The soldier binds my hands. "Let's go," he said, yanking hard on the chain; leading me to the chamber where I am standing trial for breaking the newly instated law.

We enter the courtroom. On lookers line the walls to the left and the right, whispering to each other and pointing in my direction, as the soldier drags me down the center isle. Once we reach the front, he directs me to the left and jerks down on the chain, causing me to lose my balance. I graze the edge of the seat and tumble to the floor. Laughter roars loudly throughout the room, He grabs my arm "get up," he demands angrily, snatching me to my feet, and slamming me into the chair. He briskly pulls the chain, unlocks the handcuffs, and throws an intense look to the crowd of by standers, which quiets the room. A few minutes go by. I feel the eyes burning a hole into my back and hear the rustling of people adjusting in their seats.

"All rise," announced the soldier in front of the judge's bench. Everyone stands and silence floods the room. "May this court come to order, as your honor, Edward Bellman resides." Then he comes to stand in the front row of seats and turns to face the judge.

"You may be seated," Judge Bellman, said indifferently. After scanning the papers, he said, "will the defendant approach the bench?"

While walking to stand directly in front of the Judge, I silently pray, 'Lord speak through me, the words you have for those present.'

"You are accused of refusing to conform to the New World Order Religion; is this true?" Bellman asked.

"For the sake of my Brother; my Father does not allow me to compromise my beliefs, your honor."

"And who is this Father and this Brother!" he barked impatiently."

"My Father is the God almighty, creator of heaven and earth. My Brother is Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for the sins of the world."

"So you are telling me that you’re a Christian?" Bellman said, in a controlled tone; contrary to the obvious disapproval in his facial expression.

"I am."

Not able to contain himself any longer, "You are the thirty-fifth one in my court room this week; what makes Christians different from everyone?" he yells.

"Well sir, on one hand; everyone else strives for a comfortable life here on earth, all the way through their burial, obey man's laws and live in a reality that they see with their natural eye; on the other hand; we that love the Lord, live in another realm of reality, driven by unseen forces, obey spiritual laws given to us from the one and only true God, and we strive for a future in His kingdom, beyond the grave."

“I see. It seems that you are between a rock and a hard place, Mr. Yates, Bellman said, as he leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. Do you know what the penalty is for refusing to worship our grand and beautifully constructed statue?”

“I do.”

“You mean to tell me that you are willing to choose death over an invisible God; than to conform to the religion that promises world peace?”

“I stand on the premise that nothing can separate me from the love of God. Not even death.”

Bellman briefly looks at me quizzically, it part admiring the confidence of my statements and the total trust I display in my God. But more importantly he is an appointed official, bound to uphold the law. He stands and points directly to me, “Get this peasant out of my sight, he demands. Take him directly to the chopping block, and off with his head.”

The soldier smiled as he binds me again, pulling me behind him in anxious fever. I can’t wait until we are rid of the lot of you. What this world needs is peace, not you rebels, fighting progress every step of the way.

I pray a small prayer as we step outside to the gallows, “Dear Lord, I put my soul in your hands. Thank you for giving me the chance to die for you, as you have died for me.”

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