Twisted Linen (20 page)

Although he does not know it yet, Genovi has
been physically misled and spiritually deceived: he believes
Cohen’s resurrection is prophetically parallel to Jesus’
transfiguration. The transfiguration event occurred when Jesus led
three disciples, Peter, James and John, to the top of a high
mountain. The event is regarded by Christians as one of Jesus’
greatest miracles because it proved He was anointed and chosen by
the Most High to be the sole “doorway” for man’s salvation. On that
mountain top, the voice of God was heard by all three disciples,
and they witnessed Jesus being physically transfigured into the
glory of God. The disciples reported that Jesus’ face shined white,
bright as the Sun, and God’s voice proclaimed Jesus as His anointed
son, the Christ. But even a young child could see what Genovi is
blind to see: this cave is no high mountain top reaching into the
heavens. It is an abominable hole reaching down into the pit of
hell.

The good news is that Genovi’s salvation was
purchased with the atoning blood of Jesus, and Genovi’s salvation
was sealed by the gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift was given to
Genovi decades earlier in that frigid airport socked in with snow
when he penitently accepted Jesus’ sacrifice as the pardon for his
sins.

No matter how small a measure, the Holy
Spirit dwells in Genovi, and the penalty of sin has been paid in
full. So, regardless of Genovi’s failure to discern wisely,
regardless of his selfish ambitions that failed to glorify God,
regardless of all his foolish actions, God’s verdict for Genovi’s
salvation is “innocent” and he will not fall into perdition. This
is because when God looks at Genovi, He sees nothing but the
righteous life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It was God who
offered the perfect sacrifice to save man. Genovi doesn’t deserve
it, and he certainly didn’t earn it, and there will be few, if any,
rewards given to Genovi in heaven. But Jesus Christ deserves it; he
earned it, and that is what Genovi accepted into his heart that
cold afternoon long ago. This is the good news as defined in the
Gospel.

The bad news is that the ominous spirit that
entered Cohen’s body is the
unholy
spirit, and it’s the most
evil presence to ever step foot on Earth, and pure evilness cannot
coexist with the Holy Spirit.

With cold, black eyes Cohen sneers wickedly
at Genovi, causing a shiver of fear to run down Genovi’s spine.
Genovi instinctually prays his last silent prayer, “Forgive me
Father, I have blasphemed your glorious image. Forgive me…”

Cohen supernaturally discerns the silent
prayer and thrusts his hand forward, grabbing Genovi by the throat,
squeezing with savage force. Cohen instantly crushes Genovi’s neck
with superhuman strength and Genovi’s lifeless body droops limp.
Instantly, Genovi’s spirit flees his dead flesh, straight up
through the cave ceiling. Cohen’s upper lip curls in response and
he drops Genovi’s body to the cave floor.

Cohen slowly stands, steps over Genovi, and
strides toward Olivier and Baculo, who remain motionless and
unrelenting in their kneeling poses with heads down.

Cohen places his hands on each of their
bowing heads and asks, “My Prophet and Little Horn, who do you
think I am?”

After a long pause Olivier is first to
respond. He bravely lifts his head and answers. “Lord, you are who
you say.”

Cohen nods slightly and declares, “I will be
known by my number.”

Cohen pushes his palm forward, out in front
of himself, and forms the “OK” triple six sign with his thumb and
index finger.

Baculo lifts his eyes from the floor and
gazes at his risen King for the first time. In submission he asks,
“My Lord, how may we serve you?”

Cohen eyes narrow as he proclaims with deadly
earnest, “My time has come. Let the Great Tribulation begin.”

THE END

* * *

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that
the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I
see everything else.”

– C.S. Lewis

* * *

Acknowledgments

First, I offer praise and thanks to the
Alpha and the Omega. I pray that He use this work to speak to His
elect.

Second, I thank my wife and children for
their patience and support, as I secluded myself for long periods
of time to write this novel.

Third, I thank John Ward. He is a brilliant
thinker and story teller. His help with character development was
critical in making this story more palatable to the general
public.

Forth, I thank all the friends and family
who sacrificed time and energy to read and edit the early versions
of this story. Their perspective, opinions and edits were very
helpful in transforming this story into a first-edition novel.

Last, I thank all those on the Web who
freely published the concepts and information that seeded this
story.

May the LORD bless you and keep you.

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