Christ's Return [The Rapture]

Chapter 14 / The First Trumpet Sounds

**Note: The end times events portrayed in this story are based off of those predicted in the Bible. They are not necessarily in the right order and may not correspond exactly with Biblical prophecy. For further study into the rapture, I would suggest going through a published study book on Revelation.

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Please vote and comment after you read! I pray that this story will help you grow closer to God, wherever you are. (: 

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The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. --  Revelation 8:7

Haley's POV

    I powerfully swam through the crystal-clear ocean, savoring the icy chill of the water flowing around me.  Opening my eyes, I could see perfectly all the way down to the sandy bottom.  Two large fish were gliding through the water beneath me, rainbow scales shimmering in beautiful shades of purple and green.  I dove down deeper, enjoying my new body's capacity to swim without breathing.  The songs of the heavenly chorus above me were softened into quiet echos and distant voices.  I kicked through the water lightning fast until I was soaring past the fish.  I was soon in the open ocean, gliding over vibrant red and orange coral reefs.  A pod of dolphins circled around me, and we swirled gracefully in the shimmering rays of light that penetrated through the surface.  Even the creatures of the sea seemed to be praising their Creator.

    Breaking the surface of the water, I gasped at the brilliance of the sky.  The soft clouds were reflecting nearly every color of the rainbow, and the sky was a gorgeous blend of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. Above the clouds, a vast array of twinkling stars were visible against a deep blue.  The water reflected pieces of the sky, and words were lost as I watched in amazement.  God walked toward me on the water in the middle of it all, lighting the sky with his glory.  He stood in front of me and pulled me onto the water with him, and I heard the voice of many angels sing, worthy is the Lamb. 

Summer's POV

    "I hear the cry of every longing heart; worthy is the lamb." Summer crashed to her knees, eyes squeezed shut.  She was completely unaware of her surroundings as she praised her Lord.  She silently whispered a prayer, thinking about how he was her everlasting Father.  She had always yearned for a physical, earthly father, and she knew she didn't need one now, but she couldn't quite let it go.  She would probably always be searching for a daddy, even though it was ridiculous now.  Earth's days were numbered.

    The song ended, and Summer glanced over at Meme kneeling beside her.  Meme's eyes were wide in concern.  Summer ran a hand through her hair, feeling the messy tangles that usually came after she crashed to the ground in tears.  She couldn't worship without crying these days.  I must look pretty bad right now, Summer thought in amusement.  She smiled reassuringly at Meme and dragged herself to her feet.  She thought about Haley, Asian and Karley and felt a pang of lonliness.  She missed the long nights under the stars, laying on Haley's trampoline and talking about God for hours.  Everything had changed so much.  She wished will all her being that she hadn't missed her chance to be in heaven with them and God.  Summer walked back to her small bedroom that she shared with Meme and a few other women.  She flopped onto the bed, utterly exhausted.  But her mind refused to sleep.  Everytime she started to drift off, she was jolted awake by a strange feeling of foreboding.  

    Suddenly, one of the new believers, a tall man in his twenties, rushed through the bedroom door.  "Come on, girlies, you don't wanna miss this!" he exclaimed, shouting as he trampled down the hall.  Summer bolted out of bed and peered out, hair wild.  A large group of people were gathering around the huge window at the end of the hallway.  All the lights were off, and their amazed faces were lit up only by the glow of the full moon.  Summer hurried over to meet them, followed by Meme and the other girls in their room. 

   "What's going on?" Meme mumbled, rubbing the dust from her eyes.  "It's 3:30 in the morning." 

   "Let's go find out!"  Summer replied, and plastered herself to the window.  At first, it appeared to be raining heavily.  Small spots of fire burned on the ground, sizzling as the rain beat upon them.  Did lightning strike something?  Summer wondered.  Just then a huge drop splattered the glass right in front of her face, and she jumped back, startled.  But it wasn't very runny or clear like rainwater was supposed to be... it was a large, black spot. 

    "Blood," someone whispered. 

Haley's POV

   A trumpet sounded, reverberating in my body.  I watched as Michael, the archangel of battle, and his warriors pulled out their bows and sent arrows tipped with fire, blood and hail raining down on the Earth.  I could see the panic of the millions of people as they realized this wasn't just a thunderstorm.  I turned to God, who was standing with us to watch His wrath pour out on humankind.  Tears were pouring down His face, heartbroken for His beloved ones who required this measure of judgement to get their attention.  Heaven was enveloped in an eerie silence for about twenty minutes.  When it was finished, the angles put away their bows and resumed the songs of praise.  

    Everyone moved away from the Earth-viewing lake and went back to their business.  I lingered behind, curious if Meme and Summer were doing okay.  I glanced over to see Karley and Asian barrel rolling down a huge grassy hill, giggling incessantly.  They seem occupied, I thought, and chuckled.  I was about to turn back to the lake when a beautiful young woman caught my eye.  She looked hauntingly familiar, but I didn't dare believe it was her.  Could it be?  She was talking with a young man; they both appeared to be in their mid-twenties.  I carefully approached them, involuntarily shaking.  She didn't notice me at first.

    "Summer?"  I murmured, touching her arm to get her attention.  She turned to face me, smiling.  She looked polite, but no recognition showed on her face.  She just stared at me blankly. 

    "Hello there,"  she replied.  I noticed she was nearly identical to Summer with only the most miniscule differences.  

    "Sorry, I thought you were someone else," I murmured, and walked back to the lake.

    "Wait!" she called.  "Are you looking for Summer Theis?"