■ Steven’s Amazing Adventures, and the Future of the World ■ (PART 10) - "The Market" - (A STORY about the END TIMES, with Messages from God) (PART 10)

Steven’s Amazing Adventures,

and the Future of the World

(A Story about the End Times 
with Messages from God)

Open this story as a free PDF file: 
Steven's Amazing Adventures PDF.

(Click here to open a safe website that reads text for free. 
You can copy and paste this post to have this story read aloud.)

(Click to Read PART 1.)

(This story chronicles the adventures of Steven O'Neill, his wife Sarah, and their friends during the End Times. Judgment has already struck the U.S., and Steve and his friends have reached the vast continent of Asia. Witness the amazing things God will reveal about the coming kingdom of the Beast (or the Antichrist), the Mark of the Beast, and the Tribulation period. This story should keep you fascinated, as a realistic account of the future unfolds in the form of a fictional story.

But, this story is not just a story. It contains messages from God and prophecies that actually shall happen. It is written as fiction with fictional characters, but the message of the story is very real, and the cataclysmic events, touched on in this story, will actually impact this earth as God’s Holy Bible and its prophecies unfold. The world will soon enter a time much like that portrayed in this story. I encourage you to seek God about this to see what He will show you.)

_________________________________________

Chapter Ten

(Click here to see The Table of Contents.) 

PART 10: “The Market”

“Tell me, Steven, what is the reason this town is so happy and that the weather is warm in the winter?” Sergey said.

They were in a large market place square filled with carts heaped with food, which included apples, oranges, peaches, dates, and wheat. Men and women stocked wooden carts with fresh produce and others moved from cart to cart and selected fruit and other foods, without paying a penny or any denomination of currency. It was a market where food was neither bought nor sold. It was just given away.

“God is the Light of the world,” Steven said, “and He is the source of Light in this village. It is He who provides warmth to this city of refuge and who makes sure that plenty of food is available without much work being done to get it.”

Steven reached over and picked up an apple from a fruit cart under the second-story balcony of a four-story wooden building. Each story had a balcony and railing with an intricate Chinese design formed of wood-framed rectangles arranged in vertical and horizontal positions. Bright, vibrant banners hung from protruding poles in the upper stories, which displayed portions of Bible verses in Chinese. The bright fabric slowly flapped and ruffled in a light breeze, making it seem they had come alive.

“Food grows three times faster in this village and in the land nearby than elsewhere in Eurasia,” said Steve. “Even when the days are shorter and the sunlight is less bright, produce and wheat will still grow at the same rate because God has blessed this ground to provide for His children.”

Horses neighed nearby as they were detached from the food carts and brought to a park half a block away to graze on green grass. The park was surrounded by buildings but it contained young trees, water fountains, food troughs supplied with oats, and a stable in one corner. A high wooden fence surrounded the perimeter to keep the equines contained.

“The people are happy, Sergey,” said Steve, “because God gives us joy and because the people here have gone through trials preparing them for coming to this city. Spiritual and emotional dross was removed from their lives, and they came forth shining, and resembling Jesus Christ in their behavior and lives, more and more.”

Children laughed and giggled, running through the streets and city square, playing a game of tag. People moved from cart to cart, placing food into woven baskets, which dangled from their arms, and chatted with each other as they “shopped.” Few remained to attend the carts, Sergey noticed. ‘They must be engaged in collecting fruit and vegetables from other carts,’ he thought.

“I noticed that no one is buying the food,” Sergey said, glancing left and right. “So, does this city of refuge have no money or system of bartering?”

“In the book of Acts, chapter 2, the new believers in Jerusalem had all things in common, related to material possessions and food,” Steve said. “They sold their possessions and gave to those who had need, the scripture says. Here, I learned quickly that you do not buy anything. People get all their needs met by God and by ways God chooses to bless people.”

Sergey looked a little baffled, so Steve said, “For instance, when I first arrived, God blessed me with a fruitful garden. I overheard my neighbor speaking about making a strawberry dish. I happened to have a large patch of strawberry plants in my garden. I gave her a basket of freshly picked strawberries as a gift one day. She knew that I regularly take pears from her pear cart, but she has access to my garden to take as much of my produce as she needs.”

Sergey glanced left and right, wondering if they were being watched. He felt like someone was watching him.

“I have been busy traveling,” Steve said, “and ministering where Abba Father God sends me, so I haven’t had time to tend the garden, but I have allowed my neighbor to tend it for me in exchange for the produce.”

“Excuse me,” Sergey said, glancing to the left and right. “I feel like I must say something.”

“What’s that?”

“I think we’re being watched,” Sergey said as he began scanning the crowds.

Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder from behind, and Sergey jumped. Whirling around, he came face to face with Alexei Khlebov, the red-haired Russian.

“You started me, Alexei,” Sergey said, drawing a deep breath.

“You need not worry, Sergey,” Alexei said, chuckling. “You are among friends. Almost all the people here are Christians and love Jesus. There are no enemy spies or soldiers in this group, for God is protecting us from all sides and within.”

“And, no enemy soldiers will be able to find this place or enter it if they did,” Steve said.

“How so?” Sergey said, stepping away from a doorway to let an elderly Chinese man walk past him.

“In 2 Kings 6,” Steve said, “God blinded the eyes of Syrian soldiers who were seeking to take Elisha. They could not see, and Elisha himself led them deep into Israel’s interior before he prayed that God would open their eyes to see where they were. They were shocked and scared to see that they were far away from the safety of their army. Then, he encouraged the king of Israel to treat them well and feed them. Those particular soldiers returned to their own land and did not attack Israel. In the same way, God has shown the people here that He is protecting them from all harm, and that He shall blind eyes that needed to be blinded to keep His children safe.”

“So, why would God provide cities of refuge for His people?” Sergey asked, curious about the utopia he saw around him.

“Well Sergey,” Alexei said, entering into the conversation, “God loves His children and desires that many will be alive during the course of the end times to minister to new believers that join them, and to intercede for the nations that God shall have to punish. He shall have to punish the nations for their hardness of heart and rebellion against Him, but God continues to call out to them because He has great compassion and mercy.”

A Mongolian boy ran past them, giggling, being chased by a Vietnamese boy who was stretching out his hand to tag his friend.

“God has shown us,” Alexei continued, “that persecution shall get more intense, and that He will lead people to cities of refuge. The Antichrist that Revelation speaks of will come into power to deceive the whole world, and to lead them to kill Christians. He will require people  to receive a special mark in their right hand or forehead, without which, they will not be able to buy or sell. Also, iniquity will increase greatly, but God will deliver His own from the wickedness of the world.”

“But, is there any scripture for the cities of refuge?” Sergey asked, stepping aside for a Chinese lady to enter the four-story wood building behind him.

“Yes,” Alexei said. “Deuteronomy chapter 19 and Numbers chapter 35 speak of cities in Israel that were to be set aside for those who accidentally killed people. Terrible accidents sometimes happen, and people may get unintentionally killed. God showed Moses that certain cities were to be set aside for the innocent to flee to after having accidentally killed someone. Since their relatives and the court at that time could not use forensics to prove whether or not the accidental killer was truly innocent or not, the cities of refuge had been provided as safe havens. No harm could be done to the accidental killer if he or she stayed at a city of refuge. After the death of the high priest, the accidental killer was allowed to go free. The law would punish any who tried to kill him.”

“How does that relate to a city of refuge during the end times?” Sergey said. “The Christians here are not accidental killers, of course.”

“The Christians here are not killers,” Steve said, holding a partially eaten apple. “That is true, but the principle of fleeing to a place of safety is the same. The innocent man who accidentally killed his neighbor flees to a place of safety. We are innocent because of the blood of Jesus and because we have chosen to forsake sin, but evil people will seek to kill us, and we need to go where God sends us to go to. If we don’t go where God sends us to go, we will die before God wants us to leave this earth. God has a calling for each one of us that requires us to live long enough on this planet to fulfill all His best purposes for our lives.”

Sergey nodded, but frowned, watching a couple leading a donkey which pulled another cart into the market square. Piles of carrots, squash, cucumbers, and potatoes were heaped atop the cart so high that it seemed they might tumbled off the sides.

“What’s the matter, Sergey?” Alexei said.

“I left a village back in Russia, Sergey said. “I haven’t witnessed very much to the people. Some don’t even know that I am a Christian. I feel that I can’t just stay here. I’m a single man and I never had children.”

“God doesn’t just have us stay here,” Steve said.

Sergey squinted at him. “What?”

“God translates us to various places around the world, from time to time,” Steve said. “This is a place of rest and a retreat for Sarah and me. After we rest here for a couple months, we are translated to different places to minister to people God leads us to. The same happens for many other residents of this city.” 

“I want to ask God to take me back to Russia and back to Medvedski,” Sergey said. “I believe that God’s mission for me is not done there.”

“You feel God leading you that way?” Alexei said.

Sergey nodded.

Footsteps approached on the stone pavement. Steve turned to see his lovely wife wearing a Chinese-style dress and outfit.

“I happened to overhear a little of your conversation,” Sarah said as she approached, carrying a woven basket of fruit and vegetables. “May I ask what you are talking about?”

“Well, Sarah, I feel that God would like me to go back to Medvedski, Russia,” Sergey said. “And, I want to seek Him about that to see if that is actually His will.”

“That is a bold decision to make, Sergey,” Sarah said. She looked at Steve and reached out to him with her hand, which he took in his. “But, Steve and I also felt— You tell him, honey.”

“I was just about to, Sarah, darling,” Steve said. “God has shown us that we were to return to Medvedski as well.”

An elephant trumpeted from Sergey’s left, startling him. He turned to see a large Asian elephant with a small structure strapped to his strong back. A group of four people sitting in the structure watched the goings on below while a man sat near the elephant’s head, guiding it along.

“I didn’t know elephants roamed this town,” the Sergey said.

“The elephants,” Steve said, “are used for hauling large loads and for enjoying a good view of the streets. God brought them here with the people.”

“I hope you will be able to see the park, Sergey, before you leave,” Alexei chimed in.

“What park?” the older Russian said.

“Come with me,” Alexei said. “I’ll show you.”

“That would be interesting. Let’s go,” Sergey said, desiring to see a new sight. But, as he turned to walk with Alexei, he stopped himself. “I forgot about Steve and Sarah. Would you both like to come?”

Steve looked at Sarah and she said, “Oh, that would be nice.”

“We’ll join you,” Steve added.

____________________

“Meeting in the Park”

Half an hour later, after passing through streets lined with traditional-styled Chinese dwellings, the group reached a park filled with Asian Pear trees and other fruit trees, flowering trees, red-leafed Japanese maples, and manicured flower gardens which were very beautiful to Alexei’s eyes. A miniature waterfall cascaded down a small cliff, with a ten-foot drop, into a pond filled with colorful koi fish that caused

the pond to appear alive with moving colors. Large round stones had been decoratively placed as stepping stones across a stream that flowed out of the pond and through the manicured garden.

The gurgling sound of the stream rushing over rocks had a soothing effect on Sergey’s nerves. He sat down on a bench and watched the fish circling and zigzagging through the water. Alexei met a talkative Chinese man near the pond and struck up a conversation some distance away. Steve and Sarah then told Sergey they were going to go on a little walk and would be back at the pond about fourteen minutes later. Holding hands, the couple strolled down a path, vanishing into the flowering trees, which Sergey knew could not possibly be flowering during the winter in the northern hemisphere.

“Excuse me, sir,” a man said in Chinese from a few feet behind him.

Sergey turned to see a Chinese man in his early seventies, about ten years older than Sergey, standing behind him. A long white beard flowed down his chest, giving him the appearance of a Biblical patriarch. He wore a light blue changshan tunic, the hem of which rested about a foot above the ground. Grey trousers and black, leather shoes appeared underneath.

“Yes?” Sergey said.

“You must be one of the new arrivals to The Mountain of Peace,” the white-haired man replied.

“Yes, I just arrived last night,” Sergey said. “But, why do you call it such a name?”

Seeing Sergey’s confused face, the Chinese man said, “That is the name I and the other elders have chosen for this town because this town is a place of peace and harmony. It is one of many cities of refuge that God has set up throughout the world. This one is within Eurasia.” The man looked around at the park briefly, watching hawfinches and Asian brown flycatchers flutter from tree to tree, perching briefly before hopping off to another branch. Then, he said, “I hope you are enjoying your stay so far.” 

“I am, but I look forward to doing God’s next assignment for me,” Sergey said.

“What would that be?”

“I came from the village of Medvedski in eastern Russia,” Sergey said, “and I feel that God is calling me to go back and witness to the people there. Even though the Russian government is hunting down Christians, I feel I must go. I haven’t witnessed to the people there that much, and they need to be saved.”

“I will pray for you,” said the white-haired man, “that your journey will be prosperous and that the ears of those who hear you will be opened, and their eyes will no longer be shut to the Gospel.”

“I appreciate it,” Sergey said, with a smile beginning to form on his face.

“By the way, I am Guang Yan,” Guang said, bowing slightly.

“I am Sergey Ulanov,” Sergey said, standing, not sure if he should return the greeting. He wasn’t used to the Asian custom of bowing slightly.

Then, Guang stretched out his right hand, and they shook hands.

“You mentioned,” said Sergey, “that you and other elders named this town. How did this town get started, for it seems to have too many people to be off the radar of the Eurasian governments.”

“The population of this town is about fifty-thousand,” Guang said. “Each day it grows by about fifty people. God brought me and other families here by way of translation. We were instantly taken here. Men who were good with construction had also arrived with us. I knew some of them from our underground church in China. We found building materials, tools, and men who looked Chinese and appeared very strong. These men informed us that they were sent from God to help us construct a town for us to live in. These strong men began building a sewage system using strange machinery we had never seen before.”

“What was the machinery like?” Sergey asked.

“I cannot describe it. It is beyond anything I have ever heard about or seen. That strange technology does exist in our day and age, but these men made use of it as if it were commonplace. While they built a sewage system, they built no water system because God told us He would perform miracles to continually give us clean drinking water like the widow’s jar of oil that didn’t run out during the famine of 1 Kings chapter 17.”

“So, what is your supply of water? A well?” Sergey asked.

“Each household has a large metal pot of water,” Huang said. “Using a ladle, I fill up my cup or my tea kettle. The water never runs out. I have used that same water container for three years. It never failed to be refilled in the middle of the night, while I and my wife slept. I believe an angel refills it every night or whenever it needs to be refilled.”

“That is amazing,” Sergey said. “So, you were saying that these strong men built your village.”

“They built the sewage system,” Guang said, “and assisted us in constructing buildings and in designing the layout. In reality, it was more likely that we assisted them, for they did most of the work. But, I suspect that these strong men are angels in disguise.”

“Why do you say that?” Sergey said.

“They never seem to get tired or require any breaks, and they are very strong,” Guang said, grinning.

A red squirrel scampered across the grass, past Sergey, and crawled up to an Asian man who was sitting on a park bench. He tossed the critter two almonds. Greedily, the little animal snatched up the first nut and began quickly nibbling it down.

“So, why would people in this village not accept money or bartering?” Sergey asked, returning his attention to the elegantly dressed Chinese man.

“Well,” Guang said, “God provides all our needs. We help each other out. Many of us enjoy working to bless our brothers and sisters. We also spend much time in fellowship with God, meditating on His holy Scripture, and praying as God’s Spirit directs us. We worship Him and have both private and corporate worship times and prayer times throughout each day.”

“Miracles happen on a regular basis,” Guang continued. “I have seen a man born without a leg, who had to move about in a wheel chair, healed and walking on two brand new legs that God gave him. They are not prosthetic imitations. No, they are real flesh and blood legs that God gave him. I’ve seen blind men and women healed. One woman’s eyes were completely white. I saw an iris and retina form in each eye and she could see for the first time in her life.”

“Your worship, prayer, and meditation on God’s Word… are these requirements for miracles to happen?” Sergey asked, amazed at what God was doing.

Guang shook his head, smiling. He said, “No, these are things we do because we enjoy them and we have true fellowship with our Abba Father God, and with Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son. John 17:3 speaks of this fellowship. These things are a delight to us because we have left all to follow Jesus. The miracles happen simply because we believe what God’s Word says about miracles. The Gospel accounts ― Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ― all show that we can simply ask God for anything that would glorify His Name, and it will happen. Jesus Himself said in John 14:13: ‘And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’”

“I will remember that,” Sergey said, looking at the smiling elder. “I want to look at John 14 now.”

“I will be having a Bible study very soon,” Guang said. “I would be happy to have you join us.”

“I might just stay,” Sergey said. “I have nothing else to do.”

Ten minutes later, young Asian people began approaching the pond, each carrying a white folding chair in one arm and a Bible in the other. As more people arrived, the group swelled to over thirty people. They set up the chairs in a half-circle which was divided into two sections three rows deep. A wide strip of grass separated the sections by about five feet.

In one section sat young men, and in the other sat young women. All wore modest Asian clothing, fitting for their cultures. Some appeared Korean. Others looked Vietnamese. Still others seemed to be Japanese. But, most were Han Chinese. ‘There is no intermingling of genders here, Sergey thought. ‘Perhaps, it was to keep the young people focused on the things of God, so they wouldn’t be distracted or wouldn’t be flirting with each other.’

Guang motioned for Sergey to come, and he followed the Chinese man toward the group of young people. Once Guang reached the group, he motioned toward the Russian and said: “This is Sergey Ulanov, who was translated here yesterday. I would like us to pray for him, for he feels God is calling him to return to Russia to witness to his village in eastern Russia.”

“Also, could you pray for Vasily Volvakov?” Sergey said, half facing the group, and half facing Guang. “He is a man who God showed me had reported me and some other Christians to the new Russian government in order to get a reward. I don’t know what became of him, but he must be shocked to see that all the people he reported on have vanished, having been transported away by God’s angels.”

____________________

(Click to Read Part 11.)

(Click here to see The Table of Contents.) 

(NOTE: I don't make any money from this novel. It will be posted up chapter by chapter free for all to see.)

[Part 11 excerpt: 

A dark blue motorcycle roared down the highway. Its driver wore a green helmet with a closed visor, a nylon jacket, and khaki cargo trousers, which ruffled in the constant blast of air. Wind tugged on two backpacks strapped to the Honda Shadow Ace, which powered Mark Mzembi through South Africa. He had recently come from Zimbabwe and was heading toward Johannesburg.

Mark suddenly swerved...]


[Footnote: Russians are not the enemy, neither are the Chinese. Both are people just like you and me. But, God will use Russia and China to judge wicked nations, which will not repent from their rebellion against Him. And, the devil will seek to stir up men to persecute the Church. But, God will deliver all who seek Him and trust in Him.]

Copy and Print for Free!

Feel free to copy and paste this book or print it off at your pleasure. You can make as many copies as you want and save or print them. You can save this as a document. I offer this for free. I will make no money from this book. Just don't change the text by adding or removing words, letters, symbols, or numbers. I do this for the sake of getting the message out since we have little time left, compared to eternity. If you like, you can click here to print.

(Click to Read Part 11.)