The Beginning of the End (Part One) is a short story inspired by events foretold in religious texts. It is a work of fiction designed to illustrate how such events might unfold.

The Beginning of the End

(Part One)

The Guest

Tension in the world had been simmering for as long as I could remember. But for the last few months that tension was threatening to erupt. The wars in the Middle East were aggressive, famine more extensive, the financial system teetering on collapse, and a political landscape that played more like a poker game than allies seeking solutions. Unemployment had sky-rocketed, as had the cost of living, markets were in freefall, entire countries had begun to starve, and crime everywhere kept on rising.

Then it happened.

Friday the 17th of February, everything changed. It wasn’t anything anyone anywhere was going to forget, and even after the events, it still feels like science fiction. The massive object appeared in the sky over Israel and hovered in place, as the world watched in wonder.

Alana, my seven-year-old daughter, woke me up to complain that her streaming channel was not working. No matter which channel she tried, all of them were displaying the same thing—coloured rings in the sky. I had no idea what she was talking about until we turned the bedroom TV on, and there it was, every channel, showing these giant rings above the city of Jerusalem. We watched dumbstruck, in mix of awe and disbelief.

My wife checked social media and started messaging her friends - same thing, it is all everyone was looking at and talking about. I remained glued to the broadcast. The local time was 7am, it had just turned 5pm in Jerusalem. The ticker that ran across the screen said the object, as yet unidentified, first appeared three hours ago. Multiple cameras provided a 360-degree view of the object. A reporter stood to the side of footage coming from the Mount of Olives. An enormous sphere of swirling red and orange energy, encompassed by three rings of lights, dwarfing the golden Dome of the Rock below it. Whatever it was, it filled the cloudless sky above the old city.

Of course, now we know more, but at the time everything had stopped. At 7.30am the broadcast was briefly interrupted by a national emergency transmission informing us that, in light of current events in Isreal, all schools and non-essential businesses were closed until further notice. People were being encouraged to remain with their families and avoid travel if possible.

Fighting in the region had stopped, and politicians, religious leaders and scientists were all on hand to provide their view on what was unfolding. Social media was filled with individual clips of the object first appearing and then came the conspiracy theories – it was the Russian’s, then Chinese, Martians, or fantastical hoax by the world’s wealthiest man. None of those proved close to the truth.

A no-fly zone was being enforced by the Israeli Airforce, the fighter jets could be seen circling the massive structure. It was reported that all the worlds major militaries had been placed on full alert. No country, organisation, or individual laid claim to the object. Space agencies confirmed the object had not been tracked either in space or entering the atmosphere, it had appeared out of nowhere.

The following hours, the World stood by waiting to see what would come next. Breakfast and Lunch were spent around the TV, eating and waiting. But nothing. The giant sphere sat there suspended above the city, the three light rings with no obvious structure to hold them in place, just a pattern of lights continually pulsing different coloured hues like some gigantic disco device pulsing to a slow ballad. No sound emanated from the object. The sphere measured a precise one thousand metres, or three times the length longest aircraft carrier. The three rings, laying horizontally around the sphere were also positioned precisely, visually separating the core into four segments of equal height.

As dinner time approached, our fascination waned a little. All the TVs remained on, with some channels now resuming normal programming, promising to return to the events should anything change. We unglued ourselves from watching, taking longer and longer stints away from the screen. As the day progressed, evening became night in Jerusalem, and a halo formed around the object giving it an even greater supernatural form. World leaders gathered to discuss how to respond. Despite the city being closed off, pilgrims had started to gather, people from around the World compelled to be in its presence. I remember trying to stay awake in the certainty there must be some point to this object but failing. I fell asleep in the glow of the TV.

I was woken by the grating alarm of an emergency announcement. The object was descending, a controlled slow descent. A government announcement confirmed a further day of closures. I nudged my wife awake, and we watched the live footage of the sphere descending – two thousand feet, a thousand feet, the pulse of the rings more frequent, but still no discernable noise. Twenty-five hours had passed, sufficient time for the entire world to be aware of its presence. A thousand feet, five hundred feet, two hundred feet, it halted just a few feet above the height of the Tower of David.

Scientists had concluded that though the object appeared to obey the laws of physics, its composition remained unknown, and its engineering, if indeed it had been engineered, was like nothing known to man. Scholars pulled out references to Ezekiel’s Wheel, Elijah’s chariot, and even the events surrounding the Ascension of Jesus. I’m sure we were not alone as we quickly looked up the references. Historians and archeologists gave insights into unusual drawings of impossible vehicles and devices found around the world. Even quantum physicists were commenting on the perfectly plausible existence of something else. They explained how the Universe screamed design and not chance, order not chaos, and purpose not coincidence. Thought they all admitted they had no idea what to expect next, they all agreed that whatever this was, it was no accident and it was the product of intelligent design.

It felt as though all the mysteries of the world were coalescing, that all of the things that didn’t add up, were about to be answered. We had no idea that with those answers would come so many more questions.

And by the twenty-sixth hour, the sphere had stopped descending. The world held its breath. All aircraft had been ordered to land. The city fell into an eery silence with only the chants of those in the outskirts barely audible.

And then it happened. A bright white light engulfed the sphere and for a moment nothing, but bright light could be seen, then a shadow. As the light dimmed, the shadow took on form. A man, or what we assumed to be a man, now stood on the golden roof of the Dome, the sphere and rings appearance returned, remained hovering above his head. But something looked off. The camera zoomed in, it was a human, two arms, two legs, head, face, and hair. His hair was black, his skin brown, he looked middle eastern to me. The figure was tall, large, unusually large, not basketballer large but even bigger. Then someone from off camera confirmed it – “that crescent on top of the Dome is about 16ft tall. As you can see that man, if it is a man, is almost as tall.”

The reporter, like we were, was agog to see what would happen next. Then she remembered she was on air and tried horribly to compose herself.

“There is what appears to be a man, standing on top of the golden Dome of the Rock,” she said. Stating what the World was seeing. “The crescent atop of the Dome, I am advised is sixteen feet tall. That would make the man…” The reporter shook head, “perhaps twelve feet in height.” You could hear the disbelief in her voice. “The man, and for the moment that is what I shall refer to him as, is looking across the city, left to right, and now right to left. He is dressed in what appears to be a black, leathery two-piece top and trousers, with no markings that we have been able to make out.” As she spoke, the camera zoomed in.

“Clearly this is no ordinary man. He appeared following the bright flash of light from the object and we can only assume, he has come out of the sphere.” As she spoke, the man waved arm above his head before another bright light flashed at the position he was standing. As the light faded, the man was gone.

The reporter pressed her earpiece to her ear. “I am being told the man is not standing outside the entrance to the Dome of the Rock. We going to go now to the BBC’s correspondent, Haley Saunders, who is at the perimeter near the Dome. Haley.”

The camera switched, and another reported appeared surrounded by a mass of reporters and journalists from around the world. Like much of the inner city, access to the Dome had been heavily restricted. Armed forces stood in front of a temporary steel fencing erected around the perimeter.

“The giant man that was a moment ago standing on top of the Dome, well over a hundred feet above where we are standing now, appeared right after the burst of light. As you can see, he fills the entrance. That entrance may I remined you, is over four meters or fourteen feet high and over two and half meters wide, or some nine feet across. While we watch to see what happens, let me remind you of the significance of where we are. This site is highly significant to Muslims, Jews, and Christians around the world. Inside is the central rock or Foundation Stone, believed to be the rock on which Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and the place the Prophet Muhammad ascended to Heaven. The Temple of Solomon was built at this site to house the Ark of Covenant, no less, before it was destroyed six hundred years before the common era. A second temple was then built, often referred to as Herod’s Temple, only to be destroyed by the Romans around 70 CE. The Dome of the Rock was completed around six hundred years later. Oh wait, something is happening…”

The camera panned away from the reporter and squarely to the man stood at the entrance to the Dome. The man took step forward and shouted, his voice booming. Off camera someone could be heard asking if anyone knew what he had said.

“Arabic?” Someone asked.

“Aramaic,” another voice asserted.

As they spoke the giant spoke again. His arms wide, he repeated himself.

Off camera, the correspondent could be heard asking what was said. The camera moved attempting to keep the giant in shot while making room for a young spectacled man.

“He’s saying, ‘Come, Leaders of the world. Come and speak to me, for we have much to discuss.’”

The Israeli Minister of the Interior and the Secretary General of the United Nations were the first to step in front of the giant. They were flanked by armed guards and an interpreter.

The Minister spoke first. “Welcome to Israel,” the interpreter repeated in English, and then in another language. A caption of people back in the studio showed a person rapidly escorted into view and invited to sit down. The ticker across the bottom of the screen soon flashed the words spoken first by the giant and now the Minister.

After a few further exchanges, the Secretary General stepped forward and offered his hand. The giant smiled and met the General. His frame cast a shadow over the General, who now looked like a small child in comparison. The giant wrapped his hand around the General’s covering it entirely. Again, something was said but it was not picked up by the media microphones.

Over the next few hours, a tent was erected in the plaza area at the foot of the steps leading to the entrance of the Dome. A large table was brought and seating for two dozen. Slowly the seats filled with leaders and representatives from around the world. The Secretary General then made an announcement:

“People of the world,” he said, his demeanour warm, open, and even charming. “Today is a historic day for all of us. I am certain you, like myself and my fellow Leaders, have many questions. The events we are witnessing are without precedent. I ask for your patience as we ourselves seek to understand what these events now mean. But I want to assure you of this, our Guest means no harm. He has asked to remain at this location and visible to you all. Discussions will be held in the open. There will be time for dialogue with our chief scientists, scholars, and religious leaders, but our Guest within moments of his arrival, seeks peace. The Leaders of Iran and Israel are to meet here with our Guest. Hostilities are to be put aside and negotiations toward a lasting peace to begin. Meetings will then be held with all the members of the Group of 20, as well as the Leaders of the Arabic world.

My friends, humankind. Be not afraid. Before we can participate of the fruit, the seeds must first be sown, and nurtured. And so, it is. We must be patient. But I pledge to you, discussions with be held in good speed, with respect for each other and with purpose. Our Guest is wanting to speak to you, but all in good time. I must return as the Prime Minister of Iraq is enroute. My associate will now repeat this message in French. Thank you.”

Questions were shouted as the General turned his back and returned toward the tent. The cameras remained fixed toward the tent and the giant, now being referred to as the Guest, sat in what would have been an oversized chair for anyone, central to the table. Footage switched to the studio with now the Tent in caption, along with the view from the Mount of Olives and the Sphere that remained hovering over the city.

The Anchor introduced the next segment, quickly summarising events since the Sphere appeared, and then moving on to introduce several guests that had been gathered – a former home secretary, a popular physicist, an Oxford Professor of Divinity, and a celebrity.

“Lets go first if I may, to our Professor of Divinity. I don’t think anyone of us would claim to know what the events of the last thirty-six hours mean for everyone, but I suspect they fall closer to your area of expertise than anyone. What do you make of what is happening?”

“I can only hypothesize on some of the events that have been unfolding before us, but one thing is clear, the location is no accident. This sphere, which I’m going to refer to for now as a chariot, is hovering above the most significantly relevant religious site on the planet. Yes, religions have their own number one spots, but this site brings the three great religions of the world together – Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Nowhere else on Earth would attract the same level of attention from so many. Five of eight billion people alive today, have a keen interest in that one, specific location.”

“We don’t know of course if there is any religious significance to the appearance of the Guest. It could just be, as pointed out, that the location is merely a strategic one – one that would obviously attract the world’s attention.” Added the Physicist.

“And that area has been in a state of war or unrest for a generation.” The former Minister interjected. “If the Guest as they are calling him, is here to help, then it is not a bad place to start. People have tried to broker peace in the region, and all have failed. So, if anything akin to peace being established is achieved, well, that is not a terrible thing to have on your resume. But real peace must be lasting peace, and that takes time.”

“Maranda,” the Anchor said, referring to the celebrity. “You and I represent the female voice here, and you the voice of the people. What do you make of this?”

“Oh, thank you because I was wondering why I had been invited, especially to sit among such illustrious academics. I’m not sure I am the right person to represent the common people, but I can tell you frankly, I’m scared shitless.” With a beep obscuring the profanity. “Sorry, I know shouldn’t say that but, we have spent all this money on looking into space and when someone, or something does appear, we had no idea of it. We have had scientists preach evolution, that God is dead, that religion is for weak and the here we are – a giant man beams out of a bloody spaceship at the most religious spot on the planet. I have nothing but questions. I don’t know what the hell is going on and I’m scared.”

“Well, I think that is perfectly understandable,” said the physicist. “But with respect to evolution and the science of what is unfolding here, we should not get ahead of ourselves. There has been nothing to suggest any of our prevailing theories are not accurate. The guest possesses very human features, we don’t know if he is in fact human. Clearly, he is much larger than other Homo sapiens, though giants are entirely possible without breaking any theory. We just haven’t found any.”

“So now they are just theories?” the celebrity snapped.

“They have always been theories. But theories based on quantifiable and demonstrable fact.”

“How have you demonstrated evolution. I’ve not seen anything evolve.” The celebrity responded.

“We don’t see evolution. It occurs over thousands, million of years.”

“If I may,” responded the Professor, “the facts as we currently no them are these – an object successfully penetrated Israeli airspace undetected. We don’t know where it came from, we assume it has come from outer space but, again, it would have then managed to go undetected by the world’s surveillance. We know very little at the moment, the UN Secretary General is right, we do have many questions, all of us. We can sit here and surmise, but really all we know from forty-eight hours ago is, someone has built an object that is beyond our current level of understanding, and it would appear something in the form of a giant man, is able to travel instantaneously. We didn’t actually see the Guest come from the object and we don’t know yet, as to whether he is biologically human or not.”

“Or biological at all,” the physicist added.

“Can you tell us anything about the science of what we have seen so far?” the Anchor asked, aimed at the physicist.

“Quantum science has for some time been positing toward the influence of an observer, that outcomes are not determined until observed. So, there is a suggestion that because nothing is determined until observed, that a consciousness or great observer if you will, is needed for anything to exist. In fact, all aspects of quantum science point toward design and therefore a designer, a view Newton himself held steadfast.”

“You’re talking about the existence of God?” The Anchor asked.

“Something, yes, but not necessarily the God of religions, something that demands we behave in a certain way. But in its simplest form, quantum states that a particle could be either A or B, and that its state is not determined until it is observed. So, even if we accept the existence of the particles, we still need an observer to turn them into something, for them to become either A or B rather than neither.”

“I read in a book, not sure which one it was, where it posed two people walking along a beach. As they walked, a car emerged from the waters. Four doors, wheels, tires, windscreen wipers, the full works. The car then stopped on the beach in front of the two people. Then one of them said, ‘Look at that. It came out of the water, it moves, it has doors, seating, hundreds of interconnected parts. It must have been designed and built by someone. The other person then said, ‘No, all the pieces formed over a period of millions of years. First the jiggling around of the water allowed the elements to form and come together and only after millions of years, perhaps billions, eventually all the parts needed to make the car came together, and eventually made this car.’
            Now you have to ask yourself, which of the two people on the beach sounded like the nut case?”

“Sorry, we are going return to Jerusalem where we are told the Prime Minister of Iraq is arriving. As a reminder, this is the first meeting between the two Leaders, the Prime Ministers of Israel and Iraq, in the modern era with the countries having been hostile since the formation of the Israel after World War Two.”

The primary caption switched to the Tent where a path had been cleared through the crowds to allow passage for utility vehicles to pass. The Guest stood, the Israel Prime Minister on one side, the Prime Minister of Iraq on the other. Words were spoken and then it happened, the leaders from the two countries shook hands.

Problems Solved

And so, it was for the next four months, a procession of the world’s leadership came to the Tent and went, rain or shine, under the watchful eye of global media. Peace was proclaimed in the Middle East, and the leaders of all countries waging war were summoned and convinced to lay down their arms. Deals were worked out, where supply chains were set up to move food from countries that had excess to those starving. Money previously spent on financing war was now being channelled for good. Within weeks the world’s leaders had deferred to the Guest.

Religious Leaders gathered and foremost scientists. Debates played out in real time for the world to witness. The Guest, with patience, grace and good humour invited their questions and gave answers to all. Day after day proclamations were made – agreements, consensus, and new discoveries. The Guest was praised for his ability to solve problems, broker peace, for his wisdom and council, and then he spoke to the world – first in English, then all the great languages.

“My friends, you have learned much. You have harnessed the power of the Sun, peaked into the great depths of space, and uncovered the quantum realm. Much of what you have learned is true and some of it, not so much. On one hand,” he gestured, holding out his massive right hand, “the achievements of Man are great. But on the other,” he holds out his left hand, “you continue to wage war, one against another, neighbour against neighbour, brother against brother. You heed not the teaching of the prophets sent before me. You have become your own god, followed your own rules, justified yourselves in all things. And yet, what have you achieved? The Earth is spoiled, it lays on the precipice of ruin. One man rejoices in excess while another starves. The rich and the privileged serve themselves as they keep their foot firmly pressed against the necks of the people whose labour and reverence upholds them. You rape the Earth for what you can get, and not what you need and is freely given.

I have come to you now. I am your last hope, sent not from the skies but from the sea. Will you hearken to my voice? For four weeks, twenty-eight of your days, I have been meeting with your leaders. They will be talking to you shortly. I have made the truth plain. No longer can you remain in ignorance, no longer can you act against each other with impunity, no longer can you justify yourselves. I serve the Creator, I am accountable to the Creator, I am with the Creator and he is with me. He has sent me to you, before the judgement that you through me, might be reconciled unto him. “

The Guest stepped back, and the Pope stepped forward. The man who only hours ago was visibly frail looked renewed, younger, and purposeful.

“You have heard our Guest speak. Your leaders and I have had the honour of speaking directly with him for the last few days and weeks. He has been very generous his knowledge, very patient with our lack of understanding, and very gracious in his correction. God is with him and he has elected me as his Minister. From this moment forward, our Guest is be called Mahmud, for he is to be praised. The Leaders of the Group of Seven have given authority Mahmud, who has in turn, granted some measure of authority to me. My friends, we can no longer act and behave as if we don’t know one another. We are all brothers, and sisters. For we were indeed created, first Man then Woman, and through them do we all exist. Much will be revealed but for now our Creator, our god, has given us this sign. Behind me lies the rock on which Abraham meant to sacrifice his son, Isaac, for which Abraham was greatly blessed. His seed Ishamel and Isaac have been both a blessing and a curse upon the world. Now, they will be joined once again, united, as Abraham was united in his devotion to his god.

 The rock of Abraham will remain, but a new temple will be built. A temple for Muslim, for Jew and for Christian. A temple for all the peoples of the world. The temple of Mahmud.”

Gasps could be heard in the crowd, ‘blasphemy’ someone shouted.

“That you might know the words I speak are not my words, but those given unto me, this sign is given unto you.”

With those words the Pope raised his right hand aloft and turned to face the Dome. At same moment he brought his arm down, a column of fire engulfed the Dome of the Rock, like a heavenly flamethrower, the fire pummelled building so intense the building could not be seen. The fire roared causing some to cover their ears and sucked in air causing others to stumble. The column stayed in place for ten or twelve seconds before it vanished. The Dome of the Rock had been turned to rubble, and the foundation rock exposed.

There was a moment of silence broken only by coughing and a lonely wail. Then cheering broke out among the crowd. The Pope turned back to the people and announced, “Building of the new temple will begin, a united Temple, the Temple of Mehmud!”

Cameras panned across the crowds, people started pumping their fists into the air, shouting “Mehmud”.

Footage cut to the correspondent on site, she had a handkerchief over her mouth and was struggling not to cough.

“A column of fire, like a missile from the sky, has hit and destroyed the Dome of Rock apparently at the command of the Pope. Those of us close to where the Dome used by are struggling with the volume of ash in the air, and the acrid smell of sulfur.”

“It is a miracle. God is with us!” someone shouted.

Life after these events was surreal. Those of us with job still went to work, we bought groceries, did our laundry, watched movies, all the while receiving daily updates from events in Jerusalem. Each country’s leadership provided updates on agreements being made, scientists explained how the revelations from the Guest, Mahmud, were enabling them to fill the gaps in their theories, from what had, up until now, being referred to as ‘dark energy’ – the realisation that it isn’t empty space between particles but an energy, an energy that binds us and without which nothing could exist – Mahmud called it the tangible essence of the Creator. The phrase soon caught on replacing use of the word fabric to describe space. The Pope led daily prayers, devotions, and new teachings – the teachings of Mahmud, drawing on religious texts while explaining were and how earlier prophets had been misrepresented. Coverage of the starving being fed, peace returning to war-torn cities, sworn enemies laughing as they embraced each other, markets bouncing back trumpeting global stability, and the Pope healing the sick and infirm. Jerusalem TV was established, broadcasting to every country, free of charge, 24/7.

But not everyone was bought in.

Dissent

The signs were always there - the few, the exceptions, the doubters, the rebellious, the foolish. Some rent their clothes at the falling of the Dome while the crowds cheered. Some shouted blasphemy as the Guest and his Minister cast doubt on the interpretations of religious texts. Others simply didn’t like being told what to do, believing the Guest, this Mahmud, was nothing more than a product of earlier Man, the fabled Atlantis, whose size, and age can be explained, and whose magic is nothing more than future technology. China was first, while supportive of global stability, it reminded the world of its sovereignty. Russia followed, making similar declarations, and North Korea – well, we all remained in the dark as to what they made of it all.

Groups emerged, continuing to promote atheism, denouncing the teaching of Mahmud, and joining the ‘Mahmud is man’ bandwagon. As the new temple rose, so to, did the level of discontent brought before Mahmud and his Minister. One lunch time as we watched the evening prayers live, a man kneeling in prayer in the front row suddenly ran forward, pushing past the Minister and launched himself at Mahmud, who was seated behind the Minister watching over the prayers. At first it wasn’t clear what was happening, at first, we thought it was an overzealous follower want a personal embrace. Mahmud saw the man coming but didn’t flinch. The man jumped but landed at Mahmud’s feet, grabbing him around the ankles. As Mahmud moved an arm, to console the man, he then did flinch. We realised, the world realised, the man had managed to place a cut upon Mahmud’s arm. The man, who was soon grabbed by security and escorted off camera, had a concealed homemade plastic knife, which he used to cut Mahmud.

And there it was, Mahmud bled, not green or blue, but plain red blood spilled from the wound. Speculation was rife about the man’s motives. The man could never have thought he was going to inflict any material harm on the giant with a homemade plastic knife. Rewatching the attack, the man seemed content on placing a nick. He had the opportunity to thrust the makeshift blade into a calf. I had my own suspicions. The act had confirmed for everyone, that Mahmud, though larger than anyone, bled just as easily.

Security had not appeared to have been tightened after the incident. But the tone of the Minister’s sermons changed, moving away from the goodness of the Creator and aim more at the sin of man. We were told, the Creator would harshly judge our rebellious nature if we did not all repent. Time was running out, and we could either receive His blessing or suffer His punishment.

“As in the days of Noah, and the days of Moses, the Creator will send great judgement upon you, the unbelievers. No longer will your insolence be tolerated. You continue to doubt the words of His Prophet Mahmud and those of his Minister despite the evidence of His miracles. You reject His teaching and His will. Your desire is only for yourself and not for your neighbour. The Creator demands you turn away from your path, repent, embrace your neighbour, the Nazarene spoke of ‘Love thy neighbour’ but the Creator demands you place your neighbour’s needs above your own – the Creator first, then neighbour before thyself. Our judgement is upon us, we will all be judged as one, either we repent as one, or we will suffer as one.”

And with those words, the world turned on itself. Buildings were expropriated for the Church of Mahmud, and the Mahmudites. Weekly attendance was mandated, and daily attendance encouraged. Some authorities started to ban the worship of other religions, soon followed by some countries. Censorship was tightened, and the Minister’s sermons were played and replayed in our children’s schools. Those that didn’t comply were soon punished, the public became law enforcers. Businesses run by non-Mahmudites were boycotted then attacked, people banned from public places, beaten if they tried to enter, families ostracized if they cohabited with just one non-believer, and for perhaps the first time, it didn’t matter what race, or creed, gender, status, or age, there was only believer and non-believer.

The four leading Hindu Guru’s presented a gilded life-size statue of Mahmud, adorned with precious gems, holding a scepter of righteousness in its right hand and the book of Mahmud in the left. A crown sat upon the statue’s head, replete with a huge ruby at its center with a gold insert of a symbol to represent the ‘three good winds’. The rich and famous came and placed luxury jewellery at the feet. The Minister, previously the Pope, ordered relics of the Catholic Church to be burned in the presence of Mahmud. Wealth poured into the Church of Mahmud as Mahmud TV live streamed the causes on which that wealth was redistributed too.

But while the masses converted either willingly or just to survive, dissent remained. There were soon calls for the believers to adopt a sign, something to signify compliance, to show they were no longer part of the man’s disobedience. The three good winds the Hindus had chosen was agreed upon. Overnight, massive queues lined outside tattoo parlours around the world as people scrambled to receive the symbol. Most had the tattoo in the same place as the statue, the forehead, others had it placed on their hands. Despite calls from the Minister, non-believers were beaten, some killed, they lost their jobs, retailers refused to sell them anything, and banks closed their accounts. Families were broken up, and the non-believers, any without the symbol, were driven from the cities.

By the anniversary of the destruction of the Dome, the new temple, the Temple of Mahmud had been completed. Construction companies from around the world, worked day and night under the direction of Mahmud, the Minister and appointed Israeli architects to complete the work. Sponsorship from the some of the wealthiest families and corporations ensured money was no object. At the same time, science and religion grew closer. A dedicated science programme showed us how previously accepted theories had gaps and erroneous assumptions. Issues had already emerged after the observable universe became larger than physically possible given the assumed age of the universe. Cracks in theories became cavities, cavities became a breach and were soon reworked after previously discounted events were being accepted. Our understanding of time changed, evolution was debunked as Mahmud himself described the origins of man though less populous, existed in many different forms before the great flood. Science adjusted as did the great religions of the world.

But still the dissent continued.

The Miracles

Russia and China, though outwardly supportive of changes happening across the world, were quietly rumoured to be increasingly unhappy, that their status in the world was being undermined, and in China’s case, why their economic success was being diluted to fund ‘irresponsible’ countries. The USA and other democracies had cheerily joined the cause – wasn’t world peace, stability, and prosperity always its goal?

In Jerusalem, the Temple nearing completion, non-believers continued to be allowed access to the Temple site and speak in front of the Mahmud and the Minister. Some would quote now band religious texts, sow discord, and openly encourage people not to accept the symbol of Mahmud, that they referred to as his ‘mark’. Mahmud was always gracious, sometime rebutting their interpretation and often rebuking them. The Minister used them to show the continuation of sin and warned the world of the coming judgement, that all would be judged because of the few.

The opening ceremony of the Temple came. The complex measured forty acres, with the number forty prominent in all its key dimensions. Twelve minarets, each forty cubits high, bordered the complex. The Jewish scholars explaining that the number 40 is symbolic of trial and the promise of transformation. The entrance into the ‘Worlds Courtyard’ was lined by twelve archways. Gold plaques greeted the different nations of the world, each in their own language. An internal world divided the interior complex, separating the World’s Courtyard from the Priests Courtyard, entered through a large gate. The gates opened to show several granite platforms that looked like tombs, beside a raised marble platform, the size of a stage. Behind the Priests Courtyard, stood the main temple.

The Temple matched the minarets in height and was entered through two colossal doors. Inside, a huge marble throne overlooked the Priests Courtyard akin to Lincoln’s statue though Lincoln was not sat in the throne. Behind the throne, a new golden dome sat atop of the foundation stone and created what the Architects called the holy of holies.

 Drones moved above and around the complex sending images to media channels around the world. The Mahmud statue now stood inside the World’s Courtyard. Access to the Priests Courtyard would be tightly controlled. The Minister pronounced the Temple completed and open, as fireworks went off overhead. The Israeli Airforce flew in formation to mark the opening. Cameras followed the Minister and dignitaries inside the courtyard, some breaking formation to take a closer look at the various small gardens, fountains, and stonework. Some posed for photography at the Welcome plaque of their language.

The Minister was all smiles as he made his way to the Gates that would lead into the Priests Courtyard. Commentary explained who the various dignitaries and invited guests were, as well as pointing out the key features. It was explained that Mahmud was expected to be inside the Priests Courtyard. The Minister waved his hand over a sensor to the right of the Gates, and the Gates opened. A few steps lead the way up. To the right as one walked the steps, were the tomb looking tables, to the left the stage. A microphone and a lectern had been placed on the stage, the Minister made his way on stage. Still Mahmud was absent from proceedings.

The Minister began to speak, welcoming all nations and briefly explaining the significance of the temple and its four key areas – the World’s Courtyard where all are welcome, the Priests Courtyard where he was currently standing the purpose for which would be revealed shortly, through the Temple doors behind him was the Holy Place, where only Mahmud, himself or the atoned may go. The Temple Doors were currently closed, but the Minister spoke of a fourth area, the Most Holy Place, the holy of holies, where the foundation rock still stood intact, and where the Creator Himself had promised to reside with Man, should Man’s atonement be completed.

  “And that,” he said, “brings me to the primary purpose of this magnificent temple, our Atonement. People of the world, great progress has been made toward our unity. Obedience not tolerance is the way of atonement, but we are not there yet. We remain in our sin while there is discord, where there is division, where evil remains, we must be united and there must be harmony among us. But the Creator has promised to meet with us this day, so that you who continue to doubt, continue sow hatred and disunity, might this day, set your sin aside and accept the Creator for who He is. Your God, without whom we cannot exist, who’s own power gives life to all things, on whom we depend for all things. He is worthy of our praise, and only when we are again one voice, united as one people, will we be fully atoned and the Creator will once again walk among His people. For now, I will make a temporary atonement for us all and you will know that the Creator is God, and the He is with His Chosen and his Minister.”

A man, holding a lamb, approached from the side and stood by one of the tomb-looking stones. The Minister pulled a scimitar from the side of the lectern and started walking toward the man holding the lamb. I then realised what was about to happen. The tombs were not tombs but sacrificial alters. My wife grabbed Alana and covered her eyes.

“What Mommy? I want to see,” she cried.

“No darling, this is not for you.” She replied.

But the cameras remained fixed. The lamb was placed on the alter, the man pinning it by the head and body. The Minister shouted.

“The life of the flesh is in the blood and there can be no remission of sin without the shedding of blood. We offer up this lamb in temporary atonement for our sins. Accept this sacrifice in place of our own O Creator!”

The Minister raised the sword and brought it down across the lamb’s neck. The head separated from the body, as blood spray hit the man holding it down.

The doors to the inner temple then opened and revealed Mahmud sat upon the throne. He held a golden staff in his right hand with the head of a scythe. He remained seated as the Minister walked toward him. Mahmud offered the Minister the staff. The staff dwarfed the Minister by at least two feet, requiring both his hands to lift it. The Minister walked toward the statue of Mahmud and stopped.

 Raising the staff, he shouted, “And now you will give witness to the Creator and know that He is with Mahmud and that Mahmud is with Him!”

The Minister touched the statue and the ground shook. The statue began to move, first the scepter, then the book, then the head. Creases formed in the arms and legs, and the statue took a step forward, raising the scepter to the sky. A bolt of light descended and hit the tip of the scepter. Light dispersed in every direction, refracting and casting a rainbow over the statue’s head.

“I am that I am,” the statue spoke.

The Minister knelt and bowed his head, soon followed by all other in attendance. Except Mahmud himself, remained seated.

“I created the Heavens and the Earth, and every creeping thing that creeps upon it. Even you, whose hearts have not harkened unto me. Hear me now for your judgement is at hand. Turn from your ungodly ways and harken unto Mahmud, my only begotten son, that you may, even now, be saved from the judgement to come. I have longed to walk amongst you. But for too long you have sought only yourselves. In ignorance you draw on my power, for without me there is nothing to sustain you, and yet, you dishonour me. I hung the Sun and the Moon in place, I caused the water to flow and the trees to bear fruit. I formed your bodies from the ground and breath from my spirit gave you life. And yet, you dishonour me. With a word I created the Heavens and set the stars in motion, its vastness you are now coming to comprehend. I created, I set the stars and the galaxies in motion with mine own power, and yet you dishonour me. No longer can I accept your ignorance, no longer can your disobedience be accepted, and no longer can you continue to live your lives in your sin. Listen to my son Mahmud whom I have chosen, whose spirit is as my own. You have heard the will of I am.”

The statue stepped back and the light faded. In a moment, it was a statue again.

A drone shot of the crowds in the Jerusalem, showed the mass of people all bowed low, their heads to the ground. In the studio, one of the guests dropped from their chair onto the floor and began to pray. She was soon followed by other guests.

Then the Minister got to his feet and returned to the lectern, his face now seemed to glow.

“The death of the lamb was necessary to cover our sin for sufficient time that the spirit of the Creator could dwell among us. You bear witness. You saw the statue and heard the Creator speak. You can no longer deny what you have seen with eyes and heard with your ears. You are not called to faith, you are called to obedience, for where you can see and hear there is no need for faith. We must do. Honour the Creator by honouring his son, Mahmud. Give thanks to Him in all things. We must learn love for the Creator and for one another, for the Creator has been patient, long-suffering, and generous in all things unto us. Peace and prosperity can be ours if we follow Mahmud and embrace the Creator. Or face death and destruction if we continue in our sin.”

The Minister returned the staff to Mahmud, stepped back, and bowed as the doors closed. He then exited off the side as people appeared to clean to the alter.

“We need to go,” my wife said, as we had not yet received our tattoos. “This isn’t going away. Our neighbours are growing suspicious of us, they think we aren’t going to get the mark. We can’t keep saying the line ups are too long, they aren’t, everyone has received their mark. We have to go. Alana is being bullied at school. The teachers are asking when she is going to get her mark. We must go now.”

I reached for the Bible that lay on the mantelpiece and turned to Revelation 13.

My wife stood and held Alana’s hand. “We’re going, I am not leaving this a moment longer. Are you listening? Are you coming with us? What are you going to do?” she asked.