Dragons of the Apocalypse: The Birth of the Dragons

By Terry Hughes

Ethan Sayer had felt the call of God on his life, but he had ignored it. Today, God would get his attention. Plucking Ethan from his car, God would bring Ethan before his throne and ask him to go one more time. Where would he send him? Ethan Sayer and his three daughters will travel around the world with his emissaries. Who are these emissaries? They are dragons. That is not all. God assigns an angel to take Ethan back in time. He is to be a witness to five saints in history. These saints singlehandedly changes the course of history of the nations in which they live. God would break Ethan’s heart for the peoples of the world. He walked and lived among them. He would see kingdoms rise and fall.

What is the purpose of his trip through time? When Ethan is returned to the current time, he is shocked to find that he had only been gone for a few hours not the months and years that he has witnessed. Now he must convince his wife, daughters and a US senator that he is not crazy. This is a test for the nations. The first treasure will be revealed by the angel, but they must be told of it beforehand to prove it is from God. Politics and family dynamics crash into their lives. Together, they will uncover the four remaining treasures hidden in the nations that Ethan visited in time. With little else to guide them. How will the Sayers find them? This first book will tell the story of these saints, the birth of the dragons and the training that allows them to fly their dragons around the world!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781644685938

Book preview

Chapter 1

Something Old into Something New

Spring was giving way to summer on a beautiful day in Virginia. The weather outside had been perfect. Ethan Sayer considered himself a traveling salesman but had worked in the office all week. Since taking a job in Virginia, he had worked two weeks away from his wife and children and drove home every other weekend. Finally, eligible for his first vacation, he would take a much-needed two-week vacation to move his eldest daughter home from college. It was Friday, and Ethan’s boss gave him a two-hour head start. Home was 617 miles away in Kentucky. The time was just after five o’clock, and he had been in Tennessee for thirty minutes. Ethan had driven this trip every other week for twelve months. He was still seven hours from home, and it was time to decide where to eat. Would he eat in the tri-city area or wait an hour and a half to eat in Knoxville. He scanned signs to decide if anything appealed to him and would make the decision that way. His arrival would be midnight Eastern or eleven Central Time if he grabbed some drive-through.

The next moment, Ethan wondered, Why am I looking at my feet? He was no longer in his car. He was suspended in midair and could not raise his head. It was as if he had been hung on a hook. The room that Ethan found himself in was bright and there were others around him, yet he could not move. Then he wondered, Where are my shoes and socks? Ethan could see he was wearing a white robe with a sash at his waist. His first thought was a hospital gown, but it wasn’t.

Ethan questioned himself, Have I been in an accident? Am I paralyzed? Why am I hanging in the air? Shouldn’t they put me on a gurney? How did the accident happen and why can’t I remember what happened? Did someone call Vivian? I hope that it wasn’t something I did to cause the accident. Was anyone else hurt or killed? Oh, please, Lord, don’t let anyone be dead or injured because of me!

Be strengthened and stand on your feet. The voice was booming and yet kind.

Ethan raised his eyes to look toward the voice. He could see a pair of feet on a throne. Bright light emanated from them and the entire room was illuminated by Him. The throne shone white. Ethan then thought, I’m dead! I am standing before God and now is judgment. Everything I have done, every thought, every word is going to be shown before me and my God. He was confident that there was no condemnation when you were in Christ. Ethan had trusted in Christ and was sure that he had been saved but this was a horrible feeling. The Creator, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings was on His throne right before Him.

Struggle as he may, Ethan could not raise his head any further to see the face of his God. He felt as though he was held erect, yet he could not feel someone’s touch. Ethan was slowly moving to the floor. When his feet touched, he was certain he would fall, yet he did not. His legs would not disobey the word of God.

The LORD said, I have a test for the gentile nations, and I will send emissaries to be my witnesses to all the nations. Will you go with them for Me?

Yes, Lord! Ethan replied. I will go. You know my thoughts. You know, Lord. I am not worthy to be before you but where you send me, I will go. It was all he could do to speak. Ethan dared not raise his eyes. Ethan could see there were many beings around him, and they glowed as well. It could be that they reflect the glory of the Lord or they glow as well; he did not know. So much was going on, yet he failed to comprehend all that was happening around him. Ethan’s mind raced, he was confused. Why am I here? Is this real? Have I been in an accident and this is brain trauma?

You and your daughters will travel the world for me. I will send people before you and others will provide your needs. You will be received before great and small. Governments will seek you and receive you favorably. You must persevere until the end, my son, God said.

The words My Son encouraged Ethan and brought his focus back to the throne before him. Until the end, Lord? My end or the end of the world?

It is not for you to know. I will send you with an angel and he will show you nations that you must travel for Me. I will give the world four emissaries and five nations will be given great treasures that My angel and my emissaries will reveal. These treasures will be for their governments, the LORD said.

Lord, are there any conditions that I need to tell these nations, or will the emissaries tell them? Ethan asked.

My gifts are without conditions! I will bless each nation with great treasure, and they are to use it as their governments see fit. You, My son, will see these five nations as no one has seen them. My angel will guide you through the years and you will learn, and you will testify to this. My power will be displayed yet the nations will still deny Me though I resurrect something old into something new that I have planted it in the minds of man! They will believe and rejoice for a time. Guide these five nations. You will be welcomed, for a time, but if you press through on the course that I will send you, you will be hated as my Anointed One was hated. ‘They first hated Him who I have sent,’ the LORD said.

Years, Lord? Who will provide for my family? Ethan asked.

Have I not always provided for you, My son? You have received what you could manage. I have honored your prayers. Prayers that you would have ‘God-fearing’ children. Prayers that the love of money or great wealth would not corrupt or lead you or them astray. Your greatest gift to your children and the greatest desire of your heart was that they be guarded by a hedge of protection as your grandmother prayed for generations to come. My son, you prayed for your children before you met their mother, that they would know the One True God and worship Him only and that I would send you a Godly wife that would bless you with them and believe as you have believed. This prayer, My son is why you and your children will go to the nations! the LORD said.

His voice was heard by every cell in Ethan’s body. He could hear and he could feel them. The power of His spoken word was as if Ethan could be blown apart by His whisper. Ethan was before God! He had so much he wanted to say, so much that he wished he could unsay. Ethan wanted to remain here, yet he trembled and feared to raise his eyes. Thoughts passed through his mind that he wanted to say but could not form into words and still, he seemed to blurt out questions.

How will we travel to these nations and will we go with your emissaries? Ethan asked.

My emissaries will carry you and you will meet them not many days from now. My angel will reveal to you the first treasure, but you will go to a government official that I will show you. I will grant you favor to tell him that this will take place beforehand. In this way, they will know that I have sent you. You must tell your daughters to stand firm and not to flee when they meet My ambassadors. Be of great courage and trust in their Lord! Do not fear for what to say, the LORD said.

Why would they flee Lord? Who are these emissaries? Ethan asked.

My emissaries are dragons and you will ride them, you and your daughters. The youngest in her time. She will grow with hers and she will teach hers and learn from hers. This new thing in the earth will demonstrate My power. I will do as I please. The Nations will see and know that I am God, yet they will resist Me, the LORD answered.

Dragons, Ethan thought. The head injury in a car accident was becoming more of a possibility except that this was so vivid. Ethan felt his bare feet on the floor and heard voices and music. There was sweet music and wonderous smells. Foreign languages were being spoken but Ethan felt he knew what was being said but had not heard any of them before. There were others present that Ethan became aware were watching him, yet he could not turn to see them.

Here is My angel. Go with him and he will guide you. Observe and remember what you see. I will open your ears and lose your tongue so that you will hear and understand, speak and be understood, the LORD said.

Ethan felt like God reached out to touch his shoulder and as he turned to see his hand and feel his touch, in his mind this verse exploded in his head: So that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.¹

Ethan knew he was no longer before the throne. He felt pain as if he had lost a precious loved one and he yearned to return. It was dark. As a child, he would turn on the TV and a dot of light would appear in the middle of the black screen and slowly grow larger until it filled the entire screen and the show would come into focus. That is how this was. He looked for the angel. He was very tall, fearsome, large, and powerful. Ethan was scared at first, but as the angel of God spoke, the darkness passed as if a dawn was coming. Besides his voice, Ethan heard sounds of birds. A donkey was braying, and a cow bellowed as Ethan had not heard since he was a child. Suddenly, he was standing and on his feet were sandals and under them was loose dirt. There was a breeze that was gentle, and it carried the smell of bread and wood smoke.

As he surveyed the area around him, people were coming out of small houses. There were tools and unfinished projects leaning against a very small house. A woman with a shawl over her head was stoking a fire on a round bricked or adobe oven that he had seen only in books. Ethan stared at her and guessed she might have been in her thirties but maybe much older. She smiled at him. Wait, where was I now? Ethan thought as he turned to see the angel standing just a few feet away.

Where am I? Ethan asked.

You are in Israel. Prepare yourself for there are men coming and you will be pressed into service, the angel told him.

Ethan was completely lost! He was told he was in Israel and he was wearing a robe and sandals. It looked as if he were a character in a Christmas movie special. Pressed into service? What did that mean he wondered?

He heard the sound of many footsteps and turned to see a man in the clothes of a soldier. He was in charge of a hundred men who were carrying various weapons. Some had swords and shields but most carried long spears. They were traveling with a few women and children at the rear. There were carts being pulled by oxen and donkeys were loaded with many things and some even pulled items on litters. Ethan first thought that they may be moving or fleeing.

The leader said to Ethan, Greetings! From which tribe are you or are you an alien or slave?

I am not a slave nor am I from a tribe. I am an alien to you, my friend, Ethan said, not knowing what he meant exactly but tried to speak as he spoke.

Grab your sword and shield, we are going to meet the army of the Lord and may He grant us victory as He has done for my lord and King! the leader said and these remarks echoed among his men.

I do not have a sword and I do not have a shield, Ethan answered with some alarm.

Cutting Ethan off, he appraised him. Come, you will help guard the baggage. You are fit for a man so old.

He threw a hand on Ethan’s neck and pointed him in the direction they were going. The angel fell in alongside. Ethan was a little alarmed and slightly insulted. He was in his mid-forties and would not say he was a man so old. Yes, he could lose a few pounds, but he took care of himself. He had never been in the military and now he was going to war. How did this happen? Ethan looked toward the angel who simply walked beside him. It was obvious that the only person that could see the angel was Ethan.

Before long, they were joined by more tribes. They were going to the camp of Israel. The Philistines were massing and had come from a place called Nob or they were from a place called Nob. The enemies were being led by a descendant of the giant who David had slain. He had sworn to kill King David and had a new sword made with which to do it. The men that Ethan and the angel traveled with were from the tribe of Judah and David had been their king longer than David had been Israel’s king. They were not going to let the giant’s descendant kill their king! The man who had pressed Ethan into service was a proud relative of David. He had fought his first battle with King David when they served the Benjamite King as he said. He was a mere boy when David became King and there were men from other tribes that followed him when Saul sought to kill David. If he was a boy when David became King, David would have to be in his sixties or older! This man appeared to be about ten years older than Ethan.

The terrain was harsh but for the most part, was downhill. Finally, they could see the camps. There were tents and banners in rows. It appeared to be a valley and there were armies camped on opposite sides. The leader left and a younger man led them to a small ravine. There, they set about doing preparation. They put on their battlefield clothing. Much was little more that wide belts and leather vests. Others had leaf like mail chest plates. Many had long shields, yet others held small round shields. They did not have helmets as one would think of a helmet. They were mostly of leather and some men tied twisted cloth around their heads.

Children had gathered wood and now were building a firepit. Ethan could smell bread that had been beaten down in bowls and had risen. The women looked for flat rocks and some of the older boys were carrying them to the firepit. Ethan stood by watching and not really knowing what to do. He was handed two large vases and told to find water. There would be a well in this area. A young man was also assigned the water detail, so Ethan followed him. After finding a cistern, filling their pots, they returned to the camp. The fire was roaring and a partially filled pot was swung out over the fire. There were two other fires set against the bank of the ravine. It had been what to Ethan was a very long day. Ethan felt he had been awake for a day and a half. Ethan struggled to pay attention, yet he felt as though he could sleep standing up.

The leader or chief, as Ethan was beginning to think of him, returned. The battle was to begin at the time the sun would hit the last of the enemy tents in the morning. About the second hour of the day. Be ready for the trumpet call. He came to Ethan and he was carrying a bundle. Ethan hoped it was a blanket; it was not. He had a tunic because if the war overran the camp, he was not going to have Ethan’s blood on his hands if Judah or Israel, mistook him for a philistine and killed him. This did not comfort Ethan. He had a wide belt, a short sword, and carried it all on a shield that to Ethan looked slightly larger than a large pizza. The sword looked as if it had been made at home. It might have been two feet long but did not have a hilt. If an enemy blade ran down it, a flared bottom guided the opponent’s blade away from one’s hand. When the chief handed Ethan the sword and shield, he grabbed the handle and waved it side to side to check the balance. The chief shook his head, took them from Ethan, and showed how to deliver a blow with the shield. It reminded Ethan of a high school football move called a forearm shiver. The strike of the sword was to follow like a quick uppercut. Ethan demonstrated what he was shown and was given additional footwork tips, where to strike and told to keep moving.

Is guarding the baggage dangerous? Ethan asked.

He answered Ethan, At the brook of Bezoar, King David said to those who fought with him, And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike. So it has been from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.²

Seeing by Ethan’s expression that he had not satisfied his question, he said, Evil and worthless men will plunder armies while on the battlefield. They will take our wives and daughters and slaughter our sons. They will carry them away and have them worship idols made with hands who are no gods! Do not be the man that flees and let this happen in our camp. It would not go well with you.

Ethan looked at the sword he had been given and at the families that were working together to prepare a meal and make camp. Ethan decided to practice, and this pleased his host. This act earned an invitation to eat with the chief and a place to sleep in his tent.

Ethan recalled a psalm of King David.

He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great.³

Sitting around the fire to eat, the chief warned the men to remain clean, humble themselves before God, the Righteous Judge, the Creator of Heaven and Earth! Rest well and remember the call of the horns.

No Philistine dog would kill our King! Our King who is God’s anointed and blessed by the seer, Samuel himself! the chief declared to rally his forces.

Men headed to their tents, the chief held back a tent flap and showed Ethan where he could lay down. Ethan had dressed for the battle and he sat the shield and sword near his head. He was given a rug that appeared to be woven from wool, but it was soft enough to be his bedroll. Ethan rolled the clothes that he had removed to use as a pillow. As he laid down, he didn’t remember praying or anything else until a hand shook him. It was the chief. His hand stopped Ethan from reaching for the sword. Ethan looked up and the chief released his forearm and waved Ethan toward the tent flap. As they stood outside, he once again used his strong hand to guide them.

The chief said, We have the young and some of the injured who will be with you. You are an able-bodied man. If trouble will come, it will come from above. He pointed up the ridge. Post the older boys as sentries. If trouble comes, they will sound the alarm. May my God see and protect you.

He patted Ethan on the back, and he turned and joined his men. There were several hundred men who went with him. Ethan watched them leave before morning light. One could hear the sounds of men in the distance and see torchlight and campfires. Ethan stretched and looked around. When the sun rose, it would be from behind him. Ethan turned to look up the ridge and could see the horizon which had just started to show. There a shadowy form stood right behind him. It was the angel. Ethan’s desire for coffee to start his day was gone.

Before Ethan could stammer a curse for scaring him, the angel spoke, Have you not heard? ‘Cursed be the one who does the LORD’S work negligently, And cursed be the one who restrains his sword from blood.’⁴

Wait, are you saying I should go with them? Ethan said, pointing behind him without turning to look away from the angel.

You are where you should be but know this: God has judged the Philistines and that judgment will be carried out. Though they will be completely wiped off the face of the earth, it will not be today. They will suffer a severe loss and few of their fighting men will survive the battle. Worthless men follow them to glean from the opposing forces and though you would prefer to die than kill, it is these men, women, and children who would die and suffer because of your selfish pride, the angel said as he turned and motioned toward the tents where women and children exited as if on cue.

What should I do? Ethan asked.

The young boys have been told to be sentries. The older boys are good with their bows and slings. The older men and the injured should remain at the funnel points of the ravine. Stay alert! The battle will not overtake the LORD’S army. Do not hesitate to strike. Fight for these and your God, the angel said.

Ethan was confused. He had no military experience. He doubted the people of the camp would follow him. Was it light enough that they saw him or heard him talking with one they could not see? As Ethan walked into the camp, he was given a leather pouch. In it was what could be called hardtack and a couple of granola-type cakes all on top of roasted grain.

Ethan thanked the woman who had given it to him. The boys came to Ethan. Guessing their age, few seemed older than twelve to Ethan. A few men who appeared to be fit also joined the group. Outside the group were older men; they were close enough to listen in. They looked at Ethan as if waiting for him to give instructions.

I hear some of you are good with your bow and some are good with slings. Is that right? Ethan asked the youngest in the group.

The boys started telling stories of rabbits and running off wolves and shooting of birds in the brush. The youngest were handy with slings and the older had graduated to the bow. Ethan looked to the five youngest boys.

Kneeling and looking them in the eyes. Are you rested, boys? Ethan asked. They all nodded excitedly. Good! You must stay alert. You are to go up on the ridge and stay out of sight. Keep your sling ready and stay vigilant! Do not let anyone slip by you. If you see someone, sound the alarm. I want you to yell for us and run quickly back to camp. Do you understand?

They were excited and nodded to Ethan and each other. Turning to the boys with the bows, Ethan instructed, Gather your arrows and keep a close watch. Stay out of sight, but if you see someone call for the men. Use your arrows if you must but make sure our young sentinels return safely. Hold off as many as you can until the men of this camp can join the fight. To the older men, Ethan simply said, Protect the women and children.

The older men fingered their swords and gripped spears. The sun was above the horizon now and the group of fighters were well lit by the rays of the sun, yet the light had not made it down onto the battlefield below. The boys climbed up out of sight and Ethan decided to go and check on their locations. The lip of the ravine was steep. Twenty to twenty-five feet above the camp, there were a few sparse trees but mostly rocks and loose dirt. It was not an easy climb in the sandals he was wearing.

As Ethan reached the top, he found that the boys were bunched up and sitting on a little rocky outcrop. He spread them out and moved an archer back to where they could see more in front of them and would be able to look back into the camp. Once he felt they knew what was wanted of them, he returned to the camp. There was a blast of trumpets and a roar of men. Ethan looked down into the valley where the battle was engaged. He realized that every man, woman, and child were looking in the same direction that he was. At that moment, it occurred to Ethan that bands of men who were accustomed to the sounds of war being a distraction would allow them to attack or sneak in on the camp. Spinning around and looking to the hill, it was all he could do to get the attention of one of the older boys. Ethan motioned for him to look where the danger may come from. He acknowledged his command and turned.

One could see he was getting the attention of the other boys. It was not long, and Ethan saw a boy to his left stand and draw his bow. He fired two shots and was joined by a younger boy with his sling at the ready. Soon they were all shooting, each younger boy retreating to the older boys. Ethan grabbed his shield and sword and sprinted up the hill. Ethan saw men to his left and his right start to climb the slopes to the boys. These boys were more of a nuisance to the raiders who were advancing on the camp in pairs. Ethan wasn’t told what to do if there were two to fight. Still, he charged toward them and out of his peripheral vision Ethan saw a man stand and swing a glaive down on him. Ethan had just enough time to slow the blow with the small shield. It couldn’t fully stop it. There was a bill hook that came off the point of the glaive. He had raised the shield just in time to block the shaft but not the bill hook. It found the flesh in the top of his left shoulder! Ethan spun on his attacker and kept the shield traveling upward. The blade in his right hand found the enemy’s midsection.

The adrenalin and smell of his own blood surprised Ethan. He knew he had been hurt and hurt bad, yet his arm continued to move as it should, and the pain was there but it made his mind clear. Two were heading toward him, and he knew he must keep moving. The first tried to swing his sword down on him from above but his footing gave way. Ethan caught him with the edge of his shield right across the jaw. The man crumpled at his feet. Ethan swung the shield up to protect his head from the second man’s charge. He knelt on the man below and did the forearm shiver combination he was taught the day before. The blow was true. That left the man below who was not completely helpless. There were calls for help all around. He could not abandon those to tie this thief who would kill the helpless. As Ethan was weighing his choices, the man reached for his sword, Ethan did what he must and ran to help the nearest man.

A boy helped an older man. He was firing arrows from a short distance and the older man was fighting two men. One had a sword and one a spear. The man with a spear was tired of blocking the boy’s arrows and had broken from the fight to kill the boy. The boy was brave. He stood his ground. He knocked his last arrow and waited. He wanted it to find its mark. The spearman saw the boy as a hindrance to his ultimate goal. He did not hear Ethan until he was in striking distance. The boy lowered his bow and the spearman realized too late why. The older man’s battle had come to a favorable conclusion as well. The three joined and charged on the others. When the marauders saw that they had lost several of their men in the surprise attack, they turned to retreat. What was not in their favor was an armed force of fifty coming to join the battle and happened upon the skirmish. It was over quickly.

When all had settled down, Ethan was upset at what had occurred. It was beyond belief. He wondered how things may have been changed for generations because of his actions. He was welcomed back to the camp as one of many heroes. The shouts of war from the other battle sounded as if there was a great victory. The boys who had warned of the band of thieves were now on the hill shouting that the men were returning!

The victory is our God’s! was the shout in the camp.

Finally, Ethan felt he could relax. There was joy in the camp. It was all he could do to find the ground. The pain in his left shoulder was enormous. He felt his knees buckle. There Ethan was on his knees; he lost all track of time. Ethan’s thoughts were of his home and family. It was just the first nation he was to visit. What would happen in the other nations? This was more than he thought he could handle.

It was here that the chief found him. The sun was in the waning of the evening. The skirmish was in the early morning, the second hour of the day as they say. It was at least six hours later, and he was still on his knees with his hands on his thighs. The chief took a knee beside Ethan.

God be praised! I am told that I have a family because I found you on the road! We lost no one in battle today and the baggage is safe! Have you stripped the dead? the chief asked.

What? Stripped the dead? Why would I strip the dead? Ethan asked.

Come, I will help you and we will bury them and cover their blood so that it does not defile the land. Once we have done so, we will see to your wound, the chief said.

Ethan stood and walked back to the tent. The boy that had been so brave ran to his father. He sent him for a shovel, and he returned to go with them. His father asked if he had killed a man or had touched one who was dead. He had not. His father told him to return to the camp and not to defile himself. They walked to the place of the ambush. The glaive that had been used against Ethan; the chief told him that it was from Israel. That vengeance had been ours that day. He went through the clothes and found figurines and pouches of money along with smaller weapons. He put the figures in his bag. They dug a long grave and all four men were placed in it. They were buried and then covered with rocks. They traced the battle area and covered any blood that was found. He bound the clothes that were stripped, and the meager items removed from the bodies showed they were not very successful thieves Ethan thought out loud. The chief told him that they more likely buried their plunder nearby and would return to retrieve it after the attack but now it was lost because none had survived to show where it was hidden.

When they returned to camp, the Chief guided Ethan in what was to be given to the priest and what was to be kept. It was strange to Ethan.

Why would you tithe plunder to a priest? Ethan asked.

Our father, Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek King of Salem, the chief said.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ He gave him a tenth of all.⁵

Did he not deliver your enemies into your hands? the chief asked.

Ethan nodded as if he understood. He could not guess why they would want some clothes taken from a dead man.

In one day, you had only the clothes on your back and now you have two changes of clothes, one glaive, one spear, two swords, a long shield and a short shield, a belt and a purse to carry your share. We will count this in our plunder, and it will be split among all the men for their share. Come, we will sanctify ourselves and prepare to go to Jerusalem with the King. The chief sounded solemn.

You sound sad? Did something terrible happen today? Ethan asked.

Ishbi-benob was among the descendants of the giant. He swore that he would kill King David with his new sword. King David fought with him but became wary. Abishai the son of Zeruiah our relative and the king’s nephew, struck the Philistine and killed him. We swore to David that he would not go out with us to battle again. We have not lost a battle that he has led us. Now he has grown too old to lead the battle. God shall fight for us, but another will lead us. We will feast with the people in Jerusalem but there is sadness this day also, the chief said.

The men carried swords, spear, and clothing down to the stream. Ethan was offered wine to revive him. Ethan had not eaten what had been given him that morning, so hunger and exhaustion hit him all at once. Ethan reached in the leather bag and grabbed the granola-like bar. It was made mostly of raisins. It was just what he needed. The hardtack biscuits were even tasty to him. Each man first cleaned and polished their swords. They sang songs that told of David and the battle. The songs were very creative. Each man took and stripped to the waist. They washed feet, arms, and heads. It appeared to be a ritual. They put their battle clothes in a bundle or washed them if there was blood on them. Ethan followed their example.

As evening approached the unclean men came to the edge of the camp. There they built a fire and the chief of the men called all to come see. He held out the bag that he had placed the little figurines into. With the fighting men on one side and those who were clean on the other side of the campfire, he began to speak.

Behold! Here are the gods of our enemies. I have taken them from their dead bodies. They trusted in the works of their hands, the chief spoke loudly to all around him.

He pulled a wooden god from the bag. Here is a carved god of wood and his head is that of a goat, he said as he held it up. It did not save him who worshipped him! Can it save itself from the fire? he asked. He tossed the figure in the fire. Nothing happened. A few of the men laughed. He pulled two more out of the pouch. Here are two gods made of stone! Together they may stop me from crushing them with this rock. He sat them on a large rock next to the fire and raised another and crushed them repeatedly until they were fine as powder.

No, they were not able to save them that worshipped them, and they could not save themselves. Is there one left in this pouch that can save? the chief asked.

He poured all the contents of the pouch onto the rock and crushed all of them to a fine powder and then swept the dust into the fire. He stood and looked at all around the fire. He made his final point.

There is one God! The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He brought our fathers out of Egypt and He has fought for you this day! the chief said.

He turned and walked to where he would sleep that night. Those in the camp did as he did. There were soft conversations, but they did not sing or celebrate as Ethan had expected. They were waiting for their men to join them and then there would be feasting in Jerusalem. They would wait.

Ethan found a place away from the others. He wanted to be alone. He made his bed from the clothes the chief had given him; they had a smell of men and smoke. Ethan used his clothes as a pillow. With his shoulder cleaned and dressed, a balm of some sort was put on it and a bandage tied around and over his shoulder and neck. Trying to lay on his back and even his side, he could not find a comfortable way to sleep. Ethan rolled over onto his stomach and pulled the bundle of his clothes under his head. His mind returned to his home and family. What did Viv and the girls think had happened to him? What would they do? When would he see them again? He started his own little pity party. He started to pray. Four lives had been lost at his hand. He was alone and his family was without him and he without them.

Have you not learned, have you not seen, or do you not understand that today, you have been used by God? the angel said.

One does not get used to an angel. Ethan was surprised, but now he had to push himself up and think as to what he needed to understand.

If you had not been here, the life in this camp would be much different. The men who cut off the band of thieves would have come too late. Salvation did not come from another place but from God, through you. You feel pain for lost lives and lost souls. You should, Christ died for all, yet these men are without excuse and will answer to God themselves on the day of judgement. Man was created in the image of God and those who murder are to be put to death, that is the Judgement of God. Those that die in war, serve nations who are judged. That is not murder, their blood is on their own heads and on the kingdoms they serve. These men would not have survived the day and therefore you have not cut off future generations, the angel said.

This is extremely difficult for me. Why would I go through this experience? I thought that I was to observe. This is much more than observing! Ethan argued.

You will be in this time for several more days. You will travel with these people to Jerusalem after the time of purification. Tonight, sleep well, the angel said.

The angel was gone in an instant. His words did not comfort Ethan. The words made him wonder where they would go next, besides Jerusalem. Ethan laid back down and was soon asleep. After the purification period and three ritual washings, they finally broke camp. The ox carts were loaded, the donkeys too. The chief came to Ethan and told him to grab the spear. Ethan put the sword in the belt and that for some reason struck him funny, slung the small shield over his back and used a makeshift sling to help in holding the long shield. Once the shoulder was situated, Ethan grabbed the spear and followed him. Jerusalem was a one-day hard march to the east. Because they were close to the sea, it would be all uphill. Ethan wondered what sea. His knowledge of geography would put the Mediterranean Sea to the west of Jerusalem, and he would have loved to see it. As he reached the column, the men with spears were in front, swords were second, bowmen were third, and then other men and finally women and children and in the rear were a few men that appeared to be serious soldiers. Ethan guessed they were the rear guard. He fell in line behind most of the men who carried spears. There were smiles all around.

The men would reach Jerusalem in time to set camp in daylight. There were pools of water where they would replenish water supplies. Jerusalem was inland and built on hills. This was an arid country and water was important. Wells were dug in strategic places, and because Jerusalem was on top of some of the highest ground, cisterns and wells were dug inside the walls. Jerusalem was not on trade routes and because of nations that may attack the city, wells for water was not plentifully outside the city, lest you dig wells for your enemies who would lay siege. One well outside the walls was the Dragon’s Well.⁶ It was told that when some would go to draw water that they would sometimes see the dragon that lived nearby. Ethan wondered about the women and children, they basically served as supply, support and cooks. They shepherd small flocks of animals that were brought to feed the troops. It really was a sight to see.

Lunch was more about letting the column regroup and the animals to catch up. Young ones were given time to rest and recover and animals were watered, and some were briefly unloaded. As the late afternoon sun was well over their shoulders, Ethan could see dry ravines that had roads that twist and turned going to the top of a ridge. On these roads were more caravans. Ethan had to question, how big was Jerusalem? From the looks of the road, there were not many good places to camp for a group their size and there were more groups ahead and behind.

Ethan had started the climb with his arm in a sling and as the day wore on, the spear had grown heavy. He wished he could swap places with the men carrying the bows. He had used the sling to support the heavy shield, but his grip was failing and could only shift the spear from hand to hand. The other men were strong, and Ethan was jealous of their stamina. They did not complain and continued to march. He was about to give up when one of the men had him look up. On the hill was a stone wall. It appeared to cascade down the hill in steps. The road terminated into a big tower on each side of the gate. It appeared to be three more miles to hike with all the switchbacks, but this little group would make it to the city before dark.

As they crested one ridge, Ethan caught the first sight of a city on a hill. It was really a wall of quarried rock on a hill. There were several walls. Some were straight across the front and some of the walls followed the hills. There were square towers that were on each side of the gates, he could see a gate facing them and another to the south. The south gate was at the beginning of a steep ravine. He recalled the story when Jesus read in the synagogue the verse from Isaiah.

And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.⁷

Was this the same brow? It would be enough to get the job done if thrown from the top of the wall. He could not see much from where he stood but he thought Jerusalem would be bigger. This city was built on what looked like one ridge. Everything was built with the same type of stone that surrounded the hills. It must have taken years to build these walls. There were banners that were unfurled from the walls. The sounds of the city were coming over these same walls now. He could see watchmen on the wall, but the gates were open.

They entered the city through the gates to the shouts of people on various walls which continued up the streets on both sides. There were small houses on each side, and they were almost all square with people standing on the roof. As they went further into the city, some of the homes got bigger, Ethan assumed that they were homes because of the people that were around them. The group kept moving further up the streets and further up the hill. As they reached the top, there were bigger buildings. One even appeared three stories tall and stepped up from the sides to the center. To the west was an open-air market. This city was built on the crown of a ridge and there was a ravine on each side. The walls traveled all the way around and you could see gates and guard towers in various places.

The chief chose a space along a wall to set up camp. There were more men and people coming in. The evening had just started. In the market, they were doing a brisk business! The chief and his son approached Ethan and invited him to join them for a trip to the market. It reminded Ethan of a visit to Mexico. They bartered and purchased items with this or that thrown in. They walked away from deals and were chased by men or boys to bring them back just to hear offers and start the negotiations again. It was fun. Ethan purchased fresh fruit and that was the only thing he wanted. The chief found other items that filled the boy’s arms. It was as if his wife had sent him shopping.

Tomorrow promised to be an exciting day. As the sun set, the evening meal was prepared and ate. Everyone settled in for the night. There were men who swapped stories of the battle but for the most part, it was a celebration and a reunion of family. There was much joy, but the sights and sounds made him happy and sad at the same time. There was no sign of the angel. That was an odd thought. He was there at times and said nothing and other times, he showed up to teach or make Ethan think. Never was there a warning. If people saw Ethan talking with him, there was no signs he was ever there. Would there be signs of Ethan when he left?

The next morning was filled with bustle. People were up early. There were men who made announcements. Boys ran from camp to the square and returned with news. It was odd because Ethan thought they would want to start heading for where the King would be so they could get the best places. That is when some men walked around the camps and one called to the chief. The chief’s name was Yashen, or at least it sounded like that. These men were glad to see him, and they stopped and talked for some time. You could see that these men were important. Men and boys watched them and even boys from other camps were following them.

After the men left you could see that the camp was interested in what was said. It was three of the Thirty. Not the Three, Ishbaal the Tachmonite, Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite. or Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. They recognized Yashen and greeted him. They knew each other for some time. When they left, they implored that he Stay alert! Ethan worried that something was suspected. The sound of a trumpet was heard, and the people left their tents and anything they were doing and headed into the center of town. As they reached a natural flat stone that stood above the surrounding ground. It was used as a platform with steps cut into it, there was a place for Yashen and his clan. It was as if they had assigned places to stand. Ethan found a place to stand where he could see what was going on. He was tall compared to the average man but there were many men that were taller. What struck Ethan was the number of children. They were everywhere. There were probably three kids for every adult.

Ethan saw a tall, large-chested man that looked to be close to fifty-five or sixty, walk out. His hair was mostly white and very wavy. His beard was not completely white, and you could see signs of black and red in his beard still. He held the hilt of a sword in his left hand and walked like a much younger man. His step had purpose and he surveyed the crowd. There were sounds of recognition and some even pointed to him as they whispered.

Ethan heard a commotion from the same direction that the first man had come. There was an older man riding a mule. It was a tall mule. Ethan had seen jumping mules when he was a kid and this one reminded him of them. The man wore a crown and he was white headed. His beard was salt and pepper but mostly salt. The top of his head was still full of hair, but you could see it was thinning. He dismounted the mule easily and walked the same pattern the man before him had and behind him followed four more men. He got to the center of the huge rock platform and turned to the west. A man held a large sword high. It had a golden design in the lower part of the blade and to the handle. The man holding the sword was Abishai the son of Zeruiah. He showed the sword to the crowd and you could hear shouts and plenty of oohs and awes! He turned and presented the sword to the King. King David accepted the sword and gave an embrace to the man who had given it to him.

Today we celebrate that once more God said to go up and He would deliver our enemies into our hands. This sword belonged to the descendant of the giant. He threatened the people of God and swore he would use this new sword to kill your king in battle, Ishbi-benob son of the giant fought with me. When I became wary, Abishai son of Zeruiah came to my aid and struck and slew him! Praise be to God who strengthens me. He is my help in time of need. I will sing His praises, King David said.

The people cheered and they rejoiced! It was a different kind of celebration. There were people who wept aloud. People raised hands in the air and shook them and others were cheering and slapping others on the back. The King raised both of his hands to silence the crowd.

Join me this evening for a feast. We will sacrifice to our God and celebrate, King David said.

The people started to disperse as if on cue. The king and his men walked off the platform. You could tell that they were close. They were larger men than most. King David was the oldest of the men, but one looked to be close in age. They carried themselves well. They walked with a purpose and each man with King David leaned to hear anything he would say. King David was quick with a smile. You could tell this entourage kept one eye on the crowd and one on their king. Ethan would have loved to have seen him as a young man. He was fit and was not overweight yet to think he would go into battle with a man that could use the sword the size of the one Abishai took from the descendant of Goliath was amazing.

Ethan was left standing in the square, some children were playing tag. Parents called them to come along. As he turned to go back to camp, the angel stood in his path. Ethan had expected he would be around at any time, but his presence still surprised him.

We will leave this time but not this place, the angel said.

Ethan turned quickly, surveying the area to take it all in. He did not want to leave this time yet. Why leave before the feast? Ethan asked.

He will open your eyes so that you may see and open your ears that you may hear, the angel said.

Ethan was about to protest when he looked at a family. It was as if their emotions had subtitles. The father was grateful to be alive and with his family. There was relief that he had returned. He was grateful that God had seen him through the battle. His sacrifice to God would show his gratitude. His wife had been fearful. She feared her husband would not return. She feared that she and her daughters would be taken by Philistines if they had been victorious and not the tribes of Israel and Judah. What would have happened to her son? He was too old. Would they have killed him or maybe he would have lived and been a slave? Now the enemies were defeated, and she rejoiced and would see her children grow up. Perhaps God would give her and her husband more children, perhaps more sons. It was a glorious day. She would praise God! The children were excited by the crowds. It was an enormous emotional moment. Wherever Ethan looked he felt love, he felt gratitude! There was some that had anxiety for tomorrow. The feast would last days, they were sure. The king would sacrifice many animals and there was much surplus that had been brought in by the King’s success.

It was then that Ethan realized that he was not standing on the ground. They were in the air. The rock platform that had been a threshing floor had been quarried away. In its place was a stage that appeared to be made of brass and a young man. He was well dressed but he was kneeling before an altar and around him were many people and there were priest and advisors. On the walls were people with musical instruments as well as singers.

The young man stood and said, "Blessed be the LORD, who has given