The Reluctant Prophet

By Ron Davis

Twelve carefully selected individuals venture from their Southern U.S. location to a predestined site to serve as witness to the return of the Son of God. That witness will then allow them to authenticate and spread the message of this momentous event to a corrupt and violent world. Guiding the groups members to their objective is divine inspiration emanating from an enigmatic figure named Paolo. His choice to lead the group on the mission is a man named is Timothy, an individual who is relentlessly beset by self-doubt and uncertainty.

The journey takes the group through hazardous terrain. As they make their way, they are constantly under attack from the forces of evil. Their primary opponent is Satan, who becomes aware of the mission, hopes to thwart the groups effort, and employs the creatures of iniquity to confront and destroy all twelve group members.

The reader is introduced to each individual comprising the venture. The nine male members and the three female members relate in first-person narrative their personal feelings, fears, and expectations that they experience along the way.

A climactic battle determines whether the group members are successful in their mission.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483647807

Ron Davis

Ron Davis is an attorney, teacher, author, speaker, husband, father, and student of the Bible. He works in-house as corporate counsel and has practiced law for over 30 years. He holds a Juris Doctorate from American University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland. An entertaining speaker and energetic story-teller, Ron’s passion is teaching God’s Word, which he has done for over forty years. 

Book preview

Chapter One

Before him a great Prophet, to proclaim

His coming, is sent harbinger, who all

Invites, and in the consecrated stream

Pretends to wash off sin, and fit them so

Purified to receive him pure, or rather

To do him honour as their King. All come

And he himself among them was baptized—

Not thence to be more pure, but to receive

The testimony of Heaven, that who he is

Thenceforth the nations may not doubt.

—John Milton

Paradise Regained, Book I

A man with a mission.

This not just any mission, but one that promises a new day, a new world, a new hope. Such is the enticing description I have received. On that basis I bought into it. Or maybe I should say I am open to learning more details, as well as meeting this mission man with all the promises. Anyone with such intriguing goals is either intuitive or he’s unrealistic—or he’s just plain nuts.

A friend named John is responsible for arousing my interest in this man and his mission. John explains that like the others who hope to join this undertaking, he would be going along not so much for the adventure as for several other worthwhile reasons. He believes he may find a new meaning in life, a calling of sorts. He confides that he also hopes to take part in a journey that provides a spiritual challenge, affords a direction, maybe even lends a bit of excitement to a dreary, aimless life. From all John has told me about this mysterious man and his mission, I could also expect all that to eventually happen to me—and perhaps much more.

I know of the man that John has endorsed so highly. His name is Timothy. I’ve never actually met him personally, but I’ve heard from other people who regard him with great affection. I recall one person describing him as saintly.

I am also informed that on the first occasion I have to listen to him speak, he will impress me greatly. John adds that I can’t imagine how much and how meaningful merely befriending Timothy transformed his previous hum-drum life. The same is true, he predicts, for those select others privileged to join this mission about which he has spoken so fervently—yet explained so superficially.

John has never disclosed to me Timothy’s last name. Obviously, he has one, but none of his followers I’m acquainted with seems to know it either. John has also mentioned to me that when first meeting Timothy, most people have guessed that he is probably no older than thirty-five, yet they eventually learn that he is well into in his forties. Additionally, I’ve heard from others that he stands six feet tall or thereabouts, has a handsome face and a charismatic smile.

I have this picture in my mind of Timothy as a person driven by ambition, or maybe the conception of sublime destiny, but lacking that form of compassion that arises from a personal experience with failure. Those individuals are the type primed for achievement, no matter the goal, the purpose, the hardships. Indeed, I’ve received reports that Timothy has already enjoyed great success in the business world. At one of the major American corporations, he supposedly rose through the ranks to the position of senior vice president and was primed for the chief executive officer’s job. Not bad for someone as young as he. But I also learned that he abruptly and surprisingly resigned from his position and from his career—no reason given.

At John’s urging, I am invited to attend a conference where I will meet Timothy. Lacking any measurable ambition, John is most likely drawn to Timothy by a sheer force of will—which must be an attribute that Timothy possesses. John is more a follower than a leader. And as a follower, he needs a strong mentor to guide him along life’s path. But John is a man of great courage. I want him beside me when danger threatens. I also know that John is also quite well-read, and his knowledge of arcane myths and legends has always fascinated me.

John tells me he met Timothy at a gathering of like kind—aimless souls searching for direction of some type. I know several members of that group, and I regard them simply as introverted antisocial beings. Others I’ve met I classify simply as misfits, having sought in vain life’s positives and finding only the negatives, yet hoping to discover the way, the Tao. Such a search can likely merely bring them some means of social survival in a world they have never clearly understood.

Charisma and intellect are qualities that Timothy and others like him possess as an enticement. Add to that an ambitious demeanor and one gets the impression that they possess all the qualities of leadership—those qualities that convert common men and women into heads of state, rulers, and iconic religious organizers. John told me he never recalls any member of our group questioning Timothy’s abilities or authority. I thought John might be exaggerating a bit when he told me something about Timothy’s special attraction for him. John said that not even if the worst imaginable enemies might appear to have the upper hand—and death seems imminent—he would trust Timothy’s judgment, though it might bring him to Hell’s fiery doorstep.

Following John’s insistence that I attend this particular meeting of Timothy’s group, I committed, though knowing that John’s taste for adventure and destiny often clouds his reasoning. The evening meeting is at a large church auditorium selected by someone named Paolo, a man John describes as a deeply religious type in his mid-fifties. I arrive at my destination a couple of minutes late and head for a seat near the auditorium rear. I note in attendance maybe ninety or a hundred diverse members, most of whom noisily chat. I do recognize a few faces, so initially I don’t feel all that uncomfortable. Nevertheless, I am mostly ignored.

Then I spot John, who apparently arrived early, He is passing through the gathering, shaking hands with some attendees and touching others on the shoulder with a grin that is always returned. I find an empty seat between a man and a woman, neither of whom I recognize. I nod to them as I sit, and they both in turn respond with a smile.

John soon finds me where I’m seated. He seems eager for me to meet two members of the group, and he guides me from my chair to where they sit. Steve, he says to me, this big fellow here is Lucius. I think I may have already told you about him. I shake his hand, but neither of us speaks. He seems coarse and unfriendly. He is no taller than six feet, but his bulky frame makes him appear somewhat imposing. A brown beard frames the bottom of his face, adding to his stern demeanor. I learned previously from John that Lucius served in the army as a medic and is now a nurse practitioner.

The second of the two I meet is named Matt, who seems cordial enough, though my impression is that he too is socially inhibited to the point of introversion. He rises, grasps my hand, shakes it twice, then drops back into his chair as if I have suddenly become a nuisance. I think to myself, What a couple of assholes! But John has told me that they are both stalwart companions, trusted allies. I’m not so sure.

John introduces me to others he knows, but they make little impression on me. And while John is chatting with them, I slip away to return to my seat. Once there, I have time to observe others who have gathered for this meeting. From my vantage point, I can see that more men than women comprise the group. But the women present converse amiably with those men seated next to them. And I notice that most of the women are plainly dressed, their use of cosmetics, sparing.

Seated to my right is a short, overweight man who appears to be middle-aged. We exchanged greetings when I first took the seat next to him, but neither of us subsequently sparks a conversation. To my left is a young woman, and we greet each other and introduce ourselves. She tells me her name, and I think she says it’s Marcia. Could she have instead said Martha? I recall John telling me that Timothy has a special relationship with a Martha. I’m not sure what that means—special relationship. Maybe an affair? Or perhaps just good friends. Whatever her name, she and I exchange pleasantries, and I notice that she has a congenial smile, but her eyes reflect a sadness that betrays that façade. She too is dressed simply, her auburn shoulder-length hair tied loosely and hanging to the rear.

A man to her left vies for her attention, and I gather that they are acquaintances, for she laughs softly at times during their conversation. When I have a chance to sneak a glance at him, I determine that he is in his late-forties. I intuitively know that after tonight I will never see him again.

As I survey the others who are present, I spot, off to my left and two rows in front of me, two very attractive women sitting together. I’m not the only one who has noticed them. Two men sitting close to them attempt to engage them in conversation, but apparently without much success. The two women mostly ignore both men.

I sit quietly, lost in my thoughts, wondering whether I belong with this group of seemingly unsociable, eclectic, and, mostly, bizarre individuals. I search for the nearest exit. A strange feeling comes over me—almost a panic. But just as I start to rise to make my way toward the nearest doorway, a hush comes over the group. I glance toward the front of the auditorium and see three men enter and walk toward a dais, which two of the men step upon and quickly sit in chairs arranged on either side of a speaker’s stand. I am sure I know the person seated to the left as I face the stand, but am unable to call to mind a name.

Then the third man steps to the speaker’s stand and scans the group gathered in front of him. I forget about an escape, settle back into my seat, and watch as the members of the audience fasten their attention on him. I somehow sense that this man is Timothy.

I carefully observe this Timothy person as he stands in front of the room, but it is with a strange associated sensation of trepidation. For this occasion, he is dressed simply, yet his clothing fits snugly, revealing his muscular build. I vividly note on this first impression his interesting face, dark complexioned but not overly handsome. Still it is a face that prompts a fascination, perhaps even a captivation.

With barely a pause or an introduction, he begins speaking in a low tone that quiets the audience to total silence. His first words uttered are imperceptible to those of us in the rear of the audience near my seat, and many around me lean forward in hopes of improving their hearing vantage. I too am unable to pick up his introductory words. I want to call out for him to speak louder, but I feel constrained by my guest status. And no one else seems to be bothered enough to warrant a plea to him. I do clearly hear him introduce the other two who walked in with him. He points to the person seated to his right and says softly, I think most of you know Marco. He has been instrumental in helping us in planning this trip.

Did he say trip? I think to myself. Is he referring to the mission that John spoke of?

Timothy then points to his left and says, And I don’t think I have to introduce Paolo, who will speak to us momentarily.

Timothy returns to a barely detectable mumble. Little by little, however, his voice increases in volume. I can now pick up entire sentences, until finally he speaks so that those around me sit back in their chairs. The stocky man next to me had initially cupped his left ear in his effort to hear Timothy’s words, but he now drops his hand and nestles into his chair.

The first words I think I distinctly hear are . . . we must prepare ourselves… But then Timothy mumbles a few more words. Next, he says more audibly, We live in a world of complexity. There’s nothing simple anymore. Again, more indiscernible utterances. I long to raise my hand to ask Timothy to repeat the words I miss, but once more I remember my attendance status as a visitor.

Now I think I hear the words our savior. And when I do, there is a rustling of movement from those seated in the audience. I am sure I detect a low-spoken I’m His from someone a couple of rows in front of me. Or is it an amen I hear from that person?

Finally, his voice level increases to a point that allows me to relax. I know of this technique of some public speakers: start a speech with nearly inaudible words to quiet their listeners. Then from a whisper, increase the volume as a compelling force to assure that the members of the audience are attentive and the message is heard and understood. This works well in Timothy’s case, for all eyes now seem to be totally concentrating on his every word.

Timothy continues, "We have heard throughout our lives that an accounting for our acts here on earth is inevitable. So our religious and moral leaders urge us to avoid immoral acts, ignore self-indulgent temptations, and follow good thought and bodily practices. But most people find that impossible to do. I too have sometimes wavered from the proper path in life. Perhaps you also have. So we all likely work hard day and night in the hope that we will have the self-esteem derived from righteousness. And it’s that combination of self-esteem and righteousness that gives us the ability to aid and comfort others.

"Where do we find the strength to live up to the high standards set for us by our moral leaders? The answer is that we find that strength only within ourselves. We can’t hide from the fact that we determine our course in life. We cannot blame others for our shortcomings—our failures. The strength comes from within each of us. We have a destiny—or maybe I should say a ‘destination’—that we can reach only if we set goals that are productive and moral. Only then are those goals attainable.

Most of you in this audience know me personally. And those who do then know that I have strayed earlier in life from the standards that I refer to. Again I detect several audience members shifting in their seats. But, Timothy continues, "I found that the way to achieve happiness and self-esteem is to change the way my life is headed. It was no accident that I have accepted certain guiding principles to which we all have access. And I’m not referring just to those of Christianity. Such principles are found in every religion that humans follow and believe in.

I once had an opportunity to discuss religion with a man who follows the Baha’i faith. I was fascinated by the things he told me about his beliefs and concepts. Like most of you here in this audience, I share with you in your beliefs. And as believers in Christianity, we adhere to a guiding force for good in our lives. But unlike the Baha’i faithful, we believe that God has revealed Himself to humanity through one and only one divine messenger. And His teachings guide, educate us and provide the basis for the advancement of human society.

Timothy pauses for a moment, and I see several members of the audience again shift in their seats. Some in front of me seem oblivious to the Baha’i discussion. I know Baha’i only in name, and I silently promise myself to research the religious message it offers its adherents. Then Timothy continues: The teachings of the great philosophers throughout history have warned that we should live our lives so that we are not slaves to the vices we encounter. Of course, the greatest teacher was the one chosen to lead us from earthly existence, its problems and temptations, to a greater place we call Heaven, where we shall find an eternity of happiness and love.

Again, Timothy pauses, then glances around the room at the various members of his audience. Eventually, he looks directly at me. I think we have a visitor here today, Timothy says. He is a guest of John, and he is seated next to Martha, there in the rear.

Most of those in the audience turn in my direction, and I wave to acknowledge the greeting and respond with, Thank you.

Timothy replies, No, thank you for coming. I know your name as Steve. And I hope you will find that we are all receptive to new members of our group. We want you to feel that we are your brothers and sisters, that we have goals in common with you.

With most in the audience now focusing on me, I feel a need to show my appreciation for the attention I am receiving. I rise from my seat and say, I appreciate your hospitality, and I hope to get to know everyone here. John is a good and trusted friend, and I am grateful to him for his courtesy in inviting me to be with you.

As I sit back down, I receive a scattering of applause from the audience.

When the attention of everyone returns to Timothy, I glance at Martha and whisper, So you are Martha. I thought you said your name is ‘Marcia.’ I know of you. John has mentioned you a lot, and I have wanted to meet you. John says you and Timothy are special friends. I did not know Timothy until now.

Martha smiles and says, Nice meeting you, too. And yes, Timothy and I have been friends for many years. He is a good person, as I think you will learn once you get to know him.

Well, John certainly speaks highly of him, I reply. So I…

My conversation is interrupted by Timothy as he continues addressing his audience.

My real purpose in calling this meeting today, he says, is not to discuss religious philosophy with you, but to tell you about a journey that we plan to undertake. No, not plan to undertake. It’s more like we must undertake. This journey is not just vital to those of us in this room. It is vital to all of humankind. Yes, that’s what I said—all of humankind.

From the audience arises a distinct murmur. Several of those in the front rows seem to know what Timothy is referring to, and they glance at those next to them, with some exchanging a knowing nod. I turn to Martha for a reaction, but she looks straight ahead, never changing her expression and apparently unaware of my inquisitiveness.

Timothy continues, Most of you know what this journey is about. It’s why you are here today. As for the rest of you, well… let me just say that whether you accompany us or not, you can participate. You can be an important part by helping those of us prepare for what lies ahead.

Timothy pauses briefly, then turns to the man seated to his right. You of course know Paolo, Timothy says. I’ll ask him to provide some information that may be useful to you as you consider embarking with us on our journey.

Paolo, a man whom I had heard about from other sources but had never met, nods from his seat, slowly rises, and walks the few steps to the podium. Timothy waits until Paolo stands next to him, then wheels and takes the seat that Paolo vacated.

Paolo stands for more than thirty seconds without acknowledging his audience, his eyes trained on the rear wall of the room. Again, several in the audience shift nervously in their seats. The pause gives me a chance to closely observe this man who stands before us. He is late middle-aged, balding, and exudes an inner strength that appears so strong that I believe I can detect it pervade the entire room.

Finally, he glances at several of those in the front rows. They are giving him their full attention. They obviously feel that to do otherwise may not be wise.

Paolo at last speaks, and his audience seems to relax a bit at his first words:

Timothy has mentioned a journey, he says. But he didn’t explain what the journey involves or why it is a journey that is so vital. He has left me with the difficult part.

A brief smile crosses Paolo’s face, and the audience reacts with scattered laughter.

But before I give you the details of the journey and tell you of its importance, I would like to provide some background. In doing so, I think you will agree to what this mission—and, yes, this is a mission—what it means to each one of us. For that matter, to all the world. First, though, I want to start with some definitions of a couple of words that are common to you. Those two words are similar, but their meanings are not. The two words I refer to are ‘reincarnation’ and ‘resurrection.’ Would anyone in the audience want to define those two words?

No one raises a hand.

Oh, come now, Paolo says after a pause and a glance around the room. You are all familiar with the word ‘reincarnation.’ Don’t be shy. Tell me what it means if you are reincarnated?

Lucius, whom I had met earlier, raises a hand.

Thank you, Lucius, Paolo says. Give us a definition of reincarnation.

It’s the belief that after death our soul reappears at a later time in a different body, Lucius answers.

Paolo smiles and nods. That’s pretty much it, he responds. "Good job, Lucius. Reincarnation is in fact a belief, shared by perhaps half the people on earth, that when we die, we will be born again as a different person. Many ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians embraced the theory of reincarnation. Some existing religions believe that what we do here on earth—our good deeds and our bad deeds—will determine the bodily form we take in our next life. Some people refer to that determination as ‘karma.’

"But how is it possible to have two or three or four or more different lives, multiple personalities in succession? No one has successfully answered that question. Yet, many cultures believe that philosophy as a component of the overall religious experience. And certainly the evidence that some people have undergone reincarnation is credible. Something called ‘soul regression’ takes a person undergoing such a process back one lifetime after another. And when an investigation determines that many past lives are exactly as a person relates during soul regression, you have to wonder about its reality.

"Maybe some of you have read the works by Ian Stevenson of the University of Virginia. In one study conducted by Dr. Stevenson, he interviewed more than 2,500 children who recall past lives. The study found, among other things, that many of those children carry over physical characteristics from one lifetime to another. Fourteen of the children who remember past lives said they died from gunshots and could show scars that resemble bullet-wound entry and exit points. In another study, many of the children interviewed and while remembering past lives, showed great fright upon seeing certain objects associated with violent death. Dr. Stevenson reports that some of the children he interviewed told of having past lives ‘before,’ they said, ‘I was in Mommy’s tummy’ or said, ‘I used to have a wife and children’ or ‘I died in a car accident’ or to a parent, ‘I was your Daddy.’

"Even more seemingly improbable is the fact that children who remember past lives concur on how the afterlife works. Some can even give details about the location and setting of past lives that, when checked, show amazing accuracy. And their descriptions of the places they went to following a past death are consistent in almost all of them.

"As for karma, you might have to wonder if it works the way it probably should. We see instances where evil deeds go unpunished, virtuous deeds are ignored. And even in India, where reincarnation and karma dominate the religious beliefs of almost all the people there, crime and intolerance are major problems comparable to any other nation.

One view of reincarnation is based on something known as life-force energy. Such energy is a sort of gift to humans and supposedly is eternal. And it explains such occurrences as apparitions, ghosts, and hauntings. Some of you here may have had ghostly experiences that you can’t explain with rational thinking. Could I have a show of hands if you have had such experiences?

Several audience members hesitatingly raise their hands to indicate assent.

Well, Paolo continues, "You are not alone. It is fairly common to encounter seemingly unexplainable occurrences. I’ve read that nearly three out of four people say they have seen or heard extraordinary things that do not seem ‘earthly.’ Some people today adhere to the popular concept of theosophy to explain such unusual events. Theosophy holds that reincarnation is a process of natural evolution based on karma. Proponents of theosophy believe that through reincarnation, their souls advance in stages toward God. Karma is merely an action in one lifetime that creates a cosmic effect in the next lifetime.

Now you may be asking yourself why I am giving you this background on a subject that may seem divergent from our purposes. Well, it’s to give you some contrast to the real purpose of this get-together.

Paolo again pauses, glances around the room, then at Timothy, and mumbles a few inaudible words to him. Timothy responds by reaching into a satchel he has brought and lies by his chair. He then pulls out a copy of a book that looks like, and then I recognize is indeed, a Bible. With Bible in hand, he rises halfway from his seat and gives it to Paolo.

Paolo continues, So we have talked about reincarnation. But that’s so we can better understand the principle—or maybe I should say ‘the certainty’—that differs somewhat from that belief. That certainty is RESURRECTION!

When Paolo says the word resurrection, he literally shouts it, obviously startling some of the audience in the first few rows. He then pauses, as if to give those of us in the audience a chance to fully absorb what he has just said. Then in a normal tone of voice he repeats for further emphasis: Resurrection!

Paolo now has our full attention.

He continues, Reincarnation and resurrection are not one and the same. Reincarnation involves a rebirth. It requires not only a death, but then a starting over. After death, there is a birth. The soul returns in infant form. Any past life or lives are usually erased in the mind of the newborn person. Of course, it’s possible that consciousness can retain those experiences, but the brain works from a clean slate. And by the way, consciousness may not even reside in the brain, so that each experience of thought of the newborn may travel to some imperceptible destination and become a repository for that person—and maybe for all persons.

Paolo fondles his copy of the Bible as he speaks, but then he freezes for a full thirty seconds, not even blinking his eyes. Finally, he lowers his head and fixes his gaze upon the book that he shifts to one hand. For another thirty seconds, he seems mesmerized by that object he holds. Again, many in the audience stir uneasily in their seats. He then opens the Bible, and somehow seems to turn directly to the page he needs to continue his discourse to us.

I want to read you something to help you more clearly understand my line of thinking this evening, he says. "Those of you who regularly study the Bible will recognize the scene as described in Matthew. Jesus has just been sentenced to death for some undefined crimes and is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman-appointed governor of the land of Israel. Earlier, Jesus had a chance to defend himself, but only answered, ‘I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.’ The high priest who was present then accused Jesus of speaking blasphemy, and the others who were judging him found him guilty and want him dead.

"During Jesus’s appearance before Pontius Pilate, the governor asks him if he is king of the Jews. Jesus simply replies, ‘Thou sayest.’ Jesus’s taciturn demeanor and speech impresses Pilate, and he decides to give the accusers a chance to save Jesus from execution. So Pilate tells them that they can release from bondage either Jesus or a notable prisoner named Barabbas. The accusers pick Barabbas for release and ask Pilate to execute Jesus.

"That was done as the accusers asked. Barabbas is released, and soldiers strip Jesus and make him put on a scarlet robe, then place on his head a crown of thorns. Next, the soldiers make him walk to nearby Golgotha, known as the place of the skull. There they crucify him, along with one or more other thieves, while the priests mock him. Soon darkness comes over the land, and Jesus eventually dies. Matthew remarks that at that moment, ‘The Earth shook and rock broke apart.’

"Then a more miraculous thing occurs. A rich man who is also a Jesus disciple and is known as ‘Joseph of Arimathaea,’ asks Pilate to allow him to take the body of Jesus. Pilate grants the request, and Jesus’s body is transported and placed in a sepulcher. Guards are ordered to watch over the entrance to the sepulcher, and the entrance is sealed with a large boulder.

"Soon, however, an angel of the Lord comes and announces that Jesus has risen from the dead. There are those who saw a live Jesus, and he spoke to many, proving his resurrection. His disciples later go to a nearby mountain and see Jesus and hear him promise that he will be with them always.

The disciple Mark reports similar events of the scene of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. Mark notes that those who loved Christ the most came to the sepulcher after learning of Jesus’ death, and they saw that the boulder at the sepulcher’s entrance had been rolled away. They entered the tomb and saw a young man sitting there, wearing a long white garment. The man told them that Jesus had risen from the dead and that they should go to the city of Galilee, where they would find him. Word spread of Jesus’s resurrection, and he appeared to many who knew and loved him. Then he reportedly ascended to heaven to sit on the right hand of God.

Paolo pauses again. He then leans forward and scans the members of his audience. Some apparently feel uneasy when Paolo’s gaze falls upon them. They move in their seat almost imperceptibly in response.

So now, Paolo continues, we rely on eye-witnesses to the resurrection. They were there. They saw what they saw. And they reported the miracle. Those who believe in those accounts by the disciples have no doubts about the authenticity of that event. But the account doesn’t end there. There is to be another wonderful and astonishing event that was actually predicted before the flood that occurred in Noah’s time. It’s one that we will welcome like no other event in our lifetime. And all those people who have passed before us will benefit from it as well. Can anyone tell me what I refer to?

The audience, obviously mesmerized by Paolo’s account, sits quietly. No one seems brave enough to venture a guess.

I hesitantly raise my hand.

Paolo begins scanning the audience, but finally recognizes me. Okay, I see in the back a brother who can respond to my question. Sir, I believe your name is Steve. Timothy recognized you earlier this evening. And John has also told me about you. Like them, I too extend a welcome from all of us. Would you stand so others may once more see you and hear your answer?

I slowly rise from my seat, and many in the audience in front of me again turn in my direction.

Thank you, I say in reply to Paolo.

Now please tell the audience what I’m referring to, Paolo requests.

You undoubtedly mean the Second Coming, I respond.

Yes, exactly! Paolo booms. The Second Coming!

I sit back down, and Paolo begins again:

I’m sure most of you are knowledgeable about the Second Coming. But I’m going to explain my version anyway, he says with a sly smile. "Before Jesus was crucified, he made a promise—a promise that he intended to keep. There had been prophecies of a savior who would die and then return. His disciple Matthew reported that Jesus vowed, first, that a sign will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. Jesus added, ‘They will see the son of man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.’ After the crucifixion, the very angels who transported Jesus to heaven declared, ‘This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’

"One biblical scholar says that for each prophecy of Jesus’s first coming, there are eight for his Second Coming. And, the scholar adds, the more we examine the circumstances necessary for a Second Coming, the more we will recognize that they are falling into place.

In ‘The Revelation of John,’ there is this proclamation: ‘I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.’

Paolo stands silently scanning his audience for a full minute, then asks, Is there any question who the rider of that horse could be? Is there any question that the passage from Revelation refers to the Second Coming?

Paolo pauses again, then continues:

So how important is the Second Coming? At the time of that forthcoming great event—perhaps the greatest in the history of this earthly world—it will be our knowing and confidence that God is in control of all things and is faithful to his word and his promises. And ushering in the Second Coming will be, according to Revelation, a world devastated, where millions of people could perish, and the most evil being in the history of the world will be defeated.

I notice Timothy, sitting quietly while Paolo speaks, nods as if in complete understanding of the gravity of the words he is hearing.

A man three rows in front of me tentatively raises his hand. May I ask a question? he inquires.

Of course, Paolo replies. I recognize brother Tom, whom most of you know.

Thanks, the man says as he rises to his feet, then continues, I’ve read that throughout history, speculation about the exact dates of the Second Coming has been repeatedly in error. With all the evil in the world, why hasn’t this event—this Second Coming—already occurred? Why has Jesus not appeared before now to put a stop to the wickedness that people have to suffer through?

Good question, Paolo answers. Thank you, Tom. Does anyone want to venture a reply?

Paolo glances about his audience, but no one apparently cares to venture a response.

No? No one? Well, I’m not surprised, because some of the greatest theologians of the past and the present have pondered that question, and none of them have successfully answered it. Even the Bible states that ‘no one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.’ But put your trust in the words recorded in the book of Mathew. There it quotes Jesus as warning that we shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. And nations shall rise against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms. Famines and pestilences and earthquakes will afflict humans. False prophets will arise and iniquity will abound. Then the sun will darken, and the moon will not shine. Stars will fall—figuratively, obviously. Only then will we see a sign of ‘the son of man in heaven’ And he will come in the clouds with power and great glory.

Paolo’s audience now sits silently as he speaks. And for what seems like five minutes, no one I can observe in the audience stirs. During that time Paolo simply stands with head bowed as if in prayer.

Timothy finally rises from his seat. Paolo then seems to awaken from his trance, and many in the audience look about the room, only to see others who are still transfixed by the message of doom and possible salvation that they had just heard.

Paolo looks over at Timothy, then nods. I’ve presented a ghastly picture of what can befall us, but maybe a glimmer of hope. Paolo says. "Now I’ll let Timothy have the floor,