“We’ve already heard that, even before the meteor hit, people were dying of heart attacks all over L.A.,” said Carl. “And that’s what Jesus said would happen—men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things that are coming on the earth. We talked about all that last night. First, the meteor, then the waves, then the earthquakes, volcanoes, and radiation—then no sun for a couple of years—followed by mass starvation. It’s like Jesus had a telescope— one that could see through time and space—and He trained it on the Pacific Ocean at the start of the twenty-first century.”

Carl was clearly excited by what he had just said. He stood up and started pacing. “Jack, how can you be so calm about all this? Looks to me like we’re living right smack in the middle of an incredible prophecy. Aren’t you excited? Jesus said what was going to happen. And if we’ve got it right so far, looks like He could come back to earth any time!”

John smiled. “Of course, I’m excited, Carl. What I’ve been waiting for all my life as a Christian is about to happen. But, before it does, all of us are going to have the seven toughest years of our lives to get through. And, then Jesus will come for us.

“So, now, Carl,” John Edwards said with a voice filled with love and compassion, “are you and Lori ready to meet Him when He returns?”

Carl stopped pacing and looked the other man straight in the eye. “Jack,” he answered, “you know very well that we aren’t ready. But we want to be. Will you tell us what to do?” Carl’s heart was pounding. His palms were moist. He was about to cross a new spiritual frontier. He was about to find the purpose for his life. He was about to meet the same Jesus Christ who had spelled out all these truths so many years ago. The sophisticated advertising executive with all the answers was gone, and in his place was a trusting, but frightened little boy.

“Do you two both believe that Jesus is God?” John Edwards asked. Carl sat down again beside his wife. They both nodded their heads in affirmation.

“Do you believe that He died on the cross for your sins?” Again, mutual affirmation.

“Will you turn away from your sins and receive His pardon?” They looked into John’s eyes and said they would.

“Will you now surrender your lives to Him as your risen Lord?”

Two voices in union, “Yes, we will.”