John's Assignment: A Satire on the Human Condition

By Mark L. Samuel

Johns Assignment is a satire on the human condition. Surely we are more than just a complex collection of organic material that developed from the singularity explosion of infinitesimally small, infinitely hot, infinitely dense astronomical and physical properties some 13.7 billion years ago. Was there really nothing before this big bang? If there was nothing, are we only products of evolution possessing nothing greater than the whole of our organisms? These questions have fostered enlightened musing from some of our greatest thinkers in science and philosophy and have brought sound evidence to the answers of how but little empirical rationale for the why. This book is about the why.
Man has a celestial spark within his character and an ever pressing need to survive and be more than himself, more than his base instincts, wavering between love and self sacrifice to narcissism and desperation. We are self-aware and wonder about the purpose of our existence while at the same time striving for principle and worth. Sometimes we fail and sometimes we succeed, but always we strive. Are the qualities of compassion, love, loyalty, integrity and sacrifice really just ethereal products of chemical reactions? Are faith, insight and miraculous occurrences creations of our wishful minds? Lastly, do our desires for a heavenly Father simply reflect our insecurities or are they sound manifestations of the eternal truth?
John provides this comprehension and does so in a manner that is painful for all to accept, for it comes at the price of dissonance within our minds for our most cherished thoughts, our religious beliefs and our methods we use to daily operate our lives. I wondered how we would react if an angel presented himself and gave us these answers, while pointing out our absurdities, those which countless millions have adopted and died defending.
Through a series of dialogues with seventeen of the worlds national civic and religious leaders, began through the orders of The Almighty and resulting in the continuation or devastation of the earth, John has an assignment for us all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481750714

Mark L. Samuel

Mark L. Samuel is a pseudonym ‘pen name’ for the author of “John’s Assignment.”

Book preview

JOHN’S

ASSIGNMENT

A SATIRE ON THE HUMAN CONDITION

MARK L. SAMUEL

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© 2013 Mark L. Samuel. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/11/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-5072-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-5070-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-5071-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013908328

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I come from the Throne—bearing a message from Almighty God! . . . .

Ponder this—keep it in mind. If you beseech a blessing upon yourself, beware! Lest without intent you invoke a curse upon a neighbor at the same time.

The War Prayer, Mark Twain, March 22, 1905

CONTENTS

Introduction

Cast of Characters

Necessary Information for the Reader

Chapter One - The Assignment

Chapter Two - The Departure

Chapter Three - The Arrival

Chapter Four - The Planning

Chapter Five - The Pope’s Guidance

Chapter Six - Visit to Saudi Arabia

Chapter Seven - Visit to Iran

Chapter Eight - Visit to India

Chapter Nine - Visit to China

Chapter Ten - Visit to the United States

Chapter Eleven - Visit to Israel

Chapter Twelve - The Combined Meeting

The First Day

The Second Day

The Third Day

The Fourth Day

The Fifth and Last Day

INTRODUCTION

Surely we are more than just a complex collection of organic material that developed from the singularity explosion of infinitesimally small, infinitely hot, infinitely dense astronomical and physical properties some 13.7 billion years ago¹. Was there really nothing before this big bang? If there was nothing, are we only products of evolution possessing nothing greater than the whole of our organisms? These questions have fostered enlightened musing from some of our greatest thinkers in science and philosophy and have brought sound evidence to the answers of ‘how’ but little empirical rationale for the ‘why.’ This book is about the ‘why.’

Man has a celestial spark within his character and an ever pressing need to survive and be more than himself, more than his base instincts, wavering between love and self-sacrifice to narcissism and desperation. We are self-aware and wonder about the purpose of our existence while at the same time striving for principle and worth. Sometimes we fail and sometimes we succeed, but always we strive. Are the qualities of compassion, love, loyalty, integrity and sacrifice really just ethereal products of chemical reactions? Are faith, insight and miraculous occurrences creations of our wishful minds? Lastly, do our desires for a heavenly Father simply reflect our insecurities or are they sound manifestations of the eternal truth?

John provides this comprehension and does so in a manner that is painful for all to accept, for it comes at the price of dissonance within our minds for our most cherished thoughts, our religious beliefs and our methods we use to daily operate our lives. I wondered how we would react if an angel presented himself and gave us these answers, while pointing out our absurdities, those which countless millions have adopted and died defending.

Through a series of dialogues with eighteen of the world’s national civic and religious leaders, began through the orders of The Almighty and resulting in the continuation or devastation of the earth, John has an assignment for us all.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Angel Types

²

FIRST SPHERE:

1. Seraphim (singular Seraph)—Isaiah 6:2, 6:1-7—These angels are closest to God. They praise God and represent His love. Their primary mission is to protect the throne of God. They encircle his throne and emit an intense fiery light representing his love. Seraphim are considered fiery serpents and not even the other divine beings may look at them. When they come to Earth, they leave their serpent appearance behind, preferring tall, thin, clean-cut human embodiments. There are only four of them, although some sources say there are seven³; Michael, Kemeul, Jehoel, Seraphiel, Metatron, Uriel and Nathanael are Seraphim.

2. Cherubim (singular Cherub)—Genesis 3:24 and Ezekiel 10:1-22, 19:12-14, 28:14-16, 1 Kings 6:23-28, Revelation 4;6-8, Exodus 25:17-22 and Chronicles 3:17-14,—These angels are the second highest in the nine hierarchies of angels. They are intercessors of God. Their mission is also to protect the throne of God. They are fierce angels. When they come to earth, they have great power of apocalypse nature. They have four faces: one of a man, one of an ox, one of an eagle, and one of a lion. They are the keepers of celestial records and hold the knowledge of God. They are sent to Earth with great tasks, such as expelling humankind from the Garden of Eden. Ancient art depicts cherubim as sphinx-like, winged creatures with human faces, not the fat babies with wings that now grace greeting cards and book covers. Gabriel, Raphael, Cherubiel, Ophaniel, Rikbiel, and Zophiel are cherubim, as was Satan before his fall to evil.

3. Thrones—Colossians 1:16, Revelation 11:16—Their name literally means throne or highly ornamented chair. These angels dispense God’s divine judgment. The lower hierarchies of angels need the Thrones to gain access God. Thrones’ appearance is perhaps the more bizarre of the first grouping. They are said to look like great glowing wheels covered with many eyes. They serve as God’s chariot and dispense his judgment in order to carry out his desires for us. The angels in the second choir can exist in a state of transition between the celestial and human worlds. They are considered heavenly governors, attempting to strike a balance between matter and spirit, good and bad. Oriefiel, Japhakiel, Raziel, Baradiel, Zaphkiel are Thrones.

SECOND SPHERE:

4. Dominions—Colossians 1:16—These are the angels of leadership, regulating the duties of the angels. They give power to heads of government and other authority figures. They have the appearance of humans with wings. Think of dominions as middle management. They receive orders from seraphim and cherubim, then dish out duties to the worker bee angels of the lower orders. Their main purpose is to make sure that the cosmos remains in order by sending down power to heads of government and other authority figures. Zadkiel (sometimes called Hashmal), Muriel and Zacharel are Dominions and Zadkiel is the chief of this order.

5. Virtues—Ephesians 1:21, 1 Peter 3:22—These angels are known as the Spirits of Motion and control the elements. They govern all nature and perform miracles. They provide courage, grace, and valor. Shaped like sparks of light, virtues are in charge of maintaining the natural world, and they inspire living things in areas such as science. They also take orders from the angels above and convert them into miracles for the deserving. When they make themselves known to us in their earthly form, they are musicians, artists, healers, and scientists who work with the power of love, as well as physics. The two angels at the ascension of Jesus are believed to have been virtues. Uzziel, Haniel, Michael, Babiel, Peuel and Gabriel are Virtues.

6. Powers—Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:16—These angels have the task of controlling the border between heaven and earth. They are warrior angels who fight against evil. They are the angels of birth and death. In their celestial form, powers appear like brightly colored, hazy fumes. Powers are border patrol agents between heaven and Earth. They are the angels of birth and death. Some believe that they also preside over demons who wish to overthrow the world, while others, namely St. Paul, thought the powers themselves were the evil ones. In any case, powers are a group of experts who serve as advisers in terms of religion, theology, and ideology. Raphael, Camael and Verchiel are Powers

THIRD SPHERE:

7. Principalities—Colossians 1:16—These angels look over groups of people. They are in charge of the world’s nations, cities, and towns. Their duties include taking charge of religion, politics, and the duties of the angels on earth below them. These angelic beings are shaped like rays of light. Just like a principal in school, it’s the principalities who oversee everything. As if their plate isn’t full enough, they are also in charge of managing the earthly duties of the angels below them. Uriel, Anael, Michael, Raguel, Raphael, Gabriel and Ramiel are Principalities

8. Archangels—Jude 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 4:16—These angels are the chief angels, guardians of people and all things physical. They appear only in human form. They have the task of being God’s messenger to people at critical times of need. They, along with the angels, are guardians of people and all things physical. But don’t call on them to help you personally; archangels respond best when dealing with matters involving all humankind. They are the first order of angels that appear only in human form. As such, they function among us as pioneers for change in the form of explorers, philosophers, and human rights leaders. This order is most commonly known because they are mentioned by name in the Bible—Michael, Gabriel, Remiell, Uriel, Gabriel, Raguel, Sariel and Raphael are Archangels.

9. Angels—Throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation—These angels act as our personal guardian. They deliver prayers to God and God’s answers and messages to us. They have the task of nurturing, counseling, and healing us. Angels are the true intermediaries between God and individual people. Angels don’t watch over nations; they safeguard households and individuals who believe in God and keep them safe from demons. They nurture, counsel, and heal. We all have a personal angel, better known as our guardian angel, with us daily.

NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR THE READER

Note: For those who strictly adhere to the sacred writings of their particular religion, I take liberties within this book to give the angels gender. I refer to John as a ‘he’, as I do with Jesus, the Dominion Zadkiel and the Principality Anael. This is done for purposes of using a pronoun versus a name within the text and does not mean I think angels or angels with tough assignments are male. However, with that said, the sacred writings do state that there is a Dominion angel named Zadkiel, and an Principality angel named Anael, and, of course, we refer to God as the Father and Jesus as his son.

Note: The reader will have to forgive me for the repeating dialogue within the chapters. John visits the nation’s leaders and has been tasked to give the same message to all of them. However, if you will notice, I have tried to change the emphasis on certain ideas, and there is certainly different reactions by the national leaders that should keep the conversations interesting. As you read them please remember that what the leaders and John are discussing are authentic insights from some of our world’s great philosophers and economists, as well as the nation’s themselves. You will absolutely read nothing in this book that didn’t come from exhaustive research and I tried to be fair in my description of each position taken. As John visits each of the nations he reads a short biography prepared by the Vatican on their histories and thoughts. This is done to prepare the reader for their responses to John’s statements.

Note: There has been much discussion about angels in different religions concerning whether humans could become angels after death. Traditionally, Islam, Judaism and Christianity do not believe this is possible, but other religions like Mormonism and Hindu believe it is possible. In my book, John is an angel and states that he once was not an angel and occupied the reality of the Father’s universe; however, that is a small premise in the overall story which does not reflect from its intent.

Note: In Chapter one, John is talking to Jesus about his assignment and he says to give his good wishes to the people of earth and specifically states to tell the people of Saudi Arabia (representing Islam) and China (representing Buddhism) it comes from Muhammad and the Buddha, which as you know, is still me. This statement only represents my idea that Jesus and the Father were instrumental in giving these nations a religion they could understand and therefore use, based upon their cultures, to abide by the Father’s Wishes.

Note: This book depicts the actual leaders of each of the seven countries Angel John visits and includes authentic biographies and summaries on their culture and religions. However, this book is Fiction and should not be construed as pertaining to the actual comments any of these leaders would make under the circumstances of the story line. The words spoken by them are the author’s words and in no way were gathered or assumed to be theirs. John’s Assignment is a satire.

Note: This book has a subtitle A satire on the Human Condition. I am aware that humor and irony are the marks of satire, but in this book I am taking liberties by using the subject of religion, and more specifically an angel, to convey my character’s opinion on the condition of mankind. I apologize beforehand to the purist.

CHAPTER ONE -

THE ASSIGNMENT

T ODAY, I BELIEVE I FINALLY got my chance. I have just been assigned a new job that I hope will bring me up a notch. The problem is I don’t know if I’m capable of accomplishing what it requires. In fact, I don’t even know what it requires, so my concern itself may be baseless. What I do know is it’s going to be important and closely watched. I hope I can live up to the challenge. My name is John, and I’m an angel.

When I became an angel, I’m not sure, since time is difficult to gage here, but I know it isn’t near long enough to be elevated to a higher level. I have been an angel for as long as I can remember, and I know that at one time I was not what I am now, and was part of the physical world of the Father’s universe. However, I don’t have any memory of that time.

Being an angel means I’m the lowest of nine and in the bottom sphere, which consists of Principalities, Archangels and then Angels. Angels act as guardians for the physical beings within the Father’s universe. I know my job is to deliver prayers to God and God’s answers and messages in return. As angels we also have the task of nurturing, counseling, and healing, and I carry out these duties as best I can.

Occasionally, I have access to the Father, and when I do, to gain access, I have to make an appointment through a Thrones angel. Thrones angels control access to the Father for the lower hierarchies of angels and the Thrones angel assigned to my group is named Oriefiel. I wanted to make an appointment with God and discuss my new assignment, but when I asked Oriefiel, he turned me down. I was told my instructions were clear enough. I took that as a rebuke, but upon further reflection, I had to agree. If I want to be an Archangel like my direct boss, I have to begin to think more clearly and not make rash judgments.

Archangels like my boss are known as chief angels and are the guardians of people and all things physical. I, in the course of my duties, have appeared in sprit form to the people I was assigned, but not in human form like Archangels. This assignment will be different, and allow me the chance to actually go down to one of the Father’s planets, this one called Earth, and appear and live in human form, without their knowledge that I’m an angel. I’m excited since if I do well, I will return as a full-fledged Archangel, and as such, report directly to the Principalities. Principalities are angels who are in charge of the world’s nations, cities and towns. They have the duty to oversee religion, politics and the duties of the angels below them, namely archangels and angels. In fact, when I was assigned this new job, my boss and the group’s Principalities angel were present and did all the talking.

I’m now scheduled to appear before the Dominion Angel, who is the angel of leadership, regulating the duties of the angels. The Dominions give power to heads of government and other authority figures and appear to people as humans with wings. Of course, this is rare, and Dominions usually only appear when the Father is concerned their presence would dramatically alter a direction that affects entire governments and nations, and even then, only when God the Father feels the concerned nation is worthy.

When I arrived at the Dominion’s office, I was made to wait until a meeting he was having with a group of Virtues and Powers Angels was over. Now I’m wondering what the meeting is about, but I know better than to ask. Virtues are angels known as the Spirits of Motion and control the elements, and govern all nature, and perform miracles as assigned, usually to enhance people’s courage, grace and valor. Powers Angels have the task of controlling the border between heaven and earth. They are warrior angels who fight against evil and are the angels of birth and death. Whatever their meeting is about, it has to be important with these two angels present.

After a while, the meeting adjourned. I looked up and saw the Dominion’s assistant, a Principality named Anael, come to me.

John, you will have to wait a little while longer since the Dominion was called into the offices of the Cherub and Seraph.

I told him thank you and he turned and went back to his desk. I have never had the opportunity to actually meet a Cherub or Seraph angel since they are the closest to God, and very few angels are allowed to see them. Cherubim angels are the second highest in the nine hierarchies of angels. They are intercessors of God and their mission is to protect the throne of God. They are fierce angels. When they come to earth, they have great power of an apocalypse nature. I think them peculiar looking since they have four faces: one of a man, one of an ox, one of an eagle, and one of a lion.

Seraphim angels are closest to God. They praise God and represent His love. There are only four of them, and I don’t know which one the Dominion was called in to see, but I guess it doesn’t make any difference. Their primary mission is to protect the throne of God and they have six wings: two cover their faces, two cover their bodies, and two cover their feet.

I suspect the Dominion’s meeting, and this call to the Cherub and Seraph offices, had to do with the fallen angels, who are known to people as demons. I have decided, once again, it is prudent to be quiet and wait, asking no questions.

Finally, the Dominion returned and Anael called me in to his office. His name was Zadkiel and he asked me to sit, dismissing Anael with just a glance. Once seated, Zadkiel asked

John, do you have any questions about your new assignment.

I was only told by my boss that I would be going to Earth as an Archangel, and it would be a long term assignment, details to be given later.

This caused Zadkiel to smile and he asked. John, why have you attempted to make an appointment with the Father if you didn’t know any details?

This made be blush with embarrassment. It was a temporary attack of nerves sir, but I know the job was going to be important and wanted to ask God if I would be up to the task.

Zadkiel smiled again. John, I know the Father would not have allowed your selection if He had any doubt about your abilities.

That made me happy. That is good to know and thank you for your candor.

Zadkiel then said John, we have decided it is time we evaluate Earth as to its moral righteousness. If we deem them incapable of progressing, with the Father’s blessing, we will consider it serious indeed. Zadkiel looked at me closely, saw trepidation, but I’m also sure, interest.

He continued, We have noticed their faith and prayers are getting personal in nature, asking the Father for this and that but not asking Him to give them the powers of honesty and sound judgment. We believe they are increasingly attempting to use the Father to justify their narcissistic and ill-conceived ideas; that only impede His children, and do not progress them into righteousness. The Father has given them free will and a brain. He intends it to do more than just operate their internal organs; He intends it to provide sound results. He is not pleased.

Sir, what specifically troubles the Father the most about them, if I may ask?

The Father wants Individuals, not groups. He desires each person to come to the realization that he owes his worship unto Him, not simply follow a school of thought mandated by the state or a church. He is, therefore, most troubled by a growing sense they are unwilling to think and work for themselves, and feel entitled to have others provide for them. Their leaders are aware of the harm they are doing when they ensure the dependence of their people’s souls on the state, but are anxious to provide as it ensures their own power.

This made sense to me, so I asked, Sir, have the people not been allowed to think for themselves, or do they wish not to think for themselves?

Zadkiel didn’t hesitate. Both. The nation’s governments and institutions have taught their people they need only do what they are told, and all will be provided, as is their right. All others, they are told, are evil and will be excluded, or even eliminated, as non-citizens or even heretics.

He stopped again and allowed me to absorb this. When he saw that I was sufficiently acknowledging his words, he continued.

The Father has always been conscious of the poor and downtrodden ones, and loves all his children, but He expects all to use their free will, doing all they can, within His wishes, to bring themselves out of these unfortunate conditions. The Father did not intend, nor will be allow, His children to solely depend upon the state or the church, and not themselves, for spiritual and material growth. A charitable heart can get you into heaven and God’s grace, but it was never intended to be a permanent condition, used to subjugate and dominate His children.

I had to ask, Sir, do you think this lack of integrity and responsibility is something new to the Earth?

Zadkiel smiled again as he answered John, nothing meaningful is new to the Earth, that has not been present before. We think the leaders and the people are convincing themselves, in vast numbers, that truth is a subjective goal, and all means are acceptable as long as the ends are within the Father’s Wishes. The Father can see deep into your soul, and knows if you truly mean what you say and do, or are just following a tradition, taught to you as acceptable to God. You do no one any good when you don’t provide them the opportunity to sow and reap their own seed.

He looked at me to ensure I was getting everything, then continued.

As well, the Father feels all nations receive their powers from the people governed, which means the laws they enact should come from the people, not created by the nation’s leaders and imposed upon the people, especially not in His name. For instance, many nations reserve land ownership only for the aristocracy and not for the common people. The Father wishes all people to contribute and to enjoy the fruits of land, and this is most efficiently accomplished when the people own the land themselves, and not have to work other people fields.

I understand. What exactly do you want me to do, I asked.

John, we want you to go down to Earth as an Archangel and meet with the leaders of the nation’s we assign to you. You will be given a role that will allow you to gain access, and one by one, you will inform them of the Father’s Wishes, and then ascertain their nation’s objectives for their people, in order to follow His Will, and the means by which they plan to achieve these goals.

Sir, do they know why I’m coming to speak to them?

No, they only know it is of the greatest importance to the Father. When you gather this information you will report directly back to me and receive my comments. At that time, you will call a gathering of these leaders and tell them you are an angel from the Lord and are here to let them know that the Father is either pleased or displeased, depending upon your findings.

He allowed me time to reflect on this a bit and then continued.

Divide them into two groups; one where their methods and objectives are logical and agreeable to the Father, and one where they are not. To the first group, you will give them God’s blessing. To the second group, you will tell them their methods are not only illogical, unworkable, and harmful to their people, but their objectives for their respective nations require adjustment or even, in some cases, completely revised. If they refuse, as a group or individually, then I will appear with the Cherubim and lay waste to the Earth.

I was shocked and I could see that Zadkiel gave me time to weigh this information. Finally, I spoke.

Sir, are you saying the future of the Earth will be determined solely on my ability to meet and convince the leaders of these nations to change?

Yes, that is what I’m saying, Zadkiel said.

But what about the group who pleases God, are you saying they will suffer, because one of the nations will not change?

This is also what I’m saying, John.

But sir, should I tell them that their nations, and the Earth itself, will depend upon all of the assigned nations, in that all have to agree or all will perish?

You shall. John, now see Anael on the way out so he can brief you on the details. The Father wanted me to tell you He has full confidence in your ability to perform this job. The Father thinks that you will do what you have to do, to save this planet and their peoples. Good luck John.

I then left the office of the Dominion and approached Anael in the outer office. When Anael saw me approach he stood up and motioned toward a chair by his desk, and I sat down. Anael then began.

John, you will go to earth and contact the United States, China, India, Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Your role has been personally preset by Zadkiel with the leaders of these nations. He appeared in Angel form to each of them, and told them of your arrival. They have made arrangements for you. I give you the details here in this paper as to the preliminary times and schedules, which you can change at your discretion. You will have access to a credit card with enough money, supplied by each of the countries, to travel and live as a human. You will initially arrive in Italy and see Pope Francis as well as the Pope Emeritus. Both have been told you will need their offices to assist you in your visit, details of your needs will be up to you.

I thought about this for a minute and asked, So Pope Francis is making his offices ready to assist me?

Yes, Anael responded, and then continued.

Each country will see you as a human and hear you speaking their language. None of them will know that you are an angel, but only directed by the Father, in their own religious interpretation of who the Father is, if, in fact, they even have a belief in Him. If they do not, then you will convince them He exists.

This prompted a question, Sir, will the fact that I first visited the Vatican be known to them? And if so, will my visit bring up issues that will make them suspicious of me?

Anael’s face held a slight grin when he said, "I’m sure it will, but Zadkiel told them of your schedule and explained to them that you will make contact with all of the nation’s