The Final Testament of the Holy Bible

Yes.

He smiled again.

Sit with me.

He stood up. I couldn’t move. He moved back to where he had been and sat down. I looked at him, but still couldn’t move. He smiled.

Come, Father. Sit with me.

I stood slowly. My legs were shaking and my hands were shaking and I was both thrilled beyond description and absolutely terrified. I took three steps towards him and sat down. He smiled again and turned away, looking towards the altar of the church, above which was a statue of Christ hanging on a cross. I had a million questions for him, a million things I wanted to say, but I couldn’t speak. I just stared at him, and he was beautiful, and he was God. I thought of Psalm 34:5, They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. I don’t know how long we stayed that way, it might have been five minutes, and it might have been thirty, but once again, seeing him made me believe that my life’s work had been worth it, that my commitment to God and the church had been worthwhile, and right, and just, and that God’s light and glory would soon flood the world. He turned to me, and spoke.

You going to say anything?

I don’t know where to begin, my Lord.

He laughed.

You look up there…

He motioned towards the altar, towards the crucifix hanging above it.

And you look at that piece of dead wood, beautifully carved, and beautifully painted, but still just a piece of dead wood, and you think it represents someone, and you think that someone is me.

Yes.

I’m not him.

You are.

I am not.

Is this a test?

No.

I know that God tests our faith every day, that being tested is part of faith.

God does no such thing.

And I believe this is exactly the type of test I would expect from him.

He laughed at me.

And I want to pass the test. I want to prove myself worthy of whatever God has in store for me.

God doesn’t know you exist, and doesn’t care about you.

I don’t believe you.

So be it, but it is true.

How do you know?

Because God speaks to me.

Literally speaks to you?

Not with some silly voice, as it happens in the Bible.

Then how?

How doesn’t matter. What does.

And what is that?

That this is all a fraud. This church, every church. That the world’s religions are bankrupt and meaningless. That the world itself is bankrupt. That it’s all going to end.

As has been foretold.

I know every word of every holy book ever written. None of them foretell what is coming.

Revelations does.

Revelations is a stone age science fiction story.

If that’s so, who are you?

Who do you think I am?

Despite what you say, I believe you are Christ reborn.

I’m a final chance.

You’re here to redeem us and forgive us.

There will be no redemption, and no forgiveness.

You’re here to resurrect the dead, redeem the living.

I’m here to warn humanity that it is going to destroy itself in the name of greed and religion. That there is no God to save any of us. There is no Devil to take us to Hell. That man’s only enemy is himself, and only chance is himself.

You’re here to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth, and to show that the Catholic Church represents the one true faith.

Your perverted church has done more than any other to bring this about.

If you feel that way, why are you here?

I’ve been going to churches, synagogues, and mosques, trying to understand why people still believe, despite the fact that what is said in these places is ridiculous.

It’s because God is real, and people know it.

It’s because they’re scared of death, and want to disbelieve it.

The promise of eternal life is God’s greatest gift.

The promise of eternal life makes people forsake the life they’re given.

Worship makes one’s life better.

Love and laughter and fucking make one’s life better. Worship is just the passing of time.