Alive Again “Whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem To worship the King, the LORD of hosts, Even upon them shall be no rain” (Zechariah 14:17). Chapter Ten Lev awakened to a beautiful day. Benjamin, returning indoors with a harvest of fruit, greeted everyone with a hearty “Shalom.” After breakfast, they strolled to the chapel and arrived just minutes before the service. The Obadiahs were greatly appreciated for their contributions to horticulture. Even before the earth started to yield its increase, they had made the area a flourishing garden. Benjamin began the morning service. “The process of destroying the earth has come to an end. Anyone who caused two blades of grass to grow where only one had grown left the earth a little richer. Those who trampled that one blade of grass, leaving none to grow, made the earth poorer. For some, being told that they would go to heaven; it mattered little in what condition they left the earth. If everyone was going to heaven, why should they care about the earth? The more miserable the conditions on earth, so much better would heaven be. “Intervention by Christ has changed this. The Ancients returned with a mission to restore the earth back to Edenic conditions. They not only saw this vision in the prophetic past, but today are providing the resources, wisdom and commitment to attain this goal. “They closed the imagined escape hatch to heaven and opened the door to a beautiful earth that men have dreamed about as ʻUtopia.ʼ We are happily engaged in this great endeavor to restore the earth to Godʼs original purpose—manʼs home forever. God be praised, Amen.” Alive Again John Class Introduction to Alive In the last battle at Megiddo, Lev Aronʼs final memory was of an explosion that severed his left hand and shrapnel that punctured his body. But now he felt more alive and vibrant than ever before. © copyright June 2005, John Class He could not find any sign of his wounds. First Edition He found himself in a strange and different world, a world that seemed to embody the desire of the collective dreams of humanity, Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part and yet a world that was surprising. of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a Scriptures began to fit together before his eyes in unexpected retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, reality. mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior He would be given a mission. He would face the adventure and written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book. drama of human history as his life touched the lives of many others from previous generations. Published by Aventine Press 1023 4th Ave #204 He would experience love and passion in a dimension he never San Diego CA, 92101 imagined possible. www.aventinepress.com He would meet with pockets of resistance and intrigue. Was his new life real? Would the power of the Anointed withstand ISBN: 1-59330-281-9 the power of evil? Just how far back in time would the love of Christ reach? Library of Congress Control Number: 2005927497 And what depths of depravity could the love of Christ heal? Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Alive again Printed in the United States of America ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Introduction to Alive In the last battle at Megiddo, Lev Aronʼs final memory was of an explosion that severed his left hand and shrapnel that punctured his body. But now he felt more alive and vibrant than ever before. © copyright June 2005, John Class He could not find any sign of his wounds. First Edition He found himself in a strange and different world, a world that seemed to embody the desire of the collective dreams of humanity, Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part and yet a world that was surprising. of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a Scriptures began to fit together before his eyes in unexpected retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, reality. mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior He would be given a mission. He would face the adventure and written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book. drama of human history as his life touched the lives of many others from previous generations. Published by Aventine Press 1023 4th Ave #204 He would experience love and passion in a dimension he never San Diego CA, 92101 imagined possible. www.aventinepress.com He would meet with pockets of resistance and intrigue. Was his new life real? Would the power of the Anointed withstand ISBN: 1-59330-281-9 the power of evil? Just how far back in time would the love of Christ reach? Library of Congress Control Number: 2005927497 And what depths of depravity could the love of Christ heal? Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Alive again Printed in the United States of America ALL RIGHTS RESERVED “He bowed the heavens… And darkness was under his feet… “He made darkness his secret place; His pavilion round about him were dark waters… “He sent from above, he took me, He drew me out of many waters…” (Psalms 18:9, 11, 16). Chapter Thirty “Scott,” Rebekah made a point of sitting next to the fair-haired man at lunch. “What is keeping you from joining us at worship service?” The services were now packed with worshippers, including many of the workers at Eaglewing. Her question was direct, eager and caring, and Scott had to respect her genuineness. He considered reseating himself, but could not bring himself to be that rude. “I guess itʼs that I donʼt really feel the need. I have Eden fruit, after all.” “Tell me, Scott, are you happy?” Scott drew a sharp breath inward. “Rebekah,” he sighed with the fingers of one hand moving slowly over his temples, “do you never tire of asking me questions?” “You have Eden fruit and that will bring you health and vitality. ʻMan shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.ʼ Eating the Eden fruit will not compensate you for your failure to live by the ʻWord.ʼ I just want you to be all that you are meant to be.” Scott doodled with his forefinger on the rim and side of his cup. “So tell me, Rebekah, why did this wise and competent God wait so long to give us these blessings? Why didnʼt he just start the New Preface The Christian religion teaches that there will be a resurrection of the dead. The resurrection was central to early Christianity. Jesus taught, • “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth” (John 5:28, 29). Jesus told Martha, • “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25). Even though Jesus uttered these words, death has continued unabated. Billions have died and are waiting for Jesus to call them back from the tomb. Does anyone doubt that Jesus will keep his promise? The apostles spoke of the resurrection with equal vigor. When Paul was in chains before King Agrippa, he said, • “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8) When the church at Corinth began to fail in their fidelity, one of the difficulties confusing them was the resurrection. Paul addressed them saying, • “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is Christ not raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then x John Class Alive Again xi they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in Some have thought that the time of reconciliation between God this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most and man was taking place today. However, the period of time from miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become Jesusʼ day to the present has been specifically designated for the call the first-fruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:12-20). and development of the “bride of Christ.” Paulʼs message corrected any misunderstanding the church at After the Bride has been selected, the stage will be set for the “times Corinth may have had about the resurrection. If Christ was raised as of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all the “first-fruit,” there must logically follow “after-fruits.” The time his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). This will be would be “when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory” the time of the resurrection, when mankind will be reconciled to each (Matthew 19:28). other and to God.