The Book of the End of Days

[I wrote this in college, for a class called "The Bible As Literature". The professor, David Hadas, gave us two assignments, other than class attendence and participation. One mid-term paper, and one final paper. The requirements for the papers were the same: They had to each be five to one hundred pages long, and have something to do with the Bible. This was actually the first time I'd written anything on a computer, and it completely changed how I felt about writing.]

The Book of the End of Days

Chapter 1

And it came to pass, at the End of Days, that Edom and Ishmael rose up to war against Israel.
Now the Edomites believed that the Messiah had come, and that his name was Jeshua son of Joseph.
And they committed an abomination before the Lord by worshipping this man as a god.
And the priests of the Edomites said in their hearts, "Our god, Jeshua the Messiah, died and was resurrected in Jerusalem. Therefore is the city holy to us.
And behold, these Israelites, who do not believe that Jeshua was the Messiah, they have taken this holy place as their own.
Come, let us ally ourselves with the foolish Ishmaelites to destroy Israel utterly.
Then we will war against Ishmael and take Jerusalem for ourselves.
And the Ishmaelites, who believed in a false prophet named Muhammed, that he was a true prophet of the Lord, said in their hearts, "Our holy prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven from Jerusalem. Therefore is the city holy to us.
And behold, these Israelites, who do not believe that Muhammed was a true prophet of the Lord, they have taken this holy place as their own.
Come, let us ally ourselves with the foolish Edomites to destroy Israel utterly.
Then we will war against Edom and take Jerusalem for ourselves."
So Edom and Ishmael allied themselves, one with the other, and sought to destroy Israel.
And Israel cried out unto the nations of the world for help, but unto the Lord their God they cried not.
And the Lord grew wrathful and hardened the hearts of the princes of every nation, that they said to themselves, "We will not help this people, lest we too lose favor in the eyes of Edom and Ishmael, and they in their anger turn against us to smite us out of the land."

Chapter 2

Now there was a certain man in Israel, and his name was Menahem son of David.
And Menahem was very righteous, loving the Lord greatly.
And Menahem cried unto the Lord, saying, "O Lord, our God and God of our fathers, how long shall You forsake Your people Israel?
See how the Edomite and the Ishmaelite seek to crush us!
How shall I plead for my people? Shall I say, 'Not for us, O Lord, but for our fathers', seeing that humility is pleasing in Your eyes?
Or shall I remonstrate with my God, that He save His people for His own Name's sake?
No! It is for our own sake, for the sake of Your own people Israel, whom You have chosen, that I plead.
For over two thousand years we have been persecuted by those nations who would deny You. We have suffered for you; died for Your great Name's sake. Is it not enough?
Israeli is like a woman whose husband has abandoned her.
The people jeer, shouting, 'Foolish woman! Your husband is dead, or has gone after another woman. Do not wait for him, but marry again.'
But she, in her love, waits faithfully for him, thinking in her heart, 'He will return.'
Is it to be counted against her if a part of her doubts, following after those who mock?
Perhaps some of Your people have transgressed, but after all, we have remained faithful to Your commandments.
Why then have You forsaken us?"
And God heard the words of Menahem son of David, and the Lord repented of that which had befallen His people Israel.
And the Lord spoke unto Elijah the prophet in the cave of Machpelah, saying, "Go and bring this man, Menahem son of David, here to Me, for he has found favor in My eyes."
So Elijah went and did that which the Lord had commanded him.
And Menahem stood before the Lord.
And the Lord commanded Elijah, "Anoint the son of David with sweet oil, that he may serve Me." And he did so.
And the Lord spoke unto Menahem son of David, saying, "Two thousand years ago, I spoke to another in this place wherein are buried the remains of your fathers.
He was Jeshua son of Joseph, and he was a righteous man.
And I anointed him as you have been anointed. And I said to him, "Go and teach my people, that peace and love might abound in the land.
But he erred, thinking that he was the anointed king of whom I commanded my servants, the prophets, to prophesy.
And he taught that the End of Days was at hand, so that many went astray after him.
But he taught also love and peace, as I had commanded him. And it was these teachings which angered Edom so that they captured him and hanged him, and he died.
And after many generations had passed, the children of those who had put him to death caused a great abomination by raising Jeshua son of Joseph up as a god and worshipping him.
Thus was my anger kindled against Edom.
"Now I say to you, Menahem son of David, that you are My anointed king, and no other.
You shall reign in Jerusalem, and Jeshua son of Joseph, My anointed priest, shall be at your side."
And Menahem drew near to the Lord, and the Lord taught him the secrets of His holy Name and told him what he must do.
And Menahem went forth from the cave of Machpelah.

Chapter 3

And it came to pass, on the third day after Menahem had spoken with the Lord, that Menahem fasted and immersed himself in water, as the Lord had commanded him.
And after he had immersed himself seven times, Menahem spoke the Name of the Lord, and commanded that Jeshua the son of Joseph rise from the earth and live. And it was so.
And when Menahem told Jeshua all that had happened since his death--how the wicked Edomites had made of his name an abomination in Israel--Jeshua cried out, "Woe unto the man who has brought suffering to his own people!" And he wept bitterly and rent his garment.
But Menahem comforted him, saying, "Do not grieve, my brother, for you are innocent. Is it not the wicked Edomites who have done this thing?"
And Jeshua was comforted by the words of Menahem the son of David.
And Menahem called unto the elders of Israel, saying, "Do not fear, my people, for the Lord our God shall bring salvation."
And the elders laughed and said, "We have trusted in the Lord and it has not profited us. Edom and Ishmael seek to destroy us, but He does not succor us."
And they did not hearken unto the words of Menahem the son of David.

Chapter 4

And it came to pass, after Menahem had told Jeshua all that the Lord had commanded him, that the two of them set off for the capital of Edom, where the high priest of Edom and his officers did live.
When they reached the gate of the city, Menahem said to Jeshua, "The Lord go with you, my brother."
And Menahem spoke the Name of the Lord, and he was not seen.
And Jeshua entered the city, and he called unto the high priest, "Receive me."
But the high priest did not hearken unto his voice; neither did he receive him.
So Jeshua called a second time unto the high priest, saying, "Why do you not receive me?" But he did not give an answer.
So Jeshua called a third time unto the high priest, saying, "The man who is of God will not fear to receive me."
And the high priest of Edom did fear, but he sent unto Jeshua the son of Joseph, saying, "I will receive you."
And the officers of Edom came, and they brought Jeshua to the chambers of the high priest.
And the high priest said to Jeshua, "What have I with you?"
And Jeshua said, "I am he whom you worship."
And the high priest and his officers wondered at him and said one to the other, "Is this our god?"
And Jeshua exclaimed, "Fools! Is the Lord God a man that He should stand before you? How long will you profane the Name of the Lord?
I am Jeshua the son of Joseph, servant of the Lord, who brings you the word of the Lord.
You have acted treacherously and deceitfully against the Lord's chosen.
Repent now, before it is too late, and cease your warring against Israel.
These are the words of the Lord, which He has commanded me to speak to you."
And it happened that Menahem the son of David, having separated himself from Jeshua the son of Joseph at the gate of the city, walked unseen in the capital of the Edomites.
And the Lord guided the heart of Menahem so that he came to the treasure room of the Edomites.
And there was much gold and silver in the room, and many precious jewels.
And Menahem marveled at the riches of the Edomites which they possessed.
Now there was a door in the room, and it was concealed with great skill.
But the Lord opened the eyes of Menahem His servant so that he saw the door.
And Menahem opened the door and he saw that there was another room beyond.
And it came to pass, when Menahem entered the room, that he found in it the vessels of the Temple, which Edom had destroyed, and the vestments of the high priest of the Lord.
And Menahem saw that the ark of the covenant was in the room, and the Urim and the Thummim.
And Menahem took the Urim and the Thummim, and he made haste to the room of the high priest of Edom.
And it came to pass, when Menahem entered into the room of the high priest of Edom, that the Edomites did tremble because they saw that which Menahem had taken from their treasure room.
And the high priest said, "Who is this man?"
And Menahem answered, and said, "I am Menahem the son of David, anointed of the Lord."
And Menahem saw that they did tremble at the sight of the Urim and the Thummim. And he said, "Tell me what is said concerning this thing."
And they answered, and said, "It is said that, with it, a true prophet may perform signs and wonders."
And Menahem grew angry, and said, "The Lord Curse you if you do not tell me all that is said concerning this thing!"
And they said, "It is also said that if a man who is not a true prophet of the Lord attempts to perform with it signs and wonders, that man shall surely die."
And Menahem said, "Swear it." And they did swear.
And Menahem took the Urim and the Thummim, and with it performed signs and wonders. And the glory of God was in him.
And the high priest of Edom and all his officers fell on their faces, and cried as one, "We have sinned!"

Chapter 5

And the high priest of Edom spoke unto Menahem and Jeshua, saying, "How may we atone for our sins?" And Menahem answered him, saying, "You knew not your sins, for you were deceived by those who preceded you.
Therefore, seeing as you wish to atone, you are already forgiven.
Only cease your warring against Israel, whom God has chosen."
And he sent to the warriors of Edom, saying, "Fight no more against Israel, but against Ishmael, that you may find favor in the eyes of the Lord."
And it came to pass, that Edom turned against Ishmael, and fought alongside Israel, so that not one man of Ishmael remained alive.
And on that day, the high priest of Edom and his officers circumcised themselves and wished to enter into the covenant of the Lord.
And Menahem heard of it, and he said, "How have you done this thing?"
And the high priest said to Menahem, "Had my parents and my parents' parents known the truth, I should have been born into the covenant of Abraham.
Now I know the truth; how could I not do this?"
And the heart of Menahem the son of David was gladdened, and he said, "What is your name?"
And the man answered, and said, "Aryeh."
And Menahem said, "Henceforth you should be called Aryeh the son of Abraham, for you have entered willingly into the covenant of Abraham.

Chapter 6

And it came to pass, after the Ishmaelites had been killed, that Menahem and Jeshua traveled to Jerusalem, the holy city.
And Menahem called unto the elders of Israel, saying, "You have seen this day what the Lord your God has done for you concerning Edom and Ishmael.
Although you have been faithless, the Lord has been faithful. Although you have strayed, God has remained steadfast.
Now hear my words, O Israel: From this day forward, all people are the Lord's people, and all nations shall be called the chosen of God.
All who have lived shall live as brothers, and there shall be peace everlasting. And thus shall all who live be counted as among Israel."
And having spoken thus, Menahem prepared himself as the Lord had commanded him.
And Menahem spoke the Name of God, and Man lived, as Menahem had spoken.
And a great murmur went up among the people, for they were as they had been in life.
So Jeshua the son of Joseph arose and sprinkled the ashes of the red heifer over the heads of all the people, that they might be clean.
And the Lord stretched out His hand, and the sick were made well, the old were made young, and the misformed were made whole.
And the tongues of the people were united as they had been in the beginning, so that each man was able to speak to his neighbor.
And the people blessed the Lord.

Chapter 7

And it came to pass, on the first day of the third month, that Menahem commanded the people, saying, "All who have not been circumcised shall now be circumcised, for so shall all men enter equally into the covenant of the Lord."
And it was done according to the word of God which he had spoken through Menahem the son of David.
And on the eighteenth day of the third month, work was begun on the house of the Lord.
And all men desired a part in the building of the Temple.
And such was the zeal of the people, that work on the Temple did not cease, day or night, for seven weeks, so that the house of the Lord was finished being built on the eighth day of the fifth month.
And the might and the splendor of the Temple were greater than anything built by man.
And the presence of the Lord did shine forth from His holy Temple.
And it came to pass, on the ninth day of the fifth month, that the Temple was dedicated in the name of the Lord, and Jeshua the son of Joseph, the anointed priest of the Lord, offered a thanks-offering to the Lord.
And Menahem the son of David, anointed king of the Lord, proclaimed a feast in celebration of the dedication of the Lord's house.
And the people danced and sang and feasted in honor of the greatness of God.
And from the midst of the joyous celebration, the voices of all the people rang forth as one voice, and proclaimed, "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One!"

[As a disclaimer, not only does this story not reflect my personal religious views, but it didn't reflect them at the time that I wrote it, either. Stories have a mind of their own, and I was actually a bit dismayed to see where this one wound up.]