Two Witnesses
The Molony Zone
Seth poked his head into the living room. “Megumi, what meat do I cook?”
Megumi looked at the clock. “It’s not even five yet. Why do you want to cook now?”
Seth opened the refrigerator and looked inside. “Didn’t I tell you? I got an email from Erica. She said Pastor Flynn was invited to be on the Molony Zone tonight.”
“No way! Is he a guest?”
Seth moved a few bottles and Tupperware containers. “Naah. There’s a roundtable representing major religions. Pastor Flynn was invited to support the Christian section. He represents the ‘non-denominational’ faction.”
“That’s still pretty cool.” Megumi came into the kitchen. “There’s chicken marinating behind the juice. Make sure to use low heat because it’s cut thin. I’ll start a salad.”
Fifteen minutes later Seth brought in a plate of grilled chicken, thick potato slices topped with butter and soy sauce, and an assortment of other vegetables with nice grill marks. He set the tray on the coffee table, sat on the couch, and checked the time on his cell phone. “Hey, two minutes to spare.“
Megumi brought a cup of tea for herself, and a glass of wine for Seth to the living room. She sat next to him and toasted. “Good Luck.”
Seth chuckled. “Good luck? I’m not doing anything. Those guys need the luck.”
“I mean good luck for Pastor Flynn’s team.”
“Oh, I see.” Seth tipped his glass to Megumi. “Thanks, but I have no idea what to expect? I doubt he’ll even say a word.”
The Molony Zone came on the screen. Seth turned up the volume. Molony stood in the middle of a light blue carpet. Darkness surrounded him. He stood tall. His black suit draped his broad shoulders like panels of fine linen.
Seth leaned to Megumi “He sure is in great shape for a man his age.”
“How old is he?”
Seth rubbed his chin. “I think he’s in his late fifties, or early sixties, and Pastor Flynn might be in his eighties.”
*****
Molony looked into the camera. “Good evening. I’m Henry Molony. Tonight we are going to do something a little different. We’re going to address the recent phenomena that’s taken place in our skies. Our perspective tonight will be religion. Next week we will have a similar show and our guest panel will be scientists. Both shows will last the entire hour. You can expect a spirited, and quick pace to our conversations.”
The camera zoomed in on Molony. “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s dive right in.”
The camera pulled back and the lights came on revealing a large desk, shaped as a semi-circle, with video panels in front of them. The Molony Zone illuminated in bold red letters on the panels. Three men sat at the desk, and behind each of them sat two more, followed by another row of three. One group wore suits, another robes, some wore headgear, and others didn’t. It looked like half a pizza, with each slice a different wedge of religious perspective.
Molony turned and held his hand out to present the panel of guests. “These people are representatives of three major faiths: Christian, Islam, and Judaism. They will speak on behalf of their religion. Behind them are other recognized leaders of the same faith. They are invited as guests to ensure no one person represents their entire faith. Now I have to warn you. Some denominations of these religions have great differences. Christians for example can be Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or one of many other factions, all derived from different interpretations of the same book. We are not here tonight to examine the details of religious foundations and differences. In fact, I personally believe there are tremendous heroes in our history from all walks of faith. Tonight we are going to focus on the broad strokes pertaining to end time events. If the skies weren’t flashing, and if certain people didn’t have predictions of doom for our time, then we wouldn’t attempt this format. Please be patient and remember we are looking from thirty thousand feet. The big picture.”
The panels in the front of the desk switched to a graph showing the guest’s reactions. Molony paused so the people registered what they saw.
“Each of our guests is equipped with one of these.” He held up a handheld input device. “Guests turn this dial to the right if they agree with what their representative is saying, or to the left if they disagree. You see their results right here at the same time we do. I will use this to keep the debate from wandering. I don’t anticipate any problems. You all know I make my living nipping things in the bud before they become a positional soapbox.”
Malony kept looking at the camera while he walked to the person sitting in the first position on the left. “The religions will be presented in alphabetical order. We’ll start with Christianity.” He held his hand toward the Christian group. “They originated from Judaism around 30 AD in Israel, and today there are approximately two billion Christians worldwide. They are the largest religion on the planet. They believe in one God, who is represented in a trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They believe all people are sinners, but through belief in the Son, Jesus Christ, they may obtain eternal salvation. Their practices vary. Most attend church once a week, and many attend an additional Bible study during the week. They have numerous translations of the Bible, each contributing to the differences in their denominational take. Almost all of them feel the most notable book for our time is Revelation. It predicts the end of time, and a judgment separating the good people from the bad. Christians believe in one life and one death, where the good inherit heaven and the bad go to hell.”
Molony turned to the guest. “Pastor Brees, your church, Milestone Scriptures, has seen it’s share of ridicule, but your teachings appear to align with what is happening in skies… if what you teach is true?”
Brees leaned forward with both hands on the table. “What you’re seeing in the sky is no mistake. We turned our back on God for too long. These are the birth pangs taught by Jesus himself. He is coming back any moment to rapture the church away.”
Molony noticed most of the church agreed, but one meter showed strong disapproval. He looked at the cue card in his hand. “Pastor… Pastor Flynn. Thank you for coming.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad to be here.”
Molony turned to the people while pointing at the monitor in front of the Christian desk. “You see? When Pastor Brees described the rapture I noticed Pastor Flynn’s opinion line dropping from the others.” He turned back to Pastor Flynn, who towered over the others. “I understand you’re non-denominational. What does that really mean?”
Pastor Flynn smiled. “Basically that we don’t allow someone else to determine our doctrine. We are a small ministry teaching the King James Version of the Bible chapter-by-chapter, and verse-by-verse. Those aligning with a denomination inherit certain beliefs, or traditions, rules, and protocol.”
“Which is why we are here tonight. Would you say that you stay above the fray, so to speak?” Molony asked.
Pastor Flynn cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t say that. We are not better, above, prettier, or richer than anyone else. The thing that makes us different is our teaching on the end times. In short there are seven trumps that are milestones in end time developments, and the fifth trump is a revealing of teaching that we believe we entered around 1981. Our believe is that every book in the Bible contains information that aligns and confirms the details in Revelation. The words were always there, but it’s the fifth trump that prompted the Holy Spirit to release the knowledge.”
Molony leaned back. “Are you saying the meaning of the books changed, and isn’t it wrong to add or take away what was written?”
Pastor Flynn held his hand up. “No, not at all. The same people have been studying the same texts throughout all generations. It benefited them all, and it laid the establishment of this panel’s faith. But for example, we were told by Jesus to learn the parable of the fig tree. He said that over two thousand years ago, and yet for generations it was just a parable. When Israel became a nation again in 1948 the parable became a reality and its meaning took on greater depth. By the way, it marked the generation that would see the things written about in the end times. Part of those end times is a revealing of scriptures that were sealed up until our time.”
Malony looked at the cue card. “By sealed up you basically mean hidden in plain sight.”
Pastor Flynn nodded. “Yes sir. It’s always been right there in the Bible, but the understanding as it applies to us was sealed up for this time. Part of that message is to be aware of ‘fly away’ doctrine.”
“Interesting. How do you and your students know you’re right?”
“This is where the other books come into play. They should reinforce each other’s concepts. If they conflict then something was probably missed. To help us stay on top of this we have a question and answer period every time we meet, and people from our TV audience mail in their questions. We easily get a hundred questions on the rapture everyday. The Bible makes it clear the rapture is a false end-time teaching, and will mislead many souls directly into the antichrist’s hands.”
Brees turned around. “I beg your pardon! Do you know who I am? God told me directly we would be raptured away!”
“Really? That sure would contradict Ezekiel where it is written that He is against those who teach his children to fly.”
“Gentlemen…” Molony put his hand up.
“Okay gentlemen. ” Molony took command, and looked at the camera. “For those of you who are not familiar, the rapture is a teaching where in the end times God suddenly removes His believers from the earth. That leaves the rest to face a terrible judgment.”
Brees nodded in affirmation, adjusting his suit jacket and tie.
Molony pointed his cue card toward Pastor Flynn. “What’s wrong with that belief, or why would it bother you Pastor?”
Pastor Flynn cleared his throat. “The rapture is dangerous because it teaches God will take some people and leave some behind. It is the foundation of Satan’s fear mongering. At the sixth trump Satan will come here pretending to be Christ. He is supernatural. He was never born into the flesh. People have never seen anything like this, so he will have instant rock star status. I have no doubt he will have billions signing up to fly away. That’s totally different from when Jesus returns at the seventh trump to set up the Millennium temple right here on earth. Nobody is going anywhere.”
Brees shuffled around in his seat. Molony placed his hand on his shoulder to calm him. “Pastor Flynn. Do you have a particular point that makes clarifies your difference?”
Pastor Flynn leaned back in his seat. “Sure. Rapture believers point to the first book of Thessalonians, chapter four, verse seventeen, where it says we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds. Brees believes this means we’re going to be raptured.”
“That sounds like it says people will go up to the clouds.”
Pastor Flynn waved his finger left and right. “Not necessarily so. The subject for this sentence was set back in verse thirteen. You have to carry the subject. In verse thirteen Paul said I would not have you to be ignorant concerning them which are asleep.”
Molony rubbed his chin. “So Paul doesn’t want us to misunderstand about those already dead?”
“Yes, meaning where they are.” Pastor Flynn leaned forward. “That lack of knowledge takes away the peace of mind regarding the afterlife. Nobody stays in the ground, or any state of limbo. Ecclesiastes documents that upon death the soul instantly returns to the Father, so Paul is explaining to them that one by one we return to heaven. It will be at the seventh trump when those of us still here are all instantly changed back into our spiritual body for the Millennium. That’s God coming here and us being here. Nothing is said about going anywhere else.”
Molony tapped his note card on the desk. “So you both say we are going to experience something supernatural. Rapture believers think Jesus is coming back to rescue some people, and you, Pastor Flynn, teach Satan will come first to trick some, but all will change when Christ actually returns.”
Pastor Flynn nodded. “Satan comes at the sixth trump promising a rapture. I believe Thessalonians is describing when Christ returns to stay, so if that disqualifies the rapture theory I have to stand against it. However, you don’t have to take my word for it. Check out that word ‘air’ in your Strong’s Concordance. I think you will find ‘spiritual body’ would be a better translation, you see, at the seventh trump we will be reunited. You can also go to the Old Testament and read in the thirteenth chapter of Ezekiel, versus nineteen and twenty, where God makes it clear He is against those who teach His children to fly to save their souls. If you want to teach something that God is against, well, enjoy your denomination.”
Brees turned to Pastor Flynn behind him. “Sir, you may not believe in a rapture, and you may want to be one of the ones left behind to face the tribulation, but we are talking about end time events here. The rapture is the signature of Christian end time event.”
“What say you?” Molony directed to Pastor Flynn.
Pastor Flynn looked at the camera. “Listen very carefully. It alters the timeline in scriptural events, and positions the church to look for anticipatory elements out of context. That leads to twisting scripture to mean something you need. If you start reading scriptures with the perspective of a coming rapture, you will be walking directly into the Anti-Christ’s trap. It is a religious trap! ‘Anti’ doesn’t mean against. It means instead of. There is a book by Dave MacPherson titled ‘The Rapture Plot’. It is a two hundred and seventy-five page study on this subject. It will help you see in no uncertain terms how your church is pulling one over on you. Failure to understand this will leave you defenseless in the hour of temptation. Order Dave's book from the Chapel if you want to come out of confusion.”
Molony scanned the notes on his card. “We should move on, but quickly, fifteen seconds, you mentioned the Anti-Christ’s trap? Do you mean six six six?”
Pastor Flynn laughed. “Fifteen seconds! That’s a pretty deep study to address in fifteen seconds.”
“Give it a shot.”
“I think the biggest misunderstanding has to do with people looking for a leader to rise to power. Someone with a triple six tattoo somewhere, or who will force you to get a chip in your body. And while it’s true there are many leaders in today’s world, as well as throughout history, which could be positioned as an antichrist, they were examples so the people of their time could be tested. Additionally, so we would have the opportunity to learn in retrospect from their examples. The antichrist in the end times is, well, we are not talking about a human like us. We are talking about Satan himself appearing defacto on earth. He will look like us, and pretty close to how most people think Jesus looked. This is an entity. It’s not a tattoo, a chip, or an identification number. The fact Satan comes here is revealed in the sixth trump, sixth seal, and sixth vial. There’s your three sixes. He is coming to supposedly fly his people away, and the rapture believers will be first in line. He will be supernatural, and it’s written he will deceive the world marvelously. It will be from a religious position like he did before.”
“Before?” Molony touched his earpiece. “Thank you gentlemen. We need to move along, but I look forward to getting back to this. Sitting beside Christianity is Islam.”
Molony moved to the center of the table. “This is Dr. Ali Mohammad Jabar. He is here tonight to speak on behalf of Islam. Thank you for coming.”
Dr. Ali Mohammad Jabar sat with his fingers laced in his lap. “The prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would want us to explain what’s happening.“
Molony scanned his card. “Your religion was founded by Muhammad in 622 AD, and now there are over a billion members. Historically Islam brought many great things to the benefit of humanity, more than most people would realize. Islam believes in one god, Allah. You study the Qur’an and Hadith, and believe through submission to these writings one can fulfill the will of God. You share a similar belief as the Christians of a paradise after death, with those who don’t make it going to hell. Dr. Ali Mohammad Jabar, are we witnessing the end of the world?”
“Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, is the knower of the future. Only through his messenger will he reveal past or future events. We are taught a new heaven and earth will replace the old heaven and earth. There have been signs to indicate this is near.”
“Like what?”
Dr. Ali Mohammad Jabar pointed to the sky. “Like the splitting of the moon, which comes from forty-seven eighteen of the Koran. It stipulates the people won’t be able to withstand the ‘hour’ upon them because they missed the signs. That gets identified in fifty-four one, where it says the ‘hour’ is closer when the moon is split. We believe that happened in 1969, when man landed on the moon and brought rocks back with them. The United States split the moon. For us this is like the Christian fig tree parable; it marks an important season.”
Molony nodded. “I didn’t know that. What else?”
Dr. Ali Mohammad Jabar looked into the camera. “In forty-four ten we are told to watch for the day when the sky brings a profound smoke. This occurs after Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, proclaims Islam as the only acceptable religion on earth. If the recent flashes and random parting of the clouds are warm up signs, then I would say it’s about to happen.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“What’s going to happen?” Dr. Ali Mohammad Jabar held his fist in the air. “First the Jews will be gathered together and face their final battle against us, but our story ends a little differently. Time will prove Islam supreme. Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, will bless the Islamic nations, and a wind of destruction will destroy all the others.”
Molony tapped his cue cards on the side of his leg. “Are you saying you intend on destroying Israel?”
Dr. Ali Mohammad Jabar leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. “It is clearly written in our texts they will be eternally destroyed. Of this I’m sure, Islam will rule the earth, and we will have the White House in my lifetime.”
Molony took a deep breath. “It seems that this would explain why peaceful Muslims don’t openly condemn the actions of radicals. Is this a strategy of deceitful occupation that will turn into a hostile takeover. I heard that you are allowed blend in for the purposes of establishing a foothold.”
“We have a word, ‘al-Taqiyya’. It gives us permission to conceal beliefs, or to be deceitful as you say. Allah will not hold it against us if it is for the benefit of Islam. Why shouldn’t we claim peace if it gives us the chance to have our people in key positions. That’s simply a strategy. If we can tell someone a small lie and as a result advance Islam then we are doing a good thing and the lie will be forgiven. If our lie puts us in position to be a martyr is it not celebrated in heaven? Sure it is, so it is very acceptable for a Muslim to lie to non-Muslims as part of earning their way to heaven.”
“Heaven is earned?”
“We are judged by our ability to promote Islam’s dominance. Every Muslim should be doing their best to convert the country they live in. We don’t assimilate. We will dominate. From the simple invitation for converts to the elimination of non-believers, how we participate will determine if we get into heaven or not. It is a never ending effort until our scriptures are fulfilled.”
Molony took a deep breath. “Thank you for your candor, I would hate for anyone to accuse us of guessing Islam’s intentions. You made your point with me.”
Dr. Ali Mohammad Jabar dropped his hands back to his lap, and laced his fingers. “Don’t thank me Mr. Molony. These are not my intentions. These are our scriptures and our calling to bring the world to Islam. Thank the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.“
Molony moved to the last person. “Last but not least, by any means, is Judaism. This religion traces back to 1300 BC. Although the stories trace back six thousand years or more to the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, on up through Noah, and most of you know their story under Moses. Their scriptures include the Law, which are the first five books in the Bible, also called the Torah. They also study the Talmud. It contains legal rulings and studies based on discussions and philosophy. There are fourteen million Jews worldwide who believe in one God, Yahweh. They follow the Ten Commandments and focus on this life instead of an afterlife. Their afterlife beliefs range from becoming a part of the force of God… to nothingness.” He smiled and nodded to the Jewish guest. “Rabbi Cohen. Welcome back. It’s good to see you again. I find it fitting you’re the last one introduced, because these other two owe their current position to your roots.”
Rabbi Cohen nodded. “Thank you Mr. Molony. That’s absolutely correct. My people are charged with being the scribes and keepers of the Law. We are confident in our position with reference to doctrine.”
“You believe a similar war to Islam’s will be when God defeats your enemies and establishes His kingdom on earth in Israel. You teach a King Messiah will reign until the time of re-creation. Do you think the events in the sky have anything to do with this?”
Rabbi Cohen adjusted his sleeve cuff. “Sure. When my people were in the desert, He appeared by night in a pillar of fire, and by day a covering cloud. He uses the sky. These signs we see are indeed birth pangs leading to the shofar announcement.”
“What announcement?”
“The need to gather all gentiles, and bring them to court for their Day of Judgment.”
Molony checked his cue card. “So you see Judaism getting strong enough to hold global trials?”
“Why not? God can do anything to ensure the scriptures are fulfilled.”
“But trials would take such a long time, and the skies are flickering every night now.”
Rabbi Cohen pointed to the other groups. “Just because somebody else comes along and presents a newer version of your story doesn’t make it closer to the truth, or to God. We are talking about God’s word here! This is what my people do… we hold the official records. Others are infatuated with what they call Prophets, but we hold the Law and any derivative Prophets.”
Molony paused. “Ah, but Rabbi, some say your own books point directly to Jesus.”
Rabbi Cohen calmed himself. “Some, like me, say the ‘prophesy’ you refer to applies to one who is coming, and coming soon. That will be the Christ. He will come at the end of the tribulation, but we, Israel, will be delivered from it.”
“So you have your own rapture?”
“It’s a little different, but everyone knows God is going to make some changes.”
“Interesting. I’m surprised at how much all three faiths here overlap.” Molony turned, and stepped toward the camera. “Well, I think this first segment gives us a basic overview of how each group feels they fit into the end times. We’re going to take a short break and come back with a few of your questions for our panel.”
The rest of the show flowed without incident. Afterwards Molony walked around thanking the guests individually for participating. He caught Pastor Flynn in front by the panels. Both men towered over the others, and except for the white hair it’s hard to tell Pastor Flynn is almost 20 years senior.
Molony reached to shake hands. “Thanks for your attendance, and your commentary. You definitely brought some spice.”
“You’re welcome. I didn’t expect to speak, but I couldn’t sit there and let the rapture slide. My congregation would hunt me down.” Pastor Flynn and Molony both laughed.
Molony raised an eyebrow. “I like to study body language, and I noticed you didn’t flinch when others spoke of their religions? They don’t rile you at all?”
Pastor Flynn replied. “I’m not on a mission to save the world. I don’t count souls. I simply teach what the word has to say, with an emphasis regarding our time. We are quite content with letting the chips fall where they may.”
Malony smiled. “I like that. What do you think about coming on the show to discuss the distinctions between Christian groups?”
Pastor Flynn shook his head, and chuckled. “No Mr. Molony. I’m not the one you want on your show. There are a hundred glamour preachers who could draw huge audiences for you, you know, big money boys.”
“Please consider it. We’ve been the undisputed king of ratings for so long it isn’t even in our meeting discussions anymore. How many years does one have to reign before they accept their role and reside to simply doing their best? My crew is interested in the truth.”
Pastor Flynn smiled. “I like that. That’s what we feel at the chapel.”
Molony cleared his throat. “Look. We discussed who would sit up front in the Christian section for quite some time. The show decided to roll with the Bible belt because of the overall subject. I’d like to do a couple of segments to address denominational differences. Just think about it. Since you’re here in New York, why don’t you come back tomorrow for a short segment to let my audience learn a little about you?”
“Let me make a few calls. I have a full plate back at the office.”