Hallelujah - He is not Here; He Has Risen (Luke 24: 6): The Faith Chronicles, #5

By Sidney St. James

HALLELUJAH – HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN.
 BOOK 5 in the FAITH CHRONICLES SERIES

THE NEW TESTAMENT

"And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. They entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. It came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. As they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why do you seek the living among the dead?"– Luke 24: 2-5 (KJV)

Jesus Christ is the most well-known name in the world! He is the only man to have walked the earth, and his story told to in hundreds upon hundreds of different ways over the last two thousand years. No matter who you talk to, everyone has heard about him and his many miracles and his deeds. Since little was written about Jesus in his first thirty years, this novel will begin when he was first baptized by John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus.

If we take a close look at the Gospels, a comprehensive picture emerges of Jesus Christ. In these writings, there's no gentle Jesus meek and mild, but more so a  person so dynamic and so inspiring that even hardcore fisherman, Roman soldiers, strict tax collectors, and a man with one of the foremost intellects of his day, the apostle Paul, were all standing in line to put their reputations out on the line in order to follow Christ.

Our exciting story begins on Jesus' thirtieth birthday.

We do know, however, that before this, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His mother Mary is believed to have had Jesus through immaculate conception. The life story told in this novel begins, primarily, with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. It was at this time John announced that Jesus was, in fact, the Son of God.

Secondly, Jesus finds his first three followers, better known as his disciples. There were finally twelve disciples who accompanied Jesus until the end of his life on the earth. The ministry of Jesus is characterized by many extraordinary and miraculous actions. At his Sermon on the Mount, he delivered the Beatitudes, which were spiritual teachings of compassion, humility, and love.

He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. The more miracles he performed, the more people followed him and listened to his teachings attentively.

The life of the Lord is paramount to all Christians in every walk of life. Every Christian should know about the life of Jesus Christ and the ministry of his spiritual leadership.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BeeBop Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393975267

Sidney St. James

Sidney St. James is an extraordinary author who has made his mark in the world of science fiction suspense. With a creative mind that knows no bounds, St. James weaves captivating tales that transport readers to thrilling and otherworldly realms. His unique ability to blend the elements of science fiction with heart-pounding suspense has garnered him a dedicated following of readers eager to embark on their next exhilarating adventure. Born with an insatiable curiosity and a love for all things speculative, St. James found his calling in the realm of science fiction. From a young age, he was drawn to the limitless possibilities and unexplored frontiers of the genre. Influenced by literary greats and inspired by the wonders of the cosmos, St. James embarked on a writing journey that would push the boundaries of imagination and captivate readers with their visionary tales. St. James' science fiction novels are a testament to their boundless creativity and meticulous attention to detail. With each page, readers are transported to intricate and fully realized worlds, where technological advancements, extraterrestrial encounters, and moral dilemmas abound. His skillful storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats, as they navigate through a maze of suspense, intrigue, and thought-provoking concepts. In addition to his literary accomplishments, St. James is an avid pickleball player. This dynamic sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, serves as a source of balance and inspiration for St. James. The strategic gameplay and the camaraderie of the pickleball community provide a welcome respite from the boundless realms of science fiction that occupies his mind. As St. James continues to push the boundaries of the science fiction suspense genre, his unique blend of imagination, suspense, and pickleball prowess sets him apart as a true force to be reckoned with. With each new novel, readers eagerly anticipate the next thrilling journey that St. James will take them on, whether it's unraveling the mysteries of distant galaxies or engaging in a high-stakes match on the pickleball court. Sidney St. James is a true visionary and an author whose stories and pickleball skills will leave readers and opponents alike in awe.

Book preview

THE FAITH CHRONICLES

BOOK 5

HALLELUJAH

HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN

(LUKE 24: 6 KJV)

LET THERE BE LIGHT

By

SIDNEY ST. JAMES

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

~ LUKE 24: 6-7 (KJV)

BEEBOP PUBLISHING GROUP

Publisher Since 1972

BeeBop Publishing Group doesn’t participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business arrangements between our authors and the public.

SECOND EDITION

Book 5 in the Faith Chronicles

Copyright 2019 by Sidney St. James

All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be copied, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without the permission of the BeeBop Publishing Group. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

While the author made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes occurring after release.

Further, the Publisher doesn’t have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

It was in 1604, King James I of England gave permission that a new translation of the Bible into English be started. This version quickly became the standard for English speaking Protestants. The King James Version (KGV) is in the public domain in the United States and is the version used in this novel.

Available in Paperback First Edition

ISBN-13: 978-1548018092

ISBN-10: 1548018090

Content is suitable for twelve years of age and older

Follow St. James on Instagram at sidneyst.james or at his blog site www.sidneystjames.com or at www.Books2Read.com.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book with affectionate regards to the memory of Jimmy Clipson, my Sunday School Teacher as a youth at the First Presbyterian Church in Eagle Lake, Texas. Also, to my church-going friends, Davis, William, Gary, and David.

FOREWORD

One of the methods Jesus used in communicating his messages in the Bible was through parables. What is a parable, you might ask?  Well, it’s an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

When Jesus started telling parables to the many people along his many paths, his disciples would ask him, Why do you speak unto them in parables?

Now this will be somewhat difficult to explain, but verses eleven through fifteen of Matthew says it best:

Because it has been provided to you to know the mysteries of the realm of heaven. To them, it has not been given.

The prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled. It says, ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand. Seeing you will see and not perceive. The hearts of these people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing. They have closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears.

They should comprehend with their heart and turn so that I should heal them.’

Unwillingness from the people to receive Jesus’ messages of the Kingdom was the reason he taught in parables. If one actually listened and tried to hear what Jesus spoke, it would show it was not because God was keeping the truth hidden from them...it was because they did not choose to listen.

The truth of God is to be understood spiritually. The vast majority of the people in Jesus’ day were not interested in God’s truth.

Therefore I speak to them in stories, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (Matthew 13: 13 – KJV)

I remember well the Reverend Ada Caston Slaton Bonds standing up in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, and every Sunday speaking in parables. In other words, earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.

Jesus did the same thing so that his disciples would comprehend his teachings and that those who did not believe would be without any understanding. Those who were interested in understanding God’s truth of his message would know while those not interested would remain without knowledge.

—-Sidney E. Struss

Grandson of Reverend Ada Caston Slaton Bonds

First Ordained Woman Minister in the State

of Louisiana

PROLOGUE

This novel, Book Five , in the Faith Chronicles Series, was written a little ahead of itself. JUDGES, Book 5, was put on the back burner to finish the New Testament because I watched a movie for the second time, which I said I would never watch again, The Passion of Christ.

What happened at the end of the Old Testament? The Bible does not tell us any more about the Jews for over four hundred years. Other information informs us they continued to be servants to the kings of Persia for nearly a hundred years after Nehemiah came back from Babylon. Then Alexander the Great, who was at war with Persia, stormed the country with his army and took Jerusalem. The Jews served him for over ten years.

After Alexander the Great died, the Jews were servants to the kings of Egypt for about a hundred and twenty years.  Most of the kings treated the Jews with kindness. However, there was one who came to Jerusalem, and against the wishes of the people and the priests, he entered the temple...and, more importantly, into the holy place.

It was said that while there, God put such great fear in the king, he had to be carried out like one who was half dead. Because of whatever it was that God did, the king oppressed the Jews, making slaves of many and putting many to death.

After so many had lost their lives, the Jews revolted against the kings of Egypt. They came to be servants of the kings of Syria for over fifty years.

After that King had died, the son would get revenge upon the rebellious Jews and came with an army and took Jerusalem. He commanded his soldiers to not spare one Jew’s life, but to slay all whom they came in contact with. This meant the young men and the old men, the women, and the children. They were all put to death. It took only three days forty thousand Jews were slain, and more than forty thousand were taken into slavery.

The king went into the temple and took away the golden altar, the golden candlestick, and any and all treasures that were kept inside. Then, he returned to his kingdom in Syria.

On his departure, he left orders to the overseers, forbidding the Jews to offer sacrifices to God. Furthermore, they were not to obey his laws or to observe the Sabbath as a holy day.

The king's soldiers drove all of the Jews away from the temple and commenced to replace the altar and all things in it with worship idols. Idolatrous altars were set up there, and the king ordered these same idols placed in every other city in the land. Again, more Jews would die if they did not fall to their knees and worship these false gods.

The Jews began to take a stand. One elderly man by the name of Eleazar was forced by the servants of the king to consume the meat of a pig, which the Lord God had commanded the Jews not to eat. The old man immediately spat the meat out. The soldiers beat him to death.

Following this incident, the King traveled back to Jerusalem and, along with his servants, again went to the home of seven brothers and terrorized them. The king shouted at the eldest brother. Eat the swine! Eat it or die!

The brother said, We will not eat it. We are willing to die than to disobey the laws of God.

The king became infuriated. He shouted orders to his soldiers to cut the brother’s tongue out, to cut off both feet and both hands, and tied on a long pole and hung over a large burning fire until all life was gone from him.

The King began laughing, and the awful deed his men had done while the brothers and their mother did nothing but turn their heads from the killing of their brother.

The king then asked one by one of the brothers to obey him and eat the swine. And, one by one, they were killed and put to death.

The mother of the boys could not bear watching the sight of her sons put to death. After they were all killed, the king turned to her and watched as she pulled a sword from the sheath of one of the soldiers and threw her body upon it.

THE JEWS FOUND NO OTHER way to worship God than to disappear into the mountains. Over time they multiplied in numbers until which time they put together an army, large enough to fight against the Syrians.

When they were successful and defeated them, and drove each and every one away, they went back to Jerusalem and captured the city. They, again, after many years, worshiped at the temple.

After more years passed, they celebrated more victories over their enemies. They became free once more. They had their own kings to reign over them for the next one hundred years.

Then, the Jews began over time to bicker among themselves. Then, there were power struggles, and they forgot God and stopped loving one another.

Then, the time came where two brothers of their former king who had passed away, were battling with each other over who should rule the people.

The Romans arrived with an army and captured Jerusalem. They broke down all walls surrounding the great city. The Jews became servants again, serving the Romans, just as it was when they aided the Egyptians and the Syrians.

One of the generals who took the city of Jerusalem, Herod, was made the king over the land and all the children of Israel. He very quickly learned how to get the people to love him and serve him by pretending to worship God as they did.

But, King Herod was a wicked and evil man. He cared only for himself and wanted to be rich and all-powerful. If anyone did not do exactly as he commanded, they were put to death. This included his wife and two children.

CHAPTER ONE

The Birth of Jesus Christ

The birth of Jesus Christ. The birth of John the Baptist. Wise men from the east travel long to worship Jesus. Herod tries to destroy them. King Herod dies.

For many, many years , the prophets in the Old Testament told the children of Israel that a Saviour was coming upon the earth.  They said before his arrival, a man by the name of John the Baptist would be sent to get the people of God to prepare and make ready for this Saviour by repenting their sins.

For many years, while King Herod was reigning over the lands, there was a priest named Zacharias. He was married to a woman by the name of Elizabeth. They were both God-fearing people and were very righteous and always obeyed God’s commandments. However, as they grew older and older, God still had not given them a child.

Each and every morning, before the sun had even rose, the priest would begin the day working at the temple. Some cleaned the burnt offering. Some brought and placed fresh wood on the fire. Some cleaned the golden altar of incense. Other priests would bring a lamb to the altar, once at nine in the morning and again at three o’clock in the afternoon. These hours were known as the hours of prayer for the priests. The children of Israel would come out at these times and bow down to pray in the courtyard.

ONE DAY, AS ALL THE priests were cleaning and preparing the temple for another day of prayer, Zacharias went in and was responsible for the task of burning incense on the golden altar. It was nine in the morning when Zach began burning the incense on the golden altar.

Zach, on this day, froze in his steps as the presence of an angel startled him. He became full of fear and did not know what to do.

The angel said, Fear not, Zacharia. God has sent me to tell you he is sending to you and Elizabeth a son. He has chosen a name for the child. You shall call him John. It is crucial that your son not partake in wine nor any strong drink. He will be filled with God’s Holy Spirit from the first day he is born.

Zach stared at the angel in awe, listening to every word he said. Then, as he gently shook his head to the left and right, he said, I am not sure I understand.

Zacharias, your son shall teach the children of Israel to serve the Lord.

How am I suppose to know that this thing will be? He tilted his brow, looking at him uncertainly.

The angel watched as Zacharias appeared to be confused. I am the angel Gabriel. I reside in heaven and stand beside God.  I do not hesitate one bit and do what our Lord commands of me. He has sent me to let you know the good news.

I am not sure -. The rich outlines of his shoulders stretched against the fabric of his robe.

An angel interrupted Zacharias, I can see that you do not believe me. For your doubts, you shall be punished. You will, from this day, become deaf and dumb and remain that way until the words I have spoken come true.

Several people were waiting in the courtyard for Zach to get out of the temple. He stayed longer than any other time before. He finally got out, and the people asked him why he stayed so long. But, as Gabriel had told him, he was unable to speak to the people. However, by the appearance of his face and the signs he made with his hands, he was able to convince the children of Israel, he had seen a vision.

Six months come and go. Zacharias still has not regained his voice. God sent Gabriel back to earth, but this time his stop was in a faraway city called Nazareth.

Gabriel approached one afternoon, a young woman, her name Mary. She was Elizabeth’s cousin and a descendant of King David.

As Mary was alone, doing her morning chores, Gabriel instantly appeared next to her, shocking her completely. She wondered where he had come from.

"Fear not, Mary! God has blessed you. You will have a son, and his name shall be Jesus. He will be great, and