And His face shone like molten gold, and He outstretched His arms and He said to us: “Behold the earth in her green raiment, and see how the streams have hemmed the edges of her garments with silver.
“In truth the earth is fair and all that is upon her is fair.
“But there is a kingdom beyond all that you behold, and therein I shall rule. And if it is your choice, and if it is indeed your desire, you too shall come and rule with me.
“My face and your faces shall not be masked; our hand shall hold neither sword nor sceptre, and our subjects shall love us in peace and shall not be in fear of us.”
Thus spoke Jesus, and unto all the kingdoms of the earth I was blinded, and unto all the cities of walls and towers; and it was in my heart to follow the Master to His kingdom.
Then just at that moment Judas of Iscariot stepped forth. And he walked up to Jesus, and spoke and said: “Behold, the kingdoms of the world are vast, and behold the cities of David and Solomon shall prevail against the Romans. If you will be the king of the Jews we shall stand beside you with sword and shield and we shall overcome the alien.”
But when Jesus heard this He turned upon Judas, and His face was filled with wrath. And He spoke in a voice terrible as the thunder of the sky and He said: “Get you behind me, Satan. Think you that I came down the years to rule an anthill for a day?
“My throne is a throne beyond your vision. Shall he whose wings encircle the earth seek shelter in a nest abandoned and forgotten?
“Shall the living be honoured and exalted by the wearer of shrouds?
“My kingdom is not of this earth, and my seat is not builded upon the skulls of your ancestors.