Birth Pangs of the Coming Age | Chapter 15

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11)

Previously . . . Lilith Thornblood arrived as the UN’s new Southeast Alaska regional manager. She is ruthless and adept at media propaganda. Uncle Andy confronts her with a question during her first local broadcast. Later, he likens her to a fictional shape-shifting reptilian.

Chapter 15

The Price of Faith

Ketchikan Alaska, July 2nd

Like a boa constrictor, the UN continuously tightened its grip on America, implementing new laws and surveillance measures that choked once-thriving communities.

In Ketchikan, fear and oppression hung in the air as those who held onto their faith were forced into the shadows. Andy, a beacon of hope and truth, found himself at the center of the storm, his every move watched and every word scrutinized by Lilith's agents.

God’s People Go Underground

After Lilith Thornblood’s arrival, Andy and his followers adapted to their new reality as society around them crumbled. They started meeting in various locations, and using coded messages to communicate. Living rooms, basements, and rustic cabins became their gathering places, where they remained vigilant, with contingency plans to disperse at the first sign of trouble.

Andy thought, Reminds me of the underground house churches in China.

His teachings, once shared freely, became guarded treasures, passed from one believer to another with utmost care. His steady leadership provided a source of strength for brethren who faced losing their possessions and livelihood.

The UN swiftly dominated the American government, implementing new laws designed to crush any semblance of resistance. The UN discarded the antiquated US Constitution and its Bill of Rights. Adherents of Biblical Christianity were slandered as hate-filled opponents of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

For Andy and his flock, the implications were clear—their faith made them outlaws in the eyes of the rising totalitarian government. Americans, once proud of their flag and the values it stood for, found themselves under the heel of this hostile global power, their every move surveilled and questioned by the new regime.

Security Measures

Andy told his followers, “We can’t use cellphones anymore. They can use them to track us and record everything we say. We’ll meet face to face, no more than five at a time. Only invite people you trust.”

Claire Hansen pulled Andy aside, her voice low and urgent. She showed him photos and played recordings, evidence of the UN’s surveillance and the plans for a raid. Andy's heart raced as he realized the extent of the danger they faced.

She said, “They're coming for you, Andy,” her emerald green eyes filled with urgency, “you need to disappear.”

Lilith had him in her sights. She considered him to be the leader of an insurgency. The irony was bitter. He’d always led people to peace and truth, not rebellion.

Andy Forced to Move

He couldn't abandon his flock, but staying in his cabin was no longer an option. Sadly, he decided to move his supplies up the mountain to Ethan's tsunami-proof cabin. Katie would continue to live in the lower cabin. As he packed, his hands trembled, the urgency of the situation sinking in. He had to move fast and to stay ahead of them.

The remote camera flashed, alerting Andy to the approaching danger. He had two minutes to escape. Katie, her eyes wide with fear, sprang into action. They ran up the rocky trail, their breath coming in short gasps as the sound of engines grew louder behind them. The forest swallowed them as they crested a ridge, providing a cloak of green to shield them from visibility from below.

From their vantage point, they watched as Lilith’s raiders swarmed the cabin, weapons drawn, their faces grim. They ransacked Andy's home, smashing furniture and overturning drawers. Then, they confiscated Andy’s truck, float plane, and Ethan's sailboat, effectively crippling his means of escape. Andy and Katie remained hidden, watching helplessly as their lives were upended.

Love Your Enemies

Later, at Ethan’s cabin, the local TV newsreader said, “Cult leader, child molester, domestic terrorist,” her words dripping with venom. Andy clenched his fists.

He knew Lilith crafted these lies to destroy his reputation and turn the public against him. Anger and helpless frustration boiled inside him as he realized the extent of her influence. She had the power to shape public opinion, painting him as a dangerous pervert, polluting his excellent reputation. He knew fighting back would be difficult, if not impossible, but he refused to let her win. He’d continue his mission, even if it meant risking everything.

He heard Jesus’ words in his heart, “Love your enemies . . .”

Love my enemies? The people who hate you and do everything in their power to destroy your kingdom?

“Yes, those people. Pray for their welfare.”

Lord, this is really hard. I’m struggling with it. But I’ll do it as sincerely as I can.

“Lord, I pray for Lilith and her people who don’t know you. They are lost and deceived by the Devil. Please show them the light of the truth and let them be saved.”

In his heart Andy heard the Spirit say, “That’ll do.”

Then the Lord said, “That prayer wasn’t for Lilith, it was for you.”

PACE Planning - Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency

Andy thought he needed a contingency location, a pre-prepared place to go if Ethan’s cabin ever got compromised. He searched for suitable locations on the backside of the mountain. The terrain was rugged and isolated. Within a week he chose a location. It was not near any roads or trails, hidden from aerial observation, with a freshwater spring, and a small, sunlit area for a garden. He set to work, building a small shelter and stocking it with supplies. Secrecy was his best defense against Lilith's agents, so only Katie, Ethan, and Moses knew about it.

Andy’s Decision

As he worked on the new location, he grappled with his decision to stay in Ketchikan.

I could go to Kataan. David Kusteel would help me get settled there, and I’d be off Lilith’s radar there. They’d probably forget about me there.

But my people are here. Am I a shepherd, or a hireling?

He knew what he had to do. He couldn't abandon his small flock, even if it meant putting himself in danger. He’d continue leading them, providing hope and guidance in this darkening time, no matter the cost.

August 18th

The meeting at Moses and Rachel’s home was supposed to be like any other, a chance for the faithful to gather and build each other up.

Suddenly, the front door burst open, and Lilith's goons swarmed the room with guns drawn. Andy felt a moment of panic as he realized what was happening. Someone had informed on them, someone they trusted. Who was it? He tried to remain calm as they handcuffed him and pulled him away, but fear and anger threatened to overwhelm him. Looking back at the faces of his followers, he saw the same emotions reflected in their eyes. They’d been betrayed, and now Lilith had all their names.

Andy’s Testimony, August 25th

Andy stood tall in the courtroom, his eyes clear and focused as he faced his accusers. He knew the trial was a farce, a public show put on by Lilith to destroy him and everything he stood for. But he refused to back down, to let the devil win. As he listened to their lies and accusations, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. He knew his fate was sealed, that he would be found guilty no matter what he said. But he also knew that his words had power, that they could inspire others to carry on his mission.

At the end of his trial the pink-haired, tattooed judge asked, “Before your sentencing, do you have any final words for this court?”

Andy stood and turned toward the faces of those in the courtroom. Katie, Ethan, Moses, Rachel, Juan, and Claire were all there to support him, but others came to see this terrorist pervert get justice.

His eyes were filled with a mix of compassion and determination as he addressed the diverse crowd gathered before him. He knew his words would be met with both support and hostility, but he was determined to speak the truth, no matter the cost.

“Friends, neighbors, and enemies,” he began, his voice strong and unwavering, “I stand before you today, on trial and about to be condemned for my faith in the one true God. Only through faith in Jesus our Savior can we be reconciled to God. All other religions are false.”

Andy's gaze swept over the crowd, locking eyes with both his supporters and his detractors. “To my brothers and sisters in Christ, I say this. Do not lose heart. You may face persecution and hardship for your faith, but you must remain steadfast in your belief that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him.”

His voice grew more impassioned, “And to those who see me as a neighbor, or even as an enemy, I ask you to consider the emptiness of the UN's teachings. They don’t offer any hope of eternal life. Their only promise is not to kill you if you submit to them. In contrast, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, you can be reconciled to God and receive new life, experience God’s love in this life, and possess the hope of eternal life in heaven.”

Andy's eyes shone with the light of his conviction as he continued, “I know that the path I’ve chosen may lead to my condemnation, but my conscience is clear. I challenge each and every one of you to examine your heart and ask yourself whether you’re ready to follow the truth, even if it means facing opposition and suffering persecution?”

The judge interrupted, “Okay, enough preaching. Wrap it up.” Five people in the audience applauded.

Andy took a deep breath, his voice filled with both urgency and compassion, “The time to choose is now. Will you continue to follow the false teachings and dictates of the UN government, or will you embrace the salvation that can only be found in Jesus Christ? I pray that you will have the courage to stand with me, rejecting the Satanic lies of this world, and placing your faith in the one true God.”

The crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and jeers as Andy turned back to to face the judge.

Andy had spoken the truth, and he was ready to face the consequences, secure in the knowledge that his eternal fate rested in the hands of his Savior.

“Andrew Byrne, this court finds you guilty and sentences you to death by firing squad, to be carried out at noon tomorrow in the public square.

August 26th, 11:59 am

Two of Lilith’s policemen tied Andy Byrne’s arms around a pole behind him. He stood tall, facing the seven-man firing squad with calm courage, confident of his Savior’s approval. He smiled at the thought of earning a martyr’s crown for eternity.

One minute later, as seven rifle bullets punctured through his head and chest, he only felt violence and pain for a microsecond. Then, a sense of total peace and quiet washed over him. Immediately, his spiritual senses became aware he was in paradise, and he saw Jesus standing before him, smiling.

Jesus embraced him and said, “Well done, Andy. Well done!”

The temperature felt perfect. The sweet fragrance of a thousand blooming flowers, their delicate petals dancing in the gentle breeze, filled the air. The sky above was a breathtaking canvas of the purest blue, adorned with wisps of white clouds that seemed to float effortlessly across the heavens. The sun’s golden rays cascaded down, bathing the landscape in a warm, inviting glow that seemed to emanate from every blade of grass and every leaf on each tree.

Birdsong filled the air, a symphony of melodious trills and chirps that rose and fell in perfect harmony. Each note was a testament to the unbridled joy and peace that permeated this realm. The birds were amazing to behold, their vibrant plumage a kaleidoscope of colors that seemed to shimmer and change with every movement.

Lush, green grass stretched out as far as the eye could see, a soft carpet that invited you to remove your shoes and feel the cool, refreshing blades between your toes. The trees that dotted the landscape were tall and majestic, their leafy canopies providing welcome shade and shelter from the sun's gentle rays. Each tree seemed to have a personality of its own, with gnarled trunks and branches that reached out as if to embrace the sky above.

Crystal-clear streams wound their way through the landscape, their waters so pure and inviting that you couldn’t help but feel the urge to drink deeply and be refreshed from each one. The sound of the water’s gentle flow was a soothing melody, a constant reminder of the peace and tranquility that reigned supreme here.

Here, the troubles of the world seemed to melt away, replaced by an all-encompassing sense of peace, joy, and contentment. This was paradise, and Andy experienced true happiness and fulfillment.

Katie’s Reaction

Among the onlookers, Claire Hansen stood, tears in her eyes, a newfound resolve hardening within her. Katie stood next to her, weeping.

When the officer said "Fire!" seven rifle bullets struck Andy, making his body quake and contort, then fall limp. The violence of their impact, and concussive blast of the rifles, made Katie flashback to when the RPG hit her helicopter. Knocked unconscious, she’d heard what sounded like a grand piano crashing down from a 10th-story apartment onto a concrete sidewalk—all 88 keys pounding at once.

In the days that followed, Katie retreated to the small cabin she and Andy had shared. She sat there, eyes red and swollen from crying, as the weight of her loss threatened to crush her.

Andy’s murder was terrible, but his poise and courage were memorable. He suffered it willingly. He could’ve gone to Kataan, or somewhere else, but his final words to her, “God has many people here. I’m not going to surrender them to the devil to save my own skin,” echoed in her mind.

Katie sat in the small cabin, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She had lost so much in such a short time, and the weight of it all threatened to crush her. But as she sat there, surrounded by the memories of Andy and the life they had shared, she began to realize something. Andy chose this path. He chose to put his mission above his own safety. He could have run, could’ve saved himself, but he had stayed to minister to his flock. And in doing so, he had shown her the true meaning of faith and sacrifice.

As she thought about his final words to her, she felt a sense of resolve begin to build inside her. She knew that she had a choice to make, a decision that would define the rest of her life. She could lay low and stay out of trouble. Or, she could follow in Andy's footsteps, standing up for what she believed in and fighting against the evil that had taken him from her. She thought of the small group of believers that Andy left behind, of the love and commitment that bound them together. And she knew that she couldn’t abandon them, she couldn’t let Andy’s sacrifice be in vain.

But still, Katie wrestled with grief and fear. She saw Lilith's agents everywhere, felt their eyes on her.

Ethan’s Confessions

Ethan, ever her supporter, found her outside her cabin one afternoon, her face streaked with tears. He’d seen a change in her over the past few days. He’d watched as grief and fear battled with the spark of defiance that Andy’s death ignited inside her.

Sitting next to her, he felt a surge of emotion wash over him. He’d always admired Katie’s strength and determination, but now he saw something else in her eyes, a fire that burned with the same intensity as Andy’s.

He took her hand, trying to convey the depth of his feelings in that simple gesture.

She looked at him curiously. Ethan had never touched her before.

“Andy showed us the way, Katie. His faith and courage really got to me. I’ve decided to follow his example.”

“That’s wonderful! I’m so glad for you. And you’re right, Uncle did show us the way.”

“And there’s one more thing,” He looked into her eyes and held her hand. His heart pounded in his chest. “Now that I’ve joined your and Andy’s faith, I can finally tell you something else. I love you, and I’m always going to be here for you.”

***

As she looked into Ethan's eyes, Katie felt a rush of emotion wash over her, a mix of love and gratitude and fear for what lay ahead. With Uncle Andy gone, had she found a partner, someone who would stand by her side no matter what challenges they faced?

Hope of Victory

In the face of growing spiritual darkness, Katie saw a hope that flickered like a candle in the hearts of the faithful. This hope was due to a prophecy, a promise that God would clothe 144,000 living disciples with divine glory after calling them up into heaven just as Paul had been caught up centuries before. These chosen few would then return to earth, commissioned with a gospel ultimatum to every nation, tribe, and language. They’d have supernatural power to do greater works than Jesus did. They would threaten Satan’s kingdom by bringing millions, if not billions of new souls into God’s kingdom.

Could this be what Uncle Andy was referring to when he said “the Bible says an innumerable multitude will come to our light during the coming great tribulation?”

Katie clung to this prophecy like a lifeline. She knew the path ahead would be treacherous, and that many would fall and many more would suffer. But she also had confidence that, in the end, light would triumph over darkness, and the truth of God’s love would prevail.

She prayed, “Lord, give us strength and guidance in the coming days.”

Though the future was uncertain, and the enemy seemed to grow stronger by the day, Katie didn’t feel alone. She had the Holy Spirit, Ethan and other brethren, and the unyielding conviction that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, united in their love for each other and for the God who called them to this path.

War in Heaven?

As these events unfolded on earth, in the heavenly realm a fierce battle of cosmic proportions was starting. The martyrdom of disciples like Uncle Andy had not gone unnoticed, and the forces of good and evil were about to clash, shaking the very foundations of the earth.

---

Coming Next Week . . . War in heaven has dire consequences on earth.

---

---

Click below to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.