The Shroud of the Second Coming

Chapter 21 The Conflict Begins If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore, your sin remains. -Jesus Christ Living just outside of Rome is a retired astronomer who’s been entertaining his son with the wonders of the universe. In his backyard, over the rolling hills of Italy, is a hobby designed to educate the minds of his family. And on the highest elevation of his property is a personal telescope so powerful that boulders can be seen on the surface of the moon. Students nearby are just as eagerly invited to observe the heavens he calls the spiritual world of God. All he asks in return is a small donation for the time spent getting to know this amazing cosmos. However, due to the economic crisis, jobs have become scarce, leaving those students broke without any education. Even the universities have bankrupted from these repercussions. So, on this particular night, he spends quality time observing the God of War with his son. Yes, they’ve chosen Mars due to the seasonal changes it’s going through as it kicks up the dust storms it’s famous for. And through this invention are the colorful rings created by its tempest winds. Bringing the telescope into perfect view, they can even see the polar caps on a given night. “Alberico, I’m going to the house to get the snacks I promised you, okay? What kind of dips do you like?” “Uh, bring them all, and Dad, please don’t forget the drinks this time.” “Coming right up.” Inside this refreshing atmosphere, the boy looks on in fascination while processing a peaceful moment with God. But just after five minutes with the stars, he removes his eye from the lens to see what’s taking his father so long. And before he can bring his attention back on the telescope, he notices a bright star hovering just off in the distance. Southeast, just above the Earth’s horizon, he believes it to be a passing satellite. But when he sees no changes in its trajectory, he starts thinking of a celestial body in space. Not a chance; it’s even larger than Jupiter. So, running out of ideas, he tells the computer to point the telescope at the unknown. During this time, his father is returning with the snacks when he sees his son running off the hill. “Dad…Dad! You’re never gonna believe it! I just discovered a new star.” “What?!” “I’m allowed to name it, right?” The International Unification of Astronomy (IUA) is a relatively new organization that collects shared data from sub-organizations in the astronomical field. Located in the Swiss Alps, they’re alerted to a low orbiting star just beneath the passing satellites. To identify it, they immediately order the nearby observatories to bring their telescopes to bear. And other than a visual reading, those using long and short-range sensor sweeps are detecting nothing out there. But feeling the pressures of defense administrations worldwide, the IUA supervisor demands to know what it is that’s hovering steadily at a single point in space. However, his colleague tries to explain the lack of information that keeps coming in. “Sir, there’s no data here. There shouldn’t be anything out there at all.” “What about the International Space Station?” “They’re not equipped to survey regions of space, sir.” “Well, can you at least pinpoint the location for me?” After his colleague takes a quick timeout in calculations, he returns with some disturbing news. “Latitude is 31.64, and Longitude is 35.28.” “I don’t recognize those coordinates. Where does that put it?” “Sir, you’re not going to believe this, but that’s two hundred nautical miles above the infamous corridor of the West Bank.” “Oh my God, why of all places does it have to be there? Okay, I need somebody to get me NASA right away!” It turns out that NASA has a returning Mars mission scheduled to fly by the moon and into Earth’s orbit at roughly eighteen hours from now. Supported by the International Space Program, the Mars mission is equipped with the latest in sensory. This will allow for the identification of the intrusion before reentry. They calculate the perigee to be within ten hours. After that, they can scan the anomaly while in correlation with it during each orbital pass. With the U.N.’s approval, NASA immediately goes right to work and contacts the Horizon with a new assignment. “It’s true; there’s an anomaly hanging just above the Earth’s atmosphere. We’re unable to identify it with anything we have down here.” “And you think we can fare any better, sir?” “We believe so. If it has any substance to it, you should be able to pick up some kind of energy reading.” “I understand; just bring up the procedures, and we’ll get on it right away.” At the same time, there’s a frenzy breaking out across the world about a returning star from Bethlehem. And as if to insinuate a miracle, the media spreads it like wildfire, enhancing the credibility of the Angelica team. The talk is so widespread that even the homeless hears about it on the streets. However, the two Vatican members who predicted this advent have suddenly dropped off the face of the Earth. No one seems to know where they went. Not even a French reporter who’s looking for them. However, she may know of someone who might. Searching the planet is Sabine Aubard, who’s retracing Sodano’s footsteps through a connection she made earlier. And it doesn’t take her long to acquire an individual who heard about a secret meeting that took place the other day. It’s a colleague of Sodano’s who might know where they went. So, she quickly makes a video call to Rome, and Cardinal Bertello picks it up. “Your Eminence, as you know, they’ve become a world sensation. The media is asking questions, and would very much like to speak to them right away. If you know of their whereabouts, I could conveniently set up an interview at a preferred location. You must understand that Sadono learned to trust me during the times we’ve spent together. He knows I would never embellish the truth nor deceive him in any way.” “Daughter, even if I told you where they went, you wouldn’t be able to reach them. They’re at a place you cannot possibly go.” “Trust me, Your Eminence, I can handle myself quite well. It’s imperative that I know.” “I’m afraid they’re inside the corridor, which was quarantined by the allies over an hour ago. We can’t even reach them due to the communicational blockade they’ve placed around the West Bank.” “What?!” Her heart suddenly drops, knowing that an interview is an impossibility now. And seeing the disappointment on her face, the cardinal tries to comfort her. “Easy daughter. Take a deep breath and rest assure that no one else can get to them either. Perhaps you may have an alternative.” Taking little comfort from that, the biggest scoop of the century has just slipped through her fingers. So, what is she to do now? Could there really be an alternative? Thinking the closest anyone can get to the corridor is in Jerusalem. “…That’s it, Jerusalem! It hasn’t been closed off yet, has it?” “Well, no, why?” She knows if negotiations don’t occur soon, a world war could easily breakout, and Jerusalem would be on center stage in covering it. Imagine a holy city blessed by God and targeted by a hated enemy. It’s a perfect setup to broadcast it in. And knowing she’s connected there as well, it becomes her next assignment to embark on. However, she gets a word of warning from the cardinal. “They’ve been evacuating the population for some time now, and a quarantine appears to be imminent.” However, this is excellent news to the reporter. Because what the allies see as a threat to Jerusalem is a grand opportunity for a journalist. The idea of a small staff covering a global crisis on datavision would be the pinnacle of her career. But to get to the holy city in time, she’ll need to move quickly. So, she makes the necessary preparations and packs for Cairo. There’s a star hovering steadily over the corridor that brightens the blue mist with power. It sends down a soft ray of light that shines over the surface for which Rigoli claims to be the gateway. And like diamonds reflecting against the sunlight, these heavenly sparkles shine brilliantly within the beam that creates them. Next, an unforeseen energy coming from the light produces a gentle swirl that surrounds the Guardians with a soft caress. It’s then that they feel the presence of angels flowing in and around them, with the exception of one. Still standing, Rigoli has his eyes closed while soaking in the knowledge that Jehovah has blessed him with. And revealing the visions of several possible outcomes, he’s instructed with one that must be followed. Rigoli lowers his head and acknowledges his creator. “Thy will be done, my King.” Suddenly, the angelica activity ceases, and Rigoli opens his eyes, “Fear not; it’s God’s love that’ll protect you now. We’ve much to do and little time to do it in.” Somewhere above the Earth’s atmosphere, the Horizon has just achieved orbit to identify a small star on the other side of the planet. With only thirty minutes to go, they take the time to recalibrate their instruments for the anomaly. And on the surface, NASA comes alive with a greeting and a new trajectory. “Good morning, Horizon; we hope you slept well. Now, if you don’t mind, please follow a longitude of 35.28.” “We copy that, Houston. Inputting the information now.” “…Horizon, you are now authorized to move your ship into position.” “Affirmative…Computer, execute the new trajectory on my mark: 3, 2, 1.” The retro rockets fire full thrust on the left side of the craft, trying to achieve the new heading. And feeling the usual vibrations that go with the push, the astronauts stay firmly strapped into their seats. But it doesn’t take long for the maneuver to end and the silence of space to return. And with only five minutes to spare, the team is readily sound. However, drifting quietly over the Earth’s atmosphere, they see nothing more than the stars above. Suddenly, a crew member shouts out. “I SEE IT…Oh my God, is that bright!” “Holy cow, I know what you mean! Computer, tint the windows forty-five degrees.” On the first pass, their instruments come up with nothing but a star the size of a small city. Inside are no gases, chemicals, or vapors of any kind. So, they decide to recalibrate their instruments for the next orbital pass. Only this time, they’ll scan for radiation activities. But as destiny would have it, they still come up empty. On the third pass, they make another attempt to search for variations of particles, and still, nothing. Frustrated with the mission up to this point, the commander expresses agitation over the failures. “I don’t get it; we should’ve picked up something by now. I mean, where’s this star getting its energy? Here, take a look at the data. You see no protons or atoms, not even a nucleus to speak of. So, what the hell are we dealing with here?” The commander looks for suggestions, and it’s the science officer who makes a proposal. “Sir, perhaps we should look at the space it occupies and not so much as the star itself.” “Okay…Maybe…Well, perhaps we could…Hell, I give up; what are you talking about?” “In real-time, we can scan the star’s edges and slowly work toward the core. We should be able to pick up some interesting readings that way.” “Alright, then, let’s prepare the relativity sensor for another go at it, shall we?” Drifting over the Earth’s horizon, they prepare the spacecraft for another approach. A quick diagnostic on the relativity sensor proves it to be in working order and points the mechanism toward the star. But unlike before, the crew is now getting some preliminary readings along its edges. However, as the lens slowly moves toward the star’s center, the math begins to drop off until there’s nothing at all. Nevertheless, the information is processed, and the system displays it on the holographic platform. But what they find next leaves all four astronauts speechless. The data shows a space displacement around the star's surface, leading to a hole in the universe. This would explain the inability to probe it. But more importantly, there’s no gravitational pull to speak of. And unable to explain it, the commander asks for theories. “It’s got to be a black hole, sir.” “Then what created it? I can only think of a Super Nova, and obviously that didn’t happen. Besides, it lacks the gravitational field to support one. And when we auh…” Looking across the room, the commander notices McClure standing quietly beside himself and summons him, “Hey, McClure, this is right up your alley, so why don’t you tell us what’s on your mind?” The science officer believes he has a theory. However, it’ll require a bizarre explanation. After all, how does one define the magical aspects of a phenomenon? “…Well, McClure, we’re waiting.” “I think the reason we’re unable to scan the anomaly is because it isn’t there. At least not in this universe. It’s coming from whatever created the hole on the other side…” “Well, go on, tell us.” “Yes, I believe something from that world has opened a window into this one. Something with incredible power.” “Oh, common, you gotta be kidding me!” “Please, sir, let me finish. It’s like you said; it can’t be a Super Nova. That would’ve destroyed the entire solar system, and yet, this void happens to hover over a single point just above the Earth’s atmosphere. What I’m trying to say is that this particular black hole isn’t static. It’s moving with the rotation of the planet. And because there’s no gravitational pull along its edges, the maneuver can’t be coming from this side of the universe. So, what’s causing it? For me, I believe it’s a superintelligence trying to make contact with us.” “Oh, good God, how am I supposed to explain that to the people downstairs?! And what about the rest of you? Are you guys buying into any of this?” “I think we’ve done all that we can up here, sir, and I’m getting pretty tired of space.” “I agree with Donathan. It’s been a long trip, and I just want to get back on solid ground.” After much debate, they decided to hand over McClure’s report under one condition. He’s to take full responsibility for his theory. Chapter 23 Revelation You have said so. But I tell you, from now on, you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. -Jesus Christ Inside the holy valley of God are the Guardians waiting patiently with the sounds of war just beyond the corridor. In front of them are four Archangels, radiating in deep meditation while protecting the gateway. And it’s Michael who suddenly opens his eyes, in which they now flare in bright gold. And while looking up, the celestial being submits himself to the Anointed One. “BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD!” Incredibly, all four angels shine brightly as the gateway clears to a single aura of gold. This ignition has Barron and the rest taking several steps away from the sublime portal. And looking up, they see the fantastic site of an atmosphere that now shines a celestial glow of vibrant blue. Meanwhile, there are billions upon billions of angels pouring out of the star that covers the entire sky for miles. The gateway itself has many more circling the team with their spiritual glow that illuminates the valley floor. And looking across the way, Warfield only sees more flowing from the fractures left behind by the quakes. Beyond the corridor, Sabine and her crew are airing the event, live, while in a state of shock. However, the audience needn’t look at the screen to know what’s going on outside. All over the world is a sky filled with these celestial beings circling above. And with it comes an atmosphere holding comfortably steady, killing the chill of winter entirely. Having never experienced anything like this before, Sabine leaves the audience with a closing statement. “I cannot fathom the words with what we’re witnessing here tonight. I can only continue with the live coverage and leave you to your own conclusions.” And just when things can’t get any more extraordinary, something much more profound enters into this world. Perhaps with the best view of Heaven and Earth, Sabine and her crew continue with the live coverage in disbelief. And as if trying to speak up, the journalist slowly mutters out a few words, “Oh…My…God! What is that?!” (You can purchase the rest of the book online at Amazon.com) "The Shroud of the Second Coming"