The Remnant:
On the Brink of Armageddon
Book 10 of the Left Behind Series
THE CELEBRATING, singing, and dancing at Petra continued into the dark of night. People by the thousands filed into the new pool to submerge themselves and to drink directly from the wide spring in the middle. Manna covered the ground, and Rayford was nearly woozy from its refreshing taste.
Eating directly from God's table, he told Abdullah, was something I never expected in this lifetime. Abdullah looked overwhelmed with joy. How can this be, Captain? How dare we be so blessed? The wording was lost on Rayford, but he knew what his friend meant. A young woman, probably not yet twenty, approached. Rayf ord Steele? she said shyly. Rayford stood. Yes, dear. Two things, if I may, she said, speaking very slowly and holding up two fingers. You understand?
Yes, what is it? Is it true you speak only English? To my shame, yes. Well, a smattering of Spanish. Not enough to converse. Do not feel bad, sir. I speak only Hebrew. Well, your English is lovely too, young lady. You do not understand. I understand you perfectly. You speak English beautifully. She laughed. You do not understand.
Abdullah leaned in, chuckling. And you are funny, young one. Speaking Arabic and yet talking about knowing only Hebrew. And Rayford, how is it you know Arabic? The girl threw back her head and laughed again. We all speak in our own languages and understand each other perfectly. What? Rayford said. Wait! Sir! I speak only Hebrew. And Arabic, Abdullah corrected. But no. I was forbidden to learn Arabic.
I need to lie down, Abdullah said. You said there were two things, Rayford said. Yes, she said, holding up two fingers again. Two Rayford put a hand over her fingers. No need. I understand you. She laughed. The second thing, and now she spoke more quickly, is that Drs. Rosenzweig and Ben Judah request an audience with you. With me? I should request an audience with them! I'm sure they are very busy.
They asked me to fetch you, sir. Rayford followed her over piles of rock that had been blown to pieces by the bombs. Just inside a cave, by light from a torch lodged in the wall, Chaim and Tsion sat with several older men. Tsion introduced Rayford all around and said, The one we have been telling you about. The men nodded and smiled. Praise the Lord, Rayford, Tsion said. Continually, Rayford said. But forgive me if I am preoccupied. Tsion nodded again. I too await word from our compatriots in Greece, and yet even now, the Lord quiets me with his peace and confidence. He may be trying to communicate the same to me, brother, Rayford said, but that one of them is my daughter may affect my faith.
Tsion nodded again and smiled. Possible. But after what you survived here today, is it not fair to say that any breakdown in communication between you and the Lord has to be your fault? Well, that goes without saying. Oh, by the way, I am speaking Hebrew, and you are I know, brother. I have been all through that with the young lady. The others laughed and one said, My daughter!
Lovely. Thank you! Chaim and I have been talking with these brothers about plans, Tsion said. We will be praying for the Tribulation Force members all over the world and are eager to see how God delivers them. But everyone needs accountability, and as Chaim and I are accountable to you, we
Oh, Tsion, no! Surely we're way past that! You've been the spiritual leader of the Tribulation Force for some time, and of the worldwide church of Christ for almost as long. No, now, Rayford, hear me. Begging your pardon, sir, you always flattered me by deferring to me as the titular leader of the Trib Force, but please . . .
These men, Rayford, are a good start for us here. They are the core of a group of elders I hope will eventually arise to help Chaim with the daily decisions. But they are, naturally, new to the faith. As I am, Tsion. Surely you're not suggesting Excuse me, Rayford, but you forget. None of us is terribly mature in the faith. In years anyway. I am not going to insult your intelligence by implying that I will seek your counsel on the Scriptures, though I cannot deny I have learned from you.
But God put you in a strategic place for me at a very dark time in my life. If you do not mind, I would like to run past you some thoughts regarding the immediate future and get your feedback. If you insist, but at least concede that it was not I who stood in the midst of a million people and saw God miraculously spare them from the fires of hell. Tsion looked at him with a twinkle in his eye, then turned to the other men. They laughed uproariously. Chaim pointed at Rayford and chortled. Was it not you? Then my eyes fail me! Ire turned to Ben Judah.
Tsion! Did I not see this very man standing in the midst of us, and could he have not seen what God did? 6 Well, okay, Rayford said. Point taken. But I was not the reason the enemy attacked, Tsion. You and Chaim were. And I was not preaching, not praying, not standing there full of faith when the bombs fell. Truth be told, my faith is stronger in the aftermath than it was in the fire. Tsion fell serious and ran a hand through his beard, studying Rayford. You would make a good Israeli, he said.
Rayford shrugged. Zeke was going for the Egyptian look, but whatever. No, I mean you argue like my countrymen. We could debate all night. And even when you are wrong, still you argue. That brought more laughter from the others. All right, Tsion. I don't know why you would want to hold yourself accountable to one you find it so easy to ridicule All in good fun, my dear brother. You know that. of course. But anyway, I'm listening.
Mac pulled his phone from his pocket and turned it on. What're they doin', Socrates, your pals? Checkin' us out? Socrates shrugged. C'mon, you won't hurt my feelings. They trying to make sure we're legit, that we're not gonna jump 'em, embarrass 'em, what? Mac punched in Chang's number. There are no cells out here, sir,
Socrates said. You won't get through to anyone. Well, I wouldn't if I had bad technology, would I? But what if I had a phone juiced by the sun and bounced by the satellites? Then I wouldn't care whether you've got cells in the woods here, would I? But you won't be able to reach the commander unless This is Chang, Mac. You okay? I'm fine, Supreme Commander, sir. Just checkin' in to see if my phone works all the way to New Babylon. Loud and clear, Mac. Talk to me. What's going on? You in trouble? What can I do? Fine, sir. How's the weather there? Chang said, I've got my screen open to the GPS, and I'm tracking you and, ah, Jinnah and Irene right to where you ought to be.
Hang on, boss. Just a second. Mac pretended to tuck the phone to his chest, but he held it lightly enough so Chang could hear. What did you just say, Socrates? That I couldn't use my phone in the woods? Yeah, well, obviously you can, with the satellite and all. But you couldn't talk to somebody unless they had the same thing is all I was saying. Who would I want to talk to here with my fancy phone who wouldn't have one? Socrates paled. Well, like I don't have one. Who else?
My partners don't either. We have regular. Thought I was gonna call one of your partners, did you? Tell, no. 'Course not. Not unless their boss gave me their number, right? Right. But even then, I couldn't call them out here, could I? No. That's all I was saying. You were saying something else, weren't you, Socrates? No. I was just talking. You thought I was calling Commander Stefanich, didn't you? No I Didn't you? Yes But you didn't think I could reach him. Socrates nodded miserably. But how would you know that? I was guessing. I can't get through to him in Ptolemais, in the middle of all the cells? You probably can. But he's not there, is he?
How would I know? Because he's here in the woods, isn't he? Silence. Isn't he, Socrates? He shrugged. So, how did he let you and your team know I was coming? Couldn't call you, could he? I am so stupid. I'll grant you that, Socrates. Not livin' up to that name anyway, wouldn't you say? Mac turned back to the phone. Sorry to keep you, Chief. I'm way ahead of you, Mac. I can beam a signal to that phone of Stef anich's that will make the bells and whistles blow, even if I can't talk to him on it. He'll get a readout that Deputy Commander Konrad, who reports directly to Security and Intelligence Director Akbar, wants to talk with him immediately. Sounds good, Chief. I'll talk to you later.
Things are going fine here. When he calls, I will use the voice modulator that can make me sound like an old German, and I'll tell him that Akbar himself is holding him personally responsible for giving Howie Johnson access to Sebastian. Perfect. And if he doesn't call, I'll have that on his phone's readout in time to help you out. Got you covered, Mac. Ain't that the truth, Commander! Mac slapped the phone shut. Lemme have that walkie talkie, friend. You're going to get me killed. who, me? Nah. You're a dead man anyway.
Said so yourself. Are you going to kill me? Or let her? Mac shook his head. I'll leave that to your partners. Look on the bright side. If they're as effective as you are, you'll be eatin' breakfast in the morning as usual. Socrates stared at him. You eat breakfast, don't you, Socrates? The man nodded. 'Scuse me, Mac said, and pretended to mash the button on the walkie talkie. Now hear this, Plato, Aristotle, and Elena. I don't want to talk to any of you. I want Nelly Stefanich. Now, Nelly, I know you're close by, and I admire your creativity, goin' by the book and all. I'm not even insulted that you're checkin' up on me. I'll make ya a deal.
When you get confirmation that me and mine are all we claim to be, I want you to personally bring Sebastian to me. You know where I am. And bring that team of philosophers out from under their rock so I can see 'em. If you can get that done, Nelly, I promise not to take your command. Oh, and Nelson? That's an order, and you've got thirty minutes.
Mac turned and gave Chloe and Hannah a look. Now, Socrates, you're free to go. what are you saying? You heard me. Go on. Get out of here. Socrates struggled to his feet, then bent to pick up his weapon. That stays, Mac said. My radio then? he said, reaching. Uh uh. I'll keep that too. where will I go? Mac shrugged. That's up to you. Socrates sat on the edge of a flimsy table and rubbed his knee. I am a man with nowhere to go.
You wanna be here when The man stood quickly, teetering. No. No. But it is so far to town. And with no protection or radio . . . I can't help you, friend. You're part of an operation that didn't follow orders. You're lucky to be cut loose, considering the options. If you want to be here when the rest of your team Ach! Socrates hobbled to the front door.
Mac signaled Chloe with a nod to watch him. He gingerly stepped through the wood chips and splinters and made his way out. Follow him, Mac said, till you're sure he's headed toward town. Hannah, check the perimeter. I'll clear this place and we'll meet by the weapons out front. Rayford felt a fool, sitting in a cave, high on having personally lived through an Old Testament miracle, worrying about Chloe, and entertaining even the possibility that Tsion Ben Judah himself should seek his opinion. He knew he would be reunited with his daughter regardless, but was it wrong to wish her spared from a painful, violent death? You and Abdullah need to decide what you will do, Rayford, Tsion said.
You are welcome to stay, of course, but I do not know how practical it is to expect you to oversee the Tribulation Force from here. Our computer people tell me that David Hassid and Chang Wong have somehow already put in place here the basis for a mighty technological center, and that the bombs had no effect on the hardware or the software. Are you serious? Rayford said. The electromagnetic pulse from the missile alone should have fried everything. Everything is fine. Praise the Lord. So, you could conceivably keep track of everyone from here, but that is your call. Oh, I will be leaving, Rayford said. I can't say when yet. I do worry about your returning to Chicago, Tsion.
That is precisely what we have been discussing, Rayford. We do not know if it makes sense for any of us from there to attempt to return. Would not you and Abdullah be under as much scrutiny as I? Without another miracle, how could we return to the safe house without giving away its location? The thought of finding a new safe house, of moving, wearied Rayford. We'll worry about that, Tsion.
What are your plans? You could transmit your daily teachings from here. Chaim interrupted. That is my wish and that of the elders here. And I daresay the rest of the people. I do not know, Tsion said. I will do as the Lord leads, but I believe Chaim is God's man here. My work is done, Tsion, Chaim said. God did it in spite of my feeble efforts, and here we are. I shall hand off the baton to you, my former student. I remain your student, Doctor, Tsion said. Gentlemen, Rayford said, the mutual admiration is inspiring but doesn't get us anywhere. This place needs leadership, organization, mediation. If you stay, Tsion, you should be protected from responsibilities that interfere with your teaching here and to your Internet audience around the world. The elders nodded.
Perhaps among us, Chaim said, we can ferret out young people with these gifts. I am willing to administer, coordinate a bit, but I am not a young man. This is a city, a country unto itself. We need a government. God provides food and water and clothes that will not wear out, but I believe he expects us to manage ourselves otherwise. We must organize and build admittedly only for the short term, but still . . .
Maybe, Rayford said, that very work is God's way of occupying your time here. Living together, getting along, functioning in harmony will be a full time job. Imagine the boredom of a million people just sitting around waiting for the Glorious Appearing. Tsion warmed to this. Oh, that is why I believe we need to motivate people to help the rest of the world from here. We are not blind to the prophecies, to the machinations of the evil one. Trying to blow us up is only the beginning.
He will think he can starve us out by cutting off our supply lines. He will not know or will not believe that God feeds us. But we know we are safe. What we must guard against are his schemes to lure the undecided away from. this place, out to where they are vulnerable, not only emotionally and psychologically, but also physically. I am jealous to keep them here and to persuade them. I don't understand, Rayford said, how anyone could remain undecided after today.
It is beyond human comprehension, Tsion said, but God foretold it. Now my dream for the faithful here is that they be useful in the cause of aiding our brothers and sisters around the world. Peter warns us to be sober and vigilant because our adversary walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. `Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.' The evil one will grow angrier, more determined, more vicious, and many will die at his hand. What better, nobler task could the million strong here undertake than to aid your daughter's Commodity Co op and equip the saints to thwart Antichrist? I envision thousands of technological experts creating a network of resources for believers, informing them of safe havens, putting them in touch with each other. We know we will lose many brothers and sisters, and yet we should offer what we can to keep the gospel going forth, even now. Rayford sat back.
Can't argue with that. And it's not a bad idea, Tsion, this becoming your new base of operation. We will miss you, of course, but it makes no sense to risk losing you to the cause when all you need is right here. I have been thinking, Chaim said, and, Rayford, feel free to correct me, as I am out of my element on this topic.
But I wonder if the day of a safe house for the Tribulation Force is past. We know New Babylon is sniffing around and that it is only a matter of time before Chicago is exposed. Yes, perhaps we need a central location for the coordinating of the Co op, but if I were you I would worry for my little one, being moved hither and yon. I leave the details to you and your compatriots.
But I ask you, is it not true that anyone who is asked to remain at the safe house quickly gets the cottage fever? The young man there, Zeke, who so masterfully equips us to venture out, might find moving around a nuisance. And the matter of record keeping and computers is difficult.
But perhaps the safe house of the future will be in a thousand places, not just one. Perhaps the time has come to make your home in the hiding places of the believers around the world. Rayford feared Chaim was right, and it must have shown. I am not saying it will be easy, Chaim said, but I urge you to take the initiative. Make the hard decision. Disband the safe house and disperse your people before they are found out, for then you could lose everyone at once. Surely you all know you have stayed in one place long past a reasonable hour.
Oh, I know that, Chaim, Rayford said. In reality, we have not been at the Strong Building very long. Too long, no doubt, but not even as long as we were at our previous location. Tsion stood and stretched. We need to leave this with you. God will lead you. I intended to seek your counsel, and now we have tried to counsel you. I appreciate it. But please, Rayford, counsel me. Let me tell you what I believe God is impressing upon me, and see if it makes any sense to you. I know it will jar the sensibilities of many hearers, and yet I dare not casually disregard it.
You see, because of what has happened since the Rapture of the church, I believe there is ample evidence of one part of God's nature and character. Clearly this is a time of judgment, even of wrath. We are in the middle of the last seven of the twenty one judgments of God, and we even endured one he himself refers to in the Scriptures as the wrath of the Lamb. It would be easy for a preacher to illumine and drive home the truth of God's impatience, his judgment poured out on his enemies, his demand for justice for the blood of the prophets.
But I have come to the conclusion that all this goes without saying. Yes, this is the last chance. Yes, everything has been telescoped into seven last years, and we are already well into the second half of that. God will do what God will do, but I am jealous to protect his reputation. Oh, I know he does not need nee, does not require my assistance. I am humbled to the depths of my soul that he has seen fit to allow me any role in ministering to the nations. But a profound and seemingly contradictory message presses on my heart. I believe it is of God, but it is such a paradox, such a dichotomy, that I dare not run ahead of him without the counsel of and wisdom of my spiritual family.
Tsion massaged his temples and began to pace. Gentlemen, he said, walk with me. The crowds will press if you leave here, someone said. They will see we are engaged, I am sure, Tsion said. Let us not make a spectacle. Surround me and let us move away from the masses. The people still frolicked around the spring while others filled containers and gathered manna. Rayford joined the elders and Chaim and casually moved into a ravine and down a rocky slope.
When they were clear of others, Tsion talked as he walked. I am not unaware that I have been bestowed a great privilege. I have a congregation here alone of a million souls. I have opportunity to teach the babies in the faith, offering them the milk of the word. I also enjoy breaking the bread and carving the meat of the deeper things to the more mature.
And I am blessed to preach the gospel, evangelizing, for even here, there are the undecided. We will not win all of them, a truth that astounds me, especially in the glow of an event such as we experienced just hours ago. But the point is, God daily refreshes me and allows me expects me to exercise all the gifts he has bestowed on a pastor teacher. When Tsion stopped, the rest stopped.
He sat on a rock and they gathered around him. It may sound strange to you all, because I have said many, many times that this is the worst seven year period in the history of mankind, but in many ways I count it an almost limitless benefit to be alive right now.
Technology has allowed me a congregation, if the figures can be believed, of more than a billion via the Internet. Someday in heaven I will ask God to let me get my finite brain around that figure. For now it is too much to take in. I cannot picture it, cannot tell you how many one hundred thousand seat stadiums it would take to house them all. Well, of course I know that ten thousand such stadiums would equal a billion people, but does that help you picture it in your mind? Me neither.
Now, let me tell you what weighs on me when I think of the responsibilities I have to such a congregation. I believe the time has come to stop talking about the judgment of God. There is no denying it. There is no pretending that his wrath is not being poured out. But I have come to the conclusion that the whole message of God throughout the ages is an anthem to his mercy. Most of you know that this comes from a man who saw his beloved wife and children murdered.
Am I saying that the holiness of God is less important than the love of God? How could I when the Scriptures say that he is love, but that he is holy, holy, holy? I am merely saying that I will let God's justice and judgment and wrath speak for themselves, and I will spend the rest of my time here championing his mercy. It seemed to Rayford that Tsion took the time to look into the eyes of everyone who had heard him. He could have gone on, defended himself and his novel opinion.
But he simply finished by saying, You have until noon tomorrow to correct me if you believe I am a wayward brother. Otherwise, my teaching begins, and you know my theme. Buck was sympathetic to Alble. The diminutive Middle Easterner was wound tight, unable to sit still. I can't live like this, Cameron, he said. I'm going to spend this evening with Zeke and look through his files. Have you seen his inventory? Of course.
There has to be an identity in there for me. The GC thing probably won't work for me again, but I'll do anything. Anything but sit around here. 'you think he could make me tall and blond?
Buck had to smile. One of two wasn't bad. I might join you, he said. Zeke's a master, and this sitting around is gonna kill me. But you write. You get to download all that stuff from Chang and get it out on the Net. I love your son, Cameron, but trading off baby sitting, reading, looking out the window, and waiting for everybody to check in is going to drive me crazy. I know. Have you spent much time with Mac? Albie said. Sure. Great man. Good mind. But we don't think the same. I can imagine all kinds of things he's doing in Greece right now that could get oh, I'm sorry. I keep forgetting Chloe is right there with him.
What? You think Mac won't look out for Chloe? She's probably looking out for him. I ought to be there is what I'm saying. Deputy Commander Konrad? That is correct, Chang said, his voice electronically modulated, and this had better be Nelson Stef anich.
It is, sir, and l' Commander, I want to know what in the world is going on over there. Yes, sir, we I sent my senior commander all the way from New Babylon to talk directly with your prisoner. And that will happen, sir. I I don't appreciate him getting jerked around when you had fair warning and plenty of time to make arrangements. I know. We THE REMNANT I'll expect a full report transmitted to my office by noon tomorrow. I'll definitely do that, sir, because it is explainable. Is Johnson meeting with Sebastian now? Not quite yet Even as we speak?
Because if not, I want to know why not. There was some mix up with our local team, sir. They thought they heard I'll look for those details tomorrow, Commander, but meanwhile I'm going to assume you're effecting this meeting. Yes, sir. And not making Johnson come to you. Sir? He's gone as far as I expect him to have to go. Anywhere he is, is a secure environment, so you have your people get the prisoner to him.
Yes, sir. Deputy Commander, could I inform you of some good news? There is no good news until I know Johnson has access to Sebastian. I just wanted you to know that we have located the central underground headquarters in Ptolemals and plan to raid it at midnight. CHLOE WATCHED Socrates froth inside the shack until he disappeared, limping down toward the road.
Then she tiptoed out, went ninety degrees into the trees, huried past the Fifty and the DEW, which her quarry had issed some forty feet to his left. She found it no chore to keep up with the lame Socrates. Chloe held tight to the grip on the Uzi, pulling the ap taut to keep it away from her body and from icking into the Luger.
She turned sideways and mince-stepped the decline, carefully crossing the gravel road. Stopping on the other side, she heard movement in the underbrush, someone heading left, east, hurrying and it worrying about snapping twigs and thrashing through the thick stuff.
Chloe squatted and regulated her breathing, gauging direction and distance to keep from following too close and giving herself away. There was no need for her to step into the overgrowth.