The Elijah Mandate, Part 2

By Lisa Worthey Smith

Amazon bestselling and multiple award-winning author, Lisa Worthey Smith, continues the political suspense in part 2 of this Selah Award finalist series.
The heart-pounding thriller intertwines tomorrow's headlines with Scripture. America will rise or fall depending on the path they choose. Following the parallels in Israel from the time of Elijah and Elisha, God equips modern-day Christians to face down the evil that threatens America.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Worthey Smith
• Release date: Oct 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736160350

Lisa Worthey Smith

Multiple award-winning and Amazon bestselling author, Lisa Worthey Smith, weaves stories brimming with faith, hope, and love. She draws from her many years as a Bible student and Bible study leader for both profound and simple layers that add spiritual depth to the canvas. Her passion is sharing biblical truths in such a way that readers gain a fresh understanding of how the Word of God is relevant to their lives.Lisa and her high school sweetheart husband are empty-nesting in north Alabama where she serves as president of North Alabama Word Weavers, tends her hummingbird garden, and tippy taps on her keyboard with a cup of Earl Grey beside her.

Book preview

A very important book ... superb content ... I was sad when the book ended ... wanted more.

Sherri Stewart, editor and writer of A Song for Her Enemies.

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In much the same prophetic style of Frank Peretti, one has to wonder if the author has glimpsed our future. Elijah Mandate, part 2 is an inspiring, strengthening read; terrifying in its truth of what’s to come, and encouraging in our hope and promise of victory as we walk with Jesus.

I came away from this book with new insights into God’s provision, and a strengthened sense of purpose for walking out my life as a believer, and an ambassador for Christ.

Kim Atchison

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The Elijah Mandate, part 2, is a story you will not forget. Lisa Worthey Smith is an excellent visual writer who knows how to weave spiritual truths throughout a story that emphasizes the importance of prayer and the work that God does on behalf of His people.

The Elijah Mandate, part 2, is fiction, but readers will find similarities in their own life and community that will grip their hearts.

This book is timely and is a call for the body of Christ to pray and study God’s Word. I highly recommend The Elijah Mandate, part 2.

Sandi Crumpton Herron, author

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Author, Lisa Worthey Smith, blurs the lines of fiction with broad strokes of realism in this installment of The Elijah Mandate series.

With total abandon to God’s will, Eliana Barrington, and her band of believers learn what it means to follow Christ in a hostile twenty-first-century America. Their saga may be best summarized by the missionary, Jim Elliot, who said, He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Drew Thompson

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How refreshing to read God’s truth in a novel and to see what could happen to a nation that rejects God. Lisa’s book shows that God’s Word stays true, and it gave me hope that those of us in Christ are protected by our God.

Lane P Jordan, Best-selling author of the 12 Steps to Becoming More Organized books,

international speaker, Bible teacher, Life Coach, and Artist

Acknowledgments

I’m so thankful for all who have encouraged my writing throughout my lifetime.

Word Weavers critique partners, your input always hones my writing skills and I’m so grateful for you all.

Editor extraordinaire, Sherri Stewart, thank you for bringing out the best in my books.

Family and friends who read my stories, your kind words encourage me far more than you know.

Reviewers, I appreciate you so very much. Your reviews are much more than a statistic on a chart. They help potential readers find my books. I’m grateful to each of you.

All those who have prayed with me, for me, and over my writing, your contribution to the words and the message they convey is laced within every line.

To the One who answers those prayers, my deepest gratitude and everlasting love. May my every word be pleasing in Your sight and useful for a generation to come; that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. Psalm 102:18

Lisa

Foreword

I have been Lisa Smith’s pastor for about eighteen years, and rarely have I seen anyone with such a great love and interest in the Bible, not only as a student of the Word, but also as a teacher. Many folks who have been in her classes, even those outside our church family, have expressed to me their appreciation for Lisa’s teaching and knowledge of the Scriptures. She has even read extensively other writings of the biblical period, widely known by both Jews and Christians. However, in recent years, she has extended her teaching ministry into the realm of writing, and what a great blessing to see how she is able to convey her knowledge to a larger audience!

When Lisa wrote her first book about Oscar the Extraordinary Hummingbird, I was impressed with her insight into how her adventures with a hummingbird could translate into biblical truths and life lessons. However, since that first publication, she has written several other kinds of books and has become a multiple award-winning writer.

Her biographical book, The Ground Kisser, is a truly remarkable portrait of courage and achievement in the lives of the family of Thanh Duong Boyer. Also her book Unsung Heroes offers insightful information into the reasons for the Vietnam War, and a look into the courage and spirit of the American soldier.

Her more recent books, The Elijah Mandate, and the newest, The Elijah Mandate, Part Two, reveal her ability to write fictional stories with amazing skill and insight.

My wife said, I couldn’t put it down! after reading The Elijah Mandate. The Elijah Mandate, Part 2 is no different. It is an I can’t put it down kind of book. Lisa has entered into the lofty level of some of my favorite writers, Joel Rosenberg and Jonathan Cahn, in my mind. She uses the lives of people working in and around the Supreme Court of the United States and our nation’s government to tell a captivating story, and yet woven into the story is a message that needs to be understood and received. Much like the Left Behind series written years ago, the fictional story is interlaced with biblical prophetic teachings and warnings. To use a pun you will understand when you read the books, there are many pearls in this great story.

If you want to read a book written with thoughtful, purposeful research, that has suspenseful twists and turns, and yet includes an over-arching purpose—this is a must-read!!

I highly recommend to you this newest book by Lisa Smith, and if you have not already done so, to acquire and read her other works as well. I have no doubt you will agree with me and my wife that it is an I can’t put it down book.

Walter Blackman

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those enduring religious persecution.

"Be strong and courageous!

Do not be terrified nor dismayed,

for the LORD your God is with you

wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

"But we are not among those who shrink back to destruction,

but of those who have faith …"

Hebrews 10:39a

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

for once he has been approved,

he will receive the crown of life

which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

James 1:12

"But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering

upon the sacrifice and service of your faith,

I rejoice and share my joy with you all."

Philippians 2:7

Overview of The Elijah Mandate, Part 1

A young law school graduate, Eliana, wore her grandmother’s pearl necklace to her first job—an internship with her grandfather’s long-time acquaintance, US Supreme Court Justice Abram. Many of her coworkers derided her for not participating in the favors expected to establish their careers, and labeled her purity in pearls.

She discovered that the internship was neither granted by merit nor by her grandfather’s recommendation. Justice Abram, part of a nefarious plan to replace America’s government, hired Eliana to determine if her now-deceased grandfather had revealed anything to her about the plan or his involvement in it. If so, he would eliminate her along with all possible threats to the implementation of the plan.

This initiated a prophecy about Eliana—being used by God as He used Elijah—that played out in modern-day America, with flashbacks to Old Testament Israel. With her life in peril, Eliana stood firm, faced down evil, and sought God for guidance. Though most Americans had turned their backs on God, her faith grew, and her mission became clear—be faithful and obedient to Him, no matter what.

While in DC, Eliana mentored Julie, a coworker, and eventually gave her the pearl necklace reminiscent of the passing of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha.

A spiritual warfare confrontation at the Supreme Court building ended in the demise of Justice Abram. Eliana, accused of causing his death and wanted as an anarchist, went into hiding.

The

Elijah Mandate

Part 2

Chapter One

Blue Ridge Mountains

One hour after sunrise

September, two years later

Before she stepped from the safety of the woods into the clearing, Eliana held her breath one more time, listening. Straining to hear any unusual sound, she shifted her eyes to scan the horizon while the birds echoed greetings to each other.

All clear.

She poked her walking stick into the leaves before each step to motivate any snakes to move aside so she could reach the perimeter of the property without a slithery encounter.

A three-foot-high stone fence near the road served as a communication pickup point. Her brother, Johnny, had removed a couple of the rocks from the stone barrier leaving an eight-inch cubic square space, unnoticeable to passersby but large enough for his courier pigeon drone to land.

Eliana probed the opening of the pocket with her stick, then leaned over to look inside it. Only a burlap pouch this time. Once in a while, a tree frog or bird settled in the pocket after an airmail delivery but always before her morning inspection. Last month, distracted by some movement down the road, Eliana had reached into the pocket without looking inside first and grabbed a tree frog. Thinking the clammy wad in her hand must have been a snake, she immediately launched the little amphibian like a missile. She blessed his heart and muffled her laughter until she was back inside the cabin.

The pouch secure in the front pocket of her jeans, she slipped back under the tree canopy and scanned for the first of many clumps of wild violets—the only markers of the trail to the cabin. Eliana headed toward it, treading a slightly different path around each clump along the way to avoid wearing down a noticeable pathway.

A few steps into the forest, she noticed the birds became silent. She pressed herself against a tree trunk and listened. A high-pitch whir buzzed nearby. A drone. Barely breathing, she stood motionless and waited.

A few inches from her face, a lizard stared at her while his breakfast ants paraded up and down the tree. Eliana whispered, Sorry to intrude, little guy. The ants are all yours, but if you jump, I’ll jump. Fair warning.

The whirring faded. I didn’t see it, so maybe it didn’t see me. Cardinals resumed their chee-ir, chee-ir, chee-ir calls. The Chickadees joined in calling for ‘fee-bee, fee-bee," and the forest symphony resumed. She pushed away from the tree trunk and left the lizard to fill his belly.

Once inside the cabin, she lowered the rebar on the front door into its concrete pad on the floor. Footsteps crunched on the leaves just beyond the door. Eliana’s heartbeat quickened. She held her breath and eased to the window. Pulling back the curtains a fraction of an inch, she saw a family unit of six deer parading by the cabin. The does stopped after every few steps to position their ears toward any sound. The yearlings, a little more than half the size of their mothers, followed their example. They’re probably looking for a place to bed for the day.

Exhaling, she prayed, Father, thank You. You have protected and provided for me here among Your glorious creation. Shelter me here, and give me direction for what You want me to do next.

The rustic exterior façade continued inside the cabin, camouflaging a vast array of high-tech security equipment that both Johnny and Pastor Paul had installed. Pastor Paul and his prepper friends also left enough rations in the basement to feed a family for two years. Around the two-hundred-fifty-acre property, fruit and nut trees provided seasonal fresh food.

Eliana pumped some water into a blue enamel teakettle, placed it on the eye of the small solar stove, and turned the manual knob to high. While she waited for the water to heat, she inserted the drive into her computer and watched the list of documents compile.

Yesterday. From J1

Yesterday. From B2

Yesterday. From Mo2

Yesterday. From PP

Because of the possibility of interception, she and her contacts had resorted to code names for their airmail correspondence. Eliana took hers from Ephesians chapter six, the biblical passage about spiritual warfare, and became known as E6. Julie found deep truth in the first chapter of James and took the code name of J1.

Johnny used the name B2 as Barrington two. Eliana’s pastor friend used PP for Pastor Paul, and Johnny joked about the unfortunate choice as often as possible.

Eliana clicked on the document from Mo2. From Mom. This should be short and easy. I’ll get it done first.

From Mo2

Hi, Sweetie!

I’m feeling better. I think I am on the road to recovery.

Thanks for the update about you. I’m so thankful to hear you are doing well. So many people have been sick. Some people are questioning the water supply as well as the mandatory vaccines.

Cars still park out front, but no one has come to the door lately. Since I always answer that I don’t know where you are, most people have stopped asking me about you.

I ventured to the grocery store this week and picked up my Government Credit Ration box for the week. They call them GCRs. While I was shopping, an old high school classmate spotted me. She’s going to come by for a visit one day soon. She had a special dispensation on her GCR card and used it to buy cookies. She plans to bring me some. It’ll be good to catch up. We’ve been out of high school so long it’s hard to remember her, but she remembers a lot of the people I knew.

Groceries are still sparse, but I did find some butter and sugar, and I had enough GCRs on my card to buy some. A friend—you probably remember Marjorie—has some hens and supplies me with fresh eggs. Wish I could send you some.

I’m studying Psalms right now. The short passages are good for me and my short attention span. I love you, honey, and pray for you without ceasing.

E6 replying to Mo2

Do not meet with anyone.

Red flag #1, you don’t remember her.

Red flag #2, a special dispensation means she already did something or agreed to do something for them. She could be coming there to trick you to talk about me. Trust me, do not meet with her. You know how dangerous it would be if she saw anything there, or something slipped into the conversation that you didn’t intend. Just say you’re being careful about close contact with anyone to stay well because of your recent bout with that flu. I’d rather be overly cautious than risk anyone coming after you.

I’m glad you can still get your GCR box of groceries. Don’t do anything to jeopardize that. Enjoy your fresh eggs. Continue to use your government credits wisely and don’t ever mention that we correspond.

I love you more than you know. I’m thankful you have your book of 66 and can spend time reading it. Just don’t leave it out in case someone comes in.

Much love, E6

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Eliana saved her reply to a new drive and lowered her head. "Thank You for providing food for her. The Supreme Leader may think he is a god, but I count on you, Lord, to strengthen