A Son’s Trial in the Great Tribulation

A Son’s Trial in the Great Tribulation

The father, Richard Graves, was an economist known for his sharp intellect and chilling pragmatism. He wielded his expertise to navigate the murky waters of society—a man respected in his community but feared by those who truly knew him. Graves’s polished exterior masked his self-serving nature, a cryptoleftist who spoke of the collective good but acted solely to maintain his influence and avoid accountability.

His son, Daniel, was nothing like him. A devoted Christian, Daniel’s faith guided every aspect of his life. He saw through his father’s facade, recognizing the hollow shell beneath the respectable veneer. Yet, Richard’s recklessness was not just confined to financial gambles or risky investments. It extended to his relationships, including the ultimate betrayal of his own son.

In the chaotic early days of the Great Tribulation, society was unraveling. The Mark of the Beast system had begun to take hold, and survival demanded loyalty to the new global regime. Richard, ever the pragmatist, saw the Mark as an opportunity—a means to preserve his wealth and influence. But Daniel refused. His allegiance was to Christ, and he would not bow to the system, no matter the cost.

Frustrated by his son’s defiance, Richard did the unthinkable. In a calculated move to curry favor with the regime and secure his position, he handed Daniel over to the authorities, accusing him of being a dissident. He convinced himself it was a necessary sacrifice, rationalizing that his son’s faith was an obstacle to survival.

But Daniel was not executed. By divine providence, he escaped—a miraculous event that Richard could not comprehend. When Daniel returned, scarred but alive, his father greeted him with a chilling mix of relief and expectation. “You’re alive,” Richard said, feigning warmth. “Now let’s put this behind us. You can still work for me, help rebuild what we’ve lost.”

Daniel’s heart broke. “You betrayed me,” he said, his voice steady but filled with sorrow. “You handed me over to be murdered, and now you ask for my forgiveness as if it costs you nothing.”

Richard dismissed the accusation with a wave of his hand. “You’re alive, aren’t you? Isn’t that what matters? You’re being dramatic, Daniel. We all have to make sacrifices.”

But Daniel knew better. His father’s callousness was a reflection of his deeper spiritual emptiness. Richard’s faith was in the system—in money, power, and human cunning. He had no room for God, no understanding of grace or redemption. When asked if he believed in Jesus Christ, Richard sneered, “No. Faith is for the weak.”

Daniel’s life, by contrast, was not defined by his own works or reputation but by the grace of God through faith in Christ alone. He clung to the truth of **Ephesians 2:8-9**:

• For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.*

As the world descended further into chaos, Daniel clung to his faith. He found solace in the words of Scripture, which warned of these very times. He knew that Christ would return, but not yet. The Mark of the Beast system tightened its grip, and believers like Daniel faced relentless persecution. Still, he endured, trusting in the promise of salvation.

Richard, meanwhile, sank deeper into despair. His wealth and influence began to crumble under the weight of his own recklessness. The community he had worked so hard to impress turned against him, seeing through his empty promises. And yet, he refused to repent, clinging to his pride until the very end.

The story ends with the father and son on starkly different paths. Richard, unrepentant and consumed by his own selfishness, stands on the brink of eternal damnation. Daniel, though battered and weary, continues to walk the narrow path, holding fast to the hope of Christ’s return. The world around them descends into deeper darkness, the Great Tribulation raging on, with no immediate sign of deliverance.

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