First Chapter: The Adversary Chronicles: The Defining Curse (Book 3) by Randy C. Dockens #FirstChapter @randycdockens

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Title: The Defining Curse (The Adversary Chronicles Book 3) Author: Randy C. Dockens Publisher: Carpenter’s Son Publishing Pages: 300 Genre: Christian Science Fiction

Lucifer causes a curse that could change mankind’s destiny.

The prophet Jeremiah announces a curse which states the descendants of the Jewish King Jehoiachin will not become king of Judah and that Jehoiachin will be put in prison in Babylon. Lucifer tries to use this curse to change the prophecy of the coming Messiah while at the same time the archangel Mikael works to defeat Lucifer’s plans by aiding the prophet Daniel to alter Jehoiachin’s destiny. Can either accomplish this feat when Babylon is the heart of the worship of Lucifer and his demons? The Defining Curse is part of a new revolutionary series based upon the Bible entitled The Adversary Chronicles by futuristic fiction author Randy C Dockens. If you like Christian fiction books based upon biblical stories with a science fiction feel, then you will love this unique fast-paced suspense story occurring in the past but preparing for the future. You’ve never read a Bible story like this one!

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Chapter One: The Curse Revealed

Mikael sat at his favorite spot. He leaned back, placing his hands behind him on the large boulder on which he sat as he gazed across the bubbling brook in front of him at a flying creature coming toward him. The winged creature diverted its flight to land on the limb of a tree on the other side of the brook; the tree was in full bloom and covered in hundreds of tiny yet beautiful white flowers. What was it Adam named such a creature? Oh, yes. Bird. Mikael realized he had never before seen a flying creature of such magnificent beauty. Its feathers were a flaming red in color which morphed into orange and then into a brilliant yellow as its feathers formed its long, flowing tail. It stood out like a beacon against the pure white of the flowers now surrounding the majestic creature. The bird at first seemed to ignore him as it looked from one side to the other in quick, staccato head jerks. Then the creature seemed to look directly at Mikael, giving a trill and producing a sound so melodic Mikael stopped breathing for a few seconds. “Master,” Mikael whispered in awe. “You really know how to astound.” Mikael whistled in a puny attempt to make a return call to the bird. He had to laugh as the bird just cocked its head back and forth a few times as if in confusion. “Oh,” Mikael said. “My sound is not good enough for you? Is that it?” The bird flitted its head back and forth as if answering his question. Mikael laughed again. “Well. I see I’m not up to your standards.” The creature gave its melodic trill again and flew over Mikael in a high arc. Mikael smiled. Everything here in Eden was so wonderful, beautiful, peaceful. He shook his head. His Creator could really create. This was one of the reasons he loved coming to this dimension. There was always something new to behold. It seemed the Creator was constantly creating something unique and wonderful. But he knew this beauty was not just for him and his fellow angels to enjoy when they had time to come here. One day, those in the righteous part of Sheol would be brought here. He wasn’t yet sure how that would happen. But his Master had said it would take place, so Mikael knew it would. The timing was up to the Master. Mikael looked around again and smiled. He had been to Sheol when it was first created. While beautiful, it did not compare to Eden. This paradise was so much more wonderful. In Sheol, the feeling was foreboding even while beautiful. Here, there was such peace and beauty—almost beyond comprehension. Mikael looked back into the sky while watching the path of the bird as it headed for a grove of trees on the other side of the grassy meadow behind him. It was then Mikael noticed Raphael in the distance, turning a three-sixty, then focusing on him and striding toward him in an almost militaristic, determined cadence. As Raphael neared, Mikael sat up straighter. “Hello, Raphael. Anything wrong?” Raphael displayed a serious, determined look. “Mikael, come at once. He’s done it again.” “He? As in?” “Lucifer,” Raphael said with a tone that essentially said: Who else? Mikael stood, now also quite serious. “What did he do this time?” “He’s gotten the prophet Jeremiah so riled, Gabriel says he’s about to put a curse on King Jehoiachin.” Mikael’s eyes widened. “What kind of curse?” With a slight shake of his head, Raphael replied, “Gabriel didn’t say. But it can’t be good.” “Well, curses usually aren’t.” “Of course,” Raphael said. “I just mean . . . ” Mikael put his hand on Raphael’s shoulder with a small smile. “I know what you mean, Raphael. So, what’s the plan?” Raphael gave a shrug. “Not sure there is one. Gabriel is going down to observe. I thought you might want to join him.” “Definitely.” “You know,” Raphael said as he looked down and then back at Mikael. “I don’t understand why our Lord allows him to do all of these things.” “Our role is not to question, Raphael, but to obey.” “Yes, yes, I know,” Raphael said. “But look at all he’s done so far. First, he rebelled in our dimension when he had a position that any other angel would have gladly traded positions for. Then he deceived Serpent and Chavvah, manipulated both Serpent and Adam to actually rebel against our Creator, almost annihilated the human race before our Lord saved Noach and his family by destroying the wickedness Lucifer had brought to the earth, and almost created another coup at Babylon with Nimrod and his wife attempting to create a superhuman with the power to control the earth!” Raphael took a deep breath. “Now he’s trying to get Jeremiah to reverse the promise our Master made to King David. I mean, he just doesn’t stop. Why?” Mikael put his arm around Raphael’s shoulders and gave him a light pat. “Remember what the Master said in the beginning. It’s all about choice. There is no love without choice. There is no freedom without choice. But there are consequences—some immediate, others delayed.” He smiled. “Don’t worry, Raphael. Our Creator will make it all right in the end.” He gave a firm pat to Raphael’s shoulder. “He promised it, so it has to come true.” Raphael nodded. “I know you’re right, Mikael. But it’s hard to see everyone suffer so much. And all for the vain ego of one.” Raphael stiffened his stance. “But you’re right. Our job is to serve, not solve the problem. That is the job of our Creator. We do our part, and he will definitely do his.” Mikael smiled. “That’s the spirit. Now let’s go meet Gabriel.” They teleported to the angel dimension and searched to find Gabriel. After a short time they found him conversing with several other angels. Gabriel held up his hand in greeting. “Mikael. Good. You’re here.” He nodded at the three angels with him. “I was just telling them of my plans.” Mikael looked at the three and gave a slight nod of recognition. He returned his focus to Gabriel. “Do we need to bring a contingent of angels?” “I don’t think so,” Gabriel said. “I thought the three of us could go and first evaluate.” He nodded toward one of the angels with him. “I’ve told Quentillious of the possibility of that need, just in case.” Quentillious bowed to Mikael. “With your permission, though, certainly. You are, after all, the Captain of the Lord’s Host.” Mikael gave a slight nod. “Thank you, Quentillious. Yes, prepare a contingent, just in case.” Mikael looked to Gabriel and then back to him. “Hopefully, that is as far as we will need to go in this instance. But we should be prepared for battle if the need arises.” Quentillious nodded. “Very good, my captain.” He and the others turned and left. Mikael, Raphael, and Gabriel remained. Mikael looked at Gabriel. “Raphael told me about Jeremiah. What has him so worked up?” “As you know,” Gabriel began, “Jeremiah has had to put up with so much abuse from the royal household ever since the death of King Josiah. He has been an extremely faithful servant of our Lord despite being placed in prison many times for speaking the truth of Yahweh.” Mikael nodded. “Yes, I’m sure that has to weigh heavy on him. It’s like speaking to a brick wall. Yet several of the kings, including Jehoiachin’s father, were almost as bad, weren’t they?” “Indeed, they were,” Raphael interjected. “Several of them suffered greatly for their refusal to follow our Master’s directions that he provided them in the Law of Moses.” Gabriel nodded. “That’s very true. Their actions have had great consequences to their subjects as well. Not only physically, but spiritually. I think the latter is what is weighing heavily on Jeremiah’s heart.” “And we’re going there to change his mind?” Mikael asked. Gabriel shook his head. “Not exactly. I think Ruach, the Lord’s Spirit, is the one leading Jeremiah in this direction.” “What?” Mikael turned wide-eyed. “Why would he do that?” Gabriel gave a smile. “His ways are above ours.” Raphael looked from Mikael to Gabriel. “Wait. Gabriel, I thought you said Lucifer was behind this.” Gabriel nodded. Raphael squinted. “And Ruach is also behind this?” Gabriel nodded again. Mikael held up his hand. “Hold on. Lucifer and Ruach together on this? That doesn’t make sense.” He shook his head. “That doesn’t make sense at all.” “Oh,” Gabriel said, “Lucifer is never on the side of Ruach.” He smiled. “But Ruach can still use Lucifer’s plans to his own advantage without Lucifer knowing it.” Mikael rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes, that’s likely true.” He looked at Raphael and then back to Gabriel. “So, what are we to do?” “Observe,” Gabriel said. Mikael started to reply, but Gabriel held up his hand. “But be ready for more action if the need arises.” “Okay,” Mikael replied. He didn’t know what else to say. From experience he knew Ruach was never completely straightforward, but always had a plan, and that plan always worked out as designed. Mikael knew his job was to serve, and that was what he was willing to do. Raphael developed a confused look. “I don’t get it.” Mikael smiled and patted Raphael’s shoulder. “Remember our conversation just before teleporting here.” Raphael sighed, then nodded. “We are his servants.” Gabriel smiled. “And we obey.” “All right, then,” Mikael said. “Let’s go observe.” All three disappeared from their dimension and entered the time dimension.

About Randy C. Dockens

Dr. Randy C. Dockens has a fascination with science and with the Bible, hold Ph.D. degrees in both areas, and is a man not only of faith and science, but also of creativity. He believes that faith and science go hand in hand without being enemies of each other. After completing his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Auburn University he went on to graduate school at Auburn and completed his first doctorate degree in Pharmaceutics. He began his scientific career as a pharmacokinetic reviewer for the Food and Drug Administration and later joined a leading pharmaceutical company as a pharmacokineticist, which is a scientist who analyzes how the human body affects drugs after they have been administered (i.e., absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted). Through the years, he has worked on potential medicines within several disease areas, including cardiovascular, fibrosis, and immunoschience to see and develop new and novel medicines in these therapy areas. He has also had his attention on the academic study of the Bible. He earned a second doctorate in Biblical Prophecy from Louisiana Baptist University after receiving a master’s degree in Jewish Studies from the Internet Bible Institute under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Congdon. Randy has recently retired from his pharmaceutical career and is spending even more time on his writing efforts. He has written several books that span dystopian, end-time prophecy, science fiction, and uniquely told Bible stories. All his books, while fun to read, are futuristic, filled with science to give them an authentic feel, have a science fiction feel to them, and allows one to learn some aspect of Biblical truth one may not have thought about before. This is all done in a fast-paced action format that is both entertaining and provides a fun read for his readers. Website: https://www.randydockens.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/RandyCDockens Facebook: www.facebook.com/Randy.C.Dockens Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16453941 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randydockens

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