The Appearing

By Kevin J. Kurtz

Mark Mallory's investigation into crop circle messages has revealed an ominous theme -- the man of destruction, Destroyer of Worlds, is returning from the stars. At an archaelogical dig site in Megiddo, Israel, Mark and friends discover the ancient worship of lsis/Aherah is being revived by the European Union. A billionaire philanthropist with ideals on controlling the world, has ties with a miracle worker, military corporation, and the Pope. Mark must uncover the sinister plan that binds them together. The attack on Israel described in Ezekiel 38-39 is the beginning of the end. When three black triangular UFOs land in St. Peter's Square and the doors open, will the savior of the world emerge ... or the Antichrist?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Sep 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781698713038

Kevin J. Kurtz

The Appearing is my sixth published book and third in a series of speculative fiction novels featuring my twist on biblical end times prophecies. My goal is to create engaging characters that the reader will care about and be invested in their outcome. The novels are written as suspenseful page-turners for an entertaining read. Actual settings and events are woven into the plot to set a tone of realism. For more personal info about me, check my website: KevinJKurtz.com.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

M ark Mallory traced his fingers over the symbols carved inside the hull of the crashed silver sphere. He was careful to avoid the section of twisted metal, suffered during impact, whose sharp edges could tear and shred his skin.

The damaged UFO hung suspended five feet above the ground in a steel girded enclosure with a walkway parapet built into the frame to allow for exterior examination. A four-rung ladder gave access from the ground to the frame.

The craft had an egg-shaped seat, designed for a single occupant, it seemed. An instrument panel, far more advanced than any modern avionics, surrounded the seat. Mark wondered if the pilot had survived the crash, or was now being probed and prodded in some other part of this underground lair.

Dr. Abram Horowitz, Israel’s premier Director of Science, leaned in over Mark’s shoulder. Professor Jackson, have you heard from your friends at the Pentagon if these markings are identical to the symbols on your recovered crafts?

Mark was getting used to being addressed as Professor Daniel Jackson, the pseudonym he created while he worked for Mossad in Israel. No, I haven’t. I’ll give them a call.

May I join you? Dr. Horowitz appeared eager, and somewhat jealous. I, too, am anxious to hear their report.

Sure. I’ll text them to see what’s a good time for the call, since we’re seven hours ahead.

Mark texted J.T. and Raj. Curious to know what you discovered in pictures I sent you. Do symbols match your previous discoveries? When can we talk?

Mark put the phone in his pocket and started to climb down the ladder holding the suspended UFO. Dr. Horowitz followed.

I ran a cold fusion test on a sample taken from the craft’s hull. Dr. Horowitz had a habit of folding his hands when he spoke. The metal fragment levitated. You were right in predicting it would have anti-gravity effects.

I’m glad the test was successful. I think these craft also have the ability to cloak. But I don’t know how you test for that.

I’ll get my team on it. Dr. Horowitz put his fingers to his chin in a pensive pose. Think of the possibilities if we could isolate its properties.

Mark’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He read a text from Raj. No call. Let’s do Zoom or Webex. You need to see the pictures.

Mark responded. OK. We need to make sure it’s thru a secure site.

Raj texted back. Dude. We work at the Pentagon. Even the toilet paper is secured. We’ll send you an invite.

My friends will send us an invite to their video conference so we can see what they’ve uncovered.

Dr. Horowitz bobbed his head. Excellent.

The steel blast doors to Bay 4 rolled open. In stepped Hannah Rabin, wearing tight black pencil jeans, magenta blouse cropped mid-bicep that accentuated her toned arms, and half-crop black suede boots, three-inch heels clicking against the polished cement floor, strode toward Mark and Dr. Horowitz.

Hannah spoke to Mark. There’s been a development at a dig site. We require your expertise. Sorry, Doctor. We’ll return Professor Jackson to assist your research as soon as possible.

Dr. Horowitz deferred. I understand. Professor Jackson’s talents are required elsewhere.

Hannah looked around the room. Where’s Shauri?

Dr. Horowitz adjusted his glasses. She’s assisting my team studying the aerodynamics and propulsion of the craft.

Perhaps Professor Jackson would want his assistant to accompany him to the dig site?

Mark picked up on Hannah’s verbal suggestion. Yes. She’s like my right hand.

Dr. Horowitz typed a message on his IPad. I’ve sent for her. She’ll be here shortly.

Hannah maintained her air of authority. Thank you, Doctor. We appreciate your accommodation on such short notice.

Of course, Ms. Rabin. Whatever I can do to help Mossad.

Beth Cormack, known in Israel as Shauri Avital, entered Bay 4 from a side door. Mark watched her approach.

Good morning, Miss Avital. Sorry to interrupt your research. I’m bringing Mark to a dig site and thought you might want to accompany us, Hannah said in a cheery tone.

I’d love to come with you. Beth looked at Dr. Horowitz. Unless Doctor Horowitz thinks I’m needed here.

Dr. Horowitz made an attempted smile. Go. We’ll still have work to do when you return.

Hannah moved toward the door. Then, we’ll be on our way. I don’t know when I’ll bring them back.

Dr. Horowitz waved Hannah on. Take as much time as you need.

Without another word, Hannah turned and walked out of Bay 4. Mark and Beth stayed close to her. Once in the elevator, Hannah pressed her hand against the biometric reader, then pressed the button for Ground Floor.

How do you like working for Doctor Horowitz?

Mark looked at Hannah while he pointed to his chest. You talking to me? Or Beth?

Both of you.

Well, for me... Mark paused for the politically correct answer. He, uh, has a way of letting you know that he’s in charge. Which I totally understand, because I’m just a nothing American on his turf.

Hannah waited for Beth to respond.

Beth seemed to be weighing her words. He has me doing data entry for his aerodynamic team. I don’t interact with him.

The elevator stopped on the ground floor. Hannah stepped out of the elevator to the open bullpen where agents sat at desks observing the activity of foreign nations on big screens attached to the wall.

Satellite images displayed military activity on the monitors. One showed a naval group off an undetermined coastline. Mark couldn’t decipher the Hebrew transcript at the bottom of the screen. Another monitor showed Turkish tanks and artillery heading south across Turkey’s border with Iraq.

David Gershom, fellow Mossad agent and friend of Hannah’s, stood in the bullpen, staring at Turkey’s military arsenal moving out of Turkey.

Hello, David. Professor Jackson and Shauri will be joining us. What is the status here?

Turkey has sent another two armored divisions across their border. We don’t know if they intend to attack the Kurds or ISIS.

We’ll continue to assess their troop development. Hannah gave David a coy smile. Would you like to drive us to the site?

My pleasure. David left the Mossad observation bullpen, filled with advanced technology, to the white-washed cinder blocks and worn carpet of the entrance hallway. He pushed a door that opened out to a secured underground parking lot positioned underneath the Golda Meir Art Museum. David pressed his electronic key fob and the doors of a white Range Rover parked nearby beeped.

Buckle in and get comfortable, David said. We have about an hour’s drive.

Hannah handed a cell phone to Beth. This is a secure phone. I’m sorry you’ll have to add your contacts.

Beth shrugged. I had to leave my phone with Ishira Ghundavi before she put me on a plane to Taos. It’s like a reminder of a bad dream.

Mark adjusted his shoulder harness. Where are we going?

Tel Megiddo. It’s an archaeological dig site northeast of here. David served as tour guide. Megiddo is an ancient city, its origin dates to twenty-five hundred BCE, and it is situated in the Jezreel Valley on the main road running north, south, east, and west. The Canaanites, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians all sought to control it throughout the centuries.

Okay. I enjoy a good history lesson. And I’m grateful to be out in the sun and fresh air and away from Doctor Horowitz. But what does this have to do with me and Beth?

David looked over at Hannah, as if it were her turn to speak. There’s been a recent discovery at Tel Megiddo that we don’t want released to the public. But I thought you should see it.

Mark squirmed with anticipation. Can you describe it to me?

Among the ruins that date to civilization from about nine-hundred BCE, the archaeologists found a temple shrine dedicated to Ashera, the star goddess. They found a strange symbol that didn’t belong in the shrine.

Mark wrung his hands. Don’t leave me in suspense. Tell me what they found.

The symbol was a triangle contained in a circle.

CHAPTER 2

M ark almost jumped out of his seat. He looked at Beth. A triangle contained in a circle is the image found in the crop circle at your dad’s corn fields.

Hannah spoke. It’s also the symbol for TRIOP Corporation, one of Mathis Ornos’ shell companies.

You said it was found at a shrine temple? Mark said.

David made eye contact with Mark in the rear view mirror while driving the Range Rover.

Yes, to a goddess named Asherah. After King Solomon, the Israelites worshipped her as the ‘Queen of Heaven.’

Mark shook his head. You know, when I hear you say, Asherah, it sounds like Ishira.

Beth gasped. Oh, my gosh...Ishira Ghundavi.

David looked at Hannah, then Mark and Beth. You want to tell us what you’re talking about?

Beth took rapid breaths. Ishira Ghundavi is someone I met in my Eastern Religions class at ISU. She got me involved in meditation. She’s the one who arranged for me to go to Taos to be trained by Duresh Mombai.

Mark put his hand on Beth’s shoulder to help calm her. David, you seem to know a lot about this goddess Asherah. What else can you tell us?

Well, she was called a different name by the Akkadians and Hittites.

Wait. You said Akkadians. I had never heard of them until my friends discovered the first message in the crop circle written in Akkadian.

That’s an odd coincidence.

Mark shook his head. I’m believing less and less in coincidences. Go on with your story.

King Solomon is actually responsible for leading the Israelites into idolatry. Early in his reign, he dedicated his life to Yahweh. But later in years, he took many foreign wives and built temples for their gods, Asherah being one of them. Solomon reinforced Megiddo as a city to house his chariots, so I’m not surprised that there would be a shrine temple there.

I read that Solomon was the one who designed the Pentagram occultists use, Mark said.

David arched his eyebrow. Yes, that’s part of the legend. It’s also been told that he used his wisdom to try to discover the top one hundred ranking angels and demons.

Hannah interjected. There’s one more thing about Asherah that might be important. She was worshipped by the Canaanites and Israelites as the wife of El...God.

I bet that ticked God off, Mark said in a sarcastic tone.

David looked somber. It brought a curse upon the Jews. They were driven from the land and taken into captivity by the Assyrians and Babylonians.

Okay, the history lesson helped. I have a better understanding of this goddess Asherah. But what’s that got to do with a triangle contained in a circle?

Hannah smiled. That’s why we’re bringing Daniel Jackson, Professor of Archaeological Symbols, with us.

Mark held up his hands. Whoa. That’s the persona that you created for me. I’m just Mark Mallory, reporter. But I’m going to phone a friend. He took out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

Mark heard, "Shalom," then more Hebrew he didn’t understand.

Rabbi Josef? This is Mar...Daniel Jackson.

Ah, Daniel. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?

Rabbi, I’m headed to a dig site in Tel Megiddo where they found a carved symbol in an artifact. The symbol is a triangle surrounded by a circle. Do you by any chance know what that symbol could mean?

Hmm, you’re asking about Hebrew mysticism. But yes, I have heard a theory that seems plausible. The triangle represents the trinity...God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that is contained, spiritually, in a greater power. To some, that power is Satan.

Rabbi, is there any connection of that symbol to King Solomon?

Ahh, you are familiar with Solomon’s following other gods. His wisdom corrupted him, trading the worship of Yahweh for idols of stone. Rabbi Josef sighed. Solomon desecrated the Star of David, twisting the five points into a goat’s horns. But I have no knowledge of Solomon creating the symbol you described.

Thank you, Rabbi. Shauri and I really enjoyed your church service. If we’re still in Israel next week, we’d like to come back.

I’d be delighted. Shauri has the voice of an angel. We would be blessed to have her sing again.

As Mark ended the call, he saw Beth blush.

So what’s my role at this dig site? Mark said to Hannah.

You are the American professor consulting with Mossad on special projects. You won’t be asked too many questions. I want you there because you may see other markings related to the codes.

Okay. I’ll keep my eyes open.

David turned off the highway onto a dirt road. We’re coming up on the dig site now. He parked the Range Rover close to a large tent erected to provide shade and shelter from the elements. He held his arms out wide. Take a look at this view.

From this vantage point on the rise of a hill, Mark saw the geometric quadrants of barley crops spread across the Jezreel Valley. It looks fertile.

A land of milk and honey. The desire of kings and conquerors, David said.

This way, professor. I’ll introduce you to the lead archaeologist. Hannah pulled back the tent flap and stepped inside.

Nearby, two college-aged women sifted dirt for pottery fragments and other clues of past civilizations. Hannah moved toward a woman, about mid-forties, her copper-orange hair tied in a ponytail. A blue bandanna covered her neck.

Professor Chayim, we’ve arrived. I’ve brought Professor Daniel Jackson and his assistant, Shauri.

Professor Chayim turned and looked at Mark with a slight twist of her head. Her freckles moved as she scrunched her nose.

Yes, I was informed you’d be bringing a visitor.

Mark stuck out his hand. Professor Daniel Jackson. Pleased to meet you.

Beth also shook Professor Chayim’s hand.

You’re American. Professor Chayim put down the alabaster figurine she had been examining. Am I to stop my work and give a tour to your American guests?

Hannah kept an edge of authority in her voice. Professor Jackson is a highly esteemed consultant who is assisting Mossad on a classified project. I wanted him to see firsthand what you have discovered.

Professor Chayim seemed to be weighing her options. Then I shall lead the way. She walked along the slope to an area of exposed dirt, then descended a short ladder into the dig site where a section was roped off. I believe this is what you came to see. She pointed to a stone bas relief carved image of a female figure holding what looked like stars in her hands. The bottom of the relief had an inscription that Mark couldn’t interpret, and a symbol of the triangle inside a circle.

Professor Jackson, this symbol is curious to us. Professor Chayim pointed to the strange triangle and circle. Have you seen this before?

Actually, I have. But not at archaeological sites. They were discovered at crop circles.

Professor Chayim focused her gaze on Mark. He didn’t know if it meant curiosity or skepticism. Can you read this inscription?

No, I’m afraid I can’t.

So you’re not a linguist?

No. But I am dabbling more in ancient languages like Akkadian and Babylonian. My specialty is symbols...related to UFOs.

Now Professor Chayim just stared at Mark. Are you familiar with this image of Asherah?

I was given a history lesson on the drive over. She was the ‘Queen of Heaven.’ Supposedly married to God.

Yes, that’s what the Canaanites believed who lived in this area. But her worship is more ancient than that. To the inhabitants who lived in this land, she was the wife of Nimrod. He built a tower that would return them to the stars.

The Tower of Babel, Mark blurted out.

Professor Chayim nodded. This inscription says, ‘The Queen of Heaven shall return from the stars,’ followed by this strange symbol. Do you know what this symbol means?

I have a theory. The triangle represents the Trinity... God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the circle shows God’s power is contained. It may also represent an unholy trinity of Satan, and whatever. Mark paused. This symbol is now re-emerging in crop circles around the world, here in Israel, and probably yet undiscovered sites. It’s also being used by a military contractor.

Mark stopped, lowered his head, and took a deep breath. Professor Chayim, I think something really bad is about to go down.

A smile crossed Professor Chayim’s face. I think you have answers to my questions. You must tell me what you know.

Mark stood on the slope, feeling as if the hourglass of time had been turned over and the sand poured through at an increasing rate.

CHAPTER 3

"I was in Jerusalem two weeks ago when I looked up and saw three silver disks in the sky. Professor Amira Chayim stepped back from the stone bas relief of the goddess Asherah. I wasn’t afraid. But I had a sense of warning. Amira looked at Mark. Is that why you’re here in Israel?"

Mark glanced at Hannah for a clue as to how to respond. Umm...I’ve been investigating sightings at a few locations.

Amira still held her gaze on Mark. And what is the connection between the silver disks I saw and this archaeological site?

Hannah stepped forward. Professor Jackson is not at liberty to discuss it.

Amira held up her index finger to make a point. Ah, it’s a matter of national security. Very well. I understand some things must remain secret. May I ask a favor?

Mark wasn’t sure if the question was directed to him. Sure.

Amira narrowed her eyes. Tell me when you discover the purpose of the silver disks.

Hannah put her hand on Mark’s shoulder to turn him away from Amira. We’ll be leaving now. Thank you for showing us your discovery. For now, no one else is to know about the symbol of the triangle contained in a circle.

On one condition. Amira straightened her stance in a confident pose. Professor Jackson will share with me what he learns of the meaning of the silver disks over Jerusalem. It’s important to me...for my personal faith.

Mark glanced at Hannah for approval. She stood there with a stern look. I’ll share with you what I can.

Amira shook Mark’s hand. I look forward to hearing from you. May God be with you.

Mark and Beth followed Hannah and David away from the dig site and back to the Range Rover.

Do we have time to spend a few more minutes here? Beth said. This view over the valley is breathtaking.

Our prophets warned that one day this valley will be covered in blood. A great battle will be fought here. Hannah stared down into the lush, green fields below. Your Christian Bible calls it, Armageddon.

Mark shuddered. He’d read the portion in Revelation where the world’s armies gathered to fight against Jesus Christ and his army of saints and angels.

David, maybe Mark and Beth would like to visit Nazareth? Visit the town where Jesus grew up?

Beth gushed. I think that would be amazing.

Then we’re off to Nazareth. David unlocked the Rover and everyone climbed in. He hadn’t driven far on Route 65 East when he pulled over.

Why are we stopping here? Hannah said.

I want to show Mark something. David got out of the SUV and retrieved a set of military binoculars from his backpack in the back seat.

Mark, Beth, and Hannah stood near David on the gravel embankment off the highway. David handed the binoculars to Mark and pointed southeast. Look in that direction.

Mark peered through the lens. I see a cement wall about thirty feet high with barbed wire on top. What is it? A prison?

You could call it a prison, of sorts. David had a sad expression. It is the wall we have built around the West Bank.

The section in Israel where the Palestinians live? Mark said.

Yes, the West Bank and Gaza Strip. For many years we have tried to broker peace with the Palestinians. To no avail.

May I have a look? Beth asked Mark. He handed her the binoculars. After a few moments, she said, The wall seems...barbaric and cruel.

David sighed. It is a last resort for us. What would you do if your neighbor threatened to kill you and broke into your house to harm your family? Day after day. Year after year.

Beth shook her head. The news shows Israeli tanks smashing down Palestinian homes. Images of mothers holding crying babies.

David was now agitated. Your American news doesn’t show the Israeli dead and our children wounded from Palestinian Katusha rockets fired into our homes. We offer an olive branch, they chop off our hand.

Hannah stepped between David and Beth. My uncle, Yitzhak Rabin, sought peace with the Arabs. But there are those on both sides, Israeli and Arab, who can’t bear the thought of those two peoples dwelling together. My uncle paid for the price of hope with his life.

Just then, Mark’s phone vibrated with an incoming text. It’s from Raj. He says he wants to do the video conference with Doctor Horowitz today at one, D.C. time.

That’s eight p.m. here, David said.

Beth handed the binoculars to David. Do we still have time to visit Nazareth?

Yes. It’s not far from here. Maybe twenty-five minutes.

Then let’s go to the town of Jesus’s childhood. Maybe we can have lunch there? We’ll look for someone multiplying loaves and fishes. Hannah winked at Mark in a playful gesture.

David merged onto Route 65 headed north. They passed large fields of golden barley and groves of ripening olives. To the east is Mount Tabor. It was the scene of a great Hebrew victory over the Canaanites.

Yes, Hannah piped in, God called a woman, Deborah, to raise an army and lead men into battle. She playfully punched David in the arm.

So we’re headed to Nazareth. What can you tell us about it? Mark asked.

It’s a large city of two hundred thousand, about sixty percent Arab population. David kept his eyes on the road while he drove. You’ll like this part. The majority of the other population is made up of Christians.

Beth tilted her head. How does that work? You have Arabs, Jews, and Christians all living next to each other. Do they get along?

You’ll see for yourselves, Hannah said. We’re coming up on the city now.

Mark rolled down his window to get an organic feel of the city. With his arm dangling outside, he could feel the sun’s warmth.

Nazareth is also called the Arab Capital of Israel. Many businesses are dedicated to software development. David turned off the main road. I’ll take you to the Old City.

They passed a large church with a dome on top. That is the Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation. David seemed to enjoy his tour guide duties. It is purported to be the place where the angel Gabriel met with Mary.

A few more turns, a few more streets, and David was pointing to another Catholic church. Over here is Saint Joseph’s Church, built over the place believed to be where Joseph, father of Jesus, had his carpentry workshop.

On another road, a tall white minaret rose toward the sky.

That is a Muslim mosque, surrounded by many Christian churches.

David slowed as the Rover neared the open market where Arab and Jewish vendors peddled vegetables, olive oil, pomegranates, and more.

With his window down, Mark could smell spices and herbs like cumin and thyme. As if on cue, his stomach gurgled, loud.

Hannah turned around. Was that your stomach?

Yeah, I’m sorry.

David, we’re going to need to get Mark some food, Hannah said.

David nodded. I’m on it. There’s a restaurant near here with a varied menu.

Mark sucked in his gut to stifle any more food-deprived protests. David parked the Rover in front of Rosemary Restaurant.

When Mark got out, he looked back the way they had come. In his mind’s eye, he looked past the city of Nazareth to the Jezreel Valley and the plains of Megiddo. Storm clouds gathered, darkening the sky and casting a long shadow on the land below. Rain fell, not of water, but blood, forming in pools on the fertile earth.

CHAPTER 4

A fter lunch, Beth put her hands to her stomach. Ooh, I ate too much. I kept putting hummus on everything. I need to walk it off.

David smiled. I know just the place. It’s called Nazareth Village. It’s like an open-air museum that reconstructs the daily life of the first century.

That sounds like fun. As long as I get to walk.

The four hopped into the Range Rover and David maneuvered through the city streets to open land on the outskirts of the city. He parked in a cleared dirt lot.

The Village is not far from here. Having modern vehicles would ruin the vibe.

Mark heard a donkey braying. Being from Iowa, the only donkey I saw was at a petting zoo.

Hannah wrinkled her nose. What’s a petting zoo?

It’s a penned area where you can pet goats and pigs, you know, farm animals.

You’ll see those here without the pigs, of course. David chuckled.

A dirt path led to a set of ten houses built of stone and wooden support timbers, and daubed with mud. At the first house, a man laid out straw atop the flat roof. The house featured an open court on the bottom floor. A donkey and ox stood next to each other in a fenced corral. Two chickens and a rooster scurried nearby.

They had their animals live with them? Mark asked.

Yes, on the bottom floor. The household dwelled on the second floor.

Beth walked to another area where a bearded man leaned on a carpenter’s plane to smooth the rough knots out of a wooden board. She watched the man working, until Mark stepped beside her.

What are you looking at?

A smile crossed Beth’s face. I tried standing here imagining it was Jesus working as a carpenter.

Yeah, pretty cool, huh? The men dressed in robes. The women wearing head scarves. It all seems authentic enough to make you feel you’ve really stepped back in time.

They walked over to see two women stomping grapes in an oak-barrel vat.

Mark laughed. Did you ever see that I Love Lucy episode where she was stomping on wine grapes and fell into the vat?

Beth arched her eyebrow. No. You watch a lot of TV, don’t you?

Mark shrugged. I didn’t go outside much as a kid. I could tell you about every Gilligan’s Island or original Star Trek episode.

Beth smirked. I don’t think you want to broadcast that fact.

Hannah and David joined them. David looked at his watch. You two ready to head back?

Yes, Beth said. Thank you for bringing us here. I’ve really enjoyed it.

As they walked back to the Rover, Mark turned toward Hannah. Hannah, could you or David take me to Mossad headquarters tonight at eight? My friends want to share their findings on the symbols inside the craft you recovered. We’ll video conference with Doctor Horowitz.

I’ll bring you there myself, Hannah said. I’m anxious to hear what they’ve discovered. Shall I pick you up at the hotel, say seven-thirty?

Sure, that works. Can I ask another favor? Can you call Doctor Horowitz? I don’t have his number in my phone.

Hannah used her cell phone to dial inside Mossad headquarters to Bay 4, where Dr. Abraham Horowitz conducted research on the recovered UFO.

After four rings, Dr. Horowitz answered. Hello?

Doctor, this is Hannah Rabin. I’m handing the phone to Professor Jackson. Hannah handed her phone to Mark.

Hello, Doctor Horowitz. I’ve heard from my friends at the Pentagon. They’re ready to share what they’ve discovered. We’ve set up a video conference tonight at eight.

Excellent. Will you be joining me here in Bay Four?

Hannah motioned for the phone. Mark handed it to her.

Doctor, please join Mark and me in the conference room on Level One.

Of course. I look forward to this evening.

Hannah terminated the call. She looked at Mark. Now can you share with me, before the meeting, what your friends discovered?

They didn’t tell me. Raj seemed excited, so I guess it’s good news.

Hannah nodded. I understand. I just don’t like surprises.

David drove south on Route 65, retracing their drive through the Jezreel Valley and the hill city of Megiddo. Mark looked across the plain. An intense vision of a vast army of many nations formed in his mind. They shouted blasphemies against God. A brilliant white light appeared through the clouds, striking down the army. Blood flowed from the dead bodies, forming pools, then a river.

Mark recoiled at the vision and jerked back in his seat.

Whoa. What happened to you? Beth looked at Mark with shock.

Hannah turned in her seat and watched Mark. Are you okay? Your face is very pale.

Mark blinked, trying to erase the vision and bring himself back fully to the present. I...I saw something. Like a vision.

Tell me what you saw. Hannah spoke with concern.

I saw an army, here in this valley. They were looking up to the sky, shaking their fists and cursing God. Then this bright light burst through the clouds and struck the army dead. There was blood...lots of blood.

No one spoke in the Range Rover.

Mark rubbed his temple. You think I’m crazy, don’t you?

Hannah reached back to touch Mark’s hand. No, Mark. I don’t.

David made eye contact with Mark through the rear view mirror. Ezekiel thirty-eight and thirty-nine describe Gog and Magog descending upon Israel with a vast army. The Lord Jehovah destroys them. It takes seven months to bury the dead.

You think that is what I saw?

David shrugged. I don’t know. Maybe.

There’s also the Christian bible in the book of Revelation, where a vast army gathers in Har Megiddo — Armageddon. Jesus defeats them. Hannah’s voice used a soft tone. Mark, have you had visions before?

Mark snorted. You want me to say, yes? To prove I’m crazy?

No. I’ve already told you I don’t think you’re crazy. But this place, the valley we’re driving through, is called the Valley of Vision. God has shown many things to his prophets here.

Mark shook his head. Now you’re calling me a prophet? No way. I’m not even Jewish.

Beth reached over and squeezed Mark’s hand. You don’t have to be Jewish for God to speak to you.

Mark pulled his hand away. There has to be a logical explanation for this...the food I ate for lunch. Too much hummus. Bad dates.

Mark, I told you I’m not an orthodox Jew, or that I’m even religious. I also said I believe God brought me to you. Hannah’s eyes locked on Mark’s. I want you to know, that if God is speaking to you, I’m listening.

Mark lowered his head with the weight of those