|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Dragon's Deep - 9/20/2009 8:43:49 PM
|
|
|
Mark0
Posts: 107
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
This story is at least somewhat fictional. You decide how much. Thanks,
Mark
Overheard at Dragon’s Deep:
The prince of darkness has assembled his forces for his annual progress report. Legions of demons and the lost, sold out body and soul to the prince of this world have gathered to do obeisance and report to the king of demons. The underworld has had some victories this year and so plans are made for the next.
Amidst the smell of brimstone and roasting flesh, the general; seated at the head of the table is surrounded by his minions. Some are truly dreadful in appearance and others are deceptively pious, including the king himself. All are gathered to do the bidding of their lord and master.
As the gavel falls, a hush falls with it as fear and loathing overcome all at his presence. Silence too now falls as the head of state calls his meeting to order.
“I, Lord of the Flies, call this meeting of my infernal kingdom to order. We are here to review the state of our evil union.”
“First we must discuss the old business:”
“The chair recognizes Sergeant at Arms, Bishop Obsequious.”
A chair slides back and a distinguished looking elder arises with grace. Bowing to the chair in reverence, he begins his address with a flourish of his well bejeweled right hand. He purposely brings it to rest conspicuously high on his lapel, showing the ring kissed by many heads of state.
”Yes, prince of the air. We have inundated the air waves with irrelevant religious programming as you have commanded. Also as you ordered, the church’s spiritual senses have been anesthetized enough by sin through the constant media blitz we sell from the left, that they are morally bankrupt. They will be as I am, most unworthy master, totally compliant, to you that is.”
“Sgt. at Arms: see to it that our favorite TV and movie role models receive good ratings from “Family Friendly” critics. They have done their job well, instilling moral fiber into our viewers instead of holiness.”
“You may expect your promotion to Arch-Bishop this week.”
“Thank you, dark lord,” says Obsequious as he sits down and the next report is called for.
“Now," bellows satan, "for the next item of old business, we will hear from my next of kin.”
“Son of Perdition, my own beloved Judas. Have you stirred up the masses enough to foil the government ordered by the Lord of Life?”
The next candidate stands to address the congregants. A very handsome young man, with a look of innocency about him, bows to satan and begins his address:
“Yes, great father of lies; I have so confused the sons of God, that civil reform is now their sole Christian duty. They don’t even want to be reminded of their own Master’s last words to the leaders of His day, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
“The Christian Republican right doesn’t even veil their animosity anymore, but employs hateful imagery and smear tactics against other peoples and views members of other party affiliations as their enemies. I have also been at work in minorities and the other parties as well. They are angry and believe that the moral right is to blame for all their troubles. I am leading them astray by popular leaders of their party as well. Both sides don’t even realize their platforms are working toward the same end; your reign, oh prince of the powers of this world.”
“Rumors and speculations run amok like wildfire. The President’s life itself may soon be a valuable sacrifice, if enough Christians can be persuaded to think along political and racial lines as we do. I can work his untimely end as I did to the Son of the Most High, by giving inspiration to some twisted little hate monger. That, combined with apathy from the unfeeling right, will help fuel the next race war, my lord.”
“Excellent, my dishonorable number one son, you have caused much polarization around religious, racial and political values. Instead of working together in love, which might defeat our purpose, they will rage against each other. This isn’t our first rodeo here. Remember, it’s vital to keep the timeline going. First we fill both sides with fear and hatred; then we strike. Obviously, they have forgotten the lessons of the early sixties when we took out President Kennedy.”
“Don’t forget my illicit one, fear, hatred and greed will win out every time against Godliness. You must keep the church busy fighting battles over religious and political matters until we are ready to take out the President. They won’t even understand the nature of this trap until it is far too late. You will chair the Senate sub-committee on terrorism this week. You are truly a blessing to our family.”
“Thank you, my unworthy father, replies Judas as he sits back down.”
“And now for the last item of old business:”
“The seat of all those who abandon hope recognizes our lonely brother Dismal:”
A very poorly dressed demon with sunken eyes and the very appearance of desperation itself rises slowly, stooped over from the weight of depression borne upon his shoulders. As he prepares his statement, his lord questions him.
“What of the business I sent you to tend to?”
“Oh, great king of regret, I have divided and conquered the sons of the Great King. Most of them roam from church to church like they were speed-dating. The word “Faithful” is not even in their vocabulary, either in business, church or family matters. Divorce among Christian families is at least as great as the world without.”
“Church fights and break-ups in the Spiritual realm are now the norm. Most believers don’t even attend a regular weekly church meeting. They prefer online arrangements with virtual church bodies that cannot be validated, over being known for who they really are, or televangelists that promise love, hope and healing for money. Still others, thirsty for fellowship, are falling into our social traps, attending clubs, pubs and social organizations, hoping to find meaningful fellowship there.”
“Pastors have largely given up on keeping track of their flock, opting instead to win them over on Sunday morning at the few meetings they bother showing up to. We are keeping up a front of religiosity so that they will not quit altogether.”
“Well done my good and faithless Dismal. You have demoralized them as a group. Soon despair will take out the few stragglers that remain. I will have no faith in my kingdom, only fear. Darkness is so much better served by fear. Hedonism launched at them from unbelievers will keep their God in church, not out witnessing to the lost on street corners. See that my order isn’t remanded by Christian upstarts.”
“Yes, great keeper of the damned, death is the scepter of your monarchy.” With these words rests Dismal as the chair himself unveils his plans for victory over the children of God.
####
“Now for new business.” Satan clasps his hands together in joy and the crowd sensing his elation begins to hiss with glee in anticipation.
“I, the dark lord of all hell am putting forth before the council the final chapter in our most ambitious plan yet to date, the total failure of the Gentile church, our ultimate goal. Christians will bite at any cause that seems even vaguely religious or political, while allowing us total access to their private lives with whatever provocative sensual pleasures we use to overwhelm them; they are almost totally blinded to their plight.”
“Even in the “Spirit” filled churches, only a handful of believers abstain from uncleanness. Little do they realize just what a price their own immorality will shortly cost them. They are living in the glare of a former glory. It is so easy to dissuade them from their mission. We will fear the Great Commission no longer.”
“The Spirit of Holiness himself is not able to live with most believers in his own body, because of the sin that we have infested them with. True, there are occasional outbreaks of revival fire, but we have been able to quickly extinguish them, either from within by corruption or from without by persecution.”
“The Spirit of God hovered closely over the Church of the post-war era has had to pull away because of the stench of their sin. We have made his bride to reek of worldliness. Soon, He who is not named here will have to abandon the Gentile church and we will win all and begin to focus our attention on the Jews. Remember my evil horde; keep them busy parading about in social reform and living in sin in private.”
“Dominion will be ours soon. Adam has lost it and although we are not the rightful heirs, we will take it by subtlety from the sons of Adam, just as we did in the garden. The glory of God will pass away without even waking them up.”
“Meeting adjourned!”
Note: I haven’t found a happy ending for this story yet, but I’m hopeful. Time’s a wasting pilgrim.
< Message edited by Mark0 -- 9/21/2009 8:04:06 PM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Dragon's Deep - 9/25/2009 2:20:28 AM
|
|
|
ManimalX
Posts: 2551
Joined: 10/25/2005
Status: online
|
Someone has been reading C.S.Lewis, methinks! 
I like a lot of what you have going on here. I like the titles and personas of your "demons", and I like the overall idea.
However, I have some respectful critiques. First, your story is blatantly and unabashedly American and Protestant to a fault. All of your criticisms are problems with the Western American church, which is only a slice of the worldwide body of Christ. Your demons are exclusively focused on western, American issues. You have them formulating a plan for the "total failure of the Gentile church", as if the USA is the only place there is a "gentile" church.
You completely ignore the Roman Catholic church, which is stagnating and crumbling(especially in America), and you completely ignore the LARGE number or Christians outside of the USA.
So, in summary, your focus is entirely on the western, American Protestant church, but you are still trying to present it as demonic plans against ALL of the church. You need to pick one or the other, or make some sort of distinction. My opinion is that if the entire demonic realm got together for a meeting, the American protestant church would only be one of the many talking points. There is a thriving, growing, grassroots body of Christ out there, past the borders of the good ol' USA.
< Message edited by ManimalX -- 9/25/2009 2:34:55 AM >
_____________________________
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." - 2nd Timothy 2:24,25
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Dragon's Deep - 9/25/2009 9:40:59 AM
|
|
|
Mark0
Posts: 107
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
You make a great point there ManimalX. I hadn't even considered that. A second opinion sure helps. Maybe I'll see what I can do here. Thanks,
Mark
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Dragon's Deep - 9/25/2009 8:30:03 PM
|
|
|
Mark0
Posts: 107
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
Okey Dokey. Here are a few revisions to reflect on a good point.
This story is at least somewhat fictional. You decide how much. Thanks,
Mark
Overheard at Dragon’s Deep:
The prince of darkness has assembled his forces for his annual progress report on the American church. Legions of demons and the lost, sold out body and soul to the Prince of this world have gathered to do obeisance and report to the King of demons. The underworld has had some victories this year and so plans are made for the next.
Amidst the smell of brimstone and roasting flesh, the general; seated at the head of the table is surrounded by his minions. Some are truly dreadful in appearance and others are deceptively pious, including the King himself. All are gathered to do the bidding of their Lord and Master.
As the gavel falls, a hush falls with it as fear and loathing overcome all at his presence. Silence too now falls as the head of state calls his meeting to order.
“I, Lord of the Flies, call this meeting of my infernal kingdom to order. We are here to review the state of our evil union.”
“First we must discuss the old business:”
“The chair recognizes Sergeant at Arms, Bishop Obsequious.”
A chair slides back and a distinguished looking elder arises with grace. Bowing to the chair in reverence, he begins his address with a flourish of his bejeweled right hand. He brings it to rest conspicuously high on his lapel, showing the ring kissed by many heads of state.
”Yes, Prince of the air, we have inundated the air waves and mass media with irrelevant religious programming as you have commanded. Also as you ordered, the church’s spiritual senses have been anesthetized enough by sin through the constant media blitz we sell from the left, that they are morally bankrupt. They will be as I am, most unworthy master, totally compliant, to you that is.”
“Sgt. at Arms: see to it that our favorite TV and movie role models receive good ratings from “Family Friendly” critics. They have done their job well, instilling moral fiber into our viewers instead of holiness.”
“You may expect your promotion to Arch-Bishop this week.”
“Thank you, Dark Lord,” says Obsequious as he sits down and the next report is called for.
“Now," bellows Satan, "for the next item of old business, we will hear from my next of kin.”
“Son of Perdition, my own beloved Judas. Have you stirred up the masses enough to foil the government ordered by the Lord of Life?”
The next candidate stands to address the congregants. A very handsome young man, with a look of innocence about him, bows to Satan and begins his address:
“Yes, great Father of lies; I have so confused the sons of God, that civil reform is now their sole Christian duty. They don’t even want to be reminded of their own Master’s last words to the leaders of His day, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
“The Christian Republican right does not even veil their animosity now, but employs hateful imagery and smear tactics against other peoples, and views members of other party affiliations as their enemies. I have also been at work in minorities and the other parties too. They are angry and blame the moral right for their poverty. I’ve led them astray by popular leaders of their party. Both sides don’t even realize their platforms both work toward the same end; your reign, oh Prince of the powers of this world.”
“Rumors and speculations run amok like wildfire. The President’s life itself may soon be a valuable sacrifice, if enough Christians can be persuaded to think along political and racial lines as we do. I can work his untimely end as I did to the Son of the Most High, by giving inspiration to some twisted little hate monger. That, combined with apathy from the unfeeling right, will help fuel the next race war, my lord.”
“Excellent, my dishonorable number one son, you have caused much polarization around religious, racial and political values. Instead of working together in love, which might defeat our purpose, they will rage against each other. This isn’t our first rodeo here. Remember, it’s vital to keep the timeline moving in sync. First we fill both sides with fear and hatred; then we strike. Obviously, they have forgotten the lessons of the early sixties when we took out President Kennedy.”
“Don’t forget my illicit one, fear, hatred and greed will win out every time against Godliness. Politics and religion are the battlegrounds for now, until we are ready to take out the President. They won’t even understand the nature of this trap until it is far too late. You will chair the Senate sub-committee on terrorism this week. You are truly a blessing to our family.”
“Thank you, my unworthy father, replies Judas as he sits back down.”
“And now for the last item of old business:”
“The seat of all those who abandon hope recognizes our lonely brother Dismal:”
A very poorly dressed demon with sunken eyes and the very appearance of desperation itself rises slowly, stooped over from the weight of depression borne upon his shoulders. As he prepares his statement, his lord questions him.
“What of the business I sent you to tend to?”
“Oh, great King of regret; I have divided and conquered the sons of the Great King in America. Most of them roam from church to church like they were speed-dating. The word “Faithful” is not even in their vocabulary, either in business, church or family matters. Divorce among Christian families is at least as great as the world without.”
“Church fights and break-ups in the Spiritual realm are now the norm. Most believers don’t even attend a regular weekly church meeting. They prefer online arrangements with virtual church bodies that cannot be validated, over being known for who they really are, or televangelists that promise love, hope and healing for money. Still others, thirsty for fellowship, are falling into our social traps, attending clubs, pubs and social organizations, hoping to find meaningful fellowship there.”
“Pastors have largely given up on keeping track of their flock, opting instead to win them over on Sunday morning at the few meetings they bother showing up to. We are keeping up a front of religiosity so that they will not quit altogether.”
“Well done my good and faithless Dismal. You have demoralized them as a group. Soon despair will take out the few stragglers that remain. I will have no faith in my kingdom, only fear. Darkness is so much better served by fear. The Hedonism launched at them from unbelievers will keep their God in church, not out witnessing to the lost on street corners. See that my order isn’t remanded by Christian upstarts.”
“Yes, great keeper of the damned, death is the scepter of your monarchy.” With these words rests Dismal as the chair himself unveils his plans for victory over the children of God.
####
“Now for new business:” Satan clasps his hands together in joy and the crowd sensing his elation begins to hiss with glee in anticipation.
“I, the Lord of all hell am putting before the council the final chapter in our most ambitious plan yet to date, the total failure of the American church, our ultimate goal. Christians will bite at any cause that seems even vaguely religious or political, while allowing us total access to their private lives with whatever provocative sensual pleasures we use to overwhelm them; they are almost totally blinded to their plight.”
“Even in the “Spirit” filled churches, only a handful of believers abstain from uncleanness. Little do they realize just what a price their own immorality will shortly cost them. They are living in the glare of a former glory. It is so easy to dissuade them from their mission. We will fear the Great Commission no longer.”
“The Spirit of Holiness himself is not able to live with most believers in the U.S. church body, because of the sin that we have infested them with. True, there are occasional outbreaks of revival fire, but we have been able to quickly extinguish them, either from within by corruption or from without by persecution.”
“The Spirit of God that hovered closely over the Church of the post-war era has had to pull away because of the stench of their sin. We have made the American bride to reek of worldliness. Soon, the sun will set on the church of the West and He who is not named here will have to abandon them. We will win out and tighten our grasp on the persecuted churches in third world countries. Remember my evil horde; keep them busy parading about in social reform and living in sin in private.”
“Dominion will be ours soon. Adam has lost it and although we are not the rightful heirs, we will take it by subtlety from the sons of Adam, just as we did in the garden. The glory of God will pass away without even waking them up.”
“Meeting adjourned!”
Note: I haven’t found a happy ending for this story yet, but I’m hopeful. Time’s a wasting pilgrim.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Dragon's Deep - 10/24/2009 9:41:37 AM
|
|
|
Mark0
Posts: 107
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
Boo
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
