Stones of Fire

69

‘I know that Bible verse… It’s from the Book of Ezekiel,’ Edie murmured.

Knowing that Edie had been force-fed a biblical diet during her teenage years, Cædmon turned to her. At a glance he could see that she was distressed by MacFarlane’s recitation.

‘I didn’t take you for a woman versed in the prophecies,’ MacFarlane replied dismissively.

Edie shrugged. ‘My grandfather held to the same End Times belief, absolutely certain that Ezekiel’s war, as he called it, loomed on the horizon.’

‘Then you undoubtedly know that the ancient prophecies are a gift from God. A light in the midst of the spiritual malaise that is so prevalent in our day and age. Many centuries ago the prophet Ezekiel clearly spelled out God’s battle plan to save mankind from the forces of evil.’ MacFarlane spoke with a proprietary air. As though imparting a great and wondrous secret.

‘Which merely proves what I’ve thought all along — that biblical prophecy is too often used to justify the hate-filled agendas of warmongers like yourself.’ Edie’s normally pale cheeks were flushed with vivid colour, Cædmon aware that for her this argument had a personal dimension. ‘There are many fundamentalist Christians who believe that contained within the verses of Ezekiel there’s a detailed plan for the invasion of Israel by an alliance of foreign countries,’ she continued, addressing her comments directly to him. ‘It’s what’s known as the Battle of Gog and Magog. Furthermore, they believe that this battle will be fought during the last days.’

The last days.

By that he supposed that Edie referred to the much-ballyhooed apocalypse. The end of life as we know it. As in get down on your knees and kiss the world goodbye.

Was MacFarlane’s obsession with the Ark of the Covenant somehow intertwined with an apocalyptic vision? God help them if it was, history full of men who had proclaimed that the end of the world was at hand. In almost every instance such prophets had left only pain and misery in their wake.

‘I’m curious about this Battle of Gog and Magog.’ If he’d learned anything during his spell with MI5, it was that information was a form of power, sometimes the only power one had over one’s enemies. ‘Where precisely will the conflict take place?’

‘The great battle will be fought in the mountains of Israel,’ MacFarlane replied.

‘I see.’ Cædmon mulled the disclosure, his curiosity piqued. ‘And who will be involved?’

Smiling, his nemesis answered, ‘The prophet Ezekiel writes of an alliance of nations from remote parts of the north known as “the land of Gog”. This alliance will fight under the leadership of the ruler of Gog —’

‘Aka Magog,’ Edie interjected.

‘— and will include the princes of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.’

Cædmon pondered what, to the uninitiated ear, was so much gibberish. ‘I assume that Rosh refers to the tribe of Ros, an ancient group of people believed to have inhabited the region of modern-day Ukraine and Russia.’ When MacFarlane nodded, he next said, ‘So, presumably this northern alliance will comprise countries formerly part of the Soviet Union.’

‘Many of which, such as Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are Islamic nations,’ Edie pointed out.

Islamic nations fighting a cataclysmic battle within the borders of Israel.

The plot had considerably thickened.

‘According to Ezekiel, Magog’s army will be supported by the nations of Persia, Cush and Put.’ This also from Edie, who was fast proving herself a fount of biblical information.

‘Iran, Sudan and Libya, if my ancient history serves me correctly.’ Cædmon took a moment to mull over what he’d been told thus far. Then, finding a glaring inconsistency in the prophesied scenario, he said, ‘Let’s assume for argument’s sake that the Ezekiel prophecy does foretell of a Russian-led invasion of Israel, what possible reason would Russia have for initiating such a war?’

MacFarlane stared at him as though he’d asked a simpleton’s question. ‘Economic and political instability are reason enough, don’t you think? Israel is, after all, the Silicon Valley of the Middle East.’

‘And don’t forget the wealth of minerals to be mined around the Dead Sea, as well as the untapped oil reserves within Israel’s borders,’ Edie chipped in, her remarks leaving Cædmon unsure of whether or not she believed the apocalyptic tale. ‘Given that both Russia and Israel have nuclear weapons, the end result would be catastrophic.’

‘I must confess it’s not a totally improbable scenario, the Middle East being so volatile,’ Cædmon admitted in response to Edie’s last remark. ‘Although if that particular conflict ever came about, it would be started by man not God. The world’s thirst for oil is unquenchable and Russia is undoubtedly concerned that the US has secured a foothold in the Arab world. The Iron Curtain may be gone, but the rivalry lingers.’

‘The prophet Ezekiel describes the battle to come in clear, concise terms,’ MacFarlane said with a manic gleam in his eyes. ‘One has only to read the daily newspaper to know that the prophesied Battle of Gog and Magog can come at any time.’

‘I’m curious as to who you think will be the victor if this conflagration were to occur.’

‘Why Israel, of course. And that victory will assure Jews and Christians alike that God is still in their midst, as he was in the days of old, when he dwelt among them during the forty-year trek through the wilderness. With victory, a new temple will be erected in Jerusalem. Once it is constructed, the Ark of the Covenant will be restored to its rightful place.’

The Ark of the Covenant. Finally, they had come full circle.

Cædmon glanced at the trio of men engaged in hauling the treasure out of the hole. Time was not on his and Edie’s side. And it was certainly against them if the excavation turned up anything other than the sought-after prize.

‘Why are you telling me all this? Aren’t you letting the cat out of the biblical bag?’

MacFarlane took a step in his direction, Cædmon surprised to see a look of entreaty on his face.

‘I have a reason for sharing the prophecy with you — I want you to join us in our holy cause. The Lord always has need of good, stalwart men ready to fight his battles.’