Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times, PART II, Robbery And Redemption: OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM, A Novel of Biblical Times, #2

By James M. Becher

Did you enjoy PART I of this historical fiction novel of Biblical and Roman times?

This volume picks up where PART I left off.

The insurrection having failed, Barabbas and his men find a cave in which to hide out. But Barabbas, unsatisfied, decides to try robbery. He enlists the help of the two beggars and they set out to rob rich Benjamin. But Timotheus almost turns back, after seeing the Nazarene. Will he go on to aid in this crime? Will it be successful, or will this also result in disaster?

Meanwhile, non-conformist Manaheem tries to blackmail Herod over his part in the insurrection and loses his one true love, his former wife Claressa, also a non-conformist, with whom Manaheem is trying to reunite. Will he get her back? More importantly, will he, as well as Barabbas and Timotheus find the fulfillment they have been seeking?

• Language: English
• Publisher: James M. Becher
• Release date: Sep 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393479680

James M. Becher

JAMES M.BECHER was born on June 8, 1943, to a Christian family and accepted Jesus as his savior at an early age.  Interested in writing and drama since High School, he graduated from a Christian high school, where he participated in several plays and got A's in English Grammar, and wrote write several short stories, poems, and articles, usually incorporating my faith into his writings.  While attending St. Petersburg Jr. College, in St. Petersburg, FL, he won second prize in a writing contest with a Biblical short story, called "Beggarman-Thief," which now forms part of his first novel.  He attended Bob Jones University, in Greenville, S.C., and then Clearwater Christian College, graduating with a B.A. in Bible-lit.  He went on to Biblical School of Theology (now Biblical Seminary) in Hatfield, Pennsylvania and graduating in 1974 with an M.Div.   Ordained in November of 1974, he served in different areas of Ministry, one of which was a foreign student ministry, which is also where he started writing his first two novels, and also where he met his dear wife, Berenice from Venezuela.  They were married in 1980, and went to Venezuela in 1989 for an extended stay, where, along with teaching English he completed his evangelistic time travel novel,  Impossible Journey, A tale of times and Truth.  Upon returning to the US, he also completed the Biblical novel, Of Such Is The Kingdom.   Also shortly after returning to the US, he began publishing his self-help ezine,  "Inspirational Success Tips,"  his articles from which now form my self-help book Principles of the Kingdom.  Then in 2012, he had the opportunity to preach a Christmas sermon in his church, which resulted in his writing The Christmas Victory, A Gem of A Sermon, All Wrapped Up In A Historical Novel.

Book preview

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT

OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM, A NOVEL OF BIBLICAL TIMES BY JAMES M. BECHER:

BENEATH EVERY HUMAN being’s virtues and foibles, a singular hunger lies waiting for a revelation which will create a powerful direction that supersedes all other human goals.  James M. Becher takes the reader back to the lifetime of Jesus Christ, into the homes, conversations, and deeds of ordinary and extraordinary individuals who were so deeply affected by the birth of this man.... Read this book to discover the fictional yet all too probable, and powerful, effect of one man sent to speak to the heart of every human being within this novel and those who read it.  Very nicely written, J. M. Becher!

———Viviane Crystal (www.crystalreviews.com)

OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM is a fictional novel based on Biblical truths.  James M. Becher has artfully taken the events surrounding Jesus' time here on earth and told what could have been from each character’s perspective...  Mr. Becher takes you through a wide range of emotions from beginning to end....  This is a great novel that I’m sure you will enjoy!

———Rudelle Thomas (Divine Eloquence: http://destinyministries.ning.com/

Copyright © 2003 by James M. Becher

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

3rd printing

This is a work of historical fiction.  Names places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or, in most cases are used fictitiously.  Similarities to real persons, places or events are NOT necessarily coincidental.  The Author uses fiction to point to truth.

DEDICATION AND A RELATED DREAM:

I DEDICATE THIS NOVEL to my dear wife, Berenice who has helped me and stood by me all the way.   When she was young, she had a dream which related to the title.   She dreamed she was in a waiting room to heaven and there were a lot people on one side who were tired and sweating from having worked hard. On the other side were a group of children.  An Angel came and started taking the children to heaven one by one.  My wife asked the angel why he didn’t take the hard- working adults.   The angel replied that she was too young to understand this now.   When I told my wife the Title of the novel, she suddenly understood the meaning of the dream.   If it’s not clear to you at this point it probably will be by the time you finish the novel.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK the following people whom the LORD God used to help make this possible:

Sean Gallagan who, when I was first starting to write the book and tried to buy a computer but couldn’t afford one and didn’t have any credit established, after refusing, later brought a computer to my house and said that the LORD told him to give it to me.

Ray Wilkinson, who first stressed the necessity of revision and helped with some suggestions for the same.

George Lutkitz who first suggested expanding the first edition.

In Venezuela, (on our recent visit): In Caracas, our niece and husband,  Carmen and Vicente Fernandez, and in Cuidad Piar, Bolivr State, aunt Omira de Carett and children, who helped me with email problems (getting the file from the publisher) and put up with me while I edited this edition there.

OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM

PART II:

ROBBERY AND REDEMPTION

A NOVEL OF THE CHRIST AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE

CHAPTER 1:  SANCTUARY

....for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

—Jesus (Matthew 5:45)

AS BARABBAS AND HIS men ran further into the forest, they saw something large and gray protruding from behind a clump of trees.

Say, what's that over there?

Let's go take a look.

Coming upon it, they found it to be a cave carved out of a rock.  We can hide out here till everything blows over.

Having brought very little in the way of rations to the insurrection, they were left to subside on roots, nuts, and berries.  Having settled into what was to be their new temporary home, they began to review their failed mission.

What could have gone wrong?  We had it planned so perfectly.

We failed to gain the support of enough of the people.

I took care of two of the praetorium guards.

And I took care of another two.

And I killed one, added Barabbas with a sigh.

The trouble was the people.

Exactly!  We should have had a more extensive whispering campaign before we began.

What do you mean?

I mean several of us should have spread the word further, throughout the crowd.

But they might not have all been sympathetic.  Some could have warned Pilate, and then it would have been even worse.

Another man cleared his throat.  Alright, men.  It’s no use thinking about what we could have done.  The question is what are we going to do now?

Yeah, Barabbas.  You're the leader.  What do we do now?

The only thing we can do.  Wait.  We can't risk going out.  Someone is sure to recognize us, and then we'd be caught.

The ground of the cave was hard, and the thoughts of the men were anxious, so it was hard to sleep, but eventually, they all dozed off.  They would soon get used to their new living quarters.

MEANWHILE, DEBORAH and the children were sick with worry over what may have happened