Lily caught in an increasing complex surveillance society comes to the futuristic reality for those who profess the Christian Faith Jesus Christ shall be her only hiding place as it is written in Psalms 32:7, Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Not caught unawares at the rise of the Global Demonic Regime and soberly watches the “Signs of the Times.”

Yet unbeknown to Lily her faithful journey of trials and tribulations shall lead her to fulfill her heartfelt desires of  a “One True Love,” the likes of which is of the “Story Book Kind.” The couple Lily & Caleb are blessed to live out the remainder of days Happy Ever After.

The most Treacherous Time in history refereed by the Lord Jesus Christ as “Great Tribulation,” as it is written in Matthew 24: 21, For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

The ultimate challenge lies ahead for the faithful such as Lily a young damsel in the engaging and faith-affirming novel “Lily Among Thorns.” Biblical Prophecy is beginning to be revealed in real-time. The present challenge for the faithful is to endure the “Fiery Darts” of the enemy living in the “Last Days, ” as it is written in Ephesians 6:16, Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Duly Noted: Lily’s Italian Heritage is base on historical facts and her family’s migration begins in the 19th Century Italy with her Italian ancestors. The vast majority of Italians of whom Lily’s lineage as apart suffered from centuries of feudal land systems, extreme rural poverty. A government imposing crushing national taxes, high tariffs and disproportionately burdened the poor farmers and laborers. 

The Move to America: Attracted by the promise of jobs in a then booming U. S. industrial economy, many made the transatlantic voyage to escape literal starvation.

Steerage Class: Life for the Italian immigrants in the steerage class of the 19th-century steamships was extremely harsh, overcrowded, and unsanitary. The 1 to 3-week Atlantic crossing tested the passengers resolve with relentless seasickness, poor food, and foul air below deck.

Harsh Realities: Upon arrival in the U. S. Lily’s Italian ancestors faced crowed city tenements, grueling physical labor, and intense social discrimination and hostility.

Nevertheless the Italian immigrants would not be deterred form new beginnings in search of a better life in the “Land of Plenty” the  Constitutional Republic the United States of America. Thus through the decades of history generations have HOPE for a better life to live in Freedom and Liberty as it is written in 2nd Corinthians3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 

Second Coming Apocalypse image by rcascoherrera, on Pixabay

Caleb is Resolute To Dedicate his life in the service of the Lord, and humbly acknowledges all things are possible for the Lord as it is written in Mark 9:26, But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Caleb’s love for the Lord Jesus Christ try his endurance of faith under fire. Bible Prophecy is up close an personal as the enemy encloses with the passage of time, with which Caleb has become a weary Christian Soldier but is encourage by the “Word” of God as it is written in Galatians 6:9, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

The time passes and with years of experience dodging the “World Beastly Order“now behind him for good since he has become more of a liability then a help to anyone anymore as it is written in Luke 6:22, Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

Caleb yields to the advice of a trusted confidant and sets out to fulfill his own personal proclivities. and one night in a rare instance. Caleb lets down his defenses and led by the heart. Lily catches his eye and under the threat of persecution this providential  encounter grows into the unbreakable bonds of an “Endless Love,”

Duly Noted: Caleb’s ancestry thus based on historical fact begins in 19th-century England his great ancestor Amos a young man part of the poor labor class suffered grueling 12-to-14-hour workdays in factories and mines, Amos’s family residing in severe overcrowded industrial cities and undermining the prosperity of the family are harsh destitution laws.

The Workhouse System: Brought more misery to the already harsh reality of the working poor. Conditions inside the workhouses were intentionally brutal, featuring hard manual labor, meager diets, and the forced seperation of families.

Despite fueling the “Industrial Revolution”, workers like Amos endured extreme poverty and disease until the late-century reforms and labor unions gradually improved their wages, living standards, and legal protections.

Harsh Judgements: Caleb’s Great ancestor Amos innocently found himself before a judge and was sentence without much fanfare. The 19th-century Britain Judges often passed down harsh sentences such as hard labor or transported to the penal colony in Australia. For the poor people even a minor crime like stealing bread or small petty theft. The Strict Judaical System of its day proscribed property laws for fears of social unrest, the legal system treated with severity of punishment to deter the working class.

Strict Property Protection: Wealthy lawmakers created laws that heavily favored themselves over the starving desperate fellow citizens.

Thousands of Petty Criminals were sent away to distant colonies such as Caleb’s ancestor Amos to Australia.

Classic Rages-to-Riches Story was Amos; a convict sent to Australia for a petty crime upon release thought the best revenge is success. He was fortunate his hard worked paid off. Amos bought large tracts of land and branched out into farming, milling, and amassed a massive fortune. The Australians free from the bondage brought success to the common man just as Caleb’s Great Ancestor Amos. 

James 5:4, Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of the sabaoth. (“Sabaoth” Hebrew transliteration “armies” or “hosts.” meaning Lord of the Hosts, which signifies God’s supreme power and command of all spiritual and earthy forces.)  

The “Hellion Influence” by way of Jared’s mother succumb Jared to the ways of the “Shadow World” as a young child as it is written in Job 24:17, For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.

Jared became disillusioned by the hypocrisy in his upbringing and his unfortunate youthful experience would have set him on a permanent wayward path if not for his father’s tender tutelage of the Holy Scriptures of the Bible as it is written in Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Jared’s faithful encounter at  Christian Junior High School, where he met all of his expectations for loves sweet rewards. When he came upon the purest of hearts a beautiful faithful Christian young lady named Arabella, her name meaning “Answered Prayer.” 

Song of Solomon 8:6, Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for LOVE IS AS STRONG AS DEATH; jealous is as cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

Nevertheless when the noise of world grew quiet Jared’s thoughtful contemplation brought him to a place where he began to bypass the false facade of worldly materialism and eventually he was lead back to the youthful Biblical teachings of his early youth and the purity of love found within the pages of the Scriptures of the Holy Bible as it is written in 2nd Timothy 3:15, And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation trough faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Jared’s reconciliation of faith led him to the decision not even an all powerful earthly “Global Beast Cabal” could stop him from making his own dreams come true, and although challenging times may be on his horizon. Jared search is not in vain coming full circle to live out the remainder of his days fulfilled with the promises of marital bliss, as it is written in Psalms 16:11, Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Duly Noted: The heritage of Jared’s ancestry starts in the 19th-century his great ancestor founded a hometown gazette. Operating out of a small notch in the community his ancestor printed the local news, such as shop keepers new and improved items for sale, or perhaps the arrival of a wagon train. 

With the passage of time Progress Improved, thereby begins the Hargrove family Newspaper Business up scaled to rotary presses and the inclusion of a popular tabloid format which manage to capture the local urban commuters attention.

The Denver Sun which perhaps is a fictional Newspaper in the thriller romantic novel Lily Among Thorns, nevertheless base on facts in history. The Hargrove Denver Sun Newspaper eventually becomes a Denver Colorado Cultural Staple informing the public with deep investigative reporting, and regional coverage which helped unite a growing state.

The 21st-century brought with it the “Internet’s” far reaching influence on a grand scale to create and information hub for an inquisitive public.

However and in my own opinion I do hope the paper version of the Newspapers shall never cease to exist and this cherished historical past will forever remain a Time Honored Tradition.

statue image by rcascoherrera, on Pixabay

Time grows short as well as Living On Borrowed Time with the enemy, ” That Old Serpent” ramping up an official crack down on all decedents opposed to immoral “World Antichrist Cabal” “Make of the Beast” as it is written in Matthew 24:22, And except those days should be shortened, there should be no flesh be saved: but for the elect sake those days shall be shortened.

The believer such as Lily looks to her “Blessed Hope” to bring a swift end to the chaos of the “Last Days” as it is written in Titus 2:13, Looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Lily and the faithful watching with great anticipation for the Lord Jesus appearing in the clouds as it is written in 2nd Timothy 4:8, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all of them also that love his appearing.

Devil Creature Apocalypse image by rcascoherrera, on Pixabay

man image by A E Bragg, on Pixabay

He knows this will eventually put him at odds with the rapid rising of the “Wicked Villainous Global Cabal.” Nonetheless remaining true to his beloved mother’s tutelage of the Holy Scriptures the Bible. Stefan made a steadfast decision to remain on the Right Side of History. His sincere devotion led him into the complete service of the “Anointed One” the Lord Jesus Christ as it is written in Acts 10:38, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

The rise of the Antichrist figure  in wicked allegiance with the False Prophet and the Dragon come whence from the 2ne heaven to the SOULS of Earth to steal kill and destroy as it is written in 1st Peter 5:8, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Revelation 12:9, And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Determined Stefan treads where others cannot to help those where all seems hopeless to break free from the “Bonds of Injustice.” Stefan shall use whatever means necessary in his quest to help in his righteous cause.  Most importantly he is led by an unwavering faith and therein lies Stefan’s strength to be a Formidable Opponent as it is written in 1st Corinthians 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. .

However being a force of one can be a lonely way to live, and Stefan comes to fulfill the bountiful blessings promised to his “Ancient Ancestors” and keeping with the promises of God. Stefan eventuality shall find true happiness as it is written in 2nd Corinthians 1:20, For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Duly Noted: Tragedy strikes Stefan as a tender fledgling with the loss of his Beloved Mother Ruth. A major trauma for little Stefan led to a post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): the disruption to his sense of safety a protection from danger. Stefan manages by taking on an adult role in his young years, and came into manhood with a self-reliant attitude and thus rarely does Stefan let his guard down and ask for help.

Stefan’s college years living on-site he excels at his studies attending University of Cambridge he chooses the life of an academic. The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209; is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and is located in Cambridge England. 

In 1231 the University of Cambridge was recognized with a royal charter, granted by King Henry III. (A royal charter is a formal legal document issued by a monarch; turns a group of people into a single, independent legal body. Historically used to create trading companies and so forth, today it is granted to prestigious status charities, universities, and professional groups.) An organization is recognized as a distinct legal personality allowing it to own property, sue, and be sued. Used in England since the 12th century such as the Magna Carta in 1215 to grant rights.  

The Magna Carta date June 15th, 1215 at Runnymede near Windsor, England. Drafted by Archbishop Stephen Langton, forced on King John by the feudal barons. Establishing the “Rule of Law” meaning no individual, not even a king, is above the law. Magna Carta is Latin for “Great Charter”.

Stefan established a disciplined lifestyle which included the Martial Art of Jujutsu (or jiu-jitsu); which began in feudal Japan as an unarmed method for a samurai warrior at the loss of his own weapons to defeat a armed and armored opponent. Jujutsu meaning “the gentle art” relies on leverage, joint locks, and throws to use the attackers own energy against them. 

Battlefield origins developed during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods as a practical way to survive in close combat. By the 16th and 17th-century hundreds of distinct styles of JuJutsu emerged across Japan.  

The Kamakura period lasted from 1185 to 1333, and the Muromachi period ran from 1336 to 1573. These two eras mark Japan’s medieval feudal age, defined by the rise of the samurai class and military governments known as shogunate. 

The Biblical Time with which the cast of characters such as Lily & Caleb in the heartwarming suspenseful romantic novel Lily Among Thorns are destined to live at the “Last Days” appointed Time as it is written in Daniel 11:35, And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, , and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because is it yet for a time appointed.

the generation to witness the culmination of all things, of which Lily & Caleb are apart must urgently make the decision as their “Great Ancestors” did from in the beginning to accept or decline the promise of salvation as it is written Genesis 3:15, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Adam and Eve portrait image be rcascoherrera, on Pixabay

The Creator’s breath of life resides within the “Living Soul,” as it is written in Genesis 2:7, And the LORD God form man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

The “Living Soul” made in the image of the LORD God as it is written in Genesis 1:27, So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created he him; male and female he created he them.

regardless a life lived in the ancient past, decades ago written down for posterity for the future generations at present living in the final throes as written in the Holy Scriptures. Nonetheless the Holy Bible says today is the day of salvation as it is written in 2nd Corinthians 6:2, (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is thee the accepted time; behold, now of the day of salvation.)

The “Anointed One,” Jesus Christ reconciled unto salvation the world unto himself to once more commune with the “Living Soul” of Humankind in the “Cool of the Day” as it is written in 2nd Corinthians 5:19, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Amen!

CREDITS

Holy Scriptures, KING James Bible

Bible chair image by A E Bragg, on Pixabay

woman tree image by A E Bragg, on Pixabay

song title Royalty Free Music, music by Onoychenko, on Pixabay

resources: google.com AI Overview, www.loc.gov, The Library of Congress, wikipedia.org, Wikipedia, Japan Society, japansociety.org