As John Edwards moved the tray and pitcher out of the way, Charley and Dave took several Bibles from a nearby bookcase and passed them around.

“Good job, Charley, Dave,” John Edwards said, falling back into his chair. “What I’d like to do is start with the good stuff, so let’s take a look at Revelation.”

Lori and Carl laughed. “We know about Revelation, Jack. Charley has given us the Cook’s tour.”

“Is that right?” he said. “Well, if you spent the night at Charley’s, then I’m sure that he brought you up to speed on what the apostle John wrote about the meteor.”

“It was fascinating,” Lori murmured. “But let’s keep going.”

“Okay. First, I want you to understand that at the end of the age, two distinct and widely different things are going to take place. Open those Bibles to Revelation, chapter six, where it tells about the Four Horsemen. These are the angels that are to bring war, revolution, famine, and death to the world.”

“We’ve done that, Jack,” Carl interrupted. “Charley went over the Four Horsemen with us last night.”

“Fine. What did he tell you they represented?”

Lori spoke first. “He said that, in his opinion, these horsemen rode through most of the twentieth century.”

“It was the bloodiest century in history,” Carl added. “War, revolution, mass killings—and famine, I think—but maybe that’s still to come.”

“I can’t quarrel with any of that,” John Edwards replied. “Well, in that case, look at verses fifteen through seventeen of that same chapter.” Everyone turned to the chapter. “Lori,” said their host, “why don’t you read the verses for us?”

Lori began to read out loud. “‘And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”’”

“Lori,” John asked, “what does verse seventeen say to you?”

Lori reread the verse to herself, then said, “It seems to say that the great day of God’s wrath has come, and no one can stand against it.”

“When does that happen?” he asked.

“After the ride of the horsemen?” she asked.

“That’s right,” said John Edwards. “You’re absolutely correct. But what takes place after the horsemen ride and before the great day of God’s wrath? Take a look at chapter seven.”