01-07-2018, 11:07 PM
It was quickly apparent that seating was going to be difficult to find. Jensen and Sigvard opted to find a warm cup of tea (or coffee in Jensen's case) to keep their hands warm while they walked the stadium. Finding two seats together was going to be next to impossible, Jensen eventually suggested, but being lost in a sea seemed more bearable with company. So they continued to search.
They were near the stadium grounds when Sigvard tugged on his jacket. "Would you mind waiting a moment?" Jensen shrugged and studied the stage set up, meanwhile. They were rather near the platform and he could make out nametags attached to the folding chairs that were arranged on stage. He didn't recognize most of the names, but one or two sounded familiar. He'd need to do an internet search to picture them, though.
Sigvard leaned over the shoulder of a pair of ladies near the front row of seats. He spoke quietly with them a few moments, then pulled out a wallet, tapped some commands and the women promptly vacated. Sigvard waved them over, and Jensen sat with a frown. "What happened?"
Sigvard smiled, tucking his wallet back into an interior jacket pocket.
"I was tired of walking around. Please, take a seat. The first speaker will be on soon."
Jensen watched the women climb back up the stairs. He didn't really approve of bribing two nice ladies for their chairs, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He sat and browed the website for a bio on the first speaker.
Forty-five minutes later, things were quite animated. Cheers and groans rippled through the stadium. Admittedly, the first speaker let things get out of hand early on, but they were already onto the second. Jensen suddenly wished that they had sat nearer an exit rather than practically all the way on the grounds.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as social, emotional, and intellectual beings, we humans always seek for meaning in the unknown. There is no doubt that what now touches humankind will affect each and every living soul. Our world is changed in ways we have never had to reconcile. Picture this, the borders of countries have shifted for thousands of years. Empires have risen and fallen. Languages disappear and technology emerges. Change is inevitable. What we are experiencing now is change once more. The emergence of these powered peoples, these channelers, has been a rapid and unforeseen thing. Yet mankind evolves. We have the challenge of watching evolution in the process."
Jensen had not thought of these channelers as a sort of evolution, before. Perhaps it made sense. The study of evolution meant that the human condition shifted in favor of existence, strength and passage to the next generation. But this was a religious rally. Many religions did not directly conflict with evolution. Some actually cited evolution as the hand of God or other higher being. Others outright dismissed it. Regardless, the response of the crowd was luke-warm when the speech was concluded. There were still questions. Jensen had more, himself. At his side, Sigvard paid close attention as well. He clapped politely between speakers, but the expression on his face made Jensen think that he was also waiting for answers.
"Can channelers be used by God? Let me ask this. Can doctors be used by God? Can engineers be used by God? Can the disabled be used by God? What about the LGBTQ community? What about the elderly? The infirm? We all know the answer. Yes, God uses people. That is what we are. We are all people. Channelers are people like any other. If they are blessed with additional gifts, we should embrace them."
Jensen leaned toward Sigvard, "I wish it was that easy, but not every channeler wants to use their gifts for God's kingdom."
Sigvard looked at him seriously, then nodded in agreement. Jensen shifted in the plastic seat. He wished to get up and walk around, but the third speaker was coming to the podium. Something told him to stay where he was.
"Our goal is to lead these bestowed with powers to use their gifts for the good of all. We look to Jesus, God in the flesh, as our inspiration. 'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'"
Jensen nodded. Service was the key. It was why he agreed to heal Ascendancy. Even if the man was evil, which Jensen didn't believe he was truly evil, he had to treat the man like any other who was on the brink of death. He had to serve all, equally. Servants of all. The speaker continued, conjuring a name that made Jensen's attention shift into sharp focus.
"Ascendancy is a channeler that has claimed to be a god by his deeds. We all saw the power he wielded. At the helm of an empire like the CCD, he has great potential to serve or harm. Let him be the example to all channelers. Use the power to build, heal and protect. He saved our city from nuclear explosion! He is more than a hero. He is a savior. God uses many. Maybe he really is one."
Jensen's mouth went dry. Everyone around them jumped to their feet.
Sigvard and he went to their feet as well. The speaker was looking around nervously before he was ushered quickly off stage. The crowd seemed to defuse a little, but Jensen shook his head. "He's a great man, but I don't think he's God."
Sigvard shouted back, but Jensen barely heard him over the noise in the stadium. "But he could be used by God. Isn't that almost the same thing?"
Jensen wasn't sure. "He's a leader, yet humble. He's confident, but not proud. He's had the burden of channeling for so long, yet shows restraint. We should learn from him, emulate him even. God did not allow him to die because he is needed right now. He brings us the answers, that is how our spirits find peace. What is the meaning to all this? It's that a new age is coming, one of glory and peace. The thousand year reign of Christ cannot come until we pass through the fire. That we should follow him if we want to live long enough to earn that peace. He may not be God, but he could be the next best thing."
Sigvard was blinking in awe. "That's what you should say!" He yelled, but Jensen shook his head like he didn't quite hear.
"What? To whom?
Next thing he knew, Sigvard had a hold of his arm and was leading him toward the gate to the field. Jensen pulled back, nervously looking ahead at the circle of armed officers keeping people from running the field.
"Pastor, I'm a Patheos television producer. I was one of the producers that put this entire rally together, and you need to tell these people what you just told me, before they break out into fighting."
Jensen blinked, but too much happened too quickly. Sigvard showed the security guards identity badges and pulled Jensen across the grass. No other speaker had come to replace the previous. In fact, the ten people all up on stage were also on their feet, talking animatedly among themselves. The microphones must have been muted, but the roar of the stadium burned his ears.
Next thing he knew, lights blinded him and the familiar wobble of temporary staging was underfoot.
What was more horrifying than the fact that Sigvard was on the side of the stage urging him toward the microphone, was that a hush fell across the crowd.
Oh no. He blinked and looked at his first audience in years.
They were near the stadium grounds when Sigvard tugged on his jacket. "Would you mind waiting a moment?" Jensen shrugged and studied the stage set up, meanwhile. They were rather near the platform and he could make out nametags attached to the folding chairs that were arranged on stage. He didn't recognize most of the names, but one or two sounded familiar. He'd need to do an internet search to picture them, though.
Sigvard leaned over the shoulder of a pair of ladies near the front row of seats. He spoke quietly with them a few moments, then pulled out a wallet, tapped some commands and the women promptly vacated. Sigvard waved them over, and Jensen sat with a frown. "What happened?"
Sigvard smiled, tucking his wallet back into an interior jacket pocket.
"I was tired of walking around. Please, take a seat. The first speaker will be on soon."
Jensen watched the women climb back up the stairs. He didn't really approve of bribing two nice ladies for their chairs, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He sat and browed the website for a bio on the first speaker.
Forty-five minutes later, things were quite animated. Cheers and groans rippled through the stadium. Admittedly, the first speaker let things get out of hand early on, but they were already onto the second. Jensen suddenly wished that they had sat nearer an exit rather than practically all the way on the grounds.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as social, emotional, and intellectual beings, we humans always seek for meaning in the unknown. There is no doubt that what now touches humankind will affect each and every living soul. Our world is changed in ways we have never had to reconcile. Picture this, the borders of countries have shifted for thousands of years. Empires have risen and fallen. Languages disappear and technology emerges. Change is inevitable. What we are experiencing now is change once more. The emergence of these powered peoples, these channelers, has been a rapid and unforeseen thing. Yet mankind evolves. We have the challenge of watching evolution in the process."
Jensen had not thought of these channelers as a sort of evolution, before. Perhaps it made sense. The study of evolution meant that the human condition shifted in favor of existence, strength and passage to the next generation. But this was a religious rally. Many religions did not directly conflict with evolution. Some actually cited evolution as the hand of God or other higher being. Others outright dismissed it. Regardless, the response of the crowd was luke-warm when the speech was concluded. There were still questions. Jensen had more, himself. At his side, Sigvard paid close attention as well. He clapped politely between speakers, but the expression on his face made Jensen think that he was also waiting for answers.
"Can channelers be used by God? Let me ask this. Can doctors be used by God? Can engineers be used by God? Can the disabled be used by God? What about the LGBTQ community? What about the elderly? The infirm? We all know the answer. Yes, God uses people. That is what we are. We are all people. Channelers are people like any other. If they are blessed with additional gifts, we should embrace them."
Jensen leaned toward Sigvard, "I wish it was that easy, but not every channeler wants to use their gifts for God's kingdom."
Sigvard looked at him seriously, then nodded in agreement. Jensen shifted in the plastic seat. He wished to get up and walk around, but the third speaker was coming to the podium. Something told him to stay where he was.
"Our goal is to lead these bestowed with powers to use their gifts for the good of all. We look to Jesus, God in the flesh, as our inspiration. 'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'"
Jensen nodded. Service was the key. It was why he agreed to heal Ascendancy. Even if the man was evil, which Jensen didn't believe he was truly evil, he had to treat the man like any other who was on the brink of death. He had to serve all, equally. Servants of all. The speaker continued, conjuring a name that made Jensen's attention shift into sharp focus.
"Ascendancy is a channeler that has claimed to be a god by his deeds. We all saw the power he wielded. At the helm of an empire like the CCD, he has great potential to serve or harm. Let him be the example to all channelers. Use the power to build, heal and protect. He saved our city from nuclear explosion! He is more than a hero. He is a savior. God uses many. Maybe he really is one."
Jensen's mouth went dry. Everyone around them jumped to their feet.
Sigvard and he went to their feet as well. The speaker was looking around nervously before he was ushered quickly off stage. The crowd seemed to defuse a little, but Jensen shook his head. "He's a great man, but I don't think he's God."
Sigvard shouted back, but Jensen barely heard him over the noise in the stadium. "But he could be used by God. Isn't that almost the same thing?"
Jensen wasn't sure. "He's a leader, yet humble. He's confident, but not proud. He's had the burden of channeling for so long, yet shows restraint. We should learn from him, emulate him even. God did not allow him to die because he is needed right now. He brings us the answers, that is how our spirits find peace. What is the meaning to all this? It's that a new age is coming, one of glory and peace. The thousand year reign of Christ cannot come until we pass through the fire. That we should follow him if we want to live long enough to earn that peace. He may not be God, but he could be the next best thing."
Sigvard was blinking in awe. "That's what you should say!" He yelled, but Jensen shook his head like he didn't quite hear.
"What? To whom?
Next thing he knew, Sigvard had a hold of his arm and was leading him toward the gate to the field. Jensen pulled back, nervously looking ahead at the circle of armed officers keeping people from running the field.
"Pastor, I'm a Patheos television producer. I was one of the producers that put this entire rally together, and you need to tell these people what you just told me, before they break out into fighting."
Jensen blinked, but too much happened too quickly. Sigvard showed the security guards identity badges and pulled Jensen across the grass. No other speaker had come to replace the previous. In fact, the ten people all up on stage were also on their feet, talking animatedly among themselves. The microphones must have been muted, but the roar of the stadium burned his ears.
Next thing he knew, lights blinded him and the familiar wobble of temporary staging was underfoot.
What was more horrifying than the fact that Sigvard was on the side of the stage urging him toward the microphone, was that a hush fell across the crowd.
Oh no. He blinked and looked at his first audience in years.