Twisted Linen Read Free

desperately
want.
    As they join forces side-by-side at the front
of the car, Grace takes Simon’s hand. It is partly an instinct for
self-protection but also because she knows Simon thrives when they
are united as a team. The two walk hand-in-hand toward the entrance
of the hotel, not the least bit bashful of their partnership.
    “Let’s get paid,” Simon says with
confidence.
    Grace counters with equal confidence, “Then
off to Tahiti. Just you and me, my Love”
    “And a yacht,” Simon quickly adds with a
smirk.
     
     
    * * *

 
     
     
    4
    The Morgue

     
    Scattered throughout the ancient city of
Jerusalem are historic sites like the Dome of the Rock and the
Temple Mount. Thousands of Jews busily move about the streets
in-between prayer and worship. Because the Israeli people were
victorious over their Arab enemies, they now exhibit a boldness not
seen since the days of King David. Earlier in the year, the nation
celebrated the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.
It was fifty years ago that Israel reclaimed Jerusalem by winning
the Six Day War, and all believe that it is God’s divine
appointment that exactly 50 years later Israel regained more of
God’s promised land by obliterating the Islamic terrorist groups –
Hamas, al-Qaeda, ISIS, Muslim Brotherhood, or whatever name they
call themselves. Israel decisively won the Middle East War and it
now controls the territories of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq,
plus the western part of Iran, and the northern parts Saudi Arabia
and Egypt.
    To the East of the Temple Mount hundreds of
Jews gather at a newly built temple. Its completion only months
earlier is the most significant construction to take place in the
past 2000 years. Every detail of the structure is prophetic, but
three prophetic fulfillments are especially notable: First, the
Temple faces the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem in anticipation of the
coming Jewish Messiah. Second, the Jews’ reinstituted the
sacrificial system so the Temple will soon conduct “blood
sacrifices.” Third, a pure red heifer had been born two years
earlier, and it will serve as the first sacrifice in atonement of
sin since the death of Jesus Christ.
    A “sacrifice” is the offering of something
precious for a cause or a reason. Making “atonement” is satisfying
someone for an offense committed. The significance of blood in the
sacrificial system is based on the Old Testament portion of the
Bible, or Jewish Torah as the Jews call it. In Leviticus 17:11, God
speaks to Moses and declares, “For the life of a creature is in the
blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves
on the altar. It is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
It means those who are covered by a “blood sacrifice” are set free
from the consequences of sin. However, the animals used in blood
sacrifices are imperfect and only serve as a temporary atonement of
sin. In this way, the sacrifices only foreshadow the one and final
sacrifice to come. God said eternal atonement would only be found
by the sacrifice of a sinless and perfect being, and He promised to
send a Savior, the Christ, for this purpose.
    Christians believe it is Jesus Christ who
provides eternal life through the shedding of His sinless blood.
Through the righteous blood of Jesus Christ, Christians stand
before God without condemnation.
    The Jewish people are still waiting for the
Christ’s arrival, through whom the eternal atonement of sin will be
given. Until that time, blood sacrifices are made as a temporary
atonement of sin. It is for that reason that the Temple priests
honor their red heifer and its sacrificial offering to take place
in two days, on Rosh HaShanah.
     
    Not far away, the city’s main morgue stands
where it has been for hundreds of years. A doctor examines David
Cohen’s body and states his autopsy observations for the orderlies
to record.
    “Entrance wound one centimeter. Exit wound is
about the same. Minimal