebellious against Me. That
is why I allowed him to be captured by those pirates. They will not allow him
to escape. The captain is now in a cave near the top of the mountain. Go to
that mountain by way of the river that flows through the middle of the island.
You will use the longboats to float down the river. Then, you will reach the
base of the mountain and hike up it. Near the top, you will see some caves. I
will show you which cave to enter, and I will give you the power to overcome
what will face you there. I love you very much. And, I the LORD your God and
Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you, Heavenly Father,”
Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Then, he rushed toward the
open hatch and descended the stairs to the interior of the forecastle. The
chamber he entered was small but it contained a little table with two chairs.
He flung open the forecastle’s aft door and ran across the upper deck. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<b><u style="text-underline: words;">Aft </u></b>refers
to being toward the direction of the stern or rear of the ship.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first mate was talking to
a couple sailors near the aft castle at the rear (stern) of the ship. Markus
slowed his pace to a fast walk and approached Ricardo. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Excuse me, sir,” Markus
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ricardo turned and focused on
Markus with an intense expression. “What did you hear?” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God told me some things,”
Markus said before he informed him about all he had heard from God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After Markus was finished,
the first mate said, “Then, we shall do that. According to a map I have of this
island, the mouth of the <i>Verde River</i>, which is the only river on this
island, is located a mile from here. We will sail there first and lay anchor
near the mouth of the river.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus nodded as he took in
the information.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Then, once we arrive,”
Ricardo said, “I will go with one longboat crew. And, one of my subordinate officers
will be in charge of a second longboat. You and your friends will take a third
longboat. The forth longboat will be left with the men we leave to guard the
Red Jasper. And, the jollyboat will accompany us to carry some cargo.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Very good,” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first mate turned away
from Markus and began shouting orders. In moments, men began to scramble to
prepare the longboats for departure. Sea chests containing crossbows and
crossbow bolts were hefted up through a hatch in the upper deck. Two small
barrels containing salted beef were stowed in one of the longboats. A barrel
containing water was placed in the jollyboat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sailors donned breastplates,
back plates, and <u style="text-underline: words;">bascinet helmets</u>. Being
fully equipped, each sailor carried a broadsword in a <u style="text-underline: words;">scabbard </u>and a small, round shield on his left or right forearm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The galleon anchors were
raised and the ship sailed to the mouth of the river. Soon, the river appeared
on the starboard side. Wide and shimmering, it flowed through the jungle and
out into the bay like an endless snake of water. As they neared the river
mouth, the ship dropped anchor and came to rest a hundred feet away from the
river. Then, the three longboats and the jollyboat were lowered, one after
another. Haversacks and four small barrels filled any space not used by the
men.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u>Bascinet helmet</u></b>:
A pointy helmet used during the Middle Ages. It covered the sides of the head
and the back of the head. But, the face had no protection. However, some
bascinets had visors. The lower neck was left unprotected by this helmet. But,
some bascinets had chain-mail neck armor (called an aventail) attached to the
lower end of the helmet.] [<b><u style="text-underline: words;">Scabbard</u></b>:
A sword sheath which hangs from a belt.] [<b><u>Starboard side</u></b>: This
was the right side of the ship from the point of view of someone facing the bow
of the ship.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Traveling Down the
Verde River<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The boats traveled up the
wide river for three miles before they reached a town built on both sides of
the river. Three bridges spanned the river and connected the both halves of the
town together. Once the boats were moored to a dock, the first mate and seven
of his men left the boats and went into the town to purchase some pack horses.
After 40 minutes, the sailors returned to the docks with seven chocolate draft
horses. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Men, load up the pack horses
and prepare to march through the jungle,” Ricardo Espada-azul said with a
commanding voice. “I’ll leave two of you to guard the boats by the docks. This
town of Pueblo Verde has thieves just like any other town.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The 17 sailors and their
commander began preparing the horses for a long trek, fitting them with
haversacks and small barrels. Markus and his seven friends prayed and sought
God as they spiritually prepared for the expedition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I pray that God leads us
right to the place the captain is held at. And, I pray we will be able to
rescue that man easily enough,” Henry said as he stood near a large draft horse
that was fully prepared for a journey. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I agree with you, Henry,”
Markus said. “We need God’s protection and guidance.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, Markus, isn’t God’s
protection over us already?” Andrew said. “We are in His hands and nothing can
remove His sheep from His hands.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We are facing human pirates
that would want to kill us if they could,” Markus said with some fear in his
voice. “You saw how they shot at us with those muskets.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">With care in his voice,
Andrew said, “But <u>Psalm 91 says this in verses 1 through 3</u>: ‘[1] </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">He that
dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of
the Almighty. [2] I will say of the </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">He is </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">my refuge and
my fortress : my God ; in him will I trust. [3] Surely he shall deliver thee
from the snare of the fowler, </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">and </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">from the
noisome pestilence.’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus sighed. “Yes, that is
true. God will never leave us. You’re right. He will be our refuge. I need to
believe that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s prepare move out, men,”
Ricardo said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, the first mate
appointed two men to guard the boats. He gave them money to pay for any
expenses they would have. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After finishing this arrangement,
he said, “Okay, let’s go.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rest of the armed sailors
began walking behind their commander with their crossbows ready to be cocked at
a moment’s notice. The sunlight sparkled off their bascinet helmets and
breastplates as they walked down a cobblestone street near the edge of the
river. Three-story half-timbered buildings rose up on either side of the water
and stared down at the foreigners. Villagers gawked at the armed men as they
walked down their streets. And, curious children pointed at the band of 24 men,
making comments to their parents. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon, the town of Pueblo
Verde was behind them and a tropical jungle filled their view with verdant
greenery. Mile after mile passed under the feet of the pilgrims and sailors.
Birds chirped and monkeys hollered in the tree tops. The men took breaks every
half hour to refresh themselves and rest. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After a few hours of walking
along the bank of the Verde River, the group of 24 men reached the base of a
mountain. The volcanic peak rose high above the treetops and it resembled a
huge, wide cone with a missing top. Jungle trees marched up the lower sides of
the dormant volcano and covered the slopes of a mountain spur. The spur
branched off the top of the volcano cone and ran down one side of the peak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Markus,” Ricardo said, “we
have arrived at the base of the Tesoro Grande Mountain. It is an inactive
volcano. What would God show us to do now?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tesoro Grande Mountain<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’ll seek Him about this,”
Markus said before he walked away from the men a little distance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, he said silently, “Father
God, where should we go? Where is the captain being held? Are we even at the
right place?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son,” God’s voice said to
Markus, “go up the mountain spur and you will reach a cave near the top. It is
an artificial cave. It was not naturally formed. In that cave you will find
your friend the captain and his two men. And, I the LORD your God have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you, Father God,”
Markus said. Then, he quickly walked back to the first mate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God told me,” Markus said, “that
the captain and the two sailors with him are in an artificial cave near the top
of that mountain spur. You can see that the spur almost reaches the mouth of
the volcano.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Then, we will go up there
and rescue him,” Ricardo said boldly. Turning to the sailors, the first mate
said sternly, “Anyone who deserts us will be hung. Do you men understand?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes, sir,” they replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You two,” Ricardo said,
pointing at two sailors standing near him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes sir,” one said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I want you both to guard the
pack animals,” the first mate ordered. “Tie their guide ropes to some trees and
make sure no one steals them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We will do that, sir,” one
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first mate then began
walking toward the mountain spur which passed down the volcano cone to his
right. The 22 others followed him. Thankfully, there was no need to build a
raft to cross the river. For that, Markus was grateful. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMus6mxh3hPpX7RVpOmYf_o29vXhcDE5s4yPRsyHTsEa7dalRA-Eqf8eDfhrs_hwd_S15ts2G5tR3DCuh1Je-E2UxXJMf8-_RB_9jY-1vSjb4Z1J4Fe1hDdXHePBAnJnUL9rjkqp4aqJk/s1600/A+sword+with+a+round+pomel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMus6mxh3hPpX7RVpOmYf_o29vXhcDE5s4yPRsyHTsEa7dalRA-Eqf8eDfhrs_hwd_S15ts2G5tR3DCuh1Je-E2UxXJMf8-_RB_9jY-1vSjb4Z1J4Fe1hDdXHePBAnJnUL9rjkqp4aqJk/s320/A+sword+with+a+round+pomel.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon, the party was climbing
up a densely-covered slope. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. The sailors’ broadswords
sliced through thick jungle undergrowth and vines. Clearing a path was
difficult in this environment, and seeing even fifteen feet ahead was a
challenge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I hope we will be able to
find a trail soon,” Henry said as they hiked. “This jungle is getting nearly
impossible to travel through. It’s as thick as my grandma’s soup.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“There may be a trail
somewhere along this slope,” Gregory White-peak said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The men traveled a few more
yards before the first mate said loudly, “At last, we’ve found a cleared trail.
It appears to be a walking trail. Now, our going will be easier.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The men took the trail up the
side of the high, mountain spur and found that it led straight to the highest
point on the spur. They had to pause for breaks a few times, but soon they saw
a level, rock strewn clearing near the top of the spur. The clearing ran up to
some rugged, stony hills which contained five cave mouths. Large boulders were
positioned in various places about the clearing, and they partially blocked
Markus’s view of some of the caves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We arrived at the caves,”
Henry said as they emerged from the dense jungle, “but this place seems rather
desolate and empty. I don’t see a single soul here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Men,” Ricardo said, glancing
back at the sailors, “load your crossbows, and cock them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Crossbows were cocked back
and bolts (resembling arrows) were placed on the strings. Then, the helmeted
sailors raised their weapons to their shoulders and prepared to fire at
anything that moved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the first mate approached
one of the large boulders, a huge, gloved hand suddenly reached out and grabbed
him. He was pulled behind the boulder and a dull thump came. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“The first mate! He’s gone.
Did you see that?” Gregory said, sputtering. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">The Battle on Tesoro
Grande Mountain</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Commander?” a sailor shouted
as he walked slowly toward the large, 15-foot-high boulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYa4QxeeazrBWvzLvqvxDmHxhKmyhNFlk1HPJ5V1dG5m7uGdVGt5kcA1aqoUa4Kj_YH6H6Ioh3XdqfTciXGb66-q2Z27yUIiKjyu4aRtMjDViJb3g1mfZGPkB_0lCZadla8trGPDl6VU/s1600/Caves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1316" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYa4QxeeazrBWvzLvqvxDmHxhKmyhNFlk1HPJ5V1dG5m7uGdVGt5kcA1aqoUa4Kj_YH6H6Ioh3XdqfTciXGb66-q2Z27yUIiKjyu4aRtMjDViJb3g1mfZGPkB_0lCZadla8trGPDl6VU/s320/Caves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The man was holding a
broadsword in one hand and a small shield in another. As he drew close to the
boulder, a giant suddenly stepped out from behind the large rock and swung a
large club toward the man. The sailor jumped out of the way just as the spiked
club slammed into the ground where he was standing. <i>Thump! <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sailor swung his sword at
the monster’s legs, but the giant blocked the sword strike with his club. And
then, he swiftly slammed the club into the sailor’s head, knocking him
unconscious. Seeing this, several sailors unleashed their crossbow bolts at the
monster, but the quarrels (<i>crossbow bolts</i>) bounced off the beast’s full
suit of dark-grey armor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A second giant stepped out
from behind a boulder and charged at the sailors, swinging a club as he came.
The men fired a few more quarrels, with no effect, and then ran toward the
jungle. But, the second giant was too fast for them. His club began slamming
into men and sending them to dream world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As he continued knocking out
the sailors, regular-sized knights, wearing slate-grey armor, suddenly came
from behind the same boulder where the first giant had appeared. They grabbed
the unconscious, armored sailors and carried them back behind the boulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs1xMx0-N0i9GKsp41fqfBw-L16tQ9zUUrAERdJBlmDHMH5X14Axj65_4SFFsI8ZAV0gf5JZ8kqEmffqNymjMCllHub2XAP4HPC6AFoyb99h1LXikhY-z80XxNX2oUX3hlBgTjPJh8b8/s1600/Knight+in+armor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="508" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs1xMx0-N0i9GKsp41fqfBw-L16tQ9zUUrAERdJBlmDHMH5X14Axj65_4SFFsI8ZAV0gf5JZ8kqEmffqNymjMCllHub2XAP4HPC6AFoyb99h1LXikhY-z80XxNX2oUX3hlBgTjPJh8b8/s320/Knight+in+armor.jpg" width="235" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While this was taking place,
the first giant gazed down at the eight pilgrims. They had quickly positioned
themselves into a circular formation. Their round shields were raised and their
bright, shiny swords were drawn. This wall of shields formed a protective
barrier around the pilgrim knights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While the battle was taking
place, the Ephesians 6 armor, in all its silvery glory, had suddenly appeared
on the eight pilgrims knights. It had faded from view earlier, but now that the
pilgrims were facing supernatural foes, it had again become opaque and solid.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The huge, 10-foot-tall
creature approached the pilgrims and stared down at them through slits in his <u style="text-underline: words;">sallet </u>helmet visor. His lower face and neck
were protected by a <u style="text-underline: words;">bevor </u>which was
scratched and pitted. And, his body was covered with medieval plate armor. A
word appeared on his helmet in blue paint: “Greed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBGzk2Z1E1a7VM1Lq6AOAfPpDu4oNtuIvEK7ur_sMQ1llHPmmjENt30ELOHdlvpmqzUmTP5g7i54S7yJ9r59GHees9Y9N_zB9QSebjgiB00FSEBoY7mjwiFRYhWhuMInU9BWYabtp5Mk/s1600/A+sallet+helmet+on+paint+recolored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="609" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBGzk2Z1E1a7VM1Lq6AOAfPpDu4oNtuIvEK7ur_sMQ1llHPmmjENt30ELOHdlvpmqzUmTP5g7i54S7yJ9r59GHees9Y9N_zB9QSebjgiB00FSEBoY7mjwiFRYhWhuMInU9BWYabtp5Mk/s200/A+sallet+helmet+on+paint+recolored.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u>Sallet</u></b>: A
style of medieval helmet that was popular during the 15<sup>th</sup> century.
This style often had a curved flange of metal in the rear of the helmet. Later
sallet helmets had movable visors (to protect the face) and bevors (to protect
the neck and lower face). The <b><u style="text-underline: words;">bevor </u></b>was
a piece of armor that covered the upper shoulders, the neck, and the lower
face.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The giant carried a spiked
club in both hands, but a sheathed sword hung from his belt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Holding the club tightly in
his massive hands, Greed said, “God isn’t going to meet your needs. So, why don’t
you pursue your own interests? Why don’t you try some tasty food? Come with me,
and I will bring you to a place where you will be able to enjoy the best of
Lucifer’s delicacies.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Markus said boldly as he faced
the giant: “The Holy Spirit had Paul write these words in <u>Philippians 3,
verses 17 through 20</u>: ‘[17] </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Brethren, be followers together of me,
and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. [18] (For <b>many
walk, </b>of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, </span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">that they
are </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">the <u>enemies of the cross of Christ </u></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">: [19] <b><u>whose
end </u></b></span><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">destruction, whose God </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is their </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">belly, and </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">whose </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">glory </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">in their shame,
who mind earthly things</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">) [20] <b>For our conversation
is in heaven </b>; from whence also <b>we look for the Saviour</b>, <b>the Lord
Jesus Christ </b>:’ [<u>Philippians 3:17-20</u>.]” </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[Emphasis
added.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Just as Markus finished
speaking, the giant swung his large club down toward him, but Markus held up
his shield and blocked the blow</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">clang</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We must not serve our
fleshly desires,” Andrew added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“Hah,” the giant laughed as
he swung his club toward Markus and</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">clang</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">it again struck his shield. “But, God will not satisfy
you,” the giant said with a deep voice. “So, you will only be miserable.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“That is a lie,” Gregory
said, piping up. “I remember that God’s Word says this in <u>Galatians 3, verse
5</u>: ‘</span><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">He
therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">doeth he it </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">by the works of
the law, or by the hearing of faith ?</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’ [<u>Galatians 3:5</u>.] God ministers
to us by faith, and not by our works. So, God will minister to us His Spirit.” </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[Emphasis
added.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-55QDie1w7LRRDJlcJKPGanAyvOyp_26NVJqqmCUX2E9IzlHr98XPg9BHb2LaIJpsHGYj5h9uCL-efKTOUGnclkWRCOBUeiDD8k1pSF6jBlqBQXMQApI1Xp58IHImFuzY7B1yuogBos/s1600/Halberd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="1488" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-55QDie1w7LRRDJlcJKPGanAyvOyp_26NVJqqmCUX2E9IzlHr98XPg9BHb2LaIJpsHGYj5h9uCL-efKTOUGnclkWRCOBUeiDD8k1pSF6jBlqBQXMQApI1Xp58IHImFuzY7B1yuogBos/s200/Halberd.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">As Gregory spoke, Markus’s
sword suddenly vanished. A split second later, it was replaced with a <u style="text-underline: words;">halberd</u>. But, instead of a spear tip at the
very top of the long pole, this halberd had a sword blade. And, this miracle
happened for all the pilgrim knights. (<i>The battle-axe head and the sharp
prong, opposite it, were still present on this weapon.)</i></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Wow,” Markus said, with
surprise, at receiving from God a new version of his weapon. But, he quickly
regained his focus and looked up at Giant Greed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God’s Spirit is nothing,”
said the wicked giant, blasphemously, with an evil laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“Giant Greed, <b>that is false!</b>
<u>God’s Spirit is the very reason we live, and move, and have our being</u>,”
Markus said as he suddenly thrust his halberd up toward the giant’s neck. But,
the giant deflected the weapon</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">clang</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vDy097nCnaayBQPGYdac4oM-fKvFyDetlNWQwHY6FzCOcOsUkdj3Oh-t4qUGIzjTWnKKgfW9cVC9zF4U74TCtITq8agMFs8sb-L1Cc7iwdp2eH-vB28nn-xqP2m2Y9aAyvS5SZyfXmw/s1600/Halberd+with+a+sword+blade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1298" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vDy097nCnaayBQPGYdac4oM-fKvFyDetlNWQwHY6FzCOcOsUkdj3Oh-t4qUGIzjTWnKKgfW9cVC9zF4U74TCtITq8agMFs8sb-L1Cc7iwdp2eH-vB28nn-xqP2m2Y9aAyvS5SZyfXmw/s320/Halberd+with+a+sword+blade.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“It is God’s Holy Spirit that
gives us pilgrims life,” Markus said. “And, Jesus Christ said this in <u>John
7, verses 37 through 39</u>: <b>‘[37] </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">In the last day, that great </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">day </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">of the feast,
Jesus stood and cried, saying, <u>If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and
drink.</u> [38] <u>He that believeth on me</u>, as the Scripture hath said, out
of his belly shall flow <u>rivers of living water</u>. [39] (<u>But this spake
he of the Spirit</u>, which they that believe on him should receive : for the
Holy Ghost was not yet </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">given ; </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">because that
Jesus was not yet glorified.)’ </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[<u>John 7:37-39</u>.]” </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[Emphasis
added.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<b><u>Halberd</u></b>: A
medieval weapon with a long, wooden handle and a multipurpose head. The halberd
head is a combination of an axe blade; and a sharp, metal prong on the other
side; and a long, spear tip at the very top.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Markus spoke, he suddenly
swung the battle-axe side of his halberd at the giant’s legs. The giant
attempted to block it, but he was not fast enough. <i>Ding. </i>The axe head
struck the giant’s left steel <i><u style="text-underline: words;">greave </u></i>(i.e.
<i>lower leg armor</i>), causing it to dent inward slightly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u style="text-underline: words;">Greave</u></b>: Armor for the lower leg. It went from below the knee
down to a sabaton (armored shoe).] [<b><u style="text-underline: words;">Sabaton </u></b>(singular
noun): A sabaton was a jointed piece of metal foot armor (for each foot) that
was designed to articulate (or move like a hinge) as the knight walked.] [<b><u style="text-underline: words;">Poleyn </u></b>were armored knee guards.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“I will stop you humans!”
Greed roared as he swung his club toward Markus. But, it struck against the
pilgrim’s shield</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">bong</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ignoring Greed’s threat,
Markus said, “So, it is the Holy Spirit that ministers to us and who quenches
our spiritual thirst.” Markus swung his weapon quickly and struck the giant in
the leg again. The dent in the monster’s armor began to crack.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I agree with Markus and the
Bible. It is true that God satisfies the spirit and soul of a believer by His Holy
Spirit,” Andrew said just before he suddenly stepped forward and swung his own
halberd toward the giant’s club. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Clang</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">. The sharp sword blade on his halberd sliced off a
third of the club near the ‘striking’ end.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Giant Greed dropped his
useless half-club, turned and hustled off toward the boulder he came from. The
second giant, who had been watching the whole time, trotted back to his hiding
spot and was also lost to Markus’s view, behind a boulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With courage, Markus ran
toward the boulder where Giant Greed had gone to, and Andrew and Henry followed
him. Behind the boulder was a closed trap door made of iron. As he walked up to
it, his halberd suddenly vanished. A split-second later, his broadsword once
more was in his hand. Suddenly, fire leaped up from the blade and rose up three
inches from the metal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">The Sword of the Spirit
Miracle</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What just happened?” Andrew
said as he stared at his own weapon and opened his <u>close-helmet visor</u>.
His halberd had also been replaced with a flaming broadsword. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“My halberd is now a fiery
sword,” Henry said with surprise as he gazed at the flames <u style="text-underline: words;">undulating </u>from his weapon. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Undulate</u>:
To move like waves do.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u>Close helm</u></b>:
The close helm, or helmet, was an authentic, late-medieval helmet style which
fit closely to the head and neck of the wearer. It normally covered the entire
head, neck, upper shoulders, and face of the wearer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, in this story, the
close helmets worn by the pilgrims are modified so that the lower portion of
each helmet (the bevor) is shortened to extend just halfway down the neck. With
this modified, close-helmet design, the neck is protected by a stiff, leather
collar, which has pieces of metal fastened to it. Certainly, the neck area of <u>our
fictional, close-helm design</u> is weaker than in most close helms, but <u>this
fictional version of the close helm has more freedom of movement</u>. The
knight can now freely move his head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The close helm often had a
hinging visor, which could be raised up and lowered back over the face. Since
it fit snugly, the helmet had to be put on by first unlatching and hinging open
a rotating <b><u>bevor</u></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">A <b><u style="text-underline: words;">bevor </u></b>was a piece of metal that (usually) protected the lower
face, neck, and upper shoulders of the wearer. It shared the same hinges as
those used by the visor. Once the helmet was on the knight, the bevor would be
hinged shut. To secure it shut, pivoting hooks slid through slots in staples
(i.e. U-shaped pieces of metal). Often, a strap was used for extra strength.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“This is again a miracle of
God,” Markus said. “The sword of the Spirit is a very powerful weapon. I
remember Genesis chapter 3 mentions a flaming sword which was to guard and
protect the way of the tree of life. This could also be applied, in a metaphor,
to the Ephesians 6 sword. This supernatural weapon protects the path of life
from Satan, the evil serpent.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“How does the sword of the
Spirit do that?” Henry said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Turning toward him, Markus
said, “The sword of the Spirit keeps people from believing lies that there are
supposedly other ways to Heaven than the way of faith as laid out in the Bible.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s try going through this
hatch,” Andrew said as he stood near the trap door. “I believe Captain Pablo
and the other sailors are somewhere below us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He stooped down and tried to
find a handle, but none appeared. Then, Andrew glanced at his sword and back at
the trap door. An idea came to him and he suddenly plunged the sword toward the
hatch. The sword tip clanked against the metal, and the sword flexed. But,
nothing happened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, as the hot fire
surrounding the blade reached the metal hatch, the hatch metal began to glow
red and then orange. In a few seconds, it began to turn white as it heated up.
It slowly bent inward under the pressure of the sword tip. Then, the white-hot
portion of the hatch fell inward, and a 4-inch-wide hole appeared. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“Did you see that?” Gregory
White-peak said to another pilgrim knight as both walked up to Andrew. His <i><u style="text-underline: words;">close helmet </u></i>visor was opened, revealing
his face. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Close helmet</u>: See
Chapter 2 for information. It is in the section titled: “The Sword of the
Spirit Miracle.”]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus and Henry placed their
fiery sword tips against the remains of the hatch, and the entire metal surface
began to glow white. In a minute, it caved in and dropped away. Through the
hole, the three pilgrims saw a metal rungs fastened to the side of a vertical
shaft in the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“This is the way in,” Markus
said to the small group. “And, it was God’s goodness that gave us these
wonderful, fiery swords.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’m going to tell the
others,” Gregory said as he turned and started walking back toward the rest of
the group of pilgrims.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before long, all eight
pilgrim knights had descended the metal rungs and had reached the bottom of the
shaft. Above them appeared a square patch of blue sky, at the top of the shaft.
The ladder rungs continued from the ceiling and crawled down the side of a wall
toward the floor. The knights were standing in a chamber, which was 14 feet
high and 20 feet by 23 feet, in length and width. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beneath the Earth<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdx3O6hVk4touPqibhK513mNRX4ugcx2E9d_Jp0rBQeqEycTEQQjj6oTF3WBCHL9rRgaQeL6pwSGfEkFH2mgkpwM4DB2RacjTKXjxeAQetXc4IdR_NekGh5CIZrswpbHvioqHnOyxlk0/s1600/Sword+with+fire+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1600" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdx3O6hVk4touPqibhK513mNRX4ugcx2E9d_Jp0rBQeqEycTEQQjj6oTF3WBCHL9rRgaQeL6pwSGfEkFH2mgkpwM4DB2RacjTKXjxeAQetXc4IdR_NekGh5CIZrswpbHvioqHnOyxlk0/s320/Sword+with+fire+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the light of their sword
flames, the knights could see four hallways branching off from the four walls
of the stone chamber. One hall entrance appeared in each wall. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I say we should split up,”
Caiaphas Fetido, a pilgrim knight said. “I will go through that doorway.” He
pointed toward a hallway entrance which had a wooden sign above it. Words on it
in yellow paint read: “Apostasy Section.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Caiaphas Fetido was a tall
man with a short, white beard and brown eyes. His face appeared somewhat
nervous as he looked from one pilgrim to another. Then he said, “Who will go
with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’ll join you,” Cain
Mentiroso, another pilgrim knight, said walking toward him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Cain was a short man with blond
hair, a mustached face, and green eyes. His <i>close helm</i> visor was opened</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">like the other
knights</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">revealing his facial features. Cain’s mouth formed a strange grin. It
was the look of someone seeking to do mischief. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Close helmet</u>: See Chapter 2 for information. It
is in the section titled: “The Sword of the Spirit Miracle.”]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Why don’t we all stay
together?” Markus said, looking at the two men.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We will find Captain Pablo
faster if we split up. That is the logical thing to do,” Caiaphas Fetido said
with a touch of arrogance in his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God will speak to you,”
Markus said, “and show you the right course to take if you simply ask Him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Ha,” Caiaphas said,
arrogantly. “I don’t need to ask God anything when I can simply use the mind He
has given me to logically determine what I should do.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“After all,” Cain added, “God
is busy with other things.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What you just said,
Caiaphas, is not true,” Markus said. “<u>Romans chapter 8, verses 4 through 7</u>
says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">‘[4]
<b>That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5] For they that are after the flesh do
mind the things of the flesh ; but they that are after the Spirit, the things
of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded </b></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">death ; but to
be spiritually minded </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">life and peace.
[7] Because the carnal mind </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">enmity against
God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’ [<u style="text-underline: words;">Romans 8:4-7</u>.]”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Hmm,”
Caiaphas said as he frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What
I just quoted shows that it is wrong to follow the logical, carnal mind, which
has been corrupted by sin,” Markus said. “Following our logical mind, without
seeking the Heavenly Father, eventually brings spiritual separation from God.
This is what it means by ‘death.’ Those who stubbornly refuse to repent (when
God convicts them of sin) are separating themselves from God by their own
choice. But, He will still call out to them and plead with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Caiaphas bent down and
appeared to be adjusting a leather strap on his lower left leg. But, he
secretly drew a dagger from a partially-concealed sheath fastened to the back
of his leg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“And, to answer what Cain
stated,” Andrew said, “God’s Word says this in <u>Psalm 139, verses 1 through 6</u>:
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">‘[1]
O </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, thou hast
searched me, and known </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">me. </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising ; thou
understandest my thought afar off. [3] Thou compassest my path and my lying
down, and art acquainted </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">with </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">all my ways. [4] For </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">there is </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">not a word in
my tongue, </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">but, </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">lo, O </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, thou knowest it altogether. [5] Thou hast beset me behind and
before, and laid thine hand upon me. </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">[6]<i> Such </i></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">knowledge </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">too wonderful
for me ; it is high, I cannot </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">attain </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">unto it.’ [<u>Psalm
139:1-6</u>.]”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cain
Mentiroso just shook his head and continued grinning with an arrogant look. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Caiaphas,
while still kneeling, opened the pivoting hooks which locked his close helmet
shut. Then, he opened the helmet’s rotating bevor. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">[<u>Note</u>: On
a close helmet, the bevor was the front part of the helmet that went from the
forehead down to the neck. It swung open on the same pivot points as the
visor.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Cain,”
Andrew added, “God is not busy. He sees all things and knows all things and He
is intimately or deeply involved in all of his creation, especially those made
in His image. That would be us, and the angels.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, Caiaphas threw his
helmet to the ground and sprang toward Markus with his dagger in hand. As he
did, all the men’s armor suddenly faded until it was nearly invisible. The men
were now dressed in either white or black garments and leather boots. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I will become the leader of
this group,” Caiaphas said as he slowly walked toward Markus Christian with the
dagger. With an evil gleam in his eyes, the white-bearded man entered a
fighting stance, ready to lunge toward Markus with a <i>physical </i>weapon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wearing a black tunic, black
trousers, and leather boots, the false pilgrim prepared to kill his victim. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Why do you want to be the
leader, Caiaphas?” Markus said, feeling a mixture of fear and soundness of
mind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I will kill you if you do
not leave this group now and never return,” the white-bearded man said with a
hateful look in his eyes. “Power belongs to me. It doesn’t belong to you,
Markus Christian.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs1xMx0-N0i9GKsp41fqfBw-L16tQ9zUUrAERdJBlmDHMH5X14Axj65_4SFFsI8ZAV0gf5JZ8kqEmffqNymjMCllHub2XAP4HPC6AFoyb99h1LXikhY-z80XxNX2oUX3hlBgTjPJh8b8/s1600/Knight+in+armor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="508" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs1xMx0-N0i9GKsp41fqfBw-L16tQ9zUUrAERdJBlmDHMH5X14Axj65_4SFFsI8ZAV0gf5JZ8kqEmffqNymjMCllHub2XAP4HPC6AFoyb99h1LXikhY-z80XxNX2oUX3hlBgTjPJh8b8/s320/Knight+in+armor.jpg" width="236" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus raised his hands and
said, “Okay, Caiaphas, I will go.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yeah,” Cain said, “leave us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With that, Markus turned and
walked toward the metal rungs affixed to the wall. Markus knew that the man
with the <i>physical </i>dagger was armed with a weapon that potentially could
kill him because Markus’s armor was not of a physical nature. It was spiritual
armor. But, Markus also knew that God had angels with him to watch over him,
like Psalm 91 speaks of.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Never return,” Caiaphas said
as Markus grabbed a metal rung, “or you will be a dead man!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter 3<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Turn of Events<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdx3O6hVk4touPqibhK513mNRX4ugcx2E9d_Jp0rBQeqEycTEQQjj6oTF3WBCHL9rRgaQeL6pwSGfEkFH2mgkpwM4DB2RacjTKXjxeAQetXc4IdR_NekGh5CIZrswpbHvioqHnOyxlk0/s1600/Sword+with+fire+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1600" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdx3O6hVk4touPqibhK513mNRX4ugcx2E9d_Jp0rBQeqEycTEQQjj6oTF3WBCHL9rRgaQeL6pwSGfEkFH2mgkpwM4DB2RacjTKXjxeAQetXc4IdR_NekGh5CIZrswpbHvioqHnOyxlk0/s320/Sword+with+fire+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus scrambled up the
rungs. When he reached the opening at the top of the shaft, he pulled himself
onto the ground before the boulder and breathed deeply. Then, standing up,
Markus saw his armor reappear. The flaming broadsword returned to his hand and,
with a sense of comfort, he clutched its leather handle grip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">He walked away from the bare,
grass-less clearing and passed into the tropical foliage on the edge of the
clearing. Colorful <i>lorikeets</i>, with yellow, blue, and green feathers,
chirped from the upper branches of leafy <i>mamane </i>trees. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Lorikeet</u>: This is a small parrot which has
bright, colorful feathers. It has bristles on its tongue for removing pollen
and nectar from tropical flowers.] [Mamane tree: A tropical tree.]</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When he was 90 feet from the
edge of the rocky clearing, down the slope, Markus crawled under a bush and
began pouring out his heart to God. He felt very troubled that another one of
his acquaintances wanted to kill him. The first had been Ahaziah Bronze-smith,
who had plunged into a deep pitfall by accident just before he was about to
fire an arrow at Markus. After Ahaziah’s fall, Markus had offered to help him
out of the pit with a rope. But, Ahaziah had stubbornly refused any help and
had pointed a bent bow at him. Markus had to move out of the way before an
arrow had shot up toward him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, Caiaphas Fetido was
seeking to gain power even if it meant killing him. And, Cain Mentiroso was in
full support of Caiaphas, or so it appeared. These thoughts troubled Markus as
he sat beneath the bush and listened to brilliantly-colored macaws imitating
sounds. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Father God, I feel so
troubled about many things,” Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son,” God’s kind voice
said, “what are you troubled about?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I feel worried about the
future,” Markus said with his helmeted head in his hands. “I know that Caiaphas
Fetido is seeking power and threatened to kill me, but I also know that Cain
Mentiroso has joined him. I fear that more men will join him. And, I don’t know
what to do when I am up against a man armed with a physical weapon.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son, Markus,” God’s kind
voice said. “<u>I am with you and I never will forsake you or any other
Christian</u>. <u>I am here for you even when you sin and rebel</u>. <u>But, I
will always correct you in love, and in kindness, and in mercy</u>. <u>I will
never allow you to go in the wrong direction without calling out to you so that
you will know that I am reaching out to you</u>.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That’s good to know,” Markus
said, feeling a sense of peace beginning to return to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Now,” God said, “<u>these
evil men wear black garments because they have cast Me out of their lives.
Their armor was rotting away even while you withstood the giant who had the
club. But, now they are very hardened indeed</u>. <u style="text-underline: dotted;">They will seek to join up with pirates </u>to begin looting treasure on
the high seas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“There are <u style="text-underline: dotted;">Spanish treasure fleets </u>that pass by this
island. The pirates and those men from your group will join up to form a
coalition and <u style="text-underline: dotted;">will seek to rob the Spanish
fleet </u>that comes by in two days from now. I will show you what I want you
to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Okay,” Markus said,
listening. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Go and head <u style="text-underline: dotted;">back toward the port town </u>where your galleon
ship is located,” God said. “I want you to <u style="text-underline: dotted;">speak
to the men aboard the galleon </u>and have them know that <u style="text-underline: dotted;">they need to leave the harbor at once</u>. Tell them that <u style="text-underline: dotted;">both their captain and their co-captain are in
prison and are held for a high ransom</u>. You are not able to even enter these
prisons because <u style="text-underline: dotted;">men armed with muskets are
guarding them</u>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Okay, I’ll try to remember
that,” Markus said, nodding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“The caves you have arrived
at are the secret entrances to the underground prisons,” God continued. “In
order to achieve victory to release the captain and the first mate from the
cave prisons, <u style="text-underline: dotted;">you will need to</u> <u>pray for
My angels to go into battle</u>. They will appear as knights in golden armor,
in this case. And, <u>they will fight for you</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Now, go ahead and head back
toward the hatch you passed through. You will meet your loyal friends and <u style="text-underline: dotted;">you can have a prayer meeting</u> to request My
angelic warriors to fight for you so that these men will be released from
prison. I <u style="text-underline: dotted;">will tell you that Cain and Caiaphas
shall leave the cave system another way</u>. They will not see you, so you are
safe. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Returning<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus left the cover of the
bush and walked back up the slope toward the rocky clearing. As he reached the
rocky clearing, his shiny armor became fully opaque and solid. Markus’s
broadsword was sheathed in its scabbard, and his shield hung behind his back
from a leather strap. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He walked around a certain
boulder and found the hatch he had passed through earlier. With a desire to get
back to his three loyal friends, Markus descended the metal rungs and passed
down the wall of the underground chamber. Standing on the floor of the chamber,
he removed his shield and put it on his left arm. Then, he drew out his sword,
and flames leaped up from its sharp, double-edged blade. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sword flames revealed
that the chamber was empty. “What do I do now, Heavenly Father?” Markus asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Just be patient, My son, and
they will come,” God’s kind voice said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A secret, stone door suddenly
flew open and two knights with shiny armor entered the chamber. Each carried a
battle axe and a shield. And, each foe bore a name painted on the front of his
helmet: “Fear.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What are you doing in this
place, pilgrim?” one of the evil knights said. “I will give you a nightmare
from which you will never awake.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Without wasting any time, the
evil soldier lunged toward Markus with his shield outstretched and his axe
prepared to strike.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Underground Battle<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus quickly raised his
shield and both shields <i>clanged </i>together as the enemy charged forward.
Then, the second evil knight moved into action and ran up behind Markus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Red and black, alternating
stripes covered both evil knights from head to toe. And, each wore an <i><u style="text-underline: words;">armet</u><u> helmet</u> </i>with a visor that
resembled the prow of a modern ship. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Clang. Clang. Ding. </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The first evil knight viciously struck Markus on his
shield and on his left <i><u style="text-underline: words;">pauldron </u></i>(i.e.
<i>shoulder armor</i>). And, the second knight struck him on his helmet and on
his back plate. Their battle axes were almost a blur of motion, and it took
Markus his full concentration to parry and deflect their blows. But, he often
missed and was hit in several places in his armor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Pauldron</u>: This is <u style="text-underline: words;">shoulder armor </u>that also covers part of the
upper back and a portion of the upper breastplate.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You will be a failure in the
end, pilgrim,” one evil knight said. “We will make sure you don’t reach Heaven.
God is against you. You will fall and not arise.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, Markus turned to God
and asked for help. Suddenly, scripture came to his mind. With renewed confidence
in God’s love, Markus began swinging his sword toward his foes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">And, Markus said boldly: “God’s
Word says this truth in <u>Romans chapter 8</u>, starting with verse 31: </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">‘<b>[31] What
shall we then say to these things ? If God </b></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">be </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">for us, who </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">can be </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">against us ?
[32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall
he not with him also freely give us all things ?</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’”<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Ugh,”
the evil knight said, trying to block the pilgrim’s fiery sword. “Stop saying
that!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Markus
ignored him and said, “It goes on to say: <b>‘[33] Who shall lay any thing to
the charge of God’s elect ? </b></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">It is </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">God that
justifieth. [34] Who </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">he that condemneth ? </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">It is </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Christ that
died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God,
who also maketh intercession for us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As
Markus spoke, his sword flame glowed brighter and hotter. He began striking the
evil knights in their shields and helmets–c<i>lang, clang, ding</i>–instead of
just blocking blows. Dents now appeared in their tough armor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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continued, saying: “<u>Romans 8</u> goes on to say: ‘<b>[35] Who shall separate
us from the love of Christ ? </b></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">shall </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ? [36] As
it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long ; we are accounted
as sheep for the slaughter.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As
Markus hacked at their shields–c<i>lang, ding</i>–with his fiery sword, an
enemy shield suddenly cracked down the middle. Another sword blow caused it to
break in half. The evil soldier dropped the shield–<i>crash</i>–and hurried
back toward the secret door. He yanked it open and disappeared into the
darkness beyond the opening.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Striking
the remaining soldier’s shield, Markus said, “Romans 8 also says: ‘<b>[37] Nay,
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.</b>’”<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
enemy’s shield began to bend inward with Markus’s sword blows. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“‘<b>[38]
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</b>’ [<u>Romans 8:33-39</u>.]”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The shield cracked. Markus
then struck it harder with his fiery sword, and sliced through the shield. It
fell to the ground in pieces, and the evil knight cursed Markus before bolting
for the secret door. The door slammed shut a few seconds later.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you, Father God, for
helping me to win this battle,” Markus said in the now-empty chamber. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Markus,” a voice said, “is
that you?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus turned around and saw
three knights in shining armor entering the chamber through one of the hallway
entrances. The first knight to enter raised his visor and Markus recognized the
face of Andrew Strong-heart. The other visors were raised and Markus saw the
faces of Gregory White-peak and Henry Willow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Moving On<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It’s good to see you, my
friends,” Markus said. “I feared that I’d never see you again.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“There is no reason to fear,”
Andrew said. “Caiaphas, Cain, and the others in our group have joined some
pirates. A number of pirates and evil knights are guarding prisoners in this
underground region. God blinded the eyes of the pirates and false pilgrims so
that they would not see us. Seeing that we were hidden from their eyes, we left
the group to head back to meet up with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That’s good to know,” Markus
said. “I need to fill you in on some things God told me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes?” several said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, Markus began telling
them all that God had told him. When he was finished, Henry said, “Markus, I
had no idea that a Spanish treasure fleet was heading near this island. But, I
believe what God told you. Let’s pray that Caiaphas and his accomplices repent
and turn to God.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s also pray that Captain
Pablo and First Mate Ricardo are able to escape the pirates,” Andrew suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk_8DNq1nwCxu27-F-21uoOd_X2bDrTE36kpOWJkaucp54JUzyTx2gw1d3I4HyI9v0WVmL1Y1AEDI7czd8McnLuOSnBCr2R3oXX4qwRmpzX-5g-s8njuFtWWISoK8riXsZnFHzQdiB_0/s1600/galleon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="892" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk_8DNq1nwCxu27-F-21uoOd_X2bDrTE36kpOWJkaucp54JUzyTx2gw1d3I4HyI9v0WVmL1Y1AEDI7czd8McnLuOSnBCr2R3oXX4qwRmpzX-5g-s8njuFtWWISoK8riXsZnFHzQdiB_0/s320/galleon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The men did just that,
praying and interceding for concerns they had. They offered up thanksgiving to
God and praise for what they expected Him to do. Then, when they opened their
eyes, the four pilgrims were utterly surprised. They were no longer standing in
an underground, stone chamber. Instead, the sky appeared overhead. Seagulls
wheeled in the air, circling above them. They were standing on the upper-gun
deck of a galleon. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What are you men doing here?”
a husky sailor said as he approached the circle of four men.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Galleon<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pilgrim’s armor was
invisible, but they were wearing white garments and leather boots instead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know how we got here,” Gregory
White-peak said as he looked left and right. “Where are we?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You are aboard the Red
Jasper, the ship that belongs to Captain Pablo Campo-verde,” the strong-looking
sailor said. “What are you thieves doing here?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The goateed, dark-haired man
wore a dark-blue tunic, white trousers, and black boots. His sleeves were
rolled up, showing his strong arm muscles. A dirk hung from a sheath on his
leather belt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We were traveling with you,”
Markus said. “We gave Captain Pablo our horses to pay for a voyage. Do you
remember us?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Ah,” the sailor said, slowly
relaxing. “I remember you now. I can’t be too careful. There are pirates that
roam these waters, every now and then.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We need to warn you that
your ship is in danger,” Markus said. “God told us to tell you that you must
leave this harbor at once. Both your captain and first mate are in prison and
are being held for a high ransom.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“And, we couldn’t rescue the
men,” Andrew added, “because pirates armed with muskets are guarding them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“How do I know that you aren’t
part of the plot to kidnap the two men?” the sailor said, suddenly getting
suspicious.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We are not part of any plot,”
Markus said. “We are believers in Jesus and lovers of God. You can trust us.
Seek God and He will show you the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I think that perhaps I
should put you men in confinement,” the sailor said, narrowing his eyes with
mistrust. “I don’t believe you are telling the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, we are speaking the
truth,” Henry said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The officer turned quickly
and shouted some orders to some lower-ranked crew members. They came running
toward the pilgrims and drew dirks from their belts. A sailor emerged from the
forecastle, armed with a crossbow, which was cocked and loaded with a <i>quarrel</i>.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Raise your hands and follow
me,” the officer said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reluctantly, Markus and the
three other pilgrims complied. Raising their hands, they followed the officer
as he led them to a hatch in the upper-gun deck. The descended a set of stairs to
the lower-gun deck. Another staircase brought them down to the orlop deck. They
were marched across this lowest deck toward the <u style="text-underline: words;">lazaretto
</u>(i.e. <i>a storage area</i>), at the stern of the ship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After being shoved through
the door into the smallish room, the pilgrims stood to their feet and saw
sailors coming toward them with iron leg cuffs. The cold shackles were snapped
around their ankles, making it impossible for the men to run or walk. Then, the
lazaretto door was shut tight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A thick, wooden drawbar was slid
through metal loops fastened to the outside of the door, locking it shut. Metal
loops on either side of the door secured the drawbar to the doorposts and
nearby wall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the door shut, the room
was nearly pitch black. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus began to feel despair
attacking him. ‘Is this what we are destined to face?’ he thought. ‘Imprisonment
aboard a wooden ship?’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son, I am pleased with
you,” God’s kind voice spoke to Markus’s spirit. “Now, sing praises to Me and
rest in Me, and you will see Me work on your behalf. You don’t praise Me in
order to earn anything, but praising Me helps you trust Me. Go ahead and
worship Me, and I will work a miracle. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father
have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Wow,” Markus said. “So,
praising you helps me to trust you. Then, that’s what I want to do.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus began singing songs of
praise he had heard before. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Why are you singing, Markus?”
Gregory said from the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Because God is going to
deliver us,” Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Henry joined Markus, and
Andrew followed his example. Suddenly, without warning, the pitch-black chamber
was replaced by daylight. The four pilgrims were now standing by a dock. The
calm, turquoise bay spread out before them. Behind them lay the town of <i>Piedra
Preciosa, </i>which spread out over a large area. Tall cathedrals and prison
towers rose high over the three-and-four-storied, half-timbered structures.
Clouds swirled in the blue sky while birds circled about the air. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Piedra Preciosa<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Wow,” Markus said. “God has
caught us away again. This is a miracle! It reminds me of what happened to
Philip in Acts chapter 8. He was translated or transported by God from where he
met the Ethiopian eunuch over to another location many miles away.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We serve an awesome God,”
Andrew said, smiling. “I just noticed that I now have a small, leather money
bag on my belt. And, it is filled with coins.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“How much money do you have?”
Henry said, wide-eyed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I don’t know,” Andrew said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx1t2LubLkQ1gY2XaunIhc1g0UCE7OEPVHKIH50Saw-pSyjX_7VNBdwvkXuDsCQpXJe7iHPefC-a9iMjHk0aj2-T8ASnx-FliI9QPc1vDyEqqMnut8Q4vVnVFFw0FFgiJHMQq_tzS398/s1600/Close+helm+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="403" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx1t2LubLkQ1gY2XaunIhc1g0UCE7OEPVHKIH50Saw-pSyjX_7VNBdwvkXuDsCQpXJe7iHPefC-a9iMjHk0aj2-T8ASnx-FliI9QPc1vDyEqqMnut8Q4vVnVFFw0FFgiJHMQq_tzS398/s200/Close+helm+3.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“Where should we go from
here?” Gregory White-peak said, looking at his friends. The prematurely-graying
27-year old had his <i><u style="text-underline: words;">close helmet </u></i>visor
raised and was holding a leather drinking bottle in one hand. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Close helmet</u>: See Chapter 2 for information. It
is in the section titled: “The Sword of the Spirit Miracle.”]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Father what do you want us
to do now?” Markus said silently.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son, I am with you,” God’s
kind voice said to Markus. “I love you very much. You may charter a boat to
take you to the next closest island on your route to the other side of this
ocean. <u style="text-underline: dotted;">On that island, you will find a map</u>.
<u style="text-underline: dotted;">That map will take you to a location where
there is a great treasure</u>. Follow that map, and you will be blessed. And, I
the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus thanked God and turned
back to his friends. “God just told me,” Markus said, “that we need to charter
a boat to the next closest island which will be on our route to the land across
the ocean. There, we will find a map. God was telling me we can follow that map
to find a great treasure.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“A treasure map?” Gregory
said, surprised. “Why would God want us to find a great treasure?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I am surprised too,” Markus
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s find a captain who is
willing to take us to on our way,” Andrew suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s seek God first about
who to go to,” Markus suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Good idea,” Henry said,
smiling cheerfully.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Father God,” Henry said, “I
know that you’ve often spoken to Markus about details like what I’m about to
ask you. But, I want to know if you’d show me where we should go to find a ship
captain.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son, Henry, walk along
the docks and you will meet a man with a parrot on his shoulder. He is tall and
has a <i><u style="text-underline: words;">bycocket </u></i>hat. He has a <u>sea
cloak</u> and tall, brown boots. That is the man who can help you on your next
step in this journey. And, I the LORD your God have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you for sharing that
with me, Heavenly Father,” Henry said. “Praise your Name!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[A medieval <u>bycocket hat
</u>had an upturned brim that came to a point in the front. A <u style="text-underline: words;">tunic </u>was a long shirt that came down to the
knees, or lower.] [<u>Sea cloak</u>: A thick cloak worn by medieval sailors.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He turned to his friends and
cleared his throat to get their attention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What is it, Henry?” Andrew
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God just told me who can
help us on our voyage,” Henry said with excitement in his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Who?” Andrew said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Henry motioned with his hand
and said, “Follow me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Henry started walking down
shore near the docks and swiveled his head left and right, looking for the man
God told him about. He saw sailors coiling up ropes, fishermen spreading out
nets, and <u style="text-underline: words;">longshoremen </u>unloading ships on a
distant <u style="text-underline: words;">wharf</u>. Other people walked down
crooked, cobblestone streets in the town nearby.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u style="text-underline: words;">Longshoreman</u></b>: A dock worker who unloads cargo from a ship or
loads a ship with cargo.] [<b><u>Wharf</u></b>: A structure that extends out
into the water where ships or boats are moored (tied to). It sometimes has a
cover to protect from the weather.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There was no man with a <i>bycocket
</i>hat and a sea cloak in sight. ‘Did I really hear from God?’ Henry wondered
to himself as he walked. His stomach began to tighten with fear and doubt and
he frowned. Not a single man around was wearing a <i>bycocket </i>hat. As his
heart began to sink, Henry began telling God about his doubt and fears. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Give them to Me, My son,”
God’s kind voice said, “and I will take them from you. Trust Me even when you
don’t see what I have told you, for you will see it soon. And, I the LORD your
God have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Okay,” Henry said, breathing
in quickly. “I choose to trust you, Father God.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just then, a door swung open
from a building along a nearby street and out stepped a tall, bearded man
wearing a brown <i>bycocket </i>hat; a long, tan cloak; and tall, brown-leather
boots. Henry hurried over to him, followed by his friends. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The bearded, brown-haired man
carried a small book in his left hand. He pulled it open and began flipping
through it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Excuse me, sir,” Henry said,
jogging toward him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The man looked up at Henry
and said, “What’s the trouble?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We are visitors to this
island and we would like to know if you own a ship?” Henry said, breathing
somewhat hard. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes,” the man said, smiling,
“I am James Hawthorne-wood the captain and owner of the <i>White Stallion</i>,
a carrack.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’m Henry Willow,” Henry
said extending a hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Captain James shook his hand
and grinned at the pilgrims.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It’s a pleasure to meet you,
sir,” Henry said. “We would like to sail with you to the south-east. Do you
have a map with you?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I have a map aboard my ship,”
Captain James said. “Why don’t you come with me back to the ship and we’ll get
the paperwork done?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That sounds good,” Henry
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pilgrims followed the
ship captain as he walked toward the docks and approached four sailors, who
chatted nearby. After giving the sailors some orders to prepare a longboat for
departing from the docks, the captain then turned to his passengers and said, “Gentlemen,
I was just getting ready to leave the harbor, so you showed up at just the
right time. Do you have any luggage to bring with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We have no luggage right
now,” Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Well, then come this way,”
Captain James said as he walked toward a dock. At the far end of the dock was
moored a longboat. Three sailors were now seated in the boat and one was
untying the moorings (i.e. <i>cables for securing a boat to a dock</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pilgrims stepped in,
followed by the captain, and the longboat left the dock. Markus grabbed an ore
and began rowing with the other men. As he rowed, he began to feel fear
attacking him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">‘Some sea captains are actually
pirates,’ Markus thought, ‘who steal men and sell them in slave markets.’ And,
he had no desire to be sold as a slave. So, he began pouring out his heart to
God. After telling God his fears, Markus remembered that God had told him that
the captain was trustworthy and would get them to their destination. So, Markus
chose to trust God and rest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon, the longboat arrived at
a three-masted ship with a high <u>aft castle</u> and a large <u>forecastle</u>.
The carrack’s sails were unfurled and were gracefully billowing in a sea
breeze. Slowly moving with the gentle waves, the ship was a
masterfully-constructed piece of woodwork. From is mainmast flew a blue and
yellow standard (<i>flag</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[<u>Aft castle</u>: A structure in the stern
of the ship where the great cabin was located.] [<u>Forecastle</u>: A structure
in the front of the ship which could defend it from attackers should it be
boarded.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After being hoisted aboard,
the longboat crew and passengers stepped onto the upper deck of the carrack and
stretched. Then, the captain led the men to stairs ascending up the aft castle.
They reached the lower <i>aft castle deck </i>of the aft castle where the <u style="text-underline: words;">officers’ mess </u>(<i>dining room for officers</i>)
was located. An open door revealed a table and chairs within.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Up this way, please,”
Captain James said as he walked toward a staircase that led to the middle <i>aft
castle deck</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aboard the White
Stallion<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reaching the <i>middle aft
castle </i>deck, the captain led his passengers into the great cabin, his
office and living quarters. He walked over to a bookcase bolted to a wall and
removed a tome (<i>book</i>). Walking across the creaking, wood floor, he took
a seat behind a teak desk and picked up a quill pen. Dipping its sharp tip into
an inkwell, he prepared to write information down in the thick record book. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Your names please,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What is the nearest island
to the south west of us?” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That would be <i>Roca Grande
</i>Island,” Captain James said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In addition to the desk, the
great cabin contained a hammock behind a thick, hanging curtain; a tapestry
depicting knights riding out of a castle; and other paraphernalia. Candles
illuminated the room from within hanging lantern cases. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Is that where we want to go,
Father God?” Markus asked God silently.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is correct, My son,”
God said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus then gave his name and
the captain began filling the information into his record book. When he had
finished the legal work, and all his passengers’ names had been recorded, the
captain stood up and said, “Gentlemen, this voyage will cost you 35 <i>Oro Pico
gilders</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Note</u>: The <u style="text-underline: words;">Oro
Pico gilders </u>are <u style="text-underline: words;">fictional </u>coins based
on the Dutch gilder coin. One of these coins might be equal to the money earned
in two and a half hours of work by a low-income worker.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Andrew stepped toward him and
untied his leather money back from his belt. Setting it on the desk, he opened
the pouch and drew out 11 gold coin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Note</u>: The Oro Pico <u>krone</u> (which is “kroner”
in the plural form) is based off of the Danish krone, a unit of currency in
Denmark. The krone in this story is roughly equal to a laborer’s daily
earnings.] <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I have eleven Oro Pico krone
coins,” Andrew said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is the equal to the
amount I need,” the captain said, smiling as he drew the coins toward himself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As he slid the pieces of gold
into a money pouch of his own, James Hawthorne-wood looked up at his passengers
and said, “Now, that the writing has been signed, and the money has been turned
over to me, I will tell you something that you need to be aware of.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What is that?” Henry said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Pirates roam the sea looking
for vessels to plunder,” the captain said, tying his money bag. “But, you will
be safe with me because I have a highly-trained crew that has the latest
weaponry. Using wheeled <i><u>bombards</u></i>, we have successfully warded off
several attacks by pirates. When we give them a broadside from our cannons,
they retreat. Few pirates carry cannons because they are fairly rare and hard
to obtain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Bombard</u>: A medieval
cannon which was usually set directly on the ground and secured by pounding in
wooden steaks.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I believe our God will
protect us should we be attacked by pirates,” Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Oh, you are pilgrims,”
Captain James said. “So am I.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">James removed his tan sea
cloak to reveal a long, white tunic and matching trousers underneath. He set
his bycocket hat on his desk and said, “Well, in that case, I will only charge
you half the amount.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“No,” Andrew said, raising a
hand. “God provided that money. You keep it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“If you insist,” the captain
said. “But, I will make sure you have the best sleeping conditions on this
vessel.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Half an hour later, the ship
took up anchor and sailed out of the bay. The <i>White Stallion </i>glided
across the waves for several hours, distancing itself from the island of Tesoro
Grande where the pilgrims encountered the giants earlier. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Pursuer<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCc7KfRTWYjn8qCxvdaicObaqr4xgoqMXnVHWobRzFEwTxVweiG8gouCU2KelMZB5L7XhF1xbWPaV2Oh3ZzswecU2BHCFqqdhSQLCtofwUlV3dm2qssuTQh38tn70Gx8uDIvXS3-tsGE/s1600/Caravel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="783" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCc7KfRTWYjn8qCxvdaicObaqr4xgoqMXnVHWobRzFEwTxVweiG8gouCU2KelMZB5L7XhF1xbWPaV2Oh3ZzswecU2BHCFqqdhSQLCtofwUlV3dm2qssuTQh38tn70Gx8uDIvXS3-tsGE/s320/Caravel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A caravel with a red standard
(<i>flag</i>) flying from its mainmast sliced through the turquoise water of
the ocean. Its triangular, <u style="text-underline: words;">lateen-rigged </u>sails
bulged with a brisk sea breeze as it sailed. The small ship had just left the
main harbor of Tesoro Grande island. Standing near the bow, which had no
forecastle, Ahaziah Bronze-smith gazed over the undulating (<i>rolling</i>)
sea. He could see a tall mast with <u style="text-underline: words;">square-rigged
</u>sails far off in the distance. He wasn’t sure what ship it belonged to, so
he drew out a <u style="text-underline: words;">spyglass </u>and extended it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Lateen-rigged </u>sails are triangular. <u style="text-underline: words;">Square-rigged
</u>sails are at right angles to the length of the ship.] [<u>Spyglass</u>: A
small telescope, which often is collapsible.] <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since the ship was so far
away, he couldn’t see what name it bore on the stern. Frustrated, Ahaziah slammed
the spyglass back together and cursed under his breath. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wearing a dark, hooded sea
cloak; pitch-black trousers, and a satin-colored tunic, the bitter man drew a
dagger from a sheath on his belt and felt the blade’s sharpness with his
fingers. “Soon, I will reach you, Markus Christian,” he said. “And, when I do,
you will be a dead man.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ahaziah remembered how his
first attempt to kill Markus had been thwarted. ‘But, this time,’ he thought, ‘I
shall make sure Markus is truly dead.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u>[Illustrations]</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b>
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b>
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter 4<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aboard the White
Stallion Carrack<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As late evening came,
orange-rimmed clouds turned dark purple and then satin (dull black) as the sun
dipped below the horizon. Night descended upon the ocean, dark and menacing.
Stars twinkled in the night sky. To Markus, they looked like diamonds on black
velvet as he beheld them from the top deck of the forecastle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus had just eaten dinner
below the <u style="text-underline: words;">galley</u>, in the <u style="text-underline: words;">orlop </u>deck, with the sailors and his friends.
After dinner, he had gone up to the forecastle top deck to find a quiet place
to seek God and listen to the calming sound of the waves. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Note</u>:
The orlop deck was located directly above the cargo hold on Galleons, carracks,
and other sailing ships.] [<u style="text-underline: words;">Galley</u>: A
kitchen area where food is prepared on a ship.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“Father God, is this truly
the last leg of my journey toward Heaven?” Markus said quietly as he looked out
to sea past the <u>bowsprit</u>. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Bowsprit</u>:
a beam that juts out forward at the bow of the ship.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son,” God said, warmly, “I
love you very much. You are on the last leg of your journey. You will pass over
a few islands and then you will reach the shore of a different continent. I
will then bring you over safely to your home in Heaven. That is true. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“All these trials you go
through prepare you for Heaven and test you to see if you love Me, or not. But,
I see that you love Me and I desire you to know Me better. I desire that for
all people. Knowing Me is through Jesus Christ, My Only Begotten Son. It is by
His blood that you are saved, and only by trusting in His blood can you reach
Heaven. But, you are doing just that. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father
have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus spoke with God more
and then he went down through a hatch into the forecastle. His friends were
sleeping in hammocks that hung from the ceiling of the forecastle chamber. He
found his hammock and crawled into it. Then, he quickly fell asleep. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Three days passed uneventfully.
Then, the carrack ship came within sight of a medium-sized island. A few hours
later, the ship was half a league (<i>1.5 miles</i>) from the shore of the
tropical island. Palm trees and other trees sprouted all over the island and
marched up the side of a <i>non-volcanic</i> mountain. High cliffs or bluffs
jutted out from mountain spurs at the base of the mountain. The sky was azure
and bright, filled with a few clouds that sailed high overhead. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[Spur</span></u></i><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">: a ridge that projects outward from a mountain range
like a branch projecting from the main trunk of a tree. The spur ridge points
toward a valley.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus stood near the
portside railing on the upper deck. The clomping sound of boots came his
direction. Turning, he saw Captain James walking his way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Well, Markus,” James said, “we
have arrived at <i>Roca Grande </i>Island. I will gladly take you and your
friends farther, free of charge, if you would like to sail on.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Roca Grande Island<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We have come here because
God was leading us this way,” Markus said, turning toward the captain. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Why were you interested in
this island, if I may ask?” James said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God told us to go here and
that we would find a treasure map on this island. The map will lead us to a
large treasure, God told us,” Markus said. “He told that to Henry and me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Be careful,” Captain James
said, narrowing his eyes. “That island is a resort for pirates, I’ve heard. I
will pray for your safety, but I expect you to be back at this ship before the
sun sets. Night is a dangerous time to be on this island.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I understand,” Markus said,
slowly. “We will be back as soon as we complete the objective God has for us.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Very good,” the captain
said. “I will provide you with 14 sailors armed with wheel-lock muskets,
broadswords, and crossbows.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a short time Markus and
his three friends joined four sailors and entered a heavily-laden longboat.
They were lowered down the side of the ship and into the turquoise sea. A
second longboat followed them a couple minutes later. Then, both boats rowed
for the shore. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I look forward to finding
the map God told us about,” Henry said as he rowed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I do too,” Gregory said,
rowing beside him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Landing on the beach, the men
jumped out and began unloading wooden chests from the vessel. After placing the
sea chests on dry ground, the men carried the longboats to the edge of the
beach, where it turned into grassy ground. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Look over there!” Gregory
said suddenly, pointing. The white-haired young man was pointing at a pile of
sand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus approached Gregory and
looked where he was pointing. Then, he noticed an object poking out of the
sand. Gregory and Markus hustled over to the sand pile and began brushing sand
away from the object. Soon, a small wooden chest appeared. No lock was to be
seen, so they opened the lid immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Inside was a metal tube or
cylinder with a leather holster. Gregory reached inside and drew it out of the
chest. Then, he reached for one end of the cylinder and removed a thick, round
piece of cork wood. Inside was a rolled up parchment. Gregory pulled it out and
began unrolling the small scroll. His eyes lit up with excitement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“This is a map,” he said,
wide-eyed. “A treasure map!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What does it say?” Markus
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“A paragraph appears below a
drawing of this island,” Gregory said as he looked at the parchment. “The
paragraph says, ‘<i>This map will lead you to a great treasure. <b><u>This
treasure is greater than any treasure that exists on earth</u></b>. <b><u>Pearls
and diamonds are not equal to this treasure</u></b>. <u>Follow the path</u>,
and <u>you will reach the treasure</u>. <u>Watch out for traps and pitfalls
that will be on either side of the path</u>. <u>Stay on the path and you will
be safe</u>.</i>’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Wow,” Markus said, “this
must be worth more than the crown jewels in many royal treasuries.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Much more, I’d say,” Gregory
said looking up from the map.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Where is the trail head?”
Andrew said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“From the map,” Gregory
replied, “it appears to be down the beach to the left of where we landed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s go and find it before
anyone else does,” Henry said with excitement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gregory placed the leather
holster with the tube onto his belt. He slipped the scroll into the tube and
popped the cork back in place. Now, the scroll dangled from his belt and would
not get lost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, the four pilgrims began
walking down the beach, and Captain James’s men followed, carrying crossbows
and wheel-lock muskets. They had just removed the weapons from the large sea
chests that were in the longboats. Two of the 14 sailors were left to guard the
longboats. The rest accompanied the pilgrims in search of the path.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The men had only walked 80
yards from their landing point before Henry cried, “I see a trail! This must be
it.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gregory walked up to a path
that went from the beach and into the dense jungle. A wooden sign stood beside
the trail. Words were carved into its surface.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What does that sign say?”
Henry said as he approached Gregory. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gregory approached it and
said, “The sign reads: ‘<u>Pilgrims beware, walking off this path is dangerous.
Stay on it and you will find your treasure. If you stray, you will be walking
on uncharted, unholy territory. Stay to the path and you will be on the right
road. God bless</u>.’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We better stay on the path,”
Andrew said next to Gregory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But,” Markus said, “God will
not forsake us if we do stray, but we would needlessly be putting ourselves in
danger.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Is this the path we are to
take?” said a sailor named Ashkenaz Hillock. He had bushy beard and thick
eyebrows. A <i><u style="text-underline: words;">barbute </u></i>helmet with an
arched facial opening covered his head. He carried a crossbow and wore a
breastplate over a coat of mail. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">[<u>Barbute</u>: This was a
15<sup>th</sup> century helmet which often had a Y-or-T-shaped facial opening
in the front for breathing and visibility. Some had an arched opening, but the
opening was still smallish compared to that of other helmet styles. Unique
among the barbute designs, those with a Y-shaped opening had a projection to
guard the nose.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes,” Markus said, turning
toward the armored sailor. “The sign over there tells us not to stray from the
path.” Markus then told him what it said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Ah,” Ashkenaz said, waving
his hand, “there is no need to be concerned about some old, wooden sign. Let’s
just go.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Danger awaits the one who
leaves the path,” Markus cautioned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pilgrims and the sailors
began walking down the path through the jungle. Sunlight filtered through the
branches of tropical trees and created dappled shadows on the path. Blue and
yellow macaws made trilling sounds as they roosted in the upper branches of
some nearby trees. The path meandered through the jungle like a snake. Branches
passed by covered with insects. Mosquitoes buzzed about and landed on men to
pester them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At one point the trail
reached a bog which was full of cattail plants and teak trees. Strangely, the
path descended straight into the mire. But, a sign appeared on the right side
of the trail. Gregory, who was in the front of the group, approached the wooden
sign and read it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“This sign says,” Gregory
said, “‘Pilgrims, this is the swamp of <i>Selfish Pursuit</i>. To overcome this
swamp, you must take the bridge of <i>Loving God</i>. There is no other way
across this swamp. Follow God, and you will do well.’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I don’t see any bridge,”
Henry said, looking left and right. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Wait,” Andrew said. “Look up
there.” He was pointing to some large trees. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus looked up and saw a
rotating staircase attached to a wooden platform high up on a tree. He guessed
the platform was fifty feet above the ground. The staircase had a counterweight
to keep it in a raised position. Like a drawbridge, this staircase could be
raised or lowered. A rope dangled from the lower end of the rotating staircase.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus walked over to the
rope, reached up, and grabbed it. He pulled and the ladder easily swung down.
Then, he placed his weight on the stairs, and they remained on the ground. So,
he climbed the steps up to the platform, and Gregory followed him up. Once he
was on the platform, Markus could see rope bridges running from tree to tree.
Wooden boards were fastened to thick ropes, providing a walkway above the
swamp.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Come up this way,” Markus
said to the men below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That rope bridge does not
look safe,” Ashkenaz Hillock said. “I am not going that way. We can find a way
around this swamp.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sailor began gazing about
the swamp, looking for some other route. Then, he locked his eyes on something
in the distance and said, “I can actually see the edge of the swamp about 50
yards from here. I’m going to just circle around this mire. You can risk your
lives on that rope bridge, but I’m not.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, that is going against
what the sign said,” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I don’t care about that
silly sign,” Ashkenaz said defiantly. Then, he turned to the other nine sailors
with him and said, “Come on men. Let’s go this way.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We will go with the
passengers,” a sailor said as he and three other men walked toward the wooden
staircase. A rock on the last step held it down so they could easily mount the
steps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Simon, Matthew, Alexander,
and Agrippa,” Ashkenaz said, “why do you want to risk your lives over an old
rope bridge that could break under your feet? That is unwise.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Ashkenaz, the signs exist
for a reason,” Simon said. “We will follow their instructions.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Have it your way, but don’t
tell me I didn’t give you a common-sense warning,” Ashkenaz said before he
walked off the trail and into the jungle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The seven other sailors
followed Ashkenaz as he marched in a perpendicular direction to the trail,
skirting the edge of the swamp as he walked. He hacked at bushes with his
broadsword, now and again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When he had passed behind
some dense bushes, Markus turned to his friends on the platform and said, “Let’s
pray for those men.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Father God,” Markus said, “we
ask you to spare them from harm, as much as possible, and call out to them to
get them to turn to you. In Jesus Christ’s Name. Amen.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son,” God’s kind voice
spoke to Markus’s spirit, “I am calling out to them and I will certainly warn
them, for they are walking away from the truth. But, I will spare their lives.
And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus thanked God and told
the others about what he had heard. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God is in control and He
will do what is right,” Andrew said when Markus was done speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjgY6SMhUWAT5P82B_taYcrOo6IkFfbcprfGDVJq2ZvA9ij1i5NEU6zn_7TKpcwURRZg0rhg17fe9cR3dnLzlklszOh38mebmjGyKeT-p-lL2jUPRb1TQvh7CxMYRqhFNBVGEMtQ2ZmQ/s1600/Rope+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="804" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjgY6SMhUWAT5P82B_taYcrOo6IkFfbcprfGDVJq2ZvA9ij1i5NEU6zn_7TKpcwURRZg0rhg17fe9cR3dnLzlklszOh38mebmjGyKeT-p-lL2jUPRb1TQvh7CxMYRqhFNBVGEMtQ2ZmQ/s320/Rope+Bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The men talked a little more
and then decided to continue their journey. Markus stepped onto the rope bridge
and began walked down it. Each step he took caused it to bounce slightly. The
seven others followed him, grabbing onto ropes that ran along the sides of the
bridge at waist level. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Do you think this will
break?” Gregory said nervously as he walked behind Henry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I don’t believe so,” Henry
said, glancing back at the younger man. “God is guiding us, so we will be fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Attack from the Sea<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Captain,” a young sailor
said as he ran up to Captain James Hawthorne-wood. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What is it?” the captain
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Captain James was standing
near the portside railing on the upper deck of the <i>White Stallion </i>carrack.
He was looking out across the water at the island, watching the distant surf
wash up on the beach. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Captain,” the young man said
with fear in his eyes, “pirates are …” <i>Boom! </i>The sailor was cut off in
mid-sentence as loud cannon reports roared across the waves. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">James turned toward the
starboard side of the ship and ran across the deck to the railing there. As he
clutched the top of railing and gazed out to sea, he quickly spotted the
triangular sails of a <i><u style="text-underline: words;">lateen-rigged </u></i>ship.
A small and fast caravel was sailing toward him with its bow facing toward his
starboard. <i>Boom! Boom! </i>More cannon shots blasted out from the upper deck
of the caravel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Lateen-rigged </u>sails are triangular. <u style="text-underline: words;">Square-rigged
</u>sails are at right angles to the length of the ship.] </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCc7KfRTWYjn8qCxvdaicObaqr4xgoqMXnVHWobRzFEwTxVweiG8gouCU2KelMZB5L7XhF1xbWPaV2Oh3ZzswecU2BHCFqqdhSQLCtofwUlV3dm2qssuTQh38tn70Gx8uDIvXS3-tsGE/s1600/Caravel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="783" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCc7KfRTWYjn8qCxvdaicObaqr4xgoqMXnVHWobRzFEwTxVweiG8gouCU2KelMZB5L7XhF1xbWPaV2Oh3ZzswecU2BHCFqqdhSQLCtofwUlV3dm2qssuTQh38tn70Gx8uDIvXS3-tsGE/s320/Caravel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The little ship was
approaching fast. And it was firing two swivel-mounted cannons from the deck
near its bow. Atop its mainmast flew a black flag. Its emblem was two, white
femur bones crossed together. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Return fire!” the captain
shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sailors scrambled toward
hatches leading to the lower gun deck. The captain began giving orders for the
men to prepare to for battle. Other sailors hustled toward the hatches which
would take them down to the ship’s armory where they could find armor and
weapons. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Raise anchor!” James
shouted. “Unfurl the sails!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His ship officers hurried to
the lower gun deck to repeat his orders to the sailors. In no time, the ship
was abuzz with activity as men scrambled to get the vessel ready for a battle
with pirates. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF05kPIaOcUCUuJo2zf3jBy1Klv6kHm-kzksaMSSZIcmMArF7-XcGr2p_xIGBl5uT1UDx7WtDdImxudLQf8_UVhfyCiJlzjgLoObEG_fthnA1y8cCJLUeuuzgZd9tCEiAMz0363N8KDL0/s1600/bombard+firing+with+blue+background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="862" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF05kPIaOcUCUuJo2zf3jBy1Klv6kHm-kzksaMSSZIcmMArF7-XcGr2p_xIGBl5uT1UDx7WtDdImxudLQf8_UVhfyCiJlzjgLoObEG_fthnA1y8cCJLUeuuzgZd9tCEiAMz0363N8KDL0/s200/bombard+firing+with+blue+background.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cannons began firing--<b><i>boom</i></b>--through
gun ports at the carrack’s lower-gun-deck level. But, the shots splashed into
the ocean, completely missing the small caravel as it sailed straight toward
the larger ship. Seeing this, James grew nervous. He rushed to a staircase on
the aft castle and ascended it quickly. With his heart beating fast, he
ascended a second staircase from the lower <i>aft castle deck </i>to the middle
<i>aft castle deck </i>where his great cabin was located. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the great cabin, he
reached for his armor and began donning a coat of mail. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Swamp Problem<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“The rope bridge comes to an
abrupt stop,” Markus said at the front of the line.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“This is not good,” Henry
said, scratching his beard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus, his three friends,
and the four sailors had been walking along the rope bridge, which ran from
tree to tree above the swamp. The bridge had suddenly stopped at a tall teak
tree. Going forward would mean falling to the ground about 50 feet below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What do we do?” Gregory
said, looking down at the swamp far below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s seek God,” Markus
said. “He will show us what to do.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thirty feet from the sudden
drop, the rope bridge continued on through the trees. A gap spanned the 30-foot
distance and presented a big obstacle to their progress. There was no way
across it that Markus could see. And, the swamp appeared far below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We can go back and try
skirting around the swamp,” Simon Oak-hill said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus turned to face the
sailor and replied, “The sign back there warned us to stay on the path. God
will provide a way across this gap.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’m leaving. This is
ridiculous,” Simon said, shaking his head as he turned and began walking back. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’m with you, Simon,” said
Agrippa Egoismo, another sailor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Don’t leave,” Andrew said. “This
is the way we should go. God had done miracles for us in the past. He will make
a way for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is all nonsense,” Simon
Oak-hill said. “You men are deceived to think God is with you. Come back with
us and do what is common sense. You will have to anyways. There is no way
across that gap in the bridge.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Going off the path is
against God’s will,” Markus warned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We don’t need to hear about
God’s will,” Agrippa Egoismo said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The two men squeezed past the
others and began walking back along the rope bridge, talking with one another
as they went. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When they were beyond
earshot, Markus said, “Do you remember Proverbs chapter 3 where it speaks of
trusting in God?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What does it say?” Gregory
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Markus said, “<u>Proverbs
chapter 3, verses 5 through 8</u>, says, ‘<b>[5] </b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Trust in the </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">with all thine
heart ; and lean not unto thine own understanding</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">. [6] In all
thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. [7] <u>Be not wise in
thine own eyes : fear the </u></span></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">, and depart
from evil</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">. [8] It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’ [<u>Proverbs
3:5-8</u>.]”</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is very good,” Andrew
said. “So, we need to acknowledge God. Would that mean to understand and get
knowledge and guidance from God?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes,” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I can see that trusting in
God will always get us through every hardship or difficulty,” Henry said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s seek God about what we
should do,” Markus said. “This is <i><u style="text-underline: words;">acknowledging
</u></i>Him in the way the verse is saying.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Very good,” Gregory said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, silently, Gregory spoke
to God and said, “Heavenly Father, I want to acknowledge you or learn from you
what to do now. <u>What can I ask you to do so that we can keep going on our
journey</u>? There is a gap in the bridge and I don’t know how to cross it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son,” God’s kind voice
said, “<b>I will show you what to do. Ask Me to send you golden knights to
bring you a rope. <u>That is the rope of faith</u>. That will bridge the gap of
unbelief so that you will be able to continue your journey. And, I the LORD
your God and Abba Father have spoken.</b>”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you, Heavenly Father,”
Gregory said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, he turned back to the
others and told them what God had just said to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is wonderful,” Henry
said. “God showed me that we need to keep our eyes on Him, for He will deliver
us from the enemy.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s pray then,” Markus
said. “God showed me to pray for a miracle.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Father God,” Markus said, “we
ask you to give us the rope of faith so that we can cross this gap of unbelief.
We repent from all unbelief and we choose to trust you even when we feel
fearful or doubtful. In Jesus Christ’s Name.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Markus, My son,” God’s kind
voice said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What is it, Father God?”
Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son,” God said, “I shall
send you a miracle. Watch and see, and you will be blessed. Your patience will
be rewarded. Your trusting in Me will be rewarded. And, you will be blessed for
serving Me. I love you very dearly. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father
have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you, Heavenly Father,”
Markus said. “You are beautiful and lovely. I want to trust you the rest of my
days on this earth and forever in Heaven.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You will, My son,” God’s
kind voice said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Look over there,” Henry
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx1t2LubLkQ1gY2XaunIhc1g0UCE7OEPVHKIH50Saw-pSyjX_7VNBdwvkXuDsCQpXJe7iHPefC-a9iMjHk0aj2-T8ASnx-FliI9QPc1vDyEqqMnut8Q4vVnVFFw0FFgiJHMQq_tzS398/s1600/Close+helm+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="403" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx1t2LubLkQ1gY2XaunIhc1g0UCE7OEPVHKIH50Saw-pSyjX_7VNBdwvkXuDsCQpXJe7iHPefC-a9iMjHk0aj2-T8ASnx-FliI9QPc1vDyEqqMnut8Q4vVnVFFw0FFgiJHMQq_tzS398/s200/Close+helm+3.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus and the others faced
the gap and saw on the other side a knight wearing a close helmet and a full
suit of armor. His armor was of a golden color and was very shiny. And, he was
walking toward the pilgrims with a coiled up rope in his arms. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Hello,” Markus called across
the gap. “Have you come to help us?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I have been sent from God to
assist you pilgrims,” the golden knight said as he set his coiled rope down on
the bridge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The knight began fastening
one end of the rope to a tree branch just inches above his head. Once it was
secured, he uncoiled the rope to reveal a metal grappling hook. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Stand back, please,” he
said, holding the end with the grappling hook.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus and the others backed
up some distance. Then, when he was sure they were safe, the golden knight
threw the grappling hook with the attached rope across the gap. The hook sailed
through the air and landed on Markus’s side of the bridge. It snagged one of
the ropes in the bridge and remained in place. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs1xMx0-N0i9GKsp41fqfBw-L16tQ9zUUrAERdJBlmDHMH5X14Axj65_4SFFsI8ZAV0gf5JZ8kqEmffqNymjMCllHub2XAP4HPC6AFoyb99h1LXikhY-z80XxNX2oUX3hlBgTjPJh8b8/s1600/Knight+in+armor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="508" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs1xMx0-N0i9GKsp41fqfBw-L16tQ9zUUrAERdJBlmDHMH5X14Axj65_4SFFsI8ZAV0gf5JZ8kqEmffqNymjMCllHub2XAP4HPC6AFoyb99h1LXikhY-z80XxNX2oUX3hlBgTjPJh8b8/s320/Knight+in+armor.jpg" width="236" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“The rope made it across,”
Henry said. “Praise God!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, the rope was crossing
the gap. But, to secure the rope better, Markus picked up the grapping hook and
ran the hook with the rope around a nearby tree limb. After he had secured it,
he tugged on the rope to make sure it was not going to slip off the limb. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, Markus grabbed the rope
and swung his lower legs over the top of the cord. Using his hands and legs, he
crawled down the rope and began to move across the gap. Far below him, the
marsh looked like a field of brown slime, bushes, and rocks. He had no desire
to slip and fall into that. For all he knew, there could be pitfalls or sink
holes in that swamp. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">As he was halfway across the
gap,</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">zip</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">–</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">a quarrel (<i>a crossbow bolt</i>) suddenly shot past
his head. As it did, his silvery, Ephesians 6 armor materialized around him. He
turned his head to the left and peered into the swamp below. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter 5<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Swamp Assault <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Zip. Zip</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">. Two more quarrels suddenly shot past Markus
Christian’s body. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Knights wearing shiny,
sable-colored armor stood in the mire 90 feet away from Markus. They were
training crossbows at the pilgrims standing on the rope bridge. And, three were
pointing crossbows at Markus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You pilgrims are going to
perish in this swamp,” an evil knight shouted up at them before he fired a
crossbow bolt toward Andrew. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Andrew was now also wearing
his silvery armor. He held up a shield, and the bolt bounced off the shield
with a loud <i>ping</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Andrew cried, “Romans chapter
8, verse 37, says, ‘</span><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through
him that loved us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’ [<u>Romans 8:37</u>.]”</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“And,” Henry shouted, “the
Lord Jesus Christ said: ‘<b>[27] </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">My sheep hear my voice, and I know
them, and they follow me : [28] and I give unto them eternal life ; and they
shall never perish, neither shall any </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">man </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">pluck them out
of my hand.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’ [<u>John 10:27-28</u>.]</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, Henry’s broadsword
was replaced by a golden crossbow, which was already cocked and ready to fire a
bolt (<i>a crossbow ‘arrow’</i>). Surprised that he was now holding such a
weapon, Henry silently said to God, “Heavenly Father, did you just give this to
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes, My son,” God said. “I
gave this to you. Now, shoot the dart of faith and truth at the enemy to
destroy his lies. You believe My Word even if you don’t feel it is true,
because your feelings can be from the enemy, at times. Then, speak the truth
out loud, if you can. That is how you can overcome the enemy. That is right, My
son. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As God spoke to him, crossbow
bolts zipped over Henry’s helmeted head. One <i>pinged </i>off the crown (<i>top</i>)
of the helmet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you, Father God,”
Henry said before he trained his golden crossbow on an evil knight below. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DtQrwwT4kRkvzuSlfmW6GpFC6ZU4Pn2Py7hwPvA1n-EPcYRJmoXmSEeD3L5oIMppasf2HqarqOV89JqevZz9JPNi_EoqnJzxuNjWOerjCSmirjZ_STq3gDNlvU_gduWCVlE2u9g3KaY/s1600/arrow+shaft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="880" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DtQrwwT4kRkvzuSlfmW6GpFC6ZU4Pn2Py7hwPvA1n-EPcYRJmoXmSEeD3L5oIMppasf2HqarqOV89JqevZz9JPNi_EoqnJzxuNjWOerjCSmirjZ_STq3gDNlvU_gduWCVlE2u9g3KaY/s320/arrow+shaft.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You pilgrims will be
devoured by this swamp,” an evil knight shouted as he fired a bolt toward
Henry. <i>Ding</i>. But, the bolt ricocheted off Henry’s left <u style="text-underline: words;">pauldron </u>(<i>shoulder armor</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Henry
said: “Jesus told the <u style="text-underline: words;">wicked Pharisees </u>this
truth in <u>John chapter 8, verse 44</u>: ‘<b>[44] Ye are of </b></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">your </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">father the
devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do : he was a murderer from the
beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When
he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own : for he is a liar, and the father of
it.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’
[<u>John 8:44</u>.]”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Pharisee</u>: A member
of a religious group in the first century A.D. Many Pharisees hated Jesus
Christ and sought to kill Him. Most Pharisees wrongfully believed that
salvation was through works instead of by trusting in the Messiah (who is Jesus
Christ).] <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The foe’s black gorget (<i>neck
armor</i>) cracked. <i>Zip. Thwack.</i> A second crossbow bolt struck the same
knight’s gorget and it split open, revealing a leather collar underneath. It
had come from a crossbow in the hands of Andrew Strong-heart. <i>Clack</i>. A
third bolt hit the armored collar, and the gorget fell to the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes,” Gregory White-peak
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The white-haired, 27-year old
was aiming a golden crossbow at the sable knight. Its bolt had just struck its
target. Now, the sable knight was fleeing the battle. He had not anticipated
that bolts would be fired at him from his enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Fire at those evil knights,”
Markus said from the rope. “They will have to flee because the deceiver cannot
stand before the truth and the Word of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus, Henry, and Gregory
began firing bolt after bolt at the evil soldiers on the ground. Since each of
their golden crossbows had a magazine clip attached to the underside of the
crossbow, it could fire bolt after bolt in fairly rapid succession. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Succession</u>: This
means to have one thing follow another.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Note</u>: The golden
crossbows, being gifts from God, were not like other crossbows. A magazine clip
was positioned below the crossbow. When one crossbow bolt was fired, the archer
would press a button and a second bolt would pop up from the magazine clip
below. All an archer had to do was connect the new bolt to the firing string
and cock the crossbow. Once the crossbow had fired that bolt, the archer would
press the same button and a new bolt would pop up.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before long, the evil knights
had fled the battle scene since their crossbows could not match the speed and
power of the golden crossbows. Relieved that the battle was over, the pilgrims
continued their journey, crossing the thick cord that spanned the gap in the
rope bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After Alexander Espada (<i>a
sailor</i>) had crossed it, he said, “I wonder where you got that armor from.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God gave it to us,” Henry
said, turning to face the shaven, blond-haired, round-faced man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“And, what were you firing
those crossbows at?” Matthew Green-knoll said from behind Alexander.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Evil knights wearing black
armor were attacking us,” Henry said, looking at the brown-haired sailor. “We
shot back at them with crossbows God miraculously gave us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is amazing,” Matthew
said. “I couldn’t see any foes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“They are supernatural
enemies,” Henry said. “God’s Word gives us the power to fight them and overcome
their attacks.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Will you show me how to
become a Christian?” Matthew said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I would be glad to,” Henry
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The group clustered near
Henry and Matthew Green-knoll as Henry Willow explained to Matthew how to be
saved. Then, he led Matthew in a prayer of salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“This is exciting,” Matthew
said after he had received Jesus as his personal Savior and Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, bright, shiny armor
appeared on the new pilgrim, and he smiled in amazement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God has just given you the
armor of God,” Henry said, smiling. “With this armor, you will be able to fight
and overcome the attacks of the enemy. But, God will not allow the enemy to
tempt you beyond what you are able to handle. God will also make a way of
escape from the temptation or trial.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That’s good,” Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Looking at Matthew, Markus
said, “What Henry just said is from <u>1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 13</u>.
It says, ‘<b>[13] </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">There hath no temptation taken you but
such as is common to man : but God </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">is
</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that ye may be able to bear </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">it.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">’ [<u>1 Corinthians 10:13</u>.]”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I will take that to heart,”
Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’d like to be saved by
Jesus too,” Alexander Espada said with eager anticipation in his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Two being saved in one day,”
Gregory said to Markus. “This is wonderful.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Henry led Alexander in a
prayer of salvation, and he also became a follower of Jesus Christ. He too
miraculously was given armor, a shield, and a sword. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“This is wonderful how God’s
Kingdom is receiving more pilgrims,” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Praise God!” Andrew said
with gladness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rest of the group
rejoiced that two more had entered the Kingdom of Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, they continued walking
along the rope bridge on the other side of the gap. An hour later, the swamp
was fully replaced by a tropical forest with firm ground. Ahead of Markus, the
rope bridge stopped before a platform attached to a tree. From the platform, a
set of wooden stairs descended toward the forest floor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We have finally reached the
end of the swamp,” Andrew commented as he looked down at the grassy ground
below. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I am glad for that,” Gregory
said from behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reaching the firm ground, Markus
breathed deeply and sighed, relieved that the trial of the swamp was past. He
thanked God for bringing him through that ordeal and for giving him the power
to hold onto the rope even while being shot at.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A trail appeared at the base
of the stairs and passed on through the jungle. The pilgrims and the two
sailors walked along it, talking as they went. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Battle at Sea<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Wearing a <i><u style="text-underline: words;">barbute helmet </u></i>and a <i><u>coat of mail</u></i>,
Captain James drew a broadsword from a scabbard and raised a small, round
shield. As extra padding under his chain mail, he wore an <i>aketon overshirt</i>,
which was quilted and filled with feathers. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Note</u>: This armor was not the type of Ephesians 6 armor that
Markus wore. This ship captain’s armor was man-made.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Men,” he shouted, “we can
fight off these pirates. Be brave and fight hard. We will drive them away!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sailors shouted, “Death
to the pirates!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pirate caravel was
approaching James’s larger carrack with its bow facing the starboard side of
the carrack. The little caravel was maneuverable and fast for a sailing vessel.
It could beat the carrack in a race any day. But, the small ship was also ready
to slip over to a weak point on the carrack. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the lateen-rigged caravel
drew near, it suddenly turned to port and sailed directly in front of the bow
of the <i>White Stallion</i> carrack. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u style="text-underline: words;">Lateen-rigged </u>sails are triangular. <u style="text-underline: words;">Square-rigged
</u>sails are at right angles to the length of the ship.] [<u>Spyglass</u>: A
small telescope, which often is collapsible.] [<u>Port</u>: Port refers to the
left, from the helmsmen’s perspective. The helmsmen were sailors who steered
the ship near the stern. They faced the bow.]</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The <i>White Stallion </i>was
still in the frantic process of unfurling the sails, but its anchors were
raised. So, Captain James’s ship was not moving forward by much. It bumped
slightly against the pirate caravel as the smaller ship approached with its
starboard side facing the <i>White Stallion’s </i>bow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grappling hooks with attached
ropes were tossed from the pirate vessel across to the rigging of the foremast
(<i>mast near the bow or front of the ship</i>). The metal grappling hooks
clung to the rigging like the barbs in porcupine quills. Pirates dressed in an
assortment of armor fastened their ends of the grappling-hook ropes to their
ship. Then, they began climbing the ropes up to the White Stallion’s
forecastle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We’re being boarded!” a
sailor up in the foremast rigging shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When that warning came,
Captain James felt fear strike his chest, but he rejected it and shouted, “Attack!”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His men began firing
crossbows at the pirates, but the pirates were ready. Two giants wearing full
suits of armor raised up huge shields that acted like a wall of metal. <i>Ping.
Ping. Ding.</i> The crossbow bolts ricocheted off the shields as if they were
tiny pebbles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sailor in the rigging
opened his eyes wider. His stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Each giant was about
10-feet-tall and muscular. They stood in front of the men on the caravel’s deck
and blocked most of the crossbow bolts. Two other giants carried collapsible,
metal ladders. They raised them up from the deck of the caravel and then began
to extend the ladders to their full length. Soon, the ladders reached the top
of the forecastle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8uJSIAeEkiGX2nV4iMcGJWygBW0eT4Av5MHPrZVxcVpDacFe7Dfs7w336zuTVqqjUQ_BFB7-BHs2m9sBM_UWPFXVHwldlcwMb-sr_ApkrBp5SssvtRipta4j6cVs0-cHhwv7CFUwFuM/s1600/Carrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1024" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8uJSIAeEkiGX2nV4iMcGJWygBW0eT4Av5MHPrZVxcVpDacFe7Dfs7w336zuTVqqjUQ_BFB7-BHs2m9sBM_UWPFXVHwldlcwMb-sr_ApkrBp5SssvtRipta4j6cVs0-cHhwv7CFUwFuM/s320/Carrack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once the ladders were in
place, the two giants began climbing the ladders, followed by normal-sized
pirates. Sailors on the carrack ran up to the forecastle and tried to shove the
ladders off, but the giants were too heavy. Arrows and crossbow bolts just
bounced off the giants’ armor and fell into the water below. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Fire at the ship!” Captain
James shouted to an officer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We have no cannons that can
hit them since they are right below our bow,” the officer said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We need flaming arrows to
fire at that ship!” the captain said, feeling fear rushing through his body. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We don’t have any arrows
prepared for that, captain,” the officer said, swallowing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Then, we must fight with
what we do have,” James said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As he spoke, the two giants
reached the fore castle and drew out huge hammers from holsters on their backs.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Attack them!” James shouted,
pointing at the enormous knights. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBGzk2Z1E1a7VM1Lq6AOAfPpDu4oNtuIvEK7ur_sMQ1llHPmmjENt30ELOHdlvpmqzUmTP5g7i54S7yJ9r59GHees9Y9N_zB9QSebjgiB00FSEBoY7mjwiFRYhWhuMInU9BWYabtp5Mk/s1600/A+sallet+helmet+on+paint+recolored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="609" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBGzk2Z1E1a7VM1Lq6AOAfPpDu4oNtuIvEK7ur_sMQ1llHPmmjENt30ELOHdlvpmqzUmTP5g7i54S7yJ9r59GHees9Y9N_zB9QSebjgiB00FSEBoY7mjwiFRYhWhuMInU9BWYabtp5Mk/s200/A+sallet+helmet+on+paint+recolored.jpg" width="198" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sailors wearing armor and
equipped with halberds and swords ran toward the giants. But, they met a duo
they were not prepared to fight. <i>Bong. Ding. Whack</i>. Big hammer heads
struck James’s men, sending them flying. The hammers were swinging at anyone
within their reach. Sailors began crashing into each other, or flying across
the deck, or splashing into the ocean below. Pirates with longboats drew out
the unconscious sailors from the water. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the giants fought, more
pirates climbed the ladders and reached James’s forecastle. These were not the
pirates he had anticipated. These were trained mercenaries who were armed with
expensive, lightweight armor and short swords.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One approached him, and James
began fighting. Sword clanged against sword in a vicious fight. The man was an
excellent swordsman and made it very difficult for James to stand in place. He
soon realized he had to start backing up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You look a little weak,”
said the pirate, a thin acrobatic man. He wore a dark patch over one eye and a <i>sallet
</i>helmet with a raised visor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I can handle a sword,” James
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“But, you look like you are
backing up,” the pirate said as he struck </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒
</span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">clang </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">James’s
shield.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I can still hold my own,”
James said with a little arrogance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We shall see,” the pirate
said, quickly studying his opponent before he suddenly increased his swinging
speed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Ting. Clang. Ding</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">. Blow after blow landed on James’s helmet, sword, and
shield. <i>Ding. Clang. </i>And, in a few sword moves, he dislodged James’s
broadsword </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">clang </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">from his right hand. Without a weapon, James tried to
keep the shield between himself and the pirate. <i>Clang. Ding. Bong</i>. He
backed up a few paces, but he didn’t see a bundle of rope behind him. Bumping
into the rope as the pirate approached, James fell to the deck and lost his
shield. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He looked up to see a sharp
sword tip close to his face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Surrender or I will kill
you,” the pirate said as he held his sword within inches of James’s nose. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cliff Danger<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After walking for a couple
hours, Markus’s group came upon a 30-foot high, granite escarpment or steep
cliff on their right side. The trail ran along the base of the escarpment and
climbed a grassy, forested hill. Gradually, the left side of the hill became
steeper and rockier. Small boulders and jagged rocks littered the side of the
hill below the pilgrims. The cliff continued up the hill on their right side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I remember seeing a path
like this,” Henry said. “I don’t like the looks of this.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let me see what the map
says,” Gregory said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The graying 27-year-old
uncorked the scroll-tube, which hung, in a holster, from his belt. He drew out
the treasure map and unrolled it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s just keep walking and
see where this takes us,” Markus said. “The map indicates that this is the way,
right Gregory?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is correct,” Gregory
said as he held the map in both hands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The men continued walking
along the trail as it ascended up the hill. They hadn’t walked for long when
suddenly a loud <b><i>thump, thump, thump </i></b>sound filled the air. Markus
looked up to the right and saw a huge boulder tumbling down the hill toward him
and his friends. His eyes widened with fear as the boulder reached the
escarpment and fell straight down toward the pilgrims.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Help us!” Matthew
Green-knoll cried as the big rock plummeted toward him, shading him from the
sun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, just when the boulder
had descended to within seven feet from their heads, it suddenly changed
direction, in mid air. And, it shot out toward the left and landed down the
slope. It would have pulverized them, but the huge stone harmlessly tumbled
down the steep left side of the hill. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What just happened?”
Alexander Espada said, looking down toward the tumbling boulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The huge stone broke into
pieces as it crashed against some large rocks. And, some large pieces smashed
into a couple trees, snapping off four boughs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son,” God’s kind voice
said to Markus, “this is the hill of testing. You will face a giant at the top
of the hill. He is called Self-Instruction. He preys on people who want to
listen to their own understanding over Me. He seeks to deceive them and lead
them into falsehood, selfish pursuit, and deception. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Self-Instruction is full of
pride, selfishness, and arrogance. It is arrogant and proud of a man to think
that he knows how he ought to live and be without seeking Me or My Word. Such a
man is a fool. Don’t listen to Self-Instruction. Listen to My Word, the Bible,
and My Holy Spirit. My Holy Spirit never contradicts the Bible and My Spirit
will guide you into all truth. And, I the LORD your God have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you for showing Me
that, Heavenly Father,” Markus said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Now, My son,” God said, “go
forth and walk up this hill. But, don’t wander off the path. I will protect
you. I will fight for you. This is the path of faith in My Word. It may seem
hard to trust Me. But, it is actually easy. Trusting in Me is just choosing to
believe My Word even when you don’t feel it is true. For, My Word is always
true because I am always true. And, I the LORD your God have spoken. And, I
love you very much.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I choose to trust you,
Father God, and not my own understanding,” Markus said. “I believe you and your
Word is true.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You are doing good, My son,”
Abba God said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Then, Markus continued
walking along the trail. He and his friends had not traveled more than 20 feet
before </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">zip, zip, zip </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒
</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">fiery arrows suddenly shot down at them.
Like streaks of light through the sky, the flaming arrows zoomed toward the
pilgrims and pinged off their armor and shields. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You pilgrims will perish
unless you follow common sense,” a voice shouted from the air above Markus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus looked up toward the
sky to his left and saw a huge, winged dragon flying through the air. Riding
atop the giant, red monster were three sable knights, armed with longbows. They
were firing a continuous volley of flaming arrows at the travelers below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Note</u>: A metal brazier was attached to a huge,
leather saddle on the creature’s back. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Arrows with oil-dipped wrappings were ignited by flames
from the brazier. These flaming arrows were being rapidly fired at the men
below.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Arial Assault<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Hold up your shields and don’t
fear the arrows!” Markus shouted as he placed his shield between himself and
the dragon archers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The dragon flew back and
forth, allowing the archers on its back to continue firing at the men below.
After flapping back and forth for a couple minutes, the big, winged monster
suddenly flew down to the path ahead of Markus and set its hind, clawed feet on
the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dinosaur-like, the red dragon
had scales, clawed hands, and feet. It had two horns that resembled the curved
horns of a male goat. Multiple scales covered its entire body and resembled
armor in appearance. With evil, yellow eyes, the monster stared at the humans before
it and grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, the dragon spoke with a
deep, guttural voice and said, “You pilgrims shall fail, for I shall defeat
you. You shall perish and I will bring you to my camp. God cannot save you now.
Fire and brimstone shall be your couch. Death shall take you as my sword enters
your heart.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The dragon’s hands were
somewhat human-like but were scaly and red. Claws grew in place of fingernails.
The monster reached toward a sword fasted to its back and drew a sharp, curved
blade from a scabbard. The archers on its back dropped to the ground and walked
up the hill behind the beast. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, the dragon opened its
mouth and issued forth a fireball. The flaming sphere of fire struck the ground
directly in front of Markus and scorched the path where it landed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You are too weak to fight
me,” the dragon roared with its deep, voice just before he stepped forward
toward Markus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Markus replied as he clutched
his sword: “David told Goliath these words: ‘<b>[45] </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Then said David
to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a
shield : but I come to thee in the name of the </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-SC_380_;">Lord </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">of hosts, the
God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’ [<u>1 Samuel
17:45</u>.]”</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Hah, hah, hah,” the monster
laughed with a deep, hideous voice. “You think I am Goliath? I am far stronger
than he ever was.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Then, the monster lunged
toward Markus with his sword. Markus held up his shield and used his sword to
parry the sword lunge </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">clang</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">. But,
the monster suddenly turned to the side and swung its thick tail, which was
covered with spikes, toward the pilgrim knight. Markus wasn’t prepared for that
sudden move, and the spiked tail struck him in the back </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ <i>clang</i></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">,
and he flew through the air a few yards before landing on the left-hand slope.
As he thumped against the ground, Markus began to tumble down the hill. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Markus!” Andrew cried.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, suddenly, a golden
knight caught him and stopped his fall. Markus was help back to his feet,
feeing bruised and wounded. His armor had protected him, but he felt injured
from the powerful blow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx1t2LubLkQ1gY2XaunIhc1g0UCE7OEPVHKIH50Saw-pSyjX_7VNBdwvkXuDsCQpXJe7iHPefC-a9iMjHk0aj2-T8ASnx-FliI9QPc1vDyEqqMnut8Q4vVnVFFw0FFgiJHMQq_tzS398/s1600/Close+helm+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="403" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx1t2LubLkQ1gY2XaunIhc1g0UCE7OEPVHKIH50Saw-pSyjX_7VNBdwvkXuDsCQpXJe7iHPefC-a9iMjHk0aj2-T8ASnx-FliI9QPc1vDyEqqMnut8Q4vVnVFFw0FFgiJHMQq_tzS398/s200/Close+helm+3.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You will be fine,” the
golden knight said as he handed him his sword. Then, he opened Markus’s <i>close
helmet </i>visor. The knight uncorked a glass bottle and poured some oil on
Markus’s face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By God’s power, the wounds
Markus had receive began to heal and fade away. Then, strength surged into his
soul. He thanked God for sending the golden knight. And, after a minute, he
shut his helmet visor and walked up the hill back to the trial. He had not
fallen far from the trail. Renewed by God’s Spirit and by God’s healing, Markus
tightened his grip on his broadsword.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Markus walked up the hill,
he saw that the red monster was swinging its sword at Andrew, who was fighting
valiantly against the beast. Suddenly, Markus’s broadsword vanished. A second
later, it was replaced with a halberd. The head of the weapon was glowing red
with intense heat. Then, fire rose up from the halberd head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus was now to the right
side of the monster. It was still fighting with Andrew and didn’t pay attention
to Markus. Then, the pilgrim knight swung the axe head of his hot, flaming
halberd at the red dragon. <i>Thump</i>. The flaming blade struck the side of
the monster and made a furrow in some tough scales. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The dragon turned to see who
hit him and his yellow eyes locked onto Markus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You,” the creature spat. “I
will destroy you! Your weapons are no match for mine,” he boasted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The dragon leaped up into the
air and began flapping his huge wings, causing the sparse patches of grass
around Markus to flatten down. The pilgrim shut his helmet visor and clutched
his flaming halberd in a vice-like grip. Markus looked up and saw the red beast
circling high above him like a vulture flying in an updraft. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The monster suddenly folded
its wings toward its sides and plunged toward him. A torrent of fire rushed out
of its mouth down toward the pilgrim knight on the ground. Markus uttered a
brief prayer and held his shield up. In a split second that fire would reach
him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, when the fire came down
within four feet of Markus, a sudden strong gust of wind blasted toward the
fire torrent. The powerful blast of wind sent the flames off to the side and
away from Markus. And, a second powerful wind gust struck the dragon and threw
it through the air like a small stone being flung. The creature used its wings
to control its movements and it flew straight up. Then, it landed back down on
the path before Andrew. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I hate you humans!” the
winged creature roared. “I will destroy all of you. You will utterly fail, for
God has forsaken you!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Through Christ Jesus, we
will overcome you,” Gregory said, pointing his sword toward the evil creature.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Hah,” the monster laughed. “You
have no hope. You are forgotten by God. That is why I am here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“That is a lie,” Andrew said,
pointing his sword tip at the dragon. “<u>Hebrews chapter 13, verse 5</u> says:
‘[5] </span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">Let
your </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">conversation </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">be </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">without
covetousness ; </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">and be </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">content with such things as ye have :
for he hath said, <u>I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee</u>.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’<b> </b>[<u>Hebrews
13:5</u>.]” <i>[Emphasis added.]<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The dragon shook its head,
and scowled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Markus
added: “The next verse says: ‘<b>[6] <u>So that we may boldly say</u>, <u>The
Lord </u></b></span><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">is </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">my helper, and I will not fear what man
shall do unto me</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">.’ [<u>Hebrews 13:5.]</u>” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The red beast bared its teeth
and cringed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus Christian suddenly ran
and swung his fiery halberd at the monster. The flaming axe blade hit the same
scales it had struck moments ago. This time, the red-hot axe head cut through
the scales and touched the dragon’s muscles. It roared in pain and suddenly
leaped into the air. Then, the creature beat its wings hard and fast and flew
high into the sky. Before long, it was gone from sight behind a grey cloud. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus sighed and fell to his
knees. He lifted his hands into the air and praised God for the victory over
such a powerful and evil foe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ahaziah’s Strange
Contraption<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While the battle was being
fought aboard the <i>White Stallion</i>, two square-rigged ships approached the
scene of the conflict. One was the <i>Red Jasper</i>, the captured galleon
belonging to Captain Pablo Campo-verde. The other was <i>Azure Sea</i>, a
pirate carrack. It had been used to transport Captain Pablo from Oro Island
after he had been captured. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s prepare the craft for
our excursion (<i>short trip</i>),” Ahaziah said to some pirates aboard the Red
Jasper galleon. He was standing on the upper deck of the ship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We will do that,” said a
bearded pirate with a scar on his left cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The <i>Red Jasper</i>,<i> </i>under
the control of pirates, had rendezvoused (<i>had a meeting</i>) with <i>Black
Dragon. </i>It was the caravel Ahaziah Bronze-smith had sailed on for most of
his voyage to Roca Grande Island. Partway through his voyage, Ahaziah had
transferred to the <i>Red Jasper </i>galleon from the caravel and had brought
with him a large, wooden platform; ropes; firewood; some other items, and a
huge amount of sailcloth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Load up the longboat with my
stuff,” Ahaziah said to some pirates. “This must be done carefully and exactly
how I say. Understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We understand,” a red-haired
pirate with a patch eye said before he hurried off to make preparations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter 6<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Plight of James
Hawthorne-wood<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The battle went very poorly
for Captain James Hawthorne-wood and his men. He had surrendered to the
pirates. Now, cold handcuffs closed around his wrists. He sat in the darkness
of an empty, cargo-hold compartment, in a pirate carrack. Depression surrounded
him and gloom filled his thoughts. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Plight</u>:
A sad, trying, difficult, or desperate situation or predicament.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">‘We are doomed,’ he thought
to himself dejectedly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sailor after sailor had been
disarmed and captured by pirates and evil knights that had accompanied them.
James’s carrack, the <i>White Stallion</i>, was soon seen flying a pirate flag
from its mainmast. Shortly after he had been captured, two more pirate ships
had entered the battle to seize James’s sturdy ship. Now, acting as a pirate
vessel, the <i>White Stallion </i>was sailing along the island coast, escorted
by several pirate ships.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">During this dark time in his
life, James didn’t feel like praying, even though he knew he should pray. He
was a believer in Jesus, but he felt very distant from God. However, even in
this dark valley, God was calling out to him in love. But, James ignored his
Creator’s loving voice and Presence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Facing a Problem<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After the red dragon had
flown off, Markus and the other pilgrims continued walking along the trail that
ascended the hill. Before long, they arrived at the hilltop. Just as they did,
Markus found himself looking up at a huge knight in slate-grey armor. The giant
wore a <i>sallet </i>helmet and a <i>bevor</i>. By his side sat a huge,
evil-looking wolf wearing plate armor and a spiked collar. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What is that?” Matthew
Green-knoll said as he gazed at the giant canine (<i>dog</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The enormous wolf was the
size of a large draft horse. Seeing the pilgrims, he started growling viciously
at them as they stood before the giant. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is my wolf, <u>Anxiety</u>,”
the giant said with a deep, booming voice. “And, I am Giant <u>Pride</u>. But,
I am also called <u>Self-Instruction</u>. I am here to help you see how great
you men are. There are no pilgrim knights as godly and as strong as you are.
Look how you by your own power drove the dragon away. You should be very proud
of yourselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“It was God who gave us the
power to attack and drive away that dragon,” Markus said. “God also gave us the
faith we needed for that battle. <u>1 John chapter 5, verse 4</u>, says: ‘<b>[4]
</b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">For
whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world : and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, </span></u></b><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">even </span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">our faith</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’ [<u>1 John
5:4</u>.]”</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, the giant wolf rose
to all four legs and ran straight for the pilgrims. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus was still carrying his
halberd. The blade was still very hot and was covered with rolling flames. He
ran toward the monster wolf and swung the axe head of his halberd toward the
beast’s armored neck. But, the wolf jumped suddenly and flew over his halberd.
It landed near Gregory, who was also carrying a flaming halberd. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The horse-sized wolf pounced
on the young, grey-haired knight, knocking him down. His halberd fell out of
his hands. <i>Anxiety</i>, the giant wolf, grabbed Gregory’s helmet with his
iron teeth and tugged on the helmet to rip it off his head. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Help!” Gregory cried out,
trying to reach for his flaming sword, which lay a few feet away from him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus and the other pilgrim
knights clutched their halberds tightly and ran up to the giant wolf. They
began attacking it, striking its armor plates hard and fast. <i>Ting. Pong.
Clang. </i>The giant wolf released his hold on Gregory’s helmet. Growling in
frustration, the monster wolf began trying to use its iron teeth to grab the
weapons of the pilgrims. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The wolf succeeded in
clamping onto Matthew’s halberd </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">clink </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> and yanked it out of his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Hey,” Matthew shouted. “Come
back with that!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, the wolf, <i>Anxiety</i>,
ran off with the halberd in its mouth. Markus broke into a run, seeking to stop
the beast from getting away. A sudden surge of energy shot through his body,
and the pilgrim knight was able to run faster than he had ever run before. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He quickly reached the
monster wolf and swung his fiery halberd at the wolf’s rear legs. <i>Clang</i>.
A huge gash appeared in its leg armor and the wolf howled. As it howled, it
dropped Gregory’s halberd. Then, the wolf fled into dense jungle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You see, Markus,” Giant
Pride said, chuckling. “You are a very good knight. You can probably get to
Heaven all by your own strength and power. You don’t need God’s help.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The giant picked up a large,
double-sided battle axe from off the ground. He suddenly swung it toward Markus
with a swift and powerful motion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">But, Markus’s shield blocked
the blow just in time </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">clang</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Markus replied, “Jesus Christ
said: ‘<b>[5] </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">I am the vine, ye </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">are </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">the branches.
He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit ; for
without me ye can do nothing</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">.’ [<u>John 15:5</u>.]”</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, the pilgrim knight
swung his flaming halberd toward the giant’s chest, but the monster blocked the
weapon with his large axe. With a quick and sudden move, the giant manipulated
his axe with precision and twisted it. The top points of the two axe heads
locked around Markus’s halberd and caused it to slip out of his gloved hands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, Markus was unarmed. So,
he held up his shield and began retreating, with his shield facing the foe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You are a better than other
men your age,” Giant Pride said as he came tromping toward Markus with his axe.
“You are wiser and smarter than most men you know.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">“That is not true,” Markus
said. “And, <u>Proverbs chapter 16, in verses 18 and 19</u>, says: ‘<b>[18] </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Pride </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">goeth </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">before
destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. [19] Better </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM-It_380_;">it is to be </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">of an humble
spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">’ [</span><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Proverbs 16:18-19</span></u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">]”</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus leaped toward his
fallen weapon and picked it up. The halberd head was still flaming. He swung it
suddenly up toward the stomach area of the giant’s breastplate. <i>Clang</i>.
The halberd’s red-hot axe blade cut a deep gash in the giant’s breastplate.
Since, the giant was caught off guard by the move, he had not attempted to
block the blow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus swung up at the
breastplate again, but the monster move quickly and blocked the swing--<i>clang</i>.
Then, the giant swung his huge axe down toward Markus’s back--<i>bong</i>. The
pilgrim was knocked to the ground by the powerful blow and dropped his halberd.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But then, the other pilgrims
took courage and charged toward the giant. They all now had flaming halberds.
And, they were not going to let Markus face the giant of Pride alone. As they
ran, they prayed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus slowly turned over and
reached for his halberd. He prayed and God gave him strength to stand up again.
The axe blow had not actually injured him. But, it had knocked the wind out of
him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The captured <i>Red Jasper </i>now
sailed close to a sand bar and laid anchor. A longboat was lowered over the
side with Ahaziah and a few pirates. Being towed behind them was a wooden
platform. It was about 16 feet by 16 feet, in length and width.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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the sandbar, the longboat crew set the platform on the sand and headed back for
more equipment. After half an hour of going to and from the sandbar, and
setting up some items, and assembling materials, a huge, bizarre object began
to take shape before the pirates’ eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What a strange vessel,” said
a pirate with a big chin and a rugged face as he stood on the sandbar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes, William. It is
strange-looking, but it will take me where I need to go,” Ahaziah said with a
cold smile from a few feet away. “With this, we will be able to find my enemy
and finish him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fastened to the top of the
wooden platform was a railing running around its circumference. And, in the
middle of the platform was a metal tray with raised sides. Inside the tray, a
campfire crackled and ate away at some wood. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Will there be enough room
for the firewood and us?” said William Sword-hand, a pirate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Above the flames was a mesh
grate made of intersecting wires. Thin, metal poles (which were attached to the
metal tray) held the grate above the fire to keep sparks from flying upward. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I can only have two men ride
with me,” Ahaziah said as he moved his eyes from the fire and on to William. “Who
volunteers to join me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">William Sword-hand and a
patch-eyed pirated named Francis Green-oak raised their hands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Are you ready for a
dangerous journey?” Ahaziah said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
“We are,” Francis said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Above the mesh grate was the
open mouth of a huge bag made of white sailcloth. The bag was supported at the
top by a rope that rose up to the mainmast of the Red Jasper. As the huge,
sailcloth bag filled with hot air, it began to bulge and become more and more
round in shape.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Self-Instruction
Attacks<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You think you can defeat me?”
the giant roared at the pilgrims below him. “I will make you all perish.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He drew a large broadsword
from a scabbard on his belt. With the sword and the battle axe, the giant began
taking multiple, fast swings at the pilgrim knights as they attacked him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Markus remembered a verse </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">Ephesians 4:13</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">which says, “<b>[13] </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: KinesisMM_380_;">” </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus continued thinking
about this truth as he walked toward the battle, praying as he went. Soon, he
was strengthened enough to fight and he joined his friends in attacking their
enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Clang. Clang. Ding. Clash.
</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The sounds of battle rang through the
air as the knights fought their powerful foe. Praying, quoting Bible verses,
and putting their faith into action, the pilgrim’s fought Giant Pride. His
blows sometimes landed on their helmets, but more often on their shields. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The battle lasted an hour.
But, at last, the giant began to show some weaknesses. His legs were not as
easy to defend, so the halberds began swinging toward his <i><u style="text-underline: words;">greaves </u></i>and <i><u style="text-underline: words;">poleyn</u></i>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u>Greave</u></b>:
Lower-leg armor. A greave covered the area of a knight below the knee and above
his ankle.] [<b><u>Poleyn</u></b>: Knee armor. Poleyn protected a knight’s
knees.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After hitting the monster’s
leg armor for a few minutes, a <i>greave </i>suddenly cracked open and fell to
the ground. Seeing this, the giant turned away and jogged off toward the
jungle, frustrated and angry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I will return for you and
will make you all suffer,” he shouted over his shoulder before vanishing into
the dense jungle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rising <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“When will this contraption
be ready?” the patch eyed pirated asked as he stood on the platform beside
Ahaziah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It will be ready soon,
Francis Green-oak,” Ahaziah said. “Be patient. It’s coming.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After a while, the huge
sailcloth bag began to rise upward. As it did, a pirate sailor on the mainmast
pulled out a sharp knife and cut the rope which connected the mast to the top
of the enormous, sailcloth bag. Standing on the platform, Ahaziah Bronze-smith
grinned wickedly as his contraption, a <u style="text-underline: words;">hot-air
balloon, </u>began to lift upward. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Gentlemen, we will now
commence our journey,” Ahaziah said to Charles and Francis as they stood on the
platform. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The other pirates remained
either in the ship or on the sandbar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Note</u>: Hot-air
balloons didn’t actually exist during the 1500s (that we know of). But, the
first hot-air balloon flight, recorded in history books, took place in 1783.
The Montgolfier brothers’ hot-air balloon was recorded to have reached an
altitude of 6,000 feet. It landed over a mile from its launching point. Their
balloon had no burner to heat up the envelope (the bag which contains hot gas).
Instead, a fire was started under the envelope. Hot air filled it up, and the
craft rose into the air, leaving the fire behind.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strong cords connected the
lower end of the sailcloth bag, or envelope, to the wooden platform. These
became taut as the balloon rose an inch. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Roll the ballast rocks onto
the sand,” Ahaziah ordered as he sat beside the fire near a pile of firewood. “Then,
we will ascend.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Obeying his orders, William and
Francis rolled some heavy stones off the platform and onto the sandbar. Once
they did, the hot air balloon quickly rose into the air. The sandbar appeared
to shrink in size as the balloon rapidly gained altitude.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk_8DNq1nwCxu27-F-21uoOd_X2bDrTE36kpOWJkaucp54JUzyTx2gw1d3I4HyI9v0WVmL1Y1AEDI7czd8McnLuOSnBCr2R3oXX4qwRmpzX-5g-s8njuFtWWISoK8riXsZnFHzQdiB_0/s1600/galleon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="892" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk_8DNq1nwCxu27-F-21uoOd_X2bDrTE36kpOWJkaucp54JUzyTx2gw1d3I4HyI9v0WVmL1Y1AEDI7czd8McnLuOSnBCr2R3oXX4qwRmpzX-5g-s8njuFtWWISoK8riXsZnFHzQdiB_0/s200/galleon.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon, the hot-air balloon had
gained an elevation of 500 feet. The galleon now appeared small and far below
the balloon crew. It now looked like a model ship. And, the island appeared as
a mass of green foliage, grey rocks, and sandy beaches. Ocean breezes pushed
the balloon toward the center of the island where a mountain rose above the
dense jungle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">‘Soon, we will arrive at our
destination,’ Ahaziah thought to himself as the balloon floated through the
air. ‘And, soon, I will be able to meet Markus face to face.’ That thought
brought some elation to Ahaziah’s evil heart. ‘Markus,’ he thought, ‘you will
not escape me!’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Cave<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The group of six pilgrim
knights followed the trail through the jungle. The narrow path passed along the
top of a mountain saddle and then ascended up the side of a steep, tree-covered
slope in switchbacks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I sure hope we reach the end
of this treasure-map trail soon,” Henry said, wiping sweat off his brow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I believe we will reach it
soon,” Gregory said, looking at his bearded, 50-year-old friend. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">After an hour of walking,
which was interrupted by a few brief breaks, the weary travelers reached an
open, grassy plateau (<i>flat area</i>) near the top of a mountain peak. The
path ran up to the plateau through jungle and snaked across the flat, grassy
plateau. It vanished into a cave in the side of a granite <u>crag</u>. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[<u style="text-underline: words;">Crag</u>: A crag is a steep rock which is part of
a mountain peak or cliff.]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The crag was part of a rocky
peak that rose 500 feet above the 100-foot-wide plateau. Now, standing on the
plateau, the pilgrim knights gazed up at the peak and the crag. Henry whistled
low. Gregory sighed and breathed deeply of the fresh, mountain air. Markus
walked toward the cave mouth, wondering what lay within. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Markus,” Andrew said, “don’t
you want to take a break? We’ve just done a lot of climbing.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus turned back to Andrew
and said, “I was just curious about that cave. The path passes right through
its mouth.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gregory reached for the metal
tube which hung in a holster from a belt around his lower breastplate.
Uncorking the tube, he reached in and pulled out the treasure map. Crinkling
sounds came as the young, white-haired man unrolled the map. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After studying it briefly,
Gregory said, “We are near the very end of this treasure map. According to this
map, the treasure lies within the cave and behind or under something that could
be a boulder or something.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Could I see that?” Markus
said as he approached Gregory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The graying knight handed
Markus the scroll. Stretching it out before him, Markus scanned through the
parchment. He could see a dotted line running through the island. It climbed
the side of a mountain and reached a cave. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">An illustration of the
interior of the cave revealed that the dotted line came to a stop before an
object that looked roughly like the letter “</span><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">m</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">.” But, this object or “m”
had no sign or written explanation that it was intended to be a letter of the
alphabet. It was a mystery to Markus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“If we go into this cave, we
will see something that looks like the letter ‘m,’” Markus said as he looked up
from the map. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s go, then,” Gregory
said. “I am curious what that ‘m’ represents. The map shows that treasure is
near that object.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’m very curious about this
treasure,” Matthew Green-knoll said with eagerness. “Let’s cut our rest break
short and find that treasure.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But friends,” Markus said, “this
treasure is something God has shown us to look for. It is not going to be a
stash of money. For, God is not about having us focus on worldly goods. This is
a special treasure far more valuable than money, I believe.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I think you’re right,
Markus,” Andrew said as he scratched his clean-shaven chin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Well,” Alexander Espada
said, “we will find out once we reach the treasure.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With that, he walked toward
the cave full of excitement. Matthew Green-knoll followed him, saying, “I don’t
know for sure, but I think it is pirate treasure.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The six pilgrims followed the
path into the cave and drew their swords. Fire leaped up from their blades and
lit up the dark interior with yellowish light. Boulders, some stalagmites,
stones, and rock surfaces appeared in the golden light. A 40-foot-high ceiling
with a few stalactites rose above their heads. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwn1BjMw6F68zUAZzUSOCWH_9i_bwPdew8RQh8X9QG2LdQ0ucFYgMK79TifrsC7Pv3TCriZaPdp76bxTBOV6Je8WJ8NHAqMfEP-AD5PsHevWkJx9Hm5OjifxNH06CUvz4NsD5PszaqPU/s1600/Cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1201" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwn1BjMw6F68zUAZzUSOCWH_9i_bwPdew8RQh8X9QG2LdQ0ucFYgMK79TifrsC7Pv3TCriZaPdp76bxTBOV6Je8WJ8NHAqMfEP-AD5PsHevWkJx9Hm5OjifxNH06CUvz4NsD5PszaqPU/s320/Cave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A path made out of white granite
passed through the darker rock of the cavern floor. The white-granite path
snaked around some stalagmites and boulders. It came to an abrupt stop before a
stone block that resembled a rectangular prism (<i>or a rectangular box</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What is this?” Gregory said,
squinting at the large, stone block. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It appears to be about 5
feet high, 10 feet long…,” Matthew said as he walked around the stone block. “And,
it is about 5 feet deep.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Whatever it is, it has to
have the treasure inside,” Gregory said. “This is where the dotted line on the
map stops.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Oh,” Matthew said suddenly,
with wide-opened eyes. “I see something here. It is a carving of two thumbs or
something that resembles that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Matthew was standing on the
right end of the block and looking at its surface.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus walked over to Matthew
and gazed at that end of the block. In the light of their flaming swords,
Markus could see what appeared to be two stone tablets depicted in a <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">bas-relief. He instantly
recognized them. </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">[<u>Bas-relief</u>: A
sculpture which projects slightly from a flat surface. It usually is made in
stone.]<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“This bas-relief depicts
stone tablets. The Ten Commandments,” Markus said, surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“The Ten Commandments?”
Matthew said. “Are those the commandments God gave Moses?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“They were written by the
finger of God on stone tablets,” Markus said. “But, those commandments always
have existed since the time that God created Adam and Eve. Cain, their son,
broke the commandment not to murder when he killed Abel, his brother.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I want to try something,”
Matthew said just before he pushed on the bas-relief of the tablets. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tablets moved inward, and
a muffled clicking sound came. Suddenly, a thin, stone lid hinged up, revealing
a stone container. Thick, coiled springs had opened the lid after a kind of
clasp had been opened. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus peered down into the
container and saw the treasure God had told them to find. Stacks of beautiful,
gem-studded Bibles appeared below Markus’s flaming sword. He reached down and
picked one up. After placing his sword back into its scabbard, Markus took the
jewel-encrusted Bible and began flipping through its pages. The interior was
just like any other simple King James Bible. Nothing was out of the ordinary.
But, the book was a treasure, for it was the inspired Word of God, translated
into the English language. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“The treasure is Bibles?”
Matthew said, astonished.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes,” Markus said as he
lovingly looked through the pages of the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus didn’t worship the
Bible itself, but he loved the Living Word of God, who is Jesus Christ. Jesus,
the Word, inspired every word in the written Word of God, the Bible. Such a
precious book rested in the pilgrim’s hands. And, he never ever wanted to part
with such a book or such a beautiful Person as Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Is this all we get after
such an ordeal fighting dragons, giants, and facing archers?” Matthew said,
disgusted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He turned and began walking
away, shaking his head. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Matthew, My son,” God’s
gentle voice suddenly spoke to the new pilgrim. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Who is that?” Matthew said,
looking around. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">God Speaks with Matthew
Green-knoll</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It is I, the LORD your God
and Father,” God’s kind voice said, speaking to Matthew’s spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Do not fear, I am with you,”
God said to Matthew. “This book is the treasure of treasures, for it contains
the living Words of God. It is precious and beautiful. It is how you will be
blessed the rest of your life.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Really?” Matthew whispered,
stopping in mid-stride. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“It contains very great and
exceedingly precious promises to provide you all you need for now and in the
future,” God said. “It is the Book of books. Don’t forsake the faith because
you didn’t get what you wanted. I tell you that if you reject the Word of God,
you will have no place in My Kingdom, for My Word is in perfect agreement with
My nature. I never change. And, My Word never changes. The Bible remains the
same.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Hmm,” Matthew said,
scratching his chin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But,” God continued, “Satan
has created evil counterfeits and has corrupted the Words of the Bible. Read
the King James Bible or read it in a version that is perfectly based on the
Received Texts. Those texts are preserved and are not corrupted. But, a few
minor texts are corrupted, and that is how false or corrupted versions of the
Bible have come about.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Okay,” Matthew said,
nodding. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God’s voice continued,
saying, “Don’t read the NIV, the RSV, the Amplified Bible, or any thing like
that. If you are someone who does not understand English, read a Bible based on
the Received Texts or based on the King James Version. And, I will bless you
greatly for that. But, if you do read from a corrupted text, I can still use
what is true in it, but it is not the best thing to do. And, I the LORD your
God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Wow,” Matthew said. “I will
read the King James Bible. And, God, I really am sorry for rejecting your Word.
Will you forgive me? I repent.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son,” God said, “you are
forgiven. You will be blessed for reading and studying the King James Bible. I
was with the translators of that Bible. Though all of them did not necessarily
know Me, I guided them in translating the Bible. A good portion of them did
know Me. But, I guided them in making a beautiful translation of the Hebrew,
Greek, and Aramaic words of the <i>Textus Receptus</i>. And, I the LORD your
God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After speaking with God a
little more, Matthew turned to Markus and said, “I really am sorry, Markus, for
being so stubborn and rebellious. God was speaking with me. He just told me
some wonderful things. Would you like to hear them?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I would love to,” Markus
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Then, Matthew filled him (and
the other pilgrims) in on what God had told him. When Matthew was finished
speaking, a loud gunshot </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">boom, crash </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> suddenly echoed through the cavern. Just as the shot
came, the pointy tip of a stalagmite above Markus’s head shattered to pieces. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter 7<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Attack in the Cave<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus ducked, instinctively,
and began looking for a place to hide. As he did, the other pilgrims crouched
down and began scrambling to find shelter behind boulders or large stalagmites.
As he did, his Ephesians 6 armor vanished, and his white garments and leather
boots appeared on him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Boom! </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">A second gunshot echoed through the cavern. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZuOGp6oSuCnXp8wACwmsNHEI-k2U0BR0DdaDmp4TUc49IHmgE1SrcHGr_0i8WunGMv_FbCTRXolOwsO-czV4vJbsyGxL5eUXB5npVhqjUZw91qRQm8-nKYQfrBB4925T88c1epDSu90/s1600/Torch+for+Pilgrim%2527s+Journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="860" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZuOGp6oSuCnXp8wACwmsNHEI-k2U0BR0DdaDmp4TUc49IHmgE1SrcHGr_0i8WunGMv_FbCTRXolOwsO-czV4vJbsyGxL5eUXB5npVhqjUZw91qRQm8-nKYQfrBB4925T88c1epDSu90/s200/Torch+for+Pilgrim%2527s+Journey.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus turned to see where it
came from and he saw pirates wearing barbute helmets with T-shaped facial
openings. Some where armed with wheel-lock muskets. Others carried crossbows
and swords. A few held up torches. They had just passed through the cave
opening 80 feet away. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Run,” a voice spoke to
Markus’s spirit. He looked toward the other end of the cavern and saw that it
continued on for a long distance, fading into darkness. Without waiting another
second, Markus ran. Seeing him running, Andrew, Gregory, and Henry followed
him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Boom! </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Another shot echoed through the underground chamber. A
musket ball zipped past Markus’s left shoulder. But, he didn’t stop running.
With his heart racing, the pilgrim didn’t want to see if he was being pursued. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">‘Who are these men or
pirates? What are they after?’ he thought as he ran. ‘Why do they want to kill
me?’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus turned quickly to see
if he was being pursued. He saw his three friends running to his left and right
and slightly behind him. But, the two newer pilgrims, Matthew and Alexander
were nowhere to be seen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, Markus tripped on a
rock and fell straight toward the rocky ground. He landed hard, but didn’t
suffer any serious injuries. However, he was feeling sore and bruised. Andrew
rushed over to his side, disregarding the fact that he was being pursued by
pirates. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Henry and Gregory ran over
and knelt down beside Markus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Are you hurt?” Andrew said
with concern. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I feel a little sore,”
Markus said, “but I will live.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Take my hand,” Andrew said,
extending a hand to Markus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He grabbed his friend’s hand,
and stood to his feet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s go,” Gregory said,
glancing back at the pirates. The brigands (<i>bandits</i>) were running toward
them with drawn swords. Unlike the evil knights Markus had faced, these pirates
were human beings, and their weapons were not spiritual. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pilgrims hurried off,
running as fast as they could. But, Markus was limping slightly, due to a
slight bruise from his fall. Markus glanced back and saw several brigands with
broadswords and axes drawing closer and closer. A tall pirate with an axe, a
torch, and a red beard came running up fast. His face was full of cruel
pleasure as he closed the distance between himself and the four pilgrims. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As he reached within ten feet
of Markus, who was at the rear of the group, the tall, red-bearded pirate
shouted, “I will kill all of you, pilgrims. You will never see the light of
day.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fear attacked Markus as he
heard those words from behind his back. He turned and saw the bearded brigand
now only 8 feet away from him. The sharp axe in the pirate’s hands menacingly
gleamed in the torchlight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Markus,” God’s kind voice
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes, Father God?” Markus
said silently as he ran.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“My son,” God said, “I will
keep you and protect you. Now, trust in Me for the strength you need, and I
will give you strength and healing. Will you do that?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes, Abba Father,” Markus
said. “I choose to trust you. You will do this?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I certainly will, My son,”
God replied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus felt energy pass
through his body. The stiffness and soreness he felt began to fade. In no time,
he felt the power to run increase. He began running faster than he had run
before and began to outpace Gregory, who was at the front of the group. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus looked back and saw
that the pirate was keeping up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The cavern floor and ceiling
began to slope upward, making the going more difficult. But, the men ran up the
hill as fast as they could, knowing that more brigands were running behind
them. Bobbing torches revealed the pirates’ locations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Markus,” God’s voice said, “watch
out for chutes and holes in the floor.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“There are holes in the
floor?” Markus said as he ran.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Watch out for pitfalls,
holes, and traps, which the devil has set up in this cavern. And, I the LORD
your God have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus looked at the ground
before him and squinted, but he couldn’t see that far ahead. Suddenly, a lit
torch appeared in his left hand and he clutched it tight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is a gift for you, My
son,” God’s voice said. “I translated that to you so that you could see where
you are going.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Thank you, Father God,”
Markus said, surprised and grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You are welcome, My son,”
God said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the burning torch in his
hand, Markus was able to see the ground ahead of him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Watch out, Henry,” Andrew
shouted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus turned to see the
brigand with the axe swinging his weapon toward Henry. Henry made a quick burst
forward and barely missed being hit by the axe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I will kill all of you,” the
pirate shouted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, a chunk of rock
tumbled down directly in front of the pirate, and he had no time to react. He
tripped over it and fell face first to the sloping ground. Landing heavily, he
rolled down the slope and screamed as he suddenly dropped through a jagged,
circular opening in the ground. His screaming continued as he plunged down a
vertical shaft or tube. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pilgrims continued
running, knowing that more pirates were closing the distance fast. As the
pilgrims ran up the slope, they began breathing harder and slowing their pace.
Strong pirates were able to catch up to them and overtake them. Markus turned
to see four brigands with swords and axes drawing near. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He began praying as he tried
to increase his speed, but he was feeling a little tired. Suddenly, an
earthquake shook the cavern. Boom. The ground trembled violently beneath their
feet, knocking the men to the ground. But, the pilgrims managed to crouch down
and avoid falling. The pirates, however, lost their footing and fell to the
ground. <i>Thump</i>. They landed hard and groaned. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unexpectedly, a cracked
opened in the floor right behind them. As the earthquake continued, the <u>chasm
</u>or <u style="text-underline: words;">fissure </u>widened. The pirates tried
to stand to their feet and continue the chase, but a powerful tremor knocked
the men to the ground once more. Two brigands rolled down the slope and fell
into the wide chasm, plunging into darkness with loud screams of terror.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u>Chasm</u></b>: A
deep hole or crack in the earth.] [<b><u>Fissure</u></b>: A crack in a rock.] [<b><u>Crevasse</u></b>:
A deep crack or chasm.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once the earthquake was over,
Markus began crawling up the slope, followed by his three friends. They tried
to move as quickly as they could without pushing themselves too hard. The two
pirates who didn’t fall into the <u style="text-underline: words;">crevasse </u>continued
the chase. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When Markus and his friends
reached a flat area of the cavern at the top of the slope, he was in for a
surprise. Standing in an open area that was surrounded by boulders and large
stones, Ahaziah Bronze-smith trained a wheel-lock musket at Markus’s chest.
Fear rushed through Markus’s body.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Raise your hands and stop
right there, Markus,” Ahaziah said coldly. A long scar appeared on his right
cheek and a <u>nasal helmet</u> covered his head. His face was clean shaven. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Standing on either side of
him were two brigands, armed with broadswords.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u>Nasal helmet</u></b>:
This was a round helmet with a nose guard also called a “nasal.” The nose guard
(or nasal) was a piece of metal that projected down over the nose. The nasal
helmet was commonly worn by Normans and Vikings. But, it was used during much
of the Middle Ages. Some nasal helms were more pointy on top and others were
more rounded, like hemispheres.] <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Facing Ahaziah
Bronze-smith <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You thought I was stuck in
that pit and had no way of getting out, didn’t you?” Ahaziah said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The memory came back to
Markus vividly. He had been walking down a forest path with his three friends
and some other pilgrims when men armed with bows had come out of the forest.
And, Ahaziah Bronze-smith was among them. He had prepared to shoot an arrow
into Markus’s chest. But, as he had stepped back to aim, he had suddenly fallen
into a pitfall trap. When Markus had offered to lower a rope and help him out,
Ahaziah had arrogantly refused. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I have been thwarted from
killing you,” Ahaziah said, “but I will get my chance to take your life now.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Standing just behind Markus,
Andrew turned, curious about their pursuers. He saw some brigands coming up the
slope behind them. They were armed with crossbows and swords. Seeing their
weapons, he began praying earnestly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We offered to bring you up
from that pit,” Markus said, looking at his enemy in the face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You were the one who killed
my friend, Elihu Coppersmith,” Ahaziah said coldly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I didn’t kill him,” Markus
said, shaking his head. “Elihu had a heart attack and died. He spoke evil of
God’s message and of us before a multitude of people. And, he was one who
believed the Bible and believed that we must repent from sin. But, he turned away
from God and rejected God’s ways. When he publicly spoke against what God was
having us do, God allowed him to die from a heart attack. I did not kill him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, I hate you,
nonetheless. You shall not leave this cave alive, Markus,” Ahaziah said. “However,
to show that I can kill you without relying on a gun, I will give you a sword.
We will fight in a duel. If you kill me, so be it. But, if I kill you, I will
have gotten revenge.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He turned to one of the
pirates and said, “Francis, hand him your sword. I’ll give you my gun in
exchange.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Francis and Ahaziah made the
exchange. Then, Ahaziah tossed the sword toward Markus’s feet. The pirate now
clutched the wheel-lock musket in his strong hands and watched his boss.
Drawing his broadsword from its scabbard, Ahaziah prepared for a fight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For protection below the
head, the evil man wore a leather breastplate. Stooping down, he picked up a
buckler (<i>a small, round shield</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus reached down and
grabbed the physical sword. He was used to wielding his Ephesians 6 broadsword,
but he was not accustomed to fighting using a broadsword made by human hands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Then, Ahaziah swung toward
Markus’s head. Markus blocked the swing </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒
</span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">clang </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒ </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">and held his
sword high in a fighting position. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Shoot him if this fight
takes more than half an hour,” Ahaziah said to the man with the wheel-lock
musket. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pirate nodded and
grinned. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That isn’t playing fair,”
Markus said as he blocked another blow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I don’t intend to give you
any chance of escaping,” Ahaziah said. “But, you still can kill me, if you can
beat me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, the evil man swung his
sword fast and hard. <i>Clang. Cling. Clang. </i>It took Markus great
concentration and stamina to block every sword move. He knew that if he missed,
he would be dead or badly injured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Clang. Ring. Ting</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">. The sharp weapons clanged together several more
times when suddenly, Markus lost control of the weapon, and the broadsword
slipped out of his hands. His foe had done a clever move to dislodge the sword.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, Markus was unarmed and
at the mercy of his heartless, cruel foe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Well, Markus,” Ahaziah said,
mockingly, “I see that fate has brought you to your end. I shall not be seeing
you any longer.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPfEQeEHK-94woI33BN5Ir75zeOUz1zKzqhtTy1OAl1Mq3sX_DncrnbQ5p1yOEwbmHGzDUZiCo37IzF7gOkOPDtT0-Jv7BywjFuSPKqpMjv3gQ8X0n0E3j_Lz2YfsXnSEc7ge0fO3BHI/s1600/Cave+Earthquake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1201" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPfEQeEHK-94woI33BN5Ir75zeOUz1zKzqhtTy1OAl1Mq3sX_DncrnbQ5p1yOEwbmHGzDUZiCo37IzF7gOkOPDtT0-Jv7BywjFuSPKqpMjv3gQ8X0n0E3j_Lz2YfsXnSEc7ge0fO3BHI/s320/Cave+Earthquake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Then, the evil man prepared
to plunge his sword into Markus’s chest. But, before he did, a powerful
earthquake </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> <i>boom </i></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">‒</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> suddenly shook the cavern once more, and chunks of
rock broke off the ceiling and <i>crashed </i>down to the slope behind Markus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The large chunks tumbled down
the slope toward pirates that were climbing up. The brigands ran out of the way
of the boulders, but several men fell into crevasses (<i>deep cracks</i>) that
had suddenly opened up in the ground. Their fearful shouts faded away as they
fell down deep shafts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The quake was so powerful,
that Markus and all the men nearby collapsed to the ground. Weapons thumped
against the stone, cavern floor. The rumbling continued and vibrations passed
through the walls, floor, and ceiling of the cave system. More chunks of stone
crashed to the ground, but none hit Markus, his friends, or the pirates nearby.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ahaziah, determined to kill
Markus at all costs, picked up his sword and stood to his feet. He glared at
the pilgrim on the ground before he suddenly swung the broadsword toward Markus’s
neck, but a powerful tremor shook the cavern, and a wide cracked opened up
behind Ahaziah. He lost balance and started to fall backward. The cracked
widened and lengthened until it passed between Ahaziah’s feet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I will kill you, Markus,”
the evil man shouted, but he couldn’t walk any closer to Markus. The shaking
was so violent that Ahaziah lost his footing and fell backward into the fissure
or chasm. But, he stopped his fall by clutching onto the edge of the shaft with
his fingers. He desperately tried to pull himself up, but the ground still
trembled, and his grip was starting to slip. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dangling from the edge of a
deep chasm, the hateful man shouted, “Charles, Francis, help me!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We can’t,” Francis shouted. “We’re
being pelted with gravel and the earth is shaking. We might fall into the
chasm.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Get me out of here now!”
Ahaziah shouted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fissure suddenly widened
by a few more inches, and Ahaziah Bronze-smith lost his grip. He plunged down
through the darkness of the chasm, screaming. That was the last Markus saw of
the man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The earthquake continued, and
a second crack opened under the two pirates. They screamed in terror, and tried
to scramble out of its path, but the ground suddenly cracked in multiple places
and fell out from beneath their legs. The evil men plunged down a newly-opened
chasm and were lost to sight. A torch fell with them, lighting their decent. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus and his friends backed
up quickly and hurried back toward the slope on hands and knees. Markus prayed
as he crawled down the slope he had jogged up earlier. “Father God, please
cause this earthquake to stop. It fear that I will fall into a crevasse or be
struck by a falling stone.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rumbling continued to
knock loose very small particles of rock from the ceiling. The rain of tiny,
rock particles bounced off of Markus’s head and back. Less than a centimeter in
width, the tiny pieces began to cover the ground with a coating that resembled
dust or dirt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Don’t worry, My son,” God
said to Markus as he crawled. “I will cause this quake to cease. Now, look to
Me and rest. And, I the LORD your God and Abba Father have spoken.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a couple minutes, the
earthquake had stopped, and the rain of tiny particles ceased. Relieved that it
was ended, Markus stood to his feet. As he did, his armor reappeared. Drawing
his Ephesians 6 broadsword, Markus held its flaming blade up. Its flickering,
yellow light revealed cracks and crevasses all over the cavern floor. As the
dust settled, he could see torches burning, but no one holding them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Earthquake Ends<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs1xMx0-N0i9GKsp41fqfBw-L16tQ9zUUrAERdJBlmDHMH5X14Axj65_4SFFsI8ZAV0gf5JZ8kqEmffqNymjMCllHub2XAP4HPC6AFoyb99h1LXikhY-z80XxNX2oUX3hlBgTjPJh8b8/s1600/Knight+in+armor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="508" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs1xMx0-N0i9GKsp41fqfBw-L16tQ9zUUrAERdJBlmDHMH5X14Axj65_4SFFsI8ZAV0gf5JZ8kqEmffqNymjMCllHub2XAP4HPC6AFoyb99h1LXikhY-z80XxNX2oUX3hlBgTjPJh8b8/s320/Knight+in+armor.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The other pilgrims stood up
and drew fiery swords from their scabbards. Walking down the slope and avoiding
all crevasses and boulders, the group of four pilgrim knights slowly and
carefully made their way back to the stone box which contained the
jewel-studded bibles. When they were within 15 feet of the stone box, Markus
saw a man peer out from behind a boulder. It was Matthew Green-knoll. He was
wearing his shiny, Ephesians 6 armor. His face was full of relief at seeing the
other pilgrims. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Leaving the cover of the
boulder, Matthew walked over to Markus and his friends. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I am so glad to see you
again,” Matthew said. “When those pirates entered the cavern, I was frightened.
I didn’t follow you because I was afraid of being shot.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I understand. Are you
injured?” Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“No. God protected me,”
Matthew replied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What happened to your
friend,” Henry said, walking toward him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I don’t know what happened
to Alexander Espada,” Matthew said. “With all the chaos, I had no idea where he
went. He might be dead, for all I know. I hope not, though.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I am not dead, Matthew,”
Alexander said as he walked out from behind a boulder forty feet away. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’m so glad to see you
survived, Alexander,” Matthew said, smiling with relief. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I am glad to be alive,”
Alexander said. “If it wasn’t for God’s protection, we’d all be dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That is right,” Markus said.
“I definitely know that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I want to see if the bibles
are still in good condition,” Andrew Strong-heart said as he walked over to the
stone box. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After pressing in the
bas-relief tablets on one side of the box, Andrew waited. In a second, a click
came. Then, powerful springs opened the stone lid. He held up his flaming sword
and gazed down into the box. Reaching in with a free hand, he drew out a
gem-encrusted bible. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Folks, the Bibles are safe
and sound,” Andrew said. “God protected His Word.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Praise God!” Markus said as
he walked over to the stone box. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After talking a little longer,
the men walked back toward the mouth of the cavern. Not a single pirate was to
be seen anywhere in the cave. But, the men were careful to watch out for
crevasses in the floor. Outside the cave, on the grassy plateau, a strange
sight met the eyes of the pilgrims. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Four primitive hot-air
balloons were tethered to the ground on the plateau. Tethers (<i>ropes</i>) ran
down to stakes in the ground from ‘gondola’ platforms, which hung from cables
beneath the balloon envelopes. Active fires in metal trays on the platforms
continuously filled the envelopes with hot air.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<b><u>Balloon envelope</u></b>:
A huge, round sack filled with hot air. Hot air in the envelope is lighter than
the air surrounding the bag. The lift produced by the hot air causes a gondola
(a basket or platform) below the balloon to rise.] [<b><u>Tether</u></b>: A
rope used to fasten something down, such as a hot-air balloon, a blimp, or an
animal.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[<u>Note</u>: Ahaziah had
brought four working prototype hot-air balloons with him on board the captured
Red Jasper galleon. These were constructed by skilled men he had hired to build
these new vehicles. The idea had come to him when he had watched a handkerchief
floating above a hot campfire.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What are these?” Gregory
said as he looked up at the strange contraptions resting on the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I have no idea what they are
called,” Markus said. “But, they have fires burning in metal trays on platforms
below those huge bags. Hot air rising from the fires must fill the bags and
cause them to expand and rise.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“How would hot air cause a
giant bag to float?” Matthew said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I don’t know how, but you
have seen sparks rising upward,” Markus said as he thought. “The smoke or
heated air from the fire causes the sparks to lift upward.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Perhaps, these contraptions
float like a ship in water,” Andrew said, “because they are lighter than an
equal volume of air at a normal outside temperature.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“So, you’re saying that hot
air is lighter than cold air?” Markus said, looking at Andrew. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes.” Andrew nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“The pirates must have used
these floating bags or balloons to reach this mountain,” Henry said, scratching
his brown beard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I think you’re right,”
Markus said. “Why don’t we take these balloons, as you call them, and see if
the wind will blow us back to Captain James’s ship. That way, we will not have
to go back on the same trail we used to come up here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“First, why don’t we find out
what our Heavenly Father would say,” Andrew suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Let’s do that,” Markus said
before closing his eyes to seek God. Keeping his eyes closed helped to remove
distractions as he listened to God’s voice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After seeking God, the men
heard that it was fine for them to take some balloons and travel back. God had
also told them that he would make sure the wind would carry them where they
needed to go. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, without any delay, the
six pilgrims entered two ‘gondola’ platforms, which had protective railing.
Gregory went around loosening the stakes that the tethers were attached to.
Then, he stepped onto a ‘gondola’ platform and assisted Matthew and Alexander
in pulling the tethers up onto the balloon platform. Next, they tossed some
ballast rocks off the platform. Markus, Andrew, and Henry did the same with
rocks on their platform. Having nothing to keep them down, two hot-air balloons
lifted off the ground and ascended into the sky. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sensation of leaving the
earth was fearful to most of the men, but they soon got adjusted to it. The
beauty of the island’s jungle, mountains, and geography was captivating and
breathtaking. For the next hour, the men did nothing more than keep the fires
fueled and burning while their strange, aerial vehicles took them high above
the island jungle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Terror at Sea<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We’re going to die!” Captain
Pablo Campo-verde cried as he looked at the ocean waves. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He was standing in four and a
half feet (<i>4.5 ft</i>) of water, <u>at low tide</u>, with a handcuff around
his left wrist. The other metal cuff was locked around a long, steel chain.
Both ends of the long chain were fastened to a large, heavy anchor. Along the
length of this chain were more than 30 sailors and ship officers. Each man was
attached to the chain in the same way as Pablo. One wrist was free. The other was
locked to the chain by a hand cuff. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A second anchor with an
attached chain rested in the water 60 feet away from Pablo’s chain. Forty men
were locked up to that setup. As he considered his predicament, Pablo
Camp-verde realized that there was no way of escape from this dilemma. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pirates had brought the
prisoners ashore a short while ago and had locked them up to the anchors in
shallow water, at low tide. Standing in four and a half feet of water, the
prisoners knew that once the tide rose, they would be drowned. Several heavy
steel balls had been fastened to some links of the chains to weigh them down so
that none of the men could float. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pirates had returned to
their ships and had sailed away, leaving the prisoners to die by the tide.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God, please save us,” Pablo
cried with great anxiety. “Deliver us. I will serve you if you deliver me from
this death trap.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hearing Pablo shout, Captain
James Hawthorne-wood paused his fervent prayers and turned toward the ship
captain who was 15 feet away from him. He knew that this was a serious trial,
but he also believed that God did not want any of those men to perish if any of
them could be saved. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You,” Captain James said, “what’s
your name?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What’s my name?” Pablo said,
turning toward James. “I am Captain Pablo Campo-verde. I captained the galleon <i>Red
Jasper</i>, which the pirates stole from me. Why do you want to know?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I am also the captain of a
ship, the White Stallion,” James said. “But, I wanted to tell you that there is
hope. I felt very depressed even before being shackled to this chain. But,
light began to flicker in my heart as I remembered what I had read in the
Bible. Then, I began to have some hope. Heaven awaits me because I have trusted
in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Do you want to be saved from sin and go
to Heaven?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“That would be wonderful,”
Pablo said. “But, I don’t think God will accept me. I am a big sinner. You
might agree with me if I told you all I’ve ever done.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We were all born in sin,”
James said. “But, God wants us to be His sons, through adoption, by receiving
Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. And, He wants us to be saved from sin and
from the consequences of sin, which ultimately is Hell (<i>for a rebellious
person</i>). If you believe on the Name of Jesus Christ for salvation, and
believe that Jesus dies for your sins, and took them away, and rose from the
dead, and that He lives forever as God the Son, you will be saved. And, you
will go to Heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I want to do that,” Pablo
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, you must <u style="text-underline: words;">not </u>trust <u style="text-underline: words;">at
all </u>in your own works to save you,” James Hawthorne-wood said. “Only by
simply believing the truth about Jesus Christ are you saved.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Okay,” Pablo said. “I want
to know Jesus. I want to be saved from sin. What do I do?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">James then led him in a
prayer of salvation. After Pablo has finished his prayer to God, he opened his
eyes and rejoiced. The men around him were surprised. His attitude had changed
dramatically. Just moments ago he was complaining and moaning. Now, he was full
of hope. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I believe that Jesus die for
me, rose for me, and lives for me,” Pablo said with excitement. “I believe that
He has washed me from all my sin and has given me a home in Heaven. Praise God.
I am free!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Pablo was rejoicing, some
men looked up toward the sky and noticed some strange objects floating in the
air directly overhead. The sailors had not seen them before, having been
focused on their predicament. They constantly were trying to keep their heads
above the waves. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“What are those things?” a
sailor said, pointing directly above himself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A shadow fell on the water
some distance from the chained men. Pablo looked up and saw two hot-air
balloons. He was completely baffled by what they might be, having never seen
such a contraption before. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sailors began shivering with
fear as they gazed up at the sky. “It’s a spirit,” a sailor cried out in fear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I don’t know what that is,”
Captain James said, “but is definitely not a spirit. It is a solid object of
some kind.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The hot-air balloons lowered
to the beach near the chained sailors. Once they touched down on the sand. Two
men got out of a “gondola” platform and picked up a 40-pound rock. Carrying it
over to the platform, they placed the heavy stone on the wood to act as
ballast. Then, they did the same for the other balloon platform. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Satisfied that their balloons
were secured to the beach, Markus and his friends departed from the wooden
platforms and hustled over toward the helpless prisoners in the water. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Help us!” several men cried.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You must be gods come down
from the sky,” a man said as Markus waded toward him through the water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I am not a god and I never
will be a god,” Markus said firmly but kindly. “I am no more powerful than you
are. Only God is worthy of worship, honor, glory, and praise. All humans,
angels, and fallen angels exist because God created us. But, God did not make
anyone evil. Since we have a free will, we can choose whether we serve God or
not. We can choose to love God or not.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“But, where did you get that
contraption from?” the sailor said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Pirates built them, I
believe,” Markus replied. “Seeing that our foes were defeated, we borrowed
these craft to transport us here.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Could you hurry up and
rescue us?” a different sailor pleaded with anxiety in his voice. “The tide
will soon come in, and we will drown.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Markus turned away from the
sailors and closed his eyes. “Father God,” he whispered, “what should we do?
They are chained down. We have nothing to cut the chains with.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God’s kind voice replied, “Pray
for a miracle, My son. And, I will answer your prayer. And, I the LORD your God
have spoken.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Father God, I ask you… Will
you break the chains or cause the men to be loosed before the tide comes in?”
Markus said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes, My son,” God said. “Watch
and see what I will do.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I believe you,” Markus said
before he turned toward the prisoners in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“God is going to deliver you,”
Markus said loudly so that all the sailors and ship officers could hear him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“He better hurry,” a sailor
said. “The tide is starting to rise now.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just then, a different man
shouted, “My shackles just came loose. I’m free!” He jumped up and began
splashing through the water toward the shore. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Deliverance<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s1600/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K9EHf5b5l7PdYeMxKaNOZS_kPVi5NiPWJOy5kVgo_s3qEmLg6DiTiddsgZFWcyhTKh1Max3U_mTegu7PL82yI8fvPTSCVrEC2ZxePKI537HqlPXWeMcdo89PkWkGmNsw1946IbFPNkk/s200/Pilgrim%2527s+Journey+Book+3+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>PDF </b>File: <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pilgrimsjourneyhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/pilgrims-journey.-allegory.-book-3..pdf" target="_blank">PILGRIM'S JOURNEY:<br /> BOOK 3: ISLAND QUEST (PDF)</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pablo felt his wrist,
underwater, and noticed that his shackle was loose. He flipped the handcuff
open and removed his hand from it. He was free! The shackle was gone just like
his spiritual shackles were broken. With great joy, he and the rest of the
prisoners splashed out of the water and up onto the beach, praising God for
delivering them from certain death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the men rejoiced and some
gave God the glory, Markus watched the celebration and joined in with it. After
the excitement had died down a little. Several men walked toward Markus, asking
him how to be saved through Jesus. <u>Markus was glad to see that what the
pirates had intended for evil, God had turned around and used for good</u> to
call out to these men and point them to Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Afterword<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8uJSIAeEkiGX2nV4iMcGJWygBW0eT4Av5MHPrZVxcVpDacFe7Dfs7w336zuTVqqjUQ_BFB7-BHs2m9sBM_UWPFXVHwldlcwMb-sr_ApkrBp5SssvtRipta4j6cVs0-cHhwv7CFUwFuM/s1600/Carrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1024" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8uJSIAeEkiGX2nV4iMcGJWygBW0eT4Av5MHPrZVxcVpDacFe7Dfs7w336zuTVqqjUQ_BFB7-BHs2m9sBM_UWPFXVHwldlcwMb-sr_ApkrBp5SssvtRipta4j6cVs0-cHhwv7CFUwFuM/s320/Carrack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following the rescue of the
chained prisoners, Markus, his five friends, and all the <i>former </i>prisoners
walked along the beach for several miles until they reached a medium-sized
seaport, called <i>Puerto Bueno. </i>Markus and his five friends said their goodbyes
to James, Pablo, and the sailors. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since both the sea captains
had lost their ships, Markus and his friends boarded a carrack named <i>Caballo.
</i>Turning down James and Pablo’s offers to get their money back, Markus and
his friends bid the captains farewell and sailed off. Markus Christian had
finished one chapter in his life and about to embark on another great
adventure, which would culminate in leaving for Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Justin Brown (pen name)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06726743180209955370noreply@blogger.com0