{"id":34,"date":"2026-03-17T12:13:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T18:13:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preachingfromthebible.net\/thelastdays\/?p=34"},"modified":"2026-03-17T12:13:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T18:13:22","slug":"chapter-2-the-second-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preachingfromthebible.net\/thelastdays\/chapter-2-the-second-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 2: The Second Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part I: The Ten Days<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”<\/em> (Revelation 2:10)<\/p>\n

Chapter 2: The Second Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arp, Texas, USA \u2013 Thursday, September Third<\/strong><\/p>\n

Early in the morning, as the sun had just risen behind the rows of oak trees, the air was still unusually cold. There was no crowing of roosters, no distant sound of vehicles\u2014only a gentle wind passing through the grass and the ticking of a battery-powered clock inside the house.<\/p>\n

Tim and M\u1ef9 Linh were the first to wake up. After their morning prayer, Tim turned on a flashlight to check the water supply and food storage. M\u1ef9 Linh brewed a pot of black coffee on a small gas stove, the aroma spreading gently through the familiar kitchen.<\/p>\n

Tim stepped out onto the porch, took a deep breath of the chilly air, and listened. From Brian\u2019s farm, only about a quarter of an acre away, the sound of cattle lowing could still be heard\u2014not as panicked as the night before, but still filled with unease.<\/p>\n

Tim\u2019s phone vibrated lightly. The mobile signal was very weak but still showed one bar. It was a call from Brian.<\/p>\n

Tim answered immediately, his voice warm and steady:<\/p>\n

\u201cBrian, good morning. Are you and Hellen alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian\u2019s voice was hoarse from lack of sleep but still firm like a former Marine:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re okay, Tim. How about you and Priscilla? My livestock are still alive. Hellen and my parents are alright too. But this situation\u2026 no one knows how long it will last. I\u2019m calling to check on your family and to say I\u2019ll bring over some walkie-talkies and a solar charger. When the phone network goes down completely, we can still stay in touch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim smiled, his heart warmed. He silently thanked the Lord for Brian and Hellen as neighbors\u2014two atheists, yet living with high moral character and always ready to help.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. We\u2019re alright. Grace and Jay got back safely yesterday at noon. The Lord kept them on their way home. The radios are a great idea. We\u2019re ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian paused, his tone becoming more serious:<\/p>\n

\u201cTim, let me ask directly: do you have enough guns and ammunition? With things like this\u2026 no one knows what tomorrow will be like. I\u2019ll bring you two Remington 870 shotguns\u201412-gauge pump-action, very reliable\u2014and several crates of ammo: 00 buckshot, 9 mm for Glock, and .223 for AR-15, a few thousand rounds each. We need to join forces. I\u2019d also like your permission to tear down a section of the fence between our properties at the back\u2014so when needed, we can move between houses quickly without going through the front gate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim was silent for a second, his heart filled with gratitude to the Lord. He knew Brian and Hellen were atheists, yet they lived upright, honest lives\u2014and now, in hardship, they were opening their hearts.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrian, we thank you very much. We have enough guns and ammo for a while, but more from you is even better. As for the back fence\u2026 I agree. That\u2019s a wise approach. We will stand together to protect our families and those whom the Lord has placed at our doorstep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian let out a soft sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bring everything over right away. Hellen is getting things ready. My parents also want to come visit\u2014they really like Priscilla\u2019s Vietnamese cooking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be waiting for you. Grace and Jay are here too. They\u2019ll be glad to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

About 30 minutes later, Brian drove up in a pickup truck. He and Hellen stepped out, carrying two Remington 870 shotguns (12-gauge pump-action, 18.5-inch barrel, wooden stock, widely used in both military and civilian settings in the U.S.), along with three well-packed crates of ammunition: shotgun 00 buck and slugs (about 2,000 rounds), 9 mm FMJ and JHP (about 3,000 rounds), and .223\/5.56 NATO (about 4,000 rounds).<\/p>\n

Brian\u2019s parents, both over 80 but still healthy, came along as well, bringing a basket of toasted bread and homemade smoked meat from their farm.<\/p>\n

Seeing Grace and Jay standing beside Tim, Brian\u2019s eyes lit up.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrace! Jay! You made it back? God really protected you.\u201d (Though atheists, like many Americans, Brian and Hellen still casually used the word \u201cGod.\u201d)<\/p>\n

H\u1ed3ng \u00c2n smiled and stepped forward to hug Hellen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Uncle Brian and Aunt Hellen. We were safe because of the Lord and our parents\u2019 instructions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thi\u00ean L\u1ea1c shook Brian\u2019s hand firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, auntie and uncle. This ammo and these shotguns are very valuable. I\u2019ll use them to protect the family and those in need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian nodded, his voice low:<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know whether your God is real or not, Tim. But I see that you live differently. I don\u2019t believe, but I can see your faith gives real strength. If God is real, then He\u2019s using you to help us right now. We need to stand together\u2014our houses are close; we protect each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian\u2019s parents looked at Tim and M\u1ef9 Linh, their voices emotional:<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for always being kind to us. We don\u2019t believe in God, but we respect your faith. If God is real, then He must have sent you to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

M\u1ef9 Linh smiled and embraced Brian\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod loves you even though you do not yet know Him. We pray for you every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim placed his hand on Brian\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will never refuse your friendship and kindness. The Lord teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves. The back fence\u2014we\u2019ll tear it down today. When needed, the two houses will be one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian\u2019s parents and his family stayed for a simple breakfast: Vietnamese b\u00e1nh m\u00ec (cold cut sandwich), hot tea, and coffee.<\/p>\n

They listened with surprise and interest to the story about Kathy and Th\u00f9y.<\/p>\n

Before leaving, Brian turned back to Tim.<\/p>\n

\u201cAround noon, I\u2019ll bring tools to tear down the fence and build a gate. We\u2019ll get it done right away. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim shook his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. The Lord is using you to protect us. We will also protect you.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Brian left, Tim went back inside and looked at his family\u2014now including Kathy and Th\u00f9y\u2014and said softly:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lord is opening the hearts of Brian and Hellen and also Brian\u2019s parents. Let us pray for them\u2014and remain faithful in these troubled days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim closed his eyes and prayed:<\/p>\n

\u201cLord, please open the hearts of Brian and Hellen and their parents. Use us to bear witness of Your love. Keep them and their family safe in this crisis. We entrust everything into Your hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

The whole family bowed their heads.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Less than an hour later, Th\u00f9y\u2019s phone vibrated. The signal was weak but still connected. It was a call from her father.<\/p>\n

Th\u00f9y answered, her voice trembling:<\/p>\n

\u201cDad, it\u2019s me. Are you and Mom alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her father\u2019s voice was panicked, almost shouting:<\/p>\n

\u201cTh\u00f9y! Our house burned down! Around midnight, the gas stove suddenly exploded, and the fire spread very fast. Your mother, I, and your brother (he\u2019s home on leave) managed to run outside with some personal belongings and documents. But the entire wooden house is gone. We couldn\u2019t save anything else. The three of us are staying at a neighbor\u2019s house, but it\u2019s not safe. We were planning to drive to pick you up, then head to your uncle\u2019s place in Oklahoma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Th\u00f9y went pale. She handed the phone to Tim, her voice choking:<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Tim\u2026 My house burned down\u2026 my parents and my brother\u2026 they\u2019re not hurt, but they lost everything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim took the phone and turned on speaker, his face serious but calm. He spoke clearly:<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, sir. I\u2019m Tim, the homeowner where Th\u00f9y stayed last night. We thank the Lord that you and your son are safe. I suggest: don\u2019t rush to Oklahoma yet. Please drive here and stay with us for a few days to see how things develop. I have a fairly large storage building behind the house that can be cleared out for temporary lodging until things stabilize somewhat. We have food, water, and a safe place to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Th\u00f9y\u2019s father\u2019s voice trembled, but with relief:<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you\u2026 thank you so much. We\u2019ll try to get there right away. Thank your family for helping Th\u00f9y.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim handed the phone back to Th\u00f9y, his voice steady:<\/p>\n

\u201cTell your parents: \u2018The Lord is opening a way. We will wait for them. Pray for them on the road.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Th\u00f9y nodded, tears still falling, but her eyes shining with hope. She held the phone tightly and whispered:<\/p>\n

\u201cThank You, Lord\u2026 thank you, uncle and auntie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then she softly said to her father:<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Tim says you should come here. Everyone is waiting and praying for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim turned to the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lord is placing more people at our doorstep. We will prepare the storage building as temporary lodging for Th\u00f9y\u2019s family. This is an opportunity for us to bear witness of the Lord\u2019s love to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

M\u1ef9 Linh nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lord knows everything. He has already prepared a place for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kathy, after hearing a brief English explanation from Grace, looked at Th\u00f9y and said softly:<\/p>\n

\u201cSister Th\u00f9y, your parents will come here. God will protect them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Th\u00f9y bent down to hug Kathy, her voice breaking:<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you\u2026 thank the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n

H\u1ed3ng \u00c2n stood up first.<\/p>\n

\u201cI and Thi\u00ean L\u1ea1c will clean the storage with Th\u00f9y. Kathy can help sweep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thi\u00ean L\u1ea1c nodded firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll check the heater and chimney to make sure it\u2019s safe for burning wood. The storage also has a pipe from the well\u2014just needs manual pumping to use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Th\u00f9y sat quietly, eyes red, but as she listened, she whispered:<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you\u2026 thank the Lord. I don\u2019t know what else to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim placed his hand on her shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to say anything. The Lord has brought your parents and brother here. This house is His house, and your family is our family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone got to work immediately. Tim led the way, opening the storage building behind the house\u2014a large wooden structure with a metal roof, about 20 by 30 feet (around 55 m\u00b2), which Tim had built himself a few years earlier after moving in, as preparation for emergencies. Tim was not exactly a prepper. He did not hoard excessively or obsess over end-time scenarios, but he accepted reasonable and wise ideas from the Bible and life experience: prepare for difficult days, yet entrust everything to the Lord.<\/p>\n

Inside the storage:<\/p>\n