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Chapter 21

   It was Tuesday. Only five days till the World Peace Picnic, as that was what people were starting to call it. Every time someone would talk about it, Zane's stomach would feel like a rock was sinking into it.

   It had been two days since Zane had not only warned Josh about being monitored, but also when he had gotten the messages from ReallyFulcrum. He hadn't heard from either ever since. I hope Josh is okay, he hoped during those two days. I wish I could know if anything's happened to him. Nothing should happen to him.

   But still.

   He didn't tell his parents about what had happened. He figured he should have, but then what if nothing happened? Then their worrying would be for nothing.

   Zane kept up with his personal study time. He was more on top of it now after what had happened on Facebook. Time's running out. I can feel it.

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water."

   So this angel is telling people to thank God because judgment is coming, Zane gathered. Alright, not too bad yet.

Another angel, a second, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality."

   Zane blinked in surprise. So... the woman Babylon is going to fall because she's tempted people with... So she's getting what she deserves.

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."

   Zane stared at the last few verses. Those who worship the beast wear the mark 666. Anyone who worships the beast will suffer what sounds like a living death.

   So, that means that Mrs. Olsen and Calvin will be in torment for forever.

   An image flashed of Mrs. Olsen and Calvin being burned alive over and over again, crying out in pain, screaming even for mercy. Zane shuddered at the thought. Why would God do that to people? Just because they want to worship the beast instead of him? It sounds like he doesn't like any opinions that are against him.

   "Zane!", Mom called from downstairs. "Come downstairs please."

   "Alright!", Zane answered. "Hang on!" I only have a bit left of this section.

   With that in mind, Zane finished up his section.

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!"

   Zane closed up the book and put it back on his nightstand as he left the bedroom. I have to ask Mom about the whole sending people into eternal pain thing, Zane told himself as he walked down the stairs. Maybe she can explain to me why God would do that. It just doesn't make any-

   Zane stopped short at the bottom of the stairway. In front of him was Mom, who was holding Lindsay, Dad, who stood on the other side of the room of Mom, and the vice president, who was standing in the middle of the room with five government cops behind him.