Chapter 5- New Assignments and Convincing Chloe

"Randi, I didn't think you'd be here," Bruce said as soon as he managed to compose himself and look at her.

"I know, but I think I was supposed to meet you, Pastor Bruce. You're the first person in this church," Randi said.

"Randi, what are you talking about?" Rayford asked, concerned.

"Both of you are going to think I'm crazy, but yesterday I saw an angel. He told me to come here with Dad and the first person I would meet would tell me what God has for me to do in the coming days of tribulation" Randi said. Bruce's expression turned to one of shocked awe as he looked at her.

"It's you I'm supposed to meet?" Bruce asked in a hushed whisper.

"Huh?" Randi asked confused.

"Last night I had a dream. I was told that I would meet a prophet that God has ordained for this time," Bruce explained. "I just never thought it would be you."

Randi and Rayford looked at each other in surprise. "You think my daughter is a prophet?" Rayford asked.

"Prophetess actually and yes. All the signs pointing to her are there. Jesus comes back, Randi has always had a gift of prophecy, and an angel comes to her while I have a dream about meeting a prophet the day of the Rapture. God planned this, Ray," Bruce said.

"God can use a twelve-year-old?" Rayford asked, his surprise fading from his brown eyes.

"Yes. The prophet Samuel was only a boy when God spoke to him. He heard the voice of God when no one else in Israel did. There was also Jeremiah. God came to him and Jeremiah's first argument was that he was only a boy. God told him not to say that he was only a boy; that God had appointed him as a prophet to the nations. Do not discount the plans of God, Ray," Bruce warned.

"I just had no idea," Rayford said in awe.

"So, what do I do next, Pastor Bruce?" Randi asked.

"We pray for the Spirit of God to come into you like he did to all the prophets and to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. Then when you receive a prophecy you tell me or your dad. One of us will then spread the word," Bruce said as he placed his hands on Randi's head.

Randi felt a warm peace fill her as Bruce prayed and she opened her eyes to see Timothy, standing before her with another angel. Both carried swords in their hands and they were glowing with a light beyond intense.

"Hello, Randilyn. I have come to give you your first message," Timothy said, his voice calm and sounding as clear as a zillion streams of water.

"First message? I am ready, I think," Randi said nervously as she looked from Bruce and Rayford to the angels.

"Do not be afraid, Randilyn Steele. You are not going to be physically harmed during this time. God needs you to be His mouth for the nations. Like Jeremiah your words are going to be as fire. Satan will not be allowed to touch you. When you are in his presence you will be protected on your front and back," Timothy said warmly, his voice now warmer than hot chocolate on the coldest day of the year.

"Who is the antichrist going to be?" Randi asked in a small voice.

"You will know him when you see him. He will fool many, acting like God, but only those who follow the true God will know the difference," Timothy said as the angels disappeared and Randi blinked hard.

"Randi, what did God say to you? You look like John the Revelator caught up in the Spirit of God on Patmos," Bruce said as she breathed hard.

"Pretty much about me being a prophet and the antichrist will not be allowed to harm me. He's going to think he has all the power, but God has power over him. He is also going to trick many people, but a true Christian will know the difference," Randi said sitting down.

"Did you find out who the antichrist was?" Rayford asked.

"No. I was told I would know him when I saw him," Randi said thinly.

"Bruce, Randi said that Pastor Billings left a tape. Do you know about it?" Rayford asked, changing the subject.

"Yes. Come with me," Bruce said, leading the way to Pastor Billings's office. Randi had only had the occasion to be here a couple of times. Now it was Bruce's office and had a TV and VCR in the middle of the room. Bruce popped a tape in the VCR and turned on the TV. Pastor Billing's face filled the screen. He looked serious instead of the fun-loving preacher that Randi had seen every Sunday and Wednesday since her mom and Raymie had become Christians.

"Hello, I'm Pastor Vernon Billings of the New Hope Village Church. If you are watching this tape you are no doubt confused. Let me encourage you. Your loved ones, your children, your friends, and your acquaintances have not been snatched away by some evil force or some invasion from outer space," Pastor Billings said, starting a sermon outlining the days and seven years to come.

Randi and Rayford entered the house. Randi's arms were loaded with books and tapes on prophecy that Bruce thought she should listen to and read in her spare time. A sound from Chloe's room got her attention.

"Dad, I think Chloe's home," Randi said.

"We'll have to tell her. Then I'm going to read my Bible for awhile," Rayford said, going upstairs, Randi following.

"Good idea. I will too and I'm going to start 'prophet lessons' afterward," Randi said, putting the stack of books down and taking the first one called "Purifying the Prophetic" by R. Loren Sandford. (A/N: There is actually a book with this title that I discovered through a Christian book site. I haven't read it yet, but I plan to.) Rayford knocked on Chloe's door and the two of them entered her room. Chloe was lying on her bed. She looked comatose, but on closer inspection her eyes were open.

"Chloe? Sweetheart, your sister and I need to talk to you. We know where Mom and Raymie are," Rayford said.

That lit a fire under Chloe. "Where? Where are they?" Chloe asked frantically.

"They're in heaven with God," Rayford said.

"Oh, don't," Chloe groaned, turning her back.

"He's right, Chlo. God took them," Randi said.

"Honey, please," Rayford begged.

"Remember when Mom started going to church after Grandma died?" Chloe asked angrily.

"Yes," Rayford said.

"Remember what you said then? Now you and Randi're just doing the same thing. Aren't you just using God as a crutch?" Chloe asked in a mocking tone.

"Listen, I know what I said. And I know that this is hard to take, especially coming from me. And I don't blame you and I don't want you to take Randi's and my word for it. Your sister said Pastor Billings left a tape and told your mother about it. Chloe, we want you to take a look at that tape. It explains everything," Rayford said firmly.

"Chloe, please. Do you remember when we told Dad that we used to listen to Mom and pretend to be interested? All we ask is that you do the same for us. Just think about it," Randi said, closing the door as she and Rayford stepped out into the hallway and went to their rooms.