HISTORY OF SPECIES MAN
Kyle followed Amy out under the massive, plastiglass bubble that offered a spectacular view of Erets Admah and the heavens beyond. Kyle stood reveling in the sight.
“Come along, Kyle.” Amy took him by the hand and lead to a low profile building beside the Museum of Abominations.
They entered a well-lit building. "This exhibit is arranged,” Amy said, “last things first so you can trace corruption back to its roots by the chain of cause and effect. Take notice that all things have a duality in their relationship to mankind."
"Duality? Twos of things?"
"Sort of, you'll understand better once we begin."
The first exhibit was a tree—an imitation of the real one he had seen in a lasergraph. The replica’s main trunk extended some twenty feet high with fruited branches filled of silvery leaves stretching to the overhead ceiling as well as sweeping down to the ground. The fruit was round and lusciously full. The fruit of the real tree, Kyle had learned, had no season, but yielded its fruit and leaves each month. The matured leaves of the actual tree fell into the pure waters flowing out from under the bole of the tree and were swept to far-flung corners of the world.
"Do you understand what you see?"
"The Tree of Healing."
"This represents “The Present Age”. The imitation leaves and fruit you see, which on earth are on the real tree, flow down the river to the waters of the world to undo the damage that another tree has brought upon mankind—the tree of knowledge."
"Knowledge?"
"Seems illogical doesn't it? Knowledge has such a noble purpose, but even nobility is no safeguard against corruption. Every discovery, invention, and application of man's knowledge has been twisted by his encounter with the first tree. As it took one Man to undo the damage of one man, so it will take one tree to undo the damage caused by one tree. You'll see one of these two trees a little later; keep that in mind."
They walked past a display of technological devices where other trekkers milled, playing with or testing the various inventions of man's creative genius. Kyle recognized an archaic sat-vid-fone and paused.
“Go ahead, you may try it,” said Amy.
Kyle turned on the receiver.
Instantly an oriental-looking girl Kyle's about age appeared, smiling broadly. "Oh, I see someone," she said to her off-screen guide.
"Uh, hello," Kyle ventured.
"The girl turned back to face Kyle, stifling a giggle. "He's talking to me."
Kyle's face turned red. "Hi, I'm Kyle. Are you on your Last Trek, too?"
She giggled again, covering her mouth. Then said "Hi, I'm Chi-lu-an. Look for me, I'll wave my hand."
Kyle stepped away from the pedestal and surveyed the large room. A girl at the far end of the room stood by a satvidfone waving her arm. Feeling foolish, Kyle waved back and stepped back to the receiver. "I saw you."
"I saw you too. Well, I've got to go now. Bye. Hee hee hee." The screen went dull gray with a slight crackle.
"Girls!"
"Excuse me?" Amy said.
"Oh, not you. Just… girls my own age."
"I see," Amy said, restraining a smile.
"There are so many inventions here: hand held computer-phones, holographs, thought processors… so much excellent technology. How could all these advances not have made the world a better place?"
"Follow me." Amy led to a series of displays that operated on their own. This is what mankind did with just one of those efficiency tools, the computer."
Kyle quoted from a textbook, "Computers: originally used to greatly reduce time-consuming tasks, enlarge the capacity of accomplishment, and made for more accurate computations, hence the name 'computer'."
"The text didn't say that they also contributed to a great squandering of time and money, or that they made addicts out of people by inducing laziness of mind so that people quit using their intellect for the simplest of calculations. But we can't blame that on computers, can we? It's what individuals chose to do with them."
Kyle stared, dazzled by brightly blinking screens filled with of curious-looking figures.
"They’re called video games."
Kyle watched as a fat, man-like figure jumped from building to building.
"Your age group was drawn to these games in droves. Called ‘harmless entertainment’, they all too often proved to be mind-numbing traps that opened doorways to their souls. The more time spent with these, the harder it became to respond to Our Defender. These were as addictive to the mind as illegal or unneeded pharmaceuticals.
“Eventually the evil shades were so bold as to present themselves blatantly on the boards and screens, snaring the unwary and rebellious into deeper darkness. Behold—," Amy pointed to a glass partition that kept trekkers at a distance from certain games that presented sensual, occultic or demonic beings.
"How were such horrible things tolerated?"
"It’s right for you to feel revulsion; they’re isolated for good reason. There are many exhibits in this building which allow you to touch and experiment, but there are some exhibits, that, even now, in the Blessed Generations, would be harmful if you did more than take a quick look. Indeed, there are more things which are kept hidden, which if you even saw them, you’d possibly come under their spell. Such is the nature we've inherited. The Rulers can touch those things without being affected, but not us.
Kyle looked doubtfully at his guide. "How is it that the Rulers are unaffected? Aren't they descended of our common ancestor?"
"In some metaspiritual way they've become disinherited from the first Adam, and as a result are unaffected by the evil of the old age. That’s why they bear rule. Our Defender trusts them to do his bidding in his time, in his way."
Kyle nodded. He looked again at the leering, grotesque faces on the screens. A curiosity to know more stirred deep inside … "Can we leave, this display is affecting me."
Amy’s brow furrowed for an instant. “Sure, Kyle. I’m glad you told me.”
They progressed through the rest of the technology exhibit back to the crude implements that had been fashioned in the dawn of human history. Amy explained, “Even good inventions were turned to evil uses in each culture: metals were used for plows, but also swords and spears; explosives for excavating, but also bombs; noble sciences—such as medicine—were also turned to unnatural selection of who was worthy to live and who wasn't. Technology is a double-edged sword.”
"But we use some forms of technology today. Aren't they potentially dangerous?"
"I told you before that all things in this exhibit were dualistic in nature, remember? That dualism came from the tree of knowledge of good—and evil. Do you see how everything man discovered or invented was used for both good and evil purposes? But as long as the Corrupter is bound, some inventions can be used without harm—on a regulated basis of course."
"So, you're saying that without Corrupter’s evil influence, men wouldn’t have become so, so ...."
"Polluted?"
"That's not exactly the word I'd have chosen."
Amy eyed Kyle. "Softer terms, such as ‘fallen’ or ‘seduced’, allow self-deception. Corrupter only needed to nudge us from time to time once he ensnared our ancestors. Never forget that as a species, we willingly revolted against our primary nature. This next hall is a good demonstration of that."
‘HALL OF LAW’ read the embossed lettering over the doorway. “Here,” Amy said, “the laws of every human empire that ever existed are displayed.”
Kyle walked the passageway scanning several laws of succeeding cultures and civilizations. “I’m puzzled. Why did they change their laws when the ones they originally had seemed to do good for the citizens?”
“These articles display the decline of human law,” Amy said. “Very good, Kyle. Many trekkers never the notice the gradual slide into evil laws. Briefly—each civilization’s laws were instituted to control chaos, agreeing with the nature and order of creation, and as such, were beneficial. But as each empire aged, Corrupter's influence eroded the moral fiber of the rulers who raised spurious arguments against natural law and common sense. The duped intelligentsia subtly gained control of each society by creating false crises, preying on people’s fears, manipulating the masses by the darkened thoughts which flooded their own depraved minds, convincing each other that such lofty thoughts were god-like. It was a short step to alter the laws to suit their appetites and naïve concepts of how things ‘ought to be’. Such ‘progressives’ were puppets in the hands of the Corrupter and his ilk.
“Corrupter saturated their minds with theories designed to bring God's wrath down on humanity. Without fail events always ended with the deluded elite ruling the masses to the erosion of God-given rights, and ultimately destruction. Order collapsed; new laws were implemented against the populace instead of protecting them.
“Have you noticed that the momentum of decline in any given culture was related to its technology.”
“Uh, I hadn't thought about that,” Kyle said.
“Consider this,” Amy said. “At first, in the primitive years—the stone and bronze ages, the decline was measured in millennia, then as mankind invented more labor-saving machines and chemistry, it took centuries, then decades then finally—mere years.”
There was still a third of the exhibit to see, but Kyle said, "I've seen enough."
"I'm sure you have."
"I mean," he tried to explain, "...it’s depressing. Even the great liberating documents of the latter centuries were rendered irrelevant as they were re-interpreted to align with Corrupter's goals. Didn't people ever learn? Couldn’t they see where such declines led previous cultures?"
" Do you see how even the noblest of human efforts had the seeds of self-destruction in them?"
"I see that once the generation of the framers of a government passed, their descendants fell away from their ideals."
"What do you suppose is the inherent weakness of these systems?"
"Umm, when ideals fade, degeneracy overwhelms mankind?"
"Not quite. Didn't Corrupter want to establish his own government? What was the real issue there?"
"Oh, but Corrupter wanted more than his given place. He didn't want to obey, but to rule."
‘And…? Remember the presentation on the screen in the Car.”
“And… be worshipped?”
"And how is man any different?"
Kyle thoughtfully mused, "If mankind was under Corrupter's influence, he probably began to think like him...."
"Keep going, you're on the right track."
"So... mankind wanted to be worshipped instead of recognizing and worshipping the Creator?"
Amy smiled broadly as she nodded.
"But, what about all their references to God as supreme being?"
"All to salve their consciences. Did mankind really need all these documents to govern himself? Or, was it all a form of self-worship, replacing His Law with myriads of their own ‘improvements’ of what He, in His infinite wisdom, decreed?"
"But in their fallen state, they surely needed a more detailed form of government?"
"Government apart from the Creator is blasphemy; it is interlaced with human weakness and thus, doomed to failure—as you see in evidence here. All government but His is rebellion, no matter what their documents and coins profess. How so, you may ask. Then explain how they were all so easily led astray?”
"But, but isn't there something good in us, something untainted from our Fall?"
Amy stepped in front of Kyle, facing him, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Kyle, do you realize this is the first time you’ve associated yourself with a fallen nature? You said 'our Fall.' Do you see what this trek is really about? We can skip all the rest of these exhibits and go directly to the last one in this building. There you can discover the answer to your question for yourself?"
"But what about the other lessons?"
"Irrelevant now that you’ve included yourself in the fall of the species. That’s the sole purpose of all these exhibits, to reveal your own accountability, leading to that essential question. I told you when we first entered that you'd encounter another tree, remember? I believe you're ready."
Kyle nodded, and Amy led back into the main hallway, bypassing other exhibits of physical science, education, religion, medicine, literature, art, music, entertainment, industry, media and others.
"Were all of these tainted?"
"Every one."
At the end of the hallway they came to a shut door. Amy halted. Kyle noted that there was no other exit. "Before we enter, I must tell you that the tree you’re about to encounter is not a replica as was the one in the front lobby. You must not fear it though. It’s critical that you trust me, and do exactly as I tell you, understand?”
Kyle felt intimidated at Amy’s sternness. “Okay.”
“Good. Now enter and see the actual ‘Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil’.” Amy pushed the heavy door; it slowly swung open into a humid atmosphere that had diffused lighting from an unseen source illuminating the tree. Amy explained, “The climate simulates the tree's original environment."
"Eden?"
"Correct."
The tree in the center of the room was the only exhibit. Kyle warily approached. It was squat—almost a bush; its branches stretched only a few feet over his head, resembling a well-known species of oasis-dwelling tree. All in all, it appeared rather drab, with smooth bark and finger-frond leaves. Curious, Kyle circled and was surprised to discover that it was nearly hollow on the backside, rot having eaten deeply into the trunk. From the front there had been no evidence suggesting that the tree was so sickly.
Kyle's eyes were drawn to the fragrant fruit dangling from its boughs displaying a luscious red and yellow swirl.
"Kyle," Amy's sultry voice intruded upon his reverie, "… look how the colors of the fruit swirl. Pick one and taste how delicious it is," she urged.
Kyle stiffened in shocked revulsion.
Amy’s demeanor had changed from official guide to that of a temptress! Kyle felt disoriented and nauseous. He glanced around the room for an exit, wanting to escape.
"It's okay, Kyle," her soothing voice purred, "… what you’re feeling is false. Your own heart is trying to deceive you. You must trust me, not your feelings. I told you not to fear this tree; its poison has been in you from your conception. You‘ve already suffered the consequences of eating from this tree. It’s necessary now for you to take a bite and consciously identify with your prime ancestors who also ate from these branches. Only in this way will you understand that Our Defender’s great sacrifice was also made on your behalf."
The room was spinning. Bile rose in Kyle’s throat; he found breathing in the stifling atmosphere difficult. Amy’s face had a sensuous, sinister leer. What was she trying to do, why was she acting that way? Everything Kyle knew about this tree and how woman first tempted man repelled him; and now she wanted him to eat the accursed fruit?
"I've eaten my bite, Kyle," Amy simpered. "You too, must eat. Only then will you realize that there’s no harm in it—unless you still hold out hope that you are uncontaminated by the bites our ancestors took. Take a bite, you surely won’t die."
Kyle shook his head to clear his thinking. Were these not the very words spoken long ago beside this same tree—with disastrous results? And why was he so dizzy… and must she look so provocatively at him?
"This tree can only harm you if you refuse to take a bite, clinging to the hope that you’re untainted and would be harmed by eating it. By sampling the fruit, you acknowledge that you are descended from the first Adam and have inherited his sin. This acknowledgment is imperative, for only then will you have abandoned all hope of justifying yourself. Only then will you know the magnitude of Our Defender's forgiveness to you personally. If you’re unwilling to do this, we must return to the skipped exhibits; but we’ll eventually only come back to complete this step. Well...?"
"I'm not sure, Amy. I... I want to do the right thing, but...."
"You cannot change from trekker to pilgrim without accomplishing this act. Perhaps I brought you here too soon, I thought you understood that you too, though born in the Blessed Generations, are a sinner."
"I do... but... any tree but this one."
"There is no other tree that can do for you what needs to be done. Eat!"
Kyle wanted to argue or flee from this alluring girl and the repulsive thing she wanted him to do. "Do I have to? I mean how necessary is it to make this self-identification? I already know my species is depraved... isn't that enough? Why put me to this humiliation?"
"In all the years prior to the Great Purge, those that belonged to Him faced ostracism and persecution when they confessed to their sinfulness and sought His forgiveness. All that’s required of us in the Blessed Generations is to take a bite of this accursed fruit to prove that you truly know how decayed we as a species—and you as an individual—really are, even apart from the Corrupter's influence.
“The sin in your own heart is what’s tricking you to mistrust me. I’m not acting seductive, yet you perceive me as such. Your own heart is lying to you because it doesn’t want to acknowledge how evil it is. To fear to partake of this fruit is to say you have not sinned, declaring that you don’t need Our Defender's sacrifice on your behalf. Do you therefore reject his blood that was shed on your behalf?"
"I understand all that, but... but...."
"Kyle, either take a bite, or we go back to those other exhibits. It’s too dangerous for you to remain in indecision."
Kyle gritted his teeth, reached up and plucked a piece of fruit from a low hanging branch, shut his eyes, and bit. The sweet yellow swirl contrasted with the bitter red vein, making for an unusual taste.
Instantly his mind cleared; he realized Amy hadn’t changed, but rather, only his perception of her. Other than that, nothing else of note happened. "It has no effect on me!"
"It was necessary for you to take that bite? This tree's fatal poison was already in your veins. This tree only harms those who refuse to acknowledge its poison is already in their veins. Congratulations, pilgrim."
"Thanks, Amy. I'm sorry I thought such things about you."
"That happens with everyone. I don't take it personally, in fact, I can't, it goes with the job. One thing yet remains, and that will be harder on you than this tree. It's time we joined your father at the Inter-Dimensional Telescopes."
Kyle was changed. Not from the fruit, for although it was necessary, it was primarily symbolic. No, the difference was Kyle's understanding of himself. Gone was his naivete, but not his standing before the Creator. He was more aware than ever of what the Defender had done for him, and loved him more than he had thought possible.
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