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months, as the witnesses had warned. It seemed others had gotten the point and
had repented of their intentions. A lull of three to four weeks since any
threats on his life had been a pleasant respite for the indefatigable
Ben-Judah. But now he was in hiding, and his family and his driver had been
slaughtered.
Ironically, the last time Buck had been at the Wailing Wall to watch and hear
the two witnesses, he had been with Rabbi Ben-Judah. They had come back later
the same night and dared approach the fence and speak to the men who had
killed all others who had gotten that close. Buck had been able to understand
them in his own language, though his tape recording of the incident later
proved they had been speaking in Hebrew. Rabbi Ben-Judah had begun reciting
the words of Nicodemus from the famous meeting of Jesus by night, and the
witnesses had responded the way Jesus had. It had been the most chilling night
of Buck's life.
Now, here he was, alone. He was looking for Ben-Judah, who had told Chaim
Rosenzweig that Buck would know where to start looking. He could think of no
better place.
As usual, a huge crowd had gathered before the witnesses, though people knew
well enough to keep their distance. Even the rage and hatred of Nicolae
Carpathia had not yet affected Moishe and Eli. More than once, even in public,
Carpathia had asked if there was not someone who could do away with those two
nuisances. He had been informed apologetically by military leaders that no
weapons seemed capable of harming them. The witnesses themselves continually
referred to the folly of trying to harm them  before the due time.
Bruce Barnes had explained to the Tribulation Force that, indeed, in due time
God would allow the witnesses to become vulnerable, and they would be
attacked. That incident was still more than a year and a half away, Buck
believed, but even the thought of it was a nightmare to his soul.
This evening the witnesses were doing as they had done every day since the
signing of the treaty between Israel and Carpathia: They were proclaiming the
terrible day of the Lord. And they were acknowledging Jesus Christ as  the
Mighty God, the
Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Let no other man anywhere call
himself the ruler of this world! Any man who makes such a claim is not the
Christ but the
Antichrist, and he shall surely die! Woe unto anyone who preaches another
gospel!
Jesus is the only true God, maker of heaven and earth!
Buck was always thrilled and moved by the preaching of the witnesses. He
looked around the crowd and saw people from various races and cultures. He
knew from
experience that many of them understood no Hebrew. They were understanding the
witnesses in their own tongues, just as he was.
Buck edged a quarter of the way into the crowd of about three hundred. He
stood on tiptoes to see the witnesses. Suddenly both stopped preaching and
moved forward toward the fence. The crowd seemed to step back as one, fearing
for its life. The witnesses now stood inches from the fence, the crowd keeping
about a fifty-foot distance with Buck near the back.
To Buck it seemed clear the witnesses had noticed him. Both stared directly
into his eyes, and he could not move. Without gesturing or moving, Eli began
to preach.
 He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Do not be afraid, for I know that you
seek
Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.
Believers in the crowd mumbled their amens and their agreement. Buck was
riveted.
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Moishe stepped forward and seemed to speak directly to him.  Do not be afraid,
for
I know whom you seek. He is not here.
Eli again:  Go quickly and tell His disciples that Christ is risen from the
dead!
Moishe, still staring at Buck:  Indeed He is going before you into Galilee.
There you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.
The witnesses stood and stared silently for so long, unmoving, it was as if
they had turned to stone. The crowd grew nervous and began to dissipate. Some
waited to see if the witnesses would speak again, but they did not. Soon only
Buck stood where he had stood for the last several minutes. He couldn't take
his eyes off the eyes of
Moishe. The two merely stood at the fence and stared at him. Buck began to
advance on them, coming to within about twenty feet. The witnesses didn't
move.
They seemed not even to be breathing. Buck noticed no blink, no twitch. In the
fading twilight, he carefully watched their faces. Neither opened his mouth,
and yet
Buck heard, plain as day in his own language,  He who has ears to hear, let
him hear.
CHAPTER NINE
THE intercom summoned Rayford to the front door of his condominium, where
Hattie's driver waited. He led Rayford to the white stretch Mercedes and
opened the back door. There was room on the seat next to Hattie, But Rayford
chose to sit across from her. She had honored his request not to dress up, but
even casually attired, she looked lovely. He decided not to say so.
Trouble was etched on her face.  I really appreciate your agreeing to see me.
 Sure. What's up?
Hattie glanced toward the driver.  Let's talk at dinner, she said.  The
Bistro OK?
Buck stood riveted before the witnesses as the sun went down. He looked around
to be sure it was still just him and them.  That's all I get? He's in
Galilee?
Again, without moving their lips, the witnesses spoke:  He who has ears to
hear, let him hear.
Galilee? Did it even exist anymore? Where would Buck start, and when would he
start? Surely he didn't want to be poking around there in the night. He had to
know where he was going, have some sort of bearing. He spun on his heel to see
if any taxis were in the area. He saw a few. He turned back to the witnesses.
 If I came back here later tonight, might I learn more?
Moishe backed away from the fence and sat on the pavement, leaning against a
wall. Eli gestured and spoke aloud,  Birds of the air have nests, he said,
 but the
Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
 I don't understand, Buck said.  Tell,me more.
 He who has ears 
Buck was frustrated.  I'll come back at midnight. I'm pleading for your help.
Eli was now backing away too.  Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of
the age.
Buck left, still planning to come back, but also strangely warmed by that last
mysterious promise. Those were the words of Christ. Was Jesus speaking
directly to him through the mouths of these witnesses? What an unspeakable
privilege! He took a cab back to the King David, confident that he would,
before long, be reunited with Tsion Ben-Judah.
Rayford and Hattie were welcomed expansively by the maitre d' of the Global
Bistro. The man recognized her, of course, but not Rayford.  Your usual table,
ma'am?  No, thank you, Jeoffrey, but neither would we like to be hidden.
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They were led to a table set for four. But even though two busboys hurried out
to clear away two sets of dinnerware, and the waiter pulled out a chair for [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]