APOSTLE PETER WINS AS JERUSALEM’S FIRST NP MAYOR. . . Nazarenes Trump Greco-Roman Traditionalists

By

Doug Krieger 

Sadducees/Pharisees’ Alliance Crumbles . . . Empire Reverberates—Christians Take Key Provinces . . . Traditionalists Reeling!  GRT’s Obamamus Calls for Reform…

Thousands exult as AP1 (The Apostle Peter) mounted the steps of Solomon's Porch.  His acceptance speech—coming at the expense of the divisive Sadducean-Phariseean split over the physical resurrection (a most contentious issue among local Jerusalem traditionalists)—culminated the fulfillment of nearly a twenty-year promise.  The Nazarene Party (NP) well remembers the words of its assassinated leader, Jesus of Nazareth: 

“Tarry ye here in Jerusalem until ye be empowered with authority from on high!”

AP1 waxed eloquent when similar plaudits in Rome were announced.  Jerusalem’s new mayor-elect greeted AP2 (the Apostle Paul) and his resounding comeback in Rome’s prefect as evidence that a virtual Nazarene Pincer—a veritable Mediterranean Sea of Christian sentiment, long overdue and, in Paul’s case, the fruit of his amazing missionary efforts—has now engulfed the extremities of the Empire.

“The Kingdoms of this world have now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever!” (NP-Elect, Mayor AP1, Peter, Peter Rocks, The Jerusalem Script, by Nicodemus, editor-in-chief) 

Reporting for the Latin Tribune, Flavius Josephus (formerly a pundit for the Jerusalem Script) extolled the virtues of Paul’s comeback from a Roman jail and house arrest:

“AP2’s contacts within Caesar’s household, and his enthusiastic efforts at conversion and enterprise amongst the Praetorian Prefect, endeared him to the very heart of the Roman establishment.  Once Rome’s military kingmakers sided with Paul’s promise to extend the Empire’s influence via the use of asphalt highways (instead of outmoded Roman stone/concrete)—through exploitation of Babylon’s oil wealth; thereby linking the eastern Persian and Alexandrian provinces (i.e., those formerly conquered by the West’s Alexander the Great), thence extending the Empire to the Indus River Valley—the fate of the Roman Senate was sealed!

“This, coupled with Rome’s increasing dependence upon ever-faster moving chariots—built at half the cost of the aforementioned materials; and with cheaper labor from the outlying provinces (a point well taken by AP2) would more than compensate for any incursions on the eastern edge of the Empire; furthermore, the NP favorite, reminded Rome’s electorate that ‘these extensions guarantee the Gospel’s proclamation throughout the Indian Sub-Continent, as well as allowing additional markets for the Empire in both materials and labor.’” (Flavius Josephus, Following the Roman Road, The Latin Tribune, Rome, cir. June, 56 A.D.)

Once (A.D. 52) Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Pontifex Maximus renounced all claims to imperial dictatorship by expanding the Roman Senate’s powers of governing (including the re-establishment of the Republic’s “revolving Pro-Counsel”)—it was only a matter of time when the true “will of the people” would, could and did speak.

APOLLOS SWEEPS AEGEAN PROVINCES—Greek Tragedy

Late returns from Philippi and Thessalonica, as well as the hinterlands of Phrygia and Lycia, have sent the Corinthians and Athenians into what can only be described as a Greek Tragedy—a true disgrace to the Greco-Roman Traditionalists (GRT).  Apollos, a skilled orator and adept politician, was able to sway the Roman colonist voter, as well as Greek discontents, with the superficiality of Greeks who "talk religion" out of one side of their mouth but "speak secular humanism" out of the other side--known as Greco-Doublespeak!

The Greeks—and their allies amongst the technocrats, theater-performers, educators, philosophers, artists and secularists, as well as the pantheons (traditional Greco-Roman espousers of gods and goddesses)—were apparently so caught up in their own conceits, that they completely underestimated the strength of the Apollosian landslide throughout this once Greco-Roman stronghold.

What’s worse, Olympian enthusiasts, in particular track and field heroes, without hesitation—wrought ringing Apollosian endorsements throughout the Aegean Sea.  Undoubtedly, these efforts brought record numbers into the NP column—nothing like denouncing the GRT as effeminate and morally corrupt, as well as anti-family (a charge the Roman side of the GRT-alliance vehemently denies).

TACITUS INTERPRETS THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA-CHANGE (history)

The Greco-Roman pundit, Tacitus, trying to make sense out of the traditionalist defeat (years later), attempted to soften the GRT’s religio-politico collapse with this prejudice:

“Greco-Roman traditionalists, although now marginalized to the periphery of Empire politics, nevertheless, considered the sweeping Nazarene (i.e., NP) victory as a triumph of Greek democracy and Roman justice.  Never had there been in the history of the Empire such a peaceful shift in political life—the gods were well pleased with this phenomenon—or, should I say, God was pleased (now that the Nazarenes were in power).”

Of course, later Tacitus excoriated the Nazarene influence—when alluding to Nero’s insidious torching of Rome.  Tacitus’ retorts regarding these early Christian landslide victories, demonstrates a sort of tongue-in-cheek Greco-Roman sour grape approach to real history . . . he elaborated:

“But not all the relief that could come from man, not all the bounties that the prince could bestow, nor all the atonements which could be presented to the gods, availed to relieve Nero from the infamy of being believed to have ordered the conflagration, the fire of Rome. Hence to suppress the rumor, he falsely charged with the guilt, and punished Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius: but the pernicious superstition, repressed for a time broke out again, not only through Judea, where the mischief originated, but through the city of Rome also, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind.” (Tacitus, Wikipedia)

TARSHISH – OVERSEAS COLONIES ECHO CHANGE

Not surprisingly, early reports from overseas colonies from Tarshish in Spain to the Tarshishian colonies—originally established by Phoenician traders, adventurers and religious malcontents (many of whom are known to be Nazarenes, ripe for the NP’s agenda)—resoundingly gave the Nazarenes a lopsided showing (Note:  Balloting from overseas colonies, where voting takes place months before Euro-African-Asian provinces in order to have “results in hand”) did not, according to the NP, have any influence on Mediterranean outcomes—although the GRT disputes that assumption.) 

“The results have more to do with the mercantile alliance of small businesses (popular among the Nazarene Party faithful) and the Tarshishian propensity for industry” (quoting Timotheus, campaign manager for AP2).

The only losers in all this—especially in the Trans Atlantic colonies—are the unemployed, poor, as well as the overworked and underpaid.  According to a fringe sect set up by Nazarenes in warning Nazarenes of the NP’s exclusive agenda (i.e., Sojourners of Rome) “most of these impoverished are still disenfranchised—hardly any wears a Roman Toga (a sign of full citizenship in the Republic).” (Losers, James Wallisus, the Cato Institute in coop. with Sojourners of Rome)

Notwithstanding the promises of the GRT to distribute wealth to all (i.e., a classical expression of Greco-Roman progressivism), neither they nor the NP’s set out an agenda geared to appeal to the vast numbers enslaved—enslaved for the purposes of propping up the upper crust of Roman society—nor did the growing middle class of Nazarenes, now wholly in the driver's seat of political persuasion affecting societal evolution, take notice of this glaring oversight of societal imbalance.

JOHN – THE PROPHETIC HOLD OUT

Though under heavy influence from the Apollosian Aegean Sea Region (aptly so entitled, now that the Corinthian-Athenian GRT has virtually collapsed in political disarray), the Apostle John and the Seven Churches of Asia Minor refuse to imbibe in the headlong march of the Christian Church into the realms of the current struggle taking place between the NP & GRT.

We should point out, however, that the Church in Thyatira seems a bit more politically involved and the Church in Laodicea more pre-disposed in support of the NP due in large measure to their trading concerns—a condition that John is rumored to have renounced at a weekend prophetic conference held on the Isle of Patmos for Nazarenes from the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna and Pergamos; and in no uncertain terms:

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”

. . . hardly designed to be coy, and certainly NOT politically correct.

To the contrary—the protestations from what both the NP and the GRT call AJ’s (The Apostle John’s) followers:  OVERCOMERS (because they view all such religio-political involvement in a negative light—adhering to the policy of "overcoming." As one of their foremost spokesperson's very own name so aptly announces their predispositions: ANTIPAS, meaning "Stand Against it All," even so, their commitment to The Nazarene is to Him alone, not to any particular party or "earthly agenda."
 

The Apostle Thomas, whose IP (Indian Party) identifies with both the NP and the separatist-style of the OVERCOMERS (OC), doubts that the IP could have resolved the differences between the NP and the OC; and, as one of the most traveled Nazarenes of our time, the Evangelist Phillip, has said:  “The IP would not have made any difference in any event—they can’t vote from India!”  (However, that could all change with the aforementioned NP’s expansionist plans.)

James, brother of the Nazarene Jesus, is continually used by the NP to substantiate their aggressive agenda to remove evil (code word for the GRT) from the jurisdictions of the Empire.  Speaking out against AJ’s  neutrality and “other worldly” emphasis (which some NPs call indifference), both Aquila and Priscilla of the NP’s Aegean Regional Council rehearsed the now famous lines of James at a victory celebration in Corinth:

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can faith save him?”

AJ is reported to have been incensed at what he called “this rank distortion of Holy Writ.”  He went on to say, as reported in the Corinthian World:

“These NPers so malign the magnificence of God’s Word that to confront their distortions is to give them what little credibility is owing their embarrassment . . . why don’t they quote the entire text:  ‘If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?’  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead’” (James 2:15-16) (John’s a Stick-in-the-Mud, by Alexander the Coppersmith, Corinthian World, Corinth, cir. June A.D. 56)

GRT REGROUPS – A STRATEGY FOR EMPOWERMENT

Before the Roman Senate could convene its new configuration—and hardly had the Roman Seal been placed on the staggering outcomes of these elections—the GRT commenced upon its new election strategies to empower and succeed in the next election.

Of course, this election analysis is NOT an exclusive focus on the NP’s capabilities, or of Nazarene infighting— and surely less on their intrusions into the body politic. 

We would be remiss, however, to exclude the GRT’s upheavals and immediate chagrin without revealing those agents of change which are about transforming the once dominant GRT, bringing it back to its original dominance, as well as the political mainstream.  These changes have actually been afoot for some time; however, with the persistence of the NP’s appeal—notwithstanding the minimal affects of John’s recalcitrant minority of Overcomers—progressive leaders are taking to a serious look at in-house proponents who are demanding that the GRT change its image and ways.

OBAMAMUS-CLINTONIUS WAGE COUNTER-OFFENSIVE

Leading the charge in GRT’s reformation is none other than Scipio Africanus (a.k.a. Senator Baracus Obamamus).  This leading light of the GRT, along with Senator Hillarious Rodamus Clintonius (HRC), from Babylon on the Hudson, is finding common cause to attract disaffected Nazarenes who find themselves aligning more with the progressive policies of the GRT, rather than the “slash and burn” policies of the NP mainliners.

The point of fact is . . . the Nazarenes are NOT a monolithic group populating the Empire, nor can they be taken for granted . . . that’s where the Obamamus-Clintonius (O-C) phalanx asserts itself into the new GRT equation.

First of all, the Overcomers are not found on the O-C radar screens—and, frankly speaking, their usefulness in spreading neutrality is minimal in any event—the damage has already been done:  There’s just too many Nazarenes who’ve entered the political process—BUT, there are enough Nazarenes who can be wooed, according to O-C, from the iron grip of NP’s power-hungry leadership.

Secondly, they claim it’s time to reach out to moderate and clear-thinking Nazarenes, while not alienating GRT faithful.  Just who are these kinds of Nazarenes?  Well, for one, GRT’s own Obamamus is one of them! 

Appearing before a shocked GRT audience during the week of a raging 300-yr. rain storm in Rome (as if God’s judgments were upon their prize possession), both Senators Obamamus and Hillarious “chastised fellow GRTs for failing to acknowledge the power of faith in the lives of the Empire.”

Obamamus’ words were certainly anything but indirect at the GRT’s “Call to Renewal” . . .

“Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation.  Context matters . . . having voluntary student prayer groups using school property to meet should not be a threat, any more than its use by High School Republicans (i.e., “Romans”) should threaten Democrats (i.e., “Greeks”).

What identified Obamamus with the Nazarenes in the audience, while perplexing some GRT faithful, were these revelatory disclosures:

“Kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago (an original Phoenician settlement in the Tarshishian colonies), I felt I heard God’s Spirit beckoning me . . . I submitted myself to His will and dedicated myself to discovering His truth . . . we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse . . . In other words, if we don’t reach out to (fellow Nazarenes) and other religious folk of the Empire and tell them what we stand for, Jerulius Falwellsias and Patros Robotics will continue to hold sway . . . nothing is more transparent than inauthentic expressions of faith:  the politician who shows up at a gathering of African Nazarenes around election time and claps off rhythm to the gospel choir . . . Secularists are wrong when they ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering the public square . . . I think we make a mistake when we fail to acknowledge the power of faith in the lives of  Greco-Romans and join a serious debate about how to reconcile faith with our modern, pluralistic democracy” (Excerpts, slightly edited, from Dan Epso’s Obama:  Democrats  Must Court Evangelicals, AP, 6-26-2006) 

Politicizing African Nazarenes—many of whom were enslaved by both their Punic and Roman taskmasters—is NOT new.  African Nazarenes have had for decades but one political voice and that voice has always been expressed through their Nazarene assemblies (or some call them churches).

HILLARIOUS CLINTONIUS ECHOS OBAMAMUS’ REMARKS

In a speech before a religious conference of the sect of the Nazarenes, again, The Sojourners of Rome, earlier this week (June, A.D. 56), Senator Hillarious played to her audience:

“People can talk all they want about how they want to be part of ending poverty, but if they don’t see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears the stories of millions of Romans and their children who are notable to be lifted out of poverty, because the minimum wage doesn’t pay enough . . . then, don’t let people get away with nice words.” (Her audience of Nazarenes erupted into spontaneous applause.) (Hillary Clinton Talks Religion, slightly edited, by Mark (Marcus) Preston, CNN, 6-29-2006)

There is little doubt that Hillarious is walking a thin line—there is risk for her in the Roman Senate—especially, if she goes for the Pro-Consuls’ position in the next Imperial elections . . . as Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron (an institute founded by Phoenicians prior to Roman colonizers setting foot on the Tarshishian hinterlands):

“She may attract some support from people of faith, but may alienate some secular GRTs.  That is where the balancing act comes in.”  (Ibid, Marcus Preston)

Since Peter’s “conquest” of Jerusalem, and Paul’s ascendancy in Rome, there’s evidence that the GRT has finally awakened in reaching out to the Nazarene leadership.  How this plays out in the on-going politicization of the Nazarenes depends on whether or not Obamamus can galvanize Nazarene voters in this ever-changing Imperial landscape—a landscape now dominated by the NP superstars like AP1 and AP2, and lesser lights like Apollos.

Meanwhile—AJ and the alleged “prophetic witness” espoused by the same—appears more and more isolated, irrelevant, and disconnected—although Nazarene Scriptures state otherwise.  Only time will tell whose vote will count in the end-game scenario.  Both the GRT and the NP are, at this writing, making enormous overtures to all Nazarenes—a once despised and unimpressive sect of religious fools, hardly a political force with which to reckon.

WE HAVEN’T HEARD THE LAST FROM AJ

AJ’s not giving up without his own peculiar preachments he finds in the original calling of the Nazarene Himself:

“Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves . . . carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road . . . but whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’  And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.  And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages.  Do not go from house to house.  Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.  And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’  But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you.  Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’  But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city” (Luke 10:3-12).

NP politicos like Thaddaeus Haggardian (current secretary for the National Association of Nazarenes or NAN) consider AJ’s remarks counterproductive to the witness of the Nazarenes and believe that AJ’s projections “are extreme, and fail in their insensitivities before the Greco-Roman masses”—especially, the quotes from Luke 10:3-12 (hardly a recipe for winning over the legions of uncommitted).

The Apostle John at the conclusion of the Patmos Conference is quoted as challenging his audience of ardent Nazarenes as follows:

“Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, ‘Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.’  So I went to the angel and said to him, ‘Give me the little book.’  And he said to me, ‘Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.’  Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.  But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.  And he said to me, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings’” (Revelation 10:8-11).

Apparently, John and his cohorts in the midst of the GRT and NP’s efforts—will not remain silent:  “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings” – the promise abides, the message is straightforward . . .

John concluded his remarks on Patmos by quoting from the prophet Isaiah:

“‘Woe is me, for I am undone!

Because I am a man of unclean lips,

And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;

For my eyes have seen the King,

The Lord of hosts.’

Then one of the seraphim flew to me,

Having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.  And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

‘Behold, this has touched your lips;

Your iniquity is taken away,

And your sin purged.’

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

‘Whom shall I send,

And who will go for Us?’

Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’

And He said, ‘Go, and tell this people . . .’

(Isaiah 6:5-9).

All indications are that AJ and his lot have no alternative but to speak!  So, plan on hearing a lot more from the OC, NP and the GRT.

P.S. And, rewriting history is a lot of fun . . . you just have to “read between the lines a bit” and you’ll get the drift.