A large grey object streaked through the Heavens and fell to the earth with a splatter. Satan attempted to stand but several fallen angels fell on top of him.

"Blast you, get off of me." He tried to find his sword but it had twisted in the fall and all he could do was punch the creatures sprawled on top of him. They scattered, jumped to their feet, and stood at attention.

"Just my luck," Satan roared loudly. "All I have are cowards in my army."

The bruised and battered army of dirty angels who had been thrown out of Heaven along with Satan cowered in fear as their master paced back and forth in front of them, roaring and snarling like a tiger.

"But master," squeaked Whiney. "They outnumbered us."

"If you had kept in shape like I ordered, we would have been able to beat Michael and his army," Satan shouted.

"But they had Jesus on --" the cowering Whiney jumped as Satan put his hands over his ears and screamed like a wild animal. Whiney had forgotten and committed the unpardonable offense; he had said the forbidden name. He started to run backwards but was unable to avoid the fists and swords of the other foul angels who jumped on top of him and started beating him.

"Well, this is our new kingdom and this is where we'll live, what a mess!" Satan snorted. "These humans made a wreck of it and now it's worse." He said every obscene word as he paced. "I thought I had Eli and Moshe in my control. I shall attack the Israelites and make them pay heavily for this, but first I must move the Anti-Christ to his new headquarters."

He surveyed his unruly army and sighed until he saw what he was holding.

"Someone has made a big mistake," Satan growled. Hideous laughter filled the air. "I have the key to the abyss, and now I can release the demons who have been imprisoned there for so many centuries."

All the fallen angels clapped as they bowed down to their master.

"Follow me," Satan said. "I have a plan that will get rid of those who are against me."

He flew to the pit and turned the key to the gates.

"Come on out, come out, my friends," Satan grinned with pleasure as he opened the gates to let out the demons. The air was thick with the creatures and Satan rubbed his long grimy hands with glee as he looked at the ugly reptiles that would be under his command.

"Thank you, Master," a frog-like demon slobbered as he bowed before the dark faced Devil. "It is good to be out of that pit again."

"At last I'll have a decent army," Satan squealed as the loathsome fiends flew out of their cage. These were the worst demons of all the ages and would make wonderful warriors. Now, he had a chance, surely he could beat Michael and his army the next time they met.

"Come with me," Satan called and the ugly looking army followed him as he flew to the east. "See how beautiful my city is, in spite of the earthquake," Satan bragged as he flew over the huge city of Babylon with his army. "Now I must go back to Jerusalem to inhabit the body of King Arams. He is my Anti-Christ and I will give him great powers. I have given him the helper named Lucias, and many of you can live in his body." "Hooray for our master," cried the demons. "He will give King Arams the help he needs," Satan bragged to his army.

It didn't take long for the Anti-Christ to set up his headquarters in the newly built city of Babylon. From there he began to rule the whole world. A solution to the problem of famine was his first decision.

"To make sure that the whole world is loyal, all people on earth will take a mark by lazer beam." King Arams sat at his throne and smiled at the camera. "A mark will be put in foreheads or arms. In order to buy food it will be necessary for all citizens to comply with simple requirements."

"These marks," the King said, "will be completely invisible to the human eye. Machines such as are in libraries and airports will be installed in all grocery stores."

"No money will be issued as of this date and all transactions will be taken care of by computer, including paychecks and purchases. The mark will be a method of bookkeeping. In order to work or buy, all citizens will be required to have the mark. If the machine does not detect that mark, an alarm will sound."

"In order to maintain world unity it is necessary that all citizens, both young and old, report to their local courthouse to receive the insignia, within the next two weeks."

The Kahns listened to the news with dread. "I think this is the Mark of the Beast," Joseph said, shuddering. "How will we live?" Debbie cried. "Food has been scarce anyway and it will all be gone in a few days."

"Only the Lord knows what we'll do," Mr. Kahn held his head.

The harassing angels threw their heads back and laughed happily. What a brilliant plan, all of their enemies would either die of starvation or be killed for not obeying.

The protecting angels smiled too, but for a different reason for they knew that God was still in control.

"Someone's at the door," Debbie Kahn whispered.

Joseph lifted the curtain very slightly and looked out. He opened the door to let Ben slip in.

"The soldiers are searching the neighborhoods," Ben said. "We're going from house to house and warning people to pack and get to the airport as soon as you can."

"We can't drive," Mr. Kahn said. "The earthquake has torn up all of the streets."

"What will we take?" Mrs. Kahn asked.

"Just what you have to have," Ben replied. "There is little time. We have friends who will take you to Petra, but you'll have to walk to the airport."

"Where's Petra?" Joseph asked.

"It's in Jordan," Ben said. "You must hurry."

"Okay," Joseph said. "When are you going?"

"I'm not," Ben answered.

"Why not?" Mrs. Kahn asked.

"My Dad won't go and my mother won't leave him." Ben's face was haggard. It was obvious he hadn't slept. "I can't desert them. I have to keep talking to them. Besides there is so much work to do."

"I'll stay with you," Joseph said.

"No," Ben said. "You must go and help the others in Petra." "If you stay in Jerusalem you might get killed," Joseph said, his voice low.

"I know it," Ben said. "But there are still many people who need to know that Jesus is the only way out of this horrible plight."

"How loyal you are." Mrs. Kahn's eyes were moist.

"Now, hurry," Ben said. "Don't worry about me."

"We'll pray for you and your parents, Ben," Mrs. Kahn said as she hugged him.

"You're a mighty fine young man, Ben," Mr. Kahn said. "Someday your father will be proud of you."

"Thanks," Ben said as he shook Mr. Kahn's hand and said goodbye.

His parents ran to pack, while Joseph told Ben goodbye.

"Thanks Ben." Joseph bit his lip to keep from crying. "Be careful, okay?"

"Sure," Ben said. Joseph's hand shook as he hugged his friend.

"Hey, Joe," Ben said as he walked out.

"Yeah, Ben." The lump that was in Joseph's throat made it hard for him to speak.

"Maybe if I'm lucky," Ben laughed softly. "I'll get to come back after you with Jesus."

"Yeah, Ben. I'll see you later, man." The lump got bigger as Joseph watched Ben walk out of sight.