If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.
Jesus Christ, Gospel of Thomas 45.30-33
2000 AD. A child is born. His mother Mary is a very beautiful, seductive and precocious young woman. She has taken up with Joseph, a man twice her age. He is able to provide her with the financial security she desires but not the passion. He is under her spell. She becomes pregnant before they ever have sex. She had presented herself to him as a virgin and despite her obvious physical condition she continues to insist she is a virgin. To add to his humiliation she insisted that they do the trash talk show circuit.
ALL TOMORROWS YESTERDAYS
Time passes and the trio settles into some sense of normalcy. That is until the child's fifth year. As it turns out Joseph's financial situation is not as he had initially represented it. The family found itself desperately in need of money. Mary received a call from one of the talk shows that had exploited her predicament five years earlier. They wanted to do a follow up. They were willing to pay.
"Do you love the ones you exploit?" Chimed the young Christ to the Talk Show Host. The Host was taken aback by the precocious youngster and began to lose his bearings. To the delight of the studio audience the child continued to hammer away at the bewildered Host, bringing up embarrassing incidents from his personal life the child had no way of knowing of. During the break the host chastised his producer and demanded they stop the taping. Unfortunately there were journalists covering the taping. It had already spiraled out of his control.
"Whoever does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." Jesus Christ Luke 14-26
The child appeared on other shows claiming his second fifteen minutes of fame. The strain of airing their dirty laundry proved too much for the child's parents and Joseph exited the situation. It was generally believed that Mary had researched the Talk show hosts and coaxed the child. When confronted about this she deferred to the child. His reply was, "you will know the truth when you are prepared to accept the truth."
Mary pulls her young son from the spotlight and sends him into the school system where he is confronted by a young girl in his class, "My mother says you are not the Christ." "And my mother says that you are not the Christ", replies Mary's son. Beyond this brief incident Jesus' notoriety has no further resonance with his peers. Jesus blends in easily with the other children.
A voracious reader, the young Christ sits reading a book while his peers organize a football game. Being one player short they send John, the acknowledged leader of the gang over to petition Jesus to take part in their game. Annoyed by Jesus' behavior, John slaps the book from his hands, "Do you want to read or do you want to play ball with us?" Jesus replied, "I will play only if you make me the quarterback." Taken aback by Jesus' audacity and in need of another player, John agrees. Jesus leads his team to an overwhelming victory. John asks if he can be on his team tomorrow. Jesus replies, "You will always be on my team."
Jesus graduates quietly from high school. He forsakes the pursuit of a college education and instead begins a sojourn abroad. He leaves his country with no money, creating the necessity to work in whatever country he finds himself. Little is known about these years. His passport would indicate his travels were extensive.
All of yesterdays tomarrows, All of tomarrows yesterdays
Jesus returns to his country at the age of 27. Back in his home town Jesus stops at a tavern for a drink before returning to the home of his mother. There he runs into his childhood friend John. John is producing a television show for a regional market. John relates the events that have come to pass in his life since the two parted company many years ago. The unions had been busted and everyone at the station worked for extremely low wages. The morale was reflected in the quality of their programs and ultimately in their ratings. If John didn't come up with a winning new show on a shoe string for the upcoming season he would be out of a job. Jesus requested a tour of the station.
It was around midnight when the two friends arrived at the station. Peter, the station manager, was still hanging around as was his habit. Introductions were made and John showed Jesus their operation. After their look around Peter asked the friends to join him in a drink. The three discussed the state of the media. After some conversation Jesus asked them to put him in front of the cameras. Already intrigued by the breadth of his knowledge, the vigor of his wit and his compelling presence, in the spirit of the moment, they agreed. For forty minutes Jesus spoke to the camera. He was mesmerizing. John knew he'd hit paydirt. He asked Jesus if he needed a ride home. Jesus replied, "I am already here."
Jesus took them all by stealth, for he did not reveal himself in the manner in which he was, but in the manner in which they would be able to see him. He revealed himself to the great as great and to the small as small. Gospel of Philip, 57.28-35
Jesus spoke, People listened. It was simple. The station made money. The show was picked up by stations around the country. John made money. The show became increasingly popular. Jesus made money. Jesus hired Judas to handle his financial affairs. Judas was a true believer. Judas made money. Judas signed deals to merchandize Jesus' image and sayings. Judas chose not to consult Jesus; he had the power of attorney. Judas arranged a national tour for Jesus. Jesus complied and struck out on a tour of thirty three cities. The people adored Jesus. They liked the things he said. He said it was not their fault. He said they were entitled to more. He said God wanted them to take what was rightfully theirs. He said he would show them the way.
Jesus never walked on water though his life he did sacrifice no Jesus never walked on water But he was always on Thin Ice
It was only words, but in the end words turn out to be the most powerful weapon in the human arsenal. Jesus knew them well. Jesus again went abroad. This time it was not to work among the people, to learn their languages, to learn their hearts and souls. This time he had come to offer them heaven on earth.
Prophet for Profit
For some time Jesus was aware of Judas' exploitation of his image for profit. He was also aware of the ammunition it provided his detractors. While on tour Jesus asked Judas to help him select a new wardrobe at a local mall. Judas was pleased at this turn of events as he had always disapproved of Jesus' casual approach to dress. Jesus was now a worldwide phenomenon and Judas strongly felt he should dress in a manner befitting his position. While in the mall they happened upon a display of Jesus paraphernalia. Jesus eyed the display with mounting anger. Sensing Jesus' anger Judas became defensive. He pleaded that they needed the extra income to finance the world tours. To finance the lifestyle. Jesus answered by wrecking the display. Mall security arrived in short order. They asked Jesus for an autograph.
What do you want Revelation or revolution? In the end there's but one solution In the end they're one in the same
Many people in positions of power were becoming increasingly concerned with this man Jesus Christ. He had already been banned in many countries although his words continued to surge through the underground like blood from the heart surging through the veins of a sleeping giant. They knew that if this sleeping giant were to be awakened it would mean their demise. Jesus was surrounded by a fiercely loyal entourage and had a phenomenal support among the populations of the world. There had already been numerous attempts to discredit the man but they all seemed to backfire, they had only seemed to increase people's resolve to follow him. Anywhere.
Iscariot the Patriot
There was one person in the inner circle that could possibly serve as a chink in the armor. That man was Judas. Judas had a great love of money. It was known that he had many quarrels with Jesus over money. He was also known to have a deep sense of patriotism. Some of the things Jesus said could be construed as treason.
It was also understood that at any time Jesus could breathe complete chaos into the world.
Jesus remained absent from the public view for a period of time. The authorities were unable to untangle the codified communications between Jesus's loyal followers and were thus unable to make the planned arrest. Jesus' next public appearance was scheduled for Giant Stadium. It was decided he would be apprehended after his speech. That is if he showed up.
He showed up. It seemed as if everyone else in the world had also showed up. Some popular musical acts had warmed up an already overheated crowd. People crushed into the stadium wether they had tickets or not. Protesters from various groups at odds with Jesus' message shouted down devotees. Small vignettes of mayhem bubbled up all around the stadium. The security force hired by the stadium seemed confused. Many were taken by Jesus. If a line were drawn, no one was sure who would be on what side.
Jesus took the stage. He stood there as if he were a soul lost in the eye of a hurricane. All around him people pushed and were pushed in every direction, the only oasis of calm was a 15 foot circle of stage area around Jesus. Jesus spoke and no one heard. The crowd went silent as they strained to hear his words. Someone had cut his microphone. John tossed Jesus a cordless microphone and followers all over the stadium held up small transmitters and Jesus began to speak. The crowd broke into a roar when they heard his voice. They seemed thrilled that the Jesus people had anticipated and outwitted the authorities. They also knew this would probably be the last time they would hear him speak. It hadn't been broadcast on the television, it hadn't been discussed in the newspapers, yet people knew, they knew.
He told them that he was not an intermediary between them and God. He told them that no one was an intermediary between them and God. It had been suggested that he was Christ, the savior of the world and he said he was not. And the things he had said, the things they called visionary, the things they called enlightened, the things they called revolutionary, had they not had these thoughts on their own long before they had ever heard of him? Did he not merely speak their thoughts aloud? He claimed he knew the mind of God, but so did they. He had never asked anything of them but now he had one request. If the cup should pass from his hands, would they take it up? Could they employ their conscience to drown out the voices of evil. Could they commit the most righteous act they could dream of without the instruction of others? Without the orders of others? Without any affirmation from anyone? As Jesus reached the conclusion of his speech John and Peter wheeled a ladder onto the stage. The authorities laying in wait for Jesus to conclude so they could capture him without alarming the crowd became very puzzled. Jesus ascended the ladder as he spoke his last words. Realizing something was up they closed in on Jesus and as the circle closed in on him he made a dive into the crowd. He glided across the crowd finally disappearing into the hordes halfway onto the field. People were surging in every direction.It was complete chaos. Jesus and his innercircle were gone.
Jesus and his followers regrouped at an Exxon in New Jersey. There they changed out their vehicles for ones they had parked there. They bought some fastfood and removed their disguises. Jesus was being playful. He jumped up on a car and began parodying his speech. He did part as Elvis, part as Jerry Lewis. The manager came out to see what all the commotion was. He recognized Jesus but seemed confused by his behavior. Jesus had often displayed a sense of humor in the past. (It wasn't that was confusing the Exxon worker). Didn't he know the police were looking for him? It was all over the television. Jesus told him to call the police, tell them he is here. The Exxon employee said he could never do that, he had a conscience. Jesus said he must not have a very substantial conscience if he worked for Exxon. The man declared his need to earn a living, would Jesus pay his bills? "I don't work for Exxon and I'm still alive." "Yeah, well maybe not for so long". "Well you've given me more time, maybe others will be equally generous." "Maybe".
Jesus and his followers pulled their vehicles off the highway onto an obscure dirt road and left them hidden in the trees while they headed down to the river. His followers gathered around him to hear what they believed would be his final words to them alone. Jesus sat in silence as he studied the river flowing past. John asked Jesus "what happens now?" Jesus answered, "Now we swim in the river and hope its currents don't sweep us away." "And what of tomorrow?" "The future is only an idea, the past is just a memory, and they can both be rewritten in the now." John looked puzzled. Jesus removed his clothes and jumped into the river. Mary joined him, then the others. They swam deep into the night. After hours had passed and with the others seduced by the pulsating currents Judas slid out of the water , grabbed Jesus' shirt, and walked back to his car. He made a call informing the party on the other end what road they had veered off of and told them he would mark the exact spot by hanging Jesus' shirt on a tree limb. Judas hung up. He strung up the shirt on a low slung tree limb by the side of the road. He then returned to the river unnoticed.
As the first hint of dawn breathed a violet mist into the sky Jesus emerged from the river and kissed each of his followers, all whom had been overcome with sleep there at the waters edge.They remained asleep as Jesus departed to the edge of the road where he found his shirt hanging. Jesus put on his garment and waited.
An army of police, journalists, sight seers and true believers converged on the lone figure. Jesus was tossed about by the first 2 cops that reached him. They handcuffed him and vented their frustration on the formerly elusive messiah. Eventually they were restrained by other cops and after a fleeting scuffle between a couple of the cops Jesus was placed in the back of a squad car and the convoy began its slow procession back to the city. Some of the cops on hand stormed into the woods to harass the apostles. The now awakened and confused followers scattered into the river and let the current whisk them away in the other direction. The police stayed on the shore watching the river rush them towards the ocean. The stream of cars, vans and helicopters carrying the police, the reporters and everyone else wound their way back to the city, their headlights tracing a path like the blood of the beast being drawn through a vein back to the heart.
He had taken the world under his spell in six short years. No one saw it coming but someone had to stop it. Jesus was brought up on charges of treason. He was accused of conspiring to kill world leaders. He was called a terrorist. Judas agreed to testify against Jesus in exchange for immunity and with the understanding that he would have control of Jesus Christ inc. A jury was selected and vigorously debriefed. Possibly even threatened. And the world seemed to stop when the trial began.
When you see me in the halo of your color TV screen
Even though it was considered a great risk the trial was televised. Jesus had to be publicly discredited or he could end up being more dangerous dead.
For the next six months the prosecutors attempted to undermine everything Jesus had done or said. They brought up his long standing relationship with a woman named Mary whom he had never married. They called him a prophet for profit, exposing the enormous enterprise that was Jesus Christ inc. They called him Hitler. They called him Satan. And worse. When he was asked to take the stand he said nothing in his defense. "I am the silence that is incomprehensible."
Jesus Christ was found guilty and sentenced to death. There were no appeals.
They want my heart They want my soul What happens now I cannot control
Jesus Christ was strapped into an electric chair. The world awaited his final words. A guard smirked, "I guess they'll be wearing electric chairs around their necks now!" When asked if he had any final words Jesus replied, "Do now what you were born to do." And these were the words the reporters on hand radioed to their editors and these were the words that echoed around the world in mere seconds. And then came a silence that was incomprehensible. The executioner reached to pull the switch and darkness fell upon the prison. Someone had cut the power. The Giant had awoken.
"REVELATIONS BOOK II The Second Coming" Play the enitre CD. Use the controls below to start/stop the playback or skip to the next track.
REVELATIONS BOOK II was released on Which? Records in 1999
