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Scripture Shorts I THE BATTLE Author's note: "I wrote this story way back in 1993 - It is one
of my first efforts at just letting go and writing, without too much concern
about structure, syntax, blah, blah blah. I said that so that you
know that I know there are probably lots of mistakes. Pay them no
mind and you will enjoy the story better (or more)." Christian organizations, the bulwark of civilized people, were the only
defense against the Warriors. They had little clout and their numbers
were a mere platoon to their battalion size nemesis. Of course the
Bible had not only been the Christian's Law but their answer to everything,
so that helped sway the balance of power. Appropriately called the
"Narrow Way" by groups desiring neutrality they were able to hold
peaceful resolve, refusing to combat with the Warriors. "Peace
above all and at all cost" was their motto. Like all evil groups they ruled the nights. Automatic weapons had replaced small arms after the courts ruled that the right to bare arms must be upheld with little or no restrictions. Women were fare game on the streets. In fact, sexual attacks on women had become take-me-if-you-can gorilla warfare. The women were trained with ninja-like defense and armed with instantly blinding and debilitating mace. If an innocent woman was found on the street at night she would be found the next morning left for dead; probably violated severely, wounded and left bleeding. If she were lucky she might make it to a clinic. If that clinic was on the wrong side of the complex, she might as well bleed to death for the help she would receive. Of course human rights had served its purpose in creating a society of
careless people so concerned about race and philosophies and acceptable
alternate lifestyles. Gangs were the only place to turn for some teenagers.
It had been reported that unwed mothers and fathers would leave their
children in the streets - Lord only knows why - to be found for the Warriors
evil appetites. Many of these children were adults now and serving gladly the
violent and torturous philosophy of life. No one wanted the Warriors there. The police were useless. The law
protected the Warriors. And, the Warriors snubbed the laws that didn't
protect them. And the entire country snubbed their noses right back -
at Chicago. Businesses left for the saner suburbs...... Funny thing about the Big Wheel. The mob hadn't taken over as everyone had
feared. Not unless you knew the Warriors. They were the only mob in town. And
they were organized. If this group had any social dysfunction it was that they seemed to have an I-told-you-so disposition. Don't get it wrong, no one was conceding that this group's ways were right. And no other group dared be joined with them even philosophically. It was just that this group (they had been given the nickname "Narrow Way" as a slur on their singular stance against anti-biblical activities, not because they understood the difficulties in walking the narrow road) had been predicting the downfall of society and the upsurge of evil and anarchy that would develop from the path government and society had chosen. They would say:
Davey was the leader of the pack of kids that hung out on the border of
Warrior territory. They were the children of the elders of the "Narrow
Way." They called themselves the "Misfits." The
name came from one of the men who had been stretched beyond his
patience. "Why you kids are misfits," he screamed one
day at Johnnie. "One day you will be sorry for your rebellion! God
will strike you for your disobedience." After Elder John
Bilieu heard about this verbal reprimand he reprimanded the man for his words
and reminded him that the kids had probably become more alienated than
before. "Listen," Davey began, "I don't have to listen to you preach again, do I?" "No, David, you don't." "Good." Davey said and stood to leave. "But......" Here it comes, thought Davey. The speech. The sermon. God loves you. He certainly doesn't enjoy the things you do, young man. Jesus died for your sins, young man. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap, young man. Those whom God loves he chastens, young man. Blah! Blah! Blah! Davey sat back down and prepared for the worse. "David," the elder began, "Your uncle lost his cool tonight. I can't say I blame him. Not that he had any right to get upset with your friend. But, he does have a lot on his mind these days. We all do. It seems like we are weaker than ever. You just don't know how much we need you kids to help us. We worry about you because we love you so much." "Help!?" Davey said with surprise, "How can we help? Seems to me we are always either in the way or getting in trouble for something. Seems like it to me, and to the other kids, too, that nobody wants us around." "That's not true, David." "I suppose now you're going to tell me God needs me - He loves me and stuff." "Well, that's true," the elder chuckled, "But, we love you, too. It's more than that, though. What I'm trying to say is that we need you to carry on after we are gone. Most of us are nearing our final days. Our sons and daughters are either with the Warriors or are lost in the suburbs. "You know my grandson is only here because my son and daughter-in-law didn't want to mess with a kid. He interrupted their lives too much." Davey interrupted, "Johnny is a good guy." Grandpa didn't want to argue. The elder had disciplined his grandson so he was trying his best to take the personal side out his thought process. His grandson Johnnie wasn't fitting in as good as he'd hoped. He was doing his best to keep him from ruining his life. Maybe he was trying too hard, he thought. "Davey, do you believe in God?" "Sure I do!" "Have you ever asked Johnny if he believes?" "I happen to know that he doesn't believe in God." "Do you know why?" "Yeah, it's because he's never seen him. Johnny says if God were real then he'd make everything right." "Do you believe that, David?" "Nah! I just believe He doesn't care. I gotta go. Goodbye, Elder." Davey jumped up from the porch and scurried over the yard down the dark
road that led to the hang-out. God is not pleased, he said: "Rev 16:12-21 Then the sixth angel poured
out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so
that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. {13} And I saw
three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out
of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. {14}
For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings
of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great
day of God Almighty. {15} "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he
who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his
shame." {16} And they gathered them together to the place called
in Hebrew, Armageddon. {17} Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into
the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne,
saying, "It is done!" {18} And there were noises and thunderings
and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great
earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. {19} Now the
great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.
And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine
of the fierceness of His wrath. {20} Then every island fled away, and the
mountains were not found. {21} And great hail from heaven fell upon men,
every hailstone about the weight of a talent. And men blasphemed God because
of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him
was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
{12} His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He
had a name written that no one knew except Himself. {13} He was clothed with
a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. {14} And the
armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on
white horses. {15} Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He
should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.
He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
{16} And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS..... {19} And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and
their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse
and against His army. {20} Then the beast was captured, and with him the
false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those
who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These
two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone." The doors of the meeting room were violently opened.
The sound startled everyone. Elder Bilieu was the first to see it was a
friend interrupting his sermon, and was somewhat relieved. As the others
turned in their seats to see who it was they were relieved as well, although
they became anxious to know what the disturbance was about. Lately there had been several reasons for someone to
interrupt the meetings to report an urgent prayer need. Someone's daughter
had been beat up or raped; an old man accosted; a meeting hall across town
burned down. "Elder!" the man screamed. "They have
your grandson!" Sighs and gasps. Everyone knew who "they"
were, but someone needed to ask anyway. Elder Bilieu asked the obvious
question. "Who?" "The Warriors! Over at the meeting at the
Marketplace. I was driving by and......." he couldn't finish, but
collapsed on the floor. "Look! He's bleeding!" a woman shouted. Everyone automatically bowed their heads. They began
to pray out loud. It sounded like an harmonic chant. "No!" Elder Brandon interrupted. "We
can't pray any longer. My God, People! They have three of our children. We
better do something. How long can we sit here and pray? Let's at least call
the authorities." The discussion went against believing the
authorities would help. Elder Bilieu spoke up. "Let's do this. I'm going to get my grandson.
Anyone who wants can come with me. Let those who want stay here and pray,
because, brother," he looked over at elder Brandon, "we must always
pray." He looked back to the people. "Those who will stay and pray
must not quit praying until we have returned. Are we agreed?" Mutters of "yes" an "amen" by the
nervous and bewildered were heard all over the small sanctuary. "So, who's with me?" The government had, of course, removed its
protective measures for non-profit organizations - especially religious
institutions. And, besides, anyone you would have talked to on the
streets would have told you the gangs would never get this far - not in cozy
little Suburbantown. Yeah. "Amen!" "Let's do it." They encouraged one another. "Okay. We have twenty-five men. They have
probably thirty-five or forty. They have weapons - probably hand guns, maybe
more. We're going to have to lure them out without letting them get close
enough to shoot at us. We need about five men to get inside the building from
the rear while the rest of us cause a disturbance out front. "You expect us to ambush them. Elder? That's
crazy!" one of the younger men remarked. "I don't think it's crazy." Bilieu
replied. "We will show ourselves to them. It may call for a little risk,
but if we can draw them out of the building and keep them occupied the other
men can get to the kids." "Oh, come on! You're nuts!" the man came
back. "We could get ourselves killed." With disappointment Elder Bilieu looked at the man. "And haven't we been teaching these children
this principle for so long? Don't we believe it ourselves. Won't we lay our
lives down for these kids. Gods knows what they may have already gone
through. I'm not going to sit here any longer. You can go on home." "No, I'll stay." "No, you will go home." the elder
emphasized the will, "Go on now. We can't afford to have someone with no
faith or courage to carry it through. Go and pray for God's hand to be upon
us." "Let' go, gentlemen." They had decided not to try to sneak down the alley
or alongside the other buildings adjacent the Sain Building for risk of being
spotted. And they were sure they would be able to cross the field without
being seen, if they were cautious and crawled across the empty lot. That was their cue to advance. Each man said a
silent prayer as they began to cross the street and rolled onto the hard
surface of the empty lot. It was part grass and part dirt. Areas of the
grassy section were worn where the neighborhood kids had played baseball. Memories of their own youthful days flashed across
their minds as they crawled silently across the one section of the field and
came closer to the building. Now they had crawled up to the blacktop area of the
basketball court. The building was dark, except for one dim light on
the second floor. John pointed up to it from his crouched position as the
five men grouped together around the basketball pole. The light was their
destination. "Here we go," said Elder Bilieu. And they
turned to run. "Come on! It's a bunch of old men! Let's get
'em." said the Warrior, in hot pursuit. Each member began running. It
was now a sport - a hunt. It began to dawn on the men that their age may play
a grave factor in trying to outrun the gang members. A shot. The men stopped. The shadowy figures and the
men all stood still. The Warriors had not fired, but they were continuing
to run on down to the corner toward the men. They looked down the street. The
old men were standing still. The Warriors could see more people standing
farther down the street. One of them panicked and lifted his gun. He aimed it
in the direction of the men. Another shot. The Warrior froze, unable to pull the trigger of his
gun. Out of the shadow, down the street, stepped the
Prayer Warriors. They walked cautiously, but bravely toward the men. The Warriors were noticeably afraid. They looked at
one another for a moment. With hesitation they began to put their weapons on
the ground. The Prayer Warriors, those who had stayed behind to
pray, had heard from the Lord. "Take up your weapons! Go and join the
battle. And I am with you." The prayers, armed with shovels and broomsticks, and
the old men turned to face the Warriors. The Christians never had a weapon to
their name. And now the Warriors had abandoned theirs. The Warriors were shaking as if they were in
dreadful fear. "Please don't shoot. We surrender." one
said. The Christians were confused. They looked around and
wondered why the Warriors were so afraid of them. "They fear the Lord!" someone shouted.
"Let's go get our children." Elder Bilieu walked up to one of the gang members.
"Where's my grandson?" "They're in the building. But, they're locked
up in a room." "No we aren't, grandpa." The 3 children came running up to the corner. They
passed through the Warriors and ran up to the men. Johnny jumped into his
grandpa's arms and one of the other men had to step up and hold him to keep
them from falling down. The five-man reconnaissance team came proudly after
with two fear-stricken Warriors by their collars. They shoved them over to the rest of their gang
members. "Some Warriors!" one of the prayer
warriors remarked. "Pick up those weapons and let's go." said
the elder.
The Warriors had lost their strength, each one, and
had collapsed - some to their knees and some on their faces. The Lord would allow the Christians to, for the
moment, glory in their apparent victory over those weak, scared rebels. Later
they would hear one of the Ex-Warriors give his testimony of the Angelic
Assistants, but for now the Lord was willing to not let them be aware of His
intervening. "Giving the glory to Him. "Let us greatly rejoice! "For He has given us joy."
He looks down and smiles. Grandpa Bilieu turns his
head and reaches over to his grandson. Johnny is crying. His little body is shaking and he
can't control it. Grandpa touches Johnny on the shoulder. Someone has stood to their feet. She begins to
speak. "Thus saith the Lord: {12} I write to you,
little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. {13}
I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the
beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked
one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. {14}
I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the
beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the
word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
end of Chapter (click here to go to Chapter 2)- if link is not active, the chapter is not yet ready. Check back later, please. Please let me know if you have read (and enjoyed) this chapter by sending me a quick email to: ehylandmaze@aol.com bless you.....................................Eugene H. Maze This chapter and all chapters related to this website book entitled "Scripture Shorts" (copyright 1995, 2005) was written and published by Eugene H. Maze. No portion of this book may be copied, sold or distributed either by electronic or other means in any fashion whatsoever without the expressed written permission of the author. Permission for distribution may be obtained by contacting the author at ehylandmaze@aol.com. Links to this and all previous and subsequent pages of this book entitled "Scripture Shorts" may be distributed freely without permission.
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