Reconciled
About the Book
World on Fire: Reconciled
Reconciled concludes the World on Fire trilogy. In it, David’s faith and obedience to God is tested. Armies of the Union of North American Republics (UNAR) have retreated east of the Mississippi River. They are consolidating and preparing to unleash a great attack westward against David and his much smaller Free America Army. But David has a plan. He will seize the initiative and attack first. Will his envisioned apocalyptic battle decide the fate of the nation, even the world? Will it solve his own personal issues? Is this truly what God demands of David? Read how the stories of David, Sarah, their family, and friends come to an unexpected and powerful conclusion in World on Fire: Reconciled.
Book
Chapters Summaries
Chapter 1
"Homecoming"
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20 (ESV)
Rebecca searches for her family and decides she must seek out Joshua for help.
Chapter 2
"The Little Horn"
“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and the mouth speaking great things.” ― Daniel 7:8 (ESV)
The Great Protector introduces himself to his new staff and shocks them all. No longer does he want to be addressed as the Great Protector. Henceforth, he will be called the Peacemaker.
Chapter 3
"Revenge"
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”—Romans 12:19 ESV
David lays out his strategy for the Northern and Southern Armies. Final victory is at hand.
Chapter 4
"The Search"
“You discover nothing; you only learn of what you have been ignorant of so far.” ― Lamine Pearlheart, To Life from the Shadows.
Rebecca finds Joshua. Is God giving Joshua another chance? He agrees to help Rebecca find her estranged mother.
Chapter 5
"The Prelude"
“I had melancholy thoughts… a strangeness in my mind. A feeling that I was not for that hour, nor for that place.”― William Wordsworth, The Prelude.
Does Peter hate his brother? Can Sarah help Peter?
Chapter 6
"Secrets"
“Nobody on this earth is perfect. Everybody has their flaws; everybody has their dark secrets and vices.”― Jarad Anthony Higgins, December 2, 1998 – December 8, 2019, known professionally as Juice Wrld, an American rapper, singer, and songwriter.
Rebecca and Joshua continue to search for Sarah. They attempt to explain to one another past missteps while secretly hiding their hopes and plans for the future.
Chapter 7
"Readiness"
“Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.” George Macaulay Trevelyan, British historian and academic, Feb 16, 1876 – July 21, 1962.
Storms buffet David’s conscience and helicopter. Does God talk to David once again?
Chapter 8
"Reunion"
“Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things.” ― Arthur Schopenhauer, Parerga and Paralipomena, German philosopher (Feb 22, 1788 – Sep 21, 1860).
Rebecca and Joshua find the Resistance Army’s Rear Headquarters. She reunites with her brother, Peter, and her sick mother.
Chapter 9
"Trust and Obey
"
”Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV.
Is David’s condition improving? Is Sarah’s getting worse? Joshua makes a decision. He must act now. He cannot wait any longer.
Chapter 10
"Faith"
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
David gives Thomas a shocking order. Thomas resists, telling David “Nothing on earth” would cause him to obey David’s order. Will it take an otherworldly message for Thomas to obey David’s command?
Chapter 11
"Hope"
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV
Sarah wakes up and learns of Joshua’s reentry into her life. She and Rebecca reunite. Thomas has a vision. Is it a dream?
Chapter 12
"Forgiveness"
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 NIV
Thomas makes a life-altering decision. Joshua confronts David. Can Sarah forgive Joshua? Is Sarah more concerned about Allen than her family?
Chapter 13
"First Steps"
“Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Romans 14:13 NIV
Joshua seeks forgiveness as he explains his long-ago actions to David. Sarah struggles to forgive.
Chapter 14
"The Antichrist and Rise of the False Prophet
"
“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” Dialogue by actor Kevin Spacey’s character in The Usual Suspects, a film made by independent production companies and distributed by Gramercy Pictures, 1995. The line was adapted from French poet Charles Baudelaire’s 1864 short story “Le Joueur Genereux” (The Generous Gambler).
The Antichrist reveals himself and names his False Prophet.
Chapter 15
"David’s Dilemma"
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Allen, Joshua, and Peter converge at the Resistance Army’s Forward Command Post and hear a momentous order from David. Is the order from the commander or is it really from God?
Chapter 16
"Confusion, Chaos, and Decisions"
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
James 3:16 NIV
Sarah confronts Thomas when he stops at the Rear Command Post on his journey to Montana. Cheyenne is mesmerized by Rebecca and has second thoughts. Will he continue to accompany Thomas on his westward journey or stay with Rebecca at the Rear Command Post?
Chapter 17
"Peace or War"
“But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.” Psalm 37:20 NIV
David makes a decision that may affect everyone in North America. Is he doing God’s will or his own? Thomas leaves the Rear Command Post, consumed by his quest for forgiveness and reconciliation with the little Montana girl who haunts his dreams. Cheyenne stays at the Rear Command Post consumed with feelings for Rebecca.
Chapter 18
"Love Renewed"
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:13-14 NIV
David arrives at the Rear Command Post and confronts Sarah. Will their marriage continue? David declares his love for Sarah. Does Sarah still love David?
Chapter 19
"God’s Promise"
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
Thomas arrives in Montana and immediately begins his search for the little blue-eyed girl who haunts his dreams. Joshua and Sara reconcile. Or, do they? Did Sarah forgive with her mouth but not her heart?
Chapter 20
"Big Country Hog & Cattle Feedlot"
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:16 ESV
Thomas meets someone that might help him resolve his quest for the little blue-eyed girl.
Chapter 21
"Turning Point"
“This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.” – Robert W. Copeland, Commander of the Samuel B. Roberts, Destroyer Escort-413, Battle of Samar, October 25, 1944, Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Sea.
General Allen and the Free America Northern Army attacks eastward. They penetrate the Union of North America’s first defensive line and capture Springfield. Forward elements threaten Indianapolis. The attack successfully draws the enemy north and away from the Free America Southern Army’s drive to reach the Atlantic Coast. David makes a staggering discovery and life altering realization. Thomas fails to show-up for his meeting with the young street peddler. What happened to him?
Chapter 22
"The Wages of Disbelief and Disobedience"
“Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left…. Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” – Matthew 24:40-45 ESV
Is this the rapture? David seeks an answer. Has Sarah disappeared? If he can find Sarah, maybe she can answer his questions.
Chapter 23
"The Beast"
“And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?’” – Revelation 13:4 ESV
Peacemaker reveals secrets to his False Prophet.
Chapter 24
"Reunion"
“Every parting gives a foretaste of death, every reunion a hint of the resurrection.”
― Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher, February 1788-September 1860,
Arthur Schopenhauer (2016), 101 Facts of life, p.39, Publishdrive
David confronts Sarah at the Rear Command Post. Secrets are shared. They debate whether or not they missed the Rapture. They decide to move ahead together, no matter what the future holds.
Chapter 25
"Look to God"
“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.”– Aurelius Augustinus, also known as Augustine of Hippo and Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa, theologian and philosopher, 13 November 354 – 28 August 430.
David and Sarah agree. They both missed the Rapture. What should they do now? What can they do?