Behind the Door: The Secrets to the Beginning

By Honney Lavern Barner

Meet the Flannigan family of Saint Paul, MN. A loving close-knit family with strong Christian values, the Flannigans are as American as apple pie. Luke Flannigan is the Pastor of Living Waters Baptist Church. A large family oriented church where his son, Brad and his daughter in law Angela worship together along with his grandson, Jonathan every Sunday without fail.

Jonathan is the apple of Luke’s eye and the one who he hopes will help continue the Flannigan legacy in either the church or archeology.

World-renowned archeologist, Brad Flannigan is on the brink of discovering something that could change the world, as we know it. As he sets his sights on Ashkelon, Jerusalem for a ground breaking excavation trip, he encounters more than he could have ever bargained for.

His discovery could cost him his life!

Jonathan Flannigan is on a mission of a lifetime. A devout Christian turned hardened Atheist; he is out to prove something that would mean the difference in a world desperate for anything to believe in. After years of searching, he’s finally found proof. Will it be the catalyst that he seeks or the thing to destroy everything he’s ever known?

Behind the Door is a story of love, faith and perseverance in the face of adversity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Honney Lavern Barner
• Release date: Mar 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781732148024

Honney Lavern Barner

Dr. H. L. Barner grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia. Growing up without his Father he looked to his mother and grandfather for moral and spiritual guidance. His mother eventually led him to Jesus Christ and his grandfather continued to encourage his spiritual journey. As a young adult, he developed a passion for attending different churches and local revivals. He enjoyed the preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was determined to learn everything he could about Him. Several years later his passion led him to read the entire bible from cover to cover. He then completed his course work with the Institute of Biblical Studies as well as Evangelist Training through Mercy Street Ministries. He enjoyed talking to people about the Lord and leading them to Christ. Throughout his early life he frequently offered rides to hitchhikers and ministered to them. He welcomed Mormons, Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses, and any one else into his home to discuss their faith and understanding of the bible. He volunteered as a Sunday school teacher at his local church and hosted a noontime bible study at work. Revelation is his favorite book of the bible. H. L. continued his education by completing a Doctorate Degree of Theology in Biblical Studies. Will in the military he traveled all around the world however, his most exciting trip was to the Holy Land. He visited all the key biblical cities and sites such as Jerusalem, the Waling Wall, Capernaum, Jericho, the Temple Mount, Mount of Olive, Pool of Bethesda, Canaan, Gethsemane, Galilee, and Golgotha (Calvary Hill). During his visit, he sailed on the Sea of Galilee, floated in salty Red Sea, swam in the Mediterranean, and was baptized in the Jordan River. He returned home with bottles of water from ancient places such as the Red Sea, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean. He collected leaves and branches from 2000 year old Olive trees as well as rocks from the location where the prophesized world war known as “Armageddon” and second coming of Jesus Christ. The most exciting portion of his trip was when a local Palestinian snuck him and another American minister, under the cloud of darkness, into the town of Bethlehem in order to visit the basement of the church (the Holy sepulcher) where it is said to be the place where Jesus Christ was born. The experience from that memorable trip gave him an entirely new outlook on life and vision for this 3 book series "Behind the Door".

Book preview

Prologue

The warm air engulfed him as he stepped outside his home overlooking the Sea of Galilee. He said a prayer of thanks. The salty sea air of the Mediterranean made its’ way to his nostrils, causing him to smile with glee.

He couldn’t believe that he was actually there, about to locate something which could literally change the world as he knew it.

Dr. Lawrence Fry was a world renowned archeologist and a devoted Christian. He traveled the globe leading excavations to prove the validity of the Bible. His most recent search for the Ark of the Covenant led him to the banks of the Judean Mountains.

He traveled the country for nearly three months, finally settling in the area with a newfound sense of purpose.

He was determined to find evidence of Shiloh’s sudden destruction, as depicted in Jeremiah 7:12 – Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel.

Locating an artifact or a tiny item would mean success for his entire mission.

He could feel the pressure from the mission mounting. It was giving him a serious headache. His investors were growing anxious and so was he.

Holding the worn map in his hand he studied it again, staring at the location marked with a bright red X. This is it, he said with tears in his eyes. His guide turned to face him with a question in his eyes. Where to? he asked as they trekked down towards the site marked on the map.

Once they reached the spot, he circled it on foot. Staring down as if he had the ability to see below the dirt. As he began the excavation his heart began to pound excitedly in anticipation. If he could locate one artifact in this area, it would prove his theory that the Biblical Tabernacle was located in this very spot.

As he sifted through the dirt and dust his eyes began to sting with sweat. He didn’t care though, he would endure the pain just to feel a piece of history in his hands.

Digging with fervor, his trained eye suddenly caught sight of something. Gently he moved the dirt and pulled out a full sized clay pot. With tears running down his cheeks he celebrated in the revelation of this artifact. His dream had finally come true.

He was staring at a piece of history that confirmed the sudden destruction of Shiloh. A clay pot, still in tact after all these years, he couldn’t believe it. This supported the scripture of sudden destruction at Shiloh. He imagined everything being suddenly buried in a wake of death and devastation.

Traditional artifacts were found weathered, worn and generally decomposed. This complete pot proved the Bible correct, that the city was suddenly buried. This all pointed to a sudden catastrophe.

Screaming with excitement, he gently set the pot on the tarp and turned to face his anxious guide. I found something, he called out.

Suddenly, the expression on his guide’s face changed. Dr. Fry found himself staring down the barrel of a shotgun as his guide motioned towards the artifact. I cannot let you leave, he said sternly.

Genesis 18:19

"For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."

Chapter 1

The Living Waters Baptist Church hosted the yearly affair to introduce the community to the joys of archeology. As the Pastor of the church Luke Flannigan had always been fascinated by the enduring mysteries that were revealed through archeology. His excitement became contagious and eventually caught the interest of his son, Brad.

Brad decided to make a career out of archeology. Brad Flannigan was one of the most recognized Archeologists in the nation.

His face graced the covers of the National Geographic and the World Archeological Magazine, earning him a great reputation with the community and his colleagues. The link between social science and humanities created a profound source of inspiration for Brad.

A dedicated Christian, Brad found himself drawn to Israel and the origin of Christianity. He wanted to prove that the Bible was not a book of fiction, but a true and clear resource for the believer. Locating evidence to uphold his beliefs in the Bible became his career goal.

He spent decades researching, documenting and studying ancient artifacts. Brad knew about his father’s love of primeval relics and made sure he shared his findings upon his return.

In fact, he brought back artifacts and maps from every excursion he’d been on. The kids at the church loved to hear about his excavations. They likened him to Indiana Jones, a comparison that Brad didn’t mind at all.

Pastor Luke enjoyed traveling with his son to different sites. It helped him gain an understanding of the world that he studied for years. He loved the Middle East and its rich history. Experiencing the time with his son made things even sweeter.

Together, they led excavations where they uncovered artifacts and documents from a time thousands of years ago.

Brad couldn’t contain his excitement when his father joined him on his first dig in the ancient city of Jerusalem. Together they worked to uncover the location of the Greek citadel in Jerusalem’s City of David.

A famous garrison constructed in 167 BCE under the orders of Antiochus. Scientists scavenged the earth for decades in search of the artifact. When the Flannigan team located the citadel, the entire archeological community rejoiced.

This was the defining moment of Brad’s career. He and his father were quite famous, but none of that mattered to Jonathan. To him, Pastor Luke and his father Brad were simply dad and grandpa. He loved them both dearly. Their stories inspired him.

When people heard his father speak, they were enchanted. They asked Jonathan if he would also become an archeologist, but he always shrugged with uncertainty. He really didn’t know who he wanted to be. He just wanted to be a great man.

Jonathan listened intently as his grandfather weaved an intricate tale of desperation and determination. His grandfather leaned forward and spoke with such enthusiasm the entire room was enthralled.

Waving his hands as he spoke, Pastor Luke Flannigan spoke, Located deep inside Jerusalem’s City of David is an ancient mystery that to this day has baffled archeologist, theologians and scientists alike, he began.

Jonathan listened as his grandfather told the story that made his father a famous man. He crossed his fingers praying that this time, if his father went away he would take him along.

School was in session for less than a week and he couldn’t wait to complete his senior year. Since he was a young boy his father promised to take him to an excavation site. He held out hope for that trip. For years he dreamed of the moment when he could tag along with his two mentors on a voyage of a lifetime.

After graduation, he would finally be able to do just that. He wanted to experience what his father experienced first hand. He didn’t want to hear any stories without being able to visualize the experience.

His grandfather’s voice droned on as he continued to imagine himself right alongside his father and grandfather. Making discoveries and seeing things that few seldom saw.

Although, he’d heard the story many times before it was still one of the most interesting tales that ever tickled his lobes. Watching the look of awe on the faces of his grandfather’s growing audience, Jonathan made a decision.

He desperately wanted to be an archeologist and a Pastor. He would carry on the legacies of two great men.

Matthew 28:19

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

Chapter 2

The smell of pancakes wafted to his nostrils as he slowly opened his eyes. It was Sunday morning. Sunday was the most important day of the week for the Flannigan family and especially, 16 year old Jonathan.

His family was a tight knit fixture in their St. Paul, MN community. Folks lined the pews every Sunday in an effort to hear the word preached by their very own, Pastor Luke Flannigan.

Jonathan’s grandfather founded one of the largest churches in the Midwest, the Living Waters