The Thoughts of the Prophets
Hop in everyone, this is Elon's new time-traveling phone booth..
Destination - Isle of Patmos, 95 AD
John, sorry John, I mean, I forgot I need to use the phone for translating. Your language may have changed a little over two-thousand years, but do your best to understand because we've got some questions for you please, if you don't mind. We're visiting you from the year 2025 and we've traveled to your time just to ask you about some things we're seeing in our time that are seemingly familiar with some things you saw in your vision.
But John, we got your message. You wrote a beautiful record of the gospel, some letters to the believers of your time, and you had a marvelous vision that you wrote about too. Just so you know, everyone has been trying to understand it ever since you wrote about it. Well, a lot of people anyway. But it hasn't gone away. People have written books about your vision John. And probably others have written books about the books written about your vision. And John, we still read your writings and truly the Good News has indeed spread throughout the world.
Anyway, John, we have some questions about some things you wrote of your vision. You know, your vision resembles Daniel's vision. Jesus talked about him. Of course you know. Yes, we still have his writings too. Were you aware John that Daniel's visions actually revealed the time when Jesus would begin his ministry? And that they would cut him off half way through it? That's about three-and-a-half years? Does that feel familiar? All they had to do was read Daniel's writings and they could have known. But, we didn't really figure that one out ourselves until after about 1800 years and still not everyone agrees. Maybe you knew? But if you did, surely you would have written about it though. Ah, and if you and your brothers had known, then you all would have known...
Anyway, we've got this guy. He's our king and we all really like him. Well a lot of people don't, but many do. He really does draw big crowds John. We elected him < yes, from 'when' we're from, we think we get to pick our kings> anyways, we chose him instead of a witch to be king. Our choices are always a choice between two it seems. Anyway, he barely won. But we elected him because he said he would make the kingdom great again and it turns out he was doing a really great job at it but then they released some sickness and this sickness spread throughout the world and they locked everyone down and blamed our king as much as they could for anything and everything. It's like they needed to tear down everything he was building to get their way, to put their king in, and they did. See, our king is really pompous and a lot of people don't like that, but we can overlook a lot of what he says because the other guys are so bad and he really cares about our kingdom. So, anyway, he lost the kingdom for a bit because they totally used the sickness to undermine him.
Their king who cheated to win couldn't walk or talk without help. Nobody really believes anymore that he was really in charge of the kingdom. Anyway, this fake king acted like he was running the kingdom and actually had a stage from which to pretend. They used the sickness and the fear they pushed on everyone to lock everyone down. Not just in our kingdom, but all the kingdoms all around the world, they locked everything down. Even here John. And they made everyone stick a needle in their arms. Well they didn't make everyone do it. They just told everyone they couldn't keep their jobs or go to the restaurants and the stores without covering their face and having taken in the cure from this needle into their bodies. Actually, our king is the one who had the cure made and he did it in record time! He was the only one who could have done it and he is really proud of himself for it. They all said they would never take this cure from our king, but they somehow took the kingdom and then it was ok to take the cure from their king. They took all the credit and pushed, really forced, it on everyone. This fake king also wanted to tear down the fortress wall our king was trying to build. He had almost finished it before they made him give up the kingdom. Anyway, they hated the fortress and they opened up it up. They let everyone in and lots of people came into the kingdom. By some descriptions, people poured in. It really wasn't going very well for their king and he was losing support. It was almost as if the world seeing this play-time kingdom was exactly what our king need to take back the kingdom. And he did, which was unprecedented!
So our king got the kingdom back! He doesn't make anyone do the needle and he's rebuilding the fortress wall and working really hard to save our kingdom. He really believes he will and only he can! We almost lost the kingdom. They almost killed Her! Anyway, Israel is a kingdom again. Can you believe that John? It's not really a kingdom of Hebrews, but rather is a kingdom of Jews. It's all the same right? Anyway, Israel has been bombing, that's calling fire down from heaven by the way, bombing the hell out of Gaza. We are on Israel's side because it's just not a good place for those Palestinians, Philistines? to be and Israel are God's chosen people, right? But most importantly, it will be beautiful ocean front property. Our king is a business man who loves gold. He made a lot of money building towers and hotels. He'd love to build a golden tower in Gaza and that would surely be good.
Anyway, it's been almost exactly two thousand years since Jesus began his ministry. And did you know, it kind of makes sense, the numbers you recorded from your vision, that all the things you saw in your vision were going to be happening about now, now as in our time, and a lot of what has happened and is happening in our time is a lot like what you and Daniel too wrote from your visions. But he, our king, isn't really you know like "the false prophet" kind of material and many people carry the name "Ruler of the world" in our time, so that surely doesn't mean anything either.
So John, do you think our king might be the false prophet you wrote about, or should we keep looking for another?
John replies, "You know, they kept asking Jesus that very question - show us a sign, are you the one? ..."
Ummm. Thank you John. Not to offend of course, but maybe we should get Daniel's opinion too...
Destination - Persia, 535 BC
Daniel, hi Daniel! We've traveled back in time 2500 years to ask you some questions about the dreams and visions you had. Gotta say we're big fans! Everything you wrote about what you were told of Messiah, that all happened! And it happened exactly when you were told it would. And after Messiah was cut off - not for His own good, but He did it all for us because His Father asked Him to. He did it with intention, so that we could be saved despite our sins. And unfortunately, the leaders of your people didn't see it or didn't want to see it and they rejected Him. But, you wrote what would happen and it all did. Messiah even talked about you and what you saw. So we have some questions about what you think concerning what you saw in and were told of your visions and what we are actually seeing now. Some think that our king, back 'when' we are from, might be the king you were talking about. He is kind of pompous, well really a lot of pompous, and really into gold and he is working really hard to build a fortress around our kingdom. But the fortress is actually a good thing. And anyway, after Messiah, one of His disciples, John, had a vision similar to yours and he shared other details. According to John's vision, it might be, the reason the king you were told of might be so into fortresses, according to John, the king he saw is special too, a king that is more than notable... But he is called the false prophet in John's vision. Anyway, John made a big deal about one of the kingdoms being wounded and this false prophet that John saw which we believe is the same king you saw seems to have been particularly fond of the wounded kingdom. But Daniel, we're just not sure if this king is, you know, the king you saw, because we do need this fortress wall to save the land of the free and the home of the brave that we all love and cherish. So see, because his ancestors, the previous kings, would not keep the fortress to protect our kingdom, and because a kingdom without fortress is no kingdom at all, right? Well anyway, see, we really need the fortress wall.
What do you think Daniel?
Daniel replies, "I have always wondered ever since that last vision when that Heavenly man explained to me that this last king would be distinguished because he worshipped the god of fortress. That is unlike his ancestors..." And added, "It is perplexing that any king would lay down their fortress."
Right. Right. But what does that mean. Is our king this king?
Daniel inquires, "Have you seen any abomination of desolation?"
Kind of. Maybe. Oh yeah, that happened too Daniel. Antiochus, a Greek, defiled the altar and sought to kill many of your people. But that happened before Messiah. And yes, you're right. Messiah did say to watch for the Abomination of Desolation that you spoke of. But they haven't rebuilt the temple yet. Well, you know Daniel, the temple was rebuilt just like you were told it would be and it was destroyed again also just like you were told it would be. So we're determined that they must build a third temple so that something abominable can happen in it.
Daniel sighs, "Hmmm, a third temple. Have any prophets written of yet another temple to be built?"
Well Daniel, it's been nice chatting with you, maybe David can help us.
Uh, wait, why are we going to see David? Well, because some guy on the Internet keeps hinting that David might have some insight into all this. Well, I think he or she is referring to David. It's worth a shot. It's going to be tough; not sure really when David did all the things David did, but we're gonna try and find him at the time of his legendary account. May have to travel through a few misses. Hope these Lithium-ion's have enough juice! Daniel, do you know about how many years ago David was king?
Destination - Sochoh, Judea, ~900 BC
Rather than belabor the reader with all the hit and miss that would obviously occur in practicality, our time journeying adventurers conveniently arrive in Sochoh in a basin from which they can hear just over the hillside cries and yelling, banging of drums and blowing of horns. We must be close they realize. Let's peak over the hill and see what's going on.
Peeking over the hillside, they see two large encampments and find themselves dangerously close to one of the armies. Not really knowing what side they are on, they continue to lay low. Out comes from across the valley a very large man dressed in full armor and in front of him is another soldier bearing a shield. Suddenly everyone is quiet. Of course we all know who this is and where our adventurers are. And judging by the sudden silence, this must be the fist the Israelites have seen of the giant we all know as Goliath.
Awesome dude! David will be here any minute now. We landed at the perfect spot at the perfect time. We're gonna see it all. And then we'll talk with David after everything and everyone settles down. What an opportunity. Does anyone know how long we have to wait? Nope. Not I. Anyone have a bible? Maybe that'll tell us. Sorry man, I own one, don't carry it with me... I've got a pocket bible, but it's only the new testament. Ugh!
So our adventures camp out on the side of the Israelites out of the way and count the days and their rations as they find themselves waiting for quite a while. They finally get the translator on the phone that has amazing battery life to make out what the big guy is yelling out towards the Israelite army. The translation is a bit stuttered, but seemingly this beast of a man is looking for a battle to the death against the best the Israelites can offer up and he is mockingly proposing that the Israelites will serve the Philistines if Goliath is victorious but if somehow the Israelite champion is victorious, the Philistines will be their captives.
So the gang sits around and waits for David as the giant comes out morning and early evening and boasts the same challenge each time over and over. No one is stepping up from the Israelite camp because the consequences are certain death; not just for the individual, but servitude and captivity will be thrust upon the whole of Israel and Judah after the challenger is defeated. Finally, after forty two days, David arrives and hears the giant defying the army of God and the God of Israel. By this time, our brave travelers have gotten bold enough to mingle into the crowd of soldiers and they get to piece together some of the conversation. They do get funny looks of distrust, but are generally not seen as a threat. The army has bigger problems! But just as the account says, David shows no hesitation once he arrives with his father's supplies and experiences the giant's insults. He insists that he can and must since no other will put this barbarian down. He insists that he has defended his father's sheep against both lion and bear and slain those beasts just as he will do with this godless Philistine. And Saul agreed to let David go out!
So after forty two days of anticipation and mobile device deprivation as they had to conserve battery life for the translators for when they finally get to speak with David, our brave adventurers finally take front row seats for the most epic battle in the history of man. The ultimate David vs. Goliath battle as it is really David and really Goliath! As David approaches, Goliath mocks him. "Are you kidding me?" the translator picks up. It seems the small stature of his challenger only infuriates the Philistine all the more. But David is a wiz with the sling and he hits the giant with the first stone right between the eyes knocking the giant to the ground. The one bearing the shield was in absolute disbelief that his champion could be defeated so handedly. David took the sword that Goliath meant for him and used it to take Goliath's head.
The Philistines panic from shock and the Israelites suddenly find a high they never could have imagined and take pursuit of the retreating army leaving David standing over the headless giant. This provides the perfect opportunity for our travelers to approach David and to ask for his thoughts on the beasts that John and Daniel saw.
David responds, "A beast with seven heads, one wounded, part lion, part bear and part leopard... Captivity, swords, forty two months... A second beast that comes out in support of the first... Why are you asking me these things? And why now? By the hand of God, I just slayed the giant that none other from within the army of the living God would find the courage for all of forty two days to stand against and save our people from certain servitude under an ungodly and ruthless heathen! The battle is the Lord's and He will slay these beasts you speak of!" David hurriedly departed to join his brothers that had only moments earlier belittled him for being so bold beyond his apparent appointment.
Well, did any of you get anything from that? Not really. But it was a great fight! Pretty glad we stuck around for it, but I am getting a little hangry.
Maybe we should try and track down Matthew next and see if he has an opinion.
What about Jesus? Why haven't we tried meeting up with Him?
I don't know, He'd be really busy. We'd have to fight lot's of crowds. He'd probably just tell us stories about having eyes to see and ears to hear and we wouldn't understand... We should probably just get back to our time. They released the last season of Zombie Apocalypse. I'd like to binge that before work starts on Monday. And maybe a couple games...
Hmmm, wait a minute, wait a minute...
What is it?
If Goliath is John's first beast. And then David is of course.... That makes the false prophet the one protecting Goliath...
And if the first is the kingdoms of the world, then the "Ruler of the world" is standing before the kingdoms with a shield before the stone to be cut out of the mountain without hands is slung into the kingdoms of iron and clay, breaking and crushing them, and dispersing them into the wind making the way for the kingdom that will last forever. (Daniel 2)
Until the end...
Amen