A Abba's Apocalypse (10 page)

remembers wishing she would die. The pain was too great for her, but she refused to give up her hope in a loving God. She thinks they must have knocked her unconscious after that. The next thing she remembers is waking with tremendous pain coming especially from her hands. The weight of the heavy chains made her hands and arms feel like they were on fire. She tried to look up and find out why they hurt so much, but lifting her head caused even more pain, and caused lots of blood to poor down into her eyes. In a brief instant, she noticed her Jimmy hanging next to her. She then hung her head down in great sorrow and defeat, crying out, “Why God have you forsaken me?” The last thing she remembers before seeing me is hearing someone speaking the words, “I will never leave you, or forsake you. You are a child of the Most High.” Those words filled her with great comfort, and most of all- hope. “These words transcend my spirit with a new strength,” Amanda states.                       

              There are only a few hours of sleep left in this night. I tell the two how we need to recharge ourselves. I know today will be filled with many choices for us to make. We need some sleep if we are going to make rational decisions. I proceed to toss them a few more blankets, and then ask Randy if he’d tell me his encounter in the morning. We pray that God will give us His blessing of protection and divine guidance before we drift off in exhaustion. We all feel Him covering us this night in His warm peace.

Chapter 5: Army of Faith

              “Come to me, oh, come to me.” Am I a sleep, or is someone commanding me to wake up? “Please go away. I am dead tired.” I fight to open my weary eyes just to find this deep sleep has glued them shut. My tiredness is being devoured by an invigorating sensation of light. “How long have I been asleep? I must have been really tired, because I now feel like a new man. Maybe I’ll sleep just a few more minutes.” In my dream I hear, “Joey, come here.” My spirit commands me to awake as it automatically replies, “Yes Lord, I’m here!”

              I open my eyes and feel effortless in this fountain of pure light. I hurt with the overwhelming love sprinkling down over me, around me, and through my very spirit. I stretch out my arms to soak in these loving rays. I worship this outpouring and fall on my face, powerless to its glory. I taste it, I feel it, and I long for it. I feel like I am being tickled to the point of passing out. It’s like laughing uncontrollably to the point of exhaustion. I’m blinded by it, but it so, so good. I am overwhelmed with this unqualified love, realizing it’s meant just for me!

              My mouth pours out words I’ve never heard before. “Joey, your spirit sings songs that long for me.” My heart yells, “Reverence!” to this all might voice, but my soul screams, “Abba; my dear daddy.” I just want to hug Him and squeeze Him, and be with Him forever. “I am proud of my brave son.” The joy of these words slams me to the floor. I am so weak under the weight of His appreciation. My spirit affirms the greatest words I could ever hear “My God is proud of me!” I weep profusely on this magnificent crystal floor. My tears puddle with rainbows of glistening diamonds. 

              His voice tenderly commands me, “Rise!” My physical weakness in this moment dissolves away. A refreshing wave pounds and washes over me with the strength of “Sampson.”  I stand with conviction and dedicate my attention to Him.

“Yes Lord!” He stretches His arms as a great rumbling endlessly echoes throughout this great chamber. The continuous reverberating sound defines this great hall’s size.               “You have stood for me. You have fought for me. You were brave for me.”

              I quietly and humbly reply, “It’s my honor Lord.”               “Your great faith pleases me. I require more bravery of you.”

              I kneel using my right leg while bowing my head. “Yes Lord,” I solemnly answer. “Great tribulation is about to fall on mankind. The things that will happen will change hearts. The fear of these things will shake the world. The fear of some will cause them to die. A final chance at redemption will be given everyone not under the mark. This is the voice of truth.”

              My mind fills with every prophetic passage I’ve ever read or heard. I have spontaneous complete understanding of every verse. My spirit speaks without words, “Lord, I know your words, of these things to come.”

              His Holy Spirit speaks to me, “I will give you my power to overcome any evil, and to defeat any demonic attack. You will witness the ‘good news’ you’ve chosen to put in your heart.”

              Again, He asks, “Will you stand for me? Will you be brave for me? Will you fight for me? Will you trust in me?” A great benevolence snatches me from behind. I am plunge back while screaming to the bright image in the fading light, “Yes, I will Lord!” I wake up screaming “Yes, I will!”

              I find myself sitting in the echo of, “I will;” as these words slowly drift away. “Are you all right Joey?,” Randy asks.

              It’s as if I awoke fully conscious replying, “I’m fine brother.” My soul desperately desires to divulge my revelation, but my spirit tells me to wait awhile. Calmly, I turn and ask Randy how he’s feeling. I peel the Velcro cover back on my watch to see the hands pointing to 7:30. I reseal the cover and notice Amanda remains sound asleep. I think how

tired she must be. I bet this is the most sleep she’s gotten in some time. Randy’s wrapped blanket reminds me of his need for clothes. Quietly, I journey to the storage closet on the other side of the supply room.

              This is where the pastor stored dry goods. I find a couple pair of mechanic’s suits that might fit both of them. “Here you go Randy. See if this fits you.”

              I swap places with Randy and tell him, “You can use the closet with the sink to change and wash up.” Some rustling sounds coming from the chapel suggesting the brothers are awake.

              Randy muffles between the wipes of his towel, “Thanks Joey, they seem to fit fine.” I grab a food ration and hand it to Randy as I ask, “Do you remember what led to your capture?” A grim look appears as his head slowly shakes side to side. “Don’t worry friend, you can tell me when you’re ready.”

              I grab his shoulder and firmly squeeze saying, “It’s okay.” I motion with my hand for him to follow me, as I move quietly towards the door. We both leave Amanda to her peaceful sleep, while we go introduce Randy. I softly shut the supply room door behind us.

              The Irreverent worship and prayers whisper in unison throughout the hall. Randy and I approach the chapel. “Good morning Scotty.” I ask him, “How did you sleep?” Scotty is standing at the chapel entrance trying to look over my shoulder at Randy. I stoop slightly and introduce them to each other. Randy and Scotty shake hands as Scotty wraps his free arm around Randy. He then ushers Randy into the chapel. Scotty quietly explains what the other brethren are doing and welcomes Randy to join in. His conversation is interrupted by the clicking and popping sound of the overhead chamber door. Scotty and I cautiously stare at the top of the stairs waiting for the descending legs to reveal our guest’s face. In a moment, and at the same time, we both recognize and welcome our dear friend with, “Its Pastor Paul.” Scott goes to

greet Paul and help him secure the entrance. He informs Paul

of our new guess, as Randy and I move into the chapel.

              I fold open a couple metal chairs and invite Randy to sit beside me. I try explaining everything that is going on while filling him in the details surrounding “Project T.” His eyes are very attentive to my every word, as he absorbs the ambiance and comradeship going on all around us. Randy’s face is

overwhelmed with emotion as he fights back tears forming in his glazed eyes. I guess all the compassion is more than he’s felt in quite a while. I wrap my right arm around his adjacent back and say, “Randy, welcome to our brotherhood and family.” These words break the dam holding his tears back. I do the only thing I can and give him a brotherly hug filled with compassion.

              Pastor Paul pulls up a chair right after closing the chapel doors. He introduces himself to Randy, while he opens and clangs his metal chair against Randy’s chair. He bends his arm and stretches his hand open, suggesting to Randy his hand in friendship. “I hear your name is Randy; welcome. I’m regarded around here as Pastor Paul.” Randy slides his shirt sleeve over his eyes, wiping away his tears. Paul sneaks into Randy’s lap a rag that Paul carry’s as a makeshift hanky. Randy accepts his kindness and replaces his shirt sleeve with Paul’s token hanky. Randy gives Paul a slight nod of his head acknowledging his appreciation for Paul’s kind gesture. The other brothers gather near the altar and discuss the recent activity. I go to join them, and give Paul and Randy some more time to finish introducing each other.

              I move in near the group while overhearing their discussion. It seems everyone’s concern is towards the LDs escalating violence. They want to know what is going to happen to us, and to “T.” Kenny suggests we form small groups carrying as much rations as we can, and then leave town. Some brothers want to start some sort of “guerilla warfare” against the LD. One brother states, “I’d rather die by taking a few of them out than by being captured and torture by them.” This is quickly reputed as crazy. Most all agree we

just don’t have the manpower, skills, and resources to mount any real sustainable attack. The consensus is: we’d be slaughtered or caught and tortured anyways, because we’re not warriors. The group keeps brainstorming ideas to what may be the best solution. Scotty wants to know what we can do to find his partner Joshua; that’s if he’s still alive. Pastor

Paul joins us by listening in. I know what I have to do, but this will be my cross to bear.

              Paul exclaims, “Brothers, I suggest we pray first. Let us worship our Lord and Savior, and trust in Him alone for our solution! Come brothers; let’s begin with the word of God.” Every brother finds a seat and eagerly waits for what Paul will say. “Please open your Bible’s to ‘Isaiah’ 50:10. ‘Who among you obeys the Lord and fears the voice of His servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God’.” It’s as if Paul’s words are specifically meant for me. But, they seem to be a perfect fit for all of us. Paul says, “Let us worship Jesus.” He leads us in a song we all know by heart; as we sing “How Great Thou Art.”

              “Today there is great fear among us. I know what’s going on. I’ve seen the carnage outside. I know the power of this evil to destroy, what we hold dear. But, I know something else brothers. I know my God is greater than this evil.” Every ear bends towards every word out of Pastor Paul’s mouth. “We must, I repeat, we must trust and rely on our God. For, ‘He will never leave nor forsake us.’ This is His promise. Let us pray together brothers.” These words of encouragement are the perfect food for our starving hearts’. I can feel His holy presence filling this chamber. Fear is fleeing as faith fills the void. My brothers speak their private prayers’ that sing in harmony. This chapel chanting and sounds of whispers might be what a choir of Angels might sing.

              Randy stands and jostles his way past the praying brothers. The pastor notices him winding a path towards him. Randy’s face is filled with urgency as he approaches Pastor Paul. “Can I help you Randy?” Paul asks. Randy’s eyes are

bulging as his mouth quivers out, “Can you tell me about this god of yours? I’ve heard about him, but I don’t know anything about him.” The pastor grabs Randy and bear hugs him. “Dear brother, this is the first step in finding Him. It is your walk of faith to inquire about Him.” Randy just breaks down and falls on the floor crying. The brothers all come and

pray over Randy. “I’m nobody,” he cries. “I’ve always refused to believe he existed. I’ve even cursed his name. I feel lost in this world. Can you please help me pastor? I’m so tired of being so scared.” Randy never lifts his head through his conversation. He repents his unworthiness to the floor the whole time. Paul comes down to Randy’s lowly station and whispers to Randy a message. “Yes Randy, God still loves you. He has always loved you; even when you didn’t love Him. And yes Randy, He will forgive you; if you let Him.” That’s all Randy needed to hear. His face turns the deepest shade of red as the whole of his body shakes violently. “Please, oh please God, please forgive me!” Randy rattles out. His request is answered as he’s in filled with the Holy Spirit. He starts yelling praises uncontrollably in the heavenly language that no man can understand.

              Excitement takes over the chamber as my other brothers’ spirits also begin their conversing. Randy’s body flops like a fish on the floor as he asks, “What’s happening to me?” The pastor laughs, “It’s your spirit feeling the Holy Spirit as it speaks a lifetime of longing to God.” Randy is a little frightened by his supernatural occurrence. “You are receiving a special gift not all men are given Randy. This is a very special gift God gives to special people. It’s called ‘being in-filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit’.” “Does this mean I’m, what you call, ‘saved’?” Paul responds, “No Randy; that happened the second you called out to Jesus.” The brothers begin rejoicing as Pastor Paul soundly laughs, “Yes Randy, yes you have become a Christ follower.” Randy weeps louder, releasing a whole life of pent-up emotions. A giant smile forms on his face as his uncontrollable shaking jars free

his repeated gratitude’s of, “Thank you Lord.”  Randy jumps to his feet, and then hops up and down. He laughs and claps, “I feel good!” We give him a round of applause, welcoming our new eternal brother. The pleasure of His power slowly dissipates among us as we return to the order of the day.

              Amanda pokes her peeking head past the chapel

entrance doors. I am the first to notice her. I walk backwards towards her as I announce, “Oh brothers, I didn’t get a chance to introduce our new sister. Her name is Amanda.” Her facial expression suggests her shyness. Her arms pull tight to her chest and fidget with her slightly fetal body. I grab her hand and pull her inside, as she wiggles her fingers with her free hand, “Hi, I’m Amanda.” I whisper to her as we walk towards the group, “Looks like your overalls fit fine.” She softly giggles, “Yeah, thanks Joey.” Pastor Paul returns to his pulpit and congratulates Amanda for joining us, and then offers her his salutation. Paul asks if several members might retrieve some MRE for our Sunday meal. Scotty answers his request as Kenny follows him to the supply room. We form a chair circle in the middle of the chapel and wait for diner to arrive.