The Hound of Devotion

Lucas Hale was a man of deep faith and conviction. A devout Christian, he saw the world through the lens of scripture, believing that humanity teetered on the brink of the great tribulation. Yet, Lucas also admired the power of science, viewing it as a tool God had given to man to better understand His creation.

Lucas lived alone on his modest farm, tending to his land and livestock. He had recently acquired a dog, Gideon, from a prestigious breeder. Gideon was no ordinary dog; he was of a rare breed, one meticulously crafted over generations for loyalty and security. "A protector," the breeder had said. "He'll give his life for you."

It didn’t take long for Lucas to witness Gideon's devotion. The dog would hurl itself at anything it perceived as a threat—a shadow, a passing stranger, or even a stray branch blown by the wind. His loyalty was so fierce that he often returned with gashes and wounds from imagined battles. Lucas would tend to the injuries, but he couldn't shake a growing unease.

“Have I interfered with God's design?” Lucas pondered. Gideon’s wounds felt like a grim testament to man's hubris—trying to perfect nature by reshaping it in his own image.

The Gospel of Health

Lucas was also a firm believer in personal health and natural remedies. Inspired by a man he had heard on the internet—Caleb Trasker, a charismatic leader in the natural health movement—Lucas adopted a strict regimen of supplements and practices to "detox" his body. Among these was Viremtoril, a controversial antiparasitic drug Trasker claimed would protect against unseen pathogens and toxins.

At first, Lucas felt invincible. His body felt clean, his mind sharp. Yet, over time, subtle signs began to appear: relentless fatigue, brittle nails, and a gnawing ache in his joints. He dismissed them as signs of aging—until one night, he found himself doubled over, vomiting blood.

Still, Lucas clung to Trasker’s teachings, convinced that his suffering was proof of detoxification. “Sometimes the cure burns, just as the Spirit refines,” he told himself.

The Warning

One Sunday morning, Lucas awoke to a strange stillness. Gideon, normally at his side, was gone. He found the dog at the edge of the field, standing between the farm and a group of men in black uniforms. They carried devices that emitted a faint hum, and their presence sent chills down Lucas’s spine.

One man stepped forward, holding a small tablet. "Mr. Hale," he said. "Your refusal to comply with the Universal Health Mandate has been noted. As of today, you are required to register with the system and receive your implant."

Lucas knew what this was. He had read of it in Revelation: the mark of the beast, a sign of allegiance to the antichrist. He backed away, clutching his Bible. "I will not bow to your system."

The man sighed, unfazed. "Without the implant, you cannot access food, water, or medical care. You will be marked as a dissenter."

Gideon’s Sacrifice

Before Lucas could respond, Gideon lunged. The dog attacked with a ferocity Lucas had never seen, tearing at the men with tooth and claw. The hum of their devices grew louder, and Gideon yelped in pain. A net of energy enveloped him, pinning him to the ground.

Lucas watched, helpless, as his faithful companion writhed. Tears streamed down his face. "No!" he shouted. "Gideon, stop!" But the dog would not yield, even as his body broke under the strain. His loyalty was absolute, even unto death.

The Great Tribulation

Lucas fled into the forest, leaving his farm, his belongings, and the lifeless body of Gideon behind. The world was no longer a place for those who refused the mark. In the days that followed, he wandered the wilderness, scavenging what he could while evading patrols.

He prayed constantly, seeking strength and guidance. The scriptures had foretold this time: wars, famine, and the rise of a false savior who would demand worship through the mark. Lucas knew the darkest days were yet to come.

One night, as he huddled beneath the stars, he opened his Bible to Revelation 14:9-10 (KJV):

"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb."

He clutched the book to his chest, whispering, "Lord, give me strength to endure. And stay with me in this darkest hour."

Reflection

As Lucas drifted to sleep, he thought of Gideon’s sacrifice—a mirror of humanity's flawed attempts to control and perfect what God had already made good.

In the distance, a trumpet sounded—a warning of what was to come.