Angry, Atretes had pursued him, arriving just after a great crowd had gathered to hear John speak of Jesus Christ, their risen God. Finding the apostle’s house hadn’t been too difficult-Hadassah had given good directions-but even in the dead of night the man of God had been about his business, comforting a sick child and then hearing someone’s deathbed confession.Ītretes had waited for John and then been told after hours of doing so that the apostle had sent word he was going directly to a dawn worship service along the riverbank.

Because the mob adored him, he couldn’t enter the city of Ephesus at will, but had to wait for the cover of darkness.

His patience was at an end.Īs soon as Hadassah had told him his son was alive and that the apostle John knew where to find him, he had begun making plans. Physically exhausted, pride bruised, Atretes had had enough. Marcus and Julia and, finally, Atretes, come to realize that God’s love can heal all scars and bring forth a new dawn. From their first meeting, the two are caught in a stormy battle of wills. Atretes did not count on Rizpah’s fiery resistance to having “her son” taken away, nor is he prepared for the woman’s strength and beauty. Only one thing stands in his way: Rizpah, a Christian widow who has cared for the baby since his birth. Meanwhile, Atretes, the Germanic warrior, vows to move heaven and earth to find his son-the baby he thought was dead and whose life Hadassah saved-and take him back to Germania. With Hadassah confined to the cells below the arena, facing death once again, and his sister Julia dying of a strange new illness and longing for a forgiveness beyond her reach, Marcus goes in search of God.

This classic series has inspired millions of readers around the world! The thrilling conclusion of the story of faithful Hadassah and aristocratic Marcus, also of Atretes, the Germanic warrior searching for his lost son, set in 70 AD Jerusalem.

As sure as the dawn by francine rivers