Virtually Real (9 page)

Chapter 13

Cause & Effect

The virtual world

The new Nimrah religion was a huge success – at least in the parts of the world ruled or influenced by Antoni Meshiac. Never one to give much credit to underlings, Antoni had in this circumstance made an exception and commanded his people to treat Aaron Nawkish with all the respect of a high priest and as someone who knew all the secrets of the Great Power behind Nimrah. The myth was spread that Aaron knew the secrets but not all would understand. Therefore even the most banal or stupid things that Aaron might say from time to time would be received with hushed tones and the words would be studied for decades to come. Because of the closeness that Aaron and Antoni had with Lucas, whom they knew as the Great Power, Aaron was able to make prophetic pronouncements that would inevitably come to pass. He could perform miracles in the v-world and many sick v-people would be healed. This drew many to believe – even if they felt uneasy about it all. They could not explain it nor argue against it.

The phenomenal growth of the Nimrah religion grew out of an era of unprecedented material prosperity in Antoni’s part of the v-world. Those that followed the “Allah” of the programmed historical prophet Mohammed, those that nominally followed Y’shua, and nearly all the v-world’s main religions were persuaded that Nimrah was the vehicle to bring them all together. It was the best syncretistic work the world had ever seen.

A generation grew up with inner emptiness and a yearning for something more in their lives. Nimrah provided intellectual, emotional and apparent spiritual comfort and direction for the human soul, but there was still something missing. There was rebellion against materialism but not against its trappings and provisions. Nimrah gave that generation a vision of hope, of power, of self-esteem. It gave opportunities of attaining mystic influence over the circumstances of life and a sense of community with others who held the same beliefs. Its teachings were wide enough to take in all viewpoints and embodied the most noble ideals and aspirations.

Many good works were done by its devotees and many of its followers gave their whole life to serve the good causes it promoted. It gave people what they wanted, and told them what they wanted to hear. Self was all and the Great Power ensured that they had a train of suitable feelings to keep the love of self from waning. Any sense of guilt (which the Great Power himself often induced) would be dealt with by soothing words from the Nimrah priests and the laws of the Great Power would be cited as the reason for unfavourable circumstances whenever they happened.

But what was not recognised, at first, was that Nimrah released no prisoners. Quietly the requirement to conform to the teachings and so-called laws were introduced. Then obedience to the priests was added. Behind the façade of love and peace; bondage and cruelty grew.

In contrast, the followers of Y’shua seemed in disarray. They were often jeered by the populace and sometimes injured or killed. Many lost their jobs and could not easily access the necessities of life. Sure there were not many of these followers. Those who were not real about their belief had long since converted to Nimrah. But those that remained had a quality of inner life that frequently drew disillusioned followers of Nimrah; but to leave Nimrah and join the Y’shua followers was costly! In addition to all the normal troubles experienced by the v-people, they were ostracised and often without friends, or even the company of fellow believers. Yet somehow their love for Y’shua and for their fellows continued. Y’shua honoured those who were his, and ensured they would always have sufficient to fulfil the purpose of their lives.

The presence of Y’shua followers angered Antoni. They were the only group that were not under his control – even though they did not break his laws, were not in rebellion and were usually the best and most reliable of his citizens. Having people that did not give allegiance to Antoni himself preoccupied and tortured him.

“Antoni. You’re like a caged bear,” said I’isabel. “It is time that Aaron made you the embodiment of the Great Power. I believe that now is the right time – after all we would not wish to upset the Great Power by doing this without his approval. Besides, why should you be so upset about these followers of Y’shua. Can you not do anything you like? Why not work toward consolidating your power over them and, who knows even their property may become forfeited to us?”

“You are right I’isabel. It is time, but remember it is I who uses the Great Power not the other way round.

“By assuming my new title and role I will destroy the followers of Y’shua and I will be the only one ruling all that is in this world – after I’ve dealt with Chou Ling Yi! I will have my rulership and authority set higher than any other before me. I will be like the Great Power himself and I will be above that despicable Unknown One and his Y’shua. From Aaron, I have learned secrets that will enable me to always rule and death shall not overtake me.”

“And I will be your queen. I will not be a widow and mourning will not be my lot. You control the people’s behaviour and I will control their emotional bondage. Come. Let us begin.”

With that she led Antoni to their bedroom. Thoughts of power were ever an aphrodisiac to them both.

And so it was that the King of the North started to prepare his plans to be the only supreme ruler on earth.

His first strategy was to initiate the plan that he and Chou had worked out together. Antoni must consolidate his power in the Middle East first, then with access to the resources of Europe, Africa, Russia, and the Middle East itself he would be in a position to take on the King of the East. He was a little uneasy that Chou was going to allow these Israelis to take asylum in China itself, and he could see that Chou was endeavouring to ensure that he had the knowledge and technical skills presently possessed by them. He considered this and decided to make sure that he captured most for himself and then annihilate the others quickly. But he must seem to play Chou’s game for a while.

Antoni called in Aaron and his chief advisors.

“This is what we have to do. We know that Israel has a blessed agriculture, and has so many skills and such a command of knowledge and technology that we cannot take them head on yet. While many are envious of them, too many of our people depend upon them for their jobs and know that their own wealth depends on Israel’s wealth. This cycle has to be broken. How shall we do it?”

Aaron spoke up. “We know that they are strong on following this Y’shua. This stronghold has to be broken. I have said it before, let us corrupt their trust in Y’shua, and then we will get control. Their sense of unity and protection will be gone and divisions and weaknesses will start to infiltrate their society. It is no good going in with military might at the moment.”

Antoni’s Chief of Staff was silent.

“That is the same advice that I’isabel gave me. I will give you two years to get this established and for Israel to forget her Y’shua. After that the military!”

Aaron knew that he could not buy any more time for himself and set about the corruption of Israel with alacrity. His first step was to arrange a meeting with Judah ben David.

“Ah ben David! I have longed to see you and compare the blessing your nation has with what can be achieved under Nimrah.” Aaron held up his hand before Judah could speak. “I know that our religious viewpoints are completely different and I won’t try to convince you otherwise. Yet we do have a lot in common; both religions seek to promote peace and prosperity, both enjoin our fellow humans to love one another and I could go on. We believe that mankind has the power within themselves to achieve all this and you believe that the only way is to be obedient to the spirit of Y’shua. Well, he too was a man like us, which goes to show that our two belief systems are not far apart after all.”

“What are you up to Aaron?” asked Judah suspiciously.

“Why do you suspect my motives dear friend? I am looking for ways by which we can work closer together, agree where we can agree and not to let our disagreements hinder a good relationship. You know that most people of the world admire Israel and yet underneath they hate and despise Israelis. I really don’t know why this should be and I want to explore ways by which the followers of Y’shua will be accepted just as much as the followers of Nimrah and thereby have people respecting the differences and loving each other.”

“I too wish that that were so. How do you think this could be achieved?”

“I will ensure that the Nimrah religion will preach that the Y’shua followers are to be respected and that the two view points are not far apart and that the main point of difference is over the name of the Supreme Being. We have the same values and ideals for living. I am sure that I can encourage a much more benign attitude among our people toward Israel and Y’shua followers.”

“And what will you require of us, Aaron?”

“Ah! All that would be needed is acknowledgement that we have an understanding between us and that
rapprochement
has been attained. I am sure that I could get Antoni to support the concept fully – indeed he wanted me to improve relations between his empire and Israel.”

Judah sat silently for a while.

“I certainly like the idea that the Israeli people are no longer despised and that all our friends are only interested in the science and agricultural skills with which Y’shua has blessed us. My people are very committed to Y’shua and to persuade them that there is any other way will be very difficult. We look at Europe and see emptiness. Cleverness, but emptiness of affection, emptiness in busy-ness, emptiness in pleasures and comforts. Those who do not know Y’shua are lost and don’t even know it. The reality of following Y’shua is so real to most in this country that it would be difficult to persuade them that Nimrah is anything but blasphemy. You may be able to persuade your people but how do I persuade mine?”

“I do not dismiss your problem lightly, Judah. But if you allow our businesses to operate more freely in Israel, and our armed forces to be joined together, then this will start easing underlying tensions. Your people will not have to compromise their beliefs. Besides we will remove all remaining trade barriers. Even though Israel is now wealthy, these moves will consolidate this and give her people a new standing among the people of the Northern Kingdom. Think about it Judah.”

Judah felt an amiable warmth from Aaron and found himself liking him, in contrast to his earlier thoughts.

“I will certainly think about your proposals and take some advice. Thank you, Aaron. I will be in touch.”

“Don’t leave it too long Judah. My credibility with Antoni can change quickly, but if we are successful we both have much to gain.”

With that, the meeting was over.

Judah called Rabbi Moesh and told him to come over.

“What disturbs the peace of our Leader today, Judah?”

Judah told him all that had taken place between him and Aaron.

“You know Moesh when I was with Aaron I felt a sense of comradeship, I felt that I could trust him and that everything he said was right and reasonable. But after he went, I felt uneasy and I do not know why. He said that they would respect our beliefs and allegiance to Y’shua and he did not try to push anything on us. We both know what he and Antoni are like. What is going on?”

“We are trapped Judah. This is what he has done. If we turn down his offer he will stir up hatred toward us through Nimrah, and give himself an excuse to invade. If, on the other hand, we agree to his plans and allow greater access to their businesses and greater ‘cultural’ exchange, our people will first see it as further blessing from Y’shua but quietly lose their love of him. They will be drawn to enjoyment of the blessings and away from Y’shua himself.”

Moesh looked directly at Judah and continued. “I see that you will be drawn to the promise of a liar and the blessings of a deceiver. For the one who would deceive you plans to destroy you; the one who comes in peace, has war on his mind. His speech is as smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart, his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.”

“I should have known you would turn to prophetic nonsense,” said Judah irritably.

“You are irritated because my words are true, and deep inside you know they are but do not want to admit it to yourself. Either way, Israel will find itself at war and it is given to you to choose whether it will be by the quiet weakening of our faith in Y’shua or by a direct confrontation. Y’shua has shown me this and I can only tell you what I see and hear.”

“What then is your advice to me?”

“This is a test for you Judah so that what is in your heart will be made known. You are to take the issue up with your government colleagues. Your trust in Y’shua is being tested. Go and seek him to know his way in this.”

Judah was left feeling shaken. He knew that any war with Antoni’s forces would be devastating for Israel. Yet to trust Y’shua with this seemed unreal. Should they be stupid sitting ducks waiting for some miraculous deliverance? He was too distracted to seek Y’shua for himself, and he feared for his own position and safety. Besides he knew that he had to make the choice and in making this choice Y’shua was not going to help because of his respect for Judah’s own free will. Yet many lives were at stake.