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Author
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Topic: "The Jeremiah School"
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Vic George The ND Guy
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Member # 300
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posted 02-09-2024 05:20 AM
The church service was held in a sanctuary that looked like a grand cathedral with a high vaulted ceiling that seemed to reach unto Heaven itself. Peter had never been in a church before, so he was amazed by the sights, the sounds, and the smells that permeated from the church sanctuary itself. A grand choir of students stood behind the pulpit on the stage and lead the other students into worship, which most of them enthusiastically engaged in. It felt to Peter like what he had read about the John the Apostle in the book of Revelation, about the things that he saw when he went up into heaven to see the Lamb who had taken the seven-sealed scroll from the right hand of God.
When the last worship song was sung, Jeremiah Xavier took to the stage. "Praise the Lord for all of you attending the first church service at this school this year. I pray that your eyes will be open and your ears will be attentive to what I have to say in today's message, because what I have to say in this message is relevant to today. As you are seeing and hearing in the news, the world is getting closer to the day of the Lord's return, which will usher in the seven-year Tribulation which will be followed by the Lord's Glorious Appearing and His setting up His Kingdom here on earth, which will last a thousand years until Satan is loosed again to deceive the nations, only to be sent into the Lake of Fire where he will be tormented for all time."
"The message for today is Tell The Truth, Even When Nobody Wants To Hear It. For today's message, I would like all of you to turn to 1st Kings chapter 22. It tells about two kings, King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat, deciding to go to war against the Syrians to take back Ramoth in Gilead. King Jehoshaphat agreed to go with King Ahab and allied his own forces with Ahab's forces, but the king wanted to inform God first and see what He has to say. King Ahab then summoned four hundred of his own prophets and asked, 'Shall we go up to Ramoth in Gilead to take it back, or shall we refrain?', and the prophets said, 'Go on up and take it, for the Lord will deliver it into your hand.' But Jehoshaphat wasn't pleased, and he asked 'Is there really a prophet of the Lord that we may inquire of Him by?', and Ahab said that there is one prophet of the Lord, named Micaiah the son of Imlah, but he hated that prophet because he never prophesied anything good about him, but only evil. Nevertheless, king Ahab had summoned Micaiah son of Imlah and had him stand before the two kings to prophesy."
"Now Micaiah was approached by one of King Ahab's servants, telling him to agree with King Ahab's prophets so that the king can go to war against the Syrians, but Micaiah said, 'What the Lord has given me to speak, that will I speak'. And so when King Ahab asked whether he and Jehoshaphat should go to war, he said, 'Go ahead and propser, for the Lord will give it into the king's hand'. However, the king told Micaiah to speak nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord, and Micaiah then said, 'I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, "These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace."' But that wasn't all Micaiah spoke; he also said that the Lord had given King Ahab's prophets a lying spirit in order to entice him to go to war with the Syrians and fall at Ramoth Gilead. King Ahab, not liking what he was hearing, told his men to put Micaiah in prison and feed him with bread and water until the king returns in peace. Micaiah said, 'If you ever return in peace, then the Lord has not spoken to me.'"
"King Ahab then told King Jehoshaphat to go on to the battle wearing his own robes while he himself disguised himself in the hope that the Syrians would turn their fight against Jehoshaphat instead of Ahab. Now the men of Syria were told not to fight with anyone great or small, but only with the king of Israel. So when they saw Jehoshaphat in battle, they said to themselves, 'This must be the king of Israel', and went to fight with him. But Jehoshaphat cried unto the Lord, and when the Syrians saw that he was not the king of Israel, they left off fighting with him. However, an arrow that was shot at random pierced King Ahab, and he told his driver to take him out of the battle, for he was sorely wounded. And so Ahab's driver took the king out of the battle, and soon afterward he died, and his blood was washed out of the chariot into the pool where the harlots bathed themselves."
"My little children, I encourage you to have the same boldness as Micaiah son of Imlah, who cared little about what the consequences were for telling the truth, because in this world telling the truth does have consequences. You will be hated and excluded from other people, and your name will be cast out as evil among men. But you must resist the temptation to strike back at the world for telling the truth. You must relinquish all judgment to the Lord your God, and He will defend you and vindicate you of all wrongdoing. Care little for your belongings on this earth, for you have an enduring and everlasting habitation in the heavens, with far greater pleasures than anything you will experience on this earth."
"Jesus referred to Himself as 'the Way, the Truth, and the Life,' that no man can come unto the Father but by Him. In Him was the truth, and no lie was found in His mouth. Everything that His Father wanted to make known to mankind, He did so through Jesus, who spoke only what the Father wanted Him to say. His opponents didn't like what He had to say, especially when He confessed that He was God made manifest in the flesh. He said to Pontius Pilate that 'everyone who is on the side of truth listens to My voice'. But even Pontinus said, 'What is truth?', like it didn't matter to him one bit what Jesus said about Himself. And for bearing witness of the truth, He was hung on the cross and He died for the sins of humanity. Only He would not remain dead for long, for three days later He arose and showed Himself to His disciples, proving the truth to His Words."
"To those of you who will be called to be preachers, Paul the apostle admonishes you to preach the Word, to be instant in season and out of season, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For he says that a time will come -- and it is coming already -- that people will not put up with sound doctrine, but will after their own lusts accumulate teachers unto themselves, having itching ears, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. If you watch on social media, you'll see that there are lots of false teachers, some are well-known and some are not, that claim to be teachers of God, but they will bring in destructive heresies, denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. Peter the apostle says many will follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the truth will be evil spoken of; and through covetousness they will exploit others will well-turned words, whose judgment of a long time does not linger, and neither does their destruction slumber."
"So in closing my sermon, I ask you all to consider the cost of speaking the truth, because you will suffer all things in this world for bearing the truth about Christ and what He has done. It may cost you your lives, which I know some of you have experienced from the families you came from. It may make you unpopular with people, but as long as we speak the truth in love, as Paul the apostle said to the Ephesians, we will not be ashamed of speaking the truth to people, for we do not wish their destruction, but their salvation in the name of the Lord. May God bless you in everything you do for the Lord."
And the students were led into singing another hymn about the blood of Jesus, which most of them sang with passion. But Peter somehow wasn't feeling the same passion for it as the other students. His mind was now on the students of Luciferian Academy and what they must be doing at this time in their own school.
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 02-10-2024 05:54 AM
Continuing on with "The Jeremiah School":
Around the same time, the students of Luciferian Academy were in their religious sanctuary, giving praise unto Lucifer, the academy's patron god, through raucous rock 'n roll music that was playing from a stage that looks like it was prepared for a sacrifice. It was mandatory for all wizards and witches to attend the school's religious services, as failure to attend would count against them not only in the school's student houses' scores, but also in their overall academic scores. Yet the students gave their utmost attention to its high priest, the High Reverend Allister Croxley, who wore religious robes with pentagrams and upside-down crosses embroidered on them.
"Welcome, students, to the first church service at Morgenstern Academy, the finest school for witches and wizards who are serving our lord and master Lucifer, the anointed cherub that once walked with God upon the stones of fire, and fell to earth because his Master rejected him and his plans for the world. He was the first to ask God why he and his fellow angels should serve God's lesser creation, which was man, whom He created to be a little less than the angels and yet crowned them with glory and honor. He was the angel who wanted worship for himself because he was God's special angel, but God understood that as violence against His created order and thrust him down to earth, where he has been secretly working in the hearts of men."
"Today's lesson will be on The Lie, not just any lie, but the lie that will deceive many in the times leading to our battle against the Lord God Almighty. This is the lie that your lord and master wants you to help spread throughout the world, to make people believe that the great enemy of God is actually God made manifest in the flesh, because our headmaster Lucien Morgenstern is the prophesied 'seed of the serpent' who will take on the 'seed of the woman', who is Jesus Christ. He will sit on the throne and proclaim himself to be God during a time when the whole world will turn against God and declare their allegiance to Lucifer."
"The first lie that was told was in the Garden of Eden to Eve, who at first believed that she would die if she even touched the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil because God told her, but Lucifer the ancient serpent told her that she wouldn't die, for in the moment that she ate of the fruit of the tree, her eyes would be opened, and she would be as a god, knowing good and evil. So she ate of the tree and got her husband to eat of the tree as well, and so the both of them died, in that their innocence concerning good and evil died that very day when they became disobedient, and had to hide themselves from God in the cool of the evening. Adam blamed Eve for his evil action, and Eve blamed the serpent, and that brought the curse of death upon mankind because the first man and woman were now sinners and would pass the sin nature onto their children through the father's seed."
"It was one lie that liberated all mankind from the rules and laws of a God that proved to be more of a tyrant as He brought in more laws for mankind to follow because they would now use their liberty for personal pleasure, no matter who it would hurt. But it would be challenged by this God's only begotten Son, who claimed to be 'the Way, the Truth, and the Life', and that no man can come to God except through Him. Our master Satan tempted Him three times in the desert, one time with turning stones to bread, another time with throwing Himself down off the pinnacle of the Jewish Temple, and the final time with presenting this Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world if He would fall down and worship him. And all three times the Son of God resisted the devil with mere words. The devil departed from Him for a time until the Son of God was all alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the Lord was tempted with the desire for God to make the cup of suffering pass from Him. And again He resisted by saying, 'Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.' Even when Jesus died on the cross and went to Sheol, we thought that was the end of Him, and the world and all the hordes of **** rejoiced. But then three days later He arose from the dead, to prove that death no longer has mastery over Him who claimed to be without sin."
"But still we made mankind believe in that one lie long after Jesus died and rose again and ascended into Heaven, to be there for who knows how long except for God the Father. We made mankind believe that they can seek their own wisdom apart from God and make Him out to be the liar, that He actually created nothing, that the universe just existed out of a Big Bang, and that mankind never really came from God, but were evolved creatures whose next step in evolution is to be gods in themselves, and to throw off the shackles that this God of the universe has put upon all creation, to doom it to corruption until the time His Son comes to redeem it. And our plan as members of the Luciferian Academy Society is to make sure He never achieves that without causing Him to lose a good deal of His creation to the lie that our beloved headmaster Lucien Morgenstern is actually God made manifest in the flesh."
"That is our mission in this world, as those who are called into the true light of Lucifer the Great, to deceive as many people as possible into believing that they don't need God in their lives, that they can be gods in of themselves and be the authors and finishers of their own faith, that they can do anything and be anything that they personally desire to be apart from God's will. We hope that this will amass a huge army that will come against God's people in the Valley of Har Megiddo in Israel, where we will draw God's Son out of heaven and destroy Him once and for all. You are all given powers of the Lord of Light that you may deceive the world into thinking you are the great power of God, and that with the same faith they too can have the same powers and abilities, by taking the mark of Morgenstern and pledging allegiance unto him at the time when he is called to lead the world as its one appointed ruler."
The priest ended the sermon right there for another worship song, which most of the students passionately sang together as if united as one body of believers that they would do everything to thwart the mission of Christians and Jeremiahs everywhere.
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 02-10-2024 06:31 AM
At the Jeremiah School, Peter, Wesley, and Ginger spent some time at the stables riding horses after the church service. They wanted to have some time to themselves after the service to process everything they experienced in that church service. Each of the three students were given horses to ride, and surprisingly Peter was a natural around horses. He confessed that his Uncle Harry had a brother who was a horse trainer who allowed Peter and Donald to come on the ranch to ride horses.
"Hey, Peter, you all right?" Wesley asked, as he noticed that Peter kept drifting off on his own away from Wesley and Ginger.
"I'm fine, Wesley, I'm just thinking about my eventual encounter with Lucien Morgenstern, which I still feel like it's going to happen sooner or later, given what's going on in the world," Peter said.
"I know that we can't stop that from happening, Peter," Ginger said. "We just want to pump the brakes to make sure that it doesn't happen too soon, before you're really ready to face him by yourself."
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to face Morgenstern all by myself, even with the powers that I have," Wesley said.
"But why would God give me a prophetic ability to use right now if I wasn't meant to use it until the appointed time of my physical encounter with Morgenstern?" Peter asked.
"You should ask God about that, bro," Wesley said. "If He gave you the ability, He should also give you the sense of when you're going to use it and when you're not."
"I somehow agree with Wesley on that, Peter," Ginger said. "Probably God wants to protect you from yourself, from giving into the temptations of going after Morgenstern when your feelings about him are flaring."
"I still don't like that I'm the son of Morgenstern, and that he can still contact me through my dreams at night," Peter said.
"Pray to God to intercept those dream invasions, bro," Wesley said. "I'm sure that He can cut the connection between you two."
"I'm going to pray that the Lord prevents Morgenstern from manipulating you in your dreams, because I don't want to find you out of your bed and going after him without us being together," Ginger said.
Peter sighed as he drew his horse near Wesley's and Ginger's. "Well, thank you for watching out for me. I truly appreciate you being there for me in case Morgenstern wants to control me through my dreams."
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 02-27-2024 05:13 AM
Around dinnertime, the students were watching live news from the Prophetic Word Network concerning a prophet who was a graduate from the White Knights Academy leading a group of prophets to Washington, D.C. in order to "take back America for the true Christ and the true Christians, the true sons of the lost tribes of Israel". Daniel Hezekiah was the leader of this group, and they held up activities around the Capitol for a few hours until Eli and Moishe, the self-proclaimed "two witnesses" of Revelation, ended up standing outside the Capitol. "Halt your activities and depart from this place of government," Eli said in a commanding tone.
"It is not yet time for the government of this nation to be judged," Moishe said, also commanding.
"We do not recognize you as a true prophet of God, you strangers," Daniel said. "Depart, or my group will show you what it means to touch the Lord's anointed and do His prophets harm."
"No, it is you who are not the true prophets of the Lord," Eli countered back.
"This is your final warning: leave now or you will face the wrath of the Almighty," Moishe said.
"We will not leave until we have accomplished our mission, and you will not stand in our way," Daniel said. "My people, call fire from the sky at once!"
The group of prophets became loud and uncontrollable, where the police who were watching the scene were willing to go in and break up the crowd for the safety of the people. But the police were held back by a powerful burst of wind that separated them from the group of prophets. And then the ground opened beneath the feet of the prophets, and suddenly they were swallowed up into the earth, with the ground restoring itself to normal after the group was consumed.
"Let this be a lesson to all: the leader of this nation will be given time to repent of his sins and turn to the Lord before the days of great tribulation come," Eli shouted loudly for everyone to hear.
"Make no mistake, this country and all others who serve foreign gods are living on borrowed time," Moishe proclaimed. "Turn to the Lord while there is still time before the Lord comes for His own." And then the two suddenly departed.
The students were awed by the show of power that these "two witnesses" displayed. "Did you see that?" one student asked.
"Yeah, those group of prophets didn't stand a chance against Eli and Moishe," another student said.
"I wouldn't want to go toe to toe with either of them," a third student said.
"How did they get all the way from Jerusalem to Washington, is all I'm wondering," a fourth student said.
Then Jeremiah Xavier stood up and addressed the students. "Peace, my young children. I know that what we've seen on the screen is amazing as well as disturbing, but it is par for the course of what we'll have to deal with when we enter into the world as prophets of the Lord. I'm sure the headmaster of the White Knights Academy is going to present the truth of the situation to his own students contrary to what we have seen, to make it look like they were the innocent victims. But we are still to pray for our enemies that the Lord will accost their spirits and grant repentance unto them so that they will escape the snare of the devil, who is using them as captives to his own will. So please settle down and let the peace of God rule over your hearts tonight. That will be all."
Peter, Wesley, and Ginger discussed the whole matter among themselves over dinner. "The nation has got to believe that the Lord is active in this world and that He's watching over us to keep us safe from each other," Peter said.
"You'd think that, but no matter how many miracles are performed in their sight, still some of them will never believe in God or turn to Him to be saved," Wesley said.
"I know that the Lord is watching over my father and mother, even if they aren't saved yet," Ginger said. "I can't wait to see them again and find out that they're both serving the Lord."
"But I wonder what's going on in the White Knights Academy that's driving them to come out in the open and attack the President like that," Peter said.
"Other than the President now giving support to the Luciferian Academy? I haven't got a clue," Wesley said. "They're just looking for an excuse to come and force their so-called Christian beliefs on everyone."
"I can't believe there are those who call themselves Christians that would support these religious bullies," Ginger said.
"To them, what the Lord said about the Kingdom of God coming with violence, they take it to mean that they got to get so violent as to force the Kingdom on everyone whether they want it or not," Wesley said.
"But that's not the way we're supposed to advance the Kingdom, is it?" Peter asked.
"Nuh-uh," Wesley said. "If Jesus needed us to advance His Kingdom like that, He'd already have soldiers fighting for Him on the ground, but this isn't a battle between flesh and blood, it's a battle between two kingdoms."
"At least we know that we are on the winning side of the battle, boys," Ginger said. "But I still don't want to see these White Knights prophets condemned for believing in a false gospel."
"They're already condemned for preaching another gospel, girl," Wesley said. "Nobody who twists the Word of the Lord like that is ever going to get scot-free from God's judgment. That's why we got to be careful what we preach, that it is the truth of the Word."
"Lord, I pray that we don't get led down the same path as those White Knights students," Peter said, sighing.
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 04-19-2025 01:06 AM
Here's an image that ChatGPT created as a cover image for The Jeremiah School:
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 04-22-2025 04:41 AM
Donald Dresser snuck out of his parents' house after supper, feeling very uncomfortable being home listening to another of their fights. Something awful is definitely going on at home, and he didn't know exactly what. He felt like he needed to spend some time at his friend's house, a young girl that he met at school during the previous year. Her name was Catherine Kismet, but she liked to be called Cat. He found her outside her parents' house playing batting practice with wiffleballs in the backyard. Cat was a good baseball player who had been in one of the town's Little League teams. She was excellent at batting, though at home she had to use wiffleballs in order to keep from accidentally causing damage to her next door neighbor's windows.
"Hey, Cat, care to talk for a minute?" Donald asked as he saw her bat another ball straight toward the far fence in her backyard.
"Donald, what are you doing here?" Cat asked. "You look like you needed to escape from something at home."
"Mom and Dad are fighting, and I don't know what's going on between them," Donald answered. "I've never seen them be this unhappy toward each other."
"I haven't seen Peter in the neighborhood for a while," Cat said, getting ready for another swing. "What's happened to him?"
"Ah, Peter went to that school for religious weirdos...you know, those Jerrys," Donald said. "I knew he was different, but I had no idea how different he'd actually be."
"I'm familiar with different," Cat said. "My brother Jeffrey has autism. Imagine how much time my parents spend with him compared to me. I always wonder why I wasn't so special."
"Jeffrey's a special case, all right," Donald said. "We tried taking him to a concert one time, and he couldn't stand loud noises and bright lights. He also likes collecting bugs, which is why I hardly see him without a butterfly net and stuff."
"So you think your parents' fighting has anything to do with Peter being gone?" Cat asked.
"Maybe," Donald answered, watching Cat take a swing with her bat. "Things were much more peaceful at home when Peter wasn't one of those Jerrys."
"I could talk to God about that during my evening prayers, if you'd like," Cat suggested. "Maybe that would give you some peace."
"Don't tell me God visited you and made you a Jerry all of a sudden," Donald said with a hint of distaste in his voice.
"You know my family goes to church on Sundays," Cat said. "I may not be a Jerry, but at least I know God well enough to know you're not going to be happy unless you know Him personally."
"And you're going to get me to say the Sinner's Prayer, so I can have peace," Donald guessed.
"Not unless you mean it, Donald," Cat said. "My parents always said, Christianity isn't just a religion, it's also a relationship with the One who created you."
"How can you be so comfortable having parents who are Christians watching over you like that?" Donald asked.
"I know they love me, and I also know that God loves me too," Cat answered. "They may not be the best parents in the world, but at least they want to do what is right in God's eyes, especially in the world that we live in."
"Well, you can keep your religion, Cat, I'm just not interested," Donald said, looking down on the ground.
"You're my friend, and I think heaven is going to be a much lonely place without you being in it with me," Cat said. "I'm going to keep you in my prayers so that God will reveal himself to you in a way that you'll feel His peace in you."
"Fine, go do that!" Donald said, not wanting to talk about religion any further. "I'm going to go fetch the balls for you before I go."
"You're always welcome at my home, Don," Cat said, smiling. "You need an escape, I'll be here."
-----
"And don't come back into the house until you're ready to apologize!" Dottie shouted as she watched her husband Harry storm out of the house, looking really angry and wanting to get away from the toxic relationship that was forming between himself and Dottie.
Harry got into his car and carefully drove out of the driveway before he headed for the center of town. He honestly didn't know how his relationship with Dottie started to go wrong, but it felt like it all happened when they let Peter go to the Jeremiah School. It was as if nothing he would do could ever be right in his wife's eyes. He didn't want to make a scene before his son Donald and make him think less of him for how he handled the situation.
He parked his car next to a Catholic church rectory and got out and knocked on the door. "Is Reverend Steve Dresser there?" he asked loudly.
A housemaid answered the door. "Oh, Harry, it's you. I'll let Father Dresser know that you're here. Please wait inside."
"Thank you," Harry said, sounding relieved that he didn't have to stand outside. He entered and waited near the door while the housemaid went to the study door and knocked. "Father, your brother is here, wanting to have a talk with you."
A short gray balding man appeared. "Harry, my brother, it's been a long time since I last saw you. You should visit me at church on Sunday."
"You know that I'm not a religious person, Steve," Harry said as they both gave each other a hug.
"But something brought you here, and I'm willing to believe that it's God that brought you here," Steve said. "Come, sit, and I will have the housemaid bring you a drink. No alcohol in this house, that's my strict rule."
"A tea would be fine, thank you," Harry said, sitting down on a chair while Steve took his place on another in the living room. The housemaid went into the kitchen to get Harry a cup of tea.
"So how's your marriage with that lovely lady Dottie going for you, my brother?" Steve asked.
"Everything was fine until my nephew Peter had left for that boarding school for prophets," Harry answered. "It was like a switch had flipped in Dottie's head. She used to be so sweet and loving. Now she's becoming so critical over every little thing I do."
"You chose to be a stay-at-home father while your wife brought home the money, Harry," Steve said. "I can't blame her for being so upset with you. Maybe she thinks you're not pulling your weight at home while she goes off to work."
"I work just as hard as my wife does, even though I don't bring in as much as she does, Steve," Harry said, receiving the cup of tea from the housemaid. "But that's not it. It's like something that came out of nowhere happened to her, and I don't know how to handle it."
"This sounds like something spiritual is going on that's trying to drive a wedge between you and Dottie," Steve said. "Are you looking to confess something that you did that maybe contributed to this change?"
"Please, Steve, I'm not going to treat this like a religious exercise," Harry said, sounding a bit offended.
"The Lord already knows what you're going through, and it's not something that hasn't happened before to other couples," Steve said. "Tell me, how was your relationship with your nephew Peter before you sent him away?"
"He's a good little boy, though I always favored my son Donald over him," Harry said. "He hasn't been much trouble ever since we adopted him after his parents passed away."
"A shame what happened to Peter's parents," Steve said, sounding grim. "I pray that their souls found peace with God in heaven."
Harry took a sip of his tea. "Something about the death didn't sit right with me. They were just straight up murdered, and the child was left alone in the house. That was before the child was brought to our doorstep by some unknown people, I think they were part of that school."
"Yes, I'm familiar with the school you're talking about, Harry," Steve said.
"But who murdered Peter's parents...we had no idea," Harry said. "Dottie's sister had associations with that Morgenstern fellow, I didn't think was appropriate for even a Jeremiah to have. At least that's how I heard it from my wife."
"So you're suspecting that Peter's mother had an affair with Morgenstern and Peter was the result of that affair?" Steve asked.
"Something happened that I'm not sure of, Steve, but it did result in her and her husband being murdered," Harry answered. "I felt sorry for Peter having lost his parents so young, but I still had no idea what Morgenstern wanted with that child."
"Morgenstern doesn't sound like a pleasant fellow to be around," Steve said. "If it helps, I will pray for you and Dottie that God will heal the rift between you two and you will have peace in your household while you resolve things between yourselves."
"I would greatly appreciate anything you can do to help me," Harry said, sounding relieved.
-----
Peter, Wesley, and Ginger were both working on their homework in the evening after supper when Peter sensed something in his spirit. "Hey, bro, you all right?" Wesley asked, sounding concerned.
"What are you sensing right now, Peter?" Ginger asked, putting down her homework.
Peter sighed. "It's my aunt and uncle. They just had a fight and they're thinking of separating. Morgenstern's doing it, he's going after my family."
"Well, let's come together in prayer over this matter," Wesley said, sounding eager to pray.
"Yeah, let's do it," Ginger said, folding her hands together. "You lead us off, Peter, and we'll agree with you."
Peter took a deep breath before he started. "Lord God, Heavenly Father, I pray right now for my Uncle Harry and my Aunt Dottie, that You would protect them right now and keep them safe, and that You keep Morgenstern away from their marriage and my family, and that You watch over my cousin Donald and draw him close to You, because he needs You in this very hour that the Devil is trying to destroy the unity of my family. I pray right now for spiritual revelation to happen in their lives that they will come to know You as their Lord and Savior, and that they will know peace from the One who is called the Prince of Peace. We bind every evil spirit that would cause division and cast them away in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen."
"Yes, Lord, bind every spirit that would divide Peter's family, Amen," Wesley said, agreeing.
"In Your Son Jesus' name we pray, Amen," Ginger said, also agreeing.
All three of them let out a sigh of relief. "Thank You, Lord, for keeping us alert of things that are happening in the world," Peter said. "May we always be alert of those things so we can be better prepared to deal with them."
"Amen to that, dude," Wesley said. "Now we just got to leave the results in God's hands, for He alone knows what's best for every one of us."
"I'm glad that we're all Jeremiahs, spiritually attuned to the Lord," Ginger said. "Any other Christian would be envious of what we're capable of doing in the Spirit."
"I would give anything to not be a Jeremiah, if I would be honest with myself," Peter said. "Not that I wouldn't want to be saved, but to be called as a prophet to the nations seems like a really big thing."
"At least you're not like Eli and Moishe," Wesley said. "Imagine having to be in their shoes all day, speaking to the nations about things to come and having to call down fire on your opponents."
"We should study Revelation more if we want to be prepared for the days that are coming for the world so that we're not asleep when the Lord comes," Ginger said.
"Not exactly bedtime story material for children, but it's something worth reading, I guess," Peter said.
"Well, let's get our homework finished so we can get ready for bed," Wesley said, picking up his pencil and papers.
"I'm with you there, Wesley," Ginger said, also doing the same.
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 04-22-2025 11:09 AM
Late in the night, after everybody had gone to sleep, Jeremiah Xavier was on his knees in his private chamber, feeling restless. He was sensing in his spirit that something was going to happen very soon, and that there was nothing he could do to stop it. It was as if his time on earth was coming to an end.
"Lord God, Heavenly Father, Mighty King, Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen, Your Son said that there will be some standing in the Promised Land years ago who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom," he said, raising his hands toward heaven. "Grant me to see Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. May I soon find complete rest in You as You complete my mission here on earth to prepare as many souls as You desire for Your Kingdom coming here on earth. Let me see Your glory as You have shown me on the isle of Patmos, looking unto the One like the Son of Man, whose eyes are like fire and whose feet are like brass that is burned in the furnace."
And at that moment, Jeremiah heard a voice: "Come up here, and I will show you things that must take place very soon."
And soon he found himself swept up -- whether in the body or out of it, he had no idea; only God knew -- and brought into the third heaven, where he saw an enormous throne, and One who sat upon it was like a bright shining figure that emanated such light that Jonathan could find himself shielding his eyes from the exceeding brightness. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices, and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Jeremiah felt as if he had seen it all before: the scene of twenty-four elders who sat on their thrones; the four living creatues who sang night and day, "Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come;" the elders falling to their knees, casting their crowns before the One on the thrones, saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created."
Then he saw a seven-sealed scroll sitting at the right hand of the One who sat on the throne, and there was a mighty angel who cried out, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?"
Jeremiah found himself weeping, because there was nobody on earth or in heaven that could break the seals and open the scroll. Then an angel that came over to Jeremiah said, "Do not weep, for behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."
Then he saw what appeared to be a Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes, looking like He had been slain. He approached the throne and, with a mighty leap, grabbed the scroll from the right hand of the One who sat on the throne. And at that moment, the Lamb transformed into a being that John recognized on the isle of Patmos -- the One like the Son of Man, who was clothed with a white robe down to the feet and girded with a golden band across His chest. His hair was as white as wool, His eyes were like blazing fire, and His feet were like burnished brass refined in the furnace. His voice was like the sound of many waters, and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword.
When the Lamb had taken the scroll, Jeremiah saw the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders falling down before the Lamb, every one of them having harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints. They sung a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and have made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."
Then he beheld, and heard the voices of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders -- myriads and myriads of angels -- saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." And then he heard every creature in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, and in the sea, saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever."
"Amen," the twenty-four elders said together as they fell down and worshipped.
Jeremiah watched as the Lamb opened one of the seals, and a voice from one of the four living creatures said, "Come and see!" And he looked, and behold there was a horseman clothed in white riding upon a white horse, and he was wearing a crown upon his head and carried a bow in his hand.
"Behold the Horseman of Conquest," said the Lamb. "He will go forth conquering and to conquer."
Then the Lamb opened the next seal, and another of the living creatures said, "Come and see!" Jeremiah looked, and behold, there was a horseman clothed in red armor, riding a red horse, and a great sword was in his hand.
"Behold the Horseman of War," said the Lamb. "He will take peace from the earth and make men slay each other."
Then the Lamb opened the third seal, and the third living creature said, "Come and see!" Jeremiah looked, and behold, there was a horseman clad in a black robe riding a black horse, and a pair of balances was in his hand.
"Behold the Horseman of Pestilence," said the Lamb. "He will make a measure of wheat worth a day's wages, and three measures of barley worth a day's wages, yet he will not hurt the oil and the wine."
Then the Lamb opened the fourth seal, and the fourth living creature said, "Come and see!" Jeremiah looked, and behold, there was a horseman that was dressed in ragged robes riding a sickly pale green horse, and behind him was a portal that looked like it opened into hell.
"Behold the Horseman of Death," said the Lamb. "He and Hades will consume a fourth of the earth with sword, with hunger, with death, and with the beasts of the field."
Then Jeremiah got a closer look at all four horsemen, and he noticed that they all bore the same face -- a face that he recognized. It was Morgenstern.
Then all of a sudden Jeremiah was back in his chambers, feeling very shaken. It was all starting to make sense. The Lord's coming was imminent. There was little time left to complete the mission.
"Thank you, Lord, for revealing it all to me, your humble servant," Jeremiah said joyfully. "Soon You will let Your servant depart in peace, for the coming of the Kingdom is upon us, and the glory of Your people Israel will be revealed to all."
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 04-22-2025 12:18 PM
Meanwhile, Peter was in a dream while he was sleeping. It felt like he had in a desert for forty days and forty nights, his face looking like he had not eaten in days, his body feeling shriveled and famished. It was as if he had purposely starved to the point of near death while he was in the empty stretch of wilderness, watching tumbleweeds blowing around and seeing various creatures scurrying here and there, not wanting to spend much time in the blazing sun, which felt like it had been cranked up to lethal levels of heat.
Then he came across a snake that glided toward his direction. The snake transformed into a shining angel with a sinister face. The angel calmly spoke, "If you are a son of God, command that these stones would be made bread."
Peter looked at the stones on the ground and felt tempted to use his power to turn them into bread. Then he remembered Scripture and he said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
Then the angel disappeared, and Peter also found himself instantly transported to the top of a temple. He looked down and saw that he was high above the ground, and people were down below minding their own business. The angel appeared again and said, "If you are a son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will give His angels charge over you, to keep you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you should dash your foot against the stone.'"
Peter knew what the angel wanted. He wanted to throw himself down and hope that the angels will rescue him before he reached the bottom. He knew that he was dealing with Satan. "It is written again, 'You shall not test the Lord your God,'" Peter said.
The angel disappeared again, and Peter found himself instantly transported to the top of a mountain, where he saw all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. Then the angel appeared the third time and said, "All this I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
"Begone, Satan!" Peter said resolutely. "For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"
Then the angel disappeared, and behold, Peter saw other angels coming to him. They brought him out of the wilderness into a lush plain.
Peter then opened his eyes and found out he was back in his sleeping quarters in the House of John. The dream felt so real, he felt glad to be back in his bed, with his fellow student Wesley sleeping in the next bed beside him.
"O Lord God, help me to resist all temptation that the Devil wants to offer me so that I would be faithful to You in all things," Peter whispered before he drifted back to sleep.
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 04-25-2025 09:48 AM
The next morning, Peter, Wesley, and Ginger woke up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. They gathered with the other students in the great hall to receive their breakfast.
"Did either of you had a special dream last night?" Peter asked as soon as they got settled into their meal.
"Come to think of it, I felt like I was in the wilderness like Jesus was right after He was baptized in water," Wesley answered.
"That sounds like my dream as well," Ginger chimed in. "Could the Lord be preparing us for something that's coming soon?"
"The whole school is nothing but preparing us for what's coming, girl, but this seems like a specific test for something more specific," Wesley said.
"All I know is that it felt so real, like I've actually been in the desert for forty days and forty nights without anything to eat," Peter said.
"Sounds like that's the Lord's doing, bro," Wesley said.
"You mean the Lord will allow Satan to test us to see whether we'll follow God or follow him?" Peter asked.
"The Lord's got Satan on a leash, so you don't have to worry unless the Tribulation's already starting," Wesley answered.
"Why do I feel like we're not going to be the ones who will be taken up in the Rapture like all the other Christians?" Ginger asked.
"If God's raising up prophets like us, it's because He's got a job for us to do in regards to whoever's left behind on this earth once the roll's called up yonder," Wesley answered.
"If Eli and Moishe are around, it's looking like the end is coming closer than we could ever think," Peter said.
"Well, you can all cry in your molasses, because I'm going to be the greatest soul-winning saint during the Tribulation," Malthorne said proudly, interrupting their conversation.
"More like the greatest soul-crushing 'saint', if you ask me," Ginger said, which made Peter and Wesley cover their mouths, trying to stifle their laughter.
"I wasn't asking for your opinion, usurper!" Malthorne shot back. "I'm merely stating that if we all get left behind here to save every sorry sinner's soul, you're going to be behind me when we get our rewards."
"Get in line, bozo," Wesley said. "You're going to be competing with hundreds of other prophets, plus Eli and Moishe and the 144,000 who are going to be evangelizing the world during the Tribulation."
"You seem eager to be so prominent among the saints, but how good are you really when it comes to your prophetic gifts?" Peter asked.
"I'll be willing to show you how good of a prophet I am, if you're willing to challenge me in a duel...just you and me, none of your friends to bail you out or anything," Malthorne said.
"You sure this isn't a trick to try to ambush me behind my back and send me packing and going back home?" Peter asked.
"I could have the Headmaster arrange it for us, if you like," Malthorne said, sounding eager to engage with Peter already.
"Really? Could Malthorne actually get the Headmaster to allow two students to challenge each other in a duel?" Ginger asked, sounding surprised.
"That's actually in the rules," Wesley answered. "If two students feel that they need to settle who's the greater prophet around here, the Headmaster would allow a dueling match for the whole school to watch."
"See that, Peter?" Malthorne said. "The whole school will be watching to see whether you'll beat me or choke. It's up to you to accept or refuse. But you won't hear the last of me if you choose to refuse. So what do you say?"
"Please, Peter, don't fall for this ego trip!" Ginger pleaded.
"Yeah, he's just out to try destroying you," Wesley seconded.
Peter thought about that for a moment, then he said, "I accept. You arrange the time and the match, and I'll be there, Malthorne."
Malthorne grinned wickedly. "You're going to regret this, Peter. I'll make sure the whole school thinks the worst of you when I beat you fair and square. Your days here will make Hell seem like a nice vacation."
Peter snorted at that. "We'll see who's the best."
Wesley and Ginger watched as Malthorne walked off. "Man, are you so dense that you actually want to challenge Malthorne in a prophet duel?" Wesley asked.
"I'm not going to walk away from people like Malthorne, Wesley," Peter responded. "He wants to take me on and try to beat me, I'd say let him try. All he's got are fireballs to throw down. He'll be the one crying home to mommy when I'm finished with him."
"That's not a very humble response, Peter," Ginger said. "It sounds like you're just itching to prove yourself to some miserable punk with power."
"Yeah, but a very rich miserable punk at that," Wesley added.
"I'm going to face off with Malthorne, and I'm not going to be persuaded to do otherwise," Peter said adamantly before he got up from the table and walked off.
"I don't like how Peter is sounding at that moment, Wesley," Ginger said, sighing with frustration.
"Me neither, but if he feels he has to do this, then how can we stop him?" Wesley said. "We need to talk to the Headmaster about this."
"I agree," Ginger said before they finished their breakfasts and got up from the table.
-----
Peter spent the rest of the day trying to focus on his lessons, though his mind is still on Malthorne and what he planned to do regarding the match that he had Malthorne set up between them as a public spectacle for the whole school to watch. He felt as if he was being called to a public fight with the school bully, only this bully had prophetic powers at his disposal instead of just fists. If Malthorne was just an ordinary kid he met in public school, Peter was sure that he could take him down with no problem. But since they were in a prophetic school, it was going to take more than just physical strength to deal with someone like Malthorne. It was going to take skills and wits as well as a lot of prayer to God to get him through the battle.
After class, Peter went down to the stables to find Brother Gabriel there feeding the horses. "Ah, young lad, what seems to be on your mind that you need to talk to me about?" Gabriel asked politely when Peter approached him.
"Malthorne wants to challenge me to a public duel before the entire school to see who's the better prophet of the two, and I agreed to match him, and I don't know what to do," Peter answered gravely.
"I don't think that trying to weasel your way out of this match is going to work, if that's you intend on doing instead of confronting the little master head-on," Brother Gabriel said, chuckling.
"I have no intention of backing out of this, Gabriel," Peter said. "He needs to be publicly humiliated and put into his place so that he's no longer exalting himself above all other students in this school."
"You can practice your abilities out in the open fields, if that's what you desire, to get the anger and frustrations out of you, but you need to pray to the Lord to give you peace and calm in your spirit, because I don't think this will end well for the both of you," Gabriel said.
"Have you ever had to deal with bullies in this school when you were a student, Gabriel?" Peter asked.
"Aye, that I did, and those weren't fun times for me either," Gabriel said a bit grimly. "You see, those bullies aren't fighting with flesh and blood, but with things going on inside their own lives. Malthorne comes from a very wealthy family that have been Jeremiahs ever since their ancestor Severus Draconius became one and then amassed a fortune that grew and increased as it passed from generation to generation. The lad himself probably had to deal with being left alone with caretakers that watched over him while his parents were busy with their own things."
"But why would God give such prophetic powers to annoying people like Malthorne?" Peter asked.
"God sees the end from the beginning, and He knows already what each of us are going to do with the gifts we are given, Peter," Gabriel answered. "He doesn't leave us without warnings from His Word that we will reap what we sow in this life, for whoever sows to the flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but whoever sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap everlasting life."
"So what am I supposed to when it comes to this match between me and Malthorne?" Peter asked.
"Pray for yourself that you would do no harm to your fellow student, and pray for your adversary as well, is all I can suggest," Gabriel answered. "Maybe the two of you will see that this is a vain and senseless thing to engage in, and the Lord will rescue you before things go too far."
"Would you pray for me now concerning this duel, Gabriel?" Peter asked.
Gabriel smiled. "Aye, I will do that right now with you!" He then put his hand on Peter's shoulder and bowed his head. "O Lord God, Heavenly Father, we come to You with humble hearts eager to serve You in all things. I pray for my young brother Peter that You would give him wisdom concerning this duel that my other young brother Malthorne wants to engage Peter in. I pray that You would give him and Malthorne a calm spirit so that they would see for themselves the vanity of engaging each other in a fight where both of them would lose more than they could ever think of losing. And also be with Peter's friends Wesley and Ginger and the rest of the school. In the name of Your Son Jesus, I pray. Amen."
"Amen," Peter said, smiling as he felt a tear falling.
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 04-25-2025 09:51 AM
Alternate cover image, created by Microsoft Copilot:
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 04-25-2025 11:48 AM
Possible cover image for a sequel story idea, "The Jeremiah Generation".
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 04-26-2025 04:27 AM
Meanwhile, Wesley and Ginger sought a private audience with the Headmaster Jeremiah Xavier. He was in the middle of a prayer when he heard his pet phoenix squawking, alerting him to the presence of students at his door.
He opened and saw that it was Wesley and Ginger. "Ah, Wesley and Ginger, my fine young students, what seems to be on your mind today?" he asked politely as he allowed them entry into his office before he closed the door.
"Master, we're worried about our friend Peter," Ginger said. "Malthorne challenged him to a prophetic duel, and we tried to talk him out of it, but he accepted, and now Malthorne says that he's going to talk to you about setting up the duel to be a public match."
"Yes, I know," Jeremiah said. "I already had a talk with Malthorne about it when he brought it up after classes."
"You already know about it?" Wesley said, sounding surprised.
"What did Malthorne say to you, Headmaster?" Ginger asked.
"Only that he wants to set up a match with Peter to settle a dispute between the two of them, and I said that it's highly irregular to demand a public duel between prophets because it only shows how vain the duelists are," Jeremiah answered.
"But it sounds like you're considering having this match regardless of what anyone says...except God, of course," Wesley said.
"God may allow many things to happen in our school if He so desires, but He will not allow its students to destroy each other while on school grounds," Jeremiah said.
"So what are you going to do about it, Headmaster?" Ginger asked.
"I'm going to have a talk with Peter, about whether he wants to go through with this duel or not, and then I will pray about the matter, and the match will be set up on whatever day the Lord deems appropriate for it to happen," Jeremiah answered.
"Oh, so now it's up to the Lord to decide whether He's going to let these two duke it out with each other, prophet to prophet," Wesley said a bit sarcastically.
"Anything we can do, since we won't be able to get through with Peter on this?" Ginger asked.
Jeremiah sighed. "You need to pray, my children. Prayer is the only way we can resolve this situation once and for all, because without it we will end up doing our own thing without the full counsel of God, and that would be our downfall." He looked away, feeling a bit sad and shaken.
"Headmaster, are you all right?" Wesley asked, sounding concerned as he and Ginger saw Jeremiah's expression on his face.
"It's nothing that I feel comfortable to share with you yet, but you will know when it is time, my young friends," Jeremiah answered, still looking away. "That will be all."
Wesley and Ginger nodded, taking it as their cue that it was time to leave. They got up from their seats and headed for the door.
When the two were alone with each other, Wesley said in a low voice, "Did you see the Headmaster's face? He looked like he saw something in a vision that really disturbed him."
"I really wonder what that can be, Wesley," Ginger said, also speaking low. "Could it be possibly a vision of the future like what John the Revelator saw on the isle of Patmos?"
"It could be any number of things that the Lord has shown him, girl," Wesley said. "I could sense that it wasn't very good."
"Well, if we can't persuade Peter to stop with this ridiculous dueling match with Malthorne, the least we can do is pray for him, that the Lord would knock some sense into these two boys," Ginger said.
"They could use some good prayer right about now," Wesley said, agreeing.
-----
Peter had come in from being at the stables when an angel approached him. "The Headmaster wants you to see you in his office, Peter Stone," he said.
"Why? What for?" Peter asked.
"He will explain the reason, but you must attend quickly," the angel answered.
Peter sighed, realizing that it must be important. He walked through the hallways and up the stairs to the Headmaster's office, where he knocked on the door. The sound of a squawk was heard from outside.
The door opened, and Jeremiah greeted Peter. "Ah, yes, good, you've arrived. Come and sit, I need to talk to you about something."
"Yes, Headmaster," Peter said. He entered into the office and sat on a chair while Jeremiah sat on his behind his ornate desk.
"I have had a talk with Malthorne, who wants to challenge you to a public duel, which I have told him is highly irregular and a vain thing for the duelists in engage in," Jeremiah said. "May I know the reason for which you and Malthorne wish to engage in this duel?"
"I wanted to put Malthorne in his place, Headmaster, not to desroy him, but to humiliate him and not try to lift himself up above all other students in this school," Peter responded.
"I see," Jeremiah said, raising an eyebrow. "You should know from the Scriptures that pride comes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
"I'm fully aware of that, Headmaster, which is why I'm praying about this match, whether the Lord will have me and Malthorne engage in it or not," Peter said.
"As long as you're in prayer about the situation, Peter, I will let you know that I am considering allowing the two of you to engage in this public duel, but only if the Lord will allow for this to happen," Jeremiah said. "In the meantime, you are to be careful how you interact with Malthorne up until the time that the duel takes place, whenever the Lord seems fit to set up the date. I do not want you to do anything foolish that would get you expelled from this school. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Headmaster, I understand," Peter said. "But where will I go if I am expelled from this school?"
"The Lord will continue to watch over you, to keep you safe and guard you in all your ways, but He will call you to repentance, and it will be up to you to respond favorably or negatively," Jeremiah answered. "That will be all."
"Yes, Headmaster," Peter said, understanding that his talk was over. He then sensed that there was something in Jeremiah's countenance that seemed to be unsettling. "What seems to be on your mind? Are you all right?"
Jeremiah shook his head. "I'm fine, Peter, you don't have to worry about me. You will know when the time has come if I need to reveal anything more."
Peter nodded gravely, understanding. "Yes, Headmaster, I will let you be."
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
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posted 04-28-2025 12:20 PM
And so over the course of several days, while Peter and Malthorne were both individually training themselves to be the best prophet, Wesley and Ginger were in prayer with God about their friend and fellow student, seeing if He would intervene on their behalf to get both students to see the folly of getting into a duel with each other and call a truce before it's too late. However, it seemed as if their prayers were going unanswered. Meanwhile, Headmaster Jeremiah Xavier was busy praying for the Lord to answer regarding if and when He would have the two students face off with each other as well as the proper venue for the match.
The other students in the school were hearing rumors that Peter and Malthorne were going to match each other, and they were splitting into two camps to see which student each of them was going to support. The House of John universally sided with Peter. The House of Matthew universally sided with Malthorne. The Houses of Mark and Luke were divided, with Mark having a majority that would support Malthorne and Luke having a narrow majority siding with Peter. Pretty much everyone except for Wesley and Ginger were so excited over the match that it was all they could talk about with each other in various settings around the school. The teachers had to get their attention back to their lessons and focus on their schoolwork more than on the match.
Brother Gabriel took time with Wesley and Ginger to pray about the situation when they were alone with each other. "Lord God, please bless these two students with wisdom and knowledge that comes from You alone, that if it is Your desire that they should duel with each other, that You would show Yourself to protect these students from each other's desires, that both students would come out winners instead of losers in a battle that neither side can win apart from You, that they're both on the same side fighting against the forces of evil in this world. We pray all this and give You thanks in the mighty and matchless name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen."
Then finally the day came, when God allowed the two students to duel each other, but only on dueling grounds that the Lord chose the match to be held in. The students found themselves whisked away by angels to this place, an empty field that seemed to be distant from all civilization, where the air seemed crisp and fresh. Everyone sat on the ground in a circle as they waited in preparation for the duel to begin.
Then at last Peter and Malthorne showed up wearing battle robes, with Headmaster Jeremiah Xavier standing between them, both students being equally distant from each other. "Ladies and gentlemen, I know you are eager to see which of these two students would best each other in a duel that the Lord has allowed to happen on this particular day," Jeremiah spoke. "However, this isn't a duel to prove which student is better in his use of the prophetic gifts, but rather to prove the futility of fighting against each other when we should be united in one mind, one heart, and one spirit fighting against our common enemy, the Devil. I pray that the Lord's protective hand will be upon both students as they pit each other's skills in this duel that will help them realize that we're not fighting against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness in this world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Before the students engage in this duel, let us have a moment of prayer to our Heavenly Father for His guidance and wisdom."
All the students bowed their heads, and so did Peter and Malthorne. Peter prayed silently, "Lord God, help me to use my gifts wisely to defeat the arrogance of my fellow student Malthorne and get him not to exalt himself above all the students in this school, that we should be fighting together against evil instead of fighting with each other. In Your Son Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
Then both students took fighting stances. "Look at you, Peter. Pretending you belong here. You're nothing but a charity case — a mistake," Malthorne jabbed.
"You're the mistake, thinking you belong here because your parents have money to bail you out of any situation, Malthorne," Peter shot back.
"At least I still have parents," Malthorne said. "What do you have? An aunt and uncle who are both normals who can't even get their car started in the morning, I bet."
"Pretty tough talk for a prophet who was most likely raised by a paid nanny," Peter said.
"I'll show you what tough is!" Malthorne shouted. "Flame spear, launch!"
Then suddenly a flaming spear sliced through the air. Peter saw it and instantly said, "Earth, create a wall!" And instantly a wall of stone emerged in front of Peter, and the flame spear struck the wall, causing minor cracks to appear in the wall, but otherwise doing no damage.
"You see, I'm not here because of where I come from, Malthorne," Peter said. "I'm here because God called me."
"God called you?!" Malthorne said, laughing in a mocking tone. "If He truly favored you, you wouldn't need rocks and puddles to save you."
"He gave me more than that, Malthorne!" Peter said. "Wind, knock him off his feet and send him spinning!"
Instantly a gale of wind picked up Malthorne and spun him around, making him dizzy. The other students watched in awe as Malthorne tried to lower himself back to the ground with some difficulty.
"Oh, that's cute...you also like to play around with the wind," Malthorne said. "Well, eat this!" He thrust his hand forward and said, "Fireball, attack!"
Instantly an arc of flame surged toward Peter. He said, "Water and wind, douse this flame!", and suddenly a gust of wind and a rainstorm fell and quenched the arc of flame.
Malthorne felt even more enraged when another of his attacks failed. "Come on, 'prophet!' SHOW ME YOUR POWER!" He sent Peter another fireball which was more reckless, this time singeing the hem of Peter's robe.
Peter looked rather unfazed. "Power without purpose is just destruction."
Then suddenly Peter called upon earth, fire, and water, and instantly the earth arose, the water coiled, and a blast of wind sent Malthorne sprawling to the ground — his fire sputtering out.
Wesley and Ginger watched the duel go on and on without stop. "How long is this going to continue before either side calls it quits?" Ginger asked.
"I don't know, but it sure don't look good for Malthorne out there," Wesley answered.
And so the duel continued, with Malthorne continuing his fruitless attacks on Peter, and Peter just countering with his mastery of the elements and giving Malthorne some of his own attacks. Neither side seemed willing to give in, and all the students were getting anxious for a winner to emerge.
Then finally Malthorne cried out, "Go ahead and finish me, Peter. You're truly the better prophet than I am."
"No...your fire was never the enemy," Peter said, realizing that he didn't need to do anything more. He had Malthorne right where he wanted him.
Then an angel came and picked up Malthorne, restoring him to full health after the fight had exhausted him. He stood up on his feet and bowed toward the audience of students who were watching the fight. Peter also bowed, and the audience cheered.
So did Jeremiah Xavier. "Praise the Lord that we have a resolution to this duel. May Peter and Malthorne become better companions now that they are able to resolve the situation between them."
Wesley and Ginger went over to Peter and gave him hugs. "Thank God you came to your senses, Peter," Ginger said.
"Yeah, definitely," Wesley said. "Malthorne surely isn't going to mess around with you no more after today."
Jeremiah came over to Peter. "You did well in that you resisted the urge to destroy your fellow student when he was down, Peter," he said, smiling in approval.
"He already defeated himself, realizing what he was fighting against, Headmaster," Peter said. "I wished him no harm throughout the match...just a little bruise to his ego, that's all."
"Just some words of wisdom, Peter: 'Prophets who seek their own glory burn themselves to ashes, but those who surrender their strength...will shine like the stars,'" Jeremiah said before patting Peter on the back.
Meanwhile, Malthorne just slunk away with Fred and Derek, feeling utterly defeated. It was as if their glory days in the school as the top prophets has ended.
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 05-05-2025 01:53 AM
The students returned to the school, basically talking with each other over the duel they had just witnessed. Peter noticed that he had been getting a lot of attention from the other students, most of them congratulating him for the "victory" that he had won over Malthorne. He was even getting some longing looks from the female students, apparently attracted to the power he now wielded over the first-year students.
When Peter was alone with Wesley and Ginger, they talked with each other. "You are definitely the man in this school, Peter!" Wesley said. "I can imagine this is how David felt when he led Israel in and out to battle when we was under King Saul."
"I'd still be careful with this newfound fame if I were you, Peter," Ginger said. "You might end up being puffed up with so much pride that another student may end up taking you down, and they won't be sparing."
"Relax, friends, I know what I'm doing," Peter said, trying to sound confident. "I'm not going to let this little victory over Malthorne turn me into the villain all of a sudden."
"Just remember you got Morgenstern's blood running in your veins, bro," Wesley cautioned. "He's going to know about what you did and he's going to play with you and tempt you to be on his side."
"I agree," Ginger said. "I don't think you should give Morgenstern even the opportunity to think that you're going to abandon your calling as a prophet of God and turn to him to be his servant."
"I'm aware of it, Ginger," Peter said. "I know Morgenstern's still trying to come after me, thinking he's going to stop me from my calling."
Then two students, a boy and a girl, whom they recognized as the twins Jack and Jessica Delaney, came up to Peter. "That was a great match with Malthorne you had out there in the fields, Peter," Jessica complimented. "You really showed up that know-it-all prophet who thinks he's hot stuff around here."
"By the way, the Prophetic Basics teacher said we should prepare for a special class tomorrow in a secret room that they call The Theater Of Dreams And Visions," Jack reminded.
"The Theater Of Dreams And Visions?" Wesley and Ginger said together.
"Like, what is so special about the room that the teacher wants to show us?" Peter asked.
"Master Avraham wouldn't tell us," Jessica answered. "It's something that we would need to see for ourselves. Hopefully it will be worth something in our education as prophets."
"We just need to bring a Bible to class that day, because everything will be revealed," Jack said.
"Oh, definitely, I'm going to see what this room's about tomorrow," Wesley said. "My brothers keep saying it's the best room of this school, but they wouldn't tell me why."
"A secret room that the school won't let us share with outsiders?" Ginger mused. "Sounds rather suspicious to me."
"We'll see you tomorrow at Prophetic Basics class," Jack said. "Just make sure you bring your Bibles with you. And don't forget to fast, because you won't get entry into the room without fasting, the three of you."
"And watch your back, Peter, because you may not know what Malthorne's plotting now that he knows you got him beat," Jessica said before the two of them departed.
"Now what was that about?" Wesley asked when they were alone again.
"I have no idea, but if Malthorne's secretly plotting something else to take me down with, I got to find out," Peter answered.
"He can't be trying to get you off school property so that he can try to beat you in yet another duel, where you most likely will be killed," Ginger said.
"I wouldn't put it past Malthorne to try that on you, Peter," Wesley said. "I don't think he's going to recover from his butt getting whipped by you unless he gets even with you in some way."
"Anyway, I'm curious to find out what this Theater Of Dreams And Visions is all about," Peter said.
"We're going to find out, as long as we fast before we go to class tomorrow," Wesley said. "I know it's going to be hard watching other people eat while you can't even touch a bite, but my family's been doing fasts ever before I was born."
"We may need to pray so that we can fast effectively and be able to see what the teacher might show us through this mystical room," Ginger said.
"A good idea, Ginger," Peter said. "If it's worth skipping a few meals, it might prove to be something we can use to better hone our skills as prophets."
"Let's pray right now," Wesley suggested. The three of them bowed their heads and closed their eyes before Wesley continued. "O Lord God, our Heavenly Father, I pray that You would give us the strength and the will to deny ourselves the pleasure of good food as we prepare ourselves to enter into The Theater Of Dreams And Visions. Help us to enter that sacred domain with awe and reverence toward You as You prepare us for what we might see in the Theater tomorrow. In Your Son Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."
"Amen," Peter and Ginger said together in agreement.
-----
The following day, Peter, Wesley, and Ginger prepared themselves for Prophetic Basics class that day, washing their faces and anointing their heads with oil so that it may not seem to others that they were fasting, but only to God the Father. Peter could see the other students enjoying their meals in the grand hall, but his mind was so resolute on his determination to enter that special room that he couldn't let himself be distracted by anything else. Wesley took the fasting in stride, since he was used to it, but Ginger could feel herself being tempted by the presence of food. She prayed earnestly for God to focus her mind on the upcoming class.
Then Rabbi Avraham Shalom took the children who were part of the class to a special room that seemed distant from the rest of the school. "Little children, I advise you to be careful when you step into The Theater Of Dreams And Visions. This room can reveal things that are already in your mind at this very moment, and you may not like what you see. In fact, this room makes what you see into a reality, though it will only exist in that room, and it will affect you in ways that you may not be fully prepared to deal with." And with that warning, Avraham stopped at the entrance of the Theater, which had the Eye of Providence symbol at the top carved in stone. "Lord God, allow this group entry into the Theater," he prayed, lifting up his hands as if to surrender.
The Eye above the door glowed, and the door opened with the sound of stone moving against stone. The students entered carefully, not knowing what else to expect when they passed through the door one by one.
Peter gasped in awe when he saw what was in the Theater. It was a large circular domed room with no windows. The walls are carved with ancient symbols, Scripture in Hebrew and Greek, and scenes from prophetic dreams like Daniel's beasts, Ezekiel's wheels, and the book of Revelation's throne room.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Avraham said, noting that the children's reactions were the same as Peter's. "Look above you at the ceiling. The domed ceiling resembles a moving sky — it shifts with stars, clouds, or abstract spiritual imagery depending on who enters. Sometimes it's black as night, other times full of fire or thunder."
"But where do we sit, Teacher, if this is a theater?" one of the students asked.
"The Theater provides seating for when it is necessary for people to be seated, my young child," Avraham answered. And soon with a great rumbling, stone-tiered steps like an ancient amphitheater, surrounding a smooth floor that glowed faintly with golden lines — a symbolic stage - appeared.
"There...now every one of you take a seat, while I take to the stage and show you a vision that has appeared in my mind before the class has started," Avraham directed. Soon the students took their places on the seats that had emerged, with Peter, Ginger, and Wesley sitting with each other, and Malthorne, Fred, and Derek sitting with each other in another part of the Theater.
Avraham went to a circular dais in the center of the Theater and stood upright with his hands in the air. "Are we all set? Okay, now, let's pray...Heavenly Father, Mighty King, Maker of Heaven and Earth, we pray that You would open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts to what will be shown in this Theater today, that what we take from the visions we've seen here will be meditated upon in our private times, and that we keep what was shown to us privately to ourselves since it is Your secret to be shared only with those whom You called to be prophets. In Your Son Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Students, you may open your Bibles and turn to Genesis 2:4."
The students opened their Bibles, which, when they did, the pages lit up, and turned to that part of Scripture. Then as they sat and watched, the entire room changed, and they were no longer sitting in the Theater - at least they didn't appear to be sitting in the Theater - but rather in a lush garden full of all sorts of trees, plants, and animals. Everything seemed so real that a good deal of the students wanted to reach out and touch what they have seen.
"This is the earth, as it once appeared after the seven days of creation, when man was new upon the earth," Avraham explained. "Everything was so beautiful in the beginning - the sea, the sky, the land - and everything was so pure and holy, as if nothing evil in the world could touch it. We will see the first man emerge from the dust of the ground."
And instantly the students saw the dust swirling around an empty patch of ground, and from the ground a human figure emerged, made of clay. It was a man, and the man laid still on the ground until the breath of God entered into him, and he breathed his first breath, and arose from the ground.
"You have been created for a purpose - to dress the garden and to keep it," a gentle yet booming voice said. "Of the trees of the garden you may freely eat, but of the tree in the midst of the garden - the Tree of the Knowledge Of Good And Evil - you may not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die."
"Everything is so beautiful here, yet I am alone," the man said.
"It is not good for you to be alone, Adam," the voice said. "I will make for you a helper that is suitable for you."
"And so, after God had led the animals He had created to Adam toward him so that he could name each one, and found that there was no helper that was suitable for him, He caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, then He took one of the man's ribs, and He made from that a woman, and brought her to him," Avraham said.
And as the children watched, at the end of the day, when the man fell asleep, a small cut was made into the man's side, and a rib bone was extracted from the man. And then the bone grew into a skeleton, then muscle and organs covered it, and then skin. A breath of God breathed into her nostrils, and she opened her eyes and wondered where she was. He found the man sleeping on the ground with his flesh closed up from the cut, clean as if he never had been cut at all, and then kissed him on the mouth.
The man woke up startled. "Who are you?" he asked.
"I am the helper God had created for you, who came from your very bones," the woman answered.
The man looked at her and was pleased by what he saw - a beauty that seemed to be pure, holy, and very attractive. "This indeed is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh," the man said, looking at her with longing in his eyes. "I will call her 'woman', because she was taken out of man."
"Therefore," a voice chimed in, "a man shall leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
"Everything was still beautiful when God introduced the woman to the man after creating her from a man's rib," Avraham said. "But now here's where things started to fall apart. As the woman was performing her duties as the man's helper, a serpent appeared and started talking to the woman when she was alone."
The children watched as the woman did her work in tending the garden when she heard a voice speaking to her in a gentle, calm, but slithery voice. "Yes, has God said, 'You shall not eat of every tree in the garden'?"
The woman stopped what she was doing and looked around. "Who's speaking to me?" she asked, suspicious. "Who else is here?"
"I'm just your friendly serpent, wanting to have a talk with you, since you're here by yourself, and your husband isn't with you," the voice said again.
The woman found where the voice came from...a serpent that was all coiled up on a branch of a tree. She felt like she wanted to run away, but the calm speaking voice felt so reassuring that it wouldn't do harm unto her.
"What do you want with me?" the woman asked.
"Just to ask you a question and see how you respond to it," the serpent answered. "I asked if God said, 'You shall not eat of every tree in the garden.'"
"No, He hasn't," the woman responded. "He said we can freely eat of the trees in the garden, but the tree over there in the middle of the Garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'"
The serpent snickered. "You silly woman. You will not surely die, for God knows that on the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
"Is that honestly true?" the woman asked.
"Would I lie to you if it wasn't true?" the serpent replied. "Taste it and see for yourself." And then he slithered away.
That got the woman looking at the beautiful tree in the midst of the garden, with its fruit looking so tempting and delicious she could practically taste it with her eyes. The students who were watching could hear her thinking, Indeed this is a tree that could make one wise by eating of its fruit. She decided to take a chance and plucked off one of the tree's fruit and ate of it.
That was when the man came around and saw what she was doing. "Woman, what's going on?" he asked.
"The serpent told me the truth about the tree in the midst of the garden," the woman answered. "He said that God knows on the day we eat of the tree, our eyes would be opened, and we will be as God, knowing good and evil."
"That doesn't make sense," the man said, pondering. "Why would God not want us to eat from the fruit of the tree if He knows that we won't die from eating of it?"
"Who knows, but at least you can be your own god and choose how you want to live," the woman said, still eating the fruit. "Come on, take a bite and see for yourself. It won't harm you!"
"So the man also took of the fruit of the tree and ate it," Avraham said. "And when he did, both their eyes were opened, and they realized that they were naked. So they made themselves coverings from fig leaves and hid themselves from God during the cool part of the day when He came down to visit them."
The children watched as both the man and the woman, now covered in fig leaves, hid themselves among the bushes when the glory of God came down in the form of a swirling light. "Where are you?" God asked.
"I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I went and hid myself," the man answered, bravely rising up from the bushes.
"Who told you that you were naked?" God asked. "Have you eaten from the tree that I told you specifically not to eat from?"
"It was the woman you gave me!" the man shouted. "She gave me of the fruit of the tree, and I ate of it!"
The light drew closer to where the woman was hiding. "What have you done?" he asked, sounding a bit angry.
The woman rose up from the bushes and bravely confessed, "It was the serpent who beguiled me, and I ate of it."
"Who, me?" the serpent said, feigning surprise at the mention of his name, as he emerged before the light.
The students could see that the light was beginning to emit thunderings and lightnings from within. "Because you have done this, serpent, you are cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon your belly shall you go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." The light turned to the woman and said, "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in sorrow you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you." And to the man he said, "Because you have hearkened unto the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you; and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return unto the ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you are, and unto dust shall you return."
Then the man and woman saw what appeared to be coats of skin. "Where did these coats come from?" the woman asked, curious.
"God must have sacrificed some of his animals to give us a covering," the man answered. "We must do the same if we want to be atoned for our misdeeds."
"Behold, the man and woman has become like one of us, knowing good and evil," God said. "We must not let him touch of the fruit of the tree of life so that he may eat and live forever."
"And that was when God sent His angels and His cherubim to drive the man and the woman out of the garden, and around the garden He placed a flaming sword, to protect the way back to the garden," Avraham said. "Now let's turn to Jeremiah 4:23-26 in your Bibles."
The students turned the pages in their Bibles to that particular part of Scripture, and suddenly the room changed. Instead of a lush green garden, they were now sitting in what appeared to be a barren rocky landscape, with hardly a single bit of life growing.
"Jeremiah said years ago, 'I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger,'" Avraham said, sounding grave. "Children, this isn't a vision of what's already happened in the time of Jeremiah. No, this is a vision of what's to come, in the days before the Lord's return. There will be devastation and desolation, such as has not happened from the beginning of creation until now, and never will be afterward. The time of the Lord's coming is near. We must prepare ourselves for what's coming when the first seal of the seven-sealed scroll is opened."
Then the sound of the shofar was heard, and the room returned to its normal appearance. "That would be the end of today's class. Remember to be careful in your use of this room, that if you enter, the Theater will show you things you may not be ready for. That will be all. Have a good day."
-----
At lunch, Peter, Wesley, and Ginger felt so hungry that they had second helpings of that day's meal. They felt awestruck by everything they had seen in the Theater Of Dreams And Visions. It was both so amazing and scary at the same time.
During the break before the third class, the three of them went to the pond and sat down talking about the Theater. "It's like sitting in one of those IMAX theaters, even better, because it feels like you're actually there," Peter said.
"Still, it's not a place for us to just use for our personal entertainment, if what Master Shalom is saying is true, and I believe it's true," Wesley said. "I'm glad that we had our Bibles as our guide to see what visions the teacher wanted to show us."
"It's hard to keep this information to ourselves when you feel like you just want to shout it out from the housetops of how great it is being in here," Ginger said.
"Yeah, but if that's what the teacher wants us to do, we must learn to keep this information between ourselves and not blab it out to the entire school," Wesley said. "Eventually the whole school's going to know about the room and what it does."
"I wonder what's going on with Donald since he hardly has been texting me about what's going on at home," Peter said.
"Why, what do you think is going on with your adopted family?" Ginger asked.
"I honestly don't know," Peter answered with a shrug. "Morgenstern said he would be after my family, and I guess things have gone radio silent because something evil is brewing over there."
"I don't like when things get too quiet either," Wesley said. "When my mom and dad stop talking with each other, I know right then and there that something isn't right."
"Maybe we should continue to cover that in prayer, so the Lord will keep your family from splitting apart," Ginger suggested.
"Why, it couldn't hurt to do that," Peter said, sighing with realization. The three of them bowed their heads as Peter prayed. "O Lord God, protect my family, the Dressers, from the devices of Satan and Morgenstern, if indeed he is the coming Antichrist. Bind their marriage together like threefold cords that cannot quickly be broken, that Uncle Harry and Aunt Dottie would love You first of all and then love each other as Your Son, Christ, loved the church and gave Himself for her. In Your Son Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."
"Amen," Wesley and Ginger said together in agreement.
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 05-13-2025 10:49 AM
It was nighttime. Peter and his fellow students were asleep again in their house quarters, resting for the new day to come, when Peter had yet another dream. It was like he was back on Durson Drive in his hometown, looking at the various houses that lined the street, wondering what was going on. He then saw somebody approaching -- somebody he recognized. It was Donald Dresser, riding on his back with his backpack slung on his shoulder.
"Donald, what's going on?" Peter asked. "Why are you riding on your bike in the middle of the night?"
"Oh, Peter, you don't know?" Donald said. "Mom and Dad are going to get a divorce. Things haven't been the same since you've been gone."
"Aunt Dottie and Uncle Harry are getting divorced?" Peter said, not believing a word. "Tell me this isn't happening!"
"I tell you, bro, it is happening, all of it!" Donald said. "I can't stand to be around my parents right now. They're always fighting, always accusing each other of doing something behind their backs. I'm going to find someplace else to lie low and put all the sadness behind me, so this is going to be my final goodbye. Take care."
Peter watched as Donald rode away. "DONALD, COME BACK!" he cried out. But Donald rode on as if he never even heard Peter.
Just then, another voice broke in. "It's begun, Peter...the disintegration of your happy family, the ones who have adopted you. It's time for you to embrace your true self and rule with me over the entire world."
Peter turned and saw that it was Morgenstern. "You think that breaking up my family is going to get me to join you...like ever?" Peter asked.
"Let's face it, you don't belong with the Jeremiahs or the normal people in this world...you belong to me, exclusively forever," Morgenstern said. "You think that my little 'parting gift' to your mother was just something done on a whim, hmm? That I just fathered a son through the heat of passion between two people like two normal people would do? No, your birth was part of what Lucifer wanted to happen so he could be your true father when all is said and done. I had to have a son so that, in case Lucifer's plan of taking over the world failed with me, he at least would have somebody else he could sway to his side and become the future ruler of the world."
"You do know that Satan is already defeated, and that nothing he can do can change the outcome God has already declared from the beginning," Peter said.
"I know what Scripture says, and I also know that God can't do anything without His creation supporting Him in some way," Morgenstern said. "He's going to see that everybody on Earth is beyond saving, and that He's going to give all those souls to my father Lucifer, who's going to take them with him into the Lake of Fire. You're the only hope left for the people to rebel against God and take the reins and become the ruler of the earth with me."
"You can't make me do anything to rebel against God, Morgenstern," Peter stated bravely. "I know where I stand, and I sure don't stand with people on the losing side."
"You'll be mine when I'm finished with you, Peter...mark my words," Morgenstern said, pointing the finger at Peter before he vanished into the light and disappeared.
Peter woke up and realized he needed to do something. He turned on his phone and texted Donald. "Hey, Donald, you up?"
He waited a while, and then a text message: "Hey, Jerry, what's going on?"
"Just wondering what's going on with Uncle Harry and Aunt Dottie," Peter texted.
"They're still fighting, and I'm staying out of their way," Donald texted. "Something happening at the school?"
"Just had a contest of skills with one of the students, he got his butt whipped," Peter texted. "Also went into a special room called the Theater Of Dreams And Visions."
"Sounds weird," Donald texted. "School's been pretty much boring here."
"I'm still praying for you, Dottie, and Henry," Peter texted. "Let me know if there's anything changed at home."
"Keep in touch, okay, Jerry?" Donald texted with a thumbs-up emoji.
And that was it. Peter turned off his phone, which strangely hasn't lost its battery power ever since he came to the school, and drifted back to sleep.
-----
During breakfast, Peter talked with Wesley and Ginger about the latest dream he had of his cousin Donald running away from home and Morgenstern's plans for Peter. Needless to say, they were surprised.
"Don't tell me the Devil planned for the Son of the Devil to end up fathering the Grandson of the Devil," Wesley said. "That is truly some freaky stuff going on with the Morgensterns."
"But you're called to be a Jeremiah, Peter," Ginger said. "How does that fit in with Morgenstern saying he planned for you to be born so that you could rule alongside him over the earth?"
"I honestly don't know, but I'm not going to let Morgenstern dictate what my life is going to be like if the Lord's already got His hand on me," Peter said.
"Yeah, like my mama says, and like Scripture says, greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world," Wesley said.
"You don't seriously believe that Morgenstern's already at work trying to destroy your family, do you?" Ginger asked Peter.
"Donald said they're just fighting with each other, and he's staying out of their way for now," Peter answered. "I don't know how long this is going to last between Aunt Dottie and Uncle Harry if this keeps up."
"If they're fighting, at least they're still communicating with each other," Wesley said. "The last thing I'd want to see is a married couple not talking with each other."
"But where are you going to live if, say, your aunt and uncle do divorce and end up living apart from each other?" Ginger asked.
"Uncle Harry would most likely live with his brother at the ranch, since his other brother is a Catholic priest and doesn't have any room for him at the rectory," Peter answered. "Aunt Dottie's got her name pretty much on everything in the house, so it's all going to go to her, I guess, plus she might have custody of Donald and me."
"I hate to see couples divorcing because that's not what God wants, Peter," Wesley said.
"Me too," Ginger said. "My parents had clients that were going through a divorce, but they refuse to handle those kind of cases. Something about splitting apart a family just doesn't feel right for them."
"I'm still going to pray for them, to make sure Morgenstern isn't trying to play with my emotions by scaring me into joining his side," Peter said.
"We'll pray right alongside you, bro, you can count on that," Wesley said.
-----
After classes, Peter wanted to try entering the Theater Of Dreams And Visions alone to see whether God would reveal anything that was going on in his mind regarding the Dressers. He told Wesley and Ginger that he had a meeting with the Prophetic Gifts Club that he had to attend. They looked at him rather strangely, as if they were sensing what he was about to do behind their backs, but nonetheless gave Peter the benefit of a doubt.
Peter made his way back to the part of the school where the Theater was. "Lord God, please allow me entry into the Theater so that I can see what's weighing on my mind," he requested as he stood before the doorway.
The door opened, and Peter entered, finding that the room was now filled with a mysterious mist that was so thick that Peter could barely see what was in front of his face. It was like he stepped into a vision that was being made real in front of him.
The smoke soon cleared, and Peter was standing in what appeared to be a skyscraper overlooking a metropolitan city, the likes of which seemed to be a mix of modern and ancient architecture, sort of like one of those fantastical alternate history futures he had seen in movies. Standing in front of the massive window overlooking the city was another figure about Peter's size, wearing a suit, jacket, and tie. Peter got a closer look at the figure standing there and gasped. It was himself! And he was wearing a malicious grin on his face, as if he was enjoying the power that he had been given.
Then a taller figure emerged, whom Peter recognized as Lucien Morgenstern. He went over to where the other Peter was standing and said, "We're getting close to the Lord's coming, as the world is gathering its forces in the Valley of Har Megiddo, ready to fight against the Lord Himself as He comes down from heaven with his army of saints."
"Good, because I can't wait until we can finally rid ourselves of the Lord God and His archaic rules and laws for mankind," the other Peter said. "What else do I need to do to prove myself to you, Father?"
"The last thing you need to do, before you become mine exclusively, is to get rid of your friends, Wesley Ronell and Ginger Harmony," Morgenstern said. "They are the last things of your old life as a prophet of the Lord that are trying to sway you back toward God and away from me and your true father Satan. Once they're gone, we don't need to worry about ever going back to God for anything, because He will be defeated."
And soon, Peter and the other Peter saw that there were heavily-armored guards who brought in his two friends Wesley and Ginger, looking like they have been caught doing something illegal in Morgenstern's empire. "Hey, bro, snap out of it! This isn't the real you who's been blood-bought and redeemed...this is the you who's been tempted by Satan into giving up on even your best friends in the world!" Wesley cried out.
"Morgenstern may be your biological father, but you are not his spiritual son, Peter," Ginger tried to reason. "You can't just walk out on God and think you're going to survive in this world without Him."
"I can...and I will, Ginger!" the other Peter said, sounding smug. "Just watch me, because when this is all over, the world will truly and solely belong to Lucifer, the true lord of light."
"Not if God has already written the Devil's end, Peter, remember that," Wesley said. "You're on the losing side, and you're going to have all of eternity to regret that."
"Please, Peter, remember that we are your friends, and that we would never lie to you or betray you," Ginger said, sobbing.
The other Peter looked at them briefly, as if pondering in his mind what he was going to do. And then he said, "Extermine them quickly!"
"PETER!!!" Wesley and Ginger shouted together as they were being carried away by the guards to their deaths.
Peter watched as the other Peter laughed maniacally, enjoying the very thought of his two friends being martyrs for a God he thought wasn't worth serving. It was then that another voice broke in and said, "Peter, laddie, what are you doing here in the Theater all alone by yourself?"
Peter looked and saw that the Theater had returned to its normal appearance, and there in the room with him stood Brother Gabriel, looking like he had caught Peter doing something illegal.
Peter didn't know what to say. "Brother Gabriel...I was just...wanting to see what the Theater...would reveal about...what's going on in my mind..."
"Quickly, let's get you out of here before the Theater decides to show you another vision that you're not ready for," Gabriel said, grabbing Peter by the hand and escorting him out of the Theater, the door closing as they exited.
"I'm sorry, Gabriel, if I'm not supposed to be in there without adult supervision or anything," Peter said as soon as they got a good distance away from the Theater. "Are you going to tell this to the Headmaster?"
"I'm not going to get you into trouble just because you wanted to satisfy your curiosity, Peter, but that room is not for you to just saunter in like it's a form of recreation or something," Gabriel said. "Some kids have entered into the Theater by themselves and have seen and heard things that have scared them for life, made them useless as prophets. Who knows what kind of vision you would have had that would have reduced you to a broken shell of a person like some of the poor souls that dared to enter the Theater alone?"
"The vision I had was scary...I thought I was looking at myself, what I could be if I let Morgenstern have his way with me...a vision of the future before the Lord's coming," Peter said.
"That vision is for you to meditate upon and think about what the Lord is trying to tell you, laddie," Gabriel said.
"You think that because Morgenstern is my father, that I'm going to someday abandon my friends and go help him take over the world?" Peter asked.
"Not if you're truly born again by the Spirit of our Lord, Peter," Gabriel answered. "Remember that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. The Lord would not have sown His seed into your heart if He knew that the seed wasn't going to mature into a plentiful crop."
"But what am I going to do with this vision?" Peter asked. "I can't just keep it to myself, nor can I just tell the entire school what I've seen. Everyone will think I'm in league with Morgenstern, to take over the school."
"You got to take this matter before God if you're going to have any peace with yourself and what you've seen, laddie," Gabriel said. "He may be revealing something in your heart that you might not realize is actually in there, that Morgenstern may tempt you in some way to abandon your friends at a crucial moment."
"I've got to find Wesley and Ginger before they find out what's going to happen to them," Peter said, realizing the urgency.
"They should be at the stables, tending the horses, which is where I left them to find you," Gabrial said. "Hurry, you may find them still there."
"Thanks, Gabriel," Peter said, sounding grateful before he rushed off.
-----
Wesley and Ginger were both at the stables, tending to the horses' needs, when Peter came barging in. "Hey, bro, what's going on?" Wesley asked.
"Are you all right, Peter?" Ginger asked. "I sense that you've seen something terrible unfolding before you."
Peter stopped to catch his breath before he spoke. "I was...in the Theater Of Dreams And Visions...all alone...I thought I saw myself...betraying you two...to Morgenstern."
"You turning us over to Morgenstern?" Wesley said. "No way, man! That can't be happening!"
"I saw it with my own two eyes, Wesley, I'm not kidding!" Peter said defensively. "I was even smiling...the other me in the vision...when I gave the order to have you exterminated."
"The teacher warned us to be careful going into the Theater alone, because you never know what the room might reveal to you," Ginger said.
"I had to find out for myself...and now I wish that I hadn't found that out about myself, that I'm going to be the Judas," Peter said.
"There's no way you're going to be the Judas, brother," Wesley said. "Your heart is solid in following the Lord all the way, no matter where He might lead you."
"But is this a vision of a future that will be, or one of a future that might be if certain things happen?" Ginger asked.
"If the Theater knows what's lying on Peter's heart, it might be either or both, but I wouldn't want it to happen either way," Wesley said.
"Well, I'm definitely not going back into the Theater anytime soon all by myself," Peter said.
"We'll make sure of that, Peter, I promise," Ginger said, putting her hand on Peter's shoulder for support.
-----
That night over dinner, the Prophetic Word Network showed that Russia had launched an all-out attack on Israel without any provocation. The news reports spoke of tanks, aircraft, and even missiles being launched, and as they got closer, the Iron Dome that normally protected Israel from missiles picked a wrong time to stop working. Some among the Israeli military believe that someone among their enemies must have sabotaged the Iron Dome so that it won't protect them at a crucical moment. Then, when all hope seemed to be lost, the missiles started falling out of the sky, the aircraft started to explode, and also the tanks exploded. The reporter claimed that to be a miracle that God spared Israel from the Russian attack.
The students were still discussing the matter over their homework period, as if that was the only thing they could think about. Peter, Wesley, and Ginger were no exceptions as they pored over their homework.
"Isn't that incredible?" Wesley said. "We're definitely living in the last days before the Lord's return with Russia attacking Israel."
"But where in Scripture does it even say something like that?" Peter asked.
"I believe it comes from Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, Peter," Ginger answered. "God said He was going to call the armies of the north to come against Israel, and there's going to be an incredible shaking that the whole earth is going to feel it -- and we did feel that shaking -- and the weapons of the enemy are going to fail, and Israel's going to have fuel to burn for at least seven years."
"I still wonder why Russia attacked Israel, if the whole thing was unprovoked?" Peter asked.
"God's going to bring the whole world against Israel before the Lord comes, Peter," Wesley said. "Israel's the only land that God claimed for Himself and for His people Israel when He made that covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Not that Abraham's other son Ishmael hasn't been blessed, but they've been jealous of the covenant God made with Isaac and Jacob, that, if it weren't for the covenant, that land might as well be theirs and their descendants."
"That's why there's been constant strife between the Jews and the Muslims in this day and age," Ginger said. "They know God is coming to claim the world as His own at the time appointed, and they want to keep the world for themselves and what they call God."
"And it all started with two boys that are born of Abraham," Peter said, realizing what his friends were talking about. "Okay, but I'm not sure what it all has to do with the Lord's coming."
"This is just more bits and pieces of the puzzle God's putting together, bro, and eventually we're going to see the whole picture when everything is put together," Wesley said.
"But I'm glad God's putting these pieces together to reveal the picture," Ginger said. "The more we see things falling into place, the more useful we can be to get the message of salvation to people before the end comes."
"Well, I hope and pray that everything we suffered here is all going to be worth it when the Lord does come," Peter said.
"At least you're not in a part of the world where preaching the gospel is a death sentence," Wesley said. "But if you think America's going to be forever safe from persecution, you should pray that God will open your eyes to the truth."
"We should pray that, whatever form persecution does happen to us here in America, we would have the strength to endure it all because nobody's going to survive this without God," Ginger said.
"Let's take a moment to pray," Peter said, putting down his homework and folding his hands together while he bowed his head and closed his eyes, his friends also doing the same. "Lord God, Heavenly Father, I pray that You would strengthen us for the times to come, should You delay Your coming so that more souls would be saved, that whatever we face in the world, You would be there with us along with Your warrior angels to protect us from our enemies, especially from Morgenstern should he be revealed to be the Antichrist. Let us know that it is only in You that we have the victory over all the forces of evil, both in this world and in the heavenly realms. In Your Son Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
"Amen," Wesley and Ginger said in agreement.
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 07-08-2025 06:04 AM
I have finished The Jeremiah School. The complete (and updated) version of the story is on FictionPress.com. Check the link:
"The Jeremiah School"
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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: 4089 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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