Commemoration, the annual memorial of Jesus’ sacrifice, provided the one ritual and celebration in the lives of Disciples. Unlike Outsider churches, and their weekly celebration of communion, Disciples gathered for their version of the Last Supper on the same night as the Jewish Passover. The event did not start until after sunset, in strict keeping with the schedule followed by Jesus.
Samuel spent his lunch break that day reading up on Passover, communion, and some commentary by various theologians. He found two schools of thought on whether The Lord’s meal had been a Passover meal or just dinner. Both sides cited conflicting scriptural references. At the same time, he got the impression that most people didn’t assign much importance to finding out which it was.
Even though he’d seen it on his road trip, he still found it hard to believe that sincere Christians could disagree over some matters and still regard those that differed as fellow believers. The Word, as one critic put it, “had to be right about every nuance of life and spiritual understanding, and did not tolerate dissenting opinions.”
The Christians discussing communion obviously thought that participating was the important part, that Christians should come together and remember the event that united them as believers. Critics of The Word’s version of the ritual universally stated that Disciples missed the point completely. Samuel quickly decided the subjects of sin and salvation required a lot more study than he could do in a lunch break. Or probably many lunch breaks.
For these critics, Communion formed a solemn time to reflect on the meaning of one’s relationship with God, especially God’s love in providing his son as a sacrifice for sin. His research revealed that Jews felt the same way about Passover. Disciples met and passed wine and unleavened bread, but did not partake of it. The Word taught for decades that this represented their acknowledgement of The Lord’s unfinished purpose in creating a Paradise on Earth.
According to Foundation theology, Jesus died to make it possible for humans to connect with God, but only via the Apostles. Even after Jesus’ sacrifice, a person could not approach The Lord directly. Commemoration, the critics claimed, became a meaningless exercise in passing plates and cups. Samuel admitted this was a fair description of the event. Most Disciples rushed home for elaborate dinners prepared in advance as a more personal celebration.
People packed the Gathering House. Disciples made special efforts to bring in anybody and everybody they could. Non-Disciple co-workers, relatives, Bible studies, people they called on regularly in Disciple-making, all received invitations. The Foundation tracked the number of attendees closely, a measure of Disciple-making success. Recent increases did not match the run up to 2008.
Every year, rumors floated through all the Disciple Gatherings that somebody, usually an Apostle, had said this could be the last time they celebrated Commemoration before Paradise arrived. Judith repeated this year’s version on the way to the House.
The Wilson family found seats near the middle of the auditorium. Caleb, Sophia and their children sat at the front. Caleb as Senior Servant would conduct the program, and needed to be near the speaker’s stage. A CD played softly, songs written and recorded at New Jerusalem.
Caleb mounted the stage, an awkward smile on his face. Samuel wondered if he’d ever seen the man with a sincere smile on his face. People continued to mill around and chat, although a few made their way to available seats.
“Friends, we have something unique tonight.”
The crowd hushed, all looked expectantly toward the stage. Commemoration was one event that just didn’t change.
“Tonight, Chief Apostle Rodgers will speak to us via DVD recorded at New Jerusalem.”
Those remaining standing quickly found seats. Quiet settled over the room. The program returned to its normal procedure, song and prayer followed by an introduction of the main speaker. Caleb announced the Chief Apostle and signaled to an Assistant Servant to start the DVD.
Rather than cutting immediately to Rodgers, music swelled, a song all Disciples knew, about the joys of living in Paradise. The screen showed idyllic scenes, flowers in a field, mountains, forests, stars in a clear sky. The scenes faded away, leaving John Rodgers standing and gazing into the camera.
“Friends, Fellow Disciples of The Word, welcome to our celebration Commemorating the sacrifice of Jesus. His death paved the way for The Lord Almighty to rescue fallen mankind, and reestablish his Paradise on Earth. Let us begin tonight’s event with a review of the scriptural reasons we are here.”
Rodger then delivered what sounded much like the standard Commemoration speech. Samuel’s research led him to listen carefully to it for the first time in years. He did not notice any changes. Rodgers reviewed the Messianic prophecies pointing to Jesus, why he had to die, and what his death accomplished. Here his newly trained ear and mind compared what Rodgers said to his new understanding of the Bible.
The critics he’d read over the last few days stated repeatedly that Disciples undervalued the work of Jesus. Rather than honoring Jesus as Lord of the Christian Church, whose death saved all who had faith, The Foundation relegated Him to a secondary role. Rodgers speech focused on the believer’s relationship with the Foundation, not Jesus. As he listened, he understood why the critics said that Jesus did not play a great role in Disciple theology.
Rodgers lecture neared its conclusion, leading to passing of wine and bread through the Gathering House. Here he departed from the pattern of previous Commemoration speeches.
“After you pass the bread and wine, I will speak to you again. A message for you to consider when you return to your homes tonight after contemplating the death of Jesus and your standing with The Word of God.”
The Disciples passed bread and wine, accompanied by music and prayers. Silence filled the building, except for an occasional question from an inquisitive child. Upon completion of the Commemoration, Caleb mounted the speaker’s platform and, redundantly, announced a closing statement form Apostle Rodgers. The DVD stated and Rodgers face once again filled the TV.
“Friends, I know you have speculated about this year’s Commemoration, you wonder if this will be the last one before we enter Paradise.” He smiled warmly, like a cheerful grandfather. “I know I’ve often wondered that myself.”
The audience laughed. Even Samuel smiled although perhaps for a different reason. Then they all got an unexpected shock.
“Tonight I can tell you. This will not be the last Commemoration we celebrate before Paradise arrives.”
Gasps sounded through the building. What did he mean? Was Armageddon delayed?
“Tonight I can tell you with all faith, that next year’s Commemoration will be the last before we live in harmony with The Lord Almighty in his Paradise.”
More gasps, quieter as everyone wanted to hear every word. The audience leaned forward.
“The Lord has a very busy year planned for us. I do not yet know the details, The Lord will reveal everything in His time. But careful research at New Jerusalem has unlocked the last secret of the Bible. We are at the last signpost. Great events will transpire in the coming year, of which we will all be a part. Every Disciple has a task in the Great Day of the Almighty.
“Instructions will issue from New Jerusalem at the right times. Listen to your Servants and do as they direct you. The Lord Himself issues these commands. As we heard earlier tonight, salvation requires adherence to the Lord’s Word. Just as the Israelites survived the slaughter of the firstborns by carefully following the instructions given for that first Passover, so too, does our salvation depend on obedience to the Word.
“In about two weeks I will deliver two special messages. You will receive more information shortly.”
Again that Grandfatherly smile.
“Just as the Jews always end their Passover with the words ‘Nest year in Jerusalem’ so tonight we end this Commemoration with the words, Next Year in Paradise.”
The big television screen went dark and the House filled with a babble of voices. Everyone talked at once. What did it mean? Did he really say that Armageddon was next year? What does The Lord expect of us? The undertone was not doubt, but joyous expectation. They all knew deep down, they only had one more year before gaining their prize for service to The Lord’s Word.
Next to him, Judith dabbed at her eyes with a Kleenex. He knew what she was thinking, and it angered him. His research had uncovered enough of the past to take such pronouncements with a healthy portion of salt. After The Foundation’s promotion of so many false dates, this one did not excite him. Hell, he’d even lived through the 2008 debacle. Then he thought, “did I just swear in my head?” He’d learned at a young age not to even think words like that.
It would take several minutes for people to start clearing out of the building. He looked around taking in the excited throng. Judith chatted through happy tears with a couple of other women. Looking toward the door, he saw the Lighthorses leaving, their faces ashen. They just found out they had only one year to save their daughter.
He also saw Matt and Laura Edwards making their way out. Neither looked terribly worked up over Rodgers’ words. He wondered what they were thinking, they’d come into The Word in all the buildup to 2008. He was sure they were baptized at the 2007 Grand Gathering. For a second he and Matt caught each other’s eyes. Samuel thought, Matt knows! He’s not buying this nonsense.
Armageddon’s Slaves © Jeffrey Thomas All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. All events and characters are
products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living
or dead is purely coincidental
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