Birth Pangs of the Coming Age | Chapter 12

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Previously . . . Katie chose the red pill. Ethan Salvadore reappeared in her life. Uncle Andy showed Katie his high cabin and supplies.

Chapter 12

Katie’s Epiphany

The Devil’s Locale In Heaven, 2023

As the XyloVirus pandemic subsided, Satan held a meeting with the seventy principalities who oversee all nations on earth. They sat around a U-Shaped, mahogany conference table, with Satan in the center.

The Devil said, “In the last sixty years, we’ve almost achieved my goal of centralized control over all nations. In this meeting, I’ll start by listing your successes, and then I’ll give direction for what still needs to be done.”

Satan’s Successes

“We’ve made the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, banks, and corporations into international entities that we control. These give us partial global control over earthly governments and their finances. I say partial because there are still pockets of resistance, with eleven nations stubbornly holding onto their national sovereignty. I’ll discuss my plan to remedy this in a minute.”

“In the last two years, the XyloVirus pandemic provided invaluable momentum toward global governance. The pandemic vaulted the visibility and importance of the UN’s World Health Organization in the world’s eyes. As a result, human leaders in each nation are now approving a global pandemic treaty, which includes surrendering their sovereignty to the W.H.O. if there’s another pandemic.”

Around the table, 71 devils smirked and laughed. The prince of Persia said, “IF there’s another pandemic? Our labs have already produced new bio-weapons for us to release when you give the word.”

Satan motioned for them to settle down. “Yes, yes. When the time is right, we’ll release them. But for now, we’re still consolidating our gains from XyloVirus.”

“We also had limited success implementing the digital ID and vaccine passport. But there was still too much push-back against this technology, especially in the USA.”

Heads lowered and shook in frustration around the table. The prince over China said, “Why do you tolerate the USA? Just let us take them out and all the rest will fall into line.”

Satan said, “Don’t worry. The digital ID is an absolute prerequisite for our global control. So, in the next crisis, we’ll make the USA beg for digital IDs.”

Satan’s Five Remaining Goals

“Now that I’ve itemized our successes, here are my remaining goals to be accomplished ASAP, but not later than 2030.”

Consolidate all financial systems into a centralized, global system with a central bank digital currency. Outlaw all other currencies.

Implement a centrally managed digital ID system to authenticate each person before they can do any transactions in the global CBDC system.

Bring all national governments under the sovereignty and laws of the United Nations. Individual nations will fit within one of ten regional UN governments. Regarding the eleven countries who stubbornly hold on to their national sovereignty, first we’ll break their economy. If that doesn’t bring them into compliance, they’ll suffer one relentless attack after another until they do. We have many options, including attacking their electric grid, their water system, their computer systems, or a bioweapon designed to target their specific ethnic group. Believe me, all nations will submit themselves to UN governance.

Establish centrally managed media programming to educate, entertain, and control humanity. Outlaw dissension and other forms of hate speech. Monitor all spoken and written communications to detect people who threaten our global governance. Take action to neutralize threats to our control.

Establish one global religion to eliminate religious conflicts. It must promote diversity, equality, and inclusion of all people. Hateful, exclusive religions that won’t promote DEI must be eliminated.

Satan’s Methods

“To achieve these goals, start by using nonviolent tactics such as media campaigns, economic pressure, and government regulations.”

“But, when nonviolent methods don’t achieve my goals, I will allow the use of violence, including economic collapse, war, famine, and pandemic.”

“Finally, each of you must turn your nation against its Jews and Christians. Demonize them through the media, like how the prince of Germany demonized the Jews in 1930s Germany. That was epic.”

Heads turned to see the prince of Germany stand and take a bow. Devils applauded.

“But try not to kill righteous Christian disciples. Torment them to make them either lose faith or pollute their testimony. If you can’t get them to recant their faith, tempt them to backslide into sin. Then, either way, their death won’t count against us in the third box’s tally.”

“Pressure all Christians in every way possible. Most will compromise, joining the crowd to save their skin, or to make their life easier.”

“There will be a few who won’t comply. After all other efforts fail, you may kill them, as examples to the rest. But remember, righteous martyrs will go against us in the third box’s tally, so don’t kill them unless they’re a threat to our goals.”

Uncle Ethan’s Cabin, November 28th

Uncle Andy said, “Come in.”

Ethan entered. Uncle Andy greeted him with a nod, gesturing for him to sit in the middle rocker near the woodstove. Katie, her movements fluid and graceful, was in the kitchen. She brought mugs of chamomile tea, placing them with a soft clink on the table, then took her place to Ethan's left, keeping her scar from Ethan's view.

“It’s good to see you again. Thanks for accepting my invitation.”

“It’s my pleasure, sir.”

After sipping his tea, Andy said, “With all the shortages everywhere, how's it going at KMS?”

Ethan relaxed, warming his hands and feet by the woodstove as he spoke. “We’re still getting fuel and supplies because we're deemed critical. But on a personal level, the pinch for groceries and gas is real. I'm hopeful the new digital currency will solve the economic and supply chain problems being caused by the hyperinflating dollar. Hopefully, things’ll get better soon.”

Katie thought, He’s relying on the world system. Doesn’t sound like he’s a believer.

Apparently, Andy was wondering the same thing. He asked, “Ethan, as a pastor, I’m curious. What's your spiritual background?”

“Like most people of Mexican descent, I was raised Roman Catholic. But I haven't been active for a long time. I guess I try to live by the golden rule and have a clean conscience.”

“Okay. Thanks for your honesty.” Andy loaded more wood into the stove.

They both sipped their tea.

Andy said, “Ethan, would you be interested in helping me finish a cabin nearby in return for lodging there?”

Ethan's face lit up. “Yes, absolutely! I thought living on a sailboat would be cool, but it’s not insulated very well, so it’s not cool. This Texican boy has been flat-out cold!”

After finishing their tea, Andy handed Ethan a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun, a can of bear spray, and a small bell on a string.

Andy said, “It’s loaded with alternating double-ought buckshot and slugs.”

As Ethan slung the shotgun over his shoulder, Andy continued, “This is brown bear country. They’re like grizzly bears, only much bigger. An adult stands over nine feet tall, and their claws are as long as your fingers. Most of them are afraid of us, but you never know when you’ll surprise a protective mama with cubs, or a wounded bear in a mood to get even. So we always go out prepared.”

Ethan said, "Yes, sir."

“Depending on the situation, use the bear spray as your first option. If it’s life or death, use the gun.”

Ethan nodded. “What’s the bell for?”

“Tie it on your belt so bears can hear you coming and run away. It prevents you from surprising a bear in areas of thick underbrush where visibility is practically zero.”

Ethan followed Andy out the door, with Buster bounding ahead.

***

Katie went to the sink. Her hands worked through warm, soapy water as she washed their cups.

Seems like I’m always washing dishes, at work and at home. But I’m content with my situation. I’m loved and respected in both places, even though my worldly position is humble.

I don’t earn much money, but my needs are all met.

My conscience is clean. I’m rich in my soul.

She said, “Thank you, Lord, for all you’ve given me. I trust you with my life. My future is in your hands.”

In her heart, this intuitive thought arose. “Katie, what is success? Is it measured by the world’s standards, or by God’s favor and approval?”

I’ve had both. I had worldly success, and now I enjoy God’s favor.

“Contrast the two. Which kind is lasting, secure, pure, and fulfilling?”

Worldly success wasn’t lasting or secure. They took it away from me for following what I thought was right. Is God’s favor lasting and secure? Yes, as long as I follow what’s right. But not if I choose to do evil. So, they’re both dependent on my decisions, but in opposite ways.

Was my worldly success pure? It was pure and innocent while I was naïve about the world system. But to keep my position in the army after I lost my naiveté, I would’ve had to compromise that purity. In contrast, God’s favor is always pure, and it depends on me continuing to pursue truth and purity.

Both are fulfilling, but in different ways. In the past, I enjoyed universal public praise for my rank and exploits as an army medevac pilot. But today, the public looks down on me as an army reject who’s lucky to have a job washing dishes. Instead of my former worldly glory, I now enjoy humble fellowship with like-minded believers and the Holy Spirit.

“Last month, while you were deer hunting, you wondered ‘What’s the goal of my life now?’ I said you’ve got some lessons to learn before I give you the desires of your heart. You’ve done well and learned those lessons. So, when I give you the desires of your heart, remember this conversation. Continue to seek genuine success that is truly lasting, secure, pure, and fulfilling. In the world you will have tribulation, but you must overcome the world.”

Awestruck, Katie realized she wasn’t just daydreaming. She’d just had a conversation with the Living God. Immediately, she dried her hands and captured every word in her journal while it was fresh in her mind. She didn’t feel anything different in her body, but her heart was doing cartwheels. She realized God loved her. Like a sponge, her soul absorbed his favor until she was saturated with joy.

***

An hour later, one set of heavy footsteps on the porch announced their return. She put her book down, then stood abruptly as Ethan entered with Uncle Andrew cradled in his arms.

Andy said, “I twisted my ankle. Might be broken.” He grunted in pain as Ethan carefully set him on the sofa, propping up his foot.

“We can take him in for an X-ray after I catch my breath,” Ethan said, his concern clear, but his voice steady.

***

The doctor's verdict was a relief: "A bad sprain, but no broken bones. Keep it elevated, rest, and ice or an ace bandage for swelling. It should heal in four to ten weeks."

Back home, Ethan said, "I noticed comfrey growing alongside the trail. I'll make a poultice. It'll help with pain and shorten healing time—as long as you don't re-injure it."

The next day, Ethan tied his sailboat to Andy’s dock and carried his few belongings up to the high cabin. He visited Andy daily to enjoy a hot drink, change his poultice, see Katie, and chat about his progress on various projects.

Ketchikan, Alaska, January 8th

Uncle Andy sat near the wood stove, nurturing a cup of mint tea while Katie replaced the comfrey poultice on his ankle.

They heard a vehicle approaching the cabin. They weren’t expecting anyone, so Katie looked out the window to see who it was.

She didn’t recognize the man, but he looked vaguely familiar.

As he walked up the hill, Katie realized it was Bill Cassidy, the chief pilot at Ketchikan Medevac Service. Her stomach turned over. Why is he here? Maybe he’s looking for Ethan?

As he stepped onto the porch, Katie opened the door.

“Hi Katie, you may remember me. Bill Cassidy from the Ketchikan Medevac Service.”

She answered politely, “Yes, I remember you.” But she was thinking, Why are you here?

“Katie, I’ll get right to the point. Our situation has changed and I've got a pilot opening for you if you’re still available.”

In Katie’s mind, the clouds parted, a brilliant light shone down from heaven, and a million angels erupted into the Hallelujah Chorus.

Smiling from ear to ear, Katie said, “Would you like to come in for a cup of mint tea?”

***

Instead of having all the instructor and training resources of the US Army to train her, Katie had to learn to fly a new type of helicopter, along with learning all the regulations and procedures necessary to pass an FAA single-pilot instrument check-ride on her own. Company policy also required her to get certified as an emergency medical technician, so she could help her flight medic triage and prepare patients for transport.

She hit the books, practically memorizing the helicopter operator's manual before Bill sent her to four-weeks of comprehensive pilot training at the helicopter manufacturer’s factory training facility in Texas.

Upon her return, she piloted three flights: a daylight, a night, and a night instrument flight, while Bill rode in the left seat, checking off the list of everything she needed to know about flying in the local area. This included emergency procedures, instrument approaches into Ketchikan International Airport, unimproved area landing procedures, and local airport procedures and rules.

After passing all her training, Bill released her to start working shifts.

Bill assigned his most experienced flight nurse, Sandy Cohen, to fly with his newest pilot.

March 18th

Katie's first shift started at 6 am. From the first time they met, there was friction between Katie and Sandy.

Their first medevac call was for an obstetrics patient who was experiencing delivery complications in Kataan. They arrived at sunset.

Rather than trusting Katie to fly the quick trip back to Ketchikan at night through the clouds, Sandy worked with the mother and the midwife until midnight to deliver the baby in the village. Sandy monitored mom and baby until sunrise. With everything looking normal, the mom declined a trip to the hospital.

Sandy and Katie returned to Ketchikan without a word spoken.

After completing her post-flight checklist and paperwork, Katie went home.

Sandy left a message in Ethan's in-box, asking him to meet her at the Blue Mountain coffee shop at 5 pm.

Ketchikan, Alaska, March 19th

When Katie got home, she showered and went straight to bed, exhausted physically and emotionally.

When she woke up, Uncle Andy had dinner ready. It smelled delicious.

After dinner, she petted Buster, who curled in her lap as she mulled over the situation.

Andy asked, “How’d your first shift go? What’s bothering you?”

Katie explained her concern. “For some reason, I think my flight nurse was afraid for me to fly her and the patient back last night.”

“Did you give her any reason for such a feeling?”

“No, everything on the flight out to Kataan went smoothly. No problems. I don’t understand it.”

“Sometimes it isn't something you did, but it’s who you are. An ancient Chinese sage once said, ‘If you care about what other people think, you will always be their prisoner.’ He may not be quoting from the Bible, but he was right.”

They both sipped their coffee.

“Remember the two rules I gave you before you shipped out?”

“Yes, do everything as unto the Lord and always choose to follow the truth.”

Andy chuckled. “You can't control what others think, but if you do these two things you can always have self-respect and a clear conscience. So just keep following the two rules and you'll be fine.”

“Thanks Uncle. Hopefully, things’ll get better.” She hugged him. “Now, if you can tell me how to fix my body clock that's all screwed up with this weird shift work.”

Ketchikan, Alaska, March 19th

While Katie was talking to Uncle Andy at home, Ethan was meeting Sandy at the Blue Mountain coffee shop.

Sandy said, “I heard you recommended Katie to Bill, and that's how she got hired. How do you know her?”

“She saved my life in the war. She was a copilot on her first medevac mission. They were sitting in a hot LZ when her Blackhawk got hit by an RPG, killing the pilot. She had to wait for me to board her aircraft, but even after being severely wounded, and with enemy soldiers all around, she still had the guts to wait for me. I was left alone in the LZ after everyone else boarded, so the enemy would’ve certainly captured or killed me if she hadn’t waited.”

“Wow, that’s quite a story.”

“That scar on her face? The first time I saw her, it was a gaping hole from RPG shrapnel.”

Ethan could see the wheels turning in Sandy’s head. Then she continued, “So, how come she didn't serve out her whole army commitment? How'd she get out so young?”

“After earning a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart, the Army kicked her out when she wouldn't take the XyloVirus vaccine after it gave one of her fellow pilots a stroke.”

Sandy said, “That’s understandable. I didn’t take the jab either.”

Sandy sipped her coffee, then continued, “But I have to confess, I’m having trouble flying with Katie. It’s not her, it’s me. You see, early in my career, another young female pilot crashed us, killing the patient and putting me in traction for two months. It was eleven months before I was back on flight status, and apparently I still have some PTSD about it. I guess I haven’t fully recovered en la cabeza.”

Ethan nodded sympathetically.

Sandy said, “So, would you switch pilots with me?”

Shocked, Ethan said, “Sure, I’d like to fly with Katie, but I don’t know if Bill would go for it, since Katie and I are both new at KMS.”

“He will, if I admit how I feel.”

***

Starting at 6 am the next morning, Katie and Sandy were on duty. At 9 am, Katie was reading in the crew’s ready room. She didn’t see Ethan enter the building.

Sandy and Ethan went into Bill's office and closed the door.

When they closed the door behind them, Bill said, “Oh, boy, what's up? Is this going to hurt?”

Sandy said, “I have a problem, and I’d like to propose a solution. As you know, I was severely injured in a chopper crash five years ago. Apparently, I’ve still got some PTSD from that event, and here’s my problem. The pilot who crashed was a pretty young female, and flying with Katie triggers irrational fears that I can’t control. I have no complaints or criticisms about the way Katie flies, but I can’t help it that I have these fears when I fly with a young female pilot.”

Bill said, “Right. So that's it. I wondered why you two stayed in Kataan until daylight.”

Sandy said, “I have nothing against her. She’s a good pilot. But, because of my problem, Ethan and I would like to switch pilots. He's ridden in the back of her helicopter before, in the war, and he’s okay with it.”

Bill said, “You're lucky Sandy. If that mother would've needed transport after dark, you would've had a tough decision to make. You would've either had to white-knuckle it on the ride back with Katie flying, or stay in Kataan—endangering the lives of that mother and her baby. You should’ve told me your concern when I made the assignment. Making a change now is going to raise questions that aren’t fair to Katie.”

Bill took a minute to ponder his decision. Ethan and Sandy waited quietly.

“Okay, I’ll swap you two and update the schedule, effective immediately. But when we explain this change to everyone, let’s say it was because Ethan wanted to fly with Katie. It wouldn't be good for people to hear that Sandy didn’t want to fly with Katie when Katie’s only fault is that she’s young and female. Understood?”

They both replied, “Yes, sir.”

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Coming Next Week . . . The third and fourth horsemen get released, with catastrophic global results.

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