The struggle between good and evil has haunted mankind since its very existence. Temptation has created a conflict in man since Eve enticed Adam to bite into the apple in the Garden of Eden. The encounters between Christ and Satan are well documented through the written scriptures and can be traced back centuries. Throughout the centuries we have experienced horrific events that resulted from the constant struggle between good and evil for the domination of mankind. In each of these cases we have seen tremendous losses to both sides and, yet, we tolerate the coexistence of both forces and suffer the same negative consequences time and time again. So it came to be that Christ and Satan forged a pact to end this madness with the winner eliminating the other forever! The presence of the loser - either good or evil - would be completely wiped away and mankind, who had so many opportunities to determine their own fate, would incur the consequences. Their return to earth will lead each in separate directions in using their specific powers to be the victor! Jesus will cross paths with a couple in dire need of restoring their faith in god after a horrific encounter between their son and a mad man; a man who persevered through the devastating events of his childhood; an old man that personally challenges Jesus on the loss of his beloved wife and a minister that comes face to face with death and survives. Satan's path follows one of total destruction. He chooses to instill enough terror into everyone that they will turn to him in fear of what will happen to them should Jesus lose. Along the way he creates horrific events that will inflict thousands with a disease not seen in hundreds of years; destroys a national treasure; cold bloodily murders a world leader and utilizes the existing forces of evil to spread the word that he is walking among us. The Struggle is a roller coaster ride of emotions.

And God Cried

The struggleBy Ralph Cole

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Ralph Cole
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4634-1170-1

Contents

About the author....................................................viiDedication..........................................................ixWorks Cited.........................................................xiAbout the book - Prologue...........................................xiiiChapter one - The decision..........................................1Chapter two - The arrival...........................................8Chapter three - The first encounter.................................12Chapter four - The Decision.........................................27Chapter five - The arrival of Satan.................................34Chapter six - The drive.............................................47Chapter seven - The couple..........................................50Chapter eight - Henry Fiddleman.....................................56Chapter nine - Witnessing a death...................................69Chapter ten - Dinner with Sheila....................................80Chapter eleven - The dam destruction................................84Chapter twelve - Smiley Rider.......................................96Chapter thirteen - An encounter in Rhode Island.....................102Chapter fourteen - The news spreads.................................113Chapter fifteen - Washington, DC....................................121Chapter sixteen - The ice man.......................................130Chapter seventeen - Satan speaks....................................136Chapter eighteen - Jesus remembers..................................143Chapter nineteen - Signs of trouble.................................150Chapter twenty - Jolly..............................................153Chapter twenty one - What next?.....................................157Chapter twenty two - Jesus speaks...................................164Chapter twenty three - Satan reacts.................................177Chapter twenty four - Separate ways.................................182Chapter twenty five - Satan spreads fear............................186Chapter twenty six - The Christmas holidays.........................194Chapter twenty seven - Pastor John Lincoln..........................198Chapter twenty eight - Satan meets the pope.........................203Chapter twenty nine - Jesus hears the news..........................217Chapter thirty - Jesus attends mass.................................220Chapter thirty one - Finding Jesus..................................227Chapter thirty two - Talking with Satan.............................235Chapter thirty three - Jesus plans..................................240Chapter thirty four - The day of reckoning..........................242Chapter thirty five - Jesus appears.................................246Chapter thirty six - Judgment Day...................................249Chapter thirty seven - The cost of redemption.......................254

Chapter One

The decision

Mankind had struggled for centuries with the forces of good and evil pulling at them in an endless tug of war. The same unending conflict would continue for centuries unless there was finally an intervention by the two supreme leaders of these two, powerful, yet so different forces. It was with such an intervention that each decided to return to earth for one final showdown that would decide the fate of man. The eternal struggle for the domination of mankind would be decided in the ultimate challenge between these rivals.

In was obvious that mankind was ill prepared or decisive enough to be able to choose between the two forces. Based on historical events it was insane to think that man could gain some common ground in ending this struggle. The constant daily battles between good and evil were reflective in everything you read in the news accounts on the web, national television and satellite broadcasts. The scales were so evenly balanced that it was obvious that the struggle could continue for another 1,000 years with no clear cut winner. Even with all the scientific improvements and technological advancements in today's society we could not seriously alter the fact that mankind did not possess the ability to rid itself of evil and build a world of harmony for all. So the two arch enemies forged a pact that they would finally exercise their influence and unimaginable powers to finally determine an ultimate winner. That winner was solely dependent upon one critical factor. That key factor was how man would deal with the catastrophe events that will lead them to realize that there could be only one champion to lead them through eternity. That champion would then form and shape the entire planet into both a living hell where mankind will finally understand the consequences of their ways or a place of harmony and tranquility where man can live peacefully forever.

Evil reigned under the ultimate control of Satan. He thoroughly enjoyed the fruits of his labor with his constant bombardment of world events centering on havoc, misery and destruction wherever possible. Jesus repeatedly counter punched by striving to spread peace and harmony while also trying to salvage something good from the terrible acts caused by his rival.

It seemed that with the passing of time that man seemed to relish in the fact that they lived in a world where opposites co-existed in a carefully balanced struggle between good and evil. Throughout history there has always been a presence of the "good guy" and "bad guy" and one could easily point to example upon example of their impact on the development of countries and cultures around the world.

So the two arch enemies met in the heavens. It was difficult for each to be in the presence of the other as they despised everything that each stood for. Jesus, surrounded by his disciplines, patiently waited for the arrival of Satan. His father had tried to reason with him that compromise with his arch enemy was fruitless and Jesus should let each individual be able to determine their own fate through their life on earth. God, also, feared that he would lose his son a second time and the stakes were even set much higher. The loser of this conflict would be gone forever and it frightened God that the ultimate end of this battle could be beyond the wildest dreams of any living thing. Jesus had listened to the soft words of his father and his soul was tormented each day on whether the path he had chosen was the right one. Yet the driving factor was the absolute horrors that he witnessed each day that man was committing with growing unrest and little concern to the consequences. It was this key factor that concerned him that he must do whatever possible to stop this evil.

Jesus prayed with his disciplines and asked for their guidance and support as he prepared for the arrival of Satan. Each loved him deeply and again feared for his safety as they did thousands of years ago. The horrific memories of their inability to stop the crucifixion echoed in their minds and it frightened them beyond words that this time he would be facing evil in its purest form. Over the past months it became more and more obvious at each of their meetings that Jesus was growing more determined to offer the ultimate challenge to Satan. Now the day had arrived as Jesus received confirmation that Satan would indeed meet him and determine if such a pact could be agreed upon. As they waited together they held hands to gain the inner spiritual strength to be in the same presence as Satan. They bowed...