Deceived by Jerry B. Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page B

said.
    Another believer talked with Cheryl about the Bible but seemed frustrated. Then Vicki approached, sat, and took Cheryl’s hand. “My name’s Vicki Byrne. Someone said you’re pretty interested in what these girls have been saying.”
    Cheryl nodded. She was small framed, had blonde hair, and wore a sweater. Vicki guessed she was about sixteen. The girl’s eyes were puffy and red.
    Cheryl wiped away a tear. “I want to believe what they say, but I don’t think God could love me.”
    Vicki stared at the girl, bit her lip, and began. “I never rush people into a decision like this, but we’re in a big hurry. The Global Community wants you to take a mark of loyalty to Carpathia, and if you do that, you won’t be able to accept God’s truth.”
    â€œI’ve been really bad.”
    â€œI understand. I was no angel before I found out about God. But it doesn’t matter how bad or good you are, because all it takes is one sin to separate us from God. That’s why he sent his Son to die in our place and take the punishment for our sins.”
    â€œYou mean, Jesus?”
    â€œRight. In the Bible it says that anyone who receives him has eternal life. But the people who reject him, reject God himself.”
    â€œBut that’s not what the Global Community wants us to believe.”
    Someone blew a whistle at the other end of the room and Vicki stood. She looked through the masses of women and girls and saw Colin with the deputy commander.
    Vicki knelt by Cheryl. “I’m going to pray a prayer because I have to go. If you want, you can say it with me or have one of the other girls pray with you. This is how you receive God’s gift.”
    The whistle blew again, and the deputy commander yelled for everyone to sit on the floor.
    â€œGod in heaven, I know that I have sinned against you and I deserve to be punished,” Vicki whispered. “I want to turn from my sin right now and receive the gift you’re offering me. I believe Jesus came to die for my sins so that I could be forgiven, and that he was raised again so that I might spend eternity with you. Right now I want to reach out to you and ask you to be the Lord of my life. Forgive me. Save me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
    Vicki glanced at Cheryl’s forehead, but there was no mark of the believer. “You still have questions?”
    â€œHow did you know?”
    Vicki smiled. “It’s written on your face.”
    Vicki glanced toward the center of the room and saw Colin and the deputy commander moving through the crowd of women. “I have to go. Please pray that prayer. And no matter what you do, don’t take the mark of Carpathia.”
    Colin grabbed Vicki by the arm and pulled her to a standing position. “Have you found them?” he screamed.
    Vicki nodded. “I don’t know all their names, but I can show you which ones they are.”
    â€œShe’s a traitor!” the tall blonde woman yelled.
    The deputy commander turned and called for silence. “There will be none of that.” He looked at Vicki. “Point out the Judah-ites.”
    Vicki looked at Colin and gave a harried glance toward Cheryl and the dark-haired girl, who were still talking in the corner.
    â€œLet’s come back here after she’s seen the males,” Colin said.

    Natalie Bishop was double-checking the progress at the Iowa reeducation facility to make sure the order she had sent had gone through. She had used Deputy Commander Henderson’s computer while he was out earlier and had typed in Colin’s fake name, Commander Blakely, as the ordering officer.
    As the afternoon had worn on and she hadn’t heard from Vicki or the others, she had become worried. What if she had led them into a trap? What if the deputy commander in Iowa hadn’t gotten the release order for the Judah-ites?
    Just settle down and stay calm, Natalie told herself.
    When