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 The Waiting Room.Episode Seven. The Invitation

Grayson leaned slightly foward in his chair throughout the meeting. What the preacher was saying was fascinating. The most pressing question in his mind was whether what he said was true. Were a series of incredibly detailed prophecies about to play out for the world to see? And how could anyone survive such catastrophic events?

At first, Grayson had been distracted by Robin's nearness; by the scent of her subtle perfume, and the movement of her hand as she wrote notes. But now, his eyes were directed solely on the preacher and his chart. The man began to read from the Bible before him:

Revelation 8:1-13 ESV

[1] When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. [2] Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. [3] And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, [4] and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. [5] Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. [6] Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. [7] The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. [8] The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. [9] A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. [10] The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. [11] The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter. [12] The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. [13] Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”

https://bible.com/bible/59/rerev.8.1-13.ESV

"Woe, woe, woe." The words echoed in Grayson's head. Woe.

"If you are not saved, these are just a few of the miseries you will experience. Repent tonight and you will escape the wrath of God!" The preacher's voice pleaded.

Grayson closed his eyes. I want to. I do want to. Lord, please help me believe.

***

For once, Jonah wasn't smiling as he listened intently to the preacher's words. So far, what he'd said made sense. The world was in a serious mess and in need of judgment. Jonah struggled inwardly as he came to terms with the truth. The God he'd been serving was not the God of the Bible. Growing up, he and his family had attended a seeker friendly mega church. The band was hot, the coffee great, and the messages were upbeat and short. Unfortunately, Jonah saw now, that they had been far from Biblical. Jonah had always been told that God is love, and he still believed that now. The difference was, he understood that God was just too. And that meant that He had every right to judge Jonah. To judge the world.

"Going to church, reading the Bible, and saying a prayer, or raising your hand do not save you. You are saved when you trust in Jesus' death on the cross; in His blood to rescue you. Repent, and call on Him tonight."

The preacher's tone was urgent, and Jonah gave the invitation serious thought. He knew that he needed to be at the last meeting on Friday night, even if that meant giving up his shift to someone else.

***

Copyright: pencil in His Hand

Episode Eight