Waiting for the Rapture

Chapter 16 Jimmy got to work earlier than usual the next morning. He was anxious to hear what Mr. Martin had to say about the events of the weekend that has taken place in Israel. Within minutes of his arrival he saw Mr. Martin. Jimmy greeted him as they passed in the aisle, “Good morning, Mr. Martin. Did you see the news? Did you see what happened to Kang’s army?” Mr. Martin whirled around to face Jimmy. “Yes,” Mr. Martin said excitedly. “It was a miracle from God. He saved Israel from their enemies.” “That’s what my dad said,” exclaimed Jimmy. “Now what’s gonna happen Mr. Martin? What do you think?” Mr. Martin took a deep breath, “Well, I believe that we are now living in the last days. I believe that the rapture of the church will come at any moment now.” Jimmy did not understand Mr. Martin’s response but he asked another elementary question. “Is that when Jesus comes back and takes us all away?” Mr. Martin’s countenance went from one of excitement to calmness. It seemed to Jimmy as though a warm glow reflected from the smile on his face. “Yes, before the end, before the battle of Armageddon Jesus will return in the clouds to catch up all the Christians and take them to heaven. I believe that could happen any day now.” Jimmy leaned in eager to hear more. “So what do we do now Mr. Martin?” He had patiently answered Jimmy’s questions. But, the answer to this question had to be answered with clarity and as simply as possible so that he could be sure that Jimmy understood. “First we must be sure that we are born again. Next we should love one another, go to church and be prepared to be ready when the rapture comes. Do you understand, Jimmy?” Jimmy nodded his head yes even though he still did not really understand. He hung on every word as Mr. Martin continued, “We also should expect, that if the Lord tarries we may witness the antichrist. He will come on the scene and attempt to lure people away from God. Eventually he will try to destroy Jesus when he returns to the earth at the second coming.” Another question tumbled out of Jimmy’s mouth, “You mean at the rapture?” Mr. Martin knew he had lost Jimmy for the moment, “No, the rapture comes first. All of the Christians go to be with the Lord while the wrath of God is poured out on the world. Finally, at the end, Jesus will come back to the earth and face Satan at the battle of Armageddon and we will be with our Lord forever.” Jimmy’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open at what he had just heard. He exclaimed his amazement in a voice louder than he intended to, “I can’t believe it. Wow, that’s pretty intense, Mr. Martin.” His friend whole heartedly agreed, yes and it’s exciting too. Well son,” he said resting one hand on Jimmy’s shoulder, “we’d better open the store now.” For the next several hours while Jimmy went about his daily chores, he was in deep thought about what Mr. Martin had said. Still it all seemed very confusing to him. It was a lot to sort out and he wished that he had paid more attention in Sunday school all those years ago. Lynette would be able to help him understand all this, he was sure of that. She would be able to interpret all of this to him when they saw each other on Wednesday. The bell over the entrance rang signifying that a customer had entered the store. Jimmy turned around to see who it was. There was Sheila looking straight at him. She was wearing a tight spaghetti strap shirt, tight jeans with ripped knees and black calf length boots with spike heels. The curls in her long brown hair bounced as she came toward him. She smiled at him through moist red lipstick. He felt his face flush and his heart pounded at the sight of her. No matter how he tried he had to admit she was an enchantress, a real diva. She stepped up close to him and wrapped her long, tanned arms around his neck and pressed up against him. Other customers in the store looked in their direction which made Jimmy nervous and a little uneasy with her attentiveness. He reached for her hands to pull them down away from him, “Sheila, whoa! I’m at work you know, people are looking at us.” Sheila stepped back and puckered up her lips as though her feelings were hurt, “you don’t want to see me?” Jimmy looked around the store to see two teenage boys watching them, laughing and whispering while they pointed in Sheila’s direction. He turned to the two boys, “Can I help you?” he offered. Without answering the boys grinned and left the store the jingling of the bell was assurance that they were gone. Jimmy turned back to face her with his arms folded across his chest, “What are you doing here, Sheila?” “Oh, Jimmy I feel so safe when I’m with you. You are my protector, especially from teenage boys.” Jimmy was growing impatient and repeated his question, “What brings you to Mr. Martin’s hardware store?” Sheila grinned shyly, “You silly man. I came to see you. I want to tell you something.” His interest was slightly peaked. Her brown eyes seemed to look straight through him and the smile on her face had been replaced with a dismal frown. He knew this had to be serious. “I’m leaving town,” she blurted out. Jimmy knew he had to play this cool not wanting to give her a clue as to what he was really thinking. He cocked his head to one side, “Why are you leaving? Where are you going?”