BW

Director Claire listened to his new televangelist. He actually liked how the man spoke, and advised his counterpart in the northern mid-west to put him on the air, in order to bring his region under control. Claire had to admit it. This new televangelist was much better than the last one. While the last guy had whined and pleaded, this fellow breathed fire and brimstone. He found the change very welcome. He started slowly, but where the last man had begged, this one commanded.

"My beloved people. I call you tonight to prayer and fasting. In the past few days, we have suffered the loss of many of our brothers and sisters. As we all know, enemy forces have invaded and begun killing our people without regard to age, or sex. They have been killing men, women, children, even our older generation. Many of you have heard another dear brother on this broadcast. Even he wasn't safe from these invaders. Pray for them, weep for them, fast for their souls.

Now we face the greatest challenge we have ever faced. We know that we have been blessed in this country. And now someone seeks to steal our inheritance. We have a duty to our church and our faith to protect them. For it is written;

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Does that not include defending ourselves, against foreign invaders?

Now our friend, and benefactor Director Claire has volunteered to help us with this righteous and justified act. He will aid in the direction of our people in the fight. For he HAS military experience. Without a government, we NEED someone to direct our fighting men and women. He has called for ALL true believers to bare this burden. I know many of you are frightened by this task. Fear not. For if The Lord be for us, who can stand against us?

I know there are those who would tell you that we should hide from these troubles. Let me remind you of something.

Rev 21:8 But the COWARDLY, UNBELIEVING, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

WILL YOU BE COWARDS? Will you lose your ETERNAL REWARD by being cowards? I SAY NO! We are not cowards, and we will stand in the breach, as the men of old did. Those who tell you to hide are the cowards. They want you to JOIN them in the lake of fire.

What do you do, if you know one of these things? Know this my children, if they don't stand with us, they STAND AGAINST US. They ARE NOT true believers, and they are anathema. SHUN them, CAST THEM OUT from among you. Turn them in to the authorities. You can't have creatures like that at home with your wives and daughters, while you do your duty, can you? You WILL BE doing the work of OUR GOD by doing so."

Bob snapped off the radio.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I just can't take any more of this idiot. Talk about a carrot and a stick, well they've brought out a club."

"I have my own reasons for not liking what this man had to say Bob, but I'd like to hear yours. What do you mean by carrot and stick?" Maria said.

"Did you ever get a chance to hear this preacher they used to have on?"

"No. We were still out in the mountains."

"Well, it's like this. The preacher they had on before the invasion, he was the carrot. He pleaded with people to come back to the cities, or death factories as I think of them. He offered every thing you could want these days. Food, water, a warm bed on cold nights, whatever you needed or wanted that you could reasonably hope to get these days, he was holding it out to you as bait, to get you back to where they could get their hands on you. I'm sure a lot of people fell for it as well. But that wasn't enough to get all of us.

Now they trot out this guy. He's the club. Did you notice how he said that if you don't sign right up to fight, you are not only a coward, but an unbeliever as well? It seems our 'brother' out there has forgotten the very words of Jesus Christ, Himself.

Mar 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains.

Now I admit, this fellow isn't the anti-christ, but I don't think there is any doubt we are in the end times, so the words of Jesus still apply. And where is it that Michael has lead us to? The mountains! And not only that, remember what he said to the twelve.

Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Isn't that what this guy is saying? Turn us in, because they wouldn't want those who KNOW what is going on to be left guarding their families.

You have to admit one thing though. It is a clever trap. Sign up, and they've got you, as soon as they check your name on the list. Don't sign up, and you'll be probably shot on sight. If you aren't shot as soon as you come in, you get sent to the front. We die no matter which way we turn." He sighed in disgust. "Pardon me, but I need some air." With that Bob stepped out into the night.

He sat on the edge of the front porch, looking at the clear night sky, wondering how many Christians would be taken in this latest trick. There would be quite a few that would do as this new preacher told them to do, he knew. Then there would be those that would have had enough by now. They would walk in, and surrender themselves, hoping to go to fight, instead of straight to the camps. That way, they hoped, their families would be taken care of by whoever stayed behind.

Being so deeply wrapped up in his own thoughts, he didn't hear Maria as she walked up behind him.

"That was quite a speech. Mind if I join you?" She said.

"Please, take a seat. Sorry if I offend you. I just get so tired of so called men of God, that just don't understand that He said what He meant, and meant what He said."

"Not at all. I agree with everything you said in there, and now, out here. It makes me happy for two reasons."

"Oh? And what might they be?"

"You know what they say, 'the fruit never falls very far from the tree', you're a good man Bob, and have you noticed how Alex and Mike are looking at each other?"

Bob chuckled to himself. "In the case of Alex, it's been kind of hard to miss. He's always been there to shoulder his part of the load, but if it is going to take him anywhere near Michelle, he can't wait to get started. And he's always the last to leave, as long as she is still nearby."

Now it was Maria's' turn to laugh. "It's been the same with her. If he is around, she wants the job that puts her close to him."

"Maria, I would like to ask you a favor. You see, I'm not attracted to male beauty, but I'm not ignorant of it either. Alex is a handsome young man, and when he chooses to, he can really turn on the charm. I think Michelle needs to know that."

"I have to ask a favor in return. Mike has always had a strong sense of self worth. And in the past couple of years, she has been able to really make that opinion stick with the young men that used to be around here."

"Oh? What happened two years ago?"

"She earned her second degree black belt in karate."

"I see. Not to worry, I'll make sure Alex knows about it. Funny how it works, isn't it. I mean here we are looking the tribulation in the face, and we're worried about our kids."

Maria grinned, but said nothing. They both fell silent for a short time before Bob spoke again.

"I hope you'll forgive me, but where is Michelle's' father?"

Maria's' looked as if she wanted to cry.

"John was a trucker. He was taking a load of relief supplies to California. They told me an aftershock took out the bridge he was driving over. It was five hundred feet to the bottom."

"I'm sorry."

"That's all right. I don't suppose I'll ever quit missing him, but at least I don't cry half the night about it any more. What about your wife?"

"Heart attack, about six months ago. I don't remember everything they told me, but I do remember they said she never knew what hit her. One minute she's working out on the treadmill at the gym, the next she was just gone. Nothing could be done."

"I'm sorry for you. I know it's hard."

"Like you, not as hard as it used to be. But I do still miss her."

Maria rubbed her arms and said, "It's getting chilly. I think I'll head back in."

She stood, and walked to the door before Bob remembered something.

"Maria? You said there were two reasons. What was the other one?"

She smiled at Bob and said,

"You'll figure it out. Good night."


BW, Vietnam Vet