Europa Conspiracy (Babylon Rising 3) (29 page)

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"Michael, you keep talking about the judgment of God. You talked about it when we were on Ararat looking for Noah's Ark. You said that the worldwide flood was God's judgment against the wickedness of man. And you've talked about God judging Belshazzar for his evil with the Handwriting on the Wall. That's pretty scary stuff."

"Yes, it is, Isis. You see, most people think that war is terrible. They think that terrorist bombings are hideous ... and they are. War can cause shortages of food in a country, which creates widespread famine. Most developing nations barely have enough food for their people. It is estimated that half a billion people on earth are seriously malnourished. Famine can also be caused by cyclones, floods, droughts, pests, plant disease, or even tsunamis. We saw this in the Indian Ocean earthquake that created a hundred-foot tidal wave. The findings suggest that it was an earthquake of a 93 magnitude."

"It was terrible! I had to stop watching the news for weeks afterward," Isis put in. "It was too emotionally draining. I heard the estimates for loss of life could reach 310,000 people."

"That's true. Earthquakes have killed a lot of people. The earthquake in Syria in A.D. 1201 claimed the lives of more than a million people. The one in Hausien, China, in 1556 killed 850,000. The Great Chilean earthquake was a 9.5 quake. In fact, the top twenty-five earthquakes have killed more than six million people over the years. Scientists tell us that eighty-one percent of the world's earthquakes take place in what is called the Ring of Fire tectonic plate."

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"Why are you telling me all of this?" Isis asked.

"I'll explain in a moment. Let me just mention one more thing. The Bible talks about wars and rumors of wars, famine, and earthquakes. It also talks about pestilences. That doesn't refer to just crop damage. It includes all kinds of diseases. What do you think is the biggest and most devastating disease today?"

"HIV/AIDS."

"Right. It's killed millions, especially in Africa. In Malawi it's estimated that almost twenty percent of the population is afflicted with HIV/AIDS. But have you heard about the new 'super strain' of AIDS called 3-DCRHIV? It was found recently in a forty-year-old man who was a drug user and had hundreds of partners in the past several months. This particular strain has never been seen before. It's unimaginably aggressive and resistant to almost all treatments. Nineteen of the twenty drugs in use today are ineffective against it. But here's the real kicker. In the past, most HIV infections didn't turn into AIDS until nine or ten years later. This new virulent strain moves at lightning speed. From the onset of the HIV infection, it only takes two to three months to develop into a full-blown AIDS case. Another man in San Diego has been diagnosed with this new strain. The news is causing a panic in the gay community."

"I can see why."

"You asked me what was the point of all of this. All of these things are terrible. They unnecessarily destroy human life, and they are of great concern. The question is, if we are overwhelmed by these tragedies... shouldn't we be even more concerned with sin, which destroys the human soul and separates us from a holy God? Jesus stated

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it this way in Matthew, Chapter Ten:
'And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.'"

"I need to think that through, Michael," Isis murmured. "As you know, I don't have a Christian background. All this is new to me."

Murphy nodded. He was falling in love with Isis, and she had not yet come to the point of faith in her life. He did not want to lose her or have her meet God without settling the issue of receiving Christ into her life.

Isis closed her eyes and laid her head on Murphy's shoulder. She felt safe, comfortable, and protected next to him. She had never met anyone quite like him.

What if all he was saying about the end times were true? What if the judgment of God is a reality? I don't think I'm ready for that.

As Isis tried to sleep, Murphy closed his eyes and began to pray.

Murphy was starting to drift off when he heard Bingman speak.

"Michael, have you been to Baghdad before?"

"On one other occasion," Murphy said, shaking himself awake.

"What's it like?"

"Well, it is a large city of about five to six million people. It's the transportation hub for Iraq. It is probably the richest and most economically solid city there. It is the headquarters for the Central Bank of Iraq and the center of financial operations for the country."

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"Will it be dangerous for us?"

"It could be, but we'll be escorted by the military, which will provide protection."

"My experience from Desert Shield is that they'll also provide a target for the enemy to shoot at," Bingman said.

"That could happen too. However, I don't think that the military will be taking us into the more dangerous sections of the city. One of the things you'll notice is the wide streets. They make moving around the city easier."

"What did you think of all the National Guard at Dulles?" Bingman changed the subject.

"They did look impressive."

"Yes, I think the president has the right idea in calling in the Guard and closing all the borders into the United States. However, I think he should have done it earlier. It's sort of like closing the barn door after the cows are already out."

"I think we'll see that his decision is not temporary, Will. Closed borders may very well become part of our national policy in the future. People may demand protection, and the politicians will have to respond."

"To be honest with you, Michael, I think I'd prefer a closed border to having to watch out for terrorists all the time. Does that sound awful?"

"No. A closed border can give better control and a feeling of security. There's nothing wrong with that."

"It won't make us the most popular country by other nations if we do make it more difficult for people to visit," Bingman said pensively.

"Well, a lot of them haven't liked us when we've had an open door policy," Murphy replied. "They like our

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money and our freedom, and want to live here, yet they hate us at the same time. It is a strange situation."

"I know what you mean. If I were to move to another country, like, say, Romania, I could become a citizen but I would never be a Romanian. But when people come from other countries to the U.S. and become citizens, they become Americans. America is made up of people from hundreds of countries who have blended together. It has truly become the land of the free and those who seek freedom. That's what our Statue of Liberty is all about. It sure makes me feel proud to be an American."

"You're right, Will. It's the blending together of cultures as one nation that has made us strong. One of the things that will destroy America the fastest is when people from other countries come here and attempt to recreate their own country on American soil. That type of multiculturalism will cause division. President Theodore Roosevelt had strong convictions about that when he said: 'There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americans The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of continuing to be a nation at all would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities.'"

"Cultural division does increase tension," Bingman agreed. "Just look at where we're going. Look at the infighting and vying for control in Iraq. There's so much tension among the Kurds, the Sunni, and the Shi'i. If democracy is going to work there, they'll have to begin to think of themselves as one nation rather than three cultures fighting for power. Do you think moving the United Nations headquarters to Babylon would help to unite them?"

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"It probably will in the short run. But in the long run, I think it's part of a move for a one-world government to be led by the Anti-Christ. The world will be looking for a leader who will promise to lead countries away from war and terrorism. Words of peace will sound very attractive. If you put that together with the hope of eliminating famine, decreasing poverty, protecting the environment, reducing corruption, and instilling universal spiritual harmony among people... he could win the world with that message."

"You're probably right, Michael. I wonder how we fit into the picture."

"I think our role is to try to sound a warning about future judgment and share the good news that God has provided a solution to the problems of the world through Jesus. He is the only one who can lead us to peace with God and harmony with our fellow man--not the Anti-Christ. We live in exciting days, Will, and I think they're going to get even more exciting as we draw closer to His return."

There was silence for a while as both men thought about their own roles and responsibilities. Finally Murphy broke the silence.

"Will, tell me a little about yourself. Do you have children?"

"Yes, I have three. Two daughters and a son. Amber, my oldest, is a senior in college. She's studying to be an English teacher. Amy is a sophomore and is planning to go into psychology. Adam is in his senior year of high school. I don't think he has any idea of what he would like to do, other than play football. But when I look back

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at my own life, I didn't know what I wanted to do either when I graduated from high school."

"It sounds like you have a wonderful family. Do you have any pictures?"

"This is Arlene, my wife," Bingman said, smiling and offering Murphy pictures from his wallet.

"It sounds like and looks like God has blessed you," Murphy said, examining the pictures.

"Yes. When all is said and done, it's your relationship with God and your family that really matters. I don't like to be away from them, but my wife knows how much I like adventure. This is the trip of a lifetime!" Bingman exclaimed.

"Well, I think we might have some excitement waiting for us in Baghdad. It might be good for us to get as much rest as we can," Murphy said.

Bingman nodded and closed his eyes.

Murphy closed his eyes but sleep did not come easily. He was filled with a growing sense of apprehension.

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FIFTY-THREE

THE SOUND OF THE CAPTAIN speaking over the loudspeaker woke Isis. She looked over at Murphy, who was reading his Bible.

He glanced at her and smiled. "Looks like you got some sleep."

"I did but I still feel tired."

"Sitting up isn't the most restful sleep position," Murphy agreed.

Isis thought that it didn't really matter how tired she was because she was with Michael... and it would be for a couple of weeks. Just being close to him made her heart beat fast. I
wonder if there's any hope that he's feeling the same way.

As the plane touched down and began to taxi, Isis was jarred back to reality. Out the window, she could see U.S. Air Force jets, helicopters, and military vehicles everywhere.

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Murphy, Isis, and Bingman were all surprised at how many people were flying in and out of the Baghdad Airport.

"Well," said Bingman, "I don't know what I expected, but this is a busy place. It's as packed as any airport in the U.S."

"Except there are a lot more military on security watch," Isis replied. "It makes me feel insecure rather than safe. Weird, huh?"

The words were just out of her mouth when a tall U.S. Marine captain approached. He was dressed in crisp desert fatigues and boots, wearing two shoulder holsters. He was flanked by two younger soldiers carrying rifles.

"Are you Dr. Murphy?"

"Yes. And this is Dr. Isis McDonald, and Dr. Wilfred Bingman."

The captain shook hands with everyone. "I'm Captain Michael Drake, and I serve under Colonel Davis, who is stationed in Babylon. He asked me to escort you. I'll assist you through customs and we can then pick up your luggage. Hopefully, it will be a little faster with my help.

"We have hotel rooms reserved for you in the Green Zone. It's safe and well protected. Most of the news reporters and other dignitaries stay there. We won't be leaving for Babylon for a couple of days. We'll be joining a convoy going that direction. It will be safer that way."

"Captain Drake, we were supposed to meet an Egyptian friend in Baghdad, Jassim Amram. He's supposed to travel with us to Babylon. Will he be able to enter the Green Zone?" Murphy asked. "Otherwise I can meet him outside."

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"I'm afraid not, sir. We've recently had a rash of bombings and security has tightened down. If he's going to travel with us, we'll have to meet him just outside of the zone.

"Regarding leaving the Green Zone, you will be permitted in and out, but once you leave, you'll no longer be under U.S. military protection. Americans do stand out in a crowd, and in some parts of Baghdad it would be extremely dangerous for you to travel alone."

"I appreciate that word of advice. We'll keep it in mind."

Murphy, Isis, and Bingman were standing just outside of the Green Zone checkpoint as the sun was going down. It had been a very warm day, and they had been able to swim and relax after the long flight of the day before. It wasn't long before an older Mercedes drove up and out stepped Jassim Amram.

"Michael, it is so good to see you!"

Amram was wearing his usual white suit, which hung loosely on his gangly frame. His rich mellifluous laugh rang out as he gave Murphy a big hug.

He then turned toward Isis and smiled. "And the lovely Dr. McDonald." Amram took her hand and gently kissed it.

Bingman held out his hand. "I'm Wilfred Bingman. Nice to meet you."

"Well, come, come. Let's not stand here. I have a good restaurant selected for tonight, and we can discuss this new adventure."