God Blog

The Third Heaven
Chapter 2

The Courtroom

We may not pay Satan reverence, for that would be indiscreet,
but we can at least respect his talent.
Mark Twain

"It's time your Honor,” demands the Prosecutor tactfully, drawing out each word in a tone approaching condescension. “In fact it's high time. We all know Your judgment on this matter's long over due.”

“With all due respect to counsel. This Court is well aware of the times and season specified in the Agreement,” the Defense corrects, splitting His gaze between his Adversary and the Judge.

“Only too aware,” the Prosecutor retorts syllable by syllable. “It's been millennia since Patmos” he sneers. “Two thousand years since my esteemed Colleague unveiled His plan for the ages in His Book of Revelation! Yet we’re growing old in eternity waiting to get on with it. It's time to up the ante your Honor. Time to raise the stakes. Time to call or fold.”

Uneasy silence settles on those present like static electricity before a storm. A flash of emerald from the Throne fills the room as the voice of Heaven’s Judge rebounds like thunder. “The Prosecution’s point is valid Counselor. Do you have anything further?”

Reflecting a moment Heaven's Advocate responds. “If it please the Court let's review. For centuries the Prosecutor has pressed for the End of Days all the while oppressing the Earth, ripening it for judgment.’

“Objection,” the Adversary responds feigning insult. “The record shows I've been right here in Court with you Counselor...” his voice trailing off in a smirk.

“Here accusing mankind day and night while you cast a net across the ages snaring young and old, rich and poor, strong and weak in a fabric of half truths and lies.”

“Net? I don't see a net,” the Adversary slowly counters slyly eyeing his co-counsel. His supporters in the gallery laugh, grinning in agreement.

“Exactly,” parries the defense. “Neither do the hapless billions you've entrapped. From the beginning you’ve manipulated nations and societies, stealing the innocence of generation after generation. Through a thousand faces you promise peace and prosperity, freedom and happiness only to lure humanity into chaos and misery. You’re a pusher, a petty street thug addicting mankind for your own ends and amusement.”

“Careful Counselor,” warns the Adversary in a threatening tone. “This Court is fully aware who I am.”

“Unfortunately, the Earth is not.”

“Your Honor, I appreciate Counsel’s high opinion of my abilities but I’m afraid He gives me too much credit. Let’s not forget Earth's Your planet. Mankind’s Your creation. Made in Your image as I recall. You can hardly blame me for their mistakes.”

“Mistakes you bait them into only to condemn and accuse them of” argues the Advocate. “And now you want to multiply their sorrows exponentially by bringing on them the greatest tribulation their world will ever know?”

“Your Honor,” injects the Adversary. “The Agreement clearly states the End of Days is Your judgment if and when man’s evil fills the Earth. And who can deny it has? Just listen, they’re chokin’ on it. I submit it’s time You turn them over to me. Let me show creation what my Man can do.

“This Court is well aware of what his Man will do.”

“Well, omniscience’s nice, but that’s not what this is about...is it?” objects the prosecution. “And this ain’t our first time around the block. The Defense knows foreknowledge is not permissible as evidence in this Court. We’re talking about real life in real time when anything can and does happen...” the Adversary appeals, pausing for effect. “I say enough cat and mouse, enough tit for tat. Your Honor, it’s time to get on with it.”

“If by ‘it’ the Prosecution means removing the final restraint on murder and violence, famine and plague... He’ll plunge humanity into total darkness.”

“What I mean Counselor is it’s time to take the cuffs off,” the Adversary explains, holding out his wrists plaintively. “Heaven’s watching Earth go to Hell. It’s time for me to work my magic.”

“Which is?”

“What man needs is some tough love!” Satan responds. “A swift kick in the ass to get their attention! A little quid pro quo. They’re getting away with murder, literally, by the billions and Your worried about taking the gloves off? What humanity’s missing is immediate and commensurate consequences for their actions.”

“Not exactly a convincing argument considering the source.”

“If Counsel’s referring to the rebellion, don’t blame me,” whines the Adversary. “We all have our role to play. I just do my part. And You, Counselor, had Your turn at bat. Like they say on Earth, ‘three strikes and your out.’ Quit hog’en the plate. Move over and give me a little elbow room. It’s my time” Satan challenges, mimicking a batter. “Come on. Show me your fast ball.”

“This is more than a game,” reprimands the Defense.

“Exactly!” agrees the prosecution, mimicking a batter at bat. “This is the game to end all games! And we’re already in overtime. Batter up!” Satan challenges, swinging his imaginary bat for the fence.



The Evidence

“The Court will hear your argument” the Voice from the Throne booms.

“Thank You your Honor,” replies the Adversary feigning respect while casting a devilish grin towards the Advocate.

Satan takes an extended moment to compose himself. “For the record let me reintroduce a growing list of humanity’s sins, Oh say over the last two millennia.” At the lift of a finger suddenly three sets of huge holograms explode into view. In mid air, just left of the Throne, appears a rapid succession of clear images revealing sins of commission. A horrifying myriad of people from all walks of life being hurt or killed. Some harming themselves, most harming others, from the pre-born to the elderly. Cries of pain and terror, anger and cursing clearly audible.

Above the middle of the Courtroom a series of vivid three dimensional graphics appear, morphing into ever expanding and collapsing lists and charts detailing the vast quantity and quality of humanity’s sins by type and trend.

Filling the air at the right of the proceedings is a collage of what seems to be mostly harmless images of ordinary life. Individuals and families working and playing, living and dying while showing little or no genuine concern over the pain and suffering of others.

In time these scenes turn condemning, highlighting various acts and entertainments including images of lust, greed, gore and blasphemy. The overall effect is carefully designed to sharply expose innumerable acts of apathy and worse, from neglect to abuse of themselves and others.

At times the three holograms morph into a single massive image dramatizing one point or another. The Prosecutor’s flickering evidence quickens in pace to what would be a blur for lessor beings. The sights and sounds pierce the glorified heavenly minds and hearts in the Courtroom and beyond in way incomprehensible to mere men. The sorrowful and vile details of the testimony continues long enough to try the stamina of even immortals.

Only a few in the audience dare come and go from the gallery. Given the solemnness of the moment the Advocate silently watches the “testimony” without objection. By its end grief, punctuated with sympathy and outrage, emanates from those present who love mercy and justice. The Accuser and his entourage are clearly pleased, relishing their opportunity to drag Heaven’s spotless spectators through the muck and mire of humanity’s miserable condition.

“Your Honor,” the Devil bellows, confident he’s proved his point. “I request this evidence be accepted as submitted.”

With no objection from the Defense the Judge’s simple and decisive verdict reverberates from the Throne, “So ruled.”

Pressing his advantage the Accuser continues, “Further, based on the evidence I request the immediate commencement of the End of Days for the purpose of redressing humanity’s sins, dispensing justice for Earth’s oppressed and rendering judgment against their oppressors.”

“Objection!” complains the Advocate. “After millennia of deceiving mankind their Tempter demands the Court redress man’s sin and begin dispensing justice and judgement? Granted the Prosecutor’s an expert in regards to sin, but what does he know of justice? Furthermore, what possible right does the Author of Rebellion have to demand judgment?”

“Every right!” shouts the Adversary, the quickly regaining his composure. “Counsel knows perfectly well the Agreement grants me authority to observe and interact in the affairs of men. As to their obeying or disobeying You, that’s up to them.”

“Given the insidious coercion from your Rebellion, man’s behavior is understandable if not excusable” the Redeemer snaps.

“There does seem to be a trend” retorts Satan snidely. “Regardless, I’m afraid the evidence against humanity is overwhelming.”

The Defense takes a moment to let the matter settle. Aware today’s momentous proceedings hold particular interest to Heaven’s citizens, His argument is meant as much for the court of public opinion as for the Judge.

Having highlighted the Prosecutor’s hypocrisy the Advocate is forced, for the moment, to partially concede the point. “Counsel makes a compelling argument, but he has yet to prove man’s sins warrant unleashing the Great Tribulation and his Man of sin.”

“Proof!” Satan demands. “What more do You need? I just gave you two thousand years of proof.”

“Indulge Me,” the Advocate answers, His tone more a command than a request.

Slowly the Devil calms himself. “As you wish... How much time do we have?”

“We’re in eternity.”

“Right,” Satan draws out his response as the holograms jump back to life. “If You’re looking for sins You’ve come to the right place. We’ve got sins of omission and commission. Sins willful and repeated. Not to mention a myriad of ‘em they hardly recognize. Vices extolled as virtues. Virtues suppressed by vice. And how about a google of idle to condemning words... gotta love smart phones.

Of course, there’s my personal favorites. Seven big oldies but goldies: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth wrath, envy and pride. And let’s not forget along with murder they’ve got mayhem. Better guns, better toys, and why just kill ‘em by the millions when they can make billions taking death prime time!

And why stop there? Man’s covered the Earth with pornography, gore, horror in ten thousand choices of HD cable and DVD, Blue Ray and 3D. All with no waiting, conveniently beamed up into heaven and down into their homes for their entertainment pleasure and downloaded onto various devices for their kids to enjoy later.

And violence? They’re serving up a smorgasbord. Through abortion alone they’ve murdered over a billion! That’s more than half a dozen times the world’s entire population when you walked among them Counselor. In a single generation your “Christian Nations” have conspired to cover the planet in innocent blood, turning the womb into the most dangerous place on Earth with over a thousand million murdered before their feet even touch the ground! They follow up with child and spousal abuse, gang and prison violence… all just appetizers. War’s the main course. More than fifty across the globe at any one time. And who cares? Good old Joe Stalin got it right, ‘one death may be a tragedy but a million’s just a statistic.’

And they’re just hitting their stride. They’ve got tens of thousands of nuclear missiles just itching to be launched from silos and ships, planes and satellites. Those suitcase nukes look to be handy.”

“And that ain't the half of it” Satan grins. “Earth’s a bio-tech boomtown! We’re talking biological tracking and augmentation through DNA and gene manipulation. Want your kid to play in the NBA? I no time they’ll just splice in some cheetah genes. Want to be God? Virtual omnity’s right around the corner. Any moment now and the great question will be why just be a Homo-sapien when with a nip here and a chip or two there you’re a Techno-sapien! As if that weren't enough, they’re ready to roll out a complete line of designer bio-weapons.”

“Why humanity’s sins could fill a Book! Yours in fact, your Honor!” the Prosecution gestures towards the Throne. A Book growing exponentially. If eternity’s seen anything since Eden it’s the more You give the more they demand. The only thing growing faster than their accomplishments is their entitlement...” the Accuser pauses for effect.

As this Court is well aware, those lucky enough to be living in Earth’s 1st World Nations are at lease one thousand times more “blessed” than all past generations with ten times the wealth, knowledge and technology. That’s a thousand times the culpability! And as my esteemed colleague has warned, ‘to whom much is given much is required’”

“And last but not least let’s not forget the rich getting richer working the working class. Despots, communists, capitalists, oligarchies, secret societies, the Illuminati... all paving the way for a brave new World Order.”

“All creations or mutations of yours...” the Advocate chides.

“Again, Counselor, You’re forgetting the rules,” the Adversary protests. “At best I’m a minstrel. I just play the tunes. They choose if and how to dance” Satan smirks as the three sets of holograms disappear from overhead.

“So it’s the prosecution’s opinion that the answer to all this sin is more sin? The Man of sin?”

“Potato-potahto” the Devil jests. “Man of sin, Man of peace. What’s needed is some direction! Leadership to unite Earth’s petty factions. Leadership to set ‘em free from stinkin-thinkin and religious mumbo jumbo. Leadership to usher in a New Age.”

“That’s quite a pitch” the Advocate mocks. “You sound like you almost believe it yourself.”

“Well You know me Counselor,” the Adversary counters. “The quintessential believer.”



The Request

“What I know is that your a liar, a thief and a murderer” rebukes Heaven’s Advocate.

“Now, now, Counselor, this isn’t about me.”

“You’re right. This is about mankind and what they need.”

“Your Honor,” the Prosecutor objects. “Let me remind the Court we’re not here to discuss what humanity needs but what it deserves. And it’s not like they didn’t have fair warning. They were warned for millennia. You warned them personally Counselor! And two millennia later, with six billion copies printed, Your Book’s the all time best seller. But just take a look around. Take a good look!”

With compassion evident in His tone and demeanor, the King of Heaven and Earth takes a moment to reluctantly respond. “The Defense is willing to stipulate that the sins of mankind are unprecedented and increasing. Moreover, based on the evidence I’m ready to concede that the beginning of the End of Days may be at hand”

The Devil, long awaiting such an admission, draws a self satisfied breath. “May be at hand Counselor?” he presses his advantage.

“You’re aware of the terms of the Agreement. Unleashing a a series of judgements of this magnitude requires first hand verification that they’re more than merited.”

“Your Honor,” Satan complains, “Considering Counsel’s and the Court’s omniscience the Prosecution requests we dispense with the preliminaries and move to summary judgment.”

“In your case or Earth’s?” the Advocate’s question posses a logical and credible threat.

“There’s no reason to get personal. I’m merely stating the obvious. How much more evidence does Omnity require?”

“Omnity requires that protocol’s followed. There’s clear precedent for this matter.”

“Sodom and Gomorrah? That was another time and place. This Court’s docket wasn’t a tenth as full.”

“True,” the Advocate agrees. “But the judgment you’re requesting dwarfs that destruction exponentially.”

“So what do You suggest Counselor?”

“Your Honor,” Heaven’s Advocate begins, directing His remarks to the Throne. “Certain duties require My continued presence here, including the vast array and serious nature of the issues facing this Court. This being the case, the Defense is willing to appoint two angels of its choosing to act as proxy.”

“To what end?” inquires the Devil.

“At this Court’s discretion, the angelic witnesses will visit people and places on Earth to observe and confirm the attitudes and actions of mankind.”

“They will then appear before the Court to provide first hand testimony regarding the levels of good and evil present in humanity both individually and collectively.”

After a long pause for reflection the Adversary addresses the Throne. “Your Honor, I agree to Counselor’s terms with the following three provisions. First, that the prosecution is allowed equal representation. Second, that the proxies be sent immediately with full debriefing and testimony by both sets of witnesses following the completion of each assignment. Third, that the Court make a final ruling on my request for commencement of the End of Days immediately thereafter.”

A peal of thunder from the Judge finalizes the matter, “So ruled! Court recessed.”
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