Shaken by Jerry B. Jenkins

just wondering. The guy’s going to be killed anyway. Is it wrong?”
    The kids looked at each other. Lionel shrugged. “He’s supposed to come back to life, so it’s not really going to be murder.”
    â€œWhat?” Sam said. “You mean, like some kind of vampire?”
    â€œThe Bible says the Antichrist will be killed and then wake up.”
    Mr. Stein sighed. “I haven’t considered this. God does not permit murder. It is one of his commandments. But there are certain circumstances, in warfare for instance, where God tells his people to kill those who are against him. I would assume the Antichrist fits into this.”
    â€œBack up,” Sam said. “How do you know this is supposed to happen?”
    Mr. Stein grabbed a Bible and flipped to the book of Revelation. “In chapter 13 it talks about the beast that is Antichrist.” He found the passage and read it aloud.
    â€œâ€˜I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! All the world marveled at this miracle and followed the beast in awe.’”
    â€œSo, how’s he supposed to be killed?” Sam said. “Does it say?”
    â€œIn the following verses it talks about another person who is able to deceive the world. This person requires everyone to worship the one who was wounded. A later verse refers to ‘the beast who was fatally wounded and then came back to life.’ I take that to mean that Antichrist is to be wounded in the head by a sword. The language there could be figurative, but I believe Tsion Ben-Judah thinks the same, and he hasn’t been wrong yet.”
    â€œThere’s one thing for sure,” Lionel said. “Whoever does the killing will probably be put to death on the spot.”
    â€œAnd Carpathia will come out looking more of a hero than ever,” Sam said.
    Judd swallowed hard. Jamal and Kasim were in big trouble. If they went through with their plan, the GC could come after the entire group.
    â€œWhy does God even allow somebody like Carpathia to live?” Sam said. “It doesn’t make sense.”
    â€œGod’s plan has been in place since the beginning of time,” Mr. Stein said. “Satan and his evil angels and all who follow them are merely part of God’s divine design. Satan is God’s devil, and he only gets away with what God allows him to.”
    â€œBut if God knew all this bad stuff was going to happen …” Sam paused and looked at Mr. Stein. His lip quivered. “God knew my dad wouldn’t respond to the message, but he made him anyway. I don’t understand.”
    Mr. Stein put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “And neither do I. How can we understand someone whose wisdom and knowledge are so far above our own? But I do know this. If your father had never existed, neither would you. And you would not have had the opportunity to follow Christ.”
    Sam nodded. “I’m thankful I came to know God. I guess there are some things I’ll never understand.”
    â€œKnow this,” Mr. Stein said. “Satan and his followers will be punished for their evil deeds. But the next few months and years will be very dark for those who believe in the one true God.”
    Judd looked up as someone walked into the room. It was Kasim.
    â€œSo who do you think will actually kill Nicolae?” Lionel said.
    Kasim glanced at Judd.
    â€œI would think the person who kills Nicolae will be filled with anger,” Mr. Stein said. “He will no doubt be desperate, willing to sacrifice his life for something he feels is right.”
    â€œWill the person be insane?” Lionel said.
    â€œPerhaps,” Mr. Stein said. “But he may believe it to be the most sane thing he’s ever done in his life. He will be desperate but cunning. To get close enough to the potentate to inflict this kind of wound will be an impressive