Light of Darkness Page 5
Ebenezer: Is that a system you are actively seeking to take over as well?
PRINCE: Seeking? That system currently is under my control. It didn’t take much effort, I should add, for the distortion of the proper use of money, and the love of that money has given me easy access into that world. My time, therefore, is better spent trying to gain stronger control over other systems… you used the word “currently.” What is it that you have always wanted to do? What is your deepest desire?
Ebenezer: Interesting. As I think about it, all decisions are decided based on the bottom line, and it causes people to do fascinating things. But to answer your question, I’ve always wanted to be in the entertainment industry—writing, producing, and hosting film and television productions. I have desired it ever since I was a child. I’ve done a few projects here and there so far, but nothing more.
PRINCE: Don’t worry; you have the time. Don’t be afraid to enjoy what you’re doing for a few more years before giving that your full attention. Time is on your side. Time is on your side. Again, I say time is on your side. Anyway, let us return to your question. What is it you ask again?
Ebenezer: Your plans, Mr. Prince. Your plans. What are your plans for the coming decade?
PRINCE: Oh, yes. My plans. I will present my plans for the next decade in very simple, plain terms. I will be expanding my reach, of course. To say it to you plainly, I intend to get my hands into every good thing that still exists in you humans’ lives. I will be looking for every opportunity to wiggle my way so deeply into your personal affairs so that I can walk off with everything you hold precious and dear. Once I have stolen all your goods and possessions, I will take my plan to rob you and your fellow earthlings to a greater level. My master and I intend, and have been granted full permission, to create a situation so horrible that you will see no way to solve the problem except to sacrifice and give up everything that remains. To say it more succinctly, I want to waste and devastate lives. And nothing will stop me. This decade, I will leave more and more people insolvent, broke, and cleaned out in every area of their lives. They will feel as if they are finished and out of business. I will completely obliterate them, creating a very dark and cold world.
Ebenezer: Mr. Prince, that is quite an impact on the decade you have planned. Up to this time, I have never really taken a moment to think about what ways you may be seeking to impact our daily lives. Behind the veil of your behavior, I sense there has to be a greater motive. What exactly is it that you want from us? What is your ultimate motive?
PRINCE: I will tell you what I want. I will divulge to you my ultimate motive. I desire for the goodness of evil to reign. And I want all men to see my master as he is and me as I am, as a being who is greater than my Adversary. I want complete and total worship. And I also, as I mentioned, want you to be utterly helpless and defeated. I want you to struggle through your entire life, only realizing at the end that my Adversary had made you for more. I can picture it now: men and women lying on their deathbeds, grasping for their last breath, bodies ravaged with sickness and ill health, wishing they could go back and relive their younger days, days they spent unknowingly sold out to me and my agenda. Yes, I want you to be so sick, so depressed, and so miserable that it keeps you occupied and in constant fear. I want you to feel like you will never hit the target with your life. And once your life is finished, I don’t want anyone to even recognize that you are gone. I want my kingdom and my government to reign supreme throughout the face of the entire Earth. Yes, I want worship. Complete and total worship for myself and my master. How is that for a plan?
Ebenezer: Well, now I know, Mr. Prince, that you are truly vile and sinister in nature, for to destroy and snatch away the legacy of a man or woman so that they might be forgotten by all future generations is a terrible thing. I am sure that many unassuming, innocent people have suffered at your hands simply because they were unaware of the principles of truth. However, I do beg to dig a bit deeper and question you just a bit more, for your answer to me comes across as the result of a plan, but not the actions to bring about the result for which you seek. Please, tell me now so I might be aware: What is your plan?
PRINCE: You are quite intelligent, I can see. Are you sure the entertainment system is right for you? For many, that answer suffices and sends them into an immediate state of pandemonium, simply because they do not have the composure to sit face to face with me and probe for the truth. Although I am under no obligation by my Adversary to answer this question regarding my exact plans, I would encourage you to look through the last hundred or so years of the world’s existence to see the pattern and rhythm that I religiously follow. Ah, religious… again, one of my favorite words. Anyway, perhaps in doing so, you will realize that it isn’t so much what is done by me, but it is how what is done is reported, proliferated, disseminated—and the ending result.
Ebenezer: Hmm. In all the previous crises I can think of, there is only one thing I can find that was a common theme in all of them.
PRINCE: And what might that theme be?
Chapter 4
The Heavenlies
—
December 31, 2019
“Uriel… Uriel… would you please move just a little bit to the right?” Hadrenial, still the one manning the big pearly gates, begged. Uriel, who was beaming from ear to ear, looked over his shoulder but seemingly brushed Hadrenial’s request aside.
“Did you hear me? For Commander’s sake,” he muttered under his breath. Deciding to pick up his clipboard and change his own position, he meandered a few feet to the right in order to avoid the bright rays coming directly from Uriel’s aura. It was back to business as usual for all the angels-those who had come from Earth had now returned to their duties, and those who resided in the Commander King’s country went back to their respective responsibilities of ensuring that the Heavenlies functioned and operated as expected. The devil and his minions, it was well understood, were somewhere on Earth, fulfilling the request of the Commander to divulge all their secrets for the coming decade.
On rare occasions after such a big event, the Commander King would request that a few of the seraphim switch positions—some would take a new position closer to the throne, while others would be reassigned on special assignment to some deserving Earth Dweller, making it necessary to descend to Earth once more for various assignments. But to Hadrenial’s dismay, not only had he not been assigned to a new position; he had actually been commended for his work during the big day all the angelic forces presented themselves before the Commander’s throne. The way he handled Lucifer was especially commended. Therefore, the Boss asked that he remain right next to the big pearly gates and work with Uriel under the supervision of Saraqael as the gatekeepers who ushered every Earth Dweller with citizenship into the Heavenlies through the gates and into the new country.
The job was fairly straightforward. Each new permanent resident would be accompanied by their respective angel until they reached the top of the ladder. They would first check in with Saraqael, who, on all occasions, would reach out for a hug and give the citizen a warmer-than-warm smile. Both he and Uriel, who was mainly there to add to the dramatic effect of entering the new country, would then brief them on the general protocols of resident life in the Heavenlies, something that no Earth Dweller ever seemed to really grasp but on seemingly all occasions, they nodded as if they did. Then, Uriel and Saraqael would move to the side, and it became Hadrenial’s turn to review the book containing the chapters of their life and take the time to reflect on the work and assignments the individual had completed, or failed to complete, on Earth. He would sit there and check off box after box of the things that the Earth Dweller had been given to do prior to being deposited into the Earth. Even though he wasn’t much of a fan of standing for extended periods of time, he did find it somewhat interesting reviewing what each Earth Dweller had accomplished, or did not accomplish, during their sojourn on Earth.
For some time, Saraqael had been pacing slowly up
and down but suddenly stopped and turned his shoulders, pointing toward the ladder that started in the Earth, punctured the heavens, and stopped at the pearly gates.
“Looks like we got another,” he said.
Hadrenial held tight to his clipboard and took a few steps forward to meet the newest member of the Heavenlies. The Earth Dweller, upon reaching the top of the ladder, moved slowly toward the gates, his eyes wandering to and fro, inspecting his new surroundings for the very first time. It was always a beautiful and perfect day in the Heavenlies, and this day was no different. A small patter of rain had just ceased a few moments before, and the wonderful aroma left in its wake was unlike anything any Earth Dweller could have experienced on Earth.
“Well, hello there,” Saraqael said, extending out his angelic arms to give the man a hug.
“I’m here in Heaven,” the man responded as he extended his own arms while continuing to admire his environment.
“You’re here, indeed. Welcome to the Heavenlies, your new residence for the time being.” The two embraced, and then Saraqael moved to the side to allow for Uriel to greet him and for Hadrenial to approach with his checklist.
“Mr. Bigsby, it’s great to see you here. Welcome,” Uriel said.
“Thank you,” the man by the name of Mr. Bigsby repeated. “Is my wife here?” he asked, curiously turning to Hadrenial.
It was a question that the seraph knew was coming, for almost all new residents entering through the gates asked about one relative or another. It was a question especially relevant for Mr. Bigsby, who, at the age of 45, had lost his wife in an accident. He himself was quite young, being only 55. Nevertheless, for dramatic effect, Hadrenial took his clipboard and ran his pen along the pages, stopping at a point at the very end of the text.
“Yep, looks like Mrs. Bigsby is here,” he responded.
“Oh, thank God,” he said.
“Yes,” Hadrenial nodded, “you’ll be able to thank Him in person soon. But first, let’s take an inventory of your activity on Earth.”
Hadrenial began to look over the man’s assignments, the ones given to him to do on Earth. To his surprise, almost none of the boxes were checked. In other words, the man had accomplished very little of what the Commander had given him to do. Hadrenial’s face soured.
“Mr. Bigsby, congratulations on making it here—we are very excited to have you. But it doesn’t look like you were able to exercise all the gifts the Commander gave you and build some of the things He had put within you to do?”
Mr. Bigsby looked at Hadrenial with big eyes but said nothing. Hadrenial continued.
“With the incredible ability you were given to be able to see into the future as a man of great vision, combined with your love for business, I would have thought you’d have started a business using my Commander’s principles that sought to not only make money but to give to those who were more so in need?”
Mr. Bigsby shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, I thought about that early in my career. But, you know, it was just too risky. The economy was so volatile, and financially, I just couldn’t bring myself to putting up the money when I was younger. A lot of the money at the time was for my retirement, you know. And well, you know, things in the world over time just became more and more uncertain, and life happened, so it seemed better to just push forward and secure myself financially first. But I did try. At the age of 45, I gave up everything after Mrs. Bigsby died, and I made plans to begin giving it all away. I even put off much of the building of my house for it, which I never saw finished. But then the sickness and all that happened… and I just never got around to it. It was just too much risk… much too much risk early in my career. But I tried. And I’m here, right?”
Hadrenial nodded and scribbled down a few notes on his clipboard. Upon completion, he stepped to the side and opened the big pearly gates for Mr. Bigsby to enter.
“Yes, you are here. You did quite a bit in your lifetime, that’s for certain. Valedictorian, double major, a budding philanthropist…” The kind words made Mr. Bigsby smile. “Welcome to your new home,” Hadrenial added warmly. “I’ll have Netzach, my assistant here, meet you right inside to give you a tour of your new temporary home. Your new residence awaits, and there is much for you to do, Mr. Bigsby.”
Slowly, the big, pearly gates expanded, and Mr. Bigsby calmly made his way inside.
Chapter 5
Earth
—
December 31, 2019
Ebenezer: The common theme in the previous crises seemed to be a lingering sense of fear that endlessly perpetuated itself and severely gripped the people’s hearts and minds.
PRINCE: Ah, fear. Fear is the greatest tool at my disposal for the controlling of the masses, and it has become easier and easier over time to spread it throughout the world given the recent advancements in making people more connected. As I have told you, I already possess within my control the larger mediums that disseminate information to the masses. Of course, not all the information given by the systems I control is directly to my liking. However, in running my operation in that manner, I am able to strategically place various ideas and thoughts into the minds of humans that they more readily accept due to the trust I have built up with them over time. I am very excited for what I have in store for this decade; I will be able to reach more people than I ever have before in the shortest amount of time with what is coming in the near future. Even long after what I have planned is over, I shall have this world propagated with fear and erratic behavior, keeping it entrenched in the global psyche. Perhaps you remember the terror I unleashed on the world in 1345, the one nearly 100 years ago in 1918, the one 40 years ago in 1981, and the one you may have experienced in 2003. This time, the effects and aftereffects combined for what I have planned will be much more powerful given the increase in air travel and global connectedness.
Ebenezer: I now understand and can see how you have tactically wielded your influence over time. Perhaps many people beyond me will benefit from hearing this information. It seems as if the world, though it has more and more information concerning the patterns of history, has developed a sort of amnesia that only allows man to think in terms of the here and now and off into the future, but not so much of the past. Things happen, people ruminate on them for a few days, and then they move on. Is that how you see it, Mr. Prince?
PRINCE: Yes, and that, too, is to my advantage. I can feed a person with information from many different sources, similar in nature, and because of their forgetfulness and their short attention spans, it is as if I am presenting it to them for the very first time. All the while, I am working my philosophies and ideologies deeper into their inner mind.
Ebenezer: Mr. Prince, based on this statement, I must ask you a question concerning an issue that has been going on for quite some time here in my country. This question, however, is not on the list…
PRINCE: As I have stated, and as you know, I am under no obligation to answer it. However, out of my own curiosity, ask away, and perhaps, you may get lucky.
Ebenezer: That’s exactly what I was hoping for, Mr. Prince. I’ll try my luck. This question has to do with relationships between those of various people groups here in the United States. It seems that there is a struggle for some groups to gain the genuine respect of others. There seems to be a devaluation of even human life that permeates the interactions between these groups. I have yet to make up my mind definitely if this is true. What do you have to say to this? Is this of your doing? I believe I know the answer based on a few of your previous statements; however, I would like to hear it straight from your mouth.
PRINCE: I will respond to your question by saying this: My Adversary has His ideal for the family structure, and I have mine. My Adversary has His ideal for friendships, and I have mine. My Adversary has His ideals that He believes should govern all interpersonal engagements, and as you guessed it, I have mine. Do what you want with this information. However, that is as far as I will go and as much as I wil
l give you concerning this topic. Perhaps there is some truth in your statement regarding the answer being embedded in the statements I have already made regarding my influence and control.
Ebenezer: Fine. Let’s move on. Mr. Prince, you have told me much about your schematics for influencing the world; however, you have not spoken much about your Adversary up until this time other than your last statement. Although this list does not include much about Him, I ask that you allow me to pepper you with questions concerning His nature and intentions for mankind so I can get a better understanding of the relationship and constant differences between the two of you.
PRINCE: I have no desire to talk in detail about my Adversary. He works for Him; why not direct your questions to him?
Ebenezer: Michael, you work for his Adversary?
MICHAEL: Yes, I do. I currently lead…
PRINCE: Please, please. No need for a resume. Just on with the questions so I can get out of here and back to my work.
Ebenezer: Mr. Prince, your time has passed, and neither are you in control over the time and flow of this meeting. Thank you. Michael, please continue in telling me who you are.
MICHAEL: I’m Michael, the Chief Archangel of the Heavenlies. I lead and head the battalion of angels, answerable only to my Commander...
PRINCE: I am Miiii-chaellll, Archangel of the Hea-ven-lies… BLAH BLAH BLAH…
Ebenezer: Mr. Prince! Your time is up. Thank you. And why have you come here today? With him, Michael?