Acts of God (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | James BeauSeigneur |
| Products | Christian science fiction novel |
Acts of God serves as the final installment in the Christ Clone Trilogy, authored by James BeauSeigneur. This novel centers on the Bowl Judgments described in the Book of Revelation, the establishment of the Mark of the Beast, and the intensifying oppression faced by believers. It also portrays additional prophetic elements drawn from both Revelation and the Book of Daniel.
Throughout the trilogy, numerous footnotes reference biblical texts alongside scientific literature, demonstrating the author's commitment to integrating credible scientific concepts within the fictional storyline.
Plot
Starting shortly before the conclusion of Birth of an Age, the narrative revisits Christopher Goodman delivering a speech atop Jerusalem’s Third Temple, ending with his leap and subsequent rescue by visible Spirit entities named Theatans. Christopher, who gained widespread acclaim as Secretary General of the United Nations after miraculously healing members of the Security Council, was assassinated and then resurrected.
He proclaims that humanity stands on the brink of its most profound evolutionary leap—transforming into nearly omnipotent Spirit Beings—a phase he calls the New Age. This evolution depends on universal acceptance; opposition arises from groups such as Fundamentalist Christians and a Jewish sect known as Koum Damar Patar (KDP), devoted to Yahweh, portrayed here as a self-serving Theatan. Christopher pledges to overcome this resistance and declares a new calendar beginning with year 1, marking March 11 (the day of his resurrection) as New Year’s Day.
Following his address, John and Saul Cohen ascend visibly to Heaven on camera, which Christopher dismisses as mere intimidation tactics employed by Yahweh. A statue honoring Christopher is erected atop the Temple, continuously broadcasting his speech.
Christopher launches a reconstruction initiative for the Middle East after a devastating plague triggers widespread psychosis and depopulation. The rebuilding of Babylon in Iraq symbolizes defiance against Yahweh, echoing humanity’s original rebellion at Babel. Plans are also made to move the United Nations headquarters there.
Worldwide, individuals start manifesting brief supernatural abilities—including mind control, telepathy, precognition, accelerated healing, and vivid recollections of past lives—signs indicating their proximity to evolutionary change. Christopher proposes expediting this process through a secret Eucharist that confers immortality and empowerment.
Decker voices concerns that extending these powers to Christian Fundamentalists and KDP adherents might be detrimental. They devise a strategy leveraging their own prophecies: requiring a mark for communion would deter opponents from participating, thereby limiting their influence. Christopher reveals that his cloned blood is encapsulated for this purpose; clinics are stocked accordingly.
The communion mark displays "666," corresponding to Christopher’s Hebrew name numerology, designed to repel religious fundamentalists. As clinics prepare to open, they encounter violent protests and terrorist acts led by fundamentalists opposing communion. Rising public demand for justice prompts Christopher to impose capital punishment on Christian terrorists and leaders; most Christians avoid attending clinics.
Decker refuses the mark, mourning his lost family despite promises of reunion through reincarnation following communion. When abducted by KDP members in Petra, Jordan, he confronts Scott Rosen, who attempts conversion using biblical arguments and personal items belonging to Decker’s late wife. Though initially resistant, Decker becomes more receptive after engaging with Petra’s residents—contrasting with media portrayals—and commits to seeking peace between factions.
After Shabbat, Decker returns home to Maryland. Noticing painful sores developing among those marked, he postpones taking communion.
The first plague causes these sores, sparking public outrage demanding retaliation against Yahweh. The United Nations enforces strict penalties for sedition and collaboration with Yahweh; capital punishment extends to fundamentalist leaders. Individuals without marks face property seizure and eviction; commerce is restricted exclusively to those bearing marks.
Subsequently, oceans transform into blood, killing marine life and causing illness from decay. Robert Milner reverses this by liquefying ocean crusts with charged quartz crystals; water returns but remains devoid of life.
Freshwater sources then turn to blood; resulting dehydration triggers riots and fatalities. Milner restores freshwater purity by mixing his blood with river water.
In response to escalating plagues, penalties intensify: refusal to accept the mark results in capital punishment; rewards are offered for reporting dissenters.
Preparing for extreme heat foretold in scripture, Decker reinforces his home with insulation and air conditioning. The heatwave causes global deaths and disasters until Milner’s appeal at Machu Picchu summons relief through a cooling wind.
Execution Centers systematically eliminate unmarked individuals at accelerating rates; televised executions become common amid public demand.
A three-day worldwide darkness follows, inducing hallucinations and widespread fear. Christopher’s approval rating plummets from 95% to 11%. In a televised address, he promises no further plagues and identifies three signs signaling near completion of evolution: disappearance of sores, permanent telepathic/telekinetic abilities for mark bearers, and destruction of remaining Yahweh followers trapped in Petra.
Decker travels to Babylon urging Christopher to spare Petra but uncovers Christopher’s true nature as Antichrist intent on gathering believers while eradicating opposition. After Decker’s defiant final moments and forgiveness by Jesus Christ deny Christopher his soul, Christopher kills him in anger.
Following this event, sores vanish; those marked gain promised powers and vitality. Christopher prepares an assault on Petra to eliminate non-believers and finalize transcendence.
Jews in Petra unite with Christians; rescue efforts bring remaining faithful there. Some marked individuals self-mutilate hands as prescribed in scripture seeking forgiveness.
As crowds assemble at Tel Megiddo, Babylon is destroyed by earthquake and hailstones. Christopher vows resurrection once Petra falls. He offers Jesus an alliance against Yahweh forces; Jesus rejects him then casts Christopher and Milner into a fiery abyss. Christopher’s army collapses amid ensuing chaos.
The epilogue reunites Decker with family and friends in the Kingdom of God. Jesus forgives Decker for accepting faith only moments before death and resurrection.
Reception
Don D'Ammassa provided a somewhat divided critique of Chronicle, remarking that while it may not appeal to everyone, himself included, it is nonetheless competently written.