THE SWORD AND SICKLE

PART TWO: DECEPTION

CHAPTER TWO 

THE POPE

©2017, Olan L. Smith

People knew not the true meaning of life, and they feared the coming day of the Lord, for the only surety they possessed was this life and this life supreme. They closed their ears, eyes, and minds to any possibility that he might be who he claimed to be.

The Voice of Prophecy Chapter 4: verse 6, Levi Jackson

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McDowell slept little on her trip to Rome, as she prepared for her visit with the Pope. Since the object in space slowed and had gone into orbit around Jupiter, her world was turned inside out and upside down. Hopefully, she reasoned, the Pope will put reason to the events of the last thirty-four hours. It was her hope that the Pope could help calm the world as the people learned of the President's health and the death of Representative, Dianne Menisci. Secretary of State McDowell had never met the Pope before. Claire was raised a Methodist, but she had some idea of the structure of the Catholic Church, and a basic understanding of its history of Papal authority descended directly from the authority of the Apostle Peter, the first father of the Church. She was aware of the Pope's great power over Christians around the world, not only the Catholics, but he possessed a high respect from others of different faiths; he was truly a leader of the faithful. In the Pope she hoped to find solace and hope. If anyone knew if the End of the World scenario was at hand, it would be him. Not long after closing her eyes, her guide appeared to her for the first time since the crisis started.

"I come to you to tell you that you will find the heart of the Pope has hardened against my Lord. It is so, for the heart of the people must harden before the harvest. The first, of the purification is to come soon, beware of those who say to you that they are your friend for they will lie in wait to destroy you, and they will fail. Soon, the harvester will come and reap the first fruit of the Lord's toil. In those days you will find yourself with great power, do not disappoint me."

Mrs. McDowell woke with a start. She immediately grabbed a pad and wrote down what her guide had said. She read it and tried to make sense of it. She said to herself, the Pope's heart is hardened against the Lord." What did that mean? Is the Pope heart is harden against her guides Lord, and does that mean that her guide is trying to deceive her, and is Levi the deception? She had gotten to know her guide well over the years and trusted him. Why would he or they be against a world they had always assisted in?

The steward came over to her and said, "Madam Secretary. We are starting our approach to Rome. You will need to put your seat in an upright position, and fasten your seat belt. She did as asked and watched as her guard did the same. She estimated the time of arrival to be approximately nine in the morning and she had read the weather report before leaving. It would be rainy with the temperature in the forties. When she debarked, the Air Force 2 a white limousine awaited her on the tarmac. The driver brought an umbrella to protect her from the rain as they walked to the automobile. He opened the back door as she and her secret service agent entered the car. Once in the car, she noticed that the Pope had sent his Cardinal to greet her.

"His Holiness has asked me to greet you and inquire about your visit today," the Cardinal stated.

"Thank you for coming to greet me, but I am afraid what I have to say is for the Pope's ears only. I cannot discuss this matter at this moment."

"I see," he replied, but he wondered if it was because of the driver's presence. "When we arrive at the Vatican, I will see when the Pope will be able to see you."

"Tell His Holiness, it is an official visit and is a matter of the utmost urgency...the security of the world is at stake."

"Yes, Madam Secretary, I will inform his Holiness," silence gripped the limousine the rest of the way. Once seated in the Vatican, she waited for his Holiness. She knew well that no one rushed the Holy See and he would come when he so chose. They brought her some coffee to drink as she waited, along with a glass of water for her to drink as she studied her notes. Within thirty minutes, his Holiness was ushered into her presence. She stood and kissed his ring.

The Pope responded, "Bless you, my child."

Then, the Secretary spoke, "Your Holiness. It is an Honor to meet you. I have been sent to confer with you on a matter of the highest importance to you and the world."

"Yes, so I have been informed."

"I must speak with you in private, if that is possible."

"Yes, yes, we have made arrangements so we may privately discuss matters, Madam Secretary. May I ask, are you Catholic?"

"No, your Holiness, I am Methodist, but I have high respect for you and the Catholic Church."

"That is good, come with me and we shall speak." They were led to a private room where they could converse and once inside the Pope's attendants closed the door behind them as they left the two alone. "Now, Mrs. McDowell, how can I be of service to you and the United States of America?"