The Medal of Suppression

The Medal of Suppression

Chapter 1

Ursula von der Leyen stood before the gilded podium in the grand hall of the New European Order, a radiant smile plastered across her face. Behind her, banners bearing the symbol of unity fluttered in the breeze, their pristine white marred only by faint, crimson accents—a subtle nod to the sacrifices made for this "brighter future." Tonight was a historic moment. The High Council was bestowing upon her the Medal of Suppression, the highest honor for ensuring societal harmony through "innovative" governance.

"It is my honor," she began, her voice echoing through the vast chamber, "to accept this recognition, not for myself, but for the collective effort of all leaders who stood firm against tyranny from without and embraced the noble sacrifices necessary for our survival."

In the audience sat Jonathan Miller, a quiet man in his late forties. Clad in a simple, worn suit, Jonathan was out of place in the opulent surroundings. A devout King James Version-believing Christian, he had watched in horror as his once-thriving homeland devolved into what he could only describe as feudal bondage.

The cheap energy that once powered homes and industries had been cut off. First came the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline, an act shrouded in mystery but widely whispered to be the handiwork of those in power. Then the sanctions, the sanctions that crippled the average citizen while the elite toasted their "moral victories." Finally, Ukraine’s severing of pipeline transit sealed the fate of millions, leaving homes cold and factories silent. Jonathan could barely keep his family warm.

"Freedom," Ursula declared, her arms raised theatrically, "comes at a price! And we have paid it together."

Jonathan clenched his fists. What freedom? The streets were filled with shivering families, ration lines, and the hollow stares of people who had given up complaining. The peasants, as Ursula seemed to see them, had accepted their lot in this grand experiment of submission.

Chapter 2

Jonathan’s life had been a far cry from this madness only a few years ago. As a small business owner, he once enjoyed a peaceful existence, grounded in his faith and love for family. But the rapid unraveling of society had stripped him of everything but his well-worn Bible. The verses of the King James Version had been his anchor, the promises of Christ his only solace.

One evening, as he huddled with his family around the faint glow of a candle, Jonathan read aloud from Matthew 24:21: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

His eldest son, David, looked up from beneath the threadbare blanket they all shared. "Is that what this is, Dad? The Great Tribulation?"

Jonathan shook his head. "Not yet, son. This is only the beginning."

Chapter 3

Weeks later, Jonathan found himself walking the freezing streets of Brussels. Rumors of a secret resistance meeting had reached him, whispered in hushed tones among those who dared to hope. The meeting took place in a damp basement beneath an abandoned church, a remnant of Europe’s once-vibrant faith now overshadowed by Ursula's "enlightened" policies.

"The pipelines, the sanctions, the propaganda," whispered one of the organizers, a wiry man named Peter. "It’s all part of the plan. They needed us desperate enough to accept anything—new energy policies, digital rationing, even the surveillance systems."

Jonathan nodded. "They want control."

Peter handed him a leaflet. "It’s not just about control. It’s about erasing hope. People who can’t afford to live can’t afford to resist."

Chapter 4

The day of the Great Medal Ceremony arrived, and Jonathan found himself among a crowd gathered outside the ornate palace. Large screens broadcast Ursula’s triumphant acceptance speech.

"The energy crisis taught us resilience," she declared, her voice filled with faux compassion. "We have ushered in a new era of equality and sustainability. Together, we have proven that we can thrive, even in the darkest times."

The crowd clapped, though the applause was sparse and lacked enthusiasm. Jonathan felt bile rise in his throat. He could see it so clearly now—the feudal system in modern clothing. The peasants were compliant, too beaten down to rebel. And yet, he couldn’t help but think of Revelation 13:16-17: And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark... and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark.

Chapter 5

Months later, chaos erupted. Energy rationing escalated, food shortages worsened, and Ursula’s promises unraveled. People began to turn on one another as desperation consumed them. It was in this chaos that the world’s powers finally consolidated under a singular banner, a "solution" to the global crisis. The Great Tribulation had begun.

Jonathan stood in a desolate field outside the city, holding his Bible tightly. He knew this was the time foretold, the darkest chapter of human history. But even as the world crumbled, he whispered the words of Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

He looked to the heavens, knowing that deliverance would come—not from Ursula’s councils or their hollow medals, but from the King of Kings.