Chapter 20
Preacher Jeremiah was showing the energy he was expending while talking for the broadcast, the sweat beginning to form on his forehead.
“We are witnessing so many signs in these times, it is imperative we see what is in front of us. It all looks wondrous, overwhelming, frightening. But we all know “There is nothing new under the sun.” And with that as our reminder, we need not look any further than the words of the Bible to help us understand even these things that modern mankind has not seen before.”
Matthew 24:24
"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."
“The supposed powers of the alien craft and the monstrosities they are building around the world appear truly awesome. The machines land on the ground, plant roots, suck up our resources, and spawn other machines. You have all seen the images from every continent. Every race is being overwhelmed. Twenty-six of their ground-suckers have planted root so far in nineteen different countries. I have spoken to Americans who have traveled to Kansas or Ohio and have seen with their own eyes the beastly designs.”
“And now we are seeing the next phase of their plans as they begin building their space elevators. Do not be fooled that they are taking people up above the clouds! This is not a ride to the heavens! In fact, I can assure you that for the people that will step into that box, what is left of their lives will be a living hell. And after they die, I feel strongly that their afterlife may be the real Hell, having followed the direction of these false prophets calling them to a path of darkness.”
“‘But we haven’t actually seen the real aliens, and haven’t heard their voices,’ you may say. I tell you the words do not need to come directly from the beasts, but can be delivered by the image created to embody the beast. And that image can even look like one of us. That image can take a human form.”
Revelation 13:15
"And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed."
“We have seen who ‘he’ is every day from his broadcast in Europe. He is the mouthpiece of the aliens, repeating their lies and deceptions. His name is Yves Al-Battani. He cannot be trusted, but even he tells the truth unwittingly. They have announced their plans to establish 81 footholds by using nine of their landing ships to each establish nine departure sites. This is not a random number. These are the nine groups of sorcerers mentioned in the Bible. We should name them for who they are – Balaam, Jezebel, Belshazzar, Jannes, Jambres, Amon, Elymas, Ninevah’s idolators, the Queen of Babylon. Each of these alien sorcerers will sew nine poisonous seeds in the ground, causing leprous growths upon the Earth.”
“Their poison is not only ruining the land upon which their evil crafts touch, but the water and air around them as well. And this will even take the places we consider holy and sacred.”
Zechariah 14:2
"For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city."
“You’ve seen the pictures of those places where the aliens have taken hold. The blasphemy, the orgies and satanic chanting outside the alien craft. And now they are transporting women against their will from the neighboring lands. Cairo was taken two weeks back and it’s population is being drained. Jerusalem will soon be overrun.”
“I’ve given warnings since the day they arrived that the end-times are upon us. We must band together! We must create our own army of believers to push back against the alien demons! We must listen to the words spoken to prophets long ago lest we let ourselves fall prey to the anti-Christ.
Joel 3:12-14
"Let the nations be aroused And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, For there I will sit to judge All the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision."
“I, like many of you, am a Believer. I normally take comfort in hearing the Word of the Lord. But I am afraid when I see what is happening now. However, I share these words from the Bible to let you know the Lord has known of this time for millenia! He has seen what is happening and shared our instructions with those who will listen, going back over 2,000 years ago! Take comfort in these words. Take comfort that the Lord has a plan and a path for you. Take comfort and join us!”
“From being a lonely voice crying out in the wilderness, I have been joined by the voices of a thousand fellow Believers. We have no pre-conditions, no special requirements for you to join us. We simply ask that you love the Lord, commit yourself to defending our way of life, and bring with you what preparations you can to actually defend our way of life in this dark time.”
The Preacher continued looking into the camera with a gentle smile, and finally pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat that had accumulated. He wasn’t overweight at all, but he put all he had into these casts.
Jeremiah walked off the recording set that had been staged for him, over to the person sitting at the console. “Well, Art, what do you think? Anything we need to retake?”
“No, sir, Preacher. That was great, and the test cast I had running looked great the whole time,” the man sitting at a professional-looking console replied.
A third man who was standing behind the console operator joined in. “That was fantastic, Jeremiah!” he said. “I am truly in awe about how much energy and passion you pour into each talk you give.”
“I completely agree with you, Mr. Pickens!,” Art chimed in. “I start sweating just watching you talking, Preacher.”
“Thank you, Jacob. Thank you, Art,” Preacher Jeremiah responded, looking a bit reticent. “I feel the energy build as I talk, and that has to come out so I won’t burst. And now I need a walk outside to cool down.”
“Let me join you, Jeremiah,” Jacob Pickens said. Then, turning to the man at the console, “Art, bring in all of the Bible passages on screen as usual. And you’ve got the shot of the crowd gathered in front of the Lodge, correct? We want to make sure the “Believer’s Sanctuary” sign is covering the old “Sumter National Forest Lodge” name. If not, I’m sure you can work some digital magic to make it look good, eh?”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Pickens,” Art nodded.
“Excellent! You do awesome work, Art. We’re lucky to have you with us,” Jacob said, giving the man at the console a solid pat on his shoulder.
Preacher Jeremiah and Jacob walked out of the room and down the hall towards the door leading outside.
“You know, Jacob, I feel I’m lucky to have you with me,” the Preacher said.
Jacob smiled and said, “Not luck, Preacher. You and I both know it’s the will of God.”
“I came to that conclusion, as well, my friend,” Jeremiah said as they reached the side-entrance leading outside. “And I’ll freely admit I wouldn’t have guessed it.”
“If you mean you wouldn’t have guessed that you would be counting on a man with a black wife and mixed-race children for friendship and advice, well then I would have to agree with you,” Jacob responded, holding the door open for the Preacher. “I did my research before bringing my family here, and had seen your earlier casts. But I knew your belief in the Lord’s Word would overcome your view of a man’s skin color.
“We all can change, Jeremiah,” he continued. “I’m not going to go again over how I left my sinful ways behind. Suffice to say that truly listening for God’s voice will help anyone better learn His plan, and will correct any misunderstandings picked up along the way.”
“Elegantly put, my friend,” Preacher Jeremiah nodded.
“Preacher, I’ve been thinking about that more lately, and I think it’s time that others know and see how you’ve really changed. I have also been thinking it’s important for you to become more than just our spiritual father,” Jacob said.
“Have you now, Mr. Pickens,” Jeremiah said with interest showing in his voice.
“I have. May I share my thoughts?” Jacob asked.
“As if you would wait for me to say ‘Yes,” the Preacher answered with a laugh. “Go ahead. You’ve definitely got my interest.”
“Well, I think it’s time to show the Believers that you are serious about welcoming all people. And the best way to do that, I believe, is to welcome them into your family,” Jacob started.
“I have!” Jeremiah responded, sounding as if his feelings had been hurt. “You said yourself that I didn’t associate with blacks, Hispanics, Jews, or others before. But that’s changed! Look at my family of Believers now!”
“I know, Jeremiah,” Jacob responded quickly. “But what would really show people how much you’ve changed is to have your own family represent that new outlook. I’m talkin’ wife and children.”
The Preacher nodded, “Well, I will admit I’ve thought about taking a wife. Did you have anyone you think would make a good match to show the new me?”
“Yes,” his friend nodded firmly. “Rebecca.”
Jeremiah stopped walking and looked at Jacob as if he uttered something intelligible. Jacob then stopped and turned around to face him.
“Your Rebecca?” Jeremiah asked.
“Yes, Rebecca Pickens,” replied Jacob Pickens. “She has her mother’s skin, which people will immediately see. And with her now a young woman, she will be able to provide for you many children.”
“I don’t what to say,” the Preacher said, sounding both wary and confused.
“You’ve said yourself to me, Jeremiah, that you think she is sweet and cheerful. Do you not think of her as good looking? Does the color of her skin bother you?” Jacob questioned.
“No, that’s not it,” Jeremiah stammered. “It’s just, … well,… she’s your daughter.”
“She’s seventeen years old, Jeremiah,” his friend countered. “She’s no longer a child. And I know she can be trusted to listen to you and respect what you say, since I’ve given her that training myself.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you,” Jeremiah said.
“You know I’m normally not a kidding man,” Jacob replied, “and I definitely wouldn’t make my family the butt of a joke.”
Jacob took his friend by the elbow and started walking again. “Take her as your wife,” he continued, “and we’ll broadcast the wedding. You can give the sermon and emphasize how important it is for all God’s children to join together, regardless of color, language or race, using your union with Rebecca as the example.”
“I must say, I have noticed her beauty,” Jeremiah admitted. “And if I’m not mistaken, I believe I’ve seen her return my glances.”
“Don’t get too big a head, Preacher,” Rebecca’s father said. “I’ve taught my girls to properly treat a man as master, and fear repercussions if they don’t. That look she gave you could easily have been her paying attention to what you plan on doing after you paid her notice.”
“Still, I think she has a warm spot in her heart for me,” Jeremiah continued. “And I would be honored to have a member of your family as my wife. That would mean a lot to me to have that connection.”
“Exactly!” Jacob practically shouted upon hearing this. “We’ve formed a bond! Now you and I know it’s because of our kindred spirits. But others will see you and Rebecca and see that as a bond that you can also establish with someone that looks like Rebecca.”
“Which will encourage other blacks to come to the Sanctuary, recognizing I’m someone they can trust,” Jeremiah said as if finishing the thought.
“Yes, indeed, my friend,” Jacob picked up. “That is exactly what we want to happen. But, we don’t want it to stop there.”
“Well, I’m sure we can find other couples to marry, with a thousand people here now,” Jeremiah added. “We’ll just have to…”
“Sorry, Preacher, but that’s not what I meant,” Jacob interrupted, beginning to get himself worked up as if he were giving his own broadcast. “We don’t want it to stop there when it comes to showcasing your new, inclusive spirit. You are the focal point for when people think of the Believer’s Sanctuary. You need to be the antidote for the words that spew from that Frenchman under the aliens’ control. And you need to be a guiding light for those willing to fight them. Show people that the spirit of our Old Testament predecessors like David, Jacob and Abraham has passed to you, and take multiple wives. And have the wives come from different races, to show you harbor no ill will and welcome even your own children to be of different races.”
He paused to catch his breath.
“You have been thinking a lot, haven’t you, my friend,” Preacher Jeremiah finally said. “But you make a good point. These are exceptional times. And it calls for exceptional actions. And if that means that I have to share my love with multiple women at the same time, then so be it.”
“But you’re not the only person that’s been thinking of things,” Jeremiah continued. “We’re about to outgrow our current housing situation. It was great to find a welcoming place like this State Park, but it’s not enough.”
“You’re correct, Preacher. And I’m guessing you’ve got some additional thoughts on where might be a good place for our Sanctuary to expand into,” Jacob smirked.
“As a matter of fact, I have,” Jeremiah replied. “But we need to bring the Elders into this conversation. I’d like to call them together this afternoon to help plan these next moves. Many people have come from some distance, and aren’t as familiar with the local area as I am. About fourteen miles down the road from Long Creek is Fort Westminster.”
“The old army base?” Jacob asked.
“Yes,” Jeremiah answered. “It will take some work, but they have barracks, a mess hall, and other facilities that could house another two thousand people. I know it’s fenced off and locked up, but I don’t think there are too many people that really care about that right now. The only thing is the South Carolina National Guard is using a portion of the facility for their western depot.”
“We have plenty of volunteers that would help us ensure the Guard won’t bother us,” Jacob offered.
“Well, I’m thinking we may not want to take it that direction, Mr. Pickens,” the Preacher shared. “We should strive to be more than good neighbors to them. We should invite the Guard to join us as Believers.”
Jacob looked a bit concerned. “Not all of them may be open to that offer.”
“I’m sure that given time and the continued opportunity to hear our message, they’ll all come around. And if we’re able to involve their families to help emphasize the importance of their message, that may help convince them all the sooner.”
“Have any of their families joined us already?” Jacob asked.
“I don’t know. But that’s where we’ll need to get the Elders to buy into this plan,” Jeremiah explained. “We may need to go find the families of some of the Guard soldiers stationed at the depot, and let the soldiers know the consequences of not joining us.”
It was Jacob’s turn to look confused. “I’m sorry for being a bit dense, Jeremiah. Are you suggesting we use the families as hostages?”
Jeremiah shook his head “Not the wording I would use. I think it may be necessary to indicate the urgency of our message, however. And if that is the incentive the Guard needs to join us, and – more importantly – to not fight us and let us have the cache at the depot, then call it whatever you want.”
And right then, Preacher Jeremiah saw one of the Elders ahead and motioned for him to come over.
“These are indeed exceptional times,” Jacob nodded solemnly.