Seekers of the Kingdom

Cal Robertson

Description

A fast paced, historically accurate, theologically sound, story of intrigue, violence, romance, and miracles, with a strong message of hope,
“Seekers of the Kingdom '' a fast paced, historically accurate, theologically sound adventure, involving a retired Roman army officer, appointed by Rome, to be the Mayor of Hippos, a city located east of the sea of Galilee. Repulsed by the senceless cruelty, the degrading indulgences , practiced by the Romans, Octavius begins a search that will affect not only his life, but also the lives of all those he loves, and with whom he works. The story begins in Rome and quickly moves to Judea. It is founded on The Gospel of Matthew, chapter five, and on, through Matthew's Gospel. Those who have read the manuscript reported: ‘they could visualize the various characters easily, and personalities clearly as the plot developed.’

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Biblical
• Historical
• Jesús de Nazaret
• Jesus
• Faith
• Christian
• Fiction
• Jésus de Nazareth

Informations

• Publié par: iUniverse
• Date de parution: 19 juin 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781663252395
• Langue: English

Extrait

SEEKERS
 
 
of the
 
 
KINGDOM
 
 
 
CAL ROBERTSON
 
 
 
 
 
SEEKERS OF THE KINGDOM
 
 
Copyright © 2023 Cal Robertson.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
 
 
iUniverse
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www.iuniverse.com
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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6632-5238-8 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6632-5239-5 (e)
 
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023906864
 
iUniverse rev. date: 05/23/2023
CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1 “The Subtle Call of The Kingdom”
Chapter 2 “An introduction to the Kingdom”
Chapter 3 “A Gifted Physician?”
Chapter 4 “Faith Is The Secret”
Chapter 5 “Let The Records Show”
Chapter 6 “Why Are You Always So Angry?”
Chapter 7 “Inquiring Minds Need to Know”
Chapter 8 “Of Course, Attack the Messenger”
Chapter 9 “The Storm”
Chapter 10 “Faith Confirmed”
Chapter 11 The Plan Revealed
Chapter 12 Didius
Chapter 13 Don’t Force It
Chapter 14 “Want To Go Shopping?”
Chapter 15 “House without a foundation.”
Chapter 16 “Let’s Talk About It”
Chapter 17 “Meanwhile Back at the Office”
Chapter 18 “The Trial”
Chapter 19 “Valuable Advice”
Chapter 20 “What Do You Mean, An Election?”
Chapter 21 “Three Weeks That Changed Their World”
Chapter 22 “I Am So Afraid”
Chapter 23 “A Defining Moment”
Chapter 24 “A Few Parting Words”
Chapter 25 “An Unexpected Welcome”
Chapter 26 “Didius Faces Reality”
Chapter 27 “Is This a Dream Too?
Chapter 28 “What Little We know”
Chapter 29 “Are You Going to Sleep All Day?”
Chapter 30 “United At Last”
Chapter 31 “Let’s Get Acquainted”
Chapter 32 “The Report”
Chapter 33 “Forgiveness Does Not Come Cheap”
Chapter 34 “Free At Last”
Chapter 35 “The Leash”
Chapter 36 “Bible Study Time.”
Chapter 37 “Harvest Time”
Chapter 38 “Return To Capernaum”
Chapter 39 New Friends
Chapter 40 “Desperate Didius”
Chapter 41 “Change Of Plans”
Chapter 42 “Messiah On The Move”
Chapter 43 “Strange Bed Fellows”
Chapter 44 “The Crossroads Of Life”
Epilogue
About the Author
INTRODUCTION
There seems to be, in the heart of everyone, often small yet a persistent, urge to find the meaning of life, their purpose for living, which goes beyond the seeking of material wealth, or the blind acceptance of what others may claim as the truth. Octavius Fronto was one such man; a retired army officer and the respected Mayor of Hippos, an independent Roman City, located East of The Sea of Galilee; aware that something was missing in his heart and soul.
Repulsed by the cruelty and indulgences practiced in Rome, Octavius begins a search that will change, not only his life, but the lives of all those he loves, and those whom he serves, as Mayor of Hippos.
 
CHAPTER 1 “THE SUBTLE CALL OF THE KINGDOM”
MATTHEW 7:7&8
“Ask, and it will be given to you,
Seek, and you will find; knock, it will be open to you.”
For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it will be opened”
T he constant clatter of the passing carriages and cargo wagons, along with the invasive noise of the ever-present masses, assaulted his ears. The putrid stench, of the sewage filled Tigris River, carried on the afternoon breeze from the west of the city, combined with the pervasive degenerate attitudes and acts of her citizens, had destroyed the supposed splendor of the city on seven hills for Octavius Fronto. The decision was far easier to make than he thought it would be, and once decided action quickly followed, today would be the first day of the rest of a simpler life.
Signs of the end of winter played shyly in the meadows outside the city walls while the sweet songs of returning wild birds challenged the constant din of questionable civilization. Octavius Fronto felt as if an odorous burden had been removed from his shoulders and was convinced that the lingering unsavory memory of its unpleasantness would be washed away by the distance, he planned to create between himself and Rome. Alighting from the carriage, he gave a generous gratuity to the surprised driver, and entered the spacious hallway of the home, which had been provided for him, as the visiting mayor of the city of Hippos. Calling out in the happy voice of a man, just freed from the bonds of political protocol, he made his long-awaited announcement.
“Omar, Josiah, we have a lot of work to do. We are going home!”
Expecting one of his male servants to respond to his call, Octavius was somewhat alarmed when the kitchen maid greeted him.
“Sir, Omar, and Josiah have not returned from the market. They are not here.” She announced, with obvious concern.
He responded. “This is not like them to be gone all day. I am going out to find them. If they return while I am out, tell them to stay inside until I get back.”
“May I ask where you are going, sir?
“First, I am going to the police station. I have a very uneasy feeling about this.”
“Do be careful sir, it will soon be dark and even this fine neighborhood is no longer safe, for an unguarded man.”
Octavius expressed his gratitude assured the worried servant that he would indeed be careful and hurried down the path to the street below. As he exited the heavy Iron Gate he glanced in both directions, more aware than before the concerned words, surprisingly expressed by the humble servant he felt he hardly knew. In the easterly facing side of Rome’s many hills, darkness came quickly as the sun sets in the west, casting deep shadows into narrow alleys and along the winding streets. His pace quickened as his distaste grew for this vaunted city, whose armies had subjugated most of the world, but could not maintain safety within its’ own walls.
He tried to open the doors of the neighborhood police station; they stubbornly resisted his tug.
“How ironic,” he thought, ‘Those assigned to keep the city safe, cowardly work behind locked doors.’
His loud and insistent knocking, finally summoned and irritated guard, who first scowled, then recognizing the robes of an official, opened the heavy doors. Committed to remaining in control of his own anger, Octavius politely inquired of the guard regarding his servants.
“Excuse me officer, I am searching for two men who work for me.”
Retreating to his post behind a high counter and without looking up from whatever had occupied his attention before he was interrupted, the guard inquired, “Who are you and what are the names of these men?”
“I am Octavius Fronto, mayor of the city of Hippos in the Decapolis. My employees’ names are Omar and Josiah. Have you any information regarding them?”
“Ah, you mean the two thieving slaves we arrested near the market this morning; the men with the large money bag?”
“They are not slaves, and they are not thieves! They are my employees, and I gave them the money they were carrying, to purchase items I wanted.”
The guard raised the level of the conversation with his quick response; “They both had the markings of slaves in their ear lobes.”
Octavius leaned over the counter to ensure that the guard heard the words he was about to speak and the sincere emotions of the speaker; “And both of them were carrying their emblems of freedom and the papers you Roman protectors of the law require.”
His prompt response confessed the weakness to upholding the laws; “Emblems and papers such as those can be bought in any alley in Rome.”
Opening a large wooden box on his desk and grabbing some, of its’ contents with both of his hands, the disrespectful local official snarled; “Look, we have quite a large collection of them.”
“Give me those two emblems in your left hand! now look!” Octavius demanded; “If you had bothered to examine these emblems you would have seen they are authentic my signature and seal are on them. Now, tell me where are my employees?
Holding to his stubborn accusation the guard mockingly retorted; “Your runaway slaves were taken to Mamertine prison, where they belong.”
“Mamertine Prison? I will hold you personally responsible if they have been harmed!”
As Octavius made his way hastily toward the door, the taunting guard called out; “Are you interested in the money bag they were carrying?”
“I am more interested in their safety. I will deal with you and the money later.”
As Octavius replied as he turned to leave the guard hurled one last invective in his direction; “All this uproar over a skinny old Jew and