Chapter 7: Golgotha

The Cry of the Cross

The clouds hung low over Golgotha, the sky heavy with an unnatural darkness.

A rough wooden cross stood against the wind, soaked in the blood of its prisoner. Three nails pierced through flesh and bone, holding Jesus’ body in place. His breath was shallow, his wounds deep, and the weight of sin pressed upon Him as He hung suspended between heaven and earth.

Below, the crowd jeered.

"He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!"

"If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!"

"Taste this bitter wine, King of the Jews!"

Jesus' gaze lifted beyond the crowd, beyond the storm, beyond the darkness. His lips parted, His voice weak yet piercing through the heavens.

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

A shadow slithered above the cross.

Satan watched from the unseen realm, a cruel smile curling at the edges of his lips.

"So this is the descendant of Eve?" he hissed. "Look at Him now - broken, dying, abandoned."

The storm howled, thunder rumbling like the groaning of the heavens.

Satan drifted closer, his form flickering like smoke.

"You tried to save them, but they crucified You," he whispered. "Where is Your Father now?"

Jesus’ head fell forward. His body trembled.

Satan leaned in.

"You said God loves the world," he sneered. "And yet He lets You suffer. Look at You—beaten, humiliated, forsaken!"

A moment passed, then another.

Then Jesus drew in a final breath, and His voice rang out, shaking the very foundations of the earth.

"My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?"

Lightning tore across the sky. The ground quaked beneath the weight of His words.

Satan’s grin widened.

"It is finished!" Jesus cried, His voice rolling like thunder.

And then—silence.

Jesus’ head slumped forward, His body still. The heavens groaned, and the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. The earth shook violently, splitting rocks in two.

Satan exhaled slowly, then smiled.

"That’s how it ends," he murmured, his voice thick with triumph. "You failed. I won."

Darkness swallowed Golgotha.

The Tomb is Empty

The morning was still and heavy. The sky, pale with the first light of dawn, hung over the quiet garden.

Inside a sealed tomb, all was darkness. A cold stone lay across the entrance, guarded by soldiers who stood silent and unmoving.

Then, without warning—

A flash of light.

A roar like thunder shook the ground, and the earth trembled beneath the weight of divine power.

The stone moved.

The guards staggered backward, blinded by the brilliance that burst forth from the grave. The tomb, which had held death, now held nothing but light.

And in that light—Jesus rose.

He stepped forward, clothed in glory, His wounds healed but His scars remaining—a testimony to the victory He had won.

A great silence followed. Then an angel appeared at the mouth of the tomb and spoke words that would shake eternity:

"He is not here. He has risen!"

The Joy of Heaven, The Wrath of Hell

Above the heavens, the kingdom of God erupted into praise.

Countless angels sang, their voices carrying across eternity. The elders bowed before the throne, the four living creatures lifted their voices, and the redeemed of all ages rejoiced.

"Glory to God! The Lamb has conquered! Salvation is fulfilled!"

Golden light swirled around the throne, and a voice like rushing waters declared:

"The kingdom of God has come. Death has been swallowed up. Salvation is accomplished!"

But in the depths of hell, chaos reigned.

Satan's laughter came to an abrupt stop. His eyes widened. A force beyond comprehension tore through the darkness, and for the first time, he felt fear.

"No… no… this cannot be…" he whispered.

The shadows churned. His very essence trembled.

He had lost.

He had lost.

A terrible roar erupted from his throat.

"I will not give up!" he howled. "My time isn’t over yet!"

But he knew—his power had collapsed, his reign was crumbling, and the time was running out.

The world would never be the same.