Page 80, THE SWORD AND SICKLE

PART TWO: DECEPTION

CHAPTER-NINE

TEMPLE OF THE VOICE

©2017, Olan L. Smith

Alicia asked the woman who greeted them, "May I ask your name."

"I am Ruth the Moabitess: the wife of Boaz, the mother of Obed, the grandmother of Jesse, the great grandmother of King David, and the second great grandmother of Solomon who built the Temple of the Lord."

Greta and Alicia bowed in front of her and said, "Great is the Lord. The name Yah is greatly to be praised above all others!"

"Stand, my children. Do not bow before me. I am only a servant. You should bow to no individuals, except The Twelve elders."

Greta asked, "Ruth, I am unaware of The Twelve elders. I know only of the deacons. Who are the elders?"

Ruth replied, "You would not know of The Twelve, my child. They come to meet with the three of you, only. Now go! Do not cling to me as I did to Naomi. I am not your mother, I come only to glean what is left behind." The trio turned and walked toward the awaiting crowd of believers, and Ruth followed behind them. As they entered the sanctuary, Ruth spoke again to the gathered crowd, "Behold, my children, they have arrived. Treat them with honor for they will lead us to the End of Days."  She then turned and headed into the temple itself, a building within a building. In front of it stood a bronze alter, and to its left a large bronze basin with people bathing in it. To the side of the temple stood five additional basins, of smaller size with groups of people around each. Reuben watch as Ruth walked up the step an in to the Holy Place through two large pillars made of polished bronze.

The people gathered and said, "You are the ones we have been waiting for. We will guide you to the area where you may undress." They pointed out to an area back the way they came. "See the area up the hallway with the doors, back where you entered from the west side? The area beyond those doors is yours. Inside you will find a lounge, lockers, showers and towels."

Alicia said, "Would you like to show it to us?"

A young girl in her early teens answered, "We must not enter. It is holy and set aside for the three of you, along with your other wives and husbands."

Alicia replied, "Not even if we request it?"

"No, only the elders and deacons may accompany you inside this holy area. When you come out you may ask anyone to be with you in any other part of the temple. They will attend your wishes and desires. All are here to serve you. You will find no one unwilling to join you." The young woman and the group that attended her turned and walked back into the area of fellowship. The group of three entered the locker rooms.

Inside Reuben asked Greta, "What is going on here?"

Greta answered, "I am not certain, my husband. I am unable to read their thoughts. All I can sense is vague feelings such as happiness, sadness and anger. Outside I could understand all their thoughts, but inside here, my mind's blocked. I know no more than either of you."

Alicia asked, "What do you sense from the people?"

"I sense elation, nearly orgasmic in nature. I do not know the details of our mission. I only know we are instrumental in the final days."

"What should we do?" Reuben asked.

"As we are told, undress, shower and return to the congregation for our reception." When they had finished their communal shower, they dried each other and return to camaraderie inside. Reuben was amazed as he looked at the ceiling. Each upper floor extends out further than the one before matching the contour of the temple walls. The highest part of the ceiling was higher than the temple by about ten feet. The area was well lit, and had a wonderful flow of heated air to warm the naked bodies from the cool spring air flowing in from outside. Looking to the area in front of the alter he estimated the size to be again as long as the temple. Many settings, couches and tables placed in circles, and were organized throughout. The clerestory on the north and the south had tall stained glassed window rising to the ceiling. People were talking together in groups, while others together in intimate positions. He noticed the group consisted of many different races and types of people. You could not tell the rich from the poor, or the powerful from the weak. Some were fat, some were thin and many had tattoos emblazoned on their bodies. Every skin color under the sun seem to be well spoken for. One particular young Hindu woman caught his eye. He smile and she walked up to him. Welcome, my husband. I sensed your attraction to me. Come with me and I will show you around. He looked back at Alicia with a query written on his face. They told him to go and have fun. Greta and Alicia hugged each other and smiled.

Greta said to Alicia, "We have forty-five minutes to get acquainted. Where should we go? Oh, I see a group of young men and women approaching. Are you interested, my wife?"

Alicia smiled and said, "So many people, so little time. Might as well get started. It might take a year to work our way through them all."

"Right you are my dear. Right you are. Which one do you want?"

"I say we take them all. Young and old, male and female. I hate to show prejudice." The two of them melded into the group and disappeared.

The young woman with Reuben showed him the open area, and said, "My husband, I would like to take you to one of the private rooms that we might consummate our marriage."

"I don't even know your name or how old you are."

"Excuse me. It is as though I have known you for ages. My name is Iphigenia and my age is of no importance. Just know I am of age and have received the rites of matrimony. See the star on my ring finger. That is to tell all that I have wed the people of the Voice. Without it, no man or woman may have sex.