Birth Pangs of the Coming Age | Chapter 16
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels with him. (Rev 12:9)
Previously . . . pressure from Lilith’s administration forced Christian believers to meet in secret. Uncle Andy was betrayed, captured, tried, and executed. He immediately experienced heavenly peace and glory, while those left behind grieved. Ethan confessed his faith in Jesus, and his love for Katie. Believers clung in hope to a prophecy that God would clothe his disciples with divine glory.
Chapter 16
The War in Heaven has Earthly Consequences
The Council of Heaven, October 6th
On Yom Kippur, the holiest day on God’s calendar, the angelic sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh in the Council of Heaven. Satan also came among them.1
Satan strutted in like he owned the place, his Italian suit impeccably tailored, his dark eyes full of malice.
As he approached the scribe's table, his gaze fell upon the three wooden boxes, and he felt a flicker of unease. Two boxes had glowing lights, but the third box held his attention. It sat there, dark and dormant, a taunting reminder that its light would seal his fate.
He tore his gaze away and looked up at the 24 elders seated in a semicircle, with the Almighty’s throne in the center. Satan’s lip curled in a sneer, but Satan didn’t dare look up into God’s face.
Yeshua, radiant with God’s glory, stood to Satan’s left, facing the throne.
As in years past, the proceedings dragged on, a tedious litany of souls claimed and lost. Satan barely listened.
And then, the moment Satan dreaded every year arrived. Yeshua turned toward him, looking him in the eye. The Devil wouldn’t meet his gaze. He looked at Yeshua’s feet.
Yeshua addressed Satan directly. "Among the souls who died last year, you murdered 84,298 holy ones who refused to renounce their faith, regardless of what you did to them. They committed no crime. They were blameless and innocent. Can you provide this court any evidence why any of these 84,298 names should not be added to the third box?”
Satan clenched his fists, his nails cutting into his palms. He had no evidence against them, nothing to accuse them of.
“Answer me!”
Cowering, he said, “No.” He seethed with impotent rage.
Yahweh said, “The Divine Council’s consensus is 84,298 names shall be put into the third box.”
Immediately, the scribe took the list from Yeshua. Every eye watched to see if the third box’s light would light up.
Horrified, Satan gasped when the third box’s light shone with a sickening intensity. He knew this day would inevitably come, but it still hit him like a punch to the gut.
Among the 24 elders there was a lot of head nodding, talking, and gesturing, but Satan couldn’t understand any of it as he awaited his fate.
After what seemed like an hour to Satan, Yahweh received and verified the 24 elders’ decision.
From the throne, Almighty God proclaimed the council’s verdict.
“The blood of every righteous martyr since Abel testifies against you. Based on their accumulated testimony before this court, from this day onward your dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. The sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven shall be given to my disciples, my holy ones. Their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey the King of kings and Lord of lords, Yeshua.”2
To be consumed and destroyed to the end? What does that mean? Maybe I’ll lose my power gradually? If so, I may still be able to exercise dominion before it’s consumed and destroyed.
Yahweh continued, “You were a son of God, but now you’ll be cast down to earth, along with all your followers, where you will suffer and die like men.”3
Satan listened silently, glaring straight ahead, but not up into Yahweh’s glory.
No! I’m not done yet. I’ll find a way . . .
From behind him, someone with extreme strength grasped Satan’s neck, then dragged him backward, off-balance. Struggling, Satan turned his head to see who was dragging him out of the heavenly council.
It’s Michael, my old nemesis.
Satan tried to talk, to protest this humiliating treatment. He’s got such a grip on my neck. I can’t speak.
At the precipice on the edge of heaven, Michael finally spoke. “Finally, after all the eons of suffering you’ve caused, now it’s your turn to suffer. You’re banished from heaven forever. Good riddance, devil.”
With two hands, Michael lifted Satan high, then violently flung him over the precipice, and down onto the earth.4
As he fell, Satan looked up to see Michael’s subordinates casting Satan’s followers down to earth behind him.
Plummeting toward the unforgiving ground, Satan heard and felt the rushing air, but his mind was already racing ahead, plotting his next move, and how to survive.
It looks like I’m coming down near the Northwest coast of Africa.
He wanted to land in Rome. But when he tried to change direction, he realized something. I used to be able to travel at will, just by thinking where I wanted to go and willing myself to go there. But now I can’t. I’ve lost the power of spirit-travel.
What other powers have I lost?
Satan’s Impact on the Earth
Satan grimaced in pain as he picked himself up from the crater his impact left in the earth. He dusted off his once-immaculate suit with a scowl. All around him, his minions rained down, smashing into the earth with resounding thuds, their moans emanating from clouds of dust that marked their impact.
Within seconds, the earth recoiled, convulsing beneath his feet with such violence that Satan and his followers couldn’t stand. They all fell back into their craters.
Kneeling on all fours, they saw ash and smoke rising into the stratosphere from a distant island volcano. It blotted out the sun. The mountain spewed fire, lava, and huge boulders two miles into the sky, only for them to fall back to earth. Shockwaves from the 12.5 earthquake and volcanic eruption rippled across the globe.
With morbid pleasure, Satan watched as the island’s volcano and earthquake generated a mega-tsunami.
Gleaming skyscrapers and bustling streets will soon be underwater ruins.
It was small consolation for his recent humiliating downfall.
As they struggled to their feet, Satan said, “That’s how you make an entrance.”
Ketchikan Alaska, October 6 at 6:15 pm
In Ethan’s cabin, Katie, Ethan, Moses, and Rachel huddled around the flickering television screen, their eyes glued to the evening news. The cabin's wooden walls creaked and groaned, as if it sensed the tragedy that played out before them.
The news anchor's voice was urgent, her words punctuated by the distant wail of sirens. "Evacuation orders have been issued for all coastal cities along the eastern seaboard," she said, her face pale and drawn. "Experts warn of a catastrophic tsunami, 150 feet tall, moving at 600 miles per hour toward our Atlantic coastline. It’s estimated to hit in about two hours."
Ethan leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "150 feet? That's taller than a 15-story building."
Moses nodded grimly. "And moving at 600 miles per hour. That's almost supersonic. How can a wave move that fast?"
The screen flashed images of already-clogged highways and desperate families. The anchor's voice continued, "For those unable to evacuate by car or train, officials urge people to run or walk westward, away from the coast, to get at least five, or preferably ten miles inland. As a last resort, take shelter in a tall, sturdy building above the 16th floor."
Rachel shook her head, her eyes wide with disbelief. "The 16th floor? That's so high up. What if the wave makes the building collapse?"
Katie wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "If people can’t get out of a city, they’ve gotta take that chance. There’s no hope if they’re on the ground when the wave hits," she said softly.
The news shifted to a map of the Atlantic basin, with angry red lines radiating outward from the Canary Islands. The anchor's voice took on a somber tone, "The tsunami, triggered by the eruption of the La Palma volcano, is expected to impact the entire Atlantic basin. From the United States to Europe, and Africa to South America. Millions of lives are at risk."
Ethan let out a low whistle when he saw the graphic on the TV. "40 million dead in the U.S. And another 30 million in Europe. It's unimaginable."
Moses' eyes were fixed on the images of the African coastline. "15 million in Africa. Countless more homeless and suffering. The world has never seen a disaster like this—at least not since Noah’s flood.”
As the news continued, the four friends sat in stunned silence, overwhelmed by the horror of the impending catastrophe.
Katie's heart pounded as her mind grappled with the immensity of the unfolding catastrophe. She pictured the towering walls of water, surging relentlessly through city streets, engulfing and demolishing homes and businesses in their path. In her imagination, skyscrapers, once proud symbols of human achievement, toppled like dominos when struck by the mega-tsunami's awesome power.
She saw millions of lives extinguished in moments, their screams silenced by the roaring deluge. Others, less fortunate, clung desperately to floating debris, their faces contorted in terror as they fought the powerful current, only to be carried helplessly out to sea. Mothers clutched their children, lovers held each other tight, as the pitiless sea pulled them out, away from the coastline and the hope of survival.
The scale of the tragedy overwhelmed her. In the next few hours, millions upon millions of individual dramas would play out across both sides of the Atlantic. Each life a universe unto itself, each death a shattering loss, repeated on an unimaginable scale.
And yet, even in the face of such overwhelming horror, Katie knew that in the midst of the chaos, there would be acts of heroism, moments of selfless sacrifice, and triumphs of the human spirit. Strangers would be united by their shared trauma and struggle to survive.
The whole North American continent stood between Ketchikan and the Atlantic coastline, so Ketchikan wasn’t threatened by this tsunami. When the news reports started being repetitive, Moses muted the TV and led the group in praying for all those who’d be affected by this tragedy.
Satan Rallies His Followers
Satan turned to face his followers, their once-proud forms now battered and humiliated by their expulsion from the heavenly realm.
I need to motivate and encourage them.
"We’ve been cast down," his voice low and dangerous, "but we’re far from finished. The game has changed, but our goal remains the same. We’re still going to win."
The devils looked up at him, hopeful, but skeptical.
As fallen angels gathered around him, Satan's mind raced with the implications and opportunities of their situation. He shook himself, pushing aside the unfamiliar sensation of fear that threatened to overwhelm him. He had to stay focused, had to come up with a plan. Their survival depended on it. The alternative was too horrifying to contemplate.
"Listen up," he said. "We still have one last play that will turn the tables in our favor. Here’s the key. Remember the Tower of Babel? How mankind came together under Nimrod's rule? They were unified in their purpose and the big guy himself said that nothing would be impossible for them if they were unified."5
Satan saw the skepticism on their faces. He knew what they were thinking. They all knew the Bible prophesied their destiny—to burn in the lake of fire forever.
“For the last 6000 years we’ve successfully controlled mankind, so that’s all we need to do. We can do it, especially now that our survival depends on it. Plus, there are no restrictions on the methods we can employ to make it happen.”
Satan could see it on their faces. His followers were starting to see how this plan could work.
He paused, his eyes glinting with a newfound determination. "We need to recreate that unity among the humans. We need to bring them into unity under one global system that we control. Total unity under one global government, economy, and religion. Once we have them totally unified, under our control, they'll use their delegated authority to reject heaven and choose us as their gods instead."
The devils applauded.
One said, “Yes! That’ll work!” Others agreed, “Great plan!”
"We mostly have global governments, the world's media, and the world’s religions under our control already," he mused, a cruel smile playing across his lips. "Now, we simply need to consolidate our power, bringing them into perfect unity with us."
His eyes blazed with hellish intensity. "So, each of you, in your assigned area of responsibility, must gain absolute control over your human government, media, religion, and economics. Tolerate no dissent. Not even a whisper of noncompliance for a second. Smile to their face, but don’t hesitate to stab them in the back."
Satan's gaze swept over his followers, his expression hardening. "And Christians, those stubborn fools who cling to faith in the big guy? They’re our main threat. They won’t come into unity with our philosophy and values. Their obstinate noncompliance would kill our last chance to avoid eternal torment in the lake of fire.
So, if you’re feeling generous, give a Christian one chance to join us and turn against the big guy. Or, you can just kill them. Make it gruesome, and painful, with a lot of loud wailing and suffering that gives nightmares to everyone who sees and hears it. Strike fear into them. Wipe ‘em out. They’re the reason we’re in this situation. But now that the third box lit up, and we’re stuck down here, we’ve got absolutely nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by killing every Christian."
Devils cheered as if they were in a pep rally.
"We’re close to achieving our ultimate goal—a world united under our banner, a unified humanity that bows to us as their true gods. Again, the big guy said nothing will be impossible for them if they’re unified. So, once we have humanity in perfect unity with each other, under our control, we’ll use his own words against him."
"And if a few billion humans have to die to make that happen? So be it."
Ketchikan Alaska, October 10, 6:56 pm
Katie returned from the grocery store and radioed Ethan and Moses to tell them she was home safe.
Just in time for the news conference.
Katie turned on the TV as Lilith Thornblood stepped up to the podium to begin her locally-televised press conference. Ethan, Moses and Rachel would be watching it in the uphill cabin.
Lilith’s sharp gaze surveyed the sea of anxious faces in the auditorium’s audience. The large screen behind her displayed the spinning logo of the United Nations, the image casting an eerie blue glow over her svelte features.
There she is. The ice witch. The killer.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust… You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Where did that thought come from?
Love my enemies? After what she did to Uncle Andy?
Remember what Andy told you when you asked how we can defeat the Devil’s global system?
“He that uses the sword will die by the sword. So, we can’t defeat them with guns, or even politically—America is too far gone. But we can spiritually fight and overcome the Devil’s kingdom by our life’s testimony, just as Jesus did. He commanded us to love our enemies. We’ll defeat the Devil’s global system by being blameless and harmless, the children of God, without fault in this evil, violent, and darkening world. Even unto death. That’s how end-time overcomers will prevail. It’s the same way Jesus overcame his enemies, by living in the truth and loving them sacrificially. If we do this, the Bible says an innumerable multitude will come to our light during the coming great tribulation.”
Lord, this is hard. I don’t want to love her. I want revenge. I want her to suffer for what she did, and what she’s still doing.
After wrestling within her own heart, she finally submitted, Okay, I’ll try to obey as best I can.
Katie closed her eyes and said, “Lord, I pray for Lilith. She is lost and deceived by the Devil. Please show her your love and your truth. Let her repent of her sinfulness and be saved.”
Immediately, a weight lifted from Katie’s spirit. And when she opened her eyes, Lilith looked different. Katie saw a lost soul, still evil, but deceived into following darkness as the path to success.
At precisely 7:00 pm Lilith looked into the camera and began, "Global citizens, in ze vake of ze unprecedented global catastrophe ve have vitnessed, it is more important zan ever zat ve stand united. Ze very survival of our species depends on our ability to vork together, to put aside our differences and pledge our allegiance to a common cause." Her thick German accent added a menacing undertone to her words.
She paused, letting her words sink in. The room was deathly quiet, save for the occasional cough or shuffling of feet.
"To zat end," Lilith continued, "ze United Nations has declared zat every citizen, twelve years old or above, must sign a pledge of allegiance to ze UN and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs.”
She showed this slide.
“Zis pledge is a binding contract, a solemn oath to dedicate yourselves to ze betterment of our vorld and ze advancement of our shared agenda."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, a mix of confusion and unease. Lilith held up a hand, silencing them.
"Let me be clear," she said, her tone taking on a harder edge. "Zis is not a request. Every man, voman, and child must sign ze pledge by October 20th. Zose who refuse vill be cut off from access to ze Central Bank Digital Currency system, effectively freezing zem out of ze global economy."
There it is. Now we’ll see whose faith is real and who’s going to compromise with the devil to get along.
The murmuring grew louder, tinged with anger and disbelief.
"Furzermore," she said, her voice cutting through the noise like a knife, "anyone who fails to sign ze pledge vill be guilty of ze crime of 'Undermining Global Unity,' a felony offense punishable by imprisonment or, in extreme cases, death."
Extreme cases, eh? Was Uncle Andy an extreme case? Not hardly. This is a way to see who won’t comply, so they can purge them . . . Oh no, now I sound like Uncle Andy.
The room erupted into chaos, shouts of protest and cries of outrage filling the air. Lilith stood firm, her expression cold and determined.
"Silence!" she commanded. The crowd quieted, cowed by the force of her presence. "Zis is ze price of our survival, ze necessary sacrifice for ze greater good. Ve cannot afford to be divided, to cling to outdated notions of individual freedom and autonomy. Ze vorld has changed, and ve must change vith it."
Not gonna happen.
Lilith leaned forward, her eyes boring into the crowd. "You have until October 20th to make your choice. Sign ze pledge, and take your place in ze new vorld order. Refuse, and suffer ze consequences. Ze choice is yours, but make no mistake – ze fate of humanity hangs in ze balance."
Why would the fate of humanity depend on us signing a pledge of allegiance to the UN?
With that, Lilith turned and strode off the stage, leaving a stunned and fearful audience in her wake. The screen behind her continued to glow, the UN logo spinning endlessly, a symbol of the new reality that had been thrust upon them all.
That night, Katie tuned into shortwave radio stations from Dallas, Toronto, and Sydney, Australia. They were all talking about the UN’s October 20th deadline. So, this wasn’t just Lilith and Southeast Alaska. This deadline was global.
Something big is happening at a global level. The UN is forcing everyone to declare who’s with them and who’s not. But why? And why would the fate of humanity depend on our allegiance to the UN?
Coming Next Week . . . The final chapter of Book 1 in the trilogy.
Click below to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.
Job 1:6, 2:1
Daniel 7:26-27
Psalm 82:6-7
Revelation 12:9
Genesis 11:6