Chapter 12: Sam Goldberg
Sam Goldberg smiled as the reunions were taking place. The Young Tribulation Force had clearly endured so much during the last seven years. Sam's mother had been raptured. Sam had watched as his neighbors and childhood friends, Nina Ben-Judah and Dan Ben-Judah, had been killed. Sam's father had died in the sixth trumpet judgment. Sam had been the Young Tribulation Force contact in Petra. He had described the experiences that had occurred in the desert and the miracles that God had performed. It was both astonishing and deadly.
Sam tried to recall what had happened when his mother, Ayala Goldberg, became a believer. It had happened one week before the disappearances occurred. Ayala had apparently met a group of Christians in Jerusalem and converted to Christianity. Ayala then came to the Goldberg residence and tried to warn Sam and his father, Regev Goldberg. Regev yelled at Ayala and threatened to throw her out of the house. Sam seemed doubtful. He had thought about what she had said for a few days. Sam was about to ask her what he was supposed to do with this information, but then the Rapture occurred, and Sam never got the chance. Even though Regev Goldberg was angry at his wife for becoming a Christian, he still was grieving over her disappearance. Sam had often talked with Nina and Dan about what had happened. Nina and Dan had told Sam about their father converting to Christianity. All the living members of the Ben-Judah family were now Christians. Sam was still skeptical, however. He was still living in fear because of his father.
Tsion Ben-Judah went on television and proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. This provoked anger and hatred from the Jews. Sam was still wise enough to keep his mouth shut, because of his father's anger and temper. Sam and Regev helped Nina, Dan, and an American friend of their called Judd Thompson leave the Ben-Judah house through a tunnel. Eventually, Regev Goldberg said that they had to stop helping the Ben-Judah family because the risk was getting too great. After World War III, Nina, Dan, and Mrs. Ben-Judah were all gunned down right outside their house, and Tsion was forced to flee the country. Sam had videotaped the killings and showed the tape to Judd when he came to the Goldberg house looking for answers.
Regev Goldberg had asked Sam what had happened when he was there, and Sam had to confess what had happened. Mr. Goldberg hated being lied to.
Sam had spent most of the time in his house, checking the newspaper every chance he got to find out the latest news about Tsion. He had wanted to speak to the rabbi and person and apologize for what had happened to Nina and Dan.
Eventually, Judd and Lionel turned to Sam for help when Mitchell Stein had been arrested. Sam gave them the address of Jamal, a believer he had secretly spied on.
Sam wanted to become a believer so badly. He wanted to be free of the burden and the emotional feelings that he had been stuck with. Finally, he spoke with Lionel on a pay phone and became a believer.
Sam tried to convince his father of the truth numerous times, but he had refused to listen. It wasn't surprising. Trying to warn people about Christianity and Preterism would be challenging. But Regev Goldberg became aggressive and adamant. He even had Sam arrested for coming to his house.
Eventually, Regev Goldberg died in the sixth trumpet judgment. Sam had watched as his father's life ended right in front of his own eyes. It was a heartbreaking moment that he was never truly able to get over.
Sam moved on, but he often wondered what would have happened if his father had listened. Would they have worked together on missions? Would they have been able to assist the Tribulation Force or the Young Tribulation Force? He wished he knew.
Sam had feelings for Naomi Tiberias, but she didn't feel the same way for him. Sam knew that wasn't important, because there were more important issues in the world. Besides, there were plenty of women in the world.
Sam felt fortunate that he was able to survive to the Glorious Appearing. The reunions that took place among the Young Tribulation Force and the other believers were inspiring. Sam found the Ben-Judah family and apologized to them.
"There is no need to feel sorrowful, Samuel", Tsion Ben-Judah said. "You do not have to feel guilty."
"Everything is fine now, Sam", Dan said. "We're all in a better place."
After Sam embraced the Ben-Judah family, he kept walking through the crowd. Then he saw a familiar face.
"Mother!", Sam exclaimed. Sam hugged Ayala tightly.
"We are now reunited", Sam said to his mother. "We are now at peace."
There would be plenty of time for Sam and his mother to talk. One thousand years was certainly enough time for them to settle matters.