"You don't really believe that, do you, Ray?” Arnold asked.
"I never used to, but I'm afraid, yes, now I do. If you take a copy of the Bill of Rights out on the street and tell people it is a petition you would like them to sign, the majority of the people will refuse. Some will go so far as to call it ‘subversive.’ It's amazing how little the people know about why their country even exists. Our founders did all they could except cheat the grave to ensure we would always understand why the Revolutionary War was fought, and why the Constitution was written as it was so their lessons would not be forgotten. They left behind countless volumes of their writings for us. Yet forgotten we have. It is one thing to disagree with the Constitution, or wish to amend it. It is quite another thing to have no clue as to how it came about or what it means.
"The people today seem to believe their rights are granted to them by their government, rather than the powers of government being granted to it by them. The truth is, if you allow government ... not just our government, but any government ... the opportunity, it will, by its very nature, limit as much liberty as it can get away with.
"Maybe the people are getting exactly what they deserve."
A long silence hung over the room. In an effort to soften his words, he added, “Yeah, I know. I'm preaching to the choir here."
Finally Angelino said, “Do not be too hard on the people, Mr. Cutler. They do not know what it is like to live under overt tyranny, although they are about to discover that soon enough. It is easy to take freedom for granted, especially when you were born into it.
"The anti-Christ understands he must subvert America first. That done, the rest of the world will fall in line quickly. Europe is already halfway to the type of state control which Jesus and President Crowley are engineering. This country, however, despite its fall into decadence, still retains a sizable group of people who understand liberty must be fought for, not just in large battles, but in the small day-to-day battles which seem too unimportant to bother with. But many of these same lovers of freedom have their own Achilles’ heel, if you will ... their religion. Many ... most, in fact ... who would normally fight with passion to resist the world Jesus is leading them into, are all too willing to subordinate their own minds because the voice who leads them, is their Savior, Jesus. If Jesus says it is so, it must be so. Only a small handful remain true to their true spirit—the Soul of Man, the Divine Spark of the Creator. Upon the foundation of those stalwart faithful will The Christ, who is to come, build the world of God in Man. Mankind is about to be awakened. But first, he must reap the fruits of the decadence he has sown. All things must come in their season. That is the true role of the anti-Christ ... to clear the path for the Kingdom of The Christ—God in Man."
The three men sat silently as Angelino delivered his statement in a voice full of command and passion.
"That all sounds wonderful, Father Angelino,” Ray finally broke the silence. “But how is mankind to overcome the victory of evil?"
Angelino smiled kindly. “You are so certain evil will win ... that it is winning. It is not and will not prevail ... it cannot. The Law tells us we must reap that which we sow, or in more colloquial terms, what we give out, we get back. Evil can only beget evil and in so doing, the evil that comes back onto itself will ultimately destroy the source of evil from which it emanates. You have but one duty, and that is to love. It is no more complicated than that.
"Susan Morgan will require your strength and your love. She has a most wonderful and most fragile destiny."
"What is her destiny, Father Angelino?” Ray asked.
"She will tell you herself. After all, it is her destiny, not mine."
He abruptly changed the subject. “Now. Back to those documents you are poring over. You have before you three sets of documents ... a copy of the Agenda of the Council of Most Highs, a copy of The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion, and the documents allegedly captured from Israel. All of them appear to be derivatives of the same source. The question is, which one is the original?"
"My guess would be the Agenda,” Harold offered.
"A good and accurate guess, Senator. Do you remember when I made the first video for Susan? I made the statement the Council had perfected the art of hiding out in the open. One way they did this was by producing the infamous Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion. The Protocols served two purposes. First, they allowed the Council to know the state of the people. How they reacted to the Protocols was an indicator of their readiness for subjugation. If a particular passage or specifically stated objective created a vocal outcry, the Council then knew where they must chip away further to soften up the people for eventual domination. The Protocols served as a sort of barometer for them.
"Secondly, the Council was able to create a scapegoat and thus keep any light off themselves. By attributing the Protocols to the Jewish nation, the Council tapped into ancient hatreds. Ironically, by this nefarious scapegoating, they discovered a tactic which has served them faithfully ... the Big Lie. Tell a lie often enough and people begin to believe it. The bigger the lie, the more apt people are to believe it, as well.
"This tactic was brought to a level of perfection by its most infamous and hated agent, Adolph Hitler."
The three of them had been listening with intent interest. They all jolted at Angelino's claim.
"Wait a minute, Father Angelino,” Arnold interrupted. “Are you telling us Hitler was a member of the Council?"
"No, not a member, but an agent, just as your own President Crowley is their agent. Hitler perfected the big lie tactic, and did much to advance the Council's agenda. While the world focused on the horrors in Germany, the Council was working quietly to consolidate its power both in Europe and, more importantly, here in the United States.
"But Hitler almost totally derailed the Agenda because he was too direct, too efficient. In the beginning days of his power, he worked his people well, subtly playing on their fears, building a hatred for the Jews, which kept the people busy while the Agenda moved forward methodically. But as sometimes happens with agents of the Council, he began to forget who his masters were. Slowly, he took greater and greater liberties with his power, creating death camps and building a strong army with which to implement his nationalistic objective of expansion. He became a renegade and eventually had to be stopped.
"The Council did not intend the mass destruction of the Jews. That was an unintended consequence of using them as the scapegoats for the Agenda. However, the Council has become the force it has become because it has always been able to be flexible when it needed to be. The advantages the Council has always had are the fact no one wants to believe such a broad-based conspiracy could exist, the fact people for the most part have very narrow focuses directed primarily at their own lives; and they have always been able to fight on whichever of an issue which would advance their purposes.
"When it was useful to be pro-communist, they were. When power was to be gained by being anti-communist, they were.
"One reason the Council is able to hide so well is they have no apparent core principles in which they believe. They exist for one purpose, and one purpose alone ... to subjugate the human race for the forces of darkness. No means is considered too sacred to achieve that end. Even if people believed in their existence—and I'm told that because of my tapes many people now do believe—there are thousands of people and organizations which they will never suspect as being loyal to them. Again, this is another way of hiding out in the open. Those on the political left will see the Council's influences in the world of business and capital. Those on the political right will see them lurking in the labor unions and environmental movements. They are both right and they are both wrong. The Council is everywhere. Attempting to root it out is like trying to empty the ocean with an eyedropper."
Angelino paused for a moment, his eyes looking downward. He sighed and concluded, “Gentlemen, there will be war in the Mideast, and as is the case with everything the Council orchest
rates, it will not be for the reasons it will appear to be for. Things are not always what they seem to be. If you have any friends or family in that region, I would suggest you see to their safety as quickly as possible. Events will unfold rapidly now."
* * * *
SUSAN SAT WITH her copy of the Bible in her lap. A smile of sublime happiness covered her face. So this was to be her role. How perfect. How absolutely wonderful and unexpected. All that remained to discover was exactly how it was to be accomplished. She was filled with an incredible lightness of being, at last knowing her destiny, if not her fate. For a moment, the line of demarcation separating her from all that was not her dissolved, and her consciousness expanded until it became one with all things. The voice of Angelino echoed from somewhere in the back of her awareness.
"Things are not always as they seem to be. Remember that, Susan."
"Destiny has chosen wisely, Susan."
She heard the voice of Raji, “What is power, Susan?"
In one blinding flash of insight, Susan understood the true nature of God ... the true nature of love.
Her heart pounded within her chest and her breathing became labored as her mind, brain, and body struggled to envelop the enormous concepts that swam around her. She was in the realm from which thought itself emanated, thus it was outside the ability of the mind to conceptualize with mere thought. She had been here before ... many times, in fact, but had always fought the ascent into where her very identity seemed to dissolve away into a void that was nothing and yet everything. This time, she trusted and surrendered to it, allowing the nothingness to absorb her being.
Suddenly, before her she saw the flower that had haunted her dreams so many times. It shimmered with luminescence and seemed to be the very essence of joy itself.
Gradually, the vision faded and she slowly returned to her room in Raji's home in Indore. At first, she was in a state of bewilderment, as if waking up in an unfamiliar room. But slowly, her equilibrium returned as she reoriented to the physical realm once again. She looked around the room. It was the same room, and yet it was different somehow. Her entire being was at complete peace. She was filled with a new awareness of even the most mundane aspects of life. Things she had never noticed before, from the grain patterns in the wood of the small nightstand that stood beside her bed, to the shimmering glow of life force radiating from the plant in the corner, suddenly stood out. How could I not have noticed before?
She seemed almost surprised to see the Bible still sitting in her lap. Then she remembered. Yes! My destiny. At last she knew the meaning of the flower from her dreams.
"I am ready now, Father Angelino,” she said out loud. “I am prepared to accept what I am to do. What I am to be."
Chapter 28
THE COUNCIL OF Most Highs had a tradition that they had observed for the two thousand years of its existence. A seat of honor at the head of the table was left empty for the One they served. This served as a constant reminder of their purpose. Each meeting was opened with a formal acknowledgment, directed at the empty seat as if the one who was to occupy it were actually seated there. When wine was poured, a glass was filled at the empty place, and a toast was raised in honor of the anti-Christ: “We, who have sacrificed all for you, honor your dominion and pledge ourselves to the manifestation of your kingdom here on earth."
That night, for the first time in its existence, the seat of honor was occupied by the One for whom it had been established. The anti-Christ lifted his glass, and for the first time in history, the toast was answered.
"Wealth, power, and honors are granted to all who serve me faithfully.” All drank and Number One officially called the meeting to order. The room was illuminated only by candles located throughout the Council chamber. The dancing shadows cast by the candles lent a surreal atmosphere to the gathering.
"For two thousand years this Council has prepared the world for the coming of the Master. We have existed for no other purpose than to create the environment in which he might rule unchallenged. We submit to you, Master."
The others said in unison, “We submit to you, Master."
Jesus acknowledged their supplication with a haughty nod. “You have done your duty well, my children. My Kingdom is almost upon us. Only a few more details need be attended to in order for the circle to be completed. Before long, Angelino and his Knights of the Ascension will be destroyed. Then, the world is ours."
Jesus shared his plan for the destruction of the Knights. A murmur of approval passed among the Council members. The seat once occupied by Nicole Chambleau remained vacant. There would be plenty of time to fill that post later. Indeed, there would be a plethora of eager candidates rushing to fill the spot soon, Number One mused. He did not bring up Nicole's defection and no other member dared to. No one had to be reminded of the slap in the face her treason had been. Number One was gratified by the thought that Nicole would soon realize she had sided with the wrong forces. It was too bad he would not get the opportunity to hear her beg his forgiveness on her knees. Dead women couldn't beg. She would soon learn it was better to rule on earth than to serve in Heaven.
"Now you understand why war in the Mideast was necessary,” Jesus concluded. “I trust the world press is prepared to put the heat on Israel?"
"Yes, Master,” Warrenger answered. “We have the New York Times, Washington Post, London Times, CNN, and the three major networks primed with more details about the plans for Jewish domination of the Mideast."
"Excellent!” Jesus said. “You have done well, Number One."
"I am grateful you are pleased, Master."
"We must get the world to clamor for Israel's destruction."
"It shall be done, Master."
* * * *
"SO YOU ARE really going to America, Rashi?” Jacob Goldstein's eyes grew wide at the news of his friend's good fortune.
"Yep,” Rashi beamed. “Father is taking me when he goes there for business. Momma is coming, too."
"Wow. You are so lucky. I have always wanted to see America. They say they have buildings made of glass that go way up into the clouds."
"Father says they have roads with ten lanes and everybody has color televisions and shiny new cars. And everybody is rich.” Rashi's eyes were wide at the prospect of his upcoming adventure.
"I wish I could come with you,” Jacob said wistfully.
"Me too."
"How long will you be gone?"
"I don't know. Father says it could be many weeks."
"That long?"
Rashi nodded.
"Well, you will be safe if there is a war, then."
The two of them grew solemn at the mention of war. Jacob bounced a ball off the steps and Rashi caught it. Then he threw the ball against the steps and Jacob caught it. They continued, alternating like that for several minutes without either of them speaking.
Rashi's father, Fallah appeared in his doorway.
"Rashi, come here. I wish to speak to you for a minute."
"Ok, Father.” He told Jacob, “Don't go away, I'll be right back.” He ran up to the door and listened attentively as his father spoke to him. Jacob could not hear what he was saying, but suddenly Rashi's face brightened and he heard him exclaim, “Really, Father? I will tell him right away."
Rashi ran back to Jacob.
"Jacob, Father just told me he is taking you with us to America. He said he talked it over with your father and he said it was okay."
"No kidding, Rashi?"
"Yes. Isn't that exciting? We will both get to see America together!"
The two danced excitedly.
Back at Jacob's house, Samuel put his arm around his wife's shoulder and said, “Fallah has agreed to take Jacob to America with him. If war should come, he will be safe. I wish I could convince you to go too, my love."
"No, Samuel. My place is here with you. I will be fine now that I know my Jacob will be safe."
Rabbi Goldstein nodded.
"I must thank the Omanis for this,”
she said, clearly relieved her son would be far from Israel should war erupt.
"Yes. They are good people."
They walked to the window and smiled happily as they watched their son and his best friend jumping around joyfully. With luck and God's will, perhaps that youthful joy would never have to be abandoned by their son as he grew up.
* * * *
EVERYONE WAS ENJOYING another fabulous meal prepared by Maribella and Terianna. The small house was quite crowded, but no one seemed to mind. There was an air of celebration as the Knights of Ascension anticipated the fulfillment of their mission. The mood was accentuated by the knowledge that Susan had finally realized her destiny and was embracing it enthusiastically. Even Gregory MacArthur shed his dour demeanor, although he was in the dark about why everyone else was so happy. Whatever the reason, it was infectious.
"Gregory,” Angelino said to him. “What do you suppose they are doing about your absence at the Vatican?"
MacArthur had barely given that a thought. His smile was immediately replaced with an expression of dismay.
"I ... I don't know, Anthony. I imagine they are doing whatever the Council is telling them to do."
Angelino laughed slightly at what was clearly a difficult realization for the sitting Pope. It was not malicious laughter, but rather laughter of sympathy. He knew his old schoolmate was having a difficult time reconciling the reality with a lifetime of dogma.
"I can take you back, if you wish, Gregory,” Angelino winked.
MacArthur scowled. “I think I'll pass, Anthony."
"I'm sorry, Gregory,” Angelino said sincerely. “I do not mean to make light of your pain. I know this has been extremely hard for you."
The Pope studied Angelino and decided he was being sincere. “I thank you for that, Anthony. I appreciate you not gloating."
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