Arrived by Jerry B. Jenkins Read Free Book Online

darkness but couldn’t remember the reference.
    He climbed upstairs for one last look before they headed for the sewer. Gunther and a few others had rigged up some explosives to destroy the safe house.
    Judd pulled out his cell phone and dialed Vicki. When she answered on the first ring, he could tell by the emotion in her voice that she had been crying.
    â€œI can’t tell you everything right now, but I’m all right,” Judd said. “Everything’s going to be all right.”
    â€œWhat’s that noise in the background?” Vicki said.
    Judd looked at the Peacekeepers, many of whom were on the ground, screaming and cursing God. They scratched at unseen sores and rubbed their aching bodies. The pain that began as an itch soon turned so intense that the Peacekeepers crawled beside rocks or cars and tried to rub up against them for relief. Men chewed their tongues until blood ran down their chins. Some found rifles on the ground and turned them on themselves, hoping to end their agony.
    â€œIt’s awful here, Vick,” Judd said. He explained briefly what had happened. “Is it happening there too?”
    â€œNo, this is just supposed to occur in New Babylon.”
    â€œHow do you know that?”
    Judd heard a click of computer keys. “Here it is. It’s in Revelation, chapter 16.” Vicki read the verses, her voice trembling. “ ‘Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. And his subjects ground their teeth in anguish, and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they refused to repent of all their evil deeds.’ ”
    â€œThat’s exactly what’s happening,” Judd said.
    â€œThen get out of there,” Vicki said, “and go back to Petra as fast as you can.”

6
    JUDD and Westin jumped into the back of a squad car as Gunther and another member of the group got in the front. The rest of the group used the other vehicles.
    Gunther had to drive slowly because he couldn’t see very far. “Either of you know how long this is supposed to last?” Gunther said, looking in the rearview mirror.
    Judd shook his head. “A friend of mine just read me the prophecy. From the stuff it says about people suffering, it sounds to me like it could be a while.p”
    Gunther nodded. “That’s what I think. Rainer and I talked about this. We both agreed when it happened, the end wasn’t far away.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, ‘the end’?” Westin said.
    Gunther explained the prophecy about believers coming out of New Babylon. “The Lord predicts death and mourning and famine. Then it says he will destroy the city with fire. Rainer and I always thought that would be nuclear.”
    â€œIf God’s dropping his heavy artillery, we should get out,” Westin said. “Maybe we could find a plane—”
    Gunther held up a hand. “If Judd’s right—and I think he is—we still have time to do some good here.”
    â€œWhat do you have in mind?” Judd said.
    â€œRadios and computers are working,” Gunther said. “We might be able to communicate with other locations and get the GC to release prisoners, maybe foul up their system. Plus, there’s a holding facility not far from here. Captured Jews are sent to concentration camps from there. Since the heat wave ended, they’ve probably brought new people there.”
    â€œHow do we know when to leave?” Judd said.
    â€œThe Lord will warn us. It’s part of the prophecy. I know you two want to get back to Petra, but we could use the help.”
    Westin looked at Judd and shrugged. “If we can do some damage, I’m all for it.”
    Judd glanced at Gunther. “I need to make a phone call.”

    Vicki told the others about her conversation with Judd, and no sooner had they begun their prayer meeting for him than