|
Author
|
Topic: "The Jeremiah School"
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-14-2023 02:46 AM
I'm thinking of creating a Christian version of the Harry Potter books called The Jeremiah School. In this series, young people with supernatural powers are given dreams that they are the Jeremiahs, the young prophets that have been called of God to be His army in the end times, and to that end they go to a school called the Jeremiah School, which is watched over by a headmaster who is the longest-living Jeremiah and probably the first to be called a Jeremiah, the founder Jeremiah Xavier. They have a school of prophets that oppose them, the Luciferian Academy, and over the course of the book (and probably the series) the two schools butt heads with each other, using their supernatural abilities against each other to fight for supremacy over the spiritual and physical realm.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-14-2023 06:18 AM
The beginning of "The Jeremiah School":
There was a boy named Peter Stone, who lived with his aunt and uncle in the middle part of America ever since he was a baby. His parents had died of an accident, or so Peter was told, which was why he was left in their care when he was very young. He had grown up alongside his cousin Donald Dresser, who were Uncle Harry and Aunt Dottie's only son since Aunt Dottie wanted to be a career woman and only wanted to have a single child because her husband desired to have somebody carry on the Dresser family name. Uncle Harry was a stay-at-home dad who cared for both Donald and Peter as if they were his two sons, although he obviously favored Donald because he was his biological son and Peter was just his nephew from a family that he and his family had despised.
You see, the Stones were Christians. Not the quiet Christians who normally go throughout their day keeping their faith to themselves. These Christians were special, because they were given supernatural powers and became Christians right around their 11th birthdays. These Christians were proud to live out a faith they earnestly believed in, because they knew that their God was great and can perform miracles that even astounded those who called themselves Christians. But these Christians were given a new name that matched their precocious faith: they were the Jeremiahs. They liked to proclaim how Jeremiah was the first prophet called by God when he was a little boy, and that he was ordained by God to be a prophet of the nations.
The Dressers didn't believe in God. They believed in the inherent goodness of man, that the world revolved around that kind of goodness and that this goodness will prevail in the end. That didn't stop them from being terrible people from time to time, as Aunt Dottie would always have arguments with her business clients on the phone, and Uncle Harry had to deal with men impugning on his masculinity because he decided that he would be a stay-at-home dad who wrote personal blogs to the public about his struggles in marriage and family.
Peter was innocent in the matters pertaining to God, but he was also ignorant. Nobody read the Bible to him, and he never even heard of the Bible stories when he was a child. He thought that he was just a normal child like his cousin Donald, that he would grow up and get a job and raise a family just like his Aunt Dottie, who seemed to be an inspiration to him while Uncle Harry seemed like a failure as a father figure.
Peter would not remain innocent nor ignorant for long. One night after his 11th birthday, he had a dream that was so powerful he wondered if it really was a dream. In that dream, Peter saw himself in the clothes of an ancient Middle Eastern, and before him was a light that was so powerful and bright that he could hardly see in it. Then a voice called out from the light: "Peter."
Peter gulped as he heard his name being called in such a gentle and yet commanding voice. "Is that You, God?"
"I am the Lord your God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of your Savior Jesus Christ," the voice responded. "Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations."
"You have chosen me, Lord God?" Peter asked. "But alas, I cannot speak, for I am only a child."
"Do not say that 'I am only a child', Peter, for you shall go to all that I shall send you, and whatsoever I command you you shall speak. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you," the voice spoke again. Then Peter felt as if a finger had reached out from the light and touched his lips. "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant."
Then Peter was shown a vision. "What do you see, Peter?" the voice asked.
"I see the rod of an almond tree," Peter answered.
"You have seen correctly, for I will hasten my word to perform it," the voice said.
Then Peter was shown another vision. "What do you see now?" the voice asked.
"I see a seething pot, and the face thereof is toward the north," Peter answered.
"Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land, Peter," the voice said. "For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, says the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. And I will utter My judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken Me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. You therefore gird up your loins, Peter, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command you: do not be dismayed at their faces, lest I confound you before them. For, behold, I have made you this day a defensed city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you."
And then the dream ended, and Peter sat bolt upright in his bed, thinking about the dream he just had. He felt as if he had actually met God, and realized that he was now what his aunt and uncle had hated: a Jeremiah.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-14-2023 01:50 PM
From that time on, Peter began to behave in ways that were strange to the Dressers. For one thing, he was always praying as he was sitting down to meals with his adopted family. He prayed just before he went to sleep at night, and he also prayed when he got up in the morning before he got washed up, dressed, and ready for the day. Aunt Dottie seemed not to have taken notice, but Uncle Harry felt concerned for his nephew, so one time he sat down with his nephew to have a talk.
"Is everything all right with you, Peter?" Uncle Harry asked.
"I think so, Uncle Harry, but somehow I feel like I'm being called into God's service as a young prophet," Peter answered.
"Your mother and your father also had that same feeling when they were eleven, Peter," Uncle Harry said. "We thought that it was something that they would grow out of, like most children's fantasies that they have when they were little. But it ended up becoming their life, and that life was what ended up killing them in the end."
"You mean you don't want me to be like my parents?" Peter asked. "But why? What have they done that was so wrong?"
"Your parents believed that there is only one true God that exists in this universe, and that all creatures will someday have to bow before Him and confess that He is Lord," Uncle Harry answered. "He doesn't believe in freedom for all beings to choose their own destiny like me and Aunt Dottie have chosen. He doesn't think children like you should even have fun like little kids normally do."
"Is that why Donald acts the way he does towards me? Because I feel that he doesn't particularly like me," Peter said.
"He's just jealous of something you have that he doesn't have, Peter," Uncle Harry said. "Not all people have the calling of being Jeremiahs like I suppose you did. That's why I'm hesitant to respond to this letter that has been sent to us by this special school that you have been enrolled in."
"I have been enrolled in a special school?" Peter asked. "Tell me, what was the name of it?"
Uncle Harry sighed. "I suppose there's no harm in letting you read for yourself the letter." He handed Peter which was addressed to Harry and Dottie Dresser, the guardians of Peter.
Peter opened the envelope and saw the first thing on the letter was: THE JEREMIAH SCHOOL OF YOUNG PROPHETS. This made him curious as to what the rest of the letter had to say. He unfolded the letter and read:
Dear Caretakers Of Peter Stone:
It is my pleasure to inform you that your nephew Peter Stone has been accepted as a member of The Jeremiah School Of Young Prophets. A guardian will be sent to your address to talk to the boy personally to let him know more about the school and what the program offers. You do not need to respond to this letter, for I know in the Lord that you will do the right thing when the time comes.
We will see your nephew at our school in the beginning of September.
Signed,
Reverend Headmaster Jeremiah Xavier,
Jeremiah School Of Young Prophets.
"What does that mean, Uncle Harry? Does that mean you and Aunt Dottie are going to let me go?" Peter asked.
"I'm afraid so, Peter," Uncle Harry answered. "You have a life that no longer requires us to be a part of it. Donald will continue to go to regular public school with his friends in September, and you will be sent away to this school."
"You hate me because I'm a Jeremiah, isn't it?" Peter asked, sounding sad.
"Nonsense, Peter, you'll always be our nephew!" Uncle Harry said. "You just have Someone who loves you better than we ever can. In time, you'll rely more on that Someone than on us."
Peter sighed. "I'd like to learn more about this school when the guardian shows up at our appointment with him, Uncle Harry."
"I'm sure he will come before the time that you will be sent away, I promise," Uncle Donald said.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-15-2023 04:35 AM
Summer was nearing its end, and one day in the middle of August, on a really hot day, the Dresser family heard the door bell. Donald went to answer it, and he saw a man with an enormous black beard and a white robe standing outside. "Hello there, young man," he politely greeted. "May I speak to the heads of this household? I'm here on an urgent business."
Donald looked like he was going to laugh. "Mom! Dad! There's a religious weirdo at our doorstep!"
Uncle Harry and Aunt Dottie came to the door to see the stranger for themselves. "Are you the heads of this household, Mr. and Mrs. Dresser?"
"I'm the main breadwinner of this house, and my husband Harry is a stay-at-home dad," Aunt Dottie answered. "May I ask who you are and what you are doing here?"
"I am Brother Gabriel Hagrine, and I am here to meet up with your nephew Peter Stone," the stranger introduced himself. "Is your nephew here in the house? I would like to speak to him immediately."
"Are you from this Jeremiah School that we have heard of, Gabriel?" Uncle Harry asked.
"I am," Gabriel answered. "I am also a Jeremiah, and have been working with the Jeremiah School ever since I was a young one. We know that your nephew has recently become a Jeremiah, because our headmaster Jeremiah Xavier has sensed it in his spirit."
"So that's why our nephew has to go away to this special academy of yours?" Aunt Dottie asked.
"How much does this Jeremiah Xavier know about our family, Gabriel?" Uncle Harry asked, sounding curious.
"Jeremiah Xavier knows only what the Lord allows him to know, and that's it," Gabriel answered. "We are finite beings who are only given a certain amount of time by God to fulfill His purpose here on Earth, to prepare His people for a war that is coming."
"A war?" Aunt Dottie asked. "Excuse me, but what kind of war are we talking about?"
"The ultimate war between God and Satan, my lady, the war between good and evil, light and darkness," Gabriel answered. "This is all leading to the Lord's Second Coming, and His people must be prepared to fight that battle, for the Devil knows that he has but a short time and is preparing to fight tooth and nail for the souls of all people of this earth."
Uncle Harry rubbed his temples. "I think this is too much for my mind to comprehend at this point."
"Donald, go get Peter from the backyard," Aunt Dottie said. "I have a feeling that these two are going to need some time alone to discusss things that are none of our business to know about."
"Yes, Mom," Donald said, sighing. He then went to the back door and called out, "Hey, Jerry, come out of that tree right now! Some religious weirdo wants to talk with you!"
"Thanks, Donald," Peter said as he climbed out of the tree he was in. He entered into the house and saw Uncle Harry and Aunt Dottie sitting with Brother Gabriel in the living room together.
"Ah, there's your nephew," Gabriel beamed, smiling as he saw Peter. "Come, sit, I have come here to talk to you."
"I somehow sensed you would," Peter said. He sat in a chair right next to Gabriel, who looked at him as if he was a mall Santa Claus staring at a stranger's child all day, only much more pleasant. He smelled as if he had taken a bath in patchouli.
"I guess this is our cue to leave these two alone, Dot," Uncle Harry said. "Come, let us go out into the backyard and stay out of their business."
Aunt Dottie sighed, not liking being left out of a conversation Peter might be having with anyone. She got up and went with Uncle Harry and Donald out to the backyard.
"I'm curious to know, Gabriel, why I am chosen to be a Jeremiah," Peter said. "What have I done that warrants so much attention from this God that I'm starting to know about?"
"The Lord God Almighty knows who will be His from the beginning of time, Peter," Gabriel said. "He has already declared what the end will be like, and how the victory against His adversary Satan is going to turn out. Satan is already a defeated foe, but he's still active in this world, beguiling unstable souls and misleading God's people into worshipping idols and accepting false teachers. Our job is to be God's army against the growing army of darkness that has arisen in the world, to be the prophets that will hold back the forces of evil until Jesus returns."
"You believe that the Lord is coming soon?" Peter asked.
"I feel it in my spirit, according to the revelations the Lord has given me and Jeremiah Xavier," Gabriel answered. "That's why He has been pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh, as Joel the prophet has said He would in the latter times, and the young men shall see visions and the old men shall dream dreams, and upon His menservants and maidservants He will pour out His Spirit, and they will prophesy."
"Oh my!" Peter gasped. "Is there anything I can do to protect my family?"
"You must leave your family entirely in God's hands, my child, and come with me to the Jeremiah School," Gabriel said. "It is there that you can grow and become a prophet like your father and your mother, who are now in Heaven with the Lord."
"You know about my parents...my real parents?" Peter asked. "Tell me, what are they like? What did they do?"
"I'm sure I can answer those questions at the time the Lord feels it is appropriate for you to know, Peter," Gabriel answered. "For now, we must prepare you for your first term at the school. Do you have a Bible with you?"
"The Bible?" Peter said. "Uh...no, Gabriel, I can't have a Bible in the house! My uncle and aunt hate all kinds of religious literature!"
"Ah, what a shame, and what a crime against today's youth that adults would deny them access to the Word of God," Gabriel said, sighing. "It is pretty fortunate that I have brought one with me, but this is a very special Bible. Take a look at it!"
Gabriel gave Peter a book that had no markings on it or anything to announce its contents. "Why, this is just an ordinary book!" he said, looking around at the outside.
"Just open it, and you'll see for yourself," Gabriel said, encouraging.
Peter opened it and noticed that the text of the Bible was in another language he didn't know about. Then he stared at the text inside the Bible and noticed that the language changed to English right before his eyes. It was like magic to him.
"This Bible only displays Hebrew and Greek to people who are not spiritually awakened, my child," Gabriel said. "This will protect you from your aunt and uncle until we can get you a proper Bible to use. But remember to keep this a secret."
"I will, Gabriel, and thank you," Peter said, clutching the book and smiling.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-15-2023 10:52 AM
With his aunt and uncle's permission, Peter went with Gabriel to town to do some shopping. Peter noticed that they weren't going to the big chain bookstores and what-not for their supplies. "Where are you taking me, Gabriel?" Peter asked.
"I know a store owned by the Jeremiah Xavier Foundation that has special books that you will need for your first term at the school, Peter," Gabriel said.
"But who's paying for my being at the school?" Peter asked.
"Your parents left behind an inheritance that would help you during your years at the Jeremiah School until you turn 18," Gabriel answered. "This will help pay for your books and all your other expenses."
"My aunt and uncle said that my parents died because they were Jeremiahs," Peter said. "Can you tell me anything about my parents?"
"All in good time, Peter, all in good time," Gabriel said, trying to keep the young man's focus on the task at hand. He took the boy through the city until they came to a store front that looked nondescript from the outside. "Here is where we're going to get you your books and your first official Bible for study purposes."
They entered the shop, and soon they came across a man who was dressed in a sweater, pants, tie, and dress shoes. "Ah, Brother Gabriel, it's so nice to see you again," the man greeted.
"Peter, this is Mr. Oliver Alexander, who will help us get the books you need for your first term, as well as your first Bible," Gabriel introduced.
"So nice to meet you, young man," Mr. Alexander said, greeting the boy with a handshake. "I take that this is the year you have been awakened as a Jeremiah and you are now going to the school for young prophets."
"Yes, sir, I am," Peter said. "I know very little there is to being a Jeremiah, though."
"Well, I'm sure the school will teach you all about your place as being a young prophet of the Lord," Mr. Alexander said. "So tell me, have you started reading the Bible for yourself?"
"I know very little about the Bible, given that my aunt and uncle won't let me have one in the house," Peter responded.
"Ah, I see then," Mr. Alexander said, sounding a bit disappointed. "Well, here in my Bible Emporium, we help you find the right Bible that will help you grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I trust that you are a good reader."
"My teacher says that I do well when it comes to reading, sir," Peter said.
"Then I guess we won't need the easy-to-read translations that are much suited for beginner readers," Mr. Alexander said. He then looked through an assortment of Bibles and picked one from the shelf. "Here, try this and see what happens."
Peter opened the Bible that Mr. Alexander had given him. Suddenly it was as if a light bulb turned on in Peter's head, for he saw the pages move until it came to the gospel of John, starting with chapter 1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
"Wow, this is incredible!" Peter exclaimed. "I felt as if this Bible was made specifically for me!"
Mr. Alexander smiled. "Then it is yours. I will add it to the books that will be selected for your first term at the Jeremiah School."
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-16-2023 04:40 AM
After he got his books, Peter went back home and began to read the Bible in earnest. He really wanted to know about God and what He wanted out of his life. He read from the Bible that Gabriel had given him instead of the one that Mr. Alexander had given him because of his aunt and uncle. He dared not read the Bible aloud to himself, unless he was by himself away from his aunt and uncle, for he feared that they would take away the Bible from him.
The first book he read from the Bible was the gospel of John, which was Gabriel's suggestion to the young boy. In it, he learned about Jesus Christ and His mission to save sinners from their sins, and read about the various miracles He had performed, like turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. After finishing the gospel, he desired to read the other gospels, so he went through Matthew, Mark, and Luke in that order. In those gospels he learned about John the Baptist, who was a prophet that preceded the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ to be "the voice crying out in the wilderness" to "prepare the way of the Lord". He performed no miracle, but gave up his life when he was put into prison after boldly telling Herod Antipas that it wasn't lawful for him to have his brother's wife.
Peter wanted to know how he could be saved, and the Spirit directed him to the book of Romans, which told him that all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God, that nobody could be saved from the works of God's Law, and that Jesus Christ came to die for sinners, and because of that and His resurrection we now have reconciliation with God and that we as Christians are now free from sin. He came to a particular passage in Romans which read:
But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what says it? The word is nigh you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Peter felt like he needed to confess to the Lord his need for salvation right there, so he got on his knees and prayed: "O Lord God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, I do confess that I am a sinner in need of grace through faith, and that I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ came and died for my sins and rose from the dead the third day. Please receive me as Your son so I can have eternal life in You through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen."
And right there Peter felt as if there was a peace in his heart that he couldn't understand where it came from, but it made him feel like he was loved by God and that he would forever walk in the ways of the Lord so that he could be in Heaven with his father and mother.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-16-2023 06:44 AM
The time came for all the children that were first called as Jeremiahs to assemble together at the Jeremiah School. Peter's aunt and uncle drove him to the train station, where they saw a group of children all dressed up in a nice shirt, tie, pants, and shoes, and the young girls in jackets, ties, and skirts. Peter was also similarly dressed because he knew that was the dress code of the school, from the letter that the school had given to his aunt and uncle.
Donald was with Peter to see him off. "Are those all the Jerrys that are going to be with you on that train?" Donald asked.
"They are Christians, and yes, they're going to be with me on the train, Donald," Peter answered. "Why do you ask?"
"I'm just glad that I'm not going to your school, Peter," Donald said. "It seems a bit too strict for me."
"I don't know exactly what living at that school would be like, Donald, but I'm curious to find out," Peter said.
Just then, a family with dark skin arrived at the train station, with the children wearing dress shirts, ties, pants, and shoes. "Hello there, folks," the mother said, sounding sweet. "Are you sending off your child to the Jeremiah School?"
"Yes, we are, but it's my nephew that we're sending," Aunt Dottie said. "It seems like you have a family of Jeremiahs to deal with."
"I'm also a Jeremiah myself, but yes, God has granted me these children to take care of, and I would do anything to make sure they are all walking in the Lord," the mother said. "My name is Mattaia Ronell. What's yours?"
"I'm Dottie Dresser, and this is my husband Harold," Aunt Dottie said.
"So pleased to meet you," Mattaia said. "I can sense that the both of you are not Christians, but that the Lord is working in you to bring you to coming to know Him."
"I just believe that there is goodness in everybody, ma'am," Uncle Harry said, not wishing to get into an argument with Mattaia over religious matters.
"We're perfectly fine as we are, and happily married to each other," Aunt Dottie said. "What else would we need?"
"That third strand in the cord that binds all marriages together, for without that Third Strand, your marriage is likely to fall apart, and God's Word says that a three-fold cord cannot quickly be broken," Mattaia said.
"You're speaking nonsense, young lady!" Uncle Harry protested. "There's no way I'm going to leave Dottie, not for anything in the world!"
"Harold is the man I've waited for all my life, and nobody's going to take him away from me," Aunt Dottie said defensively.
Mattaia sighed. "I'm going to pray for you and your marriage together, because the Spirit tells me something terrible is going to happen to the two of you, but He won't reveal to me what."
"I don't want to hear this spirit nonsense!" Uncle Harry said, sounding offended. "Come, Dottie, let's leave Peter alone with these Jeremiahs. You too, Donald!"
"Coming, Dad," Donald said. He then turned to Peter. "Take care of yourself, and don't let these weirdos warp your mind!" And then he left with his parents.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-16-2023 08:54 AM
Peter then turned to Mattaia. "Excuse me, Mrs. Ronell, but are all these your children?" he politely asked.
"Every one of them as the Lord has blessed me, child," Mattaia answered. "This year's going to be the first for my darling Wesley at the Jeremiah School. The Lord told me each and every child I have is going to be a Jeremiah."
"Even the girls?" Peter asked. "I noticed that there are also girls who are being called to be prophets."
"You better believe it, child!" Mattaia said, sounding a bit proud. "The Lord's raising up maidservants and menservants that will help turn the world over to Him before the end-times come. I believe that His Second Coming is right around the corner."
"So we may not even make it through the first year, you're saying?" Peter asked.
"You just be prepared and keep your lamp burning until He comes, child!" Mattaia said. "He'll come for His own and carry His flock out of here when the time is appointed for Him to do so."
Just then, they heard Brother Gabriel's voice booming over the crowd with such authority that the children and the parents instantly fell silent. "All right, you young prophets, let's get ourselves prepared for the boarding of the Jeremiah Express, because that's where we're heading today!"
A good deal of the children shouted, "YAY!", as they watched the train pull up to the station. The conductor took his time waiting for the children to get themselves and their luggage on board before it departed.
A young boy with dark skin, about Peter's age, came up to his mother. "Bye, Mama! I'm gonna make you proud of me!"
"I'm already proud of you, child!" Mattaia said, hugging her child close to her. "Make sure you write home and let me know, okay?"
"I'll make that my first priority when I get settled in, Mama," the young boy said after the hug ended.
"Peter, this is my son Wesley," Mattaia introduced. "Wesley, this is Peter, one of the Jeremiahs from a family of normals."
"Great to see you, Peter," Wesley said, shaking Peter's hand. "Looks like we're going to be best buds at the Jeremiah School."
"I have that same feeling myself about you, Wesley," Peter said. "It's like the Lord has directed me and you to be together as classmates."
"My brothers said that the Jeremiah School is really tough, that it trains you to be a prophet like those folks in the Old Testament," Wesley said.
"You sound like you know more of the Bible than I do, Wesley," Peter said.
"I can't help it...my mama's been drilling it into me ever since I was a baby," Wesley said. "It's like you can't escape from hearing God's Word being preached unto you in some way."
"Okay, you two, the train's going to leave without you being on it," Mattaia gently reminded.
"Oh, sorry," Peter said, realizing they were spending too much time getting to know each other. "Anyway, thanks for watching over me, Mrs. Ronell."
"You and Wesley take care of each other, you hear?" Mattaia said, watching as both Peter and Wesley boarded the train.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-16-2023 10:21 AM
The train ride was long, as it traveled through the countryside to a destination that was only known to the train conductor. Both Peter and Wesley were sitting in a car together, talking to each other about their families.
"Oh, I feel bad that your adopted family thinks that way about Jeremiahs," Wesley said. "My family's never had a problem with Jeremiahs rising up among their brothers, sisters, and cousins. I think God's been working with my family long before there was even a Jeremiah School to go to."
"I read in my books that this Jeremiah Xavier was instrumental in helping to free slaves from the South back when they did slavery," Peter said, sounding surprised.
"Yeah, this Jeremiah Xavier's an old dude, but not so old that he can't do nothing anymore, Peter," Wesley said. "Some think that he's probably John the son of Zebedee, the last apostle who outlived all the other apostles at the end of the age."
"That sounds like a rumor that's being passed down by students of this school, if he's really that old," Peter said.
"Hey, I'm just telling it as my grandma told it, and she swears by the Lord that it is true," Wesley said. "She even died believing it, but that's between her and the Lord now."
"Okay, so your grandma believes Jeremiah Xavier is really John the apostle," Peter said. "Where is it even that John lived that long?"
"It's in the gospels, dude," Wesley said. "Jesus said there would be some standing among Him during His first coming that they should not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom."
"So what's with calling himself Jeremiah Xavier if he's really John the apostle?" Peter asked.
"Beats me," Wesley answered. "Maybe he just doesn't anybody to know the real truth, because they couldn't handle the fact that God has miraculously preserved him to this day and age."
"Whatever the case, I don't think it's for us to know the truth, Wesley," Peter said. "I'm going to keep my questions about him to myself unless there's something I really need to know."
"Yeah, probably for the best," Wesley said.
"Excuse me, boys, I was just going throughout the train looking for somebody to talk to," a young girl's voice broke in. Peter and Wesley turned and saw a girl their age who wore thick glasses and an amber-colored hairband in her auburn-colored hair.
"You can talk to us if you like, although we probably shouldn't be cohabiting the same cabin together, according to the rules of the school," Peter said.
"You seem to be smart for a first-time Jeremiah, if I can sense you properly," Wesley said. "Who are you?"
"Oh, I'm Ginger Harmony, a Jeremiah who was raised in a family of normals," the girl introduced herself. "I take it that one of you is also a Jeremiah that was raised among normals."
"That would be me, Ginger," Peter said. "I have been living with my aunt and uncle after my parents passed away when I was a baby."
"Aw, I'm sorry to hear that," Ginger said sincerely. "My parents are pretty much alive. They're both lawyers with their own firm, taking care of local cases in my hometown. They're not well-known to anybody else outside my own hometown, but we're well-supported."
"So how did your parents react when they found out you were a Jeremiah, Ginger?" Wesley asked.
"They still loved me, but they were surprised to have a visit from Brother Gabriel and to receive a letter from the Jeremiah School founder himself," Ginger answered. "They're too wrapped up in pursuing their careers to really notice my life anymore."
"My Aunt Dottie is a career woman, Ginger, which is why she spends very little time with my adopted family," Peter said.
"My family has nothing but Jeremiahs," Wesley said. "It's like we're all born to be His prophets."
"That sounds amazing, that you have that kind of family, Wesley," Ginger said. "My parents were expecting me to become a lawyer when I grow up. They didn't expect that I would end up having a different destiny than what they had in mind."
"You must have been busy preparing yourself for this school the instant you became a Jeremiah, Ginger," Peter said. "My aunt and uncle didn't like my having any religious literature in the house."
"I like reading books; it makes me feel smarter and wiser than any of my peers," Ginger said.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-17-2023 11:21 AM
"Sounds like somebody who can help us with our homework, Peter, given that we're going to be so busy reading our school work," Wesley said in a teasing way.
Ginger smirked. "You wish! I bet you two wouldn't be as great as me when we get to graduation age at this school."
"That doesn't sound very humble of you, Ginger," Peter said.
Ginger laughed. "You're right, it wasn't very humble at all! I thought that it was going to get a reaction out of you!"
"Okay, we're definitely coming after you, sister!" Wesley said.
Then suddenly Ginger stopped and dropped to her knees. "Oh yes, Lord, I pray right now for my mother right now, that You give her your peace, comfort, and healing from the top of her head to the soles of her feet, and that You would be with her in the hospital right now as she goes for emergency surgery. In Your Son Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
"Are you all right, Ginger?" Peter asked, sounding consoling. "I had a feeling something happened to your mother."
"You want to talk about it?" Wesley asked, trying to sound comfortable.
Ginger smiled sadly. "It's nothing God can't handle, but thanks for being concerned. My mother has been dealing with a health condition for most of her life. Maybe it's because of all that stress she has as a lawyer."
"We'll be there with you if you ever need us for anything, Ginger," Peter said, putting his hand on Ginger's shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm sorry you had to deal with this on your first journey to the Jeremiah School," Wesley said, sharing the same sentiment.
"God will get me through this, guys," Ginger said. "Anyway, I'm going to get myself ready for our arrival at our destination."
"We'd better get ourselves ready as well, Peter," Wesley said as he and Peter watched Ginger depart.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-18-2023 04:34 AM
Soon the train came to the stop. "All students of the Jeremiah School are to depart immediately," the conductor said.
The students gathered up all their things together and departed onto the train section, where they saw that where they were looked more like an old-time village from the 19th century, though more like a theme park version of it. A caravan of carriages pulled by horses were waiting for the students at the other end of the station.
"Okay, let's get all into the carriages so that we can get to the school before eventide," Brother Gabriel said, greeting the students.
Peter and Wesley both got into the same carriage together. "This feels like something out of a fantasy book, Wesley," Peter said as he looked at his surroundings.
"You're not kidding," Wesley said, sounding equally surprised as Peter was by what he was seeing.
Soon the caravan was off, and the carriages took the students through a country path that led to someplace that seemed as old as time itself. It was like the forest was full of animals that seemed to play with each other like there was nothing wrong with them doing that. The children were so distracted by the scenery that they paid little attention to where the caravan was taking them.
After what seemed a good while of traveling, Brother Gabriel spoke: "Here we are, my children! This is the Jeremiah School!"
The students saw the school building for the first time and were amazed. It was like a large church that was made into a school, with various wings leading to other structures. It definitely felt like they were taking a step back through time to a whole other world.
"That's the Jeremiah School? Incredible!" Peter exclaimed, sounding awestruck.
"I didn't believe my brothers when they told me about the school," Wesley said, having the same feeling. "Now I'm feeling we're really in for an adventure."
The students got out of the carriages after the caravan stopped. "Don't bother with your luggages, my children...the angels will take care of all your needs," Brother Gabriel said after he got out.
The children watched as humanlike creatures that seemed to be made of pure light came from the doors of the school and gathered around the children to take their luggages from them. They gasped as they watched the angels take their luggages into the school building.
"We actually have angels living with us at this school?" Peter said.
"Yeah, every kid will have his personal campus angel watching over them," Wesley said. "It's like what the author of Hebrews said about angels being ministering spirits to those who will inherit salvation."
"This is already beginning to feel like heaven, Wesley," Peter said, as he and Wesley followed the rest of the students into the building, as Brother Gabriel was directing them.
The students all gathered in the great hall, which looked like a massive cathedral, only much more beautiful than the ones you would find in major cities. Everything inside the building seemed to be built to give a feeling of awe-inspiring wonder. Sitting at a long table together were men and women in religious robes, and among them, an old man with a very long white beard who seemed to be the headmaster himself, the Reverend Jeremiah Xavier.
"Greetings, first-year children, to the Jeremiah School," he said in a friendly yet commanding tone, and instantly the children settled in their seats as they waited to hear what the headmaster wanted to say. "You have been called out of this world by God Himself, so that you can be part of His end-time army in the last days that are ahead of us. As long as the Lord delays His coming, He will continue to raise up young people for the purpose of preaching the gospel to all the nations, but you are all given a special supernatural gift that will help you as well as your fellow Christians finish the task before the end comes. As each of you has been given a special gifting, may it be used well for the purpose of edifying the body of Christ and not for exalting ourselves above all those who are not given this special gifting as prophets."
"Here at the Jeremiah School, you will all be taught how to be effective prophets in God's end-time army against His adversary, the Devil, and his so-called 'ministers of righteousness', whose end shall be according to their works. You will learn about the history of the prophets who were before you, gleaning from their knowledge and understanding what you will need to do in the times that the Lord Himself has predicted in the Scriptures. You will learn how to use Scripture as a defense against all forms of attacks, for it says that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive and bringing them to the obedience of Christ. You will also be able to use Scripture as a form of healing when people need to hear a comforting thought of encouragement or when they're in physical pain."
"You will have classes on Sunday to Friday mornings and afternoons, plus there will be a mandatory service for all of you to attend on Saturday, which is our day of rest in the Lord. Your attendance is expected, but if in case anything of an emergency happens, the teachers will accept a reasonable excuse for your absence. However, we do not tolerate delinquency at our school, as those who go outside our school rules will be expelled. Fortunately, that has hardly been the case, since most of you have a desire to be obedient unto your authority figures, as the Lord has taught you to be."
"Each of you will be separated into four houses, named after the four gospel account authors -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is your duty to help your fellow housemates succeed and maintain themselves as you go through your first year. Each house will be competing for points: whenever you do a good thing for a teacher or another student, you will earn points; if you fail to do a good thing or you do something bad to a teacher or another student, you will lose points. The house that has the most points at the end of the year will be given special recognition as the most commendable house of the Jeremiah School."
"Before we proceed with the house selections, let us all eat and give thanks unto the Lord for His provision."
And with that, the angels came into the great hall, bearing trays full of plates that they passed out to each child. It was a plate of chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, and cranberry sauce. There also was a special dessert given to each child along with their dinner.
"Let us pray," Jeremiah Xavier said as he put his hands together and bowed his head and closed his eyes. "O Lord God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for bringing these young children into my care as Your undershepherd. May You protect their innocence as they learn to be wise and mature in their faith as Christians. And may I ever be faithful unto You for the portion of the flock that You have given unto me to watch over. Please bless this food which we receive from Your bounty, and may it be as nourishing to our bodies as Your Word is to our spirits. In Your only begotten Son Jesus' name we pray. Amen."
"Amen," the children said together before they sat down and began to eat.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-18-2023 05:29 AM
The rest of the evening felt like it was a dream. The dinner was great, even if it seemed like something they were used to eating in their own homes, and those who never had that kind of dinner before thought it was a real treat. As the plates were emptied and the angels took away the plates and dinnerware, each name was called in alphabetical order of their last names, and each had Jeremiah Xavier laying his hands upon their heads and then calling out the house name for the child. Each child cheered as the names were assigned to the four houses, even if some of them ended up in a different house from each other. Peter, Wesley, and Ginger learned that they would be in the same house together: the house of John. That somehow made them feel closer to Jeremiah Xavier, whom they sensed might be John the apostle.
Then came a baptism as each child was submerged into a pool on the outside grounds that was lit up by angels. It seemed like a magical moment for each child as Jeremiah Xavier personally ministered the baptism himself.
It was Peter's turn to be baptized. Peter went into the pool, not caring that his school clothes were getting wet, and waded over to where Jeremiah Xavier was standing. "I'm ready," Peter said.
"Peter Stone, do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, to be His servant of righteousness all the days of your life, even unto death or the Rapture?" Jeremiah asked.
"Yes, I do, Headmaster," Peter replied.
Jeremiah gently laid his hands on Peter's head and body and carefully submerged him into the waters. "Then by the powers vested in me, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Arise, young prophet!"
"Thank you, Headmaster," Peter said, smiling as he got out of the pool, with his clothes miraculously becoming dry, as the other children cheered.
Then came the time for the children to go to rest. The angels guided the children to their assigned houses, and then directed them to the commons where the children would gather for communion together. "Boys and girls will go to their own separate sleeping quarters," one of the angels said.
"Sleep and have a peaceful evening," another angel said before they left.
Peter, Wesley, and Ginger felt themselves getting tired. "Well, this has been an eventful day for me, even if I'm still amazed by everything that has happened this day, our first day at the school," Ginger said.
"I'll be sure to tell my mama all about it before I go to sleep, Ginger," Wesley said.
"And what about you, Peter?" Ginger asked. "Are you going to tell your aunt and uncle all about this place?"
"Maybe some other time, Ginger, when I think about it," Peter answered. "I still have yet to experience all that this school has to offer people like us."
"I'm sure that it will be a learning experience for all of us," Ginger said. "Anyway, have a good night, boys."
"We'll see you tomorrow, Ginger," Wesley said as they both watched Ginger go to the girls' section.
"You really like her, don't you?" Peter said. "I'm already sensing that you have feelings for her."
"Don't blame it all on me, bro!" Wesley said. "I'm sensing you've got those same feelings for Ginger. I noticed how you were looking at her and all."
"She's going to be an interesting student to be around, that's for sure," Peter said. "Come, let's get ourselves settled in for the night!"
"Your word is my command, O Prophet Peter," Wesley said, laughing as the two of them headed for the boys' section.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-19-2023 01:21 PM
Peter felt glad that he was at this new school with other students who are also Jeremiahs. Before he went to sleep, he prayed: "O Lord God, I thank You for bringing me through this day, and for bringing me to the Jeremiah School where I can learn to walk in Your ways and be obedient unto You. Please grant me the peace and serenity of sleep as I rest for the new day that may be given unto me. And please watch over my Aunt Dottie, my Uncle Harry, and my cousin Donald as they rest tonight knowing that I am here with You in this school that has been founded for young prophets like me. In Your Son Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
Peter caught some hours of good peaceful sleep, but in the middle of the night, he experienced a nightmare that made him toss and turn. He was standing in a dark mist-covered void. Before him he saw two shadowy figures coming toward him. They soon appeared face to face, and Harry thought he recognized them when he got a good look at them. "Mom? Dad?" he called out.
The both of them smiled at Peter, as if they wanted to let him know that they were all right. But then Peter noticed that his mother's face started to look worried, and so did his father's.
"Mom, Dad, what's wrong?" Peter asked, sounding puzzled.
Two words came out of his mother's mouth in a chilling whisper: "Beware Morgenstern!"
Then suddenly Peter saw his parents' bodies burst into flames and then instantly reduced to ashes. Behind them, as the smoke cleared away, another figure emerged, giving off an intense brilliant light. Inside the light, the figure appeared to be that of man in a well-tailored suit, with the most handsome appearance Peter saw in any man. He looked calm, peaceful, and serene, but his eyes were shining cold flaming lights from within. It was like looking at the Devil himself.
"Hello there, Peter," the figure whispered, smiling in delight. "We're due for a reunion soon."
The figure laughed as he started to change into a dragon with seven heads, looking like something out of the Book of Revelation. He breathed flames of fire straight toward Peter, which made him suddenly wake up in fear.
Wesley heard Peter wake up. "Hey, bro, you all right? I sensed you had a terrible dream."
Peter found himself trying to breathe slowly. "I met...my parents...I found out...how they were killed!"
"Your parents?" Wesley said. "I thought you said they died in an accident."
"That was that Uncle Harry and Aunt Dottie told me, Wesley," Peter said. "But now I know how they died, and who killed them. Someone named Morgenstern."
"Morgenstern? You don't mean that Lucien Morgenstern, the headmaster of Luciferian Academy?" Wesley asked.
"You mean, the Devil has an academy for young prophets as well?" Peter asked, sounding surprised.
"Lucien Morgenstern is bad news, man," Wesley said. "My mom would keep tabs on what he's been doing in the spiritual world and in the physical world. He's nobody you'd ever want to mess with."
"But that's why we're here...to learn how to defend ourselves from Morgenstern's disciples and God knows what else," Peter said.
"Let's just get back to sleep," Wesley suggested. "It's probably only a dream. You're not likely going to be running into him anytime soon."
"At least I hope not," Peter said, as the two of them settled back to sleep.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-19-2023 02:37 PM
In the morning, they all gathered in the great to eat breakfast. It was eggs, bacon, sausages, and grits served with a hot beverage that could only be explained as molasses juice. It had such a sweet taste to it that the students were asking for more cups of it.
Ginger sat with Peter and Wesley at the house table. "How was your night, Ginger?" Peter asked.
"It was a peaceful night of sleep, Peter," Ginger answered. "None of the other girls in the house of John were up doing anything, as far as I know. How about you?"
"I had a terrible dream...I think I know who killed my parents," Peter said, sighing.
"You think God may be revealing something to you so you can be careful in your walk with the Lord?" Ginger asked.
"All I know from that dream is that message...'beware Morgenstern'," Peter answered.
"I think that we may be encountering this Morgenstern sooner than we expected, if what you experienced was any indication, Peter," Ginger said.
"Who's 'we' in this scenario?" Peter said. "I feel that it's me that he's coming after, not anybody else at this school!"
"We're not going to let you fight this Morgenstern alone, brother," Wesley said. "We're going to learn from Scripture how to defeat him so that he doesn't go after anyone else."
"Wesley is right, it's going to take the three of us to take on this Morgenstern, with the Lord as our Protector," Ginger said.
"Look, it was only a dream!" Peter said defensively. "There's not likely a chance that we may run into this Morgenstern, even if he does somehow pay us a visit, though I don't know for what reason."
"That's why we got to prepare ourselves, to know the Word of God inside and out," Wesley said. "That way, the Devil won't have the upper hand when it comes to dealing with us!"
"Be sober and watchful, guys, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking out whomever to devour, as the apostle Peter said," Ginger said.
"I'm starting to like her, Wesley," Peter said. "If she knows Scripture like the back of her hand, I bet she can be quite useful in situations where we might need her knowledge."
Ginger snickered. "That's why I like to read."
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-20-2023 04:53 AM
The first class they had together was Prophetic Basics, with a teacher that looked almost as old as Jeremiah Xavier, but wore a yarmulke on his head as well as religious robes that are more akin to that of a Jewish rabbi.
"Hello there, my young students, and welcome to Prophetic Basics," the teacher greeted as soon as the students settled in their seats. "My name is Avraham Shalom, and I have been a Jeremiah from my youth up to this day. I have been raised in Judaism, but my heart has always believed in Yeshua ha Mashiach, which is the Hebrew name for Jesus Christ, the Son of Nazareth. I have ended up confessing Yeshua as my Lord and Savior, for which I was expelled from my community, though my heart continually yearns for their coming to know Him as their Lord and Savior as well. That's why I pray day and night for my people, the Israelis and the Jews, that they would be spiritually awakened and realize that Yeshua ben Yosef is really the Mashiach they have been waiting for."
"Now onto the course at hand, which is Prophetic Basics. I'm sure you've all heard the word 'prophet' before. It's being used quite a lot in our society, though usually in a derogatory sense, because there are also false prophets going around deceiving people and trying to exploit them with smooth words and flattering speech and made-up stories. I'm sure one of you knows what a true prophet of the Lord is. Can you tell me what a prophet is?"
A young girl raised her hand and was picked to answer. "A prophet is a man or woman who has been given direct revelations of God to tell His people," she said.
"Ah, right you are. That's what a prophet is, my little ones, a man or woman who speaks what God has given him or her to tell others," Avraham said, sounding pleased. "Do you know the purpose of what a prophet does?"
A young boy answered, "It is to warn God's people of impending doom in hoping to change their ways?"
"That's partially correct, but the prophet's job is to also encourage people to walk in God's ways and to not lose hope, because God looks after His people for the purpose of guiding them to the path of righteousness, which is narrow and hard, and only a few people can enter into it, as Yeshua has said," Avraham said.
"Excuse me, Teacher, but why is God raising up us young people to be His prophets?" another boy asked.
"I believe the Lord is raising up prophets from among the youth today to fulfill what the prophet Joel has written in Scripture, my lad," Avraham answered. "He wrote: 'And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.'"
"Young men and women, we are living in the greatest age of all time, that the Lord Himself is pouring out His spirit on all flesh, and we are the ones who are chosen to be His prophets, that the old men shall dream dreams and the young men shall see visions. This will continue until the times of the end come, when the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, which I believe your Eschatology teacher will say that happens during the period of the Tribulation."
"But in order to understand that role, let's study on how the role of the prophet worked in the Old Testament times. Can anyone tell me who the first prophet that was mentioned in the Bible is?"
Ginger raised her hand. "That would be Abraham, Teacher."
Avraham smiled at her. "You're very correct, young lady. Abraham was the father of our faith, not just for the Jews, but also for the Christians, for it was his faith in God alone that made him justified and counted for righteousness in God's eyes. Abraham wasn't a perfect man, mind you, for there were a few times that he pawned his wife off to other people and had her say that she was his sister in order to save his own life. And twice God brought judgment on those who would dare touch Abraham's wife or even take her as one of their wives. The second time God wrought judgment for that sin, He closed up the wombs of all the women in Gerar for Abimelech, a Philistine ruler, had taken Sarah as part of his harem. He pleaded for mercy, and so God had Abimelech restore Abraham his wife and Abraham prayed to God for restoration and He healed the wombs of the women so that they could have children again."
"Abraham also foresaw the arrival of the Mashiach, the Messiah, when he was told by God to go to Mount Moriah and there sacrifice his son Isaac upon the altar. Isaac said, 'Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?', and his father Abraham said, 'My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.' I believe it was at this moment that Abraham saw the day when the Lord would come Himself as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world, for Yeshua said in the gospel of John, 'Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: he saw it, and he was glad.' The Jews said to Him, 'You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?', and Yeshua said, 'Truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM!', and that testimony nearly got our Lord and Savior killed had He not escaped."
"The next prophet from Scripture that I would like to talk about is Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Israel. He had dreams about his becoming someone important that even his father, his stepmother, and his brothers would bow down to, but his brothers hated him and wanted to kill him. However, Judah told the brothers not to kill him, but rather sell him to the nations that they could use as a slave. That's how Joseph went to Egypt when he was a young man around graduating age. He became a slave to Potiphar, the captain of the Pharaoh's guard, and then was promoted to being the head servant who watched over the whole house. Potiphar's wife, unfortunately, took an inappropriate interest in the lad and tried to get him to lie with her, but he refused, and when she tried to force him, he got away and left his skirt in her hand. With that she ended up accusing Joseph of forcing himself upon her to her own husband, and her husband became so angry that he had Joseph put into prison. And yet there the Lord was with Joseph in the prison, and the guards ended up making him the overseer of all the prisoners."
"Then two men, the cupbearer and the baker of Pharaoh, were put into prison with Joseph, and the two of them had dreams, which made the both of them sad because they had nobody to tell them to, except Joseph. Now Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams, and so when the cupbearer told his dream, Joseph said that it meant in three days the cupbearer would be released from prison and his position as the king's cupbearer would be restored. The baker told his dream, and Joseph said that it meant the baker would be released from prison only to go straight to his death on a pole. And so it happened that, upon the Pharaoh's birthday, the cupbearer and the baker were both released from prison, and like Joseph had interpreted, the cupbearer's position before the king was restored, and the baker was hanged to death."
"Unfortunately, the cupbearer forgot about Joseph until years later when the Pharaoh himself had two dreams, one where he saw seven fat cows being eaten by seven thin sickly cows, and another where he saw seven healthy stalks of wheat being devored by seven scrawny stalks of wheat. He tried telling these dreams to his court magicians, but they couldn't give him an answer. It was then the cupbearer told about the Hebrew in prison that could interpret dreams, and at that point the Pharaoh commanded that Joseph be let out of prison so that he could tell his dream to Joseph and have him interpret it. Joseph told Pharaoh that the dreams are one and the same, because it would happen immediately: the seven fat cows and the seven healthy stalks of wheat were seven years of plentiful harvest, and the seven thin sickly cows and the seven scrawny stalks of wheat are seven years of famine where nothing would grow. Joseph told Pharaoh that he should appoint somebody to collect as much food as they can during the seven years of plenty so that they could sustain themselves through the seven years of famine. The Pharaoh was so impressed that he realized that the Spirit of the living God was in Joseph, and so he was promoted to being the governor of Egypt, being second only to Pharaoh as far as the throne was concerned."
"It was through Joseph's actions and his special gift from God that Joseph was able to save his own people, the Hebrews, from starvation when the seven years of famine came over all the land. He was told by Pharaoh to gather his people together and have them live in Egypt for a time. However, after Joseph's death, another Pharaoh arose that didn't know anything about Joseph, and decided to put the Israelites into slavery. That was when God raised up another prophet, a young boy named Moses who was adopted by the Pharaoh's daughter when he was a baby and lived as a prince until he came to the defense of an abused Hebrew by killing the Egyptian that was striking him, and then he fled into exile into the desert of Midian until he was eighty years old, when God called to him from the fire of a flaming bush that miraculously was not consumed. Moses would be a different kind of prophet because he would be given power to perform signs and wonders before the Pharaoh and all the people so that they would know that he was sent by God. The Pharaoh challenged the patience of Moses, His people, and His God, and God had unleashed ten plagues upon the people of Egypt, the last of which was the death of the firstborn of children and cattle, until the Pharaoh relented and released the Israelites from bondage."
"However, a few days after the Israelites left, the Pharaoh realized he would be without his work force, so he came against the Israelites with a huge army. The people cried in fear because they knew that they were trapped between the Pharaoh's army and the sea, but then God had Moses hold out his staff over the waters, and the waters were parted so that the Israelites could escape to the other side. The Pharaoh and his army tried to follow the Israelites through the same path, however, and were drowned when the Lord had restored the sea to normal. It was then that the people praised God for His deliverance for His people."
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-20-2023 05:35 AM
Avraham got to talking about a few more of the prophets in Scripture up until he came to the end of the hour of class. Throughout the whole class the students sat and listened, writing down notes in their notebooks about things that would be important for further study. Even Peter found himself enraptured by the lesson the teacher was giving him, making him feel like he was in a school for serious religious study, although he like most students were still confused over what being a prophet really meant.
Then the sound of a shofar was sounded in the classroom, signaling the end of class. The students then picked up their books and notes and carried them out of the classroom, with Peter, Wesley, and Ginger walking together.
"I can't believe it, guys," Wesley said. "Our first homework assignment is to read about the first few prophets of God and to write notes about what we discovered in our reading."
"Good, that will get our brains busy when we're alone with ourselves at our house commons," Ginger said, smiling. "What did you think about the first class we had with the rabbi, Peter?"
Peter sighed. "I felt more itching to get to our class where we will have to learn how to use Scripture as a defense, Ginger."
"Yeah, history sounds a bit boring," Wesley said. "But I guess if it's important for us to know about the history of real prophets of God, then why should we complain?"
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-21-2023 04:00 AM
"So this is the teacher's pet and her two new friends," a young boy's voice broke in. The three of them turned and saw another young boy their age who had silvery blond hair and round glasses, who looked like a complete know-it-all.
"I don't think any of us had the pleasure of knowing who you are," Ginger said.
"Well, my name is Malthorne Draconius, and I'm here to become a prophet just like my parents," the young boy introduced himself. "I'm going to show you that girls don't belong as prophets of the Lord."
"What you do mean, girls don't belong as prophets?" Peter asked. "God's calling both boys and girls to be part of His end-time army."
"Girls are too easily swayed by the Devil to be effective prophets, unlike us boys," Malthorne sneered. "Haven't you read what happened in the Garden of Eden, when Eve the first woman was swayed by the serpent into eating the forbidden fruit?"
"Adam was no innocent himself, dude," Wesley retorted. "He ended up eating the same fruit himself and doomed humanity to being sinners. That's why Jesus came to save us."
"I'm a student of the Word myself, and the Word says that God does not permit women to teach or to usurp authority over men," Malthorne said, sounding confident in himself. "They are only put into this world to be housewives and mothers to future generations of prophets, like my own mother."
"Yeah, I bet," Peter scoffed. "I think you just have rich parents that are able to buy your way into this school, and that your mother hardly does anything but order her servants around."
Malthorne didn't look pleased to hear that. "God blessed my family with riches, which is more than what I can say about you three. Just watch yourselves around here, because I'm going to make your life pretty miserable around here." And with that, he stormed off.
"Man, that Malthorne's got a real chip on his shoulder, I tell you," Wesley said.
"Let's just ignore him for now, boys," Ginger said. "He's just jealous of seeing a girl who's smarter than him being in the same class together."
"I'm certainly not going to cross his path anytime soon, Ginger," Peter said as they walked off together.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-22-2023 12:29 PM
The next class was Scripture Basics, and it was being taught by a woman named Laura Magdalene, who was dressed in religious robes.
"Welcome, class, to Scripture Basics, where you will be taught not only to read the Scriptures, but also how to study them and use them effectively," Laura began. "As you should already know, the Bible is God's revelation to mankind of Himself and what He desires of His creation. It shows us that God created the world as well as humans, who were meant to be stewards of His creation. It shows us how man fell into sin, as well as God's plan for how He would redeem us from sin and death, which is through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. It also shows us the final end of His adversary, the Devil, whom He has created to be His anointed cherub, and yet turned against Him and also turned humanity against him as well. Now, class, who can tell me how many books there are in the Bible?"
Malthorne raised his hand. "There are 66 books in the Bible, Teacher, 39 for the Old Testament, and 27 for the New," he answered.
"Very good, Malthorne," Laura said, smiling. "The Bible as we know it today has 66 books, all whose ultimate author is God, for He has breathed His life into the Scriptures. Five of them are called the Pentateuch, or the Books of Moses, one of the prophets you'll be studying about. Twelve are the Historical Books of the Old Testament, five are called the Wisdom Books, and seventeen are the Books Of The Prophets. Four books in the New Testament are called the Gospels, which talk about the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. One is a History Book called the Acts Of The Apostles, where we hear about the mission work of the early church and of Paul, an apostle chosen specifically by the Lord to be an apostle to the Gentiles. Thirteen are the Pauline Epistles, which the apostle Paul wrote to various people and congregations in various situations. Eight are the General Epistles, which others who were called by the Lord wrote. And the last one is a Prophetic Book called The Revelation Of Jesus Christ. Now, class, which is the book that starts off the whole story of the Bible?"
Ginger raised her hand. "That would be Genesis, the first of the five Books Of Moses, also called the Torah," she said.
"That's correct, Ginger," Laura said, nodding with approval at her answer. "In the first book in the Bible, we see that God created the heavens and the earth in six days, and on the seventh day He rested, which is where we get the Sabbath, God's holy day of rest for Himself and for His people. God created a special garden for the first man He created, Adam, to take care of and nurture, and he was given the task of naming every creature that was brought unto him to name. But God saw that the man was alone, so He created a companion and a helpmate for the man, the woman. They were both naked and without any shame. But then came the serpent, whom Scripture reveals is the Devil, and he deceived the woman into eating from the tree that both she and the man were not supposed to eat from. Can any of you tell me what the name of that tree was?"
Malthorne raised his hand. "That would be the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Teacher," he answered.
"Thank you, Malthorne," Laura said with approval. "Yes, that's the name of the tree that God told Adam not to eat from, and he in turn told his wife. However, in trying to defend herself from the serpent's influences, she said that God told them not to even touch the tree, or else they could die. The serpent told his first lie, that they would not die, because God knew that when they would eat of the forbidden fruit, they would be as gods themselves, and they would know good and evil. So the woman took the fruit and ate of it, and she gave it to the man, and he also ate. Then their eyes were opened, and they realized that they were naked, so they hid themselves from God. But God called out to them and asked where they were, so the man told God that they were afraid because they were now naked, and the Lord said, 'Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?' The man said, 'It's the woman You gave to be with me; she gave me of the fruit, and I ate of it.' And the woman said, 'It was the serpent that beguiled me, and so I ate of it.'"
"That's when God punished Adam and Eve by exiling them from the Garden of Eden, Teacher," Ginger spoke out.
"You should raise your hand, Ginger, but yes, that's what God did, along with cursing the serpent with the promise that the 'Seed of the Woman' that would bruise his head while he only bruises the Seed's heel," Laura said. "It's from there that God began to raise up a lineage of people that would become His own exclusive people, the Israelites and the Jews, from whom would come the Messiah, Jesus Christ."
"But before all that, Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. These two would be important in that it represents two types of people: those who worship the Lord the way He wants to be worshipped, and those who will worship the Lord their own way. Cain thought that his offerings would be pleasing to God, but he learned that his brother's sacrifices were what was pleasing to God, and his weren't. Cain got angry and his countenance fell, so the Lord told him that if he did what was right in the Lord's eyes, then all will be well with him, but if he doesn't, then sin is lurking at the door waiting to have him, and he must be the master of sin's desire. So Cain took Abel out into the field and then he killed him, and when the Lord asked Cain where his brother is, Cain said, 'I don't know; am I my brother's keeper?' It is then that God cursed Cain so that the ground would no longer yield its strength for crops, yet in His mercy put a mark upon Cain so that he would be avenged sevenfold if anyone tries to kill him. With those two sons out of the picture, Adam and Eve had a third son named Seth, and it is through Seth that we have the lineage of humanity that leads to the birth of Christ."
"How did Seth have children if those two people only produced sons, Teacher?" another student asked.
"Well, Scripture says Adam fathered sons and daughters in Genesis chapter 5, so it's most likely they married their sisters," Laura answered. "Anyway, mankind became corrupt by the time we reach Noah's generation, where Scripture says there was great violence on the earth, and every man's thoughts was only on evil continually. Fortunately, God found a man named Noah who was blameless in all his generation, and through that man God would save humanity as well as God's creatures from a flood that He was going to send on the earth as judgment for man's sins. So Noah and his sons spent the next hundred years building the ark that God gave Noah specific instructions for how to build, and it was built to hold all of God's creatures as well as those who were willing to escape the flood. Unfortunately, it was only Noah and his family that escaped the flood by being in the ark, and they waited a whole year inside the ark until the earth was dry again so that they could populate the earth again."
"How did mankind get all these different languages that we speak, Teacher?" a third student asked.
"That came when a group of people in the land of Shinar decided that they would build a tower that reached unto heaven, my child," Laura answered. "God saw what the people were doing, and realized that if they were all united together with one mind, they could achieve anything they desire, but He knew that their desire was to make a name for themselves to glorify themselves instead of God, so God decided that He would confuse the language of the people so that they would leave off building this tower. This caused the people to spread abroad throughout the whole earth, so the name of the place was called Babel, because it was there that God confused the language of the people."
"Noah's family line continued until the day of Abram, an old man who called out of Ur of the Chaldees to go to a land that God would show him, a land that him and his descendants would inherit by an everlasting covenant with the Lord. He would also inherit a new name, Abraham, which means the father of many. Abraham wasn't perfect, but he followed the Lord in faith and had two sons, one which was of the flesh who was called Ishmael, and the other which was by a promise of the Lord who was called Isaac. Isaac himself would have two sons by his wife Rebekah, one of which would be named Jacob at first, but later by the name of Israel by the Lord. He would father the twelve patriarchs of the nation Israel, from whom one of the tribes would father the lineage of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
"Class, your assignment is to go through the book of Genesis, and read it thoroughly so that you can familiarize yourself with the stories told in the chapters of Genesis, and we can discuss in greater detail the various stories that took place in the first book of the Bible, and how it all ties in with the main story of the Bible. Are there any questions?"
The sound of a shofar sounded in the classroom, signaling the end of class.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-26-2023 10:46 AM
There was a recess between classes, where the students got an hour of being outside on the campus grounds to play freely with each other or to gather in groups and have their little chats. Peter, Wesley, and Ginger went off toward the forest near the edge of the campus grounds, trying to stay close to where the angels were supervising their activity for fear that the students may wander off and be late for their next class when it was time to return inside.
The three of them sat by a pond where they saw some ducks swimming by. Ginger noticed that Peter looked distracted, that there was something on his mind. "Are you all right, Peter?" Ginger asked.
"I guess I'm still thinking of that dream, where I met my parents, and saw that they were killed by Morgenstern, and he told me that we were due for a reunion soon," Peter said.
"I think you should get your mind off Morgenstern and focus more on your studies, brother," Wesley said. "It's not going to do us much good to worry about him when he's still away at Luciferian Academy doing his own thing with his own students."
"Yeah, but I wonder what my parents did that made him his victims, and why he is now after me, Wesley," Peter said.
"Probably what they should be doing as witnesses of the Lord, Peter...boldly proclaiming Jesus to be Lord and Savior over all creation," Ginger suggested. "They weren't the first ones to die for their faith, and they won't be the last."
"Not something I'd want to think about, sister, having to give up my life just to stand up against the likes of Morgenstern," Wesley said with a hint of dread in his voice.
"Nobody wants to think about that, Wesley, yet the Lord has called us to be His prophets," Ginger said. "We might as well do what the Lord says and stand strong in the faith regardless of what happens to any of us."
"I'm afraid Morgenstern might come after my surviving family, the Dressers, and tempt them in some way, if he's supposed to be the Devil or something," Peter said.
"The Devil already has the world, man," Wesley said. "What he's after is us, the ones who have been redeemed from the world by the blood of Christ, so who knows what he's going to do with your family to prevent you from spreading the gospel?"
"You children should leave the worries of your parents and caretakers in God's capable hands," another voice broke in.
The three of them turned and saw that it was Brother Gabriel, who had a pet hawk perched on his right arm. "Gabriel, how long have you been standing there listening to us?" Peter asked.
"Your conversations are none of my business to know about unless you wish to include me in them," Gabriel answered. "But I can sense that you are worried that this Morgenstern is going to go after your adopted family, Peter."
"We're just as worried for Peter, Gabriel," Ginger said. "We don't want him to go off dealing with somebody as evil as Morgenstern all by himself."
"Aye, and that you shouldn't, because Morgenstern is not a man to be trifled with, children," Gabriel said, sounding forboding. "There are many who went to his academy that came out to be the worst people you will ever run into in this world."
"Like how bad are these people who go to this Luciferian Academy?" Peter asked.
"They involve themselves in unholy arts that the Bible warns us about, Peter," Gabriel said. "God warned His people in Deuteronomy: 'There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD your God does drive them out from before you.'"
"That's something Mama and Pops warned us about in our home, Peter," Wesley said.
"But there's no way that Headmaster Xavier is going to let these practices go on in our school grounds now, is there?" Ginger asked.
"Not as long as the Lord lives, and as long as Headmaster Xavier lives, children," Gabriel answered. "Nevertheless, we're still called to be watchmen on the walls, looking out for anything that happens on this campus that doesn't line up with what the Lord says in Scripture."
"So there's no way we're ever going to see Morgenstern show up at our doorstep, with even the angels watching over us," Peter said, realizing.
"Morgenstern can't do nothing unless the Lord permits him to do anything against us, Peter," Gabriel said, reassuring. "Come, let's gather with the other children so that our private voices won't be overheard."
"I'd sure like to explore the forest, if we even have the chance between studies, Gabriel," Ginger said, looking around at her surroundings.
"You'll get your chance, my young lady," Gabriel said, as he herded Peter, Wesley, and Ginger away from the forest.
Unknown to them, a black raven was sitting on a branch near the edge of the forest, seemingly listening to the conversation the four of them were having. It flew away and headed toward a location that was surrounded in a thick mist.
In that location, a gleaming white tower made of stone overlooked the land, and in the topmost room of that tower, a man in a well-tailored suit sat with what appeared to be a glass of wine in his hand. The raven flew over to where the man was sitting.
"Well, what you have learned from your spying on my nemesis and the children he has under his control?" the man asked.
"There is a boy among them whose name is Peter, who is talking with a few kids about a dream he just had, Master," the raven answered.
"A boy named Peter who had a dream?" the man said, sounding interested.
"He knows that you have killed his parents, Master," the raven said, sounding a bit terrified. "Is there anything that I should do?"
The man laughed, as if he knew what the raven was talking about. "It is nothing you need to concern yourself about, my pet. Just continue to watch over the young child and report to me the things that you have heard. You will know soon enough if we need to react."
"Yes, my master," the raven said, bowing his head before he flew off.
The man continued to sit there and drink while watching over the mist-covered land. "Peter Stone, the child who survived the attack on Thomas and Susan Stone, and now has been awakened as a Jeremiah...you and I are going to have a little reunion soon, and then you will join your parents as yet another victim of Lucien Morgenstern, the seed of the Serpent," the man said to himself before he laughed.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-29-2023 12:15 PM
The next class was Prayer Basics, which was led by another man who was dressed in a yarmulke and religious robes.
"Welcome, students, to the first class of Prayer Basics," the teacher announced. "My name is Eliyah Cohen, and like my fellow teacher Avraham Shalom, I am also a Jeremiah that came from the Jewish community, and I have been led to being prepared for my role as being a teacher of young prophets like yourself. In this course, you will be learning about prayers and how they are used. I'm sure all of you have prayed a prayer prior to your coming to this school, which was when you were awakened as Jeremiahs. It is an essential tool that should be part of your basic routine as Christians, whether you are a Jeremiah or a convert. Now can anyone tell me what prayer is?"
Malthorne raised his hand and was called. "Prayer is our basic form of communication with God," he answered.
"Ah, the lad has it correct, for that's what it is, our direct and basic form of communication with God," Eliyah said with approval. "We pray to God for our provision, our protection, and for basically anything else that we may need of our God. We're going to be looking at the various forms of prayer in our Scripture to be our examples. Can anyone tell me what kind of prayer is commonly used?"
Ginger raised her hand this time. "That would be the Lord's Prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, Teacher," she answered.
"Ah, very good, young lady," the teacher said. "The Lord's Prayer, which you can find in Matthew 6:9-13, goes like this: 'Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive those who are indebted to us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.'"
"Funny, I commonly pray, 'Lord, bless this food which I receive from Your precious bounty in Your Son Jesus' name, Amen,'" another student said, which made the other students laugh.
"Ah, to bless the food that you eat before you eat it is very commendable before God, young one," Eliyah said. "However, there is more to prayer than just telling God that you are thankful for everything He provides for you. Prayer gives you access to God the Father and everything that He desires for you to have as His child. It delights God when His creatures communicate to Him about things that weigh upon their soul, because He created man to have a relationship with Him, not just worship Him like trained dogs obey their master. In this course, we will go through the Bible and point out examples of prayer that can be useful in our role as young prophets."
"First off, let's look at when people started praying to God, which is in Genesis 4:26: 'And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.' We don't know what exactly they were praying in those times, simply because Scripture does not say, but people had direct communication with the Lord up until the time of Noah, when violence began to cover the earth. And then the Lord communicated mostly with Noah, since he was the only one who was perfect in his generations, and it was around that time that God told Noah to build an ark to save His creatures and what part of the human race wanted to be saved, which turned out to be Noah and his family."
"It was during the time of Abraham when prayer was used to intercede on the behalf of other people. In Genesis chapter 18, after the three traveling angels visited Abraham and Sarah and told them that they were going to have a child together, God told Abraham that He was going to visit Sodom to see if it deserves His judgment on the people. Abraham thought about his nephew Lot and his family and didn't want to see them be destroyed in the judgment, so Abraham pleaded with God for the lives of at least fifty righteous people that may be found in Sodom. God told him, 'If I find fifty righteous people there, then I will not destroy the city.' Then Abraham humbly amended himself and asked if the Lord should find five less than fifty righteous people there, and the Lord said He will not destroy the city if He finds forty-give righteous people. On and on Abraham continued to plead with the Lord until he came to at least ten righteous people, and the Lord said, 'For the sake of ten righteous people I will not destroy it,' and so Abraham left off praying and allowed the Lord to go His way."
"In Genesis chapter 24, when Abraham sent his servant to Mesopotamia to bring back a bride for his son from his own people, the servant prayed to God for success on his mission when he reached the city. He said, 'O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray You, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, "Let down your pitcher, I pray you, that I may drink;" and she shall say, "Drink, and I will give your camels drink also:" let the same be she that You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that You have showed kindness unto my master.' And before he was done speaking the prayer, his master's brother's daughter Rebekah showed up and fulfilled that which he had prayed for."
"In Genesis chapter 28, when Jacob, the father of the twelve patriarchs of Israel, was fleeing from his brother Esau because he had deceived him out of both his birthright and his blessing as the firstborn, he had a dream at the place where he had slept. It was God communicating to him in the dream, showing him a staircase into heaven, and saying, 'I am the LORD God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed; And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in you and in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with you, and will keep you in all places whither you go, and will bring you again into this land; for I will not leave you, until I have done that which I have spoken to you of.' And Jacob became fearful, and when he awakened he set up the place where he slept as a memorial before God, and called the place Bethel. And this is what he prayed: 'If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that You shall give me I will surely give the tenth unto You.'"
"My children, there are 650 prayers you can find in the Bible. In this course, we will go through each of them and study what these prayers were used for, how they were used, and in which situations they were used in. Some of these prayers you can use in your own prayer time to God, and some can be used for on-the-spot communication with God for when you need something from God right at the moment. The thing about praying, though, is that you must have faith that God will answer your prayers, for without faith it is impossible to please God. You must also show discretion when it comes to prayer, for Yeshua has warned against praying publicly in order to be seen of men, for the only reward you'll get for that kind of prayer is men's applause and approval, not God's. Also Yeshua has said that you should not use vain repetitions when you pray, for those who pray like that will think they will be heard for their much speaking, so don't be like those people, for God the Father knows what you need before you even ask Him."
The students copied down all the listings for Scripture about prayer which the teacher gave them in class. But Peter's mind was not on the class; it was still on Morgenstern and the dream he had last night. Knowing what kind of man it was that killed his parents made Peter feel like he wanted to take vengeance on Morgenstern for what he had done. But then he heard a gentle voice speaking to him, which wasn't anybody else's in the classroom, a gentle yet commanding voice which said, "Let it rest, Peter, My child. Vengeance is Mine, I will repay."
"God, You know what's on my heart?" Peter asked quietly so no one else can hear him.
"I know what weighs heavily on your heart, Peter," the voice said again. "You're safe on the grounds of the Jeremiah School. I am also watching over you to make sure you follow everything that I have commanded you to do. Peace, be still."
"Thank you, Lord God, for your watchful eye over me," Peter said before he heard the sound of the shofar signaling the end of class.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-30-2023 05:02 AM
As the students gathered in the great hall for lunch, they were discussing the great news of the day. According to the Prophetic Word Network, the Luciferian Academy headmaster Lucien Morgenstern was inviting the President Of The United States to a visit at his first-class academy for what he called "gifted students". Morgenstern said in an interview with a television reporter, "These students are getting the finest education in all the world, and will someday have positions of power that will make them key leaders in making this world a better place for all people, regardless of race, gender, ability, or orientation."
"Strange, that they call it the Morgenstern Academy," Peter noted.
"Yeah, that's to give the Academy an air of respectability, my friend," Wesley said. "It would look too obvious if they just outright said the actual name, the Luciferian Academy."
"I wonder why God lets this man continue on with his activities like there's nothing wrong with them," Peter said.
"God only allows this to happen because He knows Satan is already defeated, but is still active in the world, Peter," Ginger said. "He knows from the beginning of time who's going to be saved and who isn't, so He's giving us enough time to finish the task so that He can bring about the end at the time He has appointed."
"So no matter what Morgenstern does to people, God always wins?" Peter asked.
"God picked you and me and Ginger and everyone in this school because He wants us to be on the winning team," Wesley answered.
"Nothing Morgenstern does is outside of God's plan, Peter," Ginger said. "If he's meant to meet with the President and have him tour his school of 'gifted students' for whatever reason he has in mind, I'm sure it's all leading to how the end-times will play out."
"So Morgenstern might be what the older students call the Antichrist," Peter said, realizing.
"Yeah, that's part of Scripture," Ginger said, sounding eager to share her knowledge. "2nd Thessalonians says that the coming of the Lord won't happen until there's first a falling away, and the 'man of sin', the 'son of perdition', is revealed, the one who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God, proclaiming that he is God."
"My mama says that before the 'wicked one' is revealed, the Restrainer of the 'mystery of lawlessness' must be taken out of the way, so that must mean we must be removed before Morgenstern is revealed to be the Antichrist, if that's the case," Wesley said.
Peter sighed heavily. "These are the things I wish you didn't tell me about. Not only is Morgenstern my personal enemy, he's also aiming to take over the world and proclaim that he is God."
"Better that God's people are warned about his activities so that they can be better prepared to deal with what's coming," Wesley said. "Those times are going to be so terrible, Jesus Himself said that if the days weren't cut short, no flesh would ever survive."
"And I can sense that you believe this to be true also, Ginger," Peter said.
"Don't you feel it yourself, Peter?" Ginger said. "This is the person we've been warned throughout the ages about. This is a sign that the Lord is coming soon, and probably sooner than we would expect."
Peter scoffed at the news. "It's rather interesting to know that we might not even make it to graduation if the Lord is really coming sonn."
"Look on the bright side, man," Wesley said. "All of us will get a better graduation party up in Heaven, when we will join the saints who went before us on this perilous journey of faith."
"I'm not worried about anything except my parents, guys," Ginger said. "I just hope and pray that they will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ before this Rapture even happens."
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 12-30-2023 08:20 AM
The final class of the day was End Times Basics, which was with a man who looked very grave and serious in his religious robes.
"Welcome, my students, to End Times Basics, where we will study the basics of what God calls the end-times," the teacher said. "My name is Matthew Levi, and I have been with the Jeremiah School all my life, studying the times that we're living in. It's important to know how things will end according to God's design of how things will turn out, because we are living in an age of deception, where people think things will continue to go on as they have been since the dawn of creation. Very few people want to discuss the end-times because it's very frightening for the mind that hasn't been regenerated by the Lord to hear about, much less pay attention to. The Lord has been making it very clear from the time He spoke to us through the person of Jesus Christ up until now, where we have the completed revelation of God's Word ready for us to study from. Now can anyone tell me which book in the Bible focuses its attention on the end-times?"
Malthorne raised his hand and was picked. "That would be the Book of Revelation, Teacher," he answered.
"Very good," Matthew said, not smiling. "The Book of Revelation is the main book that's written in the Bible for the purpose of telling how God's going to bring His plan to completion, starting with the judgment of man through the Tribulation and culminating in the final judgment at the Great White Throne. It was believed to have been written by John the apostle around 95 A.D., which was after Jerusalem was sacked by the Romans and the Second Temple was destroyed. There are those who believe that the entire book was written earlier than that, because it was really talking about the times of the 1st Century A.D. in the Roman Empire. However, that is not a belief that is shared by anyone in this school, least of all the headmaster Jeremiah Xavier. Now can anyone name the four perspectives of how the Book of Revelation is interpreted?"
Ginger raised her hand this time. "That would be preterist, futurist, historical, and symbolic, Teacher," she answered.
"Exactly, young lady," Matthew said, again not smiling. "These four perspectives of how this book is interpreted tell us that not all people who read the Bible share in the same perspective. The futurist interpretation is the one we'll most likely study because it is the one that the Lord has been revealing to be the truth in all our hearts and minds as prophets. These events are told in a mixture of both symbolism and literalism, and it is our job through the revelation of the Holy Spirit to determine which parts of Revelation are literal and which parts are symbolic. Now the interesting part is that the word 'tribulation' appears only one time in Book of Revelation when it is talking about the great multitude that emerged 'from great tribulation' to serve God forever and ever during those times. But make no mistake, the events that happen in the book are all collectively referred to as the Tribulation. Are there other names that are given to this time period? Students?"
Malthorne raised his hand again. "It would be the 'seventh week' in the prophecy of Daniel chapter 9," he answered.
"Ah, very good of you to pick that up," Matthew said. "Anyone else?"
Ginger raised her hand again. "It is also referred to as 'the time of Jacob's trouble' in the Book of Jeremiah," she answered.
"You two make for very fine students that the others should learn from," Matthew said, encouraging if still not smiling. "Yes, it is called 'the time of Jacob's trouble', because this time will be God's final effort to bring His first wife Israel back to Himself after they have collectively rejected the Messiah during His first coming. Jacob, as you should know, is another name for Israel, and is the founder of the people Israel. The people endured judgment from God once before in the Old Testament, when they had to be sent away to the Assyrians and the Babylonians for their sins against God. I'm sure God is going to bring Israel through judgment again and this time they will be a people who are solely and wholly dedicated to Him. For Jesus Himself said, 'You will not see Me again until you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."'"
"Revelation is a 22-chapter book that begins with John the Apostle on the isle of Patmos being in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and he heard a voice that sounded like a trumpet, saying, 'What you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.' And it was then that John saw what appeared to be the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe down to the feet, and girded around the chest with a golden band, standing among seven golden candlesticks. His head and His hairs white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass that burned in the furnace; His voice like the sound of many waters. He had in His right hand seven stars, and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength."
"It was before this sight that John fell before Him like a dead man. And the Lord laid His right hand upon John, saying, 'Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am He that lives, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forever more, Amen; and I have the keys of **** and of Death.' It was then that the Lord had John write seven letters to the seven churches, each of which represents seven types of churches that exist in this world. Ephesus is talking about the loveless church, Smyrna about the persecuted church, Pergamos about the compromising church, Thyatira about the corrupt church, Sardis about the dead church, Philadelphia about the faithful church, and Laodicea about the lukewarm church."
"After writing down the seven letters, John was taken up into Heaven where he saw most of what happened in the Book of Revelation. He saw the four beasts and twenty-four elders worshipping God, he saw the Lamb that had been slain take the seven-sealed scroll from the right hand of Him who sits on the throne. He saw the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the souls of witnesses under the altar crying out for vengeance, and the Wrath of the Lamb that took place during the Sixth Seal Judgment. He saw all seven seal judgments, all seven trumpet judgments, all seven vial or bowl judgments. He saw the Beast From the Sea and the Beast From The Earth, the latter of which will make men worship the First Beast and take a mark on their right hands or foreheads, that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark. He saw the Lord coming down from Heaven at the end of the Tribulation to deal with the armies of the world coming against Him. He saw the Millennial Kingdom, the final insurrection of Satan, the judgment of the dead, and the arrival of the New Jersualem upon the new earth."
"Boys and girls, we will be going through the entire Book of Revelation in this class, and we will also use other books in the Bible that have prophecies related to what's going to happen in the time of the Tribulation. I want you all to familiarize yourself with this prophetic book so that you can answer my questions when I ask them. Are there any questions?"
The sound of the shofar sounded in the classroom, signaling that the classes were over.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 01-01-2024 04:58 AM
During their free time before dinner, Peter, Wesley, and Ginger were sitting with the other first-year students watching a sword fight match between two fifth-year students, Bruce Knight and Douggary Kendrick. They were both armed with a sword and a shield, the sword emitting a bright light similar to a lightsaber in Star Wars, but not making a whirring electric sound when the blade was alight. They also had on a breastplate, a helmet, a belt, and steel shoes. It was like watching two ancient knights fighting with each other over the honor of a lovely woman, with both students determined to fell the other with his light blade.
"Are those blades dangerous?" Peter asked a fellow student.
"Nah, they're just painful when you get pierced by one," the other student said. "My brother has been hit by the light sword a few times since he started training with it. Says it hurts you right in the soul."
"So these are not just ordinary blades made for show?" Peter asked, sounding curious.
"These ones are made for show, because the headmaster won't let us use real blades unless it's against our enemy, which I can't imagine who that would be," the other student said in a scoffing tone.
"I bet Doug is going to be the first to fall!" Wesley said.
"I think Bruce is the better fighter of the two, in my opinion," Ginger said.
"You want to wager something on that bet, sister?" Wesley asked.
"You should know better than to gamble with your fellow students, brother," Ginger replied. "It's against the rules."
"I know it's against the rules, I'm just saying that to see how you would react," Wesley said.
"You're not going to make me change my mind about Bruce," Ginger said smugly.
Suddenly Bruce drove Douggary to his knees and pierced him through with the light blade. Douggary yelped as he felt the pain of the blade piercing his body, but strangely he didn't feel like he was dying. It just felt painful to endure.
"Yield, I command you!" Bruce forced.
"Uh, I peaceably yield...my friend," Douggary said weakly.
Bruce smiled as he pulled the blade from Douggary's body, which fortunately left no scars or holes in clothes. They both smiled at each other as they shook each other's hands while the audience clapped.
As Peter, Wesley, and Ginger walked away, Peter's mind was still on the match. "Why does the headmaster allow sword fights like that on campus grounds?" he asked.
"It's to better train us for the time when we might have to take up swords, brother," Wesley answered. "Even Jesus on the night He was arrested had His disciples arm themselves in case anybody tries to ambush Him and themselves."
"Don't you see, Peter, that there are parallels between the sword fight and what the Bible says?" Ginger explained. "Paul the apostle in Ephesians says for us to take on the whole armor of God, so that we may resist the wiles of the devil. It's not flesh and blood we are wrestling with, it's with powers, principalities, rulers of darkness in this world, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly places. That's why we are to take on the whole armor of God, so that we may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to continue standing."
"Even the sword fight armor comes from the Bible, dude," Wesley added. "There's the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, wherewith we can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit."
"And it says in Hebrews that the Word of God is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing even the soul and the spirit, and it reveals the thoughts and intents of our hearts," Ginger finished.
"You two sound like you've been at this school for more than one year, and it's not fair," Peter said. "I hardly know much of the Bible, and it's like you two know it like the back of your hand."
"Can't help it, my mama raised me up on the Bible," Wesley said. "She knew what I was going to be before I was even born."
"My grandmother got me my first Bible, and I read it like it was a book meant for me to read," Ginger said. "It wasn't until after my 11th birthday that I realized that I was going to be a Jeremiah."
"And your parents are both normals and unbelievers, Ginger," Peter said, realizing. "Is it possible that parents who are Jeremiahs could have children who are not or won't ever be Jeremiahs?"
"I'm sure they exist out there, bro," Wesley said. "It must be hurtful for those parents to realize that their child could be on their way to ****, and there's nothing nobody can do about it."
"God's gift of salvation is for all people, not just us Jeremiahs," Ginger said. "God blessed us and gifted us to be prophets so that we can bring His salvation message to all people."
"But if God knows who's going to be saved and who isn't, then what's our purpose in spreading the gospel?" Peter asked.
"We're simply to be obedient to what the Lord calls us to do," Wesley answered. "We may not like it at times, but God sees the bigger picture that we don't. We just see as like 'through a glass, darkly,' in bits and pieces."
"I don't like the thought myself, which is why I'm still praying for my parents to get saved," Ginger said.
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 01-01-2024 06:17 AM
"Hey, Ginger, don't walk so far ahead of us!" Peter called out as he watched Ginger walk ahead of him and Wesley.
"Oh, don't worry, nothing bad's going to happen to me," Ginger said, laughing.
Then suddenly out of nowhere a fireball struck her, leaving her fallen on the grass with her face and clothes slightly smudged. "Ginger!" Peter cried as he and Wesley quickly raced over to where she fell.
"Hey, you all right, sister?" Wesley asked, sounding concerned.
Ginger arose as if she had just fallen asleep. "I'm fine, you guys, I really am. But who among us is capable of pulling that off right on campus grounds?" she said as she got herself back up.
"I can see the kind of fun I'm going to have around here with you three prophets!" a familiar voice sneered.
Peter looked around and saw Malthorne with two other boys. "So you're capable of flinging fireballs at people who are smarter than you, Malthorne," Peter said. "Am I supposed to be impressed?"
"No, you're supposed to be on your knees, begging for me to go easy on you, Peter!" Malthorne said. "By the way, these are my two friends from the same house, Fred Blaynes and Derek Murrayne. They both seem to agree with me that girls don't deserve to be prophets."
"So you need friends to take on a girl...that's real manly of you!" Wesley said sarcastically.
"And she needs friends to protect herself...that's really girly of her!" Malthorne retorted.
"How did you pull off that flaming fireball trick?" Ginger asked. "That isn't something that first-years are supposed to do."
"Let's say I have been gifted in that particular spiritual gift, Ginger," Malthorne answered. "That means I can call down fire and brimstone at a moment's notice if I ever needed to get rid of someone."
"Seems like your fire and brimstone ain't doing much but making Ginger's clothes all dirty," Wesley shot back.
"I'm just going easy on her because she is a girl and she knows it," Malthorne said, sounding vicious. "She isn't my enemy yet, but you three better stay out of our way around here, because we're the true prophets of this school."
"Yeah, you three just can't compare to the real prophets of the Bible," Blaynes said, mocking.
"We'll be seeing you around," Murrayne said, laughing with Malthorne and Blaynes as they departed.
"I just sensed that there was an altercation that happened between you three and Malthorne," another voice broke in. Peter, Wesley, and Ginger turned and saw that it was Brother Gabriel with his pet hawk again.
"How can the headmaster allow such creeps to be part of this school, Gabriel?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, I thought we'd be all getting together nicely around here," Wesley said.
"Just because the Lord calls you to be a Jeremiah doesn't mean you're fully rid of your old self, my children," Gabriel answered. "He's still got a bit of the flesh that he needs to crucify at the altar. So do you three."
"How can we be tempted to go the same route as Malthorne?" Ginger asked.
"Aye, the Devil is going to tempt you with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, just like he tempted Jesus in the desert," Gabriel answered. "You're going to learn together to give no ground to the Devil and overcome this world through the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony."
"I think we should pray for Malthorne's soul tonight, that the Lord will work in his heart to make him less of a creep to us," Peter suggested.
Brother Gabriel smiled. "Aye, that's the thing you should do. The Lord isn't finished with the likes of Malthorne yet."
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
|
posted 01-01-2024 01:23 PM
It was over dinner when the school had heard the latest news, that the President Of The United States was now touring through Luciferian Academy, and was already impressed by the type of education the students were given over there. He said that it will help cement his decision to support all religions in the United States, giving them access to faith-based funds and initiatives that were once meant only for Christian schools and academies by certain politicians who arranged it to be so.
"What does that news mean for us and the Jeremiah School?" Peter asked Lowell Nevison, a fellow student from the House of John.
"It means that the President may no longer support our school if this Lucien Morgenstern has his way," Lowell answered. "I have a feeling that things are going to go from bad to worse."
"Isn't there supposed to be a separation between church and state in the Constitution?" Peter asked.
"That's only in a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to somebody, Peter," Lowell answered. "In reality, the Bible only forbids the government from favoring one religion over another and also from discriminating against the practice of one's religion."
"What that means is that no religion's got special rights, not even Christianity," another girl student named Kathy Rhodes said, overhearing the conversation. "But that doesn't mean that all religions are equal ways for reaching unto God. Jesus said that, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes unto the Father but by Me.'"
"Well, if Christianity's supposed to be greater than all religions, then why aren't there leaders who are willing to support promoting it above all religions in this country?" Peter asked.
"I'm sure there are those in government who already feel that way, Peter, but that's never the way the Lord wanted us to promote preaching the Kingdom of God," Kathy answered.
"I agree with Kathy here, that our mission is to simply preach the gospel to every creature and make disciples of all nations, not to take over governments and make them Christian," Lowell added. "This taking over governments thing sounds like something the Devil would sway Christians into doing because of the temptation of power."
"Jesus already promised to those who will overcome and keep His works to the end that they will have authority over the nations, Peter," Kathy continued. "'And he will rule them with an iron rod; as vessels of a potter they shall be dashed in pieces, as I have received of the Father, and I will give him the Morning Star.'"
"So our role here is what...just to gather up God's people before the Rapture happens?" Peter asked.
"Exactly, Peter," Lowell answered. "After that happens, God will raise up two witnesses that will stand before Him and prophesy for 1260 days, and there will also be 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel that are going to be male virgins called of the Lord."
"Our school knows where the 12 tribes of Israel are all located in this world," Kathy said. "So we're not to worry...God already has that part planned out and ready to roll at a moment's notice."
Peter sighed. "That's certainly a lot to think about, as this day's coming to a close."
"Hey, bro, you all right?" Wesley asked, interrupting. "You don't look all that well with that news."
"I'm still thinking of what Morgenstern has done with my parents, and how they died and I lived," Peter answered. "How far is his reach going to spread if he ever has his way over society?"
"I know how you feel about that, Peter," Wesley said, trying to sound consoling. "It doesn't help that we're all witnesses of Morgenstern's evil activities and the world isn't even paying attention."
"That's because the 'god of this world', the Devil, has blinded the minds and eyes of those who don't believe, you guys," Ginger interjected. "He wants them all to believe every lie that he has told mankind, that they could be gods."
"I'd be interested in running into one of those Luciferian Academy students if we ever come across them in the world," Peter said.
"Unless you can defend yourself against their unholy arts, you ain't got a chance!" Wesley said. "And these students ain't playing just for show, bro, they're out to kill, steal, and destroy, just like their father!"
"We've got to arm ourselves with the Word of God, or else the Devil is going to deceive all of us, even when we think that we can't be deceived," Ginger said. "Remember that prides goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
"Why do we need a Bible to carry when all we have is you, Ginger?" Wesley said, sounding impressed.
"You need to know the Book like I do!" Ginger admonished. "Don't let your spiritual guard down, not even for a second. That's all the time the Devil needs to get a toe into your life."
Peter sighed. "Yes, of course!"
--------------------
VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
|
|
|
Subscribe to the BlueBuddies RSS Feed.