Chapter 6:      Questions/Answers/Quakes

      Harold and Phoebe Monroe were preparing to go out to see another part of the walled city -- they had visited the closed eastern gate yesterday, remembering that it will be opened for the Prince, perhaps one day soon.  They were going to have good cause to be thankful that they were not there today.

   Harold was just reaching for the door handle when there was a knock on the door.

   Opening the door he found Rachel and the Cohen's standing there almost speechless!!

     Then, all were talking at once.

     "Whoa", Harold said -- laughing   "one at a time."

    Rachel waited a full millisecond for Sam or Sadie to take the lead --then blurted out about their encounter with Ezekiel. She made special note that he had `just disappeared' to conclude the encounter.  Sam and Sadie had nodded approval of all said by Rachel as she was telling the Monroe's. "Indeed", said Sam, "Ezekiel doesn't have a pulse and I couldn't find a heart beat either. Also, I bet that where he can control his presence so well, probably means he can not be killed or even injured anymore.  Wow!! -- awesome I guess!!"

     "Wow", said Harold, "that truly is fantastic. Really is awesome!"

     "Yeah", said Rachel, "-- we are indeed on the threshold of fantastic things -- wonderful things!!!"

     "Little do we know", said Harold, -- although it seems to be getting clearer by the moment!"

     Sadie asked, "-- when do you think things will come to a focus -- when will we really see and know?"

     "Well Sadie", said Harold, "as we discussed previously, the Land must be taken (southern Lebanon) and divided per the Prophet Ezekiel's prophesied boundaries.  It appears this could be done any time.  And, fairly soon, I should think, King David will come on the scene -- he will be Israel's King (combining Judah and Ephraim -- the Whole House of Israel). Apparently we are seeing some of the vanguard (as you young people have proved this afternoon). The rest should follow in due time -- probably just after the Land is available.  What a privilege is ours to see these things happening!! -- what a responsibility.  How can we tell it -- who will believe it??"

     "Mr. Monroe", -- Rachel paused to collect her thoughts. "I’m Jewish in background, as you know, I haven’t been -- too -- religious.  I guess I’d be considered a modern reformed Jew.  Until I met you, I had never really considered anything  about 'religion’ very seriously. -- well, life just goes on -- kind of a dog eat dog  existence -- never thought it might change -- at least not as we are now seeing and experiencing.  I haven’t been taught about this.  We know you are a Christian -- and you obviously see 'these things’ -- are alert to them.  Have we missed something?"

     "Rachel, yours is a typical and timeless search -- a cry for truth -- to really know.  And, by the way, God sees and understands that kind of searching!  He honors it!!"

     "Yes, I am a Christian", said Harold.  "One that loves all true Jews -- after all my Savior (whom I love very much) is a Jew, born of Jewish parents of the house and lineage of David -- of the house of Judah.  He is your Messiah also, you are expecting Him to come, we are expecting Him to come back.  Phoebe and I were discussing this last night.  There are several reasons we love the Jew -- right, Phoebe?"

     "That’s right Honey", Phoebe said, "one other reason is that we love Israel and Jews because God so greatly used them (your people she said, looking at Sam and Sadie to Rachel) as messengers of His Salvation to me, and to all like me that would turn to Him as the only way.  That is probably the second largest reason, Harold."

     "Mr. Monroe, -- excuse me", Sadie said with pursed lips, "but I just don’t understand?"

     "What’s the problem, Sadie?" -- Harold probed.

     "Well for one thing, both Sam and I are fairly well schooled both in general academic subjects as well as religious things, and, well, this is really foreign to us.  Why is that? -- what is going on?"

     "Sadie", Harold said, "it will be hard for you and many others that have been trained so carefully.  In effect, we each live in a box that has been formed by our heritage, our upbringing, our schooling, our work, etc. Your box and mine are quite different --actually no two 'boxes’ are the same.  Sam and Sadie, -- what we each need to do is to seek God’s 'box’ -- His understanding.  Actually, that is what God insists on -- we get that by seeking Him.  Let’s spend a little time looking at the facts together, ok?"

     "Actually", Harold continued, "Rachel expressed herself well -- pretty typical of all of us -- busy with life -- dog eat dog.  But, that is not God’s way for us -- rather, He wants us to come into His rest -- become part of His family."

     "Oh", said Sadie, "that sounds so good. REST -- real rest in and with God!!"  Sam put his arm around Sadie, snuggled her a bit. "Can people really have that rest?"  sadie continued, "does it include Jews like me, -- like Sam, -- like Rachel?"

     "Sadie", Harold said, "let’s look at it closer. Rachel -- you and Sadie have both asked basically if you have missed something.  That young people, is a very perceptive question -- not an easy one. Rather, it is

easy, far too easy, for all of us to miss the very best while we chase after even good things."

     "We can look, ---"

     Just then an earthquake started rumbling, Harold noted it was 4:35 p.m..  It jarred and shook!

     "Steady", Harold said. "Sam, take Sadie to the closet, Rachel better get under that heavy table, Phoebe come with me."  With that  Harold guided Phoebe into a small bathroom for protection.  "Stay inside and covered!" he shouted above the rumbling and noises from outside.

     They could hear glass breaking and what sounded like buildings crashing down -- the quake lasting an indeterminable length -- seemed forever -- but actually a long 15 seconds from start to finish.

     Then, there was 'quiet’ that only happens after such a quake -- heads started popping out of closets and from under the table --

     "Guess it’s all clear for now", Harold said.  "Everyone ok?"

     "Yes", they all said.

     "Good -- let’s get outside now", said Harold, "and see if others are ok, or if someone needs our help".

     Outside, in the late afternoon light, they found some damage nearby, yet not as extensive as they thought it might be.

     Rachel was pulling at Harold’s sleeve -- that big question mark all over her face.  Harold wanted to laugh, but just couldn’t in the face of the situation --but his answer to her unspoken question was classic: "you bet!!"

     Rachel knew -- 'you bet it’s part of the big picture!'

     They worked hard for hours helping people get back to some semblance of normality -- shop keepers and tourists alike -- there was a general mess! Harold praised the Lord that there were no serious injuries or deaths, at least in their area.  Harold asked Rachel go with Phoebe so  that he could continue working on some of the heavier tasks.

     There were rumors spreading like wildfire that the Mosque of Omar had been leveled and a great chasm or rift opened to the east.

     Later, about 7:30 p.m. as they were able to take time to eat sandwiches which Phoebe and Rachel had made, they discovered that the main energies of the quake had been expended in eastern Jerusalem, leveling the Mosque of Omar and opening a chasm eastward for many miles -- actually, slightly north just missing the north shore of the Dead Sea. No longer did the pastoral scene of the Garden of Gethsemane and the grand edifices eastward exist. They had been leveled with and into the chasm.

     A number of lives had been lost -- people were missing, but considering the drastic damage and physical earth movement, the number was quite small. It was as if the finger of God had struck at the Mosque and then proceeded easterly to form the great divide!

     The areas west of the temple mount were hardly touched -- the heavy in-wall buildings survived very well.

     All communications to the outside world had been cut -- it was rumored that even the satellite telecommunications systems were  damaged  beyond repair.  Electrical power was out -- Israel is now close to being truly non-modern!  A drastic turn of events.

     Cleanup and repair, and getting emergency power generators into operation continued into the night.  It would take several weeks to get back to near normal.

     Despite this difficult problem, the `group' confirmed their plan to be at the Knesset early so that they could get visitor seats to hear Jacob Levi give his scheduled report of his recent USA trip.

     "See you there at 7:30 a.m.", Rachel said. 

     "Right", confirmed the Cohen's and the Monroe's"-- see you there Rachel".

     With that they all headed for their respective rooms and some much needed rest.         

     The Monroe's were 'bushed' very ready to retire to their room a bit early. It had been a rather busy day even before the quake got their attention. They were tired, but the events of the last few days were pressing Harold hard to review and update himself on the many key prophetic passages in the Bible.

     "Honey", he said to Phoebe, "I'm going to spend some time in God's Word -- you can join me if you like."

     "I'd like to Harold, but I just can't keep my eyes open.  You  go  ahead   -- but be sure you bring me up to date on any new leading you get."

     "You go ahead and get your rest Honey", Harold said.

     As he turned his thoughts to God's Word, adjusting the reading

lamp over his shoulder, Harold recalled that for a number of years his pat and classical views had seemed fine, but recently (over the last decade or so) they had been under review and undergoing reform. 

     Now, in the light of events he and others were witnessing, he realized that the `pat' and 'classical' views were really of little value.  The key indeed is in Daniel's writings  with the pre-cursors  provided by Ezekiel.

     Many key premises were all of a sudden leaping out at him! Harold was reading and comparing statements that the Prophet Ezekiel and the Prophet Daniel had made.  He noted that the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:15 had pointedly pressed the reader to go to the Prophet Daniel if he would understand.

     The final time line is becoming clear.  Also, the premise for "the whole house of Israel and King David" to be resurrected before the true Church is gathered to Him (the `Rapture').

     Bottom line, he thought, this is awesome -- but at the same time it is starting to fit a pattern which appears to be God's plan and purpose  unfolding before our very eyes.  He was sleepy, -- he wondered if perhaps he was dreaming all of this.  No, he is  awake,  it is the real world.  As he turned out the light and got ready to go to bed, he wondered what the next day or two would bring. "Awesome, -- truly awesome!!"  When he quietly said this, he could almost hear Rachel squealing as she said it. "Awesome -- Indeed!!"

     As he knelt beside the bed, Harold prayed especially for each person in their little group -- that his Father-God would continue to give each one His insight and purpose for life -- that each would be drawn closer to Him and  find completeness and salvation through the  Messiah.  He prayed this would be ever clearer as Israel's clock was soon to start ticking out it's remaining days.

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