Read Online Hunted by Jerry B. Jenkins - Free Book Online Page B

explained plainly how the men could receive Jesus Christ. When he was finished, Sam noticed Aron moving slightly. Sam called for him and Aron stood.
    â€œIf you are ready to pray, do it now before it is too late,” Mr. Stein said. “O God, I know that I am a sinner and that I deserve to be punished for my sin. But right now I reach out to you in faith and ask you to take away that sin through the blood of your Son, Jesus. I believe he died on the cross in my place, took my punishment, and rose again three days later, a victor over death. I give my life to you now. Lead me in the paths you desire. Save me from my sin. And I pray all this in the name of Jesus, the Messiah. Amen.”
    Sam kept his eyes shut tightly as Mr. Stein prayed. He prayed for each of the men and that the guards wouldn’t break in during Mr. Stein’s prayer. When Mr. Stein finished, Sam looked first at Aron, but the man was again on the floor.
    Of the seventeen men, three had the mark of the true believer on their foreheads. Mr. Stein pointed to them, and the three were amazed he could tell they had believed. He explained the mark of God and how everyone who prayed received one.
    Finally, Aron stood and Sam was overcome with emotion. The man had the mark of the true believer as well.
    â€œWe may not know where they are taking us,” Mr. Stein said through tears, “but we know our eternal destination. Our home in heaven has been sealed, and one day we will walk there because of the grace and love of our God.”
    Mr. Stein asked the three their names and encouraged them with words from the Scriptures. Guards arrived to quiet everyone and turn out the lights.
    â€œBetter get some sleep, Jews,” one of the Peacekeepers snarled. “You’ll be leaving before daylight.”
    The men grumbled, but Sam settled onto his bunk. Mr. Stein got the attention of one of the guards. “This young man is still a teenager. Tell me you won’t have compassion on one so young.”
    â€œHe’s old enough to make his own decisions,” the man said. “He didn’t take the mark, and he’s a Jew. He’ll ride with the rest of you.”
    Sam closed his eyes and thought about Petra. He wished he could be there once more to climb the rock formations and say good-bye to the people he loved. He thought of Naomi. Though she didn’t feel the same way he felt for her, she had shown him kindness.
    Sam wondered if Judd and the others in the Young Tribulation Force would ever find out what had happened to him. They will , Sam thought, when they get to heaven .
    Sam didn’t think he could get to sleep. He imagined the ride to some sickening camp where the GC would put them to work until they dropped. He almost preferred the quick ending of the guillotine to what his mind conjured up.
    Later Sam fell into a deep sleep and dreamed of writing a final edition of his Petra Diaries and sending it to everyone in the Young Tribulation Force. In the dream, Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah put Sam’s writings on the screen above Petra so everyone could read it.
    Sam awakened, smiling. The main door opened and a bright light shone in his face. It was time to leave.

8
    SAM stirred, sitting up on his bunk and watching the guard at the door. The men inside breathed heavily in their sleep and a few snored. Mr. Stein slept soundly, and Sam hated to awaken him.
    After the light went out, Sam wondered if the guard was simply checking on them. He glanced at Aron’s cell and saw the man was sleeping or unconscious. Sam lay down quietly and waited.
    The guard moved slowly past the sleeping prisoners, his footsteps quiet. It was 4:00 A.M. If they were going to be taken before sunup, they would probably be roused in the next hour, but this seemed too early.
    Sam listened carefully and was convinced the man had gone, so he settled back on his pillow and sighed deeply. Before he closed his eyes he glanced at his cell door. A man stood there