As Christopher and his team made their way onto the U.S.-government-chartered 787, he felt the dismissive glances and whispers of the State Department personnel seated in the premium cabin. He knew the look—a look that viewed his team as a tool that was dirty and unrefined, like a toilet brush. Most of the government outside of the Department of Defense saw his team as a necessity, but not something worthy of acknowledgment. He was glad to find the State Department flight relatively empty, allowing him to have a three-seat row to himself. As the jet climbed effortlessly into the night sky, leaving the trouble of the Middle East behind for another day, Christopher fought to flush the thought of the doomed mission out of his head.
Erin’s last words over the phone seemed destined to make this an even longer flight. “Don’t miss the opportunity to receive God’s gift of salvation.” Rev had said something similar in his last Bible study. Christopher, if he was honest with himself, thought that a lot of what he had experienced over the previous several years were perhaps God providing him opportunities to accept His salvation. None stood out more than the Russian-led invasion of Israel, which should have pushed him to God like Erin had suggested. Yet as his eyes closed, he felt no closer to God tonight than he did after visiting Israel three and half years ago. Though it likely appeared to others that Christopher sank into a restless sleep, in reality the Israel mission began to play in his mind like a mid-flight movie.
Christopher asked the seemingly harmless question of why his team was being called on to protect the SecDef in Israel. “Isn’t that a job for the Pentagon Force Protection Agency?”
Colonel Delmar swore before barking, “Barrett, I think I know the role and mission of Omega Group as its commander.”
Christopher liked pushing Delmar’s buttons but acknowledged his task with a simple, “Yes, sir.”
“Now, if there are no more interruptions,” Colonel Delmar continued, glancing at Christopher who raised his hands in a gesture of mock surrender, “I will tell you the details of the mission. The president feels like this conflict in Israel may not be over, but wants to get to the bottom of why Israel can still be found on a map this morning. Omega is the best at getting an individual or a group out of situations that seem impossible, hence the reason you boys are taking this little vacation to the Middle East.
“You will be traveling to view the destruction that the Israelis leveled against the Russian-Iranian alliance two days ago. The Intelligence Community has convinced the president that the reports coming out of Jerusalem are wrong and that the Israelis have a new superweapon. Your job is to protect the SecDef as he tours the country to see the battlefield firsthand.
“Christopher, your team will embed into the SecDef’s security detail, just in case things go sideways while the SecDef is on the ground. If needed, you’ll get the SecDef safely out of the country. Additionally I want you, Christopher, to provide an assessment of what occurred. You will depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 1800.”
Colonel Delmar concluded the meeting, but as staffers and members of Christopher’s team headed out to prepare, Delmar stopped Christopher. “Barrett, keep your head on a swivel. Something strange happened over there. No telling what you’ll find.”
Christopher found it odd for the unemotional Colonel Delmar to express concern, but he chalked it up to stress as he watched Delmar proceed down the hall yelling at some hapless staff officer before leaving the Pentagon for yet another unique mission.
Christopher designated six men from the twelve-man Omega Group for the trip, with Rev serving as his second-in-command. As Rev and Christopher were discussing potential alternative evacuation routes in the executive terminal at Andrews Air Base, a bulky over-cologned man approached the two of them.
He asked, “Which one of you is in charge of the military guys?”
“That would be me,” Christopher replied.
“Look, you guys just stay out of the way, and this will be an easy few days for all of us,” the protection agent demanded.
“Hey, officer,” Christopher said, purposefully demoting the power-obsessed protection agent, “we are here to do a job and do it professionally. And by the way, it’s Major Barrett.”
“Major Barrett, is it? It’s not officer, but Special Agent in Charge Dewberry, and I don’t want any loose cannon hero types screwing up, so just toe the line. Remember, Barrett, I have the ear of the SecDef.”
Christopher took a step toward Special Agent Dewberry, but Rev grabbed his arm, saying, “We got it, Special Agent Dewberry, you’re in charge. Have a great day.” Dewberry paused as if to respond, but left in true Hollywood fashion: walking away abruptly as he raised a hand to his earbud and loudly replied that he copied some order.
“Wow, what was that guy’s deal?” Christopher wondered aloud.
“Who knows? You know people always get uptight when military guys wear suits and are ‘helping’ with security.” In a low voice Rev added, “Forget him. Aren’t you excited to be heading to the Holy Land?”
Christopher was not in the mood for a sermon. “No, I am just ready to get this trip done quietly.”
Rev, undeterred and as giddy as a child before Christmas morning, began to describe what he saw as the reason for Israel’s overwhelming victory as the men left the terminal to board their flight to Israel.
Christopher had a momentary reprieve from Rev’s latest sermon as the two climbed the stairs of Nightwatch, the code name of the SecDef’s plane, and the engines roared to life. Unfortunately, as soon as Rev and Christopher found their seats near the rear of the aircraft, the sermon continued.
Christopher laughed. “You know, I shouldn’t have chosen you for this mission! What was I thinking to bring a preacher to Israel?”
“You need me for one, and two, what better tour guide of the Holy Land than me?” Rev replied with a chuckle.
Christopher laughed as he buckled up. “Okay, Rev, let’s hear your theory on what happened.”
Rev, seated adjacent to Christopher, grew solemn and stared out into the cabin before replying, “Are you sure you want to listen to this message?”
“Yeah, I want to understand your take on what occurred. It seems everyone has a theory, so why would I refuse to listen to yours?”
“You would resist my perspective if it centered on God,” Rev replied without turning to face Christopher.
“Rev, you’re right. It’s hard for me to believe anything dealing with God. However, I am also open to hearing your thoughts. Besides, if the reports are even half accurate regarding what happened a couple of days ago, I would say God is back.”
“He’s always been here, Christopher. You’re the one who has yet to accept His presence,” Rev retorted, evidently failing to see the humor in Christopher’s last comment.
“My apologies. I know you’re serious about your faith,” Christopher said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Apology accepted. There’s so much to tell you about this incident, but I’ll spare you the dissertation.”
Christopher wanted to say thanks but realized his humor might not go over well once again. Instead, silent and attentive, he listened as Rev proceeded.
“The Bible foretold of an event that bears a resemblance to the recent Russian-led invasion of Israel in the book of Ezekiel. The event is called the War of Gog and Magog.” Rev laid out his outline of the invasion as the Nightwatch rocketed off the Atlantic seaboard toward Israel. “The timing and nations involved in this were all foretold in the Bible, Christopher. And this war could be a significant step toward the start of the tribulation. This is really an exciting time to be alive.”
“I am excited and all ears for the next fourteen hours,” Christopher responded.
“I wish you were less mouth,” Rev shot back. “Okay, the major players in the biblical battle are likely Russia and Iran,” Rev explained.
“Wait, why do you say likely Russia and Iran? We know they were the leaders in the event from a few days ago,” Christopher questioned.
“I say likely because in Ezekiel 38:2, Russia and Iran are not explicitly named. We have to do some homework to discover who those two nations are. While I believe what happened in Israel a few days ago was the Ezekiel 38 War of Gog and Magog, it’s not clear-cut until we can confirm some things on the ground.
“The Bible says the attack will be led by Gog. He is described as a military and political leader who establishes a coalition to destroy Israel. Russia’s dictator fits that bill, but really it’s the spirit behind his actions that are significant. That spirit comes from Satan, in yet another attempt to destroy the people of God, but I digress. It’s also likely that Russia’s leader is the Gog of Ezekiel 38, due to Flavius Josephus, the first-century Roman historian, detailing in his seminal book The Antiquities of the Jews that Magog was a land filled with people whom the Greeks called Scythians. The Scythians settled in the areas north of the Black Sea in the former Soviet satellites and current Russia.
“Now for Iran, Ezekiel 38:5 depicts Persia as the chief ally to Gog, whom I’ve established is most likely Russia. Persia, as you know, is now called Iran, and we both know how close Tehran is to Russia. That’s why I believe the invasion of Israel led by Russia and Iran was the fulfillment of the first War of Gog and Magog,” Rev concluded.
“Why do you say first war? Is there a second one coming?”
“Yes, there is. Revelation 20:7–10 speaks of another War of Gog and Magog that will occur at the end of Jesus’ millennial kingdom reign. In both cases of the War of Gog and Magog, the nations coming against Israel and at the end of the millennial kingdom, against Jesus Himself, are driven by the same evil spirit.”
“Okay, I am lost. Continue with the recent crisis.”
“Last part to understand is the motive. The Bible helps paint the picture of why the invasion we witnessed took place. In Ezekiel 37:4–8, the physical restoration of the Jewish state was the first domino to fall for several key prophecies, including the event that occurred a few days ago. When we put together the announcement by the Israelis about a year ago of finding one of the world’s largest untapped gas reserves in their borders and their supplanting of Russia in the EU energy market, we get a motive to match the actions.
“The Bible decrees in Ezekiel 38:8 two conditions that seemingly are in line with what occurred before the recent attack. First, Israel must be living securely in the land, which, given the strength of the Israeli Defense Forces, cannot be easily dismissed. Next, ahead of the War of Gog and Magog, Israel would have some prosperity that this coalition would seek to plunder as outlined in Ezekiel 38:12 and manifested with the gas-reserve find. I see only one conclusion: that the Russian-Iran-led attack came about as the Bible predicted thousands of years ago,” Rev finished.
Christopher awakened sweating from his haunting vision of Rev detailing the War of Gog and Magog, relieved to find himself still on a plane bound for the U.S. He looked around only to see Jackson’s cabin light glowing in the darkness of the plane, and it looked like he was studying for something. Christopher didn’t want to sleep, much less remember a potential missed opportunity to realize the power of God, but he felt his eyelids growing heavy as his mind traveled back to Israel.
“Hey, wake up! Look out your window,” Rev shouted to Christopher as they entered Israeli airspace.
“Huh…? What…?” Christopher slurred.
“Look at those fissures and the destroyed tank and armored vehicle columns.”
Christopher wiped the sleep from his bloodshot eyes and saw the dawning light of the new day illuminating the Central Hills and Jordan Rift Valley regions of northern Israel aglow with many burning and destroyed pieces of military hardware.
“Oh man, did God do a number on them,” Rev exclaimed.
“I’m not sure that’s exactly what happened, Rev, but we will have some better answers shortly,” Christopher assured him as he listened to the announcement of the final approach into Ben Gurion International Airport.
As Nighthawk finished taxiing to a secured area of the airport, Christopher watched as several black sedans approached the plane, escorted by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) military vehicles. He could see countless minions setting up a receiving line marked with well-dressed soldiers holding Israeli and U.S. flags along a red carpet. At the end stood the Israeli Minister of Defense and General Benjamin Havid.
General Havid was a legendary figure in the special operations community, known the world over as the tougher-than-nails officer who had been a distinguished commander in both the Kidon and Unit 269, also known as Sayeret Matkal. Christopher knew the drill. The SecDef and his immediate entourage would proceed, and he and the rest of the “support” folks would wait until they had made their way down the receiving line before moving to their vehicles.
As Christopher walked down the red carpet, he could see his guys climbing into random vehicles and Rev jumping into a car near him.
“Hey, Major Barrett, you’re riding here,” Agent Dewberry instructed, pointing to a waiting sedan. “Remember to keep a low profile. The Israelis don’t know we have military embeds.”
“Got it, Agent Dewberry,” Christopher said as he entered his “assigned” luxurious but obviously up-armored sedan. Christopher craned his neck to see Agent Dewberry arguing with someone and wondered who it was. When he finally saw the face, his first thought was, Nah, it couldn’t be…
“I will sit wherever I wish, young man. Now go with your principal,” shouted the Israeli officer.
“Hello, I am General Benjamin Havid, and your name, young man?” General Havid closed the sedan door and turned to Christopher, who sat next to him.
“Good morning, sir. I am Christopher Barrett. I am security—” Christopher was summarily cut off by the General.
“I can spot a warrior a mile away. I was watching you proceed along the receiving line. Why do you think I wanted to ride in the car with you?” General Havid asked.
“It’s an honor, sir. Your reputation precedes you,” Christopher replied, almost struck dumb by his good fortune.
“I would be right to assume you’re with Omega Group, yes?”
“Sir, I don’t want—” General Havid cut him off again.
“No need to answer. Your response—or lack thereof—tells me what I want to know. Are you an officer or a soldier,” General Havid pressed.
“I’m an officer.”
“Ah, then that would make you at least a major. Well, Major Barrett, now that we are acquainted with each other, what shall we talk about today?”
Laughing, Christopher replied with the question that was uppermost in his mind. “What happened, sir?”
“That is easy. God defended His people. Do you believe me, Major?” General Havid asked.
“I don’t know, sir,” Christopher replied honestly.
General Havid laughed as the caravan of sedans began to move toward the Valley of Jezreel. “Major Barrett, by the end of the day, you will, I assure you.”
As the vehicles made their way through Israel toward one of the most significant sites of the invasion force’s destruction, the Valley of Jezreel, Christopher was struck that he could see no signs of conflict or damage to anything dotting the Israeli countryside. While there were numerous jets downed along the route to the Valley of Jezreel, it seemed as though they had crashed “purposefully,” landing in vacant lots and fields.
“It is amazing. We have yet to receive one report of any loss of life here in Israel,” General Havid said, noticing the bewilderment on Christopher’s face as he stared out his window.
“That is amazing considering the size of the force that came against you,” Christopher responded.
“The invasion occurred so quickly that we did not have a chance to get more than a few intercept jets into the air to meet the inbound fighters. Momentarily you will see an example of what our ground forces found as they rushed to meet the hordes pouring across all our borders. I’ve never seen anything like this in my more than thirty years of military service,” General Havid asserted.
It was hard for Christopher to comprehend the destruction his eyes were seeing as the vehicles stopped at a scenic overlook that had been prepared for the SecDef’s visit. The Valley of Jezreel was covered as far as you could see with all forms of modern military hardware, everything from destroyed tanks and artillery pieces to troop carriers and support vehicles. It was clear to him that this was not an invasion as a punitive measure for stealing gas revenues. No, this force aimed to wipe the nation of Israel from the face of the Earth.
“This is something all right,” Rev remarked, surveying the battlefield as he joined Christopher and the others at the edge of the overlook.
“I am at a loss for words. I mean, what kind of weapon could have produced this type of damage? It looks as if everything was targeted all at once, including the jets,” Christopher replied.
“You mean to tell me you can’t see the evidence of God’s hand all around you?” Rev questioned loudly in shocked disbelief.
“Your soldier is right, Major Barrett,” General Havid chimed in. “God did this. No man-made weapon could have come close. I am sure you already know that we didn’t even have time to consider what response was appropriate before the attackers had crossed into Israel.”
“Look at the wide fissures in the ground that swallowed whole divisions. Ground force commanders submitted reports that massive hailstones, the size of small vehicles, fell from the sky, crushing the enemies you see here. We are still trying to determine what happened with the jets, but our pilots noted, and I quote, ‘rolling waves of lightning sweeping the skies, engulfing the enemy planes.’ I tell you, Major Barrett, God was fighting for Israel,” General Havid concluded, walking away from Rev and Christopher to go speak with the SecDef and the Israeli Minister of Defense.
Christopher pondered the scene before them. He dared not attribute the victory so clearly to God in the report he had to provide to Colonel Delmar, given how he had never seen God do anything so significant in his own life. However, he would say that something supernatural had occurred.
“It seems that your SecDef is now convinced that Israel has no new weapons, but like you, Major Barrett, the SecDef is struggling to articulate what his eyes are telling him. We are heading back to Tel Aviv for the night. Tomorrow, you will depart for the U.S.,” General Havid remarked as he returned to stand near Rev and Christopher.
“Just a few other things, sir, if you don’t mind,” Christopher said.
“Yes, please ask,” General Havid answered.
“First, who are all of those people in the valley wearing the bio-suits?”
“We have mobilized the entire nation to begin the cleanup before any disease can spread. You can already see scavenger birds and animals are racing our crews for the remains. However, it will take us months to rid the land of the dead. The Russian coalition has made no attempt to secure their fallen troops, so we have designated the Valley of Passengers near the Dead Sea for burning the bodies. What’s your next question, my bright young friend?” General Havid asked.
“Sir, I also see what looks like crews stripping off components from the vehicles and fallen enemy troops.”
“Yes, we are ‘improving’ our own military inventories. A small fraction of the cowardly invaders escaped, but we are taking advantage of what was left behind. The fuel alone will take years for us to burn through given the size of our military.”
“Let me guess…you’re estimating about seven years to complete the cleanup,” Rev opined.
“Why, I believe that is one of the initial estimates I’ve been presented. How did you arrive at that number of years?” General Havid queried, his curiosity naturally piqued.
“The prophet Ezekiel described what we are seeing. Well, he described the scene in the best way someone of his era could have,” Rev said proudly.
“I believe you have the answers for your report, Major Barrett. The living God of Israel defended the nation, as He always has and will,” General Havid concluded.
“Sir, how did you know I was writing a report?” Christopher said, shocked by the general’s shrewdness.
The barrel-chested General Havid erupted in a booming laugh as he replied with a smile. “You don’t get to where I am in life without knowing the game that is played. I assumed your SecDef was not just going to give a speech to your president and leaders. My last piece of advice for you is, don’t deny the significance of God allowing you to witness His power. There is a reason beyond the report.”
Christopher awoke in a cold sweat, troubled by the lingering dream of reliving the Israeli mission, or the War of Gog and Magog as Erin and Rev described the event. He stared wide-eyed out his window into the darkness, wondering if God was trying to reach him. Perhaps General Havid was right; maybe there was something beyond the report he had given. Perhaps God was providing opportunities through the profession Christopher loved to receive His salvation. Christopher didn’t want to give God any credit for trying to connect with him because that felt like he was letting God off the hook for the pain of his childhood. However, what he had experienced recently in Iraq and previously in Israel left him confused about where he stood with God.
Jackson glanced at Christopher and couldn’t help but notice him fitfully sleeping a few rows across from him. Jackson worried about him. In Mosul he had been distant and distracted. Christopher impressed Jackson the first time they met with his dedication to the profession, his men, and each mission Christopher completed, which made his recent behavior the more concerning. Jackson hoped getting back to the States would settle Christopher’s mind before it cost him his life or career. He held the man in high esteem, and Jackson planned on confronting Christopher about his troubled mind when they got back to D.C.
Jackson had envisioned his “out to pasture” job as a covert operative was destined to be something like building slides for the morning update brief at SOCOM. Jackson had made the decision to retire from the military so he could get to know the family he had for years placed second to helping strangers. He had overachieved within the U.S. special operations community but hardly knew how to relate to his wife Sarah and two small daughters Katie and Sadie. So Jackson unhappily accepted that his final days were going to be spent as a staff advisor. When the call from Christopher came asking for his help, after losing his team sergeant to an emergency appendectomy, Jackson had jumped at the chance for fieldwork. He loved helping others and serving a calling more significant than himself, which is why he loved being a Green Beret so dearly.
Now he was the team sergeant for Omega Group. It was an awesome feeling for Jackson serving as Christopher’s team sergeant yet again. He and Christopher had served together for six years in “the Legion,” when Christopher was a newbie commander. They had grown close over the years, with Christopher being like a little brother to Jackson.
Three days ago, in Iraq ahead of the mission, was Jackson’s first time meeting the team, and he was grateful the integration went seamlessly. Jackson found the dynamic of the team functional but unique all at the same time. In particular, the religious sentiment that ran through this elite special forces team was intriguing given Christopher Barrett’s expressed distrust of the things of God.
At the moment, the things of God was exactly what filled Jackson’s mind. His thoughts spun with an ever-growing curiosity about God. Jackson had never grown up going to church or hearing about God, but he couldn’t shake Rev’s last Bible study. Jackson believed that he was a good person, but felt in his heart that he was missing something after hearing the Bible study. Rev, a nickname earned due to his constant preaching, had been the bond of this team and, without question, the leader of its spiritual movement. But Jackson had found that Rev was just as keen in his marksmanship as he was in quoting the Bible. He smiled as he thought back to the contest Rev had set up to lure him into last night’s Bible study.
“Pick a weapon, distance and target, and I’ll bet I can outshoot you,” the Logan, Ohio, native told Jackson.
“Don’t chase this rabbit,” Christopher warned his team sergeant.
“Come on now, sir, don’t get upset because you can’t outshoot me.” Rev picked up an M4 assault rifle, switched the selector to full automatic, and proceeded to hollow out the center of a watermelon at 150 meters, watermelons being the team’s favorite practice target. He then coyly looked over the rim of his sunglasses at Jackson. While Jackson hit his melon, his accuracy didn’t equal Rev’s, and as the shots rang out across Camp Marez, Iraq, Jackson was impressive but no match for the preacher man.
“Well, you’re a solid shot for an old man,” Rev teased.
“Watch it, baby breath. This old dog still knows a few tricks. So what do I owe you, Rev?” Jackson had asked as the men cleaned up the weapons range and prepared to head back to the team’s makeshift headquarters.
“That’s easy. You just got to show up to my Bible study tonight.”
“What? Really? I’ve never been to a Bible study, especially in a place like this,” Jackson replied, apparently puzzled.
“It might help your shooting,” Rev suggested boldly.
Christopher laughed as he teasingly drawled in his best imitation of Jackson’s Southern accent. “I told you to be careful, Alice! That white rabbit there is trouble.”
Jackson had let out a hoot and responded, “I’ll be there.”
Jackson’s vision blurred with tears as he recalled memories of Rev, making him realize that sleeping was going to be a challenge. He figured he could quench his curiosity about God and perhaps even lull himself to sleep by reading Rev’s journal that he had taken while helping pack up his personal effects for transport home. Rev had done a great job of explaining what he saw going on in the world and how it was all leading to Jesus Christ returning to claim His “bride,” the Church. Now whether Jackson believed him or not was another question, but what he could not do was easily dismiss the argument laid out in Rev’s notes.
As Jackson started reading the typed Bible study notes from yesterday, he could feel the passion Rev carried through the words he had written. Rev almost pleaded with the entire team to accept, as he put it, the “gift of salvation.” It became more and more evident to Jackson as he read Rev’s notes that the man had been more at home in this environment than with his “day job.”
Jackson’s mind drifted back to the Bible study as he read Rev’s opening prayer note. Jackson felt a flush of shame as he remembered that he had been people watching instead of praying, taken by the genuine sincerity of those attending.
The more he read of Rev’s Bible study notes, the more he wanted to know about what Rev had said yesterday, and sleep became a distant memory. Jackson continued to pore through the Bible study, trying to digest Rev’s message, making further notes of what Rev had said beside Rev’s written comments in the journal.
As Jackson began reading the passage dated yesterday in Rev’s journal, he was transported once again in thought back to Rev’s last Bible study. Jackson pictured himself sitting in a small folding chair in the Omega Team dining facility on Camp Marez the previous evening, mesmerized by the passion Rev exuded regarding the Bible. As he studied the journal this remarkable man called Rev had left behind, he could almost hear Rev’s voice as he had said, “There is an ancient saying amongst sailors and fishermen: Red sky at morning, sailor take warning. Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Jesus quoted that proverb to the religious elite of His day, and it is recorded in Matthew 16: 2-3: ‘He replied, When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.’’’
Jackson noticed that Rev had scribbled a note in the margin of yesterday’s entry that said, “If people missed the signs that Jesus Himself presented, which announced him as the Messiah, what might we be missing that is announcing the approach of the final season, or bluntly stated, the end-times?”
Leafing through Rev’s journal with a pen in his mouth and Rev’s open Bible in the adjacent seat, Jackson looked like a college student cramming for finals. He scribbled in the journal margin that Rev had been covering the segment of history known as the end-times, which the Bible says culminates with the second coming of Christ Jesus.
Grabbing the Bible, he tabbed Matthew 24–25, which Rev called Jesus Christ’s “Olivet Discourse,” Jesus’ sermon to His disciples on the end-times. In this passage of the Bible, Jesus answered the question of what “signs” mark the last days.
Jackson began writing down his own translation of Rev’s message in simple terms that he could visualize. He wrote, “Jesus told the disciples that the end-time was not immediate and that the start would be decided by the Father alone. However, in Matthew 24:8, he compared the signs of the end-time to a woman going through birth pains, meaning we should see an increasing frequency of the end-time signs as the start to this final season draws near.”
Jackson remembered the soldier sitting next to him lifting his hand. When all eyes turned toward the man, it seemed to Jackson that everyone was looking at him, since everyone knew he didn’t believe in God, and he remembered how his face grew warm under the imagined scrutiny. The soldier asked, “I am confused, Rev. If only the Father knows when the end-time will begin, as outlined in Matthew 24:36, then why does Jesus tell us to watch and be ready? What am I supposed to be ready for exactly?”
As Jackson shifted his attention back to the notes in his hand once again, he realized Rev had prepared for just such a question. Jackson followed Rev’s notes as they transitioned to a passage of Scripture in Matthew 24, where Jesus outlined the entire end-times period; Rev had also noted that the opening act and final scene are two watershed moments in human history. He had written that Jesus’ second coming to Earth would serve as the capstone to the last seven years of history and would also mark the start of the millennial kingdom. Jackson wrote question marks next to millennial kingdom so he could figure out later what that meant. Undeterred, Jackson tabbed several Scriptures in the Bible that Rev had used as sources for his notes, including Daniel 7:13–14, Zechariah 14, and Revelation 19:11–15.
It seemed to Jackson that what Rev had referred to as the “opening act” to the end-times was central to the notes for his last Bible study. Jackson wrote in the margin that the answer to the soldier’s question was that Jesus was telling us to be vigilant regarding the indications of the rapture. “We are to be watching for evidence that Jesus’ rapture of faithful Christians is drawing near.” Jackson saw another note that Rev had penned in the margin: “Knowing that the rapture is imminent should make Christians live in a way that brings people to the comfort that salvation in Jesus Christ provides.”
Rev noted in his lesson that Jesus’ rebuke about the religious elite having a better understanding of the weather than discernment for the advent of the Messiah was a subtle warning to Christians in our day. Rev’s challenge to both Christians and nonbelievers like himself leaped from the pages of the journal as he silently read, “We should live each day with the knowledge that the rapture could happen today, right now…that our friends, loved ones, and the world must come to accept Jesus, for we are not promised tomorrow in this life. As Jesus says in Matthew 24:43: ‘Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’”
Jackson smiled as he read over a note Rev had made for himself that hinted at his sharp wit. He remembered Rev covering this very point.
“Yes, I know that the word rapture is not in the Bible. However, it is the proper word to describe this event. Rapio is the Latin base for our English word rapture where rapio means to seize or snatch from one location to another,” Rev had told them.
Jackson, afraid that he would miss the point Rev was trying to make speaking through the journal, brought his mind back to the present and jotted down his own definition of the rapture. “The rapture means Jesus will suddenly and with force take the Church out of this world to be with Him.”
While the Bible study and the Bible, in general, were foreign to Jackson, he was captivated by Rev’s message. He carefully examined the rest of Rev’s detailed notes on the last days, savoring the way this written message filled him in a way that he had never experienced.
He wrote underneath Rev’s notes on the rapture: “The rapture will affect the entire world, believers and nonbelievers alike.” Rev had scribbled, “Those who have accepted Jesus Christ’s salvation, collectively known as the ‘Church,’ will be ushered off to what the Bible describes as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” Jackson wrote, “Look up” by this statement, realizing more and more his ignorance about the topic.
Jackson read that the occurrence of the rapture means the unbelieving world will begin the final seven years of human history, which the Bible calls the tribulation.
“Would you like anything else?” Jackson startled as the flight attendant spoke, dismissing him with the wave of someone who was deep in thought. Jackson drew a box around one of Rev’s sentences, which stated that “God the Father declares the moment along the road of time and history when the end-times are to start; however, Jesus has provided us roadsigns to know when the exit is drawing near.” Rev had journaled that the Church (those accepting Jesus Christ’s gift of salvation) will be “raptured” from Earth to be forever with Jesus, just as He promised in John 14:3.
Grateful was the best word Jackson could come up with to describe how he felt about finding Rev’s journal. As complex as it was, it provided a wealth of detail. Jackson found notes on the end-times all way to a point described as the “Glorious Appearance of Jesus.” He assumed Rev had meant to teach the team more about the end-times in other Bible studies. Jackson followed Rev’s written guidance to “see Matthew 25,” thumbing through the man’s worn Bible to find the chapter. Jackson was confused by the story he read there, but he drew from the notes that Jesus was describing in the passage how we are to be watchful for His return using an example Rev called a “parable.”
Jackson rewrote the story in a way he could understand. He noted that the parable of the ten bridesmaids described five who were watchful (a symbol of the Church) and ready for the groom’s return (referring to Jesus) and five who were sleeping (symbolizing the unbelieving world). Rev had noted that “Jesus calls us to always live with a prepared mentality because His return will happen swiftly and unexpectedly for the world at large—but this is not to be the case for the bride (Church) awaiting her groom.”
It was here again that the notes threw Jackson back to the Bible study as he remembered one of the communications support soldiers challenging Rev. The soldier blurted out, “Bad things have always been happening. What makes Jesus’ claims about these events significant?” He recalled that Rev had handled the test masterfully, like a seasoned trial prosecutor cross-examining a flawed witness. Jackson smiled as he remembered the sly grin he had observed on the range the previous day slide across Rev’s face just before he answered the belligerent kid. Rev, seemingly savoring the challenge, first asked the soldier, “How do you know Major Barrett is in charge of this unit?”
The communications expert responded, “Because his actions demonstrate the authority the Army has given him over this group.”
Jackson knew Rev was drawing the young man into his snare. He was, at this point, on the attack as he asked his next question. “I assume you would follow Major Barrett’s orders if given by someone else in the unit because of his authority?”
The soldier, growing slightly uncomfortable with all the attention, replied in the affirmative.
Rev sprung his trap. “Then you understand power stems from someone’s position and actions.” Just like an expert prosecutor, Rev did not give the young man a chance to answer. Instead he offered the answer himself. “Jesus’ authority came to Him from the position and actions of being the Son of God. Jesus fulfilled forty-four prophecies announcing Him as the Messiah.”
As Jackson glanced at the section of the journal highlighting the exchange between Rev and the soldier, he once again forced himself back to his present study of the notes. Based on what he was reading and what he had witnessed, it was apparent that Rev had anticipated a challenge to Jesus’ authority. Jackson unfolded an underscored section torn from the book Science Speaks that was taped to Rev’s notes. The page detailed the statistical improbability of one man, whether accidentally or deliberately, fulfilling just eight of the prophecies Jesus fulfilled. The statistical probability is 1 to 1017 power, and that would be like trying to find one silver dollar in a place the size of Texas covered with silver dollars. Jackson remembered that he and the others at the Bible study had been floored by those statistics when Rev had shared them.
Jackson pulled the simple truth from Rev’s notes that Jesus’ reference to the end-times or any other matter would be significant, due solely to the unique authority he holds as the Messiah—a fact that was described in the Bible before He was born in Bethlehem, just as the last days have been explained before they occur.
Jackson realized that Rev was trying to drive home in the study that the authority that identified Jesus as the Messiah before His arrival had also described signs leading up to the end of time. Rev wrote that “Jesus drew His power from God the Father, guided by the Holy Spirit, and He demonstrated His authority throughout His life as recorded for us in the Bible. The nation of Israel and their religious elite failed to recognize the deity of Jesus and the signs that pointed to the source of his Messiahship.”
Rev’s voice continued before Jackson as he read. “The signs Jesus illuminates in Matthew 24 have continued gaining intensity since Jesus’ ascension from the Mount of Olives over two thousand years ago. The fact that Jesus Christ’s birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection were all announced in the Bible before they ever took place make Jesus’ statements on the end-times critical to understand.”
A bit of turbulence and a call over the intercom to buckle seat belts interrupted Jackson’s focus on his crash course in biblical end-times prophesy. As he glanced about the dark plane cabin, Jackson saw that his reading light had become a single beacon in the vast economy section.
Returning his thoughts to the notes, Jackson realized he had never had someone articulate something so utterly incomprehensible and implausible, yet at the same time so simple and straightforward as clearly and passionately as Rev had done in his journal. While he still found it hard to believe in the existence of God, he was intrigued to know that daily events were perhaps not a mere coincidence, but maybe part of a message described thousands of years ago to warn humanity of dark days ahead.
Jackson contemplated recent world events, recalling the numerous theories, some of which seemed to have a biblical connection that stemmed from the invasion of Israel by a Russian-led coalition a few years ago. The attack came after Israel’s announcement of finding the world’s largest natural gas reserves within its borders, and its deal to supply the European Union with natural gas over Russia and Middle Eastern energy leaders. He began highlighting Rev’s examples of current-day events that illuminate the birth pains described in the Bible.
Rev pointed out that terrorism was not a new phenomenon: “Terror’s global spread and growing ties to religion provide a modern example of Jesus’ message in Matthew 24 regarding intensification of old troubles.”
Jackson highlighted Rev’s declaration on climate change in the journal, which said, “Climate change or any issue facing humanity is not a simple black-and-white issue, but contains a spiritual component as well. I acknowledge humanity’s sinfulness and failure to steward the Earth as God intended, which enhances climatic problems. However, the Bible decrees in Romans 8:22 that we know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time, meaning even the Earth is anticipating Jesus’ return to set things back into proper order.”
The conclusion of the study notes served as a mirror for Jackson; he saw himself as one of the lost of the world that Rev was desperately imploring to receive God’s gift of salvation. He was beginning to realize that being a decent person was not enough…that God’s gift of salvation was Jesus Christ, and that the offering of His only Son to die for the sins of the world—for each one of us—was a gift without price. Jackson thought on Rev’s challenge to the team to understand the view that Jesus offered about the events of today, a perspective that was written thousands of years ago, an assessment that said the events of the world serve as a proclamation to receive Jesus as the gift of salvation before it’s too late.
The final notes of the Bible study brought a chill to Jackson’s frame, and a shiver ran down his spine as he read it. Rev boldly appealed to his listeners that “the end-times, announced by the rapture of the Church, could happen at any time. The signs that Jesus provided for His disciples and all that have followed over the last two thousand plus years lead to the inevitable climax of humanity’s history. I urge all of you who have been attending these Bible studies to review the notes provided, seek to understand the message of Jesus Christ, and make the decision to accept His gift of salvation before it’s too late. While there may be some who come to find Jesus as their Lord and Savior during the final years of humanity’s history, it will come at a tremendous cost, which will likely be your life.”
Jackson felt a tightness in his chest as he read the last paragraph Rev had written: “I don’t want to scare anyone, but I do want to leave you with an authoritative description of what the end of time will be like for those who choose to ignore God’s warnings and are left in the wake of the rapture. Jesus has this to say about the latter days: ‘If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened’ (Matthew 24:22).”
Jackson had no idea what to make of what he had read and heard over the last day, but he would be lying to himself if he didn’t acknowledge that Rev’s message did stir within him something he didn’t yet understand. As the plane made its final approach and landing, Jackson promised himself that he would study Rev’s Bible and notebook and come to a decision about God sooner rather than later.