Lori laughed. “It is surreal, isn’t it? But Pastor Jack seemed to be pretty clear that this is going to be about the only time we have to learn about Revelation—that we’re soon going to be too busy with other things.” She looked up at Carl. “What do you think he means?”

Carl’s expression was pensive. “I don’t know, Lori. I wish I did. I just keep asking myself, ‘Why us? Why were our lives spared?’”

“I know,” Lori said. “I don’t know why either. But I will never stop thanking God that we were spared.”

Just then John Edwards walked into the living room, followed by Charley and Dave. Dave was carrying the Bibles they had left in the kitchen after lunch. “Are you two ready to take another crack at Revelation?” John Edwards asked, sitting down in a comfortable oak chair across from Carl and Lori.

“Not only are we ready,” said Carl, “but I have a question for you.”

“Not another one!” Dave Busby laughed as he sat in the chair next to Jack.

“What’s your question?” John asked.

Leaning forward, Carl looked at John Edwards and said, “At lunch, you mentioned the ‘signs of the times,’ as you called them, that helped you know what was coming next. I’d like to know if these are signs of judgment or signs about this Antichrist person you were talking about.”

“Actually, Carl,” John responded, “the signs of the times are indicators pointing to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In fact, His disciples asked this very question: ‘What are the signs of Your coming and the end of the age?’”

“There you go again!” Carl smiled. “That’s another term you’ve used a lot. What exactly does it mean—the end of the age? Is it the end of the world?”

“Not as I see it,” John replied. “Jesus Christ was the Messiah of Israel. His disciples expected Him to set up a kingdom that would defeat the empire of Rome. Instead, He spoke to them about a spiritual kingdom composed of people who voluntarily made Him King of their lives. His spiritual kingdom did not supersede the Roman Empire or any world government that followed Rome. His kingdom was in the midst of the other kingdoms, but it was a secret kingdom. Although He was leaving earth physically, He promised that one day He would return and establish a worldwide, visible kingdom in which God’s law would govern and people would live in peace, love, and prosperity.”

“When He returns,” John continued, “the present age will end, and the new age of God’s kingdom will begin.”

“But isn’t that part of the New Age religion and that Age of Aquarius stuff we used to sing about?” Lori asked.